Welcome to Gaia! ::

The sun was high, and not a cloud was to be seen over the savannah. It was hotter then it usually was, and much of the wildlife was drawn in by the welcoming pools of the local watering hole. Normally this represented a great opportunity for any great hunter who was in need of nourishment. But the lioness sought no food this day. She kept herself far from the many different herds that came to quench their thirst and partake in the soothing waters.

Her long tail lulled lazily back and forth as she stretched herself out underneath an old tree. The branches gave way to the slightest breeze, letting the sun poke through the branches and lush leaves. Chocolate hued fur soaked in the warm rays. The strange willow-like markings along her agile form only accentuated her beauty. Her old pride believed her to be a gift of the earthen gods. She did not think in this way, however, for she saw herself branded a servant. Today was a day of fasting in honor of the gods.

The lioness understood that the world did not revolve around one species, and she felt that by giving up her meal this day she was giving up a part of herself in servitude. She would only watch and observe, even though the pangs of hunger were fiercely ravaging within her. Her stomach began to howl. Oh, how she hated that empty feeling.

She took in a deep breath before gathering up her strength to stand. The lioness decided that she had had enough of the teasingly enticing sight. If she did not see it, she would not want it. She began to walk away to take her mind off of how wonderfully delicious the meaty calf looked as it wandered far from the rest of the buffalo. She would not give in to temptation. She would not break her vow to the gods.

She had caught word of a pride that devoted themselves to the deities. Just as soon as the thought had struck her mind, the lioness spun on her paw pads. She would head towards the Shrines. Maybe then she would be able to find the peace she so longed for. Maybe then she would forget all of her pains from the past.

The journey towards the shrine was not too rough on the lioness. She smiled as she thought about surrounding herself with enlightenment, and seeing sacred stones for her own eyes. She traveled farther up in the mountainous areas of the land. She quickened her steps, hoping to reach it before dark. The lioness hoped that she would be able to find sanctuary among the pride. She felt it in every fiber of her being that she belonged there, that she was destined to live and grow in a place of worship.

Kaia’s ears perked as she came upon the sight of a male walking away from a nearby tree. She would not be so quick to assume him to be kind- he could very well have been a rogue. She knew she was not to trust them. Or at least, she knew not to trust rogues from her own life experiences. Against her better judgment, she said a silent prayer in offering to the gods before she began to walk his way. If she was pre-destined to live in such a holy place, then the gods would not falter in their protective paw.

She was cautious, curious. She picked up as much energy as her voice would allow, for she was not the best public speaker around those she was not familiar with. “Hello there,” she barely managed. "You wouldn't happen to know how far from the Ulili-Mlindaji pride it is from here, would you?" She halted in her step as she awaited a reply.

Part of her was afraid. She was unsure of where she was, or where it was she was truly headed. All that mattered to her was what her heart told her to do- for in her eyes she was listening to the god's tugging at her soul.

Kaia breathed a sigh of relief. Her faith had been reaffirmed about her decision to travel to the shrines. She offered the lion a smile as she briskly walked to meet him. “I’m so glad someone knows where it is. I thought that I was lost.”

She looked to the mountains and the hills nestled within the valley before her gaze returned to the lion. “My name is Kaia,” she introduced herself rather politely, bowing her head as she did so. “I heard of the shrines. How the pride has sanctified a place for the gods. I was awe inspired to visit. I bet it is amazing to live so humbly- always in tune with the gods and living in such devotion. But do they have a such place made for the goddess, Ardhi-haia?”

Kaia was indeed a fervent follower of the earth goddess. She had always believed she was blessed by her, making Ardhi-haia a very momentous aspect in her life. She also believed that the blessing was also a brand- as if the goddess was claiming her as her servant. She had dedicated everything to Ardhi-haia.

Sadness made its way across the lioness’ face. Clearly this troubled her; the pain that she felt for her goddess was made clear as she spoke, “I see then. That is quite unfortunate. It would bring me no greater joy then to see her shrine.” Kaia hoped that it was not in disarray- for if it was, she would find a way to give Ardhi-haia the utmost respect that she deserved.

She eyed the lion a moment, afraid that she might be a bit to bothersome. She shrugged off the feeling before deciding to carry onto a new conversation. She was trying to ease her mind before she entered such a holy place. “I have heard that your pride is rather new… May I ask what drew you to the shrines?” She waited for Raiquen, ready to make her way to their destination.

Kaia did feel slight relief from Raiquen's comforting actions. She kept close to him as they walked on, and began to let all of her worries about the shrine fade. She offered the lion a simple half-smile as he spoke. The stars? Yes, they truly were a beautiful sight. She suddenly spent a moment's time in reflection on the many nights she would lay underneath them with her older brother as he would tell her the story of how they came to be. She missed him so...

"A wondrous reason, indeed. When I was a cub, I would lay in the grass with my brother and we would count them. He would always point out the different images they made in the sky, and entertain me with their many tales."

Emerald eyes took in the many sights as they passed through the pride. Deep within her heart, the earthly-colored lioness felt a strumming pull that begged her to stay. Here she felt at peace.

Kaia's paws came to a stop as she gazed upon the earthly shrine. She was awestruck by the beauty of the holy place. The lioness suddenly fell down prostrate before those sacred stones, clearly paying homage to the ancient goddess Ardhi-haia.

Many moments passed as she remained in silent prayer- the lioness was very devout in her ways. Often times, others thought her rather peculiar. To Kaia, pleasing the goddess was worth more to her then finding her own happiness.

Soon the lioness arose and walked over towards Raiquen. Her smile was sweet, and her eyes shone with a tender gratefulness "I can't thank you enough for guiding me here. I don't know what I would have done if I had not run into you."

The young lioness let her gazed return to the carefully carved stones that lay across the shrine. She felt a sense of duty, obligation as she stood upon the noble ground. Part of her did not want to leave- she was so drawn in by the holiness of it all. This was a sanctuary, a place of peace. She quickly turned to answer her guide, cheerfulness thick in her voice.

“Please, show me more. I am very interested in your pride. Perhaps I can speak with your leader… maybe even ask about an opportunity to keep this shrine…”

Kaia’s eyes almost seemed to brighten in color as the lion made his suggestion. The lioness' tail whipped eagerly behind her as her muzzle formed a brilliant smile. She followed Raiquen as he led her across the terrain to what would seem to be her destiny. “How delightful!! Thank you.” She purred excitedly.

For some strange reason, she felt as though she’d known it all along. This was home.