Battered and defeated, both Leapmouth and Vipermouth stood in front of their king who sat on his throne.
Vipermouth clenched his jaw as Leapmouth closed his eyes, lowering his head. Ashamed.
"You worthless fools. Have you forgotten our plan? What happened?" He asked, staring at them in disappointment.
"No, my lord, I remember them clearly." Said Leapmouth in a low voice. "You ordered us to choke her food sources, starve her out, and make the swamp so unbearable she'd be forced to flee. Then, when she emerged into open terrain, we would strike."
Vipermouth frowned, but showed respect in his eyes.
"We were going to go through with the plan, Lord Sasobek, but... we were suddenly attacked by Bubastis."
"Attacked by Bubastis?" He widened his reptilian eyes. "So it is true, she really is in one of my domains." He smirked. "To fight Bubastis upfront is a death wish. You're lucky to even be alive."
Neither dared speak as Sasobek rose from his throne, towering over them. Even while standing still, he exuded a raw, overwhelming power.
"Tell me," He said with a deep voice. "What did you see?"
Leapmouth hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"She's... stronger than before. Bubastis is on a different level entirely."
"A different level?" He asked, gazing down at them. "It has been quite some time since we last met. I believed her to already be strong enough last time we faced off against each other. But to think she's still leveling up." He lowered his head into a smirk. "Perhaps defeating her would prove far more entertaining than I imagined."
Vipermouth looked at his king with shameful eyes, wanting to say something important, but his pride wouldn't allow him.
He wanted to speak of the small kitten; Bubastis' heir. But admitting that they couldn't capture or defeat them would be devastating to their reputation as Sasobek's Generals.
Sasobek walked past them with a look of deep thought.
"It's safe to assume Bubastis has left the swamp, knowing I'll come after her."
Leapmouth nodded his head.
"Yes, that is likely the case. Forgive us, my lord. If we were more careful, she would've been unaware of our search."
"So, the snake and frog once again show their faces after failing our lord, despite being his Generals."
An unfamiliar voice breached into the throne room as a relatively tall, humanoid wolf with long black fur, a large bust size, and a black kimono with red accents walked into the conversation. At her hip were two katanas, sheathed in their scabbards while she carried a smoking pipe.
Both Vipermouth and Leapmouth stood up, scowling at the individual.
"Howlmouth." Said the frog.
"What did you fools do this time, huh? You're just constantly ruining the image of the Animalia Kingdom."
"Tsk." Vipermouth resented their words.
Sasobek didn't turn to look at her at first. He simply smiled.
"Howlmouth." He said. "You have quite the talent for appearing when your comrades are at their lowest."
The wolf-woman smirked, crossing her arms beneath her chest.
"Someone has to, otherwise these two would keep dragging your name through the mud." Her deep blue eyes glanced toward Leapmouth and Vipermouth as her tail swished behind her. "Honestly, it's embarrassing to share the title of General with you two fools."
Leapmouth's hands tightened into fists as his jaw tensed.
"Watch your mouth, Howlmouth. You talk big for someone who hasn't seen Bubastis in person."
Howlmouth let out a small chuckle that sounded almost like a growl.
"Oh, trust me, I'd love to. Maybe I'd actually finish the job you two couldn't."
Before either of them could reply, Sasobek raised a hand. Instantly, the room went silent.
"That's enough." He said, quite stern in his expression. "I have no time to listen to a council of barking pups."
Howlmouth straightened up by his words, lowering her gaze. Thus, the two beastlords knelt again, silent under their king's command.
"Bubastis' return changes everything." He said with a more menacing tone, though his grin remained. "If she's revealed herself, then that means she is ready to attack. And if she's ready to attack, there will be another Primeval War."
Both Leapmouth and Vipermouth widened their eyes at his words.
"Another Primeval war?" Questioned the frog. "But she is the only Outer Beast that remains; the others were defeated."
"Mm." Sasobek nodded. "While that may be true, who knows what she has planned over these last 100-or-so years? She could've slayed a god and been given the title of Heavenly King, or she could've gained an army of Divine Beasts, similar to her in strength. We are in the dark, and we must fear the unknown."
"We cannot afford another Primeval War." Said Vipermouth, visibly anxious for once. "Millions would die."
"Billions." Said Leapmouth, correcting him.
"Damn it..." Muttered the snake with a scowl.
While Sasobek's grin remained, it no longer carried amusement—only hunger.
"Then we'll make sure it never reaches that point." He said. "This time, Bubastis won't have the chance to rally her beasts or remain one step ahead. We will end her before she even draws her blade."
His gaze lingered on his Generals.
"Leapmouth, Vipermouth." He ordered as his deep voice cut through the tension of the room. "You two will continue your reconnaissance. Search the marshes and the borderlands of the swamps. If she's on the move, I want her trail before she leaves my dominion."
Both beasts bowed their heads immediately.
"Yes, my lord." They said in unison.
Then Sasobek turned to the wolf woman as his expression darkened.
"And you, Howlmouth..."
She grinned with anticipation.
"You want me to track her down?"
"Not exactly." He said, slowly stepping toward her. "I want you to hunt her by yourself. There's a difference. When you three find where she's headed, observe her movements, but do not engage until the time is right. Only you will battle her, Howlmouth."
Her grin widened into a feral look.
"Understood, my king. My nose can smell the invisible and the odorless. She won't escape my scent."
Vipermouth frowned.
"Are you sure that's wise, my lord? Sending her to fight alone against Bubastis—"
Sasobek shot him a glare so sharp the snake's tongue froze in his mouth.
"Did I ask for your opinion, Vipermouth?"
"N-No, my king!" He stammered, bowing immediately.
The King of Beasts turned his gaze back to Howlmouth.
"Howlmouth is at her strongest when she's fighting alone. You should know that." Sasobek placed his hand on the wolf's shoulder. "You've always been the strongest beast in all of Animalia. Do not fail me."
"If I may, my lord." Leapmouth stood up, facing his king with a stern expression.
"Hm?" Sasobek turned to face him. "Speak, Leapmouth."
"Even if Howlmouth is the strongest beast in all of Animalia, we cannot gauge the strength of Bubastis." The noble frog tightened his hand into a fist. "She effortlessly defeated us. She's too strong. Maybe even to the likes of Howlmouth."
"Hmph." Sasobek lowered his head into a scoff. "That's where you're mistaken."
"Sire?"
"Howlmouth is equal to, or even stronger than that of a Divine Beast. She's stronger than even me during my first battle against Bubastis."
Both the frog and snake Generals widened their eyes in awe.
"Have faith in your comrade." Said Sasobek.
"I won't let you down, my king." She said in a confident voice. "If Bubastis is truly as strong as they say, then her head will make a fine offering at your feet."
Sasobek gave a chuckle that echoed through the throne room.
"Good. I expect nothing less."
Leapmouth and Vipermouth exchanged a glance; visibly reluctant, but obedient nonetheless. They had seen what their king was capable of, even in defeat. Bubastis had never shaken his confidence; if anything, it seemed to excite him.
Sasobek turned away from them as he ascended back toward his throne.
"Leave now. The three of you have your orders, and remember..." He paused before sitting. "If we don't want another Primeval War, we must strike first."
The command left no room for argument.
Vipermouth and Leapmouth immediately bowed.
"Yes, my lord!"
Howlmouth knelt as well, but there was something different in her tone; a sort of hunger beneath her reverence.
"I'll bring you proof, Lord Sasobek. Proof that Bubastis bleeds like the rest."
Sasobek's reptilian grin returned.
"Actions speak louder than words."
Howlmouth chuckled before glancing at the other two Generals, grinning at them.
"I'll make sure these two fools won't fail you again. They'll be under my watchful eyes."
Vipermouth shot a death stare at the wolf as Leapmouth bit his tongue.
"I'm counting on you three. Do not disappoint me. Make this count." He proclaimed, now sitting in his throne, and resting his cheek upon his fist. "Now that you experienced her strength firsthand, you will know what to be cautious of." Said Sasobek, facing the snake and frog. "Your defeats were not in vain."
They both widened their eyes, flustered by his words.
"You're right, my lord." Said Leapmouth, now smiling.
"Indeed, that is true." Muttered Vipermouth, proud.
"But first, you must heal. Recover your health, magic power, and stamina before setting off at Dawn. You'll need it.
"Yes lord!" They said in unison.