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Skull Island: October 28, 1929

     “I can be King!”

     That’s what a crafty, old islander was muttering to himself as he and his apprentice neared their long voyage to the secreted Skull Island.

     Alongside a narrow beach, two thin ships came up and anchored on the desolate isle. They were just visitors from neighboring islands, islands where the fauna was modern and lacked the monstrous diversity of creatures that inhabited this particularly odd isle. From the boats, a pair of witchdoctors came to shore and quickly created a makeshift altar by placing a pattern of shells in intricate circles.

     “Gomatta, Wonga! Gomatta Wonga!” Shouted one of the natives.

     In response, a seeping creak sound emanated from a nearby cave. Adding to the noise was the fleeting cry of an infant boy. Holding the baby up to the sky, the elder witchdoctor yelled out more religious lyrics.

     Soon, a shimmering red light crawled quickly from the cave. In tandem, two more red flashes belted out of the cavern as well. Being near dusk, the natives could only make out the sleek, long shapes moving toward them. But soon, they recognized the beasts outright.

    “Wonga…Wonga no patta di haibed!” Screamed the elder witchdoctor, obviously offering the crying infant to the three, speedy monstrosities in front of them.

    In a quick flick of their segmented bodies, the three, fifteen-foot centipedes encircled the pair of priests. One of the metallic-red insects jumped up and ripped the screaming baby from the witchdoctor’s arms.

      A quick gnashing of the arthropod’s mandibles ended the screaming of the unfortunate child. Blood spilling from the tiny remnants of the small corpse took the younger witchdoctor by surprise. Against his master’s teachings, the primal priest staggered back in fear and began to flee. This triggered an instinct in the three centipedes and they quickly went after him.

     Incasing the native like an anaconda squeezing a deer, the centipedes rolled in a wild ball together, ripping the man’s limbs off. Blood spewed out from his torn corpse and soaked the sand around him. Afterward, the red creatures slinked back into their ominous cave.

     The elder priest was spared, only because he knew that the centipedes would not attack him. Unlike his ambitious apprentice and tribal competition, he had smeared himself with a pepper-like herb, which gave off a distaste to the creatures. It was an old trick passed on by his ancestors.

     Now that he completed his unholy sacrifice and ridded himself of his competition, the elder priest celebrated by chanting a song as he made his way back to the boat. However, he was interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps…very heavy footsteps. Thinking them to be the sign of some of the strange dragons of these parts, he began to rush his departure. But suddenly, an immense form broke out from the tree line. It’s massive size was outdone only by it’s blood-curdling, primate roar. Beating on his chest angrily, the large beast signified the protection of his territory by stomping on the old native.

     A squishy crunch was heard as the massive primate exited. It left behind the flattened remains of broken bones and trampled brain matter, all cradled in the vast footprint of a mighty ape. The witchdoctor was no more. But he should have known better, he was warned by his own elders that such things could happen – for this was the quintessential nature of justice on Skull Island.

Mokai Suneki Research Center:
Ninety-four miles from Monster Island

     “He’s the best of them!”

     That’s what American naturalist, John Carter said as he referred to a sample of plant brought from Monster Island. John was one of the few scientists to be working alongside Japanese agents allowed to venture into the Takara Islands. In reality, the Takara Islands was only the official name for a recently discovered mountain range that sprung up from the South Pacific. The creatures that inhabited that unknown and wild land were both terrifying and enormous.

    Aki Soto, the leading expert on the newfound wilderness simply called the place ‘Monster Island’, and for good reason, too. Over the last three years, his team had penetrated the ever-crowding cloud systems there and ventured along the shores of the prehistoric paradise. Even so, they dared not venture too far, for they already discovered that the place was chock full of strange and Goliath beasts. Out of the thirty-six explorers that conducted the official expedition there, only Aki and his assistant, Mara had made it back alive.

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