Previously on Protector’s of Worlds:

Our heroes have won a great victory!

After a long-fought battle with the Scavengers and the magnetic automaton, Magnopsy, the Glorarex bomb went off, damaging the hive and scaring off the amorphous invaders, causing them to retreat. This allowed the Rovernites to reclaim their home and rebuild finally!

While our two heroes were contributing their help, Marcel came across the same portal that brought Calem to Cybenetex. Knowing why it was here, Calem told his friend that it was time to say goodbye to Starman and the Rovernites. Marcel was hesitant at first, not wanting to leave his master and all the friends he made on Cybenetex but after a reassuring talk from Starman about how he’s been given a gift to help others, a more invigorated Marcel joins with Calem as both prepare themselves for the new world.

What new obstacles await them? Let us proceed….

X

An abundance of life was thriving everywhere in a vast area with lots of lush vegetation. One of the lifeforms, a small lizard creature, resembling a mix between a gecko and an iguana with purple skin, long back spikes, and yellow spots was idling by, cleaning its eyes with its tongue while resting on a stone.

Its eyes motioned around until the left eye locked in on a small insect that resembled a moth with red coloring perched on a leaf. The lizard slowly moved its head toward the direction of the moth and in the blink of an eye, shot out its tongue, grabbing it and pulling it into its mouth, crunching it multiple times before swallowing it whole.

In the middle of everything, a bluish light illuminated everything before forming a strange wall. This caused any nearby creature to flee away, scared by the whole thing. The wall turned out to be a portal as our two heroes, Calem Drewick and Marcel Lamunci walked out of it. As they checked their surroundings, the portal behind them vanished in an instant.

“Amigo, where are we now?” Marcel said, curious about where they’d been taken.

“No idea, but we’ll know more once we start moving.” Calem responded as the two start moving forward, getting through lush bushes and plants while animal calls could be heard in the distance.

X

Upon traveling for miles, the two got a better understanding of the environment around them. Judging from the numerous plants and wildlife, the massive trees that block sunlight, and the hot and humid atmosphere, they believed they are in some kind of jungle area.

The two then pushed some big plants aside and found themselves a new area to explore. It was a large open field of grass surrounded by trees, some above average while some were 150ft tall, with bushes bearing big blue fruit about the size of a basketball. They felt relieved that they didn’t have to go through dense plant life, trip on undergrowth, and deal with tiny pests that bit them repeatedly.

Walking through the grass fields, they came to a stop for about a mile when they saw a magnificent sight.

They came across a small herd of creatures that resembled stegosaurids with vermilion eyes and two sets of color schemes on their bodies: their entire front side was entirely ultramarine blue while their backside was a cerulean blue. The adults were about 12ft tall and 25ft long with sharp back plates and at the end of their tails was a spear-tipped blade. The young were about 7ft tall and 11ft long with spherical balls on their backs and no spear blade yet, but instead, a small ball hidden within the tip of their tails.

The strangest thing about them was that the back plates and the spear-tipped blade on the adults and the balls on the young had a metallic look to them.

The creatures were minding their own business with the adults eating grass and keeping a watchful eye for any predators while the young ate the fruit on the bushes and played with each other.

“They’re…They’re amazing,” Calem said with amazement as the two admired the creatures.

In their astonishment, they didn’t notice that one of the young was approaching them, intrigued by them. When they snapped out of it, the young was circling around them, curiously sniffing them.

“Well, hello there,” Marcel said in a joyful tone.

Seeing that it was harmless and cute too, the two decided to play with it a bit, having it chase them around but also keeping their distance. It didn’t take long for its mother to notice what was going on. While they weren't doing anything to her child, that didn’t stop her from thinking they were predators, waiting to deliver the killing blow. Driven by parental instincts, the mother charged straight toward them, roaring as loud as possible.

“Oh, shit!” Calem yelled out which caused him and Marcel to run away, leaving behind the young one while its mother chased after them.

They ran as fast as they could, but the mother, despite its massive size, proved to be quite fast as it was catching up with them. They braced for what was about to happen but slowed down when they noticed something wrong with the mother.

She stopped giving chase and was frozen solid, sniffing the air before letting out worried whimpers. She quickly runs back to her child, roaring to it as both rushes back to the herd.

“What just happened? Why did it stop chasing us?” Calem said, confused by the mother’s reaction.

“No idea. Something must’ve scared it.” Marcel responded.

GRRRRRRRR…….

A low and heavy growling sound came from the trees behind Calem and Marcel, startling them both and having them stay perfectly still. Slowly as they can, they turned their heads back to see what was growling. In an instant, something big jolted out of the trees, causing the two to roll out of the way.

What just flew out was a massive theropod-like creature that stood around 15ft tall and 7ft long with a roundish body, yellow skin, small green eyes, a viridian green underbelly, short stubby arms with a single claw, long toes for which they walk on armed with long sickle claws, and hard brown ridges on its back.

The herd quickly noticed the quick and deadly predator coming their way and went into a panic, scattering about everywhere. The alien theropod roared viciously while chasing other herd members away, disorganizing them even further.

The carnivore comes to a stop as all the alien stegosaurids have escaped…..save for one, who had an injured back left leg. Its strategy worked: launch a surprise ambush attack, which will cause the herd to go into disorder, having them flee until the slowest or most injured is left behind.

Now that it has prey within sight, the predator swiftly catches up to it. The injured herbivore, realizing it's alone and the others have fled, decides to fight. The two beasts roar at each other, not backing down. The carnivore moves back left and right, looking for a perfect chance to strike while the herbivore stays on the defensive, rearing its tail back.

With a quick bluff attack, the theropod was able to have the stegosaurid swing its tail, having it miss and with a clear opportunity, strike with its right sickle claws, hitting the body as they cut deep into the herbivore's flesh while roaring in deep pain. With the spear-tipped tail coming back in quickly, the carnivorous theropod, using its amazing agility, jumps back and quickly manages to get in a claw strike with its right leg, this time managing to claw into the stegosaurid's back leg.

The wounds on the herbivore proved to be deadly as red blood bleed from them like a waterfall, nearly dozing off and their legs shaking. Now that the prey is weakened, the alien theropod didn’t waste any time, looking to finish the hunt.

While this battle was going on, Calem and Marcel were watching this whole thing unfold. It was at this point that the alien theropod clamped its jaw on the body and relentlessly struck, leaving deep lacerations. The cries and wails from the poor creature made the two feel sorry for it.

“Shouldn’t we do something?” Marcel asked.

“No….” Calem responded slowly, knowing deep down that he wants the help the alien herbivore, but knew that this was nature taking its course. “Let’s go…..”

As he said, the two venture on but Marcel stopped after a mile to look back at the two battling monsters, only to see the alien stegosaurid collapse on its right side, dead from losing copious amounts of blood. Now that its prey is finally finished, the carnivore starts feasting, slicing big chunks off before picking them up with its jaws and swallowing them whole. Having seen enough, Marcel catches up with his friend.

X

Our two heroes, after traveling for so long, have now come across a new location: a beach area that extends for hundreds of miles with water washing in every now and then. Walking for so long has exhausted them that they decided to sit and rest for the moment.

“Nowhere else to go. What now? “ Marcel said while massaging his aching legs as Calem brainstormed a few ideas.

He didn’t want to back and risk getting attacked by some carnivore and he didn’t see any signs of land for miles in the open sea. Suddenly, an idea came to mind!

“Why don’t we build a raft?” Calem suggested.

“A raft?” Marcel said while chuckling a bit. “That’s the best you can think of?”

“Yeah. I mean, It’s kind of easy to make one, right?” Calem said.

“I guess so………” Marcel said slowly, hesitant at first with the idea. “But we don’t know what’s out there.”

“Well, it’s either that or we stay here and become something’s lunch,” Calem responded.

Once the word “Lunch” came into mind, Marcel turned his head back, looking at the jungle, and thinking of the vicious alien carnivore he witnessed before. He figured that that one was just the beginning, that there are other predators, larger, scarier, and more ferocious than the last.

“Alrighty,” Marcel said before getting up and doing a bit of stretching. “Let’s get to work, shall we?”

Now that they have a plan, the two summoned their armor, went into the jungle, and proceeded to fetch supplies. Marcel would try to find logs that were about 8ft long and 7 inches thick and bring back around one or two to the shore while Calem looked for thick vines that could hold the logs together. For hours and hours, the two traveled back and forth, bringing in any supplies they can until the sun is gone and night comes in.

Tired after a long day, Calem and Marcel sat next to a fire, relaxing while eating some fruit. Having had their fill, the two then go to sleep. With all the materials they have, they believe they can build the raft tomorrow and venture out to the sea but for now, it's time to rest……….

X

Morning has come as the light from the sun shines down on our heroes, shining on their eyes and waking them up from their slumber. Slowly they get up, still a bit sleepy as they stretch and scratch their eyes. Once ready, they proceed to finish what they started, using the materials they found: 9 logs and a lot of vines.

They start by having Marcel grab two logs and hold them while Calem uses the long and thick vines to tie the longs in place. When that is completed, they do the same thing with the others. There were a few mishaps though, such as Calem accidentally tying his hands together or wrapping the entire body of Marcel with vine. The process took hours but in the end…..

The raft was finally completed! It was a bit disorganized and some of the vines didn’t look that tight but overall seem to be in perfect shape, big enough for both of them.

“(Phew)…… We’re done.” Calem said, exhausted from the whole thing while wiping sweat off his face.

“Not bad for the first time, huh?” Marcel said as he removed the last of the vines from him.

“Well. we’ll see once we get it on water.” Calem said.

The two, giving it all they had, push the raft into the sea. As soon as it's aloft, the vines on the right side snap, causing two logs to drift away, leaving 7 logs to go and making the raft a bit smaller.

“Okay, minor mishap…..” Marcel said, jokingly.

The two walk into the sea before jumping onto the raft and using long sticks as oars to push themselves forward, journeying across the water to find new land.

Back on the island they just left, on top of the tower high trees, was another alien creature, this time resembling a pterosaur that’s about 12ft tall with green skin, purple stripes on its neck and tail, massive yellow wings with a single claw with membrane with visible vessels, a large crest with a magenta coloring, and on its feet are two toes with huge hook-like claws.

It was in the middle of resting with its head lowered and two toes gripping the branch tightly. A sudden growl from its stomach woke it up, meaning its time to hunt. It scanned the entire horizon for any signs of prey but stopped when it saw something strange move across the sea. It wasn’t like any other lifeform it has encountered before, but whatever it is……..that’s its meal.

X 2 hours later X

Across the wide blue sea, rowing for hours and they still haven’t seen any sign of land. Both were tired, their arms were hurting, and the heat from the sun made them sweat buckets.

“Break time?” Calem asked Marcel with exhaustion in his voice.

“Break time,” Marcel responded.

Both laid down the oar sticks, giving their arms a break as Calem lies on his back with his hands behind and resting his eyes but for Marcel, he lies on his stomach, putting his left hand into the water and making little splashes. He stopped when he noticed some marine creatures a few feet away, coming up for air while blowing water out of their noses. He didn’t get a full view of their bodies but noticed they had brown skin and brown stripes and when they dived, they had paddle-like tails.

Suddenly, a large shadow passes over them, startling them both. The marine creatures Marcel was observing quickly submerged in fear, hinting that there is gonna be trouble.

They got up in an instant and turned their heads in all directions, looking for the one that passed on right over them. It wasn’t until Marcel spotted something from the east: a silhouette of a giant winged beast flying at high speeds toward them.

“Don’t look now, pal, but we got some company,” Marcel warned his friend who looked to the east and witnessed the flying creature coming in.

“Okay, break’s over!” Calem shouted, realizing the danger.

The two hurried, grabbing the oar sticks, and rowed with as much speed as possible. The silhouette, revealing itself to be the alien pterosaur from before, closes in and readies itself to grab one of the humans.

“Get down!” Marcel yelled, which made the two duck.

Just narrowly, they managed to avoid the razor-sharp hook claws as the flying reptilian flew over them. Angered but knowing this was just a slight mistake, the alien pterosaur circled back to them, coming in from the northwest this time.

Calem drops the oar when he sees the creature homing in on them. Sparks of electricity form around his left arm as a lightning bolt appear from his hand. Without any hesitation, he throws the bolt of lightning, frightening the alien pterosaur as it maneuvers to the left, letting the lightning bolt pass by it.

The creature was scared now that it realized its prey has the means to defend itself. It wants to turn around and head back to the island, find something else to eat, but it has come too far. It wants to get this over with as it comes in from the north on them, hoping to catch them this time.

Calem summoned another lightning bolt, ready to hurl it as the creature closes in on them again.

Starving and with prey in sight, the pterosaur-like alien brings in its claw and hopes to grab one of the two, hoping to eat finally! Just a few more feet and it would've gotten Calem or Marcel, but suddenly…….

Out from the sea, the head of a giant aquatic predator bursts out, clamping its massive jaws down on the pterosaur in midair, leaving the wings the only visible part!

Once the marine behemoth splashes into the sea, Calem and Marcel, who both had shocked expressions with wide eyes stared at each other, shaken that that giant flying alien was devoured by an even bigger organism!

Snapping out of it, Calem grabbed his oar in a hurry and both rowed with as much manpower as they could produce.

“Come on, Calem! Put your back into it! Row!” Marcel pressuring his friend.

“I am! I’m rowing like I’ve never rowed before!” Calem shouted back

“Have you?” Marcel asked, curious

“No! Just keep on rowing!” Calem shouted

They proceeded, rowing and rowing, even when their arms started to ache and cramp.

Finally, their hard work paid off! Calem looked north and saw a silhouette of a huge island just a few miles away!

“Land! Land!” Calem shouted with joy as Marcel spotted the island as well and then formed a big smile on his face.

“Yeah, baby!!” Marcel shouted with gee. “Let’s pick up the pace!”

With an island just within their reach, the two ignored their pain and mustered everything they could. In their excitement, they failed to notice that the shadow of the giant marine predator from before was right behind them!

The island was only 100 feet away from them and the two just can’t wait to walk on land again, but all that was disrupted when all of a sudden, the aquatic behemoth struck, breaching out of the water and high into the air with the raft stuck in its huge mouth, filled with many jagged teeth!

This giant looked like a mosasaur with greyish skin, black stripes, a white underbelly, webbed forelimbs, was around 55ft tall and length could be around 70ft long.

“Jump!” Calem yelled to his friend.

Dropping their oar sticks, they jumped off the raft as the marine giant crushed it into pieces. They hit the water feet first and fastly get to the surface, gasping for air. Looking up, the sea behemoth was coming down, looking to fall right on top of them.

“SWIM! SWIM!!!” Marcel shouted

They swam away, but the long hours of rowing made have finally caught up to them, making them slow and sluggish. The behemoth splashes down, creating massive waves. With no chance of outrunning them, the waves catch up to the two, coming down on them before everything went black………..

X

On the beach shore of the unknown island, we see one of our heroes, Calem, unconscious on the sand for who knows how long…….

GAAASSSPPPP!!!

Awaken all of a sudden, Calem breathed in as much air as he could while coughing. Slowly getting up, he wondered about the whereabouts of his friend.

“Marcel! Where are you, buddy?!” Calem shouted

He looked everywhere for him, heading left and shouting as loud as possible until he finally found him. Marcel was just 10 feet away from him, on his stomach, unconscious. He runs to him, worried as he picks him up and holds him in his arms.

“Buddy, you ok?! Calem said, shaking his friend, hoping for some reaction. “Come on, pal. Please tell me your alive!”

Suddenly, Marcel coughs out some sand, spitting some onto Calem’s face who then wipes it off.

“Of course I am……(cough) (cough)...Otherwise, I wouldn’t be eating sand right now.” Marcel said, spitting out more sand as Calem helps him up. “So, where are we now?”

Calem shrugs his shoulders just when they heard animal calls coming right behind them. They looked back and to their dismay……..see’s a jungle area with huge trees, just waiting to be explored by them.

“Oh, you’ve gotta be kidding….” Marcel said displeased, knowing he’ll have to go through another jungle…….