Kopa's Legacy — Book I: Pariah

by Incarnate Firefly

Post-TLKII/TLGs3. A war is on the horizon, heralded by an outcast intent on violently reshaping the kingdoms. Her conquest is challenged by Kopa, a young lion far from the home he was born into. Fate intertwines him with his past once more as he races to reach the Pride Lands before she does, aware that his path leads back to his old life — and the family he had forgotten long ago.

5. On the Path Unwinding

[Author's Note]
(Farnsworth voice) Good news, everyone! If you're one of my returning readers, we've finally reached the point where I left off last time. This chapter contains two scenes I already posted beforehand, though I have reworked them a bit since I wasn't satisfied with them before. Otherwise, it's all fresh material from this point onward!

You won't see him just yet, but the character of Bane is an OC donated by Haradion the first time I wrote this series. He's a good guy and we go way back. We even co-wrote a story together with four other authors! Fun times. Anyway, check out his work if you haven't already cause he's a fantastic writer.

By the way, you'll notice a couple of scenes have dates on them. That's purely to clear up any ambiguity over the length of the timeskips before and after the flashback scene. I may do this occasionally for similar timeskips in the future, but you definitely won't be seeing it every chapter.

---

Come ride with me through the veins of history,
I'll show you a god who falls asleep on the job.
And how can we win when fools can be kings?
Don't waste your time, or time will waste you.
—Muse, "Knights of Cydonia"

Siri jolted awake upon feeling a paw on her shoulder. Her claws unsheathed on reflex as she swiped at her would-be assailant — until she realized it was Tumaini. His head was careened back, apprehensively eyeing the claws prickling at his throat. "Sorry," she said, promptly withdrawing her claws.

"I'll have to remember not to sneak up on you," Tumaini remarked. "Come on, it's time to go."

There was a palpable urgency in his voice that made her nervous. "Jeraha?"

"Yep. It'll take them a while to get around the rubble, and they won't expect us to cut straight through... I hope. How are the paws?"

Siri gingerly tested each paw, finding her front right paw to be the worst. It was easier to walk with the leaves Tanzu had wrapped around them, but she still couldn't apply much pressure without an excruciating sting prickling her paw pads. "Tanzu told me not to put weight on my right side. Guess I'll have to tough it out."

"No can do," Tumaini said flatly. "You don't want to leave a blood trail for our unwanted visitors, plus you might develop trouble with that paw if you keep pushing yourself."

"None of that will matter if my pride doesn't know what they're up against," insisted Siri. "It's not like I have much of a choice right now." She took a step forward, and immediately bit back a cry as a sharp pain shot up her right side.

Tumaini was by her side in an instant, propping her up as her foreleg threatened to give out. "Okay, I guess this works," he grunted. "I'll do the walking for you on this side."

She flushed sheepishly. "Tumaini, you don't have to—"

"Don't talk. Walk."

Slowly and methodically, Siri let him steer her out of the den, matching her steps in time with his as they hobbled their way through the forest. In spite of their mismatched pawsteps, she was surprised by how sturdy he was braced against her. It was unexpectedly comforting, in a way she hadn't felt more than once or twice since losing her parents.

I'm just tired, she thought to herself, nudging a lock of Tumaini's mane away from her nose. I wasn't expecting a miracle, but I didn't want to give Jeraha the satisfaction of giving up. And they weren't out of the woods in any sense of the word; she hoped to be deep in the mountains by the time Jeraha realized they were gone.

Just then Tumaini came to a stop, nose twitching and raised to the air. Siri could smell them too — lions nearby, or there had been recently. He carefully eased her weight off of him and murmured, "Stay downwind."

Without waiting for a response, the black-maned lion whisked off through the underbrush. Siri tucked herself lower against the ground, mostly leaning on her left side for support. The damp night air was unusually warm and even a bit stifling, though the temperature had cooled down since the earthquake.

Siri saw Tumaini stop beneath some msunguti trees about twenty paces away. He peered around before clearing his throat. "If you're thinking about getting the jump on me, don't. I know this forest a lot better than you."

Out of the night appeared an ashen-maned lion who marched around the trees to stop before Tumaini. Siri recognized him as Husuda, a proficient hunter of Jeraha's. "You live here, friend?"

"I do," Tumaini replied tersely, "and that's all you're getting out of me."

Husuda looked around, either not noticing or not caring that Tumaini's eyes did not leave him. "You got a pride here?"

"Yeah, there's a whole bunch of us on the other side of the river. Now why don't you leave, before I have to make you?"

"We have no quarrel with you," assured Husuda, now returning the black-maned lion's stare. "We're after someone who passed through this way. Her scent is still here."

Tumaini stiffened as the other lion moved to brush past him. "If you mean the lioness with the thick brown fur, you're wasting your time. I already killed her."

Husuda stopped to scrutinize him warily. He did not seem convinced. "So where's the body now?"

Even from where she hid, Siri could feel the tension as Tumaini glared back at him. "I show you her body, then you'll leave?"

The ashen-maned lion nodded in response. Siri quietly ducked her head behind the underbrush as she saw Tumaini walking toward her. Careful not to lean too hard to the right, she listened for the sound of their approaching pawsteps and readied herself.

As soon as one of Husuda's paws poked through the underbrush, Siri heard a startled cry from Tumaini, followed by what sounded like him stumbling over his own paws. Husuda's gaze swept past her as he turned in surprise, and in that moment she leaped up to sink her fangs into his exposed neck — and caught movement out of the corner of her left eye.

Siri raised her front paws in time to block the strike aimed at her face, though the blow sent her rolling away from Husuda. Wincing from her smarting paw, she identified the stringy lioness with the dark yellow fur as Saka, one of Janga's best trackers. Siri saw Husuda turn toward the commotion, though he did not have time to react before Tumaini grabbed him by the shoulders and dragged him back through the underbrush.

Saka bound toward her, though there was a touch of lethargy to her movement. "You sure can run, Siri. I'll give you that."

Unable to dodge aside, Siri blocked the next swipe with her less injured paw, trying to take advantage of her opponent's unrested state. "And here I hoped the earthquake got you all," she growled as she strained to overpower the other lioness.

The two of them snapped and stabbed at each other, with Saka slowly gaining ground by repeatedly attacking Siri's vulnerable side. Despite her best efforts, Siri's bad paw eventually caused her to tumble onto her flank, forcing her to use it to fend off the yellow-furred lioness while trying to push herself back into a standing position with her other paw. But Saka was not letting up, her attacks becoming more ferocious even as they grew sluggish.

Without warning, the ground crumbled underneath Saka, who yowled as she vanished from view. Siri felt something faintly burrowing beneath the dirt and immediately scrambled out of the way; a heartbeat later, Husuda was also swallowed by a hole opening up beneath his paws.

Tumaini hurried back to Siri, perplexed. To her astonishment, four or five rabbits popped out of the ground, shaking the dirt out from their ears. Sauti briskly clambered up out of the hole, dusting her front paws while peering down at her handiwork. "That should hold them for now," she said breezily. "This way, you two!"

Tumaini helped Siri upright before promptly following the rabbits through the forest. "Sauti, you're amazing. But you need to get out of here."

"Perish the thought," Sauti scoffed. "We look out for each other in this forest, you know that."

"Thank you so much," uttered Siri earnestly, voice tightening a little.

Sauti smiled warmly at her. "Thank the earthquake, my dear, it did most of the work." She halted as her ears suddenly straightened, as did those of the other rabbits. Pressing one side of her head against the ground, she said, "They're trying to climb out. Let's slow them down, everyone."

"Wait," protested Tumaini, to no avail. Sauti and the other rabbits burrowed back into the dirt in the blink of an eye, and within moments the sound of their digging faded into the ambience of the night.

Siri turned her gaze back to front as the two of them resumed their trudge. "Now I see why you're so protective. Everyone in this forest is."

"Only way to survive against predators," said Tumaini briskly. He peered around, although without slowing down. "Where's Kopa? He should've found us by now."

"Janga did train her lions to be the best," Siri muttered. "You two sure this is what you want?"

"I've never seen the kid more sure of anything in his life," he replied in resignation. "And he makes a good point. I might not get another chance at this."

"At what?"

"Nothing. Now isn't a good time for me to make up my mind, to be honest."

"Tumaini, I don't—"

Just then Sauti reappeared from a crack in the ground. "Bad news, they're coming."

"Husuda and Saka?" asked Siri.

"The two lions back there, yes," the rabbit affirmed. "We dug them as deep as we could but they started stomping over us. They'll be out before long."

"Are the others alright?" Tumaini asked worriedly.

"A few scrapes here and there, but no one's badly hurt. I sent them back to their warrens."

The black-maned lion nodded, needing to hear no more. They continued weaving through the thick of the forest, though the normally unobstructed landscape was getting difficult to traverse. Siri could tell that they were re-entering the area most heavily damaged by the earthquake, which meant the mountains had to be close now.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before she spotted a clearing up ahead, where a veil of mist shrouded a small narrow path into the mountain range beyond. Siri's shoulders sagged in relief upon seeing that they had made it.

From behind her came a sickening squelch, and she whirled about toward the sound. She did not recognize the lion standing there. All she registered was that his claws were in Sauti's torso, and realized that the rabbit had heard him sneaking up on them. Sauti gave a rattling gasp and went limp, and before Siri could react, Tumaini lunged forward with his front paws outstretched.

The enemy lion let out a choked cry as the claws sank into his neck. He fell next to Sauti's unmoving form, trying desperately to stem the dark liquid gushing beneath his paws. Tumaini slashed and hacked at him in a frenzy, heedless of the blood spraying all over his enraged form.

"Tumaini, let's go!" Siri urged. "He's going to hear us!"

Tumaini raised his gaze to meet hers, crimson dripping from his maw onto his heaving chest. The enemy lion beneath him was no longer moving, and for a moment she saw something feral stirring in the maroon of his eyes. She backed up a few paces, involuntarily stumbling into the clearing and falling over again.

And it was then that she realized that the enemy lions had her surrounded. Jeraha stepped in front of the mountain path as Tumaini stood up from the lion he had killed. The burly lion looked impressed in spite of himself. "I'll give you the same offer I made the other lion. Get out of the way, or die."

"What did you do with him?" roared the black-maned lion, staunchly marching into the middle of the clearing to stand between Jeraha and Siri. Even in his livid state, she could hear a hint of panic beneath the anger.

Jeraha smirked. "He made the choice you should be thinking about right now — looking the other way."

"Kopa doesn't look the other way," Tumaini snarled. "And neither do I."

Jeraha's smirk widened into a maniacal grin. "I was hoping you'd say that."

With a grunt of exertion, Siri picked herself up off the ground again. She rose into a standing position, now fighting off the burning pain from her bad paw. "No one else is going to die for me," she growled through clenched teeth. "Do your worst, Jeraha."

•••

It was no good, Tumaini could see it even as he poised himself into an offensive stance. Jeraha stood in front of the path while his four lions encircled them from behind. The burly lion's eyes were fixed on Siri, clearly determined not to let her get away again.

Seeing no other option, Tumaini charged forward. Siri did the same, keeping him close to her vulnerable side but valiantly managing to keep pace with him. The first lion moved to flank Tumaini, who dealt him a vicious kick to the side of the head. A horrible snap was heard from the enemy lion's jaw, and he fell clutching his face and writhing. Siri swatted Husuda away, though a moment later he dove at her a second time and managed to knock her on her front.

Tumaini rushed in as well when Saka slammed into him, pinning him to the ground in one swift move. Siri had managed to throw Husuda off her by flipping onto her back, using her injured paw to strike her opponent in the snout in the same motion. The ashen-maned lion staggered away, blood spraying from his nostrils, though Tumaini saw that Siri was briefly immobilized with pain. He struggled to get Saka off of him, managing to free one of his hind legs from under her paw.

Before she could react, he delivered a sweeping kick to her back paws, sending her toppling onto her side while rolling himself into a standing position. Straightening, he saw Jeraha step away from the path and start striding toward Siri, and Tumaini moved to help her when he was obstructed by two more lions. Panic rising in his chest, he darted this way and that trying to get around them, unable to tear his gaze from the frantically backpedalling Siri.

Jeraha was standing over her now with her back against a tree. He kneed her hard in the stomach, causing her to tilt her head sideways with a gasp. Her bad paw flew out to hold him back as his teeth snapped at empty air next to her snout, and she let loose a strained yell, trying to angle her claws toward his throat as blood trickled from under the leaf wrapped around her paw.

Seeing that Saka and Husuda had recovered their wits, Tumaini readied himself, though he knew they were only delaying the inevitable at this point. I tried, he thought grimly. I tried to bring her back. I hope that's enough.

And in that moment Kopa leapt into the clearing, landing on Jeraha's back and sinking his teeth into the back of his neck. The larger lion reared back with a roar of pain and quickly managed to send him tumbling into the dirt. But it was enough time for Siri to scramble away, cradling her bloodied paw against her torso.

Jeraha stared Kopa down as the brown-maned lion rose to his paws. "You were foolish to come alone. One lion will make no difference."

Kopa looked undaunted, even as the other lions turned about to face him. "You're wrong," he said calmly, "I'm never alone in this forest. And one lion can make all the difference."

To Tumaini's amazement, the forest suddenly came alive as the sound of rustling filled the night. Hundreds of animals appeared from between the trees while Tanzu and his chimps swung into view from above, surrounding the clearing in a heartbeat. Out of the bushes stepped Sungura with a small army of rabbits, each of them holding sharp wooden stakes and other makeshift weapons. The alpha looked none too merciful.

The enemy lions backed up until they were huddled together, now the ones outnumbered. "You took down one of ours," stammered Husuda nervously. "We're even for the rabbit."

"Quiet," Jeraha snapped.

A slow-burning fury flickered in Kopa's red-brown eyes. "I told you they were watching."

The burly lion looked around and laughed scornfully. "All this for one lioness? Why?"

"Cause you don't get to come into my home and kill whoever you want," Kopa told him fiercely. "You could bring a hundred lions and I'd still try to stop you."

"This forest is a place of sanctuary," declared Tanzu. "In the name of avoiding further bloodshed, take your lions and go while you still can."

"Not without her," growled Jeraha, indicating Siri. Beside her, some of the larger animals were dragging their hoofs across the ground, antlers lowered and poised to attack.

For a moment, Tumaini caught a glimpse of sadness in Tanzu's expression. Then the chimp let out a shrill screech before swinging down with the others in unison. The rest of the animals leapt into action, charging at the enemy lions en masse.

Kopa leapt into the fray, moving straight for Jeraha as the clearing erupted into a din. "Get out of here, both of you!" he shouted.

"What about you?" Tumaini shouted back, even as he worked his way back to Siri.

"There's no ti—agh!" Kopa staggered as Jeraha swiped him across the face, shearing a few ends off his whiskers. The big lion closed in on Siri from the other side, never taking his eyes off her as he muscled his way through the fighting.

Sungura and his rabbits leaped out to form a protective semicircle before Siri, stabbing at Jeraha to drive him back. A flock of birds swooped down to peck at his eyes, momentarily diverting his attention and giving Sungura the opportunity to drive his stake into Jeraha's paw.

The burly lion reared back with a roar of pain. Kopa rushed him, sending him staggering away with a swift headbutt under the chin. "I'll be okay! I'll meet you there, I promise!"

Tumaini ground his teeth in frustration. He helped Siri up and said nothing except, "Come on."

"We're supposed to just leave him?" she exclaimed incredulously.

"I don't like it either, but Tanzu won't let anything happen to him. We're going to need a head start until you're able to run again."

Finally, Siri tore her gaze away from the once peaceful forest. "She'll pay for this," she vowed. "I'll kill her myself if that's what it takes to stop her."

Tumaini did not dare look back at Kopa, knowing he wouldn't be able to leave if he did. He hobbled unsteadily with Siri into the mountains, trying not to focus on the fading cacophony of violence — or how many lives would be lost to cover their escape. I just hope Kopa isn't one of them.

Self-serving as it was, it was the only thought Tumaini had room for right now.

•••

To Kopa's consternation, Jeraha showed no sign of letting up. The rest of his team, however, was flagging visibly as they struggled to fight back the seemingly endless sea of animals. The ragtag army forced the enemy lions away from the mountains, even as the lions tore bloody streaks through their numbers. One of the lionesses was pulled to the ground by numerous chimps before a herd of okapi rushed in; Kopa averted his gaze with a wince as he heard bones crunching in between her frantic screams.

Not far off, Jeraha was still fighting his way through the animals obstructing him. None of them seemed able to bring him down as he stomped and swatted them aside. A forest cobra lunged at him, only to be snatched out of the air and ripped in half from the mouth down. Jeraha bared his teeth at the others, daring them to enter his reach as he edged toward the mountains again.

Kopa took a running leap and slammed into the big lion, hard enough to send them both rolling toward the middle of the clearing. He was deftly pinned to the ground, however, now at the mercy of his larger, stronger opponent. Kopa writhed as Jeraha's paws found his neck, struggling to breathe while forcing the claws away from his throat.

Something swung down from the trees and kicked Jeraha in the face, sending him reeling back. Gasping, Kopa sat up and realized that his rescuer was Tanzu. The old chimp stared down Jeraha sternly while his sons dropped down behind him. "Enough. Get out of my forest and never come back. I will not give you another chance."

Jeraha raised his hackles in response, evidently unwilling to do any such thing. Kopa grunted as he rose, prepared to throw himself at the burly lion once again. A little longer... I just need to hold him here for a little longer...

And then the ground rumbled beneath their paws, diverting the attention of the remaining enemy lions. Kopa realized it was the sound of the herds approaching, and even Jeraha paused as he heard the ensemble of hooves making their way toward the clearing.

"Retreat!" Jeraha shouted.

To Kopa's surprise and relief, the enemy lions broke off with no small amount of eagerness, each of them looking worse for wear than their leader. They scattered into the forest, heading away from the mountains in search of another way out. Moments later, the other end of the clearing filled with dozens upon dozens of duikers, okapis, and other assorted herd animals, sniffing about for signs of the enemy lions.

Tanzu's eyes hovered on the trees where Jeraha and his team had disappeared into. "Make certain they really are leaving," he instructed the new arrivals. "Chase them out, but do not fight unless you must."

"If you insist," muttered Kiri. She and the herds galloped after Jeraha's team, vanishing as quickly as they had come. Silence settled over the clearing as their hoofbeats faded away once more.

A clatter was heard as the gore-spattered stick fell from Sungura's paws. The other rabbits dropped their weapons as well as they gathered around Sauti's body. Near the centre of the clearing, Tanzu was rallying his sons into action. Kopa watched them search the bodies for survivors, dully aware that there was a curious ringing in his ears.

Sungura wordlessly crouched down and cradled his mate's unmoving form, pressing his forehead against hers with her blood trickling onto his fur. The cloying scent of carnage registered in Kopa's nostrils, and it was then that he realized his paws were shaking uncontrollably. He sank to the ground, sickened as the enormity of what happened finally caught up to him.

A gentle hand touched his shoulder, and he looked up to see Tanzu standing soberly beside him. The ringing slowly faded, leaving only the deathly silence that hung over the clearing. "Did we make a mistake, Tanzu?" he murmured numbly. "How could we let this happen?"

Tanzu's brow was heavy with weariness. "To shield the innocent is never a mistake. One life cannot be measured against another, let alone hundreds." His gaze shifted to the dead and wounded before them. "We fought for more than Siri's life tonight, my child. You will understand, but right now is not the time to make sense of it."

Kopa's throat tightened when his eyes found Sauti's body again. "Siri warned us this would happen," he whispered, his voice threatening to break. "I should have listened."

"No, Kopa." Sungura gently laid Sauti against the ground and stood, his chest and paws stained with crimson. "You told us to hide and we chose to follow you. I'd do it again if I had to. Sauti would've too."

"We will heal in time," Tanzu said softly. "This forest has been around long before you were born, Kopa. It will take more than a few lions to tear it apart."

Kopa sat up, sniffling a little as he rubbed his nose with one paw. "This isn't over. Those lions did all this to stop Siri from warning the Serengeti Pride. I have to make sure she does."

Tanzu nodded sagely. "Good luck. May the Great Spirits keep you and Tumaini safe until you come back."

"I'm not coming back, Tanzu."

The old chimp fell silent, as did the other animals nearby.

Kopa had to force himself to say the words. There was a part of him that was tempted to turn tail, crawl into his den, and await Tumaini's return like his friend had wanted. "Those lions won't give up," he murmured. "They know about me now, and I'll only be putting everyone else in danger."

"That is not the only reason... is it?" asked Tanzu knowingly.

"I..." Kopa's gaze fell. "You're right, it's not. I think my family's in the Serengeti. And if they aren't, then I'll keep looking for them. I'll never stop looking no matter what."

Tanzu stood with a resolute nod. His expression was solemn but there was understanding in his eyes. "We will miss you, Kopa."

"Send our regards to Tumaini when you see him," Sungura added.

A rush of emotion seized Kopa, and at last the tears came. He pulled Tanzu into an embrace, trying to find the words to convey how much the last three years meant to him. "Tanzu, I... thank you. For everything."

"Goodbye, child," the old chimp said softly. "You have been a blessing for us. I hope you find every happiness your heart longs for. Go now, we will be alright."

Kopa wiped the tears from his eyes and straightened. He took one last look at the animals gathered in the clearing, who gave him nods of farewell as they moved aside to let him pass. Sungura's rabbits waved goodbye, while the alpha offered him an unsteady but encouraging smile. Taking a deep breath, he dashed away into the mountains, leaving behind the forest he had called home for so long.

•••

1ST MOON, DAY 24
2 DAYS AGO
Eyes closed, Fujo drew a few long, slow breaths with all four paws pressed against the floor. One ear twitched at the sound of shouting from down the corridor outside the den; the voice belonged to Malka, no mistake about it. Without so much as a hint of irritation, Fujo pressed his ears flat against his head and honed in more intently on the sonic images vibrating through Mount Tempest's labyrinth-like interior, letting the surrounding noise slip into the background.

His mind's eye flashed with rippling outlines of weaving corridors and water tunnels, interspersed with fragments of sound fading in and out of focus — mostly noise, with occasional snatches of conversation; a lioness was making her elderly father comfortable in their den several levels below, and in another there were a quartet of cubs fervently play-fighting together.

Fujo's attention lingered on the cubs for a moment. There was no way to bring them elsewhere, not without raising questions from the pride. They may be innocent in this, but for me to do nothing would not spare them either. He moved on, taking care to inspect the lookout posts carved upon all sides of the mountain. Empty again. Negligence of duty, not that Malka would care even if he heard. Fujo knew who the culprits were, naturally, but it would not do to make himself unpopular right now.

Spiralling down the near-symmetrical network of corridors to the ground floor, the sonic images etched themselves into an echo-filled expanse, connected on all sides to the passageways encircling the Great Hall. Fujo was pleased to find most of the pride concentrated along the lower levels already. I'd rather we don't incur too many losses. We will have to take the fight back to Janga sooner rather than later.

Guiding his attention through the main entrance, Fujo quickly confirmed that Janga's forces hadn't yet arrived. He probed his way into the caverns beneath Mount Tempest and was satisfied to see that the blockage in the drainage tunnels had not been dislodged by the rising water levels. Knowing it would take the pride a bit longer to notice, he opened his eyes and allowed his senses to re-attune with his surroundings.

Fujo flinched involuntarily as the noise battering at the edges of his consciousness flooded back in earnest — namely in the form of Kumi's incensed yelling, which was now drowning out Malka's. Listening for anything to tune out their words, Fujo straightened as the barely audible patter of pawsteps projected a sonic image of someone approaching from the other side of the wall.

Fujo waited until she was close enough to hear him before he spoke. "You should be elsewhere, if I'm not mistaken."

Siri appeared in the entrance a moment later, wearing a mock scowl. "Why do you always feel the need to do that?"

"To use the Sight of the Spirits?" he inquired unblinkingly.

"To be weird about it."

"Is it so weird when you already know I have it?"

Her slight twitching smile told him he wasn't being nearly coy enough. "The Sight, no. But you could at least pretend to greet people after they turn the corner."

"Pretend?" repeated Fujo, looking affronted. "I would never."

She snickered. "And the others say you can't take a joke."

"I know. They often forget I can hear them too."

"See, that's exactly what I'm talking about. No one can keep a secret from you, Fujo."

"That was true before I received the Sight," he assured her, smiling thinly.

Siri rolled her eyes, though she was still smiling. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me."

Their attention was abruptly drawn to the corridor, from which Malka and Kumi's angry voices were steadily growing louder. Fujo quickly averted his gaze from the mouth of his den. "Of course, no one is good at keeping secrets in this pride."

"Yeah, guess not." Siri winced, looking mildly concerned at what she was hearing. "Should I do something?"

"I wouldn't. Let them get it out of their systems. You just focus on tonight's hunt."

The brown-furred lioness finally looked away as well. "Right, that's what I'm here to talk about. Hamu wants to know if there was a mix-up, because Tembea is supposed to lead today's hunt."

"Tembea was hurt in an accident earlier this afternoon," Fujo informed her. "It'll be a while before she can resume her duties."

Siri nodded and turned to leave. "Alright. I'd better find Hamu then."

Fujo closed his eyes. "She's on the third floor at the moment, though she's now headed for the Great Hall."

"Okay, now you're just trying to annoy me," she grumbled.

He opened one eye, watching as she exited the den. "Be seeing you, Siri."

Whatever outcome awaited them, there would be death tonight. Fujo didn't know which lives would be claimed or how many, only that it had to look convincing. Siri cannot be here when that happens, I've made certain of it. She has too much history with Janga to be forgiven.

Just a few more things to take care of. Even without using the Sight, Fujo could hear the all-too-familiar sound of Kumi storming out from the royal den. He calmly strode into the corridor as she stalked past his chamber. "Where are you off to this time, Kumi?"

She stopped but did not turn around. Her shoulders were as rigid as her words. "I don't know. Somewhere even you can't find me."

"It's possible you might," he conceded. "Wouldn't be the first time that's happened to this family, would it?"

Kumi flinched. It quickly receded from her demeanour. "I'm tired, Fujo, and I'm tired of feeling nothing but tired day after night. I was never meant to be... this."

"There's no such thing as 'meant to be'," Fujo said flatly. "You chose this the day you exchanged vows with my brother."

She managed a slight bitter smile. "But he didn't choose to be king. Those vows were his obligation, and what he wanted always came second. I knew I would too."

"Regardless, you have a responsibility — not just to our pride but to the rest of the kingdom as well. The herds are leaving, Kumi."

"I can't blame them. They deserve better than us."

Fujo fixed an exasperated glare on her. "You and Malka have no more patience for one another, I can accept that. What I cannot accept is you leaving the kingdom in disarray over your personal blunders. What would your people say if they knew?"

"They're not 'my people' anymore," Kumi snapped. "They made that clear the day I left them for this pride. Given how that turned out, I think the best I can do is leave the kingdom as well." She continued to walk away.

Fujo hastily deliberated his options, and decided that he was going to have to go out on a limb then and there. "I know where Afua is."

Kumi whirled around immediately, all traces of dejection gone. "What did you say?"

"You heard me right," he affirmed, gesturing for her to join him in his den.

She obliged, albeit with narrowed eyes the entire time. "Then tell me, dear Fujo, why would you keep this from me?" she hissed, slowly advancing on him now.

"Because he asked me to," replied Fujo, backing up a few paces despite himself.

"And you didn't even try to convince him otherwise?" she hissed.

"Of course I tried. But he gave me his reasons, and I accepted them. We've taken enough of his choices from him, wouldn't you agree?"

Kumi finally stopped to ponder this. Her averted gaze told him that she did in fact agree. "So why tell me now?" she growled. "How can I be sure this isn't one of your elaborate schemes?"

An entirely fair question. Fujo deliberated his words, knowing he was taking a risk in being as candid as he was. "Because everything is about to change. I need you to deliver a warning for me."

"A warning?" She frowned, not having expected this. "What have you done, Fujo?"

"It's not a question of what I've done, but what I know."

Kumi cocked her head, now scrutinizing him curiously. "Your little birdie's been busy."

Fujo did not show surprise, though her expression told him he needn't have bothered trying to hide it anyway. She's been waiting to spring that on me, I see. "She's a martial eagle, if you must know," he said with just a touch of reluctance, "and this is quite a serious matter. How long have you known?"

"About a moon now," she disclosed. "The others don't follow you because they think you'll use that Sight of yours. But I know you have to stop and concentrate for that — and I can always tell when you're leaving in a hurry."

He scoffed, genuinely impressed. "And those were the times you followed me."

Kumi nodded, looking pleased with herself at having outwitted him. Then she became serious again. "So where is my son, Fujo?"

"I'm getting to that," he promised. "But you should hear the rest before you run off. We're up against the wild dogs."

She grimaced. "So Bane's finally coming back to finish what he started."

"We knew the day would come. This time he isn't alone."

"And what about you?" she probed. "Looking to get revenge?"

"I don't believe in revenge, as you well know," Fujo reminded her.

"Most people don't," she said with a shrug, "until they get the chance to seek it."

"I am not as... shortsighted as most people."

"No. I suppose you aren't."

"In any case, I intend to be ready when Bane makes his move," continued Fujo. "Which is why I need to know you will return."

Kumi let out a long breath through her nose. "Until this is dealt with, fine. How long do we have?"

"A few days from the start of the new lunar cycle, perhaps a couple more. Enough time for you to reach the Serengeti Pride Lands and back."

"That's where I'll find Afua?"

Fujo nodded. "Bear in mind, you may have to accept the same answer he gave me."

She contemplated this for a moment. "Does Malka know?"

"Not yet. I thought I'd tell you first."

"Probably a good idea," she agreed with a half-smirk. "I don't want to be here when you two start squabbling."

Fujo made a noise of objection. "That's hardly fair, considering how many tirades from you I've had to sit through."

Kumi actually managed a laugh, strained as it was. She turned toward the exit, looking to be in better spirits than when she walked in. "No one has done more for this pride than you, Fujo. I'm sorry you were shown so little kindness for it."

"I don't do it out of kindness either," he responded plainly.

"I know," she murmured. "That's what makes you better than the rest of us."

Kumi hurried off, her retreating pawsteps rapidly fading into pattering echoes. Her words lingered in Fujo's ears as he turned to the opposite end of the corridor. Better? Hardly. But this pride doesn't deserve better. He briskly marched toward the last chamber on the far end of the corridor, which was only a short stretch given that the royal quarters were directly below Mount Tempest's peak.

He strolled into the king and queen's chamber to find Malka slouched by the window, staring out at the elevated view of the mountain range. His thick black mane was unkempt, and though he did not turn his head, the dark circles under his eyes revealed that he hadn't slept well for several nights.

The king did not turn to look at Fujo, even as he spoke. "What was that about?"

"A question I should be asking you," responded Fujo icily.

Malka snorted. "Well, you're free to listen in. It's not like I get a say in the matter."

"Please. I have far more pressing concerns than exhausting myself on your self-pity."

"Then how about you stop avoiding my question?"

"Very well," Fujo said shortly. "In case it isn't incredibly obvious, I was doing my utmost to keep this pride together."

"Don't start, Fujo," grunted Malka.

"You asked for an answer."

"And that's your answer to everything."

"Because it has become everything, brother, at least when it comes to what I'm dealing with. You, however, appear more concerned with intruding on—"

"—conversations where I don't belong, like you?" Malka growled. "I didn't ask for another lecture, brother."

"And I didn't ask to run your kingdom, but here we are," Fujo snapped back. "There's something urgent we need to discuss."

Malka made a noncommittal noise in response. "Go ahead. I've got nothing but time."

"Then listen closely, because the future of this pride depends on it. Bane is coming for Mount Tempest."

Malka did not look particularly concerned. He continued to stare blankly out the window. "We planned for this. All we have to do is seal ourselves inside until they give up."

"It won't work," insisted Fujo. "He's found powerful allies."

"What would you have me do, order the pride to leave?" The king finally rounded on him and turned to meet his gaze. "Mount Tempest is all we have left."

"You have allies of your own," Fujo implored. "Simba's kingdom is only a few days' journey from here."

Malka shook his head vigorously. "I haven't spoken to Simba in years. How would it look for me to seek his help now?"

More excuses. Of course. But Fujo had expected this. "I thought you'd say that, which is why I've sent Kumi in your stead."

"Given how we're doing these days, I'm not sure I could trust her to speak on my behalf," his brother muttered.

"Then go after her. Fix this. The least you can do is try."

"The least I can do is nothing," Malka exclaimed, fed up. "Every time I try, all I do is make things worse. I'm no good for anyone — not this pride, this kingdom, or what's left of this family."

"Is that so?" challenged Fujo. "Perhaps I should tell Siri to stop bringing you meals. She's already sparing you the indignity of showing your face." When his words were met with silence, he sneered, "No? Then stop feeling sorry for yourself and start being useful. If you saw how tireless she's been working to keep this pride together, you'd want to pull your weight too."

Malka grumbled a bit at this. "You sound like mom."

"Do you think she'd be proud of us right now? She'd say you were turning into father—"

Without warning, Malka backpawed him across the face, sending him stumbling away. Fujo lifted his gaze wordlessly, surprised by his brother's sudden ferocity. "Don't you dare," the king snarled. "I would never do... what he did..."

And perhaps I would. Fujo stared him down, barely registering the stinging on his face. "That's right, Malka," he responded bitingly. "You'd never do anything." He thought of Afua and decided there was no point in saying anything after all. Soon my brother will be dead, and we'll all be better for it.

The tension between them was disrupted by the sound of frantic pawsteps. Fujo stepped aside from the entrance right as a breathless Chumvi rushed in. "Flooding... in the lower tunnels..." gasped the brown-furred lion. "...coming up... the main hall..."

Malka scrambled to his paws, all animosity forgotten for the moment. "What? How?"

"He doesn't know," scowled Fujo. "And 'how' is not the priority right now."

"Right." Malka straightened. "Chumvi, give the order to evacuate. Seal all the exits immediately once everyone is out." He moved for the exit as Chumvi dashed off, looking more focused than Fujo had seen him in a long time. "Can you find the source of the blockage?"

"I'll see what I can do," Fujo said with a grimace. "The Sight is not particularly reliable underwater."

Malka hurried away to the lower levels, wasting no time on talk for once. Fujo flattened his ears to focus the Sight on the surrounding area outside. He could now "see" the Duara Vunja in the surrounding grassland, every one of them remaining stock-still with a disciplined practice. The Mtera Pride shuffled out of Mount Tempest's numerous openings in the meanwhile, too occupied with making room on the plateau to notice the threat lurking in the tall grass below.

Fujo reopened his eyes and hurriedly made his way down Mount Tempest, wondering how many casualties Janga would inflict before she reached Malka. While the plan was for her to drive off his pride members rather than kill them, he knew that not all of them would make it away alive. An unfortunate necessity. But hopefully one that serves its purpose and rouses the pride from their dormant state.

Satisfied that the Sight turned up no sign of Kumi or Siri, Fujo shifted his attention to his next task — shutting Janga out of Mount Tempest. A violation of their deal to be sure, but Fujo knew there was little she could do once all the exits were sealed. She must have been desperate to accept my terms. I need to be rid of her before she is able to do the same to me — and I have no doubt she intends to.

Time for the game to begin. The first move is yours, Janga.

•••

1ST MOON, DAY 27
3 DAYS LATER
Janga sat upon the quiet plateau, watching the sun rise over the grassland. Even with the leaf tied over her right eye hampering her vision, she thought it was beautiful, the way the light spilled over the horizon to bathe the mountains in its warm golden glow. But it's not home, she mused, peering over her shoulder to gaze at the half-buried pass that, until three nights ago, served as an opening through the mountain range.

In the same timespan, the Duara Vunja had been trying without success to find a way into Mount Tempest. The rocks around the main entrance were not even close to being cleared away, and already it was proving to be a thoroughly exhausting effort. And if that hadn't slowed things down enough, the recent earthquake promptly collapsed the narrow opening they had dug out of the pass, forcing everyone to redouble their efforts once more.

As for Mount Tempest, the side entrances remained stubbornly shut by the enormous boulders dropped into place over them. Fujo had to know how to move them, but Janga doubted he would be forthcoming with that information. This might not end well for either of us, she thought, reflecting on the risk they were taking together. It definitely won't end well for both of us.

Fujo would renounce their precarious alliance once she was no longer useful to him, that much was obvious. He had to die, although that was something she had made up her mind on the moment she had heard his proposal. He actually wants me to kill his brother. What a snake in the grass. Under different circumstances, she'd have gladly told him to go jump off a cliff. Still, none of the Duara Vunja asked questions about the dubious nature of their "ally", or the situation he had placed them in. But even after having driven the Mtera Pride out of Mount Tempest, Janga wondered if she had made the right call.

"You can't take on my pride, not unless you can siege the mountain and win," he told her. "And I can tell you don't have the numbers to hold a siege and attack the Pride Lands at the same time."

"I'll find another way through the mountains," was her brusque response.

"I suppose you could try." Fujo sounded amused at the thought. "But time is not a luxury you have, not to mention the impossible task of navigating the Keepers through the mountain range, in hopes of finding a path that's wide enough which, I should add, you don't know exists."

Janga narrowed her eyes. "And if I help you, you'll just let us through the pass?"

Fujo returned her suspicious look with one of amusement. "I won't have a choice in the matter. Not if your lions pull your weight."

She scowled. "I pull my own weight."

"I suppose that makes two of us," he remarked with a shrewd smile. His eyes burned with an icy fire but gave away nothing otherwise.

Of course, Janga hadn't believed for a heartbeat that Fujo would leave himself at her mercy. It hadn't escaped her attention that he had been tenaciously focused on closing the main entrance, more so than was necessary to maintain his ruse. So once it had become futile for her to secure the main entrance, Janga had made the implicit decision to "allow" Malka a chance to escape into the mountain range. The rest of the pride had scattered shortly after, leaving Fujo with no choice but to flee as well.

Janga allowed herself a smile at the recollection. The smug charlatan wants to play games with me? I don't need Malka dead yet, so yeah, let's play. She could allow Fujo to worry about Malka if it meant he would be too busy to cause her any more problems. In the meantime, she was free to proceed with the next part of her mission. I'll track down Malka on my own terms, and maybe this time Fujo won't be so keen to get in the way.

Soon she found her thoughts inevitably drifting to Siri. How long have the Keepers known she was here? Why didn't they tell me sooner? For a moment, she dwelled on the nights they spent away from the others after all the endless training. She had never admitted it to Siri, but there was something peaceful about those nights that Janga actually liked. Sorry, Siri. Some things are more important than what happens to you — or me.

As Janga made her way around the plateau, she noticed the patrolling lions shuffling off to rest while the others roused themselves. She knew it was only a matter of days before the Keepers' armies would come, and although she expected she would have some explaining to do, it didn't change the fact that the pass had to be fully reopened by then.

In the meantime, there was still the matter of getting inside Mount Tempest. Situated near the main entrance were the captives, some of which had been brought back from the mountains; three cubs and five adults, held under a rotating cycle of guards. The Duara Vunja parted wordlessly for Janga as she walked past them, and as she approached the captives, she couldn't help but notice the fatigue in Kupinga's features.

As always, the orange-furred lioness held herself tall and without complaint, and not for the first time Janga wondered exactly what she had accomplished to gain the Duara Vunja's tireless loyalty. Pausing only briefly to eye the sleeping cubs snuggled against one another, she leaned in next to Kupinga's ear and murmured, "Bring me last night's kill. Whatever's left of it."

The other lioness nodded and promptly hurried off. One of the adult captives — Hamu, Janga recalled as her name — crouched protectively over the cubs when Janga drew near. It was a look she recognized, one she had seen many Pridelanders wear whenever Scar was in their vicinity; an uncanny mix of fear, uncertainty, and revulsion that Janga was admittedly not used to being on the receiving end of.

Pushing the thought aside, she stopped a short distance away from Hamu. "Are you ready to cooperate?"

Hamu only gave her a baleful look in response.

"You said the side entrances couldn't be reopened from the outside," recalled Janga, undeterred by her silence. "I admit, I didn't believe you. Nor have my lions made any progress with the main entrance."

At this, a small smirk appeared on the other lioness' face. "Yes, I got bored of watching them by the second day. It was funny at first — they'd pull out a rock and three more would drop. You know what the definition of insanity is?"

Janga quelled her irritation, aware that Hamu was trying to get a rise out of her. "I can tell you're hungry. I know the feeling well, which is why I know you'd starve before you let me inside the mountain. So listen up."

Kupinga reappeared just then, carrying a bloody slab of meat by a bone clasped between her jaws. Janga cleared her throat. "This will not be enough for all of you. Not if you intend to feed the cubs first, which I should hope you have the decency to do. And it's all you'll receive until one of you chooses to cooperate."

Janga gave an affirmative nod to Kupinga, who dropped the meat in front of Hamu with a wet plop. The cubs stirred groggily at the noise, but instantly perked up at the scent of food. They dug in feverishly as Janga continued to address the adult captives. "If you haven't put it together by now, your odds of waiting me out aren't great, and more to the point, futile. Sooner or later one of you will give me what I want, if not for yourselves then definitely for the cubs."

"You'd starve them?" Hamu demanded, her expression livid.

"I've been through worse at their age," Janga responded coldly. "And the longer you forestall me, the more your numbers here will grow. You can count on it, my lions are very good at what they do." With that, she turned away. "Feel free to discuss your options amongst yourselves. But don't take too long, for your own sake."

As Janga strode off, she noticed Kivuli nearby, observing the exchange from where she stood. Janga gave her a bemused look as the grey-furred lioness fell into step beside her. "What?"

Kivuli snickered. "Nothing. You're a natural, that's all."

"I'm not taking that as a compliment," scowled Janga. "We have half a moon at most to get to the Pride Lands, and now the pass is buried. The Keepers aren't going to be happy."

"And they will be when they hear how we took this place?" asked the other lioness, skeptical.

"Mheetu didn't leave me much choice," Janga snapped. "They'll understand, even if they don't like it."

"If you say so," muttered Kivuli, unconvinced. "How's the eye?"

"I can still see out of both eyes, if that's what you're asking." Janga's tone dropped to a growl, and she averted her gaze.

"It isn't," the grey-furred lioness clarified. However, she did not press the matter as they wandered the plateau in silence.

Janga stopped before the pass, still being excavated by the Duara Vunja without pause. A narrow opening split the barricade down the middle, though it was not low enough yet to sit level with the plateau. Nearly half their numbers had been sent into the mountain range as soon as they were able to squeeze through the first time — a decision that had slowed their efforts on getting into Mount Tempest, but Janga was determined not to lose the trail of the fleeing Mtera Pride. Fujo will seek help for them, and he knows these mountains too well for my liking. If he has any surprises planned, I want to know about it.

Kivuli smirked as she watched the lions gingerly treading the rocks around the base of the blockage. "I don't think this is what they had in mind when you told them we'd 'dismantle' the kingdoms together."

"Har har," responded Janga sarcastically. She looked away from the pass, turning to face the rising sun once more. "I hope Simba listens," she murmured.

"He's a fool if he doesn't," Kivuli told her. "And a foolish king is no better than a tyrant." She cocked her head. "What we did here... does it bother you?"

Janga scoffed dryly. If only it were that simple. "I don't pity anyone who self-victimizes but doesn't act. This pride has not faced drought, or been held hostage by a ravenous army of hyenas. And yet they cling to their kingdom despite it being the cause of their misery."

"And Simba?" inquired Kivuli.

"Simba restored the Pride Lands the only way he knew how. And he might be one of the few people who understands." Janga's gaze dropped, as did her voice. "For years I dreamed of the day I'd march back into the Pride Lands and kill Scar. I was sure it was meant to be me."

"What about now?"

"Now I have no need for destiny, and the only thing I know is that nothing happens unless I make it so. With each day Simba's kingdom grows more comfortable, and eventually the horrors of the past will become a bad dream to them. The longer I delay, the more they will resist."

Kivuli returned her gaze to the barricade. "Then we'd better get a move on. If we don't get this reopened, it could take days to get the Keepers' armies through the mountains."

Janga nodded. "We have to reach Pride Rock by the time Bane comes for Mount Tempest. I can't exactly tell the Keepers about Fujo."

"And now Fujo has sealed us out," the grey-furred lioness remarked. "This deal might have been a mistake."

"It was our only viable option. Though I won't make the mistake of relying on him again."

"So what are we going to do about him?"

Janga scowled. "Nothing just yet. First I need to get to Simba."

"And what about the other so-called king?"

Janga thought about it for a moment. Perhaps I was too hasty in letting Malka run. Holding him prisoner would certainly give her leverage over Fujo, and Malka, being the coward that he was, could potentially do what the other captives would not and reopen the main entrance. "Bring him back here," she said decisively. "Alive."

Kivuli grinned, clearly thinking the same thing. Her silver eyes were still fixated on the blockage before them. "I have an idea."