The Long Path to Destiny

[Accalia]

Phelai's pale golden body collapses against the dry grass as her sunken stomach and face heave with exhaustion and hunger *How much longer is this going to continue?* She helplessly asked herself, her head aching with one of her long lasting headaches. The other few surviving members of her pride are scattered around their territory, trying to devise a logical and doable plan to survive, no one has done so successfully yet, or people wouldn't be closer to dying everyday. Phelai's predominate ribs expand as she takes a long breath in and exhales it again slowly, trying to look on the brighter side of her situation, but the glass wasn't even half full to start with, more like virtually empty and so she could only say *At least I'm alive* but at times she wished she wasn't and believed that it would be easier if she simply left this world of pain and just passed from its surface. However Phelai has a strong intellect and knows that death is not sleep, nor crave-able, it is simply the passing from is to was. She lay there, lost in her pool of inquires and brooding, trying to devise a plan and answer some of her questions in life.

She asked herself why she was in Dinwea in the first place and how long the pride had been slowly dying. She asked herself when the next rebel attack would be, but that would only be known to her when the moon was high in the sky and her exhausted body was sleeping. Her powers had only condemned her to ongoing pain for the whole of her life, from a young cub to the young adult she now was. Her life had been plagued with unwanted knowledge, pain and constant questioning. Questioning of her dreams of upcoming pain or danger or death, she had never had any privacy, all her life she has had to serve others, never her despite her best efforts to lock herself away from the monsters of her life.

Phelai lay there, the hot air covering her frail body, just adding to the list of pain and uncomfortable things she had to deal with, but she remained still, just waiting, for anything to happen, a traveller, a fight, a death. She did t even care anymore, she just felt as if her life was meaningless and not worth living. Her pale body was bruised and stained purple with them, her fathers hate for her displayed over her body. Her failing to kill an antelope had disappointed many, but her father the most, causing him to explode in a fit of anger and fury; food is scarce and long hungered for and so when it shows it's flesh, everyone becomes greedy and desperate, just the idea enough to cause mouths to overflow with saliva and hunger.  

[Deleted]

Kulaani walked through this dead, deserted land called Dinwea. He had arrived here three days ago as he was simply passing through while on his hunt for his parents killers. On the first day, he had stopped to hunt since he had not eaten anything for a while, but finding prey in this territory was difficult. When he had finally found something to hunt, it was killed by a group of lions that were stalking it from nearby. Another group of lions approached them and Kulaani listened as they argued amongst each other, that's when he learned that there was trouble brewing between the pride that rules these lands and the so called "rebels". Personally, he had no interest in their political affairs, nor did he care if they ripped each others throats out. As he thought about it however, he considered the possibility that the murderers, Msaliti and Giza, might be amongst one of these groups, and so he decided to stick around and see what he could discover.

As Kulaani padded along in search of any clues to the whereabouts of the killers, he noticed a pale golden body lying on the ground nearby. From where he was, he could not tell if she was dead or alive, but what he could see was that she was pretty banged up. Normally, he would have just assumed she was dead and move on, but he felt that he had to check on her, and so he walked up and prodded her shoulder.

"Hey if you're not dead, then say something."

[For Her]

Kisasi was wandering across the barren lands. It seemed as if there was no life, at all. He noticed two lions (judging by the size). One was laying on the ground, the other seemed to try and communicate with the first. Kisasi quickened his pace, moving towards them. As he got closer he noticed the laying lioness. "Phelai? Is that you?" he shouted, recognizing his old friend.

[Accalia]

Phelai opened her purple eyes slowly, only to find a light brown lion towering over her. It did not startle her and she took her time raising her battered frame from the hard ground to say something, excitement coursing through her aching body, a new person finally. However the excitement came to an abrupt end when she wondered if this was a rebel and her eyes narrowed slightly "Excuse me... But which allegiance do you belong to?" She asked warily, her body hunched over slightly and her ears pinned backwards. Something about this male made her know that he wasn't a rebel, he would have killed her already is he was one of them, but weariness caused nothing and could save her life, so she didn't assume and asked the question anyway. She stood, awaiting a reply, but her attention was moved to a large lion running towards her. She glared through the thick, hot air, recognising the deep voice that called her name and her eyes lit up somewhat, her purple eyes sparkling with the sight of Kisasi. She called at him with her light, delicate voice "Kisasi?!! Why are you here?...." It confused her why he had come to Dinwea, the dying land when he knew what he was doing. Her mind was a mess of facts, memories and questions, which only intensified her headache, but at the moment she didn't care much. She stood awaiting his frame to be by her side as she remembered the lion in front of her. "Welcome to Dinwea, the dying land.... Food is scarce and fough viciously over, it tough to live here, so you might want to avoid the rebels." She half sighed as she warned the lion of the dangers in this land, her thin body heaving for oxygen in the thick, heavy air.

[For Her]

Kisasi's joy vanished a he looked at the other lion. He immediately took a defensive stance in front of Phelai. "What do you want?" Kisasi asked in a growling tone.

[Deleted]

Kulaani quickly grew annoyed when the lioness asked which side he was on. Figures, these lions are all starving to death but the only thing they're worried about is the other group.

"My allegiance is to myself, and I know about this blood feud going on between the two groups." He almost went off on a rant, but he held himself back from it. This lioness wasn't in the state to listen to him go off about it, and besides, he wasn't in the mood to risk getting into an argument.

He noticed that her attention was drawn to something else, so he followed her gaze and saw another lion running towards them and he let out a huff of frustration. Wonderful! This is just what I need.... When he heard the lion call out the lioness's name, he realized that they must know each other, which was good for him because he could get back to his search. It quickly turned sour though when the lion dashed in between him and the lioness. Kulaani began to grow furious when the lion started growling at him and it took everything he had to keep himself in control. That's great, I stop to help and I still get threatened. He snarled at the lion and crouched in a defensive stance in case he was attacked.

"Look, I saw her lying on the ground and I thought she was dead. I just wanted to make sure she was all right. If I had known that it was going to cause trouble though, I would have just kept walking."

[Accalia]

Phelai looked at him apologetically "I'm sorry, I assumed as much, but the war is coming and I need to remain true to my pride, or I will be left to waste away..." her sunken cheeks and lanky body say otherwise, she looks as if she has been to waste away and is half way deteriorated already, the bruises not helping her overal appearance.

Phelai didn't hide behind Kisasi like she was support to and instead moved to his side and looked at him blankly "Kisasi it's fine! This lion is not going to hurt me, or he would have done so already, it's not ok to just assume. Phelai turned back to the other lion "I am sorry, I haven't introduced my self, I'm Phelai." She looked somewhat apologetic, not wanting to pull this unsuspecting lion into the prides mess.

When he replied with what she suspected she turned to Kisasi "See? He isn't any threat, he is just a traveller passing through who saw me thinking on the ground and stopped to help. What do I say about assuming peoples intensions?Phelais voice wasn't angry, more tired and weary, as if she had given up with just about everything, as if she felt she might as well just lay down and die.

Phelai sat, a puff of dust billowing up as she did so. "I am sorry, but if you wish you can continue on your journey. However if you come seeking an adventure there is the biggest one bound to happen; this pride is dying and so are its lands, they need a new home and lease of life. Someone will have to find them a new home, even if they don't want to leave, they will all stay here until the last lion dies. They are set in their ways and will not change them, no matter how hard I try.."She says her mind finally deciding on a course of action as the words pour from her mouth *there that is my plan, leave, find a new home for my pride and settle this silent war.* As she said her speech she looked from Kisasi to the traveller, her eyes still alive even if her body wasn't, she was going to make this journey whether it was with or without them.

[For Her]

"I sicereley apology for my bad behavior." Kisasi told the stranger, looking embarassed. "My name is Kisasi, and i happen to know Phelai." Kisasi sat on his haunches.

[Amani]

Bahari was layed on a rock that he was napping on. He raised his head to look around only to see two groups of lions arguing nearby. Seeing them fight again made him worry about his family. While his father and his descendants were rebels, Bahari was born into as a pride member like with his mother's side. There was no in-between pride here, even then they probably wouldn't survive the barren lands alone. So she kept Bahari there with her so that he didn't grow up caught directly in between the conflict.

Now that he was of age, Bahari has begun to wonder his own allegiance. Personally, he more aligned to restoring the pride then trying to take over. On the other hand, what would become of his father? He hesitated at the idea of fighting his own father's family. Although, the more that starve and die out, the more he wants to help save this pride, one way or another.

Bahari stepped off from the rock he was laying on to see what's happening. The dark tan-furred lion sighed and passed the feuding lions, not interested in their little squabble at the moment. As Bahari continued to pad along, a few other lions in the distance caught his eye. He padded over to the new lions. "Well hello..."

[For Her]

Kisasi turned his head lazily. "Hello there. What alligiance, or whatever, do you belong to? Seems to be a big deal 'round here." Kisasi yawned "I'm Kisasi. I'm not from around here. I just happen to know Phelai here."

[Deleted]

Kulaani relaxed, but continued to watch the lion warily, he knew better than to let his guard down around strangers.

"I am Kulaani, I was just passing through."

He listened to Phelai explain the situation and her plan to solve the fighting. Kulaani thought about it for a moment, he didn't much care for their problems, but he might find who he was looking for along the way.

"I might be interested in helping, but only if...."

He stopped when he heard someone and turned to see another lion approaching. He backed away a little but tried to look impassive. Being a loner for most of his life, he was uncomfortable with being around some many other lions, but he tried not to let it show.

[Accalia]

"But only if what?" Phelai asks, surprised that the lion didn't just walk off in a hurry. Her tone was questioning and gentle, she knew that this wasn't the lion to be pushy with. She then saw why he stopped and locked at the lion who had joined them and gave him an easy smile, "Hello, I've seen you around, Bahari was it?" She asked, not sure of his name, she had only heard it once but believed that he solely belonged to the pride, unknowing of the rebel half of his family. In a dying pride everyone knows the different faces, even if they can't match all of them with the correct names they know most people.

Phelai sighed and felt like she could sleep until the end of the world, she was trying to block out the noise from the arguing and the endless noise of searing sand and fur in the hot sun. She stretched her aching body once more, still trying to get rid of the bruises by moving her burning muscles, but it was to not much use.

"This pride is dying and they need help to be revived, don't you agree?" She asked anyone, but Bahari in particular, hoping he wasn't another of those lions helplessly set in the past. She was feeling ill as usual and needed a drink and so closed her eyes, bringing up the memorised path to the closest water source and tried to guess if it had dried out yet. *I have had enough of this simply surviving, I want to live, not just exist* 

[Amani]

Bahari relaxed as he was sure the lions were friendly. He turned to Kisasi and Phelai as they spoke. Bahari then replied,

"Yes, it's Bahari. I'm a pride member like my mom, and I know my dad is a rebel, but I want to help revive this pride."

Bahari hoped he can come along despite his half-rebel family. It could end this feud and reunite his family, but first the pride.

[Accalia]

"Your intensions are pure, even if you were a complete rebel, I would consider your company, your intensions appear to be for the greater good, even if you are hiding something." she said her eyes glinting with knowing. Phelai was always a temperamental lioness, but the company of the other lions had lifted her spirits somewhat and she didn't feel quite so dead. "So Bahari, will you join my allegiance of one? We are not rebels nor pride members, weare now the heroes that Dinwea so desperately needs.." she gave them all a toothy smile, her sunken and bruised body reflecting her personality; almost always light and bubbly, despite the pain people inflict upon her.

*Well at least Bahari is joining me... I could use a male.. I'm not exactly strong..* her smile slowly faded and she slowly said "So Kulaani, Kisasi you two going to come?" she asked her voice pleading and soft. Phelai was exhausted now and so decided that they would not set off until the next day, even if none of them actually came.

[For Her]

"You already know the answer. Besides i couldn't care less about the politics around here." Kisasi said, ensuring "And i never miss a chance to flex muscles"

[Deleted]

This wasn't exactly what Kulaani had expected, the group was starting to get big. He was ready to duck out, but he knew he had a better chance in accomplishing his own goals if he stuck with them.

"Sure, I'll tag along." For now, at least.

[Amani]

"Mhm, I would be happy to join." Bahari said, ready to take the chance he dreamed of. For the moment though, he sat down and relaxed with the rest of them.

[Accalia]

Phelai had guessed that Kisasi would come along, knowing him all to well, she could guess Baharis intensions, but Kulaani alleared somewhat shady to her, and knew he was hiddi go something from her, but she didn't really mind at the moment so would let it go, hopping it didn't bite her in the back latter. She turned to Bahari "How long has it been since the last catch?" she asked him wearily, her pain now sinking in with the excitement now dying down.

She lay down completely, her eyes beginning to close with exhaustion and the need to sort a few things out in silence, but she struggled against the urge, somehow knowing that the others would end up fighting without her awake. *maybe this is too much for me to handle... Maybe I should just give up and die...* her thoughts were dark and tired, but persistent all the same.

[For Her]

Kisasi noticed her tiredness. "Just go to sleep. I'll make sure not too many dies." Kisasi said jokingly. He raised his head. "Maybe we should try and look for sustenance? I'll stay relatively close to her. We'll meet up here when the shadow is long." Kisasi advised the others.

[Deleted]

Kulaani knew that one of them would realize that he was only helping them for his own intentions and that they might call him out on it eventually, but he was fine with that. He wasn't planning on killing them or anything, he just needed a group to hide among so that he wouldn't stand out.

He lashed his tail furiously when Kisasi told them to go hunting, he despised being ordered around but he kept his mouth shut. He had a very short temper, but he knew that sometimes he was just being unreasonable. After noticing how badly Phelai was doing, he began to feel bad for his behavior, which was a first. The only way he usually felt around others was angry, but seeing how bruised and worn out she was, he pitied her. Without a word, he left the group to go find a meal.

[For Her]

Kisasi snorted, offended by the younger male. But he knew all to well that their cooperation could be their only way to survive. He also knew that if they got in a fight there would only be a small chance that any of them survived, in their fatigued conditions.

Kisasi dismissed the train of thoughts and went to see if he could find anything. At this point even mice would do.

[Amani]

"It's probably been a few days." he said to Phelai. He nodding to Kisasi in agreement. "Right." Bahari left as well to see if he could find anything to eat.

[Accalia]

"Mmm thought so...." She said half sleeping already, her eyes lazy and a large yawn spreading over her mouth. "Don't worry about me.. I'll be f-" She trailed off into sleep, but her mind did not rest. Her dream was one of endless burning, hot flames licking the edges of her vision and high screams filling her ears. Phelai broke out in a cold sweat, her eyes still glued shut. She heard the cackle and saw a dark figure over watching it all, she screamed at him to make it stop, but he just laughed, turning his back on her and the fire encased her, slowly ensuring her death.

[For Her]

Kisasi noticed a sound not too far away. He went to the site and noticed a hole in the ground. He dug up the hole and found two mice. Kisasi smiled happily. He grabbed the mice and went to the meeting spot.

[Deleted]

Kulaani searched the nearby area for anything to hunt, but wasn't having much luck. Everything was so dried up that there wasn't any reason for the prey to stick around. At this rate, we'll be dead before we even start the journey. Just then, he caught sight of what appeared to be a small gazelle, lying in the middle of nowhere. It was very skinny and looked half dead, it wouldn't make much of a meal but it was better than nothing. He walked up to it and seeing that it was still barely alive, he killed it and carried it back to the meeting area.

[Amani]

Bahari brushed through some dry grass. Upon exiting the patch he was in, another section of grass ruffled softly nearby. He would almost ignore it until a hare suddenly hopped out. It looked thin from starvation, but would be better than anything. He quickly pounced and killed it before it got away, shaking off the weariness after. He took a quick glance around for more before deciding to leave. He picked up the dead hare and headed back to the meeting area.

[Accalia]

Phelai remained motionless, but within her dream she felt the flames burning her fur, her body slumping onto the ground as she simply gave up and closed her eyes, trying to find some last minute peace before her passing. Her heard a distant sizzling and felt a hot sensation on her thigh, but her eyes remained shut as she thought of all the things she had done in life. She heard someone shouting her name and opened her eyes to find their blurry figure on the other side of the ring of fire. She smiled softly at them as she felt her whole body burning as her life slipped from her grasp. Death was painful, it wouldn't hurry, it took its time making sure she was filled with pain as she spent her last breath on a air splitting scream.

[For Her]

Kisasi gently nudged Phelai to wake her. "I got you some food. The others might have some too." He whispered into her ear. He looked up to see the others on their way back.

[mane6]

Enzi had just arrived, a hare in his mouth. There wasen`t much meat on the bone, but he would still fight for it. He took it to a rock, wrapping his paws around it and defending his meal. "Im Not Sharing." He says coldly, his scrawny body jabbed by the pointed edges of the rock. An eagle flew and landed upon his shoulder, with a mouse in its mouth. The multi-coloured lion gives out a toothy grin. "Good Job Merci, Now, Eat Up." He says, holding his head high, as the eagle sat beside him, clawing at the mouse, before gulping it down. "Well,I only have food for myself, and my companion. What a shame." He fake pouts, pretending to cry and rub his eyes. "Perhaps you should get your own, it would help." He huffs, once finished eating, he lies on his side.

[Deleted]

Kulaani brought back the gazelle to the meeting area and dropped it nearby. He wasn't sure how many it would feed, but it should hopefully suffice. He looked up to see Enzi bragging about his kill, and he shook his head in frustration. Being a loner, he could be pretty selfish too, but this guy was something else. After listening to the rest of Enzi's taunting, Kulaani nudged the gazelle.

"That's fine, you and your pigeon can have those tiny bits of fluff, the rest of us will have this."