[Wet Bread]

mark!

[Sunlitsecrets]

L I F E
Username: Sunlitsecrets
HW cat or VOK lion?: lion!
Link to group/pride: Starheart's Regiment
How do they support (or not support) life around them?:

She was going to restart her life, turn things around. The war had been long and hard, and now, at the end of it all, there was a chance to learn how to be the best version of herself.

Anthea's paws were new, still clumsy and unsure, but she appeared before the Regiment anyway and declared that she intended to be a healer. Perhaps being so forceful about that hadn't been ideal. The group's leader, Brontes, said no. She balked at that - what was she supposed to make of herself if not that? He told her to start small, that being a medic could take years of training that she simply hadn't had. In the meantime, he offered, why not be an artisan? Why not create things to brighten the lives of others?

She learned how to make art from an older, gruff lion named Okeanos. He tried to show her how to bend metal into beauty, to shape glass into shining pieces. Anthea couldn't do any of it, and she wondered if any of this was worth it at all - if there was even a place for her in this world.

That night she ran and hid near the river that ran through the territory, and she shouted at the sky and cried in frustration. She was supposed to be better than this, do better than this -

- from her tears, butterflies formed. Ethereal, blue things, the creatures seemed to be woven out of a hundred tiny spiderwebs, or drops of water. She watched them appear, in sudden awe. One of the creatures landed on her paw as she reached out for it, and dissolved into a hundred tiny raindrops. Was this what making something beautiful felt like? For hours, she stayed and at a wave of her paw butterflies would appear. She walked back to the main camp that night more at peace than she had been since arriving.



The next morning, she traveled to the river to get a drink of water and found there were flowers everywhere. In pinks and purples and yellows, the shoreline was covered in greenery that hadn't been there the night before. Had this been Anthea's doing? How?

The next night she tried it again - she made butterflies appear in an area where no flowers grew, and by the next morning, the flowers were all over. She couldn't help but laugh in delight - maybe this was it. Maybe this was how she could live up to all she wanted, needed, to become. Anthea brought Okeanos over to see, and the old lion smiled, warmly.

"Maybe the art you make isn't out of metal or stone or glass," he told her. "Maybe it's in the flowers you grow, or the butterflies you made." Anthea simply shrugged. She didn't think that flowers were art.

She asked Brontes again, later, if she could be a healer now that she had spent some time learning to be an Artisan. Surely, with the plants she could grow, she would be good enough now. But, shockingly, he told her no once again. "Train to be a duelist," the leader said. "Learn how we fight, and why."

Anthea was mad, of course. She didn't see anyone else being forced to do things they didn't want to around here. Still, she reported to the best fighter in the group, an ominous feline named Phaedra. The lioness set her to duel the others. Her paws slipped out from under her and any armor she wore weighed her down.

She almost went back to the river again, to hide her feelings away from scrutiny, but the other fighters in training cheered her on, and she finally achieved a victory when she sent a torrent of butterflies into the face of her opponent, catching them off guard.

A good fighter Anthea was not - but she got to know lions, friends, while trying, and after several months doing her best and making flowers grow around the camp, she returned to Brontes. "Can I be a healer now?"

Brontes only gave her a cryptic smile. "Sure," he said, and she went at once, energy thrumming through her, to do the thing she had always wanted to do.

She was a terrible healer. Radha, the medic who tried to teach her, couldn't stand her. She couldn't learn what plant did what, and she got mixed up on what was where in the den, and on how to treat certain injuries. Anthea was a mess, and they both knew it. She felt dejected - this was the end of the line. There wasn't anything she could do if she couldn't be a healer. She wasn't a fighter like Phaedra, and she wasn't an artisan like Okeanos.

One day, though, she found that she could grow other plants besides just flowers if she tried, and grew the herbs that Radha needed. The two formed a friendship, despite Anthea's horrible medical skill. After another long month had gone by, Anthea returned to Brontes, confused. "I don't know what to be. I can't heal, or fight, or make art. What can I do here?"

Brontes brought her outside and showed her the camp. It was peaceful, with lions chattering, and flowers sprinkled in various spots throughout. "Your strength isn't in any of those things because it's not you," he explained. "I had you try everything because I wanted you to see what life was like here, to see the small things. You're a healer, I can tell - but just maybe not in the way that you think."

Anthea sniffed sadly. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that you've healed hearts and minds, not tails and paws. Your flowers bring life to everyone, I've never seen these people so bright. Even the old grumps!" He laughed, and gestured to the old veterans down below, with smiles on their faces. "So, how would you feel about being the first of a new position? I've always thought we've needed a Peacemaker in this place."

[999/1000 words according to wordcounter.net]

[Runnersback]

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Username:Runnersback
Hw cat or Vok lion?:Vok lion
Link to group/pride: Realms of L’Oasis Lo
How do they support or not support life around them:
1000 out of 1000
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Arcane laces her paw prints...
She is the image of beauty
Roses grace her body with lilts of joy
She is the Matron of Nature
Her ears drag low behind her...
To show she fulfills all life from minute to colossal
Welcome, tiny life giver... Welcome to the new life... Your life cubling, brace or condemn it is now all in yours paws...

Taa Safi, an small bambino who was nestled in the bushes from a knuckled under exit through a odd swirling portal. The tiny cub was alive and well just struggling and struggling to get out of the thorny bushes for the life of her. Till she realized with one touch of her paw she reduced the life of the bushes to mere sticks! As Taa Safi crawled out of the newly formed stick pile she chuckled softly before blowing a arcane butterfly on it to fix it. Not only was her name meaning pure light the butterflies also contained a small ounce of pure light in each every single one. These little lights led her to places unknown until one sullen morning she was lead to a celestial stair case to roost among the clouds. Taa chose to live a autonomous life where she has no need to eat or drink ever in her life.

As weeks went by as the cubling was living in the clouds trying to learn how she supported herself like that and the world below her she seemingly grew disenchanted with the thoughts of it all. She began to just play like any cub would but the time she couldn’t destroy anything like those bushes she had done a while ago or so she thought. Taa safi never realized she could take fertility away from lions and lioness either. She was much too young to understand the concept of what life truly is.But she had managed to take it away from one very hopeful lioness...

Taa safi didn’t comprehend what she had done nor did she even remember it but for days upon days she watched the sad lioness sob in her cave as her mate hunted for her daily. The small giver of life pitied the mother in agreement with the moon she would make her move that night to walk the celestial rungs to the mortal realm with her arcane butterflies. She had gracefully made it to the exact location of the lionesses pride. The pride of Safiri’s Oasis... Taa had heard of this pride before for some reason it felt so familiar especially when she curled up in the soft clearing to be found by one of the lions. Luckily Diablo was out taking his daughter to look at the stars and found the small cub that oddly reminded him of the tree of life. She was soon swept up by the two to stay in there massive sheltered den.

As morning passed the young cub trotted out to see the light of day and the mother toiling to keep herself distracted from her pain.Taa Safi quickly sprinted over to her as many whispered about her and the mother,“May I help you Ma’am..” She asked gently as the crying Ex-mother nodded and scooted over for her to assist with the garden. For days Taa would do this and become closer and closer with her. One morning it had all fallen short for the both of them the mother had touched a arcane butterfly with her tail and she was healed with a beautiful baby bump. But during each one of those growing mornings the territory became more and more shrouded into a war laced field.

Taa Safi had became over joyed when she knew the she had supported the gift of life into the mother once again. But soon that felled as the camp had been attacked. The tiny cub knew she had to do something fast, especially with the waves that was being driven back. So the small lioness mustered her all and swallowed the enemies in Vines and lovely roses to keep them put until the grownups could transport them out of the lands. She was satisfied with her work and helped bring light to those who were scared to death or so she thought.... The dark sky had broken open once again that night. But this time with only lightening. Each electrical crack struck the vines Taa had made and sent them into harrowing flames of agony.

The small giver of life watched in horror as visions of her own burning cane into her mind. She was so confused but the sight she saw in front of her brought her immense pain to the point she was wailing out loud in agony. But she knew she had to shake it off especially when there was creatures with souls in there. Taa quickly bolted forward trying to claw with all her might but it was no use Diablo and Achilles had stopped her from going big through with the rescue. It was too late to save any of them, they were officially gone...

Diablo gently tugged the small sobbing cub into his mane as his son and Achilles approached to give her comfort while the rain washed out the fires for once,“Taa Safi, it is time me and Achilles had a proper conversation with you. We saw that you had the same agony as you did in your past sweet child...” He said softly as the child still wouldn’t answer him.“You were a massive goddess once but know you were reborn and made for more just look who you have saved...The mother and us.”

Taa Safi nodded her sweet little head to his words before curling up and falling asleep. As days and nights passed she would return every single night to the scene of the wretched fire. And she would cry for the fact she took life away while supporting it all along. Her ethereal tears drenched the ground forming topiary in honor of the lions lives...

Flower Divider Credits:@Marilu
Font Credits:@Fontmeme.com

[Tiger♥Bear]

SPACEBeing a creature of decay... that kind of thing followed you. He was used to
death. It was only natural after all. But it was one thing to expect death in wars,
battles, or stepping in to help the balance- and another thing to see it unexpectedly.
Passing a stranger in the woods. Attempting to help someone in distress only to
forget you can't... Watching your closest friend fade to dust right before your eyes..
in your arms...
SPACENo. He closed his eyes, pushing the painful memory away. It was so long ago
and yet...even with his other memories being in bits and pieces, he'll never forget
that day. That moment. It had defined him. It was why he preferred solitude. There
was no one to hurt. He couldn't hurt anyone if he didn't allow anyone to get close.

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D E C A Y
Username : Tiger♥Bear
Cat or Lion : Lion
Lion Name : Saiful
Lion Gender : Male
Pride : Pekee Pamoja
Status : Champion of the Gods

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He couldn't go through that again. If that meant he had to push everything and everyone away- if he had to be cold and seem heartless, then so be it. At least it would keep others safe.
SPACEThe sound of paws walking on the slick leaves hit his ears. Someone was close. He held still, ears straining to locate them. A rustling behind him had him turning around to face a lioness. She was dark with flecks of white, odd horns on her head, her tail rather fluffy. That fear of his memory rose again, his throat suddenly feeling very dry. Unable to speak, he stood as tall as he could but took a few steps back. He was unafraid of her. Only afraid of what could happen if she got too close.
SPACE"I recognize you." His heart quickened at her words. 'What? She recognizes me?' He watched as she took him in. Preparing himself to flee if she got too close, his wings spread out slowly but kept even at his sides. Seemingly noticing his question, she spoke up again. "You must be the offspring of decay. Or rather the new form of decay. I was there. At the battle."
SPACE"So you witnessed what I could do? What I am?" He wasn't sure if this was reassuring or worrisome. Who was she? She must have been capable if she took part in the battle and now, standing before him without so much as a scar from the encounter, was back home.
SPACE"Perhaps not you personally but I am aware of some of your abilities, yes." She stepped closer and he tensed.
SPACE"Don't come any closer!"
SPACEHis heart started racing as she continued forward. He wanted to take off, flee, fly- anything to get out of there. He didn't know her but that didn't mean she deserved to die. A very small voice, however, told him to stay. That this would be different. The fear was trying to consume the voice, remind it of the cost this lioness would have to pay if she stumbled too close- pray she didn't touch him. For some reason, he was still frozen to the spot and she closed the distance between them. Reaching out without hesitation and almost a knowing glint in her eyes, she gingerly touched his paw.
SPACE"NO-"
SPACE"NO! SAIFUL, HELP!" The dark lioness called out to him. He turned to see her partially surrounded and being closed in on by four large lions. He had to get to her. Save her. With a deep growl, he strained against his restraints. The chains tightened but he could hear the links starting to give way. One of the lions laughed as he pounced on the lioness. He roared, the chains shattering around him as they broke apart. The other three turned, the surprise clear on their face. He gave them no mercy as they had shown him and his none. It was quick work with his ability. Rushing forward, he moved to step in between the attacker and Karyan. He was in a blind rage. Attacking this lion who had led the attack with all his might. It wasn't until minutes after when the lion was beyond dead and a small wavering voice called out to him that he stopped. "S-sai-ful..."
SPACEHe turned and his heart fell immediately. Karyan, his closest and dearest friend... his secret love... had a gash on her shoulder that had black tendrils spreading from the wound. No. No, no, no, no... Not Karyan. His heart was in his throat. When had he...? How could he not have known...? He approached her but stopped short not wanting to touch her again. The damage had already been done. The life was fading from her eyes ever so slowly. "I... I'm so sorry, Karyan. I..." But there was nothing to say. Hanging his head, he saw her move forward and he lifted his head, eyes questioning.
SPACE"Sai... It's... it's going to be okay." She gave a weak smile and his eyes filled with hot, unshed tears. With no doubt the last of her strength, she pressed forward and gave him a gentle kiss. His eyes closed, relishing the feeling... and then it was gone. And so was she.
SPACEThe memory surged through him and left him gasping, the threatening sting of tears burned his eyes as he gaped at the lioness before him. She removed her paw from his and he struggled to comprehend. "What just- how are you-?"
SPACE"You are afraid to be yourself."
SPACE"With good reason! I lost the only one who cared about me..." He hung his head, the pain of the memory still fresh in his mind. That gentle pressure of Karyan's lips on his. After a moment, he shook his head. "I can't go through that again. It's safer for everyone if I keep my distance."
SPACE"Perhaps I can help you overcome your fear."
SPACELifting his head, he scrutinized the lioness. "How can you help?"
SPACEShe gave a small, almost sad smile. "I am the goddess of destruction. I understand how hard it is to accept yourself."

{990 Words}

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SPACEEyes blinking up at the sun set high in the sky and head pounding, Nadra tried
to focus on her surroundings. This was not home. Where was she? She couldn't tell.
A fluttering of blue crossed her gaze. Turning her face to follow the movement, her
eyes focused and she realized it was a butterfly. It's wings shimmered in the sunlight.
A second butterfly passed by, the glow barely seen beyond that of the sun. With a
shake of her head she pushed off the ground. Around her was warm sand, in the
distance were short leafy trees and grass starting to poke through the sand. This
definitely wasn't home. It was brighter. Warmer, somehow. Perhaps the colors? The
sun? Or maybe it was that faint underlying pulse of magical energy.

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L I F E
Username : Tiger♥Bear
Cat or Lion : Lion
Lion Name : Nadra
Lion Gender : Female
Pride : Pekee Pamoja
Status : Druid of the Gods

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SPACEThe fog was starting to clear from her mind, the butterflies still fluttering about across her vision. Faint memories of her home and how she arrived in this new realm flitted across her thoughts. A battle. The dragon spirit. Her respective siblings in purpose- decay and rebirth. Portals opening across the field to return champions. She had step through a portal which is how she must have ended up here. It was strange. Memories were fuzzy beyond what had happened before she was given this form. When recalling them, it was like experiencing them second hand. Through another form. One thing stood out. Like a promise. She was an embodiment of life. She needed to help keep the balance.
SPACEWandering further into the wooded area and leaving the sandy desert behind, she soon found herself in awe of her surroundings. The sounds of the local wildlife an interesting trill in her long ears. Just ahead was a cluster of trees but something was amiss. They were...rotted. How strange, she thought. It didn't appear to be a natural occurrence. She wondered what could have done this damage, curious if there was a way to fix it. One of the butterflies fluttered over to the closest tree and spread its wings out. Almost as if conducting her will, the bark started to liven up under the insects wings. The glow of the butterfly increased and Nadra could only stand with wide eyes, not really sure what was happening.
SPACEHad she done that? When the tree was restored, it fluttered back over to hover around her. Stepping closer, she placed a hesitant paw on the trunk now smooth and full again. Curious, she looked to the other three trees. With a thought, the three butterflies each took to a tree and repeated the actions of the first: wings spread out in display, their glow intensifying. The results were the same. The bark of the trees restored, the rot removed as if it wasn't there to begin with. Incredible. Had she always had this ability? She couldn't remember. Her memories still hazy and seeming to miss bits and pieces. Continuing on past the trees, her thoughts still carried with her. What else could she do? Preoccupied with her thoughts, she was unaware of the threat lurking near by. A hiss was her only warning.
SPACEShe screamed, her eyes shut tight and her body hunched in closely- trying to make herself smaller. But nothing happened. Peaking an eye open she spotted a large constrictor snake lying at her paws. Dead. The butterflies, their glow a low pulsing light, were resting on the serpent with their wings folded. The young cub shook. Have I done this too? She looked over the scaled beast. I didn't mean to... I only wished to be safe. She placed a gentle paw on the belly of the snake and hung her head. It didn't deserve to die... Light against her eyelids had them opening to witness the butterflies opening their wings and laying them out as they had on the trees, their glow brightening. Wide, curious eyes watched in hope. After a moment, the snake twitched causing her to scoot back a few feet. Another minute passed and the butterflies removed themselves to return at her side. The large serpent lifted its head with a strange glint in its eye as if it too was concerned with what had just happened before slithering off.
SPACE"Why is this happening?" She had wondered aloud. Surely she possessed this power in her immortal form as well. If only she could recall the memories. The sound of someone approaching had her turning and facing a large white lion with antlers upon his head. His mane was adorned with flowers. "W-who are you?"
SPACE"Do not be afraid. I am Akbar, 'iilah alkhalq- God of creation. I sensed your presence on this plane." The lion looked her over and she shuffled her paws uneasily. The small smile he gave her eased her tension only slightly. "I take it you are from the trinity realm."
SPACEShe nodded her head gently and he nodded back in acknowledgement before continuing.
SPACE"I've been watching you. Suha, 'iilhat aldamar, spoke to me of her time in that realm. If I were to take a guess... I would say you are the embodiment of life. Yes?"
SPACEShe nodded her head again and started to loosen up. Despite his large imposing frame, he didn't seem to be intimidating in character. "I am. My name is Nadra. I... I know that I am life, but I don't know how to be life."
SPACE"I can help with that. Come. I'll take you to hekalu la uungu and teach you the way of your powers."
SPACEHer eyes widened as she looked up at him. "You can do that?"
SPACEHe smiled warmly at her before placing a paw firmly on the ground. With rapt attention, she focused on his paw flexing in the ground. When he lifted it away, a flower burst through the ground and opened up in full bloom. She gasped in awe. "In this realm, I am creation. Life. Positive energy. I can teach you how to control your abilities to balance life."

{1,000 Words}

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&

SPACE'This place is strange.' Maram turned her head, taking in the scene. Amal took
to looking around as well and nodded his head in silent agreement. Their three tails
swished collectively in apprehension. Tall, dry grass with some thin trees swayed
gently with a salty breeze. On Amals side were rolling mountains covered with grass,
the peaks seeming to be dusted with snow. Perhaps they were taller than they
seemed. On Marams side was a large lake, pristine and mirror like in its stillness.
The two looked at each other.
SPACE"Where are we, Mal?"
SPACEHe shook his head slowly before responding. "I'm not sure, Mar. It must be one

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R E B I R T H
Username : Tiger♥Bear
Cat or Lion : Lion
Lion Name : Amal and Maram
Lion Gender : Male / Female
Pride : Pekee Pamoja
Status : Oracle of the Gods

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of the champions realms."
SPACEAt the mention of a champion, thoughts of the war flashed in their minds. It was hazy. Unclear images of two sides battling on a field. Trees aflame and receiving no relief from the rain. The dragon spirit hovering over the frozen field. A replanting. Memories after that were a little clearer, experienced by this mortal form. It was strange having memories of another form, another life. They remembered seeing portals around the battlefield, visitors taking their leave through them. Even a few of the locals had left. Curious of what was beyond this world, possibly looking for their own adventure they entered a lone portal. This was where they had ended up. Not far ahead was a large castle. With another shared look, they agreed to check it out. Perhaps there would be someone inside.
SPACEThe cubs approached the castle slowly. This was a new land after all. They weren't sure what to expect. As they got closer, they could feel their pelt glowing warmly. Not uncomfortably so or in a burning manner. Just a warmth. Again curious, they looked over their pelt with all four eyes. The blue markings were glowing. Low at first but slowly growing brighter. They glanced at one another.
SPACE"Have they always been able to do that?"
SPACE"I don't know. I don't think so. Maybe it's something with this place?"
SPACE"Maybe. I wonder if-" Amal stopped talking and looked as if listening to something. Or someone. Maram was about to ask him what was wrong when he continued. "We need to do something about the pride."
SPACEMaram pulled her head back, confusion in her features. "Wha- pride? What are you talking about?" But as she asked the question, she had the same thoughts he did. Strings of thoughts and words that weren't their own nor made any sense to them were running through their minds.
SPACEWhat do you suggest? A moment of silence before a different sounding voice spoke in their minds. They weren't involved with what's happened. We should wipe the event from their minds. Another break in thought. And how would we explain those that have come from that realm? Sirius. Procyon. Hediye. Djimon. Not to mention anyone else who slipped through a portal here. Their looks alone are testament to their foreign upbringing. Surely they-
SPACEThe voices stopped and the glow in their markings faded back to a low emission. Something told the siblings that whatever these voices were, they were aware of their presence. They had continued to walk up to the castle even as the thoughts ran through their minds, but they weren't very far in. Perhaps the middle of the foyer. The two shared another look, this time of concern. They had no memories- not even hazy images, of this type of thing happening to them. Amal gasped softly making Maram tilt her head in question.
SPACE"Y-your eyes. They're glowing!" As he said it, she started to notice that his were glowing as well.
SPACE"Yours too!"
SPACEAs their eyes grew brighter, faces of lions they sort of recognized came to mind. The names that had been mentioned must have meant these lions as they looked like they belonged in their home realm. After the faces passed one by one, images of their home then flashed through their thoughts. Ethereal hues of blues, greens, and purples. In another strange occurrence, it was like they were seeing through the eyes of another. It was already strange sharing two sets and now it seemed there was a third pair being thrown into the mix. Another glowing pair, for that matter. The siblings shared a thought. 'What's happening?'
SPACE"It would appear we have a guest."
SPACE"Or two, in their case."
SPACEIt was hard to see through the glow. Almost as if the third set they were looking through was a film over the world in front of them. The glow ebbed away leaving them in the presence of a black lion with marks of white and red, horns on her head. They recognized this lioness. She had been at the battle. The other lion was white with dark stripes and antlers adorning his head. Flowers were laced into his large mane. The young cubs ducked their heads simultaneously and their tails twitched with unease. Maram spoke up first.
SPACE"We didn't mean to intrude. We were hoping to find someone that could help us."
SPACE"Maybe in more ways than we expected. Something is happening to us."
SPACEThe dark lioness stood and watched them carefully while the light lion circled them with a curious glint in his eyes. After circling them he rejoined his companion, a gentle smile on his lips. "Yes. It would seem you two are quite unique."
SPACE"It would appear you have a gift. Whether it be a compatibility with our realm or simply something given when entering the portal, you are able to hear our words and convey them to our seer. An oracle."
SPACE"A what?" They spoke in unison.
SPACE"An oracle." Again the large white lion spoke. "The median between the mortals and us- the gods."
SPACEUnderstanding slowly filled their expressions as their eyes widened at what this would mean for them in this new realm. This was much different from their home world. But they were excited to see what would come next.

{998 Words}

[Placebo]

Rebirth
Username:
HW cat or VOK lion?:
Link to group/pride: N/A if founder
Explain a major change that happens to them and how it effects them:

possible mark? also mainly wanna watch :>

[nymx]

Rebirth
Username: sky--lines
HW cat or VOK lion?: vok lion
Link to group/pride: the kingdom of highsun
Explain a major change that happens to them and how it effects them:

Anatole has seen many different worlds and creatures.

They gains a vast expanse of knowledge just by simply existing. They can look at one and know everything about them, what they were, what they will become. It is both silent and loud, deafening.

As a child, eons ago, they would play games by simply looking at others. Trying to guess who they were, what their dreams were. It was a hard game to play when they already knew what was to become of them. They could watch them and know just what they were thinking by the way their tail shifted. It was dull. They would watch from the stars, even sneaking down to the earth to observe them face to face.

It was forbidden. They were to know all, but never to be able to share it with anyone. A life without companionship or new experiences. It was the cost they took an eon ago after a blinded life.

They had a thirst for curiosity, for the unknown, and they could do nothing to quench it. How does one who knows all find something they have not yet discovered? From the moment they had opened their eyes, they could name everything. They had lived a thousand lives, through their soul and through others. They had seen the sun rise in a million different ways, and when they had enough they wished for a single life where they could not remember what they had experienced, just one.

They would regret that decision for eons to come.

When Anatole was reborn, he was deafened his entire life. He would so much as look at someone and become deafened by so many loud thoughts, his head would throb until he managed to get away. His whole life was spent as a recluse until he met Ramsey.

Ramsey was an outgoing lion, obviously popular in both the good and bad ways. An arrogant male with ambitious goals, though he had good intentions, he could see that much. Anatole wasn't drawn to him for those reasons however, the most important thing was that he was quiet. Perhaps not in voice, but when he looked at him, his mind was quiet and his heart soared.

He didn't know what this feeling was, but it was nice. Peaceful.

The two became friends quickly, practically attached at the hip. Anatole supported his goal to unite and better their kingdom, helped him organize rally's for Ramsey's rebellion. Through their leadership, the Rebellion began to grow due to Ramsey harnessing Anatole's power. It was for the greater good after all. In the process, Anatole didn't have time to realize how blinded he was. Even if he could see it, he wouldn't acknowledge it. Too focused on spreading Ramsey's cause. Even in the moments where Ramsey confided to him that he was willing to go as far as it took. He couldn't see the chaos and hunger for power swimming in his veins. He never was able to.

Ramsey was always quiet, and that was enough.

He stood by and watched Ramsey lead the rebellion, watched as he usurped the throne, watched as he made their kingdom thrive.

It was only when Ramsey wanted more that he stopped watching. He wanted to expand their territories, ambush their allies and make them submit. Anatole was blinded still, but he could see that his intentions were darkening. He protested against his view, and when he opened his eyes again they were gazing at the stars.

They remembered everything. No longer were they blinded. Their eyes were wide open.

They remembered their cause, their purpose.

They watched from the stars as Ramsey threw the world into chaos, into unbalance. They had seen this before, through different eyes, but it was the same.

They watched as the life slipped away from his friend, and they watched the world balance itself again.

They had locked Ramsey's life away, placed it into a swirling pool. They watched as the orb swirled with the many others they had collected over the years. For they had seen life through each of these's orb's life, and they had taken their soul just the same.

They would make the same mistake an eon later.

They would create something they hadn't seen before, a life, a soul.

They would watch them grow, watch through their eyes, and eventually they would wish for a life of blindness again. To experience the world as the other would. The two souls would be drawn to each other naturally, two pieces of the same whole. Light and dark, death and life, chaos and peace. Their whole would watch from the stars as they went through the process again.

They would only find solace in themself, they would see the world through two pairs of eyes.

It was a cycle, every eon the game would start, only ending after they were bonded back together.

It would be peace for an eon before they'd continue.

[828/1000]

[EchoIre]

Life
Username: EchoIre
HW cat or VOK lion?: VoK
Link to group/pride: Motoheri Pride
How do they support (or not support) life around them?:

For as long as Aayushka could remember, she had been watched over by a lioness named Kamala and her family. Kamala's family, that is, not hers. Kamala had tried to raise Aayushka like a little sister, but the lop-eared cub always knew that she wasn't related to the lions around her, and one day very matter-of-factly told them such.

If anybody were to be her family, it would be the voice in her head. It was like hers but older, deeper. She didn't think it was her mother's voice. She didn't know whose it was, really, but she trusted it.

Kamala often disagreed with it, though.

The voice would tell Aayushka things, and she would believe it. It told her she didn't need to eat to survive, that the sun would give her the divine energy she needed. After months of weakness and lethargy - admittedly much longer than a regular lion could've gone - Kamala convinced Aayushka to eat again. This would be just one of a myriad of examples, most of which were much more benign. The worst 'advice' she would ever receive from the strange voice put an entire ecosystem at risk.

~

Aayushka lay spread out in a bed of plus green grass. The grass around her - save for a thin path leading up to her circle of green - was yellow and dry.

Something nearby bleated loudly, startling the adolescent. She turned quickly to the source of the sound, easily spotting a lone zebra a few meters away. She could see its ribs through its dull coat.

Go help.

Aayushka rose to her paws and crept over to the zebra. It quickly noticed the spreading greenery creeping from her paws and tried to flee, but stumbled to the ground before it could get far. It began to bray loudly in a panicked manner. It tried again and again to get up to flee, but couldn't even get to its feet.

"What's wrong with it?" She tilted her head at the creature.

It is dying.

"Oh." Aayushka's eyes widened slightly. "That's sad."

And unnecessary.

The zebra had fallen silent, instead drawing in rapid breaths of air. "It is? Kamala says-"

Don't listen to her. She has been lied to; let me show you.

Aayushka felt the urge to walk closer to the zebra. She gave in without thinking, coming to its side on a wave of green. Up close it appeared much more skeletal - quite literally skin and bones. Her heart ached for the zebra.

Touch your nose to its skin.

She complied, pressing forward despite the zebra's weak attempts at moving away. Slowly, the beast stopped thrashing. There was a moment of stillness, silence. Aayushka's heartbeat slowly began to fill in the lack of sound, thrumming steadily in her ears. A second heartbeat slowly joined in, slower and weaker than hers. Aayushka's eyes drifted shut. Without really trying to, she began to focus on the zebra's heartbeat. She let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding as the world around her seemed to fall away, leaving just the two heartbeats. Gradually, the zebra's grew stronger and quicker, until it fell in sync with her own. When it did, a jolt ran through Aayushka's body, like she had just been pulled from a freezing lake.

She gasped and opened her eyes, gasping in air as she adjusted. The zebra was still laying in front of her, though its breathing now seemed much less labored. Aayushka sighed, pulling herself together. Tentatively, she prodded the zebra's side, only to have it whip its head around to stare her in the eye. Startled, she stepped back.

Its eyes glowed blue.

The zebra flicked its ears at her, then rose to its feet with some difficulty. A cloud of glowing blue butterflies followed it up, fluttering away from the zebra before disintegrating into glittering blue dust. Aayushka watched with eyes full of wonder.

Nothing deserves to die.

The zebra began to limp away, alive, but still as weak as before.

Not when it doesn't have to.

"All things have to die." Aayushka said bluntly. "Kamala says-"

Remember what I told you. She has been lied to. She is wrong. I can show you the way to make sure that nothing else has to die, ever.

How could she say no to that?

~

For the next few weeks, Aayushka would sneak away to preform the life-giving miracle the voice had shown her. She would find sick or dying animals and do the same she had done for the zebra. At the voice's orders, she even began to chase predators away from their would-be kill, restoring their intended prey's fading life. The creatures never healed, simply rose with glowing blue eyes and a cloud of butterflies. The voice told her that this was good, that they were alive and always would be because of her.

Soon, the savanna was filled creatures with glowing blue eyes that would not die. Predators eventually learned not to pursue them, but not after an unlucky few had been dealt grievous wounds. They never healed, yet still never fell. Local prides thought it to be a curse, seeing only undead beasts with glowing eyes roaming their lands.

When Kamala realized what happened and confronted Aayushka, the adolescent agreed to release the immortal creatures. As Kamala said: life was a circle, and hung in a delicate balance that must not be disrupted.

One by one, creatures sustained by Aayushka's magic faded and fell. Their final breath was one of glittering blue butterflies.

Kamala watched with troubled eyes. She turned to Aayushka and rasped her tongue over her head.

"You must promise never to do anything like this again."

"I promise."

Kamala's from didn't fade. "Thank you." She stood up. "We're leaving today. Meet me back at the caravan."

As Kamala padded away, Aayushka shifted her paw to reveal a haggard mouse with glowing blue eyes. It stared up at her for a moment before limping off into the grass.



Decay
Username: EchoIre
HW cat or VOK lion?: VoK
Link to group/pride: Motoheri Pride
What are they afraid of and why?:

The forest was cool and dark.

Small, glowing paws crunched through the leaf liter. Akshay's dark eyes were glued to the canopy as he walked. The leaves were a strange navy blue, and the sky he could glimpse between them seemed multicolored. Strangest of all, it seemed... familiar, somehow. Like he had been here before. Slowly, the canopy became more and more scarce, until only bare branches were above him. This, too, seemed familiar somehow. Almost welcoming. The winged cub kept walking until he came upon a clearing holding only a dark, decaying stump. Akshay stopped at the edge of the field, eyes glued to the stump.

Something felt... off about it. It was massive, well over ten times his size in length, and jagged. Unease settled in the cub's stomach. He felt like he was forgetting something, or that something had forgotten him a long, long time ago.

Akshay drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. It was just a stump. He had nothing to be afraid of.

He hesitantly walked towards the stump, coming to a stop just inches away. Here, he could tell the darkness to the rotting wood was not natural, but caused by fire and smoke. Unease turned to fear as the area surrounding the stump took on the same blackened hue - grass and trees alike turned withered and charred before the cub's eyes. Akshay stepped away from the stump, gazing fearfully about the clearing.

Look.

The voice was hold and withered. Tired. Akshay's eyes moved to the stump as if compelled by some unseen force.

Learn.

Suddenly, the stump burst into flame. The grasses and trees around it did the same before the cub could gasp. Smoke quickly billowed into the clearing, scratching Akshay's throat and stinging his eyes. He blinked away his tears as best he could and tried to find a way out.

Remember.

There was too much fire, too much smoke. It was closing in, surrounding him, suffocating him, so close to burning him. He could feel its oppressive heat from all sides, inescapable and terrible and dreadfully real.


The cub woke with a scream, scrambling to his paws and stumbling a few panicked steps away. He came crashing to the ground in seconds, warm sand meeting him.

"Akshay!" Chetan was at his side in an instant, helping the cub back to his paws. The poor thing trembled and drew in short, panicked gasps of breath, his hollow eyes wide with fear. "...Did you have another nightmare?" The leopard prompted gently.

Akshay nodded.

Chetan sighed and wrapped his tail around the cub. It didn't seem to calm him any, but he did not move away, either.

"Tell me about it."

"I-I was in a forest." The cub stammered. "And then th-there was this r-really big stump, a-and it was all black, and th-then everything was all black and on fire and I c-couldn't breathe and the f-fire was everywhere a-and-" the cub's voice began to crack. Chetan could see tears welling in his strange, hollow eyes. "a-and-"

Chetan wrapped his paws and around the cub and pulled him to his chest, wincing ever so slightly as Akshay's horns thumped into his ribs. He sobbed into the leopard's fur as Chetan murmured words of comfort to him, unsure of how to soothe the god of decay's avatar.

"I-I don't like f-fire." Akshay whimpered, muffled by Chetan's fur.

~

He was in the clearing again, alone, too, like last time. He was in the center, standing tall and proud. He could see over the canopies, even. As strange as that was, it didn't feel strange. It felt right - Akshay didn't even question it, simply looked up and admired the stars.

He felt like he should be... worried about something, but he didn't remember what, or why. He was alone, and the night was calm and beautiful. He closed his eyes, relishing the peace and quiet.

Suddenly, he heard something moving at the edge of the clearing. Akshay opened his eyes, and saw an orb of flickering orange light edging closer to the treeline, casting foreboding shadows across the clearing. His heart skipped a beat.

"Who's there?" Akshay called out.

For a moment, the light stopped moving, as if contemplating revealing itself after being spotted. Then, shadowy figures slunk out of the cover of the trees, many holding burning branches in their teeth. Glowing eyes glared at Akshay as the cats moved forward, whispering among themselves.

Dread settled in the pit of his stomach. "Wha- what are you doing?" Akshay tried to move away, but it was as though his paws were rooted to the ground. "Get away from me!"

"We are ending this." One of the lions spoke. "Once and for all." The cats they traveled with came to stand at their side, encircling Akshay.

"What are you talking about?"

The lion's face twitched ever so slightly. They looked Akshay up and down, as if sizing him up. "...Do it."

The fire-bearing lions edged closer to Akshay despite his protest. He desperately tried to free himself, to run away, to swipe at his attackers, to do anything, but all he could do was watch as they brought their torches to his-

Roots?


The dark lion jumped awake, lurching to his paws as soon as his eyes were open. He glanced behind him, and saw Chetan and Kai still asleep, curled up together. Akshay silently padded away.

That was the fourth time he'd had that nightmare that week. It always surprised him how real it felt, how he would wake with the memory of flames haunting his skin. For so long, he 'went' to the same place when he dreamed, received flashes of memories that weren't his of earthen beasts and a multicolored sky. He knew he was different from other lions, not like them, but...

"What am I forgetting?"



Rebirth
Username: EchoIre
HW cat or VOK lion?: VoK
Link to group/pride: Motoheri Pride
Explain a major change that happens to them and how it effects them:

dividers by Hamilton-Animations

[albino polar bear]

Decay
Username:
HW cat or VOK lion?:
Link to group/pride: N/A if founder
What are they afraid of and why?:

Rebirth
Username:
HW cat or VOK lion?:
Link to group/pride: N/A if founder
Explain a major change that happens to them and how it effects them:

[Raw_Silver_Studios]

Rebirth

Username: Raw_Silver_Studios
HW cat or VOK lion?: VOK Lion
Link to group/pride: Jungle Striders
Explain a major change that happens to them and how it effects them: WIP

Big ol mark

[wucaian]

Decay | Username: wucaian | HW cat or VOK lion?: VoK | Link to group/pride: Eternal Realm
What are they afraid of and why?:

God of death and decay they’re called. The bringer of the end.

That's only partially correct. It would be more accurate to say they are a spirit of, a hand, of death. They do not control it, only exist in its domain. Working so closely with death, Xitti has no reason to fear it.

What Xitti truly fears...is living.

➷➷➷

When you live under the shadow of death, you know life is short. It can end suddenly, unexpectedly. So why waste time? If there’s a chance I’ll go for it. Why waste so much of my precious time making decisions? Ask questions later I say. You’ve got to savor the small pleasures, too. Good food, a good laugh.

Though an opportunity may come around again, each is unique. Lightning may strike twice when you’re immortal, but that doesn’t make it less exciting.

➷➷➷

To live is to believe in tomorrow. Those who live make plans for the future. They see their life spread out before them and dream. To live is to understand something bigger than oneself, one’s own life. The living think about the consequences of their actions.

Xitti does not think of such things. Xitti has no dreams beyond today. They work in the here and now, looking only at the task in front of them.

The hands of death rule the dead and the dying. Xitti can ease their pain, or increase it tenfold. They can stop a ghost from harming the living, or unleash hundreds to curse the land. Xitti has done many things in the name of death. But also in vengeance and cruelty.

➷➷➷

“One of life’s minions once found me and offered the chance to change my fate. They said they could release me from death’s domain.”

➷➷➷

Xitti is afraid to look back at what they’ve done and the consequences of those actions.



If Xitti were to stop and think, would they find their actions wrong? No, it is far better they exist under death’s shadow than consider what they have caused.

336/1000 not counting paragraph breaks

Rebirth | HW cat or VOK lion?: VoK | Link to group/pride: Eternal Realm
Explain a major change that happens to them and how it effects them:

I will be okay. I will NOT panic. Change is good. Change is natur--THIS IS NOT NATURAL!

✧✧✧

I am Orei, spirit of rebirth. There I have lived in the Eternal Realm for millenia. Since the first moment I could remember, things have always been this way. I defy the absolutes of life and death. My fur turns white and my runes glow with the last flicker of my magic. Then my body falls away and I awake in a nest of my bones. I am reborn. This is my constant.

✧✧✧

I was walking through my home. Plants withered where I stepped and regrew when I passed. My form was old, I knew I was nearing the end of this cycle. My magic was fading, and with it my strength. Like all creatures of the Eternal Realm, I require no sustenance, only magic that permeates each breath and clump of moss. It was as I was walking that my vision began to darken and my legs failed me. I do not fear this part of the cycle. It is a comfort to know that it continues as it always has.

✧✧✧

But I didn’t wake up in my realm! I’m here, in this mortal plane. I look out from my circle of bones at a violet sky, a golden glow on the horizon, and the fading white orb above. Which of the realms am I in?


Laying around will do me no good. I go to stand, but even supporting my own weight is an effort. It has never been this hard to move, even in my newborn form. My clumsy paws make me trip and fall off the ledge of rock I was on. I tumble off the side and hit the ground hard, rolling several feet away over sharp stones and twigs before coming to a stop. My newborn form is the weakest, but things have never hurt this much! I don’t know what starts it. But one tear squeezes from behind my eyelids and then I’m sobbing and wailing into the brightening light.

A shuffling noise close by startles me and I freeze. What was that? I’m in an unfamiliar place, I have no idea what dangers exist here. And I just let them know where I am. Suddenly, someone is leaning down over me and I squeak from surprise.

“Little cub,” they say. “Why are you here all alone?”

They carry me back to their pride. I would tell them I can walk just fine, but my strength seems to have left me, so I dangle in a very undignified manner from their jaws. I feel so weak and I can’t sense my magic, this scares me. When I meet the pride, they seem friendly enough. They give me food and decide that I should stay with them. I figure going along with this is as good a move as any right now.

✧✧✧

So I stayed with my rescuer’s pride. They cared for me and I told them my tale. None of us could puzzle out how I came to be in this realm. But what we do conclude is this: I am no longer immortal. My magic has not returned, my runes are so much dimmer, my body is no longer strong. There is no other conclusion to be made. The cycle of rebirth has been broken.

✧✧✧

“What are you doing?!” my pridemate snarls.

From my place on the ground I glance in their direction. Their face is contorted with anger and disgust. I shrug and sigh, then go back to watching ants making trails in the dirt.

“You are supposed to be learning to hunt with the other younglings.”

“Why bother?” I ask them. “We both know it’s no use. This body is weak and uncoordinated. I will never be strong again. So what’s the point.”

They let out a great roar. Then they’re grabbing my shoulder and rolling me over in the dirt. “That is enough! You may not have the strength of a god, but we mortals are not weak. You are not dead yet, so why are you acting like your life is over?”

The flash of rage in my chest gives me the strength to stand and get in their face. “You may not be weak. But I have never been mortal. I can barely walk ten feet before my legs give out beneath me. That seems like the definition of weak to me.”

“You are a cub. And you have spent nearly every day since that revelation moping in the dirt. We are not born strong. Bodies can be trained and skills can be learned. But you have to face those challenges instead of running away.” They snort a hot breath in my face and turn away. “I never thought a spirit of rebirth would be so pathetic.”

I can only watch as they leave. I’m not pathetic. I’m just being practical. Right? What point is there if I will never have control of this body or the strength I once did?

✧✧✧

But I watched, day in and day out, as the other cubs grew and flourished. They grew into their own with each passing day. They didn’t all share the same skills. Some were fast, some were smart, and some could tell enchanting stories. But they didn’t let their weakest points define them. They used the ways in which they were strong to carve out places for themselves in the pride.

So one day, I went up to one of the older lions and said, I’m ready to learn.

✧✧✧

Now I am old. My joints ache and my right eye is not as good as it used to be. My fur is shot through with white and my runes have lost their light. I do not know what the future holds for me. But I have come this far. If the cycle of my rebirth is truly broken, I can at least be proud of this last life.


999/1000 not counting paragraph breaks