The lion had barely been able to flee from the one-sided fight against his older brother. As loathe as he was to retreat, it was the only course of action available to him if he wanted to survive. He was driven out of the savanna where his family’s pride lived, given no time to lick his wounds before he had to escape into the unfamiliar territory that is the Swamp.

Even once the open skies of the desert had long been covered by a canopy of trees, he could still hear the growls and jeers of his pride-mates ringing in his ears. He knew he was born different from his siblings, the glow of his skin stark against the dark coloration of his fur but as a kitten it was an amusing quality. But it became all the more apparent when his mane grew out and whether it was out of envy or concern for his role within the pride, his oldest brother challenged him.

He wasn’t the runt of the litter, but his oldest brother had always been eyeing the position of pride leader and had several seasons worth of experience and knowledge over him. It was a decidedly one-sided fight. It took all of his skill and cunning to even make it out alive. Perhaps his oldest brother grew tired of the chase, but the luminescent lion preferred to think that it was by his strength and speed that he made it all the way to the Swamp without getting caught.

Once the lion was certain he was safe, he allowed himself to rest and recover and plan. But this plan was not one of revenge. No, this plan was one of moving forward into the future! He would form his own pride here, he would create his own family that he would protect. But he would not welcome just anyone into it. He was going to choose, and whether they were lion or not was irrelevant. So long as they have something in them that strikes a chord in him, or he is drawn to them, they will be his.

As he explored the Swamp, the land that would be his new home, the lion eventually came upon a small acha foal. And it occurred to him how strange it was to find one here in the swamp rather than under the bright, blazing sun of the desert. At first he thought to eat it, after all a meal was needed. But there was something in the shape of her markings, the coloration of her fur that left him transfixed.

There was a glow to her as well, but it was only visible within the darkness of the underbrush she was hiding in. While he pondered on what he should do with the foal, their eyes met.

And in that moment, he knew she was his in the same way he knew he was hers. He would guard her and protect her, and in her own way she would safeguard him in spirit and mind.

"And that is our story, Love and Affection." Sun-Cursed declared proudly to the lion sleeping at her feet.

The lion stirred, gave a lazy yawn, rolled onto his back and once again fell asleep. The reality of their actual encounter was far too mundane to Sun-Cursed. So she had taken it upon herself to stare into the light to dream up of a more fitting story to their bond.