Chapter 5: Life or Death
Kiara's heart races with panic as she knelt beside her wounded brother, desperately trying to staunch the flow of blood from his chest. Every passing second felt like an eternity, and she called out to him, begging him to stay with her.
In the distance, she hears the rustling of leaves and the sound of approaching paws. It was Tiifu and Zuri, her trusted friends and members of her royal guard. Their eyes widened in horror as they took in the scene before them.
"Kiara, what happened?!" Tiifu exclaims, her voice trembling with fear.
Zuri's eyes wells up with tears as she rushes to Kiara's side. "We need to get him back to Rafiki, quickly!"
Together, the three lionesses carefully lifts Kion's limp body, their hearts heavy with a mix of determination and dread. They know the journey back to Rafiki's tree would be treacherous, especially under the cloak of night and with Kion's life hanging in the balance.
Through the darkness of the night, they ran as swiftly as they could, their paws pounding against the earth, matching the frantic rhythm of their anxious hearts. The weight of the situation presses upon them, a suffocating darkness that seemed to mirror the depths of Kion's troubled mind.
Finally, they reached the familiar tree, where Rafiki awaits them, his aged face etched with concern. Without hesitation, he guided them to a secluded part of his tree, where he had set up a makeshift medical area.
Rafiki's experienced hands works swiftly, his focus unwavering as he examined Kion's wound. The atmosphere in the tree is heavy with tension and sorrow, the air thick with the scent of fear and desperation. "Will he be okay, Rafiki?" Kiara's voice trembles with a mixture of hope and anguish.
Rafiki sighs heavily, his eyes glistening with sorrow. "I cannot make any promises, my dear Kiara. We must do all we can and pray for the Great Kings of the Past to guide us." Kiara clenches her jaw, determined to stay by her brother's side, unwilling to give up on him. Tiifu and Zuri stand close by, offering silent support, their loyalty unwavering.
Hours turns into an eternity as Rafiki fight to save Kion's life. The atmosphere within the tree remains somber and tense, each passing moment a testament to the fragility of existence and the bonds that held them all together.
Finally, a glimmer of hope emerges as Kion's shallow breaths grow steadier. Rafiki's tireless efforts had paid off, at least for now. The wounds were not fatal, but the road to recovery would be long and arduous.
As dawn break, the first rays of sunlight bathed the Savannah, casting a bittersweet glow upon the scene. Kiara watches over her brother, her eyes filled with a mixture of relief and determination.
"We won't let you fight this battle alone, Kion," she whispers softly, her voice carrying a newfound strength. "Together, we'll find a way to heal your wounded heart and restore the light within."The journey ahead would be difficult, but the bonds of love and the resilience of their spirits would guide them through the darkest of nights, shining a beacon of hope amidst the shadows that threatened to consume them all.
The days blurs together in a haze of anxiety and despair as Kion's life hung in the balance. Kiara rarely left his side, her eyes weary from sleepless nights and her heart heavy with the weight of uncertainty.
Rafiki, his aged face etched with worry, approaches Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri with a heavy heart. "I have sent for your family, princess. Ono is already on his way to tell them the news and bring them here. They will arrive in a few days."
Kiara's eyes fills with a mix of relief and sadness. "Thank you, Rafiki." Was all she could muster to say.
Days turned into an agonizing eternity as they awaited the arrival of their family. Kion's condition remains stable but critical, his life hanging in the balance. Kiara's heart aches as she held his paw, willing him to fight, to find his way back to them.
Finally, three days later, the rest of the royal family arrives, and a solemn silence fell over Rafiki's tree as they enters.
Simba is the first to speak. "Tell me Rafiki, how is he?"
"He is critical, but stable for now. I have done all I can, it is up to the Great Kings now." Is Rafiki's reply.
"Thank you Rafiki, we are grateful for your efforts." Nala speaks next, thanking the wise old mandrill. Rafiki only nodding in response.
Kopa stand silently by their side, his gaze filled with a mix of guilt and still some resentment. He still has ill feelings toward his brother, but at the same time couldn't help but feel guilty. He knows he is the main reason Kion is pulled down the dark path, and as a result has lead to this moment, where his brother has be driven to suicide. The more he thinks about what was happening, the more his guilt overpowered his resentment.
The days that follows are a somber. As the royal family monitors Kion's condition, they also starts discussing where to go from here should he survive. Rafiki's healing knowledge and wisdom is put to the ultimate test in both physical and mental ways, he knows Kion's mental state is far worse than he first thought, and knows a different tactic to help him recover mentally was in order, if he survives that is.
Kiara is always sitting by Kion's side, she along with the rest of the royal family, their voices soft, continues to discuss the matter at hand. And ultimatly decides to keep the current plan to keep him with Rafiki, with the addition of Kiara staying by his side all the time so he couldn't attempt suicide again.
One evening, as the sun dips below the horizon, Kiara hold Kion's paw tightly, and speaks, her voice trembling with grief. "I'm so sorry, Kion. I wish I could heal your pain." The room fall into a heavy silence again, with only their breath could be heard.
Then, out of nowhere, Kion's eyelids flutters, a weak sigh escaping his lips. His gaze meet Kiara's for a brief moment. "Kiara..." His voice was but a whisper. "Don't blame yourself, it's not your fault. Besides… I'm better off gone anyway..."
Kiara's heart shatters, tears streaming down her face. "No your not Kion, please... We need you... I need you. You are loved." But Kion fall unconscious again, the room filled with silence once more. The battle for Kion's life rages on, his fragile existence teetering on the edge of life and death. Only time would tell if he would survive, or get the death he desired.
Author's Note: Hey guys, Kreative here, the Co-author of this story. Sorry this chapter took so long, my job moved me to graveyard shift so my free time is very scarce since I'm asleep most of the day now. If you haven't already guessed, I do the majority of the writing for this story since Ryan's Lion King inspiration is still on a burn-out. While I don't know how often this story will get updated, rest assured we will finish it. Anyway, that's all for now, and just a quick reminder: this story take place directly after 'Kion's Trial'. So be sure to read that one-shot if you have only read Broken Pieces.
This is Ryan. Thanks, Kreative, but yes he is right. The problem I have with writing Lion King and the fandom nowadays is because I'm now 18 and so my mind wants expand worlds. Most ideas for Lion King have been done already and I have no idea how to handle them in a unique direction even though I have had few ideas. As stated, we will finish this eventually, even though the updates are slow.