Second Chance

Badge Of Honor

Badge Of Honor

A roar like thunder rang out stopping everyone. Fear ran through everyone's body as a thick, oppressive feeling fell on everyone. From the forest, red eyes came into view and a huge shadow came forward. The golden lion made its appearance, roaring once before pouncing on the men in front of Jewels. The remaining men scattered running for their lives. With his guard still up Ichi made his way to Roku and Jewels. However the closer he came to Jewels, the louder the golden lion growled. Unable to stand on her own anymore, Jewels fell forward onto the ground losing conscience. The golden lion picked her up in his mouth and ran off into the forest. Ichi, too weak to follow the lion, threw an energy tracking dart that hit the lion before he disappeared.

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Coming to her sense, Jewels stared at the stars shining. Lifting her head, her aching body slowly listened to her and sat up. Groaning, she looked around her and saw red eyes stare back at her. Jewels looked down at her body examining the injuries she sustained. They were red and healing, there was no open wounds bleeding. The lion stood up and walked to Jewels. She shrank back, not knowing what to expect and the lion opened its large mouth. She braced herself for its teeth to meet her skin, however the lion licked her instead. The wounds that were red turned white, then slowly disappeared with each lick. When she saw that the lion's saliva held healing properties she sat still as the lion bathed her. Nudging her to stand up, the lion licked her thigh and once that was healed, he licked her back. When the lion finished, he sat down next to her, waiting for her to make a move. Looking around she had no idea where she was or how long she's been unconscious. She was still too weak to move, so instead she sat down next to the lion.

"Watch over me as I rest." Jewels told the lion. "Thank you for saving me and my men."

She fell asleep next to the lion. When she woke up, it was to the lion growling and her name being called. Her eyes met Raiden's but above her was golden fur.
When Jewels moved, the lion roared, prompting her to stop moving. She looked at Raiden and saw that he brought his griffin with him. The majestic monster caught her eye and she stared at it not listening to what Raiden was telling her. When Raiden yelled her name again she came out of her daze and looked around her. All of Raiden's guards were there. Roku and Ichi were there too although they looked like they were still injured themselves.

Not wanting for anyone to get hurt, Jewels slowly reached out and touched the lions stomach. The lion stopped growling and roaring to look down at Jewels.

"Friends." She said. "They're friends."

The lion roared again before sitting down next to her. Jewels got up slowly and stood up. When she took a step away from the lion, he stood back up on all fours. When she took one step so did the lion. When she stopped it did as well. Turning around to look at the lion, he leaned his head inward, his forehead touched hers. Suddenly in her mind, she saw flashes of the lion's life and in exchange, the lion saw hers. Too overwhelmed with the memories, her knees buckled and she fell forward, hugging the lion to her. She felt his breath on her shoulder and heard him speak to her.

"Steady little traveler. You have come a long way here and do not know our ways. Rest before you return to your friends. You have many names, what name shall I call you?" The lion asked.

"Jewels. My name is Jewels. What are you called?"

"I don't have a name, just lion."

"You're name shall be Nemean. Nemean the lion. In one of my life times, Nemean lion had golden fur so thick and tough that no knife or sword could cut through it. It's claws so sharp that it can cut through swords and armor. "