Zira had very few memories of her father, despite being a year and some old when he had died. From what she could remember, he had been a powerful and stoic being. A great lion warrior of few words but with velvet paws that never hesitated to comfort her and the rest of their pride. Perhaps that was his weakness, she thought.
They had been a small pride. Their meager territory bordered a desert and a small mountain range. The members had been castaways from larger and stronger prides. Almost every one of the lionesses had some sort of injury. That had made them lousy hunters, but ferocious and protective mothers.
Despite this, Shujaa, the pride leader and her father, had taken them all in and offered protection. Her mother, Maua, had been the first of his rescues. Born with what she called "weak blood" she had been exiled from her pride at a young age. Shujaa had taken her in and fed her. And when she was old enough, he had declared the beautiful lioness his queen. She remembered being told that the last night of her naïve life as Asali.
"Remember Asali," she had said after repeating the story of her rescue once again to the enthusiastic cub. "You will always be royalty. No matter what happens, you must always remember that."
"I will," she replied as she always did. She would then settle next to her mother's tan side and look up at the stars. Like many lions she had heard that the greatest kings of lion prides resided in those dark blue heavens as stars. That night she saw a new star shining especially brightly in the sky. She remembered wondering who that great king might be.
Little had she known that was to be her father.
The next day, she had awoken to utter chaos. Strange lions from the southern lands had begun their assault on small pride. The lionesses had fault valiantly, but they were easily subdued by the stronger lions. One by one they were forced into a tight circle surrounded by the foreign lioness warriors.
She remembered crying once she saw her father's face clawed by the other male lion. He was much larger than him, with golden fur and a blood-red mane. One of the stronger lionesses of the pride had tried to join in his defense but was stopped by her mother who shook her head sadly.
This was a fight of honor and strength. Any intervention would result in death. The two lions fought heatedly in harsh sunlight. The severe drought that had been plaguing the land had meant the loss of many resources, so both lions were not only fighting for territory, but for survival.
While the large lion was powerful, Shujaa was quick. Bit by bit, the larger lion began to tire, leaving him more vulnerable to attack. Shujaa gained the upper hand and was able land a few blows, but it was not for long. The golden lion rose up gave out a great roar and then struck Shujaa to the ground. As blood seeped from his tawny hide, Asali saw her mother shed a few tears.
It was then that the great lion spoke. His voice was loud and deep. It resounded like thunder during a storm. "Shujaa, you have lost this battle. Now have a choice. Will you abandon this territory and your pride, or will you die?"
The lionesses began to roar in protest but they could do nothing but watch in horror.
"Shujaa! Leave us!" One young lioness shouted. "Do not die for this!"
Maua whipped her head around and snarled, "Silence you fool! You bring him dishonor by suggesting such cowardice!"
Shujaa slowly rose up. His chin faced upward in defiance. The wind blew through his mane making it appear as a black flame. "Hamu… You have beaten my body, but not my spirit. I will not abandon my pride."
"So be it." Hamu replied emotionless. She had looked away, but still heard the crack that came from her father's neck being broken. Her mother then let out a sound that was both a wail and roar; the same sound that still haunted her dreams.
"Father…" Zira opened her eyes. She was still in the cave. And the sandstorm outside continued to blow. Her heart was racing. She could still hear the sounds of the lions fighting and the lionesses crying in devastation. She watched a cave spider crawl across the floor until she was calm enough back to sleep.
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Name Meanings (according to Google Translate):
Asali = Honey
Maua = Flower
Shujaa = Hero
Hamu = Lust (this will come in later)
