Slender shadows spread across the forest grounds, inching further onto the flat rocks and denizens rested on top.
Sunlight spilled through ample branches, forming mazes way above the treetops. Each trunk base stood firm and formed an erratic perimeter around the audience of animals in-between.
At the center of this forest clearing, the enormous and hefty kremling, Rool, backed away atop a long platform of ancient rock.
He lifted his plump head and gazed up at the curious lions perched on high boulders. Some remained in shadow against the sunlight, and yet the kremling noticed neither possessed a mane as vast and ignited as the grey feline before him. Each lion stared back, and eagerly watched as their leader stepped up to the bulky reptilian. Rool’s shoulders and neck leaned further back
Echoes of bird and cricket chirps rang through the clearing. Thickets brushed against the particularly warm air sweeping across the darkened rocks and ruffled grass.
The ground clacked beneath Rool as pebbles rolled off the edge, where his heel now cleaned with a firm stance.
‘Plop’
The lion king, Tungora, now ceased his march. His grey sheen of fur appeared to twinkle amidst the hazy, setting sun.
Something about the king drew the kremling’s attention. Despite his intent at retreat, the green bulky bipedal felt a tug towards the feline, one familiar yet impossible to mark, far too muddled in his scattered thoughts.
With a tilt of his head, Tungora faced the robust, scale-ridden intruder, fixated on his bright, reflective belly. He noticed his own shadow begin to emerge upon reflection. He then glanced up with a frown, spotting Rool’s eyes. One seemed to bulge further than the other.
The king inspected him: a heavy reptilian with long arms and a protruding belly, all carried by sturdy, gaping toes below a rather small head. Three prominent teeth lurched from the sides of his maw.
"Listen close stranger, you have been given a warning. You appear to have threatened my children. That is a grave mistake. Not one step closer... turn back this instant." Tungora explained, stern and composed despite the massive frame before him.
Rool held a hand to shield his view from the potent sunlight, still pouring through the branches’ gaps. Tungora patted the ground to regain the creature’s attention.
"Do you understand me?" Tungora asked, now leaned back with a slight nod of his chin.
Rool lowered his arm, steadfast, and finally looked at the grey king. He squinted to glare, his stiffened arms now on each side.
The kremling stumbled forward, away from the platform’s edge, his balance anew amid shaky steps. Soon, his snout curled and spread across his maw...
"Y-yes." He croaked, "I believe I can." His eyes locked onto the lion king's own wide, green pearls.
Mutters spread from behind the two massive beasts. Tungora nodded again in return, his enormous mane ruffled as a dark palm against the red African sky. He soon gave a slight clearing of his throat, letting the chatter cease upon hearing its echo.
“Is that all?” Tungora asked, almost with a grin. “Come now, a being of your size isn’t often this shy.”
"You... are king?" Rool asked, grunting low and with a reverberating pitch.
"Indeed. As I've spoken, these lands and its treasures are under my protection. You seem lost. I can see it in your eyes. If you seek counsel, then you can..."
"How?"
"What?"
"You are king. Why? Why do they follow you? These animals, what makes them obey?!" Rool snorted, hunched near the lion’s frame as he snarled back in response.
"This is your last warning, beast. You do not question my judgement among my family. I have defended the northern border in many battles for years. I was sure my days of violence were behind me. I do not wish to start again!" Tungora growled.
The sun continued its descent into the horizon. Sharp rays of final light penetrated through the clearing.
Rool’s thoughts zipped into view. He had lost years of voyages and adventures, with no hint or gut feeling on how to start anew. He began to stumble back once again. the now angered lion lashed at the floor between them, leaving claw marks onto hardened rock.
Suddenly, a cry rang through the clearing…
Yeah! Don't you get it?!" One of the young lions stepped forth from above the rock perch. At once, Tungora’s eyes softened. He turned his entire frame to face his cub against the setting sun.
"Son?"
"The crocs don’t even want you. You can’t even protect your own scraps. Go back to that stupid mudhole and stay there before our dad makes you, lizard brain!" The cub exclaimed, his voice echoed through the trees and storks flew in droves away from the commotion. Their wings fluttered, scattering into the rising wind.
"Son, no!" Tungora shouted, squinting himself at the sun’s light. Red skies exposed the sweeping warmth of evening air.
"Lizard...brain?!" Rool growled, recalling buried memories of utter humiliation. Every day since the sinking of crocodile isle came into view for a flashing moment.
The reptilian stomped his foot onto the ground, raised his hands in steady agitation and pounded the granite floor. Crumbling rock shuddered across. His arms spread; claws curled towards the audience hidden in the treetops.
"You… dare..." Rool uttered, tongue slithering out with flared nostrils.
Tungora turned back, eyes wide as Rool glowered at his family with a quivering snout. A cub’s gasp was all he needed to hear.
The grey king growled and lunged forward, reaching out with a swipe, extending his claws towards Rool.
The kremling caught sight of the king's paw. Its form slowed in time as it changed into a dreadfully familiar sight, all from a crushing defeat that sprung into his mind at long last…
Tungora inspired by “Everything the Light Touches Part 2” by Mirri and Radix.
Keywords
male
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fanart
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lion
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king k rool
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bloodshot eyes
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Details
Published:
3 years, 10 months ago
31 May 2021 00:21 CEST
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