Bloodstained Grass

For seasons now the Sons of The Sun had roamed the island far and wide, bringing their righteous glory and light wherever they went. Solstice, the sun touched styracosaurus, was their glorious leader who brought his light everywhere they went, while Hyperion served as his loyal second in command and soldier. While their herd was small, containing only a few members of their kind, they were fierce and kept safe. Wherever they went, carnivores were slain in the name of the Sun. Many had fallen, and by now enough word had spread of their might that few dared approach them. 

This warm day the small herd (read; cult) had gathered at a small watering pool to drink. A few other herbivores and a small pack of raptors had been gathered around, but they quickly backed away as the herd approached. Hyperion snorted. Good. They better back off. This was their turf.

Hyperions attention turned to Solstice, tilting his crest curiously as the feathered styracosaurus bent down to drink from the water. The rest of the herd milled around, wandering off to graze and chatter as they began to wind down. “It’s been a quiet day.” Hyperion remarked to Solstice, walking over and brushing his flank against his. “Peaceful, too.” 

Solstice looked back over at his kind of mate, softer than he usually did with a fondness only reserved for the behemoth of a styracosaurus. “It’s because of you, you know. You help spread the sun’s light with me- I would want no other by my side.” Solstice smiled, leaning in for a horn rub-

When suddenly a loud roar rang across the valley, sending the remaining herbivores scattering as loud footsteps pounded across the floor. A large behemoth of a theropod was charging straight for them- a monster unleashed from the very pits of the humans personal hell. The acrocanthosaurus was huge- easily big enough to pick a styracosaurus and shake them like a leaf. 

“Run!” Hyperion bellowed to the rest of the herd, the other herbivores running for the cover of the forest. “Solstice, you need to run too.” Hyperion urged, nudging at his flank. “I shall hold it off.”

“Why not run?” Solstice shook his feathers out. “We can outrun it easily enough.” 

Hyperion scoffed, turning to face the large carnivore. “It is not our goal to run. Our mission is to destroy all those that would threaten the sun. And this? This is but a naysayer that must be taken down.” And without another look back, Hyperion charged forward with his head held high and horn ready.

They met in the middle of the field, a clash of muscle against muscle and horn against tooth and claw. Horn sunk into muscle, tearing deep into the leg of the carnivore. Teeth dug deep into his crest in retaliation, yanking back. Hyperion let out a bellow of pain, yanking his horn free from where it had gotten stuck. A spray of blood followed, coating itself onto the tall grass surrounding them.

Hyperion backed up, managing to yank his frill free from the jaws of the beast. He winced, feeling blood pool down the back of his neck. He couldn’t let the creature near his back. Facing the carnivore again, Hyperion charged. This time, he smashed his frill into the carnivores chest instead of directly driving his horn in. The carnivore staggered back, wind knocked out of it. Hyperion grinned, raising his bloody horn to the sky. “Prepare to die, in the name of the Sun.” He spat, lowering his head again.

Suddenly, the acrocanthosaurus charged forward with bared teeth, the blow having had much less effect on it than the bull had thought. Hyperion roared in pain as sharp teeth grabbed the top of his frill, this time the hold being enough to completely halt him. So this is the end. Hyperion closed his eyes, awaiting. 

However, before the end could come, the carnivore spat blood onto his face. Curious, Hyperion opened his eyes only to see Solstice with his horn through the side of the monster, a furious look in his eyes that gave Hyperion a second wind. “Hyperion, stand and fight!” His leader barked as the theropod dropped him, screeching in pain and attempting to dislodge Solstice. 

Hyperion wasted no time, charging forward and sinking his horn right into the face of the acrocanthosaurus. With a roar the monster fell forward, dead as soon as it hit the ground. Heavily breathing, Hyperion slid his horn out before flicking his horn to shake off the blood.

“Hyperion…” Solstice walked forward, walking over to the other bull. His horn still dripped blood onto the grass, covering the horn that was blessed by the sun. “Why did you do that? Why did you not run- or wait for me?” 

Hyperion huffed, confused. “Is it not our purpose to keep the herd safe at all costs? To keep you safe at all costs? Our sun? To slay all those who stand in our way to the day?”

Solstice gazed off into the distance as if thinking over his ideas, before slowly shaking his head. “Not for you… Never for you.” He stepped forward, slowly brushing against Hyperion with his bloody horn. “I cannot bear to let you go. You are my future, and the future of this herd. I cannot have it without you.” 

Hyperion scraped at the ground, brushing over the blood on the dirt. “What does that mean? What do you want from me?” His frustration and confusion boiled over, resulting in him bearing his beak. “You are our leader, our king, and I am just your soldier.” 

“NO!” Solstice shouted, startling the other bull into stepping back in shock. “You are more than that. You are just as much a leader of this herd as me- and you are just as necessary.” Solstice stepped forward, leaning his horn against Hyperions. “Stay by my side. Rule with me.” And Hyperion agreed. After all, he would be a fool not to.