Chapter 5: The Queen's Reign
Cassandra stood at the edge of the riverbank, her breath steady and controlled as she stared into the murky water. The sun was setting, casting a deep orange glow across the surface, but her eyes remained focused on the task ahead. The jungle was quiet, as if holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come. She knew this moment would define her rule, solidifying her power not just through fear, but through admiration.
When Cassandra had first claimed the title of Queen of the Jungle after defeating Shayana, she had done so with the strength of her body and the cunning of her mind. But ruling the jungle and its people required more than brute force. Word had reached her that Shayana, the woman she had once bested, was training in England, preparing to return for a rematch. Cassandra could not afford to be complacent. She had to be ready—stronger, faster, and more formidable than before. But strength alone would not secure her throne; she needed loyalty, true loyalty, from the tribes she ruled.
Cassandra’s mind was as sharp as her blade. She understood the power of perception, the importance of being seen as both a protector and a leader. So, while Shayana trained across the seas, Cassandra began her own regimen in the jungle. She spent hours each day honing her physical prowess, swinging from vines, climbing trees, and lifting massive rocks to build her strength. But even the most powerful of the tribal women she summoned to spar with her were no match. She needed something more—something that would not only challenge her but also solidify her status as the true queen of the jungle.
Then, an opportunity presented itself.
The news of the child’s death had spread quickly through the village. The crocodile that frequented the nearby river had become notorious for its ferocity, but until now, it had never attacked a human. The loss of the child sent a wave of fear through the tribe, a fear Cassandra could use to her advantage.
Cassandra announced her intentions to the villagers with the cold confidence that had come to define her rule. She would avenge the child’s death by hunting down and killing the crocodile herself. The boldness of the declaration sent murmurs through the tribe, but Cassandra knew that fear alone would not win their loyalty. She needed to show them that she was more than just a conqueror—she was their protector.
The villagers gathered at the river’s edge, watching in tense silence as Cassandra prepared for the hunt. She wore little more than her leather fighting gear, her jet-black hair tied back to keep it out of her face. In her hand, she held a short, sharp knife, but she had no intention of relying solely on the blade. This kill had to be personal, visceral. She needed to feel the life drain from the beast with her own hands.
The crocodile basked in the shallows, its massive form barely visible beneath the water. Cassandra moved with the precision of a predator, her muscles coiled and ready. She waited, watching the creature’s every move, until she saw her opening.
With a burst of speed, Cassandra lunged, wrapping her arms around the crocodile’s snout. The beast thrashed violently, sending water and mud flying as it tried to shake her off. Cassandra gritted her teeth, her muscles straining as she held on with all her strength. The crocodile’s power was immense, but in the shallow water, it could not fully maneuver. Cassandra knew this was her chance.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
The struggle was intense, the water splashing around them as the crocodile fought for its life. Cassandra could feel the brute strength of the beast, the raw power that threatened to overwhelm her. But she was relentless, her training and determination driving her forward. With one hand still gripping the crocodile’s mouth shut, she reached for her knife, plunging it into the creature’s eyes with brutal precision.
Blood spewed into the water, turning it a dark, murky red. The crocodile thrashed even more violently, blinded and in pain, but Cassandra didn’t let up. She drove the blade deeper, her hand steady and sure, as she continued to stab the creature in vital points. The water churned with their struggle, but slowly, the crocodile’s movements began to weaken.
Finally, with one last, powerful stab, Cassandra drove the knife into the crocodile’s brain. The beast went limp, its body sinking into the bloodied water. Cassandra stood over it, breathing heavily, her body covered in mud and water. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, the thrill of victory once again surging within her.
But this victory was different. It wasn’t just about proving her strength—it was about solidifying her place as the true queen of the jungle.
With a cold, calculated motion, Cassandra used her knife to cut out one of the crocodile’s massive teeth. She held it up to the watching villagers, who had been silent during the battle, their eyes wide with awe and fear. Now, as they saw the bloodied tooth in her hand, a roar of approval erupted from the crowd.
Cassandra smiled, her lips curling into a victorious grin. The cheers of the villagers echoed through the jungle, a sound that filled her with satisfaction. She had not only avenged the child’s death; she had proven her dominance over the wild, over the jungle itself. And more importantly, she had begun to win the hearts and minds of the people she ruled.
The tribespeople, once loyal to Shayana, were now looking at Cassandra with a mixture of admiration and fear. She had shown them that she was not just a conqueror, but a protector—one who would go to any lengths to defend her subjects. She used this momentum to further her rule, employing tactics of divide and conquer to secure loyalty. Some tribal leaders were given privileges, small tokens of power, to ensure their allegiance. Others were kept in line through fear and intimidation. Slowly, the balance of power began to shift.
As the days passed, Cassandra’s influence grew. More and more of the tribespeople began to see her as their true queen, the one who had defeated Shayana and continued to prove her strength. The loyalty that had once belonged to Shayana was now being redirected to Cassandra. The jungle itself seemed to bend to her will.
Cassandra stood tall, her mind already turning to the future. She knew that Shayana would return one day, stronger and more determined than before. But Cassandra was not the same woman either. She had grown, not just in strength but in cunning and shrewdness. She would be ready when the time came. And when Shayana did return, Cassandra would not only defeat her again—she would crush her completely, securing her reign as the undisputed Queen of the Jungle.
The villagers saw her as their protector now, the one who had avenged the child’s death and brought justice to the jungle. And with every passing day, Cassandra’s title as queen became less of a claim and more of a truth. She was the jungle’s ruler, its protector, its conqueror. And she would stop at nothing to keep it that way.