Conz

The sky burned in hues of gold and crimson as the sun dipped toward the horizon. The salty wind whistled through the cliffs, carrying the distant cries of gulls and the scent of fresh blood. Neptuneus padded across the rugged terrain, his golden eyes scanning the hunting grounds where his strongest huntress had made her latest kill.

Conz stood over the carcass of a wildebeest, her powerful frame still heaving from the chase. Her dark fur, marred with old scars, glistened with sweat. The other hunters lingered nearby, catching their breath, but none dared approach her until she was finished. She was no queen, no whispering viper like Cobrose—Conz was a weapon honed by battle, built to kill and endure.

She sensed Neptuneus before he spoke, her ears flicking in his direction. “If you came to inspect the kill, save yourself the trouble,” she said, biting into the flesh with sharp, efficient movements. “It’s done.”

Neptuneus approached with his usual measured pace, his expression unreadable. “I never doubted you.”

Conz huffed, swallowing a chunk of meat before finally looking at him. “Good. I’d hate to have to remind you.”

The lion king’s lips twitched, the closest thing to amusement she’d get from him. “You hunt well. The pride thrives because of lions like you.”

Conz’s tail flicked as she regarded him, her sharp amber gaze assessing. “The pride thrives because it has to,” she corrected. “Kikajo ran it with force. You run it with… something else.” She glanced away, licking the blood from her jaws. “And yet, we’re still strong. I wouldn’t have believed it before.”

Neptuneus tilted his head slightly. “And now?”

She was silent for a moment, then let out a low exhale. “Now I see it works.” Her voice was gruff, unwilling to soften too much. “You lead differently, but you’re no fool. You know when to fight. You know when to hold steady. It’s why we haven’t collapsed.”

Neptuneus nodded, accepting her words as they were. He knew Conz was not one for flattery—every word she spoke was raw, honest, and edged with steel.

She stepped forward suddenly, standing close enough that he could see the countless scars that told her story. “Make no mistake,” she said, her voice quieter now, but no less firm. “I fought for Kikajo because he was my king. But he’s gone. You wear the crown now. And as long as you keep this pride strong, I fight for you.”

Neptuneus met her gaze, steady and unwavering. “Then I am honored to have you at my side.”

Conz scoffed, shaking her head as she stepped back. “Hmph. Just don’t make me regret it.”

He watched as she turned back to her kill, tearing into it once more with ruthless efficiency. There was no need for more words between them. Conz was not a lioness who followed out of love or sentiment—but out of respect. And that, Neptuneus knew, was the strongest loyalty she could ever offer.