Kingdom and Clans, King's Destiny (Book 1)
Ch 10 Mysterious Wand

The brothers played in the cool watering hole, one early afternoon. Nearby was an overseeing gathering, a tower of giraffes. They stood tall like the Savannah trees. The giraffes were visiting to have a nice cool drink.

Zarda watched them spread their legs, and dip their long necks. They scooped up water with their black tongues. Meeku saw an opportunity to catch zarda off guard. He splashed him in the face with a quick swoosh of his paw.

Zarda laughed it off. He shook his head, sending water droplets, flying out into the air. Zarda, was stunningly beautiful in the sunlight. He shimmered like diamonds. The water reflected his image back up at him. Zarda looked at himself for a moment. He looked at his large white mane. He never imagined himself making it to a grown, mature lion. Neither did Meeku. He, too, had become a handsome young lion, with a full dark brown mane, no longer a stunted Mohawk.

Many times they would look at each other in amazement. How did they survive, for this long, without the prides' protection? The creator had really been merciful to them. He had seen them through nasty storms, long dark cold nights, famine, and even out of the fate of a frightening chase from nomadic male cheetah gangs. Life for them was turned upside down. They learned to work together, to rely on each other, to live. If meeku were sick, Zarda would feel the effects and vice versa.

Zarda and meeku learned the hard way on working as one. The brothers finally worked like a team, hunting for small game to feed their empty bellies. Over time, It was enough to help them grow strong into the mighty lions they are now.

Zarda was massive, perhaps bigger than his Father, whom he dreamt of many nights since their departure. He imagined them rejoining the pride. They were only dreams, though, never reality.

Zarda and Meeku, were too old to join, and they knew that. His parents were possibly dead, by now, of old age or illness. They faced the facts that if they still were alive, they would not be allowed back in. At least not Meeku. Zarda wouldn't have that. That idea was never a question in his mind. He had been through so much with his brother. Zarda would never think of abandoning him.

Besides, they were both content, and happy being bachelor's, loving the free life. Never worrying over pride affairs, or working long hours feeding the tribe. A little older and stronger the brothers were, both more powerful. They roamed the lands freely without any fear and killed game as needed.

One summer's eve the brothers had received a fortunate favor, when a rhino calf, lost its way from its mother. They had been patrolling the hot day for a good meal. They had chased several animals with no luck, but then they crossed paths with the lost calf. It was a peak time, the lions had not eaten in a week, and wanted an easy kill. The calf was just what they needed to continue their journeys.

Unfortunately, one had to lose a life to save another. The hunt didn't take long, and the brothers brought down the baby rhino, with brute strength. The calf would keep them full and satisfied for the next two weeks.

They ate and rested by their kill. The mighty lions protected what were theirs, defensively. Scavengers would come and go attempting to claim the lion's game, but when they looked upon the mighty Zarda, fear struck their hearts. Like seeing a white ghost, 'wagula'.

The brothers had become survivors and impressive warriors, of the Whitemane pride legacy. The hope of a young Queen lioness, had prayed many sleepless nights for her son's. Her heart never gave up, even if her body did.

Zarda and meeku, were finished, with their time in the cool water. Both lions swam back to shore, searching for a spot to dry off, in the warm sunlight. They wanted to warm up before heading out for a hunt. They were hungry and needed food. The warmth of the sunlight, was comforting against their wet fur. The cool breeze hit just right, making it undesirable to want to leave out. If it were up to Meeku, they would rather be two lazy lions enjoying the time doing nothing, but Zarda was the responsible one, urging his brother to do the right thing.

"You, dry enough, Meeku?" asked Zarda.

Meeku, rolled over on his back, yawning a big toothy yawn. He pretended not to listen to Zarda. Although, He knew, he better answer Zarda soon, or his heavy brother would come sit on him, squishing his air out.

Zarda often did that.

When he wanted meeku to know who was still boss. They grew to know each other and built an unbreakable bond. Meeku looked at his brother with one eye open.

"Yes, unfortunately." he replied.

Zarda chuckled. "Good, then let us go hunt. Better to get the hard work over with, so we can be back to watch the antelope play."

Said Zarda. Meeku agreed, he loved watching the antelope leap. How they danced in the air with their dainty legs. Their black horns arched, moving in a unique head thrust. Not only were they beautiful, they were delicious. How they tasted salty in their mouths. They were a wonderful flavor, thought meeku.

Meeku rolled over onto his massive paws and pushed up into an arch. Stretching his long body before straightening up.

Zarda, stood waiting for his brother. He was always waiting on him, all his life. He decided to walk away, past the grazing giraffes and beyond the golden sea of Savannah grass. It tickled his body as he pushed through it. Meeku, trotted behind in his brother's enormous footsteps. He noticed his brother's massive paws left craters in the ground compared to his.

Zarda, scouted the horizon for lunch. He had his choice of anything on the menu he wanted. Gazelle, Zebra, wildebeest, Kudu, impala, springbok, ostriches, buffalo, and

okapi.

"Ostrich, sounds good." Zarda said thinking out loud.

"No, maybe not, they have too many feathers, that would take too much time cleaning." He licked his lips and roamed over the grocery aisle before him.

"Perhaps, a nice springbok for a change." He said watching the small group grazing next to a larger herd of impala.

He didn't want to exert too much energy in chasing down the fast gazelle. Zarda wanted to save them for another meal time. The Gemsbok, was looking more and more to his favor. He could taste the sweet meat already on his lips. He could feel their warm lifeblood draining down his throat.

Zarda hardened in pleasure all over. He was ready to eat. Watching nearby, Meeku, gazed forward and matched his brother's target. With one mind, as one accord. The brothers singled out a young gemsbok easy for a quick kill. Meeku, stalked left, zarda moved to the right. Meeku, would be the distraction as zarda blended himself low into the grass.

He bid his time, waiting on their meal to run in his direction. Meeku gave them a circle before he stood up and exposed his dark mane. The herd was frightened, sprinting off towards his zarda

He slowly waited for the small group to draw closer. He remained hidden, careful not to spook them, too soon. The lion paused, then jumped to his paws. Zarda, lunged towards them full force. Bursting into a fast motion. His stride was long. His powerful legs propelled him with immense strength and force. Zarda's speed matched that of the gemsbok.

He, was like a Mack truck of force, barreling down a roadway. The herd bolted into a split, as planned perfectly, back in the direction towards Meeku. Zarda slung his right foot out, pivoting his position. Tracing their dusty footsteps with everything he had. As a lonely gemsbok passed before Meeku, he leapt out, digging his sharp claws into the unsuspecting prey.

The gemsbok screamed out in fear with pain. It took nothing for meeku to strangle the animal to the ground. Right behind him, came Zarda slamming into the beast with all his might. The sudden impact nearly knocking meeku over. The brothers ripped into its flesh, as blood like wine poured out.

With one clean swipe of his fore claw, Zarda tore open the gemsbok's belly, spilling out the warm entrails, to the ground. Heat steamed out of the open gut like white mist. Dark blood pooled underneath the carcass. Zarda plunged his face deep inside, pulling out the animal's, still beating, heart.

Zarda's white face was bloodstained. It was an eerie appearance. One that meeku never got use to, as he stared at his older brother. He had joined the feast, sitting opposite side. He never took his eyes, from off zarda, ever.

Meeku, was always terrified, when it came to eating with him.

His brother's eyes were a ravenous golden green hue. He looked crazed with hunger. Meeku hissed and snarled as he ripped at the back portion of the kill. He enjoyed the back end, just like his mother. It was juicy and thick. The taste burst inside his mouth, and fresh blood spilled from his lips. The brothers feasted, until they could feast no more.

Full and exhausted, the brothers sought the shade of a nearby Marula tree. Zarda closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. Meeku kept watch, while his brother rested. Something in Zarda's dream called to him. A familiar voice. He called back to it.

" Whoes there?" Asked zarda.

The same calming voice, he had heard as a young cub, replied.

"It is I, the creator. Zarda, I have enjoyed watching you growing into a great Lion that you are now. I've come to change things up. It seems, your pride has fallen short, yet few still remain hopeful in your return. I want you to go somewhere for me, when you wake up. Take the gazelle trail to Rock Hill, just west of you. Hidden in the cavernous rock, you will replace a mysterious wand. Take hold of it. There you will know, greater power no one else possesses, but, I alone. If you do what I ask, I will return to you with further directions. If you choose not to, then enjoy your life, that you have left with your brother." Said the creator.

Zarda, gasped out, in his sleep, heavily sobbing. Meeku watched him with concern. Suddenly, zarda sprung out of his sleep and flung to his feet, wide-eyed. The sudden jerk, startled Meeku, so much that he jumped back, snarling at his brother with discontent.

"What in the hell, brother! Why are you so scared?" asked meeku, panting heavier than before.

Zarda, calmed his breath down enough to respond.

"Sorry brother. I didn't mean to frighten you, too. The creator visited me. It's been years since I've heard from him. He gave me instructions. The creator said I needed to go to Rock hill, immediately. " Explained zarda.

Meeku, did not understand why?

" Why, in the world, would creator send you there?" he asked.

Zarda, shook his head with frustration, at his younger brother.

" I can't explain in detail. I will show you, when we get there." He Replied.

Meeku, didn't have the intelligence to comprehend, but he trusted his brother. He waited for his signal to lead the way. Zarda turned and walked towards Rock hill. They moved beyond the tree they rested under, he looked for the common gazelle path, the creator told him to follow. His eyes searched keenly. Zarda soon found, what he was looking for. He hurried towards the path and stayed straight. The path was a good two miles long. Finally, In the distance, he was able to see giant shapes forming in front of him. Rock hill, he knew for certain it was.

Now, slowing their hard run to a slow trot. Meeku, drew near cautiously, looming up at the towering boulders all around them. He was actually quite frightened. To him, anything could be hiding within the boundaries of Rock Hill. Fear didn't faze Zarda, on the other hand, he entered the rocks calmly. The lion was on a mission and nothing would stop him.

Within his mind, a soft voice spoke to him on which way to turn, and go.

"Zarda, Go left, now, right. Stay straight. Up ahead, twist right again, then leap across the small cavern and take a swift left. There, on the ground, is the wand. Pick it up in your mouth and wait on me." The creator, directed.

Zarda did everything he was told, and meeku followed. Just as the creator said, there it was, laying on the ground. The mysterious wand glowed with a purple fire. It looked like a human's staff with an amethyst stone inside. Gnarled roots twisted over the gem at the end. Meeku, swiped around his paw to the front of Zarda's chest, to stop him.

"Wait brother. Don't go near that. You don't know what danger it may bring to you." meeku said, cautiously.

Zarda, only smiled patiently, at his brother.

" No, meeku, you are wrong. The creator, would never harm me or you. He has only ever led me righteously. I do not fear it. I embrace it, and so will you. Not only that, I must go pick it up and wait for him to instruct me further." Replied zarda, bravely.

Meeku let go of his brother and nudged him with his nose to go on. He sat down, watching him move up ahead. He was so bold before the strange glowing object. Meeku decided if his brother exploded, he would run fast back to the tree they last rested under, and wait out his last days there.

Zarda calmly walked up to the wand, taking grasp of it, in his teeth. He waited out for his master's voice to call to him. Without any delay, the voice returned.

"Well done, you have chosen wisely. Now, You shall call me your master. I bless you, my creation. I remove the curse that once was placed upon you and your pride. You will not fear it. No longer will you walk on four legs, but upright as men do. Your body will form as theirs. You shall speak with languages of men, lions, and animals of all kind. You will rule your animal world I brought you into. Everyone, who you love, will take transformation, and then some. Those who are your enemies will regret the day they ever crossed you. Life will be turned upside down for most who live in the Savannah. As for you, and your pride, take your place as rightful King. Go and seek your mother. She still lives, but sadly, your Father. He has died, along with your two sisters, and many other's. When you took cover in the cave, the night of the hyena attack. King Ezekiel was struck down by another of his kind, before the cave ambush, ever happened. Your father suffered from a major heart attack. Do not worry, his spirit is at peace, safely back with me. He does not suffer anymore, but he desires his son to take care of his remaining pride. You will be the missing key, that opens the door back to a bright future, for the Whitemane's pride. Go and take your brother meeku back to your dwelling place. The transformation will hurt for only a moment. I am with you always, and proud of you Zarda." Said his master.

Zarda turned to face his brother. When their eyes met, their bodies trembled. A sharp, burning pain surged through their bones.

Zarda winced, dropping the wand to his paws. His back hunched up at the pain in his stomach. The muscles, rippled, all over. His arms bulged and began to transform, then his paws turned into large manly hands. He watched as his claws popped off, revealing finger nails beneath.

His midsection tightened. It contorted into a lean, muscular abdomen. Zarda's groin burned like fire. It felt like it was ripping completely off. It literally moved upwards, settling in from his new human like pelvis, instead of being hidden under his tail.

His legs, rippled, turning into long thick thighs, the bottom half remained as it had looked only longer, yet fuller to hold up his new body weight. His face and large full white mane remained. He looked at himself, up and down and all over. He was naked and so pale he thought to himself.

Zarda no longer had fur, but soft skin. Reaching back, he felt for his tail. Under it were two round cheeks protruding out underneath.

"What, are those?" He asked.

He never had that before. Dizzy, He realized he was so high up from the ground. It made his heart race, from fear. He felt he could tumble over, any moment. He didn't like that at all. It would take some time adjusting to his new body.

Zarda didn't understand, either, why his groin had changed, or why it was so long now. Furthermore, feeling embarrassed, zarda had the need to cover himself up. Forgetting his brother, he soon realized he, too, had the same expression. Meeku was also standing naked and tall.

Even though, his brother's body was built similar to his, they weren't the same. Meeku, was a bit smaller in his weight. Though, his body was still muscular and lean. Meeku's chest was covered with dark brown hair. Not thick, just lightly curled. He stood, a few inches, just under zardas.

Meeku's bronze body was a beautiful shade. Zarda, envied his brother's natural hue. His pale skin was so blinding. When light hit it just right, sparkles shone. Zarda noticed this more when he held the staff near.

The amethyst rod glowed bright, shooting out glints of light upon his chest. It was smooth, not like meeku's. In the light of the day, you could see his chest was scarred up from previous fights. He had many collected over his short life, alone with meeku. His new body, seemed to show them off better, than his old form. Zarda looked over his chest and arms, then over at Meeku's, and then back at himself again. He was so enamored by it. He was startled, suddenly, by a strange voice speaking to him. The voice was near, but not within. He didn't recognize it to be familiar. It wasn't the creator's voice, this time. Searching around him, he realized it was Meeku's. Meeku began to repeat himself.

"Brother, what has happened? What did the creator allow here?" he asked, confused.

Zarda stepped over to him, a bit wobbly, but he managed to replace his balance. Zarda covered his groin with his left hand as he moved closer. In his right hand, he held up the mysterious glowing wand. Meeku, also quickly, covered his groin, with both hands. Frightened and a little embarrassed. Zarda looked meeku in his eyes.

" The curse, was lifted. The creator blessed us and said these new bodies would be to our favor. Furthermore, we would rule this animal world and our enemies would regret ever meeting us. Its great news. It's just what our pride has needed. He mentioned mother and father. Master said we needed to replace her and our pride." Said zarda.

Meeku's eyes lit up with the mention of their parents.

He paused before continuing with a slight change in his demeanor.

" He said Father died during the battle of the cave, along with our sisters. He mentioned that Father was at peace and wanted us to return. Master told me that everyone we know and love, has transformed just like us. Some for the worst and others for the better." Zarda explained.

Meeku, couldn't believe his ears. His face could not contain his hurt. Mother was alive and Father dead. He shed a single tear. His heart was aching inside his chest. Meeku raised his hand up, and felt the hard beating thump. Zarda was feeling the same pain of the brother's loss. His chest heaved up and down rapidly. He could taste the salty tears, as they ran down his face. He wiped them away and focused on meeku.

" Look at us, little brother. We speak as men do with our mouths. We hear and understand words, we even stand tall on our feet without falling over. Here, our lives, have been blessed to become so remarkable. My only complaint, is the fact that my body feels so naked and cold. How do humans stay warm with no fur? We must go search for something, to cover up with." Said Zarda.

Meeku agreed. He realized tiny bumps springing up all over his arms. Every time the cool wind, breezing through the rocks, hit his skin, they would pop up. He noticed his chest, where two flat brown circles were, had grown hard as well. They stuck out like the bumps growing on his body. He was ready to cover up.

So, off they slowly walked back out of rock hill, trying to get use to their new wobbly legs. They went in search for coverings. Side by side, the brothers walked as mighty warriors once again.