TLK 4; the seeds of goodness Part three: The Fall Legal note; all characters found in the TLK movies are (c) Disney. All other characters are (c) Me Sigurd Engerström. This is the third part of TLK IV Comments and such are welcome to: Timba@inhell.com Drop dead notes and flames to: Thrashcan@unwantedmail.com This is the third part of TLK IV, to fully understand it; you will have to read TLK III the legacy of Zira (all parts) and the two previous parts of TLK IV Characters: Old: Timba: The present king of the priderock Pinja: The present queen of the priderock Kubaki: An evil leopard Bob: A "green" human soldier, controlled by Kubaki Aihatu: The former queen of the rimlands, now a member of the pridelanders Leesha: Aihatu's daughter Damu: a blood-red lion, son of Muwabu and Linnie Muzih: daughter to Muwabu and Kirza, sister to Dizjuh and Bitehmi Dizjuh: sister to Muzih and Bitehmi Nokata: a previous member of the Jaw pride, now a pride-lander Bitehmi: sister to Muzih and Dizjuh Dunsj: An evil demon, is now a restless spirit Bubby: the major domo of the pridelands Rasawah: Timba and Watabi's son (also called Miakah) New: Sidun: Timba and Pinja's firstborn son (nickname: Sid) Kikafu: Timba and Pinja's second born son, twin to Sidun (nickname: Kiká) Kamu: one of the former rimlanders Character note: Timba can for some reason not use the letter "s" he uses "z" instead. "Maovu" Damu can't speak properly, so he might talk very strange. And a p in parentheses means that the character is possessed (p) Chapters: Prologue C20: The twins C21: The weight of grief C22: Realms of night C23: Pains of maturity C24: Cursed by hate C25: Painful truth C26: Deuz ex machina Epilogue There is also a cheetah language that is used frequently... This little dictionary might help a bit on it, 'cause without it, it would be hard to understand what some characters, especially the cheetahs, say some times... Zhiech = thanks Yoah / Yobaduz = hi/hello Mizhk / naklat = goodbye Zibihi = lion Kobto = little/small Ninibi / ikaba / bathar = see you later Nam = my Nim = one Aka = two Zik = three Mira = tail _ Ki = I \ Akh = am ==(used only when introducing themselves) Kiah = I'm _/ Raka = poor Buko = stupid/idiot Azna = father/dad Faha = mother/mom Ban = yes Cot = no Kekaba = cheetah Bitikibi = love/lover/mate Ententa = spotted Tekahn = human/terran Rasaw = filthy / unclean (add a "ah" after and it means "filthy one") Uzuk = evil / twisted (+ "ah" and it means "evil one") Miak = pure / clean (+ "ah" and it means "pure one") Yet another note: The two human armies is called "the star of blue", "CNDB" or "blue" and "the hawk of green" or "green" Just to straighten a few question marks about what the humans say sometimes Prologue Some months after the Rim pride had joined the pridelanders, Pinja began to show signs of pregnancy. Both she and Timba sat on the top of the priderock and watched the endless plains beneath them... Pinja: Timba? Timba: [with a dreaming voice] yez? Pinja: what should we name the cubs? Timba: [still dreaming] mmm... Pinja: no... seriously... Timba: uh? Oh... well I don't know... do you have any ideaz? Pinja: I was thinking about Sidun if it was a male... Timba: or Kikafu... or Zuna if it is a girl... Pinja: you know what? Let's decide when the cub is born... She kissed him on his cheek and rubbed her head under his muzzle Pinja: I love you, Timba Aka-mira... Timba: I love you too, nam zibihi She looked into his eyes Pinja: zibihi means lion, doesn't it? Timba: yez it doez, nam bitikibi... Pinja: Hah! That means love! Timba nodded and Pinja smiled triumphantly Timba: you learn fazt... Pinja: well [giggles] I had a good teacher At the same time Bubby came flew in and ruined the magic atmosphere, he landed in front of the couple and bowed... Bubby: good day sire... Timba: [grunts] what iz it that iz zo important that it can't wait? Bubby: well... nothing else than that the two shamans will go to a meeting in some months... uhm... that's all... I won't disturb you any further, bye... He took off and flew away... Pinja looked on Timba, then on the horizon, and finally down on her large belly... Pinja: well, I promised to look after Aihatu's daughter... Timba: aw... Pinja: see you later... nam bitikibi... She gave him a loving smile before she went down from the rock Chapter XX The twins Almost a month later Pinja gave birth to two male cubs, the proud mother laid inside the den with her two infant sons sleeping at her side. Timba, Nokata and Aihatu stood around her... Aihatu: congratulations Pinja, you're a mother... Pinja: [a little tired] thanks, but I already know that I am... Nokata: yeah. Anyway, what are their names going to be? Pinja: well... Timba and I agreed on the names Sidun and Kikafu... Aihatu: nice... but who's who? Timba: Pinja came up with the name Zidun firzt; zo... the firztborn will be Zidun... Pinja: ...and his brother will be Kikafu.... Nokata: that are terrific names, couldn't have made them better myself... Pinja: [yawns] gee, I'm so tired... Aihatu: well, you have all right to be, dear... [She mentioned for Nokata to leave] guess we'd better leave them alone now Nokata: yep, let's get going... They went out from the den and collided with Slodia and Amakahr... Slodia: ops, sorry Nokata: no, don't worry Amakahr: how is the queen? Aihatu: she's just fine, and she's sleeping right now... Slodia: hmm, then we'd better come back later... well, I'm a little curious... what did she get? Nokata: twin sons... the first is Sidun and the other Kikafu Slodia: nice names... [A short pause] nah, I feel like join in on some gossip right now... Aihatu: you're so welcome Slodia... Nokata: let's get to it, or they start without us... The three felines went down to the place where the lionesses used to hang out, leaving Amakahr behind... He quickly climbed up on a rock above the entrance to the den and started to meditate... Some months passed and the twins grew to be two wandering balls of mischief for the pride, they rarely sat still. Most of the time they was either playing with each other and Leesha, or they were up to something... They woke up right before dawn and went out to play... Kikafu: hey, let's go check the river, Sid! Sidun: [hesitates] Didn't mom forbid us to go there alone? Kikafu: aw, come on, I'll race you there... the loser will have to kiss Leesha... Sidun: prepare your lips Kiká, cus you are going to kiss the whole pride Kikafu: oh yeah? Both of them darted away towards the not so distant river, Sidun had a slight lead over Kikafu. They had reached the river when Sidun suddenly tripped on a branch and hit his head on a stone... Kikafu saw terrified how crimson blood began to stain the stone and the ground under it... Kikafu: Sid? Are you all right? He carefully prodded Sidun's shoulder, nothing happened. He prodded Sidun once more, and he suddenly jerked back to life... Sidun: [screaming] AAAAHHH!!! MY EYEEE!!! Kikafu: Sid!! STOP!!! THE RIVER!!! The warning came to late, the blinded cub had ran right out into the river and was brought away by the strong current, Kikafu saw petrified how his brother hit a large rock in the water and disappeared below the surface... his eyes scanned the surface desperately for a sign of his brother... but none occurred... Kikafu: SIDUN!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! He kept up yelling for at least five minutes when his voice didn't bear anymore. He checked once again for any sign of Sidun... then he slowly turned around and saw a dreadful sight, Sidun's eye was pinned to a sharp edge on the stone he had hit his head on, Kikafu turned around and threw up... After several hours someone noticed that the two princes were missing. Timba went out to find his two sons; he managed to catch their scent and followed the trace towards the river. When he came near the river he could feel the foul stench of blood and he quickened his pace. He found Kikafu sit and stares out in the horizon with soul-less eyes... Timba: Kiká! Where is Sid? The cub did not answer. He didn't react either... Timba: Kiká! What happened? Kikafu slowly turned his head to face his father... Kikafu: [with a hoarse and shivering voice] Sidun is gone... Timba: [chocked] What? Kikafu: [same shivering and hoarse voice] Sidun is gone... he hit his head... [Begins to cry] then he ran right out into the river... and... and... it's my fault... I talked him into going here [sob] oh gods! [Sob] I killed my own brother... please dad... [Sob] forgive me [sob] Timba: it wazn't your fault Kiká [he hugs his crying son] pleaze don't blame yourzelf, zon, it wazn't your fault.... The cub did not answer and Timba picked him up in his mouth and carried him home. It was a silent journey; nothing was heard except for Kikafu's sowings. When they came home Pinja met them... Pinja: Timba? Where is Sid? And why is Kiká crying? Kikafu: [with the same hoarse shivering voice as before] Sid is gone... Pinja: No!!! He can't be... please tell me he isn't!!! Kikafu: he... fell into the river... Pinja: the river! What were you doing there?? Didn't I forbid you to go there? Kikafu: I'm sorry mom [sob] it was my fault... [sob] I wanted to race him there... he... he fell and hit his head [sob] ...he laid s...still... I poked him [sob] and... he jumped up and ran right... right out into the water... [sob] he was alive!!! He was alive when he fell... fell into the river...[sob] I killed him... Pinja: no... don't say that Kiká... it was an accident, I didn't mean to yell at you... Aihatu and Nokata, who happened to be nearby, heard the sobbing cub... Aihatu: why are Kiká crying? And where is Sid? Pinja glared at her with tearful eyes... Nokata: is he...? Timba nodded slowly Nokata: oh my god... why him? He had barely begun his life... why? Aihatu struggled to keep her tears from falling from her eyes, she couldn't and large tears rolled down on her cheeks... Aihatu: [tear broken voice] come Nokata... we'll go tell the others... With their heads low, they left the mourning family and went to tell the rest of the pride of the fatal accident... Chapter XXI The weight of grief As the days after the tragedy began to grow many, the sorrow slowly lifted from the pride, for all except little Kikafu. He could sit and stare out in nothing for several hours; he spoke only rarely and ate very little. Both his parents and the two shamans worried about his dropping health. Kikafu sat in the innermost corner of the den and stared into the ground, Pinja entered the den with a piece of meat in her mouth... Pinja: look what I got for you Kiká... The cub looked up on her Kikafu: I'm not hungry, but thanks anyway... Pinja: okay... I leave this for you... here She offered him the piece of meat, but he shoved it away... Kikafu: I'm not hungry mom... She laid the piece of meat in front of him again and put her paw on his shoulder... Pinja: I know that you still grieve Sid, but it's time for you to get on with your life. One day the sun will shine upon you once again... Kikafu buried his face in his paws... Kikafu: how can the sun possibly shine on a murderer? Pinja: please Kiká, don't blame yourself, you couldn't do anything to stop it... Kikafu: [begins to cry] Why did he have to die? Why wasn't it me who fell into the river? He deserved to live! Pinja: Kiká listen, if you had fallen into the river instead of Sid, then he would have been here asking himself why it was you who had to die... please Kiká, come on out, it's a wonderful day outside... Kikafu: [still crying] if it would please you, mom... He rose slowly to his paws and went outside. Pinja picked up the meat and followed her son. Kikafu went straight to a couple of boulders underneath a big tree where he and Sidun had been told many stories in the past, he sat down where he used to and looked on the empty spot that had been occupied by his brother... All by sudden Leesha came by... Leesha: Hi Kiká He did not reply so Leesha skipped over to him and sat down at Sidun's spot Leesha: it's nice to see you among the living again, Kiká... Kikafu sighed... Leesha: oh, you're still sad about Sid, huh? Kikafu: [with a sad voice] yes... Leesha: it has to be hard to see him die... [reconsiders what she just said] I mean... Kikafu: I know what you mean Leesha... and it was very painful... Leesha: hmm... [tilts her head] I think that I have to cheer you up Kiká [nuzzles him gently] now lighten up Kiká; there's a whole world out there to explore. Don't let it slip trough your paws... Kikafu sighed and Leesha nuzzled him again... Leesha: now come on, let's go check that rock-formation on the other side of the priderock, I never been there... have you? Kikafu: if you want to, then I'll go with you... Leesha: fine, I'll race you there... That sentence burned like arrows of fire inside Kikafu, he couldn't stand to face it and began to run away from Leesha, and she thought that they were competing and darted after him. Even if she was a lot older than Kikafu, she couldn't catch up with him. After a while she had to lower her pace in order to catch her breath, she now noticed that she had pursued him towards the river, after some gasps for air she increased her pace again and went the same way that Kikafu had taken, only a few moments later she found him sitting at the shore of the river and she walked up to him... Leesha: this is the place, isn't it? Kikafu: [sad] yes, it was here Sid died, that [points on a stone with very sharp edges, Sid's eye was still pinned on it] was the stone that blinded him... Leesha: tell me... why did you run away like that? Kikafu: [sighs] it was because of the words you said... "I race you there" was among the last things I ever said to him... Leesha: [with tears in her eyes] I'm sorry... [she nuzzled him again] I'm so sorry Kikafu: you didn't know Leesha... but it hurt me so much that I just had to get away from it... Leesha: I understand Kiká... you know... if we bothers Slodia long enough, she might tell us a story, doesn't that sound fun? Kikafu: you go bother her... I don't feel like to hear a story right now... Leesha: well... you could talk to her, and you know what? I heard that she can arrange meetings with dead creatures... she could maybe set you up with Sid... now does that sounds nice to you? Kikafu: [his face shone up like a torch] a meeting... with Sid? What are we waiting for? He darted away towards the priderock in a pace that Leesha just could manage to keep up with... Back at the water hole, Aihatu was busy discussing a matter of less importance with the two shamans of the pridelands when the two cubs arrived... Amakahr: well, good day Kiká Kikafu: hi Amakahr... [to Slodia] Slodia, can I talk to you? Slodia: sure hon... Kikafu: ... alone... Slodia: ok [to the others] excuse me... Both of them walked away from the water hole to get some privacy... Slodia: ok Kiká, what's so important? Kikafu: I heard that you could arrange meetings with dead people... Slodia: that's true... Kikafu: can you set me up with Sid? Slodia: well, it is possible... but I need something that belonged to him, like some fur... Kikafu's face went sad again... Kikafu: then it's as good as impossible, how can I... wait... his eye... Slodia: [disgusted] his eye? Kikafu: yes, his eye, he lost it before he died... let's go get it before it's gone! The cub trotted away towards the river and came back moments later with his brother's dehydrated eye in his mouth. Kikafu: here, I found it! Slodia took the eye and held it carefully in her mouth. She made a sign for Kikafu to follow, she led him to the shamans tree and up in it. Once there she put her precious cargo in a wooden bowl... Slodia: this might make you feel sick, but you have to witness it... Kikafu: no problem... She took a turtle shell and placed it front of Kikafu... Slodia: if you have to puke, then do it in this shell. Kikafu: I don't think I need it Slodia: all right then. Let's get started... Ezema Kwusa! Maziha Kinto! Kahaza Kiza Sidun, Kiza Sidun... The sight that appeared made Kikafu's stomach to twist and turn. The eye had begun to hover over the bowl, surrounded by a red substance... his poor stomach tried to keep his lunch inside but could not stand against it. Then he threw up... he did so many times, and he was close to faint when he threw up for the fifth time... Suddenly everything went silent, the eyeball had fallen back into the bowl. Slodia: [panting] its done Kiká... you will meet him tonight... Kikafu: [very weak] where? She pointed right between his eyes... Slodia: right here, you will meet him in your dreams; I will meet you there as well, just in case you would need me Kikafu: [still weak] okay... [he looked down on the mess in the shell] and sorry bout this mess... Slodia: don't worry, we'll clean it in no time, just help he to get it down to the river... Together they managed to bring the shell down to the river and clean it from it's stinking contents. When the cleaning job was done and the shell was brought back to the tree, and Kikafu went back home... Chapter XXII Realms of night Kikafu fell asleep early the following night, in his dreams he entered a vision of light. Then he suddenly heard a familiar voice... Sidun: Kiká? Is that you? Kikafu: Sid... yes it is me... where are you, I can't see you... Sidun: I cannot show myself yet. I look too horrible... Kikafu: I can handle it... Suddenly another voice entered the vision Slodia: are you sure Kiká, do you remember what happened earlier today? Kikafu: oh... Sidun: believe me Kiká, you don't want to see me like this, and that would be the best for us all... Kikafu: I really miss you Sid. Sidun: I would have missed you if you died, well; it's good to see you anyway. Kikafu: life has not been the same Sid... Sidun: I know, but things like this happen Kiká, it's just a part of the circle, you can't prevent it. But right now I think you should let go of your sorrow, and get on with your life. And please don't blame yourself Kiká; it was me who was clumsy... Kikafu: I will Sid... Sidun: it was nice to meet you again Kiká... Kikafu: no... wait... one last thing... Sidun: yes? Kikafu: I want to give you a hug... but that's not possible is it? Sidun: there's no rule against it... Kikafu: I'll close my eyes so that I won't see you... Sidun: you know, I wanted to ask you the same... Kikafu closed his eyes and felt how two arms were wrapped around his neck, and he clung his arms around Sidun's neck. They hugged each other for a very long time, until both of them let go at the same time. Sidun: it's almost morning now Kiká, I have to go... take care until the day we meet again... Kikafu: I will, just for you bro Sidun: thanks... The vision began to fade away and Kikafu woke up right before the dawn. He saw that no one else was awake so he went outside; suddenly he heard Slodia's voice out of nowhere. Slodia: and where do you think you are going? Kikafu turned around and was relieved when he saw whom it was, Slodia laid on a boulder and looked down on him. Kikafu: oh, it's you... you scared me Slodia: [smirks] that was my intention, little prince Kikafu: hey, don't smirk at me... Slodia: sure hon, if you tell me where you were going... Kikafu: simple, I was going to see the sun rise. Slodia: mind if I joined up? Kikafu: I don't see what stops you from doing so... Slodia: thanks Kiká. Together they walked up to the top of the huge rock and waited for the golden orb to begin its path on the sky... Slodia: you feel better now Kiká? Kikafu: yeah, a lot, but I still miss him... Slodia: I miss him too Kiká... oh look, there comes the sun... Both of them watched silent as the sun began to rise above the horizon Kikafu: the sun shine inside me again... I'm alive... Chapter XXIII Pains of maturity The time passed by and Rasawah grew very much, he was now as high as Inkhobi... Rasawah sat and watched how Inkhobi attended an infected wound on a serval. Inkhobi: there you go... just rest your leg for a day and it will be as good as new again Serval: hey thanks Inkhobi... you ought to be kindness personified Inkhobi: no need to thank me, I'm just doing my duty... Serval: whatever, but thanks anyway... The little feline limped away and Inkhobi turned to Rasawah... Inkhobi: you know what day it is today? Rasawah: uh... no I...I don't Inkhobi: today its exactly ten months since you were born, and you know what that means, don't you? Rasawah: no... n...not exactly... Inkhobi: today you will be given your mantlement... Rasawah almost dropped his jaw down into the ground... Inkhobi: well, you are not alone; your brother Conhaba will be around as well Rasawah: does t...that mean t...that... Inkhobi: Watabi comes, yes. But she won't harm you now, you can with ease hit back, and she knows that you can [sees Conhaba and Watabi approach] well speak of the devil... there she is... you can wait over at the mounds Rasawah... Rasawah: no p...problem azna He climbed up for a nearby termite mound and watched the scenery below him. Watabi and Inkhobi spoke to each other, then all three of them went inside... after a while Rasawah noticed that two other cheetahs appeared, they spoke with each other, but stopped as soon as Conhaba came out from the termite mound, they spoke some words to each other. Then, to Rasawah's surprise, the two other cheetahs darted away in different directions and Conhaba sprinted after one of them. The other stopped when she noticed that she wasn't followed... then she saw Rasawah and her face literally shone up like the sun... Cheetah: yoah up there! Waiting for something, or maybe someone? Rasawah: yoah! I'm w...waiting f...for Inkhobi Cheetah: hmm... [she looked him over] how old are you? Rasawah: I am... t...t...ten months t...today... The female cheetah looked very surprised... Cheetah: only ten months? You look a lot older than that, cause your far to strong built to be only ten... have you been working out? Rasawah: d...doing what? Cheetah: exercising, training Rasawah: oh... no... I...I haven't Cheetah: well, anyway... are you going to have your mantlement now? Rasawah: yeah... as soon as my mother left... He saw Watabi leave the cave and disappear out on the vast plains Cheetah: is that your mother? Then you must be Conhaba's brother [she drew close to him and whispered in his ear] I'll be waiting for you... She gave him a lick on his cheek before she left him... then Inkhobi called him to the entrance of the cavern... Inkhobi: come on in Rasawah... Rasawah obeyed and entered trough the hole, when he got in, Inkhobi signed for him to come closer, and then the ritual began... Outside the cave, the female cheetah that had talked to Rasawah sat and waited patiently. Suddenly something moved in the grass near her and Watabi emerged from her hiding place... Watabi: what are you doing? Cheetah: well, I'm waiting for the guy in there to come out... She pointed towards the termite mound. Watabi: do you have any clue that it is you are waiting for? Cheetah: yep, he's Conhaba's brother... Watabi: [interrupts her] no he's not... the guy you are waiting for is Rasawah... The cheetah stared at Watabi in disbelief... Cheetah: oh great Madun! The filthy one... I'm out of here... The cheetah leapt away with the highest speed she could possibly muster and Watabi left the place with a malicious grin on her lips... Not even a whole minute after Watabi had left was Rasawah's mantlement finished. He was certain that the female cheetah was waiting for him. But when he came out from the cave, he saw the truth... he was alone... no one was waiting for him... he looked around, searching for any trace of the cheetah... Rasawah: [thinking] maybe she's just late... As the seconds passed he realized that she wouldn't come. He sat down in the grass and wiped the stinking substance off his chin with a paw... When Inkhobi looked out, Rasawah left very quickly, but Inkhobi saw him... Inkhobi: [shouting] RASAWAH!!! COME BACK!!! Inkhobi's shouting was to no use. Rasawah was already gone. Inkhobi stood and looked around, trying to figure out what could have caused Rasawah to react like he did, or rather, the non-presence of it. He could scent that someone else had been there just recently, and then he scented something else, something he knew... Inkhobi: [very low] Watabi... He almost jumped up in the air when he heard rustle in the grasses behind him; he turned around and saw a young lioness approach him Inkhobi: [still mad] Yoah zibihi, can I help you? The lioness hesitated on even standing where she did Lioness: maybe I should come back later? Inkhobi: [a little calmer] no... excuse me for being a little on the edge for the moment. So... how can I help you zibihi? Lioness: well, first you could call me Dizjuh. Second, I need your advice... Inkhobi: sure Dizjuh, what advice do you want? Dizjuh: well, my brother has been acting strange lately... he has become the complete opposite of what he used to be... I think you know "Maovu" Damu... Inkhobi: oho, Damu, what about him? Dizjuh: as soon as yesterday he was his own timid self, now he has become a monster... Inkhobi: just over a night? From what I heard, you and your pride have abused him all since Muwabu's death. Dizjuh: no... we'd never do anything like that... Inkhobi: I know that you froze him out from the pride, punished him without any reason, calling him nicknames... I think that this has been building up inside him for a long time... A tear rolled down Dizjuh's cheek Dizjuh: I came to you for help... what do I receive? A kick in my face... Inkhobi: my point is that you put yourselves into this mess, and only you can solve it again... Dizjuh: what do you mean? Inkhobi: you were betrothed to him, weren't you? Dizjuh: how did you know? Inkhobi: that is unimportant... all you will have to do is to show him that you love him... Dizjuh: [shouting] SHOULD I SURRENDER MYSELF! TO MY OWN BROTHER? Inkhobi: your brother? I'm not sure that he is your brother... Dizjuh: but... we have the same father... Inkhobi: that is not true... Muwabu only had one child, and that is Damu... Dizjuh: but I won't mate to that little monster... Inkhobi: did I tell you to mate with him? No I didn't, I meant that you should show him that you care about him, as a sister...that is what he needs right now... someone to take care of him... Dizjuh: [getting angry] do you know what that little demon done to me? Inkhobi: I know well what Muwabu wanted him to do. Damu never wanted you as a mate.... Dizjuh: why do you keep protecting him all the time? Inkhobi: I do that because if you got your will, he'd be dead by nightfall... he needs you, he sees you like a mother and a sister... Dizjuh: [getting even angrier] That little Vermin keeps up poking me places I don't want him to touch... you get that? Inkhobi: so... he does... you never told him not to, have you? Dizjuh: not exactly... Inkhobi: there you see, you never told him to quit it... [remembers Rasawah] and if you excuse me now... He turned around to leave, but Dizjuh grabbed his tail with a paw... Inkhobi: [very angry] great Madun... I hate when people do like that... Dizjuh: you think I would leave you without getting any help? Inkhobi: your problem is self-caused; I need to find one who is in a greater need of help that you... Dizjuh: suit yourself... She hit him right trough his face with a paw. Inkhobi rubbed his face for a second. Dizjuh: who can possibly need more help than me? Inkhobi: Rasawah does, now let go of my tail before I remember how to curse you... Dizjuh: [surprised] Rasawah? The guy with one ear... the "filthy" one? Inkhobi: yes that Rasawah, now let me go before he kills himself... Dizjuh: what? Inkhobi: his own mother crushed his heart... Dizjuh: [chocked] why would she do that? Inkhobi: she's raving mad, that's why... He pulled his tail out of Dizjuh's grip, and then he sniffed once in the air. When he had catched Rasawah's scent, he departed in the same direction Rasawah had left... Dizjuh stood speechless and watched as the shaman disappeared, then she heard something in a nearby bush... Voice: damn it... a cactus... humph, cactus or no cactus, I will get that little sucker... OW! Dizjuh: [frightened] w...who's there? Mazho jumped out from the bush a second later with cactus spikes in his nose and a paw-shaped leaf in his hand... Mazho: the name's Mazho if ya want to know... He pulls all of the spikes out at once, while making a pained face... Mazho: [continuing] and you are? Dizjuh: I am Dizjuh... [imitates Mazho] if ya want to know... Mazho: very funny [he rubs his nose] now... can I help you with anything? Dizjuh: you're not a shaman are you? Mazho: [laughs] no I'm not... I just help Inkhobi with some tasks... but lets see if I can help you... Dizjuh: fine...who is Rasawah's mother and where does she live? Mazho: easy... his mother is Watabi, and she's a bitch... I'll show you where she live as soon as I have put this herb aside... He walked over to the cavern, entered it and threw the herb in a bowl on the floor, and then he walked back to Dizjuh... Mazho: ok, it's not that far, but too far for me to walk... if you don't mind [he makes a gesture towards her shoulders] Dizjuh: sure... jump up and hold tight... He jumped up on her shoulders and off they went... In the meantime Inkhobi had found Rasawah... he sat on the edge of a very deep chasm... he did not seem to have noticed Inkhobi. He just sat and looked down into the seemingly bottomless gap in front of him. He took a deep breath and Inkhobi stopped in his move... Rasawah: [crying towards the sky] why m...me? Great Madun... w...what have I done? I...I don't want to live a...anymore, please let it e...end with little pain... He lifted his paw to take the final step when he suddenly hesitated and looked towards the sky again... Rasawah: [still crying] w...will it hurt? He put his paw down on the ground again... Rasawah: p...please Madun, d...don't let it be p...painful Inkhobi walked slowly over to the edge of the ravine and sat down beside Rasawah Rasawah: d...don't try t...to stop me azna... Inkhobi looked down into the ravine in front of them... Inkhobi: there is a long way to fall Rasawah, are you sure you want to end like a red spot on the floor of the ravine? Rasawah nodded while shedding large tears Inkhobi: [looks down into the ground] then... [looks on Rasawah] then be sure to jump long enough... because if you don't, you'll be smashed against the walls... Rasawah: will it h...hurt? Inkhobi: I don't know Rasawah... but when you reach the afterlife, would you be kind to say hello to my dear mother? Rasawah swallowed hard and looked down into the chasm, then on Inkhobi and finally down into the ground... Then after several silent seconds he turned around and walked away from the edge of the ravine. Inkhobi went after him... Inkhobi: where are you going? Rasawah stopped but did not turn around... Rasawah: I...I'm leaving t...this land... it h...has only been p...painful to b...be here... I c...can't stay azna... Inkhobi: [sighs] if that is your decision, then I won't stop you... Rasawah: zhiech azna for understanding me... He began to walk again... Inkhobi: no... wait! Rasawah stopped again Rasawah: yes azna? Inkhobi: wait here... I'll be back in a moment... Without even waiting for a reply, the cheetah shaman ran as fast as he could back to the termite mound and went inside. He went into the innermost corner of the cave and dug out a rusty metal-box from the wall. He opened in carefully and picked up its contents, a small very succumbed root... Inkhobi: [to himself] it's so many years since I found it... now it will finally be put to good use... He took the root in his mouth, went out from the cave and ran back to Rasawah, where he laid the root in front of him... Rasawah: what is t...that azna? Inkhobi: that, Rasawah, is a very rare root... I found it several years ago... it can cure you from your stammering... please take it as a parting gift... Rasawah looked on the root, and then he looked on Inkhobi with large, sad eyes... Rasawah: I r...really hate to leave you azna... I love you so much... He clung both of his arms around Inkhobi's neck... Inkhobi: I love you too... Miakah... Rasawah slowly let go of his embrace and took the root in his mouth and chewed it a couple of times before swallowing it, then he let out a loud belch... Rasawah: zhiech azna... I will always see you as my real father... mizhk Inkhobi... Inkhobi: naklat nam son... Rasawah turned around and walked away. Inkhobi watched as his stepson disappeared out in the wide world, when Rasawah was out of sight Inkhobi began to shed large tears... Chapter XXIV Cursed by hate Watabi was sleeping when Dizjuh and Mazho found her. Without even making the slightest noise the lioness crept closer and closer to the sleeping cheetah. When she stood all by her side she stopped... Dizjuh: [to Mazho] so this is Rasawah's mother? Mazho: yep... that is Watabi... Dizjuh: good... and if you wouldn't mind? Mazho: sure... The meercat jumped down from the lionesses shoulders and walked a bit away... Dizjuh poked the cheetah's side, first very gently, then more rough, but first at the third attempt she managed to wake Watabi up. Watabi saw Dizjuh and was up on her paws a split second later. Watabi: [growling] what do you mean with waking me, zibihi? Dizjuh: the reason, Watabi, was to get your attention... Watabi: how do you know my name? Dizjuh: well, I know your son... Rasawah... To her surprise Watabi began to grin evilly. Watabi: HAH! That weakling will die soon enough... because I have sent a demon to kill him... Dizjuh: No! You can't do that... [growls] You take that curse back... NOW!!! Watabi: how on earth can I take something back that can't be undone? Dizjuh bared her deadly arsenal of teeth and claws... Dizjuh: you take it back... or I'll kill you! Without any warning, a blood-crimson adolescent lion attacked her from behind, knocking her off her feet... she fell onto her side, facing her attacker... she recognized him immediately... Dizjuh: MAOVU??? Damu: Me be Damu! You try to kill me love? Dizjuh: what? Damu: Watabi, you try to kill her? Dizjuh: yes I'm going to kill her you stupid bag of shit... Damu: no, you not... He slapped her across her face, and then he went over to Watabi... Damu: tell her... Watabi: [to Damu] yes nam zibihi [to Dizjuh] well, you must be Dizjuh. The one who abused my Damu [grins] and according to the cheetah laws, you're going to die for that... Dizjuh: dream on spotty, you two are the one's who are going to die here... She bared her teeth once more, but before she could attack, Damu had leapt on her and pinned her firmly to the ground... Damu: no... me think you not can kill me... Dizjuh: [growls viciously] get off me Maovu, or... Watabi cuffed her across her muzzle with her blunted claws out Watabi: or what? [calling out] DUNSJ!!! As on command, the ghost demon appeared next to them... Dunsj: you yelled for me Watabi... Watabi: your damned right I did [points on Dizjuh] look, we found something for you... He looked Dizjuh over with his red eyes and nodded Dunsj: yeah... "Something"... she's a perfect victim [snickers evilly] it's almost a shame to infest her... nah... let's get this over with before I get sentimental... Watabi: right... Dunsj: you know the spell, don't you? Watabi: [nods] yep... Dunsj: then let's get started... Watabi walked over to face Dizjuh... Watabi: Aki Mana Zamuti, Kila Rita Teti Clati Nictu... As she spelled the curse, Dunsj image transformed into a blackish cloud. As Watabi preceded the smoke entered Dizjuh's nose-drils. As a reaction she began to twist her head back and forth while moaning like she was suffering of some fatal illness. Then her head fell to the ground and both of her eyes opened. Damu and Watabi watched as Dizjuh's eyes slowly turned to a crimson color. Damu: [a little worried] you sure she be ok? Watabi: trust me Damu, as soon as Dunsj has fulfilled his task, she'd be at perfect health again [thinking] no she won't you buko zibihi... Damu: [relieved] good, me still love her... Watabi: ah, don't forget that she almost killed you in the past... Damu: she not know better... Watabi: nah... let's not talk let's do something instead She kissed Damu allover his face while embracing him... Watabi: [continuing] because it will take a while for Dunsj to possess her... so what would you like to do while we wait? She kissed him again... Damu: you decide Watabi... Watabi: then be prepared Damu... She tilted him over on his back and began to kiss him passionately... Chapter XXV Painful truth Dizjuh woke up in a crimson world, the hard ground, the sky; everything was as red as blood. She heard cries of pain and agony from everywhere. Without thinking she began to run, but she did not get far because long vines shot up from the ground and ensnared her legs, causing her to trip and fall to the ground. Then even more vines emerged from the ground and shoot around her and held her in a firm grip. Then she heard someone laugh sinisterly behind her, she could not move her head to see who it was... Dunsj: so... you thought you could slip away, huh? Dizjuh struggled to get free from the vines grip... Dizjuh: who are you? Where are you? Dunsj: [fake surprised] me? I am Dunsj, and I... or rather we are inside your mind... Dizjuh: we? Dunsj: you and I... we Dizjuh: what do you want? Dunsj appeared in front of him and gave her a sharp-toothed grin Dunsj: I want to possess you so I can carry out the curse... Dizjuh: curse? Dunsj: yeah, Watabi cursed her own son, I will have to hunt him down... and when I find him [clenches his fist] I will KILL him... Dizjuh: [terrified] Nooo! You can't do that! Dunsj: oh yes I can... and you will bring me to him Dizjuh... you are the chosen victim because you betrayed one of my few friends... Dizjuh: Whom are you talking about? Dunsj: I'm talking about Damu, your brother... Dizjuh: what about that little bastard? What have I done him? Dunsj: that, my dear friend, is I going to tell you... ((The time goes back three months)) Dizjuh's pride sleeps on the ground. After a little while little Damu comes trotting with a rat in his mouth, he walks past his stepmother and straight to Dizjuh. He lays the rat on the ground in front of him and begins to shake Dizjuh's shoulder to wake her up. She does after a while and she sees the overjoyed face of the crimson cub in front of her. Dizjuh: [tired] get lost Maovu, its still night... She laid her head on the ground again, but Damu poked her in her side... Damu: look what me caught... He pointed at the rat. Dizjuh: a rat? How impressing... Damu: but... me caught it by me self... you not proud of me? Dizjuh: why should I? She threw the rat away and went back to sleep while Damu began to cry. Whole his pride for catching the rat was crushed in one blow... ((Back to present)) Dunsj: ...did you know that he had been waiting for that rat to come out for two hours? He was so proud that he wanted to show you... and what do you do? You smashed it totally. Dizjuh: he should know better than to drag stinking rats up to my face while I'm sleeping, and he'd probably found it dead... Dunsj: so? Then consider this... ((Some days after the rat incident)) Little Damu came crying towards Dizjuh with a fresh cut on his shoulder... Damu: Diz... the other cub bite me!!! Dizjuh did not take any notice of the crying cub... Damu: Diz... it hurt! He sought shelter between her front legs and he accidentally stained one of her legs with his blood Dizjuh: Damu... what? Stop bleeding on me... get lost! Damu: Diz... tell them to stop! Dizjuh: [cuffs him very hard] Don't call me Diz! [Cuffs him again] now go throw yourself off a cliff or something so we don't have to see you anymore... Damu: but Diz... they hurt me... Dizjuh: piss off you freak... She cuffed him so hard that he flew away and hit his nose right onto the ground. With blood pouring from his eyes, mouth and nose he turned away and left ((Back to present)) Dunsj: ... he went to YOU to get help. But help did you offer? Did you know that you broke several of his teeth with those cuffing? Dizjuh: he should take care of his own business... if the other cubs hated him, then it had to be his own fault... Dunsj: yeah? Can you remember when you were a cub? Can you remember those times your mother comforted you? Can you? Damu never had a mother, only a stepmother that didn't give a damn about him... he considered you as his mother... Dizjuh: [still struggling to get free] that little freak saw me as his mate... not as a mother... now let me go demon... Dunsj: not so hasty my friend... do you remember when you first brought down a prey? Do you remember how proud you felt? ((The time backs only a week or so)) Damu had just caught a gazelle, and overwhelmed with pride he dragged it to Dizjuh to show her... but she only looked at him with a stern gaze... Dizjuh: [annoyed] where did you find that Maovu? Damu: me not find it... me caught it... Dizjuh: yeah right... Muzih: how difficult can it be to catch a dead animal? Damu: but... me hunted it... it ran... me killed it... Dizjuh: ah... shut up Maovu and get lost... [To Muzih] well... self serve Muzih... Muzih: yep... She licked her fangs and began to tear the gazelle apart, Dizjuh joined in and after a while the gazelle had been devoured. Damu stood and waited for any gratitude for bringing the prey, but they only walked away from him and left only a pile of bones. They did not take any notice of how badly they had hurt him... ((Later, night the same day)) The pride lay sleeping on the ground, all except Damu who was awake. He slowly walked over to Muzih and woke her up... Muzih: [tired and very annoyed] what? Damu: me want to you talk... Muzih: you want to talk, huh? Hope it's important. Damu: it be very important... me want to know why you not let me eat first... Muzih: what do you mean? Damu: you not let me eat the gazelle me caught... when other do like me did they get celebrated. Why me different? Muzih: you mean the first kill, don't you? It's a girl thing you idiot! We never celebrate the males! Damu: sorry... me not know... but you could me thank at least... but you don't, you just walk away... He began to cry heavily and tried to meet Muzih's gaze trough the tears of blood in his eyes. Damu: all me wanted was you attention... nothing me do be good... always "stupid Maovu", "get lost freak"... [yelling] ALWAYS!!!! WHAT ME DO WRONG? WHY ME DIFFERENT?? Muzih: Shut up you idiot before you wake the whole pride... Damu: ME NOT CARE!!! ME WANT ANSWER!!! Muzih: you want answer... that is so obvious Maovu... it's because you're STUPID! You are dumb as dirt, you are a disgrace toy your specie. Look at yourself, crying as a little cub. Why don't you do the world a favor and go drown yourself in a river? Damu: [frustrated] ME... NOT... STUPID!!! She raised her paw to cuff him, but before she could do it, he had jumped out of the way... Damu: YOU NOT HURT ME!!! He leaped on her and knocked her of her feet... Damu: NEVER AGAIN!!! He began to hit her very hard with his claw out, her loud cries for help woke the pride that then came to her aid... ((Back to present)) Dunsj: ... and if you hadn't woke up, she would surely have died... Dizjuh: yeah, but if that coward hadn't run away, he'd been dead now... Dunsj: I can hear on your voice that you are in doubt... Dizjuh: [cutting him off] I hate that blood-weeping freak... he wanted me to be his wife... Dunsj: [cutting her off] no... he did not... he wanted you to love him as he loved you... Dizjuh: [struggling with the vines] ...If I weren't tied up, I'd kill you! Dunsj laughed evilly and shook his head... Dunsj: you can't kill someone who's already DEAD! And Damu did not love you like this... He jerked her mouth open and kissed her passionately. As soon as he had let go, Dizjuh started to spit and hack... Dunsj: no... he loved you as a sister and mother... [holds short pause] but that's not going to matter anymore, you are going to die anyway... He clapped his paws twice and a spiked vine shot up from the ground and began to strangle her... Dunsj: have a nice time in hell Dizjuh... and by the way... it felt good to kiss you... He watched with a weird grin on his lips and Dizjuh gasped for air as the vine tightened the grip around her neck, and with a snapping sound her neck was broken. Then her image began to fade away, leaving a grinning Dunsj alone in the vision... A little later the possesses Dizjuh woke up and looked around... Dizjuh (p): aah, perfect! [Yelling] Watabi!!! It's done now! The cheetah appeared came towards her. Watabi: [snickering] good... now you know what to do, don't you? Dizjuh (p): sure... I will find Rasawah... and kill him Watabi: good... now go and do it! Dizjuh (p): just one more thing... does Damu know that Dizjuh is dead? Watabi: [grinning] of course he knows... now go! The possessed lioness turned around and walked away. Watabi stood and grinned very sinister... Chapter XXVI Deuz Ex Machina Somewhere not so far from the northern border of the pridelands, a somewhat dirty tank stood. Suddenly a ramp on the rear end opened with hissing sounds, and out from it emerged eight lionesses and two leopards. Then another leopard comes up from the turret, followed by a man in a very old and dirty uniform, his eyes were bloodshot and he had many dark rings underneath them... Kubaki: [out loud] today, my revenge will be fulfilled... we are now enough to take back that that was taken from me!!! All the felines cheered once, then they all went silent and boarded the tank once again. And just as Kubaki was about to go into the tank the soldier tapped his shoulder... Kubaki: [annoyed] what? Bob: [extremely tired] I... need to rest... I can't even see properly anymore... Kubaki: I know... but you have to stay awake just a little longer, ok? Bob: yes... sir! Kubaki: good... now get a move on! Kubaki plunged down into the tank and the soldier followed shortly after. Meanwhile in the pridelands Kikafu and Leesha was playing under the supervision of their mothers... Aihatu: [to Pinja] aw... don't they look like two turtledoves? Pinja: they sure do... heh, it makes me remember my own days as a cub... I was a real pain in the ass for my pride... Aihatu: well, you were at least allowed to play [sighs] I wasn't allowed to play... you see, I was brought up in the death pride. Pinja: [surprised] you're a deathlander? Aihatu: yep, surprised? Pinja: Yeah, I thought that you was a rimlander... Aihatu: well, I am a deathlander... Pinja: okay, then I take it for that you have met Marhiza. Aihatu: you guessed it. Pinja: tell me, is she really that slaughtering bitch that everyone describes her as? Aihatu: nah... not really like all the rumors says... she can be mean and evil sometimes, but other times she can be real nice... she was like a sister to me rather than a leader... [thinks for a while] now when I think of it. I never noticed that she got any older; neither did her sisters age anything... Pinja: she didn't age? Tell me, how long did you live there? Aihatu: about four years, and she did not age anything... that is only one of the many mysteries that surrounds her... [sees Timba approach] oh Hi Timba! Pinja: good day Timba Timba: yoah Aihatu... hi Pinja. Have any of you zeen Bubby yet? Aihatu: hmm... no... hey wait [points at the horizon] that might be him over there... Timba: good [faked strict voice] you may proceed in what you were doing. Pinja: [makes a honor] yes sir! Aihatu could not hold herself from laughing. She made an honor but did not manage to get one word out between the laughs. Timba sighed and went to meet Bubby. The crow spotted Timba from the air and flew down and landed in front of him. Bubby: [bows deeply] greetings my lord Timba: aw, cut out that formal junk Bubby... Bubby: Al right... well anyway... I came to tell that our shamans have reached their destination... Timba: that'z good... anything elze of any interezt? Bubby: nah, nothing else than all the rumors... heh, I heard one about a lion cheetah crossbreed named Rasawah... Timba: hmm... "Filthy one" I guezz that zomeone did not like her offzpring... Bubby: yeah right. I heard some new jokes too. Ya want to hear them? Timba: nah... I have to go check the eaztern border for hyenaz... you can tell them to Leezha, or [winks] iz it *that* kind of jokez? Bubby: yep [winks back] *that* kind... well, I tell them later... your going to laugh until you can't breathe... well... see ya later then. He took off into the air and flew away towards the south and Timba went over to the eastern border of the pridelands. A little while later a tank rolled over the northern border. It proceeded in a fast pace towards the priderock. The sound of caterpillar treads alerted the pridelanders, and they were stunned by the sight of the big heap of metal that placed itself in front of them. One of the lionesses turned to flee, but as soon as she had turned around, the turret of the tank aimed on her and shot right in front of her, causing her to stop immediately. Then a pneumatic hiss was heard as the rear-end ramp on the tank slowly opened and let out all of Kubaki's minions. The pridelanders was still stunned, but they got even more frightened when Kubaki came up from the turret of the tank. He looked down on the shivering pride beneath him... Kubaki: who is the king here? Pinja took, with a great deal of courage, a step forward. Pinja: I am the queen... who are you? Kubaki: me? I am Kubaki, previously known as Umemé. Pinja: that does not tell me much... Kubaki: I am the one true king of this land... and I am going to get rid of you squatters right now [yelling] ATTACK!!! All the possessed felines attacked, and after a short but fierce battle only a few pridelanders was alive. That was Pinja, Aihatu, Kikafu, Leesha and one of the former rimlanders, and Kubaki's minions had surrounded them. Kubaki made a whistling sound and his troops ceased the attack. Kubaki: [to Pinja] behold your pride, queen of the pridelands... Pinja: [tear broken] WHY? Kubaki: oh, that is so simple... it's revenge... I'm only claiming what's mine. Aihatu: what can you claim here, you cold-blooded murderer? Kubaki: many things... the throne for example, the lands... everything that I was stripped off when your ancestors threw me out... Aihatu: what are you talking about? The leopard looked her over quickly... Kubaki: you're a deathlander... Aihatu: [frightened] how do you know? Kubaki: easy... you look like one... the same color... you and [pointing at the former rimlander] and you are free to go where ever you want... Lioness: what? Kubaki: do I have to spell it for you? [Slow] Get... the...hell... out of here... Aihatu looked on Pinja, who looked back with a face saying "go", she swallowed and bent down to pick her daughter up. But when she touched the cub Kubaki leapt down from the tank and slapped her across her face causing her to drop Leesha... Aihatu: [yelling] YOU SAID THAT I COULD GO!!! Kubaki: you... not her [points on Leesha] she's a pridelander. I will only give you one more chance to leave unhurt. Aihatu: what are you going to do with them? Kubaki: well, for the queen... death awaits, but for the cubs [grins evilly] I have special plans for them... Aihatu: but... what have they done? Kubaki: they are pridelanders... Pinja: if that now is such a crime, then you could at least tell me why... [to Aihatu and the lioness] Aihi, please leave now... Aihatu: but... Pinja: please... it would make me feel better to know that you are in safety... Aihatu: as you wish... my queen... Then both she and the lioness ran away as fast as they could towards the east. Pinja and the two cubs looked after them as long as they possibly could. Meanwhile had Kubaki splayed his ebon claws and looked at them... Kubaki: and now... my destiny will be fulfilled, when your blood touches the ground my revenge will be complete... With the speed of light he ripped Pinja's throat and she fell to the ground. She moved her mouth like if she tried to say something, but no words left her mouth, she raised her head a bit before her soul left her body and her head fell back to the ground. Kikafu and Leesha stood frozen in fear, unable to move. Kubaki raised his blood covered paw to the sky while laughing like a maniac. Epilogue Aihatu and the lioness ran towards the eastern border in hope to find Timba there. They did and Timba was surprised to see them there, wounded as they was... Timba: yoah! What bringz you here... Aihatu: Timba! We must flee now... there's no time to waste! Timba: what? Aihatu: I'll explain later when we are in safety... Timba: what are you talking about? Lioness: Timba... they are all dead... all of them... Aihatu: Kamu and I are the only survivors... Timba: [chocked] iz Pinja? Kamu: I'm sorry Timba, but I fear that Pinja is dead by now... Aihatu: come now... we will grieve them when we are safe... Timba: [heartbroken] then I have no option... let'z get going... Slowly he began to walk towards the east, close followed by Pinja and Kamu... The end of part three Started the: 25:th September 2000 Finished the: 2:nd December 2000 The fourth part "Realm of darkness" is written now, it will probably be finished sometime in the beginning of year 2001, until then... take care Sigurd Engerström