Dreven’s massive form shot forward like a shadow, claws gleaming in the dim forest light. His growl rumbled through the trees, a terrifying mix of power and malice. Apophis barely had time to react before the lieutenant of Rakar was upon them.
Cyrus, with his brutish instincts kicking in, let out a battle roar and charged headfirst to meet Dreven, his enormous tail whipping through the air. “Let’s see what you’ve got, you overgrown mutt!” he bellowed, slamming his body into Dreven’s.
The force of their collision shook the ground, sending leaves and dirt flying into the air. Dreven staggered for a moment but quickly regained his footing, a wicked grin spreading across his muzzle. “Bold words for someone about to die.”
Without hesitation, Dreven’s claws slashed across Cyrus’s side, leaving deep gashes. The giant crocodile grunted in pain, but instead of retreating, he swung his massive tail, knocking Dreven back a few steps. “I’ll rip you apart!”
Apophis moved swiftly to support, darting around the brawling beasts, his mind racing. This wasn’t just another enemy. Dreven was one of Rakar’s trusted lieutenants—there was a reason he had been sent here. Apophis’s eyes narrowed as he surveyed the battle. They needed more than brute force to win this.
“Finn! We need to outmaneuver him!” Apophis called out, his voice cutting through the chaos.
The fox nodded, his sharp eyes already scanning for weaknesses. “Got it! Keep him busy!”
While Cyrus and Dreven clashed, Apophis darted in, slithering low to the ground, looking for any openings. His body coiled and snapped like a whip, narrowly missing Dreven’s legs. The lieutenant snarled, swiping at Apophis, but the serpent was too quick.
“You can’t escape me forever, snake,” Dreven hissed, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent.
Meanwhile, Finn dashed around, using his agility to confuse Dreven. His movements were fast and precise, but even he knew they couldn’t keep this up for long. Dreven’s raw strength was overwhelming, and each time Cyrus tried to overpower him, the enemy seemed to grow more vicious.
As Apophis dodged another swipe, he noticed something strange—Dreven wasn’t fighting with the same wild abandon as Rakar’s other minions. There was a calculated nature to his strikes, a sinister intelligence behind his savage appearance.
Apophis’s mind clicked. Dreven wasn’t just here to kill them—he was here to stop them from finding Kael.
“Finn, we need to figure out why he’s here,” Apophis muttered, his voice low. “He’s hiding something.”
Finn’s eyes darted to Dreven as he circled, a flicker of recognition flashing across his face. “There are rumors… Rakar’s lieutenants, especially Dreven, don’t just serve—they’re bound by something. An ancient pact.”
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Apophis’s eyes widened. “A pact?”
Before Finn could respond, Dreven roared in fury, leaping high into the air and slamming his massive paws into the ground, sending a shockwave that rippled through the forest. Cyrus was knocked off his feet, crashing into a nearby tree with a grunt.
“I’m done playing with you!” Dreven growled, his eyes glowing with a dark, otherworldly energy. “You think you can stop Rakar’s will? You’re nothing but insects!”
With terrifying speed, Dreven lunged at Apophis, claws outstretched. But this time, Apophis was ready. Channeling the power he had gained from the Abyss, his body shimmered with a dark energy, and he darted to the side, narrowly avoiding Dreven’s killing blow.
“You’re strong, Dreven, but there’s something you’re not telling us,” Apophis hissed, his voice calm but filled with determination. “Why are you so desperate to stop us from finding Kael?”
Dreven’s eyes flashed, but his grin faltered for the first time. “You know nothing, snake,” he spat. “Kael is a fool, and if you think he can save this forest, you’re already dead.”
Apophis’s mind raced. There was more at play here—Dreven’s words hinted at a deeper conflict, something beyond just Rakar’s bloodthirsty conquest.
As Cyrus struggled to his feet, panting heavily, Finn dashed forward, his keen instincts kicking in. “Apophis, distract him! I’ll try to get something out of him.”
Nodding, Apophis darted forward again, forcing Dreven to turn his attention back to the serpent. The lieutenant growled in frustration, his claws slashing through the air as he tried to catch the elusive Apophis. But every time, the snake moved just out of reach.
Finn moved in close, using his speed to dart past Dreven’s defenses. With a swift leap, he slashed at Dreven’s legs, forcing the lieutenant to stumble. “You can’t win this, Dreven,” Finn growled. “What’s Rakar planning?”
Dreven snarled, but the pain in his legs slowed him down. “You think you can outsmart me? I am Rakar’s chosen!”
“And yet, here you are,” Finn taunted, “failing.”
The lieutenant let out a furious roar, but before he could strike again, Finn darted forward, his claws digging into Dreven’s wounded leg. The lieutenant let out a cry of pain, collapsing to one knee.
Apophis seized the moment. He lunged forward, his fangs bared, sinking them deep into Dreven’s shoulder. Dark energy pulsed through Apophis’s body as he held on, draining strength from his opponent.
“Tell us, Dreven,” Apophis demanded, his voice filled with the weight of his newfound power. “What is Rakar hiding?”
For a moment, Dreven’s eyes flickered with something like fear. His breath came in ragged gasps as he struggled to speak. “Rakar… he’s not the only one,” Dreven rasped. “There’s… another.”
Apophis tightened his grip. “Another what?”
Dreven’s voice grew weaker, his strength fading under Apophis’s hold. “Another force… one stronger than him… in the shadows… pulling the strings.”
Before Apophis could press further, Dreven let out a final, guttural snarl, and the dark energy that had been pulsing through him vanished, leaving his body limp.
Apophis released his hold, watching as the lieutenant’s body crumpled to the ground. Silence fell over the clearing, save for the heavy breathing of Cyrus and Finn.
“That was close,” Finn muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. “But did you hear him? Another force… stronger than Rakar.”
Apophis nodded, his mind reeling from the implications. “We need to find Kael. This is bigger than we thought.”
Cyrus, still panting, grinned through the pain. “So… we’re up against something worse than Rakar? Well, that just makes it more interesting, doesn’t it?”
Apophis couldn’t help but smirk. “Let’s hope Kael has the answers we need. Otherwise, we might not survive long enough to find out who—or what—is really behind this.”