Nafasi sprinted away from his home as fast as he could, putting distance between himself and the place where he plotted his revenge against Kali. But the question loomed large in his mind: how could he possibly achieve it? He needed an army, a force to reckon with. How could he assemble such a formidable group?
He eventually found refuge in a jungle that seemed to teem with prey. Hunger gnawed at him, urging him to stop and eat.
"Hey you!" a lion called out. "Get away from our territory!"
"I-I just wanted to eat," Nafasi stammered. "I mean no harm."
"How can we be sure?" other lions chimed in.
"What the hell are you guys supposed to be?" Nafasi asked.
"Your doom," the lead lion replied ominously.
The group of lions swarmed Nafasi, their numbers overwhelming him and leaving him outnumbered. The encounter ended with them abducting him, his fate hanging in the balance.
Mheetu remained uncertain about his decision to join the empire. It was a tough choice, but it could be the key to ensuring Matu's safety. He knew he needed to earn his friend's trust as well.
"I heard you have a son," Kali remarked. "Are you sure you can leave him while serving?"
"He is fine," Mheetu replied confidently. "I have it under control."
"May I know his name?" Kali inquired.
"None of your business," Mheetu hissed.
"...I see," Kali said "Today, you will be under my command."
"Pardon me, sire?" Mheetu replied with curiosity. "I thought I would be under Ruudhi."
"For now, you must follow me," Kali explained. "Do you oppose my decision?"
"No, sire," Mheetu replied respectfully.
"Very well," Kali acknowledged. "For now, we are embarking on a long journey."
"I received intelligence that there is a rebel group plotting to destroy us," Kali continued. "Do you wish to join me in rooting out this threat?"
"It is my pleasure to join you, Prince Kali," Mheetu declared.
And so, the beginning of Mheetu's servitude to the empire has began
Nafasi opened his eyes, realizing he was trapped inside a den. All he wanted was to eat, but now he needed to find a way out of this place.
"Hello there," Ni appeared. "May I know your name?"
"Who the hell are you?" Nafasi questioned.
"A question does not lead to another question," Ni replied. "Answer mine."
"Nafasi... I ran away from my home," Nafasi reluctantly answered.
"Why, may I ask?" Ni inquired.
"We were attacked... By Kali," Nafasi explained.
Ni understood the gravity of the situation. It was Kali again, as expected. "I see... You may now be free."
"That's it??" Nafasi was puzzled. "What the hell are you supposed to be?"
"I am the leader of The Jungle Pride," Ni replied. "I lead the way to freedom against the empire."
"What???"
"Years ago, Rifalme took over the Umojelands and started pillaging every kingdom in its path," Ni elaborated. "One of his stooges is Kali, the second in command, the one who attacked your home."
"How did you know, and how can I trust you?" Nafasi questioned.
"Years ago, I sought refuge in this jungle after being exiled from my home," Ni explained. "The people here share stories like yours; they were attacked by none other than Kali, who pillaged and destroyed their homes."
Nafasi tried to piece the puzzle together. This might be his chance to initiate his plot for revenge against Kali.
"I see... I apologize for my misunderstanding," Nafasi said.
"It's fine," Ni replied.
"May I join your organization? I have nothing to go home to," Nafasi requested.
"You may," Ni said. "That's the entire purpose of this refuge."
Ni then shared his story with Nafasi, describing how he left his home and founded the Jungle Pride, which piqued the young lion's interest. Nafasi reciprocated by sharing his own story.
Nafasi saw an opportunity he couldn't pass up. "Can I join you?" he asked.
"What do you mean? You already have," Ni replied.
"No, like... Can I join your cause? I want to be part of your mission to stop Kali... I need to fight him. I need to exact my revenge against him. This is my only chance," Nafasi pleaded.
Ni sighed "You are way too young to think that way. You may stay here, but I will deal with Kali."
"Please... I may look young, but I have won many fights!" Nafasi asserted.
"Adolescent fights are not of my concern," Ni stated firmly. "You are simply too young for this mission."
"But what if I fight you?" Nafasi challenged. "If I win, you let me join. If I lose, I won't bother you again."
Ni hesitated, realizing that this determined young lion wouldn't stop bothering him. "Alright, you will not fight me, as that would be too dangerous. For a more fair fight, you will face a friend of mine, and if you win, then you will have my word."
"I promise that I won't disappoint you," Nafasi replied determinedly.
Nafasi mentally prepared himself for all possible outcomes. He couldn't afford to let this opportunity slip through his paws. Winning this fight was paramount if he ever hoped to confront Kali.
"His name is Moyo," Ni introduced a much larger lion than Nafasi. "There are rules for this fight: one must pin their opponent to the ground for 5 seconds. The fight won't stop until someone is pinned or someone passes out."
"I understand," Nafasi replied, his determination unwavering.
"Hey, kid, if you die, it won't be my fault," Moyo joked with a hearty laugh. "Don't call me a child killer."
"Don't worry, I won't die," Nafasi retorted confidently. "You won't become a child killer or whatever that is."
"Let's see about that," Moyo chuckled, his amusement apparent as he readied himself for the upcoming showdown.
The atmosphere was tense as Nafasi and Moyo faced each other, their eyes locked in a fierce gaze. Nafasi knew this was his chance to prove himself, to show that he had the determination and skill to be a part of Ni's cause and to stop Kali.
Without warning, Moyo lunged at Nafasi, his larger frame giving him an advantage in strength. Nafasi, however, relied on his speed and agility, dodging Moyo's initial attack. He knew that he had to be quick and strategic to stand a chance.
Their fight was fierce and intense, each lion trying to gain the upper hand. Moyo's size and experience gave him an advantage, but Nafasi's determination was unwavering. They circled each other, exchanging blows and trying to pin the other to the ground.
Minutes felt like hours as they grappled, neither willing to give in. Nafasi's youth and energy kept him in the fight, while Moyo's experience allowed him to anticipate Nafasi's moves.
As they continued to battle, Nafasi's mind raced. He thought about his home, his father, and the burning desire for revenge against Kali. Failure was not an option.
Then, in a split second, Nafasi saw an opening. With a lightning-fast move, he managed to pin Moyo to the ground for the required five seconds.
The tension in the air broke as Ni was surprised at the outcome, Nafasi had won the fight against all odds. He had proven himself worthy.
Moyo, despite his initial skepticism, grinned at Nafasi. "Well done, kid. You've earned your place."
Nafasi caught his breath, relief washing over him. He had taken a significant step towards his goal of revenge against Kali, and he was now a member of the Jungle Pride, ready to fight for justice and freedom.
Moments later, Nafasi took a break from the fight as Ni approached him.
"Well, I'm very impressed, and I'll keep my word," Ni commended. "But you must understand, young one, that dangers will surround you."
"I understand," Nafasi replied resolutely.
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of a mole bearing troubling news.
"Ni, Kali and his army are on their way here," the Mole urgently announced. "We cannot allow them to discover our location."
"I see," Ni acknowledged. "You will now have to return home," he instructed the mole, who swiftly retreated underground.
Nafasi's ears perked up at the mention of Kali's impending arrival. "I heard that... Kali is coming, is he?"
"Yes, young one," Ni confirmed. "It is now time for you to prove yourself."
"Alright, Kali and his army are closing in," Ni announced urgently. "We must prevent them from discovering our location."
"And I'd like to introduce Nafasi... the newest member of our operation," Ni added.
"Ah, so you're the kid Moyo was talking about?" a lioness, Ponya, inquired.
"Nafasi, allow me to introduce you to the Wenye team," Ni continued. "You already know Moyo. The lioness you're speaking to is Ponya, and the other red-maned lion is Kito."
"Hello there," Nafasi greeted with a nod.
"With four lions in our team, it's a significant addition," Ni affirmed. "Now, we defend our home against the empire!"
Meanwhile, Kali and his army were on the hunt, seeking the location of the rebel group.
"We may be walking into an ambush," Kali announced, his senses alert. "I smell lions."
"Me too," Mheetu added, his nerves on edge. "Everyone, stay sharp! There may be lions out there ready to ambush us."
As Kali and his army cautiously advanced, they moved through dense foliage and shadows, their eyes scanning for any signs of an ambush. The tension in the air was palpable, and every rustle of leaves or distant roar set them on edge.
Meanwhile, Ni and the team, including the newly recruited Nafasi, were preparing for the impending confrontation. They had a plan to defend their home against the empire, and they were determined to make a stand.
Ni gathered his team around and outlined their strategy. "We'll use our knowledge of the jungle to our advantage. Ponya, you and Nafasi will try to get their attention. Kito and I will be in the front, as I will face Kali."
Nafasi nodded, understanding the plan. He felt a surge of excitement mixed with anxiety as he prepared to prove himself in battle.
Back with Kali's army, the tension escalated. The scent of lions lingered in the air, growing stronger with each step they took. The Empire's soldiers tightened their formation, their eyes darting to the shadows.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the jungle, followed by another. Kali's heart raced as he realized they were surrounded. The rebel lions had set a clever trap.
Without warning, the jungle erupted into chaos as Ni and his team sprang into action. Kito and Ni charged forward, roaring to draw the attention of Kali's army, while Ponya and Nafasi darted from the sides, taking down unsuspecting soldiers.
The battle raged on, but the rebels had the element of surprise and knowledge of the terrain on their side. It was a fierce struggle, with clashes of teeth and claws.
Kali, enraged by the ambush and realizing the danger, fought back fiercely. He and Mheetu led a counterattack, trying to regain control of the situation. The battle intensified, leaving both sides with casualties, but the rebels were holding their own.
Nafasi, fueled by his desire for revenge against Kali, fought with all his might. He found himself face to face with Kali himself, who recognized the young lion.
"You!" Kali growled. "You're that kid from before."
"I told you," Nafasi said defiantly. "I will go back and take my revenge."
Kali chuckled, his confidence unshaken. "You really think a kid like you can beat me?"
Without warning, Nafasi launched his attack, but it proved futile. Kali effortlessly dodged every blow and countered Nafasi's attacks with precision.
"Not gonna lie, I'm not impressed," Kali remarked as he swiftly delivered a powerful blow to Nafasi's head, rendering him unconscious.
As the battle raged on, Kali sensed that the tide of the fight had turned against his army. Recognizing the danger, he made a calculated decision. He signaled a retreat, and his army hastily withdrew, leaving the rebels victorious but with a battered and unconscious Nafasi.
The jungle fell silent once more, the echoes of the battle still lingering. Ni and the team cautiously regrouped, assessing the damage and taking stock of their wounded. They had won this battle, but the war against the empire was far from over.
"Wenye" comes from the word "Mwenye hekima" Which means "Wise" in swahili
