The Gathering
A soft nuzzle from Queen Saharrah stirred her sons awake even before the sun began to rise.
"It's time for you to go," she said softly. "I wanted to say goodbye before you both leave."
Zarda blinked awake and propped himself up on his elbow, having enjoyed a restful sleep on his side surrounded by cozy palm leaves. With his arms open wide, he drew Saharrah into a warm, snug embrace against his chest. The comfort of his hug wrapped around her like a soothing blanket. They lingered in the embrace for a while before gently parting. Meeku rubbed the sleep from his eyes and glanced over at his mother and brother. Sitting up, he leaned in to plant a kiss on his mother's cheek, followed by a tight hug, mirroring the warmth they shared.
Meeku bid farewell, assuring his mother that they would be safe under Elohim's protection. With another promise, he vowed they would return soon, eager to share their adventures with everyone. Saharrah returned to her son's place and lay back down in her somewhat warm bedding. Feeling sorrowful about their departure, she wept quietly to herself. The traveling companions set off toward Mount Sabyinyo, with the backpacks crafted by the lioness slung over their shoulders for the long journey ahead.
They packed fruits, insects, nuts, and two birds each. They also gathered coconuts for any needed refreshment. The evening before, Meeku had fashioned warm robes for all six of them, which he carefully tucked into his pack. Remembering the robes, he distributed one to each member of the group. Every item included in their supplies would prove essential for their journey. The trek up Sabyinyo would pose challenges, particularly as they ascended to the volcano's inner core. They were well-equipped and ready to face whatever obstacles lay ahead. Matiti and Mazunga took charge of the weapons, while Slash and Razor safeguarded the rear of the group, and Zarda and Meeku led the way.
Throughout the expansive Savannah plains, the leaders of the animal kingdom embarked on their journey to the revered ancient mountain. Following the creator's guidance, they traveled in small groups. From the vast oceans to the dense jungle mountains, representatives of each species united for the trek.
Day one appeared to be unfolding well. There were no accidents or heavy downpours, but the situation could shift dramatically at any moment. As they gradually left the familiar, even terrain of the savannah, they found themselves surrounded by a dense, thick jungle. With each step and hand placement, they had to remain vigilant of the concealed hazards nearby. A single misstep could send them tumbling back to the distant starting point below.
Hungry and curious, Mazunga posed a simple question to his leader, "How much farther do we have to go until we reach our campsite?"
Zarda looked over with one eyebrow raised, "We set up camp just before sunset. Although we hybrids have strict orders not to hurt anyone, that doesn't mean the dangerous animals who don't obey the rules won't pose a threat to us. We must remain vigilant, keeping our eyes open at all times."
Zarda halted and glanced back at Mazunga, whose wide eyes were gazing up at him. He gestured for Mazunga to follow the direction he was indicating. His attention had been directed toward a location on a ledge, roughly an hour's journey ahead.
"Do you see that ledge up ahead?" Zarda asked. "Once we reach the top, we'll set up camp for the night."
Everyone's gaze followed his finger, and they soon understood that they still had a long way to go before they could take a break. Zarda hoisted his body up the mountain, struggling to navigate through the densest part of the jungle. Realizing the challenge he faced, he began to make use of his staff. With each upward movement, he zapped a clear path through the thick foliage. The tip of the staff pulsed with a liquid substance that resembled molten lava, but instead of the usual fiery orange, it glowed a vibrant purple. The purple haze shortened their journey significantly compared to their initial plan; now, their only challenge was to navigate the steep, jutting boulders leading up to the ledge.
One step at a time, they put distance between themselves and their starting point. Zarda quickened his pace, finding the ledge just a short hop away. It was easy for him to pull his upper body onto the ledge, as he harnessed every muscle of his hybrid form. One by one, he helped each lion up: first Meeku, then Mazunga, followed by Matiti. Finally, it was down to Razor and Slash. However, Slash was reluctant to accept help. He gestured for Razor to move ahead while he searched for a way to hoist himself up. Stubborn and prideful, Slash dismissed the notion that he was too old to handle the challenge on his own.
Zarda lifted Razor up with one hand and glanced back down for Slash, but the lion seemed to have vanished. Initially, Zarda felt a surge of panic, fearing that Slash had slipped back down, but there were no sounds of struggle, only the usual grunts of an elderly being. He searched the area frantically for his missing comrade, only to jump in surprise at a tap on his right shoulder.
"Searching for something, are we?" Slash inquired. The old lion had skillfully maneuvered up the ledge and quietly positioned himself beside his astonished leader without anyone noticing.
Clutching his chest in surprise, he cast a concerned glance at the old lion. After a moment, he chuckled to himself, relieved to see the old warrior standing right beside him, perfectly fine.
"There you are! How did you make it up this ledge without me knowing?" Zarda inquired.
Slash shot a mischievous smile before responding, "I'll never share my secrets. And about what you think happened to me—did you honestly think I fell backwards? I'm not that old and worn out!"
Zarda chuckled, acknowledging that it was clear he still possessed the ability to achieve remarkable feats. Meanwhile, the others were already gathering wood to build a cozy campfire and assembling makeshift tents for the night's rest. Standing solemnly next to Slash, Zarda gazed out at the horizon. From this vantage point, the Savannah had never appeared more stunning. He felt a deep sense of pride to be sharing this moment with those around him. Opportunities like this were rare, and there was no moment quite like the one they were experiencing now.
"I can't help but wonder how my father would have reacted to all of this, if he were still alive. Would he have faced it head-on with bravery and courage?" Zarda asked outloud.
Slash gazed at Zarda with sorrowful eyes. "Who says you aren't both of those things and more? Perhaps your father wouldn't have responded as admirably as you have. You were meant for this moment, and I'm honored to serve under you, my King," said Slash.
Feeling honored yet slightly hungry, Zarda expressed his gratitude to Slash with a gentle pat on the shoulder before turning to join the others around the warm fire. The younger lions engaged in a game of rock, paper, scissors to decide who would keep watch for the night. Mazunga emerged as the fortunate winner, getting the chance to stay up with Zarda during the first night. He was thrilled at the prospect of spending the first night alongside Zarda. He was eager to learn from his leader. In many ways, Zarda saw a reflection of himself in Mazunga when he was that age—a curious spirit yearning for knowledge. After their quick meal, the night watch began, while the other four settled into their cozy beds for a restful night's sleep.
Two days had gone by since the small group departed from their home. They made only a few brief stops along the way that morning. Zarda was optimistic they might arrive early if things went smoothly. A mix of nerves and excitement swirled inside him at the thought of meeting everyone. He urged his team to push on and skip camping for the second night, deciding they should climb straight through and rest only after the meeting concluded. This meant sacrificing much-needed sleep while straining their bodies on the demanding ascent up the volcano. The group was hesitant about the plan, but they trusted Zarda's judgment. Step by step, they pressed on through the grueling hike, forgoing water and rest, not stopping until they reached the summit of Mt. Sabyinyo. Just as he had hoped, Zarda and his companions were the first to arrive at the top. They traversed the winding green paths, maneuvering around twisted tree roots and moss-covered vines that dangled like traps. The steep incline only added to the exhaustion of the journey.
At last, they found themselves at the meeting place, nestled in the heart of the volcano. The breathtaking beauty of their surroundings enveloped them. Lush vegetation adorned the entire mountaintop, while heather trees draped in old man's beard moss surrounded the mountain's base. A gentle mist lingered over the upper reaches of Mount Sabyinyo, and Zarda was pleased to hear the melodies of birds returning; he even caught sight of two soaring overhead. Zarda instructed his warriors to set up camp, while Matiti and Mazunga ventured out to gather kindling for a fire. Zarda raised his staff, praying to the master to ignite a flame once more. Their hunger was palpable as they looked forward to cooking the six cattle egrets they had captured during their journey.
After a brief moment, the two young lions returned with firewood in hand. Zarda picked up his staff and placed the amethyst tip atop the kindling. As before, a wave of purple flames erupted, igniting the twigs, and a lively blaze sprang to life. The fire was a welcomed sight. Zarda gazed up the mountainside, captivated by the beauty around him. The scenery was breathtaking, offering stunning vistas both up and down the volcano. A rich array of habitats thrived on its grand mountainous structure. Fog still clung to the mountaintop, and the morning was peaceful, punctuated only by the chirping of birds and distant, unusual animal calls. The egrets were expertly plucked and roasted over the open flame. The intense heat cooked the meal to perfection. The skin was delightfully crisp, while the rich juices trickled down the tender meat. The group savored their hearty breakfast, thoroughly satisfied. The smoke from the campfire curled upward, disappearing into the fog above the mountain.
After finishing his meal, Zarda stepped away from his companions and ventured into the open field behind them. He discovered a pleasant spot and began to collect flat, smooth boulders for seating. He carried the heavy stones over to the selected area. Once the others finished their meals, they noticed their leader and joined him, helping to transport the boulders. Together, they arranged comfortable seats for everyone. Zarda and Meeku took their places in the front center, with Slash on Zarda's right and Razor on Meeku's left. Matiti and Mazunga were positioned behind the front four for safety. They settled in, nervously awaiting the arrival of the other animal clans in the expansive open space. It didn't take long before the sound of approaching footsteps filled the air. Zarda felt a spark of curiosity about which animal clan would arrive first.