food and some of them stalking each other.
If any Phrenorians had been waiting, the creatures wouldnât have been present and that void would have given them away. Sage noted that the repellant Jahup had made still worked because they werenât bothered.
When the time had elapsed and he was satisfied no one was watching the site, Sage tapped Jahup on the shoulder and nodded toward the hidden site. Sage led the way, walking down into the lower part of the jungle and stepping behind the camo sheet.
A slither above drew Sageâs attention to the upper branches of the tree. With a rush of scales, the omoro descended and lunged toward Jahup.
The creature was four meters long from the tip of its ridged snout to the thick, stubby tail. The scales were thick and ridged, uneven in most places, and looked like a pile of rocks strewn along its length. The head was a craggy mass with a bone ridge that flared out a half meter from between its eyes to the back of its skull. Two more ridges almost as large jutted out along the jaws, framing a meter-Âlong maw filled with rows of serrated teeth. When Makaum built a predator, it didnât hold back. The omoro looked like a spear as it streaked toward its intended prey. Ten powerful legs propelled it forward in a hypnotic choreography of synchronized thrusts.
By the time Jahup realized the danger he was in and tried to move aside, he was already a half step too late. Fear widened the young scoutâs eyes.
Sage drew the etess from over his shoulder and the hide-Âcovered hilt felt solid and secure in his hand. The sharp blade ripped free of the sheath and he hoped it would be enough to handle the omoro. Sage slammed into the giant lizard and felt the breath go out of him. He stumbled and tried to regain his footing, but the omoro grabbed his thigh with one of the heavy-Âclawed feet, yanking him to the side.
Jahupâs dive had almost taken him clear of the attack, but the omoroâs back quarters swung around and caught him in the chest with its stubby tail. Jahup flew backward and crashed against a nearby tree, striking his head hard. His arms relaxed at his side.
Sage didnât know if the young man was alive or dead. The omoro twisted and squirmed like a boneless thing, managing to turn in all directions seemingly at once. Knotted in a ball, man and creature struck the ground.
Sage landed on the bottom, but knew he couldnât stay there and live. The omoro ripped at him with its great claws, digging shallow furrows across his chest, stomach, and thighs as Sage kicked away and rolled to his feet. He was conscious of the absence of the AKTIVsuit, too aware of the armor he didnât have.
He brought the etess up in both hands and stepped into a fighting stance. The omoro looked like a spring coming uncoiled as it flipped and flopped on the jungle floor. One of its feet caught in the camo netting and trapped it for a moment.
Hoping to take advantage of the omoroâs bad luck, Sage quickly stepped forward and swung the etess at the lizardâs head. The blade clanged home, but didnât bite into the creatureâs flesh as Sage had hoped. Only a few small pieces of scale tore away. Sage set himself again and thrust at the omoroâs nearest eye, thinking that the organ had to be vulnerable.
The blade pierced the eye and dark purple blood wept down the omoroâs cheek. Screaming in rage, a deep coughing bellow that echoed in the jungle, the lizard opened its mouth so wide it looked like Sage could have stepped in. He pulled on the etess , but the weapon didnât come free. Just as he was about to yank on the blade again, the omoro jerked once more and tore the etess from Sageâs hands.
Unarmed, Sage stepped back, hoping that the monster was in its death throes. With only a little warning, the omoro launched itself at him once more. Sage threw himself to the side and got to his feet only a split-Âsecond before the omoro twisted
If any Phrenorians had been waiting, the creatures wouldnât have been present and that void would have given them away. Sage noted that the repellant Jahup had made still worked because they werenât bothered.
When the time had elapsed and he was satisfied no one was watching the site, Sage tapped Jahup on the shoulder and nodded toward the hidden site. Sage led the way, walking down into the lower part of the jungle and stepping behind the camo sheet.
A slither above drew Sageâs attention to the upper branches of the tree. With a rush of scales, the omoro descended and lunged toward Jahup.
The creature was four meters long from the tip of its ridged snout to the thick, stubby tail. The scales were thick and ridged, uneven in most places, and looked like a pile of rocks strewn along its length. The head was a craggy mass with a bone ridge that flared out a half meter from between its eyes to the back of its skull. Two more ridges almost as large jutted out along the jaws, framing a meter-Âlong maw filled with rows of serrated teeth. When Makaum built a predator, it didnât hold back. The omoro looked like a spear as it streaked toward its intended prey. Ten powerful legs propelled it forward in a hypnotic choreography of synchronized thrusts.
By the time Jahup realized the danger he was in and tried to move aside, he was already a half step too late. Fear widened the young scoutâs eyes.
Sage drew the etess from over his shoulder and the hide-Âcovered hilt felt solid and secure in his hand. The sharp blade ripped free of the sheath and he hoped it would be enough to handle the omoro. Sage slammed into the giant lizard and felt the breath go out of him. He stumbled and tried to regain his footing, but the omoro grabbed his thigh with one of the heavy-Âclawed feet, yanking him to the side.
Jahupâs dive had almost taken him clear of the attack, but the omoroâs back quarters swung around and caught him in the chest with its stubby tail. Jahup flew backward and crashed against a nearby tree, striking his head hard. His arms relaxed at his side.
Sage didnât know if the young man was alive or dead. The omoro twisted and squirmed like a boneless thing, managing to turn in all directions seemingly at once. Knotted in a ball, man and creature struck the ground.
Sage landed on the bottom, but knew he couldnât stay there and live. The omoro ripped at him with its great claws, digging shallow furrows across his chest, stomach, and thighs as Sage kicked away and rolled to his feet. He was conscious of the absence of the AKTIVsuit, too aware of the armor he didnât have.
He brought the etess up in both hands and stepped into a fighting stance. The omoro looked like a spring coming uncoiled as it flipped and flopped on the jungle floor. One of its feet caught in the camo netting and trapped it for a moment.
Hoping to take advantage of the omoroâs bad luck, Sage quickly stepped forward and swung the etess at the lizardâs head. The blade clanged home, but didnât bite into the creatureâs flesh as Sage had hoped. Only a few small pieces of scale tore away. Sage set himself again and thrust at the omoroâs nearest eye, thinking that the organ had to be vulnerable.
The blade pierced the eye and dark purple blood wept down the omoroâs cheek. Screaming in rage, a deep coughing bellow that echoed in the jungle, the lizard opened its mouth so wide it looked like Sage could have stepped in. He pulled on the etess , but the weapon didnât come free. Just as he was about to yank on the blade again, the omoro jerked once more and tore the etess from Sageâs hands.
Unarmed, Sage stepped back, hoping that the monster was in its death throes. With only a little warning, the omoro launched itself at him once more. Sage threw himself to the side and got to his feet only a split-Âsecond before the omoro twisted
Similar Books
