It raged against the pain that was attempting to put an end to its life.
The super reptile’s body was in pain yet it continued to move. Stopping meant death and the creatures that were clinging to its body wanted to feast on its flesh. While they were weaker than the super reptile, they wouldn’t be able to kill it, at least not easily.
It released a powerful roar in a desperate attempt to terrify the dogs clinging to its body but as a response, they simply bit harder. The super reptile felt blood slowly seep out of its wounds but it couldn’t surrender.
It was the apex predator.
It wasn’t something that was going to die against weak and pitiful creatures.
Despite being an animal, its mind started to have these angry thoughts the longer it lived. It lashed out against the creatures that were ripping through its flesh
It would survive this.
Desperate, the super reptile started moving around with abandon. It moved its neck with strength that created more wounds but with each liter of its blood being spilled, the closer the super reptile felt to freedom.
YES!!!
The super reptile’s thoughts were racing towards victory. It felt invigorated despite thrashing around in its death throes.
It felt energized as each thrashing killed a three-tailed dog. It continued to desperately struggle until eventually, there was only one three-tailed dog remaining. The resilient creature clamped on the super reptile’s neck.
The super reptile continued its thrashing in this life-and-death duel wherein the super reptile was determined to be the sole survivor.
It thrashed and it rampaged. Its wounds continued to grow in size, its vision was slowly fading, and its senses were becoming dull.
Its vision was slowly becoming dark and the super reptile was starting to feel all of its hope fade away.
Earlier, it was so close to victory but now it felt that the tenacious creature on its neck would outlast the super reptile.
NO!
The super reptile’s brain desperately injects its body with copious amounts of adrenaline and it does its final struggle. Its movement becomes erratic as it does its desperate struggle. The creature continued to cling to its neck, causing blood and flesh to fall.
Eventually, the effects of its second wind disappear and the super reptile weakly falls to the floor.
As it was about to release its dying breath, the super reptile felt the weight on its neck disappear. The creature that was ripping its neck has fallen.
Looking down, the super reptile sees the broken body of its enemy. The super reptile tried to roar but its bloodied body was too weak.
Instead, it growled to show its defiance to its dying body.
Within its animal mind, the super reptile roared and screamed at its weakness.
It didn’t want this.
It didn’t want to die.
It needed to be stronger.
It didn’t want its weak body.
It selfishly wished for an even stronger body.
After its desperate plea, its wishes were heard and granted.
Its body started to tremble and undulate.
Despite its exhaustion, the super reptile whined and weakly roared in pain. After all, forced evolution is an excruciating event. The pain received from being ripped apart by the dogs paled in comparison to rearranging one’s physical body.
But the super reptile didn’t care.
It had a wish.
It never wanted to be put in a situation where it would feel trapped or held down. It needed a way to reach parts of its body. It wished to never be trapped. It craved freedom.
And its body answered its deepest wishes.
The super reptile continued to evolve.
The super reptile felt excruciating pain on its tail, as its bones, muscles, and tendons started to rip itself to accommodate the new evolution. The pain almost drove the creature mad and it exerted force onto its tail in a desperate move to remove the pain. When the bones in its tail finally connected, the super reptile flailed its new prehensile limb in an attempt to remove the pain.
~THUD~
The super reptile felt its tail strike something but the overwhelming pain prevented it from acting on it.
Then the pain suddenly disappears, as if it was never there. It jarred the super reptile for a moment but only for a moment.
The super reptile silently roared as a new fresh hell assaulted its body and mind.
Its body started to contort as an answer to one of its wishes. Its long thick bones started to separate to make way for more agility and flexibility. New muscles formed around the new bones, strengthening the already strong super reptile.
Then the pain stops. Just like earlier, the super reptile gains a reprieve from the immense pain.
Then the pain returns tenfold.
The super reptile roars as the very veins and muscles that control its eyes start to rip itself apart for the new evolution. For a moment, the super reptile loses its ability to see.
The apex predator cries in horror as its vision turned black. Then, it opened its eyes and light flooded its sight.
Its vision seemed to almost reach a 360-degree angle as its head molded itself to take a more suitable form. It felt disoriented for a few seconds but evolution wasn’t something to scoff at. Its evolution assisted the super reptile in adjusting to its new vision.
Finally, the super reptile was relieved of the pain and suffering of forced evolution.
At first, the super reptile felt exhausted but even that quickly passed. A side effect of the evolution was that the super reptile’s wounds started to heal. It even regained the majority of its lost stamina.
Standing up, it let loose a roar.
Due to its forced evolution, the super reptile’s roar was different but it knew that it would still be able to call all the males and females of its species in the surrounding area.
It didn’t matter if the other super reptiles didn’t recognize the newly evolved super reptile’s call.
They will submit.
After roaring once more, the super reptile looked upward to the sky.
For a moment, the super reptile was able to appreciate the grandeur of the sky above it. It saw creatures of flight quickly move around and avoid the powerful predators of the land. For a moment, the super reptile felt envious.
And that was enough.
The super reptile cried in pain as another evolution, one spurred on by its own feelings rather than survival, appeared. While it recently experienced a forced evolution, this new evolution was not because of survival but for personal desire.
The apex predator collapses to the ground as it feels its back push out as if all of its bones were trying to escape through its behind. It grits its teeth, drawing blood in the process. Then it hears a squelching sound as something sharp protrudes out of its back.
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With its eyes that can see behind it, the super reptile looks behind it to see that its back had two sharp bony spikes.
The super reptile looks away as its forced evolution starts to ramp up in pain.
At first, the apex predator could grit its teeth but then it becomes too much. The pain was starting to ruin its mind until it heard a defiant roar. This shocks the super reptile out of its pain. It heard a roar to answer its previous call.
Rage and anger started to fill the predator’s mind and it attempted to roar back but it couldn’t. The pain numbed everything. The defiant roar became stronger, humiliating the silent super reptile.
NO!!! SUBMIT!!!
The currently evolving super reptile felt shame so strong that it temporarily shut off its pain. The spikes on its back continued to push their way out.
More defiant roars came from the surrounding territories, all of them challenging the evolving super reptile.
SUBMIT!!!!! SUBMIT!!!!!
Once out by a few meters, the bony spikes expand into claw-like forms. The claw-like bones started creating webs of flesh. Painfully, flesh filled the web-like bones, creating bat-like wings.
YOU WILL SUBMIT!
Once its wings sprung out of its bloody back, the super reptile replied with dominating power. The roar released an invisible shockwave that traveled for kilometers, forcing even the farthest creatures to submit to this new apex predator.
Once its wings were fully formed, the evolved super reptile seemed to momentarily stop, as if basking in its new form. Once that moment passed, the evolved super reptile was eager to test its newfound strength.
Raising its wings and lowering its legs, the monstrous beast then leaped upward. Using its jump as its boost, the apex predator then beats its powerful wings, lifting it upward towards the sky.
Despite its powerful start, the evolved super reptile was clumsy. Evolution aided it in learning how to use its new muscles but it was still clumsy.
But it didn’t matter. The super reptile once again released a roar so powerful that it spread around for kilometers. The deafening roar of the evolved super reptile drowned out the defiant roars of the challengers.
Some of the other apex predators foolishly roared in defiance which simply enraged the evolved beast.
The evolved super reptile flew higher and higher until it stopped. It lightly flapped its wings to keep itself afloat so that it can survey the land. Despite most of its evolution being physical, the evolved super reptile gained a modicum of intelligence as well, enough for it to feel an emotion with enough similarity to joy.
Why did this animal feel joy?
Simple, it was the first of its kind to be able to look down on the world.
And for an apex predator such as the evolved super reptile, the skies belong to it.
----------------------------------------
Michael ran back home.
He didn’t slow down or stop.
He rushed towards safety without looking back.
As he ran, Michael felt the jaws of death get closer and closer. He could hear the heavy footfalls of the supernaturally powerful creature.
Or so he imagined.
There was nothing behind Michael but he still felt petrified. With each shockwave that came from the super reptile’s roar, Michael felt his human body panic. Not only did his physical body scream at him to run, Michael’s rational mind started blaming him as well. Because of his meddling and intervention, he might have created a super predator, one that he had no chance of killing.
Michael didn’t have a clear recollection of how he got home. He recalls that he was back at the elevator, pulling himself upward. As he was about to heave a sigh of relief, Michael felt the invisible force of the evolved super reptile collide with his body.
~ROAR!!!~
Michael’s body uncontrollably shook as he heard the roar of the super predator.
It was far from him but Michael could still feel the evolved super reptile’s presence. Desperate to return to the safety of his comfy cave, Michael quickly pulled himself up to the top of the waterfalls. Once on top of the waterfall, Michael ran to his cave to hide.
The sun was still high and Michael’s store of food could run out if he was not careful but he didn’t care. He didn’t plan on going out, at least not for a while.
Michael hears another roar from the distance.
~ROAR!!!~
Once inside the safety of his cave, Michael slowed down his breathing.
Michael… calm down… You need to calm down… If you don’t… I’m gonna have a heart attack.
~ROAR!!!~
Despite hearing the super reptile’s powerful roar, Michael feels his panic slowly fade away and he starts to feel calm. With renewed focus, Michael looks at his cave’s entrance.
I need to find out what is happening outside.
Michael goes outside his cave. Despite calming down, Michael sees something worth panicking about.
What the fudge is that?!
A large shadow cast itself in the distance as the powerful and wide wings of the evolved super reptile covered a large area. Michael saw the super reptile flying.
When Michael ran, he didn’t see the entire evolution of the super reptile.
It grew wings. Ho- How!?
Unfortunately for Michael, this was the least of his problems.
With the super reptile releasing another roar, Michael saw the forest come alive as if responding to the apex predator’s call. Looking down, Michael saw a large number of large creatures converge on the evolved super reptile’s area.
3… 8… 12… 19… 29… 33…
Michael felt his knees go weak as he saw the number of super reptiles rushing towards the roaring evolved super reptile.
What have I done…
Michael watches as the place he first appeared in is suddenly the home of dozens if not half-a-hundred apex predators.
That place is doomed.
Feeling his hands shake, Michael tries to relax again. He knew that there was no point in panicking now. The immediate danger was gone.
No… don’t panic… Those things are far away from me. At least, I’ll be fine… for now.
Michael started to plan.
As long as the super reptiles stay in their territory, my home is fine.
But Michael knew that wouldn’t be the case.
The super reptile species was an apex species. Each one of them required large swathes of land to survive. Teremarae was able to sustain these creatures due to its unique rules, allowing them to multiply to great numbers but if these creatures were on Earth, they would ruin whatever ecosystem they were in.
Once the super reptiles coalesced into one area, they would rapidly reproduce. With the appearance of new offspring, the super reptiles would need to expand their territory or overhunt the area or starvation.
Once they started to expand, Michael’s home would eventually be within their territory.
If that happens…
Michael imagines himself being devoured by a dozen super reptiles. Michael swallows the thick lump in his throat.
That would be the worst-case scenario.
Michael went to the edge of the waterfall. He sat down to watch the chaotic scene.
He started planning.
These things are bloodthirsty are territorial. They’re always looking for something to snack on. If that’s the case, then would these things want the other members of their species to evolve?
Michael shuddered to think of the possibility of all the super reptiles evolving wings, flexible bodies, and greater strength.
No… that thing was living alone. It might not want the others to be stronger than it.
Michael tried to be positive. He wanted to reduce the possibility of more dangers but Michael knew that he had to prepare for the worst.
For now… let’s prepare the rules for evolution. Well, at least for the future.
Michael takes out the log and goes to a blank page.
Evolution.
The blank page shows an all-bold word.
EVOLUTION
Is evolution only triggered by my actions?
The log updates due to Michael’s question.
Claim: Evolution only triggers due to Michael’s direct actions.
Answer: False
Oh… Hmmm… Does evolution trigger with or without my interference?
Claim: Evolution triggers on its own.
Answer: True
Hmmm… Does my direct interference trigger the evolution process faster?
Claim: The evolution process triggers at a faster rate due to Michael’s actions.
Answer: Unclear
Unclear? What does that mean? Hmmm… Does human interference affect the evolution process?
Claim: Human interference triggers the evolution process or hastens it.
Answer: True
Michael felt a pit in his stomach.
Does direct or indirect human interference trigger a stronger evolution process?
Michael waited for the log to update with a tense body.
Claim: Human interference whether direct or indirect creates stronger and more dangerous evolutionary results.
Answer: True
Michael stared at the clearly written “True” on the log.
He sighed.
It’s my fault… Last one… Does direct interference trigger a more powerful evolution than indirect interference?
Claim: Direct human interference triggers a more powerful evolution than indirect human interference.
Answer: True
Fudge…
Michael heard the cacophony of powerful roars from the distance again and he sighed. He felt his head start to ache.
He grits his teeth and screams in his mind.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! OKAY!
Once again, Michael forced himself to calm it down.
Okay… I need to set basic rules. Log, log this down.
The log seemed to vibrate lightly to Michael’s words to it. Michael chuckled at the log’s reaction.
Before that though… Do the animals need to see what is killing their kin before the evolution process triggers?
Claim: Evolving animals must be aware of what they’re up against to evolve.
Answer: True
Hmmm… If I kill a creature before it becomes aware of me, would it trigger the evolution process?
Claim: Attempting to slay an unaware creature will trigger the evolution process.
Answer: False
Michael smiles. A sliver of hope appeared in his mind.
Okay, log, record this.
The log answers but it seemed less enthusiastic since Michael used “record” rather than “log”.
Hehe. Sorry, Log. Now put up these rules. I need to follow them or else I risk creating a super reptile paradise. Rule one. Kill without witnesses to the best of one’s ability.
The log creates a list of rules under the Evolution page. Looking around, Michael issues the next rule.
“Rule two. Do not leave survivors. Once I’ve started hunting an animal, I must succeed in killing it to prevent rapid evolution.”
The log records the new rule. Michael thinks for a bit.
“Log, I have another question. If I do not attempt to hunt a creature, will it trigger an evolution?”
Claim: Interaction with a creature that does not endanger it will induce evolution.
Answer: True
What?... Wait, that can’t be true… Log, even if I do not hunt a creature, it will still evolve?
Claim: Constant interaction with a creature that does not entail danger will still induce evolution.
Answer: True
Log, log this.
“Rule three. Avoid interacting with animals. As much as possible, lower the interaction with any animal. If an animal is showing signs of evolution due to my interaction, they are to be killed immediately.”
The log records all of the information that Michael told it.
While thinking of possible rules, Michael thinks of one of the claims he sent to the log.
Human interference triggers the evolution process…
Michael’s mind was suddenly filled with questions.
Why would the log specify humans and write it down as unclear for me? As far as I know, I’m the only human here… unless, there’s more? No, Goddess told me that I was the first and I’m sure she would have a higher authority over my power.
Due to Michael’s thoughts, the log shakes with excitement.
If the log specified that humans can trigger the evolution process and not just me, that means that there may be a time that other humans will be on the planet.
Michael takes a look at the log and notices that it is shaking strongly.
“So it’s true, right?”
The log suddenly stops.
“Hmmm… prude. Won’t even tell me a simple thing. Aren’t you supposed to help me?
The log shakes which causes Michael to chuckle. For a moment, he forgets about the stressful situation he is in.
“Well, let’s continue. I need to write more rules. If my conjecture is correct, any information that will help me will surely help humanity.”
Michael thought of the possibility of talking to another human. To be honest to himself, Michael was slowly feeling the weight of isolation.
Maybe I should get a pet.
The log vibrates a bit more.
“Don’t be jealous. You’re great but it’s not like you can talk or give warm hugs.”
The log shakes sadly.
“A small dog?”
Michael remembers the three-tailed dog and he frowns.
“No… A cat?”
Michael thinks of all the creatures he’s seen so far.
“I haven’t even seen a cat yet.”
Michael smiles and hopes he finds a cat as a pet.
“Okay… rule 4…”