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Now We Are Free

“I will make our world safe again for all. Humans are animals, too, and they deserve freedom just like us. They will now have all the rights and privileges we have. They will have laws protecting them. As of now slavery is abolished and every human is free. . . “

By Amanda LyonsPublished 4 years ago 15 min read
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Viktoria released the limp body of her once formidable foe from her blood-stained fangs. She circled the dead body surveying its matted fur, grayish black and reddish now from battle. The black panther stared into her grandfather’s dead eyes; the pale yellow had succumbed to white. The muscles in her limbs tensed with each halting step. She suddenly realized what she had done.

Her grandfather, Vasili, had been a fierce ruler of their land for thirty-one years, attaining his leadership by killing his own onerous father. He kept the laws of human slavery and ownership intact, ignoring the abuse they took while inflicting the same on his own slaves. Viktoria gazed hard at the old cat, still so strong after all those seasons of war. Warm wind from the east plains blew over Vasili. Viktoria imagined it took with it all the horrid deeds of his generation. A new age was dawning with Viktoria as the new leader.

All at once a thunderous roar spread over Viktoria’s sharp panther ears. She looked out into the vast crowd and realized they were now her subjects. Many of them were roaring their cheers and relief, although a few expressions were nothing less than hateful. Her eyes narrowed and on an impulse, she rose on her hind legs, extending her treacherous claws to the clear blue sky. She let loose a roar so powerful it could only be construed as The Claiming Roar, used only to express ownership. This was the first time she’d ever used this call in her nineteen years of living but it seemed to come naturally.

Viktoria claimed the rightful leadership role from her grandfather after challenging and defeating him. Viktoria’s own father had challenged Vasili eighteen years ago and died in combat. Having the death of her father laying heavily on her and the natural hatred of her grandfather and everything he stood for she could no longer stand idly by.

After stretching the muscles in her limbs and spreading her magnificent claws she leaned the whole of her formidably sleek body forward and let her paws pound back down on the rock.

A group of male lions from an ancient pride were responsible for the ancestral Battle Rock where all major disputes were settled. It resembled the edge of a cliff that dislodged itself and landed in the middle of a desert. No one knew where it came from or how it got there. The lions carried Vasili’s body away with the utmost honor. Two days from now it would be time for his traditional burial but now it was time for Viktoria’s inauguration.

Viktoria sat majestically on the highest part of the Battle Rock that jutted out to the west as her golden eyes beheld the sea of animals that she was now responsible for. All manner of animal; carnivores, herbivores, furry, scaly, small and large alike stared up at her in awe. This was the first time a female came to rule; the crowd was silent. Their eyes glistened in the setting sun which cast an eerie glow of mauve over the plains. There were no clouds in the resplendent sky; everything was calm.

A great silverback gorilla, who had traveled far from his home in the jungle miles away, brought the royal jewel out from behind a boulder on the renowned rock. The tiny gold bauble rested comfortably on a pillow made from rushes and the fur of deceased elders. Viktoria kept her usually passionate eyes stoic, staring straight into the rose gold and wine sunset. The massive gorilla’s footsteps boomed closer to her. Her shiny black whiskers twitched as he lifted the shimmering jewel to her fuzzy dark ear. Viktoria winced momentarily with the miniscule pinch that heralded a new leader.

Viktoria prowled the rock as the gorilla stood back head turned down in respect. She surveyed her subjects with curious yet confident eyes. They all had tense expressions on their faces. Nervous whiskers twitched, fuzzy eyebrows rose quizzically, muscles were tense, but all eyes and ears eagerly awaited. She inhaled deeply taking notice of the dry musky scent that was so prominent.

“Beating my grandfather was no easy feat! And neither will be ruling our wondrous world!” She shivered with excitement. “I will change this world. Humans will no longer be slaves!”

An uproar began as small fights broke out between factions of protestors. Some animals that had brought their human slaves now clawed at them and held them down with strong unforgiving paws on their tan yet emaciated backs. An ancient baboon in the front row smacked his human servant girl hard across her face after she rejoiced.

Viktoria could feel heat emanate through her lean body as she witnessed these cruelties. Her golden eyes widened as she growled menacingly.

“I AM THE NEW LEADER OF THIS LAND AND NO ONE ELSE!”

Immediately the din ceased as animals began separating themselves from each other, some even left, a dreadful act of disrespect.

“I will make our world safe again for all. Humans are animals, too, and they deserve freedom just like us. They will now have all the rights and privileges we have. They will have laws protecting them. As of now slavery is abolished and every human is free. I will also make drastic changes to The Inner Sanctum. No more backward thinking. I want only fresh young minds. I would like to start by appointing Alina as head of defense.”

A few gasps rose from the crowd but other than that no one dared protest. It was customary to remain silent during this process out of respect. Viktoria let the outbursts slide this time because she was upturning their whole system.

A tiny brown ball of spikes tumbled out onto the rock. It rolled efficiently up to Viktoria’s paws and stood on hind legs waiting. Viktoria turned her head, muscles flexing powerfully, as she took in her mouth a small jewel from the silverback stationed behind her. It was a tiny ruby as bright as the sun. Viktoria pierced the tiny hedgehog’s almost invisible ear with deft claws. Alina stood resolute looking Viktoria in the eye. The hedgehog’s eyes were a warm hazel that held love and respect. Viktoria nodded her approval. Alina saluted smartly before retreating.

“Next I would like to appoint Severin as head of law.”

The crowd grew silent as a proud badger with a stern face and gnarly wooden cane hobbled out from the back of the boulder. His black and white fur was thick yet patchy in some spots from battle scars. But his eyes seemed like a separate entity as they reflected the sun in their blackness. He played the role of a gentle beast, clasping his trusty cane behind his back while bowing solemnly. Viktoria pierced her venerated friend’s ear with a sparkling sapphire. Without a word spoken Severin took his place beside Alina.

“And finally, I’d like to appoint Akemi as head of relations.”

The crowd gasped as a magnificent peacock adorned with various bright beads and jaunty jewels pranced up to Viktoria spreading his picturesque plumage. Viktoria appreciated that he could barely contain his joy.

“Easy there Akemi,” she whispered to him while sneaking a smile, “of all the jewels you wear this is the most important.” She tied around his neck a bright emerald that outshone all the rest of his trinkets. He skittered backwards clumsily while giggling, then rushed a bow as he practically ran to join his friends. Viktoria managed to hold in her laughter as she faced the keen crowd.

“Now, my subjects let loose your howls to celebrate those who will change your world!”

And with that all manner of screeching, howling, chattering, roaring, and clapping could be heard. The four friends came together in a supportive embrace as they braved the pandemonium. As they left the rock Viktoria’s eyes searched the crowd for her arch

nemesis, Nikita. He would no doubt be furious now that he’d lost his vast collection of human slaves.

“So, this is the leader of our new world?”

Viktoria turned sharply to come face to face with Nikita, the second most powerful panther in history. Although his fur had started graying he was still a force to be reckoned with. Having been the general of her grandfather’s army for twenty-six years he was now a vicious assassin trained to kill in the most secretive and sometimes torturous ways. Viktoria needed to be smart in the way she handled him. One wrong word to him and a war could break out. She would not be responsible for the death of innocents.

“I thought you would’ve left with the others.”

“And have you suffer a great disrespect at my paws?” He drawled. “Although I do disagree with everything you’ve done so far. Don’t expect us to change so willingly after being set in our ways.”

His smirk made her stomach lurch, “I expect my subjects to obey their leader whether new, young, old, male or female. If they defy me they’d better ready themselves.”

He stared keenly into her eyes. “Ready themselves for what?”

“I expect to see all your slaves gone by the time I come around tomorrow for inspection.”

Nikita growled and sauntered off.

Viktoria kept her promise. The next day she crossed the imposing wooden bridge that connected Nikita’s private island to the mainland. He had so many slaves that he had to

have a vast area to keep them. She noticed it was deserted as she jogged around. His manor consisted of a family of redwoods whose branches extended out impossibly far.

There were at least nine gargantuan rooms carved out of the magnificent trees trunks and branches. As she neared the otherworldly redwood she realized how small she really was and discovered she had a fond respect for nature. All the chambers were empty. She came upon Nikita’s.

“Satisfied, your majesty?” Nikita’s growl came from behind her.

“Stop sneaking up behind me, assassin. And, yes, I’m satisfied. Wait, who is that?” She pointed her snout in the direction of a naked human male.

He was surprisingly attractive. Tall and lanky, maybe from mistreatment, but there was something in his eyes and the manner of his countenance. Nikita whistled through his teeth and the man came running over. Viktoria noticed his sun worn skin along with the claw and lash marks; she had to fight the urge to pounce on Nikita.

“This is my very best slave and the last to go. He’s helping me reorganize just for today.”

She studied him. His eyes were dead but the most beautiful shade of blue she’d seen. Nikita dismissed him and she couldn’t help but notice the shaggy black hair waving in the breeze. A tiny smirk fell across her features. Nikita laughed.

“Disgusting, he’s a human!”

“I can like whomever I choose. Since I don’t trust you I’ll be periodically checking up on you.”

Black shaggy hair and electric blue eyes was all that was on Viktoria’s mind as she sat in The Inner Circle later that day.

“Hello, Vikky?” Akemi sat beside her, his rainbow-colored feathers spread wide.

“She’s gone.” Alina laughed as she snapped her digging claws in front of Viktoria.

Viktoria shook her mighty head, “What? Did I miss something?”

“Yes, you’re missing the meeting. Where is your head?” Severin demanded. “Concentrate.”

“Give her a break, she’s in love.” Akemi’s feathers shook with mirth.

“I’m not. It’s just there was one particularly handsome slave at Nikitas today.”

“A human?”

“Yes. I’ve been trying to think all day of where I’ve seen him before.” She sat contemplating for a minute as Alina and Severin continued their difficult conversation of border stability.

“We have no right to keep out the nobles. Besides we need their exports.” Severin spat.

“Got it!” Viktoria ran off.

She reached Nikita’s in record time. Her muscles tensed as she heard voices in the distance. Her hackles instantly up.

“You should be careful. Nikita doesn’t take kindly to strangers,” A soft voice came from behind her.

She turned and saw the handsome slave. He sighed, clearly relieved, as if he knew her.

“Don’t worry,” she sighed, “he definitely knows me.” She studied him a moment. “Do you remember me? Probably not, it was years ago.”

His full lips formed a smile. “Of course, I remember you, Viktoria. How couldn’t I? We were best friends for ten years until your grandfather dragged you away and sent me here. I still remember how warm the night air was when we used to sneak out.”

Viktoria’s face grew dark. “I never forgot you. In fact, you’re one of the reasons I challenged my grandfather. I needed to beat him if I was to ever be with you.”

“Be with me?”

Viktoria’s face would be red if it weren’t covered with shiny charcoal fur, “I’ve been trying to find you all these years. It’s been hard, of course, because I had no idea what you looked like . . . it was so many years ago.” She had been looking down. Chancing a glance up she mustered her courage. “I love you, didn’t you know?”

The slave’s eyes widened. Then he smiled brightly. “I was always too afraid to say it first. I love you, too.”

The days following were like a wondrous dream. Viktoria and Anton, as she had named him, walked on sunset filled beaches reminiscing. They shared their fears and dreams while lying on the cool branches of a corkwood tree and proclaiming their love to each other every chance they got. Before long Anton proposed and Viktoria, feeling overjoyed, accepted.

The marriage ceremony was simple. Viktoria invited her closest friends plus her mother who was relieved to see Vasili dead. Anton and Viktoria stood on The Battle

Rock. The Inner Sanctum had painted it white for the occasion. They looked out over the vast plains as the sun shone mercilessly down on the gathering. Viktoria could

see the makings of a storm on the horizon. Anton wore a brown loincloth decorated with sapphires, emeralds, and rubies while Viktoria wore an enchanting garland with pearls laced through it. They stood gazing into each other’s eyes until Viktoria heard a whistle on the wind and then a distinct squelching sound.

With curiosity plaguing her eyes she turned to her love. He looked down at the protrusion dumbfounded and fell to his knees. Viktoria’s eyes clouded with unstoppable tears as she stared at her dying fiancé. He slowly laid down on the rock and she knelt beside him licking his neck lovingly. She began purring loudly and rubbing her head against him. Anton managed to wrap his weak arm around her thick neck. It slid off a second after the rain came in a downpour, making an eerie sound against the rock. Viktoria’s friends ran to her side and tried to console her, but she pushed through them while growling in outrage. She took the arrow shaft between her teeth and snapped it in half before leaping to the edge of the rock scanning the crowd with her keen eyes. She found what she was looking for and leapt off the rock landing deftly in front of Nikita who was sneering with his sharp fangs.

“I’m amazed you could throw that arrow so skillfully. Been hanging around too many humans?” Her voice was a dangerous whisper.

Nikita cackled. “I haven’t, but you have. That arrow was meant for you.”

Viktoria’s face was expressionless as she lunged at Nikita, ripping out a section of tender flesh from his neck. He stumbled but retaliated by biting just as harshly into her neck. There was a force inside her that seemed to take over her body as she jolted harshly from side to side freeing her neck from Nikita’s grip. Blood spattered the dusty ground. They circled each other menacingly. Nikita growled threateningly and lunged, grabbing her fiercely. With a strained grunt, he flung her. She landed hard, at least fifteen feet away from him but immediately was up on all fours.

“I love him!” she charged at her imposing opponent mad with rage.

All thought processes seemed to leave her as she clamped her already crimson stained fangs once more on his massive neck. This time a loud crunch could be heard and she twisted her head viciously. His blood sprayed all over her face threatening to obscure her vision. She held onto his neck long after it had broken. Viktoria was the picture of wrath standing in the middle of the gathering with the most powerful panther dead in her mouth while blood dripped freely from his wound.

Tears spilled from her eyes as she dropped Nikita. She could see her friends out of the corner of her eye standing cautiously at a distance. Viktoria looked up at the black sky, as if in a daze as she crawled back to her love. Laying down beside Anton she could see the white paint mingling with his blood as it was washed away by the downpour. She rested her weary head on his lifeless chest. She began purring and weeping at the same time causing her to choke. A pain-filled wail escaped her mouth and reverberated through the oddly quiet sky. She couldn’t catch her breath, she was crying too hard. The choking came again severely this time. Her vision darkened.

“Now we really are free.”

fantasy
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About the Creator

Amanda Lyons

Eclectic stream of consciousness and dark surrealism. What photography does for life I do for thought, emotions, and experiences. The genres can range from romance to horror but my favorite is suspense.

[email protected]

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