Kali

Art by Yagmur on Chicken Smoothie

A long time ago, after Neinsi had travelled the world she had one daughter; Ayira. Neinsi went to live within the stars while Ayira stayed on Earth and founded the first pack of Wild Dogs.

Adaeze, meaning princess in Nigerian, had fallen for a male not of her type. She was indeed a princess, as her mother, Ayira meaning "The Chosen One", was Queen of the largest pack of African Wild Dogs in all of Africa. Her father didn't have much power as the Kiazolo, or "Queen" rank, as it goes to females only. He was still there for her mother though, and respected her decisions. Her mother ruled over the pack for many years, leading them through the good and the bad. Everyone in the pack respected her, and she was feared by those outside of the pack. Lions, hyenas and even jackals stayed clear of her pack, even the super pride. Life within the pack was peaceful and just, then Adaeze and her brother were born.

Her brother Duna, meaning "Headman", took after her father; always goofing off and lazing about. Adaeze was proper and looked at situations differently, always trying to find the source of the problem. Ayira took this into consideration when her daughter had grown up. When both Duna and Adaeze were grown, Ayira had noticed that Duna had caught the eye of one of her pack members and they were soon a pair. She couldn't help but notice how serious Adaeze had become, for she had no time to be with others and make friends or have relationships. Ayira became worried for her daughter, since she knew that one day she wouldn't be here for her, and she at least deserved some company.

Ayira had talked to her that day, telling her of a fence that bordered the African plains. Knowing Adaeze would be interested in figuring out what a fence was, she soon went off in search of it. Adaeze travelled for a bit, reaching the fence by sunset. A foul stench, one she's never smelt before, came from the other side. Walking next to the fence she lowered her nose and breathed in, but that's when her nose touched something else. It was cold and wet, so she pulled away in disgust. Looking up, she saw a male African Wild Dog with tawny-white fur and fuzzy paws. He was large and bulky with a longer muzzle than normal. Staring at one another, the male wagged his tail. Adaeze looked at him oddly, huffed, and walked off. He stood there mesmerized as she walked out of view.

Adaeze couldn't help but try and get that male out of her mind. She decided to return and demand his name and what he was doing in their land, since all AWD's around here had to report to the Kiazolo. In the morning, she walked over and he was still there. "Don't you have other places to be?" she said looking at him while narrowing her eyes.

"I do, but I thought you'd come back" he replied, wagging his tail slightly. She soon learned his name was Kota and that he was from a rather small pack in north Africa and had been travelling to find something better, when he came to the fence. He was quite the character, expressing things using his paws and other body movements. Adaeze watched his expressions, which made her laugh though she tried to hold them in.

That day went by quickly, as they both sat by the fence talking. The fence was rather high, though it served no purpose and was casually wearing down as the years went by. He showed her a hole underneath the fence that he's been trying to dig at, though he had no luck. Wanting to see him on the other side, Adaeze agreed to help. With both of them digging, he got out in no time.

Ayira was getting anxious, normally Adaeze would be home the following day. Worried her heir wouldn't be coming back, she scanned the horizon every hour. After almost giving up hope, she noticed two dots off in the horizon. Lowering her head, she clicked and perked her ears. Hearing similar clicks come back to her, she waited patiently for her daughter and the other. She was curious about the other canid with Adaeze, for she heard his clicks but the dialect wasn't from around here. Adaeze told her mother about Kota, where he came from and how he got here, and asked if he would be able to stay. Ayira knew he would cause no trouble due to what Adaeze had said, so she willingly agreed.

Not long after, Adaeze and Kota had their pair ceremony. Ayira had then decided her time as Kiazolo has set, and she left the rank for Adaeze. Kota and Adaeze soon after had a litter of three females; Zuri meaning "beautiful", Nyah meaning "life purpose" and Kali meaning "severe". Realizing all three pups were female, Adaeze had to choose one to be her heir. Zuri had brown colouring with white socks on the front of her feet, a couple white patches and some darker brown patches. Nyah was grey with a black mask and a couple white patches with greyish areas. Kali however, was the most unique. She had black around her eyes, a white muzzle, white legs and a strip down her back covered in black dots as well as a heart shape on her chest.

Ayira was older now, and her prime years were long gone. She slowly walked over to see the three pups, nuzzling each of them. Her eyes fell upon the different looking one named Kali. "Adaeze" Ayira whispered softly, "Watch this one. She will do great things someday, I can tell". A few days later, Ayira had disappeared and went to the place that all Kiazolo's go to for the last bits of life. Adaeze had learned that her mother was now only a star within the sky.

Once the pups were a little older, enough that they could run, talk, swim, jump and play, Adaeze had taken them aside and looked them over. Zuri was more dominant, Nyah had a sweet temperament and Kali was extremely confident. Adaeze had a hard time deciding and told them all that they would be successful no matter what they do. She then chose Zuri as her heir, for she was the first born. Kali's heart melted; she wanted to take after her grandmother Ayira and be the best Kiazolo the pack has ever known. Nyah was congratulating Zuri while Kali curled up around herself and looked at the ground.

"Aren't you going to say congratulations?" Zuri piped up, looking at Kali mockingly. "You better stay on my good side" she giggled, "Since I'm going to be your Kiazolo!"

Kali looked up, her eyes blazing with anger. That one sentence made Kali snap. She stood up tall and glared at her sister, perking her ears forward and standing stiffly. Adaeze looked at them both, unsure of what would happen next. Feeling Kali was challenging her newly founded authority, Zuri snarled. "I will NEVER be your follower!" Kali shouted at her, returning the snarl, "I am Ayira's granddaughter too, whether you like it or not. I will NOT take orders from you, NOT now and NOT ever. I take orders from NO ONE". Zuri tackled Kali at that moment, trying to pin her down. They tussled for a bit before Adaeze split them up with no winner to be determined.

From that day on, Zuri and Kali had not gotten along. Nyah followerd Zuri around, wanting to be as close as possible to the heir in hopes of getting somewhere farther down the road. They grew into young adults soon enough, and were hunting in no time. Kali was the fastest by far, with her sleek body and sturdy legs she could catch the fastest gazelles. Her sisters depended on her for food, and Zuri often demanded it. When the whole pack went hunting, Kali was always put as the lead unless Zuri decided she was hunting. Adaeze never went hunting anymore, since the Kiazolo never had to hunt unless she felt like it.

Adaeze was getting older and decided that her time has come. She called the pack over and told them that she was now giving her Kiazolo title to the third generation; Zuri. The pack was happy and cheered, though Kali knew this wouldn't be good. Adaeze then went to rest her old bones with Kota, and they spent the rest of their lives together in peace.

Zuri then took charge of the pack. When they hunted, Zuri demanded the first bites of the carcass, going against the custom of the one who killed the animal getting the first bites. Zuri also turned on Nyah, making her do the hard work as well. Zuri became a tyrant, and at night members of the pack would leave in search of better lives. Adaeze had no control anymore, and was not able to fight her own daughter for the Kiazolo rank. Kali heard her parents talking of the tyranny and knew she had to do something.

That day after the long hunt, Kali went up to the carcass and took the first bites for she had killed the kudu. Zuri was outraged and snarled at Kali, telling her off for it and banishing her from hunting. Kali perked her ears forward dominantly, wanting this to be finished once and for all. "No, I told you before and I will tell you again: You will NOT be my Kiazolo". Zuri then lunged at Kali and they fought, slicing one another with their claws and teeth. Kali was pushed over with Zuri grabbing her shoulder with her mouth. She reached forward and snapped down on the side of Zuri's neck. Using her jaws with more power and force than any she had ever used before, she was able to knock Zuri off her, choking her until she had to gasp for air.

Kali then snorted at her sisters weak body and stood up confidently. "These lands are no longer yours Zuri" she said heaving heavily. Zuri snarled but knew she wouldn't be able to fight Kali, even though she was the runt of the litter. Zuri slinked off while Kali had the Kiazolo position. Even though Kali had followed in her grandmother's footsteps, she knew this wasn't the way. There were tons of family members who needed a pack, and this one wouldn't do. She called a pack meeting, where all but Zuri showed up. Even Adaeze and Kota came, though they were slow and fairly weak.

"I have decided", Kali said strongly, looking over what was left of the pack, "That the Kiazolo rank will not be mine. Instead, it will go to Nyah". The pack was shocked, including her mother. "I will be opening my own first generation pack. We will live near the Okeia tree and the Neinsi Den, that will be our territory. I'm doing this so our brothers and sisters will always have a place to come by, if they ever return".

Adaeze smiled warmly as she walked up to Kali who was on a small rocky platform. "I am proud of you, my daughter" Adaeze said nuzzling Kali. "You are unique, just like what Ayira had said". Kali grinned widely, then stepped forward and barked strongly and proudly. The rest of the AWD's clicked and barked sharply, approving Kali's decision. Nyah came forward at the time and stood next to Kali, trying to bark as well. Kali nodded at her sister, mother, and father then backed up and turned to face the large tree in the distance. "If you ever need me, you know where I'll be" she said with a confident snort and flick of her tail. Kali then took off, loping towards the trees.

When she finally established her own territory, she noticed that there were more than enough canids that had no pack. They travelled from far and wide once they heard The Chosen One's granddaughter had her own pack. Kali became Kiazolo (Leader) of a large pack, dealing with the members on a daily basis and keeping things under control. Though all the canids coming to join her pack from across the planet, Kali had not been as interested as most in mates or finding her significant other. She was too busy controlling the pack that her mind was never truly swayed, until everything completely changed once she met Soran. Soran was a quiet male wolf who joined the pack more recently, generally keeping to himself. As if by fate, they became good friends and eventually lovers. Kali and Soran ruled the pack proudly for years to come.

Summary

Adaeze was the granddaughter of Neinsi, the African wild dog Goddess who was well known for travelling the world that created the colour patterns of the dog's coat. Adaeze was smitten with a male wolf she met, and soon the two became a pair and had three daughters; Zuri, Nyah and Kali. Adaeze chose Zuri as her heir, though Kali was upset by this, especially since her sister would taunt her about it. The sisters grew apart as they got older, with Nyah taking Zuri's side in most cases. Kali grew up alone, spending her time perfecting her skills of the hunt and becoming one of the best hunters the pack had ever seen.

Adaeze was getting older and abdicated the Kiazolo rank to Zuri. Zuri took a turn for the worst, breaking tradition and controlling the pack to her ideals. Kali challenged her sister for the Kiazolo rank, and won after a battle. She then decided this was not the way to take care of the problem, giving the rank to Nyah and in turn, leaving the pack to create one of her own. She created a large pack consisting of all canids around the world, and ruled strongly with her mate Soran.

Present Day

Art by SoranofAvalor on dA

Kali's time with Soran didn't last, as all had hoped. One morning he simply disappeared without a trace. Kali grieved for some time, growing quiet and eventually not talking to the pack much at all. She was beggining to tire of pack maintenance on a daily basis, dealing with the same old story of pack members arguing, hunts gone array, and trespassers at the border. Kali had decided it was best to abdicate the Kiazolo position by giving it to the Council of Zakas. Theyw ere now in charge of the pack, she was simply still around in case order needed to be restored. However with the Kiazolo now gone, it didn't take long for the pack to become restless, and eventually members dispersed one by one until very few remained.

Kali too dispersed, disappearing into the horizon as the sun set on her time as Kiazolo.