Information Finding Championship - S1:Rnd23

The Rules:
Write a story that includes the following items/words: beach ball, book, chair, clock, fall, forest, grass, juice, spaceship, universe.

Jonathon stepped through the wavering portal. That familiar tingling sensation pulsed through his body once his boot struck the lush, green grass of the glade he now stood within. The shimmering of the portal behind him suddenly winked out as it powered off. He barely noticed. He stood surrounded by what appeared to be a clearing encircled by a forest of trees and undergrowth. It was a stark contrast to the red deserts of Y'thulsda, but it was a terrain he was comfortable navigating. At least he hoped it was. The thought crossed his mind he may not know these lands like he did the woodlands back home on Earth. He frowned at the thought like he had a thousand times before whenever it came into his mind. Home. All he wanted to do was to get home. He did not care if it was a portal or a spaceship or some other means. As long as it worked.


On Y'thulsda, Hrorthaak had told him he was a Porter; a Gatekeeper, Guardian, Traveler, and Seeker. It called him the Porter of Terrason, but how could he be that if he was not home on Earth? His time on Y'thulsda was fantastic and informative. It was a relief to know he was part of something larger. That all of this had happened for a reason and there was, after all, definitely some order to the universe. He instinctively brought a hand down to rest upon the old, but sturdy, military medic's shoulder bag, which held his copy of the Keeper's Bible. It was the book that had gotten him into this mess to begin with, but also the one thing that has kept him alive more than any of the gear or weapons he has collected on all the different worlds he has visited.


He looked around the clearing more carefully. No pedestal. No dais. No other portals. Great. His frown deepened. He pulled his pocket watch from his jacket knowing the clock would not be accurate to this world. He still checked it. It made him feel more in control and grounded to the reality he knew best. He allowed himself a single exhaled sigh of dismay before looking up. There were stars and three moons. Perhaps this world is inhabited, he thought. It likely is. Most of them are, he assured himself.


He had walked through the thick forest undergrowth for less than a mile before he heard it. There was a horrendous roar that sounded like the terrible combination of a lion, a bear, and perhaps the bleat of a goat or similar animal. It was loud, and not too far away. Jonathon crouched down behind a thicket and waited. The creature, whatever it was, stomped through the brush like a bulldozer. It was heavy and lumbersome, and it's feet seemed to pulp the vegetation to juice with every foot fall. After what seemed an eternity, he finally saw the beast. It was massive. It stood at least thirty feet high, and was nearly twice as long. It's two tree trunk-like legs were scaled and well-muscled; they looked designed to sprint and leap, but they were oddly bird-like as well. Jonathon was too frightened to move a muscle, but his thoughts were a whirlwind of chaos. Seriously? A dinosaur? Where am I? When am I? Did that portal take me back in time?


Just as the thoughts became too much for him to corral, Jonathon saw a small herd of half a dozen smaller creatures dart by not too far from where he was hiding. They were no taller than knee-high, and had a roughly beach ball with legs shape. They were fast runners, but their most amazing feature was their toothy maws that made up nearly half their forward-facing body. Their stubby little tails seemed useless, they had only the two legs, and their eyes were fixed at a naturally cruel angle that made them look menacing even when running for their lives.


The larger creature caught sight of the smaller creatures fleeing, and gave pursuit. The ground shook so violently that it put Jonathon on the ground as the larger theropod-like creature stomped past. He sat there, shivering with fear, gripping his trusty blaster with practiced white-knuckled bravado, and tried to breath without sobbing or passing out. The overwhelming desire for a safe, warm place, a comfortable chair by a well-stoked fire perhaps, rushed over him. He choked back the emotions, forced himself to stifle the tears, and picked himself up. No, he thought. I know what this is, and I won't give in to it. Hrorthaak had explained that much to him, at least. The universe was vast, and within it were many forces, but the most active and dominant were the constantly rebellious raging against the peace and order of The Creator. They attacked beings like Jonathon in many different ways with the sole goal of separating them from The Creator. He calmed himself, and his hand fell to his book once again. No, he thought. Not this time. I've got too much to do yet.

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