The Lion Guard: Hidden Secrets
Chapter 7: A Gift from the Heart
"There you two are." Baliyo said, impatiently.
Nirmala and Umren approached the pass where the other two stood waiting.
"We thought we were going to have to go looking for you this time." Surak teased. "We waited at the Tree for a time but when you didn't show we figured we'd come here."
"We actually were helping another animal. So that makes three rescues for us tonight. What about you two, anything interesting happen? You know, besides falling off a cliff." Nirmala shot back.
Baliyo let out a grumble and frowned. Surak just chuckled "Nothing of worth to report. Let's head back to the tree, dawn is breaking.
The group left the pass together and made their way back to the Tree of Life as the suns light made its first dull appearances above the mountain tops. Umren bid them a good rest and asked to have them all come find him after they awoke so he could examine their marks. The three lions then went to head off to their resting spots.
"Nirmala." Umren called out. She turned. "I enjoyed patrolling with you. Perhaps I could accompany you again sometime?"
She smiled warmly. "I look forward to it." With that she left him at the entrance to the Tree's cave.
Umren entered the cave to find Kion, Rani, Simba, Kiara, and Kovu all begining to rise as they cleared the sleep from their eyes.
"Good morning to you all." He said.
Kion let out a big yawn. "Good morning Umren."
"How did the rest of your patrol go?" Asked Rani.
"It went well. There was one small matter. A bird named Leela had fallen from her nest and hurt her wing, but she is better now."
"She didn't need healing?"
"Oh, she did. But remember I am able to heal with the Moyo Staff. There was no need to bring her here."
"Ah, that's right. It is quite amazing all the things you can do."
"I am no one special your majesty, I am but a mere man. It is the Tree that deserves the credit."
"And yet it is only through you that these powers can be used, so thank you."
Umren gave a short bow. "You are welcome."
Simba was glancing around the cave. "Has anyone seen Nala?"
They all looked around, but Umren just grinned. "I think I know where to find her."
They followed him down into the Moyo Chamber where Nala sat in front of the Spirit Well staring down into its clear water. She turned as she heard them enter. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I just didn't know where else to find you, but when you weren't here I figured…"
Umren held up a hand. "No need to explain Nala. I know why you're here."
She nodded. "Thank you."
Umren walked passed her as the rest gathered around the Spirit Well. Once again he whispered the name of her first born to the heart of the Tree of Life and touched it to the waters surface. With a flash of green light and a ripple of water Kopa appeared them.
"Did you all sleep well?" Kopa asked.
This time Rani let out a yawn. "Some of us better than others."
Simba, Nala, Kiara, and Kovu had looks of confusion. Kion smirked. "We had a little rescue mission to attend last night. Everything work out though."
"Well I'm glad you are all back. I can't wait to hear more stories." Kopa said excitedly.
"I'll leave you all to reminisce while I stand at the entrance. I don't feel like causing a disturbance again by moving the stone. Take as much time as you need." Umren walked off to stand at the opening of the Moyo Chamber. He didn't want anyone intruding on the family's precious time. Plus, no one else could know about the Well unless it was necessary. The members of the royal family were already able to converse with spirits before they knew about the Spirit Well. This just allowed them to have a longer amount of time with them. But if everyone knew about the Well he would end up being a full time spirit caller. Not to mention the danger it could cause if the wrong spirit were called upon.
He could still overhear the group down in the chamber. Kiara was telling a story of how Simba and Nala had left her in charge for a day but Kion didn't like it and then something about him and the Lion Guard getting stung by bees. Though he couldn't see him, Umren could hear the laughter coming from young Kopa. It really was unfair that his life had been stolen from him before he had truly begun to live in this world. Now the only time he could be with his family was here, and that had its limitations. Even though they could see and speak with each other they were still worlds apart. Thinking on it reminded him of his parents and how much he missed them. Now that he was awake he would have to find a time to meet with them.
His thoughts were interrupted as Nala called up to him. "Umren, will you join us a moment?"
Umren gave a look up into the cave to make sure they were still alone inside the Tree and then walked back down to the group. He could see none of them wore a particularly happy expression, even Kopa looked grim. "Is something wrong?"
Nala spoke. "It has been more than we could have hoped for, having the opportunity to speak with Kopa again. But Kiara, Kovu, Simba, and I must return to the Pridelands. This will be our last day here at the Tree of Life. I… we need to know if there is any possible way we can still speak with Kopa when we return home." Her eyes were pleading.
Umren glance to Simba, but his gaze was down cast. He did not hold out much hope that this question of Nalas would be answered favorably. He then looked to the heart of the Tree that rested within the protective layer of twisted roots that, although separate from the body, still belonged to the Tree. An idea began to form and at the same time a series of new sigils entered his mind.
The group became concerned as Umrens eyes glowed the same green as the heart.
"Is he okay?" Kopa asked.
"Umren!" Rani Shouted.
Umren blinked, his eyes returning to normal and regarded then with a hopeful expression. "Five seconds ago I would have said there was no other way to speak with him except through the Well. It's risky, but now I have an idea and the Tree has reviled to me new sigils that will not only make it so you can speak with Kopa in the Pridelands, but it will allow you to take him with you.
Everyone's eyes went wide. Nala went slack jawed and Simba's head shot up so fast Umren thought it might come off.
Kopa on the other hand just looked confused. "How could I go with them? I'm just a spirit. I don't even have the ability to view into the world of life."
But Umren didn't answer. He simply said he would be right back, leaving the others still dumbfounded. He returned shortly, holding a small acorn. "This will be the vessel by which Kopa will be able to travel the world of life again, so to speak. You see I can draw your spirit from the Well into this acorn. It is a piece of the Tree of Life to which your spirit is already linked, Kopa. You do not have the strength to appear in the sky by holding the clouds together so you need the concentrated water from the Well. Your spirit will be drawn in with the water that is pulled from the Well and into the acorn through the use of one of the sigils I was given. Though this would only allow your spirit to travel within the boundaries of the kingdom of the Tree of Life since leaving the kingdom and the reach of the Tree would cause the acorn to die."
"What would happen if the acorn died with his spirit inside?" Simba asked, concerned.
"Umren looked troubled. "I do not know for sure. That is why this is risky. It is possible that if the acorn were to die his spirit would become trapped between the world of life and the spirit world. He would become a ghost. What I do know is that the only way for Kopa to go back to the spirit world is for the water to be returned to the Well, and he will have to return. This is not a permanent solution to bringing Kopa back into the world of life."
"Why not?" Kiara asked.
"Because a spirit cannot exist in this world permanently without a living body. However, just as a mother can support more than one live for a time while she is pregnant, so too can Kopa's spirit and the acorn be temporarily supported by one of your bodies. That is what the second sigil will be for."
Nala stepped forward. "I will do it. I am his mother and once carried him in my womb. I know what it's like to support another life and I will carry his spirit with me now."
"I admire your courage and determination Nala, but this will not fall on your shoulders alone. It will be a long journey back to the Pridelands. Simba, Kiara, and Kovu, you must all be willing to carry Kopa's spirit for a time if this is going to work. Aside from that, the only one who will be able to communicate with Kopa directly is the one who is carrying his spirit. None of you will be able to see him, but the one who carries his spirit will have his presence joined within their mind. Kopa will be able to see what you see and hear what you hear. So you all can speak to him but his responses will be relayed through the one whom his spirit is connected with at the time. Now, are you all willing to help carry Kopa's spirit?"
"Wait." Kovu interrupted before any of them could respond. "If Kopa is joined with our mind does that mean he will have complete access to our personal thoughts? Not that I have anything to hide, but we all have personal stuff that should not be imposed upon unless we wish it."
Umren smiled knowingly. "Your concern is genuine. And I would imagine Kopa would not want to intrude on anything you all did not want to share with him anyway, am I right?" He asked, looking to the young Prince.
Kopa nodded. "I'm excited about the possibility of traveling with you all, but I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable."
Umren nodded in return and then focused back on the lions before him. "While Kopa is sharing your mind and body he will have access to facts, but not feelings. For example, Kovu, if Kopa joins with you he will become aware of those you know. He will know everyone you know, but not how you feel about them. He will have no idea whether you consider them friend, family, or foe. Feelings and emotions belong to the heart, and therefore the soul. These parts cannot be accessed by another spirit unless it is shared with them willingly."
"Seems weird." Kovu remarked, but then saw the pleading looks of the rest of the family. He let out a long breath. "But I don't want to hold back Kopa from getting the chance to experience life again." 'Especially since it was my own mother who stole his life in the first place.' He thought, and then put on a reassuring smile. "I'm in!"
"Me too!" Kiara excitedly agreed.
Simba and Nala shared a look of hope and determination. Simba said; "He is our son, of course we will carry him with us. He is already a part of our hearts."
Umren turned back to Kopa, as did the rest of the group. Umren said; "This is ultimately your choice Kopa. Your family has agreed to share their body and strength with you. However, if something goes wrong the consequences will be yours. If your spirit becomes disconnected from your family before you are returned to the Well you could be trapped between worlds and left completely alone."
Kopa was a little concerned but as he looked at the faces of his loving family he was given confidence. He wanted his second chance in the world of life, even if it was only temporary. Giving Umren a look of total assurance he said; "I'll do it."
Umren turned to Kion. "Will you go fetch Rafiki. He must know about this as well."
Kion nodded and headed out of the chamber.
"Umren?" Kopa asked from the Well.
"Yes Kopa?"
"You said the only way I can speak with someone directly is if I'm connected with their mind, and if someone else wishes to talk with me whatever I say has to be repeated by whomever I'm sharing minds with at the time, right?"
"Yes, aside from seeing and hearing you won't have any control over the other person's body."
"Am I aloud to be connected to someone who isn't currently in this room?" Kopa looked a little uneasy asking this question.
Umren pondered this a moment and then caught Simba smiling warmly at his son. He looked to Umren. "He wants to be able to speak to Vitani… privately."
Kopa's face turned scarlet. "It's just… well… I miss her. And it would just be…" He sighed. "really awkward to talk to her through you guys."
Umren frowned in concern. "Everyone here has sworn an oath upon the binding sigil so they cannot speak of what they have witnessed in this chamber. Vitani is not here and cannot take the oath. I cannot risk the Well and its ability to be discovered. If she finds out how you came back what's stopping her from telling someone else? What's stopping you from telling her all that has happened here if you are joined with her mind?"
Kopa was stern. "I swear to not reveal anything about the spirit world, the Well, you, or anything that happens here. Just please allow me to be with her one last time."
The outside edges of the Well shimmed a green light as he finished and then faded.
"What was that?" Rani asked.
Umren looked pleased. "A spirit within the Well cannot lie. Kopa just gave his own oath that binds him without the use of a sigil. Kopa, with your promise you will be able to be connected with whomever you wish."
"Alright!" He said excitedly and his image bounced around within the Well.
"Come on Rafiki." They heard Kion say from outside the chamber
"Yes yes, I'm coming. What is all the fuss about?" Rafiki grumbled as the both entered the room.
"Good, everyone's here." Umren was about to place his hand on the sigil that would roll the stone back over the opening but paused. "One moment." He walked out of the chamber and to the front of the stone. They saw a green flash before he returned back to the sigil on the wall. He placed his hand on the sigil and they watched as the stone rolled its way to close off the chamber without a sound. "That's better."
They looked at him with puzzled expressions.
"I placed a silencing sigil on the stone. Honestly it should have been done ages ago."
Rani cocked an eyebrow. "Do you have a sigil for everything?"
Umren chuckled. "Look up there." He pointed to the ceiling where the green symbols were scattered everywhere across the wood surface that was the Tree of Life. "Every sigil that has ever been reviled to a Mlezi is recorded within the chamber. Which reminds me." Umren reach up with the Moyo Staff and touched it in two different places on the ceiling above. Two new sigils appeared where he had place the staff. "As you can see there are many and each help solve a problem that would otherwise be impossible. But there are many problems in the world, far more than the sigils you see above you. Though the Tree continues to provide solutions when necessary." He looked back down and over to Kopa. "Without the Tree, none of what we're about to do would be possible."
"And what is it you are planning to do?" Rafiki asked a bit annoyed.
Umren explained their plan and the roll Rafki would need to take.
Rafiki rubbed his chin. "So the boy can only be bonded to someone for a single day and you want me to make sure his spirit is transferred regularly so as not put strain on the ones he's connecting with."
"Precisely." Umren confirmed.
"This is astonishing! Who would have though a spirit would ever be able to return to the world of life!" Rafiki exclaimed.
"It is only temporary." Umren warned. "Kopa's spirit must return here before the dry season begins. That is a hard time on everyone. And no one, no matter how strong, will be able to support his spirit during that time."
They all nodded their agreement.
"Then let us begin." Umren brought the Moyo Staff up and a single root unwound itself from the heart. Umren plucked it from the staff. He then took the acorn and, with the small piece of root, began to etch one of the sigils onto its surface. Green light emanated around the point as he wrote. When the first sigil was complete he took off the top of the acorn and knelt beside the Well. He looked to the young lions image wavering in the clear water. "Are you ready?"
"Kopa was determined. "Ready!"
Umren dipped the acorn into the water. "Touch it." He instructed.
Kopa's image reached a paw out to touch the acorn and was abruptly drawn into the small brown shell. Umren brought the acorn out of the water and placed the top back on. It began to glow just like the heart of the Tree. He quickly took the piece of root and inscribed the second sigil upon the acorns surface. As he finished the root bonded with the acorn and began to grown. It grew thick and long until Umren was able reconnect it back to itself, making a large loop. He then handed it to Rafiki. "Place it over the head of the one who wishes to carry him."
Nala stepped up to Rafiki. "I will be first." She said, and no one challenged her.
Rafiki placed the acorn and its holder around her head and let it fall gently on her neck so that the acorn rested on her chest, near her heart. She let out a faint cry and straightened as the glow of the acorn ceased.
"Nala, are you okay?" Simba asked, concerned as he came up beside her.
A tear streaked down her face. "He's here, he's with me." She looked up at Umren, her eyes wet. "Thank You. Thank you so much. My boy can finally come home again."
Authors Note
I hope you all are enjoying this and it's not becoming too strange or confusing. Also, I want to apologize for how long it's taken to update this story. I hadn't realized until I posted chapter 6 that it had been about 6 months! Lots has happened in my life in that time, both good and bad. Though I still enjoy writing this and put in as much time as I can writing. It also helps to have support so please continue to review and comment. My next update will be a chapter in my other story. Thanks for reading!