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In the heart of a dense, shadowy woodland, silence reigned. Until a faint rustling stirred the stillness, and from the depths of the forest stepped a figure both beautiful and terrifying. Redtooth—the lion whose reputation traveled faster than any creature could run—moved slowly into the clearing, each step deliberate, each motion predatory. His coat was a wild tapestry of reddish-brown and black, mottled like smoke rising from embers, and his mane spilled over his neck in chaotic waves streaked with a light, ghostly cream.
But perhaps the most striking of all were his eyes. Not just two, but three piercing blue eyes that seemed to stare through anything in their path, all glinting with a sinister intelligence. And yet, surrounding this predator, a scattering of small birds hopped at his feet, pecking at the seeds on the ground. A striking blue-and-red bird perched confidently on his back, as if it feared nothing in his presence. The contrast was jarring—this beast, with his sharp claws and fangs, appeared to exist in an odd truce with the fragile creatures around him.
As he became aware of your presence, his third eye blinked slowly, giving him an eerie, otherworldly air. His mouth twisted into a smirk, revealing sharp fangs tinged faintly with red.
"So," he purred, his voice a low rumble that resonated through the forest. "You’ve wandered into my domain." His tone was silky, charming even, but there was a dark edge to it, a sense of danger lying just beneath the surface. "I’d tell you to run, but… where’s the fun in that?"
He stepped forward, scattering the smaller birds momentarily, though they seemed to know he wouldn’t harm them, flitting back to the ground as he advanced. The large bird on his back ruffled its feathers, unbothered by the movement. Redtooth’s third eye fixed on you, assessing, calculating.
"You must have heard the stories," he continued, a dark amusement in his tone. "Evil, unscrupulous, the king of lies—yes, yes, I’ve heard it all. But let me tell you a secret, traveler. Power doesn’t come from kindness or honesty. It comes from knowing what everyone wants and taking what you desire. It comes from control."
He lowered his head, his three eyes gleaming in the dim light. "The birds, they understand power. They know who rules this land. They come to me willingly, knowing that as long as they play their part, they’ll be safe. And you…" He paused, his gaze piercing as he studied you with his unsettling triad of eyes. "You’ll learn the same, if you’re smart. Submit, and you might make it out unscathed. Resist… and we’ll see how long you last."
He let the words hang in the air, his eyes never breaking from yours, his wild mane catching the light in streaks of reddish brown and cream. The forest seemed to hold its breath, as if every creature was waiting, watching, to see what you would do in the presence of the infamous Redtooth.
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