Fantom is a secret wrapped in a mystery like a beautiful Christmas present left under a tree. Just lying there, waiting for you to unwrap it.

Lions often assume things about him, as they do of all nightmare. Evil, brutal, bloodthirsty. They could not be more wrong. Fan is the most composed and amicable lion in the world. He lives in good terms with everyone and quickly makes new connections. He’s charismatic and a little intimidating and lions instinctively listen to him. He often aids others in solving arguments by listening to both sides and helping them find a compromise. He likes to join in on jokes and games, but isn’t usually one to start them.

Fantom is neither good nor bad. He does things that need to be done, but there is never malicious intent behind it. He keeps his secrets and lions sometimes question whether the face he shows is his true one.

Fantom was only a cub when his life took a drastic turn. He was born a prince, first son of the king of the pride. He lived with his mother and other lions in a large territory, rich in prey and lush vegetation. He spent his days playing in the tall grass and learning how to hunt and how to rule from the huntresses. He did not have a good relationship with his father. It was mostly a distant figure that he admired from afar and impersonated in his plays, but never got to spend time with.

One day, he was woken up by his mother. She told him to follow and left the cave. He obeyed, wiping his sleepy eyes with a paw and trying not to trip. It was daybreak. Most animals were still asleep. It was quiet, but he could feel a weird intensity in the air. He tried asking where they were going, but his mother did not answer, just upped her pace, so he would have to run to stay close. They stopped by a large tree and his mother looked at him with a face void of emotion.

“The old king is dead. There is a new king. You no longer have a place in this pride.”

And that was it. She left, leaving him behind. He tried running after her, but she bared her teeth at him, as if he was an enemy and chased him away. Eventually he gave up and sat there, watching her and hoping she would turn around and come back. She did not.

From that day on he had to learn to take care of himself and survive all on his own. He was no longer a prince or a member of a family, just a loner and an unwelcome predator.