Tiger's Blood

Kira’s tears slide down her face. Her cheeks turn red as a rose. Her father? That old scruffy guy who pushed Ethan out of the way was Kira’s father? Ethan holds his arms out to give her a hug, but she shoves him away bitterly.

“If it wasn’t for your kind, I wouldn’t have gotten myself into this fucking mess! I would be back home with my father and my little sister Lily. I would be home with my toys and my books to read and I would be safe. I should have never left my house and I should have never trusted a stupid, ignorant Lion who almost got me killed multiple times!” she says sharply. Kira walks into Noah’s arms and he glares at Ethan nervously. I could see the frustration in Ethan’s eyes.

“Guys we don’t have time for fighting right now, let’s get our asses out of here before we get them handed to us on a silver platter. You two can resolve this later, we need to go now,” I say irritably. Noah nods and I lead the way. We run towards the exit when a cluster of Lions in the Kingdom blocks our path. They all look at Kira anxiously.

“Are you the Tiger Blood who escaped?” a younger girl asks her shyly.

“Yes I am, but I do not mean you guys any harm. I came from the most eastern part of Bitotem to kill your asshole King Andrew. He has told you all lies, he tortures his own kind, and he has killed many innocent Bloods heartlessly, including almost the whole race of Tiger Bloods. He has controlled and ruled your pride for so long in terror. You all should be thankful that this brave Lion Ethan has rid you of your cruel, senseless, and oblivious King. If I were you Lions, I would escape this underground Kingdom and go up and taste the air above the ground. Look at how beautiful our world is without worrying about displeasing a ruthless leader. Live your own lives, meet new Bloods, do something for a change than stay here and live your lives in fear,” Kira says.

The Lions look hopeful and confident until Ethan’s older brother Jett walks in. “Everybody, settle down please. I, Jett Kingsley, oldest son of the late Andrew Kingsley, hereby take over as King in the Lion’s pride. I will fulfill my father’s dream of conquering and ruling our land of Bitotem. As my first order of King, I command that the Tiger Blood be executed. She has caused us all this pain and sorrow in our lovely Kingdom. You just listened to her babble on hateful curses on our beloved King Andrew. I find this personally offensive and threatening to our Kingdom and if I hear any more of it from anyone they will be hanged,” Jett says.

“Don’t fall for his fancy talk Lions, I’m not the one causing you this pain, the Kings are!” Kira screams. “Kira, come on we need to go now,” I pull her back. Kira mutates and the Lion’s back away in fear. “My people she will not hurt any of you,” Ethan says calmly. They all run away horrified by seeing Kira’s Tiger Blood. “Noah, come on we have to hurry,” Ethan says. He climbs up on Kira’s back and Noah follows.

I step in front of Kira and touch her large pink nose, “Kira follow me ok?” I scream. She inhales then gives a deep growl in response and I mutate and fly ahead of her. She follows me through the Kingdom quickly. My black and white feathers float gently off my wings as I glide through the air, watching the Kingdom flee in terror over the Tiger Blood intruding.

They run swiftly throughout the Kingdom as I fly ahead. Kira knocks into the walls and some bricks fall on her, but they keep on proceeding. I use my Eagle sight to watch Kira from above. Noah grabs onto Ethan shoulders trying to keep balance. I don’t blame him, Kira runs and leaps very fast, almost faster than me flying. I lead her towards the entrance of the Kingdom. There are multiple guards in the Entrance towers. They fire multiple arrows at us, and one grazes Kira on her face. She growls and shakes it off. “Kira keep going, you’re doing great.” Ethan encourages her.

We cross the rock bridge over the river that surrounds the Kingdom and I flap my wings quickly and land softly on a rock next to the river. I mutate and Noah and Ethan hop off of Kira. “Kira drink some water, you need some more energy.” Noah scratches her behind her small round ears. Kira grumbles and drinks from the river. Her long pink tongue laps up the water from the clear river. I look off in the distance at the Kingdom. I notice a group of people running out of the entrance. The guards fire arrows at them, but they miss. “Hey guys, look some people must have listened to Kira’s speech,” Noah points over at the same small group I notice.

“No, those aren’t Lions, they are the captured Bloods. I left the door unlocked from the caves under the Kingdom where I live. When Kira and I were planning this escape, I knew that Andrew would be too focused on finding Kira that he wouldn’t notice his prisoners escaping. I stopped here because I told them to meet me by the river outside of the Kingdom,” I clarify. The captured Bloods run quickly towards us and I greet them. “Chase, thank you for saving us,” an older woman holds my hand and kisses it lightly. “It was no problem, thank Kira for helping me rebel against the Kingdom. If it wasn’t for her, none of this would have been possible,” I point over to the large White Tiger Blood.

She strolls over to us and the Bloods admire her presence. “Thank you so much miss Tiger Blood. We will always be grateful for what you have done for us. If there is anything you need or if you need any help, just give us a loud roar and we will find you,” The older woman touches Kira’s forehead and Kira grumbles deeply. The group of Bloods quickly leave on the path towards the outside world.

A younger woman walks up and hands me my little sister Claire and leaves with the other Bloods. “Thank you miss,” I say. She nods and follows the rest of the Bloods. Claire looks lifeless in my arms. “Damn, I didn’t know Claire was growing so much,” Ethan says. “She’s not growing enough. Look, she’s barely holding on,” I rub her head gently. She coughs softly and opens her eyes. “Claire look at the pretty Tiger. She saved you. She saved us. She will take care of us,” my voice becomes scratchy and a tear slumps down my face.

Kira sniffs Claire lightly. Claire puts her small hand on Kira’s nose. “Kitty,” she whispers. Kira licks her tiny hand and Claire’s eyes shut slowly, passing over. I cry loudly and kiss her forehead mildly. I walk over to the river and gently place her body on top of the water. We watch the currents of the river glide her into her watery grave. Kira gives a soft roar for Claire and Ethan gives me a hug. I’ll miss you little sister. Stay safe in the afterlife.