bugging you.

            Abel leapt onto all four of his paws, staring with amazement down at the pool before him. "W-Who are you?" he asked, not at all hiding the fear from his voice.

            Don't be scared, I'm not here to hurt you. I have to say, you look good with those scars. Makes you look like a King.

            "I'm not a King," mumbled Abel. "I'm not even handsome."

            See and that's where you're wrong because I find you very handsome. Abel turned his gaze back to the lioness in the pool. She was smiling back at him. It was a genuine smile.

            "Who are you?" he asked.

            My name is Zuri, and I'm real, just like you.

            "Then why are you in there? In the water?"

            The smile faded slightly. Well, bad things have happened to me. Nothing you should worry about.

            Yet Abel felt himself compelled. Bad things have happened, to this lioness before him? "Did they give you those scars?" he asked, indicating the neck.

            She nodded. My sister.

            "Why?"

            Because she was jealous. You see those cubs who were bugging you?

            Abel looked up. The cubs hadn't moved too far away from where he sat to begin their game. "Yeah."

            Soon they'll grow up to be jealous of you.

            Suddenly visions entered Abel's head, of himself being pinned below the large form of Habiku, seeing his sharp teeth gleam before him.

            I can see them too, you know, said Zuri. The visions you have. We're alike, you and I.

            Abel cocked his head in confusion. "How can you see them?"

            I'm your guide, Abel. I was chosen by the Great Kings in the sky to watch out for you. To protect you from all those jealous lions and lionesses who want to hurt you.

            "Hurt... me?" On all accounts Abel should've stopped talking to this beautiful lioness in the water before him. But he couldn't. He was intrigued. "So... you're here to protect me?"

            Zuri nodded her head. Exactly. The Great Kings saw what I went through when I was alive, and they sent me to protect you so that it won't happen again.

            "When you were alive?"

            My jealous sister killed me. This is my second chance, Abel. To help everyone and protect them from evil.

            "Why... why weren't you there, then, when I got attacked a long time ago?"

            She bowed her head in shame. I couldn't reach you then. When it happened, I... I was filled with regret. If you do not trust me because I could not save you, then I understand, and will take my leave.

            The water began to ripple, and Abel's eyes widened. "No!" he cried out, lunging into the pool of water. When he emerged and saw what he had done, he quickly crawled out of the pool, and looked around. But there was no Zuri to be found.

            Abel frantically looked for her. He wanted to know more! Why was she sent to him in particular? Who was jealous of him? Could she see that he had a bad future waiting for him? What about his parents, would they go against him too, just like how her sister went against her? There was so many things he wanted to ask her!

            "Son?" Abel paused in his frantic searches to look over his shoulder at his father, who was cocking his head in confusion. "Are you alright?"

            "Yeah Dad, I'm alright. Just... looking for something."

            Defir seemed skeptical, which Abel noted right away. His father was scrutinizing him! Perhaps he had overheard them?

            "All right," said Defir. "Well, how about we go on a hunt together? We need to do this more frequently."

            At one point, young Abel would've been anxious at the idea of hunting alongside his father. But now the idea seemed bland, tasteless even. Why hunt when he knew he was never going to become stronger?

            But you will become stronger, Zuri's voice said in his head.

            Fur bristling, Abel began to look at the skies, wondering where her voice was coming from. He completely ignored his own father's presence until he heard a more forceful, "Abel!"

            The young lion faced his father, noting the look of anxiety on his face. "Yeah?"

            "Are you... sure you're alright? You seem off today."

            "Yeah, I'm fine," Abel dismissed. He just wanted Zuri to come back.

            "So, how about we go hunting?"

            "Not now, Dad. Maybe later?"

            Defir seemed confused at this. "It's almost dinner time. Soon it'll be too dark to go hunting."

            Abel whirled on him, now angered that his father was not getting it. "Then we'll go tomorrow!" he roared. "Happy?"

            His father backed away, looking shocked at his own son's outburst. Abel found it almost comical. "All right. Suit yourself. Your mother will be coming back soon. Will you be joining us this time?"

            "Yes Dad."

            "Okay..." Defir quickly retreated at the same time Abel heard Zuri chuckling in his ears. He's become afraid of you, she said. This is good. Now he won't be a threat.

            "Zuri, is he a threat?"

            Yes, they all are. Your grandparents, your friends, even your mother are all threats to you. One day, Abel, you will grow up to be an amazing King. All will fall before you, all will serve you. And then, you will no longer have to fear jealously.

            The idea tempted Abel. His mother was always telling him about how he would grow into becoming a king, but the way Zuri described it to him made it even more appealing. He saw himself now, standing upon Pride Rock's peak, looking over all lion prides who have come together to serve under him. There would only be one pride, and it would be his.

            It is better to be feared than to be loved, Zuri went on. When they love you, they'll still be jealous of you. But when they were fear you... well... you will no longer have to worry about them.

            "I see... And you said that the Great Kings sent you?"

            Indeed.

            "So that must mean that they see my future. They want me to be king!"

            Exactly, exactly! Zuri's own excitement sent chills down Abel's spine. Now Abel, you might not forgive me for not helping you those years ago-

            "I do forgive you," he said.

            Hmm, then I shall make a promise to you. I will guide you on this journey. I will make you the mightiest king that ever

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