— “The Claws of Preparation” [Kovu (cub) – The Outlands, at dusk]

The sky was a mosaic of red and gray, covering the dry plains of the Outlands. Among twisted rocks and dead trees, young Kovu trained his claws against a worn trunk, panting, under the watchful — and demanding — gaze of his mother, Zira.

Zira (firmly, circling the cub): — "Again, Kovu. Attack faster. Don't hesitate. The enemy doesn't hesitate… especially when that enemy is called Simba!"

Kovu (panting): — "But… he's so strong. And the sun was in my eyes…"

Zira (growling): — "Listen well, my son. Strength comes from the mind. From reason. And from revenge. Remember: Scar chose you. You! He saw in you the worthy heir. Not that weak Nuka. Not that unpredictable Vitani. But you!"

From a distance, Nuka watched from behind a dry branch, whispering to himself, while nervously scratching his disheveled mane.

Nuka (mumbling): — "Of course, of course. Always Kovu. "Chosen by Scar", "heir to the throne". I was born first, wasn't I? But no one remembers that. I'm just old Nuka… full of fleas, maybe." He lets out a muffled, bitter laugh, before being surprised by Vitani.

Vitani (crossing her arms, firmly): — "Shut up, Nuka. Kovu needs to concentrate. And you're not helping."

Nuka (offended): — "Sure, sure, Vitani. Go ahead. Defend the little prince. Let him fight, then! When Simba is on top of him, we'll see who's weak!"

Meanwhile, Zira approached Kovu with a softer look — one of the rare moments when she used sweetness to poison with ideas.

Zira (stroking Kovu's chin with her tail): — "You remember what happened to Scar, don't you? He was betrayed… by everyone. By his ancestors, by the lions of the kingdom… even by his own blood. But we… we're going to fix that."

Kovu (doubtfully, lowering his ears): — "Was he… really that bad?"

Zira (with a sharp whisper): — "He was misunderstood. But you will show the world that Scar's lineage still lives. That justice can roar louder than any king."

Kovu didn't answer. His eyes were lost for a moment in the horizon. A golden flash of memory: the first time he saw Kiara, still a cub like him, smiling among the tall flowers on the border between the kingdoms. The innocent play. The laughter. The strange feeling — of peace.

He didn't tell anyone about this. Not even Vitani.

But it stayed there, in a corner inside him, growing slowly.

Zira (raising her tone): — "Kovu! Are you listening?"

Kovu (nodding and forcing a determined look): — "Yes, mother. I will be strong. I will… be what you expect."

Zira (satisfied): — "And one day, you will be king."

She walked away, leaving Kovu alone in front of the log.

Kovu (whispering to himself, without understanding why): — "...Kiara…"

The wind blew between the rocks, as if her name echoed in the silence. A part of him wanted to forget. The other… wanted to see her again.

🦁 Note to Players: You can play as Kovu, Zira, Vitani, Nuka, or even a new exiled cub raised by you, trained with the lions loyal to Scar. What will you choose: loyalty… or doubt?