✨Ares✨'s Den

STORY

    You've been travelling for days, searching for the Pride of Blessed Stars. You hear that they are very close to the gods, and often share their gifts with those in need. The sun is setting now, stars beginning to shine in the darkening sky. Suddenly, you see a pale blueish glow on the horizon. You have nothing to lose, so, filled with curiosity, you start towards the glow. 

     After hours of travelling, you finally reach the light. It is midnight now, and you realize that the glow illuminates the pride's home. A mountain rises out of the savanna, like a lion roaring at the sky. Huge trees with thick branches and wide canopies are sprinkled around the base of the mountain. Strangest of all, lights of every color imaginable are floating in the air, gently pushing away the darkness. You would almost think they were fireflies, but fireflies didn't stray this close to lions, and they didn't glow in shining rainbow colors. The lights are all around the mountain, even up at the very top, making the cave-riddled peak and the land around it look almost unearthly, as if the whole thing could disappear in a flash of colorful light. 

     You stand there for a long moment, staring, before realizing that there are lions everywhere. Lounging under the trees, grooming each other and talking quietly, as to not disturb the peace of the night. Cubs run around happily, chasing the fluttering rainbow lights, which dodge and fly just ahead of them, as if in a game of tag. Some climb through the trees, playing hide and seek and giggling when another cub finds them and jumps on them, making the branches shake a little. Even the trees seem to be joining in, wrapping leaves gently around the playing cubs to make them more difficult to find, stretching out their branches to help the younger cubs keep their balance. One cub fell from a tree with a squeal and vines seemed to weave together, catching the young lion and turning their tumble into an almost graceful roll to the ground. 

     A warning growl catches your attention from above. A lioness is there, but she isn't in the trees. She's flying, huge dappled wings like a vultures' letting her soar in wide arcs above your head. She folds her wings and swoops down to land in front of you, folding her wings against her sides. Some of the rainbow lights gather around her, letting you see that her fur is dark red, and riddled with scars. This is a lion that has been in battle and fought hard. A necklace of bones clinks around her neck. 

     "Who are you?" She demands, her muscles tense. You look at her for a moment, but decide that it's best not to lie. The lights floating around her seem oddly wary too. You tell the lioness your name, and what pride you're from. She sizes you up for a long, intense moment, then makes a dismissive sort of growl. "I've heard of your pride. Come on." It isn't a question. She turns, flicking her tail for you to follow her towards the base of the mountain. 

     There, half-hidden by shadows, an enormous dark-furred lion rests beside a much smaller monochromatic lioness. In fact, you realize, your dark red guide is a regular-sized lioness, minus the wings, of course. The huge lion carries the primal mutation, and the monochromatic lioness is a dwarf. The primal gets to his massive paws and studies you. 

     "Who is this?" He asks, the question directed at the red lioness. The dwarf gets to her paws as well, coming to stand beside the primal. Her eyes seem a little unfocused, as if she's looking through you as well as at you. Her short tail flicks.

      The winged lioness tells them your name and what pride you're from. "They didn't state their business, just stood there and stared at us like they'd been struck by lightning." Her voice was harsh with scorn and sarcasm. To your surprise, the dark lion chuckles and turns to you.

      "I apologize for Heart of the Redwood Forest. She can be a little intense, but every lion in this pride trusts her with their lives, and they have good reason to." You nod slightly, feeling a little numb with surprise. Heart of the Redwood Forest seemed to be this lioness's name. It wasn't too odd, you've heard of lions with long names like that, but it still surprised you. "Call me Redwood." The lioness grunted. Her tone was still snarky, but less hostile than before. 

      "I am Great Warrior of Ares, or just Ares. I lead the Pride of Blessed Stars. This is our prophet, Dusk of Fallen Embers, or Fallen." He nods at the dwarf lioness beside him, who gives you a small, polite half-bow. "She is specially chosen by the gods, especially Apollo and Hecate. She will never die, and she has the gift of prophecy." Ares nods at you, which Fallen seems to take as an invitation. 
     "Stay still." She says. Her voice is smooth and soft, reminding you oddly of the lights dancing through the trees. You oblige, a little confused. The dwarf lioness stands in front of you, and Redwood makes a quiet sort of snort, like, 'Of course they don't know what to do.' She uses one wing to push your head down, not harshly, but firmly. Dusk of Fallen Embers reaches up and touches her nose to your forehead, closing her eyes. Glowing blue and white streaks shoot through the air around both of you, faster and faster, encasing both of you in a cocoon of blinding lights. Visions flash through your head, memories from your youth that you'd nearly forgotten. You got the feeling that Fallen was seeing them too, reading your life story as easily as you would sink your teeth into injured prey. Finally, she steps back, and the shimmering streaks slow and then stop.

      "They are worthy." The dwarf lioness says, moving back to Ares's side and watching you, as if still reading your memories. Ares nods, giving Fallen a quick, respectful bow. "I'm going to make the proper sacrifices." She says, and disappears in a flash of blue and white like a trick of the light. 

     "Well then." Ares says, nodding at Redwood. She makes that same quick bow, then spreads her wings and launches into the sky, fast as a flash of lightning. He watches her for a moment, circling just below the clouds, then turns back to you. "Come on, friend." He turns and pads into one of the lower caves, inviting you to follow. Some of the rainbow lights follow you inside, dancing close to the ceiling to provide light. 

     "Fallen has deemed you worthy. You are an ally of the Pride of Fallen Stars, and we will help you now, unless you lose our trust." He says. "A lion cannot find us unless the gods allow it, so clearly, you need something from us, or you are here to help us. Which is it, friend?"
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Hello ^^
I'm Pineapple, Pine, or Phoenix!
I use all pronouns (though she/her is a bit iffy).

Code:
.:+Name+:. - Keep
< Name > - For trade/for sale
No Symbol - Not keeping

Current Goals:
-Dorsal Fur Lion
-Get all Ares's markings to 100%


NOTE: I almost always have Lioden open, so don't trust the little green dot saying I'm online.
It lies.

Have a good rest of your day and stay safe :))))


TO DO LIST
-Label all unlabeled cubs
-Rewrite lore in caves to fit new king

King Dynasty

Pride Dynasty

Achievements

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