•

I should have known I'd leave alone, just goes to show
That the blood you bleed is just the blood you owe.
That I'd fallen for a lie, you were never on my side,
Fool me once, fool me twice, are you death or paradise?
—Billie Eilish, "No Time To Die"

The first tinges of evening crept into the dusky auburn sky by the time the grassland finally thickened around the hunting party. Trudging in time with three other lionesses, a small yet familiar sense of ease came over Siri as the familiar shadow of Mount Tempest cast itself upon her. The hot, brittle dirt cooled beneath her paws, putting a lightness in her step despite the sagging weight of the antelope carcass splayed across her back.

With the sun sinking behind the mountain range, she peered up through the tall yellowing grass toward the imposing, not-too-distant form of Mount Tempest. Fika, the lioness shuffling along on Siri's left, gave a fatigued sigh. "Home sweet home. Told you we'd make it back before nightfall."

To Siri's right, Bidi moaned in relief as her toes sank into the moist dirt. "Finally. That was way farther than we went last time."

"You always say that," Fika grumbled, though she too relaxed visibly with each step.

"Because it's true," insisted Bidi. "The herds are getting scarcer by the day. Word is they're leaving the kingdom one by one."

Fika snorted. "'Kingdom'. Sounds like a bad joke these days."

"Keep it moving," grunted Hamu, the party leader. She maintained her pace at the other end of the formation, clearly eager to put the carcass down. "The sooner we reach the plateau, the sooner we can rest."

As Hamu parted the grass to guide them through the field, the antelope shifted heavily to one side. Siri immediately slid in between Hamu and Fika, propping up the carcass by the middle to prevent it from tumbling off their backs.

Hamu exhaled. "Good catch," she said with a grateful smile. "Thanks."

"Thank me after we get this up the plateau," grunted Siri.

"My favourite part. I don't suppose you'll be joining us for dinner?"

Siri managed a half-shrug against the antelope's abdomen. "Someone needs to bring Malka his share. And he needs the company."

Hamu's smile disappeared, but not entirely. "Your choice. I disagree on both counts though."

"Would it kill him to eat outside like a normal person?" Bidi complained. "Hey, Siri, tell Malka to lug his mopey corpse out of Mount Tempest. He could use the exercise."

Siri tried and failed to suppress a grin at the thought. "Oh, you're more than welcome to tell him yourself, Bidi—"

Hamu raised one paw, and Siri immediately fell silent. The hunting party came to a halt.

Bidi groaned. "Why are we stopping, we're al—"

"Shhh." Hamu's eyes scanned the skies attentively. A tension crept into her shoulders that Siri knew had nothing to do with the antelope on her back. "Do you hear that?"

The others looked around, listening closely. "Silence?" asked Fika, mystified.

"Exactly," Hamu said in a hushed tone, beckoning for everyone to put the carcass down. "The birds aren't chirping. The bugs stopped chattering too."

Siri's attention was drawn by a whiff in the air — something faintly stifling yet oddly elusive. She focused on the scent, nose twitching in an effort to identify its baffling familiarity.

"Maybe they're leaving, like the herds?" guessed Bidi.

"No," said Hamu firmly. "There were plenty of birds singing at dusk yesterday. Same with the bugs — they always come before sundown."

A chill ran down Siri's spine. Her ears pricked up at the sound of heavy steps from atop the plateau, and the scent she caught quickly grew more pronounced. "Hide!" she hissed. The hunting party swiftly scattered into the grass with hardly a rustle. Siri dove for the base of the plateau, silently pressing herself beneath a jutting ledge to conceal herself from view.

A towering lion appeared atop the small cliff with his nose to the sky, snout riddled with faded cuts and gouges. A gust of wind pushed back the mane from around his face, revealing countless streaks of scarring where his grey-brown fur refused to grow back. His vigilant cyan eyes scrutinized the grassland, searching for signs of a disturbance.

Siri clamped a paw over her mouth, fighting back a gasp of shock and recognition. Jeraha. Her heartbeat was racing as furiously as the flood of thoughts in her mind, but she held still, knowing he needed only look down to spot her.

Jeraha's gaze honed in on the antelope, and in that moment Siri was thankful its blood-tinged scent was strong enough to conceal hers. The big lion bared his teeth before slipping away, though she waited until the sound of his footfalls receded before releasing the breath she had been holding.

Cautiously, Hamu poked her head out of the grass and motioned for Siri to follow her. The two lionesses made their way around the base of the plateau, staying light on their paws so as not to alert the intruders outside their home. Siri could hear snatches of conversation amidst the sounds of movement up top, though they were still too far away to make out clearly.

"That wasn't one of ours," Hamu whispered.

"No," murmured Siri. "We gotta move, he'll be looking for us."

Hamu paused to give her a quizzical look. "You know him?"

"He's hard to mistake for anyone else. Did you smell it on him too?"

Hamu nodded. "Pine needles. They're concealing their scent, hard to tell how many." She sniffed at the evening sky carefully. "There's... something else. Blood."

Siri frowned, also trying to pinpoint where the metallic scent was coming from. "That's weird, we left the carcass all the way back..." She trailed off as the horrifying realization struck her. "Wait. That's not antelope blood, it's—"

"Lion," Hamu finished grimly. "We need to find Fika and Bidi now."

Up ahead, the escarpment opened into a gentle incline, connecting the grassland to the plateau upon which Mount Tempest sat. When Siri peeked around the slope, the first thing she noticed was that the main entrance was covered to the brim in stones. Two members of her pride, Kaidi and Chumvi, were digging at the obstruction, closely watched by four lions she did not recognize.

Siri felt a stiff nudge from Hamu, who was staring off in another direction. Siri followed her gaze and had to choke back a cry when she saw them — seven bodies laid out on the plateau, all of whom she recognized as her pride members. Not far from them, four trembling cubs were guarded by another group of lions. She drew back at the sound of pawsteps, waiting for the patrol to pass by before peeking out again. "There are more of them than I remember."

"There won't be when I'm through with them," hissed Hamu, moving to step out from their concealed position.

"Hamu, wait!" Siri immediately pulled the other lioness back. "We're outnumbered, and these lions don't mess around. Trust me on this."

"I can't just sit here," Hamu seethed. "They have my daughter."

"I know. But these aren't your average ragtag rogues. They're well-trained, disciplined — and they have powerful friends."

Hamu relented, though her teeth were still clenched. "Who are they, Siri? Really?"

"They're called the Duara Vunja," Siri explained quietly. "We were just a few outcasts at first, but..."

"'We'?" repeated Hamu.

Siri winced. "Long story. Too long to get into right now."

The look Hamu gave her told her she would have a lot of explaining to do later. "What are they doing here?" the other lioness asked pointedly. "What do they want with us?"

"That might be a little more complicated. I didn't think they were the invading type." Turning her gaze past Hamu, who was glaring a hole into the side of her head, Siri peered up over the rim of the plateau. She averted her eyes from the bodies of her pride members and took a quick count of the lions present. "I see at least twenty."

"Any of them ours?"

"Unfortunately, no. It looks like the rest of the pride either holed up or got away." Siri fought back a flutter of panic rising in her chest. "There's gotta be even more on the other side. How are we supposed to do this on our own?"

"We'll need a distraction," said Hamu, undeterred. "Let's get back to Fika and Bidi."

The sound of a scuffle arose from the other side of the slope, prompting Siri and Hamu to duck behind a nearby boulder. A moment later, Fika was dragged out of the grass by Jeraha, followed by a struggling Bidi who was held by an angular grey lioness — Kivuli. Siri's stomach sank as her friends were escorted up the plateau. If they're both here, then she definitely is.

Hamu let out a silent heave of resignation. "Spirits help us. You weren't exaggerating, these lions know their stuff."

"But they don't know the mountain like we do," mused Siri, her gaze resting contemplatively upon Mount Tempest.

Hamu peeked around the rock face, also thinking intently. "You just gave me an idea for that distraction. I need to get inside though. All the usual routes are blocked."

Siri nodded. "I'll get you as much time as I can. Whatever happens to me, don't let them see you, alright?"

"Wait, what are you doing? Siri?" whispered Hamu frantically, one paw extended before Siri who was stepping into view around the side of the boulder.

Siri wordlessly gave Hamu their "stay quiet" hunting signal. She padded noiselessly away from their hiding place before clambering her way up the side of the plateau, no longer making any attempt to conceal her presence. Ignoring the countless pairs of eyes darting her way, she fixed her gaze upon Jeraha and Kivuli, who stopped hauling Fika and Bidi away to turn and see what everyone was staring at. She stopped some ten paces away as their eyes locked onto hers.

Jeraha harrumphed. "Siri. I thought I caught your scent earlier."

"Didn't think to look straight down though," Siri responded bitingly. "Too bad you always let your nose do the thinking."

Jeraha bristled. Kivuli cracked an amused grin in spite of herself, while Fika and Bidi stared at Siri, visibly perplexed. The burly lion took a step closer in her direction. "You weren't so mouthy when you were hiding in the grass. I could practically smell your fear — which makes me wonder what you're hoping to accomplish here."

"It's not every day my home gets invaded," snapped Siri, fighting to keep her voice steady. "Either of you gonna tell me why you killed seven of my pride members?"

"'Your' pride members," Kivuli scoffed. "For a supposed nomad, you got cozy here very quickly."

"What I did after I left," growled Siri, "is none of your business."

Kivuli's watchful silver eyes darted up to meet hers. "Oh, but it is. Things changed after you walked away. The mission changed."

"What mission?" Siri exclaimed indignantly. "Simba got to Scar first, we all heard the news. There was no more mission."

"That's where you're wrong."

Siri stiffened at the sound of the voice. A lioness stalked past from behind her, her dusky brown fur darker and thinner than Siri's, who despite her attempts to avoid eye contact, noticed the other lioness solemnly observing her out of the corner of her eye. Siri turned her eyes forward, maintaining an outward calm though her heart was now pounding feverishly. "Janga."

"Siri." Janga motioned for Jeraha and Kivuli to take their captives away, hardly paying them any notice even as Siri watched her friends being hauled off. "This isn't about Scar anymore. You know that, right?"

Siri gestured to the largely unfamiliar lions occupying the plateau. "Then what is it about? You think you can make this make sense to me?"

"I do," Janga replied unflinchingly. "I intend to tear down every last kingdom in these lands. And I'm prepared to die trying."

"Even if they aren't your enemies?" challenged Siri. "Even if their rulers are noble?"

"And is your king noble?"

Siri fell silent. She angrily averted her glare from the other lioness, knowing there was no honest refutation to the question.

Janga drew closer, intently fixated upon Siri who refused to meet her gaze. "You know why Malka is the king; because his father was the king — a vile and despicable lion, as I'm sure the Mtera Pride has told you. Do you know what became of him?"

"Yes," said Siri tersely. "What's your point?"

"My point is, the kingdoms are a vestige from a primitive era, littered with unworthy rulers obsessing over bloodlines and jealously guarding their so-called birthright. That has to end."

"Not like this. The Mtera Pride never asked for this."

"No, they needed it, Siri," Janga asserted fiercely. "I'm not seeking to change the course of history. I'm going to stop it from repeating itself."

"That's not... Malka isn't—" Siri blustered.

"Spare me," scowled Janga. "The Keepers heard everything from the animals that left this kingdom."

Siri finally turned to her in disbelief. "Th—the Keepers sanctioned this?"

"Of course not. But it'll be done by the time they find out. That's enough for me."

The two lionesses stared at each other for a moment. Siri's brow was tight with barely contained anguish. "What happened to you, Janga?"

"Too much, which is why I'm not stopping now," Janga said quietly. "I told you I wouldn't."

"And I walked away because I believed you." Siri's voice became sullen, resigned. "But I could never believe you'd do something like this."

Janga pulled back, and although Siri thought she caught a glimpse of longing behind her fervid orange eyes, her expression was resolute and devoid of conflict. "Come quietly, Siri. You know too much for me to let you go, but you won't be harmed if you surrender."

"Did you give them the chance to come quietly?" Siri jerked her snout in the direction of the dead lions. Janga remained silent, to which Siri shook her head disparagingly and unsheathed her claws.

The other lioness did the same, and as she did so, eight lions closed ranks to form a crude circle around them. "Last chance," implored Janga. "You still have a choice."

"I made my choice the day I left you," Siri told her coldly. "I will never want your mercy, do you understand?"

Janga closed her eyes for a moment and let out a drawn-out exhale through her nose. She nodded firmly before locking gazes with Siri, who shifted into a ready stance by bracing herself on her hind legs. Even if I beat her somehow, there's no escaping the Duara Vunja like this. She pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on watching Janga like a hawk.

The tension in the air was interrupted by the sudden boom of stone crashing against stone, and the plateau shook as an avalanche of rocks and boulders tumbled down Mount Tempest. The lions surrounding Siri turned toward the clamour while the rest of the Duara Vunja scrambled in all directions to avoid being crushed. Even Janga involuntarily glanced away for a brief moment, and without hesitation Siri leapt forward, claws outstretched.

The other lioness leaned back, narrowly avoiding the claws that grazed past her throat. One of her paws caught against Siri's, causing them both to stagger into one of the other lions and tumble to the ground in a heap.

"Janga! They're escaping!"

Siri registered the speaker as Kupinga, another familiar voice from the past. But she did not falter as she untangled herself from the enemy lions. The rest moved to intercept her bid for freedom, but Janga, who scrambled to her paws, shouted, "No, I've got her! Go secure the captives!

Having made it to the edge of the plateau, Siri leapt from the escarpment. She rolled into the grass to break her fall and stumbled into a sprint before she heard someone drop down not far behind her. Janga. Mind racing, Siri frantically wondered if her best chance would be to stand and fight once they were far enough from the other lions. I'm done for if I run myself ragged. And I'm nearly spent after the hunt—

Siri gave a startled grunt as she nearly tripped over the antelope carcass in the grass. She thrust out her front paws, bracing against its shoulder to stop herself from getting skewered by its antlers. Janga burst through the grass a heartbeat later, and Siri instinctively rolled aside and hit the dirt. She heard a whump, followed by a roar of pain, and peered up to see Janga writhing and entangled between the antlers. She was clasping her right eye, and Siri smelled fresh blood even before she saw the dark trickle running from under the other lioness' paw.

Despite not having fully regained her breath, Siri forced herself up and continued running, knowing she had only moments before the Duara Vunja would follow. As she dashed away from Janga's thrashing form, she took one last look back at Mount Tempest and saw that Hamu had completely buried the pass leading into the mountain range. Did she free the others? Did any of them even get away?

Siri dispelled the thoughts, knowing there was nothing she could do now except run. The night was upon them, and for the first time in a long time, she was completely alone.

•••

Janga managed to extricate herself right before Jeraha and Kivuli joined her in the grass, blinking droplets of crimson out of her vision as her paws came away smeared with crimson. She straightened, refusing to so much as clench her teeth despite the stinging sensation on the right side of her face. "Report."

Kivuli took a step forward. "Janga, you're—"

"I know," snapped Janga, not wanting to discuss it. "Report."

"The adults made it into the mountains," Jeraha informed her, "along with one of the cubs."

"We caught a lioness trying to slip away on the far side of the plateau," added Kivuli. "I suspect she's the one who blocked the pass."

"Then she knows another way into Mount Tempest," Janga surmised. "See what you can get out of her."

"I'm on it." Kivuli's eyes lingered on her for a moment, namely the bleeding gash on her face, but she said nothing else before stalking back up the plateau.

"What about the ones that escaped?" asked Jeraha.

Janga contemplated her options. "I'll send a few teams into the mountains once we dig out the pass," she decided. "But Siri is the priority. She's the only one who really knows about us."

He huffed, though not out of disapproval. "Just say the word, Janga."

"Kill her." Her voice did not waver as she gave the order. "She'll tell Simba everything if she gets to the Pride Lands before we do."

Jeraha raised his head skyward and roared authoritatively. A moment later, five lions appeared atop the plateau and leaped down with effortless grace.

"Don't toy with her, alright?" Janga said firmly. "She deserves a quick death."

She received a displeased growl in response, but he nodded affirmatively. "See you on the other side of the mountains," said Jeraha as he stepped through the grass where Siri had left her trail. His lions followed closely behind, disappearing one by one into the thick of the grassland.

Janga cast her gaze down into a small puddle. She immediately gave a frustrated growl as blood ran from the gash over her eye and down her snout. She wiped it away irately, though her reflection revealed that even the lighter fur around her jaw was now stained red. With a drawn-out sigh, she lowered her paw and let the blood run freely. A lot more blood will be spilled before this can end. There's no changing that, not while these lands are ruled by the old ways.

Simba. Have you learned nothing from Scar's mistakes? I certainly have, and I will gladly bleed your kingdom dry to ensure that it never rises again.

Now you'll never see me cry,
There's just no time to die.
I let it burn, you're no longer my concern,
Faces from my past return, another lesson yet to learn.