Awakened
Pins and needles ran up and down Iris`s arms and legs. She took a gasping breath, the first in a long time.
"Wha-were am I?" her voice was hoarse, and hearing the rasp, Iris realised just how thirsty she was. A low roar answered her question, jerking her back to the small, damp space she was enclosed in.
"Lavender?" A yellow glow in the darkness nearly blinded her. Iris raised her hand to shield her eyes, and just made out the huge shape of a cat lurking in the shadows. A rumbling purr shook the walls, and Iris sighed.
"I knew you wouldn't leave me girl," she smiled wanly, and gasped. She was tumbling down, but no, she was flying up, the world was spinning, colors flashed, snatches of speech raced past, faster, faster, faster, then the world stilled.
"We will be together always," Iris watched as a girl that looked like her, talked like her, even walked like her, but was not her, crossed over to a majestic purple lion, placing a hand on its mussel. Lavender. The thought stirred something deep inside of her. Just a small spark, like a dying candle in the dark, but there nevertheless. The images changed. A battle was now raging around her, ships littered the sky like stars. Six lions flew around, firing lasers leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The scene sped up, and one by one, she watched as the lions blew up one by one, until only one remained. A final explosion, and then nothing. Out of the darkness came voices.
" Are you sure you want to do this? We don't know what the long-term effects are," the voice was male and deep, and for some reason, sent a shiver of remorse through her.
"Yes, I'm sure. I know the risks, and am ready," the second voice was her own. Ready for what she wondered. The next scene answered her unspoken question. It showed her and another person, the man, standing in a white circle chanting. A light purple mist was curling around them. Standing nearby was the last lion. The purple lion. Her lion. A bang shocked her, and she looked up to see a sea of blue. And then black. Soft, warming, black, that left her with only one question. What comes next? She knew at least part of the story. Some tragedy involving the lions, enchanted sleep. She knew what led up to this. She knew what this was. But she doesn't know what happens after this. It killed her. Iris relished the feeling of being in control of herself, of knowing. Slowly she became aware of a rumbling purr, echoing off the walls inside her head. You don't have to know it all to protect them. The purr formed words, instantly giving her comfort. Of course Lavender knew. Iris chuckled to herself. Her proud, brave, amazing lion Lavender was still with her.
You never had to worry my paladin. Our bond runs deeper than a few decades of slumber.