Living in someones shadow is never easy, especially when that shadow is as vast as Wafu's father, Karvanis. Growing up under the "Hero of the Noble Star!" is not an easy task. I can hear the stars too! Wafu always proclaimed, but always fell on deft ears. It`s never easy as a young cub, to be openly ignored by those around you.

Your Father this, your Father that.. You should be more like your Father.. Don't embarrass your Father.. Your a disgrace to your Father.. Damned that man and his Noble Star! he said before spitting. Who needs his damn stupid star.. I have my own Star! he looked up to the sky, looking to one lonely star. ..And my star is the better! he said proudly before hearing it speak. You are such a loyal subject, Wafu. My most treasured supporter.

Hearing him talk, made Wafu so over joyed. His star was the greatest, his star loved him! Sure his parents "loved" him, but their love is a false love! Never once did he believe they truly loved him, or care about his muse like his siblings. He fell into his fathers shadow, and was destined to be forgotten, lost in memories of days since past.. or so he thought.

The weather was unstable that day, outrageous bolts of lightning crashed into the grounds around him. Standing on a tall ledge, over looking lands before him, without a single clue of the great adventure about to be pushed upon him. The ground was turning to mud quickly, but so lost in thought he failed to notice his footing failing. A sudden crash of thunder, and a nearby lightning strike startled the young lion, sending him tumbling down the mountain side and crashing into a stump. He was out like a light.

Oh, my dearest Wafu, I have been watching you for many many dark skies now.. I feel your pain, your misery and I can no longer hold back.. You have known "false" love your entire life, from a "false" father. You are mine, Wafu.. You are piece of me, you are my "Son". the booming voice of the Dead Star, echoed through his head. These lands are not for you my child, you do not belong among them.. I command you, venture forth and find your way. Give in to your inner star, let it guide you, let it guide you, and help you on your journey.

Finally snapping under the pressure, his mind began to create and weave a tale to rid him of his misery. He convinced himself he is one with the Dead Star, and that his words were above law and reason. They were the absolute. Never again would he return to normal, never again would he be a quiet and lonely lion.. Never again. From this day forward, the madness would take hold of him, and control his actions. Changed greatly, unstable and unpredictable, he would be a delightful encounter to all those that he passes.

Waking in the morning sky, Looking at his surroundings again, with new eyes, with a new vision. He finally "saw" the land for what it was.. a prison. Lush green leaves appeared gray and lifeless, the beautiful blue sky was now a dull shade of blue, and clouds looked lifeless. His view on the world had become tainted by the Dead Star.

Belong..? No.. Leave..? Must do, must do. MUST ESCAPE! His body becoming tense, his tail twitching behind him. His eyes shifting around, everything was so new to him, how could he escape this prison, where could he go. Listen to father star, Listen listen listen. He began to run, faster and faster. He was lost, confused but not without a purpose. Searching for a way to leave, he rushed forward, never stopping. Stop and die, stop and die he said over and over. Truly convinced his existence would end if he lingered any longer.

Escape my child, you must! he heard echoing in his head. The storm last night, gave him an unhindered escape. Other lions were hiding in safety or still asleep. Running for what seemed like forever, the colors slowly became less and less dull, the hint of freedom before him. With out even the smallest hint of hesitation, he burst past the borders and raced off into the unknown. His heart began to race faster and faster, finally he found direction in his life.

Dead Star.. Father Star! Watch me, watch me run, watch me obey. he yelled aloud. I am my child. This adventure is your own tho, and from this point on, watching is all I can do. the voice said softly. Stopping to a dead halt he looked to the sky, to the stars resting place. Not understand.. Faliure, am I failure? he whimpered. Never will you be a failure. This task is for you only. I'll always be watching my child, make me proud! and the voice was gone. Wafu would never directly hear the Dead Star speak to him again, but what was done, is done. Understanding.. understanding. Proud, proud I will make you, and return to you, return one day. One day... One day... One.. day. and with that he slowly began to pad off once again.

Trekking forward, sad but holding his head up, he began to set out. Tho the Dead Star's voice was forever lost to him, every action that day forward would be to please it. His inner voice, Inner star, would lead him down a road unlike anything he had experienced before. Forever changed, and born anew. Wafu'Kusema would make his own way, live his own life, and accomplish many many things before one day find his eternal place next to his Dead Star.

Wafu was now "Dead." Never would he step foot in his birth lands, or cross paths with them. He will simply thought of as lost, gone missing in a great thunderstorm. That fateful night, one lion died, and another was born. And so ends the chapter of Wafu of Kizingo'zaa, but where one chapter ends, a new one begins.