The hunger was relentless. No matter how much Gray ate, his body demanded more. It wasn't a hollow, gnawing hunger; it was something deeper, as though every fiber of his being craved fuel for a power he barely understood.
The last herbivore he had taken down—a small, timid creature with stubby legs—had been enough for the moment. But as he sat by the bones, stripped clean of meat, he knew it wouldn't last.
Gray's gaze wandered across the forest floor. The sounds of the jungle seemed sharper now, his ears picking up distant movements and subtle shifts in the air. Every sound painted a picture, every movement told a story.
He clenched his fists, feeling the strength coiled within them. He had been careful so far, targeting smaller prey that required minimal effort to catch and kill. But something inside him burned for more — a test of his limits.
With renewed resolve, Gray rose to his feet and began to move through the jungle. His movements were silent, his heightened senses guiding him through the dense undergrowth.
---
The opportunity came sooner than he expected.
He spotted it near the edge of a clearing — a massive herbivore, far larger than anything he had hunted before. Its thick, armored hide shimmered in the sunlight as it grazed on low-hanging branches. A spiked tail swayed lazily behind it, each swing carrying enough force to shatter bone.
Gray crouched low, studying the creature. This was no easy kill. It was slow but heavily armored, with its tail acting as a deadly countermeasure. He would need to be precise, swift, and deliberate.
He crept closer, his every movement calculated. When he was within striking distance, he launched himself forward.
The creature bellowed in surprise, swinging its tail in a wide arc. Gray ducked beneath the strike, his reflexes carrying him forward. He grabbed hold of the creature's side, his fingers digging into its rough hide. With a surge of strength, he heaved himself upward and delivered a powerful blow to its neck.
The impact reverberated through his arm, and the creature staggered. But it wasn't enough.
The herbivore thrashed wildly, throwing Gray to the ground. He rolled to his feet, dodging another swing of its tail. This time, he waited for an opening, his breathing steady despite the exertion.
When the creature lunged forward, Gray moved. He sidestepped its charge and delivered a crushing blow to its side, targeting the softer flesh beneath its armor. The creature let out a final bellow before collapsing, its massive body hitting the ground with a thunderous crash.
Gray stood over his kill, his chest heaving. His hands were bloodied, but he felt no pain. Instead, there was a strange exhilaration coursing through him.
"Stronger than I thought," he muttered, wiping his hands on the grass.
---
As he began to prepare the meat, another sound caught his attention.
It was faint at first, a rustling in the bushes nearby. Gray tensed, his senses sharpening. He turned toward the sound, ready for another fight.
A small figure emerged from the underbrush. At first glance, it seemed harmless — a carnivorous dinosaur no larger than a large dog, with sharp teeth and piercing eyes.
Gray watched as it approached the carcass, its movements cautious but determined. It sniffed the air, clearly drawn by the scent of blood.
He grabbed a bone from the pile, ready to defend his kill. But the creature didn't attack. Instead, it sat back on its haunches and let out a low, warbling growl.
Gray tilted his head, unsure of what to make of it. After a moment's hesitation, he tossed a chunk of meat toward the creature. It snapped up the offering greedily, devouring it in seconds.
"Guess you're hungry too," Gray muttered.
The creature stayed where it was, watching him with an intensity that made him uneasy. He returned to his work, stripping more meat from the carcass. But no matter how much he ignored it, the small dinosaur wouldn't leave.
By the time Gray finished his meal, the creature was still there, its sharp eyes following his every move.
"You're persistent," he said, tossing another piece of meat in its direction.
This time, the dinosaur didn't eat immediately. Instead, it edged closer, its movements cautious but curious.
Gray sighed, shaking his head. "You're not gonna leave, are you?"
The dinosaur chirped in response, its tone almost playful.
"Fine. Stay if you want. But I'm not carrying you," he muttered, rising to his feet.
As he began to walk away, the creature followed, keeping a safe distance. Gray glanced over his shoulder, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Guess I've got company now."