>> Thoma: “The Blazing King” <<
Scene 7: I Hope I Die Alone by Naethan Apollo
“So I’ll be there for them, for my friends, always. I will keep on living, and living, and living, until I’m the last one left.”
>> Loosely based on Thoma from Genshin Impact
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Wardrobe Link (pre-death design)
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A land of green, rolling hills and an ever-present breeze — that is all Thoma recalls of the place he was born. Quick to fade was its name, its location… truth be told, he’s not even entirely sure what of it is real, anymore, and what’s figment of his probably-faulty memory.
Such is his life, though. Despite how he longs to return to that unknown somewhere, Thoma does his best not to dwell on the concept. It’s not as though it would help anything. He has a duty to commit himself body and mind to his pride, and that is exactly what he’ll do — leaving for his own pleasure is completely out of the question.
Though, come to think of it… he never once has properly seen what lies beyond that of his territory’s reach.
When he first arrived, scrappy and young, washed upon the shore in a capsized log, he had spent a long while confined to one space while he healed. And after that… much, much training, and work. Sometimes he would get to explore, but he never dared stray too far. There were always other matters to attend to before long. Other jobs that needed doing as soon as possible.
He never minded, though. If anything, he found he enjoyed all of his responsibilities.
The previous king, Terrain “The First and Lost” hadn’t exactly left much in his wake, and even with Fjord practically doing his whole job towards the end, there was still much to do. Much to fix.
Of course, Thoma had his own visions of what the pride needed, and he set out early to see them through. Taking in more passing lions — making room for them to begin with — organizing hunting parties and patrols, gathering beetles and materials and whatever else may be needed throughout daily life…
The pride was well taken care of. Thoma made sure of it, always. He would sooner die than let a single one of the lions he’d come to know as friends feel neglected to any degree.
That, in part, is what got him to receive his title of “The Blazing King.” He harbored the will to blaze forth a trail to new horizons, closer and closer to prosperity than ever.
Granted, his title isn’t only metaphorical. As time went on, his passion, burning like hot lava through his veins, manifested into flames surrounding his ears, paws, and tail. A beacon of warmth and light, formed from his heart and used to serve.
The bitterest winters, the darkest nights, were a true fear no longer.
And even for other fears, or worries, or whatever it may be that plagues one’s mind, Thoma has spent his life devoting himself to the betterment of everyone and everything around him, never once hoping for anything in return.
Simply, he was there to help, and would be up until the very day he physically couldn’t any longer — as was his calling. His duty.
Nothing more, nothing less.
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