A gust of wind swept across the plains, carrying with it the rich, musky scent of gazelles. The smell curled toward Lira like an unseen predator, making her fur bristle instinctively. Her muscles coiled, and she lowered herself to the ground, her sleek frame blending into the tall grass. But just as her senses sharpened, another scent sliced through the air—one that sent a jolt of alarm through her chest.

Kiros' lionesses.

The realization struck her a moment too late. Before she could react, a force slammed into her, knocking the breath from her lungs. Claws raked against her fur, sending her sprawling into the dirt. Pain exploded across her body as she hit the ground hard, the impact jarring every bone in her frame.

A snarl filled her ears, vicious and laced with fury.

"Traitor!"

Amara's voice roared through the air as she pinned Lira down, her claws sinking into the soft fur at her throat. Her breath was hot, her rage palpable as she loomed over the wolf, her eyes burning with unbridled hatred. Before Lira could struggle, fire tore through her muzzle as Amara's claws ripped across it, splitting the flesh open.

Blood welled instantly, hot and thick, spilling onto the dry earth. Lira gasped, her vision blurring with pain, but she had no time to recoil. Amara's grip was relentless, her claws digging deeper, suffocating, crushing.

The scent of iron filled the air, mingling with the wind, as the savanna bore witness to a battle that had only just begun.

"I should slit your pathetic throat here and now, wolf," Amara snarled, her breath hot against Lira's face, her claws still digging into her fur. The rage in her voice was a firestorm, raw and unforgiving. Lira could feel the pressure on her windpipe, the sharp sting of her torn muzzle as blood dripped onto the earth beneath her.

"But Kiros," Amara continued, her voice dripping with contempt, "miraculously wants you alive." She leaned in closer, her fangs bared in a twisted grin. "He wants you watching as he puts Mufasa's head on a spike."

Lira's stomach twisted. A growl rumbled in her chest, but before she could summon the strength to fight back, Amara suddenly stepped off her, the weight lifting as the lioness flicked her tail with cruel amusement.

"Stun her," she barked to her sister, her tone sharp as a blade.

Lira barely had time to react. She tensed, muscles bunching to lunge to her feet, but the world was already tilting. A sharp impact struck the side of her head, sending a white-hot burst of pain through her skull. Her vision swam—then everything turned to darkness.

SCENEBREAK

Taka paced restlessly in the den, his tail lashing behind him like an agitated snake. His claws scraped against the stone floor with every step, his mind a whirlwind of unease. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong—terribly wrong.

Nearby, Sarabi worked diligently, tending to the injured lioness lying on her side. The lioness winced as Sarabi gently pressed a bundle of herbs to the wound on her flank, her cubs huddling close to her, their wide eyes filled with worry.

Sarabi's ears flicked in irritation as she glanced up at Taka, watching his frantic pacing. She had tolerated it for long enough.

"Would you cool it down, Taka?" she snapped, her usually composed voice sharp with impatience. "You're not helping anyone by wearing a trench into the floor."

Taka froze mid-step, his fur bristling, but he didn't respond right away. His jaw clenched, frustration warring with fear in his golden eyes. He wanted to argue, to tell Sarabi that he couldn't just sit still—not when Lira was out there, walking straight into danger. But deep down, he knew she was right. His pacing wouldn't change anything. It wouldn't bring Lira back.

With a heavy sigh, he sat down, though his tail still twitched with restless energy. "I just..." He exhaled sharply, his voice quieter now. "I just hate waiting."

Sarabi softened slightly, her gaze flicking toward him before returning to her patient. "We all do."

Suddenly, a sharp whoosh of air filled the den as Zazu zipped in, his wings flapping desperately to slow his momentum. With an awkward crash landing, he skidded to a halt just in front of Sarabi, his feathers ruffled and eyes wide with panic.

Sarabi yelped in surprise, jumping back as the hornbill nearly collided with her. The bird was breathless, clearly distressed, and his beak opened to speak before he lost his balance.

"Your Majesty, I—It's Lira! She's—"

"Easy," Sarabi interrupted, her voice calm despite the tension in the air. She gently laid a paw on Zazu's back, steadying him as he took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. His frantic energy was contagious, but Sarabi's poise helped ground him.

"Lira," Zazu managed to say, his voice thick with urgency. "She's been taken."

The words hung in the air like a cold gust of wind. Sarabi's heart skipped a beat, the meaning of his words sinking in. Lira, the one they had all been waiting for, had been taken?

A flash of disbelief crossed Sarabi's face, but she quickly composed herself. Her mind raced. "By who?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing.

Zazu shook his head quickly, his feathers rustling nervously. "I don't know exactly, but she was attacked. There was a scuffle, and..." His voice trailed off as his eyes darted to Taka, who stood frozen, his face pale as the news sunk in.

"Where is she?" Taka's voice cracked, barely a whisper. It was all he could manage, the raw panic he felt reflected in the tightness of his throat.

"She's... not far," Zazu said, nodding toward the direction he had come from. "I'll guide you, but we need to move fast."

The urgency in his voice was enough to snap everyone into action. Sarabi exchanged a quick glance with Taka, who was already moving toward the entrance, determination lighting up his face despite the fear in his eyes. They couldn't waste any more time. Lira was out there, and they needed to find her—before it was too late.