Maneater 👑König👑

My name is König you may call me Ko if you prefer. Many many years ago the my mother birthed me during one of the worst blizzards in the history of man kind in the middle of a moonless night. I'll never know why but they looked at me as if I was a monster born out of Helheim its self. By the time I was 10 months old I weighed as much as my mother and stood as high as my father which only further pushed them away. The other cubs were scared of me so I often played alone. My father began training me at 5 months old. He spared no sympathy for bloody muzzles or sore paws I was expected to preform daily without fail. I never understood what I was training for until I turned a year old and he took me to the arena. My wings were cuffed down preventing flight and a cuff around my muzzle prevented the use of powers of any kind. Observing my surroundings I noticed Zeus and Metis sitting above the pit with a young galactic colored cub between them. A dwarf and a strange looking lion approached my flank as I stared at the lioness "careful young man that is Lady Athena many a men will be beheaded for their attempt at her lovely paws." I jumped a little surprised by the sudden appearance of the smaller lion accompanied by his strange friend. "Oh I uhh was just looking around sir I apologize" I bowed carefully down before him "if you don't mind me asking where are we?". The little lion paused and drew in a breath before saying "Fighting pits son we are at the fighting pits and you appear to be fighting.". Panic filled my body as I realized what my father was doing...He was using me for money. "Do not worry young one you are strong and battles rarely end in death entertain the fat man and you shall walk unscathed." said the strange lion. "I-if I die I want someone to know me as something other than big paws. I'm König but you can call me Ko" I say to both the lions. "Nice to meet you Ko I'm Tiny Man and this is basically my son Wilted. We will be watching with anticipation young one you are welcome to join our humble pride and leave your family behind" The smaller lion says to me before padding off to watch from the stands. Anxiety buzzed through me as the door began to open and I slowly took a few steps inside. It was impossibly still not even the buzz of the crowd was loud enough to bother me. The door slammed behind me making me jump a little and all the hair on my back and neck begins to stand on its end. I glanced around again searching for my opponent to no avail. I glanced up at the Lady Athena who looked down on me with pity but with a certain sparkle in her eye that made my heart beat a little faster and my courage surface a little more. I glanced Wilted and Tiny Man who looked onto me with anticipation then at my father who looked at me with malice in his eyes like he was threatening me. I could almost hear his thoughts "You either come out a winner or you pray you die in there.". Slowly painfully slow the door ahead of me opened and a large cub similar stature to me walked out painted with war paint with fury in his eyes. He was scarily fast across the arena in three bounds. I narrowly avoided his claws as he slashed at my face. I was back peddling as my mind reeled trying to evade his relentless attacks then suddenly my brain centered and I caught his wrist joint in my teeth socking him with my wing. He seemed to realize I was taking the defensive now. Now I was the one making the slashing and he was reeling. He yowled as my claws caught his face. I managed to knock him down pinning him and he laid still "STOP" a loud voice yelled. Zeus had risen to his paws yowling in anger at his defeated champion "YOU LET A PEASANT BEST YOU YOU FOOL BE GONE NOW BEFORE I TURN YOU INTO A WALL HANGER!". The young lion wide eyed bolted away dodging swipes from guard lions as he ran. I looked up at my fathers face his wicked smile was petrifying. I glanced at Zeus who's eyes had fallen upon me "You little lion shall be my new champion" he declared as if I was something to own. "No I do not belong here I am not meant to fight with anger in my paws." I replied sharply. Athena drew an audible gasp before looking at her father with panic stricken eyes. "Very well.... JUST TRY AND LEAVE" He roars. Athena took to her wings before he could snatch her "RUN YOU IDIOT" she yowled as she landed next to me. I bolted after her following her through the crowd of lions and lionesses. Behind me Tiny Man and Wilted drew in close protecting my flank with tooth and claw. As we ran through the crowd we drew closer to the pier I looked for an escape in the crowd to no avail. "Over here!" a voice in the crowd yelled catching our attention. A hooded figure stood at the dock opening the ramp to her boat "quickly!" the lioness yelled as she lowers the ramp onto the boat next to her. Without hesitation we all jumped aboard the lioness leaps on behind us drawing up the ramp "And stay down there you sorry sons of Skates!" The lioness yelled as her ship pulled away from the harbor. "thank you" I said to the lioness as she turned to walk up to the wheel of the ship. "Aye, who could pass up an opportunity to piss off the ol bag o bones himself" She said with a wicked smile on her deep black muzzle. "Well I'm uhh I'm Konig this is Tiny Man Wilted and Athena." I said a little warry of the lioness. "I'm Captain Stormy and these three ingrates are Titania Eona and Belmera." She said as she threw a empty bottle at one of the little lions manning the wheel. "Where are we going if you don't mind me asking" I said glancing back at my tired friends. "Land we're going to land" Eona replied in a tone like I should've known that. We spent weeks aboard that ship all of us growing exhausted until one day. "LAND" Titania yowled startling us all awake. We landed safely on an island I won't lie I was glad to see solid ground. "I think I'll join your merry mob" Capt. Stormy declared as she began walking with us her crew in tow. We walked until we came upon a pride of lions of all sizes shapes and colors rolling in the sun. "Well hello young man" a voice says as a tall old lion jumped down from the tree beside me. "Hello sir I would like to request lodging at least for my friends for now" I said averting my gaze and trying to look small. "Well I don't see why not please make yourself at home" he said a gentle smile on his muzzle. As days went by we tried to help where we could I went out to help patrol the lands protecting cubs and bringing them home when they wandered. The king got frailer and began to show signs of age. He pulled me aside one day walking with great effort before laying in his spot "Young man you have taken very good care of this pride and when I walk with the great kings in the sky I want you to keep taking care of them in my place" He said with a calm gentle voice. I nodded "Yes sir I promise to make this pride the best thing the world has ever seen" I said with as much strength and courage as I could muster. We found him resting under his tree between the graves of Ezra, Winter, and *Blizzard* where we buried him as well. The lionesses from his pride looked at me with kindness each delivering their own words of encouragement as I stepped froward to take his place. Athena at my side I will fulfil my promise to the pride that welcomed me with paws outstretched.