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Raia is too faithful for her own good to Dhalimu. He's not a worthy king and everyone knows it. Wonder what he'll say when he finds out his mate is dead. Will he grieve? Will he even care?

Does Mtanga love Amali? It seems like he just wants them to have a better future. But is that really the case?

Good chapter! Update soon!

Indeed, she is. But now even Raia’s loyalty and love is about to be put to the test.

X. Something is rotten in the Golden Sands

Death of Niva came unexpectedly, unwelcome and brutally. Golden Pride lost its all spirit – even will of mutiny ceased at once with deceased beloved Queen. Probably even the worse rage of Dhalimu couldn’t muffle lionesses so effectively as news about monarchess fate. Golden Ones in next few day after that disaster were trailing around cave, carefully avoiding stare of king. That was necessary, because monarch was raging.
But not in his usual way. Before that Dhalimu’s madness were seen in often fits of anger and aggression. But that time lion was stretched between complete passivity and ill excitement. Lionesses who met him just after Niva’s death saw as he in just one moment turn from tender care to cold disrespect towards subjects. It might seemed be harmless, but somehow was even more scary that earlier violence and curses. Additionally king grew indifferent to basic needs of the pride. After funeral ceremony, when he left monarchesses body on massif’s plateau, he returned to cave and fell in strange inertia.
“My lord...” whispered Raia shyly. “We must go hunt.”
“You must...” murmured Dhalimu, don’t moving an inch.
“But king... You have to decree it. Order it.”
„I order you.” Replied lion, even without turning his stare on loyal subject. But after a longer while, when he noticed that sandy-furred was still there, he raised his head and asked. “You are going too?” he looked on her unhealed cut on paw.
“I will do as you instruct, my lord.”
“So you will stay.” Said ruler. “You and Kota. Send her to me and send hunting-team to do its job... Ow, and then, don’t interrupt us.”
“I won’t, my lord.” Raia bowed her head and hobbled to rest of the pride.
Akra became a team leader. Although young lioness preferred to be under charge of more experienced Raia or her friend Kota, seeing serious expression of both lionesses she didn’t object. So she quickly gathered Golden Ones and set off on desert. Meanwhile Raia looked on her fried and said with decisive voice.
“King wants to speak with you. You have to remember, what has happened... Do not mention about Niva, unless he do it. Understand?”
“Raia, but what if that he is who...”
“Silence!” interrupted her sandy-furred. “If you finish that sentence, I will kill you, believe me! How dare you to suggest something like that?!”
“I... I hope, that when you become the queen, you will help him.” Said Kota with gentle voice. “I believe that your love will change him”
“Go now.” Gasped Raia, although golden-furred noticed as her suggestion brightened up her friend’s face. Not to show her emotions, queen’s sister turned her stare to the ground.
Kota uncertainly entered king’s chamber. She never liked to be there (except of old times, when in that room was living calm and kind lord Kovu) and that time she admitted that she is afraid. Dhalimu was unpredictable.
“Good day, sir.” She bowed her head low. “You called for me.” Dhalimu was lying on royal bedding, slothfully raising his stare on newcomer. He said with surprisingly gentle voice.
“No. I asked you to come. Go ahead, sit down.”
He pointed with paw on the second bedding, that once had belonged to Niva. Lioness gulped nervously, vaguely sensing that merry mood of king was a sing of great troubles, but she obediently laid down. However – carefully, turned to exit, as if she was ready to instant escape. Monarch closed his eyes and started to talk.
“Niva is gone... That is a great loss for whole pride and even greater for me... But we have the time of drought so we don’t cry, for not to waste put tears. We must live on and just keep a grateful memory after our dear dead ones.” Kota narrowed her eyes, imagining in that moment wind was tearing queen’s body apart and is spreading it over desert. She shivered and thought about Taka. “Why aren’t you here?!” she yelled in mind. “And that why I made a ultimate decision.” Was talking Dhalimu. “Kota, I know that between us grew a conflict with many hostility and distrust... No, don’t interrupt me, I know what the things are.” Muffled her objection. “No, you know nothing, Dhalimu.” Thought golden-furred. “If you was courageous enough to open you eyes, you would see all errors you’ve done. Only then you would became good ruler.” But king was continuing. “I wish to finish that. Death of Niva taught me that pride cannot be ruled in constant anxiety and anger. We must bury our regrets and reproaches to serve better for Golden Sands. We, I and you. We will conclude an alliance, to don’t let any shadow shade the sun above our kingdom.” Ruler stood up and went to lying Kota. She also wanted to stand, but he stopped her with powerful pressure. “I have already forgot how strong he is!” though golden-furred, shrinking because of fear. “When full moon is gone, the bereavement after Niva will gone too. Then you will became the queen of Golden Sands.”
“...” yelled Kota.
Shock paralysed her lips and hit her head like a heavy stick. Suddenly some terrifying thoughts came to her mind. Strong voice inside called to her there and then to object ruler’s will, but others whispers showed futility of that step. “King will get everything he want.” She thought in despair. “Taka! That can’t end like this. My love, return to me and save me... save us all!” And then before Kota’s eyes appeared vision of Raia. Sad lioness was looking in friend’s eyes and was whispering. “You will do it for the pride. Don’t fail us... Don’t fail your king.” “So I can fail you, Raia?” silently yelled golden-furred. “If I become his mate, you will hate me!” She shook her head to dispel that vision.
“I know that might be a bit surprising to you, but I’m sure of my decision.” Was talking Dhalimu. “The marriage is not just a bond between male and female. In our case it will be a stronger and firmer alliance between king and pride. Because you are that what I wasn’t able to get before. Something that was sneaking away from my power. A defiance and uneasiness of Golden Ones. Formerly I tied to eradicate such acting but now I know I should tame it. To tame you all as you are. Your relationship will help me with it.”
“But my lord...” yelled lioness. “I’m not worthy, to...” those words she barely spat out from her mouth, but she was ready to say anything to avoid that marriage.
“I decide who is worthy and who is not.” Replied shortly Dhalimu. “I recognise you as the best candidate for being my mate, so that case is over.”
“But Raia is Niva’s sister and she...”
“I WANT YOU!” shouted monarch. So loud that Raia, waiting in next chamber, had to listen that.
“Taka!” thought terrified Kota. “Do something, because I have no choice. If I refuse him, my pride will pay for that. You must stop Dhalimu.”
“Well... won’t you express your gratitude?” asked lion with a tone of authentic amaze.
“I... can’t, sir!” stammered golden-furred out and pushed by strange impulse, she ran off the royal chamber.
She ran out from cave and after a while she sopped on the edge of desert in Acacia Alley. The light of day almost blinded her, until her eyes used to brightness. Just after that she noticed that Raia was waiting there and looking on her with clearly expectant stare.
“I haven’t eavesdropped, but I know what you were talking about.” She said.
“I don’t want it. Raia, I swear I don’t want it!” sobbed Kota.
“Silence! He might hear us.” Replied sandy-furred coldly. “Come with me.”
She set off in rock’s direction, but not to cave but to path up, on top of massif. Without a word she started to climb. In spite of wounded paw she made the way quickly and firmly. She even had to wait for Kota some time. When both lionesses were on top, sandy-furred pointed a ceremonial boulder where the Niva’s body was lying. Friends went closer to earthly remnants of queen.
“The Circle of Life have to go on.” Said Raia. In her voice a sadness, but also a determination and tender devotion to ruler sounded. “That why after my sister’s death some other queen should take her place on side of king. If Dhalimu decided that you are the best mate for him, that means... you are the best mate for him. That’s actually all I wanted to say.”
“I can’t... I love Taka.” Yelled Kota. And seeing clenching paw of Raia she added. “You should become his mate. You have deserved it countless times. And I would be so glad of that... Raia, tell him, what you feel... and explain what is happening with me. We can’t let his folly make us both unhappy...”
Sandy-maned impulsively swung her paw. A blow stopped just few centimetres from Kota’s face and Raia closed her eyes and lowered her fist. For a while she remained motionless in silence and from her eyelids two tears fell. Finally she said, not looking on Kota.
“Please, don’t speak with me about that. And maybe... try not to speak with me from now on. I have no right to irritate the future queen.” Then she went to path down.
*
Taka was running through desert, ignoring exhaustion and thirst. He was so hurrying that he used to prevail calls of body. It was just like it had been few months earlier, running on exile. But that time he was no more a novice at first long desert journey – during those months he had become skilled wanderer and even his desperate run was faster and safer that previous one. To Dry Oasis he got after three days of journey, on early evening. Kauli seemed to expect him, because Taka found the well already uncovered, ready to drink from it.
“I’m glad too I’m sssseeing you.” Greeted him python, looking on lion bended down to source. “Come, drink with me.” Invited with irony, although wandered was already drinking since a longer while. “And calm down. I hear your breathing and sense you are going to do ssssomething stupid.”
“Yhmm!” panted lion, what sounded like a kind of confirmation.
“Look.” Said former chamberlain. “You came here without hessssitation, but without knowing what to do. You want to challenge Dhalimu?”
“How Niva died?” asked Taka with excited voice. “Who killed her?”
“If you assssk <who killed> I guess you already know the answer. Your ansssswer.” Noticed snake. „But I won’t assent to you. Dhalimu didn’t kill his mate.”
“Are you sure?” asked surprised lion.
“I believe he is innocent.” Said reptile. “I know that king isn’t able to do such a thing.”
Taka laid on sand and for few minutes remained motionless, calming down his breathing and thoughts. Finally he whispered with resigned.
“If he didn’t killed her, I will do nothing.” Python looked on him with clear sympathy and care. It was quite obvious that wandered was far from normal state of mind. “Kauli... I promised... I did bad and stupid, but I promised under the Stars that I will never raise my paw against monarch in Lions Lands. So what I have to do?”
“Think!” replied snake. “That not Dhalimu killed Niva. Maybe it’sssss not what you wanted to hear, but I supposssse that was a tragic accident. We have hard timessss, such things happen often.” Python crawled to his guest and took his favourite place on neck of lion. There was no malice in that, but a intention to comfort Taka even by touch. “I heard about you are doing in other landssss. That issss a great thing and it would be stupid to rissssk all your quest for own profit. Underssssstand that Kota loves you... alssso because of that you are able to renounce own good. You two are ssssso alike – she serves with all her might to her pride, you – to try to help all pridesssss you encounter.”
“Dhalimu shouldn’t be king.” Whispered Taka.
“And drought should not be here. But both drought and Dhaliu are partssss of the Circle of Life. With it you alsssso want to fight? Maybe it musssst be this way? The Circle needssss you as an arbiter not you as Kota’s mate.”
“So I came here in vain?” whispered Taka.
“I don’t not that.” Replied snake. “But now resssst and tomorrow you will go to Golden Sands.” Tired lion welcomed that advice gladly. He laid next to the well and quickly fell asleep, making up the sleepless nights of his journey.
*
Rouges were hunting with more and more effort. Big herd of adakses, that had been living on green island of grass, west from Golden Sands, was eaten or driven off to better lands. Three of mature lions required a lot of meat and barely was managing to live on remnants of Golden Sands resources. The noticed that and talked about it with anxiety.
“It takes too long.” Judged Udole. “Mtanga went away over week ago and we are feasting on herds of that poor lionesses. We want to help them, not cause them starve!”
“We must wait for boss.” Disagreed Baridi. “He knows the plan. We must stand it... we all, Golden Ones too. By riding off the tyrant we will make up them for it with interest.”
“Wait, wait, wait...” murmured angrily the youngest of rouges. “We were waiting and what happened? Dhalimu killed one of his lionesses. I wish to do it quick, before some other disaster would come.”
“But we won’t help it today. It’s time to sleep, gentlemen.” Yawned Hofu. They all started to marching in they hiding’s direction in rock pan on south of Golden Sands. They were impatient but still obedient to plan of theirs leader.
Meanwhile, a few miles north a hunting was taking place. Akra was leading hunting-team for almost eight hours, but still with no result. Lionesses were tired and thirsted, but lack of any pray forced them to still and constant march. Team-leader decided that it was better stay a night outside that risk a hunting on next day hot morning.
“Let go... a little longer, girls.” She panted to pride-sisters. “I’m sure that something is living on that blasted desert!”
She recalled all knowledge that Raia and Kota taught her and what lionesses had taught from Taka. “Taka said us about so many things... I have no idea, how so young lion could know that, but it works... at least for now.”
She ordered to spread a tight rank to loose formation, apparently without any order. Actually (or at least – team leader hoped so) they created a <horse-shoe-formation>, two kilometres wide. In opposite to normal formation that was undulating to prevent potential prey to see more than few lionesses and mislead it about the number of team. One for several minutes lionesses on the edges of formation were climbing on nearest dune and looking for antelopes. Akra was in centre, ready to make a quick decisions.
Suddenly Baka, running on north edge, reported with roar about three adakses. With heavy heart Akra ordered four lionesses on her left to go ahead and she turned to eventual prey. She couldn’t afford of tiring whole pride. If she, Baka, Simmi, Kingazi and Afu failed, the rest of pride had to find some food.
“Save the energy. We have just one try.” Murmured Akra, catching Kingazi.
Baka and Simmi were already beating up the antelopes by running in arch to team-leader and her assistant. Those two are lying on edge of dune, low on sand, waiting for animals to enter range of sure chase. Minutes were going like hours – they clearly saw a chase of battue, barely running on loose sand, but they couldn’t help them. Although they knew well the wisdom of mothers and grandmothers, paradoxically just Taka explained them how well designed was a traditional tactic. “You must think as your prey thinks.” Said arbiter. “It gets tired too and you must know when and how. Don’t waste your strength but wait for it to waste its.” So Akra started not before she hard clearly a heavy panting of escaping animals.
“Attack!” she cried.
Three lionesses, who had been hiding before, jumped from sandy-hidings and started to run down from dune slope. With antelopes they met in half a distance when exhausted creatures tried to lost their tail on roughness. Kinzagi and Afu got theirs preys but antelope destined for Akra shunned her claws in last second and started to run downhill. Neither Simmi nor Baka wasn’t able to chase it longer. Irritated by own clumsiness team-leader stopped useless run and helped Afu to finish the stronger from adakses.
“Two... that two more than none.” Panted Simmi, tired but happy.
“You...” Akra pointed on battue. “Drink the blood as first. Let eat here as many as we could, so we have less to transport...” and added quieter. “I hope that second division got its share...”
*
Mtanga was lying by Amali’s side, trying to fall asleep. But it was hard – cut paw was actually aching but also more pleasant cause kept him awake. Since few days he was waiting for proper time to go and he decided to set off on nearest morning. Whatever was about to happen in Golden Sands, it was about to happen before he reach that land. He smiled to own thoughts.
He was close to fulfil his dreams as never before. One year earlier he even hadn’t dreamed about reaching so high and that night in Priderock cave he was considering coming triumph as something natural and what belonged to him. As a son of lioness from pride and rouge he was destined to be just a wandered as his father. He spent cubhood in run, because when his king got known that his subject mated without his permission, he killed her mate and exiled her and newborn Mtanga. So quickly young lion learned that in that cruel world he could count only for himself, own wit and claws. For four years he was wandering among Lions Lands without a purpose, counting on a miracle. And that miracle happened – it was Amali who looked on him with real understanding, with symphony but without pity. And with love. Thanks to that Mtanga gained a place on Tanabi’s court. But who once try a taste of social promotion, doesn’t stop before he reaches the peak. Rouge didn’t want to outlive his days on father-in-law’s, then on brother-in-law’s mercy. Also he didn’t want to risk a establishing a new pride what was hard and dangerous, especially in those hard and dangerous times. He decided to climb on the top by other’s backs.
“I, a rouge and orphan and outcast from won pride. I’m the mate of princess and I will be the king. From the shame to the fame... I’m rather a modest person, but i must admit that only genius could do that alone.”
*
It was after a midnight and with full moon started to slowly descending from sky. Around sleeping Taka gathered a small group of unseen silhouettes. Ancient Ones were looking on descendant with anxiety but also with great expectations. Then Zira said.
“Well my dears, we have to make an ultimate decision.”
“I want that, mom.” Replied Vitani.
“I trust in Vitani’s instinct.” Said Tanabi.
“Me too.” Decided Amini.
“I’m in.” added Sparthi. “Do it, sis. Our home might fall because of further reign of Dhalimu.”
“I know...” nodded Golden Queen. “But it not so simple. Dhalimu is Kovu’s son... I risk lives of two of my grandsons.”
“None of them should die.” Noticed Amini. “There is a risk but I trust in Taka.”
“So why didn’t you tell Kovu about that?” asked Zira gloomily. “No, that is dangerous. I just don’t know if we can interfere in living’s world. Scar wouldn’t allowed on that...”
“If he would know.” Finished Sparthi. “But he doesn’t. And I believe he will be proud of your decision, when it all will be over.”
Meanwhile Vitani and Tanabi bended down to sleeping son. Prideland king was looking on black-maned without a word and queen laid down next to him on sand. Seeing a questioning stare of Zira, she said.
“Just for a while... I’m so worried about him. I wish to recall as it was once... In times of rain.” Then she started to sing quietly a cubbish lullaby of Golden Ones. “Just before sun rises up // Get your paws under the stone // Drink a tasty fresh dew's cup // Until sun would make it gone.”
Taka smiled, hearing that and hugging immaterial neck of mother. Ancient Ones disappeared instantly, fearing that arbiter sensed their presence. But he was just dreaming a sweet dreams about cubhood. “Then life was so easy...” he thought with dreamy thoughts. “I had home, that I didn’t have to fight for... I had family with who I didn’t have to fight with... And now... Kota, I have only you, but so far that I have no right to reach for you. O, Dhalimu... If I only didn’t swear!”

Of all the lionesses for Dhailmu to choose, he had to choose Kota? Why not Raia, Nivia's sister? Guess that's his way (even though it's wrong)


Good to know that Taka made it to the Oasis safely. Kauli is a good guide and advisor.

I feel sorry for Mtanga. It makes sense that he pursures his plan to be rid of Dhalimu. I understand why he loves Amali so much. In a way, she saved his life and Tanabi let him stay. I just hope he doesn't make any plans to kill Dhahabu, then he'll lose Amali for sure.

Good chapter! Update soon!

Thanks!
I’m afraid that next update will be in few days, after Easter. Well, the holiday is coming and even I have to have a break <lol>

So to all the Readers:
Happy holiday to You and your families.
If You are the Believer: let Christ resurrect in your heart.
If You are not: have good fun in various afterparties

Happy Easter to you too!

Welcome after a short pause.
Here is the next chapter. I confess that second part of this chapter is just an extended and upgraded version of epilogue from TGQ. I decided not to rewrite that part, because I like the original version. Just ignore that I in text some characters are re-introduced and re-described and enjoy the story for the second time;)

XI. The time of Heroes

„Kauli, I’m going.” Announced Taka on morning. Python lazily opened his eyes and lowered his head from acacia to hang over black-maned.
“I know... I didn’t sssssleep... just resting.” Explained, as if that was a shame. “Good luck, boy. I believe you will sssstand it like a male.”
“Thank Kauli, for all.” Replied arbiter. “I’m not sure if we would see again...” Seeing anxiety in snake’s eyes, added. “No. As I said, I won’t challenge Dhalimu. But I could be rid off for good from Golden Sands.”
Python crawled down on back of lion and took his place on black-maned’s neck. He gently clasped it, what was a kind of snake’s farewell. When Kauli went down on sand, Taka without a word climbed up on valley’s slope and set off in Golden Sands direction.
“Take care of him.” Hissed former chamberlain. He pointed his head on desert, but in mind he recalled Sparthi and Zira. “You were always sssspecialists in hopelesssss cases. He needsss your help.”
The morning was calm – even the slightest blow of wind wasn’t disturbing its silence. “But such a inertia is the worst.” Thought arbiter. “Sandstorms are coming after a silence. I sense that something is in the air... something dreadful. A change.” “Yes. A change for bad.” Whispered a malicious voice in lion’s head. “Don’t fool yourself – you are going only to bid farewell to Kota.” He speeded up to outrun dismal thoughts.
To the Golden Cave he came before midday. He was greeted by silence so he stopped uncertain on Acacia Alley, waiting for any move inside. Finally he roared quietly, however being careful no to sound as a claimant. But not Dhalimu went out to greet the guest. From cave came Raia.
“Taka...” she murmured quietly. “I hope you have some serious reasons to be here.”
“May I enter the cave? King will decide if I’m worthy to be your guest.”
“Good...” decided lioness. “But first promise me, that you won’t violate the laws of guests.” Taka with some doubts bowed his head, accepting that obligation.
“Don’t be afraid, Raia.” Said, coming to sandy-furred. “I know what I’m allowed to... and I know watt is the best for those who I love.” Then he noticed that lioness fur on face is wet due to tears. “What has happened that she gave own water out?” thought instinctively. “Raia... what is going on?”
“Go!” she hurried him with breaking voice. When he was passing her, she added quietly. “When you will get know, you will cry as well.”
Taka entered the main chamber to see pride and king still sleeping. Lionesses seemed to be half-dead – wandered saw a numerous cuts on paws and muscles swollen after heavy effort. “They are hunting for that idler!” thought Taka angrily, turning to Dhalimu. Ruler was sleeping calmly with airy smile on face. But he opened his eyes as first, alarmed with loud breathing of newcomer.
“What, the rabies, you are doing here?!” he greeted him warmly.
“I’m coming from my brother.” Announced Taka, putting in that as many conviction as he could. Dhalimu was eyeing him up and down for several seconds then growled.
“Get up, you lazybones! We have a guest!”
Lionesses instantly stood up, although most of them with heavy effort. Wandered gasped seeing tired muzzles of females, in desperate try to immoderately fulfil that order. Kota noticed him at once. An expression of disbelief but also of cubbish joy burst on her face. But a second later she turned her stare to the ground not to betray her emotions to the king.
“No, sir. Let them sleep...” whispered Taka to Dhalimu’s ear.
“No, let then greet my guest and messenger.” Replied ruler. “If Dahabu sent you, you are representing him and you have to be treated with honour. I won’t let my lionesses lay in presence of royal envoy.”
“Sir Taka!” exclaimed sleepy, but delighted Baka. “What a surprise!”
And in one moment the cave got back to live. Lion was amazed that tired lionesses saved so many joy and serenity. And what was even more amazing – his presence was greeted as a holiday. “They count that would change something... They are so wrong...” thought dismally.
“Lord...” finally whispered Kota, looking on king. “Can we water our guest?” ruler just waved his paw indifferently so lioness stoop up and said. “Follow me, sir.”
They exited the main chamber and went to the source. When pair disappeared from monarch’s sight behind a corner, Kota almost pounced on Taka, hugging with paws and licking tenderly. Lion with pleasure surrender to those caresses, but after a while froze.
“He will see us.” Whispered.
“Taka... I can’t stand any longer. Said lioness. “I was so scared when you went away... But right, we’ll have our time later. Now you have to drink.”
Few minutes later when Kota and Taka returned to main chamber, a meal was waiting for the guest. King himself, according to the old custom, was rationing out the portions of meat. Arbiter noticed with shock stares of lionesses. Golden Ones were looking on adaks with clear hunger in eyes. But there was no regret on theirs faces but a silent consent. The guest had his rights. “I’m eating theirs last preys and they are glad of that!” he thought, enraged. “And Dhalimu will probably send them on hunting today.” But he ate whole prepared portion. He could offend the host.
“Right. So what brings you here?” asked brown-maned.
“I send the greetings from Priderock. From king Dahabu.” Replied arbiter. “And I wish, on behalf of my brother to condole your pride after death of your queen.” Lionesses instinctively bowed theirs heads and merry murmur fell silent.
Raia shivered. Words of black-maned awoke in her some vague premonition. “How it could be? How he got know about Niva’s death? No one sent that message to Prideland... no one sent that message... anywhere!” She looked carefully on faces of pride but no one other felt anxious about that. “Well, maybe it isn’t so important... But I would feel better if I knew how he knew about queen’s death.” Even in mind she still wasn’t ready to name Niva her sister. The burden of old envy was too heavy. “Maybe... but no! that is impossible. Taka wouldn’t killed her. For what? For Kota to became a queen? Or... who knows, what he thought? Maybe he expected that I would become a queen and I beg king to allow for relationship between Kota and Taka? Ow, Stars! I hope that I’m wrong. But if I’m right, Taka is merciless rascal!” Instinctively she extender her paws and moved closer to monarch, ready to defend him any time.
“Moreover, I’m not just an arbiter but also a historian of Lions Lands.” Taka continued. “I thought you wish to hear some tales that I had got known during my journeys.”
“My lord?” asked Baka with hope in her voice.
“Good idea.” Agreed Dhalimu. „Go Taka, tell us something interesting and we will rest before hunting.”
Arbiter breached in and recalled from memory all tales of his ancestors and thought. “Yes, your highness... I will tell you how was the fate of rulers who didn’t know how to rule. If I can’t hit you with paw, I’ll try to do it at least with song.”
“Probably all of you already heard the tale of Scar and Zira. That is long story, long because it overgrown with myths and distortions. I’m a descendant of both lines of family – both of Simba and Scar. That why I’ll try to show you the drama of the Great Drought as objectively as I could. Listen!”
And he started the tale. He told them about lives of his grandparents and great-grandparents, reign of Taka the First and return of Simba. He told them everything he knew about tragic events that had ended the War of Prides. Because Golden Ones demanded more, he said about fight between Zira and Pridelanders.
“And she was ready to do it.” Finished Taka, looking on his auditory.
Lioness were lying still, inside the Golden Cave, some with closed eyes, but none of them were sleeping. His story, as well as earlier story about Scar, enchanted lioness of Golden Pride with strong spell. It wasn’t merit of his storytelling skill, rather a power of this tale itself. No one remained indifferent to this story, especially there.
Taka the Second, called that after his famous grandfather, also known as Scar, was younger brother of king Dahabu and princess Amali. He was moderate built male with sandy fur and black mane, probably heritage of grandfather. Something unusual in his appearance was short but sandy-red beard, making him unlike to any other Pridelander or even Golden One. Probably this beard made him look seriously on his young age, what made him perfect bard and arbiter of prides. Since he had started his duty of communicating and building cooperation between prides, he was also a storyteller and some kind of historian of both Pridelanders and Golden Ones. In hard times of the Second Drought, aside diplomatic role he played, a tales he was telling to lions were sustaining their spirits. Even Dhalimu understood this, that why he had allowed him to speak with Golden Pride.
“Ow...” whispered Kota, beautiful lioness with shining gold fur and green eyes. “I’ve never seen queen Zira in that perspective...”
“Stop that!” interrupted king Dhalimu. Giant, brown-maned lion stood and entered circle of lionesses. “These are just fancy stories... a fairytales...”
“This is history about your grandmother.” Said Taka with firm voice. “And my grandmother, queen Zira. Remember it, sir.”
King looked like was about to hit younger and weaker male but after a while he just burst in laughter.
“Ha! My cousin spoke well!” he called. “Praise Zira, my grandmother and mother of my father, Kovu! Long live the glory of our family line...” he came closer to prince of Prideland and whispered him to ear. “But don’t you dare tell again about regicide, Scar, Zira and such a stuff... because I don’t want to kill you.”
“I’m not the only one, who knows this tale. You will hear it anyway... cousin!” finished with cold whisper. Monarch laughed.
“Good... I like you, Taka. What a shame that you are just second in line... What a shame that Dahabu kicked you out from the pride... But, we can’t help it... regicide is terribly crime, don’t you think?”
“My brother hasn’t banished me!” replied Taka. “I took this service according to my will.”
“Service of royal messenger?” asked Dhalimu with irony. “And teller of fairytales? Well, it’s good to have an aim in life.”
“I must go, cousin.” Gasped Taka and bowed before king, but without any respect. He added louder. “My brother is waiting for news from Golden Sands.”
“Tell him, we are fine.” Ordered king.
“I’ll tell him, what I saw.” Replied Taka. King smiled, covering anger inside.
“All right, you deserved for meal you have eaten and water you have drunk. I like fairy tales. Now, go on your <mission>.”
“Right, sir.” Gasped wandered, went out from royal and turned into desert. He started to march with slow steps, saving energy for desert crossing.
“We will go on hunting in hour.” Ordered Dhalimu to lionesses. “You can rest until that.”
In times of drought, only night were allowing on hunts. Life was hard, both on Prideland, Golden Sands and others kingdoms, that were in alliance with them, thanks to journeys of Taka. But on land of Golden Family, life was hard especially. Reign of king Dhalimu was difficult for all subject and guests of pride as well.
*
Kota overtook him right behind border of Keep’s Grass. He heard her running, stopped and waited until lioness came there. Before she touched him, he said with uncertain voice.
“He can be observing us...”
“He can.” Replied lioness and hugged Taka tight. “But I don’t care about it. I’m sick of this fear.” She licked him in cheek and added. “And I hoped, that someday, you will feel it too...”
Taka sighed and turned to beloved. He looked in her green eyes and said with weary and painful voice.
“We were talking about that hundreds of times. I can do nothing!” she turn her stare into the ground and replied with sad voice.
“He want me to be his mate. Bereavement after Niva will end in week.”
“So, you will become a queen...” said Taka, faking admire. In fact, he was burning inside from despair.
“I will be a tyrant’s toy!” sobbed Kota. “Don’t you see?! We even don’t know, what happened to Niva, but I’m sure, that brute had been beating her from start. And if you...”
Taka sighed again and interrupted lioness.
“I can assure you asylum on Priderock. I’m not well with my brother, but he will accept you, if I ask him...”
“No!” exclaimed Kota. “Whole pride is suffering! We are suffering from drought, but this isn’t even half the pain, we are suffering from that tyrant...”
“He is the rightful king!” called lion, but without any conviction. “He is son of my uncle Kovu and aunt Kiara. What should I do? Depose him?!” he was looking in beautiful eyes of lioness, that moment filled with tears. “He is my cousin! I can’t turn against my family! I can only tell it my brother...”
“...who thinks exactly like you.” Finished Kota. “And nothing will change.
“Kota...” whispered Taka and hugged lioness. “I love you and would do anything, I can, to be with you and see you safe... But only what I can do. Don’t require from me breaking the laws. This is not about us... this is more important than any single lion’s fate. This is the Circle of Life! We can’t fight it...”
“You grandfather could.” Replied Kota. “And grandmother... You are telling me those beautiful stories about them, but I feel that they aren’t real.”
“They are real...” disagreed Taka, but Kota was talking still.
“And if... so what? So what, if we haven’t today anyone like Zira, Scar, Hawaa, Tanabi or Amini? So those are just legends about something, that once was, but will never return...”
“You want me to kill him?” asked Taka. “I’m weaker, I have minimal chances to win, but I can try. I don’t fear of death, you know. I can challenge Dhalimu, but even if I win, I couldn’t take his place. I can’t...”
Kota interrupted his speech with kiss, then she answered with breaking voice.
“I know and I love you because of that too. You are so honourable and obedient to law. I love we because of thing... that will never allow us to be together.” She looked on the ground. “You have right... Go now, before Dhalimu sees you. When you will back?”
“I try be in next month. If I have no reason, I’ll surely find some pretext.”
“I’ll try to find some too. Give some sign to Akra or Simmi and I’ll find you in Dry Oasis. But I can’t guaranty it... Then I will be already...”
“Goodbye, Kota.” Interrupted Taka. He wasn’t able to hear it anymore. He licked his beloved and turned on south-east. He started to run as fast as he could, doesn’t matter to save any strength. In fact, he wouldn’t be upset, if he would died on desert. Finally.
*
And the end seemed to be near. After less than hour, just before sunset, first sings of sandstorm showed. Taka knew that he was too far from Golden Sands to get back and there was no other shelter in sight. So he just laid down on hot sand and waited.
“Strange wind.” He thought. “It’s coming really fast... I have never seen such sudden sandstorm. I saw no signs today... well, I failed that. I just wonder, if it just wound me, or rip my flesh apart from bones. I guess, my carrier as prides arbiter soon will be over... O, Kota... It’s good you will have nothing to do with such a loser like me.” And he understood that all his life was just a escape from life itself. He was younger brother of king and he allowed to be exiled, or even he exiled himself. He was doing job necessary for prides, but not because he wanted to, but because... he had nothing better to do. “Arbiter!” thought. “Who will be remember me, after I will be squashed by the sandstorm? They will find another arbiter and another historian. I won’t be remembered even as secondary character in this tale. Kota have right...”
And first blow of wind hit laying lion. He whispered in mind call for Vitani and Tanabi, his parents, to greet him in skyword, but for sure, he also called to Sparthi, patron of desert wanderers. There was small chance he would survive. Very small, but lion wasn’t killed with first blow, so maybe...
“He? What?” whispered, still cuddling face in sand. Wind stopped.
Taka carefully raised his face and opened his eyes. When he noticed cloud of sand before him, he knew that his eyes would be painfully rip out by charge of dirt and soon or later whole his body would be crushed by power of element. But it didn’t happened.
“What, on Stars!?” muttered lion, seeing, that golden cloud in front of him was floating in the air... in place, just mixing inside. Suddenly, he saw some silhouette in centre of sandy cumulus, lioness’s silhouette. It said with little ironical, but still friendly voice.
“Well, well, well... you are Taka, son of Vitani and Tanabi!” shade came closer to him, and all cloud moved too, that lion found himself in. Sand was hitting his fur, but in strange, gentle way, doing no harm. He even opened eyes, that he closed earlier. Nothing happened. “You have always been my favourite... mostly because of name!”
“Zira...” whispered Taka with amaze. “Grandmother Zira!” he bowed with respect. “Welcome here, ma’am. Am I dead?” asked with doubt. But he felt alive as never. Not, that was not this. “What brought you he, so low under the sky?”
“Your stupidity.” Replied queen and came closer to grandson. Her body turned from sandy shadow to almost material flesh. “Look at yourself! You would be fine lion... if you wanted to!” she touched his shoulder. “Why have you refused Kota? You would be now king...”
“...of the Past.” Finished lion and lioness’s ghost burst in laughter.
“Good! That was great!” said with playful voice. “Someday, you will meet Tarki and... ow, never mind... Yes, I know, you are weaker. I know, you would probably die in challenge... But I see no fear in your eyes. Someone, who wanders through desert, just to maintain liaison between prides and make them cooperate to resist the drought... is probably mad or ready to die in any time. Or both, what I see in you eyes. Why don’t you want to challenge Dhalimu?”
“He is my cousin.” Replied Taka. “And rightful king. I have no right...”
“...to defend lioness, you love?” finished Zira. “Don’t you think that are quite poor laws?”
“This is the Circle of Life.” Said lion. “My duty is to guard it.”
“Well done...” Zira clapped her paws. “But I think, that should be opposite: it has to guard you. And you think the same, but you are afraid to admit it. You are the same as your grandfather was!”
“I would break the laws...”
“Dhalimu is breaking the laws! He is a tyrant! He doesn’t care about his subjects. You have right to dispose him... as descendant of the royal line. Golden Ones can’t do this, because killing own monarch is terrible crime. But you can, you are not his subject. You won’t break any oath and you will be worthy to assume the throne.”
“I’m too weak to win with Dhalimu.” Said Taka quietly.
“And Scar was too weak to win with Mufasa! He was too weak to survive drought and save his prides. Also, he was too weak to conquer the throne for Vitani. But he did it all! You know that, because you are telling about it so often...” she came even closer and whispered him to ear. “I tell you a secret: weakness is just a state of mind.”
“Would you help me then?” asked unconvinced lion.
“I already have, Taka...” replied she, slowly disappearing into the air. “I already have.”
After minute of gentle wind, all sand from cloud felt on the ground. Taka noticed, that there was just calm, silent night... He took a look around and burst in laughter.
So, after he had told his tales so many times, he discovered that he understood nothing from them. He was singing about heroes of the past, but with no slightest think that such a personalities could be needed in future. So, what far he was telling it? To amuse Kota? That Kota, who he just had left with tyrant, to her dreadful fate? He clutched paw into fist and hit on the ground. Golden Queen was right: weakness is just a state of mind. Fortunately, there wasn’t to late to change his mind. Such a thing is never easy, but always possible.
Taka had something to do. He turned back and started in Golden Sand’s direction.

Good chapter!

Dhalimu doesn't care about the history of his family. He'll pay for that, and his crimes one day.

Now that Zira has appeared to Taka, will he do the right thing? Not just for Kota but everyone else? He's a good lion and his cousin needs to be disposed of.

Update soon!

Right, so there is another chapter.
I’m sorry for a bit chaotic language in description of duel – Polish version was to be real dynamic, but I think that translation could have dimmed whole situation.
Ps.
If You find... some motif of that story reassembling some motif from TdoN let You know that TNR was written before TDoN and some limited likeness is accidental.

XII. Pro fide, lege et leone

“Right! Enough of this laziness.” Growled Dhalimu. “It’s time to hunt.”
Golden Ones obediently stood up and started to cave’s exit. Raia went with them, although she was still hobbling. Kota wanted to stop her, but she just waved her paw and speeded up her steps. So the team in full number of ten lionesses left the Golden Cave.
Sun already set, but sky on west was still enlighten by red glow of fading day. Evening was warm, although not hot – night was about to be pleasantly cool but also windy. Light blow from the east was gently caressing lionesses muzzles, but it also was a sign of coming storm. The perfect harmony of landscape was disrupted only by one thing. On Acacia Alley was waiting the black-maned lion.
“I do not ask you for hospitality.” He said, seeing Raia. “That time I came here not as a messenger. I’m here as the prince of Prideland and descendant of Golden Pride. I’m going to fight with your king, according to the Law of Challenge.”
Team froze in place and all lionesses turned theirs stares in Taka’s face. Lion has changed. Maybe it was an earlier change, but it was seen clearly in that moment. Golden Ones saw the arbiter in new light. He was standing firmly, watching with decisive stare the entrance to the cave. Although he was significantly shorter and weaker than Dhalimu, he seemed to feel no fear. Some unknown glow of self-confidence was sparking from him. Even his soft voice gained some new, harsher tone. Wind was blowing in his black mane. “The king!” thought Kota with pride but also with fear. “This is the real king of Golden Sands. Stars... but he won’t win with Dhalimu!”
Raia broke the spell as the first. She steeped before the rank of lionesses and stood in front of male. She extended her claws and took a defensive position. Careful observer could notice that she was shivering, although she tried to hide this. But when she spoke, in her voice was no hesitation.
“Make one step more and I’ll kill you.” She gasped. “I won’t allow you to question power of our king. Go away, before Dhalimu hear you.”
“Let him hear.” Replied arbiter and roared. Lionesses stopped in horror, knowing that the confrontation was already foregone. “Raia, please, don’t interfere.”
“YOU don’t interfere in matters of our pride!” she said with bitter tone. Meanwhile Kota went to her beloved and whispered to him.
“Taka... wait... reconsider this. I’m sorry... I didn’t mean this. I want you to get some help, not you to solve it yourself. Understand... he will kill you!”
“I will fight with him according to the Law of Challenge.” Replied lion with voice totally washed out of emotions. In fact he was terrified as well as his love. Of course, not about himself, but about her. “I hope she wouldn’t do something stupid when... I mean: if I lose.”
“Kota, help me!” ordered Raia. “Golden Ones, help me, all of you. We have to rid off that intruder.” And quieter she added. “Taka, I beg you, go away...” None of lionesses moved even an inch, in spite of hastening gesture that sandy-furred made with her tail. “Sir, don’t make what I don’t want to!”
“Raia, that is nothing personal.” Replied black-maned. “But I must depose Dhalimu. Forgive me, I have no choice.”
“NO!” cried Raia and Kota.
And sandy-furred pounced. Taka was so surprised that he made no dodge. He received a fast charge of lioness without any preparation and just when claws of attacker plunged deep in his neck, he shook his head. Raia missed Taka’s aortas by few centimetres. She wanted to mend that unsuccessful strike, but lion threw away her paws. He jumped back two meters and took a defensive pose. Lioness didn’t wait, but jumped after him. But that time arbiter intercepted her easily in flight and pushed right. But a second later he felt a wave of pain, enflaming his back. That Raia hit with her rear paws. “Stars!” yelled shocked Taka. “What a technique! This is a real fighter!” But in that moment Kota pounced on landing sandy-furred.
“Leave him alone!” she called.
“Save your king, my friend!” gasped Raia and pushed Kota away with strong move. Then she crouched to prepare next charge, when...
“Enough!” growled Dhalimu. Lion ran out from cave and stopped in front of pride. He looked with dreadful stare on fighting ones and repeated. “Enough! Raia that is not your business!”
“My lord!” called sandy-maned but she stayed in place.
“Dhalimu, we will deal it on our own.” Gasped Taka.
“My lord, let me kill him for you!” begged loyal subject. It was looking quite amusing: arbiter, although much smaller than king, was clearly dominating with body constitution over lean lionesses. He was taller and maybe even one and half weighty as she. But form his, not her, neck was floating a two streams of blood. Maybe not serious, but painful reminders of recent fight.
“Raia, leave him alone.” Ordered ruler. “Taka, go up!” he pointed a path on Golden Massif top.
“NO!” called both Raia and Kota. Each one was afraid about her beloved lion.
“That must be ended, here and now.” Said Taka, slowly following Dhalimu.
“You know the laws!” added king. “You can’t interfere. If we die both, throne will go to... e...” he looked on Taka with questioning stare.
“According to the tradition of Golden Pride, feminine succession is not allowed if there is some male descendant. But I guess, there I not, because apart of Dahabu, who is already king, there are no Golden relatives in Lions Lands. I think that Mtanga, as a mate of Amali, cousin of Dhalimu, should assume the throne.”
“Well, excellent! Just in case: be ready to bring here that Mtanga.” Smiled king. “Taka, Taka, Taka... some times you prove to be really useful. I will kill you with genuine regret.”
“Your generosity, your highness, is beyond my reason.” Snorted arbiter with irony. “But let’s go.” And they both started again into path’s direction.
“My lord...” whispered Raia.
“What you afraid of, you fool weeper?” growled Dhalimu. “I will kill him in a minute!” Kota gasped. “Soon I will rid off of that haughty claimant.”
And he went to path with perfect calmness, leaving lionesses in alley. Raia followed him with her stare, until he disappeared behind rock-corner. Then she shook her head, blinked her watery eyes, looked on Kota and said seriously.
“My friend... hug me, probably for the last time. Most likely soon one of us will come to hate the other.”
Golden-furred obediently went closer and nestled to Raia’s side. She whispered something unclear and froze by sandy-furred side. They remained that way for long minutes, until stops on rock-path fell silent. King and price got to the top. Lionesses came few steps back, looking each other in eyes.
“I will miss you, Raia.” Said Kota with grave voice.
“I know...” replied sandy-furred. “But we can’t help it. I love you, you rebel...”
Meanwhile lions climbed on top without a word. Steep sloped of Golden Massif were over hundred meters high, but then it turned in flat plateau. Rock-square had in the widest place about two hundreds and fifty meters. In north-south axis it was a bit shorter: about hundred and fifty meters long. Although that most of area on plateau was rough and scatter with cracks there was enough room for fight. King and price chose a plat square in centre of massif. Nearby, on one of the borders, were lying remains of Niva’s body – then just a skeleton, cleared from flesh by previous sandstorm.
“Have you killed her?” asked Dhalimu.
“WHAT?!” yelled shocked Taka. „Of course that I haven’t!”
“That’s good.” Murmured king. “So you will die quickly and almost painlessly. Ready?”
Black-maned nodded his head and took a defensive position. He based a weight of his body on front-left paw, ready to block enemy’s blows with right. “It won’t work if he strike on me with all his mass. But at least he won’t get me in fist blow.” He thought and took a deep breath. He lowered his head, ready to dodge and was looking on adversary with careful stare. And Dhalimu was standing straight, as if he was ready not for fight but for some royal ceremony. Disrespectful attitude towards enemy was clear and in that Taka put all his hope.
“Many of move, shun and run. I’m trying to lure him closer to the edge and maybe...” but in that moment a stronger blow of wind awoke king from reverie. Dhalimu roared dreadfully and asked.
“Are we going to fight?” and seeing nod of Taka, added. “You first, usurper!”
“So there will be no touching speeches?” asked black-maned, slowly coming to enemy. “You don’t want to know what I’m for?” when he got the range of firm pounce, he started to circle adversary. Dhalimu didn’t move an inch.
“Probably the same, what wants every stray.” Replied king. “The power. Or just Kota. But she is the part of my pride and will be a queen. I won’t let her go with some rouge. Fight, if you can.” Added a bit impatient. “And if you can’t... just jump from here.”
Taka breathed in deeply, still circling the ruler. He was waiting, but for what he couldn’t tell. Front-right paw, ready to strike, was aching with demand to be careful. Taka wasn’t scared but he was thinking intensively. “That is impossible to win with him. But I must!”
He pounced suddenly, unexpectedly even for himself. In some moment his muscles outran command of brain and before prince understood it, he was floating in the air in Dhalimu’s direction. He didn’t even try to hit. He just bounced with paws on raised block of enemy, hoping that extended claws would do some damage. He had right – one of the claws plunged in the fur of brown-maned. But he didn’t continue that attack – he instantly jumped ahead to land two meters behind enemy. He rushed further, expecting an immediately Dhalimus’ reaction and he had right. King pounced after him and landed on rock ground two second after Taka shunned. “He is fast!” thought arbiter marvelling at moves of heavy adversary. “Almost as fast as I.”
But there was no time to panic. Taka landed by the Niva’s funeral stone and started to withdraw to the boulder. That time ruler wasn’t waiting for claimant’s move – he just jumped again with stretched paws. Guided by war-instinct, or just by a spark of luck, Pridelander fell down on the ground and rolled aside. Dhalimu hit with paws in funeral boulder, but with easily absorbed that hit and rebounded from it, landing next to Taka. But that doge of adversary drove him mad.
“And that is the plan.” Thought black-maned, shunning next charge. “Let him lose his temper and get closer to the edge...” Avoiding the incoming blows, he was carefully trying to make dodges in south direction, closer to the nearest edge. But in the same time he was aware for not to show king his trap. “I must attack too, although it is useless. And there is some chance I would wound him and slow him down... And thanks to that he would got even more furious.” From the east blew a stronger blow of wind, forcing Taka to make a solid correction. “Or maybe lady Zira is supporting me in that way?” he thought.
He pounced one more time, trying again to rebound on blocking enemy’s paws. But this time it went wrong, because he succeeded – unprepared Dhalimu hadn’t raised his paws to shield from charge and black-maned’s claw plunged into fur on king’s neck. Amazed prince cowed his rear paws and hit with them too – he hit the raising limbs of Dhalimu and cut his shoulders. Then he fell on right side and rolled few meters more to southern edge.
Surprised king roared with fury and even didn’t let the prince to stood up. He pounced on lying Taka and flew over him, hitting his back with all his paws. Shocked Pridelander nestled to the ground, but knowing that inertia meant death, he rolled aside. Right, closer to the edge. “How much more? Fifty meters?”
That time Dhalimu happened to be closer to the bluff, so Taka jumped on him, even without aiming. He missed horribly and that was his luck – Dhalimu was ready to intercept enemy and only with amaze watched on lion when he landed over a meter next to him. Black-maned passed his adversary, jumped ahead, then turned to the king. Brown-maned was not there – lion was jumping on Taka with opened jaw and ready paws. Prince wouldn’t manage to shun him, but attack missed. Dhalimu’s charge hit just rock two meters further and Taka hit king’s side. He snapped with teethes on ruler’s shoulder, but he had enough cold blood to get loose enemy after that fast bite. Dhalimu automatically answered with swing of paw, missing Taka’s muzzle by centimetres.
“Wind!” thought arbiter. “Wind blew him away. Zira has to help me...”
He was still withdrawing to the bluff, less and less keeping the pretences of normal duel. That because Dhalimu was more and more furious. He stopped to aim his charges, just jumps in pounce when he landed after previous one. Suddenly black-maned didn’t manage to shun it, so with desperate try he intercepted mass of king with raised paws. Dhalimu was a heavy lion, so Taka failed to push him aside. Prince just a slightly corrected a flight of enemy, so ruler landed few meters behind him. “Two meters closer to the edge!” thought arbiter almost triumphantly.
He ran several steps aside, that he started on south once again, that time also in enemy’s direction. Simultaneously he felt a bolt of pain in paw. Dhalimu had had to cut him in previous charge. Wound wasn’t too deep, but it made his moves harder. Black-maned clenched his jaws and pounced on the king. “Further!”
He landed with heavy effort. The growing wind pushed him aside from intended route and brutally threw on the ground. In that moment he was far from Dhalimu, and what was worse, brown-maned left a tactic of pounces, hard to aim in wind and started to march into prince’s direction, stomping firmly on the ground.
“Not here!” gasped Taka in mind, seeing as enemy set off to north-east, almost against the wind. That was easier for monarch – although he had to fight with element, he wasn’t endangered with directions disorientation. Black-maned decided to stop adversary from that.
He started to run to the bluff, hoping that Dhalimu won’t pounce against the strong wind. And he was right, although it didn’t helped him too much. Because Taka lost his balance and pushed by some stronger blow fell on the ground. Seeing that king was running to him, he rolled aside in enemy’s direction. With his body he tripped amazed ruler, to instantly feel all his mass on his back. “Ow, that’s the end!” yelled Taka in mind. “I got trapped in point-blank!”
Dhalimu triumphantly roared and raised his paw. Then he swung it with crushing strength. But instead of yell of price, sounded yell of king. Brown-maned missed terribly, hitting the rock with claws. Thanks to surprise, Taka pushed enemy from his back and jumped on open space. He wanted to pounce on south, but actually he flew on south-west. Heavy wind, a gale in fact, sidetracked jumper’s body. Taka landed hard, then turned to expecting attack. And froze.
The wind wasn’t helping him. The wind was bringing death.
Due to almost perfect darkness arbiter didn’t see everything. But the wall of sand closing with dreadful speed was unable to ignore. Hit of sandstorm was speeding from east and wandered knew that he wasn’t able to stand it. The same as few hour earlier he had imagined own body, tore apart by grains of sand and being throw like antelope’s carcass by merciless blow. Instinctively he closed his eyes, although he knew that eyelids are useless against that fury. The last picture he saw was a capture of pouncing Dhalimu and a sand-wall swallowing Golden Massif. “A draw!” thought lion, preparing to die. He managed to hear a yell of brown-maned and nauseating sound of crackling bone in awkward, forced by blow landing.
And then the pain exploded.
*
“NO!” screamed Kota and Raia.
Lionesses were standing in Acacia Alley, looking up with terror. They had been so busy with staring at dead edge of bluff, that they had been completely ignoring symptoms of growing storm. Fortunately for them the heart-shape of Golden Massif and cover of trees shielded them from the first wave of element. In one second they were standing and looking on rock’s top and seeing a cloud of dust coming from behind massif, in next they were lying on ground, pinned down by blow of wind.
Raia was on top – she was pressing Kota to acacia’s trunk. As the first she stood up and with heavy effort pulled her friend with paw. Storm was screaming too loud to overscream it, but golden-furred understood without a word. They had to reach the cave before next wave of wind would blow them away. “Taka!” thought terrified Kota, slowly marching, based on friend’s side. “My lord!” yelled Raia in mind, but she was walking still. Actually, none of them wanted to reach shelter but to get to the stone wall. From that they could go to on path on top.
Lionesses simultaneously hit with heads in wall of massif. Without a word they started to march not to near cave’s entrance but along rock, with wind. Storm was hitting hard but thanks to concave shape of Golden Massif friends were partially shielded from rage of desert.
“Here?” Kota called a question.
“The part of track is shielded from wind.” Screamed Raia. “On west slope we have a chance to climb.”
She should have said: slightly better chance, because even on leeward slope odds of successful way were minimal. Even for fully healthy Kota – golden-furred was much too weak to climb. Hobbling Raia couldn’t even dream about what way. In spite of that, she was going.
Cold logic of both females was screaming: they are both dead! You have no reason to risk! But friends were decisively stepping on path up, ignoring growing exhaustion. Finally Kota took a lead, knowing she was in far better condition. She reached with her tail to Raia’s mouth – sandy-furred took it with gratitude. Then they were at least sensing each other, in spite of decreasing visibility.
So they reached the west wall of massif. There they felt a great relief of cover. Almost running they started to climb ahead, quickly taking a save way. In just three minutes they got to north-west bend of rock. Before them was a last part of route, a narrow way, hit with content sand-mayhem.
„You won’t go there.” Judged Kota.
“You too.” Replied Raia and they both set off to sandy death.
They stood even longer that they should – they went over four meters windward until raging waves of dust stopped them. But exactly in moment when Raia fell down, sandstorm ceased. Suddenly and without warning the wind stopped in one second. Lionesses climbing on path held their breathes for few seconds, than panted with relief.
“Raia... it’s over!” whispered amazed Kota.
“Run!” replied lioness, standing up. And she yelled painfully. “My lord!”
They went lest meters of path and got to the top almost simultaneously. Kota as the first but Raia just a second after. Both started to search with terrified stares for fighters on that dead plateau. Somewhere, under that layer of dust. As the first screamed golden-furred.
“TAKA!”
She started to run to sandy-drift, from under which was seen a black mane of lion. She got to beloved and started to digging him out from gravel. In the same time she was creaming like a possessed.
Raia was watching this and an analytic voice of her reason called to tell her friend that Taka was probably stunned due to storm and such screams won’t reach him. But she didn’t even listen to own mind. She was running to the centre of plateau, looking of silhouette of beloved king.
“Taka, say something!” cried Kota, but in the same moment sandy-furred saw Dhalimu, lying by some big boulder.
“My lord!” she called, although she already knew that her ruler had a limited chance to hear her.
When she reached the lion she heard a burst of Kota’s cry, but she ignored it. She looked with motherly tenderness on brown-maned, but then she turned out her stare with shock. Ruler was unconsciousness and his front-right paw was broken... or better to say: smashed. His ulna and radius bone almost had tore the fur from inside and only thanks to lucky coincidence the limb of king was still in one fragment. But for now – useless fragment.
“My lord... you paw.” She bended down to beloved. “That paws you were keeping your justice...” Dhalimu moaned in pain but for lioness that sign of life sounded like the most beautiful music.
Meanwhile Kota was standing over Taka, unable to make any move. Each time she reached with paw to beloved, fear was paralysing her. She was too afraid to hurt arbiter even more. And for the worst wound she could do nothing.
Miraculously, black-maned had all bones intact. Almost whole body was unwounded, even unspotted. Of course, apart of muzzle. Whole face was downing in the one giant pool of blood. Eyes and forehead of arbiter was a archipelago of deep wounds, maybe whole one wound. Shocked lion felt no pain, probably he felt nothing. He even didn’t notice of Kota’s coming, because he was still screaming curses and randomly swinging his paws with extended claws. After a longer while he had to sense his beloved because he felt silent and laid motionlessly on the rock. He was alive for sure. But sure was also he gone blind.

Now that Dhalimu and Taka have had their duel and have been crushed by the storm, will they be alright? Who will win? Don't worry about the chaotic language, I feel it was needed.

Good chapter! Update soon!

Well, that a kind of draw for now;) and for a moment both adversaries have enough.
Right, so now going the next chapter. I don’t know You will find it, but I was a bit touched, translating it. *sob, sob* <lol2>

XIII. The ruling Hearts

Next day woke lazy and a bit uncertain. Dusty clouds were still dimming the sky and thanks to that sun wasn’t burning wounded lions – then: trapped on Golden Massif plateau – too hard. But the weather still reminded about constant danger – light wind was blowing and another sandstorm was in the air. Nether Kota nor Raia hadn’t enough courage to watch on horizon and dark shapes that grew on it. There they could see the coming end for theirs lions.
“My lord, listen to me...” was whispering sandy-furred gently, as if the mother to her cub. In the same time she was holding a gourd and king was drinking. “You must rest and sleep as long as you could. The sooner you come down from the massif, the better.” She barely repressing herself from looking on east horizon. “The storm might be back.”
“First of all I must finish Taka.” Replied ruler. “You said he is still alive...”
“Yes, he is alive.” Confirmed lioness. “Severly wounded. My lord, ignore him. You are in danger!” Suddenly, touched by obvious idea, bended to brown-maned’s ear and whispered. “If you order me, I will kill him...”
“No!” roared Dhalimu. “That is against the Law of Challenge... Besides...” He based on left paws to raise to head higher. Raia gasped, fearing he might fall, so she immediately support his side. “...if Taka is alive, I bet Kota is guarding him all the time. Just like you are guarding me.”
And then sandy-furred understood whole risk of her plan. She could kill arbiter easesily – she knew he was blind and completely helpless due to that. But before she would get the wandered she would have prevailed Kota. “For you, my lord, I would kill my beloved friend.” She thought. “But I can’t risk. I’m too weak, still partially disabled. Kota could win with me and then you would be defenceless.” She looked on west part of rock where was lying Taka, nursed by golden-furred.
Fact that both lions survived sandstorm was a miracle. When sand-clouds had hit the massif, Dhalimu was pouncing on arbiter. Blow had thrown him on the ground and had dragged him several meters to giant boulder, standing over plateau. So king was lying about twenty meters from south and over hundred from east edge of plateau. Hard landing cost him nasty break of front-right paw, but no much in addition. Taka wasn’t so fortunate.
The lighter of lions had been tossed up by sudden blow and then dragged on the rock surface almost on the western edge of massif. Because he almost instantly fell on the rock his injuries wasn’t too numerous – few scratches of paws and belly. But his main, the most dreadful, wounds were heavy cuts on his face. Speeding sand, even through shut eyelids, wounded his eyes and scattered fur on black-maned’s muzzle. Kota could just lick those cuts from sand and pus to prevent the infection. But there was no chances for him to regain the sight. And being blind he was unable to go down from narrow path of massif. Every time golden-furred thought about this, disobedient neck turned her head to the east. But lioness closed her eyes not to the coming doom and to not know how many time left.
“I’m sorry, Kota...” whispered Taka. „I’m so thirsty...”
“Right, my love.” Replied lioness instantly. “I will arrange it with Raia and we will go down for more water.”
“Why do you always go together?” asked black-maned but then he understood why for it was. “Ow... Raia seemed to be so nice lioness.”
“She is a wonderful friend.” Said Kota honestly. “And I love her. But because I love her I know her well. I know she is waiting for opportunity to kill you. Quite reasonable thinking, because if she wouldn’t with Dhalimu I would have...” Taka interrupted her with painful gasp.
“It all have gone wrong!”; he yelled. “That shouldn’t be! Instead of peace, my attempt brought only more hostility... We should have both died in that storm. It would be much better that to be cause of that...” he waved his paw in random direction. “...all. leave me here and convince Raia to leave Dhalimu. In fact, we both have failed.”
“I can’t leave you.” Whispered Kota, nestling to lions’ side. “And I know that Raia won’t leave her king.”
“And you know what is most amusing?” asked Taka after a while of that caress. “We even can’t determine who has won. I admit: the sandstorm came to save me, but technically the duel is still unsolved. We disabled and wounded each other, so for now we have draw... in such situation the Law tells that lion who as the first leaves the battlefield by his own, wins...” He looked with his dead eyes in direction where he expected that the path down was. He missed about thirty degrees, but Kota had no courage to say him that. “But it rather an idiotic problem. I know I won’t leave this rock.”
“You will!” said golden-furred wit decisive voice. “Just give me some time and I’ll fix something...”
But then came Raia, proposing the way down for water. Kota gasped, seeing as her friend break the unwritten pact, forbidding her to get closer than thirty meters to Taka. So with huffed voice
Kota ordered Raia to go back to west path and to meet her down. Sandy-maned understood the anxiety of friend and obediently fulfilled her instruction. They met in Acacia Alley where all the hostility between them ceased. They entered the cave with gourds, greeted by surprised stares of whole pride.
“You must go hunt.” Said Raia. “King must eat, we must eat...” seeing curled lips of Kota, she added. “And until the duel is unfinished, we have to feed also Taka.”
“You are staying?” asked Simmi.
“Or we both are going with you. But I prefer to stay...”
“We will manage.” Assured her Akra. “At least for now.” And she whispered to Simmi. “Get Kauli here. Maybe he would know whet to do.”
And hundred meters above them a strange dialogue was taking place. Taka, in spite of his perfect blindness, thanks to gentle wind managed to recognize the four quarters of the globe and then he crawled to one of the boulders on plateau. When he climbed on it, he was on altitude of higher terrace, where was lying Dhalimu. King, seeing the efforts of enemy, decided to help him. He crawled few meters, leaving from behind his boulder and stopped before the deep crack, that he couldn’t pass on three paws. But he was so close to the adversary that they hear each other, at least when they were shouting.
“I see you are still alive, you stray!” Dhalimu cheerfully greeted arbiter.
“I hear you are still prattling, you freak!” replied black-maned. “That’s good. I won’t be bored here, thanks to your preaches.
“And I heard you are completely blind and helpless. I could finish you with one blow.” Talked brown-maned down.
“So come here and do it...”
“Well... for now I’m unable to walk.” Replied Dhalimu with airy honesty. “But I’m working on it...”
For a while a dead silence fell over plateau but right after then both lions burst in loud laughter. For fighting ones whole absurd of their situation turn out to be clear. Cold hostility melted in one second, turning almost into friendly solidarity of wounded warriors. Of course the reason of their fight didn’t cease. If Dhalimu some how was able to walk he would have run to kill his enemy. If some magic power would return Taka’s sight, he would have marched to finish his crippled adversary. But probably without that blind hatred he had felt day before. And when Raia and Kota returned with water, they rebuked harshly theirs lions for such cubbish behaviour. Then lionesses dragged them back to prepared acacia-brush beddings, licked theirs wounds and comfort them, according to theirs powers.
Slowly the dusk was coming. Hunting team was still on desert but storm was also still far from Golden Sands, so four of its residents could think about pride with ease. Apart of walks for water that got Kota and Raia away from wounded ones, they all were staying in calm waiting for unknown. Although Taka was lying not more that fifty meters from Dhalimu a difference of altitude, roughness of plateau and cover of two big boulders secured a privacy for both adversaries. King and Raia took a centre and eastern part of massif and arbiter with Kota was ruler of the west. Borders of that two kingdoms were strictly kept by subjects of both rulers (there were two subjects – one in Taka’s and one in Dhalimu’s domain) and every international visit was regulated by detailed diplomatic protocol. But the greatest problem was the sleep.
“How we will do that, Kota?” asked sandy-furred. “Maybe we lay to sleep in the centre, side to side? None of us could wake unnoticed.”
“And maybe we’ll just promise each other that we will do nothing nasty, huh?” proposed golden-furred.
“Are you sure you will fulfil that promise?”
“Well... no.” confessed Kota. “But we’d better sleep with our...” she didn’t say <lions> nor <mates>, although she meant that. But she didn’t want to distress her friend. “Dhalimu preferred me than Raia. I can’t remind her, she is not king’s mate.” Thought golden-furred. “With ours... I am the light sleeper. And you?”
„Right. Let guard. Each one with her...” They went to wounded ones.
Sandy-furred was returning to Dhalimu uncertain and with fear in her heart. The awareness she was going to spend a night next to her beloved was exciting but also dreadful. “I shouldn’t to.” She thought. “I’m just his subject and he rejected me as his mate.” But the duty was stronger than scruples. “My lovely Kota would kill him five minutes after I go down. I must guard him.”
“My lord...” she asked shyly. “May I watch over you?” Dhalimu raised his head and looked on lionesses, pulling face with amusement.
“Of course, you may. You may also kill me, leave me to die from thirst or paint my fur with cactus-juice. You may do it all, because I’m a little indisposed.”
“I’ll try not to disturb you.” Whispered sandy-furred, laying down behind nearby boulder. She had been expecting that, but she barely repressed her tears anyway. Over the plateau fell silence, that last for few minutes. Finally Dhalimu said.
“Raia... are you sleeping?” asked with shyly, almost cubbish voice.
“No. I’m watching over you, my lord.” Replied lionesses.
“Is there comfortable?”
“It’s good place to stand on guard.” She said.
“But.. but...” he fell silent for a while, looking for appropriate words. “But could you... if this is not a problem... come to me. I have much too much brush for one bedding.”
Raia barely repressed a yell of joy and amusement. She stood up and ordering her muscles calmness moved to ruler. In the same time she was carefully observing the western part of massif, making sure that she would have good view to stand sentry. With relief she saw that king’s bedding was also not bad observation post.
“I’m here, my lord.” She announced, sitting next to brown-maned.
“Here...” invited lion, moving a bit aside and making room on his bedding. “Of course, if you want.” Lionesses shyly laid down by his side. “Good...” said ruler. “Now tell my, why are you doing it.”
“What, my lord?” she asked, but Dhalimu looked on her with piercing stare, so she decided that further evasiving is pointless. “He is so handsome.” She thought. “Even now – wounded and weak. Maybe now he is even dearer to me, because he is closer.” So she answered. “I do what I should. I love you, my lord.”
Monarch was considering that reply for long while, carefully watching subject’s face. Finally he asked uncertain.
“As a ruler.”
“As a ruler, too.” On plateau once again fell silence. And once again it was broke by loud laughter, that time of king himself.
“Now it doesn’t matter.” Announced Dhalimu, as if lioness knew exactly what he was up to. “But I must say I admire you, Raia.”
“My lord...”
“That all has come wrong!” gasped king. “I watching the world like through the mist, sham and unclear. And when I’m seeing it clear, there is probably too late for change. I’m so sorry, Raia. I should have made you a queen long time ago. I was searching far whet I had always so close... Maybe you would have saved me from my errors that I’ve made, ruling the pride.”
“You are wonderful king!” sobbed sandy-furred. “And you will be. With Kota by side or anyone who you chose. Sleep and rest my lord. You have to recover soon...”
“I guest I have already recovered, at least on mind.” Murmured ruler. “And on sight. Have I said you, You are beautiful?” Confused Raia shook her head. “You see – another thing that I forgot...” Suddenly he closed his eyes and clenched his jaws, as if unexpected memory struck his mind. “I hit you!” whispered with disbelief. “And then... and then, punishing for Niva’s offence... NO! not for any offence... Just for my whim! Will you forgive me?”
“Don’t say it, my lord.” Sobbed lioness. “I was never angry on you...”
“But the others were...” noticed Dhalimu. “That drove Kota to mutiny... Although she betrayed me, I betrayed her earlier. She has right, I shouldn’t be king...” He hushed Raia’s objection with wave of paw. “If not duties of my blood and memory of my father, I would deposit the kingdom in Taka’s paws... here and now. But I can’t! I must win with him and hope you help me to mend all my errors and make me better ruler. And... will you help me?”
Sandy-maned, drove by sudden impulse, raised her head and licked cheek of her monarch. He just smiled.
“As you wish, my lord.” Said lioness. “I will be with you, as long as you want it.”
“Ow... but no <my lord> from now on.” Corrected her lion. “If you call me Dhalimy, I will believe you want it.”
“Dhalimu...” whispered Raia and they lips met.
“Ups... bad moment!” gasped Kota, who just had come from behind the stone.
“Kota!” smiled king and instinctively and a bit shyly moved back from subject. “I have already missed your endless and mutinous purling.” Lioness tried to answer with some biting reply, for example: about punishing paw of king, but she froze with riposte on her lips. In Dhalimu’s voice she heard something amazing and unheard earlier. An irony.
“Forgive me Raia. Sir...” she said slyly. “I have some request to you, your highness.”
“Your highness?” murmured brown-maned with surprise. “And where is your revolutionary zeal?” But he said it without malice, almost with fondness towards subject.
“Unless the duel is over, you are my king, sir.” Said lioness uncertainly.
“Go straight to the business, girl.” Hastened monarch. “If you are do kind I guess that request is rather serious.”
“Yes... My lord... I humbly beg you to free me from allegiance sworn as a Golden Sands subject and then to grand me marriage with Taka the Second of Prideland.”
Silence. Loud breathing of Dhalimu, Kota and Raia.
“And why, the hell...” roared furiously ruler, but suddenly he fell silent and finished with laughter. “...not? Ow, rabies! What’s the harm... Good, let it be. But you know that when I recover, I’ll try to make you a widow...”
“Well... In that case I wish you to recover... happily ever after.” Replied Kota and whole trio burst in cordial and airy laughter.
Finally Dhalimu waved his paw and golden-furred kneeled down before him. It wasn’t required to ceremony, but because king was unable to stand, Kota thought that she had to lower herself to monarch’s level. Brown-maned put his left paw on her forehead and with amused voice announced.
“You are the free lioness, Kota of Golden Sands. No oaths bounds you from now on, you rebel!”
“From now on I’m no a rebel but a constructive opposition!” replied Kota with joy. Trio laughed once again.
“Good... and now the marriage.” Murmured Dhalimu. “I should perform the ceremony in person as the ruler of this land. So get back to your stray and lay your paws on each other’s neck... Taka said that is symbolizing the ultimate devotion of mates. Required formulas I will shout from here. Even if you don’t understand what I’m saying, when I stop, call <yes> and then it will be done. Understand?”
Kota nodded her head and ran to arbiter. With radiant smile she laid down by lion’s side and nested to his fur. They joined in heavy hug and when indistinct shouts ceased, they called loud <yes>. Then Kota laid on rock, murmuring with joy.
“Stars! I’m so happy tonight!” she said finally.
“Me too...” agreed Taka. “I know I should tell it right now... But don’t expect that our happiness last too long.” She froze, still hugging him. “I’m blind, but my others senses are right. I know that storm is coming. Maybe Dhalimu has some chances to go down by path, but I have not.”
“Hush... I will fix something.” Assured him golden-furred, although she had no idea what she could do. “You’d better sleep.”
“And you?” asked lion.
“I’m guarding because Raia is guarding too.” She replied. “Our marriage haven’t finished that duel. Dhalimu would rather die that break his word. For him the law and custom are sacred, at least the letter of law. With spirit... there was various with spirit...” suddenly she looked in blind eyes of her mate and asked with hope. “Taka... would you want to have a cub with me? Let call him to this world here and now...”
“We will concept an orphan...” murmured black-maned. “Kota, I would like to... want as nothing also on this world. But you know that...”
“Maybe, that is our last chance.” Interrupted him lioness. “I’m not afraid. And you also don’t have to be afraid.” She kissed him and whispered to his ear. “I want to give you one more reason to live.”

[Song: Don’t be afraid. Melody is merry and romantic.]
[Night, quite dark, small number of stars is seen through the veil of dust-clouds. Capture from the air on Golden Massif’s plateau. We see Raia and Dhalimu, lying in hug on south edge of rock in the middle of its width. Kota and Taka are on the western end, next to the path down. Zoom-in on golden-furred and arbiter.
They are lying still, clearly exhausted with love-caresses. On their faces an expression of joy is seen, although on Taka’s muzzle we may notice a tone of anxiety. Together with cruel wounds of his eyes it makes a strange contrast with smile. Kota licks arbiter’s cheek, carefully not to irritate his injuries. She sings.]

First verse, Kota:
Don’t be afraid about tomorrow, if today is still today
You will find a strength to manage, I will help you if I may
Let’s with hope we stand together and look further than sees fear
Believe there is a some forever better than the today’s here.

[She lays on back and looks on the sky. There, from behind clouds more and more stars start to shine. She points them to Taka, suddenly freezing, when she realize he is unable to see them. But lion turns his dead eyes up and smiles wither, as if he actually was seeing them.]

Don’t be afraid of clouds on the sky, because storm is also rain
Water will quench our thirst and wash us, there’s no harm in little pain
To grow higher, to grow stronger, we must stand this endless test
Don’t be afraid and came to me, we’ll do what could we do the best

[Zoom-in on paws of the couple. Taka’s claws are extended as to fight, but under Kota’s touch it hides to pawpads. Lions are caressing each other paws.]

Chorus, Kota:
Don’t be afraid – because you’re still
Don’t be afraid – it’s just a life
Don’t be afraid – cause I am here
Although world fails, we will survive

[Again a zoom-in on the sky, we see the shooting star. Capture of Taka’s face – he opens his lips in amaze, as if he sees what happens. View from black-maned’s perspective: a dark space, but somehow few bright points lights. Of course this is not physical vision – but spiritual vision of his ancestors. Taka imagines Vitani, Tanabi and Zira, looking from the sky with pride.]

Don’t be afraid – fears matters not
Don’t be afraid – but faith is all
Don’t be afraid – there is no <but>
The love is loudest future’s call

[Camera goes to Raia and Dhalimu. They are lying on backs, side to side and also are looking in stars. On king’s face is seen delight and amaze, as if he has never seen that before. Paws of couple join in the air and caresses tenderly.]

Second verse, Raia:
Don’t be afraid about dead past, tomorrow it’ll be gone
Will be no sins, will be no fears if we realize how much we own
Don’t be afraid if you don’t see, your heart knows way in fact
Just throw away what now you shame to keep you pride intact

[Zoom-in on Dhalimu’s face. In his eyes we see memories from times of his rule – Niva’s funeral, scene when he sent pride to hunt in storm, exile of Taka, he, hitting Raia. Smile on his face fades, but seeing that, Raia licks his cheek (on words: <I may>). Joy returns to lion, visions are gone.]

Dhalimu:
Don’t be afraid, cause all my faults are as dark as this night
But night is only day’s prelude, my wrongs will turn to right
With every day I will repair all what I did to you
If you help me then I may to make a world a new

[Again a capture of Taka. Carefully he stands up and sits next to mate. He blindly searches for her with his paw than gently puts it on her belly. She laughs. Music fades out a little, but still is in the background, paying a tune of verse.]
„I feel that will be the son.” Announces Kota. “Brave and handsome as his father. Future king of Golden Sands.”
“A descendant worthy of my beautiful queen.” Replies proud Taka.
[Music fades in to normal volume – louder tune of verse.]
[Taka stands firmly on his paws and looks with dead stare down, on Acacia Alley. He imagines as if a whole rank of Old Rulers of that land stands there. On the end he sees himself and further a tiny cub, reassembling him and Kota.]

Taka:
Don’t be afraid, the fear is fool, we’re wise enough to go
Although the darkness before me I sense the brightness so
If God allow I’ll make my way wherever we want to
To reach our aim, to reach our fame – there’s nothing we can’t do

[Camera raised up to the sky, finally we see all four of heroes. Then cut to mixed capture of faces of Kota and Raia, lying next to theirs mates. Lionesses have similar expressions of joy and relief.]

Chorus, Kota and Raia together:
Don’t be afraid – because you’re still
Don’t be afraid – it’s just a life
Don’t be afraid – cause I am here
Although world fails, we will survive

[They sing; <Don’t be afraid> - Raia, the rest of line with a little thinner voice – Kota. In background another stars fails.]

Don’t be afraid – fears matters not
Don’t be afraid – faith lights the dark
Don’t be afraid – there is no <but>
The love is brightest future’s mark

[Music stops, and camera goes up. It’s directed down and oriented to south. That why in some moment – when all massif is seen - we see the shape of heart.]

Sweet! Nice that Taka and Dhailmu both survived.

It's nice that feelings have been drawn out between Dhailmu and Raia. I'm sure that Nivia would've wanted that.

The change in the king was surprising but maybe it's a start for him. Too bad they have to finish the duel, but a challenge is a challenge.

Good chapter! Update soon! I can understand you're being touched during the translation. I would be too.