The elephants' stampede grew wilder with each passing moment, their powerful feet pounding the earth like a relentless drumbeat. Dust filled the air, mingling with the scent of crushed grass and churned soil. Soara's heartbeat quickened as the chaos closed in around her, but she kept her head low, weaving between the thunderous legs of the frenzied herd. Taka and Mufasa followed close behind, their eyes sharp and their movements swift.

Suddenly, the white lioness spotted an ancient baobab tree rising like a sentinel amidst the turmoil. Its thick roots twisted into the earth, offering a temporary refuge from the stampede. She flicked her tail to catch the brothers' attention, her voice steady despite the tension in her muscles.

"Wait here," she instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Before either of them could protest, she darted off toward the tree, her white fur a blur against the dusty landscape. She had spotted something—an opportunity to turn the tide of the stampede. Her keen eyes locked onto a hollow branch buzzing with life. Bees.

With a calculated leap, Soara clawed at the brittle bark, disturbing the hive hidden inside. The air around her exploded with angry buzzing as the bees poured out in a furious swarm.

"Run!" she shouted over her shoulder, her voice cutting through the din.

The elephants reacted almost instantly. Their panicked bellows filled the air as they scattered in every direction, desperate to escape the relentless sting of the bees. The ground shook with their erratic movements, their once-coordinated stampede now a chaotic frenzy.

But Soara's victory was short-lived.

The branch beneath her gave a loud crack, splintering under her weight. Her eyes widened in alarm as she tumbled down, her paws scrabbling for purchase. She hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the air from her lungs. Before she could move, one of the elephants' massive feet came down, striking her head with a sickening thud.

Everything went dark.

SCENEBREAK

Mufasa skidded to a halt, his golden eyes widening in horror as he saw Soara's limp form on the ground. His chest tightened with fear. Without a second thought, he rushed toward her, dodging the remaining elephants with precision born of desperation.

"Soara!" he called, his voice trembling with urgency.

He reached her side, his heart pounding. Up close, he realized just how strong and solid she was, her muscular form heavier than he expected as he gently grabbed her by the scruff. He grunted with effort, dragging her toward a nearby crevice in the canyon wall, away from the trampling feet and falling debris.

"I've got you, Soara. Oh, Soara, I've got you," he murmured under his breath, his words a steady rhythm as he pulled her to safety. His paws dug into the ground, his muscles straining with each step, but he refused to give up.

Finally, he reached the crevice and eased her down, tucking her into the narrow space where the rock walls offered some protection. He crouched beside her, his ears flicking toward the sound of the herd retreating into the distance.

Across the canyon, a pair of cold eyes watched.

Krios.

The dark-maned lion flicked his tail in irritation, baring his teeth in a snarl. His lionesses hovered around him, their eyes gleaming with predatory intent.

"Let them go," Krios growled, his voice like the rumble of distant thunder. His gaze lingered on Soara's hidden form for a moment longer before he turned away. "We'll finish this another day."

With that, he led his pride back into the shadows.

SCENEBREAK

When the dust finally settled, the world grew still. The canyon echoed with the distant sound of retreating pawsteps, and a heavy silence fell over the land.

Mufasa stepped back, allowing the moonlight to fall across Soara's face as she stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, her blue gaze hazy with confusion. She blinked slowly, her whiskers twitching as she tried to focus.

"What happened?" she asked, her voice soft and disoriented.

A familiar, gentle voice answered her.

"He saved you."

Rafiki knelt beside her, his gnarled hands moving with care as he rubbed soothing herbs along her jawline. His eyes twinkled with warmth and wisdom, but his expression held a hint of amusement.

Soara blinked again, her gaze shifting to the two brothers standing a few paces away. Both of them looked worried, their fur ruffled and their eyes shadowed with concern. She noticed how closely they stood—like two halves of a whole.

"Who?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mufasa was the first to answer.

"Taka."

Taka blinked in surprise, his ears flicking back as if he hadn't expected his brother to speak for him. He stepped forward, his expression softening as he met Soara's gaze.

Soara tilted her head, puzzled but thoughtful. Her mind flickered with memories—times when Taka had been there for her, when he had stood by her side without hesitation. She remembered how he had saved her from Krios's son and that other outsider... just as he had saved her now.

Her heart twisted with conflicted emotions. She cherished both brothers deeply, yet she couldn't ignore the growing ache in her chest whenever she saw Taka look at her like that—with quiet affection, unspoken yet undeniable.

"Why?" she asked softly, her voice carrying more weight than she intended.

Taka glanced away for a moment before meeting her eyes once more. His expression was unreadable, but his voice was steady.

"Because I couldn't lose you."

Soara's breath caught in her throat. The air between them seemed to shimmer with unspoken words, a fragile connection neither of them dared to break.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Mufasa watching them. His expression remained calm, but there was something in his gaze—a quiet understanding, perhaps even acceptance.

Rafiki chuckled softly, breaking the tension.

"Ah, young hearts," he said, shaking his head with a knowing smile. "Always tangled, always unsure."

Soara managed a small smile, though her mind was still spinning. She wasn't sure what her heart was telling her, but one thing was clear: these two brothers were her world. And no matter what lay ahead, she would protect them—just as they had protected her.

She stood slowly, her legs still shaky but growing stronger with each step. She glanced at Rafiki, then back at Taka and Mufasa.

"Come on," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "We've still got a long way to go."

And with that, the four of them set off once more, the moonlight casting long shadows as they ventured deeper into the unknown.