Fallen Allies

Chapter 13 I Can't Stop Losing

The night has passed, the spots of blood that the rain didn't clean off had hardened onto Akili's fur, Akili's eyes were a deep bloodshot red. Rafiki had finished with his treatment over Vitani, but minimal progress had been seen over Vitani, her veins that shined red now went black and the surrounding veins had now taken that deep red color.

'Blood Poison' Akili thought to himself, an ability that came with the Blood Divination. It spreads a poison through the blood from wherever contact was made, Vitani's chances of survival were low and it worried Akili. Footsteps were heard entering the tree, Akili's attention shot towards the entrance but he quickly loosened when he saw Kovu step through the vines.

"Akili? Is that you?" Kovu said with a dry chuckle, a small smile managed to break through Akili, "yes it is Kovu, I'm sorry you and everyone had to see that" he responded his smile quickly disappearing as he looked back at Vitani. "You know, a little over five years ago, Vitani had a chunk of time where she was happier than normal, more energetic and ready to start her day than usual, I have reason to believe that was the time she spent with you" Kovu said looking over to the lion, a small smile coming over his face, "and I thank you for that" he continued.

Akili's eyes watered, "I betrayed her, she deserves so much better, I should've used the rage from the start, I could've stopped all this from happening, it's all my fault" Akili said, his voice cracking apart while fighting back tears. "Hey, listen to me" Kovu said, "this is in no way on you, don't say that, you made Vitani happy, not many people can say that" Kovu said trying to comfort the lion.

Rafiki approached the two lions with a down look over his face, "I'm sorry" Akili's breathing hitched, Kovu's hopeful light faded, "she'll wake up soon, you will have to say your goodbyes" Akili looked defeated, he had tried his hardest yet he still couldn't save someone he truly cared about. "I'll gather everyone" Kovu said stepping out of the tree, leaving Akili to his thoughts again.

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

Kovu had returned a few others following closely behind, the poison in Vitani had now spread, red vein markings now covered almost her entire right side. Imara, Tazama, Shabaha, and Kasi all gasped at the sight of their friend, Akili could only stand and watch as some fell to tears, the royal family had stepped in as well their eyes setting straight to Akili.

Akili looked up to see Nala and Simba approaching him, he wasn't ready for this, "I'm sorry, you guys shouldn't have had to see that" he said averting his gaze back to his paws below him. He was taken by surprise when the two royals encased him in a hug, it reminded Akili of his parents, 'where are you guys when I need you' he thought.

Simba was the first to break the silence, "you have no reason to be sorry Akili, you did nothing wrong, this isn't your fault" he said, "I can't imagine the pain you hold, but know that none of it is on you" he said trying to comfort the lion. Akili held himself back from breaking into tears, everyone else in the tree was watching Akili, the royals pulled away from him allowing him to see everyone else staring at him.

Akili sighed, the tears streaming from the eyes of Kasi and Tazama, Imara was obviously holding them back, Shabaha just looked empty. Akili tried to speak but no words would leave, "I-I'm so sorry" he forced out, "for all of you, I failed you guys" he continued, a few tears finally escaping his eyes.

The four gave rejecting looks, "this isn't on you Akili, don't say that" Kasi said, "Vitani would scold you right now if she heard that you thought that" Tazama said, a small coughing was heard in the corner. The gaze of everyone shot to Vitani who stirred back to consciousness, the four lionesses were quick to approach her, Vitani's vision has focused, and she saw her friends surrounding her.