The Dreamcatchers / Night Watch

The evil within. Part 1.
[ 509/400 word minimum ] - 300exp

Sen was sitting outside on a sort of makeshift training grounds next to the prides’ headquarters. He was pretending to be watching the new recruits and their training, but really he’s just been avoiding paperwork. He never liked it, but now he couldn’t even focus on it. He was under so much pressure since… well, since he became a captain, really. But these days even more so.

He adopted an orphaned cub. He had no idea how to be a father. His own died when he was just a cub and before that he was a soldier so Sen had barely any contact with him at all. He had no opportunity to learn from him. It was too late too worry about that though. He already decided to take the cub in and he would just have to raise it the best he could. And yet, that wasn’t his only worry. He was concerned with the cub’s future. What will it grow into? After all, it was a nightmare…

He nearly jumped when Fantom appeared at his side with the little lion trotting behind him. His vice-captain had a soft smile on his face, the way he usually did. Like he knew and understood something Sen didn’t. It annoyed him, but at the same time it was good to know that there was someone who wasn’t lost in this mess.

“Slacking off again?”

Sen squinted at him trying to remember what his excuse was.

“I’m… making sure the training is going correctly. What’re you doing here?”

Fan chuckled.

“Of course. I brought you a gift.”

With Fan’s help the cub crawled onto a tree stump and sat on, tail wagging slightly, eyes darting from one adult to the other.

“You’re worrying again.”

Sen’s shoulders were a little slouched and he seemed bother while he observed the cub.

“It’s… nothing.”

“You’re worried about his future. You’re worried he’ll grow into the evil monster you’ve been told nightmares are.”

Sen turned to him, surprised, even a little disturbed. Yet again Fan displayed his incredible ability of being able to read his mind. Was he this transparent? Or was Fantom just that good at reading him? It never happened with anyone else. The lion sighed softly. There was no point pretending anymore if he knew his thoughts anyway.

“Yeah” he took a deep breath. “He is a nightmare after all. They’re evil. It’s in their blood and it cannot be changed. That’s what I’ve always heard.”

“Is that how you see me?”

Sen quickly turned to him.

“No! I’m sorry, I… forgot.”

Fan didn’t look angry. He laughed at his words and the scared, apologetic look on Sen’s face.

“It’s fine. I know you adore me.”

Sen smiled softly. He was glad the lion decided to turn it into a joke rather than get angry at him for those words. He regretted saying that. He didn’t think any of the nightmares in his pride were bad. Fan was one of the nicest lions he’s ever met. It was just… all other nightmares.

The evil within. Part 2.
[ 443/400 word minimum ] - 300exp

“I know of a way you can tell if someone will turn evil. It’s 100% fail proof, easy and cheap.”

“You do?”

It seemed awfully convenient.

Fantom nodded and stood up. He moved closer to Sen and sat behind him, uncomfortably close. Or comfortably close? He motioned for Sen too look at the cub. He too looked at it, over Sen’s shoulder. The young was biting it’s tail, but now it’s attention went back to the adult lions.

“Look into his eyes. The black eyes of a nightmare. Do you see an evil spirit staring back at you?“

A shiver went down his spine when he heard the whisper so close to his ear. Sen stared intensely into the small eyes with black scleras and white irises. The cub chose this moment to put his small paw on Sen’s nose. Sen cracked into a smile. There was nothing evil within Las. Only a madman could think so. It was just a cute, playful cub, full of hope and love. It warmed his heart to see that he was no longer scared and sad like the day they found him.

“No. I see all that’s pure and good in this world.”

“Then you have your answer.”

“Thank you.”

Sen rested his head against Fan’s. It felt nice. Comforting. Warm. He felt like something heavy has been lifted off of his heart. How could he have ever even considered that Las could be evil? Of course, he knew why. He was always told that nightmares are evil spirits without the least bit of good in them so he never expected them to be anything else. But then he met Fantom and… He realised his face was still buried in his black, silky mane. A behaviour not fit for a captain and his subordinate. He quickly moved away and pretended like nothing happened.

“I‌ was work. Revas said he’s got work. For me. I’ll go see him. To do the work. I’ll go now and work. And um… you… I have to go.”

He left in a hurry, shutting the door behind him.

Fantom chuckled. Sen could be so shy about such silly things. He was glad though that he could help raise his spirit. He knew that he would be concerned, sooner or later. It was unavoidable when that’s how it’s been for centuries. With how much hate Sen had for his kind it was still impressive how kind, accepting and close he became towards the nightmares in his pride. With this cub, maybe his heart will change even more.

He smirked with his eyes half closed.

“Who’s my little evil spirit?”

The cub laughed.