A/N: Jesus where do I start? Well, it's definitely been one hell of a ride trying to get to this point. My hiatus hasn't really helped me with stuff much and I'm nearing the end of my second year at university. I'm not proud to say this but I had almost completely given up on this story. We really are getting close to the end now, I think there are only about five or so chapters left to go? Between the workload and the myriad of health issues I have had recently, this chapter is far from my best work but I don't have the energy to improve it right now. I hope you enjoy regardless.

Chapter 47: One More Light Part II

Song: One More Light by Linkin Park

"I'm sorry Katzeran, but I can't let you do this. It's far too dangerous; who knows what you'd encounter there? That place is nothing like the realm of the living. The last time your father went somewhere like that, he almost never returned."

"Mum, please think about what you're saying. The Sword showed you what it showed me, so you know that Dad's in danger. I don't care what could happen to me, because if that monster that's keeping him hostage has bad intentions, then we need to do something."

"Sorgarith is one of Mumm-Ra's servants. He is incredibly dangerous and with your Father being as vulnerable as he is in that world, you'll be vulnerable too. It's going to be very dangerous, and besides, you're still a kitten."

I cringe hard upon hearing my mother call me a kitten but still, I continue my argument.

"I know Mum. You've said that like five times already and I'm perfectly willing to face the risks. I don't care what happens to me as long as Dad is safe."

She sighs heavily, pacing across the floor so much I'm worried she'll wear a hole in it. I have never seen the cheetah so stressed before but with the current situation, especially when her recently deceased mate is in danger, I can see why she is.

Uncomfortable, I try to focus on anything in the room that I possibly can but the awkward silence is deafening. There are so many different possibilities for this and too many things that could go wrong but if I don't try then how will Dad ever be safe?

"Katz…"

I look up at Karys as she enters the room, her face showing her worry as she approaches the table.

"I came as fast as I could when I heard the news and my class' professor was very understanding. What is your plan for this?"

"Well, it's quite a long story…"

—(Border)—

I hope that you are comfortable enough down there, boy. It's where you're going to be spending the rest of time itself

I groan as I try to take in my surroundings, but everything around me is void of any defining features. The walls and floor are both a deep gray and although it feels like I'm floating, something really harsh is tightly coiled around my arms, legs, stomach and chest. The pressure isn't uncomfortable just yet but it's getting there. I've lost count of how long I've been here; hours? Days? Months? Could I have been here for years?

I manage to squirm enough so that I can look Sorgarith in the eyes, and he sneers down at me with malice and rage. I don't have anywhere enough strength to actually free myself, but perhaps if I could just bring his guard down…?

Just then, I feel something cold and heavy slithering up my body, and when I'm met face-to-face by a huge snake, the scream of fear that escapes my throat takes the goatman by surprise. A smug grin spreads across his face as he chuckles menacingly.

You're terrified of snakes…Now that? It's something I didn't expect of you.

I struggle against the reptile, disgusted with the sensation of it slithering over my exposed fur and skin. If it wasn't for that attack by the snake when Katz was a cub, I don't think I'd be scared of them. The serpent wraps itself around me, squeezing my stomach to the point that I think I'd be sick if I'd have eaten anything.

Oh look, you have yourself a little playmate. How quaint. Seeing as how you no longer need to breathe, this could last for a long time…but I just hope that my little friend there doesn't get hungry. Barbary lions are her favourite food…

The snake hisses as it squeezes harder, and I can't help but whimper in discomfort due to not being able to get enough air into my lungs to be able to speak. Thankfully there's no pain, but I wouldn't expect it to hurt because it's not like I'm alive. The animal's muscular body squeezes my arms to my side, and I start to desperately fight as hard as I can to try and get free. Eventually, the snake starts to loosen up and I sigh in relief, sitting up and looking at my surroundings. I seem to be in some sort of throne room? Except, this is unlike anything I've ever seen; the walls and ceilings are black and shine like a mirror and I can see my own reflection in the surface; I look drained of all my energy, the blue spirit glow having been reduced to a mere muted grey. Where am I? I can remember the portal vividly but this has to be a different dimension altogether. Upon looking out of the window, I realise the truth of why this place looks vaguely familiar - I've been here before. Almost as if in a dream…

This is the Shadow Realm.

Glancing back over my shoulder, I see the seemingly endless corridor behind me, nothing but dank greyness surrounding me as I realise what unimaginable hell I'm in. This "palace" is where my father was kept by the Shadow Master when he was abducted. How everything comes full-circle, because now I'm trapped in the exact same place as Father was all that time ago.

I start walking, my senses on high-alert as I travel down the corridor. There are far too many hiding places along here where that crazed goat could be hiding but if I don't chance this then it's likely that I won't be escaping at all. Heaving a heavy sigh, I decide to take my chances. What's the worst that could happen? I'm already dead.

Two Hours Later

The pure dread washes over me as I run as fast as I can. Despite my best efforts, I can still hear the Guard Hound behind me as much as I can feel its hot breath on the back of my body. For some reason, it feels as though my heart is about to beat out of my chest and my lungs are on fire. Those sensations are alien to me now but to feel them so intensely? The searing pain where its claws raked through my thigh is screaming at me to stop, but I dare not; I may be just a mere Astral form now but who knows how that alone would hold up against a being of darkness? Looking up, I manage to stop myself seconds before colliding with a wall, and I hear the Hound's footsteps growing closer by the moment. I'm cornered and this is not going to go well for me.

I press myself against the wall as close as I can, edging myself towards the window to my right. If I could just gauge the canine's actions then I could…

It launches for my throat.

It feels like a jolt of electricity shoots through my body as the creature's jaws snap shut where I was standing seconds earlier, and I just manage to slip myself through the barred window. It's storming heavily outside, and I'm facing either a drop that would kill me if I weren't dead already, or a climb up sheer brickwork slick from rain. Lightning courses its way through the sky as I reach up, just managing to grab hold of the lip in the stone above me. Using what strength I have, I desperately pull my way up just as the Guard Hound manages to bust its way out, howling with rage as its red eyes fix upon me, pupils narrowing to tiny pinpricks. The sound that it makes is unlike anything that I've ever heard as it claws its way up the side of the building towards me, maw filled with teeth designed to shred flesh from bone in seconds.

I manage to pull myself up to my feet, the raw pain from my thigh catching me out as I desperately try to climb, only for my hand to slip on the wet brickwork, and I feel those horrific teeth sink into my ankle. But to my surprise, there is no pain; nothing but numbness that spreads through my body.

With a display of pure strength, I feel the dog tear me from the side of the building and for what feels like minutes, I feel myself falling at an increasing rate towards the wet ground. I close my eyes as I see the ground getting closer and when I hit the slick grass, I feel nothing. No impact, no pain. Just nothing but the cold sting of the rain.

I see that you've met another one of my pets then, cub. Well, for you to have encountered this one, you must have been trying to escape. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen. You're my plaything now boy. Did you really think that you were going to get into the Astral with what your Uncle did to you when you were a cub?

A hoofed hand cups my chin and forces me to look up into Sorgarith's eyes. He looks like he is more than enjoying this interaction between us and I bet my right arm that he has an alliance with Mumm-ra to keep me from entering the Astral. He licks his chapped lips, running his thumb over my jawline.

Yes, I can smell the blood of thousands of lost lives on you. You have committed atrocious acts upon others – you have murdered countless people, so many of them innocent. Isn't that right…

Jansh'r?

"GET OFF OF ME!"

I recoil sharply from the goatman's grip, so many horrific thoughts and memories racing in my skull that it feels as though I am about to implode from the overwhelming information.

You might be the reincarnation of Satos but what you don't know is that the soul of Jansh'r is fused into your very bloodline. Everything of what you are? It's all lies. You are every bit Jansh'r as you are Satos!

"Shut up!"

The reincarnation of Satos is stuck in the Thunderian equivalent of what the Humans call "hell" for the rest of existence, and he's never going to be able to meet his cub…

"Wha-What do you mean?"

Sorgarith just grins down at me before pulling me up by my mane, forcing me to my knees. He waves his hand and what appears to be another portal appears before us and I see a vision of Cheetara curled in bed. The pangs of heartbreak hit me hard upon seeing my mate, and when the gorgeous cheetah rolls over, I notice the slight soft curve of her belly - she's pregnant and from the looks of it, maybe even a few months along.

That child will never know their Father and it's all your fault because you let your anger get the better of you, and you only ended up getting yourself killed. And your poor, poor wife. Having to grieve the loss of her lifemate while also being pregnant at the same time? Although, all it takes is some meddling and…

"Don't you darehurt my wife or unborn child!"

Sorgarith does nothing but laugh, his hooves digging into the skin on the back of my neck as he taunts me.

What you don't realise is that you don't have any power over me. I could kill that cub right now if I really wanted to…but I like seeing you suffer…

He clicks his fingers, and the vision disappears. Still, I watch where it was in shock. Cheetara pregnant again? After we were told that she was unlikely to ever carry another cub after she birthed Lola? The tears stream down my cheeks at the realisation that I'm never going to meet that cub. I'm never going to see my family or friends again.

The timing is…unfortunate…but if we want a reunion…

A knife appears in his hands as he drops me, and I watch in horror as he takes on the form of my son and walks through a portal to the Realm of the Living. I push myself up, thick mud and sludge dripping from by chin and cheeks. This really can't be happening to me; it feels like some kind of sick joke made up to taunt me and further entrap me in this bleak existence.

—(Border)—

Young Prince, where you request to travel to is a realm fraught with dangers unlike those which you have seen here, are you sure that you wish to make this journey?

I gulp as I look up at the Guardian, its great eye fixed on me as if scrutinising my every thought and action.

"I-I have to. For the honour of my family and my father's memory, as is said in the Code of Thundera."

Your Father taught you well, young one. To be so wise but to yet still be a kitten. He would be so proud of you.

"That's why I have to do this. Who knows what he's going through right now?"

If anything happens to you while you are there, I will be unable to assist you. Do you understand that? Sorgarith is a dangerous foe due to the horrible tactics he takes to using.

I nod, determination running through my veins as I clench my fist. Although I may be currently unable to wield the Sword of Omens, I'm still very confident in my ability to save my Father and allow his soul to escape the eternal torture it will be subjected to. Stepping towards the portal, I tie my waist-long mane back with a heavy sigh before stepping through into the unknown.

…

Cold.

Dark.

Isolated.

Those are probably the words to describe what I feel and see as I cautiously journey down the corridor. Every footstep echoes off the grey walls as I hold the lantern aloft, the flame casting shadows upon the wall that writhe and squirm. This place is absolutely huge and I don't even know where to start on finding my Father. I can't even smell his scent because the only scent is the stench of death.

"Dad! Dad, where are you?"

My voice echoes through the corridor but the only answer I hear is rapid footsteps headed in my direction. I feel my stomach drop as I turn to run, but I feel the hand clamp down on my shoulder.

"What are you doing, boy? He'll hear you if you keep shouting like that."

"Who the hell are you?"

"Who I am doesn't matter because I can tell right away that you aren't supposed to be here. You're not a soul."

"You're right, I'm not. I'm here to rescue my Father…" I reply shortly, my hand going for the Sword of Omens and when my fist closes on thin air, I realise that I couldn't bring it with me into the Book. Turning around, I see that the person stood before me is unlike anything I've seen before. I turn away once again.

"The young Barbary lion? Sorgarith had him chained up in his throne room the last time I saw him. But be warned, you will be stuck here forever should your mission fail…"

"How do I get to the throne room?"

"You go through the dungeon. But heed my warning, youngling. You are in danger."

Talk about being morbid and having low faith. I start walking along again, and eventually I hear a very faint sound. I stop to listen, straining my ears to try to hear what it is, and once I recognise what it is, the fur along the back of my neck and shoulders stands on end and a chilling sensation runs through my entire body - it's Dad's roar. I'd recognise that sound anywhere with how many times I've heard it. The pain and anguish is clear and I take off running in the direction of that mournful sound.

—(Border)—

"Mum!"

I turn around upon hearing my son call me, seeing him walking towards me with a confidence I haven't really seen before. I sit up straight in my seat, trying to hide my midriff as best as I can. I haven't told the kids yet and I know that I'm going to have to but I just want to wait until the best time or until the risk of losing the little one is gone. The kitten stands right behind me, his hands on the back of the chair as he looks at me. I can't help but feel a bit strange about that – something isn't quite right here.

"Can I help you, Katzeran?"

He doesn't answer right away, just staring ahead at the screen where I'm trying to scan the perimeter around us. His claws are out fully too, a sign that he's riled up. This definitely can't be good. He leans forward, looking down at me as he speaks.

"You can't stop thinking about him, can you? Can't you just move on already? He's dead and never coming back. Do we even need to organise a funeral?"

I'm taken aback. With tears threatening to spill at the thought of my poor mate, I yell at him with full-force.

"Of course, I can't 'just move on already'! I was married to your Father for just under twenty years! He may have passed but he was and always will be my lifemate!"

His blank expression takes me by surprise and he just looks down at me again with a scoff as I get to my feet. He's almost as tall as his Father was and he's nowhere near the lion's build but despite this, he's making me feel so intimidated right now.

"Don't you sometimes wish that you could join him, wherever he is?"

That tone of voice isn't his. Out of the corner of my eyes, I see his reflection in the telescreen – a grey-furred winged goat. Just like Katzeran had told us who had taken Lion-O captive. With a gulp, I look him dead in the eyes, not breaking my eye contact for even a second. If he realises that I am aware of his disguise, who knows what he'd do to me.

"Honestly son, I miss him so much that some nights I feel I may die without him. But my place is here until my time comes. Anyway, I'm sorry to cut this conversation short but I'm needed in the Council Chamber."

I make move past him and hear his growl, along with his footsteps behind me as I exit the control room. He's literally breathing down my neck the entire time that I head towards the Council Chamber, and once we're in a secluded enough part of the Lair, I turn on him.

"I know you aren't my son. What did you do to my husband?"

His face is blank for a moment before he immediately changes tactics.

"Mum, what are you talking about? It's me."

"Don't give me that bullshit, Sorgarith. What did you do to Lion-O?"

A creepy smile quickly spreads across his face as his disguise rapidly fades, and I can't stop the growl of anger that forms deep within the pit of my stomach. It feels like my skin is crawling on the back of my neck as he circles me with a look of pure malice twinkling in his eyes.

I don't understand how you saw straight through my guise but I am suitably impressed, she-cat. As for your mate? He will be trapped forever in the Shadow Realm until he is forgotten…then he will fade away into non-existence. It's sad really, he really could have become something so important…

My roar echos around the room as I make a move, ramming my fist full-force into his abdomen and knocking the demon back as he gives a cry of surprise. One of those giant wings catches a chair and pulls it down on top of him, which pins the goat down to the floor as I stand over him.

"That's where you're wrong, Sorgarith. Lion-O was something important and he always has been. I wouldn't expect such a horrific beast like you to understand anything about his past but by messing with him? You've made a fatal error. Now leave. Go back to whatever horrifying place you came from and never return here."

—(Border)—

"I never could have imagined that it would be so easy after all these years, nor can I believe just how weak he had gotten. It's pathetic really, but now he will never bother you again."

"No, it doesn't work like that…"

"Wha-?"

Grune turns to look at me in shock, the chalice grasped tightly in his hand overflowing with the finest of red wines. The sabretooth doesn't even register the beverage which is now soaking into his fur – that is, unless, he doesn't care about it in the slightest.

"We may have finally succeeded in killing that wretched lion but he will always come back in one form or another. I assume that you are familiar with the common Thunderian folklore surrounding reincarnation? Lion-O will always return because while his body was merely thirty-nine years old, his soul is far older than even myself.

"Satos is the sworn protector of the Thunderians and his punishment for the crimes he committed against his people under my control is to be reborn every two generations to the male child and perish painfully upon fulfilling his purpose. Sorgarith has interfered by entrapping Lion-O's soul in the Shadow Realm, and it will prevent the prophecy from continuing – he will neither go on to his peaceful eternal rest nor will Satos be reborn in the next generation after that miserable Thundercat's son."

"Interesting…The kitten will be crowned King within the next year or so, which is something that we need to put a stop to."

"No."

Grune immediately turns to look at me, his expression that of shock as his brow furrows in concern.

"No, we do not interfere. The prophecy gives clear reasoning as to why Katzeran must stay alive. He has an important role in his Father's destiny, but he is currently trying to free him from the Shadow Realm. Sorgarith has until sundown before his powers start to wane…"

-(Border)-

"Dad! Dad, can you hear me?"

My voice echoes throughout the corridor as I make my way past the seemingly endless tangle of cells. Most have intricate carvings dug into the stonework, likely tied to ancient magic to keep the occupants from escaping. I recognise them, because I've seen similar ones adorning the ancient doorways of the Black Pyramid – hieroglyphs if I am not mistaken. I stop and observe them, running a claw through the intricate carvings. I have always wondered what kind of ancient civilisation would communicate in written means via a series of pictures. I bring my lantern up higher as I struggle to read them, and see that those carvings are everywhere on the walls.

I follow them, eventually coming to what appears to be a dead end as I sigh in defeat; great, I'm lost. Just what I needed. I sink to the floor with my head in my hands, regretting every decision that I have made up until now. It's useless, how am I ever supposed to find my Father? He could be anywhere in these cells. But I can't give up because although he's likely completely unaware of my presence in this realm, I have to save him. That's when I hear the soft whimpering coming from behind me. What in the-?

I manage to push myself to my feet before looking up at the door I had been leaning against, and it's then that I remember what the creature I had encountered told me. This heavy wooden door must be the throne room. With a growl, I try my hardest to push it and to my relief, it slowly begins to open inwards. The room inside is every bit as bleak as the rest of the building that I have seen, and I feel my heart leap when I catch a familiar scent, albeit very weak - that's when I see him.

"Dad!"

The lion looks up and I see the expression of relief and disbelief on his face. He's bound with cruel shackles which have been fastened against his wrists with lengths of what appears to be barbed wire but somehow there is no blood. His entire body is glowing a dull grey colour, a vast difference from the vibrant blue hue of Jaga's apparition whenever he appeared to my Father.

"Katzeran…is it really you?"

"It's me…Oh jeez, how am I going to get you out of here?"

I try to grab hold of the shackles but the razor-sharp barbed wire slices into my palms as I gasp in pain. Dad struggles against the restraints before looking at me, and it's then that I see the fear in his eyes - I've never seen him so scared before.

"Katz, you need to get out of here! Don't worry about me but you need to go before he…Sorgarith…finds you.."

It's too late for that, Lion-O.

I hear the voice from behind me, but somehow it's in my head? What on earth? I turn around with a growl and see the winged goat behind me, holding a blade of pure fire. The same goat who tricked my poor father into entering this damned dimension in the first place. My growl deepens as I assume a defensive stance before my Dad, but when my hand automatically goes to where the Claw Shield and Sword of Omens would be, my heart drops when I realise that I am unarmed.

Foolish decision, kitten…

The blow to my stomach hits me like a ton of bricks and I'm sent flying back into the stone steps in front of the throne. Pain explodes throughout my body upon impact, and yet I push myself up as I wipe my bloody nose on the back of my hand.

"Katzeran, don't be a hero! You can't take him on alone unarmed! I told you, just leave me here!"

You should listen to your precious little daddy, Katzeran. A good little boy like you wouldn't want their Father to see them be torn to bloody shreds, would they? Besides, it's your fault that he's dead, isn't it?

"Stop it Sorgarith…"

Oh I'm not wrong though, am I? If it wasn't for you then maybe your mother and friends could have reached him on time. You were in the way when your friends were trying to save him. You killed your Father…

The fire within me burns into an inferno and in that moment, I am blinded by pure hatred, rage and malice. I have never known anything like it as the room is bathed in the blinding golden glow from the pyrokinetic powers of my Barbary heritage. My entire body is consumed by the flames, from which the the intense radiating heat scorches the flooring as I let loose a deafening roar that has Sorgarith cowering and covering his ears. I feel so different. I feel powerful – completely unstoppable. I take a step forward and that's when I see my reflection in the highly polished black stone walls.

The creature…no, beast…that stares back at me is unlike anything I have ever seen before. I stand as tall as the largest horses that the humans had bought with them with cruelly sharp sabre-teeth jutting from my jaws, and my quadrupedal frame is so intensely muscled that I look like I could bring the heavens themselves down if I willed it; my huge mane covers my neck, chest and back, and swirling flames cover my entire body. I recognise the animal that my rage has changed me into, as there are a few surviving specimens who roam wild around Thundera, having survived the Exodus. The common folk call them 'Primals' but we know them as the Predecessors.

What the hell is the meaning of this? What manner of beastly demon is that?

"That, Sorgarith, is what we Thunderians evolved from…many millions of years ago…" I hear Dad croak weakly, and in response I let loose another roar of warning before charging the goatman, claws out and ready for the kill. He yelps and jumps out of the way of my attack, and I feel the pain of his sword striking my body but it doesn't stop me. I need to free my Father.

My jaws clamp down on Sorgarith's arm as he prepares another attack, and he howls in pain as I bite down as hard as I possibly can before proceeding to shake him like a rag doll. For a being of evil incarnate, I'm surprised to see how little he is fighting back against the beating I'm laying down on him. I let go, sending him soaring and he crashes against the steps to his throne, much like I had minutes prior.

I do not understand how you are so strong here…but it won't last long…

Pain explodes through my entire body as I feel sharp claws and teeth puncture my torso, and I let out a screaming roar of agony as the pressure builds. My claws barely do damage against the demon attacking me, but I can see that it is canine in appearance and every bit as large and strong as me. This is going to be a challenge. It feels like ten knives sink into my stomach, and I retaliate violently as the demon's talons tear at my flesh. I can't do this.

"Katzeran! No!"

I can feel myself weakening as blood drips to the floor, and to my surprise, the demonic hound backs away before disappearing. I let loose a growl of pain, struggling to stay standing as I glare at Sorgarith. I need the Sword of Omens, that's the only way that he can be beat. But how am I supposed to be able to call for it? I'm not as powerful as my Father.

Have you had fun, kitten? I hope that you have because you are going to be stuck here for the rest of eternity. I may have been thwarted by a pregnant cheetah but I won't be beaten by you. All wounds that you sustain here will reflect on your body in the world of the living and with how severe they are? I doubt you'll live-AAAAAAAAA!

Sorgarith screams in agony as I lash out and lock my obscenely powerful jaws around his wings, crunching down on the bones just under the skin like twigs. Such a cruel being, he doesn't deserve any better. He pulls away, and there's a horrifying tearing sound as my mouth fills with feathers, flesh and blood. The goat demon stands there in shock, staring at what was one of his wings which is now hanging from my mouth in bloody tatters.

You…you piece of shit…I'll have…have you for that.

"You should never have messed with my Father…"

The blade of his sword comes arcing towards my neck, but with one swipe of my massive claws, the blade shatters into tiny fragments. Sorgarith's powers are weakening? But how?

"Katzeran! Call the Sword!"

~ (Border) ~

"Cheetara! Where are you?"

My footsteps echo through the empty corridors as I journey onward, looking for the cheetah whom I haven't seen in an extremely long time. It's strange but the place seems almost deserted aside from the occasional Guard who stops me to enquire about my business being in the Lair, but aside from that there's nobody around. The grand halls are draped with black material and as I pass by the Throne Room, I see the royal portrait painting of Lion-O K'al'iviryix which is also draped with a length of black material.

The news of the lion's death was one of the biggest shocks to me. Nobody would have ever expected that the King was going to die so young but the battle had been brutal and he had been wounded so severely by Grune the Destroyer.

I continue on until I hear footsteps ahead of me, and a young female Litah cub rounds the corner and continues along the corridor. She's dressed in green school uniform of the secondary school in the secluded Barbary Village, and I know immediately that it's Lola in front of me. I speed up to a brisk walk, and just when I'm within a grabbing distance, her ears prick then swivel round and she looks back at me. It strikes me how much she looks like both her mother and her father at the same time. Her tail flicks anxiously as she turns back, picking up the pace as I follow her.

"Lola! Wait!"

I have to run to keep up with her thanks to her speed from being half cheetah. I can hear her panicked gasping as she struggles to keep going, and eventually we reach the royal suite.

"Mummy! Mummy! Help!"

I reach out and seize hold of the cub's tail, pulling a lot harder than I had intended. Lola lets out a shrill squeak of pain before losing her balance and falling forward, hitting the floor hard before starting to cry. I go to help the cub to her feet, but she rapidly backs away while crying and holding her tail.

"Step away from Princess Lola!"

I back up with my arms raised in defeat as the pair of snow leopards approach, their weapons drawn and trained on me. I recognise the elder one to be Orion, Lion-O's personal guard and advisor but I don't recognise the other.

"Raphael, go and help the Princess and take her to the Queen. I'll deal with this stranger."

"Yes Father."

Orion turns to me with a scowl, his huge bushy tail twitching slightly as he watches me. His lip quivers as he lets out a low growl, exposing his fangs as his nose wrinkles.

"I have no idea who you are or why you're here but to hurt the Princess in such a callous manner? Her Highness has just recently lost her Father and now she has to worry about people like you chasing her down while she tries to-"

"No…By Thundera, no…It can't be…"

I turn my attention to Cheetara as she just stands there in the corridor in shock. She's holding Lola to her chest, having tried to soothe the crying cub.

"I'm as real as the next person to enter this corridor, Cheetara." I say pointedly as I step forward, noticing that she takes a few steps back herself.

"You know this man, Cheetara?"

"His name is Guepardi, and he is my ex-fiancé."

The cheetah won't meet my gaze but I can't help smirking slightly. She obviously remembers me after so long, but when I go to take another step forward, Orion throws an arm out and stops me where I stand.

"You do not have permission to approach the Queen..."

"Orion, let him."

The snow leopard looks up at Cheetara in shock, the grasp on his sword loosening slightly as his eyes flick back to me. The cheetah nods, and so he hesitantly sheathes the weapon at his side and follows us closely as we walk along. The woman in front of me has barely changed a single bit from the young femme warrior whom I was intending to wed, and I can't help but feel invigorated. Up until my arrival to this planet not long before the Great War, I had always assumed Cheetara to have been dead – I thought all of the Thundercats had perished during the cataclysm which destroyed Old Thundera. How I'd wept for weeks at the loss of my mate and my friends. Discovering that she was alive upon my return, I had been filled with newfound hope to maybe rekindle our relationship from when we were forced apart many years before the explosion...but to find out that Claudus' youngest son had gotten there before me?

I was crushed, to say the least. Crushed, angered, in disbelief. And then I'd learned of exactly how close they were and had been reminded of the relationship I had been lucky to share with her when we were both young. We enter the Royal Suite, and I look around in marvel and wonder at the spacious living quarters. There is a large storage unit containing many books and trinkets sat against one wall with perhaps one of the largest televisions which I have ever seen on one wall with a sprawling luxurious corner sofa, but what catches my attention is the rustic bookcase against the wall next to the stairs with a large portrait of the family in one of the cubbyholes; Lola is stood between her parents with a meek smile and Katzeran is beside his sister. The litah looks just like his father in the photo. Lion-O is beside his wife, and what shocks me is just how scarred he is. The photograph is most definitely a recent one as is evidenced by the streaks of gold starting to show in the lion's mane. I study it carefully, noticing the small intricately patterned porcelain dish in front of it which is holding a platinum bracelet and a lock of red hair wound with some kind of thread, along with a carved animal made of ivory. Either side of this display are a pair of carved candles and at the front is what I assume to be incense. I move to pick up the bracelet, inspecting the engravings which are in a language that I don't understand. Barbary, perhaps?

"Guepardi, I thou- Don't touch that!"

Startled, I quickly place the bracelet back down as the cheetah comes over to inspect it carefully. She looks over everything before rearranging the flowers, and I can't help but stand there in shock. Never has she ever raised her voice at me and I had to fight to keep my anger down with an inward growl. She motions for me to sit down on the sofa and so I do so, under the watchful eyes of both Orion and Raphael.

"Listen, Cheetara, I'm sorry that I messed up your little display but I-"

"Little...Little display? Guepardi, what you did was disrespectful to the ancient traditions of the Barbary religion. That is a Kalwa Dýrmæt and they are a sacred part of mourning the loss of a highly respected Barbary lion. Karys made that in order to memorialise her brother in a way significant to her beliefs and honour his memory. You don't mess around with or touch anything involved with such a holy ritual of a religion that you don't understand..."

She's growling by the end of the sentence, the fur around her shoulders standing on end and her claws out fully which is a shock to me – I've never seen her so angry before in my life. I realise that I'm scowling and move to sit up straight, looking intensely over at Lola whose tail curls around her legs as she looks down at her homework.

"Stop staring at my daughter, it's making me uncomfortable. Actually, Lola, can you go to your room for a bit or go and see if your friends want to do homework together? You're a little too young to be listening to this conversation sweetheart."

I quickly look back at Cheetara who is now holding a cup of tea in her hands which she sips from elegantly and I can't help but watch. Lola slips out of the suite with her school satchel around her shoulders, and that's when the cheetah finally continues.

"Guepardi, I thought that you had been executed."

"It was…planned…and then the cataclysm happened…Cheetara, look, I really am genuinely sorry for what happened between us, and I just want to ask for your forgiveness."

"That's okay, but I don't forgive you."

I'm taken aback.

"But…I said I'm sorry."

"Yes, you did. But I don't forgive you. I don't have to. What you did to me when we were together was unforgivable and downright evil. I ended up in intensive care that night. You almost killed me in that fit of rage, but it's good to see that you've mellowed out considerably as you've aged. That's a good thing. As a matter of fact, I'd say that-"

She gets cut off when there's an almighty crash from outside, and Raphael opens the door of the suite to investigate, consequently almost being beheaded by the Sword of Omens as it flies past. Immediately, Cheetara gets to her feet and the atmosphere in the room changes within a fraction of a second, and I hear the clear worry in her voice with the only word that she manages to speak, having turned as pale as a ghost;

"Katzeran…"

~ (Border) ~

"Look out!"

I manage to duck and roll out of the way of the blade, catching the Sword of Omens as it comes flying towards me with a growl. This is a game changer. My jaws tighten on the handle as I take up a defensive stance. Sorgarith gasps in pain from the multiple gouges left in his body by my claws, and I can feel his grasp upon this existence waning.

He can't keep fighting for long. My claws scrape against the floor as I power up for another charge, throwing myself against the goat with as much strength as I can muster up. He groans in pain as my body hits his, sending him sprawling as I let out a roar.

"Stay down, Sorgarith. Don't give me a reason to end you…"

He spits out a mouthful of blood, before pushing himself to his feet. Wordlessly, he pulls a dagger and races towards me, blade held high with murderous intent. With an enraged cry, he launches at me, but with one quick motion, I swing the Sword of Omens at him. There's a wet crunch as he gives a gasp of pain, collapsing to the floor as his body begins to slowly crumple into dust.

No…No, how can this be happening! I can still do it…

I stand above the demonic entity with a deep scoff, placing a huge paw upon his chest with a growl. He doesn't fight back against me, but instead just collapses back down again as he stares up at me, seemingly accepting his fate. How can this have been so easy? He was so strong to begin with but then everything else happened so quickly that it just doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever.

"You're done for, Sorgarith. You will never haunt the Astral again, nor will you ever entrap another soul within this hellish existence for the rest of time itself."

The goat gives one last cackle before fully melting away into a pile of ashes, and I turn my attention back to my Father who is still chained to the post. I approach him at a run, my body changing back into my Thunderian form as I go. With the Sword now in my hands and with Sorgarith's influence beginning to fade, I'm finally able to free him and he drops to the floor.

"Easy, easy…Are you okay?"

The lion looks up at me and I see the relief clearly in his eyes.

"I never thought I was going to see you, your mum, your sister or our friends again…"

He struggles slightly, but I manage to help him get to his feet. His hands feel like blocks of ice on my arms, and his entire body seems to be radiating a chill. Words aren't said for several minutes as we make our way out through the corridors as they crumble around us, releasing the spirits incarcerated within. Natural light finally greets us as we reach the entrance, and stepping outside, I see just how bleak this realm is. Being trapped here forever seems absolutely miserable.

"Thank you, Katzeran…I don't think I would have ever escaped his grasp if it weren't for you, but how did you know about what happened to me?"

I turn to my Father again as he joins me on the hillside, the ruins of the once bleak fortress behind us.

"The Sword warned me of what happened to you. I couldn't not save you after your tale of something similar happening to your Father."

I feel his hand clamp down on my shoulder, and he sits down beside me in the grass.

"I'm proud of you. I'm so very proud of you for the courage that you have showed. I was around your age when I had to free my own Father from the Shadow Master and I struggled so much…" he trails off when he sees the tears of guilt that stream down my cheeks in uncontrollable rivulets, and I can't bear to look at him as I feel him wipe them away.

"Dad, I…I'm sorry…"

"Sorry for what, Katz?"

I take a deep breath in, steeling my nerves as best as I can but I'm still on the verge of breaking down into sobs.

"For causing your death…"

He sighs, and I feel his hand settle atop mine, with a reassuring squeeze as I glance up at him.

"Katz, son, nothing which happened that day was ever your fault. It was always going to happen, and if anyone is to blame for it, I can only blame myself. I got myself killed because I lost my temper and my impetuosity got the upper hand. Mumm-Ra knew exactly what he was doing and everything was meticulously calculated…I'm just so glad that you and the others are fine…"

"I don't understand though. You've been hurt like that in the past…"

"Katz, it's not something which bears thinking about but even if you had have managed to reach me before that damned blade was rammed into my chest, I wouldn't have survived. Mumm-Ra was keeping me alive using black magic – I would have died from my wounds on the day of the rescue mission because my wounds were horrifyingly infected by that point…There was nothing anyone could have done…"

He shows me his arm, and I see the evil sigil carved into the flesh. I have read about that symbol in the books for my rulership classes, and I know that it is one of the most blasphemous to the Barbary lions. But why that specific one? I voice this question to my Dad, and all he does in reply is shrug.

"I can only suspect that he wanted me to be permanently scarred as a reminder for what he did to me for crossing him. He's dangerous, Katz, and you are nowhere near ready to face the likes of him. At least not on your own."

"Why does he hate you so much?"

The lion gives a lighthearted chuckle for a moment before returning to his serious composure.

"The history between myself and him goes back far longer than any of us has been alive. Or rather, as long as I've been alive in this body. It's far too complicated to explain and I barely understand it myself. Even then, there's only a minuscule amount that I am actually aware of. You'll learn about it some day…"

"Why not now?"

"You're far too young as of now…Besides, it's about time that you were returned to the Realm of the Living, isn't it?"

"But what about you? What happens now?"

I feel his arms wrap around me and it's only then that I realise I'm sobbing embarrassingly hard. Feeling his arms around me reminds me of when I was a young boy.

"What happens to me now doesn't matter anymore. All that matters is that you know that I'm always going to be there for you, okay? For you, your sister, your mum. Everyone."

"How?"

He just smiles down at me, and I see that the glowing aura surrounding him has finally returned to the signature pale blue.

"You'll see eventually…"

"Dad!"

My eyes fly open and I sit upright, tears streaming down my cheeks as I take in my surroundings - I'm in the Sword Chamber, the mystical blade grasped tightly in my hand. My heart is pounding, and that's when I become aware of the pain coursing through my body as I look down; as much as my father tried to heal the wounds left by the battle, not all of it had fully healed before I was pulled back into this reality. Instinct takes over and I clamp my hand down on my stomach, choking on my sobs of pain.

"Mum? Mum!"

Tears stream down my cheeks as I force myself to my feet, gasping in pain at the gashed on my body. How am I still wounded? I'm so focused on the pain that I barely react when the door opens and someone comes running in.

"Oh my god, Katzeran!"

"Mum…"

"Oh son, what happened to you? Pumyra! Help!"

"Mum, I did it. I freed Dad."

She smiles weakly, tears running down her own cheeks as she holds me close. Pumyra comes running in with Tygra, and when she sees my condition, she goes white.

"Prepare the OR and get a gurney to the Sword Chamber pronto!" she shouts into the communicator held in her hand, and then she checks me over.

"Vitals are thready and his pulse isn't promising, he's lost a lot of blood. What the hell happened to you?"

"Attacked…demonic entity…"

I only just manage a few words as they load me onto the gurney, and I see Mum stood to the side in hysterics. The last time something like this happened…

"Mum…I'll…be okay…"

That's the last thing that I'm aware of before the cold grasp of unconsciousness drags me down into the depths of blissful yet bleak unawareness…

To Be Continued…