Chapter III

"How far is this temple?" Lion-o asked again. Though at this point it wasn't so much a question as a complaint. It was a hot day and while the thick brush of the forest kept them cooler than if they had been in the sun Lion-o was not used to wandering around the wilderness or the humidity that certainly didn't exist in the Capital.

"It's not that far now." Cheetara answered, it bothered Lion-o that she didn't seem all that tired although they'd been traveling for days.

"Maybe we should have brought those bikes," Tygra muttered. Glancing over at his older half-brother Lion-o felt a little better. Tygra looked like he was in a similar condition as Lion-o. Both having been born and raised in the city neither of them were all that use to different climates or extensive travel like this. Cheetara stopped, turned and walked right up to Tygra.

"Technology is not natural and it's dangerous. We do not need those things." Her eyes were narrowed, almost a glare, as she said this. Tygra glanced quickly over at Lion-o, who shrugged his shoulders. Honestly he had no idea why Cheetara seemed to hate technology so much, especially since most people thought it was just a myth. Cheetara let out a long sigh before turning away from them. "We can take a break I guess."

Lion-o immediately slumped to the ground against a tree trunk, the soreness in his feet dulling now that he was no longer putting pressure on them. He let out a sigh of relief. Cheetara stayed standing, which is perhaps why Tygra remained standing as well, although he leaned his back against a tree. Tygra had much more pride than Lion-o did. Lion-o knew Tygra well enough to know that he was just as tired as he was; he just wasn't willing to admit it.

As he sat there Lion-o unsheathed the sword of omens and looked it over. It hadn't worked before yet there didn't seem to be any kind of damage to the blade itself or to the glowing red eye. Cheetara must have noticed his puzzled and frustrated expression because she walked over and sat down beside him.

"You want to know why it didn't work before?" She asked looking down at the shimmering silver blade in his hands. He nodded. "Have you ever been trained in the ways of magic?"

Lion-o gave her a blank look. "I suppose not." She said thoughtfully. Tygra had finally taken a seat Lion-o noted.

"I'm no cleric," Lion-o replied looking back at her, he wasn't sure why she was even asking him that. "The sword has the magic in it, I just need to figure out how to make it work." Cheetara laughed at this, winning a scowl from Lion-o.

"The sword is an inanimate object." she smiled, clearly still amused.

"But the eye of-!"

"The eye of Thundera is an amplifier." Lion-o gave her a puzzled look and she continued, "The magic that the sword admits comes from the wielder. It's their mana."

"Mana," Lion-o repeated, he vaguely remembered hearing the word from his tutors before. If only he'd paid more attention.

"Mana is one's life force. So magic is the transfiguration of your mana into another element like lightning or fire. We only have a certain amount of it though, which is why amplifiers are used to effectively double or even quadruple the power of a small amount of mana. The eye of Thundera is the most powerful amplifier we know of." Lion-o tried to take in what she was saying.

"So… how do I use the sword?" He was feeling a little impatient. He didn't want a school lesson he just wanted to be able to use the sword of omens.

"By controlling your mana and channeling it through the sword."

"And how do I do that?" Why couldn't she just tell him simply? This didn't seem that complicated!

"Well considering you didn't even know what mana was until now I'd say it'd be pretty difficult for you." She shrugged. Lion-o frowned at this he was slowly becoming irritated. "You have to feel your mana inside you, and be aware of it… it takes meditation and a lot of practice."

"Just show me what to do." He grumbled. Giving him an annoyed look for his apparent cavalier she stood, and he followed suit.

She took up her wooden staff and held it out in front of her. She took a deep breath. Releasing the staff with one hand she flipped her staff out so it ran parallel to her arm, and a blot of lightning shot out from the staff striking a tree. A burst of shredded bark exploded from the spot the bolt hit leaving a black scorch mark several inches into the tree. Lion-o had watched her carefully, and he had seen that the lightning had indeed seemed to originate from her hand on her staff rather than from the staff itself.

"There." She smiled turning to face him, "Just like that." Her smile was smug and he felt as though she was challenging him. He gave her a half smile accepting her challenge. How hard could it be?

Drawing the sword of omens out in front of him. He took a breath as she had done and tried to find the 'mana' he supposedly had inside him.

"Just relax," Cheetara instructed from behind him. Right. Relax. He could do that. Nothing was happening. He closed his eyes tightly, willing something, anything to happen! Lion-o was staring to feel foolish. Then he started to get angry. Why couldn't this just work for him? In that instant he felt something inside of him. Just a ghost of… something; he held onto it tightly not wanting to loose it. Very slowly he seemed to drag that 'ghost' from his center towards his sword. His ears suddenly picked up on the sound of crackling electricity. His eyes shot open to see the sword of omens surrounded by a weak electric charge. He turned towards Cheetara his face breaking into a grin when the electricity dissipated. He searched desperately for the mana he had just had but he couldn't seem to find it. He grit his teeth in annoyance and lowered his sword.

"That…was actually pretty good for a first time," Cheetara told him giving him an encouraging smile; Lion-o didn't answer, he just sheathed his sword. "I can teach you how to channel and control your mana Lion-o. It'll take time but I know you can get there." She gave him a pat on the shoulder, and despite his recent failure he felt a little better.

The tree they had been aiming at seemed to suddenly explode leaving a clean clear smoking hole through the tree. Both Lion-o and Cheetara readied themselves for battle only to realize that an enemy hadn't been the one to fire. Both of them turned to see Tygra holding the gun Lion-o had commandeered for him.

"What we need is more tech. Not magic lessons." Tygra said. Lion-o could see his point, he and Cheetara had been standing closer to the tree than Tygra, and while Cheetara's attack had caused a small indent in the tree Tygra's one shot a gone straight through. Cheetara shot him a look of annoyance.

"I think we should get going." Cheetara said tersely. Tygra stood up, but as he did so he took a sharp intake of breath and his hand flew to his still healing wound on his side. Cheetara shook her head and started towards him.

"I'm fine." Tygra said trying to wave her off.

"Lift your shirt." She said completely ignoring his words. He gave her a suggestive look; maybe to try to convince her that he was just fine since he could joke around, or maybe because he was a bit of a flirt. Cheetara just rolled her eyes. She grabbed the edge of his shirt and yanked it up making Tygra jump in surprise.

"Let's see your tech do this," she gave him a devious smirk. She placed a hand on his darkly bruised side; the area almost resembled one of Cheetara's spots on Tygra's sleek orange fur. Lion-o watched as her 'mana' spread out from her hand and surrounded Tygra's wound. His side tingled and her hand felt refreshingly cool on his side. The swollen discolored injury started to revert back to a healthy color and size, and soon the wound seemed to disappear all together.

She removed her hand and Tygra looked in amazement at her work. He looked back at her intending to thank her, but Cheetara now looked almost as tired as he was. A light sheen of sweat shone on her brow and her breathing was no longer as rhythmic as before. Looking at her flushed face and shallow breath Tygra's own breath caught, his chest felt constricted.

"Are you alright?" Tygra asked concerned he placing a hand gently on her arm, just in case she lost her strength, she did look like she might fall at any moment. She nodded; she had just used a little too much mana. Healing was always so much more difficult for her than fighting, ever since she was a kit. She looked up at him opening her mouth to tell him she was fine, but she completely forgot what she was going to say when she saw the look in his golden-hazel eyes. It was then that she noticed how handsome he was. What a pair they made, both splashed with black – spots and stripes – they matched quite well.

Lion-o felt a pang of annoyance at watching this scene between the two. He cleared his throat loudly his irritation somehow making its way out at the same time. Tygra and Cheetara looked over at him. Cheetara turned back to Tygra

"We should go." She said though she didn't make eye contact. She moved away from him and took the lead once again.

"Cheetara!" Tygra called, she turned "Thanks." She gave him a grin before continuing on. Lion-o sulked, though he hoped he wasn't too noticeable; it wasn't like he was jealous or anything.

OooooooooooooO

"We're here." Cheetara announced stopping, Lion-o looked around the empty clearing; it still looked like forest to him. Tygra and Lion-o exchanged confused looks. Maybe Cheetara really didn't know where the cleric temple was.

Cheetara placed a hand against the largest tree in the clearing, which was actually two very large trees wound around one another, her other hand tightened around her staff. Suddenly it seemed as though she had a yellow glow all around her, the clerical staff turned a bright gold, as did the spot on the tree where she touched it. Stepping back the glow dispersed and Tygra and Lion-o watched it amazement as the two trees began to unwind from around each other until it formed a sort of doorway to a long passage made up of brush.

Cheetara gave them a haughty look over her shoulder before extending her arm in an "after you" kind of gesture. Lion-o and Tygra entered the pathway followed by Cheetara. As soon as she entered the two trees wound back together tightly leaving the pathway as dark as night. Lion-o noticed that the brush surrounding them was comprised largely of razor sharp thorns; he made sure to stay as close to the middle of the path as possible.

At last the tunnel pathway ended and they found themselves in a large green expanse, there were several houses and what looked to be a small market place. In effect it was a small town surrounded completely by trees so close together Lion-o didn't think even his hand could fit between any of the great trunks. Both young and old clerical cats watched the group as they entered, some of them smiled at the sight of Cheetara.

Small orbs of light seemed to float in the air, almost like snow. Straight ahead of the path was the biggest largest tree that Lion-o had ever seen. Even more so than the giants that made up the forest around them. The tree was surrounded by a stream of ice blue water and seemed to have a halo of green surrounding it. As he gazed at the tree in wonder Lion-o felt that 'ghost' which he had found earlier gather together within him and expand. Tygra and Cheetara must have been feeling something similar; Tygra had brought a hand to his chest and looked a little uncomfortable, while Cheetara seemed completely rejuvenated.

"This is the tree of life, the largest source of mana on Third Earth. It enhances and amplifies one's mana." She said in answer to Lion-o's unspoken question. "Come on." She led them forward to the largest wooden building.

A very old cat sitting at a table filled with old scrolls looked up when they entered. The cat's fur was a silvery grey with a few streaks of white, never before had Lion-o seen such an old cat. He stood as they entered and smiled as Cheetara approached him, she took one of his old hands between her two young ones and smiled up at him. His eyes crinkled in fondness before he pulled her into a hug. To Lion-o it seemed that Cheetara treated this old cleric more like her father than she did general Puma. She pulled back and turned towards Lion-o and Tygra.

Cheetara was just about to introduce them when the old cat spoke. "The two princes of Thundara, Tygra and Lion-o." They all looked surprised at his uncanny knowledge of them. "I am Jaga, head cleric. Please, sit." Jaga gestured to seats around the study table he'd been working at.

"We've come for information about the book of omens," Tygra said as he took a seat along with the rest of them, Jaga nodded as though this too he had already known.

"The book of omens was hidden for a reason, but now, considering the circumstances even you must agree that we need it." Cheetara appealed to her old teacher. Jaga was silent for a long moment before speaking.

"I felt a great amount of mana vanish the day Thundara fell, the life force of so many were simply blown out like so many candles. Even the mana tree seemed to cry out in pain that day." Jaga's voice was soft and sad.

"Then you'll tell us where it is?" Lion-o asked. This seemed to have been easy enough. He was wrong however. Jaga looked into Lion-o's eyes, and those ancient feline eyes seemed to be looking into his very soul.

"And what would you do with the book of omens young kit?" Jaga asked his voice hard as steel. Lion-o felt a shot of anger go through him at derogatorily being called a child, his jaw tensed.

"I would defeat Mumm-Rah and retake Thundara." Lion-o answered without pause.

"And then what?" Jaga asked his voice mirrored his deadpan expression. His eyes however held some greater question, one, which Lion-o wasn't sure he knew the answer to.

"What do you mean 'then what'?" Lion-o asked, "We rebuild the Thundaran Empire." He felt that this should be obvious. Jaga shook his head sadly. Lion-o glanced at Cheetara hoping maybe she knew what Jaga was looking for. But she shook her head; she honestly had no idea what her teacher was expecting from Lion-o.

"Once you defeat Mumm-Rah, will you take his technology and use it against your enemies? Will you cast aside the magic of your past for the powers of technology and advancement of civilization?" With each question Lion-o clenched his fist tighter. The 'ghost' within him seemed to shrink in on itself. And he felt something that he hadn't felt since the attack of the city: uncertainty and fear.

"Will you allow the tree of life to be forgotten until it is mere myth?" Jaga paused and gave Lion-o another intense look, "Will you allow your own mana to shrink into nothingness?"

A choice. That's what Jaga was waiting for, technology or magic. Lion-o wanted to answer, he did, but he didn't know what to say. He'd felt the power of mana both from the life tree and from himself coarse through him, but he'd also seen the advantages and wonder of technology. Lion-o's knuckles turned white and his jaw clenched.

Cheetara looked at him troubled by his silence, he knew very well where she stood on this matter. Tygra watched him as well, his arms crossed, after this afternoon it was also clear what Tygra would have answered. It seemed so clear to everyone else. But Lion-o felt torn.

Jaga's head suddenly snapped towards the door. He stood quickly and rushed outside. Startled and curious the three of them followed Jaga out and looked up at what the old cat had seen. The sight that greeted them made them gasp.

In the circular blue lake of sky far above them Lion-o saw something shining, he recognized it instantly as metallic. As it descended at a fast pace, Lion-o recognized the shape as well. It was the silver and black mecha, and it was flying. Once again despite the hatred Lion-o felt for its operator, he marveled at the machines ability to fly. He'd never seen anything like it. The mecha landed near the center of the village the ground shifted slightly under them. The hiss of compressed air preceded the opening of the cavity in the mecha's chest revealing Mumm-Rah.

Lion-o felt Tygra's hand grip his upper arm tightly, which is when he realized he had draw his sword and had taken a step forward. His teeth bared and a snarl building in his throat. Standing where they were some of the houses and other clerics stood blocking them from Mumm-Rah's direct view.

Several of the older clerics stepped forward brandishing their staffs. It was then that Lion-o noticed that Mumm-Rah was not alone. Two more mechas landed behind him opening to reveal two operators each, who exited their crafts swiftly. These two operators also held clerical staffs.

Lion-o was shocked, Mumm-Rah's comrades were not just Lizards, in fact the majority of them were rabbits or dogs and then to his disgust Lion-o realized there was a cat on his side as well. Lion-o realized that all of them were former clerics, or at least well versed in magic.

The clerics attacked, defending their temple fiercely. Shots of lightning, and streams of fire and light flashed in Lion-o's eyes. He heard Cheetara's quick intake of breath before she tried to run forward. She was stopped by Jaga who, with strength Lion-o hadn't thought such an old cat capable of, yanked her back.

"But master!" She exclaimed her expression filled with distress as she heard the cries of her fellow clerics.

"The three of you must leave here immediately" Jaga said solemnly, shocked Lion-o tried to respond but Jaga didn't give him the chance. "You must get to the book of omens and defeat Mumm-Rah." He turned to look at Lion-o in the same intense way as he had earlier, and he told him: "You will have to choose once the secrets of the book are revealed to you. I only hope that you will make the right one."

Choose? The decision he couldn't make before. Technology or magic; how could be possibly decide that?

"There's no time for a full explanation," Jaga said turning to Cheetara, "You must head west, train Lino-o in the ways of magic. Once you reach the mountains he must use the swords Sight Beyond Sight to find the Temple of Omens." Turning towards the wall of trees Jaga placed his hands on the bark, and mana surrounded the area until an opening appeared in the trees. "Go."

"You're not coming?" Cheetara asked, her anguish clear in her voice. Jaga shook his head and herded them into the newly opened tunnel. With a swish of his hand the trees melded back into place leaving only a few slivers of light.

"Jaga!" Cheetara yelled. They watched through the breaks in the trees, the scene that unfolded while they stood safely behind the living wooden wall.

Jaga stood in front of Mumm-Rah. All around them lay the bloodied bodies of the clerics. Mumm-Rah had only lost one of his two comrades, but he waved the remaining one back choosing to approach Jaga himself.

"You must be Jaga, the head cleric." Mumm-Rah began, though Jaga didn't answer, "I've been told you know where the book of omens has been hidden. You will tell me its location."

"Your very existence is a perversion of nature, you should have died long ago Mumm-Rah" Jaga was oddly calm as he said this. In no way did he seem afraid of this mythical evil being standing before him. Mumm-Rah laughed.

"I take it that's a no?" Mumm-Rah smiled sending shivers down Cheetara's spine. Mumm-Rah did not seem irritated in the least that Jaga was refusing him though; in fact he seemed to find it quite hilarious, a wicked smile continually gracing his countenance.

"I will never give you it's location" Jaga confirmed. Mumm-Rah chuckled darkly.

"I don't need you to tell me" Mumm-Rah smiled, and for a moment Jaga felt a flash of confusion, but then realization sank in and a look of horror spread over his aged face, stunned. "I just need you soul, your life force." Mumm-Rah brought forth a black lantern. Jaga's eyes widened.

"To do that! To keep my mana from returning to the earth-!"

"Perverse you called it." Mumm-Rah's smile grew, "Your memories, your knowledge and your power will be mine." Jaga took a step back, and despite his initial inclination to accept death without a fight he drew his staff.

"I cannot let you do that." Jaga declared, but their difference in power was evident. Mumm-Rah threw his head back and laughed. The sound burned Cheetara's ears.

"You think you can hurt me?" Mumm-Rah snarled. Before Jaga could react he was struck by Mumm-Rah. The deep purple, almost black mana surrounded Jaga making him cry in pain. Cheetara clawed at the wall of trees and tried to use her own magic to open the doorway, but Jaga had done something that prevented the trees from responding to her. All she could do is watch as he teacher's dying cries filled the air.

Jaga fell to his knees his eyes looking strangely empty as his mana was drawn from his body and imprisoned in the lantern. His body, now a mere husk, fell forward a look of pain and horror forever etched onto its ancient face. Mumm-Rah grinned at the now glowing lantern. Cheetara gasped and covered her mouth with her hands; it was all she could do to stop from screaming in outrage and horror.

She felt a hand on her shoulder, she turned to see a grim Tygra and Lion-o, she turned back to see her teacher one last time before following after him and Lion-o down the tunnel away from the cleric temple.

OooooooooooooO

Cheetara walked ahead of the two brothers leading them as Jaga had instructed. Her throat felt tight and her eyes stung. She hadn't cried though, she'd held her tears at bay, but she was loosing the battle quickly. The tears that made their way to her eyes blurred her vision, which is why she didn't see the large root sticking out of the ground right in front of her. Her foot collided with it and she almost fell. But someone caught her.

She felt two strong arms around her middle holding her up. Swallowing her tears quickly and turned expecting to see Tygra, but instead she found herself looking into the concerned blue eyes of Lion-o.

"Are you okay?" His mouth was set in a thin line and his fiery red eyebrows were knit in worry.

"I'm fine" she answer, knowing that it wasn't really about her tripping that he was concerned about. His arms were warm and solid, and they made her feel…safe. He released her and stepped back, immediately she missed the loss of his contact.

Had it all really happened? So fast? Without so little reason and purpose. Jaga's soul, his mana, was imprisoned by Mumm-Rah; it was a fate worse than death, and she couldn't believe it. There was nothing she could have done to stop it.

"We should probably stop for the night," Tygra said, setting their packs down against a tree. Cheetara nodded not trusting that her voice wouldn't crack. "Lion-o why don't you help me collect firewood, Cheetara can stay here and set up camp." Lion-o gave Cheetara a fleeting look before reluctantly following after Tygra.

Tygra knew how she felt; he and Lion-o had also lost someone dear. Tygra also knew that she wouldn't want them to see her cry, which is why he left her alone to make camp. He sighed. In all honesty he didn't want to see her cry, he preferred her cocky smile to tear soaked cheeks. Tygra and Lion-o split up to cover more ground.

Cheetara was thankful for the alone time. As soon as they had left she had allowed the sea of tears she had been holding back free. Her whole body shook as sobs escaped her throat, her face contorted in complete and utter anguish. Since she was a kit she had been with Jaga, he had trained her in the ways of magic and been the only parent she knew. It was true her own true father was still alive, but he had left her to become a cleric at such a young age that she often felt as though he were a stranger.

Not much time had passed when she heard approaching footsteps, and she turned to see Lion-o. She rubbed her eyes clean of tears with the heels of her hands hoping he hadn't seen. He slumped down next to where she sat.

"It's okay to cry, Cheetara. It's not weakness." Lion-o's voice was soft, "You don't have to hide it, we're friends after all right?" He gave her a lopsided grin. She half laughed at his expression before sadness took over once more. Lion-o pulled her into a tight hug and stroked her golden hair. She buried her face in the crook of his neck and cried. He could feel her shaking. Her hands grasped his shirt seemingly holding on for dear life, and in a way she was. She felt like the only person who really knew her, cared for her, and meant so much to her, was gone. Leaving her alone in the world.

After a time her sobbing subsided. He heard her sniffle and smiled. She pulled away her eyes red and puffy, blond hair ruffled making her exotic black spots all the more prominent, yet Lion-o still found her beautiful.

"Thanks," she sniffed, and she gave him a smile. He gazed at her, the glow of orange from the setting sun fell dancing on her hair and face, and it entranced him. He raised a hand to her cheek and leaned toward her.

He wasn't sure what he was thinking, but he didn't get the chance to analyze it too much. The sound of a stick cracking loudly broke the moment. Cheetara pulled back as did Lion-o. They turned to see Tygra approaching.

"I see you didn't get any firewood Lion-o." Tygra said setting down the logs he had collected, a tinge of annoyance in his voice. Lion-o grinned at him sheepishly, scratching the back of his head as he did so. It seemed Tygra hadn't seen anything. But he had.

Tygra had seen the whole thing from the shadows. It wasn't as though it bothered him though. Sure his chest had felt tight and he had felt something akin to anger, but he refused to acknowledge its existence. Cheetara had been promised to Lion-o, even though that whole thing was moot at this point. Sometimes Tygra wished his mother hadn't been just a mistress, but the queen. Then he would have been first born with a claim to the throne. But he wasn't and he didn't.

He looked at Lion-o and didn't feel the usual affection and fondness; he felt something different, something that he had never fully felt for his younger brother before. Something that probably should have scared him: Resentment.

AooooooooooooN

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