The sun blazed over the vast plain, casting shimmering waves of heat across the golden grasslands. Herds of zebras and wildebeests grazed in the distance, oblivious to the tension that hung in the air. Sora had slowed her pace, taking in the beauty of the wide-open expanse, but her heart drummed uneasily in her chest. Something felt wrong. She glanced over her shoulder, expecting to see Mufasa, Taka, Sarabi, or her brother, Gojo, close behind — but they were gone.

Her ears flicked nervously as she scanned the horizon. The wind rustled the tall grass, carrying unfamiliar scents. Anxiety crept into her veins, and her paws shuffled uneasily on the dry earth. "You guys? Wh-where are you?" she called out, her voice wavering.

The only response was the low growl of a lion.

From the swaying grass emerged a white lioness, her pelt shimmering like snow under the sun. Her eyes, one of which was clouded with an old scar, gleamed with malice. Sora took a step back, her claws instinctively unsheathing. This lioness wasn't just any lioness — she recognized her as one of Kiros's elite warriors, known for their ruthlessness.

The lioness's sly smile sent a chill down Sora's spine. "Alone at last, little weakling," she sneered, her voice dripping with venom. "No Mufasa, no Gojo to save you now."

Sora's heart pounded in her chest as the lioness stalked toward her, each step slow and deliberate, like a predator toying with its prey. Her ears pinned back as panic gripped her. "I'm not afraid of you," Sora growled, though her voice trembled.

The lioness lunged.

Sora barely had time to react before sharp claws tore through her fur, ripping across her shoulder. She cried out in pain, stumbling back as blood dripped down her side. The white lioness snarled, lips curling back to reveal sharp teeth. "You should have stayed hidden, little cub," she taunted. "Now you'll meet your end."

But something snapped inside Sora.

With a fierce roar, she retaliated, her claws slashing through the air with double the force. The lioness's overconfidence became her downfall — she hadn't expected such strength from Sora. Sora's claws raked across her attacker's face, catching her right eye. The lioness howled in agony as blood gushed from the wound, staining her pristine fur.

The injured lioness stumbled back, her screams echoing across the plain. Sora stood her ground, chest heaving, eyes blazing with fury. "Get away!" she barked, her voice carrying a commanding authority. "Go back to Kiros and tell him I'm not afraid!"

The lioness, now blinded in one eye, whimpered and scrambled away, disappearing into the grass.

Silence fell over the plain, save for the rustling of the wind and Sora's heavy breathing. Her muscles trembled with adrenaline as she stood there, scanning the horizon for any more threats. Her claws remained unsheathed, and her gaze flicked to every shadow.

Suddenly, she heard pawsteps approaching.

Her instincts took over. She whirled around, ready to strike, claws raised. But before she could lash out, a familiar paw caught hers mid-air.

"Woah, hey, hey — calm down. It's just us," Mufasa said soothingly, his golden eyes filled with concern. His touch was firm yet gentle, grounding her. "You were lost to us for a moment."

Sora's chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath. Her eyes darted to Taka, who had also approached, his expression a mix of worry and guilt. His tail flicked nervously, and he glanced at her bloodied shoulder. "You're hurt," he murmured.

Gojo strode forward, his steps deliberate and measured. His blindfold hid his eyes, but there was no mistaking the tension in his posture. He sniffed the air around Sora, his nose twitching as he caught an unmistakable scent. His head tilted slightly, and his voice, though calm, held a note of concern. "You smell like Kiros," he said, his tone darkening. "Were you attacked, sister?"

Sora nodded, still panting. "One of his lionesses. She found me." Her voice wavered as she spoke, but there was steel beneath her words. "She thought I was alone. She thought I was weak."

Gojo's lips curled into a smirk, though his expression remained serious. "And you proved her wrong." He nodded approvingly. "Good."

Sarabi approached then, her eyes soft with empathy. "Come on," she said gently. "Let's get you cleaned up." She brushed her tail along Sora's back, offering comfort.

As the group moved toward the water hole, Gojo fell into step beside Mufasa and Taka, his voice low. "Kiros's warriors are getting bolder." His tone was grave. "We need to stay alert. This isn't the last we'll see of them."

Mufasa nodded in agreement, his gaze drifting to Sora, who was now walking with Sarabi. "She's stronger than she knows," he murmured.

Taka, however, couldn't shake the unease that lingered in his heart. His gaze lingered on Sora's wounds, guilt gnawing at him. He couldn't help but think that if he had been there, he might have protected her from harm. But deep down, he knew that Sora didn't need protecting. She had proven that today.

Gojo, ever perceptive, glanced at Taka and chuckled softly. "Still worried about her, aren't you?"

Taka's ears flicked in annoyance. "Of course I am."

Gojo grinned, his usual playful demeanor returning. "Relax, little prince. My sister isn't as fragile as you think. She's a Gojo." His tone was light, but there was pride in his words. "And a Gojo doesn't go down without a fight."

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the plain, Sora looked out over the horizon. Her heart still raced from the encounter, but as the warm hues of the sunset bathed the land, she felt a renewed sense of purpose.

The battle wasn't over — not by a long shot.

But she wasn't afraid anymore.

SCENEBREAK

Sarabi gently licked the torn edge of Sora's ear, her touch soft and comforting. The sting of the injury lessened under her care, and Sora closed her eyes for a moment, letting out a shaky breath. "There," Sarabi murmured, her voice low and soothing. "That should hold for now." She flicked her tail gently over Sora's flank, a small gesture of reassurance.

Sora sniffled quietly, resting her head on her paws. Despite the pain, there was a distant look in her eyes — a gaze that lingered on the horizon, where she knew danger still loomed. The thought of Kiros, the white lion who had torn her kingdom apart, gnawed at her heart like a thorn buried deep in her soul.

A short distance away, Mufasa and Taka stood with Gojo, their expressions tense as they whispered quietly among themselves. They cast worried glances in Sora's direction, each of them feeling the weight of what was to come.

The soft padding of Rafiki's paws brought Sarabi's attention back. The wise mandrill approached, carrying a large green leaf folded neatly in his hands. He knelt beside Sora and began tying the leaf around her wounded shoulder with practiced precision.

"Here," Rafiki said, tightening the leaf into a makeshift bandage. "This will hold the bleeding." His voice was calm but firm, steady like the roots of a tree. He met Sora's gaze and gave her a gentle nod of encouragement. "You are stronger than you feel right now, young one. Never forget that."

Sora managed a small smile, her gratitude shining in her eyes. She leaned in and nuzzled Rafiki, who chuckled warmly and wrapped his long arms around her in a comforting embrace.

Above them, the sound of flapping wings signaled Zazu's return. The hornbill descended gracefully from the sky, his feathers ruffling as he landed on a nearby rock. His sharp eyes gleamed with urgency.

"I see Kiros and his lionesses," Zazu reported, his voice carrying a note of alarm. "They're not far. Just a few hours away, perhaps even minutes."

The group tensed at his words. Mufasa stepped forward, his golden fur shining in the fading light, his expression calm but resolute.

"We don't have time to delay," Zazu added, hopping from one foot to the other nervously.

Mufasa nodded. "We don't need to," he said, his voice steady as a river. He glanced at Gojo, who stood tall beside him, his powerful frame exuding quiet confidence. "We're going to fight. We just need to rally the animals from the surrounding lands to stand with us."

Sora lifted her head, a spark of determination flickering in her eyes. She tried to rise to her paws, her body still trembling with exhaustion. "I'll come with you," she said, her voice firm despite her weariness. "We'll need every lion we have to stand a chance against Kiros."

But before she could take a step, Gojo moved swiftly to her side, pressing a paw against her chest to hold her back.

"No, sister," he said firmly, his blindfold shifting slightly as he gazed at her with quiet authority. "You stay here with Sarabi."

Sora's ears flattened in protest, and she opened her mouth to argue, but Gojo's expression softened as he continued. "You've done enough for now. You've already faced one of Kiros's warriors today. Your body needs rest."

Sarabi stepped beside Sora, gently pressing her shoulder against her friend's. "Gojo is right," she murmured. "We'll need you at your best when the time comes. Let the others handle the rallying."

Sora's gaze flickered between Mufasa, Taka, and Gojo. There was a fire in her heart — a fierce desire to stand with them, to fight for her kingdom, for her family. But as she felt Sarabi's steadying presence and saw the concern in her brother's face, she relented with a soft sigh.

"Alright," she whispered. "But promise me you'll be careful."

Gojo grinned, his usual playful smirk returning for a moment. "Careful?" he teased. "When have you ever known me to be careful?"

Sora chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Just... come back to me, Gojo."

Gojo's smile faded into something more serious, more heartfelt. He leaned down and gently touched his forehead to hers. "I will."

Taka, who had been quiet during the exchange, stepped forward and met Sora's gaze. "We'll all come back," he said, his voice quiet but sincere. "We won't let Kiros take anything more from you."

As the three males turned to leave, Rafiki tapped his staff against the ground with a loud thud.

"The time has come," the old mandrill said gravely. "The storm is near. But remember this — even the darkest clouds must part to let the sun shine through."

Mufasa, Taka, and Gojo shared a solemn nod before disappearing into the tall grass, their figures soon swallowed by the golden sea.

Sora watched them go, her heart heavy with both hope and fear. Sarabi sat beside her, offering silent companionship.

"They'll come back," Sarabi whispered, more to herself than to Sora.

Sora nodded, her gaze never leaving the horizon. "They have to."