— "Heart of Shadows" (POV: Queen Uru)

The sun was beginning to set over the Pride Lands. The sky was tinged with orange hues as the breeze blew gently over Pride Rock. From high above, Queen Uru watched the movements of the savannah with watchful eyes — but her heart was restless. Not because of external threats… but because of what was brewing within her home.

(Uru's thoughts): "A kingdom may be vast, but a mother's heart always feels when something is lost. My children are the future… but one of them is beginning to turn away from the light." Scene: Uru sees Taka watching Mufasa from afar, during training with Ahadi. Taka’s gaze is silent, but charged with emotion — pride… and envy.

She approaches calmly.

Uru (speaking softly): — "Taka… my son, why that look?" (Taka looks away, feigning indifference.)

Uru: — "You are different from your brother. But that was never a flaw. In our ancient language, there is a phrase my father used to say to me: “Umbi wa kipekee huota hata katika kivuli.” (“The single seed grows even in the shade.”)"

(She sits next to him, looking at the horizon.)

— "You are that seed. Strong, intelligent, strategic… but if you allow your heart to darken, Taka, you will become a tree without roots."

Taka (in a low voice): — "Everyone looks to Mufasa. Always Mufasa. He will be king… I am just the other one."

Uru: — "You are more than that. You lead the Lion Guard. The other young men follow you because they believe in you. But… I know you have been meeting with the Bone Eaters. The hyenas."

(Taka falls silent. The silence confirms the suspicion.)

Uru (serious, but gentle): — "I see it. I feel it. They fill you with promises and sweet words… but what they want is to corrupt your strength."

"And there is more, my son…"

Uru (low tone): — "A messenger bird told me about a strange lion, wandering the Outlands. One with a scar over its eye. It does not belong to our kingdom… and I fear what it may be looking for."

— "The king wanted to send the Lion Guard to investigate. But you… you went alone, didn't you?"

(Taka lowers his eyes.)

Uru: — "Don't hide this from me. Don't be afraid to be who you are. But choose who you want to be… before the shadow chooses for you."

🦁 Note for Players: You can play Queen Uru, a conflicted Taka, a member of the old Lion Guard, a manipulative hyena, or even the mysterious scarred lion of the Outlands. The actions taken in this moment can change the characters’ futures and determine the fate of the kingdom.