Timmon lay on the ground, dazed but alive, his spear knocked out of reach. The panther advanced on him, its eyes glowing with a predatory gleam. Ben and Mr Major moved in unison, weapons ready, determined to protect their friend and drive the beast away.

"Stay back!" Ben shouted, positioning himself between Timmon and the panther. "We won't let you take him!"

The panther hesitated, eyeing the trio with a calculating gaze. It seemed to weigh its options, its tail flicking in agitation.

Timmon: I'm getting sick and tired of these forest antics! My body can't take it anymore! I'm tired!

Mr Major: Stay calm. None of us have any major damage, which means it's not serious. It's only playing with us. And as fast as it's moving now, the Sniders' movements were faster, and we could see those in low light.

Ben: It was bright enough then; this situation is dark. If we fight it and it gets angry, then time would have run out on life.

Timmon: Fuck time!

As the words left Timmon's mouth, they heard the hiss of the Fern Panther and saw its fur explode outward as it shook its body once more. Something was different this time. Someone was going to die.

Ben's thoughts raced as time seemed to slow. Why did it shift for the worse like that? Was it because Timmon was getting ready to fight back? Fight back with the intention to kill? Was the Fern Panther sensing and reacting to their intent?

Within fractions of a second, Ben processed the information and made a decision. He spun downward, delivering a hammer fist to the crouching Timmon, hitting him in the face.

Timmon's reaction was impeccable, but it meant nothing in the end, as the hit knocked him out.

The charging Fern Panther stopped its attack and jumped back, surprising Mr Major. "What just happened? What did you figure out?"

Ben responded, his voice tight and urgent, "It was responding to our intention. The moment one of us intended to seriously fight to kill, it got serious too. If Timmon regains consciousness before this is settled, we will die. We won't be able to knock him out again."

Mr Major nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation. "We need to keep our intentions clear. Defend, survive, but no killing intent. It's our only chance."

Ben: You say it as if it's an easy thing to do. I do want to kill it because I know it's going to kill us.

Mr Major: Out of all of us, you are the person with the least killing intent. You care too much for life. Anger and harm walk side by side, but they are not one and the same. Let's just find a way to take these dangerously playful swipes and jabs and try to satisfy its curiosity. If nothing is broken after, then maybe we can walk away with scraps and bruises.

Ben: What about Timmon? If we need to move and we can't just leave him here. Plus, I don't know where we are and where we need to go. Are we lost again? I can't afford to be lost again. My mind. My body. I can't take it anymore.

Mr Major: Focuse Ben! Situational awareness. Allow your senses to help you. Even though the cat has been playing with us, it has a habit of jumping back to its starting position. I threw a dagger at it earlier, and it was probably stuck in the tree or root of a tree in the direction that we were travelling.

Ben: That can't be true. It's been walking towards us as we've been walking backwards. Don't lie to me right now. I have a lot on my plate already.

Mr Major: You really think we moved that far? We haven't even travelled seven meters back on our own feet. The Fern Panther's attack sent us back further than we had walked. Fear is a powerful thing, but focus on your body and where it is in the open space around you. Use the sense of proprioception, and you'll have a better feel for the disparity.

Ben: Proprioception? Do you mean like knowing where my limbs are without looking? How does that help us now?

Mr Major: Exactly. Fear distorts our perception. We think we've moved a lot when we haven't. Trust your body to understand your position in space. We're closer to our original path than you think.

The team repositioned, maintaining their defensive stance. The panther, now seemingly more cautious, watched them with piercing eyes.

Mr Major: Stay ready, Ben. It's about to do something.

The large green cat gracefully sat on the ground as its paws dragged back and forth on the ground. It was as if it was unearthing something in the dark. But what?

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Ben: Is it going to shit?

Mr Major: Just focus and keep your mind clear and peaceful. If it's possible, let's just let it attack us and focus on controlling your intent.

Ben: I'm not built like you. I don't even know what that means. If you told me to focus on smelling or hearing, I wouldn't even know how to take it off of autopilot.

Mr Major: Just make yourself big, and let's move forward.

Ben: MOVE FUCKING WHERE? Forward, as in, towards the gigantic predator cat?

Mr Major: Hold Timmons basket, and I'll carry his body. If we are going to die, then what's wrong with walking feet first into the face of death?

Ben: If we die, your spend eternity sucking my dick in hell.

Mr Major chuckled, "So we're not going to heaven? I thought God brought us to this planet because we were his favourites.

Ben: Look. It's getting back up again? Quickly give me the basket.

The Fern Panther carefully stretched lazily like the typical house cat and swung its paw on the ground.

Wosh! Something flew past Ben and Mr Major as dirt and sticks sprayed across their skin seconds later. Did it just throw something at them they wondered.

The Cat swung at the ground again, and this time, Ben fell to the ground in pain.

Ben: It's a rock. It's throwing rocks at us now. Why? Oh my God, why is this a thing? It's a Cat that can shoot objects at them. How can we fight that anymore?

Mr Major: Calm down and keep moving.

Ben: It's okay for you to say that. You haven't gotten hit yet.

Unbeknownst to Ben, Mr Major was being hit by more of the projectiles as the Fern Panther was aiming at him. Ben just happened to get hit by a stray. Mr Major was clearly the strongest out of the trio, and the cat knew that. He was carrying the dangerous creature on his back—the fun toy that went to sleep. As they slowly stepped closer towards the cat, Mr Major led the way. To Ben's awareness, it felt like they were running how fast it all felt in his mind.

Being a few steps ahead of Ben, when the cat slammed its paw down on Mr Major and Timmon, it was followed up by a swing at the ground, sending projectiles flying towards Ben, and he felt something. Heard something just before the stones, sticks and dirt washed over his exposed areas, with the basket of fruits on his back and the other covering his chest. That sensation he felt caused him to drop to his knees. Even though he still took damage, he unknowingly avoided damage that would have made him a liability.

Ben: Where did it go? The CAT!

Mr Major: Move! It's above you!

Mr Major got up, holding Timmon, who was starting to regain his consciousness. While Ben raised his spear in the air.

His instincts to survive triggered his intent to kill, and the Fern Panter fur blew out as the small amount of Luna light was removed due to the shadow it cast.

Mr Major: LOOK OUT BEN! That's a real attack!

Ben's body reacted before his mind could catch up. He instinctively dived to the side, feeling the rush of air as the Fern Panther's claws swiped through the space he had just occupied. The impact of the fall knocked the wind out of him, but he scrambled to his feet, adrenaline surging through his veins the baskets he carried feeling lighter than ever.

Mr Major, still carrying Timmon, shouted, "Ben, don't let your intent change! Remember, it responds to our emotions!"

Ben gritted his teeth, trying to suppress the rising panic. "Easier said than done, Major!"

The Fern Panther hissed, its eyes glowing with a predatory light. It paced back and forth, gauging their movements, its muscles coiled like springs, ready to unleash another devastating attack.

Mr Major carefully laid Timmon down, positioning himself between the unconscious man and the looming threat. "We need to keep moving forward. Show no fear, no aggression. Just move."

Ben nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He adjusted the basket on his back, using it as a makeshift shield, and began to move slowly, deliberately, matching Mr Major's pace.

The panther's eyes tracked their every move, but it didn't pounce. It seemed to be waiting, watching for any sign of weakness or threat.

Timmon groaned, starting to stir. "Wha-what's happening?"

"Stay down, Timmon," Mr Major ordered. "Don't make any sudden movements."

Timmon's eyes widened as he took in the situation, the massive panther looming over them. "I remember now! Its the spawn of the forest and it must die! DIE! DIE! DIE!"

The panther let out a low growl, and Ben felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He forced himself to take deep, steady breaths to project calmness and control.

Step by step, they edged forward. The panther continued to watch, its tail flicking with agitation, but it didn't attack. The tension was almost unbearable, the air thick with the scent of danger and fear.

Just when it seemed like they might actually make it past the panther, Timmon shifted, his leg hitting a loose rock. The sudden movement drew the panther's attention, its eyes narrowing.

Ben felt the shift in Timmon first, then suddenly from the Fern Panther instantly.

The killing intent they both gave off was felt but even more than that, they could smell it even taste it to a degree, followed by a sudden surge of aggression. "No!" Ben shouted, trying to distract the Fern Panther, to draw its focus back to him.

The panther's muscles tensed, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. Then, with a powerful leap, it lunged towards Timmon.

Ben threw himself in front of Timmon, raising his basket to shield them both. The panther's claws slashed through the air, tearing into the basket and sending fruit flying everywhere.

Mr Major moved with lightning speed, thrusting his spear towards the panther's side, not to kill, but to push it back. The panther snarled, its fur bristling as it recoiled from the unexpected counterattack to its ribs.

"Ben, Timmon, now!" Mr Major shouted. "Move!"

They scrambled to their feet, pushing forward with all their might. The panther hesitated, its eyes flicking between them and the retreating figures.

Ben glanced back, seeing the panther standing still, watching them with an unreadable expression. For a moment, he wondered if they had somehow earned its respect or if it was simply waiting for a better opportunity to strike. But the pain that was returning to his leg was telling him that relaxing was not an option. He needed this moment of adrenalin to push through to safety, if that was even possible.

Even though Timmon was out for blood, he didn't wait around to find an opportunity to attack. They ran, hearts pounding, breaths ragged, until they could no longer see the panther through the dense forest.

Ben: I thought you said running from cats was a bad idea?

Timmon: I thought we said that attacking the cat was off the table. What gives?

Mr Major: Stupid, how would we know if we escaped? Do we decide whether or not a predator attacks and set the rules for how long they should attack? We could still be in the sights of the Fern Panther. For all we know, it's just waiting for us to tire out before making its next move. Just keep running; if we die, we die. Fuck it.

Finally, they slowed, collapsing to the ground in exhaustion. Ben looked at Mr Major, who was still holding his spear at the ready, and then at Timmon, who was pale and shaken but alive.

"Did we make it?" Ben asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.

Mr Major nodded, his eyes scanning the trees. "For now. But we need to keep moving. We can't stay in one place for too long."

Ben nodded, feeling a flicker of hope despite the lingering fear. They had survived this encounter. Yet the forest was vast and unforgiving, and the settlement was still days away.

Mr Major: Let's patch up any wounds and gather our bearings. We need to keep our guard up. The Fern Panther might have backed off for now, but this forest is full of other dangers.

Timmon: My body feels like it's been through a meat grinder. We need to rest, just for a bit.

Mr Major: I know, but staying in one spot for too long could be a death sentence. We'll rest, but only for a few minutes. Then we move on.

As they tended to their injuries, Ben kept a wary eye on the forest, every rustle and shadow keeping his nerves on edge. He knew that their journey was far from over, and the Fern Panther might just be the beginning of their trials. If God was still on their side, he could only hope that He would show them a way to the next rest point quickly and safely.