Chapter 167: The Cave The earth was still hot beneath Кукуруки’s paws, smoke stinging her eyes. She spun around, the smell of burning pine needles thick in the air, and then she saw him. Медведь. He was standing at the edge of the trees, massive even in the gloom. He didn’t look surprised to see her; if anything, he seemed to have been expecting her. Кукуруки’s hand instinctively went to the small knife she carried, but he raised a paw in a gesture of peace. "Кукуруки," he rumbled, his voice low and deep. "I know about Kлык. I know what he’s done." She narrowed her eyes, suspicion warring with a desperate hope for help. "How?" "Word travels," Медведь said, shrugging his massive shoulders. "And I have my own… sources. Besides, anyone with half a brain could see Kлык was never to be trusted. That fire… that was his doing, wasn’t it?" She nodded, throat tight. "He wants the amulet." Медведь took a step closer, his shadow falling over her. "I can offer you shelter. A safe place, away from the fire, away from Kлык. My cave is not far from here." Кукуруки hesitated. She desperately needed a place to regroup, to tend to her wounds and figure out what to do next. But could she trust him? Сорока had warned her about Медведь, but she hadn't said he was evil, just that he had his own agenda. "Why would you help me?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. Медведь’s face was unreadable in the shadows. "Let’s just say I have my own reasons for wanting to see Kлык fall." She studied him, trying to gauge his sincerity. His eyes, small and dark, seemed to hold a deep, simmering anger. "I don’t have much choice, do I?" she said, finally. The fire was closing in, and Kлык was undoubtedly on her trail. Медведь was her only option right now. "No," he said, his voice softer now. "You don't. Come. Before it is too late." She followed him, her senses on high alert. The forest floor was rough beneath her paws, and the smell of smoke grew fainter as they moved away from the fire. She kept her knife ready, her gaze darting from shadow to shadow. Медведь led her through a dense thicket of trees, then down a steep, rocky slope. Finally, they reached the entrance to a cave, partially hidden by a curtain of ivy. The air coming from the cave was cool and damp, a welcome relief from the heat outside. "This is it," Медведь said, gesturing toward the entrance. "It’s not much, but it’s safe." She stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. The cave was surprisingly large, with a high ceiling and several smaller chambers branching off from the main room. The air was heavy with the scent of earth and damp stone. "Make yourself at home," Медведь said, his voice echoing in the cavernous space. "I’ll be back shortly." He disappeared into one of the side chambers, leaving Кукуруки alone in the flickering light. She cautiously explored the main room, noting the piles of dried leaves and moss that served as Медведь’s bedding. There was a small spring in one corner, providing a source of fresh water. It was certainly more comfortable than sleeping out in the open, but she still didn't trust Медведь. She found a relatively clean spot near the entrance and sat down, trying to slow her racing heart. She still didn’t understand how Kлык had found out about the amulet. Someone had betrayed her, that much was certain. But who? She thought of all the animals she had encountered, all the alliances she had forged. Could it have been someone from her own community? Or someone she had met along the way? Or maybe Kлык has been following her all the way since their first meeting? She rubbed her temples, trying to clear her head. She needed to focus, to think clearly. She couldn't afford to make another mistake. After a while, Медведь returned, carrying a bundle of herbs and a clay pot filled with water. He set them down near her and gestured for her to come closer. "Let me see your wounds," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. She hesitated, then cautiously approached him. He examined her burns, his brow furrowed with concern. "These are bad," he said, shaking his head. "But I have something that will help." He carefully ground some of the herbs into a paste and began to apply it to her burns. The paste was cool and soothing, and she closed her eyes, grateful for the relief. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely a whisper. Медведь didn’t reply, but continued to tend to her wounds with focused attention. When he was finished, he stepped back and watched her, his expression unreadable. "Rest now," he said. "You need your strength." She nodded, then curled up in a ball near the entrance of the cave, trying to relax. But her mind was still racing, filled with doubts and suspicions. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched, that Медведь was hiding something. After a long time Кукуруки fell asleep. She woke to the sound of Медведь stirring near the entrance. The cave was still dark, but she could see a faint glow of dawn filtering through the ivy. "Morning," Медведь said, his voice low. "I have something to show you." She sat up, her muscles stiff and sore. "What is it?" "Come," he said, gesturing for her to follow. He led her deeper into the cave, past the main room and down a narrow passage. The air grew colder and damper, and the sound of dripping water echoed through the tunnel. Finally, they reached a large cavern, its walls glittering with crystals. In the center of the cavern was a deep pool of water, its surface as still as glass. "This is my secret place," Медведь said, his voice filled with reverence. "I come here to think, to find peace." She looked around in awe. The cavern was beautiful, almost magical. But she still couldn't shake her suspicion of Медведь. "Why are you showing me this?" she asked. Медведь turned to her, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Because I trust you, Кукуруки. I know you’re the only one who can stop Kлык." She frowned. "And what do you want in return?" He hesitated, then took a deep breath. "I want to see Kлык pay for what he did to my family," he said, his voice filled with raw emotion. "I want to see him stripped of his power, humiliated. And I believe the amulet is the key to doing that." "So, you want to use the amulet to get revenge?" she asked. Медведь nodded. "Yes. But not just for revenge. For justice. Kлык has ruled this forest for too long. He’s a tyrant, a bully. He needs to be stopped, and I am going to be the one to do that. With your help." Кукуруки looked at him, her mind racing. She had thought Медведь was offering her sanctuary, but it was clear now that he had an agenda of his own. He didn't care about saving the forest or protecting the spirits. He just wanted to use the amulet to settle an old score and take over Клыка’s position. "And what role do you see me playing in all of this?" she asked. "You are the one who possesses the amulet," Медведь said, stepping closer to her. "You are the one who can wield its power. I need you to help me use it to defeat Kлык. And then, we can rule this forest together. Think about it, Кукуруки! We can make it better." She recoiled from him, disgust rising in her throat. She had hoped to find an ally, but she had only found another power-hungry tyrant. "I’ll never help you do that," she said, her voice firm. Медведь’s expression hardened. "You don't have a choice, Кукуруки. You are in my cave now. And I don't think you want to know what happens to trespassers." She stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. She had walked right into his trap. "I underestimated you," she said, her voice low. Медведь smiled, a cruel, predatory smile. "That was your first mistake, Кукуруки. And it will be your last." She spun around, searching for an escape route. But the only way out was back through the narrow passage, and Медведь was blocking her path. She was trapped. "What are you going to do?" she asked, her voice trembling. "I’m going to use you," Медведь said, his voice soft and menacing. "You have something that I want. And I always get what I want." She knew she had to escape, to get away from Медведь before he could carry out his plan. But how? She was in his territory, surrounded by his power. She was completely alone. Still, she could not give up and she started to think how to beat him. As if reading her thoughts, Медведь began speaking, with a tone of confidence: "Don't even think about running, Кукуруки. You won't get far." "Let's just cut to the chase: what's your plan to do?" she asks Медведя, trying to find information that may help her in the future. "Well you see Кукуруки, it's simple. I can't take the amulet. But you can. So, you will be the one, who will be doing my dirty work, if you want to survive and live in this cave" he smiles. "You think I'm that naive to follow your stupid, pathetic orders? What makes you think that you are in charge? Ha! I can kill you right here and right now if I want to!" "You see Кукуруки, you were wrong about me since the very beginning. You always thought, that I'm just a brute, that can't use its mind. But you see, I'm smarter than anyone in this forest. And that's why I'm sure that you will follow my orders, and do everything I say, if you don't want me to kill Сорока and everyone who ever interacted with you." "You are bluffing! There is no way you know about her, or about any of my friends! And even if you knew, there is no way you would get to them, before I will bury you alive!" screamed Кукуруки. But deep inside she thought, that Медведь may be right. "Heh. That's where you are wrong Кукуруки. I know everything. And I can do anything. Now, are you with me, or against me?" Кукуруки looked at Медведя, her mind racing. He had her cornered. If she refused, he would hurt her friends. But if she agreed, she would be helping him achieve his twisted goals. She needed a way out. She scanned the cave, searching for anything that could give her an advantage. But there was nothing. Just the cold stone walls, the echoing silence, and the looming presence of Медведя. "Alright," she said, finally, her voice barely audible. "I'll help you. But on one condition." Медведь raised an eyebrow. "And what is that?" "You leave my friends out of this," she said, her voice firm. "You don't go after Сорока, or anyone else. You promise me that, and I'll do whatever you want." Медведь hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright," he said. "I promise. Your friends are safe. As long as you cooperate." Кукуруки knew it was a gamble. She didn't trust Медведь, but she had to do something to protect her friends. And maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to turn the tables on him. Медведь smiled, a sinister glint in his eyes. "Good," he said. "Now, let's talk about my plan..." Кукуруки listened, her mind churning, her heart filled with dread. She was trapped in Медведь’s cave, a pawn in his game. But she was not going to give up. She would find a way to escape, to protect her friends, and to stop Медведь, even if it meant facing an even more dangerous enemy than Kлык. She needed to stall for time and plan her next move. "Okay," she says. "Tell me your plan." Медведь begins explaining his ideas of power and control of the forest and suddenly, Кукуруки thought: "How could I possibly get away from this cave?" She thought. She thought hard. And then, and then...