Power of Lions

Nightmares

Her eyes were finally able to rest after days of no sleep. The horrid days of facing her father's death and mourning took a tole on Assaggi. She tried not to worry her human family but they refused to believe she was fine. Even Nyah could sense that her mother wasn't alright.

Lightning struck the sky the fifth time that night. Assaggi barely tensed at the ringing in her ears. She only shifted a little before setting back into her sleep.

Her mind kept imaging of her father dying there on the floor and the blood that surrounded his body. She dreamt of digging the grave, except the vultures attacked and ate him.

Assaggi clawed the sheets in her sleep. Pain was seen on her face as she fought in her dream.

"Dad!" she screamed. She attacked the birds of prey. "Don't touch him!" Assaggi screeched at the birds.

The scene before her began to change. Ekon's body disappeared and so did the birds. Everything around her changed to a hellish scene. Assaggi watched as the bushes caught fire and the trees began to bleed. Bodies suddenly began to pile around her in a circle.

The sizzle of skin and crackle of bones made her cringe. She tried to cover her eyes but realizes that she was tied down by vines. They were coated in copper that dug into her skin.

She fought against her restraints with all her might. The vines sank deep into her arms. A cry of pain was let out as she lost feeling in her arms. Her arms turned purple from the lack of blood. "Let me go!" Assaggi shrieked at nothing.

Suddenly, she was struck in the middle of her back. She falls forward and lands face first in a puddle of blood and bone. "Pathetic." growled a voice from behind. Assaggi got onto her hands and knees and spun around in a pouncing position. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

Her eyes narrowed when she saw Imamu.  "Spawn of Satan." he spat at her. "I'm glad I killed your father! His pelt would've been great on my wall!" he laughed evilly. He raises a hatchet that was made of wood and sharpen stone. "RAH!" Assaggi roared out. She lunges at Imamu just when he threw the hatchet. She descends on him just as the hatchet sank into her left shoulder.

Burying her teeth into his neck, she viciously tears it. The adrenaline running through her had her forget the pain. Joy and lust for blood was displayed on her face. Imamu screamed and howled, but Assaggi didn't listen.

"Assaggi! Stop!" screamed out a voice of terror.

After ripping out another flab of skin, Assaggi turned around. She panics when she finds Nile and Mesi standing there. Horror was in both of their eyes. "Murderer!" Mesi shrieked in fear. "No, Mesi! It's not what it looks like!" Assaggi screamed but realizes she wasn't speaking in human.

"Get away from us! You monster!" Nile yelled. He takes out a bronze knife and aims at Assaggi. "You murdered my cousin! Savage!" Nile screamed.

Tears ran down Assaggi's face as she was hit with every insult.

Assaggi wakes up in cold sweat and tears streaming down her face. The storm she fell asleep to had ceased. Nile slept beside her with Nyah sleeping in his arms.

She sits up on their bed and looks at her mate and child. The nightmare she witnessed made her worry. What if Nyah won't accept Assaggi for the way she is when she is older? What if when she exposes her true self, Nile won't want her anymore?

Those what if's had Assaggi begin to panic. She slips out of bed and leaves the hut. The chilly air nipped her skin like mosquitos. It was the middle of the night and no one was out. The ground was damp from the rain. Every hair on her body stood by the chilling air.

Quietly, Assaggi walks through the village. She randomly walked around. Animals slept in their pens. Assaggi watched them as they slept. Hunger built up inside her as she stares. Deep inside she wanted to be herself again. She wanted to be the animal she was, just for one night. Licking her sharp teeth, Assaggi starts to walk toward them.

"What are you doing?" said someone.

Assaggi spun around to find Imamu standing there. He only wore trousers but had a knife hanging at his belt. The cocky behavior he had before was gone and replaced with curiosity. 

The hunger faded in her and was replaced with anger. "Midnight walk." she spat. Imamu drifted his gaze toward the pen of chickens. "More like a midnight snack." he chuckled. A growl rumbled through her throat. "Sometimes my instincts want control." Assaggi growls.

"What is it that you want?" she demanded.

"I just want to make peace with you. I can tell you don't like me."

"I know you are not innocent! I can smell the blood on your hands!" Assaggi snapped. She grabs his hand and held it up at his face. Dried blood was on his finger tips. "I know this isn't your own because I recognize it as animal blood!"

Imamu wrenched his grip out of Assaggi's grip. Then he swings his hand at her face.

Pain shot through the entire side of her face. Assaggi falls to her knees from shock. Never in her life has she been struck. And she wasn't going to settle with that!

Growling like the devil himself, Assaggi lunges at Imamu. Every human thing she was taught disappeared at that moment. She woke to her animal instincts. Assaggi began to bite at any bit of flesh she can find.

"AHHH!" Imamu screamed at the top of his lungs. He grabs Assaggi's shoulders to try and throw her off of him.

Claws sank deep into his skin and went downward. Blood immediately pours down his arms and back. Assaggi just continues biting viciously.

"ASSAGGI! STOP!" came the cry of Nile.

The cry of his voice brought back her humanity. Assaggi stops her assault and looks up. The villagers were awake and watching her in horror. Nile stood in front of them with Jomo.

Quickly, Imamu pushes Assaggi off of him and crawls away. "You crazy savage!" he shouted. It caused Assaggi to growl at him, her eyes flashing a red color. "You struck me! And you killed my father!" she screamed.

"And now I'm glad I did!" Imamu screamed back.

"THEN IT'S WAR ON YOU AND YOUR VILLAGE FOR DOING SO!" Assaggi roared.