CHAPTER 1396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iekMYDWcS
THE PAST
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"What is love? Damianos?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bDuHfEoi8
"love is what we have between us Zoe."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrza2XscEy
They sat under a love tree in the twilight with Zoe seated between Damianos's legs. He constantly brushed Zoe's hair with his fingers.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq1JZnoBCp
"I like it when you do that Dami."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZzjB09QqO
"That is the more reason I do it, even though I love your hair."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeAfi7cgWj
Zoe rose to her feet and moved away from Damianos's reach.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK8I5vLd5R
"where are you off to?" Damianos asked as he rose to his feet.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WJXTP4bKe
"it's late already, queen Nefeli will be worried sick. help me put on my rob."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrXYAa0fgp
why do you address your mother like you are afraid of her"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFqaUcjyF9
"that is how things work in the Hyena clan."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzmRJvyVgE
"In the pride land, things are way too different." Damianos asserted. Zoe sighed and looked at him.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPE189di8p
"That is the pride land Damianos, I'm a hyena."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWg1iBsrg9
" Do you have to always remind us of our difference?" Damianos muttered as he helped her with her rob.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MbG6c3KnB
" No! I do not want to but as much as I want to forget you are a lion and I am a hyena, I can't because my mother, the queen, is always there to remind me. It is impossible. Thanks for helping me with the rob" Zoe kissed Damianos goodbye on the check but before she could leave Damianos turned her to face him and took her by the waist.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6YYdoZsYz
"Dami!"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb4J04l7Mt
"Meet me here tomorrow, I have a surprise for you." Damianos said into her ear and let her go.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseP0CoZkbV
"You are trembling Zoe."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKwnJB79ib
"Yes, we stayed under the tree for long this time, queen Nepheli knows I have no entourage with me" Damianos moved closer to Zoe and traced her jawline with his fingers.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWZXxMhCYD
"You worry too much love. it's simple. just teleport."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdFb1FBQpL
" Teleporting is not an option for me. Queen Nepheli has restricted me from using some of my abilities unless I'm in danger."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJiECh5IVh
"Then tell her you were almost attacked by a pack of lions"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ3xgEI5Du
"That I can guarantee will give her more reasons to come after your people. No one can touch her daughter. childbirth for hyenas isn't easy neither does child death."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmodzHR3ww
"You are right"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVecqPV27H
"I know what I have to do" Zoe kept her hood on, kissed Damianos, and disappeared into thin air.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmoWYRaWxw
* * *396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uuIpfDOBy
The hyena kingdom, almost like a land for departed souls stood on a rich land of never wanting needs. The colonies worked tirelessly to have the royals keep them in their good books. The hyena castle made of rocks stood between rocks and flowers full of thorns. Getting the colonies to work effectively for the hyenas came easy because the mighty queen(Nepheli) was known for her disciplinary actions. Now, the queen had the chance to see what she and the past queens had made the clan. A clan proportionately as strong as the lions, a clan equally as mighty as the lions, and soon a clan to have absolute control of the planet Zuk. She took in a deep breath and felt dynamism around her. She was the one to lead the hyenas and their colonies and help make the birth of the chosen one a success. As she sat on her throne, she wondered which century the chosen one would be born in and which people would be lucky to parent such a blessing. A servant raced to the queen's feet panting and sobbing "my queen." she said before the queen could make sense of the sudden rush to her.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7jMJqHO1Z
"What will make a servant bring doom upon my mood." she said without looking at the servant who bowed before her.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL1KeA8xss
"Or you just wanted to remind me that I am the queen and everyone's place was at my feet." she proceeded looking down at the servant. 396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u0DxJ2XQH
"It's ....it's Zoe." the servant said hoping she spoke right.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WfgaX5zZp
"WHAT HAS ZOE DONE THIS TIME. I DO NOT THINK IT IS ANYTHING THAT CAN NOT BE SOLVED." Nepheli exclaimed.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyOaAfe6P1
" She is not back." the servant muttered out quickly.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX14h2GA1i
Nepheli rose from her sumptuous throne made from platinum and moved her head from side to side. Her countless servants begun to roll a new carpet underneath the existing one as she took each step. Nepheli, the queen of half of Zuk: sophisticated, beautiful, elegant but dangerous. She was dressed in her gown made of pearls and gold which took fifteen people to hold and wore a platinum crown with a carved head of a hyena in emeralds at the center.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItdId4Rxna
"GUARDS!" she exclaimed. All the available guards assembled at her feet before she could utter another word. "I can see I have mice disguised as guards." she said moving, one step at a time sensing fear-fear of her-and she loved every bit of it. All the guards stood motionless and held their breaths as she walked past them " such incompetency you know I can not tolerate. But I do know there is one thing you all know quite well." The vast room was so devoid of noise that the sound of anyone's shiver could be heard. "I will take the silence for forgetfulness, anyway, I will do you all the favor of refreshing your memories but, every good deed coming from my side will have to be repaid sooner rather than later. Let me remind you all that I have the power to hold your breaths when I cling my fist. GO ....FIND...MY DAUGHTER!" there was no need to reiterate her statement. After she was done talking, she turned and found no one around. " And you' she pointed to the servant that rushed to her earlier396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLuXgKfT6U
"yes, my queen" the servant struggled with her words. Queen Nepheli moved closer to her and smelled her hair. She mostly did that when she wanted to know which animal the person who stood next to her was.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLXHespDqU
" Ahh! which animal are you, yes, Lemur. Such a pretty wasted girl. You have to be the meal for tonight. My tummy is rumbling, my daughter will be hungry when she is found. You know what to do. Turn yourself back to the animal you are and head for the chief cook. She will know what kind of savory meal to make out of you. NOW MOVE IT!"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfw0oupYJ2
" Yes, queen N..Ne...Nepheli" she stumbled as she spoke with tears in her eyes.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxlJ9uo5OD
The pride land was as quiet as always. The colonies were at work and a few lion subjects were in command of the colonial duties. Though the colonies were slaves to the Lions, one would find it a blessing from the ancestors for ending up as a slave in the lion kingdom and not the hyenas. King Vasilis stood on the balcony of his room staring at the stars. He couldn't help but think of the hyenas and how they always used what they had to get to them. Beauty, he rather found it ironic how creatures could look different when they transformed. Hyenas in their animal form were not always what one would think of if they sow them in being. Still, he felt their ludicrous beauty had nothing to do with the situation they were in." The lions should have never lost what they had" he said to himself. He thought of how they have to battle until they had a chosen one. "temptation" he thought, "is what brings a man to his knees and a kingdom to ruin." he continued. History had thought the lions an estimable lesson but, it is now in the hands of the living to make sure the mistake was never made. " we have been waiting for this for so long and soon, things will fall into place. We will hit the hyenas where it hurts the most and when they are not looking, take absolute control of Zuk like it once was, ours."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8mU6YgBm8
" Dad" Damianos shouted when he saw his dad alone and teleported to him.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZQzFDpPc5
"Son" Vasilis hugged his son boldly and pattered his back396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyHoRbcqPW
"You have been out all day. I guess you were exploring your potentials as a bred lion." Vasilis continued.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyhdjHdGfe
"Yes, dad' Damianos lied. 396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6d5vYKfWX
"Follow me son" Vasilis led Damianos to his room and sat him down396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpJrn1RnFe
" Is everything okay dad?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZrJWnqT7r
"Yes, yes. On the contrary, I have good news for you but you will have to wait until tomorrow" Vasilis answered.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAVKWtnidj
" You know I can wait, dad"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq7tWyyp8e
"Okay, it is time to feast with the other royals. Let's get going" Vasilis said.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK6d9VxFtq
Zoe arrived safely to her clan and was summoned by queen Nefeli.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxo41GwLcs
"You sent for me mother." Zoe said calmly as she walked towards the queen.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK5pS7yyHH
" Yes, I thought we talked about you staying out late." Nepheli said396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9CKi2klo5
" I'm sorry mum, I got carried away" Zoe confessed396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQb3xmV010
" Come here my girl" Nepheli opened her arms to her daughter and soon was taken by surprise at how Zoe enveloped her.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShwLrxSGmZ
" There you go my dear, you are the apple of my eyes Zoe. I always have to act tough when you are gone but deep within, I always miss you"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUtsPVdkas
"Oh, mother" Zoe cried as she hugged Nefeli tight.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdVpnHBmYx
" I love you mum" she admitted396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDS0Z7SH00
" Me same my dear. You are the next queen you need to be around to observe how I rule. You have to act tough if you do not want the male royals to take over you and tell you what to always do" Your dad use to help me a lot with my administration and they took him away from me." she confessed as she looked at the portrait of her dead husband on the wall.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTdjGBffgu
" When I think of your father's cruel death, I know I'm going to die..." Zoe covered her mum's lips with two fingers before she could complete her statement.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzytzbqfKO
" No mum, do not say things like that" Nepheli discerned they were both being emotional and thought of cutting it off before it went too far.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCcPcIvquc
"Okay" Nepheli gave out a breath of relief and continued. " It's enough. No more sentiments. It is time to feast. The entire clan of hyenas gathered around a royal table to have their evening feast. At the far two ends of the table were queen Nepheli and Princess Zoe. The royals indulged themselves in a conversation on a topic that kept them working and training, the lions. The hyenas for many years have been waiting for the day the chosen one will be brought to Zuk to gain them victory over the lions. Zoe during such conversations felt so uncomfortable and left out since she had other plans for the kingdom. She had been planning with Damianos for a very long time a way to bring the two bloodlines together and free their colonies. She had always believed in equity and was hoping sooner or later both the lions and hyenas will see things the way she and Damianos sow them. The situation was not any better in the pride land. Damianos always fumed with anger when the lions kept talking about the arrival of the chosen one. He knew deep down in his heart that it was not going to be easy for Zoe and him to bring the peace they wanted into Zuk. He got fed up with the nagging conversations and left the table but was soon followed by his father Vasilis. Damianos looked into the sky which was glimmering with stars and turned to his father who had two blood wines in hand.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0vLvKNwV5
" Want some son?" Vasilis asked 396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukWE9Xrsv6
"Yes" Damianos said and took in the wine in one gulp.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8twzHMhrfO
"I really needed that" Damianos continued shaking his head. There was silence between the two as they viewed the stars in the sky.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcj37LytQX
"Centuries, and each time we continue the story of the past just to repeat the same thing. When will this stop dad? We do not learn from history. This ridiculous fight will go on because we are all chasing the wind. There is no chosen one dad and if there is then the chosen one is in us. It is only peace that will make things better not war" Damianos said and turned to look at his father. Vasilis sighed and also turned to look at his soon396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKUX788jQ6
"There is a lot to life Damianos. We all have been like you but, not all the people of your generation will be like us. Everything on this land can change with the movement of the wind. Thoughts, dreams, and even intentions. If you know that there once was a time things were not like this, then the land becomes what it is, a revolution. But you will not understand now. As much as I want to explain somethings to you, I will leave you to discover and explain it in your own words.... for all you know, my explanation can confuse your young brain. All we need right now is redemption and soon it will arrive" Vasilis explained.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRGWcClW9o
" You mean the chosen one?" Damianos asked396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh4zik9gVf
" Yes, the one to fight and gain us our colonies and this entire land. Isn't that what you want. Do not overthink son. Go to sleep and get prepared for the good news son"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkpqXRQoZT
" I'll stay awake to watch the twinkling stars. Goodnight father"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyVRCLIDC7
"Goodnight son"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAII5Ljifd
Zoe's eyes were finally put to rest when the topic of the great war against the lions was changed. Just when she got lost in taught, she heard her name.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbcaaQjUQV
''What is wrong Zoe, you look lost'' Queen Nepheli asked396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFzVzumvMy
''It's nothing Queen Nepheli'' Zoe responded.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ8YTe7YIA
''Where is Rita,'' Zoe turned to ask the new servant behind her. Before the new servant could speak Queen Nepheli opened up.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BR3tU7XAM
''Who is Rita, your old servant''396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiOAedG8NC
"Sorry Queen Nepheli but what do you mean by my 'old servant' ''Zoe asked.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSulq4dXwQc
''Before I answer you, my dear, did you like your meat''396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnJq87aw4D
''Very well Queen Nepheli'' she responded.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42XvT89cMS
''Good, how was your old servant'' Queen Nepheli asked again. This time, the blood in Zoe's face drained and became pale.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpL2GKUdAQ
''Queen Nepheli why are you speaking in past tense'' Zoe asked.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz76c2GUZEh
''I asked you a simple question, Zoe'' Nepheli fixed her gaze on Zoe smirking396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa2pnpxoAA
''She is very nice, cool, calm, and collected. She cares about me a lot''396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjCrATTbX1
''Mmm, I see''Nepheli said staring into her meal.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu46wmthYc
No one on the table dared to talk. It was an old tradition never to disturb the supreme royals when they were in a conversation.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhh8gjsf1k
''Rita'' Queen Nepheli tried the word as if it sounded awkward396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ9SFWSW79
''Not only did Rita care for my daughter people, but she also satisfied her hunger'' She addressed the people. For some time, everyone tried to hold back their laughter but Queen Nepheli permitted them, everyone burst out.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAO2n1wdDY
''Queen Nepheli, what do you mean by...''396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnLP5igOLa
''You ate Rita princess'' Queen Nepheli spoke before Zoe could come to a conclusion396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlmyUgrj7d
''I just ate my favorite servant'' Zoe said as she avoided her tears. She knew her mom hated tears and she just had to fight it back. After the feast, she rushed to her room, locked her door, and threw herself on her bed letting her sobs take over the still of her room.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUGgPIASaA
''Why mother, why did you have to change'' she said as she pressed her face down the pillow. For a moment, she wished Damianos was there to kiss her tears away. He could teleport to her or she could to him but both leagues will smell an intruder and it would be their end. Their story would end before it even started. Their dreams of uniting the lions and hyenas will go down the drain. She just had to endure for now. Until Damianos and her come up with a foolproof plan. A plan to make planet Zuk live again.
