Chasing Loyalty:
The Story of A Lighira
Creator of the DarkRunes Pride: Darkmage
Creator of the GalacticUniverse Pride: WolvesofDeltora
Creator of the WindFlames Pride: Quietrose
Creator of the JungleMist Pride: Katelynn4545
Chapter One
LightGlow growls. Something is off. Where has that cool breeze gone? Whats happened to the sweet calls of birds? Suddenly the moonlit forest is eerily quiet. Her heart is racing faster and faster, LightGlow felt as though it might race out of her body. She looks around. Shes standing in the middle of a clearing of long, stone-still blades of yellow green grass. The forest surrounding her was dark, filled with shadows and the dim shapes of trees and flowers and plants.
LightGlows in the JungleMist territory. Alone. The JungleMist Pride is known for their fierceness in battle or when fighting in general. If Light is caught, shes in trouble, especially if Lyra is there. Her eyes dart around, searching for the shadows of Lighira moving through the forest. She nearly runs home to her pride, shes so nervous. But this was the only place that works, so he told her.
Her ears pick up the ever so silent sound of pawsteps and the faint sound of dragging. Yes. Hes here. Light looks around, wary, tense. Finally, after a few minutes of silence she calls out softly, Flaming?
No response. Had he not heard her? Or had she just given away her position and alerted JungleMist guards? Flaming? She calls again, a little louder.
Here, comes a whispered response.
Light couldnt resist letting out a quiet purr of happiness. Hed come. Its safe, she assures him. Moments later, a young male Lighira steps out of the shadows. Hes handsome, with thick muscles a tan mane and dark red fur and peacock-patterned wings made of feathers. Attached to his back right leg, is a thick chain that holds a red ball of metal. A dangerous weapon.
Light rushes over to him. Her black fur blends in with the shadows but the bright neon blue on her flashs in the darkness. Her mystic wings are held close to her body, out of the way. She purrs and rests her head on his shoulder. FlamingFire wraps his wings around her. They stay like that, for a long time. I thought you werent going to come, whispers Light.
Of course I was going to come, replies Flaming. Why would I miss out on a chance like this?
Light is puzzled. Those words sound strange to her. But she focuses on something else. Flaming is shaking slightly. Are you okay? Asks Light, burying her head in his soft mane.
Im fine, says Flaming, obviously a lie.
When will you tell me the truth? Wonders Light aloud, unable to keep a slight edge out of her voice.
FlamingFire pulls away from Light, dropping his wings to his side. He gazes at the ground. Im sorry, he whispers.
What? Asks LightGlow, suddenly afraid. What was going on with Flaming right now? Theyd been together for nine months already. Theyd been meeting in secret for all those months, their leaders knew of their love but kept it hidden from the rest of their prides. It would cause disarray and chaos. Why are you sorry? Asks LightGlow again, walking closer to Flaming.
He pulls away again. Then, quite suddenly, he lifts up his head. His gaze is hardened and his face is stony. This is a perfect place, he purrs. He says loudly, Im ready.
Ready? LightGlow now steps away from him. What was happening? The trees around the clearing rustle and sway. A group of about fifteen Lighira step out from the shadows, led by a female Lighira. Lean in structure, covered in black spots outlined by bright blue with a brown and green underbelly. Her body is covered in a black armor with pulsing blue spots. Lyra Niala, second in command of the JungleMist Pride.
Light gives Flaming a pained look. You set this all up, she says, Youve been planning it for nine months now, havent you?
FlamingFire steps towards her, seemingly fully realizing what hed just done. The MysticGlow Pride has too much power, he says, Dont you think youre leader is too full of herself? SkyLights had been leader for a while, havent you had enough of her?
LightGlow directs a full out glare at Flaming, No, she says forcefully. SkyLights is the greatest leader this world has ever seen. Shes, shes, Flaming how could you?
FlamingFire suddenly stops. He looks pained. I cant do this anymore, he says, looking resentfully at Lyra. No threat you make can make me do this. He steps towards Light, but she flinches away from him. Light, please, he says, This isnt my doing. Lyra made me. I promise you, she made me.
Light is completely confused by the sudden turn of events. But she hears the truthfulness of Flamings tone, of his words. He wasnt lying. She goes close to him.
Lyra gives a roar of outrage. This is PATHETIC, she snarls, You RedFeather Pride are pathetic! Oh really? If I cant threaten you, Ill just take you with me. She turns to the rest of the JungleMist ambush group, Capture them.
Flaming pushes Light, Go! He says, Go, Ill hold them off.
But-
Go! Says Flaming, he looks at LightGlow and says, I love you. Then he pushes her into the woods and growls at the advancing Lighira. He gets ready to aim his metal ball at them.
A normal Lighira would run. But LightGlow wasnt second in command of the MysticGlow Pride for nothing. She stops. Turns. FlamingFire is fighting off the attacking Lighira.
He loves her.
Ill come back, says Light into the darkness. She turns and runs, not wanting to waste Flamings sacrifice. Behind she hears his roar as they overwhelm him, she hears at its cut off abruptly.
And she dashes into the night.
To be continued.... |
