Calhoun Lionray: The House Of Lions

The House Of Lions - the name says it all. It is the place where lions are born, where they train and live. It is the castle for lions, like the huge castle for the Lionray dynasty, it has been home for all generations of lions, from the beginning of our world and will be till the last lion living, which won't be anytime soon, hopefully.

This house is built on a sacred land because the exact same spot is where the first lion appeared on Earth, just after the Element of Light created it, it is known as the Royal Lion, and every lion bred here is the same kind. As the Legend of The Great Six tells us, the animals were meant to rule the world and live in harmony, so the lions are true rulers of this world, and we, Lionrays, understand that, we honor and respect each lion and we believe the lions can show us our destiny by guiding us to the right path. Of course, there are also dynasties, who put their needs and mind over their sacred animals, that's why there are wars, secrets, and chaos, unlike how it was at the beginning.

At least that is what my father and The Old Hunter told us when we were kids. After The Dark Century, we don't leave our kingdom because it is not safe out there anymore, sometimes messengers dare to travel around, but only if it is really important news, usually we just send pigeons. Actually, it is interesting, pigeons weren't one of the first species, which appeared on the Earth, they only did at the same time when humans and they don't have their own humans, they are just kept for human needs.

Anyways, we only know as much as someone tells and teaches us about the world, it is not like it used to be when The Great Six lived in harmony. The Library is closed and it is impossible to get in because it has only one entrance and it is guarded, the only one who can get in is the King, my father, but I think he hasn't been there since his father died and gave him the crown, and he went there just to look at it. We even don't know how it looks there but the city speaks it is the biggest one in the world, you can get any information about everything there.

But right now, I am in the middle of something.

_

Calhoun is standing in the middle of the House Of Lions, where the training pit is, it looks more like a fighting pit because of the high concrete walls and steel bars over it. During the Dark Century, this is where the traitors saw the last light and took their final breath. The King often uses the phrase 'I will feed you to the lions', but he has never done it because it is too brutal even for him, he says it only to frighten and to achieve what he wants.

Calhoun has a long golden spear, he bends a little, to be ready to defend himself, because four adult male lions are circling around him, ready to attack. He pays attention to all of them and predicts every next step they will make, not allowing for them to be behind him because big cats attack from behind and aim for the throat. Finally, two of them come closer and when Calhoun is ready to raise the spear, two others make a move and take him down, the spear falls to the ground and lions are standing on his arms, pushing them down.

"Again, you have been taken down!" Scar is standing outside of the pit and is looking to everything, what is happening down in there.

The Lions take a step back and continues to circling around him and roaring, they like to play with the pray.

"Not enough training!" Scar says more loudly.

Calhoun has no chance to escape, lions are too close and they are too strong. They are ready to jump. They jump, but instead of tearing him up till death, they just roll over and start to play with him.

_

"It is not necessary! They are my friends!" I finally look at Scar. I know what he meant.

The knowledge is limited, but no one has banned training and playing, so it is what I do most of the time. I am not only the training with lions, but I also play with the cubs, feed lions, talk to them and spend time with them.

"But if you happen to be in a fight with real lions?"

Lions stop and look at Scar.

"Wow, hush, they can hear you!"

"But you know what I meant!"

"Yes, yes, it will never happen, because I am one of them!" I look back at the lions. "Right, big kitties!"

"You know I have always admired you, you have a special connection with these big cats!" I know that everyone always says it, but I don't see anything so special, it is just how the world works.

"It's true what they say, if you want to be a lion, you must train with them!"

"You know, I have lived here for half a century now, and I have seen many attempts to build a relationship with lions, but just a few have succeeded!"

"For example?" I know what he will mention, my father, but I ask anyway.

"For example, your father, why do you think Mi and Ra are by his side always?"

And then it hits me. "You said just a few have succeeded, so you know someone who has failed?"

"Yes, my prince, one of them stood out, the lions couldn't accept her.." Scar shuts up like he has said something, he shouldn't.

"Her?"

I can feel he doesn't want to talk about it, but he continues. "Your aunt! The lions hated her presence, but not because they were angry, but because they were scared!"

"It's impossible! Lions are never afraid!" I know it is a lie because I am afraid of many things and I am a true lion.

"She was the black sheep of the family, she left and no one ever saw her again!"

"Why she left?"

"Actually, why I came here! Your father waits for you, he has something important to say! Probably this time your relationship with lions can be useful!"

No, he does it all the time! "What, no, finish your story!" I shout while he turns away and goes back to the castle. "It's not fair! I will find out anyway!"

I know I will, I always find out!