Chapter 31: Hunt For The Nile Blossom

The oppressive heat of the Pride Lands swirled around the gathered lions as they stood in stunned silence, their gazes fixed on Taka. His words had cut through the air like a blade, cruel and dismissive, stripping away any lingering hope that the lion they once knew still existed beneath the cold, calculating exterior he now wore.

"Asani is dying," Sarafina's voice trembled with barely restrained rage, her emerald eyes wide with disbelief. "You know how much he means to this pride... to me. You're really saying that his life—his suffering—is meaningless now?"

Taka stood unfazed, his once warm, emerald eyes now cold and indifferent. He offered Sarafina a dispassionate glance, as though her words were little more than the buzzing of an annoying insect. "I've simply accepted the truth," he said with a shrug. "Asani can be replaced. His death, while unfortunate, doesn't change the fact that there are plenty of lions willing to take his place."

The words echoed painfully in the ears of those gathered. Sarafina's claws extended involuntarily, her heart pounding in her chest as she took a step closer, tears welling up in her eyes. "He is not replaceable!" she hissed, her voice shaking with grief. "He's your friend! Our friend! How can you just—"

But Taka's gaze slid right past her, as if she were nothing. His expression remained blank, devoid of any emotion, any empathy, any remorse for the betrayal he had just dealt to his oldest friend, to them all.

Sarabi shook her head, her deep amber eyes filled with hurt, she had just returned from gathering the sacred water from the well of purity to help Asani, yet now that mission was in vain? "What happened to you, Taka?" she asked, her voice a whisper, heavy with sorrow. "You sold your heart for a chance to save Asani, but now you don't even care about him? What was the point of it all if you're going to let him die?"

Her question hung in the air like a bitter challenge, but Taka did not flinch. He simply shrugged again, his tail flicking dismissively behind him. "I've gained something far more valuable than friendship or sentimentality. This is the reality of leadership. Emotions only weaken you, Sarabi. You would do well to remember that."

Zira stood off to the side, her gaze fixed on the lion she once loved, now a stranger to her. A deep sadness welled up inside her, mixing with the hurt and anger that had consumed her since his transformation. This was not the Taka she had known, the lion who had once cared deeply for his friends, for her, for anything besides power.

"This isn't leadership," Zira muttered under her breath, her heart breaking further with every cold word Taka uttered. "This is cruelty."

Jabari stepped forward, his powerful heroic frame tense with barely contained anger. "Asani has been by your side since you were cubs," he growled. "He has fought for you, bled for you, trusted you, and now you're going to abandon him?"

Taka's lips curled into a cruel smile. "I don't need to explain myself to you, Jabari. If Asani's time is up, then it's up. You're all acting as if I owe him something just because we've known each other a long time."

Jabari let out a low growl from beside Kondo, his usually calm demeanor shattered by Taka's heartless words. "You owe him more than this, Taka. We're supposed to be a team, a family. You've changed, and not for the better."

"Enough," Taka snapped, his patience finally thinning. "This is exactly why I had to let go of my heart. You're all weak, clinging to these pathetic notions of friendship and loyalty. In the end, none of it matters."

Zazu fluttered down from his perch, his beak open in shock as he stared at Taka. "I cannot believe what I'm hearing," the hornbill stammered. "This is not the prince I once knew. The Taka I remember cared for his friends, his pride—"

"The Taka you knew is gone," Taka interrupted coldly. "This is who I am now. If you can't accept that, you're free to leave."

Sarafina stepped forward again, her voice breaking as she pleaded with him. "Taka, please. Asani loves you. He's fought by your side all his life, and now he's lying there, dying. Do you really not care at all?"

Taka's cold gaze met hers, and for a brief moment, something flickered behind his eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it came. "No," he said, his voice devoid of any feeling. "I don't care."

The finality of his words shattered what little hope the pride had left. They had watched their friend change, slowly at first, but now it was clear that the lion they once knew was truly gone. Taka had become Scar, a heartless ruler who saw those around him as nothing more than pawns to be used and discarded.

Sarabi's shoulders sagged with the weight of her grief, her heart aching for the brother she had lost. "You're a fool," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "A fool who has sold his soul for power. And one day, you'll regret this, Taka. You'll regret turning your back on the ones who loved you."

Taka said nothing, his expression blank as he turned and walked away from the gathered lions, leaving them in stunned silence. His tail flicked dismissively behind him, a silent reminder that he no longer cared for any of them.

As the sun set on the Pride Lands, the guard members stood in disbelief, their hearts heavy with sorrow and betrayal. Taka had abandoned them, his heartless words cutting deeper than any wound.

And as they watched him disappear into the horizon, they knew that the lion they had once called their friend was gone forever.

Zira stood close to Sarafina, her heart aching as she watched her friend's tears fall silently into the dust. Sarafina had always been strong, a lioness who bore the weight of her responsibilities with grace, but now she was breaking, torn apart by the cruel indifference of the one lion who could save her mate.

Taka's words still echoed in the back of Zira's mind, cold and final, cutting through the loyalty and love they had once shared. But Zira refused to let his callousness be the final word.

"Sarafina," Zira whispered gently, cupping her friend's chin with her paw, lifting her face so their eyes met. Her gaze was fierce, resolute, but there was also a deep tenderness there, a promise unspoken but clear. "I will save him. Even if it's against Taka's wishes. The true Taka—the lion I knew—gave up everything to save Asani. That heartless creature back there isn't him, not anymore."

Sarafina sniffled, her eyes wide and filled with hope and despair all at once. "But how, Zira? How can we save him? Taka's right, the blossom is nearly impossible to find. And even if we knew where it was—"

"We will find it," Zira interrupted, her voice firm. "I will find it. I can't let Taka's sacrifice be for nothing. Asani deserves to live, and you, Sarafina, deserve to have your mate back. We can't let Taka's cruelty dictate our choices."

Sarabi stepped forward, her steady presence offering a much-needed calm amidst the emotional storm. "Zira's right," she said softly, her amber eyes filled with resolve. "This isn't just about Asani anymore. It's about our pride, about standing up for each other when we're in need. We can't abandon him, no matter what Taka says."

Zira nodded, her gaze sweeping over the gathered lions—her friends, her comrades, her family. She knew they all felt the same betrayal, the same sorrow. But there was also a flicker of determination in their eyes, a readiness to fight for what was right, even if it meant defying Taka.

With her mind made up, Zira turned to Prince Mufasa, who had been silently watching the exchange. His face was solemn, but his regal bearing held an undeniable strength. As the future king, Mufasa understood the gravity of what Zira was asking. The Lion Guard, the knights and defenders of the Pride Lands, had never ventured beyond the borders of their territory. To allow them to leave would be unprecedented, a risk that could leave their homeland vulnerable.

But Mufasa also understood the deeper truth—what good was protecting their land if they let their own family perish?

"Prince Mufasa," Zira began, bowing her head slightly in respect. "I know what I ask is unheard of. The guard has always protected the Pride Lands, and to leave now would be a great risk. But Asani is one of us, and the true Taka sacrificed everything to find a way to save him. Please... may I have your permission to lead the guard into the Nile-Lands to retrieve the Nile Blossom? Without it, Asani won't survive. And without him... we lose more than just a friend."

Mufasa was silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing in thought as he looked out across the pride. He could see the pain etched into their faces, the weight of Taka's betrayal pressing down on them. His golden eyes lingered on Sarafina, who stood trembling, her heart laid bare as she clung to the last thread of hope that Zira offered.

When he finally spoke, his voice was deep and measured. "Zira," he said, "what you ask is not easy. The Pride Lands are our home, and the Lion Guard is our shield. To leave now, with threats still lurking on the borders... it would be dangerous."

Zira held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew how important the guard was to the pride, but Asani's life was at stake. She prayed that Mufasa would see that.

"But," Mufasa continued, his tone softening, "you are right. Asani is more than just a warrior. He is a brother to all of us, a loyal defender of our pride. If we abandon him now, we abandon the very heart of what the Lion Guard stands for."

He turned his gaze to Zira, his expression one of quiet resolve. "You have my permission, Zira. Take the guard and find the Nile Blossom. Bring Asani back to us."

A collective sigh of relief swept through the gathered lions. Zira felt a swell of gratitude and determination rise within her. She bowed her head deeply to Mufasa. "Thank you, Prince Mufasa. I won't let you down."

Jabari stepped forward, his usual bravado tempered by the gravity of the situation. "We're with you, Zira," he said, his voice low but firm. "We'll do whatever it takes to save Asani."

Kondo nodded, his eyes gleaming with fierce determination. "We'll bring him back. No matter what."

Zumaridi, always the quiet and steady one, gave a solemn nod. "We won't fail."

Sarabi and Zazu shared a glance, the heavy responsibility of protecting the Pride Lands weighing on them. "We'll hold things down here," Sarabi said gently. "You just focus on bringing back that blossom."

Sarafina, her eyes filled with gratitude and relief, stepped forward to embrace Zira. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you for not giving up on him. Thank you for not giving up on us."

Zira returned the embrace, her heart heavy with the weight of what lay ahead. "We'll bring him back, Sarafina," she promised. "I won't let Taka's sacrifice be in vain."

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the Pride Lands, Zira looked out towards the northern horizon. The Farlands known as the Nile-lands for them—a harsh and unforgiving landscape of sand and stone monuments. The journey would be treacherous, and the Nile Blossom elusive.

But Zira's heart was set. She would not let Asani die. She would not let Taka's cruel indifference be the end of their story.

"Let's prepare for the journey," Zira said, her voice steady. "We leave at dawn."

And with that, the Lion Guard began their fateful march towards the unknown, determined to bring back the life of a friend... and perhaps save a part of their own hearts in the process.

--

Zira carefully placed the preserved scarlet flower into her napsack, her eyes lingering on it for a moment longer than necessary. It was a small, fragile thing, yet it held so much weight in her heart. Taka had given it to her on one of their more peaceful days, back when his love still held warmth. "It has the same shade as your eyes," he had said, and back then, his voice had been soft, his gaze tender.

Now, that memory felt distant, like a dream fading in the harsh light of reality. Zira sighed, pulling her weathered cloak tighter around her. The journey ahead would be long and treacherous, and sentimentality had no place in the deserts of the Farlands. Still, she couldn't bring herself to leave the flower behind. It was the last reminder of a Taka she feared might be gone forever.

She glanced over at the other Lion Guard members as they prepared for the journey. Kondo, the strongest of them all, packed his supplies with quiet determination, his muscles rippling beneath his sleek coat as he fastened his travel cloak. Zumaridi, her eyes sharp and calculating, adjusted her scarf, making sure it wouldn't interfere with her keen sight. Jabari, ever the brave one, had an air of steely resolve, but there was a glint of concern in his eyes as he secured his knapsack.

They were all bound by a single purpose: to save Asani. Even with the weight of Taka's betrayal hanging over them, they hadn't wavered. Their loyalty to Asani—and to each other—remained unbroken.

As the group prepared to depart, a sudden burst of energy interrupted the solemn atmosphere. A younger lioness barreled towards them, her paws kicking up dust as she sprinted across the savannah like a golden streak of dawn. She skidded to a halt in front of Zira, saluting with a wide, enthusiastic grin.

"Beeftu, reporting, Lady Zira!" the lioness chirped, her voice brimming with an almost overwhelming energy.

Zira blinked, taken aback by the sudden arrival. "Beeftu?" she repeated, her brow furrowing in confusion. She hadn't been expecting any new additions to their group.

Before she could say more, Zazu, the ever-dutiful majordomo, fluttered down from his perch and landed gracefully in front of Zira, bowing politely. "Prince Mufasa believed you could use a substitute for Asani, given the unfortunate circumstances," Zazu explained in his refined tone. "Beeftu here is the fastest lioness in the Pride Lands, and was specifically chosen by Prince Mufasa for this expedition."

Zira raised a skeptical eyebrow, glancing from Zazu to Beeftu. The young lioness was practically bouncing on her paws, her golden fur shimmering in the sunlight, flecked with orange that gave her an almost fiery appearance. Her eyes, a bright bronze, gleamed with a manic energy that reminded Zira of a whole litter of cubs packed into one body.

"Fastest lioness?" Zira repeated, the corner of her mouth quirking into a half-smile. She wasn't sure if speed was going to be enough to get them through the harsh desert and the unknown dangers of the Farlands, but she couldn't deny that having someone with Beeftu's boundless energy might prove useful.

Beeftu, seemingly oblivious to any doubts, continued hopping excitedly in place. "I promise, Lady Zira, I'll be a huge help! I can outrun a gazelle, outmaneuver a sandstorm, and I'm great at fetching things! Prince Mufasa said I'd be perfect for this mission, and I won't let you down!"

Zira couldn't help but chuckle at Beeftu's enthusiasm. She admired the young lioness's spirit, even if it seemed a bit excessive. "Well, Beeftu," she said with a sigh, her tone softening, "welcome to the team. We can certainly use your speed, especially if the situation turns dire."

Beeftu's face lit up with an even bigger grin, if that were possible, and she saluted again. "I won't disappoint you! I'll run circles around those desert winds!"

Jabari let out a low chuckle from the side, nudging Zumaridi. "She's got more energy than all of us combined. Maybe we should let her carry all the supplies."

Zumaridi smirked, her sharp eyes gleaming. "Or let her scout ahead. She'll probably make it back before we even notice she's gone."

Kondo grinned as well, his tension easing just a bit in the face of Beeftu's infectious enthusiasm. "We could definitely use someone like her. We've got a long journey ahead."

Zira gave a nod, her resolve returning as she tightened her cloak and adjusted her scarf. With Beeftu now in their ranks, the group felt just a bit more complete, a little more hopeful despite the daunting task that lay before them. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that still lingered, the shadow of Taka's betrayal, but for now, she had to focus on the mission at hand.

"All right," she said, her voice firm and clear. "We head out now. The Nile-lands are a long way from here, and the Nile Blossom won't wait forever. We have to save Asani, no matter the cost."

With one last glance back at the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard—now joined by Beeftu—began their trek towards the distant horizon. Sand, rivers, and stone monuments awaited them, along with dangers they couldn't yet foresee

.

But Zira's heart burned with a fierce determination. No matter what lay ahead, she would not let Asani die. And she would not let Taka's once-great heart be buried in the ashes of indifference.

The journey to the Nile-lands had just begun.

--

As the group made their way northward, Beeftu darted around with the frenetic energy of a cub seeing the world for the first time. Her golden fur shimmered in the midday sun as she zipped from one side of the trail to the other, her tongue hanging out of her mouth in a comically exaggerated fashion. Every so often, she'd stop to examine something completely mundane—a pile of rocks, a gnarled tree, or even just the way the wind shifted the sands beneath their paws. Each new discovery elicited a wide, catty grin, her bronze eyes lighting up with childlike excitement.

"This place is amazing!" Beeftu exclaimed, her voice practically vibrating with enthusiasm as she bounded over to Kondo. "Have you ever seen so much sand? And look at those clouds! They're like huge pillows in the sky!"

Kondo, despite the seriousness of their mission, found himself chuckling at her boundless energy. "You act like you've never been outside the Pride Lands before," he teased, though his tone was light, amused by her infectious spirit.

"I mean, not this far!" Beeftu replied, still bouncing around. "Everything's so different out here! I love it!"

Jabari, walking alongside Zumaridi, shook his head with a smirk. "She reminds me of my little sisters," he said softly. "They'd get just as excited about the smallest things."

Zumaridi's sharp eyes darted towards Beeftu as she ran ahead, practically bouncing off the sand dunes. "Yeah, but your sisters know when to settle down," Zumaridi replied dryly. "She's going to wear herself out before we even reach the desert proper."

Zira, walking at the head of the group, found Beeftu's constant buzzing around more than a little grating. While the younger lioness's enthusiasm could be endearing to some, it was a distraction to her. The journey ahead was dangerous, and there was no room for frivolity. They had to focus on saving Asani. Zira shot a glance over her shoulder, watching Beeftu zoom off in yet another direction, her tongue still hanging out like an overexcited cub.

"Beeftu," Zira called, her voice sharp but not unkind. "Stay close to the group. We can't afford to lose anyone out here, and I need you focused."

Beeftu skidded to a halt, her paws kicking up a small cloud of dust. "Yes, Lady Zira! I'll be on my best behavior!" she promised, though the manic grin on her face didn't quite fade. She saluted once more and trotted back towards the group, still humming with barely-contained energy.

Kondo chuckled softly to himself, his eyes following Beeftu's antics. "She's kind of cute," he remarked under his breath, loud enough for Zira to hear but not so loud as to invite her ire.

Zira sighed, her patience wearing thin, but she allowed herself a brief smile. "Cute isn't going to help us get through the desert," she muttered. "But she'll have her uses, I'm sure."

As they crossed the Pride Lands' northern border and entered the beginning stretches of the desert, the landscape began to shift.

The lush grasses of home gave way to barren, cracked earth and rolling sand dunes that stretched endlessly into the horizon. The sun bore down on them with unrelenting intensity, and the wind, while cool, carried with it the bite of sand that stung their eyes and fur.

Zira pulled her scarf tighter around her neck, shielding herself from the harsh elements. The Lion Guard followed suit, each donning their travel cloaks as the temperature dropped, and the desert's chill began to creep in.

"We have to be careful out here," Jabari said, his voice low and serious. "The desert is unforgiving. We'll need to ration our water and keep a close eye on each other."

Zira nodded in agreement, her eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of danger. "And we'll need to be quick. Every hour we waste brings Asani closer to death."

As they pressed forward into the vast desert, none of them noticed the dark shadow that lingered far behind, watching their every move from a distance.

--

In the heart of the outlands, nestled deep within the crumbling ruins of ancient stone monuments, the Black Clan stirred. The Lord of Nightmares, their enigmatic and powerful leader, had been waiting for this moment. His deep-set eyes gleamed with malice as he surveyed the shifting sands from his throne of shadows, his form barely discernible in the darkness that surrounded him.

"The Pride Lands are vulnerable now," he whispered, his voice like the hiss of a snake in the wind. "With Taka distracted and the Lion Guard far from home, the time has come to strike."

His followers, the Black Clan, moved silently in the shadows, their loyalty to him unwavering. For years they had awaited this opportunity, plotting and scheming from the edges of the Pride Lands, watching as the internal strife grew. Now, with Taka's heart consumed by bitterness and the Lion Guard on a dangerous quest, the balance of power had shifted.

"Let them chase their precious blossom," the Lord of Nightmares sneered, his lips curling into a sinister smile. "By the time they return, the Pride Lands will be mine."

His laughter echoed through the ancient stone chambers as his minions moved into position, preparing to strike at the heart of the Pride Lands in Taka's absence.

--

Back in the desert, the Lion Guard remained unaware of the looming threat. They trekked onward, the heat and sand draining their energy as they navigated the unforgiving terrain. Beeftu, still darting around but staying closer to the group now, kept their spirits high, her optimism a stark contrast to the desolation around them.

As they continued their journey towards the Northern Farlands, Zira felt the weight of their mission pressing down on her. The desert stretched out before them like an endless, barren sea, and though their goal was clear, the dangers ahead were unknown. But no matter the cost, they had to save Asani—and they had to return to the Pride Lands before it was too late.

For the Lord of Nightmares and the Black Clan were already moving, and the Pride Lands were on the verge of being plunged into chaos and Asani was needed.

The harsh desert winds howled across the endless expanse of dunes, whipping the sand into the air and biting at the travelers with an unrelenting sting. The Lion Guard moved steadily forward, their pace slowing as the unforgiving desert stretched on for days, then weeks. Every step became a test of endurance, their muscles aching, throats parched from the unforgiving heat. Yet, while the rest of the guard struggled, Beeftu, as if defying the very nature of the desert, remained her usual, high-energy self, darting from one dune to the next, grinning ear to ear.

"How is she not tired?" Zumaridi muttered, her sharp eyes narrowed against the sandstorm that kicked up around them.

"Maybe she's part jackal," Kondo groaned, his limbs dragging as he forced himself to keep pace. His eyes tracked Beeftu as she practically teleported across the desert sands. "She has the energy of ten cubs on a sugar rush."

Zira, her pale tones blending with the dusky twilight that had begun to settle, shook her head and muttered under her breath. "Was Prince Mufasa punishing us when he sent her to help?" Her paw rose to her face as she watched Beeftu dash off again, this time chasing some mirage-like movement in the distance.

Zira had always been known for her sharp wit and scheming nature. She was a planner, a tactician who thought of every angle and weighed every consequence. Her mind was a fortress, always plotting, always calculating. In contrast, Beeftu was an unfiltered ball of pure energy—naive to the core, seemingly unburdened by the desert's dangers or the grueling trek that had brought the others to the brink of collapse.

It wasn't just their personalities that clashed. Zira's darker, muted fur, pale tones, and somber demeanor couldn't have been more different from Beeftu's vibrant, sun-kissed coat, flecked with the warmth of dawn and orange hues that caught the light like a flame against the endless sands. It was as if fate had paired the two polar opposites together for some cruel cosmic joke.

"I don't understand how she's still bouncing around," Jabari grumbled, the normally strong and steadfast lion now visibly flagging. His powerful frame sagged as he trudged forward, his broad paws sinking into the soft sand with every step. "Even the strongest of us are running on fumes."

Zira glanced over at the Lion Guard's strongest member, her expression softened by exhaustion. Jabari's normally unshakable resolve had cracked under the weight of the desert's relentless cruelty, and she could see the same was true for the others. Kondo, usually so brave and headstrong, was struggling to even keep his eyes open, his body hunched as if the very air weighed him down. Zumaridi, keen-eyed and sharp as ever, had her gaze fixed on the horizon, her sharpness dulled by the harsh reality of their dwindling water supply.

Zira's own paws dragged through the sand as if they were made of lead. The scarf around her neck was now tattered and caked with sand, and her dark cloak flapped weakly in the desert wind. She had been the one to lead them into this, convinced they could retrieve the Nile Blossom to save Asani.

Yet now, doubt gnawed at her. What if they didn't make it? What if all their efforts had been in vain?

But there was Beeftu. The lioness seemed oblivious to the physical toll that the desert had taken on everyone else. Her golden fur seemed to glow under the harsh sun, and her tongue lolled out of her mouth as she raced ahead, utterly unaffected by the intense heat, the biting winds, or the crushing exhaustion that weighed the others down. It was maddening.

"Beeftu, slow down!" Zira called, her voice hoarse from the dry air. But the younger lioness just bounded back towards the group with a grin.

"Lady Zira!" Beeftu called back, not even breaking a sweat. "You should see the view from that dune over there—it's incredible! The sky looks like it goes on forever!" Her eyes sparkled with an unshakable enthusiasm that was entirely inappropriate for their current situation. "Isn't this desert amazing?"

Zira felt the sudden, overwhelming urge to face-paw again. Instead, she gritted her teeth and muttered under her breath, "I swear, if we survive this, I'm going to have a long talk with Mufasa about his choice in substitutes."

They pressed on, the days began to blur together. The heat of the day baked them mercilessly, and by night, the cold gripped their bones with a harshness that matched the desert's bitter winds. They camped beneath the stars, their travel cloaks wrapped tightly around their exhausted bodies, but the sleep they managed was fitful at best. Every night, Zira's thoughts were plagued by visions of failure—of Asani lying helpless in his bed, his strength fading by the hour, of Taka's cold indifference, and of the Pride Lands slipping into chaos.

Beeftu, meanwhile, seemed utterly unaffected by the physical and mental toll of the journey. Every morning, she greeted the rising sun with boundless enthusiasm, her bright golden fur practically glowing in the dawn light. She'd leap from her resting place, eager to explore the next leg of the journey, her manic energy completely undiminished.

Even after days of travel, when the others were on the brink of collapse, Beeftu bounced around as if they had only just set out. At times, Zira could barely stand to look at her.

As the week dragged on, their water supply ran dangerously low. Every drop from their gourds was rationed, and eventually, their reserves ran dry altogether. Jabari, Kondo, and Zumaridi trudged forward, their bodies weak, their mouths dry, and their eyes hollow with exhaustion. Zira felt her legs give out beneath her, collapsing into the sand. She gasped, the arid air like fire in her lungs.

"Beeftu…" she croaked, barely able to lift her head to call out to the younger lioness.

To Zira's astonishment, Beeftu bounded over, still grinning as brightly as ever, her tongue hanging out in that familiar way. "What's up, Lady Zira? We're almost at the next dune! I bet we'll find water soon!"

Zira blinked in disbelief. Beeftu showed no signs of fatigue, no weariness, no thirst. She was as energetic as the day they left the Pride Lands. It was as if the desert had no hold on her at all.

"We're… we're not going to make it," Zira rasped, her voice barely a whisper as her head slumped against the sand.

"Nonsense!" Beeftu said, her optimism unshakable. "We'll make it! I can feel it in my paws!" She gave Zira a big, toothy grin and bounded off again, her energetic pace never faltering.

Zira watched her go, her vision swimming as the desert stretched endlessly before her. She didn't know how much longer the rest of them could survive. But one thing was certain—Beeftu was either the luckiest lioness in the world… or completely insane.

To be continued…