[1st POV]
After I killed five hyenas and watched the rest flee, I turned my focus back on the humans. I noticed that there was no one missing and no one dead. One of them was injured in both arms though, looked like he tried to stop a hyena from biting the vitals by giving it his hand.
That was awfully smart. If they are going to bite anyway, why not let them bite the non-vitals? It was one technique I often used when fighting multiple lions.
I walked towards them with a ragged breath.
"What the hell were you thinking?!" I asked in worried rage even though I knew they could not understand .
Had they understood , I would've given them an earful and scolded them.
But when I saw them flinch back, I stopped. I released a heavy sigh before calmly approaching them. They had enough scare for one day so I needed to be patient and safe. I lay down beside them, so that they could at least feel safe in my presence.
"Thank you… Thank you so much…" they all said while rubbing on my back and holding on with shaky hands.
I grumbled in acknowledgnt. I was very tired from running so I took a mont to rest. In the anti, the humans talked among themselves.
The human girl, Hana, took out a bandage and began wrapping the wounds of Ramirez. I noticed though, with the corner of my eyes, how the atmosphere between them was a bit strange. Kind of like the vibe and Zuri had whenever we stayed together.
Did he do sothing? I wasn't sure. But I do rember Ramirez to always have a crush on Hana. I knew this because the first ti I t them, he tried to act all tough, cool, and nonchalant even though I slled fear on him. Typical man behavior of wanting to be a certain way in front of a woman they find attractive.
Good for him, I thought in my mind.
Grim flew down beside and I gave him a grateful nod, "Thank you for informing so quickly."
"Just doing my job. Besides, how will I get their strange snacks if they all die?" Grim said.
I chuckled. Indeed, they had fed my subjects different kinds of snacks during the past week. They were the kind of food you couldn't get anywhere in the wild so I respected that reason.
"What are you going to do with them?" he asked.
"I'm not sure. I don't have ti to guide them back to their camp or to stay as their guard for too long. The hyenas are still out there, the danger is not gone," I said. It really pissed off that I couldn't finish them all off.
"Why not just bring them with you? They are quite used to the pride," Grim advised.
I pondered on that thought for a while before agreeing, "Yes. I think I will do that."
I stood up. It's been a few minutes so I was well-rested and I believe they too were done checking each other and wrapping their wounds.
I'm sorry to break the mont Ramirez and Hana seed to be sharing though.
I released a low growl to get their attention. They stood up from their spot as well. They were quite alard.
"What's happening? Is another wave coming?" they asked among themselves while looking around.
I released a groan. I walked behind Dr. Tonson and softly nudged him from the back.
"Whoa, what do you want Leo?" he asked.
I growled once more and walked past him. After walking for a bit of distance, I stopped and turned back to them.
They all stared at with confused eyes. So I did it again. I went back to Dr. Tonson and this ti, I nudged him and the other doctor on the back before walking past them.
"I think he wants us to follow him," Dr. Tonson said, his voice unsure.
I growled once more, this ti a little softer as if to indicate that he was correct.
"Let's go," they said and quickly packed up their fallen belongings. I waited for them impatiently for another minute before they were all ready to leave.
I walked first and the researchers followed . Good.
The distance we covered in a few minutes took us almost half an hour to cover in a normal pace. The researchers were looking around curiously but always made sure to be near .
Two of the researchers brought back their drone while we were walking. I saw them flying through the air with a buzz, capturing the mont where I led them and they followed closely.
When we reached the land of the Pride Rocks, my pride was waiting for . The researchers stayed a bit further back. They were familiar with my pride but not with Scar's, who were all acting timidly and huddled together in one corner.
"Everyone did a splendid job," I praised them.
They bowed their heads humbly at my praise. I let them lay back down because they had stood up to greet . They lay down and nursed their wounds by licking them clean.
The lions were much more hygienic than hyenas so I was hoping they wouldn't be at risk of infection like I was.
After I greeted my pride, I headed towards the enemy lions that were huddled together.
They were already so timid and small but when I approached them, they got even smaller. They were virtually flat on the ground. So rolled over to show their bellies when I continued walking towards them.
Out of the nine lions, only five remained. The males were dead, killed by Zael in brutal and efficient manner. There were two other lionesses who lay dead in the battlefield, blood pooling beneath them and flies buzzing around them.
"Your king is dead. You've lost the war," I said. "If anyone is unwilling to obey, tell now."
"I will kill you here and now and save myself the trouble," I said and then my throat rumbled.
The lions all but trembled. So began leaking their urine due to sheer fear. I was so much bigger, so much stronger. My malicious presence alone was too much for so of them, especially since they just lost to my pride.
But among them, one lioness stood out.
One lioness glared hatefully at , thinking she could get away with it. I knew the eyes well. She might not pose a threat to but I did not like that one bit. It was like a needle stabbing you while you sleep. It's not too dangerous but you would want it gone imdiately.
"You… co out," I said coldly.
I locked eyes with that lioness so everyone knew exactly who I was talking to. The lioness stood up and strode towards . She acted timid but there was a sense of rebellion in her action.
"What's your na?" I asked.
"Zira," she answered curtly.
Again, I did not like her tone one bit. She also forgot to add my lord, or my king. It was a stupid mistake for soone who should be scared. No, it was not a mistake. She refused to address as such.
"Your glare is drying my rcy rather quickly," I said.
She bit down on her teeth and gave barely a bow. "I'm sorry."
Zira huh. I think I know her. I was not completely sure as lions can have the sa na.
"Do you accept as your king?" I asked.
"Yes," she said.
"Really?" I asked, "Then say it. Announce to the whole world that I am your king and that Scar was nothing but a foolish lion who ruined the kingdom."
I towered over her. She barely reached my chest when we stood against each other. The tension was solid in the air. But contrary to all her fear, which I noticed by the way her fur stood on end because of goosebumps, she did not do as I asked.
She bit down on her teeth hard. Then she couldn't take it anymore.
Tears fell from her eyes, she cried. And with bitterness, she scread.
"Never!!!"
Her jaw opened as she lunged up at with rows of sharp teeth. But in response, I moved my head down with an open jaw.
The comparison between our jaws was like that of a lion and a house cat. My jaw was as wide as a hippo compared to hers.
So I was able to put her whole head inside my jaw and then I crushed it down without holding anything back.
She scread. Her muzzle was in my mouth so it ca out like screaming in a pillow. My teeth sank into her skull and stabbed her brains. She beca limp in an instant but I did not stop there.
I twisted my neck and moved my head left and right. You could hear the sound of neck bones breaking and being snapped off.
I put my paws on her body, my claws sinking and holding her in place. And then I tugged as hard as I could.
Squelch!!
I tore the head off her body and then spat it out beside her. Her head, mixed with blood and drool, rolled lightly beside her headless corpse.
Let that be an example. I have no rcy for these lions.
"Anyone else?" I asked and gazed at the remaining lions with intensity.
They shrieked and nodded wildly.
I huffed. It was brutal but necessary. I wouldn't accept Scar or any of his mory in my new kingdom.
My own pride looked at in shock. The humans stared at in horror at the sheer brutality of the scene. So even gagged at the sight of a headless lion.
I had much anger still left in because fighting Scar was not satisfying one bit.
I walked away from the lions afterwards much to their relief. I walked up the kopje briefly and saw the small boulder beside a dry tree. I got a small flashback when looking at that. I used to sit on that exact stone and practice climbing on that sa tree.
I leapt upon that rock. It could barely hold my fra. I thought it was a giant boulder when I was a cub but now I have grown.
I lay down there and waited for the others to show up.
My pride returned one group after the other. I noticed that almost all of them were injured, so of them were limping. But I also noticed that everyone returned. Even the cubs who were waiting in a safe distance ca back.
And it was not only my lions either. Hyenas ca up to with their heads hung low, the tail between their legs seed to beg for rcy. The troops of mandrills also ca back, they were also covered in blood but they ca with heads held high and chests out.
It seed every living creature that remained on the Prideland had co in front of the Pride Rocks. Even the vultures in the sky ca down. Both to feast on the corpses and also because of an unknown instinct.
When everyone had gathered, Rafiki also ca up to . But while coming, he went to every animal that was present and collected blood from them.
The blood from the mandrills, from the hyenas, from the lions, from the enemy lions who were huddled into a corner. Then he ca up to .
He picked up so dirt from the ground and began mixing everything together in his hand.
I ca off the small boulder and stood before him. I leaned down when he gestured to do so and applied that mixture on my face. My face was stained with all the blood that flowed in this barren land.
The whole world beca witness as Rafiki said,
"Behold, the new King."
...
I walked back up the Pride Rock. I strode with calm and dignity up the stone ramp and when I was standing by the edge, I could see everyone staying below.
As if on instinct, the animals shared a collective bow. Even the humans who were completely awestruck and amazed by the scene followed suit and bowed down to .
I pushed my chest forward, stood tall and proud.
There was nothing above . Not even a single bird was above in that mont.
That was my coronation. A crown I earned with blood.
What ca next was as natural as breathing.
I roared on top of the Pride Rock for a second ti.
This ti, it was a declaration.
The world was silenced by my roar and presence.
Then fate embraced the king she never asked for.
..
..
..
[IMAGE]
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Author : This would've been a fitting end but I'm not done yet. I have a few more tales to tell.
Leo will get his own final challenge and arc. Thanks for sticking with this story for this long!!
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