What had she gotten herself into? Looking around, Sadritia marvelled at how many lions had come to compete this year. There weren't as many as she had hoped but they still seemed big and rather intimidating in size and shape. Some of her competitors were like herself. Young, fit, not knowing what the heck they were getting themselves into, while others were large, having old scars littered across their coats and unmistakable teeth jutting out of their large mouths. Seemingly more primal than pure lion. There were also normal lions and lionesses, but, they were just the boring normals who dare to go against such dangerous beasts.

"Oh great lions who have fallen due to these events, please guide me through this wretched tunnel and to victory. Be with me and my other competing family as we see who shall come out alive and who shall fall." the lioness said, bowing her head and closing her eye's as she prayed. Lions outside her pride would not think to pray and thank the fallen lions here. Sadritia was just taught to respect those who have fallen proudly and with courage.

Glancing about once again as the other lions began to enter their tunnels, Sadritia's gaze rested upon her family, who were 2 tunnels down from her and side by side. It seemed they also were uncertain about entering the tunnels.

The lioness gave her family a weak smile as they too met her gaze, both of their eye's locking with hers. "I hope to see you at the end of the tunnel. Don't die on me old man, and don't go running up to strange animals wanting to become their friend dearest little sister. We all know how you like to play and not work." snorting out a laugh at her sisters unhappy and determined scrunched up face, she did not dare to stay where she was for another second. Her sister would truly start to rage and rant about all the embarrassing things Sadritia has done back at home.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Sadritia entered the tunnel. Darkness swallowing the colourful lioness whole. Looking around, all Sadritia could see was black, but, she could feel the departure of dirt as she went further down the tunnel, the once earthy land below her now turning into rock and stone. It seemed that her journey into a new and very dangerous land was nearing swiftly. The air around her grew damp and mild, making her slowly become light headed "Snap out of it Sadritia! You need to continue forward. This is what your mother and father have trained you for." shaking her head roughly, she pushed onward, eye's soon adjusting to the dark tunnel and allowing her to look and watch her surroundings for any dangers or changes in/amongst the rocks.




"Hah! Don't go flirting with some boy dearest sister, you KNOW how well that works out!" Quinyt roared grumpily, her tail lashing from side to side and nearly hitting her thighs each time. Stepping towards her cave, she cowered at how large and open it was, the shadows reaching out to grab her. If Quinyt had nightmares after this, she would know where she got them.

"Don't cower young one, we will meet up soon in the tunnel. I promise."

Her father's soothing voice cracked through to the young lionesses sanity. A smile creeping onto her face as she looked over to him. "Thank you for the comforting words, Papa. You always know what to say to make us happy." Quinyt said with a joyful purr, nuzzling her father comfortingly. Turning back towards the caves, Quinyt took a deep, DEEP breath before placing one paw onto the stony surface of the cave. A chill running through her spine as her body was engulfed by shadows.

After walking for a few minutes, Quinyt stopped, looking around now that she could finally see her surroundings. "H-hello?" she said, stepping forward slowly as she looked from side to side, up and down. It was clear she was uneasy about this cave and should rightfully be.

"Don't cower young one...."

Those smooth and calming words echoed throughout her mind, causing her to stop, take another deep breath, and continue onward. Knowing that somehow she would meet up with her father and that she would have to focus on surviving for now. Survival is alway's the thing that a lion on it's own must first think about.




Man does time fly by. Here the young, but the seemingly old king was participating in an event that could, and absolutely will, take control of his sanity and life. His 2 eldest daughters were already leaving the pride, looking forward, hopefully, to a better future as a queen by the side of their future king. If they even have a future after this.

With low confidence, the lion looked around, the roaring crowd up above causing him to feel small. In the distance, the faint visible painted bodies of his mate and youngest son were just specks in the crowd, but, by the way they roared with their pride, it was clear that they were his. Smiling, Apachez nodded to the lioness, who nodded back with a faint smirk.

"Time to go.." he muttered before turning and entering the tunnel. It was dark in the tunnel, but, unlike his daughters, Apachez wasn't afraid of silly things he couldn't see. This was the beginning of the event, they wouldn't dare to place a monster where it could easily get out. He was definitely safe for now.