The team stood in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on the riverbank where the triceratops herd stood guard, their massive forms silhouetted against the fading light of the setting sun.
The crocodile had disappeared beneath the surface of the river, but the tension in the air remained palpable.
Ethan was the first to break the silence, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Did that just happen? Did we really just see a crocodile get launched a couple meters into the air by a dinosaur?"
Sam shook his head, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I don't think 'crocodile' quite covers it. That thing was seriously big, I'm pretty sure it's not coming back for round 2 anytime soon."
Lily let out a slow breath. "Those triceratops are no joke. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of those horns."
Victor grunted in agreement. "They're built for survival. If a crocodile can be manhandled like that, we'd be wise to keep our distance."
Walter chimed in. "It's a good reminder that this world doesn't play by the old rules. Even the herbivores are extremely dangerous."
AJ, his gelatinous form rippling slightly, added his thoughts. "That crocodile... was fast... but the triceratops... were too. They're not... just tanks—they're... smart too. They knew... exactly what... they were doing."
Ethan chuckled, though his eyes remained wary. "Yeah, well, I'm just glad we're not on their menu. Still, we need water, and I'm not exactly thrilled about getting anywhere near that river after that little show."
Sam nodded, his expression thoughtful. "We'll need a plan. We can't just walk up to the river and start filling our bottles. Not with those triceratops on high alert and whatever else might be lurking in the water."
---
They spent the next hour settling into their makeshift camp, their eyes never straying far from the river.
The triceratops herd had calmed somewhat, their massive forms now grazing peacefully along the riverbank. But the memory of the crocodile's failed attack lingered in their minds.
As the sun dipped below the horizon the team gathered around the small fire to discuss their next move. The need for water was urgent, but so was the need for caution.
"Alright," Victor began. "We need water, but we can't risk getting too close to the river. Anyone got any ideas?"
Lily glanced at AJ, her brow furrowed in thought. "AJ, you should be able to make something to help us collect water from a distance?"
AJ's form rippled, a sign that he was considering the idea. "I can try. If I can... make a container... and a long handle... we might be able... to scoop water... without getting... too close."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "A bucket on a stick? That's your big plan?"
Sam looked in his direction. "Got a better idea?"
Ethan shrugged. "Not really."
AJ's form shifted as he focused on the task at hand. He moved to a nearby patch of grass. The others watched in fascination as he began to create the materials.
After several minutes, AJ sat next to his creation—a crude but functional bucket made of Ravager scales. The team nodded in approval, but AJ's next attempt was less successful.
He tried to fashion a long stick, but the wood splintered and cracked under the weight of the bucket. Making the wooden handle thicker wouldn't work either as it would be too heavy.
"It's not working," AJ admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "The wood... isn't strong enough... to support... the weight of the bucket... even without water. The handle... has to be shorter... meaning we'll... need to get closer... to the river... to use it."
Victor frowned, his eyes narrowing as he considered their options. "That's not ideal, but it might be our only choice."
---
Ethan picked up the 'bucket-on-a-stick', volunteering to take on the dangerous job of collecting the water. "AJ, you're coming with me. I need you to warn me if something comes, it'll be near impossible to see what's in the water."
Lily nodded. "I'll keep watch from here. If I see anything moving, I'll give the signal."
Sam went with Ethan and AJ. "I'll watch the surroundings whilst you focus on the water."
Walter and Victor went about halfway. "We'll cover your retreat."
AJ, Sam, and Ethan moved cautiously toward the rivers bank, their footsteps light and their senses on high alert. The triceratops herd had moved away from the river, their massive forms casting long shadows in the fading light. The river glinted, its surface deceptively calm.
When they were close enough, Ethan extended the bucket, his muscles straining as he lowered into the water.
Sam and AJ scanned the surroundings, ready to act at any moment. The air was thick with tension, every rustle of grass or ripple in the water setting their nerves on edge.
"Easy does it," Sam whispered, his spear held at the ready as he looked around.
AJ sat nearby, his senses working hard. "The water's... clear for now."
Ethan nodded, his focus unwavering as the bucket to the brim. The weight of the water made the wooden handle creak slightly, but it held. "Got it," he muttered, lifting the bucket carefully. "Let's get out of here before—"
A faint splash echoed from further upstream, cutting him off. All three froze, their eyes darting toward the source of the sound.
"Probably just a fish," Sam said, though his grip on his spear tightened. "Let's move."
The trio retreated from the river, their footsteps light and their senses on high alert. The bucket sloshed slightly as Ethan carried it, the sound unnervingly loud.
The sun had nearly set, and the shadows around them grew longer, the tall grass swaying gently in the evening breeze.
They were halfway to Walter and Victor when AJ's voice echoed in their minds, sharp and urgent. "Something's... following us."
Ethan and Sam stopped in their tracks, their eyes scanning the surrounding grass. At first, they didn't see anything. But then, a small shape emerged from the shadows, its movements quick yet quiet.
"What is that?" Ethan whispered, his free hand tightening around the handle of his axe.
The creature was small, no larger than a dog, its appearance was anything but ordinary. Its body was covered in sleek, iridescent scales that shimmered in the fading light.
Its eyes glowed faintly with an unnatural green hue. It moved with a predatory grace, its long tail swishing behind it as it crept closer.
Sam narrowed his eyes, his spear held at the ready. "I don't like the look of that thing—it looks too much like a crocodile."
AJ's form rippled uneasily. "It's not alone. There are... more of them. They're... circling us."
As if on cue, two more creatures emerged from the grass, their movements synchronised as they closed in.
Their jaws were lined with razor-sharp teeth, and their claws dug into the earth with each step. They were surrounded.
"Great," Ethan muttered, setting the bucket down carefully. "Just what we needed."
Sam shifted his stance, his spear pointed toward the nearest creature. "Stay close. We don't know what these things are capable of."
The lead creature let out a low hiss, its glowing eyes fixed on Ethan. It lunged suddenly, launching an attack.
Ethan swung his axe in a wide arc, forcing the creature back, but it was already circling again, its companions closing in from the sides.
He had managed to see the creature more clearly, and just like what Sam had said, they were relatively small crocodiles.
But these ones were very different. They stood on all fours, similar to dogs and cats, rather than the usual stubby legs you would expect.
AJ's form shifted, his gelatinous body expanding slightly as he prepared to defend. "They're fast. Too fast. We need to—"
Before he could finish, the second creature lunged at Sam, its claws slashing through the air. Sam sidestepped just in time, his spear swinging toward it.
The creature yelped as the tip grazed its side, but it didn't retreat. Instead, it hissed again, its eyes narrowing maliciously.
Ethan swung his axe again, this time connecting with the lead creature's flank. The impact sent it sprawling.
Lily's voice rang out from the camp, sharp and commanding. "Fall back! Now!"
They didn't need to be told twice. Ethan grabbed the bucket, his movements quick but careful to avoid spilling the precious water.
Walter and Victor approached to help cover their retreat, managing to keep the creatures at bay. The small predators hissed and snarled, but they didn't continue the pursuit as they reached the safety of the camp.
Lily stood at the edge of the rise, her bow drawn and an arrow nocked. As the creatures hesitated at the edge of the tall grass, Lily let her arrow fly
It struck one of the creatures in the leg, causing it to let out a screech before retreating into the shadows. The others followed, their glowing eyes disappearing into the darkness.
The team stood in silence for a moment, their breathing heavy and their hearts racing. The plains were quiet once more, but the encounter had left them shaken.
"Since when do crocodiles run around like dogs?" Ethan asked, setting the bucket down with a sigh of relief.
Sam shook his head, his expression grim. "I don't know. We've already seen the triceratops, so my guess would be some other kind of long-extinct creature."
Lily lowered her bow. "They're gone for now, but we should double the watch tonight."
Victor was quick to agree, volunteering to go first.
They settled back into the camp. As the stars began to appear in the night sky, they remained vigilant, watching the shadows while hoping for a peaceful night of sleep.
Little did they know this was going to be a long night.