The Pridelanders rested at the edge of their kingdom, beneath the howling presence of the Kizuizi Cha Ulimwengu. The blizzard had blocked their path for days, forcing the residents of the kingdom beyond to simply stop and rest. The battle ahead would be tough after all.
Simba and Nala lay at the front of the gathering, cautiously watching the storm. Their hearts pulsed in unison as they shared an affectionate, comforting nuzzle. The Pridelands' king couldn't help but think of his daughter, who he had left behind at the Uasilands for her safety. This wasn't the place for a princess.
"Still concerned about Kiara, hmm?" A wise, ecstatic voice brushed past him, preceding a stick-like shadow dancing across the ground. Raising his head, Simba found Rafiki and Makini standing before him, resting their body weight on their staves.
"I wouldn't worry, your majesty." Makini commented, swaying her palm outward. "I'm sure you made the right decision. After all, Kiara's not the type of lioness who-"
"I know." The king interrupted, feeling Nala's body shift beside him. Taking a deep sigh, he turned his attention back to the storm, stretching his paws out. "Have we heard anything else from the sisterhood?"
Rafiki grasped his staff with both hands. His knowledge of the spiritual planes was vast and yet nothing compared to this. He raised his hand out, letting the storm blow against his fingers. "Not yet." He felt the anger embedded in the blizzard; the raging fires deeply hidden within the snow-ridden breeze. A void-lit inferno brewed on the other side, harmonising with the roaring blizzard before them. Something was waiting... preparing.
"We can't stay here forever." Nala arose, glancing around her surroundings. A brewing rumble grew on the horizon, marching closer through the Kizuizi cha ulimwengu. The others noticed the oncoming front, staring out at the horizon with trepidation-drenched hearts. As her ears slowly fell, a confident, fierce tone caught her attention.
"Mum? What's going on?" Kion stepped forwards, closely followed by the rest of the Lion Guard. Anga also swooped down from the sky, landing on a small rock near the rest of the resting pride. The prideland's queen sighed, the weight of the situation swaying across her shoulders.
"Not much Kion." The young lion didn't seem convinced. "But could you check on the herds?" She glanced back at the oncoming storm just as it consumed the Theluji mountains. "Looks like a large storm's coming in and I don't want to lose anyone." Kion simply nodded, his ears sharply falling beside his face whilst the storm continued to approach. Nala turned back to Simba, who had consulted with Rafiki and Makini on what to do.
"We should take cover, your majesty." Rafiki chimed in, swaying his staff outward. The crackling breeze of the oncoming storm intensified, building as it approached. A bright, blinding light shone from the horizon, spreading ever closer with each passing second. As fear grew within the gathered pride, a crystalline structure appeared, hanging high in the sky like a star.
"Pridelanders! Simba! Wait!" The crystal hummed with the voice of Afya, attracting the attention of many of the Pridelanders. "Listen; Kopa and Karimu have broken the barrier!" Rafiki's eyes widened, the rapid tempo of his heartbeat warming the air around him. He stepped back as the spiritually gifted lioness continued, "You have to mo-" Before she could finish, the light blasted the storm before them. Her crystal shattered, sending shards of Uasian crystal hurling towards three Pridelanders. The fragments quickly dissipated as the storm fractured, revealing the thick corruption within. Before anyone could react, the ground the pride stood upon reverberated, cracking and crumbling under them.
Everyone rushed to the collapsing ground's edge, lunging off to the safety of the corrupted land ahead. Many of the lighter animals managed to make the jump. The pride, Lion Guard, and herds all landed with a heavy thud, orchestrated by the agonising screams of those unfortunate to not make the jump. Regaining his posture, Simba glanced forward. The manic laughter from up ahead caused every muscle in his body to tense.
The Giza slowly strolled into the light, through the thick, choking fog of war. Their spectral, twisted forms encircled the Pridelanders, trapping them at the edge of reality. Kion found his footing, shaking his head of the dirt staining his fur. Taking a shallow breath, the Lion Guard leader glanced back at his team. Beshte had barely made it, scraping his belly on the landing. Fuli arose quickly, stretching her agile leg muscles for the upcoming standoff.
"Everyone, get up!" Simba roared, holding his ground weakly. The rest of the guard arose, ready for the brewing fight before them. The Giza continued to encircle the Pridelanders, howling, gnashing, and chuckling with a gleeful smile. Many of the surviving herds inhaled sharply, their hearts pounding as the fear swept in. Rafiki and Makini marched towards Simba, moving their staves ahead in a defensive position.
The Giza charged, gnashing their spectral teeth at the ensemble of Pridelanders. In response, Nala led a party of lionesses in a counterattack. Kion and the guard stood strong beside their king, holding off the relentless demon's hordes.
If they were going to die, at least they were going to die together...
