Caius Ballad, Immortal l'Cie's Den

"I had a dream," he said. "A...strange dream. Of lionesses covered in fur with tusk to make them more kin to elephants. I saw a pride of them, all living under one banner, one King. Ghostly and sparkly. The King was mighty. He was large, and furry, and his tusks were long and thick.

I was afraid.

I cowered, bowing under his might. I would never bow to any lion, but I could feel the strength from him, the raw power and control. I shivered as his heavy paws made their way towards me. My muzzle, on instinct, pressed itself into the floor. I meant no harm. Not to this lion. Never, to this lion.

The ground felt as though it was growling with each step he took, until gleaming claws were all I saw.

I dared not look up.

Hot and heavy, that's what his breath felt like. Like hellfire fumes burning my mane. I could feel it all the way to my bones. My ears were on fire. It felt too stuffy, and I was sure my fur was damp with sweat, whether it be from the heat or my own nervousness, I do not remember.

I could hear each intake of breath he took from those mighty lung, and shuddered at each exhale. If he growled he would make all forms of animals bow to his will. I was sure of it. A swarm of angry locusts could do no harm to him. Hyenas wouldn't dare trespass, lest they be made a snack of.

I was terrified. But, I was also honored.

"Why do you tremble like a newborn foal?" The great lion asked.

I had no response for him. I couldn't, not with a voice as powerful as that. I was frozen. My bones vibrated underneath tissue underneath muscle underneath skin.

"It matters not. Soon, you will have this power. You will be blessed with the light of the Yahwhey, the Shaman of the Wilds. She shall give to you your first seed of ancient power, a primal gift, after seven of your lionesses have been blessed. Then, and only then, will you undergo your own transformation. And you will be glorious."

Me? Jahsen, King of the Grasslands in a small pride off the edge? The weakest of Kings? I could not believe it.

But I still could not speak.

"He does not believe," a voice, so soft, spoke. What lioness could sound like that? Not even Kiara sung so sweetly.

"He will in time," the Great Lion boomed, and I felt it's wavelength through out my entire body.

Eagerness, excitement, pain, betrayal, love. From birth to death of my would-be successors, visions blazing through my mind. Never do I see them, but I AM them, seeing fleeting glimpses of futures long past, through THEIR eyes. My heart raced, and I feared for it's ultimate failure, yet it didn't stop. What I was seeing, I couldn't believe. I looked up--



And was staring at the night sky. My body was on fire, like little mice with small burning paws dancing all over me. The moon was out and bright and full, as full as my pride's bellies, for the lionesses did hunt good tonight. There was hope for me yet. Were the Shaman Gods sending me a sign? Was it true?

"Patience," a voice whispered, like a breeze in the wind, and I felt at peace with myself. All I need is to wait. All I need is the first sign. The first lioness blessed with power.

That dream will come reality, and I know it will, for when I looked up at that Great Lion, I was looking at myself.