The air was thick with tension as Apophis slithered through the dense undergrowth, Finn and Cyrus flanking him cautiously. The towering trees of Ravenwood loomed overhead, their branches twisted like skeletal fingers. A soft mist clung to the ground, and the usual sounds of the forest—birds chirping, leaves rustling—had fallen eerily silent.

Apophis stopped, his tongue flicking out to taste the air. Blood. The sharp tang of it stung his senses, and his eyes narrowed as he glanced at Finn. The fox’s ears twitched in unease, and his orange fur bristled as he growled softly.

“I smell it too,” Finn muttered, his eyes scanning the shadows ahead. “This isn't right.”

Cyrus lumbered up beside them, his massive frame casting a long shadow. “This place reeks of violence,” the crocodile rumbled, his deep voice echoing through the trees. “We need to be careful.”

Apophis nodded, his mind racing. They had been searching for signs of the enemy for days now, ever since their first encounter with one of Rakar’s underlings. Now it seemed they were closer than ever, but something about the quiet forest made his scales itch.

They moved forward cautiously, each step feeling heavier than the last. Soon, they came upon a small clearing where the trees parted like a jagged wound in the earth. The smell of blood was overwhelming now, and Apophis could see the signs of a recent battle—broken branches, deep claw marks in the ground, and dark stains on the forest floor.

Suddenly, Finn’s ears perked up, and he darted forward. “Cyrus! Look!” he shouted, rushing toward a large tree near the edge of the clearing. Cyrus followed, his movements slow but purposeful.

Apophis slithered after them, and as he reached the tree, he saw what had caught Finn’s attention. Deep in the bark were massive claw marks, unmistakable in their ferocity. But there was something else. Tattered bits of fur and broken scales littered the ground beneath the tree—evidence of a brutal fight.

“This... this was them,” Finn said, his voice barely above a whisper. “One of Rakar’s beasts must have done this.”

Cyrus leaned closer, his eyes narrowing. “Finn, look here,” he pointed to a large track in the mud, the shape of a massive paw pressed deep into the earth. “This is the work of something much bigger... and far more dangerous than what we’ve faced before.”

Apophis examined the ground carefully, his thoughts racing. Whoever had been here, they had been powerful enough to bring both Finn and Cyrus to the edge of defeat. He could sense the weight of it in the air—the danger that lingered like a shadow.

“This is no ordinary creature,” Apophis finally said, his voice low and measured. “We’re dealing with one of Rakar’s lieutenants.”

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Finn growled softly, baring his teeth. “I don’t care who it is. I’m not letting this happen again. This forest is our home. We won’t bow to him.”

Apophis glanced at the fox, a flicker of admiration in his gaze. Finn’s determination had always been one of his strongest traits, but this was different. There was a fury in him now, a defiance that ran deeper than ever before.

“I understand your anger,” Apophis said quietly, “but we need to be smart about this. Charging in recklessly will only get us killed.”

Before Finn could respond, Cyrus snorted loudly, his jaws snapping shut with a loud clack. “To hell with being smart,” the massive crocodile growled. “I say we find whoever did this and tear them apart. No more sneaking around—just fight.”

Finn gave him a pointed look, his tail twitching in irritation. “Cyrus, you can’t just rush into every battle headfirst. We need a plan if we’re going to win this.”

Cyrus shrugged, a wild grin spreading across his face. “Plans are for cowards. I say we smash their faces in and figure it out after.”

Finn sighed, his exasperation clear. “We’re not all as... straightforward as you.”

Cyrus thumped his tail on the ground, eyes gleaming with reckless excitement. “Straightforward is the only way I know how to be. Fuck them all—Rakar, his minions, the whole damn forest! Let’s crush them and take back what’s ours.”

Apophis chuckled, despite the seriousness of the situation. “As tempting as that sounds, Finn’s right. We can’t just rush in blindly.”

Cyrus groaned. “You two are no fun.”

Finn smirked. “Someone has to keep you in check.”

Cyrus bared his teeth in a grin, his bloodlust barely contained. “Yeah, yeah. But when the time comes, don’t hold me back. I’ve been itching for a real fight.”

Apophis interjected, his tone calming but firm. “There will be plenty of time for fighting, Cyrus. But right now, we need to be smart. Rakar isn’t just a brute—he’s cunning, and if we underestimate him, we’ll be the ones getting crushed.”

Cyrus grumbled, his claws digging into the ground in frustration, but he didn’t argue further.

Finn turned to Apophis, his tone more serious now. “You mentioned something about Rakar’s lieutenants. If we take one of them out, it’ll send a message, right? We might even learn more about what Rakar’s planning.”

Apophis nodded, his eyes narrowing as he considered the idea. “Exactly. We need to find out where his power comes from, and what he’s after.”

Cyrus, though still bristling with impatience, seemed to listen more carefully now. “What do you think he wants, anyway? Ruling this forest isn’t enough for someone like him.”

Apophis hesitated, a grim thought crossing his mind. “I don’t think it’s just about Ravenwood anymore. There are whispers... of something more. The balance between the Four Great Forests is fragile. If Rakar can upset that balance, he could seize control of not just this forest, but all of them.”

Finn’s eyes widened in surprise. “You think he’s after the whole lot?”

Cyrus snorted. “Let him try. We’ll knock his teeth out.”

But Apophis shook his head. “It’s not that simple. Rakar isn’t just strong—there’s something... dark about him. It’s like he’s been tainted by some evil force. And if we’re not careful, he’ll use that power to destroy everything in his path.”

Cyrus slammed his tail on the ground again, impatience coursing through him. “Fine, whatever. Plans, darkness, balance... I don’t care. Just point me in the direction of something to kill, and I’ll do the rest.”

Finn sighed again, but this time with a small smile. “I’m sure you will, Cyrus. But maybe let’s try not to get killed ourselves in the process, alright?”

Cyrus grinned wickedly. “No promises.”