Shadowland
Chapter 14
The Path Unwinding
I am not Walter Disney, nor am I related to Disney in any way. The characters Simba, Nala, Mufasa, Sarabi, Kiara, Kovu, Zira, Vitani, Nuka, Sarafina, Zazu, Scar, Rafiki, Timon, Pumbaa, Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed belong to Disney. Mohatu and Thembi belong to other people. All characters in this story, not mentioned here are my own creations.
"The Circle of Life" (opening and closing poems) was taken from Brian Tiemann's Lion King WWW Archive. "The Circle of Life" was written by Tim Rice.
Shadowland, Chapter 13: 'The Path Unwinding is property of Troy Wong, and is not to be resold or posted on any other site without my permission.
"From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
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 great and small on the endless round…"
Three lion years had passed since the fall of Torres, Hezakiah, Scar, and the dark mandrills of Shadowland.
Upon the death of Scar, the ground has shaken greatly, and the Grey Mountains had come crashing down. Animals from all over the continent had heard the call, and rushed to Shadowland.
Utopia River's water flow had increased hugely over the past few years. The sun was shining high in the sky, and the clouds had turned from grey to white, like they had been cleansed. Now, everything was normal. It was hot in the dry reason, and it rained in the wet season.
Of course, the hyenas had eventually learnt the truth about Sapphire and Coyle's identities. But that was only after they had learnt the full story of Hezakiah's betrayal. Coyle had made sure of it. And so, the peace was kept.
Kyomaraju, the little wildebeest child had grown into a strong female, who was perfect to fit the role of her tribe's seer. She had overcome her injuries and barriers, and now she was feeling better and more energetic than she had ever been.
Charlotte missed her parents dearly, even to that day. But she knew that the one who had caused their untimely deaths had gotten what he deserved, and she was smart enough not to let it get into her way. Her father had been different in taking the role of the tribe's leader. Normally, bull elephants would not reach the top of the ladder, or even stay with their child to help raise them. Now Charlotte had taken his place as the leader. The herd was living peacefully.
The meerkats of the Mesa tribe had migrated to Shadowland, too. Jasmine and Robert had ended up together in the end, following Chilli's strange change of heart. Against Julia's hope and, quite possibly, dreams, Troy and Stella were still arch enemies. But that was no worry, because nobody liked Julia. Levi and Ruby grew together over time, eventually having their own children, all as rambunctious and playful as Levi, and as good looking as Ruby.
Coyle had become the shaman he was always destined to be; the Second Shaman of Claw. He had learned of the history of the Pridelands, from the ventures of Timon and Pumbaa to the betrayal of Zira. He found out about the laws of King Mohatu, Greatest and Highest King that ever ruled. But most important of all, he learnt of the Great Circle of Life. His day-to-day job was to assist the other shamans on errands and act as an ambassador for everyone else in the land. And whenever someone stepped out of their place, Coyle was always there to keep things in order, by the rules of the Circle of Life.
Gharah had made an astonishing recovery, returning to her throne as the best huntress in the pride. And whose pride was it now? It was Daeon and Ryun, because, without them, Torres would still be alive. The two of them had had four cubs together- two boys, and two girls. Their names were Mazuri, Kiara, Kanye, and Orion.
Standing around Diego, the leopard that had beaten Torres to death, was like being around royalty. Wherever he went, he would not go unnoticed, and he certainly would not be allowed to pass without hearing many cheers and receiving offerings of food and service. But when this happened, he simply refused to accept whatever the people had to give him. He may have been famous, but he was not going to defy his mother's orders: "Never rely on anyone but yourself."
With new herds in Shadowland, and no one to wreak havoc and cause suffering, life was good. Everyone's troubles had soon melted away. Except for one- except for Sapphire.
She knew very well that Orion had died by her own claws. And she knew very well that Orion had been taken over by an evil spirit that the people knew as Scar. She also knew that she was not the one that killed Orion- the only one to blame was Mufasa. It was just that when he did, he had used her body and strength to do it. And she could not be convinced that it was not her fault.
Over the years, her depression had grown stronger and stronger, until it seemed to take over every aspect of her. She could no longer hunt effectively. She was not nearly as energetic as she used to be; in fact, she would remain in her new den for days at a time, only coming out to eat and drink as little as she needed to survive. Sapphire was lost. All that was left now was a sad emptiness where she used to be.
And inevitably, she soon felt the need for her to end it all.
xxx
Sapphire looked over the ledge of the Gorge to the other side of the canyon. The wind blew softly, bending the hairs of her coat like the lush, green grass she stood on. Even the bottom of the Gorge was now covered with lovely, soft green grass. The small patch in the middle of the chasm had spread so quickly.
She was going to do it. No doubt about that. She was just a little nervous. She had to convince herself. "Just imagine that there's ground there, and keep walking." She told herself, unsure of her own words. But nonetheless, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and took a step forward.
An inch away from the edge, she heard a voice call her name. "Sapphire, stop!" yelled Coyle, running towards her, over the hill.
He halted as he arrived, a metre behind her as he sense her eyes fly open. She stopped on the spot. "What have you come to do, Coyle?" she asked in a low voice. "Have you come to stop me? You know you won't be able to."
Her last statement stopped him dead in his tracks and shut his mouth.
"I heard you." she continued. "I heard you telling Daeon and Ryun… About your vision." Coyle tried to hide a gasp. "You've seen my falling off the cliff before, haven't you?"
He nodded and confirmed it. Then, he paused. "I won't let you do this, Sapphire. You can't. You have other things to live for."
"What?" She began to argue. "My moping around in my den all day? The bland taste of meat? And if not that… Who? Not you… You're always off, traveling, conferencing with the herds! And Daeon and Ryun are too busy running the pride!" she shouted, tears running down her eyes.
"You have Gharah."
"Gharah no longer had time for me." And with that, she screwed her eyes tightly shut, and took a final step.
"No!" exclaimed Coyle. On his command, powerful winds blew against Sapphire, forcing her back onto safe ground.
But she would not give up just like that. As she began to fight the wind, crawling on the ground towards her goal, Coyle did the same. Their pants and outward groans revealed their efforts.
Sapphire reached the edge a second time, and looked over it, lying on the ground. About to pull herself off the edge, Coyle pounced on her. He dragged her back, while she kicked and screamed for him to let her go.
"No! Let me go!" she pleaded, as if her life depended on it, when it was quite obviously the opposite.
"You can't! I promise you, you will not die here, today, Sapphire! You must not!" he shouted over the gusts, dragging her further and further away from the gap in the ground.
"Do not promise things that you cannot make sure…" she commanded, striking Coyle across the face, He winced and withdrew in pain. The gales disappeared immediately upon his injuring.
Sapphire scrambled to her feet, and rushed to the cliff. She did not wait that time. She just leaped. Coyle rushed after her, but he was too late. All he caught was the air filling the spot where Sapphire stood seconds ago.
Daeon rushed over the knoll minutes later to see Coyle bent over on the ground with his face hidden by his arms. He approached slowly, and asked reluctantly, "Where is Sapphire?"
Coyle brought himself to his feet. No longer hidden by the shadows was the fresh scar across the eye that Sapphire had given him. It looked just like the one that Torres had given to him. The one that had been healed upon his supernatural possession, years ago. His eyes were glazed with tears of sadness. He shook his head slowly in response.
"Did it… Happen?"
Coyle nodded miserably. "Yes…" He gave a heavy, sorrowing sigh. "Daeon, I tried so hard. But whatever I did, I couldn't stop it from happening." He looked his friend in the eye. "Why would they give me these visions if it's impossible for me to change anything? Every single premonition I've had… They all came true. Why would they torture me like this?" A single tear ran down his face.
"Perhaps it isn't just by the will of the Great Kings alone that you receive the images that you see. Maybe it takes more than just one."
xxx
And so another of the trio that had brought back the Circle of Life had gone. Sapphire would be missed greatly, but nevertheless, life for others in the land trudged on. And as she joined the Great kings of the Past up above, she was reassured that she would never, ever be forgotten as long as the land survived.
From the day she had arrived on the planet, and stepped into the sun, there was more to see than she could ever see, and more to do than she could ever do. But she had done and seen a fair bit more than many others that she knew. She'd found amazing things. She'd revived the sun and the sapphire sky above Shadowland. The Circle had returned, with its perfect, endless round.
She had found her place on the path unwinding, in the Great Circle of Life.
xxx
Once upon a time lived four cubs. Their names were Mazuri, Kiara, Kanye, and Orion…
They were each others' best friends, and they were siblings, too.
And when their fifth birthdays came, they would have the adventure of their lives…
xxx
"It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life…"
xxx
The End.
And the Beginning.