Chapter 3: A Second Chance
(Author's note) Suggested soundtrack when you see (XXX), Owl-City, when can I see you again
Kopa grunted, blood trickling down his fur and staining the foliage around him. Nearing the end of his adolescence, the young lion's mane was almost halfway grown.
"You really want to keep this game going? Good, that makes it much more fun." A young adult lion grinned back at Kopa with terrible pleasure on his face. The lion spoke in a somewhat smooth voice but held an evident power behind it. It was a voice that should have sounded enchanting but only carried something else beneath.
His fur was a slightly darker shade of gold than Kopa's but wasn't brown like a Night Lion. His body was efficient in its muscle, very much like Kopa's. His mane extended long and was vibrant in ruby red mixed in with onyx black. Both fur and mane were meticulously groomed with a handsome face in the center.
The black-maned lion ruthlessly slashed but and mauled at Kopa, who did everything in his power to fight back. Unfortunately, the older lion's greater strength and size gave him a decisive advantage. Both fought with the same style, but the young adult proved more experienced. Kopa hoped that he'd grow dull to the pain after so many years, but every blow carried immense pain.
Even so, Kopa wouldn't give up. He hated the lion before him, the shadowy figure watching over them, and the tigers snickering each time Kopa endured a strike. Finally, the young adult lion slammed Kopa onto his back and readied himself to deliver a fatal blow.
"Enough. I may have use of him yet."
The dark voice still sent shivers down Kopa's back despite hearing it for years. His opponent bowed respectfully before the figure looming over them from a tree. A pair of fiery red eyes and black fangs reaching into Kopa's soul.
"Of course, master."
"The young Prince has learned well in his time here. After all these years, he's ready to take his place. However, I'm afraid your father's Kingdom is no longer an option."
"With your permission, master. Give me command of the army here, and I'll take back my birthright."
"No, I've waited too long as it is. I need your reign to begin now! The Kingdom in the North's Queen has died without an heir. You will go there and make yourself King."
Kopa and every other nearby animal without a dark shadow around them trembled when they saw the look of anticipation on the lion's face.
"You will have help. Kuzimu, Shetani, Timora." Kopa watched as a monstrous wolf, murderous tiger, and imposing ligress joined the lion, each bowing their heads.
Finally, the figure from the tree came down and stroked his blood-red claws across the lion's forehead. The lion shook for a moment, his body slowly glowing with a fiery aura that soon spread to the eyes.
"Grauuu!" When he roared, the ground shook, splitting open entire sections of the jungle as fire and lava surged up, engulfing several innocent animals.
"Hail the Dark Roar!" Mshindi roared.
"Hail!" The other shadowy predators echoed.
Kopa's heart pounced like a racing cheetah when the figure now placed his claws upon the lion's head, almost burning him with their touch.
"I'm disappointed in you, Kopa. It seems that even after all this time, you still cling to the hope that you can leave without submitting to me."
Kopa growled back in defiance.
"I will never be like him! I will never feed your machinations, Jehanamu!"
The figure claws deep into Kopa's head, sending fiery pain across his nervous system.
"You will obey! You belong to me! You live to serve my desires! Your life is mine to do with as I will! You will never escape me!"
"Yes, I will!" Kopa didn't say it back then, but he said it now. A light enveloped the jungle, and a similar roar forcing the shadow predators back.
The figure looked up to see none other than Kion, his Guard, and Vitani racing forward. Kopa slowly opened his eyes and took in the vibrant Tree of Life savanna before him. After almost two months, Kopa now awoke refreshed, despite his bad memories. He stretched and breathed in the fresh air, savoring the gentle sounds of the landscape around him.
"Morning, Kopa." Gael said while yawning.
"Morning, Gael." Kopa sounded as alive as he felt, standing up and watching the sunrise transcend their Kingdom's horizon.
"Look around Kopa, everything the light touches is our Kingdom." He heard the voice again, a memory that once brought him lament but now acted as a reminder of what he had.
"Morning, uncle Kopa!" The scarred lion smiled wider as he looked back at Saka, who eagerly raced towards him. Baliyo, Kanda, and Idan walked behind Saka, having escorted him there after finishing their patrols.
"He's yours now." Baliyo exhaled before laying beside Afia, who'd taken a leave of absence from her duties as her due date neared.
"Good morning Saka, I see you're up early again." Kopa chuckled as he tenderly stroked the Prince's head with his paw.
"Yeah, Sahashi and Anada are driving me crazy! Every night and every morning, Sahashi crawls over my head while Anada bites my tail. I thought cubs were supposed to do that to their parents." Saka groaned while Kopa laughed more.
"They just love their big brother. Remember that it's your job to protect them just as much as your parents."
"I guess. At least I haven't had any baths since they were born. Plus, when they get older, I can teach them all the techniques you and dad have taught me!" Excitement returned to Saka's expression while Kopa nodded.
"Exactly. I think you're going to be a great big brother and an even better King."
"You really think so!"
"I do." Kopa said with a sincere expression.
Saka's expression changed when he saw a pair of eyes staring at Kopa from a brush behind them. However, before the Prince could say anything, Vitani roared and leaped forward, paws out as she slammed into Kopa. However, after a brief struggle, she found herself pinned down by the scarred lion, who smiled down with a smug expression.
"Give it up, Vitani. You're never going to get the best of me-" Before Kopa could even finish, the lioness brought her snout up and licked across his face, taking him completely off-guard.
"I just did!" She almost giggled, Saka snickering when he saw Kopa's red face and weakening stance. Sensing this, Vitani forced herself up and ran off, laughing while Kopa persued.
"Get back here!"
"You're gonna have to catch me!" The pride of Night Lions and lionesses watched them with amusement. Baliyo and Afia in particular.
"I can't wait until we can do that again." Afia sighed.
"Just a little bit longer." Baliyo assured her while licking his mate's swollen stomach. Despite her best attempts, Vitani couldn't escape and found herself pounced on by Kopa.
"I'm actually getting a bit concerned that I can still pin you this easily. Imagine if you had to fight someone at my level. What would you do?"
Vitani narrowed her eyes mischeviously.
"I'd think of something, as for you, I can always do this!" Vitani licked Kopa's face again, this time making sure her tongue got inside his mouth. Kopa turned even redder and trembled enough for Vitani to push back and pin him.
"That's not fair."
"Too bad." Vitani purred before she began nuzzling him.
Later that morning, the two rested beside each other while eating the zebra they'd caught that morning in the hunting grounds.
"I can't believe they let you leave again after only three days." Kopa chuckled while Vitani's smile grew.
"Let's just say when I explained the situation and my need for further training, they understand." Vitani purred while nuzzling the side of Kopa's head.
"Well, I can't complain." Vitani playfully growled at Kopa after hearing his comment and tried to bite his head.
"Besides, they'll be here tomorrow anyway. I'm just a day early."
"Oh right, they're coming to see Kion and Rani's new cubs."
Vitani nodded.
"I finally get to meet your brother and the rest of Kion's family."
"And they get to meet his new brother." Vitani teased while emphasizing the Tree of Life Guardian symbol now on his shoulder. Kopa shook his head slightly. Since joining the King's Guard, Kopa truly felt like he had a family again. All of them were great, but he'd become particularly close with Kion.
He'd sometimes spend entire days with the King, Quen Rani, and Saka. After a month, Saka started calling him uncle Kopa as he did with Bunga. Soon after, Bunga began calling him and Kion long-lost brothers, and everyone, particularly Fuli, enjoyed the notion. Of course, Kion and Kopa didn't mind. If Kopa was honest with himself, he'd have loved for Kion to be his actual brother. A small part of him almost liked to picture the King as his biological brother, the newborn cub all those years ago now grown up. But even so, the King was as good as his brother, or at least Kopa hoped he felt the same.
"What about the King and Queen, Kion and Kiara's parents. What are they like?" Kopa asked, only now realizing he'd never asked about them.
Vitani's expression changed slightly, though not in a bad way. Despite everything her mother told her growing up, since Vitani and the other banished lions returned to Pride Rock, she had nothing but praise for the Simba and Nala. The truth was, she loved serving as the leader of Simba's Lion Guard, though that loyalty came to bite her given the Shetani incident. However, that was her fault, not Simba's.
"The King and Queen are what you'd expect. They made Kion the King he is, and Kiara the Queen she'll be. It's obvious they were loving and devoted parents."
Vitani and Kopa both lowered their heads slightly. Kopa for his lost parents, and Vitani as she came to accept more and more how poor of a mother Zira really was.
"I'll be glad to meet them."
Later that morning, Baliyo and Afia awoke to watch Nirmala as she nudged against Imani. The older lioness was unmoved and continued to stare at the waterfall as if dead already.
"Imani, you've been through more than most of us could ever imagine. If Shetani had gotten Vadik and Vala, or even one of them, I, I don't know what I'd do. But you haven't lost everything. Your daughter is still alive, and she's grown into a wonderful lioness. You have a son now, and very soon, you'll have your first grandchild." Nirmala emphasized Afia and Baliyo, who soon approached and nuzzled the lioness. However, it didn't seem to have an impact.
"...I love you Afia, Baliyo. But I can't do it anymore..." Tears swelled Imani's eyes.
"Every night I see him, my sweet Nyo. Taken from me like your father... I'll never see him again, not until I complete my part in the circle of life. Soon, so soon."
"Mom, don't talk like that!" Afia sounded frantic as she nudged her head against Imani's, to little impact.
"You're going to be a grandma soon! Please! Just listen to me!" No matter what Afia said, her mother continued to gaze upon the rushing water, waiting for the release of death.
Afia broke down, sobbing as Baliyo and Nirmala tried to comfort her.
Elsewhere at the Tree of Life, Kion and Rani both nuzzled a pair of infant cubs with the kind of love only a mother and father could. The female had golden-brown fur and brown eyes. The male cub had black, brown, and tan fur with darker brown eyes and a hint of dark-brown mane fur on his head.
"Be good for aunt Makini. We'll be back later today." Rani said while licking her cubs. However, the two seemed more focused on getting Saka, who looked exhausted as they crawled over him.
"Come here, you two. Don't worry. They can't be worse than the other trouble makers." The mandril said, smirking at the other young ones near Surak.
"Come on, Saka, Lyra." Rani said, nudging her son and the white lioness cub forward as they joined the Queen's council.
"So have we all accepted that that Saka's going to end up with Lyra?" Fuli asked.
"Probably." Kopa chuckled with the others.
"No complaints on this end. To think my grandchild will be a king or Queen." Rune said.
Kion, however, took a deep breath as he watched Saka leave with Lyra by his side.
"I hope he doesn't grow up too fast. I still remember the day he was born before the Northern Crusade. It seems so long ago." Kopa patted Kion's shoulder with a comforting expression.
"Well, you're still younger than me, Kion. I wouldn't worry about that yet."
"That's true. Plus, I have these little angels now." Kion said, taking a moment to nuzzle his newborn cubs.
"And Rani has made it clear, in no certain terms, she wants more."
"Well, I'm sure it's nothing the King of the Tree of Life can't handle." Bunga joined in now as he and Kopa came to Kion.
"Oh, sorry, didn't mean to intrude on the two long-lost brother's moment." Bunga said, earning chuckles from the others.
"Well then, 'bro,' we better get to work." Kopa said, Kion smirking back.
"We've got the Southern border today. Come on!" Kion shouted in good spirit. Within fifteen minutes, they reached the Kingdom's southern borders along the desert.
The morning only had them facing off against a territorial herd of water buffalo, which went particularly well.
"I don't give Talib enough respect. He's far more agile than most water buffalo." Azaad said in the fight's aftermath.
"Definitely." Fuli agreed.
"Their pack leader relied too much on his lieutenants. He only fought you when he had no choice." Kopa said as Kion nodded.
"No leader should ask someone to do something they're not willing to do themselves."
"Like we've ever had that problem." Bunga chuckled.
"I don't think so." Kopa added with a growing smile.
"What do you know? You're the new guy now!" Azaad growled.
"Feels good to get rid of that title, doesn't it?" Anga asked.
"It really does."
"Don't worry, Azaad. You'll always be the new guy to us." Beshte said, making the cheetah's eyes narrow.
"He's just saying that because Kopa's Kion's brother now." Ono laughed while landing on Azaad's shoulder and patting his head.
"Ahh yes, I forgot."
Kion and Kopa looked back at each other, both chuckling in good spirit.
"That's right, and as Kion's new brother, that makes me second in command of the King's Guard."
"Woah! Woah! Woah! Time out there, big guy, I've got way more seniority!" Bunga protested.
"I don't know, Bunga. You were the one who kept bringing up that Kopa and I are like brothers. Maybe he has a point."
The honeybadger's expression turned slightly anxious.
"Don't worry, Bunga. No one can ever replace you." Kion assured him.
"Even if you're not the second in command, you're still the heart of the team." Beshte added.
"Yeah, and the heart is probably the most important organ!"
"More than the brain?" Fuli asked.
"Without a doubt, I'd rather have a heart than a brain!"
"Why doesn't that surprise me." Anga muttered under her breath, though still in a playful tone.
Kopa, however, seemed intrigued by the question and turned to Kion.
"Which would you rather have?"
"Heart, without a doubt."
"Hmm, I'd have to go with a brain." Ono chimed in.
"I don't know. I might agree with Bunga and Kion since I had Ike." Beshte said.
"You need your brain to know where you're going. If you don't think you could make a mistake and get hurt." Fuli looked back at her mate with clear disagreement on her face.
"That's why you can never beat me, babe. You never really put your heart into it. I run with my heart."
"Flying can be quite dangerous if you aren't careful. Brain." Anga said.
"What about you, Kopa?"
The scarred lion thought back to his time at the Tree of Life and all those around him.
"Heart."
The Guard continued their patrol morning reached its end after a brief skirmish with a few jackals. Kion watched over the horizon with Kopa beside him while the others took a breather.
"Saka says his new baby siblings are quite fond of him."
Kion nodded, an amused expression on his face.
"They'll make a good parent out of Saka long before he has cubs. I can't remember if I was ever like that towards Kiara or-" Kion quickly cut himself off. He'd kept the existence of the older brother he'd never truly known from Kopa. The two sharing a name would've only created an uncomfortable situation.
"I think the real question is, who's going to lead the Night Pride, Anada or Sahashi?"
"Ahh, that is a good question." Kion exhaled, relieved at the change of subject.
"Well, them being twins doesn't help. I suppose I could always have one of them do what I did."
"That's true. Tamu will need a Queen one day, or maybe Sahashi could go out and establish himself as King somewhere."
"He could. Kiara says the herds of the Southern Pride lands want to establish it as a kingdom and might elect a King soon."
"Hmp, maybe Kiara and Kovu should push to have their son made King there. He could hold a duel crown."
Kion couldn't help but laugh a little inside. That was precisely the kind of thing Saka would've suggested.
"I'll suggest it when they get here tomorrow. But then again, I'm sure those animals would want an experienced King in charge there. Someone like you."
Kopa's smile vanished instantaneously.
"I'm no King."
"I never thought I'd be one either. At least not in Pride Rock. But you've got a knack for it, Kopa, I can tell. You and Vitani could do great things there."
The scarred lion blushed a little.
"I won't lie. These last few months with Vitani have been... Kion, how did you know with Rani? I've never been with anyone before Vitani."
"It's not the same for everyone, Kopa. To be honest, I never thought much about being in a relationship before I met Rani. Bunga and the others used to tease me about ending up with Ziru of Tiffu, but I only ever truly felt love with Rani. If you feel the same with Vitani."
Kopa sighed.
"I don't know. I can't ask her to give up leading the Lion Guard, and I can't leave everyone here. You and the others, you're, you're my family now."
Kion couldn't deny that he didn't want Kopa to leave. But at the same time had to look out for him as well. He placed his paw on Kopa's shoulder with a tender look.
"It wasn't easy for me leaving my family to come here. I won't lie that Bunga and the others coming made it a bit easier. But this is a chance for you to start a family of your own."
"We're here!" A familiar voice cried out. Kopa and the others turned to see Saka approaching with Vitani, Gael, and two Barbary Lions.
"Think on it." Kion whispered into the scarred lion's ear as Kopa gazed at Vitani. Kopa and Kion both spent two or so hours during the resting period after main patrols to teach Saka some more techniques. At one point, Saka insisted he was ready to face his uncle Kopa but settled for uncle Bunga.
"Ahhh! No, please, have mercy!" Bunga cried while Saka pinned him down, a slightly annoyed expression on his face.
"Come on, uncle Bunga, you have to take this seriously if I'm going to get any better!"
The others laughed, including Vitani, who sat near Kopa.
"Well, at least he's determined." Kopa chuckled.
"Yeah, he reminds me of Kovu at that age, though not in every aspect, of course." Vitani quickly corrected as Kion looked her way.
"I don't know, Saka. You don't want to mess with an angry honey badger. They don't give a-" Fuli started before Azaad covered her mouth.
"Darn, I was going to say darn."
"She's right, Saka. Uncle Bunga is quite ferocious." Kion said, patitng his son's head.
"I know. I saw him today with that panther."
"And you want some of that?" Beshte laughed.
"I'll have to be ready if I'm going to be King, one day!"
"I could never hurt you, Saka." Bunga said, placing an arm around the cub's head as Saka sighed.
"Why not give uncle Kopa a try?" Kopa relented as he approached the cub.
Saka's smile returned, and he got into a fighting stance.
"Go easy on him, Saka. You're uncle's already been through a lot. He doesn't need more scars." Bunga said while pumping the Prince up.
"Ono, Anga, maybe you should give him some aerial recon." Kion suggested. The two birds nodded and happily flew over the two lions.
"Oh no, I don't think I have a chance now!" Kopa cried.
"That's right!" Saka lunged at the scarred lion using the very techniques he'd learned from him and his father over the last few months. Kopa went through the motions, catching Saka's paws with his left paw and allowing the growing cub to bite his mane.
"He's open on the right!" Ono squawked. Saka quickly rushed in, burying his face in Kopa's thick mane to try and bite his neck.
"Watch for the paw!" Anga shouted. Saka quickly ducked and then jumped in for a pounce, jumping onto Kopa's snout.
"Awww, you got me!" Kopa fell over, leaving a proud Saka standing up as tall as he could, a few of the various Guard members even applauding.
"Alright, let's see how you fare against the leader of a Lion Guard." Vitani growled as she approached the Prince, a playful growl emerging from her jaws.
Vitani went through the motions just as Kopa did while Anga and Ono continued to give him pointers. Kopa went back beside Kion, and the two watched with warm smiles as Saka sparred with Vitani. Any animosity Kion might've felt towards Vitani after the incident with Dakari and Shetani had vanished entirely. She, too, had become closer with Saka over the last few months during her increasingly frequent visits.
After a few minutes, she allowed Saka to pounced on her snout and fell over.
"No! I've failed!"
Kopa felt butterflies in his stomach, watching her act like this with the cub, and he soon felt Kion tap his shoulder with a smirk.
"I'll think on it."
Kion looked back at his son and walked over.
"Alright, let's see if you can win against the King!"
"Ohhh, be careful, Saka. He beat the evilest lion who ever lived!" Bunga said as he patted Saka's shoulder.
"I'm Saka. I'm a prince. And I'm not scared of anything!" Vitani quickly looked over at Kopa after hearing Saka say those particular words. She saw his expression change for a moment but then returned to tender compassion as she saw Kion and Saka spar, eventually ending with Kion pinning his boy down and licking his face.
Later that evening, as the sun began to set, the King's Guard dispersed with the other Guards as they returned to their families. Kopa and Vitani watched Kion and Rani with their three cubs, a sight which once might've made the scarred lion fill with lament. But now, it made him feel warm.
"Enjoy your day with the Queen's Council?" Kopa asked.
"I did, actually. We got to break up a fight between the hyena pack and wild dogs. It was fun and a bit hilarious seeing Rani fight when she's not restrained by pregnancy." Vitani's voice grew eager while recalling the earlier skirmish.
"Plus, after that, Saka and Lyra got to practice some diplomacy with the penguins."
"Meaning?
"They had to race them down their little slide. It was hilarious, and they had a lot of fun." From the life in Vitani's voice, Kopa narrowed his eyes with a grin.
"You sound like you're ready to have cubs."
To say Kopa's comment caught Vitani off-guard would've been an understatement. She turned redder than an apple and shook as if in a blizzard.
"I, I didn't, I, I mean not that I'm, grrr." Vitani tried to bite and claw at Kopa until she felt his tongue stroke across her face.
"Sorry if I riled you up. Kion and I were just talking today about my future. Plus, the way we both sparred with Saka.
"It's fine." Vitani purred while resting her face against his. The truth was, cubs were on Vitani's mind. More than once, she envisioned herself with Kopa, a cub between them.
"You know, it was pretty easy today. I'm not feeling all that tired. How about you?" Kopa asked, and Vitani shook her head.
"I'm fine. Why, feel like helping out the Night Pride?"
"No, I thought we'd do something more fun."
Vitani began to blush again.
"What exactly did you have in mind?"
(XXX)
Later that night, as the sun gave the Tree of Life its last bit of light, Kopa and Vitani reached a waterfall near the savannah. Fading sunlight glistened off its flowing water into the pool below. It reminded Vitani of one back at Pride Rock, but that made it no less beautiful.
The two lions slowly approached the water after Kopa gestured Vitani forward. There, they began drinking until the lioness noticed a somewhat crazed look in the scarred lion's face as she backed up and then leaped into the water, splashing her.
Vitani's mouth dropped as she watched him sink and moved closer to see if he'd come back up. Almost as if to answer her, Kopa emerged from the pool and snatched Vitani in his paws, dragging her in as she yelped. Vitani came up gasping for air, though more from surprise than actual danger.
She thrashed around, growling and biting playfully at Kopa, who kept her in his grasp. When she finally got free, Vitani went ashore and pushed Kopa back into the water. However, before she could bask in victory, the scarred lion came right out and dragged Vitani back into the water.
Unbeknownst to either of them, they weren't completely alone. Hidden behind the waterfall, Kion lay on his back with Rani over him, the King and Queen exchanging a series of diligent licks across each other's faces. However, the two soon heard a commotion outside and looked out to see Vitani trying to wrestle Kopa down further into the water.
Rani almost giggled and sat up.
"Look at those two."
Kion shared her smile and rose, feeling Rani's head rest against his.
"Do you think he'll leave?" A bit of fear crept into Rani's voice. Like Kion, she'd grown quite fond of Kopa in the same way she did the rest of Kion's Guard when they arrived with him. Kion sighed as he stared at the two, the same love and devotion in their eyes that he shared with Rani.
"He'll be with Vitani one way or another. That much is evident by this point, so she either stays or he leaves with her. Vitani can't leave Pride Rock without giving up the Lion Guard. Can we ask that of her or Pride Rock?"
Rani leaned against Kion even more.
"I don't know how we're going to break the news to Saka."
"I'll tell him, but now until Kopa tells me he's going to leave."
The stars flooded the night sky above Vitani as she laughed and ran across the savanna, Kopa in hot pursuit.
"You might be big, but you lack stamina!" Vitani giggled as Kopa growled, increasing his pace. The two passed a good portion of the savanna, eventually reaching a hillside before Kopa leaped into Vitani and rolled down with her, the two playfully thrashing about as they did so. Upon reaching the bottom, Vitani pinned Kopa down, panting with him.
"You know what that is? It's called the long-game, and this time I win-" Vitani tried to boast before Kopa reached up and licked her face, making the lioness tremble for a moment. That moment was all it took, and Kopa flipped her down, pinning Vitani beneath him, the two gazing into each other's eyes as starlight reflected off them.
Kopa couldn't remember being so happy in all his life, at least not before the jungle. Nor did Vitani savor any memory more than what she experienced at that moment.
"Vitani, I don't want this to end, ever. You and I, I want us to be more than what we are." Tears began to fill their eyes as Vitani pressed her snout against Kopa's.
"So do I! I love you!"
"I love you too." The two lions went on, savoring every moment of their night.
Hours later, Kopa awoke and stretched. The powerful emotions from last night still filled him with joy. He looked over at Vitani, cuddled up beside him. With a warm smile, Kopa licked her face before noticing someone watching them.
He got up with a vigilant expression, noticing their figure hidden well in the darkness, as sunrise had yet to come.
"Who's there!?" Kopa growled, taking a defensive stance over Vitani. The figure backed up, and Kopa followed, eventually realizing he'd come to the Tree of Life's borders.
"I see someone's taken a liking to his new home." Kopa almost turned pale and trembled when he heard the voice and turned to see a shadowy lioness staring at him.
In an instant, the fear erupted into a fiery rage. Kopa snarled and slammed the lioness into the ground so hard she almost yelped in pain, his jaws now just above her throat.
"You made a big mistake coming here! I'm not a cub anymore, so give me one good reason not to kill you!?"
"Don't you want to see your family again?" The lioness purred in an almost cruel manner.
Kopa's face almost turned white again as he retreated.
"No, you're lying! They're dead! They died years ago, Jehanamu told me-"
"He told you what he wanted you to believe at the time. But it was a lie, Kopa. Your family is still alive, and they still want you back."
The scarred lion trembled as tears filled his eyes.
"I came here to offer you a deal. You know what Jehanamu wants, and he'll have it one way or another. But in this case, he's willing to take a substitute. The Prince, Saka."
Kopa growled again, though not as vigorously.
"No, I won't let you take him!"
The lioness began to circle Kopa with a terrible smile.
"This is your chance, Kopa. Your only chance to go home, to see your family again. Isn't it worth it? It's all you've ever wanted. Bring the boy here later this morning, and I'll take you to your family." The lioness retreated, all but vanishing into the darkness and leaving Kopa trembling.