Hidden Animal

“People, are you ready to see these warriors fight for their lives?” the speaker, decked in bright yellow robes, yelled out to the crowd. As a young man named Constantin and 14 other young boys, with weapons, walk into the center of the pit. On the planet of Aueros, males, at the age of 18, must fight lion humanoids to be placed and accepted into the planet’s society.

“We are here today to watch these young boys become men. On this fine day, our leader, Aurav, has come to watch and see the future of Aueros in the making.” The speaker introduces King Aurav of Aueros. The king is a tall, grey-skinned man who, after spending time on Earth, adopted a fascination to Roman life and applied some of what he learned to his planet’s lifestyle. He, especially, was interested in gladiators and created a method to bring only the strong to rule the planet.

King Aurav silenced the roaring crowd. “Bring in the beasts!” The gates, around the pit, began to open and 15 lion humanoids came into the pit. The creatures were 9-feet tall with fur color ranging from a light tan to a semi-dark brown, cat ears and tails, as well as sharp teeth and claws. It has been told that these creatures were created by an unstable scientist whose intact desire was to continuously clone the lions that were found on Earth until he was successfully able to change their genetic composition. After succeeding in his attempt, the scientist was killed. The story went that someone was visiting the scientist to return some documents and discovered his bloodied body in his home. Many believe that his creation killed him. However, they are others who believe some nefarious doing was behind his death.

Regardless of the theories, the humanoids were seen as a disgraced species on the planet and were only used for entertainment and servitude. People say that these creatures are impossible to tame, so entertainment and servitude was the only way to control them.

“Make us proud and bring great pride and fortune to the people of Aueros,” King Aurav says to the boys. “The ones left alive will take their positions as members of my new council. Now fight!” King Aurav sat down on his throne, with the speaker and his current council members watching the fighting take place.

The humanoids jumped towards the group of boys and started to attack them. At the start, five of the boys were already killed by having either their throat slashed or their limbs eaten off. Constantin, armed with a spear, tried to defend himself against three oncoming humanoids. The lions pounced towards the boy and Constantin was able to jump out of the way and used pressure point tactics to render the big alien cats unconscious. This caught the king’s attention. “Interesting. I have never seen a warrior use such a method before.” “Neither have I, my lord.” Said Caiu, King Aurav’s right-hand man. “I do not think any of us have seen this type of fighting before.” The two men watched closely to see what the young man has planned.

During the discussion between the king and his right hand, six more boys were already died, leaving only four boys left. In addition to the boys’ death, seven lions were killed, leaving only five left. Surprisingly, three of the lions were rendered unconscious the same way as the other three previously. Two of the boys attacked and killed two more lions, leaving them three to face off, which quickly changed to two, when Constantin put one of them to sleep. The four boys decided that two of them will attack one, while the others will attack the other. They jump into action and successfully kill the lions and survived. The crowd goes crazy, watching the four boys defeat the beasts.

The king stands up and congratulates the boys. “You all fought well today, reminds me of when I was fighting in the pit. Now, please tell me your names so we can honor you all.”

“My name is Aellius,” said the black-haired and green-eyed, 6-foot grey and tanned-skinned boy.

“My name is Faustus,” said the blond-haired, grey-eyed, and grey and tanned skin boy.

“My name is Petran,” said the blond-haired, green-eyed, and grey-skinned boy.

And finally, “my name is Constantin,” said the brown-haired, grey-skinned, and eyes boy.

“We honor you four today for your skills and abilities. Now, we welcome you to the council, please come to us to receive your duties.” Said the king as he leaves with his council. The four boys follow and see the council room, looking like a traditional Roman room. “Welcome to your new home, please follow the members as they can tell you about your new jobs.” Said the king once he entered the room. “But first I would like to speak to Constantin”.

Constantin stays back and waits for the room to be cleared to speak with the king. “Your fighting was very interesting. You did not kill a single lion, why is that?” the king asked.

With his head handle high, Constantin replies “I do not believe in taking a being’s life without cause and I know that those creatures were forced to attack us, so I used less violent ways to neutralize the lions”. King Aurav was intrigued at the response and walked up to the boy. “You are a man of great knowledge and kindness, something that will be of great use in the council, especially considering what you are.”

Constantin felt fear, but covered it up with a look of confusion. “What do you mean, my lord?” The king circled the boy like an animal. “What I mean is that you are not like us, are you? Know your place, but since I elected you as part of my council, I suggest you step lightly, Leos.” Constantin felt the air leave his lungs as the king knew his secret.

As the king left the room, Constantin began to panic and wonder how much the king knew. He knew of his former name: Leos. But what else? Constantin has spent most of his young life, trying to forge a new life for himself as his family has died from the disease that plagued his planet 3 years ago.

Constantin began to remember his early days before his arrival to the city.

Standing at the graves of his beloved family, Leos placed flowers on the stones of his father, mother, and sister before turning and walking away.

Leos made his way to his uncle’s house - the only family he had left. His uncle, Atticus, was well versed in the world of science. He believed that these creatures called lions from the planet Earth could be of use for Aureos.

Leos spent days to months to years, watching his uncle work on these creatures. At first, Leos was uninterested in these interplanetary creatures, but as he bears witness to their biological and physiological changes, he began to miss the creature’s original makeup and wondered why his uncle was so obsessed with creating anew with this species. The lions no longer looked like what their Earth counterparts looked like, but they showed signs of intelligence.

They were able to comprehend the words that he and his uncle spoke. They were able to use machinery and tools as they do. It was extraordinary and Leos began to bond with the former lions and saw them as friends.

One day, while tending to the fields, Leos saw a royal envoy heading to the house. Curious as to what this arrival meant, Leos sneakily went over to the house and remained hidden as to see what a royal, so far from the city, would want here.

Exiting the envoy was King Aurva. Leos was stunned and lost for words. The king, in the outskirts, was unheard of.

Uncle Atticus greeted the king and his guards. He ushered them into the house. Leos moved closer to the house but remained hidden to hear what was spoken.

“The creatures have been successful in the experimentations.” uncle Atticus told the king as he served him and his guards’ food and drink. “They are now upright; they understand language and they can manage tools as any normal being.”

Uncle Atticus sat down and continued, “They will be great additions to the city. They can help maintain the city’s infrastructure and help push our society onward.” Uncle Atticus was beaming with joy with the breakthrough and with the possibility of developing Aureos further.

King Aurva chuckled, “do you truly believe that these animals can do as what you say?” He continued, “I asked of you to man these creatures to become weapons for potential battles and servants to care for the people. What use are these creatures if they can’t fulfill neither role?” he asked Uncle Atticus, unpleased with his work.

Uncle Atticus was confused, as was Leos, why was the king dismissing the possible work that these former lions might perform for the city?

The king rises from his seat, “It seems that you failed to follow my orders. Dispose of the creatures and start anew.” The king moves to exit the house until he was stopped by Uncle Atticus’ response.

“No,” Uncle Atticus said, “No, I will not dispose of them and start anew. They are good as they are and can help the people. You are just too foolish to see that.”

Leos was shocked. How can Uncle Atticus say those words to the king? The king’s guards were shocked as well. The only person unphased was the king himself; he merely laughed.

“Very outspoken you are, aren’t you Atticus?” King Aurva said, “Too outspoken for my taste. See to it that you don’t let it cost you your life. Or the boy’s life as well.” King Aurva moved to leave the area, “Do as your told and you will be greatly rewarded.”

From there the king left, Uncle Atticus stood outside in shock. Leos stood in the shadows in fear. The king was capable of many things. Leos worried for his uncle, but he reassured Leos that all will be well.

Sadly, that wasn’t the case. As one day, Leos found his uncle dead, and the altered lions were gone. Now alone, Leos decided to move to the city and start a new life.

Now, as Constantin, Leos made a vow to honor his uncle’s values for the altered lions and was determined to figure out how to free them from the king’s unfit rule. He doesn’t know how, but he is one step closer to fulfilling the goal. He just needs to move carefully as now the king suspects him as a possible obstacle if he doesn’t play well with what the king says. Life and death; the cost and the price of Leos’s decisions from here on out. The cost and the price he is willing to make to help the misunderstood creatures.