❂ 𝔅𝔢𝔶𝔬𝔫𝔡 𝔗𝔥𝔦𝔰 ❂ - VoK #300

[EchoIre]

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Username: EchoIre
Lion name: Chetan
Other Names:
Anamol Sooraj
Son of Pahar
Harbinger of Doom
Herald of Death
Lion gender: Male
Pride: Motoheri Pride
Pride Status: Peacekeeper
Alignment: Lawful Good

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A stranger walks the Valley, one of dappled pelt and silent paws. A leopard, they say, one of death and mystery.

A stranger walks the Valley, one who walks the line between worlds. A seer, they say, to pull the dead beyond the veil.

A stranger walks the Valley, one whose eyes see beyond our own. A herald, they say, one who sings Death's dark song.

A stranger walks the Valley, one who knows no king but himself. A fool, they say, who should have stayed where he belonged.

[EchoIre]

*It is suggested to read posts in the order they are in on the thread, but some mixing should be fine!

𝔏𝔢𝔤𝔢𝔫𝔡𝔰 & 𝔉𝔞𝔟𝔩𝔢𝔰

Verdant
The birth of a god, the rainforest, and the leopards, and the fall of all three.

Rebirth
There is something strange with our children...

𝔗𝔥𝔢 ℌ𝔢𝔯𝔞𝔩𝔡

Heraldic
A herald's cry.
(Best answers the prompt)

Bloom
The birth of a New One.

Wisp
Leopards are terrible moms, but at least you have friends.

Fellows
Well, who needed friends anyways?

Sunshine
Now you have to leave your friends.

𝔗𝔯𝔦𝔳𝔦𝔞 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔐𝔦𝔰𝔠. ℑ𝔫𝔣𝔬

Relationships
How Chetan feels about those he has met.

Stricken
A stranger beautiful and fair.

[EchoIre]

Long ago, the world was a flat, endless expanse of grass. You could walk your entire life without ever finding anything else, because there was nothing else to find. This was the land before Pahar. Pahar was the first creature to ever walk the world. He was made by nothing other than the world itself; he rose from the depths of the sea of grass fully-grown. His pelt was made of the grass - a vibrant, swirling green.

Pahar loved the world more than anything else, but it saddened him to be so alone. For many, many years Pahar walked the vast ocean of grass, tears falling from his muzzle. Only when he realized what he had done did he stop.

The rolling plains of the world were broken by coursing rivers, glimmering oceans, and rich waterfalls. Already, the water began to shift and alter the shape of the earth. Pahar couldn't believe it. Had he really done this? What beauty he created!

...What else could be create?

Thus began the adventure of a young god. Pahar took to traveling once more, creating something new each place he went. Mountains rose with his roar, valleys bowed beneath his paws. At the Great Rivers, Pahar took a flat stone at set it in the water. The stone twitched and wriggled, and took a great breath of water and began to swim. That was how the first fish was made. Even today, the children of the first fish swim in the Great Rivers, dark and flat as the river stone they came from.

Pahar gifted the world many, many more unique creatures and beautiful plants. In the savanna, he twisted great stalks of grass together, and made the first acacia trees. From the branches, towering giraffes were made, born from the same bark as the spritely gazelle. Hippos were crafted from stone and mud, while crocodiles were born from grass, bone, and algae. Birds of all shapes and color were pulled from the clouds.

Yes, Pahar put tender care into every thing he created. But no place was as dear to him as the rainforest, and no animal so close to him as the leopard.



With life, comes death, a lesson Pahar soon learned well. All the life he created for the earth perished at some point, for unlike him, they did not contain the magic of the earth. Such a thing was something only the earth could give, and had given only to Pahar. The world became full not only of living, but of the wandering souls of the dead. It pained Pahar to see his creations so terribly lost, without home or family, so he set about making a home for the spirits on earth.

First, he created trees so tall they pierced the clouds, for the spirits of air to hide in. Next, he sent a great wave of dense foliage and underbrush to pool around the roots of the trees. This was for small spirits, who sought to hide themselves from the large, prying eyes of others. After that, he allowed the rivers to flow through the rainforest, so that aquatic spirits may enjoy the secluded sanctuary. Pahar created vibrant blooms and fruits to dot the overgrown forest, so that spirits from all walks of life may enjoy the saturated bursts of color. Similarly, strange and vibrant creatures were created to live in the rainforest, so that the spirits may find living companions when they wished.

However, despite all of the young god's hard work, the rainforest was not a perfect nor peaceful place. The spirits of air were especially mischievous, prone to playing tricks turned lethal on the living, which in turn created confused and violent spirits that roamed and burned the intended sanctuary. The deceased of earth and water feuded often, leaving swathes of destroyed forest or polluted rivers. As optimistic as he was, Pahar knew that the rainforest wouldn't not survive like this. There needed to be mediators, peacekeepers. Someone to bridge the gap between two worlds. Setu.

Pahar worked for weeks on this new creature. It must be perfect, a combination of the living and the dead, of light and dark.

First, he molded a shifting pool of sunlight into a form agile and lithe, similar to his own in shape. This was so that all those who saw its golden hue may recognize the creature for its rank, for no other creature of his bore this color. Next, Pahar dipped his paw in the shadows, and painted elegant dapples on the creature's pelt with the murk. This was to allow the creature to blend in among the spirits of earth and shadow. Shards of flint were placed in the creature's paws, so that it may climb high into the canopies to meet with spirits of air. The creature was given life from the rushing rivers, so that it may have a knowledge and affinity for the waters and the enigmatic spirits that dwell within. With a pelt of light, claws of stone, and a heart stronger than the veins of the earth, the creature was brought to life. Leopard was the first word from its lips, and so it was named.

The leopard kept peace among the living well, but among the dead it was another story. Like all living things, the leopard could not see the dead, because it did not have the soul of the earth in its heart, only an echo. As Pahar had found before, it was beyond him to pull this energy from the earth; this magic belonged to the earth, and as such, only it could create it. After many moons of deliberating, Pahar came up with a solution to his strange problem. He called all of the leopards before him, and one by one, plucked a piece of the earth's magic from his heart and transferred it to their own. With eyes of a new emerald hue, Pahar's Setu could see and interact with all whispers and echoes of life. And though weakened, the young god was finally satisfied. This, he was sure, would bring peace between the living and the dead.

Oh, how wrong he was.



Mortal beasts were unlike him in many ways, Pahar would soon come to learn. A limited lifespan created greed and fear in even the purest of hearts. Unchecked, divine power spawned megalomania, even in creatures meant to be just and good. Such was the fate of the leopards, and such was the fate of Nisha.

Nisha was a daughter of the very first leopard. Unlike her brothers and sisters who communed with all spirits, the leopardess focused solely on communicating with the vengeful spirits borne from the malevolence of other undead. These spirits, which came to be known as Aahat Aatmaen, were a far cry from what they once were. Their fear and fury in their final moments morphed the very essence of their souls, turning them into strange beasts of fire regardless of what they were in life. Through hard work, the Aahat Aatmaen could be calmed and purified, which was the ultimate goal of all leopards that worked with the fiery spirits.

All, of course, except for Nisha.

The cunning leopardess found that the vengeful spirits were far more powerful than any other, and much more easy to manipulate. Using the powers Pahar blessed her kind with, Nisha procured an army of Aahat Aatmaen, and used them to fuel her lust for power. The most ancient of trees crumpled and burned at her command. Try as they may, no leopard could stop her. The spirits she controlled were too blinded by her lies to be helped, and attacked those who tried mercilessly. The rainforest burned at the word of its guardian.

They say that the smoke blotted out the sun. They say it choked creatures for hundreds of miles around. They say Pahar only learned of the great tragedy when he saw the smoke himself, from nearly halfway around the world.

The naïve god was horrified. Never before had he seen such a cruelty, such a heartlessness for all living things. He never imagined a creature with a fragment of the earth's heart could do such a thing.

What did it say of him, whose very being was this raw magical that granted such greed?

With a heavy heart, Pahar retracted the piece of magic he gave to the leopards. Even the innocent were split so, for the young god could trust no mortal with that power. Not any more. In an instant, Nisha's reign was over. In an instant, and entire race was blinded to friends and family past. Ancients were muted, with no link to the world of the living. This is the cost of greed, Pahar murmured to his most precious children, their eyes now a pale and haunting yellow. Be better than this.



It has been many, many generations since the leopards's fell from grace. Since then, they have become solitary and antisocial creatures. It is common for a leopard to blame each member of their species for their downfall. Others who are perceived as more gifted than oneself are typically scorned, especially if they are of another species. Overall, rainforest leopards especially have earned a reputation for being a proud and hateful bunch, with no exception in attitude towards their fellows.

Yet despite their lack of betterment, some cubs in recent generations have been born with vibrant, emerald green eyes. They often face a great deal of bullying from their kin; some mothers even go so far to abandon cubs which display the fabled trait. But those that live seem to be echoes of the first leopards - much more amiable than current specimens, with a much longer lifespan. Some claim to be able to see and commune with spirits, while others scoff at such implications. What any of this means remains unknown, but some fear something dark is brewing in worlds unseen...

[EchoIre]

It had been many, many years since the fall of the leopards. With each generation, it seemed that the species grew more bitter toward one another, and more haughty towards other species. This, they agreed, was far from what Pahar wanted when he told them to be better. However, this was what they were, for better or for worse. Why should they change, when hundreds of others refused? What difference would it make?

The leopards knew that they no longer the deserved the gift they once had. But that never stopped them from coveting it, from pining after it, from burning with desire for the respect stolen from them.

Needless to say, it was a great surprise when the first green-eyed cub was born.

He died nameless, abandoned by his mother. The second, too; she was left for the wilds at the tops of a towering dead tree, its harsh and pale branches offering no protection. The third, too, was abandoned. However, this particular creature lived, and adopted the name Daniya. Daniya, like the others, was given up to the lacking mercy of the rainforest. However, he managed to make it to adulthood where others failed to do so. And he would not be silenced.

Daniya travelled far and wide across the rainforest, telling all those who would listen of himself and of the strange god made of grass who saved him from the wilderness. He told them of the colorful spirits who dance beside them, who steal their children and chase away their prey. It was through these brief interactions that Daniya learned of his culture as a leopard, and of the fate of the two green-eyed leopards before him. For though other leopards hated him simply for his eyes, Daniya was a charismatic and amiable fellow. They found it hard to chase him away, and he found it equally hard to leave. However, even the most receptive of leopards sent Daniya away eventually.

Daniya would not be defeated however. He travelled the rainforest, learning from the spirits, his own experiences, and the occasional guiding word of a creature he now knew to be named Pahar. Daniya would be the first Setu in centuries. For many years, Daniya was alone. He noticed after a while that, while his body was most certainly aging, it was aging at a rate slower than those around him. Already, he had to say goodbye to a number of friends who were his younger by at least four years. Daniya had an idea of why this was happening, but it was a grim prospect. Were all his worldly friends to die before him because of the magic in his blood?

The answer, Pahar decided, was no.

It was not long after these questions that Daniya found a small, abandoned leopard cub. It was barely a week old, and its eyes were a bright emerald green. Stunned, Daniya took the cub in without a second thought. He spent two days at its side, trying to nurse it back to health. However, he could not provide the milk it needed, and he had no way of getting it either. Was this innocent creature to die because of him?

This time, it was the spirits who answered no.

He was approached by a type of earth spirit known as a Ghremaan - who were elephants in life. The Ghremaan introduced itself as Mahila, and offered its help. Daniya, with nowhere else to turn, accepted. The great spirit began to mix a concoction of herbs and fruits, mashing it all down into a thick paste with its wide foot. This, it told Daniya, will allow the cub to live.

And so it did! The cub grew stronger by the day, and was soon named Punarjanm for its recovery. Mahila stayed at the side of Daniya and Punarjanm. They were its family, it declared. After Punarjanm, three more green-eyes leopards were found: Pran the Silent, Sakshi the Songchild, and Vasu the Wise. Pran was the only one Daniya encountered as an adult - the others he and Mahila found abandoned, and raised as they had Punarjanm.

Together, the five leopards decided to form a sort of organization. There was something dark on the horizon, that much they knew, something that frightened Pahar. As many Setu as possible were needed, but to search the rainforest alone was an impossible task. So, the Setu decided, they would work together towards this goal. With this in mind, Haradhaal was formed.

Centered in ruins of moss-covered stone, Haradhaal was created to be a place for green-eyes leopards to learn the past behind their abilities, and to learn to serve and protect those who look down upon them. Setu trained in Haradhaal wear a cape of shimmering green to be recognized, for they were the renewal of an ancient, respected people. They are taught to be fair, levelheaded, and kind. Nothing less could soften the contempt felt for them. Haradhaal flourished, and though there were days of great sorrow and peril, leopards swathed in fabric so shimmering green can still be seen in the rainforest today.

[EchoIre]

Fire leapt and danced around Chetan, easily devouring the dry savanna grasses. Lions poured from their dens like rivulets of water, screaming in fear as they attempted to dodge the destruction of their home. Chetan could only watch, eyes wide with disbelief. He was here! He had warned them! Why, why had this still happened?

Unseen to the lions, dark creatures of fury and flame laughed in cruel delight as they brought forth the terrible destruction. Chetan felt his blood turn to ice as he realized what they were. The dark spirits - the Aahat Aatmaen. He had failed.

Suddenly, a humanoid creature with a feathered crest and glittering black eyes was in front of his face. Mitra. Their scales were a vibrant yellow, dotted by small blotches of blue and green. “Where has Che-tan been?” They hummed, frantically running their tiny hands over his face.

Chetan didn’t looked at them, his eyes glued to the portrait of chaos that bloomed all around him. “Mitra.” He breathed. “I failed. I failed them. They’re dying. They’re dying! Mitra!” He was screaming now. His green eyes, brimming with tears, locked onto his tiny friend as if searching for an answer.

Mitra, looked equally distraught, could only run their hand through Chetan’s fur. “Not your fault.” They said gently, their voice drowned in the roar of flame, the screams, the laughter. “We leave.”

Chetan shook his head, his attention now moving to a nearby Aahat Aatmaen. “No, no there has to be something I can do, Mitra. I can’t just leave.”

Mitra shook their feathered head. “No. Not safe.” They said firmly. They turned Chetan’s head back to face them. “We leave. Now.”

The young leopard, green eyes wide and panicked, shook his head again. There was a certain sadness in his eyes that was too soft for the hellish scene around them. “No. I can’t.” Chetan said gently. He pressed his nose to Mitra’s forehead carefully. “I need to stay. You leave. I don’t know what I’d do if you got hurt.”

Mitra opened their mouth to protest, but Chetan ducked under their hovering form and was gone in an instant, his green cape streaming behind him.

“Che-tan!”



The pridelands were a far cry from what they had been just five days prior. Where cubs once frolicked, tongues of flame danced in their place. Greedy shoots of fire devoured every blade of grass or delicate bloom. They crawled up trees or chased fleeing lions in some unspoken game. Dark, amorphous creatures watched - some laughing, some not – the destruction idly, sometimes calling up plumes of fire with the flick of their hand. Chetan tried not to meet their gaze.

The smoke was awful. It clawed at his eyes, blurring his sight and making him stumble in pain. It strangled him from the inside out, crawling into his lungs and sitting there. But still Chetan ran, searching listlessly for something that would very likely kill him.

Finally, he found it. Or, found them, rather. Like all Aahat Aatmaen, they looked like a conglomeration of the fiery destruction they sowed. Long, dark limbs like shards of sharp charcoal. Their body seemed to suck in any light around them, giving them an appearance of holes in the universe instead of any sort of living thing. The very core of their being seemed to be aglow with flame, which spewed an insidious amount of smoke and embers.

The one Chetan found, the one he was looking for, was the smallest of all present.

“Chanda!” The leopard cried, coming to a halt three tail-lengths away from the dark spirit. It turned to look at him with eyes of burning ember. Chetan quickly looked down, almost bowing his head to the beast. “You have to stop this!” He spoke in the tongue of the dark beasts, taught to him by the leopards who raised him. Flames roared around Chetan, their scorching breath whipping his body harshly and pulling his cape behind him. “They know not what they have done! They do not-“

Suddenly, something crashed into Chetan’s side, barreling him over. He yowled in pain as he landed in a pile of burning embers. He was met with a harsh, clawed blow to the face. “I told you never to return, boy!” His attacker spat. Without opening his eyes, Chetan recognized their voice. King Jitendra.

Chetan shoved the king off him, quickly scrambling to his paws to escape the embers that dug into his flesh. Before he could fully recover, another cruel smack met his cheek, sending the Setu stumbling to the ground. His head rang, spots dancing before his eyes. He couldn’t stand on his shaking paws, couldn’t draw in a good breath from the polluted air.

“Please,” Chetan rasped, “You have to listen to me. There’s still a cha-“

The furious king struck Chetan again, this time laying him across the burning ground.

“Do not say such things to me, boy!” King Jitendra snarled. “You brought this upon us. Do not try to deceive me.” Faintly, Chetan was aware of the lion walking closer to him. He felt a massive paw press against his throat. The king lowered his muzzle to Chetan’s spotted ear, his breath cool in comparison to the simmering smoke that hung around them. “I will not hear another word from you, Harbinger of Doom. You shall die today with the innocents you slaughter.”

Chetan could only wait for death.

Just as he felt the king’s claws begin to press against his throat, a burning surge of heat shot over Chetan. He scrunched his eyes against the brightness. In the next second, there was screaming. Terrible, terrible screaming. Was it his? Was this death?

An eternity after the screaming faded, Chetan managed to push himself to his paws. The first sight that met his eyes was a frighteningly lion-shaped mound of fire not even five feet away from him. Jitendra. How? Chetan turned on his paws sluggishly, only to find Chanda staring at him. Their eyes were white pits of burning flame.

“Leave, Anamol Sooraj. There is nothing for you here.” Their voice was like the crackle of flames. Chetan cringed to hear his true name spoken by one so dark. He didn’t waste time contemplating what Chanda had said, or how the spirit knew his true name when no one else did. The leopard only staggered away, blinded by the thick plumes of smoke. Somewhere along the way, Mitra found him. With gentle hands, they grasped Chetan’s cape and led him to safety.



It was a week before the destruction of the Kanaka Pride.

Chetan had left Haradhaal and the other Setu almost two months ago, to stop the darkness that the spirit of Daniya warned them against. In all of history, Chetan was the first Setu to ever leave the rainforest. He was needed here in the Valley, as Daniya had told the rest of Haradhaal months prior, but that didn’t make the journey any easier. Chetan didn’t know if he’d ever be able to return to the rainforest.

The first day Chetan spent in the Valley, Daniya came to him again. The long-dead Setu had been able to pinpoint the location of the brewing darkness at the pridelands of the Kanaka Pride. This was where Chetan was to go, and where he was now.

The lions of Kanaka lived in a vast savannah. Though the terrain was far different from the rainforest he was used to, it felt almost holy to Chetan. This, he realized, is what the world must have been like before Pahar. Chetan was wary to interact with the pride. He knew not if they had seen a leopard before, but he knew they had never seen a Setu before. He would have great difficulty explaining who he was and why he was here. It would be for the best if he could remedy the issue without interacting with the pride.

After two days of searching, Chetan spotted the first Aahat Aatmaen he had seen in the valley. They were small, though larger still than some he had seen in the rainforest. He would later come to understand that they were the size of a lion cub. Chetan had sent Mitra away as he approached the spirit of flame; the fae's former rank often intimidated or angered those who may recognize them. He could not risk Mitra provoking the small creature of darkness.

As Chetan approached the small spirit, two larger Aahat Aamaen materialized at its side. Three pairs of burning white eyes turned to Chetan, piercing his soul. With his head down, he continued to approach the spirits. Their apparent tranquility alarmed him; their kin in the rainforest were far more active and vocal than this.

Before Chetan could call the language of the dark spirits to his tongue, the smallest of them spoke. “You do not belong here, leopard.” Their voice came from all over, echoing up from the ground and down from the sky to reverberate in Chetan’s bones.

“I am here to help.” Chetan countered carefully. “There… there is a great shadow looming over this place. Are you the source?”

The smallest tilted their head curiously at him. “Yes.” Their body collapsed in on itself, expanding in jagged edges the next second. A fire burned at their core. The tall beasts beside it were no more solid; they too folded and unfolded like they were breathing, with odd harsh limbs unfurling at strange angles to claw at the sky or rip grass from the ground. Chetan stood strong.

He was unused to having a true conversation with an Aahat Aatmaen, and was surprised to find this one had guards. There was something more than what he knew going on here. “Why? What have these lands done to you?”

The creature seemed to sigh. “It is not what these lands do to me, but what is done to these lands, Setu.”

Chetan hesitated. Compassion – or, worry, at the very least – were things not found in the Aahat Aatmaen the leopard knew. He could not decide whether to suspect a trick or not, for such things were also beyond the dark spirits he was familiar with. Then again, these three had already proved to be far different from what he was expecting.

“… What is done to these lands?”

Again, the spirit seemed surprised. “I will show you, Setu.” It turned and walked away, the very grasses of the savanna shifting to avoid its step. Chetan followed a few meters behind.

They traveled in silence for many long minutes, before the smallest spirit spoke again. “Hide yourself, Setu.”

Chetan looked about and spotted a patrol of lions on the horizon. He wordlessly lowered himself into the grass. “What are they doing?”

“Hunting” The dark spirit snarled. An especially thick plume of smoke and embers seeped from its core as it watched the hunting party.

Chetan failed to understand what made the spirit so angry with the hunters, but knew better to challenge it. For now, he watched the lions silently. They were formidable hunters, Chetan had to give them that. They split up and circled a herd of striped animals Chetan did not recognize, and when they attacked, both groups came back with a foal.

The spirit snarled again. “That,” it seethed, “is what angers me, Setu.”

“But… they must do this to live.” Chetan countered carefully. “They do not kill the young out of malice.”

Just as Chetan spoke, more lions came over the horizon. The joined with the hunting party, practically every lion carrying some sort of bounty. The leopard couldn’t help but feel a bit of awe as he counted the sheer amount of prey animals the hunters had found: at least ten rabbits, two brown pig-like creatures, four or five medium-sized birds (which appeared too fluffy to be fully grown), a dark brown bovine calf, multiple fish, and the two striped foals that were caught earlier. The hunting party was split again, the spoils handed to one group as the other ventured deeper into the savannah. Chetan watched in growing shock as the group with the food scrutinized the prey pieces, leaving behind those that apparently didn’t make the cut as they returned to the pride.

Chetan didn’t know what to say. Never before had he seen such a magnitude of prey killed, just to have a portion of it discarded like that. “… Perhaps there is a great occasion in the pride? A celebration?” The leopard offered warily.

He watched with growing shock as one of the striped equines returned, braying loudly. “No,” the spirit rumbled. The striped creature trotted through the savannah, clearly distressed. “this is every day, almost.” Her foal lay discarded in the grass, good enough to kill, but not good enough to keep. A life brought to waste. Chetan turned away. “These lions care not for the land they live on. They will pay the price of their greed.”

Chetan was once again without words. “…What is your name, spirit?”

The Aahat Aatmaen turned to Chetan, its white-hot eyes boring into his own. He couldn't turn away. “I am Chanda, son of Abhay. The Kanaka Pride scorns me and my memory by being such a scourge upon these lands.” Chetan can sense the dark spirit look him up and down, though no part of it moved. “I sense good in you, Setu, bridge between worlds. You fear for these lions.”

“It is my duty to help them, yes.” Chetan answered stiffly.

Chanda looked away. The leopard drew in a deep gasp of air, unaware that he had been holding his breath before.

“Five days. That is all you have to change them.” Chanda rumbled, their voice like crackling coals. “Good luck, Chetan.”

Chetan started, surprised that the creature knew his name. Certainly he would have remembered telling the spirit such a thing? However, before Chetan could question Chanda, all three Aahat Aatmaen vanished in a thick plume of scentless black smoke.



Chetan walked through the Kanaka Pride’s camp, escorted by a border patrol. He had intercepted the first patrol he had spotted, asking to meet with their king for reasons of utmost importance. The lions were hesitant to trust him – as it turned out, they had interacted with leopards before and saw them only as troublesome neighbors that stole their prey. Which, truthfully, surprised Chetan a bit more than it should have. Regardless, the lions resigned to take him to their king.

He found that those in the camp were no less judgmental. Mothers ushered gawking cubs away, whilst whispers followed Chetan just as closely as his escorts. Mitra, who would usually be there to soothe Chetan in such situations, had yet to return after he sent them away to talk with the Aahat Aatmaen. Chetan felt very… alone.

Finally, he arrived at a cave decorated with colorful beads and finely woven swathes of vibrant fabric. One of the lions escorting Chetan went in and returned shortly after with two lions – one of a steely blue-grey, and the other a pale orange. The patrol bowed, prompting Chetan to quickly do the same.

“Rise.” Came a voice like distant thunder.

The leopard stood, his cape whispering down his shoulder. The grey lion’s eyes were a piercing yellow, not unlike the color so commonly seen in the eyes of leopards. He glowered down at Chetan, something like contempt in his eyes. The orange lion stood silently behind him.

“I am King Jitendra, ruler of the Kanaka Pride.” The grey lion rumbled. “What is your business here, leopard?”

Chetan drew in a steadying breath. “I am Chetan, a Setu of Haradhaal, from the Rainforest of Aatmaon. I have come to warn you, Your Majesty, of a darkness rising in your lands.”

A smile flickered over the king’s face. He motioned for the patrol to leave he and the leopard to themselves. “Go on, Setu.”

“I see the spirits of all things, Your Majesty, from the smallest of birds to the largest elephant. They live beside the living even in death, and… judge their actions.” Chetan met the gaze of the king. “… You and your pride and anger the darkest of them.”

King Jitendra smiled in earnest. “Do we, now? They tell you this, leopard?” He asked coyly.

Chetan could sense the king’s disbelief easily – it wasn’t like he was trying to hide it. The orange lion, too, was smiling. He felt his pelt grow hot. “They do, Your Majesty. I understand it sounds unlikely, but I implore you to listen. You are in great danger. I may-“

“No.” The king interjected. “You will do nothing but feed me lies, as you do now.” There was a dangerous look in his yellow eyes. Chetan shifted uncomfortably. “How long have you been in these lands, leopard?”

“… A few days, Your Majesty.”

King Jitendra nodded. “That’s why you didn’t know then, I suppose.” He mused. “Leopard, there is a lion here who truly speaks to the spirits.” The orange lion rose to their paws, stepping up to the king’s side. “Akhil has been a reliable advisor for many years, and communes with the dead weekly.” Jitendra continued, motioning to the orange lion. “Not once have they mentioned unease among the spirits.”

Akhil glared at Chetan. “Like all your kind, leopard, you lie. We are under no threat.” They hissed.

Chetan’s mind raced. There had been no training to deal with situations such as these. What could he say in such a situation? “The spirits I speak of are secretive, they do not speak with the living often-“ He began, only to be cut off by Akhil.

“But you are an exception, leopard?” The seer countered with a sneer.

Chetan opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off by King Jitendra.

“We are beyond your lies, leopard.” The king rumbled. “Whatever your goal is, you will have no luck here. Leave now while I allow it.”

Chetan’s heart sank. This couldn’t be happening! “No!” He gasped. “I speak the truth, Your Majesty. Your greed stirs the dark, attracts foul attention to your good people!” He took an imploring step toward the king, only to be met with a face of unhidden disgust. “You must listen to me, King Jitendra, otherwise there will be dire consequences.”

Now Chetan fell silent, watching the king with hopeful yet frantic eyes. Lions passing nearby stopped and stared, stunned by the leopard’s outburst. The grey king closed the distance between himself and Chetan, a still sort of fury on his face. Chetan sank away, suddenly very aware of how much larger than him the king was.

“You are young, leopard,” King Jitendra rumbled, “foolish. You wear my patience thin.” He lowered his head to Chetan’s level, his face barely a whisker’s length from the leopard’s. “I don’t want to kill you, but I will. Leave now. You will not be offered mercy again.”

Chetan, poor, desperate Chetan, lingered still. He couldn’t simply leave these lions to their fate, not when he was sent to save them by word of Daniya himself! But… he knew there was no more he could do now, not today, and not with Akhil so close to the king. With a final, spiteful look at the seer, Chetan turned tail and raced from the pridelands.



Only cinders remained.

Despite the warnings from Mitra, Chetan had returned to the runs of the Kanaka Pride. With every step, the weight of his guilt grew heavier upon Chetan’s burned shoulders. Once towering acacia trees were reduced to nothing more than charcoal, and there was hardly any trace of the detailed dens Chetan had seen before. In fact, the only thing that hinted at life ever being in the camp was the occasional corpse, burned beyond recognition. The first body Chetan found sent him stumbling to the ground.

He had never seen a corpse before.

This was his fault.

Even as Mitra urged him to leave, Chetan began to tear up the ruined earth with his blistered paws. He knew a patrol from any living members of the pride could arrive at any moment, but he couldn’t just leave. Not again. His failure brought the death of this lion, and though Chetan didn’t even know them, he couldn’t just leave their body exposed to the elements like this. He would bury every fallen member of the scornful pride, if he could.

Just as the leopard was scooping the last pawful of earth over the fallen lion, a shocked cry rang throughout the camp. Chetan turned quickly on his paws, only to find a slightly-burned yet alive lion staring at him, their mouth agape. He realized with a jolt that they looked horribly similar to King Jitendra.

“You dare come back?” The lion breathed, taking slow, purposeful steps towards him.

Chetan shrank away. “I only wanted-”

“Enough.” The lion was less that a tail length away from him. Something in their face told Chetan that they were young, but they were still easily a head taller than him. Their eyes were cold, ragged, and tired. “There is nothing for you here, Herald of Death. Every lion for as far as the sky touches will know you and what you have done.” They look a step closer, lowering their maned head to look Chetan in the eye. “You will never escape what you have done here.”

Chetan stared at the lion, his eyes wide. Mitra, though sitting atop his head, was silent. How Chetan longed to tell this lion the truth, to help! But, it was already made clear to him that the ‘truth’ had already been decided, the story written. Chetan felt sick to his stomach.

The lion stared at him for a long, long time. Or at least, it felt that way to poor Chetan. What was the young prince looking for in the eyes of the creature he thought killed his father? Finally, he stepped away, still watching Chetan with their scornful eyes. “Leave, leopard.”

Chetan dipped his head to the prince, still selfishly grateful for his life, and took off deeper into the lands of the lions.



Chetan could not go back to Haradhaal.

Daniya, once a near-constant presence on Chetan’s trip to the Valley, had yet to show themselves since the Kanaka Pride first turned him away. He had been abandoned for his failure. To return to Haradhaal would be to spit on the achievements of the Setu that came before him. No, he was bound to the Valley now, for better or for worse.

It appeared that the lion who confronted Chetan at the Kanaka Pride’s old camp was true to his word, too. Everywhere he went, Chetan was recognized by his vibrant green cape as an envoy of death and chased away. He grew lean and weary, but never enough so to remove his cape. No, it was the last tie to his home, no matter how undeserving he may be.

For many months did Chetan walk. It was largely Mitra that kept him alive, scouting ahead to tell him if there was danger, and leading him to water and easy prey. But even they could not keep Chetan safe in the desert.

The dry, sandy lands were the exact opposite of the rainforest Chetan was raised in.

He was quite certain he was going in circles, going mad under the face of the indifferent sun. After nearly a week of attempting to pass through the treacherous lands with no water, Chetan collapsed. When he awoke, he was almost certain he was dead. However, the dull pain of hunger told him otherwise. He barely caught a glimpse of his savior, but they were a strange creature indeed. With a voice like birdsong they gave him directions to a nearby pride that would help him, and vanished into the golden horizon.



Chetan awoke with a groan, cracking his eyes open wearily. Gentle paws lifted his head, raising his muzzle to a bowl of water. Surprised, but too weak to protest, Chetan took a long drink from the bowl, only to spit it all out when the sharp taste hit his tongue.

“It’s okay.” A gentle voice met his ears. Chetan tried to look at who was talking, but he could only make out a smear of blue and white. “The water has herbs in it, that’s all. They will help you.” The same voice soothed.

“Where am I?” Chetan rasped.

“Drink, please.” The voice said quietly. The bowl was brought back to Chetan’s lips, and with nothing else to do, the leopard held his breath and gulped down the rest of the water. He grimaced, but could already feel a bit of strength returning to him. “You at the Motoheri Pride. You collapsed in front of our guards after asking for help.” The voice explained. “Do you remember?”

Chetan groaned. “Sorta. It’s… coming back to me.”

“That’s good.” The voice hummed. “Try to sleep now. We will talk more when you wake.”



Chetan woke with a start.

Flames painted his dreams, stained them. There were screams, too, terrible screams. He didn’t know what was burning. Maybe it was everything.

The leopard shuddered. He pulled himself into a sitting position, green eyes slowly adjusting to the light. He was in a tent of sorts, laying in a nest of grass in a far corner. There were numerous empty nests and piles of herbs around the tent, though before he could determine if there was anybody else in a nest, a blue and white lion approached him.

“Good to see you’re awake.” They hummed. “How are you feeling?”

Chetan scrunched his brow in confusion. He had heard their voice somewhere… “I… I’m alright, thank you.”

Before Chetan could get another word out, a charcoal-grey lioness slunk from the shadows. Her pelt danced with the mark of flame. Chetan did his best not to shy away, but couldn’t hide his initial jump of fear. The lioness sat down in front of him, her amber eyes boring into his soul. There was a strange light about her, one Chetan could just barely see.

“That is good, Herald of Death.” The grey lioness said, curling her tail around her paws. “Because I have some questions for you.”

Chetan tried to push himself into a more dignified position, or at least one that didn’t make it seem like he was about to pass out. “May I ask who you are, first?” He asked.

The lioness flicked the tip of her tail. “I am Udia, Hail Priestess of the Motoheri Pride.” She replied proudly. “Who might you be, Harbinger of Doom? Is that truly the name you wish to go by?”

Chetan couldn’t help but scoff. “Does it matter?”

The lioness tilted her head at him curiously. “To me, yes. I know better than most how it feels to bear a name plastered to your personage.” There was a strange look in her amber eyes, one Chetan couldn’t quite place. “I have heard what they say about you. How much of it is true?”

“What have they been saying?”

“They say you summon fire. They say you killed a king.”

Chetan hunched his shoulders. “I… It’s complicated.”

Udia was silent for a moment, watching Chetan carefully. “How did you get here, leopard?”

[EchoIre]

Deep in an overgrown rainforest, a lone leopardess lay curled around her cubs. Three of them, nuzzling hungrily at her belly. She didn't know if she could feed them all. Already exhausted from the labor of birthing, the leopardess decided to worry about that later. She and her cubs were safe for now; she had staked claim to this area weeks ago, and picked the most secluded and hidden spot she could find. Even then, birds still chattered noisily above her, accompanied by the occasional trill or shriek by some unknown animal. The rainforest was never silent - it was impossible to really be alone.

With a sigh, the leopardess rasped her tongue over each of her cubs, trying to dry them off as best she could. She'd need to name them soon, too. Their true names was theirs already - but they needed common names, just as she and all other leopards did.

"Abheek." She decided, looking down at her first son. The word meant fearless - she hoped it would prove true, too. She moved her attention to her second child, watching him closely. "Chetan." She said at last. The true meaning of the name was unknown to her, but she knew it had something in line with alertness. Or something like that. Really, she just liked the way it sounded. The last child - her only daughter - was named after her sister. "Ratna."

Satisfied for now, the leopardess curled tighter around her cubs before falling into a deep sleep.



The rainforest was oddly silent, but one lemur scrounged about on the forest floor without a care. The trees knew something it did not, but the trees were silent and uncaring observers. Suddenly, the foliage parted to reveal a flash of vibrant gold which swiftly descended upon the lemur. Moments later, sound seeped back through the canopies. As morbid as it was, they were safe for now.

The leopardess crouched by her kill, panting as adrenaline thundered through her veins. Her stomach rumbled at the scent, but refrained from eating. No, there were more mouths to feed. After catching her breath, the elegant creature grasped her prey between her teeth and sank back into night-stained the underbrush.



"When do you think Mother will be back?" One cub whispered to another.

They shrugged. "After Chetan, hopefully."

Like the lemur, however, luck was not on Chetan's side that day. Not even ten minutes after the first cub posed the question did their mother come slinking into their clearing. The cubs watched her silhouette carefully; they recognized her by scent, but had been taught long ago to wait for her signal. Perhaps their brother would make it back-

However, fortune abandoned Chetan once again as his mother called for her cubs. Begrudgingly, his siblings trotted up to her. Though their stomachs growled greedily, it was difficult to be excited by the prospect of food with an errant brother. They knew how their mother got when Chetan wasn't there.

The leopardess noticed quickly. "Where's your brother?"

Her two children dipped their heads respectfully to her. It was Abheek who spoke, "He's gone, mother."

"You didn't stop him?"

"He was gone when we woke up."

The leopardess growled in frustration. Most mothers would be panicked in such a situation, but not her. No, she was far too used to this happening to really be worried. "Stay here." She ordered her more obedient children. She turned quickly on her paws, only to almost walk into her absent son as he emerged from the night. She glared down her nose at him.

Chetan shrank beneath his mother's piercing amber gaze, a sheepish smile playing on his lips. "...Sorry?"

She didn't have to ask where he had been. She knew. She held her glare for what felt like an eternity to the young leopard. Finally, the leopardess sighed and looked away. "Just eat."

"Thank you, Mother." Chetan said quickly, dipping his head to her. He scampered over to his siblings, who had already begun to eat. Their mother trotted away to their den.

"You know," Ratna began, her mouth full, "I really thought she was going to kill you this time."

Chetan huffed an embarrassed laugh. "Me too."

The siblings ate in silence. Ratna carried the rest to their mother once they had finished, leaving Abheek alone with his brother.

"Where do you go when you leave like that, anyways?" The eldest cub questioned.

Chetan looked away awkwardly. "I just kinda walk around?" He replied lamely.

Abheek snorted. "Why?"

The other was focused on something behind Abheek's shoulder. Feeling a prickle of dread, Abheek turned slowly, only to find nothing but shadows behind him. He turned back to his brother with a perplexed expression, though it was another few seconds before Chetan noticed. He flashed Abheek a sheepish grin. "...What did you say?"

Abheek shook his head. "You're hopeless, you know that?"

Suddenly, Ratna came charging over, barreling into Abheek with a laugh. "No, you're hopeless!" She trilled. Abheek tried to squirm away.

"What does that even mean?!" He wheezed.

"It means I've got you!" Ratna retorted, wrestling Abheek to the ground.

Suddenly, Abheek reared up on his hind paws, easily tossing the smaller leopard cub off him. Ratna scrambled fo her paws and took off around the clearing, Abheek hot on her heels. "Chetan!" She laughed. "Help me!"

What kind of big brother would he be if he didn't?

Green eyes aglow with mischievous delight, Chetan leapt into action, intercepting Abheek's pursuit to start what would surely be a battle most legendary.



As dawn began to bleed through the canopies, the leopardess called her cubs to her. One by one, she carried them up the same tree they slept in every night, though Abheek insisted on doing half the climb himself. Once they were all safely laying across a mossy branch, the leopardess allowed herself to relax. She shut her eyes, grateful for the rest after a long night of hunting.

"Can you tell us a story, Mother?"

The leopardess opened her eyes again, a rueful smile on her face. Three pairs of eyes looked expectantly up at her: two yellow, one green. It was those green eyes that cost her sleep, and those green eyes that kept her children from knowing what they were, who they were. How could she tell the story of Pahar to her children with their brother like... that?

"No." The leopardess growled. "Go to sleep."

[EchoIre]

The first face Chetan saw when he opened his emerald green eyes was not his mother's, but instead the face of a creature he would learn to be called a fae. Fae, as he was told later, were spirits of air, and were commonly birds in life. Chetan could believe it; the creature was small and covered in vibrant, iridescent feathers of varying shapes and colors. It looked similar to a monkey, but lacked a tail and was far more slender. Fragile. It's eyes were black and shone under the moonlight. It left seconds after it realized Chetan could see it, but those few breaths were more than enough to sear an image of the creature into Chetan's mind. He would later learn he was lucky to be alive after the encounter, for fae have a nasty reputation for stealing children.

When Chetan did finally see the face of his mother, he was met with anything but compassion. The young cub watched without understanding as his mother's face twisted in shock, fear, disbelief, and silent fury in the span of a second. Though barely a week old, young Chetan could sense a shift in his mother. In that instant, he wasn't safe, not with her, for reasons he didn't understand. Unable to do anything else, he cried out - for the fae, for compassion from the ever-watching rainforest, for anything. The sails of her child seemed to pull the leopardess to her senses, for instead of abandoning her strange cub, she moved to soothe him. Yes, there were rumors and stories, but that's all they were. She refused to believe otherwise.

Why, then, did she hide the story of Pahar and the first leopards - the most important story of their kind - from her children? Why did her blood run cold every time she caught Chetan staring at nothing, or talking to a ray of sunlight, or looking through the shallows for his 'friend', or any number of strange, unexplainable things her green-eyed son did? Why did she find herself envious of a child, simply because he may have a gift that was supposedly once promised to all of her people? Why him? Why him?

Why her son?



The rainforest was a beautiful place during the day. Much more alive, Chetan decided, than it was in the night - and in more ways than one, too.

During the night, it seemed like it was just himself and his family awake in the whole of the great forest. Sometimes, there would be an unseen frog singing from the shadows, or a strange, deep purple beast resting among the roots that only he saw. But the day was full of color, of sound! Chetan couldn't believe his family willingly slept through it all. Which, of course, did bring to mind the fact that he'd have to come up with an excuse for why he was tired when they woke up, if he wasn't back before they did. Not like they wouldn't know already.

Chetan had enough sense to keep himself well-hidden in the underbrush during his daily excursions. He was small, that much he knew, and being small was dangerous in a big place like this. Still, the curious young leopard had no trouble busying himself under the dense cover of the foliage. Here, colorful and aromatic flowers grew, which attracted a slew of creatures. Bees were his favorites - though he quickly learned they didn't appreciate being touched much. Hummingbirds came second; they reminded him of something, though at a little over a year old, it was hard for Chetan to remember what exactly.

Today, Chetan would not be satisfied with colorful birds or nettle-soft insects. No, Chetan was after something beyond, something his mother told him was not real. Which, surprisingly, proved to be quite difficult. The river, which was usually so full of spirits, was occupied only by grey fish or the occasional snake wherever he looked. The forest floor was littered with armies of ants and a great number of colorful reptiles and amphibians, and birds of every hue chattered and cried all around, yet there was nothing supernatural to be found. Disappointed and exhausted by hours of searching, Chetan scaled a small tree and draped himself across one of its branches. He'd need to start going back soon. But, certainly he could close his eyes, just for a little bit?

It was well past midday by the time Chetan re-awoke. His first concern was how he would get back before his mother noticed. These thoughts were quickly burned away by a small pair of onyx-black eyes hovering above his head. The creature was about the size of his paw, and shaped like a monkey, with a great crest of feathers upon its head. It was covered in small, glittering scales whose color and pattern shifted constantly. Chetan couldn't look away, as much as the creature burned his eyes. It was....familiar, in a strange way.

"H-hi." He stammered.

The creature blinked once, tilting its head curiously at him. "Hh...Hi?"

Chetan's eyes widened. "You can talk?" He exclaimed.

"Can talk!!" The creature trilled, clapping its little hands together. In watched Chetan carefully, a strange sort of mirth dancing in its dark eyes.

If the young leopard noticed, he didn't care. "That's so cool!" He gasped. None of the other creatures talked before! He gasped. "Now Mother has to believe me!"

"Miomver?" The creature chirped, its crest flattening slightly.

Chetan leapt to his paws, easily finding purchase in the rough tree bark. "Follow me!" The leopard ordered, his former exhaustion forgotten. The creature nodded once, determination settling over its vibrant features. Chetan turned and practically slid down the tree trunk, throwing caution to the wind as he galloped through the rainforest. The creature managed to catch up, and promptly settled itself on Chetan's back as he ran.

He came thundering up to their sleeping tree, just in time to catch his mother coming down. "Mother!" Chetan cried, forgetting he was already in quite a deal of trouble. "Look, look!" He came to a skidding half in front of the stunned leopardess, practically bouncing with excitement. "I found this weird thing and it changes color and it has feathers and scales and it talks and it-"

His mother smacked him across the face. Hard.

Chetan gasped and staggered, tears stinging his eyes. His mother wore a crazed, furious expression. He shrank away. "Mother, I-"

"Quiet!" She hissed. "I've had enough of you." She snarled, tail lashing behind her. "You never listen! You leave for who knows how long, and come charging back jabbering about 'creatures' that talk and change color that no one else sees. You don't care about what you might attract with all your noise." She took a menacing step towards Chetan. "You don't care about us." The young leopard crouched lower and took a step backwards.

Chetan's mouth dried. "Mother, please, don't-" He didn't understand,

"Don't what, Chetan?" She growled. "Are you scared of me?" The leopardess took another step closer. Chetan felt hard, unforgiving bark against his hind paws. Nowhere to run. "Because I am less of a threat to this family than you."

Chetan opened his mouth to protest, but was silenced by another harsh blow from his mother. She glowered down at him, a murderous fury in her yellow eyes. Chetan's heart raced, his mind grasping at straws. "Leave." Came the leopardess's low growl.

Chetan's heart sank. He stared wide-eyes and crying up at his mother, praying to find any scrap of compassion or regret in those amber eyes of hers.

There was none.

Choking back a sob, the green-eyed leopard turned tail and ran.



The night was cold without any family to keep you warm. Not that Chetan was alone - the strange creature sat against his side, but it was unnaturally cold. Somewhere out there, his mother was hunting. Had she told Abheek and Ratna what happened? Or did she tell them he was still missing, that she was searching for him?

What if she was?

Chetan cast a fearful, wary glance around the dark foliage. The look in his mother's eyes haunted him. She hated him, but he didn't even understand why.

Suddenly, the creature patted Chetan on his head. "I help." It said firmly.

The leopard sighed. "You can't. There's nothing you can do."

"I keel."

Chetan's head shot up, whipping around to face the scaled creature. They were a malevolent crimson, with swirling purple shifting across their scales. Their cold skin was suddenly very disconcerting. "You what?" He breathed.

The creature stood, stepping around Chetan's paws to face him. He sat up quickly, staring down at the...thing he found.

"I keel." It replied, as if talking to a young cub. It grinned, revealing hundreds of thin teeth that fit together like a sieve. "Keel tha mean kit-y. Like she did." It swiped its tiny hand cruelly through the air, mimicking the way Chetan's mother struck him. The young leopard flinched.

"N-no, please don't do that." He stammered. What was this thing? The creatures in the rivers had trinkets, the strange colorful things in the shadows had wordless songs. This had...disturbingly violent intentions, however well-meant they may be.

The creature seemed disappointed. "No keel?"

"No!" Chetan sighed. "No killing." He still loved his mother, and where would it leave Abheek and Ratna? No, Chetan couldn't let her be killed.

The creature sat down, clearly deep in though. Chetan shut his eyes. Maybe all of this was a bad dream.

"I help!"

A really bad dream.

Chetan opened his eyes wearily. "No killing."

The creature nodded enthusiastically, putting its hand over its chest. "No keel." It said solemnly.

"What, then?"

The creature's tiny features scrunched in concentration. "More..." It said after a moment. "More like..." Its scales changed color rapidly: gold with deep brown spots, and bright green scales around its eyes. "Good kit-ies. I find. You follow?"

Chetan was silent for a long time. He didn't know if he could trust this thing, didn't know if it would try to find his mother instead, and he really didn't know if the leopards it spoke of could be all that 'good'. What if it was a family? How could he explain? How he could expect them to help? "I don't know..." Was his noncommittal answer.

The creature grasped Chetan's face in its tiny hands, pulling his face closer. "They see." It said. It let go of Chetan. "They see." It tapped its chest twice, then motioned to Chetan. "Like kit-y."

Admittedly, it took Chetan a few seconds to understand. When he did, a jolt of surprise shot though his tired heart. "They can?" He gasped. "How? Why?"

The creature motioned to the scales around its eyes, then pointed at Chetan's own eyes. "Green."

Well. Chetan found that to only raise more questions, but... this was the only chance he had. The young leopard sighed. "Alright." He rose to his paws. "Lead the way."

[EchoIre]

For nearly two weeks, the creature directed Chetan through the forest. Though it wanted him to travel all throughout the day and night, Chetan insisted on only travelling during the day. The look in his mother's eyes haunted him...what if she was out there in the night, looking for him? No, it would be better to move in the day, when she would be asleep. Besides, he told his colorful companion, he needed to rest sometime.

Despite the occasional disagreement and language barrier, Chetan felt himself growing closer to the creature. It didn't sleep - which, admittedly, was a bit worrying at first - but it stayed by Chetan throughout the night. Many times did the young leopard awaken from a nightmare, only to find the scaled creature at his side to soothe him. It kept watch for other leopards without Chetan ever asking it to; he suspected it had caught on to the main reason he hadn't wanted to travel during the night. Not only that, but it quickly became his friend, too. Even with its limited use of Chetan's language, the creature was a witty thing, and seemed to enjoy cracking jokes. Though it kept them on a swift pace, the colorful creature seemed to thoroughly enjoy playing games of any sort, frequently starting games of tag with the young leopard as they went along. Yes, they had become friends, but the strange creature still kept an air of mystery about itself. If it knew what it was, it certainly never told Chetan, nor did it ever tell him its name. After Chetan apparently asked one too many times, the creature explained with a series of broken sentences that it was unwilling to share its name. Which, though it did sting at first, Chetan could understand. Chetan was the name given to him by his mother, his common name. Like all other leopards, he had only one other name - his true name, the name on his lips from birth.

Chetan explained this tradition to the creature as they walked, then offered to give it its own common name. He had to call it something, after all. They deliberated as they walked, and, eventually, the name Mitra was decided on. It meant 'friend', as Chetan told the creature, which very quickly chose the name after learning that. So, Mitra and Chetan journeyed through the rainforest together for nearly two weeks, growing closer as friends by the day. Chetan found himself hoping Mitra would stay with him after they took him to the other green-eyed leopards, but was reluctant to ask. What if they had a family to get back to?

Eventually, the pair caught sight of the ruins Mitra had come to tell him of, heralded by a single moss-covered brick. The sight of that lone brick, forgotten by the world, was almost euphoric to the young leopard. It was the people of a new world promised to him, a world where he would find acceptance and answers about questions he was asking about himself almost his entire life. Chetan leapt forward enthusiastically, yowling his presence to all. The next moment, something heavy barreled into his side, knocking Chetan over easily. Spotted paws easily pinned Chetan to the forest floor, and he realized with a crash of fear that it was another leopard that held him. Before he could get a word from his maw, the weight at his side vanished. Chetan scrambled to his paws, ready to flee, but was stopped by a sight most strange.

Mitra had attacked his assailant, and was doing so now, even. Their scales a murderous crimson, the small creature had wrapped the leopardess's green cape around their hands and pulled, effectively strangling the feline. Chetan watched dumbly. Only when her struggling grew weaker did he think to intervene. He bounded forward, hastily unfastening the cape's clip with his teeth. The stranger collapsed, gasping and wheezing for air, but before Chetan could help them, Mitra had flown forward to hug his head.

Their bloody red scales paled to a rosy pink, swirled by swathes of sunlit yellow. "Che-tan scared me." They chirped, pressing their little forehead between his eyes. Their feather crest tickled against his fur.

Chetan flinched away slightly, but welcomed the hug with no protest. "I scared you?" He half-laughed. "I thought you were about to kill them!"

Mitra let go of him and hovered above the stranger's nose, leaving Chetan without the reassurance that they weren't going to kill the stranger before. The unknown leopardess recovered shortly, and looked up to find Mitra glaring down at her, and Chetan staring at them both with wide-eyes. She bowed their head to Mitra.

"Your Highness," she murmured, "I had no idea. Forgive me."

Mitra tittered in response and huffed, looking quite displeased with the stranger. Your Highness? Chetan thought, glancing at Mitra. What do they mean by that?

Chetan crept forward warily, the leopard's cape held gently between his teeth. "I don't think we ripped it." He muttered, placing it down at the stranger's paws. She accepted the cape gratefully, though was hesitant to put it on. She stared up at Chetan, their eyes meeting for a brief second. They were green.

The stranger seemed just as surprised as Chetan, for she let out a small gasp. Then, she groaned. "Gods, he's just a kid, too." She muttered. The leopardess quickly pushed the cape over her head, then rose to her paws. Chetan couldn't help but notice she stood with some difficulty - her muzzle, too, was dusted by a smattering of silver fur. How old was she?

The leopardess cleared her throat. "I'm...sorry about that. My name is Kamala. I assume you know why you're here, kid?" Her voice was gruff and raspy.

Chetan glanced at Mitra, then back at Kamala. "I...Sorta?" He said. "Mitra showed me the way. They...they said you were like...me?" He shrunk away slightly, suddenly feeling as though he were imposing.

Kamala sighed deeply. "They were right to lead you here. When was the last time you ate, kid?"

Chetan shuffled his paws. "A...a day or so ago?"

Kamala sighed again. "Okay. Okay. Follow me, we'll get you something to eat, make sure you're not bleeding, all that." She turned on her paws, padding deeper into the ruins.

Chetan hesitated. He looked up at Mitra, who was watching Kamala go with their arms crossed and scowl on their small features. "...Why did she call you 'Your Highness'?" He asked after a moment.

Mitra shook their head and huffed. They quickly floated after Kamala, leaving a very confused Chetan in their wake. How much did he really know about his friend? How safe was this place really? Had he not doubted whether he should follow Mitra before?

With nowhere else to turn, Chetan followed Kamala and Mitra deeper into the ruins.



Kamala stood beside another leopard swathed in a shimmering green cape. Their pelt was the strangest Chetan had ever seen - it was the commonplace dappled gold, but their spotted pelt was broken by odd white patterns. Their eyes, too, were a vibrant emerald green. They looked Chetan up and down, then let out an exhausted sigh. "You attacked a child, Kamala?" The piebald leopard said, his voice barely softer than a snarl.

The fur around Kamala's neck fluffed indignantly. "You say that like times have been peaceful, Jyoti." She snapped.

Jyoti - as the piebald leopard was apparently named - sighed again. There seemed to be quite a deal of sighing between the two of them, really. Chetan wondered what made them so melancholy. Jyoti turned his emerald gaze on Chetan.

"You said that they brought you here?" He questioned, nodding at Mitra.

Chetan glanced at the fae, whose scales were now a strange mix of pale blue and yellow. "...Yes, they did." He replied with a nod. "They've been travelling with me for nearly two weeks."

Jyoti's eyes widened in surprise. "Two weeks?" He gave Mitra a strange, awestruck look. Mitra looked away, their scales turning a deep fuchsia. Chetan watched this exchange curiously.

"Is that really important?" Chetan questioned. "...Why is that surprising?"

Jyoti turned his surprised eyes to Chetan now. "Have they not told you?"

Chetan shook his head, his brow furrowing.

Jyoti cast Mitra another glance before speaking. "They are a fae, and no ordinary fae at that." Jyoti explained. "They are Iefyr, a former heir of the Fae Kingdom." All three leopards turned their emerald eyes to the fae, who crossed their arms and looked way in response. The elder leopards had a sort of reverence in their eyes, but Chetan could only feel betrayed. Why didn't they tell me?

Jyoti cleared his throat then turned back to Chetan. "Either way, you belong here-" The piebald leopard cut himself short, dread falling over his face as he realized that he did not know the younster's name. Kamala, too, had a similar sort of shock written across her face.

Chetan - poor, poor Chetan - only felt more...disappointed, in a sense. He didn't really blame them; a lot had happened, he supposed. But...he'd just been expecting...a little more than this. "Chetan." He said coldly. "My name is Chetan."

Jyoti coughed awkwardly. "Alright. Well, then, Chetan, you belong here. While it certainly may not seem like it right now, we are very happy to have you here." He turned his attention to the rest of the ruins. "We'll give you time to explore and meet the others later, and answer any questions you may have, but I'm sure you want to rest now?"

Chetan looked away. "Sure."

Both Jyoti and Kamala were silent for a long moment. Mitra/Iefyr, too, said nothing. Though he was surrounded by others were claimed to want to help him, Chetan felt very alone. He had trusted Mitra, and they'd been hiding something huge from him! Not only that, but the place where leopards were supposed to be like him was so...disappointing.

It was Kamala that broke the silence.

She padded up to Chetan's side and gave him a friendly headbutt on the shoulder. "C'mon, kid. I'll show you where you can sleep." She rasped in her gruff voice. Unlike last time, she stayed to make sure Chetan followed.

Chetan looked at Mitra, who had now turned away from the three leopards. Their scales were an odd, yet stunning, combination of deep pink and shadowy purple. The young leopard sighed, and once again without anywhere else to go, followed Kamala down the strange stone corridors of the ruins.



The den was a walled-off section of the ruins - a room, as Kamala had informed him. Half of the roof had fallen in, allowing sunlight and birdsong to filter into an area that otherwise would have been unsuitable for any creature of the wilds. Now, however, it was dark and strange. Shadows on his walls turned into beasts of strange hues - Chetan didn't know if they were his imagination or not. The animals outside droned on in an uncaring cacophony, he couldn't get comfortable in the grass and dirt of the room, couldn't help but miss the feeling of something beside him. He...he was still mad at Mitra, or, Iefyr, but they had slept at his side every day since his mother chased him away. This was the first night in his life he was trying to spend alone.

After what felt like hours of tossing and turning, Chetan admitted it to himself: he couldn't fall asleep.

Stumbling groggily to his his paws, the young leopard crept out of his room with his head down - to avoid the gaze of the strange creatures around him. If he was somewhere familiar, he would have loved nothing more but to observe and talk with the strange and colorful beasts that walked the ruins at night. But now, in a place so strange and lonesome, these creatures that once fascinated him were haunting. To be out of the room was a relief, though the dilapidated hallways were still almost suffocating. With no destination in mind, Chetan padded through the dense shrubbery, his head down and eyes bloodshot with exhaustion.

Suddenly, there was a slight weight on his head. Chetan jumped and looked up, only to find Mitra - or, Iefyr - floating above his head with a sad smile on their face. Their scales were a shifting blue and purple, with little blotches of pink here and there. He looked up at them, listless, before lowering his head and continuing to walk.

"Che-tan." They sounded exasperated as they pursued him. They hovered at his side, staying with his pace, much to the annoyance of Chetan. There was a look in their teardrop-shaped eyes that almost made Chetan feel guilty. Almost. They tugged gently at his ear, more in an attempt to make him stop than hurt him, but Chetan whipped around dramatically to face them regardless.

"What?" He snarled.

Mitra/Iefyr pulled away, hurt plain across their tiny features. Now Chetan felt a sharp pang of guilt, but now was too late. Pale yellow blossoming in their scales, the fae hesitantly flew closer to Chetan.

"I...Sorry. It..." They sighed. "Not like...I..." They threw their hands up in the air, frustrated. "Sorry."

Chetan scoffed. "For what? For this?" He swept a paw generally about the space around them. "I don't care about this." Chetan growled. "I thought I could trust you! But you we're hiding something huge from me'" Tears stung his eyes, threatening to betray him. Chetan knew he was overreacting - he knew it well - but he was overwhelmed. First his mom, and now... this. It wasn't the end of the world, but it certainly felt like it to the young leopard.

Mitra/Iefyr inched forward, moving their hands to wipe away Chetan's tears, but stopped themselves short. Their scales drowned in a deep blue hue. They pulled back and crossed their arms around themselves. "I know." They responded gravely.

Chetan's tail lashed behind him. "Why didn't you tell me?" He croaked.

Fiery red ran up the fae's scales like veins. "How?" They challenged, their voice suddenly hard. "How I tell?"

Chetan opened his maw to snap something back, but found his mind drawing a blank. How could they have explained, even just a little? It wasn't like their language barrier hadn't been a problem before: many times during their two weeks of travel did Chetan misunderstand the colorful creature. His glare softened. "I-I don't know." He plopped onto the ground, looking at his paws through eyes distorted by tears. "I really don't know." Tears ran hot down his face, but Chetan didn't know why he was crying. He was just so confused.

Suddenly, Chetan felt a little hand on his nose, then an equally small forehead press against his. He choked back a sob as Mitra ran their small fingers over his fur. "It okay." The fae soothed. "It will be okay."

The two stayed like that for what felt like the whole night to Chetan. The fae gently soothing a beast must larger than it as the pitiful thing sobbed in confusion and hurt. Finally, Chetan moved away, sniffling softly. "I-I think I'm o-okay now." He hiccuped, his eyes red and puffy.

The fae smiled sadly at him. "Good."

Chetan let a silence fall between them, broken only by the occasional sniffle on his part. He didn't know what to say next. He didn't know if he forgave them yet, but...he didn't want them to go. He was afraid anything he might say could prompt them to leave, but simply couldn't think of anything to say to begin with.

Thankfully, the fae spoke first for him. "You sleep now?" They chirped, tilting their feathered head at Chetan.

Chetan huffed a tired laugh. "I probably should..." He trailed off, looking away. He saw a pair of vibrant purple eyes go behind a corner not five feet away. He quickly turned his attention back to his friend. "Could you...?" Again he trailed off, unsure of how to ask. Once again catching on, the fae nodded.

"Behind you." They replied.

Chetan, already unversed by the sheer amount of spirits at the ruins, quickly looked behind him. When there was nothing there, he turned back to Mitra, who was giving him a confused look. "To sleep." They clarified. "I follow."

Chetan ducked his head in embarrassment, smiling softly. "Oh, right." He laughed nervously. "That...that makes sense." With a final glance behind him, Chetan turned and walked back to his room with his scale down companion close at his side. He noticed idly that any spirits in the hallway gave them - or the fae, rather - a respectful berth.

Finally, they were in the room Kamala told Chetan would be his. Chetan climbed into a mound of moss-covered rocks, claws digging into the soft vegetation to keep himself from slipping. He settled himself at the top of the pile and draped his tail over his nose. Mitra snuggled themselves in the crook of his elbow and rested their tiny head against his neck.

"...Promise to talk tomorrow?" Chetan prompted.

He felt the fae nod, their movement causing his fur to shift. "Promise."

Chetan sighed, contented for now. His saturated green eyes drifted close as he curled himself into a tighter ball - though he was mindful not to squish his fragile friend. Moments later, Chetan fell into a fitful and troubled sleep, but every time a nightmare drug him awake, Mitra was there to lull him back to sleep.

[EchoIre]

Chetan awoke to a room dappled by radiant sunlight. Lush greenery pushed its way through every crack and corner of the stone walls, turning the room into a mini rainforest, secluded from the rest of the world. It was decidedly much more welcoming in the day than it was at night. Chetan yawned and stretched, alertness slowing bleeding through his body. He realized, if with just a little bit of worry, that there were none of the strange creatures he saw last night in the room. Other than Mitra, of course. Which did remind him of something he had meant to ask earlier…

Turning, Chetan caught sight of Mitra daintily observing a flower growing on a vine which clung to the wall. The leopard cleared his throat to catch the fae’s attention. They turned, and, once they realized he was awake, quickly zipped over to his side.

“Che-tan sleep well?” They chirruped.

He nodded. “I did.” A brief silence lapsed between them, but Chetan was quick to speak again. “Do you…can we talk now?

Mitra nodded eagerly. “Please.”

Chetan sighed, mulling over what he would ask first. He certainly felt like he had a lot of questions last night, but now everything seemed much more inconsequential. “…Would you want me to call you Iefyr instead? Jyoti said-“

“Not my name.” Mitra interrupted quickly, shaking their feathered head passionately. “Mitra. I Mitra.”

Chetan smiled softly. He didn’t understand exactly why Mitra didn’t want to be called by their old name, but he was glad they liked the one he gave them. Maybe, just maybe, he knew the fae better than he thought.

“Why did you help me?” Chetan questioned. “I didn’t know you – I still don’t really – and you’ve never asked for anything.”

Mitra ran one of their hands through their feathery crest. “I knew…feeling.” They said with some difficulty. “Being alone. No-one helped me.” They shook their head, as if attempting to shake away something stuck in their feathers. “So I help Che-tan.”

Chetan’s heart ached for his tiny friend; though he didn’t know the circumstances that made them alone, he could tell it still bothered them. Even still, he hesitated to comfort them. What could he say? Most of all, what could he do? He worried anything he tried to do would squish Mitra. “I-I’m sorry, Mitra.” Chetan said at last.

Mitra offered him a sad smile. “No sorry. Not alone anymore.”

Oh. That hit Chetan right in the heart. “I…I don’t know what to say, Mitra.” He stammered.

Mitra waved a hand at him. “More questions?” They prompted. Evidently, they weren’t one for sappiness.

Chetan shifted awkwardly on his paws. He had questions, sure, but it felt a little insensitive to be firing them off at Mitra like this. “…Why aren’t you an heir anymore?” He asked at last. “Did something happen?”

The fae looked away. Once again, they tussled their feathery crest with their tin fingers. “Hard to…explain.” They said at last.

“Oh.”

Mitra’s face brightened suddenly. “Jyoti!” They cried.

“Jyoti?” Chetan echoed. “He knows?” Why would he know? Although, he was supposed to talk to the older leopard today…

Mitra nodded earnestly. “Jyoti is good kit-y. Like Che-tan. He help talk.” They tittered excitedly. Though he didn’t quite understand, he was glad to see his friend so energetic again.

Chetan smiled up at the fae. “Let’s go find Jyoti, then.”



After more than a half an hour of searching, Chetan and Mitra was still unable to find the piebald leopard. Granted, they had gotten lost quite a few times, but even then there was no trace of Jyoti. Chetan didn’t expect someone with suck a striking pelt could hide so well!

Finally, he and Mitra came to a halt by the entrance of the ruins. Chetan sat down heavily. “Maybe Kamala knows where he is?” He mewed. Mitra shrugged in response. “We’ll have to find Kamala to ask her, though…” He muttered. Hadn’t they said they’d be answering questions in the morning? It was well past midday, and there was no sign of either leopard anywhere he looked!

Suddenly, there was a loud rustling in the underbrush by the gate of the ruins. Chetan leapt to his paws, half expecting another ambush. Instead, another green-eyed leopard emerged from the foliage. Their fur was smeared with a dark brown mud – only patches of their dappled pelt shone through. They carried a brightly furred monkey in their maw.

“Hello!” Chetan called out. “I’m new here – do you know where Jyoti is?”

The mud-covered leopard stopped in front of him, placing the monkey down between them. “You’re talking to him.” They said with a slight grin. “Good to see you’re still here, Chetan. Kamala was sure you’d sneak away during the night.”

Chetan blinked in surprise. “Wh- you’re Jyoti?” He replied, incredulous. The other leopard certainly had no trace of Jyoti’s strange white markings, but the longer Chetan looked at them, the more he realized the mud was placed just so that it would cover the places where the piebald leopard’s fur was white.

“In the flesh!” Jyoti replied proudly. “Even Kamala had trouble recognizing me like this. Were you able to tell, your Highness?” He turned his attention to Mitra, who shook their head.

With a bright smile, they chirped “Pink nose!” and pointed at Jyoti’s face. Chetan looked and, sure enough, Jyoti’s nose was a bright and soft pink as opposed to the usual umber brown. How had he missed that before? Well, he certainly wouldn’t miss it again, that’s for sure.

Jyoti, embarrassed, ducked his head. “Yes, well, the prey doesn’t seem to notice, and that’s all that matters.” He said quickly. Regaining some of his composure, Jyoti turned back to Chetan. “So, you have questions?”

Chetan offered Jyoti a wary smile. “You know a lot about Mitra?” He asked, motioning toward the fae.

Jyoti seemed confused. “Mitra?” He looked at the creature, whose scales were now a vibrant and sunny gold. Realization dawned across the mud-streaked leopard’s face. “Oh! Uhm, yes, I suppose I do.” He replied, looking at Chetan. “Why do you ask?”

“I was curious.” Chetan chirped. “Mitra said I should ask you.”

Jyoti looked touched. “Well! I’d be more than happy to help.” He sat down, the monkey forgotten. “What are you wanting to know?” It was clear the piebald leopard was eager to share what he knew, which honestly came as a bit of a surprise to Chetan. He couldn’t remember the last time his mother had willingly told him or his siblings any kind of story.

“Well, what’s a fae, to begin with? And…and why are they a ‘former’ heir?” Chetan questioned. Mitra landed on Chetan’s head, intelligent black eyes watching Jyoti.

Jyoti shifted awkwardly under Mitra’s gaze. “Well, fae are spirits of air, usually birds. They are…” He trailed off, looking up at the fae on Chetan’s head. “…They are one of the more organized and social type of spirit, with a complex social system to govern themselves.”

Chetan was completely lost. “Spirts?” He squeaked. “Is that what I’m seeing?” He did his best to glance up at Mitra. They were dead? When had they died? Was everything he saw that his family didn’t dead? Chetan suddenly felt cold.

“Well…yes.” Jyoti responded, sounding very confused. “How…how do you not know that?” The mud-covered leopard asked gently. He could sense how troubled his answer had made Chetan. “Weren’t you told the story of Pahar, of the green-eyed leopards?”

“Who?”

Jyoti nodded slowly, blowing air out of his mouth. “That’s a ‘no’, then?”

Chetan shrank away slightly. “Sorry.”

Jyoti perked up immediately, something like surprise on his face. “Oh, don’t be! It’s not your fault…” The elder leopard trailed off again, his eyes growing distant. His attention quickly snapped back to Chetan a moment later. “Tell you what, let me clean this mud off and take this,” he scooped the monkey up in his claws, “to Aditi, and then we’ll go find Kamala. Sound good?”

Chetan, too absorbed in his own thoughts to pay much attention to Jyoti, simply nodded. The sympathetic look the mud-covered leopard gave him was missed. Jyoti ran off quickly, likely to the nearest river, leaving Chetan alone with Mitra and his thoughts.

Mitra floated off Chetan’s head, moving to hover in front of his muzzle. Their scales were somewhere a bit darker than sky blue as they gently patted Chetan’s nose.

The young leopard’s emerald eyes focused on the fae. “You’re dead?” He rasped. Mitra nodded, their feathered crest shaking slightly. Chetan sighed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Mitra’s tiny features creased in concentration. “Thought Che-tan…knew.” They said after a moment.

“Why would I know?” He challenged softly. In truth, he was more confused and worried than he was hurt by this revelation. Was there something wrong with him? …Why could dead birds talk?

Mitra sighed. “Pahar.”

“I see.” Chetan rumbled, absolutely more lost than he was before.

Jyoti finally returned, their fur dripping wet but otherwise mud-free. “Let’s go find Kamala, hm?” He mewed, bumping his still-dripping head against Chetan’s. Chetan edged away.

“Why?”

Jyoti faltered for a half-second, clearly not expecting the opposition. “Well, she… she likes to tell stories, honestly.” He admitted, looking embarrassed. “Don’t tell her I told you that, though.”

These leopards were weird. “Okay?” Chetan replied cautiously.

Jyoti flashed Chetan a bright smile. “Thanks! She’ll have my hide if she finds out.” He said with a slight laugh. “Her room is this way; she doesn’t usually get out ‘til midday, so we shouldn’t have to look to hard.” Jyoti explained, taking a few steps deeper into the ruins.

Chetan was getting a little tired of being expected to follow. He really hoped that at least one of the leopards would be able to answer his questions, though, so he quickly padded after Jyoti.



Kamala was just as surprised to learn that Chetan hadn’t an inkling as to who Pahar was, or as to where his abilities came from. She explained in great detail, pausing occasionally to make sure Chetan understood. Though rough around the edges, it was clear the leopardess had a passion for teaching, and even Chetan had to admit she did it well. Though he had trouble believing the story at first, he couldn’t deny it for long when the proof was sitting right on top of his head; Mitra had decided such a place was their favorite perch as of late.

Needless to say, Chetan was shocked, especially by how important the story apparently was. Why hadn’t his mother told him and his siblings a story so vital to their culture? The answer was as cruel as ever.

Because of him.

When Chetan shared this with Kamala, she gruff old leopardess was quick to say a few colorful things about Chetan’s mother. Such insults paled in comparison to what she had to say once she learned how Chetan’s mother chased him away.

After that first day, Chetan’s training began, though he didn’t realize it at first. In the mornings, Jyoti would tour Chetan about the rainforest, pointing out spirits and sharing with the young leopard what he knew. Very rarely would Jyoti allow Chetan to interact with any spirits they came across, though. Spirits could be temperamental and cruel, Jyoti explained. He promised he would teach Chetan how to handle them later, but for now, he would simply be learning the basics.

In the afternoons, Kamala would eat with Chetan and give him history lessons. She would elaborate on events Jyoti mentioned on their morning walk or explain pieces of his culture that Chetan was kept from.

His third and fourth mentor, Chetan wouldn’t meet for nearly three weeks. He had heard names and seen glimpses, and very occasionally gotten scraps of information about the two other elusive leopards at the ruins. Aditi was the Medic of the Setu. All Setu were required to have some skill in medicine, but she was their specialist. The other, Indra, was the strongest out of the current Setu. He had been gravely injured barely three days before Chetan arrived, which was why Kamala was so on edge at the time, and why Aditi was scarcely ever seen. Indra was too injured to move from his nest, so for the longest time, Chetan only ever heard stories about the brave leopard.

One sunny say, Chetan was surprised to find what looked to be a living shadow prowling through the main area of the ruins. It noticed him as well, with eyes a strikingly verdant green, and came bounding up with great enthusiasm. There was a bright flash of brilliant green that seeped across the shadow’s neck a down its shoulders. A cape?

“You’re Chetan, right?” The shadow rumbled with a grin. It towered over Chetan easily. “I’ve heard a lot about you! Sorry we couldn’t meet earlier – I’ve had a rough couple ‘a weeks, as I’m sure you’ve heard.”

Chetan stepped back, eyes wide and confused. “What?” He rasped. Mitra, sitting atop Chetan’s head as usual, stroked his ear gently.

A sheepish look flitted over the shadow’s face. “Ah, didn’t mean to scare ya, sport! Name’s Indra. I got banged up real bad, ‘n Aditi was takin’ care of me, so that’s why you haven’t seen me ‘round.”

“Whoa,” Chetan breathed, “really? I thought you were dead!”

“Ouch.”

Chetan flushed beneath his pelt. “Not like that!” He protested. He really was great at first impressions, wasn’t he? “I mean, you just look so… different? I thought you were a spirit!” Which, Chetan realized a second later, sounded no better than calling someone dead. He was almost certain he heard Mitra stifling a laugh.

However, Indra took it quite well, much to Chetan’s relief. The black leopard barked a laugh. “You’re a riot, kid! Can’t even imagine what you thought was goin’ on with Jyoti – he’s much more oddball than me, wouldn’t ya say?” It seemed Indra wasn’t looking for a response, though, for he quickly resumed talking. “I’m takin’ your time with Kamala today, by the way.”

Chetan blinked in surprise. “You are? …Does Kamala know?”

Indra barked another one of his booming laughs. This time, Chetan couldn’t help but to chuckle alongside the black leopard, even though he hadn’t really meant the question as a joke; Indra had a surprisingly contagious laugh. Though he had been intimidated by the large leopard at first, Chetan felt like he would like him.

“I’m sure she does, and if not, well, then we’ll be too far away for it to matter.” Indra informed Chetan, still laughing gently.

Chetan tilted his head curiously at the older leopard. “What are we doing?” He questioned.

Indra just smiled. “You’ll find out.” Was the cryptic response he gave young Chetan. Before Chetan could question Indra any further, Aditi came trotting from around the corner, her cape fluttering at her side.

“Indra! I’ve been looking for you everywhere!” The leopardess cried. Like Chetan and Kamala, there was nothing especially unique about Aditi’s pelt, though her smaller and leaner stature made her easily identifiable from Kamala. “You needed to take your herbs nearly half an hour ago! You’re still weak – what if you get sick?” She chastised.

Indra looked away bashfully. “Sorry Aditi…” Chetan noticed a hint of a smile on his face. “I forgot.”

Aditi sighed. “What am I going to do with you, Indra?” She shook her head, then turned her attention to Chetan. “Jyoti’s looking for you at the gates, by the way. He says you’re late.”

Chetan jumped slightly. He was late! “Oh!” He scrambled to his paws, quickly scampering down a dilapidated hallway. “Thanks, Aditi!” He called over his shoulder.

“Don’t forget you have training with me tonight!” Aditi called after him.



From that day forth, Chetan began his training as a Setu in earnest.

From the knowledge of the spirits Jyoti shared with him, Chetan slowly began to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the powers he was given. It was Mitra especially that made him strive for the role of a Setu. Their encouragement, plus their insider knowledge of the world of the spirits made Chetan want to truly understand the creatures that he could see. He even began to learn a bit of Sylvan – the language of the spirits – from Mitra and Jyoti. The piebald leopard knew a modest amount of the language, but it was Mitra’s native tongue. With the help of the leopard and the fae, Chetan soon was able to communicate with the spirits that roamed the rainforest like no other.

With Kamala, Chetan learned the history of both the rainforest and Haradhaal. She, Jyoti, Aditi, and Indra were the third generation of new Setu – if Punarjamn, Pran, Sakshi, and Vasu were to be considered the second. Chetan himself was the first of the fourth generation. Or at least, he would be, once his training was finished. This knowledge only added to Chetan’s desire and ambition. He wanted dearly to finish his training, to become a Setu at Haradhaal. To make his family – his new family – proud.

Aditi taught him how to utilize the plants that grew around him, and which parts of certain animals could be used for medicinal purposes. She taught him rituals to perform over bodies to bring peace to the spirit that once lay within, and chants that could summon forth certain kinds of spirits. Though he underestimated the slight leopardess at first, Chetan soon learned that Aditi was Haradhaal’s most valuable member. Not only did she know how to heal and how to bring peace to the deceased, but she also was best at calming the Aahat Aatmaen. Any of these exercises that she performed with Chetan as an observer were closely watched by Jyoti and Indra, but Aditi was skilled at handling the dark spirits on her own.

It was Indra that taught Chetan how to fight and hunt. As a fully trained Setu, Indra was capable of much more, but he was the best warrior and hunter currently present at Haradhaal. With his open and enthusiastic nature, the black leopard was more than happy to share what he knew with Chetan. Diplomacy and peace were the main causes of the Setu, but self-preservation is needed to bring about such things. To survive is to spread your message, your story, your light. Though Chetan could never rival the prowess which Indra presented in hunting or fighting, the younger leopard thoroughly enjoyed every lesson he received. Indra, though perhaps more immature than the others at Haradhaal, was a good teacher that patiently worked Chetan through the worst of his errors.

For a little over a year Chetan trained tirelessly. It was never easy work, but he was blessed to have an ever-present support system in the form of his mentors and Mitra, who quickly became his best friend. Many times did Chetan long for his family, and on a few rare occasions he almost thought he caught a glimpse of them, but… that would have been impossible. No, he was far away from where his mother had raised him. He was safe.

At just over the age of two years old, Chetan was recognized as a fully trained Setu. An apprentice no longer, Pahar himself was called upon to witness Chetan receive the bright green cape that would mark him as a Setu to any who saw him. While the earthborne god made no appearance, spirits of legend did. Daniya and Mahila, who claimed to never miss a Setu receive their colors. Of those the fabled spirits raised, only Sakshi was present, which Chetan had learned prior was likely for the best. Once mortal creatures of flesh and blood, the siblings of Sakshi were not without their faults, some of which those at Haradhaal found unforgivable. Regardless, Chetan was honored to have the spirits of the founder of Haradhaal see him continue their legacy.

However, the jubilance Chetan felt would be short-lived.

The spirit of Daniya came with a warning: In a land far beyond the rainforest known simply as the Valley, trouble dark and grim was stirring. This was why Pahar had allowed leopards born with green eyes to live again. The mission of the Setu now must branch beyond the rainforest.

It was obvious who must go. Chetan, the newest and most able-bodied Setu. The least vital to the training of any other green-eyed leopards they may find. They all knew it, but none dared speak it.

Not until the twins were found.

It was Chetan who found them; he was given the task of patrolling the rainforest, searching for any abandoned green-eyed cubs. Such a task was largely fruitless, and as such was rarely performed, but it was a blessing that Chetan had been searching that fateful day.

They were barely breathing. Half-starved and frail, they must had opened their eyes only days prior. Chetan was disgusted to think of how a mother could do such a thing to children so young, an opinion which Mitra heartily agreed with. Together, the fae and the leopard cared for the cubs as best they could before taking them back to Haradhaal.

With the promise of new blood at the ruins, Chetan no longer had any reason for hesitation. He expressed such to the others of Haradhaal, and was met with a surprising amount of opposition. They all knew that if Chetan left, they would likely never see each other again. Surprisingly, it was Kamala who was most vocal in her insistence that Chetan stay. Later, when they were alone, the gruff old leopardess admitted to Chetan that she didn’t want to lose another one of her children. He was quick to assure her that she would be losing nobody; he would always belong to the rainforest, to Haradhaal, to them. He could never forget them.

Despite the reservations to be had all-around, none could truly argue with Chetan’s declaration. The duty of a Setu was to bring peace among the world of the living and the world of the dead. They could not ignore this calling.

With a heavy heart, Chetan prepared to leave the first real family he had. The only creatures in the world who could totally understand them. In an attempt to preserve the memory Chetan, he was allowed to name the green-eyed twins that he had found. The girl was named Dipti, for the brightness of her pelt which first alerted Chetan to her presence that fateful day. Her brother, no duller by comparison, was named Lochan. Chetan realized shortly after naming the cubs that he would never get to see them grow up.

Not even a day after Dipti and Lochan were named did Chetan begin his grand journey to the Valley. He dreaded to leave the family he had found in the rainforest, but he would not be travelling alone. No, spritely Mitra insisted on accompanying Chetan, and refused to take ‘no’ for an answer. Not that the young Setu could ever turn his dearest friend away. For better or worse, the pair set off for the lands of the lions.


Art by stick.

[EchoIre]

Naia (Mother) - It has been well over a year since the young leopard saw his mother last. Even still, Chetan often is plagued by nightmares of her. He never was especially close to her as a cub, as things with leopards are, but he had anything but love for her now.

Abheek (Older Brother) - Chetan's very first partner in crime, Abheek was his older brother. It has been far too long since he saw his brother last, and though he knows he eventually would have split from his family, it pains Chetan to have been forced to leave without a goodbye. His mind often wanders to the well-being of his brother.

Ratna (Younger Sister) - Ratna was Chetan's darling little sister. Like the rest of his family, it has been over a year since he saw her. When he first departed from the rainforest, it was difficult t resist the urge to search for her, just to make sure she was okay. Chetan was much closer to Aheek than he was to Ratna, but even still, he often fights the urge to return to the rainforest to find his little sister.

Mitra/Iefyr (Best Friend) - The unintentional catalyst of Chetan being chased away by his mother, Mitra has stayed at Chetan's side through thick and thin. They are his best friend, someone the leopard couldn't imagine life without. His life would be drastically different if it weren't for Mitra.

Kamala (Adoptive Grandmother) - Though their relationship certainly had an unusual start, Chetan grew to love and respect the elder leopard. She is a trusted - though not always respected - mentor figure that Chetan desperately needed during his youth. He views Kamala as part of his family, as she views him as part of hers.

Jyoti (Adoptive Brother) - Jyoti quickly became a trusted adult figure in Chetan's life, and out of his mentors, helped him to best understand himself and his abilities. Chetan sees Jyoti as an older brother, and hopes he's making him proud through his actions as a Setu despite his failures.

Indra (Adoptive Brother) - Chetan looks up to the black leopard and his skill in hunting and battle. Though neither are skills Chetan himself particularly shows any skill in, he appreciated having such a patient and understanding teacher. Like Jyoti, Indra became a older brother figure to Chetan, and the errant Setu often wonders about the well-being of his daring friend.

Aditi (Strange Friend) - Though he talked with her often, Chetan never developed much of a relationship with Aditi. She was a knowledgeable leopardess, absolutely, and he appreciated all that she taught him, but he never felt as strong a connection with her as with the others at the ruins. That being said, Chetan has nothing but good to say of Aditi, he simply clicks better with the others.

Dipti (Goddaughter) - Chetan never had much of a chance to form any sort of relationship with Dipti, considering he left shortly after they settled at Haradhaal. Still, he became very attached to her and her brother as he tended to them in the wilds, and often thinks about the cub. How is her training going? What kind of leopardess will she grow to be?

Lochan (Godson) - As with his sister, Lochan and Chetan never had enough time to form any sort of true relationship. Chetan wonders about the cub as much as he worries about his sister, wondering how Lochan interacts with the family he has at Haradhaal. Sometimes, Chetan wonders if Lochan remembers his voice, or how much he knows about the leopard who saved and named he and his sister.

Udia (Authority) - Chetan is still getting used to having a true 'authority' figure to obey. She is a far cry from King Jitendra, but the young leopard still finds the idea of having a central ruler a bit strange. Regardless, he gets along well-enough with the lioness. He respects her for her bond with a goddess, though it is one of the few reasons Chetan respects her a tail the moment. Perhaps as he spends more time among the Motoheri Pride he will develop more of an understanding and respect for the charcoal lioness, but for now, Chetan simply does as she says more to avoid conflict than out of true respect.

Zehavi (Acquaintance) - Through his occasional meetings with the Hail Priestess, Chetan has begun to develop something of a friendship with her right-hand lion Zehavi. He isn't quite sure what to make of the colorful lion yet, but Chetan enjoys his company regardless. If they didn't live such busy lives, he likes to think he and Zehavi would have been friends by now.

Isra (Annoyance) - Because it was at first assumed Chetan would fit the role of Magi within the pride, he spent a good few weeks with Isra. He quickly realized how narcissistic she lioness was and how scornful she was of others, especially those who were not lions. Needless to say, he and Isra did not get along very well, though Chetan bit back the worst of what he wanted to say. Now that he doesn't have to, the leopard tries to spend as little time as possible with the tortoiseshell lioness.

Muirenn (Friend) - It was Muirenn who tended to him after he was brought into the Motoheri Pride. At first, Chetan was embarrassed to have someone not in his family tending on him, but he quickly became more comfortable with the maned lioness. He visits her often, and frequently finds solace in her calming demeanor.

Kai (Fever Dream) - He doesn't even know her name. Chetan saw the strange figure as he stumbled through the desert, and was stricken by her strange appearance. He blacked out due roc dehydration not a minute after he glimpsed her, and when he awoke she was gone before he could ask her name. A part of him is unsure she was truly real, even though he and Mitra both saw her, and I was she who directed him to the Motoheri Pride. Chetan spends great deals of time scouring the desert searching for the striking stranger who saved his life.