Multiverse Chronicles: From Dinosaurs To Heroes And Beyond

The sleek red hair of Regina gleamed under the sunlight filtering through the thick canopy of prehistoric jungle trees. Her weapon—a modified deser eagle—rested in her hands, its barrel glinting, her stun blade sheathed at the side of her thigh, she scanned her surroundings. Beside her, Dylan powered up a portable device on his wrist, its holographic screen flickering as it displayed their current location in the sprawling jungle.

The mission was clear: find survivors and gather intel. But nothing in their training had prepared them for a task this monumental. Edwardstown—a bustling settlement—had vanished from the present day and reappeared in this prehistoric nightmare. The survivors they sought could be scattered, injured, or worse.

"We're near the docks," Dylan said, his voice tight as he adjusted his gear. "If anyone managed to make it, it'd be here. Water's the most logical place to try and regroup."

Regina nodded, her expression grim. The dock stretched out before them, a mixture of wooden and metal structures overtaken by nature's relentless grasp. Ivy clung to the buildings, and the faint sound of rushing water mingled with the occasional distant roar of a predator.

Regina kept her voice low. "Let's keep moving. We don't have the luxury of wasting time."

---

The two of them advanced cautiously, boots crunching against the underbrush as they scanned for signs of life. Bodies littered the edges of the path, some mauled beyond recognition, others crumpled in poses of futile escape. Regina clenched her jaw at the sight, but she forced herself to focus. There would be time for grief later—if they survived long enough to feel it.

Dylan stopped short and held up a hand. "Wait."

Regina halted, her eyes narrowing as she followed his gaze. Across the way, the tall grass rustled unnaturally. It wasn't the wind.

"Velociraptors?" she whispered.

Dylan nodded grimly. "Most likely."

He gestured to the nearby structures. "We can use those buildings to avoid a confrontation. If we engage out here, we're sitting ducks."

"Agreed," Regina said, gripping her desert eagle tightly.

The two crept toward the nearest building, a small storage shed with rusted doors hanging slightly ajar. The growling of raptors grew louder, their guttural clicks and sniffs unnerving as the creatures hunted nearby.

Regina slipped inside first, her weapon raised. The interior was dark, filled with toppled barrels and crates. A faint smell of decay hung in the air.

Dylan followed, shutting the door quietly behind them. He activated his wrist device, and the soft glow illuminated the space.

"Looks clear," he muttered.

Regina didn't relax. She moved to one of the windows, peering out cautiously. The raptors were close now, their slender forms weaving through the grass with predatory grace.

"There's a pack," she whispered. "At least three of them."

Dylan let out a low whistle. "Great. Just great."

Regina turned back to him. "We need to draw them away from the dock. If there are survivors nearby, they won't stand a chance with those things prowling around."

Dylan considered for a moment before nodding. "All right. I'll rig up a distraction."

---

Using materials scavenged from the shed, Dylan quickly fashioned a makeshift noise trap—a simple contraption designed to draw attention. It consisted of a small explosive charge and a timer, set to go off a few hundred yards away.

He worked quickly, his hands steady despite the tension in the air. Regina kept watch, her eyes darting between the window and the door. The raptors' growls were closer now, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of claws scraping against metal.

"Almost done," Dylan muttered.

"Hurry up," Regina hissed.

As if on cue, the raptors began circling the building. Their shadowy forms loomed just beyond the walls, their movements methodical as they searched for a way inside.

Dylan finished setting the device and handed it to Regina. "You're faster. Get this out there and set the timer."

Regina nodded, taking the device without hesitation. She moved to the opposite side of the building, where a small window provided a potential escape route.

"Cover me," she said.

Dylan raised his weapon, positioning himself near the door in case the raptors tried to force their way in.

---

Regina slipped through the window, landing softly on the ground outside. She crouched low, her every movement deliberate as she crept toward the designated spot. The jungle seemed to hold its breath, the usual hum of insects and birds replaced by an eerie silence.

She could hear the raptors behind her, their guttural snarls and heavy breathing unmistakable. They hadn't noticed her yet, but she knew she had little time.

Reaching a small clearing, Regina placed the device on the ground and activated the timer. It began to emit a faint, rhythmic beep.

Satisfied, she turned to retreat—but her luck ran out.

One of the raptors spotted her, its head snapping in her direction as it let out a piercing screech.

"Shit," she muttered, breaking into a sprint.

---

Back at the shed, Dylan heard the commotion and swore under his breath. He flung the door open and fired a warning shot into the air, drawing the attention of the raptors near the building.

"Come on, you bastards!" he shouted, firing again.

Two of the raptors turned their attention to him, snarling as they advanced. Dylan backed into the shed, using the narrow entrance to bottleneck their approach.

The first raptor lunged, its claws scraping against the metal frame as it tried to force its way inside. Dylan fired point-blank, the blast sending the creature sprawling.

The second raptor was more cautious, circling the door as it searched for an opening.

---

Meanwhile, Regina dashed through the jungle, weaving between trees and ducking under low-hanging branches. The raptor chasing her was relentless, its powerful legs closing the distance with alarming speed.

The timer on the noise trap reached zero.

The explosive charge detonated, sending a thunderous boom echoing through the jungle. The sound was deafening, scattering birds and startling every creature within earshot.

The raptors froze, their attention snapping to the source of the noise. Even the one chasing Regina hesitated, its predatory instincts overridden by the sudden commotion.

Regina didn't waste the opportunity. She doubled back, making her way to the shed where Dylan was still holding his ground.

---

The two of them regrouped quickly, their breaths ragged as they assessed the situation.

"That should keep them busy for a while," Regina said, wiping sweat from her brow.

Dylan nodded, glancing at the scattered supplies in the shed. "We're not out of the woods yet, but at least we bought ourselves some time."

Regina's expression hardened. "Let's head back to the docks. If there are survivors, we need to find them before the raptors do."

Together, they moved out, their weapons at the ready as they continued their search.

---

The dock came into view, eerily quiet but intact. It stretched out into the water, its wooden planks weathered but sturdy.

Regina scanned the area, her heart sinking as she saw no signs of life. No movement, no voices—just the endless expanse of water and jungle.

"Damn it," she muttered.

Dylan placed a hand on her shoulder. "We'll keep looking. Someone's out there."

Regina nodded, though doubt gnawed at her. The jungle was vast, and time was running out.

But giving up wasn't an option.