Oona easily side-stepped Lion-O's charge.
"You are as clumsy as you are stupid, milord," Oona taunted.
Lion-O could hear Amnextria closing in behind him and instictively ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding her attack. He looked at her stunned.
"What is this?," Lion-O asked.
"This is the dawn of a new age, milord," Amnextria replied. "An age were lions rule Thundera again. A re-birth if you will. Ironically, it requires your death," she answered as she moved in to strike again. Lion-O avoided her second strike and looked for an escape route. Amnextria and Oona alone were formidable opponents for any cat, but together they would be deadly.
Oona leaped and closed the distance between her and Lion-O. Amnextria followed her lover and Lion-O was founded himself caught between them.
"What of Leonydas, our son?," Lion-O asked trying to buy time. "Only the lions will follow you, the other cats will challenge your rule. Our son will be in grave danger. You will place Thundera on the brink of civil war." Amnextria lowered her sword slightly as Lion-O mentioned her son. It was just the opening he needed.
"Our son..."
Lion-O kicked out, knocking the sword out of her hand and pushing her back. Oona moved in behind him lifting her sword. Lion-O had no time to defend himself. It's over, he thought as he prepared to die.
Clang!
Another sword blocked Oona's blow. Lion-O looked at his savior and nearly fell over from shock. Kareala!
"Lady Oona, I believe you and I have unfinished business," the leopard female stated.
Only her training and discipline kept Oona from dropping her weapon. "How is this possible? I dumped your body in the river," she said nervously.
"Yes, but you should have finished the job, bitch!," Kareala exclaimed as she attacked the lioness. Her intial surprise forced Oona back, but the lioness was a well-trained warrior and would not be overcome easily. Kareala pressed her attack and Oona backed away to avoid her attack.
Lion-O stood watching Kareala unable to move. Amnextria used the opportunity to close in. He will never see it coming, she thought as she picked up her sword and eased toward
Lion-O. He is so fascinated by his lover. She lifted the sword to strike, smiling widely.
Whosh! A glowing bolt of green energy slammed into her knocking her backward several feet. Lion-O's attention turned to the figure walking closer to him. A cloak hide the cat the saved him.
"Friend, I thank you. It seems I have lost all my senses this evening. For the second time tonight, I have been saved," Lion-O said graciously as he walked toward the hooded figure.
The cat withdrew his cloak and Lion-O inhaled sharply. "Kit!"
"Milord," WilyKit said.
Lion-O moved to embrace him but Kit held up his hands. And pointed to the battle between Kareala and Oona, "There are more pressing matters tonight," Kit said flatly. Lion-O gave him a curious look. Kit blamed him for the ordeal his suffered at the hands of Mumm-Ra. Lion-O felt a deep sense of guilt. He would do anything to make matter right with Kit but the wildcat would have nothing to do with him or his court.
"You're right, Kit. It is good to see you again," Lion-O said as he picked up Amnextria's fallen sword and moved to help Kareala.
Kit clinched his fist. Being in Lion-O's presence was more than he could take. And I saved him. Perhaps I should have let his wife kill him, Kit thought to himself. Thundera could be no worse off. Taramis moved around beside him and took his hand. Her touch immediately eased Kit's tension. He unclinched his fist and allowed the ocelot to take his hand.
"Its in the past, Kit. You must let go of these feelings. We must find Amnextria," the young female said. Every cat knew that Kit and Kat suffered horribly as Mumm-Ra's personal slaves. No details were ever given but it took little imagination to figure out what that depraved being had done to them.
Kit smiled at her, she was right of course.
"I search the tent, you search the surrounding area," Kit said releasing her hand. "Please be careful."
Taramis drew her bow and notched an arrow. "Always, I have a score to settle as well," she said as she disappeared into the high savannah grass.
Lion-O ran towards Oona but Kareala called to him and stopped him.
"My love, this is my battle. Her head will be mine before this night is over," the leopard female exclaimed.
"I defeate you once, leopard. You are no match for me," Oona said.
"You ambushed me remember. You aren't as brave and fierce as you pretend, Lady Oona. Such a cowardly act," Kareala taunted. It had its desired affect. Oona roared and pressed her attack.
Lion-O had to resist the urge to help. Oona clearly was stronger and more powerful but Kareala had finesse and agility. The leopard female easily dodged Oona's blows. The lioness was angry and growing clumsy. She was trying to overpower Kareala but she was nimbly moving around the lioness. Kareala stepped in close to the lioness and lowered her sword.
I have her, Oona thought. She roared triumphantly and swing her sword with all her power. It was just the move Kareala was hoping for. Oona overextended her reach, losing her balance. Kareala ducked and somersaulted over the ground. She was directly infront of the surprised lioness. She lifted her sword and plunged it into Oona's abdomen.
Oona dropped her sword and stumbled back. She grabbed her mid-section, trying to stop the flow of her life's blood. Kareala stood over her.
"It is finished!," she said. Lion-O ran to embrace her. The two lovers kissed passionately.
"Where have you been all this time," Lion-O said holding her face. Tears of joy ran down both of their faces.
"Its a long story my love. There's plenty of time to tell it," she said as she kissed him again.
Amnextria crouched in the grasslands. She wanted to scream as she saw Oona fall. The disgust at seeing Lion-O and Kareala together was more than she could bear. She rose and lifted her javelin. There will be no happily ever after from them. They would pay for this. She screamed as she cast the javelin.
Lion-O and Kareala barely had time to react. The sound of Amnextria's scream startled them. Kareala saw the javelin's trajectory and leaped in front of Lion-O. She fell into his arms, the javelin piercing his heart.
Lion-O roared with despair. "No, no, no, blessed Great Mother please!" he said as he cradled Kareala.
"M-my love this is so much I have to tell you, we have c..."
She never finished her sentence as she died in Lion-O's arms. He roared again as he wept, holding her body close to him.
Amnextria smiled and prepared her second javelin. The fool!, she thought as she lifted it for her second cast. A sharp pain pierced her neck. She barely had time to register the arrow protruding from her neck as she fell over dead. Taramis rose from the shadows. "I have avenged thee, Lady Kareala!," she said as she cried and raced to Lion-O's side.
"Milord, is there anything I can do to help?" she asked, fighting back tears.
Lion-O ignored her, to caught up in his own grief.
Kit came running to Lion-O's side as well. Tears ran down his face. Once again, Lion-O causes death and pain to those he loves. Lady Kareala deserved so much more, he thought.