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"Caves are such a fun place to start." Ciro stated. "I've found a lot of abandoned pelts, sometimes small jewelry to take back to the War Lord. You never know what was left behind, or who had used or still uses this cave for things." The Captain stated, sniffing the entrance. The air smelled stale inside. It was unlikely there were any sort of creatures living in it.

"I mean, you wanted to do something exciting. Well, here you go." Ciro stated with a small eye roll. They hadn't come across anyone to pillage on their travels. The dark lion was okay with a slow viking, but being the first for his brother, he understood the need to spice it up.

"After you," The lion motioned. "Or...are you too scared?" Ciro smirked, waiting for the other's response.

"Oh brother. You know so little of me." Ciro was rarely afraid of anything.

He followed the flame pelted male into the cave, gold eyes narrowing as he looked around. It seemed like any other dwelling. "Smells like no one has been in here for months." Ciro said gruffily, ears twitching on the top of his head as he listened to the obscure sound further down the corridor.

The sound of dripping water caught his attention. He moved past Lucifer slowly, watching his surroundings. There was definitely a strange whishing noise ahead.

"I wonder if there is another entrance to the cave further on." Maybe there was a cross drift causing the sound?

He shrugged at the question about bats. "There might be. It's dark enough for them." There was a sudden gush of wind, causing the male to pause. "Bats don't normally attack, so, if there are..." He's voice drifted. The strange noises coming from inside the cave were just a bit unsettling, even for a seasoned Captain such as Ciro.

Ciro's ear flickered towards the splash. "Yeah." He sighed, shaking his head. Come on Ciro, it is just a cave. Why did Lucifer have to seem so jumpy!

"That was probably just one of those rock formations dropping into a pool. Happens all the time." The male shrugged, stating it more for himself. "Come on, there's gotta be something interesting in here." And certainly there was. Just a head, something seemed to shine amidst the gray stone. Intrigued, Ciro headed towards it, ignoring the ambiguous sounds as he headed deeper into the cave.

The sound of his breathing was evident in the den. It echoed off the wall. "What is your problem?" The lion groaned, getting agitated.

He left the cluster of shiny black rocks before him, turning towards Lucifer to glare. "What?!" He growled, spotting the dark colored water, and the small ripples through it.

"It is water Lucifer. W-a-t-e-r." He stepped up to the pool, splashing it towards the fire male. In doing so, the large black snake coiled, lifting its body to stare right into Ciro's eyes. It hissed, displaying its large fangs. Not expecting to see the creature, Ciro had jumped back, glaring. "Oh what the hell?" He growled, tail twitching behind him. This snake wanted to play games, did it? He had heard snake meat was pretty good, but had never tried it himself.

He could skin it, maybe it would make some sort of unique piece for his den on his wall or something.

Claws unsheathed as Ciro lowered his head. "Careful of those teeth."

Ciro watched as his brother tried to distract the snake. However, it didn't seem to work. The snake lunged, missing the fire marked male. When it retaliated, Ciro found he was not as lucky, as the black creature striked front left paw.

He roared loudly in pain, his uninjured limb slamming on the snake's head. "Damnit." He growled, letting the creature twitch under his paw before it finally stopped moving. Ciro tried placing his paw on the ground, however he found doing so sent a jolt of pain up it. "Damnit." he repeated, snarling. He released the now dead snake, his paw swiping the ground to fling it against the wall.

There was some loud screeching filling the cave. "Oh now what?" Ciro growled, eyes turning to see a wall of shadow looming them.

Between Lucifer's shout, and Ciro's roar, they had awoken something within the cave.

Beady red eyes were glaring at them as they flew straight for them.

Bats. Forget those damn rocks. Forget the damn snake, and this cave. Everything seemed to be going against him right now. The Captain covered his head as the bats flew overhead, before following them towards the entrance of the cave. Time to go. No more cave-raiding for the day! He hobbled quickly towards the entrance, refusing to put weight on his injured paw. Lucifer could choose to stay in the den, or follow him. Ciro was out of here though.

What was it, every viking mission Ciro would go on gets him injured? Last time it was taking the adolescents out. This time, with Lucifer! He couldn't win.

This stupid famine on the land was killing his missions, just like it was tearing his pride up.

Once outside. Ciro panted, staring at the injury on his leg. Two puncture marks were present. The wound was bleeding, and there was a pulsing sensation. "Damnit that hurt." He growled, his tongue licking at the wound. He blamed Lucifer. If he would have just ignored the pool of water, the snake would have done its own thing, and they would be off on their way with some small treasure in tow.

Now he was sure this would put him behind. Again.

Ciro huffed, staring at Lucifer before limping off from him.

Ciro paused, his head glancing over his shoulder as he stared at Lucifer. "I. am. fine." His words with clipped as he continued on.

"Let's go." He growled. His obvious good mood tainted by the events from the cave. "Or you can stay here and make it back to the pride on your own. We are already behind schedule." Technically, it was Ciro's fault for the bite. He had disturbed the water. However, if the other male would have just kept his focus, they wouldn't have been in this mess!

Now he really wished he had that pain-dulling brew from that lioness. It would come in handy right about now. His thoughts dwelled to the feather. He could try calling Survival...surely she could take care of him out here. There would be no priestesses for her to grab...

Ciro smirked at the thought. Damn Lucifer had to be present though.