[1st POV]
Five lions moved with shared purpose. Zafar and his sons travelled diagonally, moving faster than others to cover their need for two-dimensional movements. Simba hurried too, moving one tier below running.
Soon, all lions converged into one group and headed towards the source of the roar. It was hard to judge the distance since the roar was unnaturally louder than any other roar, but from the scent, one could count the distance to be a few kilometres or so.
It only took a few minutes before they felt like they were in the area where the roar originated. But strangely enough, they could find no one there. The scent of fresh markings proved that a lion, probably Leo, had been here only moments ago but now there was nothing to see.
It was strange; it should be hard to miss him after that roar and those fresh scents. Even if he was hiding, which he probably was, it was still odd that such a behemoth was so good at stealth.
Looking around, the world was an open grassland with a golden hue. There were a few patches of green where there was good underground water. But in such a gigantic plain, one should not be able to hide from the eyes.
Finding nothing there, the group pressed on once more, thinking that perhaps Leo had pulled back. Zael guessed that it probably had something to do with the new lions that he brought along with him.
He tried thinking from Leo's perspective, as far as he knew, since Grim left before they recruited Zafar and his sons, Leo should be unaware of the newcomers. Seeing and smelling the strangers probably caused his father to pull up his guard.
Soon enough, their eyes could see a formation of trees. The trees stood in a group, their sparse leaves provided shade that were filled with holes. Although the trees stood together, the gap between each tree should make it impossible to hide behind.
But still, the lions were distracted by the trees. It was mainly because of the deep wounds on the trunk of the trees. Claw marks. It was visible even from a distance.
Not only that, a dozen or so vultures were perched on the tree. As the group came close, they could feel the piercing gaze of the birds of prey.
Among the many vultures one of them was familiar.
"Grim, where is the king?" Zael asked as they came under the tree.
Grim did not answer, instead he gestured towards the three new lions. "Who are they?"
"They are Zafar and his sons. They've come to aid us in the upcoming battle," Zael said. But the words helped with nothing as Grim narrowed his already thin eyes on them.
"That makes no sense," Grim said, full of suspicion.
Zael realized that it was hard for others since they didn't know Zafar like he did. When looking at things logically, no one would believe someone to join the seemingly losing side in battle. On the contrary, betrayal and siding with the enemy seemed like a much bigger possibility.
"I can vouch for them," Zael said.
And that was the end of that. Grim pulled back his gaze.
"If you say so," Grim said.
"Now where is my father? Did he leave?" Zael asked, looking up at the higher branches.
In fact, every lion was looking up at the trees. It was odd to see vultures with such an air around them, like they were not creatures that feed on leftovers like nature intended them to be. The vibe around them hinted that they left their previous role and possessed higher purpose now.
Zafar couldn't help but be aghast by such audacity. He pondered if he would be able to catch one of them if he suddenly sprang up the trees.
Grim did not reply to the question and merely moved his gaze. He looked straight forward, his eyes looking at something behind the group. Zael immediately followed the gaze, turning his body to look behind him.
The other lions followed suit.
Once you saw him, you couldn't help but have an odd sense of terror. Said fear came from the fact that once you saw him, you couldn't imagine a few moments ago when you hadn't noticed him. His sheer size and presence should've been noticed miles away.
It was like missing an elephant.
A lion who twisted the very nature of his species, much like vultures, stood more than 20 metres away from the group. His posture was slanted, giving the viewers a perfect look at his wide frame and impossible length.
From the sun reflected on him, one could see the muscles packed beneath loose skin. The bulging muscles in some places cast a shadow on its own frame, showing a distinct definition of strength. It was like his very shape tried to paint the power he had as to warn other living things. Like how a poisonous frog would have bright, distinct colours.
Father.
The word echoed not just inside Zael's mind but to every lion present. The image of the lion in front of them brought back memories of when they looked at their father as a cub. A lion that had gone further than they ever did, a lion that had achieved more than they would dare to even try, and the size difference between them as a cub and a king.
'He'd grown bigger,' Zael couldn't help but think in his mind.
Occupying a mass of around 500 kilograms, Leo was a lion that was over twice as big as the average lion. His frame was filled with heavy muscles so the space that his mass occupied wasn't as impressive as the weight but it was still enough to make others feel insignificant.
Due to adaptation from the lack of a long tail, Leo's stance was naturally lower, giving the impression that he could burst into action and launch an attack at any time. He probably could. It was like having a gun constantly aimed at your head when standing before him.
The lack of a tail also made it hard to read him. A tail was a necessity in communicating body language for lions. The lack of it instantly made everyone feel like he was an outsider, something which wasn't a lion like them. One could only guess what he was feeling.
"Zael," he spoke, "Who are they?"
Zael realised immediately that Leo had never looked towards him or Simba. His eyes were on the three unfamiliar lions since the very start.
Without any need to intervene, Zafar stepped forward with quiet dignity.
"My name is Zafar, King Leo. I've heard much about you," Zafar said. From his tone and behaviour, one wouldn't be able to guess the unshown sense of terror in his heart.
"And these are my sons, Kovar and Azvan," Zafar said. "We've heard of the upcoming conflict and wish to fight by your side."
"And why is that?"
"A bright future for my sons in the new world and..." Zafar said, "A worthy end to the glorious life I have lived,"
"Death?" Leo asked, genuinely confused. Zafar silently breathed in relief when he could finally read something off the lion.
"At 12 years of age, there is nothing more I desire than a fitting end."
"I see," Leo said thoughtfully. After a few seconds, he finally turned from them to face Zael and Simba instead. He was now able to show his back and open side towards the three lions.
"Zael," Leo called once more.
"Leo," Zael answered.
The curt reply earned him a smile as they recalled the time they parted and the words Leo parted with him. It was a lesson to the proud son of Leo, offspring of the great M'bali brothers. And Leo's hope to meet again as equals.
"I am happy to see you doing so well. You have a pride of your own now," Leo said, his words telling that he already noticed the pride he brought along with him.
When considering that Leo was planning to give much of the Southern Serengeti to Zael after victory, they were rightfully moving to their new home.
"Same to you," Zael said.
"I'm not sure if running can be considered doing good, but I appreciate the sentiment," Leo grinned.
And finally, Leo locked eyes with the lion, who had been silent until now.
Simba did not say a single word. From the very first moment, he had locked his eyes on Leo and nothing else. The monster that stood before him was nowhere near the small cub he remembered in his mind. And yet the resemblance was undeniable.
To him, Leo was an object so foreign yet familiar. He lacked the words to describe the feeling.
Silently, Simba walked forward. Leo matched his action and slowly marched forward as well.
The two brothers met in the middle.
And without a prompt, both launched into action and began fighting.
When words were lacking, action took over. The other lions widened their eyes at the sudden action. They stepped forward, trying to intervene, but they stopped themselves when they got a closer look.
It wasn't a fight.
No it was a fight. But it was a fight without violence, as weird as that sounds. Neither was holding back. Their manes puffed, growls sounded out in chains and both sides intertwined to make a horrific noise; they did not hold back their teeth or claws as they wrestled in the middle.
But if one truly observed them, they would notice the lack of mind and heart. Both Leo's and Simba's minds and hearts were somewhere else entirely. They weren't in the fight.
6 years, more like 7.
"....Leo, Leo, LEO, LEOOOO!!!" a small cub called, trying and failing to climb a tree where Leo had slept.
"Don't ignore me!! You can't ignore me!! I am your brother!!" Simba moved in frustration, "How did you even climb this tree!? Come down! I want another match for the title of the strongest cub!!"
At the time, Leo was a fat little cub whose greed for milk and meat knew no bounds. He had a routine of eating, exercising and sleeping. He always followed that routine. But like always his brother was always there to challenge him. Even though Nala was the second strongest, Simba would only challenge him on the grounds that they were male and Nala was female.
Leo would ignore Simba, but he couldn't ruin his sleep. So eventually, he would trick Simba in a deal.
"I will fight you on one condition. You will give me the meat father gives you next time," he would say from the top.
"Deal!!"
And so, the two cubs would fight constantly. Everyday. Again and again. Leo's greed knew no bounds and so did Simba's foolish persistence.
Although odd, those fighting matches consisted of most of their interaction. Maybe that was why, when they met again after years, they communicated in a way they were most comfortable with.
The techniques used, although refined, were still the same. In Simba's mind, his opponent and the small cub were one and one's shadow. Their strength, although stronger, was still similar in the way that there was a stark difference.
Simba blindly gave his best, doing the stupidest thing on the ground that he hadn't tried on Leo before, so it might work. Leo effortlessly shut him down in both amusement and surprise.
The two brothers fought, stirring the ground into sand and sand into clouds.
Until eventually, the better brother was on top.
"I win," Leo said, his breath uneven as he held Simba down.
"Your next meal is mine," he said, the words coming as a reflex even though it didn't make one bit of sense.
The last time Leo saw Simba was when their father died. Their relationship broke way before the others to follow in a few years. At one point, due to his existence, Leo thought Simba was dead.
"I will win next time," Simba said, his words too coming as a reflex.
The two brothers separated. Their body had thin lines of wounds that were bleeding. But those were only minor. Just a step above mosquito bites.
Brothers.
They were brothers.
That fact cemented itself on both lions' hearts. In the cruel world ruled by nature, they were a team by design. In a world where all animals prioritize themselves, they shared a womb.
"Simba," Leo said fondly. The name upon his tongue felt natural, like he was meant to call that name for all his life.
"Leo," Simba felt the same way.
The next words, they said together.
"It's good to have you back brother."
It was the last reunion of the Pridelands. Two fates with the same origin crossed paths once more. Hopefully, they would once more, share the same end.
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[IMAGE]
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