Raindrops pounded the earth, a relentless sympathy of sorrow. The Lion Prince, his dark hair matted and eyes aflame, stood alone in the heart of Sunset Savanna. His lover lay there, lifeless, their once vibrant laughter silenced forever. The heavens wept alongside him, their tears mingling with his own. And then, with a feral roar, he challenged the tempest, defying the gods who dared to steal them away. At that moment, the world trembled, caught between grief and rage, as if even nature itself mourned the loss of love.

~Back to the beginning~

In the heart of the Sunset Savanna, where in the sun kissed the earth with fiery order, a celestial event unfolded. The Lion Prince, born of royal lineage, arrived amidst a tempest of golden dust. His mother, the Lioness Queen (Don't mind the names in here, I often change them), panted with both exhaustion and awe, her amber eyes reflecting the promise of destiny. The stars themselves, it was whispered, had conspired to weave his fate. As the first rays of dawn bathed the newborn's hair, the world held its breath, sensing that this creature was no ordinary cub. His roar, even then, echoed across the plains a proclamation of royalty and defiance. And so, the Lion Prince emerged, dark and fierce, destined to rewrite the ancient tales etched into the very fabric of the land.

"Leona Kingscholar," the Lioness Queen murmured, her amber eyes fixed on the tiny form nestled against her warm flank. The Savanna breeze whispered secrets through the grass, and the dawn painted the horizon in waves of gold and rose. Her cub's heartbeat, delicate and swift, resonated against herself, a rhythm that defined the wildness of their world.

"Leona," She breathed, her voice, a soft caress. "A name of courage and wisdom." She imagined her cub's growing, hands tracing constellations in the night sky, seeking answers beyond the realm of instinct.

"Kingscholar," She continued, her gaze unwavering. "For you shall be both ruler and seeker of knowledge."

The Lioness Queen pressed her nose to Leona's forehead, inhaling the promise of his existence. "May your heart beat with the grace of a thousand gazelles," She whispered, "and your roar echoed through ages untold." And in that sacred moment, beneath the vast expense of the African sky, she bestowed upon him a legacy that transcends mere flesh and bone - a name that would weave itself into the tapestries of legend.

~Falena's POV~

Falena, the Lioness Queen's firstborn, stood by the weathered doorway, his golden eyes wide with anticipation. The sun, a fiery orb, cast shadows across the savanna, and he could feel the pulse of life in the air. His sleek hair rippled as he shifted, tail flicking with nervous excitement. Leona, his new brother, lay within, a promise of pride and legacy.

"A brother," Falena whispered to the wind, "a companion in this vast expense." He imagined playful hunts, shared secrets, and nights spent under the star-studded canvas. His heart swelled, and he longed to nuzzle Leona's tiny form to welcome him into their world.

But their father, the mighty Lion King, watched from afar, his regal countenance etched with disdain. To him, Leona was an aberration, a half-blood, unworthy of the throne. The King's amber gaze, cold as the moon, bore into Falena's soul. "A weakling," the king had spat, "A blight upon our lineage."

Falena's excitement waned, replaced by a twisting ache. He would protect Leona and shield him from their father's wrath, even if it meant defying the very stars that had heralded his brother's birth. For in the Lion Prince, Falena saw not weakness but a legacy of courage and wisdom, woven into the very fabric of their bloodline.

TO BE CONTINUED♤♡◇♧

In the vast savanna of Pride Lands, where the sun blazes and the grasslands stretch to the horizon, the circle of life unfolds.

Falena and Leona's hunt; Falena's heart raced as he stepped into the golden grass, his feet sinking into the earth. It was his first hunt with his younger brother, Leona, a rite of passage for every young lion. His mother, Sarabi, (ik, I couldn't come up with a name. It's weird stuff.) had taught him well-the art of stealth, the rhythm of the chase. Beside him, Leona, with his wide-eyed curiosity, mirrored his excitement.

The sun hung high, casting long shadows across the savanna. Falena's amber eyes scanned the horizon, seeking movement. He could smell the antelope - their musky scent carried on the warm breeze. Leona, tail twitching, followed his lead. Together, they stalked through the grass, hearts pounding in unison.

~At Pride Rock~

Meanwhile, in the shade of acacia tree, Sarabi spoke with her sister, Momo. Momo was no ordinary lioness; her eyes held secrets, and her laughter echoed like distant thunder. Sarabi trusted her, but today, Momo's gaze was unsettling.

"Leona's special," Momo murmured, her voice a velvet whisper. "He carries weight of destiny."

Sarabi frowned. "What do you mean?"

Momo's eyes gleamed. "The Elephant Graveyard," she said. "A place of darkness and danger. Leona must go there."

"But why?" Sarabi's heart clenched. She loved her son fiercely.

Momo's smile was enigmatic. "To face his fears, to unravel the threats of fate. Trust me, sister."

~Plan~

That night, as the stars painted the sky, Momo approached Leona. She spoke of forbidden lands, of bones bleached by time, and whispered promises of hidden truths. Leona's eyes widened, torn between curiosity and fear.

"Promise me," Momo said. "That you'll venture north, where the moonlight cannot reach. There, you'll find answers."

Leona hesitated. "But mother said -"

"Mothers protect," Momo interrupted. "Aunts reveal."

And so, Leona vowed to explore the shadowy wasteland - to confront the unknown. Momo's devilish plan unfolded, veiled mystery.

~At Pride Rock~ Falena watched as his brother slipped away, moonlight guiding his path. He sensed the weight of desting upon him. Sarabi, unaware of Momo's machinations, gazed at the stars, trying for her son's safety.

And so, the Sunset lands held its breath-the legacy of kings, the whispers of aunts, and the courage of a young prince. The circle of life spun onward, weaving fate and adventure into the golden tapestry of the savanna.

My the winds carry Leona's footsteps and my Falena's roar echo through the ages.

(Side note- The next chapter is loosely based on Lion King, but the rest I've made up as I go along. All the trauma is within the beginning of the book.) *Yes, I write it out, then type it, I know it's too much work, but I do it anyway to get my efforts in.*