Entry 213: "Dziva & Zira" (Part 2)

    That night, we all returned to Pride Rock. The lionesses went into the den to rest. I was sitting at the promontory, looking at the black sky. My mother wasn't out tonight. She must be hiding behind those clouds, playing games with me like always. "Hey, Mufasa," someone called. I looked over my shoulder and saw Zira walking up to me. "Oh, good evening, Zira," I greeted. "I didn't see with the rest of the pride before."

        She nodded and whispered meekly, "I was left to watch the cubs. I…um…can't thank you enough for bringing my sister back."

        "You're welcome."

Zira made this small grin at me. I even saw a light hint of blushing over her cheeks. She never looked at me like that before. She looked mystified…curious. "Ahem!" someone quietly growled. Zira looked back and sighed. "Gotta go. Talk to ya later, big boy," she purred, winking at me. Then, she walked off in her usual attractive and provocative strut and headed towards Taka. After she walked by him, he gave me this…filthy and disgruntled glare. What's with him now? He's been looking at me like that after my planned rescue. I just didn't know why. He didn't seem worried for me at all or even grateful that I'm safe. Taka took Zira into the den while Dziva was sitting there watching them go. She looked over to me and approached me. "You have a little brother," she quietly purred.

        I nodded, "We can't be more in common than that."

Dziva. Her stature greatly surpassed Zira's. I never saw that much muscle over a lioness before in my life. And she's also a stupendous warrior. She bested even the likes of Legba. But, that brought about one question. Why couldn't she escape Vumi's lair if she was capable of fighting like that? I have my deepest trust in her, but I will still keep an eye on her. It was far too suspicious.

    Dziva's ears bowed down. Her face quickly looked discouraged. "What's wrong?" I wondered.

        "You don't trust me. I know that look," she murmured.

        "You misunderstand. I never pass unfair judgment over anyone."

        "I really must go. You can't be safe with me around."

        "Don't talk like that. I welcome you to sleep with the pride tonight with open arms."

Then, after I stood up, I walked beside her and slightly looked down her deep brown eyes. I quietly purred to her to come with me. I walked off with Dziva reluctantly following me. Sarabi climbed up the promontory after the last of the lionesses and walked to my side. Our bodies pushed against each other as we stepped into the den. We walked by the sleeping lionesses and made our way to our sleeping rock. Waiting for us was a joyfully crying Zuhura. She came to me and hugged my right arm tightly, softly crying into it. I purred reassuringly, "Don't worry. Daddy's okay."

        She looked up at me with flushed eyes and whispered, "I was so scared. I thought I wouldn't see you again."

        "It's okay, sweetheart. I'm here, and I'm never going to leave you. Understand?"

She sniffled and nodded with a halfhearted smile. "Come on, time to sleep," I said. With that, all three of us went to our sleeping rock. I lied down with Sarabi on my right side and Zuhura on my left. Sarabi and I head-nuzzled each other and kissed while Zuhura pushed deep into my furry belly before drifting off to sleep. Finally, the pride began to rest for the night…

        "Daddy? Daddy, wake up."

    I slightly opened my eyes and saw Zuhura frantically pushing against my belly to wake me. I yawned and snarled at her softly. "Zuhura, what are you doing up? You should be asleep."

        "But, I had a weird dream," she murmured.

        "It was just a dream. You're fine now."

        "But, I keep having a strange dream about that creepy Vumi and this pretty white lioness."

That opened my eyes there. I stared at her incredulously and whispered, "You're having a dream about Ombwiri too?"

        "Yeah, that's her name. What, did you dream about her, too?"

        "I can't say I haven't."

I couldn't believe it. My little Zuhura was having similar dreams about Ombwiri's past as well? It didn't make sense to me. What purpose does Zuhura have knowing about this old story? Then, it hit me!

    …I…I saw you…and everyone one we all knew…drowning in blood. The same fire from before destroyed the land, and I…was alone. I was struck with fear to see you, Busara, Sarafina, Zazu, and everyone dead, but I nearly died when I saw…when I saw our little girl ripped apart…

    I remembered Sarabi's nightmare from before. I looked over to her and watched her sleep peacefully next to me. Could that nightmare she told me about be a similar dream like mine and Zuhura's? "It was the second dream I had about Lady Ombwiri," Zuhura said. "In my first one, I saw Mom in it, too."

        "You what?" I gasped.

        "Yeah. Mom told me not to say anything about the dream and let her worry about it."

So, I was right. Sarabi was having the same kind of dreams I was having. All three of us were. I wonder if anyone else were experiencing the same thing. But, I still wonder why Ombwiri was letting us see her past. Will it play a major purpose in the future?

        "GWOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRR!!!"

    What a chilling shriek! I stood up immediately once I heard that sound. Zuhura shivered in worry, "Wh…wh…what was that?" I navigated through the crowd of sleeping lionesses and ran outside the den. Out on the promontory, I looked around and saw nothing. Then, I quickly turned around and scaled up to the top of Pride Rock. There, in the center of the now visible full moon, I could barely see Dziva, Taka, and Zira up there. "Zira!!" I heard Taka roar. I gasped once I saw Zira plummeting down from the top, dropping like a falling star. I ran under where she will land and stood over my hind legs. Zira fell into my arms and brought me down to the floor. But, I successfully broke her fall and saved her. I got onto my feet and helped the shaken Zira up. She looked up at me and purred in relief, "Thank you."

        I nodded and immediately asked, "What's going on up there?"

        "Dziva…" Zira quietly growled.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure slowly stepped down the pathway that led up to the top. It was Dziva! But, from what I seen, she looked different. There are black patches around her now reptilian-like golden eyes. She had this crazed grin over her muzzle, and a white crescent moon symbol briefly glowed on her forehead. "Dziva? What's wrong?" I wondered. She didn't answer. She snarled salaciously and slurped her lips, directing her attention towards me. Then, she suddenly dashed at me!

    Zira quickly got onto her feet and jumped in between the both of us. Dziva immediately stopped her aggression and stared at us. "Mufasa, stay back," Zira said. "Let me take care of her."

        "What? But, Zira…"

        "I insist! I demand that you let me fight her!"

Zira gave this provoked, determined expression. She was so eager to fight her sister that even if I say 'no,' she'll run into battle anyway. So, I gave in. I had to trust her. "As you wish," I said. With that, Zira stepped forward and faced Dziva, the both of them snarling at each other. As I looked on, I looked over my shoulder to see the pride awake and watching. The two sisters circled around over the rocky floor underneath them, staring each other deep in their pupils. Their similarities in appearance couldn't be more obvious when I look at them. But, the true question is if Zira can defeat her sister, a feat she never had the chance to realize. I was about to receive my answer.

    Dziva roared out and went onto the offensive in one giant leap. But, Zira was ready as she ducked down and leapt under the soaring lioness. Zira caught her by sinking her fangs into her neck and taking her down onto the floor. But, Dziva easily swiped her away. The younger lioness slid over the promontory floor briefly before she recovered onto her feet. She dashed after her older counterpart and scratched over her forehead, stripping small strands of fur from her. Dziva leapt and briefly stood on her hind legs to swipe at Zira. Zira stood up as well and pushed her paws into Dziva's shoulders. They roared and clawed over each other's bodies. Then, Dziva swung her head under one of Zira's right hooks into her face, head-butting her in her nose. Zira staggered backward and fell onto her back. Dziva leapt over her and assaulted her with multiple strikes from her claws. "Zira!" I heard Taka cry out.

        "She's losing ground fast," Busara observed.

        "Zira! Hang in there!" Sarafina cried.

I still had my faith in Zira's abilities. I knew Dziva is a very powerful lioness, but I also knew Zira can win this. She wasn't fighting just to stop the berserk Dziva; she was fighting to prove herself to her. She had a driving motivation to win, and that's her strongest asset. Sometimes, I wished Taka was like that. "Don't give up, Zira!" I cheered. At that moment, Zira finally caught one of Dziva's relentless strikes with her left paw and used her feet to push her back. Zira leapt back onto her feet the moment Dziva gracefully landed on her feet. The two sisters stopped their battle for a brief moment to catch their breath. "Good job, Zira! You pushed her back and won!" Sarafina cheered enthusiastically.

        "Way to go, Aunty Zira!" Zuhura and Kayura cried simultaneously.

As the rest of the pride cheered, I grinned, impressed by Zira's save. "Not bad, Zira. She almost had you," I said.

        Zira turned back to me with a reassured smile and snorted, "Hmph. Dziva and I haven't even started yet."

        "That's right," Dziva finally growled hideously. "This time around, 'Dziva of Malevolence' will not hold back."

Dziva of Malevolence? She called her 'Benevolence' before. Could that be her 'blessing?' To become an overpowered berserker?

    Dziva and Zira roared as they charged into battle once again. They met in a bone-crushing headbutt, bounced away, and attacked again. Then, before Dziva could move, Zira swiped over her jaw hard! Zira repetitively slashed her claws over her sister, pushing her back. It looked like Zira was taking control, but Dziva wasn't defending herself at all. Suddenly, after one swipe from Zira, Dziva quickly slithered under the attack to get right behind her! Then, she tackled her in her side and knocked her off the promontory! I gritted my teeth as I watched Zira fall off the edge. "Oh no! Zira!" everyone collectively gasped. Dziva leapt off after her, and I ran to the edge to see what had happened. I looked to see that Zira laid motionlessly over the rocks below with Dziva hovering over her. She must of hit the rocks hard; I saw a long tear of blood falling from her body down the rocks to the ground. Taka ran to my side and gasped once he saw the sight. "Mufasa, how could you!" he snarled at me. "You should've never let Zira fight her alone!"

        "It's not over yet," I calmly replied.

We both looked down to see Dziva walking back in shock to see Zira slowly rising to her feet! I knew she would be okay. "She's still standing," Taka murmured in awe.

        "How dare you…" Dziva snarled. "How dare you stand up before me, Zira? You are weak. WEAK!!"

Dziva swiped at Zira who leapt right over her. Zira landed on the grass perfectly and turned around towards Dziva. The older sister looked over her shoulder with crazed, beady eyes. "We've only become reunited just this day, and you suddenly think you can beat me? Sister, I thought you were more respectful than that." She spun around and leapt at Zira with a wild cry! "I'LL TEAR YOU APART!!"

        "Zira, move!" Taka cried.

It was too late. The two sisters locked arms and wrestled each other, trying to push the other back onto her back. It looked even fro where I stood, but Dziva's physical strength was too incredible for Zira to take. Dziva pushed into Zira's belly, and Zira coughed up blood as she began to lose her balance on her hind legs. "Hang in there!" I roared. Dziva waved her paw over her head and swiped it across Zira, knocking her down onto the grass below. She followed and leapt over her. They rolled all about the ground, heading away the kingdom gradually as seconds past. I wanted a better look, so I ran to climb down Pride Rock. Everyone already thought about that and was heading down as well. I climbed down with the crowd of lionesses and leapt onto a tall rock to watch. We all awed the intense battle as Dziva crazily assaulted Zira, but Zira kept returning the attacks in full force, her very eyes roaring in scorching rage. It was incredible. This whole battle was incredible.

    The pride and I couldn't look away from the intensity that was this battle. I heard Rhodesia awe, "I never seen Zira fight like this before."

        "She really wants to win," Sarafina added.

        "When this battle started, it was a personal one," Busara said.

Dziva clawed Zira hard under her chin and sent her flying into the huge rock that supported the promontory of Pride Rock. Dziva ran at her and slashed her left and right, pushing her back into the rocky wall behind her. Zira couldn't break this specific assault. She was trapped. Everyone panicked, "Oh no! Zira! Get out of there! Hurry! Do something! Come on!" But, Zira absolutely couldn't. Her head was bashing against the wall after each strike. I was worried about Zira, but I couldn't help be worry about Dziva as well. Sweat ran down this woman's face as she attacked. She was drawing blood, but a bit of her own was flying everywhere. If she kept this up, she would burn herself out. "Dziva is wearing down as fast as Zira is," Sarabi said observantly.

        "Zira has to get out of there!" Sarafina said worriedly.

        "If no one's going to stop this fight, I will!" Taka declared.

I looked down to see that Taka was about to run into the fray. I leapt from my rock and landed in his way, stopping him. "What are you doing?! Are you just going to let her die out there?!" he fussed at me.

        "I promised Zira that I will not interfere in her fight, and I won't let anyone else interfere either. This is something she has to do herself, regardless of the consequences. If you really love Zira, you would respect that more than anyone."

Then, I quickly turned around once I heard Zira's roar. She was now able to use her arms to swipe at Dziva's attacks as a defense. Then, she struck her over the face and finally pushed her back onto her side. Zira's arms shook violently as she watched her sister get back up. She laughed, "Do you see, Dziva? I've gotten a lot better since we last fought."

        But, Dziva laughed back at her, "My victory is already insured."

        "What?"

        "Look at that wall."

We all looked toward the wall Zira was pinned to before. We were in shock to find a huge stain of blood over it! "By the God! Zira lost that much blood from that assault?" I thought.

        "After losing that much blood, it won't be long until Zira eventually passes out…or worse," Sarabi said.

        "It looks like you lose again, dear sister," Dziva grinned. "Why don't you just give up and save yourself from possible death?"

Zira bowed down her head and let out a deep breath she held in for so long. She looked back up with a somewhat villainous grin. "I will continue fighting until the bitter end."

        "What?!" Dziva gasped.

        "No, Zira! Back away now!" Sarafina cried.

        "Aunty Zira!" the cubs cried.

        "She can do it," Busara said. "You believe she can as well, don't you, Mufasa?"

I turned back toward Busara and nodded in reply. "How can you both be so sure?" Taka said.

        "Zira is fully aware of the risks she has to take if she wants to win," Busara explained wisely. "But, this is what fighting is all about. You must be willing to push yourself past your limits. That lioness there is a breathing example of the perfect warrior."

Busara was absolutely right. If I can't fight as aggressively as her, I could never beat Vumi or anyone else that opposed me. If I was going to win, I would have to be like her when I fight. It's ironic. The last time Zira was so…inspiring, I lost my whole personality to the 'beast.' But now, she made a more positive impression over me. I was truly inspired to make myself a better lion.

    Under the deep night sky, the two sisters continued their battle. Dziva bared her large fangs and sunk them in Zira's neck. But, Zira bucked her off her back and swiped her over her head, knocking her onto the ground. Dziva got back up and clawed back, but Zira easily dodged it and attacked again. She managed to tackle Dziva in her side and sent her crashing into the ground headfirst. Dziva weakly got back up, blood running from her wounded nose. Both sisters snarled at each other savagely and ran at each other at full speed. This was it. This was the final clash that will decide the victor. I was so stuck to the battle that I failed to notice a little thing like a dark cloud slowly hiding away the moon again. The moonlight quickly disappeared until everything was completely dark around us. The lionesses met in a great clash, both striking each other in the jaw! The moment was so critical, I could swear that time slowed down again so I can clearly see the powerful sight. A mix of blood and sweat dispersed in the air as the two lionesses sent each other flying backwards. Simultaneously, Dziva and Zira fell over the ground on their backs and lied there. It was finally over. It was a draw.

    Taka quickly ran to Zira's side and nudged her face to wake her. I walked over to them and examined the two fighters. They were both knocked out, all right. But, I noticed a change in Dziva. Now, her face was back to normal. The patches in her eyes and that crescent moon symbol over her forehead were both gone. Sarabi, Busara, Sarafina, and the pride circled around the two unconscious lionesses and reflected on the battle's aftermath. "What an incredible battle," Kigali purred. "I'm just glad it's over."

        "Weird," Sarafina said. "I wonder what made Dziva to go crazy like that."

        Taka answered, "Zira and I followed Dziva up the top of Pride Rock. She was looking at the sky until the moon finally came out. Right then, she began to act strangely."

I figured it out. "So, that's it," I said. "It was the moon. Dziva did have a blessing like the others: a split personality, benevolence and malevolence. And malevolence will only come out after the glimpse of the moon."

        "That makes sense," Busara added. "The crescent moon on her forehead was an obvious clue. So, once she looks into the moon, she suddenly becomes an adrenalized berserker. Maybe that's why Vumi let us go so easily."

        I continued, "Maybe. But, knowing that much, I suggest a detailed outcome of this fight. The moon disappeared just before these two met in one last charge. Dziva must have turned back to normal just before she collided with Zira."

        "So, after her transformation subsided, so did her adrenalized strength," Busara nodded.

        "So, I got lucky."

We all looked to see that Zira had awoken. She panted softly and purred easily, "I guess I couldn't beat her after all." Then, she passed out once again. I only smiled warmheartedly down at her. I truly believed that she was the real winner of the fight. She proved herself to be a fine warrior. I'm sure the next time she fights, she'll be even stronger.