The afternoon sun was brilliant, casting a shimmering glow across the lake as the clouds moved above. Golden sunlight danced upon the water's surface, like a living, breathing oil painting.
The Primeval Ecological Zone was as serene and peaceful as ever.
[Health: 37884.9/80960]
Carlo had uncharacteristically skipped his afternoon nap today. Crouched beneath the shade of a tree by the lakeside, he gazed out at the rippling water, seemingly lost in thought.
Thump... thump...
His tail thudded against the ground in a steady, rhythmic beat. With perfect timing, it dodged the tiny Parasaurolophus hatchlings attempting to chase it with every single swing.
"Aunnng—"
The Parasaurolophus mother deposited a bundle of leaves into her nest, calling out to her offspring with a low bellow.
The little Parasaurolophus hatchlings were easily distracted. The moment food appeared, they forgot all about Carlo's tail and scurried over on their stubby legs, crowding around the nest to munch on the vegetation.
Carlo turned his head slightly, casting a glance at the Parasaurolophus mother behind him. Among the herbivores, she was the only one brave enough to stay this close to him...
Gurgle, gurgle...
Well, there was also Stego bro. Though, why did that guy seem like he didn't care about anything in the world except drinking water?
Carlo turned his gaze to the other side. Having finished hydrating, Stego bro was now sprawled out on the lawn, basking in the sun.
Having just sensed his gaze, the Parasaurolophus mother shifted her attention from her hatchlings to Carlo. Seeing that he wasn't actually looking at her anymore, she felt a brief pang of confusion.
Was it just my imagination?
She slowly padded forward and settled down less than five meters away from Carlo, quietly keeping him company as they watched the scenery together.
At least to her, this felt quite comfortable.
Thump... thu...
The leisurely movement of Carlo's tail snapped to a sudden halt. He looked toward the Ankylosaurus habitat, lifting his head slightly as he took two deep sniffs.
The faint, almost imperceptible scent of blood drifted through the air, accompanied by an unsettling sensation in his chest. Carlo rose to his feet, let out a soft growl to the dinosaurs by the lake, and strode toward the source of the disturbance.
Stego bro raised his head, watching Carlo's departing figure, silently tracking him until he disappeared.
Rustle...
"Aunnng-roar—"
A long, piercing shriek echoed through the area. The Indominus rex hadn't headed toward the Carnotaurus territory; instead, she had arrived at the great lake first!
The herbivores didn't show much panic initially. But the moment an Struthiomimus was batted flying through the air, total hysteria erupted!
The Parasaurolophus herd bellowed as they fled. The stray dinosaurs nesting by the great lake scattered in a disorganized, undisciplined frenzy, exposing their backs to the predator. Dinosaurs collided and shoved against one another, desperately trying to get as far away from the killer as possible.
The Indominus lowered her head slightly, staring at the crimson blood staining her claws. She then looked up at the scattering dinosaurs, filled with an indescribable sense of... exhilaration?
As a hybrid dinosaur, she could perceive the emotions of many different species. And she hadn't felt such a rich, overwhelming influx of emotions in a long, long time.
A dense cloud of pheromones saturated the air, leaving her thoroughly satisfied. Fear, the instinct to survive, danger, determination?
Amidst the fleeing herd, a lone figure moving against the current caught her attention. It radiated an emotion she had never encountered before.
Drip... drip...
Water droplets fell from his beak. Stego bro walked unhurriedly toward the Indominus. His genetic instincts screamed at him to run, but his mind held a completely different view.
Over the past six months, he had thought a lot. Perhaps he had once driven away his own kind just to hoard a water source. But here, over these past six months, the silent acceptance from all the other dinosaurs had given him a completely new perspective.
He wanted to protect this place, just like that foolish, rapidly growing kid did.
"Grrnnng…"
The Indominus was in no hurry. She dropped into a quadrupedal stance. The emotion coming from this Stegosaurus was very similar to what she had previously sensed from an Ankylosaurus, yet subtly different. For a moment, curiosity overrode her urge to slaughter.
That Ankylosaurus was always terrified. Will you be the same?
Stego bro halted his advance. The surrounding herbivores had completely cleared out, leaving only him and the Indominus in the clearing.
Stego bro squared his posture, quietly waiting for the Indominus to attack. The hybrid obliged instantly, launching herself like a spring straight toward him!
Slash...
Thud!
Four deep claw marks gashed across Stego bro's flank, bright red blood welling up from the wounds. The Indominus felt a heavy impact shatter against her face, forcing her back two steps.
Clink...
A scimitar-shaped tooth clattered onto the grass. Stego bro had struck the exposed, gum-like tissue on the Indominus's jaw, drawing blood of her own.
You're a tough one. In that case...
Feeling a dull throb from his tail, Stego bro adjusted the angle of his tail spikes, shifting from a horizontal defensive posture to a diagonal striking angle.
Let me bleed you a bit more.
Sensing the shifting emotions radiating from Stego bro, the Indominus felt a sudden surge of playfulness!
You creature, you truly delight me! I have never met anyone like you... Huh?
The Indominus sensed a sudden anomaly. But before she could investigate the cause, Stego bro preempted her. Stopping less than three meters away from the Indominus, he executed a sharp 180-degree drift, whipping his tail outward like a launching missile!
This strike wasn't meant to impale her; it was meant to slice her open.
Even though the Indominus had turned her head to check the disturbance, her reflexes remained blindingly fast. She was far more agile on four legs; with a swift shift of her body, she managed to dodge, letting the tail spikes merely graze past her!
Yet, despite her speed, a fine laceration appeared on her face. Had it been any other dinosaur, even a near-miss like that would have done far more damage than a mere scratch.
Stego bro didn't overextend. He abruptly broke into a forward sprint. Though it looked like a retreat, he didn't seem the least bit panicked.
A perfect chance!
The Indominus shifted her posture a third time! She lowered her body, tensing her muscles, ready to pounce!
Stego bro had left a fatal opening for his opponent. And the only reason he did so was because he had noticed something.
Thump!
"Aunnng-roar!"
In the next instant, an agonizing shriek tore through the air! Razor-like teeth clamped violently into the flesh on both sides of the Indominus's neck! Carlo had ambushed her from above, pinning her neck firmly to the ground.
You like to play? You like to lower your body? You like using four legs?
The Indominus's violent thrashing caused a sharp sting in Carlo's mouth. The metal-hard proto-feathers and quills on the back of her neck were interfering with his bite force.
Reacting quickly, Carlo released his grip, snapped his jaws shut again, and adjusted his biting angle. He did his best to avoid letting the sharp quills cut him further while shifting his weight.
If I can't bite through your neck, I'll snap your legs!
Securing his lock on the Indominus's neck, Carlo violently snapped his head up and threw his weight sideways! He launched the Indominus's massive body, which was no smaller than his own, through a massive 180-degree arc in the air, slamming her violently into the dirt!
A shoulder throw!
Crack.
The sound of fracturing bone rang out. Carlo released his grip, the taste of copper filling his mouth; his oral cavity had clearly been sliced up by the quills.
The pheromones of fear still saturated the air, but this time, they were emanating from the Indominus herself, even though she was completely oblivious to it.
Her yellow eyes reflected Carlo's massive form; he was the only thing left in her vision.
Worry? Rage? Relief? Fear? She couldn't decipher Carlo's thoughts. The flood of complex emotional data entering her mind left her dazed... and perhaps even a little entranced?
Carlo was the only creature she had ever met who could project so many distinct emotions simultaneously.
"Aunnng-roar—"
She attempted to stand, but her fractured bone wouldn't allow it. She let out a low rumble that carried a trace of excitement. Even though this opponent had just broken her bone, her curiosity remained entirely undiminished.
Carlo blinked in slight surprise. He seemed... to understand a fraction of what she meant? Ever since he started living alone, he had never encountered anything like this.
Because he wasn't a standard Giganotosaurus, he could only sense her emotions, unable to translate the exact message she wanted to convey.
But... it seemed like she didn't want to fight anymore?
…
[Date: Year ****, Month **, Day . The Indominus rex engaged in communication with Giganotosaurus No. 3, ceasing her slaughtering behavior. Currently under further observation.]
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