King Abrar stood alone before the Celestial Stone. It hummed with the energy of thousands of lion souls, its brilliant glow illuminating the clearing. In a few hours, he would be meeting Apedemak here to become his vessel - or at least, that is what he had told the half-god. In truth, the mighty king planned to betray the celestial, allowing Menhit to absorb the whispers instead.
He had known Apedemak for years, looked forward to his coming every summer. What had happened to him?
The same thing that happened to every king before himself, starting with King Rajat.
It was dangerous for him to come out here at this time. If Apedemak showed up early, he ran the risk of being forced to become a vessel without Menhit there to take the whispers in his stead, leaving the entire celestial kingdom at the mercy of Apedemak's madness. But he had to. Abrar had felt something following him ever since the rift opened this year. At first, he thought it only a curious celestial, and allowed them to shadow him in the hopes they would approach when they were comfortable. Then, after seeing the deterioration of his friend, he worried it was the curse of madness put upon his pride's kings bearing down on him. Now... now, he wasn't so sure. But it drew him here.
Something moved in the shadows, just out of the Stone's light. Arbar turned to the movement in time to see golden eyes gleam in the darkness, giving way to the star-covered form of something that looked like a hybrid of a lion and a winged dragon. In his many years, Arbar had never seen anything quite like it, though he had seen things horrible enough to keep him from flinching from the creature.
"Are you the one who has been following me?" He asked, unable to keep the weariness from his voice.
The creature tilted their head at him. "I'm surprised you sensed me."
He chuckled. "I've experienced enough supernatural to know when I'm being watched."
"A fine trait to have." The creature mused. They watched him for a moment. "You are afraid."
"Of course I am."
"Of what?"
Arbar sighed. "Of failing. This is an entire kingdom and our ancestors on the line. What if I do the wrong thing?"
The creature did not answer. The king felt their eyes boring into him, as though picking him apart. He swallowed harshly. "I'm... afraid of myself, too. I see my fate in Apedemak, through the curse of my pride. I had an heir, to prevent me from leading this long, but the droughts..." The king's throat tightened, rendering him unable to speak.
"I know your plight, great king." The creature interjected. "I have been sent by King Blishe, the founder of your pride, to offer my assistance."
Arbar looked up. "How?"
"Allow me to lead your pride." They met his gaze as Arbar's eyes widened. "I will manifest a form similar to yours to fool the creatures who have cursed your kingdom, allowing you to retire and avoid the curse whilst I try to break it."
The king was left speechless. This... creature knew his pride's founder? Knew what had cursed them, and how to save them?
"What... what are you?"
The creature ducked their head slightly. "That's... difficult to answer. But, I am a friend." There was a moment of silence between the two. "...I understand you have a lot to process. I will remain here after the rift closes. You may let me know your decision when you are ready."
Arbar fought for words, lost in thought. "...Thank you." He mustered at last.
The creature dipped their head to him, then vanished in a puff of glittering gold dust.
~
Months had passed.
The creature - a demiurge, they had explained - visited Arbar often in a more lion-like form. They had started interacting with the pride some too, and by now every lion knew what they were and why they were here. They had introduced themselves as Latona, and frequently participated in hunting parties with the lionesses.
This time, they stood across from Arbar in his den, blocking him from the cave's mouth. They were breathing heavily, their teeth were stained with traces of the king's blood. Arbar's claws were splattered with the blood of his queen. Her sobs rang through the night outside.
"Are you alright?" Latona panted.
Arbar stared at his claws. "...No."
The demiurge stiffened. "Did I hurt you? I didn't-"
"No." The king repeated, his voice low.
A silence fell over the two. Latona straightened, staring down at the king. "...Your Majesty?"
The king was muttering to himself. Latona could see his outstretched paw shaking.
"Arbar, what's wrong?"
"I... attacked Raziya. I hit her - did you see the look on her face? Ancestors, did you see her eye?" The king's voice came out in a breathless ramble. He pulled his bloodied paw to his chest, as if trying to hide it. His eyes were wide. "What if she loses it? I- I can't, I can't, I didn't mean to, I didn't mean to, I didn't mean to." He folded in on himself, presumably muttering more of the same. Warily, Latona edged closer to him, eventually sitting down across from the king to rest her paw on his shoulder.
"I know, Arbar. That wasn't you. She'll understand."
Arbar shook his head without looking up. "She shouldn't have to. I can't- I can't do this any longer, Latona."
Latona stiffened. "What do you mean?"
Arbar sniffed, they sat up, fixing Latona with a firm gaze. She could see hints of tears in the great king's eyes. "I want you to replace me." He said.
She knew this was coming. It was what she had been sent here for. But she had been here for months exclusively because Arbar didn't want to give in so easily, so desperately wanted to find an heir and allow Latona more time to vanquish whatever haunted his pride. This was what finally shattered the king's resolve, and it broke Latona's hearts.
Wordlessly, Latona leaned forward and touched her nose to Arbar's forehead. Now that she was this close, she could feel the trembles he was so stoicly trying to hide.
King Abrar loved Raziya, more than Latona had seen any lion love another. And the spirits that Blishe had angered so long ago made him hurt her.
It made something burn inside Latona's chest. She would find them. She would stop this.
"In the morning." Latona promised in a hushed voice. "Get some rest, King Arbar." She stayed like that for a moment longer, then stood and padded to the den's entrance.
"Latona?"
The demiurge stopped and turned back to Arbar. "Yes?"
His eyes were wide and haunted, and he still looked for horribly small. "Tell- tell Raziya I'm sorry." Arbar fumbled with his paws as he spoke, not seeming to notice one was still bloody. "Please."
Another wave of emotion hit Latona at his request, all fire and rage and gut-wrenching sorrow. Faintly, she could hear Raziya still crying somewhere on the other side of the cave's curtain.
"Of course." She dipped her head to the king, but lingered by the entrance. She wanted to say something, give the king comfort somehow.
He barely looked himself. Raziya was still crying. Her blood still splattered Arbar's claws. Latona could still remember the taste of his blood, the feel of his fur against her teeth, the way he struggled and snarled as she dragged him away from his wounded queen.
There was nothing she could say to make this better.
She turned and ducked through the grass curtain. She made her way to the healer's den where Raziya was being treated, making a mental note to get water for Arbar's claws.
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