|
Melordite was known around the prides for her kindness and faith in good. When becoming queen her first action was to make a treaty of peace with one of the neighboring pride, healing their relationship and securing their fate.
Her pride was not always like that, though. Before Melordite a king with a lust for blood had been sitting on that throne, almost destructing their pride completely. She wasn't the only one to think that way yet none of the others had the courage to defy him so she had to take action. On the feast of the new moon, she challenged him for the throne in front of her and several other prides. No such thing could be done in private for he would order to someone kill her in his stead. He had just laughed but accepted the challenge.
"I want to see this joke with my very eyes," he had growled as he stepped down to face her and for the first time, she felt doubt in herself. He was much bigger than Melordite, stronger too. But she was faster and she had come prepared for this event before it Melordite had glazed her claws with the ooze of poison frog. It wasn't supposed to kill insanity, it would be too visible, but make him drowsy, just enough so she could have somewhat advantage.
The other lions had stepped away from them, creating a circle and whispering to one another.
Then, he lunged at her, reaching out his massive claws. She dodged and crashed at his side, digging her claws into his flesh and not letting go, he turned and she lost her grip. As soon as she gained back her balance he lunged again and she didn't have time to duck away, he pinned her onto the ground, reaching for her throat. She gave her a few kicks toward her stomach and threw him off. They both got back on their paws and Melordite was already panting, why hasn't the poison done anything? Her side aches and she knew she must have gotten a few scratches there, luckily he wasn't looking so good, either. They circled each other, waiting. "Haven't gotten enough?" He snarled, his muzzle dark with blood.
She didn't bother to respond and charged toward him. Her paws made contact with his neck and she pinned him down, now advancing towards his throat. "Last chance to give up," Melordite said, hopeful that she didn't have to do that. He just growled and tried to wiggle himself free, lashing with his paws toward her. One of them struck her in the stomach but she didn't loosen the grip she had over his windpipe even though it hurt as hell.
Finally, his body became limp and she let go, standing up, her paws shaking.
Silence fell over the crowd until one of them started to cheer, followed by others. Then, they celebrated it with an even bigger feast, only Melordite didn't eat, too shaken by the previous events. Back in the pride she had straight gone onto the leader rock and gazed down at the lions below. This was all hers now. And she would lead them to a better future he could ever have given them.
Story by #335998
|
