A New Friend

Vikki's head was spinning. The Pains she could feel was near unbearable. She had taken many hits before but the knock she got to her head really put her down. In all her years she never had been knocked out like she was before. Even in the times when she was captured she usually was just grabbed and taken away. But to be knocked out now she understood what it was like to others that happened to them.

"Ah…my head." She groaned as she woke up, but she felt something was off. The Air around her was a chill but with some sense of warmth. She heard the crackle of a fire but that couldn't be as she didn't make a fire. She remembered she was trying to help a stranger that wasn't human against a pack of raptors then the next thing she knew she was hit by one and it managed to knock her out.

She opened her eyes that were nothing but a blur. The Back of her head stung heavily when she rubbed it making her moan.

"Try not to move too much, love. You have had a busy day." A calm voice told her as a furry hand touched her shoulder making, Vikki flinch.

"Don't worry your safe. I won't harm you." The Voice assured as Vikki rubbed her eyes trying to get the blur out of them. Once her vision started to clear up she looked to her left first to see there was a small fire close by with pieces of meat that looked to be nearly well done placed upon sticks that were leaned close to the soft flames.

Vikki noticed she wasn't outside she was sitting in a cave. Stalactites and stalagmites protruded from the floor and hung from the ceiling. Dripping of water drops came from some of the areas. Other than the fire near her the rest of the cave was very dark hardly being able to see out within it. Only a very dim light on one side of the cave shown. That had to be where the entrance to the cave was but the way there was little light meant it had to be sunset. Was she really out for so long?

The Green haired human could feel something furry under her. She had been laying on what appeared to be the fur hide of some animal. It was quite comfortable. Why didn't she think of hunting something that could be useful for more than just food?

But what concerned her the most was the one who was still holding onto her shoulder. She looked to see it was the very one she helped. The Lioness gave her a kind smile. Vikki wanted to believe she didn't mean her any harm, but she couldn't help but remain cautious. There was nothing like her that she had seen before. Vikki may have helped her but that was due to her instincts at safeguarding people in their time of need. Years of military upbringing drove her to help the lioness but would that had been a mistake?

"Who or what are you?" Vikki asked as the pain in her head still rung like a bell.

The Lioness chuckled in surprise. "You ask for my name which I shall gladly give to the one who had helped me. I am Bathsheba, love. But for what I am that is peculiar. Are you unaware of Felidae race?"

"Felidae race?" Vikki inquired still trying to wrap her mind around this. She was talking to something looked to be human but with lion features.

"I am a Felidae. Once part of our many tribes." Bathsheba explained with pride in her voice sitting straight. But her pride faded when a sigh came from her voice. "Sadly, possibly the only one left from my tribe."

"Your tribe?" Vikki asked listening in on Bathsheba. She seemed sincere but her change in tone showed there was a history to her. Something she had to learn about. "May I ask what happened?"

"Many moons ago my tribe took part in a battle that we all came to believe would not even be much of a fight. A Murderer had taken the life of a friend whom our Chief was close with. A Tribe of humans that he owed his life to the King of it had called upon us to assist in him an endeavor to see to it his murdered wife would be avenged." Bathsheba explained her tone becoming grim.

Vikki was regretting to ask now. She didn't mean to bring up an unpleasant memory. "I'm sorry you don't have to tell me that."

Bathsheba shook her head. "It is well. I would like you to know. Our Tribe sided with his and under both banner we would see that the fallen be avenged. However, we underestimated the craftiness the murderer showed. Her power had twisted the hearts and minds of many. We were led right into a trap that we did not see coming. A Battle endured and within a day most of both our forces were utterly wiped out. The Numbers were far too great, and our tribes were massacred. Only a few of us remained."

"Oh, my." Vikki gasped in horror. She noticed many scars on Bathsheba it could have come from such a fight.

"And your one of the few survivors?" She asked feeling great pity for the lioness.

"Yes." Bathsheba nodded. "I was one of the few dozen that survived the fight. We managed to win the battle but with our losses it was not a victory. The One who commanded the force that overwhelmed us was not even there. Little did we know the battle itself was only a distraction."

Bathsheba tightened her fists in rage. "There was another army. A Secondary division that was sent out to lead an attack on the fortress where we built our collection of forces. The Fortress was built in honor of our unity and friendship we had between lions and humans. It was where many of our families came to stay in times of war. With our forces decimated as we were we could not hold back the onslaught of the second army. The Fortress fell and the people within were butchered. Many who never knew war fought for their lives, but many did not survive. During the battle I was shoved into a burning hut, and it all came crashing down on me."

"I can't imagine. How did you escape that?" Vikki asked hardly believing such a horrid tale. She had been through a lot in her life, but this lioness had been through worse. At least Vikki was able to help her people and her world, but it seem Bathsheba lost everything it sounded like.

"I awoke in the rubble. Thankfully the fire did not come near me when I was out. When I managed to pry myself free I could only see what little remained of what was once the culminate center of our friendship. Everywhere I looked I could see my brothers and sisters lay dead around. Their bodies disgraced as our enemy looted. And the Chief of my tribe was among the dead. My great love." She whimpered as the memory haunted her.

"Oh…" Vikki's heart broke at that. Bathsheba didn't need to explain the rest of that. "…I'm truly sorry for your loss."

"Your sympathy is appreciated." Bathsheba smiled at her rubbing Vikki's shoulder affectionately. "Among the dead I could not find the very last light of my life. Throughout the destruction of the fortress, I never found my son. My little cub, Haydar. Nor did I find the King of the humans or his own descendants. If there were not taken prisoner as none of looting soldiers had said anything of anyone being taken my best guess is that anyone who remained had to have fled to the human's domain. The very place the Tribe called their home. It is built as a fortress with only one way in and out. In an open space that anything can be spotted from even a birds eyes view. Not even our enemies would dare attack it as it makes even their great numbers meaningless."

"What is this place?" The Human woman inquired as the story certainly was enlightening and quite horrifying. With the talk of tribes perhaps this world had a lot more to it than first imagined. She did find that old mine in the volcanic area which indicated some form of intelligent life about.

"It called Fire Keep. A Fortress built in lower regions. Humans had constructed a mighty domain that was built around a lake of lava. With only one bridge that goes over the lake itself with great walls protecting the dwellers within nothing can get past such a defense. Not even the one who had caused so much death and destruction." Bathsheba explained.

"So, you think your son was taken there?" Vikki said feeling her heart drop for the lioness. She had suffered so much she didn't want to think she had lost everything.

Bathsheba nodded. "Yes. I feel in my heart he is alive and safe there. If the King had any survivors with him he surely would have taken them with him. He is a generous man. He welcomes anyone in his Kingdom no matter who they are as long as they were not there for ill intentions."

The Lioness heard a sizzle come from the fire she looked over to see the meat she had put on sticks were starting to overcook. She reached over and took the meat away from the fire. She grabbed one of the sticks of meat and handed it to Vikki.

"Here love. You will need to replenish your strength." She offered the well-done piece of meat on a stick to Vikki whose stomach rumbled at the sight of the delicious looking piece of food.

Vikki eagerly took it while Bathsheba's arm moved over to her other shoulder. The Human was a bit uncomfortable with how she was being held by the Lioness, but she wouldn't say anything. She was safe in a cave and being offered food. Sitting on a comfortable set of fur and the Lioness clearly a seasoned veteran but friendly in some perspective.

Bathsheba took hold of a piece of cooked meat on a stick as well. "So, tell me about yourself. Where are you from? I have never seen a human look so pale and your garment while cute as it is never seen something with a pattern like it before."

Vikki blushed slightly from that. Her outfit certainly was embarrassing. A Twisted joke from her own enemy who had exiled her to this world. How was she going to explain this?

"Are you from a village or a separate tribe?" Bathsheba asked taking a bite out of her meal. Vikki ate a piece of the meat she had. It would give her a few seconds to think of a good explanation. She couldn't lie about anything as she needed help desperately.

"Well…you see. I am not from here." Vikki said lowly as that was a poor explanation but how else could she put it?

Bathsheba cocked her head with her eyes showing confusion. "Well, that's obvious, love. But where are you from?"

"What I mean to say is I am not from this place. This entire land. World even. I was banished here." Vikki explained though that only confused the lioness more.

"World? How do you mean?" Bathsheba inquired eating another bite of the meat on the stick she had.

"You see there are portals that can lead to other worlds. Worlds that are different in most perspectives. Do you know of any portals?" Vikki asked. "They stand out looking like gates with glowing-colored auras. You step through them, and you are soon teleported to another world."

Bathsheba shook her head. "I'm afraid not. I have been across these lands on many occasions from hunts to tracking our enemies and on pilgrimages, but I have never seen this…portal you speak of. And you said you were banished. What crime could you have committed?" Bathsheba gripped on Vikki gently. She didn't seem like someone of ill sort. People that are cruel and wicked have a look and scent about them that makes them repulsive and most have hearts of blackness like the enemies she had fought before. Vikki didn't seem like them. She did help her from a pack of raptors. Anyone of lessor being would not have taken such a risk for a stranger.

"That's the point. I didn't commit any crime. I was banished by an enemy of my own. She viewed me as a threat to her plans. As a form of 'respect' due to my past actions against her she captured me. Outfitted me in this garment and then took me through the portal that led to this world. Survival of the Fittest she practically told me before shoving me into a river and destroyed the portal behind her. Thus, trapping me here." Vikki explained slamming a fist on the ground in frustration. She never would forgive that witch for what she had done to her.

"Oh, you poor thing." Bathsheba pitied rubbing Vikki's cheeks sadly. "I am sorry you suffered under someone's cruelty."

"Thanks." Vikki replied smiling a little as it was good to finally have someone comfort her after being alone for so long.

"I haven't seen anyone here since my exile. You're the first person I have seen here other than Dinosaurs." Vikki admitted as she ate the rest of her meat on the stick before tossing it into the fire. Bathsheba handed her another piece of cooked meat.

"Well in these parts there used to be outposts and villages. Many at trade with each other and even some were my own tribe and the King's. But due to our enemy most of the villages have deserted. They flee for the safety of Fire Keep and for those that remain in their lands I fear a grisly fate awaits them as the army is massive and they have patrols about the land. They are relentless and ruthless they slaughter and pillage anything they come across. Its best never to face them alone."

Vikki close her eyes and sighed. "As if I didn't have any more problems to deal with!" She grumbled.

Bathsheba saw the despair in Vikki's eyes. She needed someone to help her. If she truly was an exile in this world then she would need help. "Listen…what is your name?"

"Vikki. Vikki Grimm." The Human answered as Bathsheba held her close. She felt rather awkward that a woman was holding her like that. But she was not going to argue against it. It be unwise to upset someone who's as fierce as she looks. Her story implicated she was a mighty warrior with many scars to show for it.

"Vikki." Bathsheba confirmed licking her lips. "A Strong and rather tasty name." She chuckled while Vikki nervously giggled.

"Why don't you join me on my travel to Fire Keep? I could use the company and when we arrive there may be someone there that could help you find what you're looking for to return home?" She suggested as she finished her meat on the stick gathering another one to eat.

Vikki thought of that for a moment. It was certain she was wandering aimlessly. She had no idea of the world outside the cave. Everywhere there was danger that she barely got away from. She has been without any form of help since her banishment. Bathsheba is the first person she has met and now she was willing help her out by taking her to a place that is safe and may have someone that be able to help her out more. How could she say no to that offer?

The Human smiled at the lioness. "I would love to come with you. I really appreciate this, Bathsheba. Really I do!"

"Think nothing of it. I could use a traveling companion. Someone to help watch my back and you certainly need someone to watch yours too." Bathsheba winked at her making, Vikki chuckle.

"Yeah. Your right. I have been stuck here for awhile now and barely I have survived. I already had to fight a pterodactyl. Almost got eaten by a T-Rex and had travel across a lava enriched lands in my bare feet." Vikki said moving her feet out from under her stretching them over towards the fire letting them warm up.

"And such cute feet you have." Bathsheba teased moving her own feet next to Vikki's brushing one of her clawed toes against, Vikki's skin.

"Hey! Quit that!" Vikki chuckled earning another laugh from the lioness.

"By the way where are we?" The Human asked.

"We are in a cave within the mountain in this jungle. It's a short climb from the grounds. I found this place in my travels and decided to make it my temporary refuge while I stock on food. I was out on a hunt when I carelessly let those raptors pick up on my scent. They always go for something that's alone and without a herd or a group to protect it. They would have eventually gotten the better of me if you hadn't appeared. You have my thanks for your help." Bathsheba moved her head over and nuzzled the side of, Vikki's face.

Vikki gritted her teeth while maintaining a happy look. The Lioness certainly was much a cat as she was. Always having to show affection by touch. She didn't know whether to like it or hate it, but she would not repulse on someone that was going to give her a great amount of help when she was starting to lose hope.

"You're welcome. And you have my thanks for bringing me here and offering to take me with you to this Fire Keep. You have saved my life in doing so." Vikki said smiling as she was very grateful to find someone like Bathsheba even if she was a little affectionate.

"Think nothing of it, Vikki. Its only by helping each other does anyone have a chance by surviving. As it is said in my tribe. The Strong defend the weak. The Weak help build the strong. Only by helping the other can we endure." Bathsheba explained finishing off her meat licking her lips.

"That's a good term there." Vikki smiled as she finished off her meal as well. She looked ahead past the fire to see the sun had gone away. Night had come and she could hear only the roars and cries of the dinosaurs outside the cave.

"I think its best we get some sleep. We have a long journey tomorrow." Bathsheba suggested standing up and kicked dirt over the fire soon snuffing it out leaving the cave in near complete darkness that nearly frightened Vikki by the lack of light, but Bathsheba quickly sat back down next to her.

"Don't worry love. We are just a short climb from the ground and entrance is not big enough for a flyer to get in here." Bathsheba assured pulling Vikki close to her letting her furry body press into Vikki's skin.

Vikki felt very embarrassed to be sitting like this but to have arms wrapped around her protectively was something of a comfort. She only wished it was her lover and not some anthropomorphic animal woman. Bathsheba gently laid Vikki down on the fur pelt on the floor and huddled behind her pulling her in more till their bodies started to warm up each other with their body heat.

The Human's face was aflame in red from embarrassment is what it was like to have to survive out in the wilds with a companion? She had been through battlefields and times had to bunk with people before but never like this and no one other than her love would hold her like this. It was not clear if the Lioness was doing this only for satisfaction or simply she was just trying to help her.

Bathsheba had lost her husband if that is the right term to put it here and now she was trying to find her lost son that hopefully was in safe hands. Vikki did sympathize with her. She had been through a lot and lost so much. She was holding onto hope that she could find what she still had. That was a good drive. Vikki would help her in her endeavor as not only is it the right thing to do but to make it to what sounds like a sanctuary could be the key in helping her find a way to escape this world and make it back home.

"Good night, Vikki." Bathsheba whispered in the human's ear as her hot breath tingled Vikki's skin as she held her close around her waist and arms. "Pleasant dreams to you, love."

Vikki shook from the hot steam from the lioness's breath. This was something she was not going to get use to at all. "Good night, Bathsheba. Thank you again for everything."

"The Pleasure is mine. All mine, love." Bathsheba purred rubbing Vikki's stomach before closing her eyes drifting off to sleep while Vikki stayed awake for a bit wishing she was not in such a firm hold from Bathsheba, but she couldn't do anything. She soon moved her hands under her head and with the aid of the warmth provided by, Bathsheba and the fur pelt she fell asleep to as the dinosaurs in the lands outside the cave continued about with their gentle roaring and some finding rest themselves.