Dark Raptor: Dawn of the Chosen

By Derek Zwick

HE WAS CHOSEN
FOR A REASON

Griffin Ryan was twelve years old when his father was murdered right in front of him by a man with a yellow eye. As he knelt by his dying father, his father gave him a metal claw with strange symbols carved into its surface—the Claw of the Darjikorah.

Six years later, Griffin is now a senior in high school. Trying to live a life of normalcy, Griffin is completely unaware that he is being targeted by an army of aliens known as the Drestoriki, led by the evil Dekronis. The Drestoriki will stop at nothing to find the Claw and use its power to rule the galaxy.

The Claw has the power to turn Griffin into a Darjikorah—a creature with razor-sharp teeth and claws that can harness the power of lightning and use it at will.

With the help of his adoptive father, Elijakiel, and the love of his life, Skye, Griffin must learn to use the Claw’s power to defeat the Drestoriki and become the hero he was always destined to be—Dark Raptor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546264163

Derek Zwick

Derek Zwick currently lives in the small town of Caldwell, Ohio. His love of science fiction is what motivated him to write many small stories as a child. When he was younger he shared his work with his family and friends. After Derek graduated high school he got back into his passion for writing and began to persue his dream of writing his first ever novel.

Book preview

Chapter 1

T HE SUN SHINES BRIGHTLY over a bunch of luscious green vegetation; the bright-blue sky is laced with thick, puffy clouds. Large gray mountains with mossy sides skim the clouds above. The sound of waterfalls can be heard over the horizon, and a small gust of whirling wind flows steadily through the trees of the jungle.

A dark, shadowy figure is running fast through the bushes, nearly invisible. The creature lurks around, having a thirst for blood and a hunger for flesh. The creature—a velociraptor—has claws, teeth, and dark, scaly skin. Its red eyes glow as it stalks its prey. The velociraptor runs back through the jungle and calls out to its pack. Four other raptors follow the call and join the head raptor so they can take down their prey together.

Their target is a small herd of three triceratops. They are giant beasts. Each has a beak and three horns, one above the nostrils and two on the top of the head.

The raptors grow anxious as the smell of their prey becomes stronger than heat coming off the yellow sun. They can almost taste the scaly flesh of the triceratops. The raptors growl as their hunger starts to make them impatient. The monsters’ minds are clouded with greed as they wait for the right time to strike.

Up above the clear blue sky in the darkness of space, millions of light-years away from Earth, is the large planet Savocron, located in the Korani Galaxy. The planet consists of large cities that make up an entire kingdom. In the capital city people are screaming and crying, but the sounds of their terror can’t be heard over the loud explosions. Giant spaceships are flying over the city, destroying buildings with missiles and evaporating citizens with lasers. The massive rectangular ships are painted black with three symbols carved into their sides. The terrifying ships leave the entire city in nothing but blazes of fire and a fog of black ash.

One spacecraft is bigger than the others—a giant mother ship. The inside of the mother ship is dark and cold. It is even more evil inside than it appears to be on the outside. Hanging above the hangar doors is a red flag with a black emblem. The emblem is a crescent moon made to look like the letter D. Under the emblem are three symbols, the same three symbols on the sides of the spaceships. These symbols are known to the aliens as the Marks of Shade: kill, destroy, and conquer.

The mother ship has many hallways with many rooms. One room is a weapons room, which contains both advanced extraterrestrial weapons as well as more basic weapons, such as staffs, spears, swords, grenades, sniper rifles, and laser guns. The room has anything that will give an army power.

The Drestoriki are the ones running the ships. They have a humanlike facial structure, pale-white skin, sharp black claws, pointy ears, vampiric yellow teeth, and evil-looking yellow eyes. They stand seven feet tall, and two holes for their noses allow them to breathe any type of air in any environment. The Drestoriki never age. The male Drestoriki are bald, and the female Drestoriki have long red hair and wear black lipstick.

All the Drestoriki have black war paint on their faces and wear black armor with the Marks of Shade inscribed on the forearm plate and the red Drestoriki emblem—the crescent moon that looks like a D—on the right shoulder plate. Every Drestoriki wears a communicator on the left wrist that can be used to locate other Drestoriki, scan objects, and look up information; it can also act as a walkie-talkie, with a direct video feed to whomever they communicate with.

While the soldiers are performing their usual duties, Dekronis, leader of the Drestoriki, supervises his army from his throne room.

Dekronis is large and muscular with a robotic implant infused into his left eye socket. The implant looks like a big silver ball with a small red lens. He has a big scar across his face and wears a terrifying-looking oxygen mask over his mouth. He also wears a hooded black cape emblazoned with the red Drestoriki emblem. The Marks of Shade are tattooed from his forehead all the way down to the back of his neck.

We are almost to the Savocronian capitol, Lord Dekronis, one of the soldiers says.

Excellent! Once we have the Claw, we’ll have enough firepower to strike down our enemies and rule this galaxy with an iron fist!

The battle between the Drestoriki and Savocronians is making its way to the heart of the city, where the Savocronian capitol is. Savocronian soldiers try to fend off the wave of Drestoriki soldiers making their way to the capitol, but they are completely overwhelmed by the enemy’s advanced weaponry. Inside the capitol building, the Savocronian overlords are in a state of panic. As leaders of Savocron, the overlords’ job is to maintain peace and justice throughout the entire kingdom, but most importantly, they are guardians of the rare Savocronian artifact known as the Claw of the Darjikorah. The Savocronians look a lot like the Drestoriki, except they have purple eyes and silver teeth.

The Drestoriki are taking over the city! We have to evacuate! one of the Savocronian overlords says.

I say we fight off every last one of them yellow-eyed freaks! Savocron is our home. We must defend it! another overlord replies.

Enough! All of you! Zalivor yells from his throne. Zalivor is the master of the overlords and has long gray hair with a matching long gray beard. He’s wearing a black cape and a suit of gray armor. This isn’t the time to argue. We need to stick to the task at hand, and that’s getting the Claw to a safe location.

That thing has caused us nothing but trouble. We should just give it to them! an overlord shouts.

That is out of the question, Zalivor says. We took an oath to defend the Claw with our lives. I would rather die than see it in the hands of those monsters!

A loud blast shakes the entire throne room, and the head of the Savocronian army enters.

What’s happening, General? Zalivor asks.

Dekronis’s army is getting closer to the capitol, my lord. There’s too many of them. What are we going to do?

Are there any escape pods left?

Yes, sir.

Get everybody out of here as fast as you can, and send a message to our allied planets. We have to warn them about the Drestoriki. Tell the citizens of the planets to go into hiding. I also want you to find my son and tell him to meet with me.

What about you, sir?

Don’t worry about me, General. Just get as many of our people off this planet as quickly as possible.

What about the Claw?

Don’t worry about the Claw. I have a plan. Now go!

Everyone leaves the capitol building except for Zalivor. The general goes to the military room and alerts all the other planets of the Drestoriki threat. Zalivor patiently awaits the arrival of Dekronis. As he waits for the leader of the enemy, Elijakiel, his son, arrives at the capitol building.

Father, everyone’s leaving. What are you still doing here?

Zalivor pulls a silver claw out his cape pocket. It has three symbols carved into it, and a purple light shines out of the carvings.

Is that what I think it is? Elijakiel asks.

Yes, it is, Son. The Claw of the Darjikorah. I want you to have it.

You’ve devoted your entire life to protecting this from our enemies. Why are you giving it to me?

I’m giving it to you because I can no longer carry this burden. I trust your judgment, and I know in my heart this was the reason you were born.

I don’t understand. What are you asking of me?

I want you to leave Savocron and take the Claw somewhere safe. Go to a planet that is far beyond our galaxy—somewhere the Drestoriki will never be able to find it. I want you to keep it close to you at all times.

What about you?

I can’t come with you, Son. I have to face Dekronis. If I keep him distracted long enough, it will give you enough time to escape. He’ll have no idea that I gave you the Claw.

Are you insane? He’ll kill you!

Then I shall pay for the mistakes I’ve made.

Father, I barely know anything about the Claw. I don’t know if I can do this!

Another explosion occurs, louder than the first one, causing the entire capitol building to shake. Outside the building, Dekronis and his army are trying to break through the door. Zalivor hands Elijakiel a scroll.

What is this?

It’s an ancient scroll from our ancestors. It will explain everything. There’s an escape pod located inside the Savocronian air base near here. Set the coordinates for a planet far from here, and take the Claw to a safe location. During your travels, study this scroll and learn everything you can. Make sure the Claw finds its warrior. You have to train him.

Warrior? What are you talking about?

The door is starting to crack.

Father, please come with me. I beg you.

Elijakiel, listen to me! If Dekronis gets his hands on the Claw, he’ll use its power to make his army unstoppable, and the entire galaxy will be forced under his rule!

I won’t leave you here to perish!

You have to stop worrying about me, Son. You have to let me go. Getting the Claw to a safe location is more important than my life.

Zalivor puts his hand on Elijakiel’s shoulder. This isn’t the time to argue. You have to go on with your life. You have to be a better person than I ever was. You must go, now.

As much as Elijakiel hates leaving his father to die, he reluctantly agrees. Good luck, he says.

Elijakiel finds the nearest exit and leaves the capitol building. As he makes his way to the Savocronian air base, he stops in his tracks and decides to go back to the capitol building. He goes around to the side of the building and finds a window with a view of the entire throne room, allowing him to see everything that is going on. Zalivor has his sword at the ready. Dekronis’s soldiers bust through the door and point their guns at Zalivor. Dekronis enters the room and glares at Zalivor with an ice-cold stare.

Chapter 2

A S ELIJAKIEL LOOKS THROUGH the window into the throne room, waiting impatiently for something to happen, his nerves begin affecting him, causing his palms to sweat. Three more Drestoriki soldiers and an assassin, who is wearing a gold suit of armor and a ninja mask, come in behind Dekronis.

Dekronis, Zalivor says with a glare.

Zalivor. Dekronis pulls out his sword too.

It’s been far too long. To what do I owe the pleasure?

I think you know why I’m here. Where is the Claw of the Darjikorah?

The power of the Claw can’t be wielded by just anybody. Only a chosen warrior can control its power.

I know about the history of the Claw, Zalivor. With that type of power, the Drestoriki will be unstoppable.

The gods will not approve of what you plan on doing with the power. The power of the Claw is meant for good, not for your evil ways.

Don’t try to scare me with your religious notions, Zalivor. You and I both know how this ends. Just give me the Claw, and I’ll spare your life.

If you want the Claw, you’ll have to go through me.

Very well then.

Dekronis swings his sword at Zalivor, but Zalivor blocks the attack. The metal of their swords make a clinking and clanking sound as they hit one another. Elijakiel, who is watching the battle, is very worried for his father. Zalivor and Dekronis both have sweat dripping off their foreheads. Dekronis looks like he has the upper hand in the fight. He is a lot stronger than Zalivor is.

Unlike the Drestoriki, the Savocronians do age. Zalivor is the oldest of his species. Zalivor keeps fighting back as much as he can, but he loses grip of his sword. With the right opportunity, Dekronis cuts off both of Zalivor’s arms. Zalivor screams and falls to his knees. Elijakiel’s heart beats rapidly, and his eyes widen in fear for his father’s life.

This is your last chance! Tell me where the Claw is, and I won’t kill you.

Go ahead and do it! It will just show what a true monster my son is.

You made me into a monster, Father!

You were becoming greedy. All you wanted was power, and you were beginning to lose touch with your own kind. I only wanted what was best for you. I didn’t think sending you to that horrible planet would change you so quickly.

You were right to exile me. I’ve never felt more powerful, and I thank you for that.

You’ve truly become evil, my son. You and your army are a bunch of traitors. You’re all a disgrace to Savocron!

Would you mind doing the honors? Dekronis asks the assassin in gold armor.

With pleasure. The assassin takes his mask off, and Elijakiel is in complete shock. The assassin is Skytrivore, who was once a Savocronian soldier and Elijakiel’s best friend growing up. He was like a brother to Elijakiel and was like another son to Zalivor. Skytrivore was thought to have been killed in action during the war, but in reality he’s been a member of the Drestoriki ever since Dekronis turned to evil.

Skytrivore? I thought you were dead! Zalivor says.

I never was.

Why are you doing this?

Our planet was dying under your rule. The war took a great many of our species, and I had to do what was necessary to protect my family. Joining Dekronis and the Drestoriki was the only way to ensure their safety.

How could you do this? After everything I’ve done for you, how could you join them? I thought we were friends, Skytrivore.

You thought wrong. Skytrivore raises his sword and takes a swipe at Zalivor’s head, decapitating him.

No! Elijakiel screams.

The Drestoriki soldiers spot Elijakiel peeking through the window. Dekronis notices the Claw in Elijakiel’s hand.

He has the Claw! After him! Dekronis orders his soldiers.

Elijakiel runs as fast as he can toward the air base with the Claw clutched in his palm. Soldiers race from the throne room in pursuit. Elijakiel runs faster and faster as Dekronis’s soldiers close in on him. The soldiers shoot at him, but he dodges every bullet that flies at him. He rushes to the door lock of the air base and types in the passcode as fast as he can. The door opens, and he rushes inside. He closes the door and locks it behind him. The inside of the building is dark. He sees the escape pod. He finally has a chance to leave the planet with the Claw.

Suddenly, bullets tear through the door. One of the bullets hits Elijakiel in the rib cage, and he falls to the ground. He is deeply wounded, bleeding internally.

Give it up, Elijakiel! You’re surrounded. Just give us the Claw, and we’ll let you go, Dekronis shouts from outside the door.

Elijakiel crawls to the escape pod but is in too much pain to get up and get in the pod. He is sweating a lot as he struggles to get up. He takes the time to think. He sees a storage rocket, which the Savocronians use to send supplies to their soldiers fighting the war on other planets.

Just like you promised Father, right before you had your puppet murder him? Elijakiel shouts.

Father made his choice, little brother. He made the wrong choice, but you can still make the right one!

Elijakiel gets on the computer and looks for planets far from the Korani Galaxy.

Do you remember how the other planets mocked our species? Dekronis asks. They called us weak and spineless. Now, they fear us! Join the new army of Savocronians. Join the Drestoriki. Just imagine it—power beyond your wildest dreams! We will be worshiped as gods. We’ll rule the entire galaxy. Just give me the Claw, and you’ll have everything you’ve ever wanted.

The map on the computer screen brings up a planet called Earth. Elijakiel presses a button, and the big storage rocket lowers down to him. The rocket opens up, and Elijakiel looks at the Claw for a moment before putting it inside the rocket. The rocket door closes, and as Elijakiel gets ready to launch it, Dekronis punches a hole through the door.

Elijakiel, stop! Think about what you’re doing. You think this is the answer to saving Savocron? Your planet is dead. The Savocronians are extinct! Accept it!

This is for Father! Elijakiel hits the launch button, and the rocket takes off into the sky, trailing smoke behind it.

No! Dekronis screams.

Elijakiel hits the kill switch on the rocket’s computer, and the computer shuts down, erasing the data of the planet that the rocket has been sent to. The Drestoriki soldiers bust through the door and point their guns at Elijakiel.

Where did you send the Claw, Elijakiel? Where?

It doesn’t matter, Dekronis. You’re never going to find it. It has been sent to an unknown planet located in a galaxy far beyond ours. Without it, your army will be nothing. You’ll be nothing.

Arrest him! Dekronis orders two of his soldiers to help up Elijakiel. They handcuff his wrists and take him to the Drestoriki mother ship.

The rocket enters Earth’s atmosphere. Down on Earth the velociraptors are approaching their prey very slowly. The smell of the triceratops’ flesh gets stronger as the velociraptors close in for the attack. Just when the velociraptors are getting into their positions to attack the triceratops herd, the head raptor notices an intoxicating and gassy smell.

The velociraptor sniffs out the scent, which is coming from the air. The velociraptor looks up at the sky. The other raptors don’t seem to be alarmed, so the head velociraptor ignores the smell and goes in for the kill. The raptors perform a sneak attack on the herd of triceratops. The high grass makes it hard for the triceratops to notice the danger. The smell of the grass is very strong, preventing the triceratops from smelling the incoming threat.

One by one, each of the triceratops