The Prince of Darkness

The following day, Prince Tan was sitting at the entrance to Tau Den. His tail was curled up to his thigh, and his piercing emerald orbs were looking out, as if he was waiting for someone. Padding slowly out of Tau Den was the King, a smirk on his face. "Son," he spoke as he sat next to the Prince. "I know you are upset, maybe a little angry, but it will not last. Sanura and you have been good friends since you were very young." The King smiled, trying to comfort his son.

"You're right, father. The relationship will not last." The Prince said through gritted teeth. He could see Baka returning home with Sanura at his side. "Excuse me, father.." Prince Tan ran off into the distance, sprinting towards the couple. King Maliik snorted and turned to greet his mate, who was padding up behind him. Queen Morowa dropped something from her mouth. A small rodent smacked the ground and bounced slightly in the King's direction.

"This is all we have.. A few mice. We must seek new land." She pleaded, slipping to his side. The Queen rubbed her cranium against the King's majestic mane, trying to be affectionate. The rulers have discussed this issue before, but King Maliik always refused to move on. A low growl escaped the debts of the King's throat as he turned to his Queen.

Prince Tan skidded to a stop a few feet from Baka and Sanura. He begun to pant, his sand paper like tongue sliding in and out of his mouth. Baka smirked at Prince Tan then looked at Sanura with a sweet smile. "Sanura," Prince Tan started, glaring at Baka. "Leave us. Myself and Baka have much to talk about." The young lioness wasn't going to argue with the crowned Prince, so she quickly made her way to Tau Den.

"What is it, Prince?" Snorted Baka, falling to his haunches. One of his hind limbs rose, claws extended, and he begun to scratch at his scruffy mane. "If it's about Sanura, you're wasting your time. Me and her are -" Prince Tan had cut Baka off by throwing his paw at his muzzle. The gentle blow was forceful enough to knock Baka's head to one side.

"Come with me," hissed the Prince as he advanced out into the wasteland, expecting the older cub to follow. Baka growled under his breath, bringing a paw to massage his muzzle after the blow. Slowly, still growling, Baka got to his paws and shook his head, before dawdling behind the Prince. From Tau Den, Sanura watched the two heading off. She sighed and turned to the King and Queen. They were both looking ahead, not reacting to their son striking Baka. Suddenly, the Queen stood up and spun around, flashing a quick smile at Sanura before she started back inside. Sanura turned her gaze to the King but didn't say anything. After a moment, she too went back inside, in search of her parents.

The King still looked out, watching his son and the adolescent vanish into the sunrise. His azure orbs dipped down, looking to where Sanura was a moment ago, then his eyes followed her inside. King Maliik looked over his shoulder, then he looked down at the rat. His cranium descended and his muzzle nudged the rat. It was dead. The King's jaws opened, then his teeth clamped down on the rodent. The sound of the small bones breaking rang through King Maliik's ears as he clenched his teeth, upon raising his head. He tilted his cranium back and released the rodent, letting it fall down his throat.

Behind one of the many volcanoes, Prince Tan stood at the summit of a rock, looking down on Baka. The adolescent lied on his side, motionless. His limbs were tangled in the little weeds, and his tail was buried in dust. Baka's muzzle had begun to turn red, and his mane begun to leak blood. Prince Tan grinned a toothy grin, looking on at the dead leonine. "I think you got attacked by them humans..." He said to Baka, after leaping down to his side. "Yes.. You were foolish enough to venture into the village." Prince Tan leapt over the lifeless body and sprinted off. "I liked that... It was fun... I should do it again." He laughed evilly as he ran from the scene, heading back to Tau Den.

TO BE CONTINUED