Through Pain To Protect

Chapter 1. The announcement

Azaad was running through a random land to keep training, like he did every day, when it saw something unusual: it was a large group of animals that were standing still and looked suspicious.

Azaad:,,Hmm... Strange. What's up with this guys?"

He asked himself, and after a while, they started heading in a certain direction. He instantly recognized that it was the way to the Tree of Life, and he didn't hesitate.

Azaad:,,Okay, this is not looking good. Better inform King Sahashi."

He took a few steps back to put some distance between himself and the group, then ran as fast as he could, as he always did whenever he needed to get somewhere urgently.

\\Montain Pass//

Ullu was keeping watch from a tree when she heard someone calling her name and spotted a yellow feline approaching.

Azaad:,,Ullu! Are you here?!"

Ullu then flew down from the tree and landed in front of him.

Ullu:,,Huu-Huu, yes Azaad, it's been some time. What's wrong?"

Azaad:,,I need to tell King Sahashi something. It's urgent."

Ullu:,,Azaad, sadly, King Sahashi and Queen Ananda aren't with us anymore..."

Azaad:,,What?! Then who's ruling it?"

Ullu:,,Queen Janna has taken the throne aga —"

Azaad:,,Tell her that I'm coming immediately with an important message."

\\The Tree Of Life//

The old queen was lying on the rock, unable to move too much, when she heard Ullu flying inside.

Queen Janna:,,Ullu, what brings you today here?"

Asked the wise lioness with a warm and protective voice.

Ullu:,,Huu-Huu, Queen Janna, Azaad is coming with an important message."

Queen Janna:,,Hmm... What can it be...?"

She asked curiously. Then Azaad ran inside the tree, slowed down when he got close to the old queen, and stopped in front of her with a bow.

Azaad:,,Queen Janna."

Queen Janna:,,Welcome back Azaad. What's the message you bring that's so important?"

Azaad:,,Your Highness, I saw a group of animals a few days away, heading in this direction, and they didn't look very peaceful."

Queen Janna:,,How big is this group? And did you see what types of animals were part of it?"

Azaad:,,It was a bit of everything, Your Majesty. There were a few rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, and more. There were... I don't know, maybe around 20–25?"

The wise queen stood silently and knew one thing for sure: the Night Pride couldn't handle so many animals at once, and she would need help.

Queen Janna:,,Azaad, do you know what the closest kingdom to us is?"

Azaad:,,The Pridelands, Your Majesty. I've been there a few times as well. It's less than a quarter of a day away on foot."