Maafa is the son of God The Animal, a being of legendary strength, and his concubine Chorger. From a young age, he was raised under the weight of impossible expectations: he had to be stronger, more handsome, and more perfect than any other lion. This pressure shaped his proud and vain character, where appearance and dominance were his absolute priorities.
Far from involving himself in the king's daily duties, Maafa enjoyed his reign from the comfort of a tree, in the shade of his private spring. There, he amused himself admiring his reflection and letting the pack organize under his name and power.
But before being crowned, Maafa participated in the famous Tournament of Kings, a contest where leaders from countless packs compete to prove their power and valor purely for entertainment. It was there that he crossed paths with Kufu, a veteran and respected Primal King, known for his wisdom and ferocity.
Although adversaries, they shared many nights of training and conversations, during which Kufu showed respect for Maafa and taught him much beyond fighting: philosophy, leadership, and honor. During one intimate talk, Kufu, aware the final battle might be his last, confided to Maafa:
"If something happens to me here, tell Muaji that I have gone, but I will be waiting for him in the beyond."
Maafa, confused, learned that Muaji was Kufu’s best friend and closest confidant since childhood, the Heir of a neighboring pack. This moment sealed a commitment between them.
In the following days, Maafa defeated Kufu in the final battle, marking the beginning of a new reign. Despite the victory, he showed a rare side of himself: he stayed by the old Primal’s side in his last moments, caring for him and listening to his final teachings. This act of mercy and respect earned him the King's respect and legitimized his ascension.
After the honorable death of Kufu, Maafa assumed the throne, but the transition was difficult due to his proud and blunt character. The lionesses, accustomed to Kufu's humble leadership, often preferred to avoid him rather than speak directly.
Maafa didn’t know how to earn the lionesses' respect. His direct and aggressive style generated distrust and distance. For this reason, much of his time was spent surrounded by cubs or older lionesses, who observed him with skepticism.
To better understand his new role, Maafa began patrolling with Asubuhi and Kukwarua, sons of Kufu and aspiring leaders. These patrols taught him he couldn’t solve everything with his rough character and that he needed to understand the importance of the women who helped daily. Gradually, his harsh personality softened, though he kept his pride and arrogance, which earned him the nickname “Ill-Natured”.
Later, he met Asali, Kufu’s youngest daughter. Their relationship started rough and conflictive: Asali didn’t hesitate to confront and challenge his arrogance, exposing the insecurity his pride tried to hide. Far from giving in, Asali showed a strong, brave, and determined character, which confused Maafa and sometimes embarrassed him or made him defensive. That resistance was what earned the king’s respect and brought him closer to her genuinely.
Over time, Asali became his first concubine and the only voice capable of softening Maafa’s harsh heart.
