Username: Isabella45
Link to cat(s) or lion(s) involved in prompt: Khalida,
Nthanda,
Ravi,
Valerius Link to their pride or group: xxXxx Prompt level completion: Level 5 (shaded fullbody with complex bg) + 11 (2751 words)
Prompt: The trees burn, and the silence and somberness among the residents left feels like it lasts for hours. In reality, it might have been, though any passage of time felt moot. Eventually, finally sated- the flames began to die out. Leaving only ash, mud, and rain where once had been powerful beings. The ground murky with charred wood and soot.
Though the rain has stopped, a flash of light similar to thunder strikes both plots, where once the two trees stood. Though there is no sound, until a large spirit-like dragon appears in the field, above the cats and creatures of decay, holding in its claws two small seeds, glowing with life. "Well well. It seems the two eternal rivals have finally done it... haven't they." it says, its voice husky with age and wisdom. "An eternity of struggle and strife, and finally they've reduced themselves to nothing. Just as it was always destined to be. Though It pains me that they would entwine others in their strife.." it humms, perhaps laughing "Well, it was time for a change anyway..."
It seems to read the somber mood, eyeing them with sympathy.
"With every failure, comes rebirth...a new chance." it pushes the tiny seeds into the earth, this time- together, where they could grow up beside one another instead of so far apart. "...And a new learning experience." Its tongue coils out another seed to join them, dropping into the earth. "For life, death, and rebirth are one, and perhaps, they will impress me this time." The ground where the seeds were planted began to glow, and slowly three tiny sprouts curled from the soil. One purple, one green, and one blue. Curling around one another.
The spirit-beast chuckles "Thank you heroes for this lesson you have brought. Even the ancients could stand to learn a thing or two from mortals with hearts as brave as yours....though certainly you're tired of this place. Allow me to offer you the way home... those who call this place home will care for this world from here, as was their duty from the start."
Portals open behind each of the cats, summoned by this powerful creature, beckoning them to return to their homes, their lives.
What stories do they bring with them? Write about their homecoming and how they're received, Do they bring any new cats with them? How long were they gone, how does the passage of time flow differently in their normal world? How do they greet the ones they missed?
Nthanda watched in silence as every sign of the goddess and her tree faded as if she had never been there at all. The ground all around was black and the rain still fell, soaking those who stood in the field with no shelter.
Some didn’t care, some didn’t even seem to notice, and others looked as if they had gone into a state of shock, staring blankly at the tree as the flames began to die away.
Beside Nthanda Ravi was staring quietly at the ruin, his gaze unreadable. Valerius didn’t seem at all surprised or numb like some of the others did, his expression almost calm like that of a warrior used to the sights he faced after every battle.
Soundlessly Khalida landed beside them, her gaze on the tree.
“Khalida,” Nthanda spoke, half in a whisper. Her relief was plain for anyone to see.
“Don’t tell me you were worried about me?” The dark lioness offered a small smile to her sister. “I just wanted to check both trees and armies, that’s all.”
“So, the other tree is…gone too?”
“Yes.” She nodded slightly. “And…I believe it may be better this way. I do not believe that such conflicting forces could not bring real peace or balance to this land. And I think they would have used and wasted as many mortals lives as necessary to get what they wanted.”
To Nthanda her words seemed a little harsh, but not without merit. She hadn’t found herself able to trust the goddess in the least and from what Valerius said the god was no different.
No one had too much time to dwell on things before the rain stopped and a sudden quiet fell over them as lightning flashed through the sky, hitting the ground where each tree had once stood.
A dragon appeared above them, slender and graceful in its movements and yet radiating strength as well. The soft glow that surrounded the dragon and the way it almost seemed transparent at points when it moved was enough to show this was no ordinary dragon.
Of course, some lions and cats present had never seen or even heard of such a creature and seemed frightened or confused. Others regarded dragons as an ill omen and stood their ground as if ready to fight while others began to mutter or tremble.
But before anyone could react the dragon spoke, and all four lions hung onto its words. At first they feared this was another enemy, or god seeking to make them fight at his will. But as it spoke it became abundantly clear this was not the case.
None of them were surprised to learn how the pair had been rivals for, well who knew how long. And as the dragon expressed regret at their involvement in it all some lions and cats visibly relaxed or seemed just a little less wary.
Nthanda’s gaze had fallen on the seeds the dragon held in its claws. She felt almost hopeful, though she couldn’t have said why exactly or even what for.
As the dragon spoke and pushed the seeds into the earth, watching them sprout, the four companions gazed on with each having very different thoughts and feelings.
A way home. Those words sparked hope in Nthanda, and she could see it in Valerius’s eyes too. No matter how bad home could be, she wanted to be in her own world with her mother and brother. As nice as this place was, she couldn’t imagine staying here forever and potentially having to live through more conflicts of this sort.
As portals began to appear though Khalida said to them, “I’d like to stay a little longer, if I may. But you may all go if you wish.” Before they could respond she flew toward the dragon, not seeming intimidated in the least.
Nthanda couldn’t hear what she said, and she couldn’t tell if the dragon was offended by her sister’s approach or questions.
But when the winged lioness returned after only a few moments she said, “We have time. The portals will not close just yet, they wait for all of us.”
“What is it you want to do here? What’s left?” Nthanda questioned.
“Just…don’t worry.” Khalida offered one of her rare smiles. “You may go on home ahead.”
Nthanda glanced around and saw that some lions and cats were already eagerly entering the portals while others hung back. Some had made friends in the city and weren’t eager to leave them without a proper goodbye or a few more moments.
“I’ll stay with you,” Nthanda told her sister.
“And I with you,” Ravi replied.
Nthanda offered a small smile in his direction and Valerius spoke up. “Well, I don’t relish going back first alone and being the one to explain to everyone why their princesses aren’t here yet. So I’ll wait.”
“Good then, we are agreed,” Khalida said with a nod. “I’ll be going now, but I’ll be back later.”
“Be safe,” Nthanda said.
“I will,” she assured her before flying off.
Nthanda watched her as she disappeared then looked back at Valerius and Ravi.
“Well, we might as well go and see some lions before we leave or go rest or something, right?” Ravi smiled a little at her.
“Sounds good to me,” she replied.
“I’m just going to go sit a while I think,” Valerius said. Promising he’d meet them back here by the portal he left to do just that.
Once he was gone Nthanda and Ravi decided to head for some shelter before it rained again. They found shelter beneath a large tree that had been untouched by the flames earlier and settled there, looking out over the field.
After only a moment Ravi said, “So, are you glad, or relieved to be going home?”
“I will be glad to see my mother,” she replied with a slight smile that faded after only a moment. “But the king will not be happy with our lack of…results.”
“We’ll think of something to tell him,” Ravi assured her.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I know I’ve said this but...thanks again, for coming with me. I’m not sure what I would’ve done without you.”
“It was my pleasure.” He smiled a little, something not too common place with him.
Before she could second guess herself Nthanda said, “It was nice, just being friends for a while not worrying so much about being princess and guard.”
Ravi seemed surprised but after a moment nodded slowly. “Yeah, yeah it was.”
Nthanda nodded in return, quiet at first and not sure if she was relieved by his answer, or maybe disappointed.
Meanwhile Ravi was trying to figure out why he felt so conflicted, but at the same time he didn’t really want to know for both their sakes.
“You know, I heard there was a lion who lived here once and had a connection to other worlds and realms. She could see things beyond this world, even another world in which another version of herself existed.”
“Do you think that’s true?” He looked over at her.
“It doesn’t seem too impossible. It must’ve been odd though, being able to see herself living a totally different life.”
‘I suppose so,” he agreed.
“I wonder…if it was true if we all might exist in another world. It would be interesting if we did. I wonder how different our lives would be...” She trailed off a little, her expression somewhat pensive.
“I imagine, it might be very different indeed,” he murmured, unable to help picturing all the ways his life might be better in another world.
“Well, I guess we’ll never know,” she finally said after several moments.
“No.” He debated a moment over what to say next, not wanting to make things uncomfortable. But they would be leaving soon and this might be his only chance to say anything so he said, “All I know is that my life wouldn’t be even half as good in any otherworld unless you were in it.”
The comment and seriousness in which he said it was so out of character for him Nthanda couldn’t help seeming surprised. Ravi worried that maybe he had offended her but just as he was about to apologize she said, “I didn’t know you felt that way. But…I’m glad. I wouldn’t want to live in a world without you in it.”
Ravi was both relieved, and maybe a little pained to hear that. Her expression was one of genuine care, but he couldn’t be sure he saw anything beyond that and he was warring between being relieved or disappointed. In the end neither really won over the other.
“I’m glad,” he finally said, knowing it might sound lame but not wanting to ignore what she’d said. He wanted to say that he hoped they would never have to find out what it would be like, to be without each other. But with the ranking difference between them and the plans her father had for her, he knew it was all too possible they might and sooner rather than later.
For just a moment staying here in this world where they could be friends or whatever they wanted to be seemed all too appealing.
He was mulling over this when a lioness walked by their resting spot and paused, looking toward them.
“Well, hello,” she said in a friendly tone. “You are two of our visitors, are you not?”
“We are,” Nthanda replied, unable to help feeling wary at first in light of all that had happened. But the lioness simply approached them with a smile and said, “Well, I had hoped to meet some more of you, might I sit with you for a spell?”
Nthanda glanced at Ravi who, after a moment, nodded slightly. “Yes, of course,” Nthanda said to the lioness then.
“Thank you dears.” She came to sit near them. “Well, you are some of the few who have lingered here. Not thinking of staying are you?”
Not seriously anyway, Ravi thought to himself. But before he could voice an answer the lioness chuckled and looked at Ravi saying, “I can see why you might consider it not too seriously as an…interesting notion.”
Ravi’s confusion showed and the lioness said, “Ah, please forgive me. I can read thoughts you see. I sometimes can’t tell when a lion speaks out loud or not if I let myself get too distracted.”
Ravi wasn’t sure whether to be more bothered or intrigued by her confession but simply said, “Ah I see. Is that your only...talent?”
“Well, I have been known to see lions’ futures from time to time,” she replied. “If I am asked a specific enough question I can often sense at least some of the future regarding that matter.”
Ravi couldn’t help but wonder if she was truly that gifted, or only saying so. As if sensing his doubt the lioness said, “If you wish, ask me any question about your future, or even someone else’s. I will show you what I see. You need not even ask with words if you don’t wish to.”
For a moment Ravi was confused. Not ask with words? But then he remembered she could read his thoughts. “Very well,” he said slowly.
“Whenever you are ready,” she said cheerfully.
Ravi nodded then tried to figure out what to ask, many ideas came to mind involving the future and even the potential of possible other universes and versions of themselves, but then one stuck with him, and he chose that as his thought.
What will be the future for the princess and I together? He hoped that was specific enough, as he didn’t really want to know if they’d end up in the same place but rather where that place might be.
In your own world, or the one beyond? Her voice echoed in his head.
Ravi hesitated, not sure what she meant but then replied,
Both I suppose.The lioness was quiet for several moments and Ravi thought she might not say anything, but then without warning words and images flashed through his mind.
An arrangement, a contract, a deal, a trip, a marriage, and so much more beyond that. It was almost as if their lives played out before him, quickly and all at once yet at times almost agonizingly slow. He saw where they would go, how she would form a new life that he would still be a part of and yet…never really a part of at the same time.
But as those images faded he was surprised to see them replaced by a place, much different from what he was used to. And yet there they were, the pair of them and…
With a grunt he shook his head and it all disappeared, leaving Nthanda and the other lioness watching him, the former somewhat concerned and the latter serious but calm.
“Thank you,” he said calmly. “It is an extraordinary gift.” Inwardly his heart was pounding and his thoughts racing, but he was determined to remain calm.
“It is. And at times a weighty one,” she replied. “Now how about you dear?” She looked at Nthanda.
“I…” Nthanda trailed off, seeming uncertain. “I think I’d rather not know.”
Ravi was almost relieved to hear her say so honestly, but it didn’t show.
“Sometimes it is far wiser not to,” the lioness told her. “It can be a trial always knowing what is coming but not how to change it where you would like to.”
“I’m sure,” she murmured.
“Now, I think I have bothered you both enough. I’ll go.”
They both insisted she hadn’t bothered them and was welcome to stay, but she felt the need to leave nonetheless and assured them she had enjoyed their company but did have much work to do to restore this world.
As she left both lions were quiet, each now caught up in their own thoughts.
~…………..~
Meanwhile in the forest Khalida stood before a cloaked lioness.
“So, this is the future you see?”
“Yes child,” the lioness murmured. “But you must be careful, this future could be changed. Your choices will determine it all.”
Khalida nodded slightly in acknowledgement and thanked the lioness before turning to go, ready to go home now with an image of her future fixed firmly in her mind.
Once she found the others she noted that her sister and Ravi were very quiet while Valerius was his usual self. All of them agreed it was time to go, some perhaps less eagerly than others.
They stepped through the portal and emerging on the other side discovered it had been only hours in their own world since they had left.
Everyone had many questions to ask and the king demanded their private report and any dues they had brought back. Everyone was so distracted no one noticed when the portal didn’t immediately disappear and some small wisps of blue light entered the world before the portal faded.
Meanwhile on the other side of the portal the lioness they had spoken to stood quietly by their portal. “She will find him,’ she murmured. “When it is needed most.”
Satisfied her work was done she turned to back to her home, crossing the ashen ground and glancing up only once as the form of a dragon passed over her.
He might not have approved of her interference. But if she could help any mortal who had been brought here on this foolish quest she would. It would only be a matter of time now before the results of her help could be seen.
In their world time passed more slowly before Ravi could see the results of her help, and Khalida could see the future she had been shown playing out before her.
As had been the plan their memories of that time and place did fade some with the passing of time, but the feelings and thoughts that had made a real impact stayed whether they realized the source or not.
And though they didn’t know it a little of that world had come back with them and revealed itself at the right time, bringing forth memories and questions, leaving them searching for answers that they might never find.
And though they forgot the lioness who had spoken to them and showed them the future, she never forgot them and watched it all play out, having always known they did not have the easiest paths set before them.
