˖°🦇ִ ⟒⍀⟒⏚⎍⌇ ࣪𖤐

Lion Name- 𝕰𝖗𝖊𝖇𝖚𝖘 (Erebus)
⟒⍀⟒⏚⎍⌇ (Erebus)

Born to the Shrouded Queen herself, he was sent down into the deepest depths of the Labyrinth, like many cubs born in the pride. He never saw the light of day, but he was one of the few trapped in that pit that was visited by the Warden. She would have Atsu and Tatsu train him, and she would tell him all sorts of stories. Stories about the wisps, mainly, but also stories about their ancestors and how their spirits lit up the night sky, and how if he trained hard he would one day grow up to be like the two brothers, and get to see the sun and the moon and the stars, and one day even earn a name and be deemed worthy enough to be part of the pride.

He showed great promise from a young age, strong and fierce, and downright ruthless. Many times Tatsu, similar and age and whom he considered a rival, would be sent back above ground bloodied and squealing. Each time he managed to beat the tantalizingly, ever so slightly stronger, faster, better cub, he would whip around with pride to face his mother. And each time he would watch, stricken, as she turned and followed the brothers, unfazed. No matter how hard he tried, Tatsu never had to prove himself like he did. Tatsu got a name, and he didn't. Tatsu had his mother's love-and he wasn't even sure if Tatsu was related to him or not. It just.

Wasn't.

Fair.

But the training went on, rougher as he got older, until one day, Tatsu's jaws latched around his throat, he snapped. Yowling, the cub twisted, sharply kicking the other. Without a moment's hesitation, he rolled over and scrambled clumsily to where his rival attempted to get up, and pummeled him with claws he'd spent every day sharpening in boredom and fury on the stony fortress that was his home. He bit down, an icy rage fueling him as his body went cold.

Bowled over by Tatsu's older brother, Atsu, the unnamed cub glared piercingly up at the young male, growling as he panted, his breath coming out in smoky puffs just barely visible in the ever-present faint blue glows.

"Release, Atsu," his mother spoke coolly, Glowering at him, Atsu wordlessly did as he told, and the cub took the moment to sit up, panting heavily. Only under his mothers piercing pale glare did he realize how much colder it had gotten in an already cold cave. And yet...it didn't bother him. "You both are dismissed," she continued, still looking solely at her son. While he normally vied for his mother's attention desperately, under her unreadable, all-seeing gaze he shifted uncomfortably.

"You've done well, my child," she spoke softly, beckoning him over. Puffing his chest out to hide his nervousness, he limped over to where she sat, keeping his head lowered. He flinched as an icy sensation rasped strangely over his fur, before he realized that she was licking his wounds. His eyes rounded, unused to such a tender gesture from his mother. "Tell me, how do you feel?" she inquired between licks.

He gulped, blinking up at her. "It's...cold," he rasped at last. "My very breath and blood feel cold, Mother. I was so angry at Tatsu and I just felt so much rage, but it wasn't burning hot like I've heard described. It feels like my blood has turned to ice." Though he was young, he had been well trained in manners and spoke formally despite the-now fading, thankfully-pain. He looked back down, staring into his reflection upon the many facets of ice cracked around her body. He saw his mother's face looking back at him, and straightened his shoulders, not wanting her to think he was weak.

"So it will be, child," she swiped her tongue over a tuft of fur between his ears. "Notice the white webbing across your paws now? That is the first sign. It may or may not spread further, but you are of ice now. I doubt it will grow as much as mine, but that webbing will turn into a frosty sheen over the pattern. You will be strong."

He wanted to ask if that meant he would get his name now, but he dared not belittle her with foolish questions. He wanted to cherish this moment forever.

When Atsu came to bring him food the next day, the cub smirked at him. "Is Tatsu faring well, Atsu?" he sneered with a cruelty unbefitting of the formality of his words. Atsu glared harshly at him, leaving without another word. He fell back into the same routine, though instead of one of the guards, he was now faced off against other cubs. He dispatched of them quickly; though he hesitated on the first one, when his mother did not try to stop him, he killed the small scrap easily. He began to find a certain joy in it, reveling in the sheer power he had, his frosty claws now slicing easily through flesh. A mere touch of his nose sent a chill through his victims. Although the frost would not grow to the extent his mother's had, he could feel it harden his heart.

All his life he had watched other cubs and even the older lions be taken from the pride by strange newcomers. He had never thought much of it, but when Atsu came to smugly escort him, he felt a pang of betrayal before meeting his mother's gaze. He carried her with him now.

When he emerged from the Depths into the world above, it was dark. But it was bright. So used to gloom he was that even the light of the moon was nearly blinding. His eyes were sensitive, but he preserved. He did not look back, but he could feel his mother's piercing stare as they departed, something he would search for amongst the stars every night.

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Erebus pushed himself off the ground. His back was stiff and his muscles ached. His fur was matted and cuts covered his chest. He stifled a yawn and began treading down the long tunnel. When all the other cubs had went to sleep he stayed up all night training for the trials. He got forced out of one pride. It wont happen again.

But he couldnt help but wonder about it. Where would he go if he got kicked out of this pride. No other pride would suit him. He wanted this one. He decided If he failed he would stay a rogue. But a life like that- it would be a disgrace. To who he doesnt know. But he cant handle it anymore.

He silently stepped over the large vines that had taken over the prophet's dwelling. Erebus really didnt like this place. He didnt like the idea of communicating with gods or anything he cant bite. But this was the only way he could know. He scanned the dark den, his eyes immediately adjusting and clearing his vision. He grew up in darker places. He still cant believe some lions here cant even see through this.

His ears flicked then he spotted the pink starry adol moving across the den quickly, gathering herbs and weird shiny stones. His tail smacks against the wall, immediately getting her attention. She nods for him to come in and he walks in, the air getting a little colder.

He sat down and she walks over. She knew what he was there for. But she was going to warn him anyways.

“Once I look into your future it is set into stone and you cannot change it. If I dont look into it it is subject to change. Are you sure you wish to do this?”

Erebus already knew the terms but still he hesitated. After a moment of thinking it through he gave a small nod and lowered his head. Lakshmi gently placed her chin ontop of his head and Erebus felt her purr against him. Winds started to appear in the room, setting frost on anything nearby. But it didnt bother the two adols.

“What do you wish to see, Erebus?”

Erebus closed his eyes and felt his muscles relax and his heart slowed down,

“I want to know about the trials. Will I complete them?”

Lakshmi makes a quiet humm as she searches through his future, shifting through all the memories yet to come before she finds the trials,

“The trials… You will complete them. You will surpass most the cubs and become the queens blade.”

Erebus sighed softly, relieved he passed the trials. But another thing bothered him,

"How do I get stronger? Dont tell me how much power I get.. just how do I get stronger?"

Lakshmi humms again then she nods her head,

"With practice and age... Theres a way to quicken the process."

Erebus's ears tilt up.

"You need an apprentice. Someone who controls the same power as you. As you teach them they will teach you."

Erebus's ears went down and he growled quietly,

"The only other ones who have my powers are my siblings."

Lakshmi nods and lifts her head,

"That is what you must do. Now im tired. Hurry back before the pride realizes you snuck out,"

Lakshmi then turns and disappears farther down the tunnel. Leaving Erebus alone with his thoughts. He slowly padded out of the cave and plopped down next to the other apprentices. He had forgotten all about the trials. The only thing on his mind was how he felt about taking in one of his siblings.
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After a moment of tussling, warden clone :0 gleefully bit down hard on their opponent to secure a win. Uh...that's blood. +6% training experience!



kid/apprentice name ideas-

boy names-

Jökull - glacier ice
Vetle - Winter traveler


girl names-

Aeronwen - Snow-white berry
Amihan - Winter Snow
Fuyuko - WInter child
Haukea (hawaiian name) - White snow
Ísey - ice land