FROM THE AUTHOR
The song used in this entry is indeed the Elton John version of "Circle of Life." If you have any imagination when you read, try to envision the song with the story! chuckles
Also, the first chapter to A Diary of a Young Mufasa: Another's Point of View is set to be released along the time I release the 14th chapter of Book 2. Be Prepared to read Mufasa's story from Sarabi's point of view, as well as many others...
Entry 216: "White" (Part 3)
…I was there…again. I opened my eyes and found myself in the 'Forbidden Area' of the past. Underneath the night sky, I saw a crowd of white lions…and golden lions in front of the water shrine. Maybe I will finally find out how those deaths from before came to be.
I came closer to the shrine and saw Vumi and his golden lions stand in front of Ombwiri who was guarding the white lions under the shrine. "Ombwiri, get out of the way!" Vumi demanded.
"No," Ombwiri replied, shaking her head.
"I'm not going to ask you again."
"No!"
"This shrine will grant us the gift to purge all evil. We will achieve true peace in this already miserable world. Didn't you want peace?"
"We must try to achieve that peace by ourselves. We can't rely on God for everything. These white lions are citizens of this world, just like us. Why must you label them to be different?!"
"Hmph! If they aren't any different than us, let them suffer like we did and see the impurity of our world!"
Reacting to his words, Vumi's pride charged past him and went after the white lions. "NO!!!!!!" Ombwiri cried. Ombwiri was easily shoved out of the way of the charging pride. The white lions tried to guard the shrine from them, but the golden lions tore through them with ease. Mercilessly, they drew the blood of what was named 'God's followers.' The white lions were bitten to death, their limbs were ripped from their bodies, and they fell to suffocation. Ombwiri watched in horror. She never felt so weak before now. She couldn't do anything to help. She was no fighter, and her arguments were ignored to the very end. In her weakness, she watched the mindless slaughter. In seconds, all the white lions were dead. Fire ran over some of the dismantled bodies. And blood slowly ran from them, burning like the flames all over. Ombwiri bowed her head down in defeat. She lost the battle…just like I did.
As the golden lions ran into the shrine, Vumi slowly proceeded to walk in after them. But, Ombwiri suddenly jumped at him and hugged him to keep him back from the shrine. Vumi was struggling, but the white lioness refused to let go. "Let me go!" Vumi roared.
"Please! Please, don't! No! You've done enough! Leave their shrine alone! Please!" the poor lioness pleaded.
"I told you to STAY BACK!!"
Vumi eventually shoved her away. And when Ombwiri tried to stop him again, the irritated black lion slashed through her chest with one swing of his right paw! Ombwiri fell to the ground, blood quickly racing from the large scar Vumi gave her. Vumi scoffed contemptuously and continued to walk into the shrine. But, he gasped and quickly ducked as several leonine bodies flew over him! Vumi looked back and saw several of his pride members lying over the slaughtered white lions, dead. "What's this?" Vumi wondered. He looked back toward the shrine's center and spotted a shimmering white spirit hovering over it. The lion took one step, and a shockwave suddenly erupted from the spirit afterwards! The wave of energy struck Vumi in his face; he roared out and bowed down his head in pain. He lifted himself up with a large bloody scar over his right eye. He continued to approach that white spirit. And each time he took a step toward it, a shockwave burst from it. One after another, a wave slashed through Vumi's body. He got hit in his shoulder, his legs, the sides of his body, and in his face again and again. But, the black lion refused to stop. It also seemed like he was drawn to it. It was pulling him toward it, and yet it was 'attacking' him. Inevitably, Vumi was inches away from the white spirit. He panted in exhaustion and looked over it lustfully. He raised one paw and slowly went to touch it. The moment he felt through its warm aura, light beamed from it. White light shone brilliantly from the center of the shrine. But, it gradually turned into a red color. The spirit itself changed color, from white to red. Fire suddenly flowed violently from it and wrapped itself around Vumi's arm. The black lion roared in pain and tried to pull away. But, he couldn't let go. It appeared that the spirit got a hold of Vumi, rather than the other way around. The flames spread too quickly, and King Vumi was involuntarily consumed in its ferocity. As the flames exploded from the shrine, a bloodcurdling cry shrieked to the heavens…
…Fire…again. I was standing in a land colored in nothing but red. Flame blazed along the ground and burning trees. There were walls of fire scattered around the land. There were trees with their crimson leaves. And there was a fallen water shrine in front of me, also on fire. This was how this holocaust came to be.
I came closer to the shrine and saw who died here once again. Several burnt and dismantled lionesses, both white and golden, were lying around the burning surface. Blood ran over the ground, past my paws. I felt its hot wave touch me. Then, I noticed one lioness rising to her feet. It was the wounded Ombwiri. I ran to her and tried to help her back up. "Take it easy," I said. She groaned and collapsed onto her rump. She looked up toward the shrine. There was that hellish creature again, Cerberus Vumi, wrapped in the ribbons of the scorching flame. It roared so loudly that I bent down my ears and cringed at its sharp pain. "Why, Vumi?" Ombwiri murmured. "Why did you do this?" As she stared pitifully at the fiery beast, tears began to run from her eyes. "I couldn't do anything. I wanted to protect these white lions. But, I couldn't do it. I'm a failure. And now, there's nothing left here but death. There's…nothing…but…death…" Then, the white lioness' eyes were sealed forever. I clenched my teeth as Ombwiri died in my arms. I gently lied her head down and shook mine wearily. I have indeed grown disillusioned about this. I've had enough of people dying around me. I just want it to stop!
"DADDY!!"
That voice. It couldn't be. I looked over my shoulder and saw my little Zuhura running to me! "Zuhura!" I exclaimed. I turned around and let my daughter come and hug my arm. Before I could ask what she was doing here, I spotted Luna walking through the carnage that took place here. The lone white lion then saw his dead mate lying beside me. But, he still kept that same serious look over his face. "Mister Luna, are you gonna do it?" Zuhura purred.
"I will, little one," Luna replied. "I must stop this…now."
My white counterpart walked past me and made his way to the center of the shrine. He confronted Cerberus Vumi and roared defiantly. He was going to fight him…
Are you going to give up?
What was that voice? Was that my voice? No, I didn't say anything. I found myself under the great blue skies. My father's sun was glowing in its usual, powerful radiance. I was lying over a grassy hill with Sarabi at my side. She nuzzled me in my mane while the rest of the pride rested along the hill below us. Busara was lying asleep on his back while Sarafina lied over his belly. Scar was sitting and looking toward the skies with Zira resting next to him. At the bottom of the hill, Zazu was frantically flying away from Zuhura and Kayura who were chasing him. I laughed warmly and wore the happiest smile. Then, I felt a hand rest over my head. I looked to up to see Rafiki smiling down at me. I felt completely at ease. Everyone was here. And when day quickly turned into night, my mother's warm moonlight washed over me. Everyone was here. The ones I loved were still here with me. I wasn't alone. I had my family and friends.
Are you going to give up?
Sarabi put one paw over mine. She whispered to me, "Mufasa, I admire you. We've been through so many hard times. You suffered far more than I ever did. But, when it comes down to it, you wouldn't give up. Both your parents were lost to our enemies, but you didn't give up on going after your destiny. You found out the truth about me, but you didn't give up on me. You showed more perseverance than anyone I ever met. So, I won't give up on anything either. I'll never give up on you. I will always believe...that we'll always persevere." After Sarabi finished talking to me, Rafiki sat down with his walking stick in his lap. He looked me in the eye and giggled, "You look confused."
"Well, it's what Sarabi said," I replied. "If she would persevere after anything, what would happen if I should die? Would she want to continue living?"
Suddenly, Rafiki struck me in the head with his stick! I held my head and scowled, "Ow! What was that for?!"
"Does it matter? It's come and gone!" Rafiki exclaimed enthusiastically.
"But, it still hurts. Am I bleeding?" I replied, looking at my paw for any blood.
Then, Rafiki patted me over the head and whispered to me sagely. "Yes, it hurts. So does death. But, it seems to me that you can either run from it…or…learn from it."
Rafiki swung at me again, but I ducked under it. "Aha! You see, you silly boy?!" Rafiki laughed. "At first you don't succeed, try and try again." Then, it dawned on me. I felt like a failure once so many people died when I specifically thought everyone would come back home alive. But when all eight Diviners turned out to be nothing but Vumi's tools, it felt like they were the ones who needed saving, and I failed them. I also failed to understand Scar, and I still don't. I thought there was nothing left I could do. But, the fact is there wasn't. It doesn't matter. It was their lives, and they lived it based on their own decisions. That's how I wanted to live after reviving from my depression. They weren't living any differently than I was. I didn't realize that until now. We all make our own mistakes, and sometimes they interfere with the lives of others or even end them. But, all we could do is live and learn. I shouldn't give up. I should…try again.
Are you going to give up?
No. I will never give up. I will persevere and live on! Everything was all part of the Circle of Life. We live and we die. We win and we lose. That's the simple rule of life. I was such a fool not to see that before. I stood up on top of the hill. Everyone had disappeared. I was left in the grassland as the wind softly blew by. It was dawn. The sun began to rise once again to bring a new day for all of us. Then, I looked over my shoulder to see the white lion, Luna, behind me. As he approached me, I turned around and met him face to face. It was as if I was looking in a pool of water; we looked exactly the same way down to our current facial expression. "Are you going to give up?" Luna said.
"Never. I will die before I give up," I replied.
He nodded. "Mufasa, if Vumi has his way, everything will indeed start over. Everyone will be reborn as different people, but the same story will once again repeat itself. There will always be another Vumi, and he will try to make the world better. Defeat Vumi, and time will be free to go forward. But, if you shall fail…we shall always try again."
I raised an eyebrow when he said that. But, before I could think about it, Luna walked closer to me. I stood there and felt the white lion's body pass into me. Then, Luna disappeared from my sight, but I still felt his warmth…deep in my swelling heart.
I must go now. If Zuhura appeared in my vision, she must be asleep. She's still alive. There was still time…
…I…I must put an end to this…now. I emerged from the debris that covered me. I shook my mane free of the dirt and took a moment to look around. I found several slabs of stone around me. The sand dune must have collapsed while I was unconscious. I looked out in the distance and saw patches of fire all over. As the wind blew, I stood there, the only soul left in the Shadowlands. I examined the ground to find scattered pawprints of several animals. I gradually watched their general direction. They led outside the Shadowlands…and back to the Pridelands. The scent of fire was strong in that direction as well. The stars in the sky watched in anticipation as they slowly disappeared into the orange skies. A pillar of light washed over me. I looked up toward it and sighed contentedly. I felt at ease once again. I was calm. I knew what I had to do. Sarabi…everyone…wait for me. With my confidence restored, feeling the rhythm of a powerful song, I ran toward the Pridelands.
♪♪ From the day we arrive on the planet ♪♪
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to be seen than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
As the sun began to rise to bring a new day, I ran across the burning Shadowlands. I looked out to the distance toward the rising star of red. Father watched me running. I could feel his undying hope on my shoulders. I also noticed that the flames around me began to disappear whenever I came close to it. Rather than think about it, I continued running. Soon, I escaped the Shadowlands and quickly ran back to the home I must protect.
Some say eat or be eaten
Some say live and let live
But all are agreed as they join the stampede
You should never take more than you give
As I ran, I found a small crowd of buffalo mourning over the death of one of their own. I saw their tears of anger and sorrow. But, most of all, I saw the hope they once had before stripped away from them. I stopped and looked to see antelope walking away from two dead corpses, their heads bowed down in defeat. Then, they all stopped to notice me. I looked to see the buffalo had spotted me as well. They looked at me in complete astonishment and awe. But, I looked back with a defiant glare. In my eyes and my movement, I told them to never give up. But, they seemed reluctant to approach me. I had no time to stay here. I continued to run back to the Pridelands.
In the Circle of Life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap of faith
It's the band of hope
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle, the Circle of Life
The light of the sunrise bathed over my body as I ran. I never imagined I could run this quickly. I leapt whimsically as I headed toward my kingdom in the distance. Then, I looked over my shoulder to see those antelope and buffalo I saw earlier running after me. I saw the relief in their eyes to see me alive. My reappearance bestowed to them their hopes and dreams. I said we would return in triumph, and we shall. Somehow, I will defeat Vumi and save this world I've come to love.
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with the scars
After I had crossed the border of the Pridelands, the flames scattered about dispersed into nothing. I ran up the hill in front of me and looked down to see the blazing blades of fire surrounding everyone. I saw the elephants, the zebras, the hyenas, and all the other animals cowering to the monster, Cerberus Vumi. My pride lied on the ground in defeat. Only a few led by the weary Queen Sarabi stood against him. She had spots of burnt fur around her, and she looked like she was about to collapse. But, she wouldn't give up…just like she said she would. Busara was unconscious with Sarafina by his side, desperately trying to wake him. The already wounded Zira tried to stand, but she always collapsed while Scar stood in front of her with his own charred wounds, dealing with the scar that hurt his ego the most: his inability to fight and protect.
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high through the sapphire sky
Keeps the great and small on the endless round
The three heads of Cerberus Vumi roared to the sky as his aura of flames grew bigger and bigger. I watched the insane beast in disgust. I looked out to the rising sun once more. Somehow, I knew Father wished he was in my pawprints at this moment. As his son, I would put Vumi to sleep once and for all. Taking a giant breath, I let loose my greatest roar.
In the Circle of Life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap of faith
It's the band of hope
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle, the Circle of Life…
My roar gained everyone's attention, and several faces were drawn to me. I walked down the hill with the few straggling animals that followed me. I would give everyone a reason to hope for the best. I would risk everything to face Vumi once again. The animals were shocked to see that I was still alive. My pride was ecstatic. Sarabi was instantly reduced to tears. Even Scar was genuinely surprised. Cerberus Vumi turned around and stared me down with his crimson sclera. "YOU…" Vumi's corrupted voice echoed. "IT CAN'T BE…" I stopped before him and stared back at him with no trace of fear. Cerberus snarled in irritation and swiped at me. But, I stood my ground. His great, fiery paw hit me, but the flames simply past right through me. I wasn't harmed. Cerberus stared down at me in wonder. Then, I leapt up at him and swung my right claw at him. As I struck him in his chest, Cerberus roared out in pain. Then, I noticed that my strike also slightly diminished the fire surrounding him. After I landed on my feet, Cerberus angrily roared and sent another wall of fire at me. The flames enshrouded me, but it didn't harm me. I was completely impervious to it. Then, a strange surge of power swelled up inside of me. Luna's warmth grew hotter. I clenched my teeth and felt it growing closer and closer to the surface. I let it go, and a shockwave of white power suddenly burst from my body and completely dispersed the fire around me! I exhaled softly as soon as the brief stress in my body blew over. My back felt a bit heavier. I looked back to see strange wings over it. And I lifted my arm to see that my fur had turned white as snow. I became Luna…no, my purest form opposite of my black counterpart from before. I was a winged white lion.
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap of faith
It's the band of hope
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle, the Circle of Life
Cerberus backed away as he and everyone else marveled at my distinct white aura. It was his turn to be frightened, as he should be. He ruined the lives of the white lions of the past, and a white lion was called here to make him realize his mistake. In blind rage, Cerberus swung at me again. But, his paw abruptly stopped as soon as he touched my left wing. But, my attention was drawn to the weak-kneed Sarabi who was still standing there. I purred to her warmly, "Sarabi, after this, it will all be over. You better get out the way." My attention back towards Cerberus, I pushed his paw back with my wing and leapt at him. Making brief use of my wings, I flew into his body! Once inside the fiery beast, I let loose all the power I was granted with. I heard Cerberus roar one last time before I destroyed him…from the inside out.
On the path unwinding
♪♪ In the Circle, the Circle of Life. ♪♪
My power made a giant pillar of white light that reached the heavens. I momentarily hovered in the middle of it before I was slowly carried upward. Where could this light be taking me? What else was there to do? I flew up the pillar of light, following the destined pathway I was meant to take. As I soared to the top, the rhythm was subsiding, like the end of a powerful song…
…I had my golden fur coat again, and those large wings were gone. I found myself floating in a blue, cloudy atmosphere. Was I in the skies? Suddenly, blue light shone in my eyes. I looked to see Luna once again…with his lover, Ombwiri, by his side. They didn't say anything, but they never looked any more grateful. I was glad for the both of them. Now, they could truly rest in peace. The two lions then turned into stars and soared higher in the skies to join the other stars. Then, to my surprise, a transparent image of Vumi appeared before me. The black, obese lion raised his head and sighed in relief. "At last…I die," he purred. "Everything's…turned to white…" His voice echoed as his image slowly faded away. In his place, eight spirits, along with a familiar ninth one glowing as white as a pearl, flew to the skies. The nine 'blessings' were finally heading where they truly belonged. The repeated story of 'purification' was finally put to rest. At last, we could…move forward…
It was all over. Surrounded by the heavenly light, I reappeared several feet over the Pridelands. I looked down to see the pride and all the citizens of the Pridelands watching me come down. "It's King Mufasa!" I heard Zazu exclaim. "It's our savior!" Everyone cheered with their respective animal cry. My pride formed a circle around where I was going to land. Eventually, my feet touched the ground, and the white aura around me dissipated. I looked around me with a triumphant smile across my muzzle. Sarabi, Busara, Sarafina, Zira, Zazu, and Rafiki smiled back at me with the rest of the pride. "We did it. It's over," I sighed. Right next to Zira, Scar refused to look at me. "Scar…" I purred. The lion turned his eyes at me thoughtfully. Finally, he was first to approach me and gently rubbed his head into my mane. I smiled at his uncharacteristic display of affection and petted across his mane with my paw. With that, Sarabi was first to roar to the skies, and the rest of the pride joined her. Then, all the other animals cried along with them. "Daddy, Daddy!" Little Zuhura quickly made her way through the crowd of lionesses and tearfully hugged my arm while Kayura watched with a relieved smile. It was truly over. The battle was won. And life could continue on. I would always remember this. We all shouldn't forget why life should always be appreciated it as it is now. The world Vumi wanted couldn't be made after destruction. We build it everyday…step by step. We make mistakes and hurt ourselves and others very easily. But, after each mistake, we learn from it. After each deep wound, we don't want to be hurt again. We shouldn't dwell on our past misadventures. We should always move on. We should always keep moving forward…