Zola steps down

It was the dead of night, and most of the lions in the pride were well into their sleep by now. But this was a matter of great importance. Zola had just finished burying her love beside their daughter. She climbed the tallest rock in the lands and let out a loud roar, surely waking up most of the pride. As lions began gathering infront of her, she began her announcement.

“Good evening, Eastlands pride. I apologize for the disturbance, but something dreadful has happened. Our great king and my love, Abasi, has sadly just passed away. He had been very sick, the same illness you know took our princess Kucheza away some months ago. Anyways, it is with a small glimmer of pride that I step down from my position as queen and pass on all ruling responsibilities to my son, Prince Kukata. Or should I say, King Kukata. He is your new king, and I promise you he will do an excellent job with our great kingdom.” Zola said, looking to her son who stepped up to stand at her side. “He shall rule with his queen, Sarashu, by his side. And I wish them a long reign that stands as a legacy for generations to come”

Kukata stepped up next to his mother and looked down at her. He gave her a weak, encouraging smile, then he looked out to the pride. He cleared his throat, "I am taking this place with a heavy heart. I wish I was able to rejoice in this moment. But I can't find myself to do so with the circumstances that it was given to me." He looked up to the sky, "My father suffered for his last few weeks of life. But he is free now, and has joined the great kings and queens of the past. I pray for his guidence as I take his place here." He looked back down at the lions below, "I hope to do as good a job as my parents have."

He sighed and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and belted out a loud roar. Some new tears found their way down his cheeks as he lifted his roar to the heavens, as one last goodbye to his father.

As his roar died, his eyes searched the lions that were now his subjects. "All my mother's rules still stand." He said, Now turning to the business portion of his new position. "Though I will add that though not a rule, I would ask that we help out our own more. If there is an elder who is too old to hunt, please step up and help them out. And if there is a cub who has lost their family, please give them a place to stay. The same goes for any injured you come across. We have to function as a full pride. And in order to do that, we have to support each other. And we need more help with border patrols. There are only a few of us who contribute to that, and our pride will be much safer if more of us contribute."

Once he was finished, he took a step back to stand next to his mother.

Zola smiled weakly at her son, proud of him becoming king, but still suffering from Abasi's death. Once he stepped back, she looked out at the pride and let them in a chant. “Long live King Kukata!”