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FROM THE AUTHOR

Side note: remember the lioness that approached Mufasa and apologized for the pride in Book 1? That's Rhodesia. You do learn her name in Book 1, but that's only in the uncut version of the book.

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Entry 205: "Diviner" (Part 1)

    The next day, I had woken up from my slumber. I blinked to see that it was barely dawn, and the pride was already gone. But, I took the time to still lie there silently and alone. I still was pretty sad over yesterday. For some reason, I couldn't shake off the disappointment. I closed my eyes and sighed solemnly to myself. I reopened them as soon as I heard a conversation outside the den. A familiar voice laughed slyly, "Disappointed, aren't we, Ahadi? You should know better that, with my blessing, I'm not so easy to get rid of."

        "Yes. I had hoped that fire could take you back to Hell where you belong," Father's voice replied.

That voice! It couldn't be. I quickly climbed up on the promontory and cried out, "Father!" Then, I gasped to see everyone in the pride behind my father who was staring with hateful eyes at a familiar lion. It was Vumi!

    I stared in disbelief, my jaw hanging open and trembling. It was the same Vumi, still very much alive. And what's more to my shock, he was walking! Vumi purred, "Oh, King Mufasa, you've arrived. Now, things will be a lot more interesting." I walked through the crowd of lionesses, stood next to Father, and confronted Vumi. "I'm so glad you've woken up," he continued. "Maybe you can talk some sense into your father."

        I looked back to my father and growled, "You knew this lion the whole time?"

        "Forgive me. I didn't want to worry you so soon," Father whispered. "As for you, Vumi, you better leave here. You're not welcome here."

        "Why should I listen this time? You're not the king anymore. And hasn't things changed for both of us? I mean, what happened to us was years ago. I'm very eager for a change of pace, so I wish to settle down here and join the pride again."

        "Mufasa won't allow it, as long as I'm still standing. It's out of the question, period!"

        "Speaking in place of your son who has the ultimate say? Selfish, aren't you, old man?" Vumi taunted before staring at me. "Now, Mufasa, what do you say? Wasn't it your father that taught you that we lions should always be together as one?"

        Immediately, I declared, "He did, and he's absolutely right! Even though Father owes me an explanation, however, I never trusted you the moment I laid eyes on you! It made me sick to give you my name."

Then, the pride behind Father and I snarled at Vumi threateningly. He only chuckled and snarled back, "Calm down, ladies. I'm not here for a quarrel; besides, you wouldn't want to get dirty. What's this? Is Mufasa's little girl snarling at me?" I looked behind my shoulder and saw that both Zuhura and Kayura were indeed snarling meekly at Vumi. Vumi continued, "Now, this, I never expected…from cubs. You two better get out of here and hide behind your mothers. This is adult talk."

        "We may be cubs, but we're as much part of this pride like everybody else!" Kayura shot back.

        "Yeah, you creep! So, back off or else we'll show what we cubs are made of!" Zuhura added.

I grinned shortly at the cubs' impertinence before I turned back to Vumi. "Is that right? Well, I'd better be careful," Vumi scoffed sarcastically. "Never mind; I'll let that remark go just this once. Now, listen up. Like I said, I want no trouble from you. I want to ask for forgiveness for what happened years ago and return to the pride. In return, I offer a way to make life better for everyone."

        "You lie!" one lioness exclaimed. "After what you did, how can ask us such a thing?!"

        "What have I done? Huh?"

        "You know damn well what you did!" another lioness exclaimed. "We will never forget how you almost destroyed us!"

        "Is that right? Well, I'm through talking. I'll leave today. But, I'll be back for the king's final decision. Apparently, due to his lack of knowledge about me, he really needs to think about it. Think hard and well, Mufasa. I can't wait to hear from you." With that, Vumi finally retreated and walked down the stairs of the promontory, leaving the kingdom and leaving me in great question.

    After he disappeared, I sighed and looked toward everyone who was there. "Daddy!" Zuhura cried as she ran to me. My girl nuzzled into my right leg as Sarabi walked to me to nuzzle against me. "I'm okay, Sarabi," I reassured.

        "I was just…scared for you. That's all," Sarabi purred.

I wrapped one arm around her shoulders to comfort her and I also rubbed the top of Zuhura's head with my other paw. "Brave words before, Zuhura. I'm proud that you know what you're dealing with."

        "Yeah! I hope he never comes back!" Zuhura exclaimed angrily.

Father sighed in exasperation and turned toward me with a worried expression over his face. "Forgive me," he said. "I never should've kept his identity away from you. I should've know he would come back."

        "You always try to keep your past concealed from us for our benefit; I respect that," I replied. "However, this secret now deserves to be shared."

        "You're right," Father agreed. "Just give me a moment to recollect myself."

He then walked toward the promontory and took a moment to stare at the sky.

    Father closed his eyes and sighed once he turned back around to the pride and me. "It began 11 years ago; Uru was pregnant with you at the time, Mufasa. Vumi used to be a good friend of mine. Yes, he's old, like I am. We grew up together; we were inseparable. We did everything together. He had an unbelievable appetite, which shows by his obesity, but with his fat came incredible strength. Until one day, we both bathe the waters of the Forbidden Cavern's pool. We were both seduced by that lovely white lioness, but, unlike me, Vumi was possessed by the vision he saw. He said that life is short…and imperfect. He was obsessed with the idea that our lives are meaningless and shallow. Every aspect of his character changed; he wasn't the Vumi I remembered anymore. We thought he was crazy, him talking in riddles and depressing dialect. But, because of my vision, I couldn't help but believe him. Then, he introduced to me his ultimate goal: to purify the world we live in. I wondered how he would do that, but, when he told me, I was in complete shock. He 'purifies' the lands by destroying the land with eternal flames!" I gasped in utter shock at this revelation. "You're kidding. Vumi can destroy lands piece by piece with fire?! Then, he was the one who caused that phenomenon yesterday?"

        "Without a doubt. There is no other lion who could do that. It would seem that God would have the power to do anything like that."

        "But, how…"

        "I still don't understand to this very day, but Vumi somehow acquired the 'blessing' of igniting fire from his body at will. He can create a simple torch of fire for light to a burning, blazing crematorium like we saw yesterday. I don't know how he does it; he would never tell me. However, I was afraid and tried to drift away from Vumi, but he tried his best to keep me close, hoping I would help his cause for purification. But, around then, I was over my depression over my vision from the pool, and I couldn't stand to watch him act this crazy anymore. He made up this ceremony to begin his purification…on Pride Rock. But, if he would do that, everyone here would die. But, for some reason, Vumi had no problem about that. So, I alone stood against him. I angered him and threatened to kill all of us, saying that we don't deserve to be purified. But, your grandfather and I stopped him and his evil plan, so he ran away. I chased him all the way to Victoria Falls, and we continued our heated battle. And then, resulting from a thoughtless and careless move, he fell down the falls, and I went back home, thinking he was dead."

After he finished his story, I gritted my teeth in anger. This new enemy was unlike Ru-gal in every extent. My thoughts spoke through my lips, "It's like…he thinks he's God Himself."

        "A person who takes it upon himself to make the world better by destroying the world others love to create another…a diviner," Sarabi purred in worry. "Could he…be the one who…who did all those horrible things in my nightmare?"

        "Father, shouldn't we take a direct approach? He's by himself, isn't he? He said so himself before. So, why don't we take him at once and get rid of him for good?" I declared.

        "It will be no good," Father replied.

        "Why? Because he has that power of his?"

        "No, you're missing the most important point about Vumi: his strength! When I said that I fought against Vumi, I said nothing about winning against him. In fact, I was losing…badly!"

I widened my eyes with shock. I couldn't believe what he just said. I always had the impression that my father could never lose to anything or anyone. I had this impression ever since I was a cub. But, the thought that even Father couldn't beat a lion like Vumi…was disturbing. "We were best friends," Father continued, "but it was clear who was the strongest out of both of us. He became obese just to get stronger other than he could never satisfy his appetite. He trained hard with his built-in weights; I saw him. He didn't stop until he mastered moving, running, and jumping around as fast as we could, but, with his new weight, his strength is doubled and maybe even tripled. I knew he had to be the most powerful lion ever when he took down a rhino in one blow. Even the elephants were afraid of him since they were the next step."

        "Able to take down…a rhino in one blow?" I murmured in actual dread.

        "It was only a fluke that I won. He fell from Victoria Falls by accident. I was next to fall, one leg broken. He charged at me, threatening to finish me. I stood my ground, ready to die, but I collapsed from exhaustion at the last second. I tripped over me, not anticipating this at all, and fell. It was a miracle that I lived through that fight. I only reason he ran before is that my father, Mohatu, even at his extremely old age, was the only one who could match his strength."

        "My grandfather?" I awed.

        "Yes, I longed to be strong as him, but I could never reach up to his power. Basically, what I saying is that the only way to defeat this Vumi is to be as strong or even surpass Mohatu."

Surpass my grandfather? As great and famous as he was? How can I do anything like that? That thought echoed throughout my head, bringing new doubts to my abilities. Am I really that weak compared to Vumi? If I can't stand a decent chance against this one lion, then how can I even hope to protect anyone? With more grief put on my shoulders, I bent down my ears and pulled away from Sarabi to walk off down the kingdom. "Mufasa, where are you going?" I heard Father said. "You're not going after him, ever after everything I told you?!"

        I shot back, tears suddenly pouring from my eyes, "So I can die for the sake of your protection?! I'll be damned if I do anything like that!"

I turned away and immediately ran off. Eager to find someplace where I would be alone, I ran. This realization of my weakness was hard to bare. It affected me so hard that an old fear awoken in me. The fear of death…

****

    Later that morning, I was resting near a boulder against the baobab tree of Rafiki. I was napping soundly when I felt someone pet over my mane. I opened my right eye to see Rafiki doing that to me. I snarled quietly, "Rafiki, you knew about Vumi as well, didn't you?"

        "Yes. But, your father made me promise not to tell," Rafiki replied solemnly. "But, you must understand. His past is not an easy thing for your father to repeat to others."

        "I know that. But, I'm just…shocked that even he couldn't match up to Vumi. I'm such a child; until today, I believed that he's practically invincible to anything. I'm such a fool."

        "I don't see anything wrong with thinking your old man is invincible even as an adult."

        "Maybe I'm still a child at heart. I even thought, since I'm Ahadi's son, that no one could ever beat me. I admit it. I felt pretty proud of myself when I defeated Ru-gal who everyone claimed was a redoubtable foe."

        "Are you going to keep talking like that when the fight hasn't started yet?!" someone called.

Rafiki and I looked to see that Busara walking towards us. "Busara!" Rafiki called back. As soon as he came to us, he stared sternly at my face. "I heard what happened this morning," he growled. "Don't tell me you're going to let Vumi scare you like this."

        Irritated, I snarled back, "A fight right now is looking death in the eye. What can I hope to accomplish if I die now?"

        "I didn't say you had to fight him now. Instead of sulking, why don't you prepare yourself so you can be able to defeat Vumi?"

        "Are you crazy? I have to be stronger than even my grandfather is! That's impossible!"

        "Who said that? Huh? Tell me who said that!"

Annoyed, I leapt from the rock, and Busara and I growled loudly at each other. Busara continued, "I don't blame you for being scared. But, simply sitting around doing nothing but waiting for inevitable death is simply cowardice!"

        "Then, you fight him!" I roared. "If you're so confident in your ability, then you can go and get your dumb self killed!"

        "Shut up, you idiot!" he roared back. "Look at me! Do you think I'm not shivering in my legs with my tail between them?!"

Suddenly, I calmed down and eyed Busara, seeing a hurt and ashamed expression over his face. "Yeah, that's right. We're on the same page, finally. I'm scared, too. I never been so frightened in my life that such a being exists in this world…in our lives. But, I'm not going to let that control me, it won't. If I become stronger than I am now, I can live or die, knowing that I wasn't afraid to fight." I bowed down my head. I was still solemn about this, but I knew Busara was right. "But, I…I really don't want to die," I purred quietly.

        "You don't have to do this," Busara purred back. "But, I hoped you would come back to your senses. But, maybe you are."

        "But, think about it. There's still a lot more to do in life. For instance, there are still many things I could do with my precious Sarabi. I want to watch Zuhura grow up to a beautiful queen. And maybe after I step down from king, Sarabi and I could run away together, just the two of us, and live the rest of our old lives out there in the rest of Africa for an eternal honeymoon. But, how can I do any of that if I die? It's a selfish waste to do something if you know you'll die! Too many men think it's so heroic and noble, but this man thinks differently! Once you're gone, it's the finale. That's it, the end; what's so good about being dead as a cost of nobility if the loved ones you left behind are sad?" Busara sighed and turned to Rafiki. "We may have lost Mufasa for good. It looks like we're on our own," he said. Then, Busara turned his back on me and started to walk off. But, I stopped him by stomping his tail to the ground with my right paw. "Hey!" he gasped. Suddenly, a wily smile crept across my muzzle and I looked up at both Busara and Rafiki, feeling a bit better. "Hold on. Now, when did I say that I wouldn't fight?" I purred.

        "Mufasa," Rafiki awed.

        "Busara, you're absolutely right. I can't just let something scare me off just because I might get killed. However, the 'fighting if you doubt you live or die' routine's got to go."

        "What do you mean?"

        "Even when now we have a 1% chance of winning a fight with Vumi, if you convince yourself you're going to lose, that's all gone. Believe you me, I don't want to die. So, if we're going to better ourselves for an even fight with Vumi…"

Then, I let go of Busara's tail and held up the same paw like I wanted a paw shake. "…we fight to live and win." Busara blinked incredulously at me for a moment, but he soon grinned back and shook my paw with his. "All right, then," he replied quietly. Then, over both our paws, Rafiki placed his hand over them. We looked toward him in wonder. "Count me in," Rafiki declared.

        "Rafiki, you'll fight with us?" I awed.

        "I will. I've seen what Vumi done to your Pridelands once before years ago; I will not let that happen again. Besides, Mufasa, I know you'll end up with serious injuries again."

I grinned in relief to have such good friends.

    A while later, I separated from Busara and walked through the grasslands on my back to Pride Rock. I'm pretty sure I worried the pride when I left so suddenly. So, while I was on my way, I walked along the top of a big hill. I looked about the area I was at with a relaxed smile. Then, suddenly, I saw something down below the hill and quickly ducked down. I peeked over the edge and gasped to see Vumi again! Right now, he was sauntering toward a lioness I never saw before. Before I made my move, I stayed to watch and listen to what was happening.

    Vumi purred in interest and cracked his shoulder blades as he sauntered toward the lioness in a very seductive fashion. He purred slyly, "It's so nice to meet you again." He circled around her excitedly and nuzzled close to her. But, she pulled away and snarled, "Yeah? I wish I could say the same."

        "Oh, that hurt, my pet. It's been a while since I last saw, and we're reunited after long last. How about we celebrate after I finish things here?"

        "Oh, but I'm already celebrating something special: the day you left my life," the lioness snapped back, giving Vumi a nice and amusing slap in his face with her tail.

        "Hmm, I see. So be it, my love."

Then, suddenly, Vumi swiped the lioness hard into the ground. I gasped and got back onto my feet. As the lioness weakly got back up, Vumi loomed over her and prepared for a overhead swipe that will surely take her head off!

    I roared! Vumi immediately stopped, and he and the lioness looked up to see me as I slid down the slippery hill. I reached the ground and ran in between the both of them, snarling at Vumi. "What's this? Oh, it's the king! So good to see you!" he greeted.

        I scowled back, "Shut up."

        "I assume you've made your decision. Well, can't it wait? I have pressing business with my darling lioness."

        The lioness snarled behind me, "I'm not your darling lioness anymore."

        "Oh, please, my dear. You're a terrible liar."

        "You're not forgetting that I'm still here, are you?" I growled.

Vumi and I stared each other in the eye. Finally, he actually frowned and gritted his teeth, "Those eyes…" I continued glaring at him with my fiery eyes while he looked deeper in them. Let him look. Let me know the eyes that will stare him down in defeat one day. "…You have Uru's hideous crimson eyes," he snarled. "The eyes of eternal valor…and hope in everything. You dare stare at me with such eyes?" Then, I gasped to see that Vumi was actually going to strike with complete anger, pulling back his right paw with claws unsheathed!

        "Touch him, and you will drop dead on the spot."

    Vumi stopped and looked over to his left. That voice. It couldn't be. I looked to my right, and I was in shock at who I saw. He had Father's jet black mane, his green eyes, and Mother's beautiful coat of fur. It was Taka! Vumi put his paw down and stared after this new face to him. I looked after him with a silent, elated expression. "You…you came back," I purred.

        "What's this? Is that Ahadi? No, he looks far too young," Vumi wondered. "Wait. Mufasa has Uru's eyes…and he's a lion who looks like Ahadi. That's right; I knew there were supposed to be two of you. Where exactly have you been, young Taka?"

        "It doesn't matter. What matters is that you step back or suffer."

I was about to call out to Taka to back off because he doesn't know whom he's really up against. But, I would reveal his weakness, so I kept quiet. Besides, maybe he could bluff his way out of this and make Vumi go away. Sure enough, Vumi chuckled to himself and said, "Ooh, well, I wouldn't want to suffer! Do not worry; I'll take my leave. But, I would love to know if the king already has an answer for my proposal."

He looked directly at me, but I still had my previous expression I gave him before. He frowned in intimidation once more. I snarled, "Never. You will never set foot with my pride." At a completely adversarial standoff, Vumi and I stared at each other for several moments. We both acknowledged it. From that point, we would be mortal enemies. "I see. How disappointing," Vumi sighed. "Very well. But, if you stand against me, I will kill you where you stand. The moment you flash me with that miserable Uru's eyes, I won't have any mercy."

        "You have something against my mother?" I snarled.

        "She's a blind fool. She…actually believed that life is good, no matter what. That's impossible. Life is a short, living hell for us lions. But, I will rectify that with my own paws. I swear by it."

Then, Vumi finally backed away, turned around, and walked off on his own once again. Taka, the lioness, and I watched him disappear from our sights. The next time I see him, we will be adversaries.

    I sighed in relief and looked behind myself to see Taka go to the lioness. "I'm fine; it's just a scratch," the lioness purred gruffly. "He took it easy on me that time."

        "Right," Taka purred back in worry.

He nuzzled against her head briefly before he stood back up towards me. I timidly smiled, "Taka, you had me worried about you."

        "I know. I knew you would've been worried, but I didn't think you would notice or even care about me with you mooning around with your Sarabi."

I bent down my ears and went to nuzzle him. I was right; I did chase him off in jealousy. I had no idea. But, I still couldn't understand why he didn't tell me how he felt nevertheless. Even so, our manes coiled with each other as we greeted each other after such a short but long separation. "When do you come back?" I asked.

        "I came back in the early morning with this lioness here," Taka answered. "I went to hunt something for her, but I heard her roar out for me. Then, I came here."

I looked over to the lioness he spoke of and who I protected. I took the moment to look at her closely. She had an almost skinny, shapely body that got me sensually interested. She had a sandy fur coat, a brown tail tuff, and a light brown stripe from her head down her neck to in between her shoulder blades. She also had a black nose like Taka's and a small hole in the side of her left ear, and her eyes gleamed with an angry but delicate crimson color for good measure. Basically, she reminds me of the way my brother was built. I nudged Taka and whispered slyly, "This girl…is she your…?"

        "I won't lie," he bluntly answered with a grin.

I looked back to the lioness, but she looked away, snarling. "Won't speak to me, huh?" I shrugged. "That's fine. But, I would like to know your name."

        "I have no name," the lioness replied in a brooding manner. "But, if you must call me something, refer to me as 'Zira.' It suits me perfectly."

I tilted my head in curiosity, recognizing the meaning of her name. But, I was respectful and replied, "Zira, it is."

    Later, back at Pride Rock, everyone was out to greet Taka back into the pride, especially Father. He hugged his youngest son good and tight and purred, "Taka, you worried me sick, boy!"

        "Uncle Taka!" Zuhura exclaimed.

Taka smiled down at Zuhura and petted over her head. "Oh, it's you, you little rascal," he purred. "Were you worried, too?"

        "Uh huh!"

I watched the sight in relief while I sat in the middle of Busara and Sarabi. "He finally came back, after all this time," Busara murmured.

        "I'm surprised he actually came back," I heard someone say.

We looked to see Sarafina walk to us with Kayura riding on her back. She continued, "I would think he would leave us for good after running off in jealousy of how good we've got it."

        "He has his eyes set on ruling here one day. He can't help but feel ambitious of being the king of such a famous kingdom like this one," I replied.

        "So, who's the girl?" Sarabi wondered.

We all looked over to see Zira sitting away from us, staring at the sky. "Her 'name' is Zira," I answered. "And, believe or not, she appears to be Vumi's old mate."

        The girls gasped, "Really?!"

        "Can she be trusted if that were the case?" Busara wondered.

        "I think we can. I see why not," I said. "They appeared to be hostile toward each other. It looked too real to be acted out."

        "You know what? By the way she looks from here, she kinda reminds me of…what was her name…Zahali!" Sarabi commented.

I gasped to myself and blinked incredulously. That was a brilliant observation. Zira did look similar to Zahali. They weren't similar in looks and appearance, though. Zahali was always by herself, drifting away from the pride. Only Taka was the one who really liked her. Suspicion aroused in me, but I still wanted to trust her. But, maybe I should get her to open up. I walked to her, but she didn't turn around. I tapped her in the back with my paw to get her attention. "Hey, are you feeling all right?" I wondered.

        "Not really. Just leave me alone," she purred.

        "You want to talk about it?"

        "Why does it concern you? Do you think that just because you're the king that I should do what you say? I'm not even part of your pride."

        "Aren't you Taka's mate? Then, you're always welcome."

        "Are you an idiot? Are you saying, because I may be Taka's mate, you automatically trust me?"

        "Unlike most kings, I hold judgment until one commits action diverse from mine."

        "That's a foolish philosophy. It's a wonder that you haven't perished yet under that sort of thinking."

        "Compassion may be my weakness; it might not. But, nevertheless, this lion won't fall so easily."

        "So, you do think you're a tough guy? You're top cat around here, huh?" Zira smirked sarcastically.

        "Perhaps. I couldn't really give a damn about what other people think of me as. It's pointless to me to worry about such things."

Zira then gave me an expression of thoughtfulness. She was thinking differently of me now. Finally, she gave me a coy grin and purred, "Wow, you actually gave me quite a shiver down my spine. I'm starting to like you. What happened to you to make you so…complex?"

        "Well, life wasn't a match made in heaven, I'll tell you that."

        "Yes, I agree. Who said that life was good? Whoever believes that are fools. Life is much more complicated than that."

        "So, you and Vumi feel the same way about life?"

        "Yes."

        "So…what happened between the two of you?"

        She replied seriously, "We may…share the same thought in heart…but we don't share the same mind."

Then, she walked by me, suddenly lashing her tail under my muzzle. I watched her go to Taka with an unquestioning trust in her and slight confusion. She left me wondering what she meant by that, but I knew she would tell me sooner or later. Suddenly, I was nudged hard into the right shoulder. I cringed and looked to see a peeved Sarabi. "What?" I wondered.

        "So, tell me. By just looking at her, how long would it take her to make you forget about me?" she snarled.

        "What's this?" I laughed in amusement. "After all the lionesses I've mated, you've chosen to be jealous of this one?"

I laughed at her, unable to resist, while she shook me in frustration. "That's not funny," she pouted. Then, I heartily grabbed her with my arm and hugged her tightly, still laughing. Soon, Sarabi finally smiled and purred, "You're not being a gentleman." I brushed my left paw over her chest coyly. "Oh, I'm plenty gentle, baby. But, I'm certainly no pushover."

        "Oh, quit trying to butter me up," she said sweetly.

    After everything calmed down after Taka's return, the pride went out to hunt. Sarabi and the girls assembled in certain positions to get ready to ambush a group of antelope. Off to the side, the male lions and I rested on a hill to watch. "Say, how long do you think we should let the lionesses eat their fill before we chase them away?" Busara said.

        "As fair as always," I said. "I don't feel like playing games right now."

Taka and Father were both silent and watched the lionesses begin their assault on the antelope. "Hey, I see Zira. Hmm, not bad at all," Busara purred.

        "Well, of course," Taka said.

        "You sure pride yourself in her," I said.

Then, I went over to Father and lied down by him. "Hey, Father. You haven't said anything in a while since Taka came back. Anything wrong?" I wondered. Father looked at me with his usual solemn expression and looked away. "Forgive me. I'm just…feeling a bit weary," he purred quietly.

        "Are you feeling okay? Are you sick?"

        "No, I believe it's a reminder of my age. I'm old and growing older."

        "I know. But, you're still the same lion."

        "I may look the same, but I don't have the feeling you have anymore: youth."

        "Nonsense. Sure, you're old, but I see no changes in you. You're the same father I remember."

        "Oh, son, you're too much."

        "I'm serious. Do you think Mother believes that you're different just because you're old? Do you?"

Father sighed and nudged me with a tender smile. "Knowing that old girl, she probably would say 'no' just to make feel more like a man. But, truthfully, she would be sincere about it. You're right. But, I still can't help but wonder how much time I have left in this world."

        "Don't say or think such things. You're not going anywhere now. Didn't you once say that 'life isn't something you look forward to ending but is something you want to live to its fullest?' If you say something like that, why do you live?"

        "Mufasa! Your majesty!" someone cried.

All of us looked to see a lioness quickly running to us in frenzy. She came to us and quickly caught her breath. "What is it?" I wondered.

        "We've chased a few antelope down further down the grasslands! But, suddenly, a group of buffalo came our way! They rampaged around us, being chased by several Shadowlander lionesses!"

I gasped along with the other male lions beside me. We all stood up while awaiting my command. I looked to see a few lionesses still around the place where the antelope used to be before being chased and roared, "All lionesses here! Rally with your fellow sisters at once now!" They got my message and immediately ran off. Then, I looked over to Busara and the others while the messenger ran off with the other girls. "We must get there at once to help," I said.

        "Let's go then!" Taka and Busara both exclaimed.

Father suddenly stood up and growled fiercely. "If he's behind this…!" he snarled. Then, he quickly ran off before we did. After Taka and Busara followed him, I was left behind, following Father in wonder. What did he mean by that? Could he mean that Vumi's behind this somehow? I shook the racing thoughts from my head and ran off after everyone.

    I ran deeper into the grasslands and found a major battlefield over it. Lioness against lioness fell upon this land while some of those Shadowlander lionesses, the lionesses with darkened or gray fur coats, continued to chase after the raging buffalo. I roared and ran to join the battle. Busara was already trying to save the remaining, standing buffalo and fought the lionesses. There were several of these strange lionesses around, and I wondered where they could've came from. Taka was helping the lionesses of my pride defend themselves while I rushed to the offensive and attacked several of the Shadowlanders. My claws struck through plenty of them, knocking them out or away into the air. I pounced and bit into one's neck and back kicked one in her gut when she tried to get me from behind. A few drew blood from me, on account that there were so many. But, I roared savagely and beat each Shadowlander that came my way. Suddenly, I took the moment to look around to see what everyone else was doing. But, the one who caught my eye was Father! With a giant display of power and agility, he slapped his attackers away, tackled them, throwing them to the side with his fangs, and even drilling a few that were flying in midair at him by jumping at them. He wasn't scratched by the lionesses yet and amazed me even further. It's hard to believe that with his strength that he wasn't a match for Vumi. If it's true, then how strong can Vumi possibly be? I quickly ran to Father's side and fought beside him. He took a moment to rest and pant. "Stand down, Father," I purred. "Let us handle this."

        "I won't! You were right, son. Life is something you want to live to its fullest. And fighting right now is one more step to live life," he replied.

With that, we all continued to war with the Shadowlanders as the remaining buffalo managed to escape the battle while a selected few weren't so lucky. We continued fighting until they began to die down and run away. A few of them were left for dead. Dirty blood splattered everywhere across the grass. I fought around the remaining lionesses, knocking them away until they had the sense to run. But, I was worried the most about Father; it's hard to admit, but Father was right about him aging. I looked around to find him and gasped to see him on top of a hill from our battle, face to face with Vumi!

    Beating the few that attacks me at my standstill, I watched the fight, refusing to interfere. This was a fight between two former friends, so, even if I didn't know every detail of their past, they obviously have a score to settle. Vumi trampled over Father with an overwhelming tackle. But, Father hopped back on his feet quickly and smacked a charging Vumi across the face to the ground. It was incredible; I never saw Father fight with so much energy before. It's like he reached his prime for this exact moment. Vumi got back up, only to met by a charging former king. But, he grasped Father in his neck with his fangs and claws. But, he pushed Vumi off himself and grabbed him by the mane, throwing him hard to his side. Vumi roared and bared his long, black claws at him and swiped his right claw at him. But, suddenly, he stopped in his swipe, faking Father out, and struck him in his right leg with his left claw! Father limped and stepped back in pain. Vumi leapt in the air at Father, wanting to strike him overhead, but Father swiftly leapt in the air and swiped his rival hard in midair, sending him backwards onto the ground hard. He ran at the fallen Vumi, but he leapt when he tried to swipe at his paws to trip him while still on the ground. As soon as Father landed on the ground, Vumi got up and tackled him to the ground with bared fangs and green, demonic eyes. I heard him snarl, "I'll bathe in your blood once I kill you!!" Father held back Vumi's assault with his claws and fangs, pushed him off of him with his hind legs, and, with awesome force, smacked him hard across the face, sending Vumi spinning in midair briefly and landing in the ground face first! I was in awe once I realized what was happening to Father. "His old age…a decisive fight with an enemy from long ago…his blood must be rushing quicker than before. His adrenaline is increasing, giving him doubled strength. He was wrong; Father is in fact just as strong as Grandfather Mohatu." Vumi was having trouble getting up while Father panted to himself briefly before walking to him. I roared, "Finish him off, Father! Do it now!" He bravely walked over Vumi, raising his right claw over his head and threatening to finish him. Suddenly, I heard Vumi plead for his life! "No more, Ahadi! Have mercy!"

        "Mercy? You are without any trace of mercy, but you plead for it? So, your ambition for purification is below the same pitiful life you seek to purify?"

Suddenly, a Shadowlander ran up the hill and went to attack Father from behind! Before I did anything, I heard Taka cry, "Stop!!" He caught up with the lioness and pounced her. But, then, the lioness actually got the upper paw over Taka and pinned him down, threatening to finish him! "Taka!" I cried. I started to run to his aid, but Father already beat me to him and tackled the lioness away. Then, suddenly, Vumi ran at Father and assaulted him! Wildly, Vumi beat on him relentlessly. I gasped in utter shock and immediately roared savagely as I ran at him. With my own blood rushing violently, the 'beast' arose from me, and I shrieked loudly. But, someone stopped me. "Hold it!" I stopped and looked over to see the same lioness from before standing over Taka with one claw to his neck. "Come any closer or else…" she snarled. Then, she pushed her claws deeper into his neck to make her point. That damn bitch. Nevertheless, I stood my ground for Taka's sake and watched as Vumi cruelly turned the tables.

    Vumi calmed down and panted to rest. He stepped away, and Father weakly struggled to get back up. His life severely threatened, Father trembled weakly with blood all over his body from his beating. Vumi's equally bloody figure stepped back toward him and won back his cruel, sadistic grin, "Now, our last chapter has reached its final page. It's over, Ahadi." Father panted and looked toward Vumi with a bloodstained face. And finally, with the last of his adrenalized strength, he speedily took his right paw and swiped Vumi hard across the jaw along with a mighty roar! Vumi flew backwards once again and fell onto his back, unconscious. The battle was over.

    Father panted weakly and looked back toward the lioness who guarded over Taka. She was staring in shock. I took the chance to run at her and slapped her away from him. She got back up and quickly hightailed it away from us. Taka got back up, and we both looked to see our father finally collapse onto the ground, groaning and panting. We quickly ran to him and managed to pick him up onto my back. "Father, forgive me," Taka purred guiltily. Everyone else in the pride quickly ran to us and wondered if Father was okay. The remaining Shadowlanders retrieved the unconscious Vumi and quickly retreated after being chased by the lionesses still fighting. I watched them leave and looked back to Father when I heard him groan. He weakly turned his head toward me as he held onto me as well as he could. I purred, "I'm bringing you to Rafiki right away. Just hang on." He nodded wearily and shut his eyes to rest. I looked toward the pride and said, "You all go back home now. I'll return as soon as Father recovers. Sarabi, you look after everyone."

        "I'm coming with you," Taka said.

I nodded in agreement. With that, Taka and I walked off together with the wounded lion. Suddenly, as I walked, I felt something warm run down my body. I looked back to see blood running from Father's body down mine. I gasped to see how serious this was. I must get to Rafiki's tree at once!

    In the baobab tree, Taka and I watched as Father rested over his side while Rafiki rubbed over one wound with a patch of broken down leaves. "This is the first time you came to me with so much injuries, old friend," Rafiki said. "Don't tell me that Mufasa's reputation is rubbing back off to you."

        "Hmm, joke all your want," Father purred.

        "All right, no talking. Just rest yourself. I'll help you to recover as fast as you can."

        "That's right," I added. "You're going to be okay."

He nodded and lied his head down in his arms. Instinctually, I walked over to his side, lied down, and licked the wounds that were still bleeding. I saw Mother do this to him once before when I was a cub. He came home with a wounded arm from a hyena, and she sat him down to lick it before Rafiki could get there to help him. I licked calmly and softly so not to disturb him. He was going to get better; I know it. I swear he will.

    A bit later, Sarafina came over to the tree to visit Father, bringing Zuhura and Kayura over to see him. The cubs gave him a moment of whim as they played together, rolling over his head, tugging his ears, and pawing at him. Then, they ended up wrestling with each other. Sarafina, Father, and I watched them play happily, laughing together. I grinned with Sarafina, glad that she brought the cubs over to give Father company. Then, we both looked toward him and something very peculiar. Father was looking at the cubs in a thoughtful stare. He carefully watched the cubs with that odd stare. I couldn't read his emotions by his expression, and I made me worry. What could he be thinking about? "Mufasa," I heard Rafiki call. I looked behind my shoulder to see Rafiki gesture to me to come with him.

    Below the baobab tree, I talked with Rafiki. "Is he getting better?" I asked.

        "Hopefully. None of his wounds were fatal, but they will open up if he reacts too quickly. He needs rest," Rafiki replied.

        "Oh, thank God."

Rafiki sighed as he rested against the trunk of the tree. "Mufasa, do you know why he fought Vumi, even when he thought he had no chance against him?" I didn't bother to answer; he knew what I would say. He continued, "Remember when I told you that Father once bathe in the pool of the Forbidden Cavern? It's time you finally know that his vision was the polar opposite our yours." The opposite of my vision? It suddenly hit me. My vision was death, so only one thing was the opposite. "Life," I purred.

        "Exactly," Rafiki nodded. "Ahadi and Vumi both shared the same vision of the true nature of life. They both believed that life wasn't anything to be proud of and that we live in an imperfect world. So, he was stretching the truth a bit. Ahadi too did crazy things to help change life for the better. He was so frightened and confused because it contradicted everything Mohatu taught him. But, it was Uru's outlook of life that brought him from the shallow darkness. He drifted away from Vumi and lost a dear friend in the process."

I frowned and took a moment to think about what Vumi said to me before. "You have Uru's hideous crimson eyes. The eyes of eternal valor…and hope in everything. You dare stare at me with such eyes?"

        "I see," I thought. "Vumi believes that Mother took Father away from the 'truth.' So, that's why he hates my eyes. They're a reminder of the one who set him and his best friend apart."

        "Vumi thinks Ahadi abandoned him after your father chose renewed outlook on life and love for Uru over him. That's what set them apart as mortal adversaries. And that fight before was an old score that had to be settled."

    Later on that day, we finally brought Father back home to rest himself back to full health. Everyone in the pride gave him their full attention and stayed for a while to make him feel better. He managed to crack a smile, but he would turn away with that odd expression over his face. Constantly, he stared after everyone around him weirdly through the rest of the day. He rarely even says anything anymore. It felt creepy, so I never left Pride Rock again for the rest of the day and looked after him.

    It was late in the night. Father was asleep along with the cubs. I walked out of the den while some of the lionesses walked in to sleep. I walked to the tip of the promontory and sat to stare at the bright full moon in the dark night sky. I thought, "Mother, are you watching right now? Do you know what Father is feeling?" I lied down on my belly to rest for a moment while I looking at the moon silently. But, I suddenly felt drowsy and drifted off to sleep…

    …I quickly woke up and stood back up. But, I wasn't at Pride Rock. Howling wind blustered past me as I stood in this dimensional void. "Where…am I?" Suddenly, fire flared all around me! I gasped and looked around to see that I was surrounded and trapped. This fire was the same as the crematorium Vumi made to destroy that one piece of land. "Is…is this Hell?!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing. Suddenly, I heard menacing laughter from all sides. I looked in front of me to see a ghostly and demonic image of Vumi with a insane and crazed grin. Then, the fire blazed and attacked me. I wailed as the fire burned around me. I couldn't move without being burned. I was in trouble. But, then, a great light glowed over the fire and dramatically, the layers of it disappeared, along with Vumi's hellish image. I gasped as I looked up to the beaming light above me. Soon, the void transformed into the dark, silhouetted land that was destroyed. I stood in awe of the light as it slowly gained a form in the middle of the brilliant clouds in the sky. It was an apparition of Father! His soft growling echoed around me as the wind carried his mane. Light beamed from his eyes much like Mother's apparition did. I purred, "Father…are you…?"

        "Mufasa…" Father called majestically, "remember what I taught you. Life isn't something you look forward in ending but is something you want fulfilled to its fullest."

Then, suddenly, his apparition was joined with another. My eyes widened in disbelief to see them together again. I saw Father and Mother side by side once more. Suddenly, as the clouds slowly started to disperse, Father and Mother began to disappear. "Wait!" I cried. Then, a great, moderate flash of light glowed immensely and consumed me…