In a pit within a cave laid a young lioness, the sole survivor of Mato's pride. She was surrounded by the dry old bones of prey, from zebras to antelope to smaller animals that had become meals for the lions and dogs. They had been tossed into this pit as a cleanup project orchestrated by the pride's former king. But now, it was her prison and own personal hell. She was lying down and looking into the decaying, almost transparent skull of a long dead zebra.

"What am I going to do, how could everything I know and love be destroyed so readily? My brother Othello; he has fallen to Iago's level. He's sold his soul for what? Me, a useless, cowardly piece of garbage. It should have been me who died not Khari, Akato, Sefu or any others. Why did he have to do it?! Why? Why this?" cried Jezebel.

Flashback

"Hey, I know you are having a hard time, but in the end, this shit will be worth it. I have to protect my family at any cost. I did this all for you can't you see that's it's the only way. Why won't you look at me? It's done! They're all dead! Just get over it and join us? Please, or Iago will keep you here forever. Don't you want to make them pay for murdering our mother?! Talk to me! Yell at me! DO SOMETHING BESIDES CRY LIKE A WEAKLING!" Roared Othello.

Flashback End

"It was all for me; he murdered them all, and it was all for me. This will be my legacy to the world: dead lions, lioness and cubs. Othello and Iago are continuing our family's dark legacy. Blood spoke of how dark his family was; he was proud of it. His favorite story was about his grandfather. He wouldn't shut up about how this lion murdered his own brothers and devoured his nieces and nephews, all because his sisters-in-law dared to be loyal mates. He took a cub and turned him to the path of pure evil. Blood loved Iago and Iago alone, and often joked that one day his special little demon would assassinate him and take his place. This… is my family. But for not being strong enough to stop them, what am I?" Jezebel asked of herself.

"Don't you hate them? They killed your mother and destroyed everything you loved," a voice sounded over the silence of the dungeon. "You know I am right, why lie to yourself? The truth is you are, or will become, just like them. Iago, Othello and Blood; you're going to murder, rape and oppress one day. Just as they do now; just as your ancestors before you did. The best part? You're going to enjoy being the one doing it; you will love the power and freedom it gives you to tread upon others for a change." said the voice.

"Just go away and leave me alone; you're not real you're something I made up. You're just a voice inside my head. I have known about myself for some time how could, how could I not? Psychopathic tendencies are in my bloodline; tell me something I couldn't see for myself!" Jezebel more roared than said, before calming down. "However, I won't let you ever become real, my mind made you, so it can get rid of you!" Jezebel declared with as much finality as she could muster.

"It doesn't work that way, and you knew that without me having to say it. When you are at your weakness, the monster inside will loosen its chains. Soon enough, it will be free and you will never go back to the weakling you currently are. This world will fall before the Blood Queen. It has a nice ring, does it not?" Jezebel covered her ears, for all the good it would do to the voice behind her eardrums.

"You're slipping and at any moment I will be free, and you will know your true self," laughed the voice. "I won't kill my brothers or anyone; I am not my father, I am not Iago", screamed Jezebel.

"Poor, poor Jezebel I know what's in your heart because I am you. If you could kill Icarus in the most painful way possible you would. We dream of his death often; he killed our mother, not for justice or the greater good like you tell yourself so often. No, it was because he could not get to Iago and just had to take it out on someone else. You saw that look on his face; the thrill he felt was almost sexual in nature. As he mutilated our mother, he was laughing and enjoying her suffering. For that, you want them both dead; Lana and Icarus." The voice laughed. "If could, you'd slaughter his entire kingdom, such evil intentions for someone who claims to be on the side of good." Jezebel closed her eyes.

"Yes, I want him dead, and maybe it would make me happy for a time. But what will happen when thrill of killing him gets old? I will keep killing and killing and killing, until my lust for blood satisfied. But that's just it; when will it stop? And how many will have truly deserved it? I don't want to become like my family. I want a life abd cubs as far away from this place as possible." Whispered Jezebel in the dark.

"Such a noble speech. But you will never be able to run from what you are. You are a monster just like everyone else in our family. You hide it behind your smile and bright sunny attitude, nevertheless you are Blood's daughter; your heritage will emerge one day, and it will be glorious" The voice triumphantly, and most worryingly, charismatically said.

"I want Icarus dead and even Lana if I am being truthful with myself. Lana was my sister; I enjoyed visiting her home and playing in her den. However, had she just done something about Iago in the first place… She could have chosen a mate and left and not screwed around with the minds of males. Then things would be different; everyone would be alive. I hate them all!", screamed Jezebel.

"Icarus invited us into his home, played with us and taught us. He took us all down to the river and showed us all how to fish. We were cubs, and when we failed he acted as our father. I wanted to run away and live in the jungle with Lana's family. However, Othello would never leave. For the same reason, Mother and I could not as well. And then it happened; you finally couldn't take it anymore. What was done was done. And he just stood there and said nothing us he talked with Mato and then left like all would be well. He had no remorse for wrongfully killing my mother. He could have said something when Mato thanked you for killing her. It would have made the thought of at least his death less appetizing. Yes, Icarus, I do want you to suffer and die the most painful death that I can dream off." Whispered Jezebel, and to her horror her mental voice was accompanied by the voice of hatred as well.

"What's wrong with me? Why am I like this?! Lana did nothing to me, and Icarus… well, he deserves my hate. However, if I allow it into my heart, I will never be able to get it out. Once it has taken a stronger hold of me than it already has… No! I won't become like my family I am going to run as soon as I can." Declared Jezebel going to sleep and shutting out any further thoughts.

"Such a pity, she failed to change, even after all of that. And here I thought I had finally mastered this technique. But, I merely need to try again, for I will be able to drive her fully insane and unlock the demon she keeps chained up inside her. Iago will be pleased with the fact that his sister is a psychopath just like him. Or he could be pissed at the fact that I failed to corrupt her. No matter, either way." Korofi nonchalantly pondered as he began to walk back to the marula grove.

"Psychopath or not, Iago at least knows exactly what he can do to me even if I insult him to his face. That is, not a damn thing at all. He needs me, and the powers that my troop can provide to him. But then, I do much like the power that Blood's evil is bestowing upon me… Well, it appears I might have underestimated my position just a bit. But such is this game of crowns; it just means I need to adjust my strategy and tactics."