and Arif followed its source to a dark brown lioness but at her side stood a golden colored lion with a black colored mane and green eyes. The lioness’s eyes were red, same as the brown lion’s. The other lions and lionesses were lined up in a pattern. The others below, on the three ledges, were also in a pattern.

            In that moment, Arif remembered the story of the rulers of the Pridelands told to him by Rafiki… then there were the paintings he’d seen in the Tree of Life. He recognized them, even those who sat on the three stones.

            In spite of his shock, amaze and surprise, he shook his head as the brown lion spoke. “You’re probably wondering why you’re here, aren’t you, Arif?”

            “Y-yes, sir, I am.” He studied the lion, looking him up and down with his eyes. He gasped more out of surprise than fear. “You, you… you’re… You’re King Mohatu,” he said in a trembling voice.

            The lion smiled. “I am.” He turned to the lioness on the ledge at his left side. “And this is my daughter, Uru… and her mate, Ahadi.” His face fell as he mentioned his son-in-law’s name. Even in the afterlife, he wished Ahadi had been a better king.

            Uru smiled at her father and faced the lion shaman. “And, as you know that is your great-grandfather…” the past queen began, motioning to the lion on her mate’s left, but Arif dipped his head and spoke. They let him.

            “Mufasa, and his mate, Sarabi…” Arif paused. Mufasa and Sarabi smiled at him. Arif could now understand where he got most of his strength from, and most of his loving features. “And you are Scar, Mufasa’s brother,” he said to the brown lion that stood on a ledge on the left side of Sarabi. “And you are Zira, Scar’s mate… my other grandmother…” He expected to see some form of anger from the two dead leaders but all he saw was love and peace. It was as if the earthly suffering left Scar and Zira’s bodies when they died and found peace here in heaven.

            He didn’t need to be introduced to Simba and Nala but the three lions on the rock stones below the higher ones, he did not know. They rose and called out their names.

            The first was a beautiful golden lioness with red eyes. “My name is Shani. I am the daughter of King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi, sister of King Simba.” Arif smiled and bowed.

            The second was a gray tan brown lion with a full black colored mane and a goatee on his chin. Arif realized that this was Nuka, his father and aunt’s older brother. He introduced himself kindly. “I am Nuka. Son of King Scar and Queen Zira, brother of Prince Regent Kovu of the Pridelands and Queen Vitani of the Northlands… Nice to meet ya, kid!” He smirked.

            The final lion was gold colored with a brown red mane and green eyes. “And I am Kopa, son of King Simba and Queen Nala, brother of Princess Regent Kiara of the Pridelands. I’m your other uncle.”

            Arif was so enamored by the sight that he did not bow. He couldn’t.

            Mohatu spoke. “Now that we’re all here, we can begin. Arif, the Lord allowed Simba to come back to the physical realm to bring you here because we, and He, have a special message for you.”

            “And… what is that, sire,” Arif asked with all respect.

            “It’s about your brother, Baraka,” said Sarabi. “The Lord is worried for him, as are we.”

            Scar idly pawed at the stone and with as much dignity as he could muster, he spoke. “Baraka doesn’t have a mate and I’m sure as you already know that without a mate, his bloodline will surely end. We have called you here because you are closer to him than Kiara and Kovu. You are his shaman, his spiritual guide.” He paused and shyly looked around him. No one held any cruel stares to him. Simba, Mufasa, Uru and Mohatu smiled with pride. Sarabi, Nala and Zira looked at him with love. Kopa, Shani and Nuka admired him. Since he came to heaven, he had grown healthier and wiser. But Ahadi had a cold expression.

            “He already knows that, Scar!” said the lion with a hiss. “For crying out loud, can’t you say something more decent than what he already knows?” His green eyes snapped with anger.

            Mohatu turned to his son-in-law, his face grim. “Ahadi, be respectful. This is a family discussion. If you can’t be kind to your son, my grandson a king of the past, then please, leave.”

            Without waiting for objections, Ahadi snarled and turned, walking down the rock. Uru watched him and sighed. Even in the afterlife her mate still hated their second son. She turned to Arif. “I apologize. He doesn’t mean to be like that but -”

            “Yes, he does, Mother,” said Scar with a downcast stare. Zira gently nuzzled him and purred. Nuka looked up at his father with a loving smile.

            “Worry not about him, daughter, I’ll talk with him later,” Mohatu said.

            “I do know that Baraka has no mate, but what does that have to do with me?” asked Arif in confusion.

            “You are a shaman,” Nala spoke. “You are in contact with the spirits and a healer for the animals and the pride. We feel that your predecessor, Rafiki, will be unable to handle what we are about to say.”

            “Alright,” Arif replied.

            “You are also Baraka’s brother, his one and only,” Mohatu addressed. “You, like your brother have the heart and mind of us all. Your brother has been blessed with Kovu and Kiara as parents.” At this, Simba and Zira exchanged glances. They were indeed proud of their children and since entering heaven, they never felt the hatred for each other as they had had in life. The moment they entered the gates of paradise, the past was put to rest, never to be woken again.

            “Baraka has been blessed with the things God has given him,” Simba said. “He has never had to obtain for it. But there is one blessing set in motion that Baraka must obtain it.”

            “Your brother has no mate,” said Zira. “He doesn’t love any of the lionesses in the pride and because of this he is putting his own future at risk.”

            “In our own way, we understand his reasons but he cannot live alone forever,” said Mufasa. “All of us, even Mohatu, found someone to love and share our lives with. Whatever the case may be, we have found that God will provide for Baraka a mate that is worthy of him.”

            “We do not know much about her. Even the Almighty can keep secrets,” Sarabi stated. “What has been told to us… caused us to be rather amazed. There is a special plan for this lioness.”

            Arif nodded and Shani rose. “The lioness is very special but how special we do not know.”

            “We do know that she has had a very hard life but has learned a lot from it and has endured many other trials and tribulations,” Kopa added, which earned him a proud gaze from Simba and Nala.

            “She might be able to help Baraka but Baraka has to make the final decision,” said Nuka. “Think of it has a test. If he passes, the Pridelands won’t have to worry but if he fails…” The former prince trailed off.

            Arif knew. “If it doesn’t work, my children will take over…” He sighed and looked up at them. “I am not going to have my cubs rule after Baraka unless, this lioness you speak of, can help him. If anything changes… for him that is, there is no need for my bloodline