Journey to the Trinity Tree - Prompt One

It was a normal day in the Echolake Pride. The hunters were busy finding food while the healers were buried in their dens experimenting on their recently gathered herbs, cubs were busy playing together and chasing any vermin that got in their way. It was then that the portal opened in the centre of the pride among the guardian’s dens. It shone in a way that enticed any nearby lions. Tasso was in fact the first to notice the foreign object as it had appeared just outside of his den as he was on his way to patrol. Immediately he was put on edge. Was this thing dangerous? Portals were unheard of in their world so why had it just appeared now? Not sure how to approach it he decided to get the leader Xia.

Xia was busy visiting the healers when Tasso entered the den with fear evident on his face. He spoke up first. “Quick, something just appeared outside my den, it could be dangerous!” The lioness immediately knew something was wrong. Tasso had been a serious lion ever since he was adopted and would never joke about this sort of thing. Turning to Ophuzi, the healer, she nodded politely. “Sorry, Ophuzi, I need to deal with this immediately. I would like to continue this conversation later.” Ophuzi, nodded back. “That’s alright my dear, this seems important.” Xia smiled and turned to Tasso. “Alright, lets go.” She exclaimed in a powerful voice.

The pair came to a stop in front of the portal, by now it was larger than the lions and was pulsating slightly. Not sure what to expect Xia turned to Tasso. “Could you please get Corran, I don’t know what this thing is capable of and I will need as much backup as possible.” Tasso nodded and bolted in the direction the hunting party had left early in the morning. Turning back to the floating object Xia started examining it. Circling around it she looked for the source of the device, maybe anything that could hint them as to what it was, however, nothing could be found. It seemed to seamlessly float about 5cm of the ground not once touching the baked ground below. Next Xia started sniffing the ground around. After the years she had spent on her own travels her nose had become one of her most powerful tools being able to sniff out prey that was miles away. Hoping she could find any hints or strange scents that were left behind she desperately sniffed near the portal but alas there was nothing once again. Just how did this thing get there without being seen and without a seeming source.

The pride lived in a world were everything was ‘normal’. There was no magic, gods, reincarnation. It was simply hunt to survive like any other animal. This was why this particular event especially confused and concerned Xia. Magic things just never happened in this world, especially a portal to another world or dimension.

It was then just as Xia was about to give up there was a low wispy voice that sounded like it came from all directions. “Hello?” The lioness jumped and looked all around but no one was to be seen. “Hello, who’s there?” she asked with a paranoid voice. Again, the voice spoke up in a voice more like a whisper. “That is not important right now. We are in terrible danger and have come to your world in search of aid.” Finally, it came to Xia that the voice in fact came from the portal which now pulsated to the sound of the voice. She was confused and lost. Who was in danger? Why did they need her pride’s help? Who were they fighting? Was she going to help or risk one of her loved members?

Finally, after a lot of thinking she replied to the voice. “Why should I help you?” While many would say she was a loving compassionate female she certainly wouldn’t risk her life or the lives of her pride for someone she didn’t know. The voice took a few seconds before speaking. “We are desperate, we will be wiped out if you don’t help. Please, find it in your heart to help us.” Xia sighed, after receiving a message like that it was hard to say no. Without giving a solid answer she asked, “How long would I have to prepare?”. The voice responded, “We can probably hold them off until mid-day tomorrow at the latest.” With a nod from the founder she said “Alright, I’ll see what I can do, it will be up to the rest of the pride, all decisions are made as a group.” It was 5 minutes later Tasso and Corran appeared. They weren’t sure what to expect so they were more than shocked to see their leader sitting calmly in front of the portal, seemingly talking to it. Tasso was the first to ask questions to his mother figure. “My highness, are you safe? What is going on?” When excited Tasso seemed to become loud and would ask too many questions. Meanwhile Corran silently got to work on examining the portal himself. Xia responded to the young male calmly. “We are in no danger. These people are in danger and are seeking help from us.”. Tilting his head Tasso continued with the questions. “What? Who are these people? Why have they come to us?”. Sighing Xia got up and looked up to the sky. “These are all questions I cannot answer Tasso.” She said, looking between the two males. “We have until morning to decide whether we go and if we do who we will bring.” Immediately Tasso put himself forward, he would do anything to defend his leader Xia. “I would be happy to go.” Xia simply shook her head. “We will decide all this in the morning instead could you please notify everyone of a high importance meeting tomorrow?” Tasso nodded. “Of course.” With that all three of the lions went to inform the pride and finish their daily routine. In no time it was the morning and all the lions were gathered outside of Xia’s den. Voices were loud and confused. With a loud cough Xia captured the attention of the crowd. “Hello members, I understand this is a confusing time for us all so I will try to make this simple. As many of you will have seen by now there is a portal in the pride. I unfortunately cannot inform you as to where it’s from or where it leads to but it has asked for our help. I understand many of you will not be willing to go through and I will not be forcing anyone to go. I will be asking for volunteers to come to me once this meeting is over, thank you. Any questions?” there was surprising silence in the group. “Alright that is all.” With that the group split.

Three lions volunteered themselves. Corran, Pecora and Tasso. Xia looked among them before settling her eyes on Corran. “Corran, as much as you would be a good asset I would rather you stay and defend this pride in my place. I trust you more than any one else her and rely you will defend and keep this pride safe.” With a nod Corran agreed. Turning to Pecora Xia spoke. “Pecora, thank you for volunteering. I would like for you to remain out of danger. I trust in your healing abilities and believe you will keep Tasso and me safe.” She nodded with a smile, packs of herbs tied around her waist and paws. The three looked between each other then Xia spoke.

“For EchoLake pride and our loved ones”