There’s a sound of thundering feet, as something quickly darts out from underneath the brush. Small, fleeting, and yet with it every hunter here in the jungle needs it. It’s panicked cries are like a dinner bell rung. What is a predator without it’s prey?
The first to give chase is a bear. Old, grizzled, it charges forward. It’s hunted in this area for years, knows the ropes like no one else. One swipe, and the prey falls. But the bear cannot keep up, and loses the prey as it dashes away.
Then there is the lion. Large, majestic, and taking the center stage as the deadliest threat. It is faster than the bear, and calls upon others to help succeed it’s goals by any means necessary. But while it roars and calls it’s pack, the prey escapes.
Soon the wolves come. Like the lion they pack together, rushing as fast as they can. Numbers and communication give them an advantage over the others, but one fact remains clear: There is only one of the prey. As they go, they fight among each other, letting it slip away.
The prey continues, pausing once it thinks safety is secured. It’s then the python strikes, taking the prey without a sound. The serpent crushes its victim, leaving the others to starve as it goes for the kill. For no one notices the python until it’s choking the life out of you.
At Invasion, the prey is clear. Victory can only be obtained by one, and no matter what alliances are forged, only one walks away in the clear here.
The old bear is clear, only one of us has been around the block long enough. And while you’re strong, you’re still only one man Attano. The one man picked a fight with almost every single other fighter, wearing yourself down. Except with me.
Like the lion, you take that center stage whenever you enter the scene Narcissa. Big, loud, and trying to be the fanciest cat. But you’ve spent too much time getting yourself prepped up. Taunting the Pool Boys and Attano, you took your eyes off of me.
And then there’s the Pool Boys. Bickering wolves, more akin to a lapdog. You push alliances that offer no safety, hounding on others until one of you winds up at knife point and needs rescuing. You didn’t even bother to offer protection to me, only Attano. Your eyes focused on the wrong things, not seeing the threat in front of you.
Me.
In all of your posturing and bluffing, none of you have noticed the snake watching. You’ve allowed yourselves to become distracted with each other, letting me sneak in. While the wolves and bears and lions tear each other apart, it’ll leave the prey wide open. Vulnerable. Exposed.
In your rage for each other, you missed the real invasion among you the whole time. Like the python, all it takes is patience before the final strike.
And I can taste the prey from here.