*Chapter 1: He Lives in You*

Day by day, everything was the same. Ajani kept doing his chores for his foster parents, but recently it wasn't overwhelming. Still, he wanted to do more than just chores. Ajani walked over to the waterhole to gather water until he started to hear a tune. It sounded like a male. With a deep voice. Curious, Ajani walked around the waterhole and the voice got louder. Hiding behind the rock is a man with painted markings on his face and bare chest. He is wearing a light brown loincloth, gold bracelets, and held a stick with hollow shells. In front of him is a small fire with smoke coming out. The mysterious man hummed a tune and did a chant. Ajani kept his distance as he spoke.

"Excuse me, sir? Do you need help?" He asked. The man opened his eyes and see Ajani. He smiled.

"Ajani. I have been waiting for you." He said. Ajani blinked in surprise. "Do you know who I am, boy?"

"No."

"I am Shaman Kadji. The one the tribes speak. And a giver to those who can speak to animals in this world." The man replied. Ajani's eyes widened. This is the shaman! In person. Ajani is speaking to the wise Shaman.

"You...you're real!" He said. "I wasn't so sure if those were just tall tales or true tales. But what're you doing here?"

"I am here for you. You have destiny to fulfill." Kadji replied.

"Destiny? What are you talking about?" Ajani asked. Kadji stood up and brought his stick. Ajani followed him. "What is my destiny?"

"Don't you remember? You wish to fill your father's shoes. You are the chief's son. You are going to be the new leader." Kadji said. "But not now. Not yet. When the time comes, you will be."

"How can I be leader? My home was gone. It because of that lion." Ajani told him. Kadji raised his hand to silence the boy.

"Your father may be gone, but...he is in here." Kadji pointed at Ajani's chest where his heart is. "His spirit." Ajani touched his chest, feeling his heartbeat. Kadji began to sing. Ajani could've sworn he also hears voices singing with him.

(Ingonyama nengw' enamabala.
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala.
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala.
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala.)

"Night.
And the spirit of life,
Calling."

(Oh, oh, iyo.
Mamela.
Oh, oh, iyo.)

Wind gently hits the both of them. Ajani looked up at the sky as Kadji sings to him with voices chanting around them in the air.

"And a voice.
With the fear of a child,
Answers."

(Oh, oh, iyo.
Oh, mamela.
Oh, oh, iyo.)

(Ubukhosi bo khokho.
We ndodana ye sizwe sonke.)

Ajani was about to turn away, thinking this is all nonsense, but Kadji stopped him by gently placing his hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Wait!
(Wait, wait, wait.)
There's no mountain too great.
Hear the words and have faith, oh.
Oh, oh, iyo.
Have faith."

Kadji got out a necklace with teeth hanging. Ajani gasped a bit. This was his father's necklace. Ajani gently took the necklace. He wanted to cry as he held the necklace close to his chest. Soon after, he puts the necklace on. That way his father will be with him. Living in him. Kadji continued the song with the chorus around them.

(Hela hey mamela.
Hela hey mamela.
Hela hey mamela.
Hela hey mamela.)

"He lives in you.
(Hela hey mamela, hela.)
He lives in me.
(Hela hey mamela, hela.)
He watches over.
(Hela hey mamela, hela.)
Everything we see.
(Hela hey mamela, hela.)
Into the water.
(Hela hey mamela, hela.)
Into the truth.
(Hela hey mamela, hela.)
In your reflection.
(Hela hey mamela, hela.)
He lives in you."

The wind died down and Ajani looked up at Kadji, now understanding the words. His father may be gone, but his spirit is living inside of Ajani. Giving him strength and courage. Before Ajani could say a word, the Shaman disappeared. The boy looked around for him.

"Shaman Kadji? Wait! What about my destiny?" He asked. "Hello? Shaman Kadji?"

"Ajani! What are you doing out there?" A male voice called out. Ajani turned to see his foster father. "Come over here at once! What if a lion or a hyena is out here?"

"I'm...I'm coming!" Ajani said. Before he could reach his foster parent, sounds of roaring are heard. Ajani turned to see the lioness in the distance, being chased by hyenas. Ajani looked back at the man who ordered him to come to him and looked back at the helpless lioness. Ajani made his choice by grabbing his spear and rush through the grasslands.

"Ajani! No!" The man shouted.

XX

The lioness tripped over and heard laughter of the spotted hyenas coming close to her. She shuts her eyes to prepare for fate. But Ajani appeared with his spear and fought off one hyena who lunged at him. The hyenas growled at him. The lioness opened her eyes to see him protecting her.

"Stay back you savages!" Ajani spoke to the hyenas.

"Who you calling savages, human?" One male hyena asked. Ajani blinked at him. They spoke to him! The power is real. Ajani can understand and talk to animals.

"Why bother talking to him? He can't understand us anyway." Another hyena spoke.

"Oh, I do." Ajani said with a side smile. The hyenas were surprised. Ajani found his chance to fight back, making them yelp. He ducked when one hyena lunged. The lioness couldn't believe how brave this boy is. No human would dare to save an animal in distress. Ajani swung his spear to leave a scratch on one of the hyenas. "Go! Don't make me find you again! And leave this lioness alone!" Ajani yelled. The hyenas growled and ran away. Ajani sighed and put his spear on his back.

"You...you saved me, young one." The lioness spoke. Ajani turned to her. She is a tan lioness with red eyes. Ajani also noticed that she is pregnant! She is bearing a cub. "I owe you, human. How could I ever thank you?"

"No need. It would be wrong of me to let this happen." Ajani replied. "You should go before my tribe sees you." The lioness smiled and nodded. She ran off as soon as Ajani's foster father appeared.

"Ajani! Are you hurt? What happened?" He asked.

"I saved the lioness from those hyenas. She is pregnant and-"

"Ajani, you could've been killed! Don't you remember what happened to your village and your father? And you saved a lioness? What if she killed you?" The man yelled.

"But she-"

"Come back home!" The man pointed behind him where the village is. Ajani stared at him and let out a sigh. He walked past him in anger.

Ajani sat in his room with his arms crossed, listening to his foster parents talking about what happened earlier. The woman was shocked after hearing what Ajani had done out there. Why are they acting like this? Ajani can't let the pregnant lioness get killed by those hyenas. He did the right thing. And he spoke to her. The Shaman did give him the power after all and those who are worthy. Does Zuri have the ability as well? Ajani wasn't sure if he should tell anyone. It wouldn't be wise. There are consequences. Ajani held the teeth on the necklace around his neck. His father would've been proud of him right now.

"I do what my heart tells me. I make the decisions. Not anyone else's." Ajani said, laying back on his bed, placing his hands behind his head. Any minute now, his foster parents will punish him for doing something dangerous. Ajani couldn't care less.

"Sarabi! Are you alright? What has happened to you?" A red-billed hornbill asked as he flew around her with worry. "Sire was very worried about you being gone so long and I-"

"I am alright, Zazu." The lioness, Sarabi, replied as she slowly walked up to Pride Rock. The lionesses came around her, asking her what has happened, but the lion with gold fur and a red mane appeared out of the cave as soon as he heard his mate was safe.

"Sarabi. I was very worried about you. What happened to you?" The lion asked.

"Mufasa, I was chased by those hyenas while I was on a little hunt. But a young human saved my life. He fought off the hyenas all on his own with that stick!" Sarabi told him. Mufasa, Zazu, and the lionesses were shocked. "I was so grateful. I owe him my gratitude."

"A young human saving the queen? Humans never bothered to save us from anything." Zazu murmured to himself.

"That was very brave of the human. And I am so happy you are safe, Sarabi." Mufasa spoke as he started to nuzzle his mate's face. "Next time, stay with the group. And you are holding our child."
Below the Pride Rock, a dark lion with the black mane watched with a sneer. He turned away with disgust. He couldn't believe what he just heard. A human interfered.

"I despise humans..." The lion growled to himself, scratching the nearby tree, leaving the mark. He disappeared in his own den.