Chosen
#4 of Old Stories
This was a story I wrote for the conbook of Furnal Equinox 2016 in Toronto, Canada. The theme for the convention that year was superheroes, so I made up a mixed-species hero origin story. I hope you enjoy reading it.
When I was young, I never thought of myself as much of a hero. As a lion-dog growing up in southern Alabama, I was bullied throughout my life. I guess you could say it was because of my mixed ancestry; after all, my mother and father were not expected to conceive a child, but they did. I grew up as a victim because of it. At school, the name-calling was everywhere. The most common one was always "bat-freak", which came about due to my large ears, inherited from my German Shepherd father. It only got worse when my mane started to grow in. The bullies were ferocious. I wanted them to stop. They never did.
Tragedy struck my first year of high school: my parents were killed striking a pole at 80 mph. The tears I shed that day were many. It seemed the already dark cloud of my life was turning into storm-like obsidian.
But that cloud brightened, as my mother's brother (a lion I always called "Baba") brought me in. He took me out of school and put me into classes at his home in Savannah. It was a relief; no longer was I learning fearfully.
Baba's lessons were always respectful of my limits. In fact, I learned more from him than I ever did in school. After a decade of teaching, he died, but not before he shared an extraordinary revelation.
"Rupert," he'd gasped, lying on his bed, "take_..._ this." With shaking paws, he handed me his medallion--a metal moon, affixed with an emerald. I'd tilted it, making the gemstone shine; it was beautifully crafted.
"Why are you handing this to me?" I rubbed the underside, cool against my pads. It smelled rusty despite the absence of orange markings.
"Because," he whispered, "it is linked to Olapa, Creator of the Moon."
Olapa was a goddess who, according to Maasai legends, lost an eye at the price of her husband Enkai, the creator of all species. "B-but... Baba," I asked, "what do I do with it?"
The elder lion hacked out a painful cough, grimacing. "You," he wheezed out, "have... to travel be_yond_ this mortal plane--"
"B-but... where?"_ _
However, Baba had already passed.
I shed long, hopeless tears. I'd lost mother and father, now Baba as well. I collapsed on the couch behind me, drowning in loss.
The following day, I discovered a portal hidden behind some old wooden boxes in the far corner of the attic. It never appeared until I moved them around. Shocked, I faced the spiraling vortex, wondering of its path. My tufted tail curled around my leg. What if I'm heading towards death? I ignored that thought, heading inside.
At first, it seemed like I was lost.
Then, a powerful voice came to my ears: "You have come."
I gulped down my nerves. This must be Olapa! "Goddess of the Moon," I began, "were you expecting me?" Sweat poured down my brow, damping my mane.
"Yes, child." Her eye opened, a great orb of turquoise. "And I see you have my medallion."
A hard lump formed in my throat. "Y-yes," I blurted out.
Suddenly, a light revealed the goddess' form: a mountainous lioness, her muscles formed of impossible strength.
She lowered to my level. "Did you know, mortal, that your Uncle was the keeper of the Moon's Prophecy?"
I shook my head.
"The Moon's Prophecy," Olapa explained, "states that a Guardian must preserve the lunar orbit to keep Valo'par--Lord of Death--from inhabiting the mortal world." She extended a titanic finger, tapping the amulet I wore. "Since your uncle has passed into the Realm of Spirits, you are now the medallion's keeper." She drew back a claw. Turquoise lightning shot forth, engulfing my entire body. "You," she declared, "will harbor the strength of a thousand oxen and stride the distance of several feline-folk. You will honor me and conquer Valo'par once again! DO YOU CONSENT, MORTAL?"
I couldn't answer. The sensation was making me mute and--
I woke up, peculiarly, in Baba's front lawn. I wondered my encounter was all a dream, since gods are mythical, and--
Go, Olapa's voice thundered. _Go, my child. Valo'par is coming. _
My eyes bugged. I got up quickly. "What," I asked, "where?" A skyward glance revived all of my fears.
A lupine behemoth was approaching, his slow earthquake-steps flattening houses everywhere. He stopped a couple yards before me, his grey form looming over me. How was I going to fight this monster?
Use your powers, Olapa commanded.
I gawked. I had powers now?
I ran to Baba's car, easily heaving it up. I smirked and hurled it at the god's head.
Valo'par's bellow shook the earth. He rubbed his nose with a paw, snarling. Then, the wolf-god lunged forth.
Somehow, I knew what to do. I dashed up Valo'par's muzzle and tore out the ruby in his forehead, unaware of its presence beforehand. All Olapa's doing, thought I as my body tumbled onto gravel.
A thundering crash sounded. Through the debris, four costumed figures appeared.
My eyes widened; it was the famous Paws of Justice! Danger Dog padded forth, flanked by Ferocious Feline, Rocket Rodent and Tiger-Mite. The canine stopped the others. He continued, cape billowing in the wind.
He offered a gloved paw. "Welcome, Rupert," he said. "We've just got word of your powers, and we think you'd be perfect for our team."
I glared at the blue insignia before the handsome face. "S-sure," I replied, returning his gesture.
He laughed. "No need to panic, kid." He put his paws on his hips. "Now, what should we call you by?"
Olapa whispered something in my ear. I relayed it to him.
Danger Dog received my new moniker with praise. "That seems perfect for you," he said, his tail wagging. He swiveled around. "Gentleman, I present to you the newest member of our family: Alahk!"
My tail waved as well, complementing my smile. I was, for the first time in my life, a hero.