[1st POV]
I defeated the kings of the Southern Pride with ease.
How?
Does it really matter how? Do I need to go into detail about how I demolished them?
If we were going to talk about such insignificant activities, then we might as well describe every step of me pissing on the tree, or describe in vivid detail how I savour a dead corpse.
Because I see no difference. It felt the same to me as if I was handling dead corpses.
I hurt them however I liked, made them get into whatever position I wanted, tore out chunks of meat wherever I desired, and the battle lasted for as long as it amused me.
Lions, the absolute apex of this continent. Almost every creature that roamed the savannah feared them. But under my gaze, they were as helpless as an infant. They could not hope to outgrow the box that I put them in. They could have no other identity than which I gave them.
They were victims, completely and utterly.
Kings my ass. After I murdered them in the darkness of the night, they wouldn't make me lose a wink of sleep. I wouldn't wake up the next morning thinking I've earned breakfast.
It was almost tragic, really. The way such mighty beasts were reduced to nothing but kittens in front of me.
"And it's getting easier still," I said while looking at their meaningless corpses. If I didn't focus, I couldn't see a fellow lion when looking at them.
I was getting bigger, and I was only getting stronger. I was 4 years old, an age where I should have passed most developmental stages, but I wasn't quite at my prime. My prime would be at 6 or 7 years old.
I wonder, at that age, would there be other lions at all? Or would even the second-greatest king become a cat in my world?
I would never have guessed such a worry would plague me. Maybe strength was a blessing, but invincibility a curse.
The only challenge I could find at this point was multiple enemies. Like hundreds of hyenas or dozens of lions. I feared I wouldn't be able to feel the absolute thrill of a one-on-one fight like I did when fighting Roku or Scar in my youth.
Or...
A hippo or a rhino should pose a real threat to me.
"But why would I do that?" I shook my head and kind of dismissed that silly thought for a moment. Imagine challenging such a beast only out of sheer need for a good fight. My intelligence just wouldn't allow such a silly risk.
I walked over the corpses like I walked over the mud. I headed towards their pride and released a roar.
*ROAR!!*
The sound easily became overpowering. I did not roar with only dominance or a declaration of victory. I roared with sheer rage, aggression, and bloodlust.
And my roar had the result I was hoping for. I heard panic growls from where the pride was, and then they left. I was in no mood to absorb more members into my pride. They could run to other kings in the meantime. I did not want them.
Heck, I did not feel like I won anything at all. Victory demands struggle; it demands equal opposition, and I found none tonight.
My being itself was already too much; launching an ambush like I did only made it more ridiculous.
After I heard the sound of their fleeing pride, I turned around to head back to my own pride.
They already slept through the whole day, so most of them should be awake. They probably heard my roar, too, and were assured of my victory. I planned to lead them to my old kopje after this, and then they could live normally there while I mow down the remaining frauds.
Tonight taught me that I had nothing to reclaim. My house had just had a few pests living while I was gone.
My mentality changed. Now I refused to acknowledge their claims.
..
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(3rd POV)
"An estimated weight of 430 kilograms?! Are you fucking insane?" Dr. Emmanuel asked in shock while looking at the latest portfolio the crew had made on Leo.
Dr. Emmanuel had been the chief researcher here in the Serengeti after Dr. Tonson left to follow Leo back in the Pridelands.
"No... did you miss the plus sign we added after the number?" Dr. Tonson asked while looking at Dr. Emmanuel with deadass eyes and sipping a cup of coffee.
It was instanr coffe, but he had build a taste for it over the years. Now a good coffe taste shit to him.
"So you think he weighs over 430 kilograms," he asked again, looking directly at Dr. Tonson's eyes.
"Yes," the answer came without missing a beat.
"That would make him the largest recorded feline in history. Bigger than the Siberian tiger and the ligers in captivity," Dr. Emmanuel stated.
"Did I stutter?" he asked and put down the cup. "He was already around 400 kilograms when he left the Serengeti, so I don't know why you are surprised. In fact, his growth rate had plummeted drastically."
Dr. Emmanuel put down his sunglasses to rub his eyes in disbelief. He was wearing shades even though it was night. It's a personal trait for him at this point; the Serengeti was very sunny, so he used them lots during the day, and at one point, he simply wore them every moment of the day.
"Maybe because we have been with Leo all the time, but I find your reaction quite amusing. I guess that's how normal researchers would react," Dr. Tonson commented.
"Are you sure you are studying an African lion? I don't know, has it ever crossed your mind that you might be studying a Nemean lion?"
"Unfortunately, we've done a DNA test, and he is an African lion. No genetic hints of other lions like the Cave lions or American lions either," he said.
"God really be making anything," Dr. Emmanuel said.
He picked up the file again and read through Leo. The portfolio had many other data as well, like the average consumption, the length, the blood type, lifestyle, testosterone level, etc.
"His paws are 11 inches wide? Are you fucking kidding me? That's basically one foot," Dr. Emmanuel asked again.
Dr. Tonson just shrugged. "Leo is a huge lion, and his paws have always been unnaturally big too because he has to make up for balance without a tail."
"Doctor please, that's as wide as a whole lion skull," Dr. Emmanuel said.
"Hmmm... I think we should give you the opportunity to see him with your own eyes. Maybe then you will not be so incredulous. Fair warning though, those data did not do him justice. His paws, when they laid flat on the ground with his weight, spread even wider. You can fit your head in his paw print," he said.
The two continued to discuss the data inside the rather large tent erected in the camp. It was mostly just Dr. Emmanuel pointing out ridiculous measurements and Dr. Tonson assuring him that it was all true.
But as they were talking, the radio phone kept on the table rang with buzzing sounds. That interrupted their conversation. Dr. Emmanuel picked up the phone immediately.
"Hello, this is the base camp," he said.
On the other side of the phone, a freaked-out voice almost shouted, "Leo attacked the Southern Pride!"
"What!!" Dr. Emmanuel stood up.
"Okay, okay, stay calm and record the footage carefully. Don't get too close and don't be afraid, Leo has good relations with us humans," he said to calm down the caller.
"That's the thing, chief!! The fight is over!" he said.
"It's over?" Dr. Emmanuel asked in confusion. "Then why did you not call sooner?"
"We did!! We did!! We called as soon as we could. It's only been minutes since the fight started!!"
"The kings of the Southern Pride are already dead!!"
And then before they could say more, a vicious roar tore through the conversation. Everyone froze; they could hear it through the phone and also echoing in their ears.
"I've always thought you underestimated him a bit too much ever since you recommended Leo should not return for his own safety after some random coalition came from the Maasai Mara," Dr. Tonson said.
"I agreed with your statement back then, but not because I was worried about Leo, but for the rest of the lions that are here."
"Now you know," Dr. Tonson said.
..
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