The Great Journey to Refuge

The Start

Everything starts a long time ago in North Africa, specifically in the Atlas Mountains where my father, my uncle and his wife, my grandfather, my grandmother, and my grandfather's friend lived. They were discussing what to do next, as there was hardly any food and water in the region, which almost led to the extinction of our species, with them being the last ones.

We need to leave this place, we can't sustain ourselves here. We need to go towards the center where there are mountains and forests. There must be plenty of food and water there.-Said my father, firm and determined.

But it's dangerous to go. We might encounter other male lions who own territories, and we can't fight in our current state.-Said my uncle, calm and concerned.

But we can't stay here. We have to take the risk.-said my father.

My son, I know we can't stay here, but leaving is too dangerous, especially for your mother, who can barely hunt anymore.-Said my grandfather.

That's because the remaining prey consume too much of our energy. If we go to the center, it won't be as much of a problem.-Said my grandfather's friend, carrying a large camel carcass.

I could barely find this camel. They must already be migrating. We need to leave soon. It will keep us healthy for only three days.-He said.

(Sigh...) Well, since it's truly necessary, you need to have an idea of what we will face on the journey.-Said my grandfather.

I know that, Father. I know it won't be easy, and we might encounter various other carnivores who can harm us, but... It's a risk we have to take.-Said my father.

Jawari, let your mother and your wife know that we're leaving tomorrow when we wake up.-Said my grandfather.

Okay, Dad. I'll let them know...-He said, heading inside the cave.

I hope it's the right choice... My grandfather said, concerned for my grandmother's safety.

She's weakened. When she tried to catch gazelles, she became so tired that she fainted in the middle of the hunt. My aunt and uncle rushed to help her as they were hunting together. When they got home, they let her rest. When she woke up, she could hardly move. She kept trembling when she tried. Therefore, it's impossible for her to travel with us. She was like this for the first three days, but now she can walk for a while.

Why don't we carry her? In case she gets tired?-Asked my grandfather's friend.

That's a good idea. We can take turns carrying her, so it will be better for her.-My father said happily.

After a while, my uncle returns and says they are in agreement.

Since everything is settled, we will leave this place as soon as it's daylight.-My father said confidently.

Meanwhile, in South Africa...

An epidemic is happening, a disease where several predators and prey are dying. With the carcasses, vultures, hyenas, jackals, and even lions are contracting the disease.

This disease came from a mixture of poisons from two snakes, a Black Mamba and a Gaboon Viper.

The two were fighting over a meerkat carcass.

They fought near a huge river, reaching a point where both fell into the water. But the fight continued as they tried to bite each other, swimming as fast as they could to deliver a fatal bite.

At that moment, they both tried to attack each other's backs, opened their mouths, and when they collided... Their teeth broke, causing their venoms to mix with each other and with the water, leaving it infected. Two eagles arrived and ate the snakes.