"This place is beautiful, Thamani would love this.." Kali whispered as he looked up to the sky

"So this Thamani's someone special to you?" Ganaji asked

"How did you…?"

"You were only whispering loud enough for everyone to hear" Ganaji replied

"It's none of your business!" Kali snapped

"I told you my bedtime story about the tree of life" Ganaji said "I think it is just the time to tell me your bedtime story, those scars, how did you get 'em

"I actually don't know" Kali admitted

"You don't?"

"I've had it since when I was a cub" Kali said "I don't really remember everything about my past"

"So you had a memory loss?" Ganaji replied "So you're an amnesiac with brain damage?"

"Watch yourself!" Kali flared up

"So how did you become the so called 'Prince Kali'?" Ganaji asked "Since you have those scars since you were a cub"

Kali sighed "That is a long story…"


A cub, beaten, bruised, slashed, clawed beyond belief, floats down the river, tainting the river red with it's blood, he was barely alive, clinging and clawing to survive. It was horrifying, Rifalme felt sick, what monster would do that?

"This cub he is very injured, maybe I'll take my chances to see if he is still alive" Rifalme muttered to himself as he saw the cub floating in a river...

When he saved the cub he brought it to the Umojelands.

"The cub will be alright, however, his right eye will have poor eyesight," The chimpanzee healer informed Rifalme, "and the scars on his body will be painful so you'll have to give him some tuliza to deal with it"

Rifalme only sighed with relief, the cub was going to survive, but a tiny part of him wandered to the idea that maybe, just maybe that cub was marked for death for a reason

"The cub is very lucky that it was found by you in time or else it will be dead by now" The chimpanzee interrupted his thoughts

"Well I must say I do have a small spot for little ones.." Rifalme grinned

Few days have passed, and the cub finally woke up in Rifalme's den with no memory of his past

"Oh, you're finally awake, I almost thought you are actually dead" Rifalme said to the cub, "How are you feeling?"

The cub didn't respond, but he slowly observed his surroundings

"You are in the Umojelands, and you are safe here." Rifalme calmly said, "May I ask you what your name is and how you got such a huge injury for a cub?"

"I don't know but it hurts…" The cub sobbed

"Well just take a rest, you can stay here" Rifalme sighed, "I'll go look for food"

"The cub doesn't know himself and lost his memory because on whatever happened to him," Rifalme pondered, "Maybe I can take advantage of this."

Months has passed the cub is fully "healed" and able to walk, Rifalme had trained him on how to defend himself everyday and the cub just did just as he said, with the cub convinced that with these trainings, what happened to him will not happen again

"Do you know who my real parents are?" The cub asked

"I don't know," Rifalme replied "But whoever they are, they're probably the ones who did this to you"

"Are you saying my parents are evil and did this to me?" The cub asked

"Yes little one and I saved you from that nightmare" Rifalme added

"Well, do you know about my old home?" The cub asked

"I wish I could, little one, but do you want to go home? Your parents would probably do this to you again. Don't worry, I will raise you and treat you as my son," Rifalme answered, "You have my word"

"If that's the case… then, I'm proud that you found me" The cub said

"Oh little one, you will be such a great warrior" Rifalme replied "And you better prepare for the fight tomorrow, I know you won't disappoint"

A day has passed and the cub is about to fight other cubs for dominance.

"I know you can do this" Rifalme said

Rifalme's cub entered the arena, with many cubs ready, all baring their fangs, with their claws ready. Nobody would think about the sickly, scar-ridden cub to win. When the fighting began, the cub stayed back while the others rip each other apart, conserving his energy, and only when there was a few cubs left did he join the fighting, and he took the victory, much to everyone's surprise

"I am very proud of you little one" Rifalme said

"Thanks, but it was very hard and it kinda hurt" The cub replied

"Oh, little one, that's just part of your first fight you will be such a great warrior"

"Therefore, you must be known as.."

Kali

"You will be one of the fiercest warrior this pride has ever seen as my son, and you shall be declared as a prince"

A few weeks later, Kali had a brother named Ruudhi which Rifalme found as an abandoned cub, however unlike Kali Rifalme saw Ruudhi as nothing but a useless little brat.

"Oh look it's the ugly lioness" Ruudhi teases

"Ruudhi, not you again just leave me alone!" Thamani hissed

"Why should I?" Ruudhi teased

"Leave her alone" Kali showed up

"Oh Kali come on, we were just playing" Ruudhi said

"I heard what I heard, now can you leave?" Kali sighed

"Alright, fine! You always ruin the fun" Ruudhi said before leaving

"Oh, hey there, you ok?" Kali asked

"Yeah I am, thanks to you" Thamani turned to face Kali, only to be surprised "Wait are you the Prince? I-I'm sorry that i wasted your time, I-"

"It's fine I have nothing to do anyways, so what's your name?" Kali asked

"T-Thamani" Thamani said

"Well nice to meet you" Kali greeted

"Well it's nice to meet you, but I have to go" Thamani said

"Wait" Kali commanded

"W-what is it?" Thamani asked

"Since, uh, Ruudhi is bullying you… umm can we be friends? I'll protect you" Kali cursed himself, why would anyone say yes to that awkward introduction? Stupid, stupid, stupid

"Y-you will protect me?" Thamani asked, much to Kali's surprise

"Yes I will" Kali answered

"Well it's nice of you… sure" It must've been Kali's imagination, but it looked like Thamani… blushed

"I promise I'll protect you from him you will never be bullied again" Kali must've been blushing, because his face felt hot


Ever since then Kali and Ruudhi have grew up to be adult lions serving the emperor. But the emperor wasn't Rifalme at the time, it was his older brother who was the king he was loyal to him until...

"Brother, I'm saying that this pride could have more, we could be the strongest pride the world has ever knew, an empire, a force to be reckoned with" Rifalme said

"No Rifalme, that is a violation of the circle of life! Every kingdom must be balanced!" The older lion replied, "I thought you knew better, Rifalme"

"Well, Mzee, just think about it we could be more than what we are no-"

"Rifalme!" Mzee roared, "You will purge your thoughts of this matter, I am not invading other kingdoms without reason."

"We could restore peace to other prides if we united all prides and every animal in one land war will be nothing but a relic of the past" Rifalme added

"Rifalme, if you truly want peace, then do it in the form of diplomacy" Mzee shook his head, "If you were to invade other kingdoms, what will the animals think? Not only are you promoting bloodshed, but those under your reign will surely rebel against you"

"I see there's no convincing you" Rifalme sighed in defeat

"If I can't convince him... then I have no choice but to do it by force" Rifalme whispered

Rifalme just had the perfect plan to dispose his brother with someone like Kali in his side that is loyal to him...

However he needs to find some alternative soldiers to dispose his weak brother, he can't just use the pride's own army as it might turn against him and he needed something different… different like the hyenas

"What a nice place you have here" Rifalme greeted, "it's a shame that it doesn't have the food to provide all of you"

"And who are you? " a female hyena asked

"Well I'm here to offer a proposal, I find you and your clan a better place especially for food" Rifalme replied

"Well last time we did an agreement with a lion, he backstabbed us!" Banzai said

"I won't betray you, if I dispose my brother, I will be the king and I will grant your clan a free pass to my pride which is a better place for food" Rifalme replied

"Well, we heard of a similar situation before… Now scram before we eat you" Shenzi said threatening the outsider lion

"Do you really think your clan will survive in this hellhole?!" Rifalme snarled "I am giving you an opportunity to have a better life, but if that's the case then I'll just leave you guys here to rot"

"I hate to say it but this new guy might be our only chance" Banzai said informing the hyena matriarch "With Simba as our enemy and Zira planning to wipe us out, I dont think we have a choice…"

Shenzi thought about it and he might be right even though this lion is similar to Scar with his story he could help them get out of the outlands and escape

"Hold it!" Shenzi said trying to stop the lion from leaving

"Hmm, it seems like you have a change of heart" Rifalme chuckled

"We will come with you" Shenzi growled, "but if you're anything like that previous lion we served, well let's say we ate him… alive."

"Looks like we have a deal" Rifalme replied

Rifalme has set up the plan to kill his weak brother and have the throne by himself to expand the empire he expected it would be one of the strongest especially with someone like Kali on its side who he treated as his own son

"It's just perfect we will be one of the strongest empires the world has ever seen and not even the great kings of the past from above can stop us" he thought

Rifalme has spotted the king and his family alone in a tree just like what he expected he doesn't want anyone in the pride to see what he is about to do even Kali

"Oh hey brother, it's nice to see you… Alone" Rifalme greeted

"Hello, brother, I didn't know you were going this way" Mzee replied

"Well… brother as you can see, I am not alone" Rifalme smiled

Hyenas emerged from seemingly nowhere, completely surrounding the king

"Brother!" Mzee roared, "What is the meaning of this?!"

"Oh brother, you became so weak, you aren't willing to be stronger"

"Is this about your suggestion?" Mzee growled, "Because that is no way to become stronger, you have lost your way, Brother, You have disgraced our father with this foolish action, and you have disappointed me"

The whole hyena clan laughed, but Mzee paid no heed to them, he had to think fast, even if he did not survive, the queen of this nation has to. Else nobody will stop his megalomaniac brother

"I'll distract them, you run" Mzee whispered to his queen but Rifalme noticed it

"ATTACK, don't let any of them escape!" Rifalme exclaimed

Mzee and his wife put up a valiant effort, but they were simply overwhelmed, their struggle ultimately pointless. Mzee was barely clinging on to life, bloodied, bruised and exhausted, his wife laid motionless just a few feet from him.

"Brother, I never knew… you'd go to such extreme lengths for greed. The lust for power has taken over your mind" Mzee said

"Oh Mzee, it's simply just for the good of the pride to have a strong king…" Rifalme replied

"So you decided to kill me for your view of peace… very well then, Brother" Mzee chuckled, "Then go, follow your convictions. You have killed me for it, after all"

And with that the king closed his eyes, never to open them again. It is done… Rifalme's goal is close to reality


"It is a tragedy… to lose the king and queen... He was my brother and served as a good king for this kingdom ..." Rifalme announced with a fake sad tone with the lionesses mourning

"To rise from the ashes of this tragedy it is with a heavy heart that i assume control, with Kali as my heir... which would start a NEW ERA and a NEW ORDER together we will rise AS A NEW EMPIRE WITH A STRONG AND GLORIOUS FUTURE" Rifalme announced as the lionesses roared

Kali listened to Rifalme's speech which was a historical moment ever since then his father have become the king with him as the heir.

"It really is a tragic event isn't it Kali?" Thamani asked

"It is, Thamani" Kali answered

"Well, as long as we are together I will always be happy" Thamani said nuzzling to Kali

Kali and Thamani have been partners for 3 months, feeling deep love for each other. Thamani first saw Kali during his performance on his first fight and was impressed, developing a small crush on him, they were always the best of friends it was only a matter of time they fall in love.

"It is a great view here isn't it? Kali asked

"Yes, it is, especially with the stars" Thamani answered

"Stars? Why do I feel like…" Kali thought to himself, he tried to recall that memory, a memory buried deep, something about the stars, but it was no use, he can't seem to recall

"Well I'm glad you're enjoying this view I found" Kali replied

"Well, what do you think about raising our cubs and showing them this view" Thamani added

"What?! C-Cubs?!"

"Kali.. I'm pregnant" Thamani chuckled

"Pregnant?? Me?? A father?" Kali said

"Yes Kali, I am sure that you'll be a good father" Thamani insisted

"I-I... This is a surprise.. I don't know.." Kali said "But I'll try my best"

3 months later, Thamani has given birth to a new cub. It was a special day for Kali, for he is now a father.

"He looks beautiful" Thamani said

"He does" Kali replied "So what should we name him?"

"Matu"

"That's a great name" Kali said


"Kali, you and I will rule the kingdom, you will be my heir" Rifalme said "For now you shall be in charge for our upcoming conquest"

"It really is an honor Rifalme...But I don't want to.. " Kali replied

"What do you mean?!" Rifalme asked

"Thamani just gave birth to my cub… I'm going to be a father" Kali replied

"You had a cub?!?" Ruudhi spat

"I know it's a surprise... I should have told you two earlier" Kali said

"Well, it is a surprise, congratulations, Kali" Rifalme replied

"Uh, what about the-"

"Don't you worry about that," Rifalme smiled, "Now off you go."

"T-thanks.." Kali hesitantly said before leaving

"You're just letting him be?!" Ruudhi snapped

"Of course not" Rifalme replied "Thamani and the cub has to be disposed of, this isn't supposed to happen!"

"Di-disposed them?" Ruudhi asked, "Do you know what you're saying?"

"Yes Ruudhi, I know it may be hard to hurt your brother's feelings" Rifalme said "But this has to be done, for the good of the kingdom"

"But what if he found out?" Ruudhi said

"He won't" Rifalme replied "I'll set up the hyenas and frame them. It's about to time to get rid of those beasts"

"...As you wish..."


"So how did he react?" Thamani asked

"It went great" Kali replied "But Ruudhi was kinda mad about it…"

"Kali!" A bird called

"What is it?" Kali asked

"Kali!" A bird called "Emperor Rifalme requests your appearance"

"What is it about?" Kali asked

"About succession" The bird replied "You have retired correct? You get to pick your successor"

"Well looks like you have to go" Thamani said "It's fine I'll take care of him"

"Just be safe," Kali replied then he turned to the bird, "Lead the way"


"I must say, he would have been a great father" Ruudhi showed up

"Ruudhi? What are you doing here?" Thamani asked

"On a search to find the threat to our kingdom" Ruudhi replied "Which is you"

"Me?!" Thamani was bewildered, "What did I do?"

A dozen of lionesses suddenly getting ready to kill a mother and a cub

Thamani gently bit the neck her cub and ran away. What is exactly is happening? What did she do? How is she a threat? Something is amiss here, but there was no time for thinking, only running. But soon she found herself cornered.

"No escape now!" Ruudhi said while the lionesses surrounded her

"Ruudhi, what is this supposed to mean?" Thamani asked "What have I done to be a threat?"

"Well it's something about Kali, you… him… having a cub together. That is the threat to the kingdom" Ruudhi replied "We cannot allow Kali to retire just yet, so what better way to dispose of his reasons to retire"

"That's wrong!" Thamani hissed "You cannot control his life forever!"

"Well, I'm afraid this is what I have to do" Ruudhi looked pained, "For the greater good…"

An opening! Just the opportunity she was looking for, in midst of Ruudhi's foolish hesitation, she leaped over him and ran.

"AFTER HER!" Ruudhi bellowed

There was no time, she had to go to the last remaining ally she had, one she had completely trust.

"Mheetu!" Thamani called

"Thamani?" Mheetu woke up in a jolt, "W-What are you doi-"

"Mheetu, can you please take care of him?" Thamani begged

"What?!"

"Please, the kingdom wants him gone" Thamani sobbed "I'll do anything for him to survive"

"Okay, calm down," Mheetu reassured her, "Why does the kingdom want him gone?"

"They want Kali to stay at his role, Matu is the reason why he wanted to retire" Thamani replied "Please promise me... Keep him safe, don't to it for me, do it for him"

"...I'll keep him" Mheetu said

"Thank you so much"

Thamani then gave one last lick to her son and ran away. As she did, he saw Mheetu taking the cub with him and running away in the opposite direction.

"Smart thinking" she thought, but she herself was in big trouble

"I must say, Thamani, I'm impressed that you managed to survive this long" Ruudhi chuckled after finally finding her

"Do it then, Ruudhi, kill me!" Thamani replied, "You don't have the guts to do it."

"Where is the cub?" Ruudhi growled

"He is safe, safe from you, and the empire!" Thamani snapped

"Very well then, it won't take long to find him" Ruudhi sighed

"Finish her.."

Alot of lionesses attacked Thamani and killed her, throwing her body into a river


"So who will be your successor?" Rifalme asked

"Ruudhi, I think he'll do fine, I trust him" Kali replied

"Very well"

"KALI!" Ruudhi showed up

"Ruudhi what is it?" Kali asked

"I-Its Thamani the hyenas attacked her. I tried to defend her, I…" Ruudhi exclaimed

"Thamani…" Kali murmured "WE HAVE TO GO NOW!"

Kali tried to find her but Thamani and his cub is gone, he looked hard enough but there is no sign of her or his Matu. Kali cursed the heavens and earth, why is the universe so cruel… Oh his poor Thamani

"Kali, its the hyenas" Rifalme said "Depose them to avenge her"

"I need to find her first!" Kali snapped

"It is a lost cause Kali" Rifalme said "Dark times happen, For now you must consider avenging her by deposing the hyenas"

Kali didn't want to agree but he is right, his son is gone, Thamani is gone...

"Kill them…" Kali calmly said "Make. Them. Suffer"

"As you wish" Rifalme chuckled

Ever since then the hyenas have been massacred by Kali's army in the most brutal way, the hyenas have been stabbed in the back by another lion but this time they didn't have a chance to fight back

"Well it is done" Rifalme said "Now you may rest"

"No… I won't retire" Kali said with a cold voice

"But you have already decided.." Rifalme replied

"She is gone.. My son is gone..." Kali sobbed "I failed to be a father"

"Kali you must understand that it isn't your fault" Rifalme comforted "The hyenas killed her, it's not your fault"

"I failed to protect them…" Kali sobbed, "I failed…"

"And you should take that as a lesson" Rifalme replied "Mistakes happen Kali, but you shouldn't suffer because of one mistake, you must learn from it"

Kali gave no answer, only drying his eyes.

"So I must ask, what is your decision?" Rifalme asked

"I'll stay, I won't retire" Kali looked towards his father with eyes of determination "I'll serve the empire"


"Bravo… That was a great story" Ganaji chuckled, "Would tell it to my children"

Kali sighed "To this day, I still blame myself. I never even had a chance to hear my son say his first word…"

"Nothing can be more painful than a parent burying it's child" Ganaji said

"I didn't find their body" Kali replied "I couldn't even bury them."

"Well I must I say I am impressed" Ganaji said "You defied expectations, from a sickly and injured young cub, to one of the empire's most feared warriors… Respect"


"Dad?"

"Yes Matu?"

"Have you ever met my real parents? What were they like?" Matu asked

"Your parents… they are good lions" Mheetu replied, "Kind and compassionate… why do you ask?"

"I really want to meet them.." Matu said

"Matu… I'm sure they would be proud if they are here right now" Mheetu replied

"They would?"

"Yes they would" Mheetu replied "Matu just think about it like this, they sacrificed their life for you. They love you very much"

"I guess…"

"Matu, look up to the stars," Mheetu smiled, "They are always watching…"

I hope you are watching, Thamani, I will keep your cub safe, I swear it on my life


Co written by Rheo Elpis

Translations:

Thamani = worthless

Matu = Hope