Saga didn't stop running until he stumbled over a tree limb and crashed into the earth, rolling several times before coming to a stop. Maten had to jump over him to avoid a similar fate, but because his legs were too tired to catch his weight when he landed they buckled. They both lay on the savannah ground, panting heavily but smiling. They had escaped death.
When Maten felt he could stand again, he slowly gathered himself to his paws and looked at Saga. His eyes were still somewhat clear, but he could sense the insanity would return soon. Something about the animal and the thunder was slowly driving him deeper into whatever void his injury had caused. Maten had to learn how to use this to his advantage; when Saga began to slip into another episode Maten had to get him to teach how to teach him to kill. But for now, he had to start small. There were more things he needed to learn besides simply killing. He needed to learn how to become a lion.
"Saga?"
He didn't move for a long moment, seeming to be staring at something in the distance. Maten hesitated before he laid a paw on the lion's black mane.
"Saga?"
Saga jumped up with a startled roar, sending Maten scrambling backwards. Saga stared at the small lion, blinking a few times, and then he shook his head quickly. Maten held his breath before asking more quietly.
"Saga?"
The eyes focused on him, the face not seeming to recognize him. But after the massive head shook again the look faded to one of concern as the brown eyes studied his head.
"You're missing a piece of your ear."
Maten reached a paw up, but withdrew it with a yelp as he stupidly touched the wound. A puddle, the remains of a small watering hole, provided him with a mirror. Indeed, a piece of his right ear was missing. After a moment he smirked, enjoying how it made him look like a warrior. He ducked his head into the water and washed the blood off his face then turned from the puddle and moved back to Saga. He would gloat over the wound later; for now, duty called.
"Maten, you wanted to ask me something?"
Maten sat next to him, staring levelly across the plains. Somewhere out there was Pride Rock and Simba. He growled deep in his throat, turning his soft blue eyes to Saga.
"I want you to train me, Saga. Train me to become a true lion, a king. And then I want you to teach me how to kill."
Saga started, starting into his calm expression. He knew that Maten wasn't referring to killing antelope and zebra. The king in him said no and refused to have any part in the murder of another king. But the insanity slowly returning to his brain assured his alternate persona that the King of the Kuborn Pride had died with the rest of the pride, and the new Saga desired nothing more than to raise the young lion to be a killer. He knew they would have to leave for him to be successful, or else they ran the risk of Kovu finding them.
Saga grinned and Maten noticed lines of blood creeping back into his eyes. He got up and began to continue in the direction they had been running at a much slower pace. Maten hesitated then ran to catch up, confused. His worry became elation when Saga's deep voice rumbled out a simple question.
"Can you stalk?"