A trail of wet sand streaks behind you as you use the magic of your resonance to surf along the moonlit desert. The flattened mountain that becomes taller by the second is hopefully the place you'll find where your beloved sheep had been taken. Both yours and Undine's sole focus is on getting you and Polka there as fast as possible, every second counts. When you arrive at the base of this marvel of nature within a harsh and almost barren landscape, you let the waters around your feet die down, and gently release Polka to stand on her own two feet. The circus magician brushes the frills of her clown skirt down and takes a step forward to look around. You stare directly in front of you at the grainy wall of the mountain that is illuminated by the moonlight, not seeing any sign of an entrance, or any lions, at least on this side.
"Unless you can see something I can't, let's find where those thieving cats are hiding." You grunt as you begin to stomp towards one side of the pale tan pillar.
Undine says nothing, but you can hear her thoughts loud and clear as she floats besides you, her blue radiance is even more intense than normal, and her gaze is unbreaking and steadfast. Polka opens her mouth to say something, but puts the thought away for now as she hurries to catch up with you. When you turn the corner, you notice an indent along the wall, and your pace quickens. You step in front of a large opening that leads inside the mountain; the shadow of the night hides what may lie within, but you won't let that stop you. Nothing will stop you from bringing your sheep back alive.
"See anything out of the ordinary in there?" You ask the fennec next to you, your eagerness to jump into the fray tempered just enough by the fact that if you fall into a hole or even some trap, you won't be able to save Watame.
"Nope. Just that it looks to curve to the right. This is probably just the main entrance to their den." Polka ventures a guess. "Do we need some sort of plan, Anon? It sounds like you were handling them pretty well on your own earlier, but we are literally going into the lion's den here."
"This is my plan." You say coldly as you will Undine's trident to appear in your grip. Its smooth blue sheen and presence feels welcome and familiar in your grasp.
"We shall show these mongrels that no one will take our family from us." Undine adds with a vindictive harshness you have only sensed from her once before, when she met with her daughter Uisce's kidnappers.
"But if you're glowing like that, they'll see us as soon as we enter the cave. If they already can't see us." Polka argues, seemingly trying to talk you and Undine down a little. "Besides! I'm pretty sure the girl lions do all the hunting for their guys. There might be a male lion or two to have to deal with too."
"Then it's a good thing I got you with me." You say, confident in the reminder that Polka is by your side. "Even if there's a hundred lions in there, they're no match for us. Now let's go. Watame's waiting."
Pointing your trident's prongs towards the ground while the shaft under your armpit, you begin your purposeful entry into the supposed lion's den. The soft blue light from your resonance illuminates the rough stone walls of the cave as you walk, casting large shadows of yourself and the fennec who hustles to keep up with you. You turn a corner after a mere twenty paces, and continue forward. The dim orange of either torches or campfires flickers near the end of your vision. You can feel yourself tense up inside and out. Your grip tightens around the trident you hold, and your mana begins to swell like a building wave.
"See or sense anything ahead?" You whisper as you near the markings of a central entryway within the mountain shown by a smooth arced opening that can be seen amidst the growing firelight.
"I can't see any soul besides yours right now….it's too bright." Polka laments. "I can hear some voices up ahead though; girl ones."
"That's probably them." You remark, your anger growing even further at the idea of how scared Watame must be right now. "I'll blast those mangy cats and keep them busy. If you see Watame, let's grab her and go."
"Right!" The circus magician says with strengthened resolve. "No one is going to make a meal out of our friend."
With the assurance of your capable comrade at your side, and the power of your resonance with the water spirit, you walk forward, not caring how much noise your boots make against the ground. The walls widen and the ceiling stretches one story overhead as you enter the cavern, the air around you cools, and you stop shortly after entering the lion's dwelling to meet the sharp gazes of its residents. In the middle of the circular earthen hollow, sits a fire that flickers to show the shapes of six of the lionesses huddled around it, a few licking their wounds from earlier.
You take a hard step forward, and then another, making sure to brandish and twirl your trident to one side that shows you are not here to make pleasantries. A few of the lion-girls tense and begin to straighten to a stand, already flashing their fangs at you. You half hoped that seeing your conjoined state with the water spirit would frighten them into submission, but then again…you're glad they aren't scared, it'll feel good to change that.
After a full two spins of your trident at your side, you jab the tri-pronged spear forward into the air, and from it bursts a rushing jetstream of water. Two of the lionesses are too slow to evade your spell's warpath, and are carried away like twigs within a river's torrent. The magical rapid pins both of them to the opposite wall along the edge of another entryway, their pained howls echo in the stone chamber, which puts a small smile on your face.
The other four lionesses are charging towards you, claws raised and unfazed by the powerful force of magic you and Undine just displayed. Polka stands firm next to you, her baton at the ready, but you begin to run forward, you'll meet these thieving cats head on. An upward angled sweep from your weapon creates a cresting wave that crashes down and pushes three of your adversaries away, leaving one who pounces toward you with a loud piercing hiss. The way they move, how frontal their attacks are, makes it all too easy to defend and punish these felines for their transgressions. You duck slightly and flip your trident so that its butt is poised to jab right into the midsection of the mid-air lion, knocking the wind out of her lungs. You dig in your weapon harder and begin to wave it over your head to slam the girl down onto her back.
Leaving your downed foe at Polka's feet, you turn back and begin to advance towards the recovering lionesses, soaked and slowly pushing themselves up off the ground.
"Where is Watame?" You ask coldly to the risen trio who look at you with blazing defiance. To show that you can very well still back up any threat you might make, you point the prongs of your trident towards them, while Undine floats beside you, the waters she commands begin to spiral around her intangible arms. When you are not met with an answer, your anger rises. As Undine uses her powers to spray two of the lionesses a few feet away with her waters, you deliver a hard kick aimed at the other, who barely guards herself with crossed arms. She buckles back slightly, and in the lapse of concentration, you step forward and grab the lion demi-human by the scruff of her collar.
"Where. Is. My. Sheep?" You growl through your teeth when you bring the shorter black haired lioness' face up to yours. Fear flashes in her yellow eyes as her dilated pupils thin to almost paper thin slits. Still she says nothing, but answers you with a low growl of your own, which only fuels your temper. You force the lioness' body down slightly so you can bring your knee hard into her stomach, earning a harsh gasp from her. With a fist now swirling with its own layer of raging water, you deliver a fast hook into her cheek next, sending her falling on her side like a sack of potatoes.
The two girls you blew into the wall on your entrance are now finally advancing on you, but are clearly starting to hesitate. You decide to give them another reason to fear you. Stabbing your trident into the stone ground, you and Undine begin to channel your magic through it to send it along the cracks within the earth. The hairline fractures begin to glow a deep blue as they quickly travel and create a circle around both lionesses' feet. A shared thought between you and the water spirit spurs your magic into action, and a geyser of water erupts underneath both girls, sending them flipping through the air to land back onto the hard stone.
The remaining two curse as they stumble toward you together, but you've played with these cats long enough. It was time to finish things and find your sheep, and the remaining lioness. You point your open palm and a deluge of water shoots forth from it, immediately drenching and entrapping both girls as the liquid begins to bend and converge to constrict them both within its unforgiving embrace.
"I'm getting tired of repeating myself." You groan as you stop the stream of water coming out of your hand and let both lionesses fall to the ground as they cough and gasp for air. "Last chance. Tell me where Watame is. Now."
"Get…Get bent." A red haired lioness manages to get out between coughs.
"Whatever her name is…is our prey" The silver-white haired one barks. "You humans really have no honor…trying to take back what you rightfully lost."
Something in you just snaps. No honor? You're not the one kidnapping people. You're not the one taking freedom away from another. These beasts dare insult you like this!? They dare take your loved one from you in the dead of night?!
"Summoner." Undine's voice resounds in your mind, cold and full of fury. "Strike them down. If they wish to be a hindrance, we shall show them what befalls those who incur my wrath. They dare take that which is dear to the ruler of the waters? Then they shall drown. Show them our might. We WILL take our sheep back. One way. Or another."
"And now you're our prey." You say with conviction as Undine wills the small puddle under the red haired lion to begin to thicken and stretch strands of liquid around the girl's torso, arms, legs, and neck to then pull her flat onto the ground. The other tries to rise to aid her friend, only to find herself constricted as well. You look down at the eyes of your trapped enemy, they stare back at you with a mix of fear and opposition. They had their chance to surrender.
"A-Anon?" Polka asks nervously from behind you as you raise your trident, its head pointed towards the lioness' exposed midsection. "Hold on! What are you!?" The fennec's voice becomes more muffled and quiet in your mind.
"Teach these thieves a lesson, summoner. Run them through and protect our sheep."
With a mighty yell, you begin to bring your weapon down, eager to fulfill Undine's wishes and satisfy your own bloodlust and rage. A voice shrieks behind you, others shout all around you to stop and to show mercy. No. They started this game. You'll finish it.
Before the prongs of your weapon can reach their mark, your thrust is stopped short by Polka's glove hand gripping your wrist. You look at the fennec with blind fury, wanting nothing more than to shove her away and complete your attack, but just as you are about to do that, somethingshines through the red haze you find yourself in.
Those eyes…those damn purple pools that glisten like starlight sometimes…are actually…crying? You are instantly drawn in and forced to focus on the black clubs that adorn Polka's pupils now. The circus magician's mouth isn't moving either, but you can still hear her?
"Anon! Just stop! Please!" Polka's voice seems to shout within your very soul. "You need to calm down! These girls don't stand a chance against you…This isn't how we'll save Watame…please…just stop…no more."
Like breaching your head above the ocean's surface, you feel a desperate need to catch your breath. You take fast, shallow breaths. In and out, in and out. You slowly turn your gaze back down to the lioness you were about to skewer whose stomach is rising and falling at a breakneck pace as she stares at the sharpened points that rest mere inches from her skin.
"Polka's right…these girls barely stood a chance against me alone. They're no actual threat to me….and I was about to kill them in cold blood." You think to yourself as you let the trident in your hand disappear in a sparkle of blue magic. "This isn't me….this isn't…us."
You look over your opposite shoulder to see Undine who looks at you with an ashamed expression on her face. No longer does the water spirit's soul shake with rage and demand vengeance. Now, it only yearns for the same thing yours does; Watame's safe return.
"There they are." Polka now says aloud to bring both yours and Undine's heads towards hers. "You're both with me now, right?"
"Yeah…" You say with no shortage of self-loathing as you step backward away from the downed lionesses. The resonance then ends in a small flash of mana, and the waters that tied both girls down revert to mere puddles. "I-"
"No summoner, I am the one who should apologize." Undine cuts you off as she floats to be between you and Polka. "It was my own desires that almost drove us to-"
"Oi Oi!" Polka interrupts you both. "There will be time for that later. Besides…I'm guessing the new girl is the one who got the jump on you before."
You follow Polka's gaze to the opening on the other side of the chamber where a tall lioness now stands. She holds a small lit wooden torch that reveals a calm but reserved expression, her gray eyes scan the room, finding her beaten comrades before drawing themselves back to you. Her gray hair that falls just to her shoulder blades, looks as wild as a lion's mane would, and two ponytails are tied behind each of her rounded and fluffy ears, where the left has two simple black earrings pierced into it. A golden toothed necklace rests against her collarbone which then draws your eyes to the extremely form fitting sleeveless black shirt that covers the lioness' chest down to her midriff. A black see-through mesh starts at a solid black collar and ends at the cup of her breasts where a thicker black material begins. A trail of three white stripes claw down from the left side of her collar, all the way down to the end of the shirt, while the opposite side only sports a single stripe that starts at her bust, to then end at the same spot at the hem of the clothing.
The demi-human's arms are covered by a thick black jacket that she lets casually hang below her shoulders. The thick white fur that might possibly be part of the coat's hood makes it seem like a very hot piece of clothing to have in the desert, even if you are a lion. Perhaps the heat is why the zipper of the girl's darker gray skirt is left almost all the way open, revealing almost all of the bare skin of her right leg, while also showing a little of the black undergarment that lies underneath. This slight freedom in her pantwear is kept in check by the black belt that runs from her hip downward to her opposite thigh. From behind her other leg that is held within a black stocking that has more than its share of rips along its front, you can spot a thick, gray, and paintbrush tipped tail that hands just to the crook of her knee. Black leather heeled boots then cover the lionesses' feet, propelling this already tall girl a few inches higher.
"Alright, out with it! Where's Watame?" You demand as you take a step towards the newcomer.
"You spared one of my pride when you had secured the kill, so I guess I can answer you." The lioness responds, her voice as cool and collected as the glare that does not flinch from your advance. "She is alive, for now, but she is food. I'm afraid you cannot leave with her."
"Bullshit I can't!" You retort, getting heated once more. "I'll go right through you if I have to."
To respond to this threat, the beaten and worn down lionesses slowly hobble to form a protective wall to keep you from pressing forward. "Fine." You click, as you bring your hand around the hilt of your sword. "If you're all itching to get slapped down again, step right up."
"Girls. Stand down." The gray-haired lioness demands, and even though her voice is not raised, it still commands a powerful presence. Her subordinates do as she asks and slink out of your way, but their gazes and low growls voice their reluctance.
"At least one of you is reasonable." You scoff as you keep a hand secured around your sword.
"As the pack leader, I am responsible for their survival. I won't let you hurt them any more." The girl then says with clear conviction.
"Pack leader?" Polka repeats. "What about the other lions? Isn't one of the guys supposed to be the leader? Where is he? Where are any of them for that matter?"
"There are none. I care for this pack now. My name is Botan Shishiro, and on that name I will not allow my sisters to go hungry. That is all you need to know." Botan answers with an almost bone chilling calm in her voice.
"And I can't allow you to eat my friend, so let's get this over with." You say as you begin to unsheath your sword. You can't be sure if this pack leader will use those weird walking bombs on you again, but you can't afford to back down now, not when Watame might just be behind that wall.
"Woah! Hold on there, Anon!" Polka exclaims as she hops in front of you. "You and Undine were in overdrive getting us here, and then you used a ton of mana slapping the others around, you're pushing yourself too hard." She then whispers to you.
"I'll push myself till I break. If that's what it takes to keep Watame safe." You whisper back in impatience.
"I know I know. I would too, but…but maybe there's a better way to resolve this? These girls aren't evil or anything, they're just…doing what nature demands…you understand that, right?" The fennec continues to whisper.
The thoughts do start to connect in your head a little better. You are still angry that Botan will try to keep you from your beloved, but the fact that these lions are pushed to near exhaustion from hunger seems even more prevalent now. The ones you fought so far moved like they were running on fumes the entire time, how much of a threat can their leader truly be? You nod to Polka and let your sword fall back fully into its sheath. If she wants to try to resolve this in a more creative way, she's welcome to try.
Polka mouths a small "Thank you" and turns back to Botan while clearing her throat. "So, I have a question for you guys. One animal to another. Is it alright in your culture to take someone else's mate for food? Is that really something you're cool with doing?"
The question seems to catch both you and Botan off guard, you can practically feel your skin stretching from how high your eyebrow must be raising itself. The lioness' composed expression finally breaks somewhat as she processes this sudden information.
"The sheep is…your mate?" She then asks in disbelief while pointing the question at you. "But she does not bear your scent, and you do not bear hers."
"W-Well…" You stammer as you feel your cheeks begin to flush. It's no question to anyone around you that you love Watame, but you haven't actually "mated" yet. You then look to Polka for some guidance who only gives you a series of nods as her jester's hat practically falls off her ear. She then gives you a few shoving gestures to get on and go along with it. As you think of saying what you must to hopefully ensure Watame's safe return, the vision of that sheep's smiling face reminds of your true feelings.
"Yes. She is my mate." You say proudly through reddening cheeks. "It doesn't matter what we have or haven't done yet. I love her. She is not food, she is my partner. I won't let anyone harm her either."
"And you can ask her yourself too!" Polka adds on. "She'll tell you the same thing."
"A lion does not concern herself with the opinions of a sheep." Boton retorts before letting out a long sigh. "Even if you are mates, I cannot allow my pack to go hungry. I will simply gut the sheep now, and then you will have no more reason to fight."
"Do that, and I swear-" You growl through gritted teeth.
"Oi! Hold on!" Polka interrupts again. "You lions must have some special rules when it comes to mates, right!? Can't Anon get a fair chance to take her back from you?"
"If the human wishes to take what belongs to the pack, he must fight in a La'Lo'Kai, against the current pack leader. Alone." One of the blond lionesses then speaks out of turn, but Botan does not seem insulted or bothered by it.
"My sister is right, and as pack leader, I will accept this challenge. Should the human defeat me then-" Botan begins to explain, but your impatience has reached its limit, and you already know what will be expected of you.
"I can take Watame and she won't be anyone's food." You interrupt. "Fine. I'll fight you. How does this, La'Lo'Kai, work?"
"We fight. We will only use what our bodies provide us. Your own mana can be used, but you can't create spells from it." The pack leader answers.
"A-Anon!" Polka stammers next to you, her face slightly awash with panic. "Are you sure? I know I said we should find a better way to resolve this, but maybe I should fight instead. I'm still fresh ya know."
"Only males can invoke the challenge to the pack leader." One of the shorter, black haired lionesses hisses with a slight look of eagerness on her face.
"So that's how it's gotta be then. This is how I want it anyway." You say, satisfied with the convenient rules of this ritual.
"But-" The fennec starts to argue again. You know it does not come from a place of mistrust or doubt, in fact, you know it's just the opposite. Polka truly cares for your safety and wants only the best possible outcome for all of you. You silence her concerns with what might be your most confident smile. A small smile forms on her own face as she gives you a small nod. "Ya know what? Go for it. I know you can somehow come out on top, and if anything goes wrong, I'll be right here to help."
"Like you will be, forever, right?" You ask with a wink, which causes the fennec to blush slightly at the verbal reminder of how you two are going to stay close to one another for a long, long time.
"Yeah yeah." Polka scoffs as she gives your shoulder blade a light slap. "Now go wrestle that lion down and win Watame back for us. We still need to try and get back before Flare wakes up. I do NOT want to know how she will react to all this."
"You got it, and speaking of Watame." You say as you turn to your next opponent. "I want to see that she's alright. Bring her out here, now."
Botan nods to a pair of lionesses and they scurry into the inner chamber behind her. Not a moment later do they come back carrying a large cast iron cauldron via a set of long sturdy planks. In the bubbling pot of hot water is a very excited to see you, and a very naked Watame.
"Anon!" She gasps when you're in her sights and lifts herself up out of the water slightly, either seemingly forgetting or not caring that she just flashed you. "And Undine! And Polka! Hi! The lions said they weren't actually going to eat me, and wanted to give me a hot bath instead! It's so nice!"
"Why is she naked!?" You snap at Botan, trying your best to keep your eyes directly on the lioness leader. "And what's with that terrible lie!?"
"What?" Botan shrugs. "We can't eat her clothes. As for the other thing…" The lioness continues as her lips curve to a small smirk. "It was funny."
"Wait…they really wanna eat me!?" Watame shrieks as she splashes her body within the iron pool, seemingly now just noticing that not just water has been boiling in there, but various herbs that might be native to the region that give off an appetizing aroma.
Botan then starts to stifle a hearty snicker, finding great amusement in Watame's trusting nature.
"It's okay, Watame!" You try to assure the sheep. "I'm gonna win this fight, and then we can go back to everyone else. No one's gonna eat you. Ever."
"If you actually can beat me." The lioness corrects you as she hands the torch she had to one of her pack, and struts towards the middle of the circular cavern. "Someone get that fire back up."
As a potential act of goodwill, Polka walks up to the stack of wood that once lit the pride's fire that was extinguished by your watery assault, and sets it aflame with a small snap of foxfire from her index finger. The fire roars to life and illuminates the room fully in its radiance.
Botan lets her jacket slide off her arms to then toss it aside while the other lionesses begin to form a perimeter of bodies that create your ritualistic arena. The pack leader's arms are both long and toned, enough so that you are feeling a tiny bit intimidated by that alone. Even so, you prepare yourself, this is a fight you can't afford to lose. After detaching your sword from your hip and placing it gently on the ground, you undo your shirt, and throw it behind you in dramatic fashion, which earns quite a few surprised, but not entirely displeased gazes from the various spectators.
"Uhhh, Anon. Not that I'm complaining, but are you really sure you want to ditch one of the few pieces of protection you got?" Polka asks from the edge of the fight circle.
"Do you see the claws on her? I'll be lucky if my pants stay in one piece this time. I'm not letting ALL my clothes get mangled again after JUST getting them fixed. Pomu will never let me hear the end of it." You say matter of factly.
"Go get 'em, Anon!" Watame cheers from her ringside jacuzzi seat, thankfully submerged again from the chest down. The sheep's face is flush with a red that seems to not be from just the water as she continues to stare at your own half-naked form.
"I'd ask you one more time if you still want to go through with this, but I somehow get the feeling I'd be wasting my breath." Botan speaks to you as she curls her long fingers inward, the sound of her knuckles cracking overpowers the crackling fire.
"Just like I know I'd be wasting my breath to ask you to just let Watame go and end this whole thing." You say as you try to follow suit and bend your neck towards one of your shoulders, which only lets out a meager and barely audible crack. "Nah. I'm ready for you this time."
The alpha lioness stares you down as you both meet towards the middle of the circle. Up close, she is definitely a head taller than you, but that doesn't matter, you've fought with opponents taller than buildings before. A single hungry demi-human should be more than manageable, even without your sword or spells.
Botan continues to just look directly into your eyes with that unflinching glare. Is she going to make a move? Should you just attack? Has this challenge even begun yet? You are starting to feel jittery and anxious. The longer you just stare at this wild lioness, the more your thoughts and focus begin to wander. Seeing Watame in almost her entire womanly glory was definitely too much for you right now. You want to desperately get this over with.
"So are we doing this? Or what?" You ask with annoyance.
"This human male invokes the sacred rite of the La'Lo'Kai." One of the ringside lionesses begins to say with an official tone. "Our pack leader has accepted his challenge. They shall fight until one can fight no longer. The winner will take all for themself. Now sisters, support our huntress with the drums of our pride."
To answer their pack member's command, the lionesses begin to slap either nearby rocks, or the tops of their own thighs in a tribal rhythm. The beat loops as it begins to build speed, the tension in the air rises. Your eyes switch between Watame, who begins to slap the outside iron casting of the cauldron she sits in, and Botan, whose ears twitch slightly as the drumming becomes louder. The next thing you know, the notes of an actual drum starts to fill the air. You look over your shoulder and see Polka pounding away at an upright red and black striped drum.
You shrug and sigh softly. Of course those two couldn't resist when there's music involved. You have to admit though, the rise of the concussive sound is starting to make your own heart beat faster, and your battle spirit rises.
Seemingly ready to begin, Botan bends her knees slightly and her hands hang outstretched just above her waistline. She slowly crosses one leg behind the other as she starts to prowl, causing you to move clockwise along with her. Your eyes are quickly drawn to Botan's sharp claws that are now fully extended. Those black painted talons make you wish you could have been allowed to fight with your sword, as any close up brawl with this lioness could result in serious injury for you rather quickly if you're not careful. You can't start to think like that though. Watame's life is on the line, think about what WILL be. You'll best Botan, take your sheep back with you, and…maybe ask Polka to make that privacy room in the tent…Down boy.
The distraction caused by your slight fantasies about what your victory could earn you is not left unpunished. Botan suddenly darts forward and makes a heavy overhand slash at you with her right arm. For a girl who is apparently starving, she moves incredibly fast, you barely have time to raise one arm above you and erect a decent mana coat before her finger scythes are inches from your face. The lioness' strength is considerable too, her fingers curl to grip your arm as her nails dig into the layer of silver-white mana that keeps her from drawing blood. Your arm shakes as you can feel your legs start to buckle under Botan's pressure.
Taking the chance to fight back and free yourself, you make a jab aimed at the lioness' exposed midriff with your free hand, only for it to be caught within hers. With your balled fist now within Botan's tight grip, she takes a firm, planting step to the side, and pulls at you hard, jerking your feet off the ground. The lioness lets go of your arms to toss you away, sending you rolling along the hard stone ground.
By the time you recoil from the impact, you are met with Botan's predatory gaze as she pounces while you still lie down on your back. Instinct directs you to kick your leg upright, allowing your foot to catch the lioness before her full weight can be upon you. Botan gasps slightly at the sudden resistance, and you complete your leg's arc to vault her over you.
You flip over and slap your hands against the ground to force yourself up, but even before your legs have a chance to fully extend, Botan is poised and ready to strike again. She must have fallen right on her feet, but now on all fours, with her arms crossed in front of her. She arches her backside up high, and charges at you like you were a cornered rat. Too slow to dodge, you resolve to meet the feline head on. A few steps forward is all you get before you and Botan clash. She streaks both sets of her claws along the sides of your shoulders, drawing blood with ease. The pain is sharp, but it'll be worth the chance to begin your counterattack, for now you have the lioness by both her shoulders.
Fueled by a pain induced temper, you reel your head back, and in a reckless fury you hammer it forward while you pull the down lioness into you. You see the surprised glaze in her eyes the second before your foreheads are about to connect, and then after that, you can see only stars.
While you stumble backward in a daze, you can barely hear the various sympathetic and pained "ohhhs" and the sharp hiss of breathing through the teeth from the spectators. Where your head collided with Botan's feels like a solid block of pain that's both separate, but part of your body at the same time. A trail of blood can be felt trickling its way down your forehead; the thick liquid running over one of your closed eyelids. You can't believe you just did that. WHY did you do that?!
"Come on, Anon! Focus!" Polka's muffled voice comes through your ringing ears. "Botan's coming right for you!"
The fennec's warning helps the world stop spinning somewhat, and you hold your temples in place with your palms. As you continue to blink, the black, hazy shape in front you starts to become more detailed. Botan is already stomping towards you with her clenched fist at her side, and a comforting hand held to her forehead that also looked to be bleeding a little.
"You dumb bastard." She snarls. "Should have guessed a human would take cheap shots."
"Says the woman who threw a bomb at me out of nowhere." You retort through your teeth as you wipe the blood from your brow. "We're even for that if you ask me."
"You shouldn't have even gotten up after that…" Botan fires back as she brings her one hand down and licks some of the blood off.
"Like we established, you took my mate. I'll never let anyone keep her against her will. I don't care how hungry your pack is, you're not eating Watame." You resolve as you put up your dukes, the eternal candle of your soul beginning to burn brighter.
To answer your conviction, Botan begins to shuffle forward with her own arms raised. She launches a powerful jab aimed at your face which you barely manage to avoid full contact with, but the tip of her thumbnail grazes your cheek. You launch an upwards punch of your own aimed for the lionesses' face where the tips of your knuckles only begin to brush her skin before your hand is knocked away by the back of her own fist.
"Knock her lights out, Anon!" Watame earnestly cheers from the sidelines, causing a powerful surge of determination to swell like a sudden tidal wave.
With your beloved voicing her desire for you to strike, your right fist shoots forward and nails the lioness in the gut. Botan has some of her breath forcibly knocked out of her, but she steadies her stance after a single step backward. She then delivers a hard slash across your chest in retaliation. The tips of her nails just barely trace themselves from your pectorals, down to your abdomen, leaving four long trails of white along your skin as it tears to its breaking point. Your adrenaline feels to be pumping at full force as you step forward and give the lioness another hook from your left fist. This time you only catch the floof of that wild mane of hair as she weaves and plants both of her palms against your chest. One of Botan's feet hook behind your calf and she pushes you backwards, causing your world to fall upward until you land flat on your back with a hard thud. Now you have a throbbing pain on both sides of your head. You look up towards the ceiling and see the imposing figure of the lioness pack leader above you, straddling and pinning you down with her strong hands against your bare chest.
You can't help but feel a twinge of excitement when you take in this feral woman; hair disheveled and even more wild than before, and the streaks of dry blood that paint her face give her a natural war paint that makes her look even more imposing. Do you actually have a thing for this? Or are you just hopelessly pent up and possibly have a preference for demi-humans? Both are questions you can sort out later, for now, you need to solve the problem of how to stop this brutally strong woman from clawing your eyes out.
Botan begins to scratch at your arms that are crossed in front of you, each hit makes your body pulse in pain. You begin to panic, your mind races for some way to get out of this compromising position. Bending one of your legs toward you, you manage to fight the lioness' pressing weight as she tries to further hold you down despite your squirming. You lift your knee up where it finds its way under her skirt and between her legs. While you hoped to prop up the girl enough so you could escape, the look of surprise and slight flush to her face when the ball of your knee reaches a certain spot might be a better result than you could have hoped for.
With Botan's concentration broken, you are able to thrust your body up and dislodge her from your person. The lioness falls to the side and you quickly take the chance to rise to your feet, but not without backing away first to give yourself some breathing room.
"How did the human escape?" You can hear one of the lionesses ask one of her sisters behind you. "Anything is as good as dead once Botan pins them down."
"He must have used some sort of weird magic. The human doesn't fight fair. We felt his tricks first hand earlier." Another replies.
"Hey! Anon always fights fair!" Watame comes to your defense. "He's the bravest and strongest person I know! You're just mad he's gonna kick butt!"
"And those 'tricks' are no form of deceit or underhandedness, but the bond my summoner and I share given form." Undine joins in, equally upset that someone would question your honor.
While you feel touched by their words, you focus your attention back on your battle. Botan is back on her feet in no time and shakes off the mild flusteredness she endured. Her eyes lock onto you again with renewed purpose and ferocity. You inspect yourself with the precious seconds you might have; scratches almost all along your arms and chest, most spots bleeding slightly, your head is pounding, and your body is already beginning to feel heavy.
Fighting a demi-human one on one is really no joke. Even if she's starving, Botan is easily outdoing me punch for punch. Is this the power of an actual predator? The way she fights too, is so efficient for overpowering her opponents…I don't know how I'll get out of this without spells or weapons. I don't have a choice but to win though, if I don't, Watame will be lamb chops! How can I beat a lion's primal fighting style? Wait…primal? Nene! Nene's own fighting style is completely wild! Maybe even more than Botan's. Nene told us that when she fights, it's like her own body's power just tells her how to move, I need to try doing the same. I may not be the true Ursoc to her Ursol, but if you can hear me you damn bear gods, I'm gonna grab a victory that would make you proud to make me your champion.
Emptying your mind of all other thoughts, your doubts, your potential strategies, even the mental emotions that allow your mana to work, you focus solely on the lioness in front of you. You let your body talk to you, to tell you all that it feels and wants. The wounds your body has suffered cry out for mending, as well as vengeance. Several other powerful urges feel like they are pulsing within your very lifeblood. What you can only guess is where Botan gets the strength to fight so ferociously for the survival of her pack, you become aware of strength starting to swell within your muscles. You listen to your body to hear what is driving it, you are given vivid images of your beloved sheep. The thought that you and Botan are fighting so brutally for the same girl but for very different reasons puts a small smirk on your face. Where she wants to eat her for sustenance, when your eyes wander to the naked sheep that sits in the steaming cookware bathtub, you feel like indulging yourself with her in a…different sense.
The way Watame has been referred to as "your mate" by not only the lionesses, but your own admission makes these thoughts even louder. The fire within your roars to a level where if given physical form, would engulf you entirely. Taking a deep, reinvigorating breath, you move your now clawed hands into a battle stance that imitates the Champion of Ursol. Botan hesitates in her advance when she takes in the sudden change in your body language, but quickly grows angry at the idea that a human would dare try to fight as a beast would, and charges at you.
As Botan runs at you, head lowered, claws extended, your legs move on their own to meet her. With instincts solely focused on the victory, you gladly collide your body into the lioness in a fierce tackle, but not without her sharp nails trailing blood down your bicep and around your stomach. Now nearly nose to nose, you bring your left hand up and down against the side of Botan's head, slapping her hard into your waiting right, which swipes and scratches its way across her face.
The lioness retracts her claws in a flash to ball her fist to then slug your face. You stumble, but quickly steady yourself and attempt to thrust your palm into Botan's nose. She moves her neck to dodge your assault, but your body continues to shoot your arm forward until you can snag a handful of the gray bushy hair that falls behind her head. You rip your arm outward to yank the lioness with it and throw her off balance. Botan protests her forced movement by giving your left leg a few hard kicks that make you buckle, but your grip on her only tightens. You swing her around one full pass before throwing her to the ground.
Botan reflexively plants her hands and feet against the ground and rises to a half-stand on all fours again, but you won't give her time to catch her breath this time. You jump onto the lioness and begin wrestling along the floor for dominance, both of you try to restrict the other's arms from reaching the other's face. Botan suddenly shifts to yank one of your arms with both of hers as she brings it up to her face, where she takes a big bite into your forearm. You yowl in pain as her sharp teeth pierce your flesh. Your newly awakened battle instinct wishes to return the lioness in kind, so you crane your head forward and give Botan a harsh bite into her bare shoulder, causing her to wince and hiss at you.
The taste of sweat, skin, and a little blood on your tongue is not exactly pleasant, but it somehow makes you want to fight even harder, and the lioness you are entangled with seems to feel the same. She slugs you in the face to separate your jaw from her skin, and then she takes your shoulders in both her hands and slams you flat onto the ground, pinning you once more. This time you won't just try to shield yourself from the lioness' strikes, but you reach up to her shoulders and throw both your bodies in a way that tumbles you both, until YOU'RE the one pinning her. The reversal triggers a strong defiant stare from Botan, while you were probably looking all too proud of the situation, which causes her to struggle against your weight. Each jerk upward of her body makes it harder for you to keep her pressed down, until she raises up enough to wrap you in her strong arms.
When you both topple over, Botan brings her legs inward, and when the toes of her shoes press against the fronts of your legs, she begins to kick downward repeatedly. The forceful bunny kicks begin to take their toll on you, each thrust of the lioness' legs makes it feel like the lower half of your body could go limp at any second. Your flex and struggle against Botan's grip, she is unwilling to let you go, but you stare into those purposeful and feral eyes and let loose a deep battle roar as you break her hold on her. You hug your legs close to your chest, and snap them back to their full length in front of you from your sideways laying position, planting them firmly into Botan's breasts. The strong kick sends her rolling backward a few feet, and you rise back to a stand, taking deep, panting breaths.
"You're really getting on my nerves." Botan says as she slowly stands up, spitting a bit of blood out of her mouth. The lioness rolls her shoulders and stands tall as a small smile curves her bloodstained lips. "Maybe I'll just let my sisters eat the sheep, and I'll chow down on you instead. A human that can match a lion in unarmed combat…That would be a meal I would savor."
"Sorry. I'm not on the menu either." You chuckle as you return the small smile.
"When you lose the La'Lo'Kai, you won't get a choice in the matter." Botan says in a low voice as you and her walk clockwise to each other. "You won't win. You can't match the hunger of my pride, or my hunger to help them survive."
"I have a hunger of my own." You retort as you point to Watame whose eyes look to be glued to you in a fierce interest as she looks to be breathing deeply in and out through her nose with a particularly smug smile stretched across her face. "My own soul hungers for her. I won't be satisfied until she's back with me, and we can continue our adventure that will take us to the ends of the earth! So bring it on, Botan! Paint as many scars on my body as you want, but I'll win this La'Lo'Kai and take all its rewards!"
"Well said, summoner!" Undine cheers you on, seemingly getting quite into the barbaric display you're a part of. "Show this pride how your soul rages with a wild storm that cannot be tamed!"
Polka also gives you an encouraging pump of her clenched fist, her face a tad bit flushed as well. The idea that your manly declaration and displays have caught the fennec off guard makes you beam with confidence.
"Fine. Let's see who comes out on top and gets to survive." Botan lets a low growl leave her throat as her hands open near her hips, and the glow of a transparent gray mana begins to cover them. The shroud of magic forms a tight spiral that reaches up to her wrists, as the lioness wears a grim look in her eyes. You've tried magic enough times on an empty stomach before to know that it just doesn't work out that well, or at the very least your reserves are minimal at best. This is Botan's last gambit. She's going to try and put you down for good during your next exchange.
Still guided by wild instinct, you run at the lioness and jump at her with your fist cocked back. When your fist reaches her erected guard, the thick magic around her wrist deflects your blow with ease, sending you falling backward. The second your body makes contact with the ground, Botan is already leaning over you and sends her closed fist at your face. A sword's breath away from your cheek, she strikes the ground, creating a small indent within the hard stone double the diameter of her closed paw. You roll and launch yourself to a stand with a forceful push against the floor, only to be met with a mighty open palmed thrust that feels like a hammer banging against your ribs. Botan shifts her step and brings her second arm back for a follow up attack, you need to defend yourself, you WILL survive this attack.
When the lioness' left hand comes to claw for your heart, she is met with a sudden resistance; the glow of brightened and hardened celestial mana that rises to the surface to guard your chest. Botan pushes to pierce your mana with hers, the spiral of magic around her hand begins to brighten in accordance with her own will. You launch a powerful punch now imbued with your own starlight mana coat at the woman, who catches it with her free hand. As you struggle, she cocks back the claw trying to open your chest, and thrusts it forward, to then be caught within your palm this time. Both sets of fingers interlace with one another as you continue your deadlock.
Botan grits her teeth, and digs her heels in to begin pushing you downward, forcing you onto one knee. Your gaze is stuck to the ground as you struggle to get back on equal footing with your opponent. Her pulsing grip around your hands threatens to break the bone, but you won't give in. More strength and mana funnels into your hands, and you clasp down on the lioness' palms harder, earning a grunt of pain from her. You push yourself back up to your full height and step forward, making Botan take her turn to meet the floor. She keeps her feet firm, but she bends backward, inch by inch, until her back is almost parallel to the ground. The difference in your heights makes the amount you need to lean forward awkward and hard to maintain your pressure on the girl, which she capitalizes on to bring herself back up.
Almost back where you started, you take a chance and ram your head into her chest, your forehead making contact with her collarbone. She gasps in pain and reacts in kind by bringing her own head down on the top of yours. The blow makes your legs bend slightly, but pained fury keeps you from folding. A swift kick to Botan's hip comes next, making the lioness growl and stumble, but your conjoined hands keep you both upright.
The two of you continue exchanging blows, keeping the other entrapped within your finger-made cages. More than once the lioness sinks her teeth into your arms in hopes of making you release her, but that was just as fruitless as when you attempted to do the same to her.
"It's really like watching two animals wrestle…" Polka remarks in astonishment from her spot next to the Watame and Undine. "I had no idea Anon could get this…wild."
"I love it~" Watame pants while fanning herself. "Look at him go!"
After another trading of kicks, you and Botan struggle to catch your breath. You notice the light of mana around her hands begin to fade, while yours still continues to shine. A blast of your own will and ferocity brings a surge of magic that flows from your hands and engulfs hers, breaking the lioness' composure. Freeing yourself from your grasp, you quickly grab hold of Botan's wrists and immediately lift her off the ground while beginning to step in a tight circle. When you build up the momentum you need, you let yourself pivot on the backs of your heels. Botan's hair and tail blow in the air as she is forcibly taken for a ride.
When your body commands, you suddenly stop your circular movement and swing the lioness high over your shoulder. With a mighty battle cry, you put all your strength into bringing your arms downard to slam the woman face first into the ground. The stone wears down and cracks under the force of the landing, and the mana around Botan's hands completely fizzles out. You put a tentative foot on the lioness' back, you feel it barely rise and fall. She's still alive…that's good at least.
You cross your arms and stand prideful in victory. "I am the winner of the La'Lo'Kai! I am the human summoner, Anon!"
The surrounding members of the lion pack look at you in shock and awe. Some look down to their felled pack leader, hoping by some miracle she will suddenly rise and knock your teeth out, but Botan does not stir from underneath your boot. When you feel as though your status as the victor is accepted, you lift your foot off of the lioness and kneel down to turn her onto her back.
The lion-girl was an utter bloody mess, probably not all that dissimilar to you right now. Splots of dried and fresh blood alike stain her skin, hair, and even her dark clothes. You know that it wouldn't be good for injuries like that to stew and fester, so you kneel down and hold the flat of your hand against Botan's forehead. It takes considerable effort, especially coming down from your battle-driven high, but you manage to conjure your water-based healing spell to begin closing the wounds on her head, and easing her pain.
"Wha…are you?" Botan mumbles as she quickly but groggily regains consciousness.
"Just cause you lost, doesn't mean you should die." You reply, and the heaviness of your actions and cruelty earlier start to weigh back down on you. "I'm not actually some merciless killer…that might be hard to believe after before…but you guys just swooped in and wanted to eat someone I love, so I got a little unhinged for a second."
"Love for a sheep was more powerful than my desire to feed my pack…how weird." Botan sighs as she seems to accept your explanation.
"That's pretty par for the course for Anon." Polka chimes in, clearly relieved that there won't be any more bloodshed today. "Just when you think you've seen him do it all, he still manages to surprise ya."
"I knew you could win, Anon!" Watame beams happily at you, causing you to meet her gaze and spy her half exposed chest in the water of her cooking pot, making your heart bounce.
"Yeah, you won." Botan sighs as she sits up and puts a hand to her head after removing yours from it. "Now you have all that belongs to the pack."
"Then if you don't mind." You say as you stand up and start to give yourself a small once over with your healing magic, closing your open wounds and healing those that have just started to dry. "I'll be taking Watame and heading back to my camp."
"At the nearby oasis, right?" Botan asks as she rises, her expression now calm and almost blank.
"Yes?" You respond confused.
"Understood." The lioness says as she turns to meet the eyes of her pack-mates. "Gather everything we have, sisters. We're going back to the oasis."
"Wait…excuse me?" Polka interjects. "No offense, but I think we all had enough of each other for one day, don't you think?"
"The human won the La'Lo'Kai." One of the blond lionesses answers from the other side of the arena. "He now leads the pack. Where he goes, we go."
"Wait. What do you mean I lead the pack now?" You ask, slightly irritated. "You said if I completed your challenge, I could take Watame and go."
"You never let me finish when I was explaining the stakes of the La'Lo'Kai." Botan retorts matter of factly. "One of my sisters also said that the winner takes all for themself. That means they can take whatever the pack may possess for themselves, but the pack is also now their responsibility."
"So what would have happened if Anon lost?" Polka asks.
"Whatever the winner wishes." One of the other lionesses answers. "Normally the loser would be exiled or even killed, but our pack lead-Botan…could have chosen to take him for either herself, or give him to the pack."
"I was serious when I said I would eat you." Botan remarks with a small smirk. "Well regardless…we are the ones at your mercy now. We are bound to follow you, but whether you uphold your responsibility to the pack, is up to you."
"These stupid primal rituals and traditions…." You grumble as you run your hand down your face, the cool embrace of your magic at least stifles some of the frustration you feel.
"By the way, I'm kinda curious to why a group of lions like you guys are even out here. You don't really look like you're used to the desert." Polka remarks to Botan, who only looks at her silently. "…Hello? Did ya hear me?"
"Lions do not need to explain themselves to foxes." Botan remarks quietly.
"Indulge me then…" You groan, half hoping your newly elevated status as "pack leader" isn't real.
"Our ancestral home is on an island some miles off the coast of Shallah." Botan pipes up instantly, making you almost regret asking. "It is a beautiful place, filled with green, game, and proper mountains for us to make our dens."
"Shallah, huh?" You ask as your interest is piqued. "Let me guess. Pirates muscled in on your home?"
"If only all they took was territory…" The lioness alpha laments. Her eyes look downcast as you notice the other members of her pack share regretful glances. "For decades my kind thrived there without much interference from the local humans, as well as the passing pirates. They actually used to respect our way of life and our claim to the land. Some months ago though, something changed."
"Was it that mean pirate Lui wants us to go stop?" Watame says as she leans on the lip of the cauldron while kicking her feet up slightly in the water. Those wonderful meaty sheep legs being showcased instantly makes it hard to focus on what you're talking about. You NEED some alone time with this sheep. ASAP.
"I don't know what changed, but suddenly more and more pirates started landing on the shores of our island. They started building structures, cutting down trees, hunting our prey." Botan continues, letting a sliver of anger lace underneath her tone.
"And as if that wasn't enough, they started hunting US too." One of the other lionesses snarls.
"That's why you didn't have any males with you…" Polka puts the pieces together, her ears droop slightly at this realization.
"Some tried to fight the pirates, to defend our lands or die trying…it's obvious what happened." Botan shrugs. "I'm guessing any they took alive got sold or put to work."
The thought makes you sick. These pirates are exactly the type of people that drive someone like Chloe to join HoloX. No wonder the orca had some clear disdain for the pirates her organization helped seize power.
"What few of us were left were cornered." One of the black haired girls continues. "We would have been skinned, beaten or worse if Botan didn't show up when she did…she had no reason to help us either."
"Just because I kept to myself, doesn't mean I'd let you guys get killed." Botan shrugs. "Those damn pirates found my hoard and took all my things. I wasn't gonna survive alone anyway."
"So from there you somehow got a boat and went to Shallah?" You venture a guess.
"Barely. Not like we were safe there either. We tried going north where the climate is more tolerable, but they chased us almost the whole way. We managed to lose them by looping back south, but the next thing we knew, we were in the middle of this desert." The lead lioness answers.
"And you come out at night to hunt huh? Whatever there is to find around here anyway." Polka continues to paint the next part in the lion pack's story.
"And we thought our prayers were answered when we smelled a sheep all alone at the oasis…" Botan sighs.
"Alone my ass…I was right there too." You scoff.
"A minor mistake…or so we thought." Botan smirks. "So now you know. No home and no food. Our lives are in your hands now."
"I'm not even a lion though." You argue.
"But you had the strength to beat one. You invoked the La'Lo'Kai. The pack is yours now." The gray haired lioness states.
"Does that make me part of the pack too?" Watame says with a curious finger pointed to herself.
"You're food." Botan states.
"She is NOT food." You snap. "We've been over this! We BRAWLED over this."
"But if you want the pack to survive, we need-" The ex-pack leader starts.
"Look! If you want food, we have some extra meat; meat meant to be eaten! Back at our camp. Follow Polka there, she'll help." You offer in frustration. "Just…just go…and we'll sort out this whole pack business later."
"How are we gonna explain this one?" Polka chuckles, but doesn't seem too displeased by your plan.
"How else? I took part in an ancient ritual that earned me more than I bargained for…also…they're just hungry people in need." You sigh. "All you lions have to follow what I say now right? So go with my friends to our camp, I'll meet you there soon. I'm gonna get Watame all dried off and dressed."
"Understood. It is customary for the winner of the challenge to spend time with their desired mate. We'll follow the fox and wait for you there." Botan remarks as she begins to carrale the rest of the pack into getting ready to leave.
The lionesses then begin to do as Botan originally commanded, and begin to scour their cave dwelling of who knows how long for what little belongings they had. You take a restful seat crossed legged next to the cauldron that Watame floats in, and lean the top of your head against its still warm iron casting. What kind of mess did you invite into your life this time, Anon? You don't know the first thing about taking care of lions. As you mentally try to make sense of your situation, a few droplets of water come down on your head from above, where Watame's intoxicating smirk learns over the lip of the pot as she waves her fingers up and down at you. You did say earlier you would defeat a hundred lions for Watame's safe return, you suppose you can manage looking after seven.
You smile up at your sheep, there's a lot you want to say to her right now, but you want there to be zero chance of interruptions. You can't help but feel like she is thinking the same thing right now, as she only smiles at your presence, not saying anything.
"Tonight has certainly turned out to be…eventful." Undine remarks as she floats herself in front of you and Watame. "But I am overjoyed that you are still safe and uneaten, my little sheep."
"Thanks Undine." Watame chirps. "I'm glad I won't be eaten too!"
"Would you mind going with Polka and helping her keep an eye on things?" You ask the water spirit. "We'll catch up when we can, but I might need a few to take a breather. I closed up most of my cuts, but I still feel like I just did ten rounds with a tidal wave."
"Of course, summoner." Undine bows her head slightly. "Should we need your hastened return, I will simply reach out to you."
After you give the water spirit an appreciative smile, your vision is suddenly darkened by the dense fabric of a rolled up red and blue towel. A second one hits your face as soon as you bring the first down to your arms to inspect what was thrown at you.
"One for Watame, and one for you." Polka remarks as she looks ready to head out. "When you get back to the oasis, maybe take a quick dip and wash off a little. The more cleaned up you look, the easier it will be to break this to everyone else gently."
"Good plan." You agree. "And thanks, Polka. For everything tonight. If you weren't here, I might have…" You trail off as you turn away from the fennec's gaze and rub one of your arms up and down.
"Hey." The fennec starts as she kneels down and turns your face to hers by your chin. "That's what partners are for, right? We help set each other straight when we start walking off the right path. Besides." She then says with a considerably lighter tone as she stands up again. "You would have done the same for me. I'll see you both at the camp, kay? Pack leader?"
You and Watame then give the fennec and water spirit a brief farewell as they begin to leave the cave with the pack of lioness demi-humans behind them. A few turn once more and stare at you, expecting you to get up and come with them, but you simply wave them off as a faux command to send them on their way. Only when you feel Undine's presence get far away enough to indicate that she had actually left the cave within the mountain, do you let out a sigh of relief. Finally…alone at last.