Temple of the Lion: The Darius Chronicles Vol.1

By Darrell Abdullah Kirk

In an antiquated era from an unsung time, when mans design remained in
sodden soil, lions and Dragons battled for authority over earths lands. The
fi rst war was waged by Ari the father of all lions. He, his fi ve sons and
their forces fought a long victorious fi erce battle against the Dragons, but this
war sadly brought Aris end as well. Agrim, a lion prophet born centuries after
the war foretold of a leader to be born amongst lions. This leader would come
during the age of man and would wield the Nuru or the gift, as its catalyst for
victory delivering hope to all life. After the many wars fought against these
beasts known as the Nungeda, dragons of the ancient world, their Emperor
eventually retreated with his forces back to the Ice Mountains of Hursagam,
hibernating, growing in numbers and preparing for their return centuries later
to decimate all life upon planet earth.
Over fi ve Millennia has pasts since their defeat and the fi rst of the callers appear
during the age of man in the personage of the lion Darius. Darius is the fi rst
of the foretold Diyeen, the one who despite overwhelming Odds, fi ght in the
way of his creator and purpose. Will he bring hope back to lion kind and will
his presence with the aid of the Nuru bring victory over the Nungeda who vows
a triumphant return? This you will gage for yourself within these pages of the
Temple of the Lion The Darius Chronicles.
The fi rst installment of a trilogy detailing the role lions once played in a past
that has escaped the historical annals of earths shrouded history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 31, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465379405

Darrell Abdullah Kirk

Abdullah was born with a vibrant imagination and a fascination with ancient history, the animal world, and his creator. He has taken his vivid imagination and transformed an ancient world we know of today into a mythical realm of colorful and mysterious characters.

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© 2011 by Darrell Abdullah Kirk

ISBN:              Softcover              978-1-4653-7939-9

                        eBook                    978-1-4653-7940-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 05/05/2016

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Contents

In The Beginning The Legend Of Sarrum

Introduction

Chapter 1 A Crown In Peril

Chapter 2 The Cloud Of Dissention

Chapter 3 Of Lions And Dragons

Chapter 4 The Apocalypse

Chapter 5 The Chronicles

Chapter 6 The Message

Chapter 7 The Conquest

Chapter 8 Tribal Life

Chapter 9 Betrayal

Chapter 10 A Lion’s Paradise

Chapter 11 The King And The Pit

Chapter 12 Death And Honor

Chapter 13 Peace And Security

Chapter 14 Journey Into Mystery

Chapter 15 Loyalty And Blood

Chapter 16 The Genesis Of Unification

Chapter 17 Khulkan The Loyal

Chapter 18 Nuru

Chapter 19 Madhad The Just

Chapter 20 The Great Sea

Chapter 21 The Darius Chronicles

Chapter 22 Kaydar The Strong

Chapter 23 Despair

Chapter 24 The Rebirth

Chapter 25 Victory

Glossary Map Places And Terms Used Within Book

The Nungeda Notes

‘Dedicated to those that understand unity as the prime directive, for without it life boils in contempt. A book written for the sincere minds and hearts of those that clamors for this harmony, which is graced by intellect, forged in truth and stabilized through understanding.’

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In The Beginning

THE LEGEND OF SARRUM

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All that you thought you knew about lions is irrelevant once you read the stories written from the temple of the lion . . .

There is a legend held dear amongst lions, spoken from long ago before man ever walked the Earth, when the lands were one, when Earth produced a great bounty without number. It is said The Originator, the supreme creator of all that exists between heaven and earth, shaped Sarrum from the soil of the Earth. Sarrum was the first of all lions, and his companion Uriel and all other life.

Sarrum possessed a luxuriant mane as black as ebony. His eyes were a bright, piercing yellow as if the sun shined within them. Both Sarrum and Uriel’s coats were bright yellow dappled with rich spots, rivaling the patterns of the the Jaguar. The two were King and Queen over all beasts. His rule was to stretch over the distant planet by means of his offspring. The growth of their kind started with his five sons. They all held many gifts, all bestowed upon each at birth by the supreme originator himself. The firstborn was Ardak the Wise. Second born was Khulkan the Loyal, third was Kaydar the Strong, fourth was Bryak the Valiant, and last was Madhad the Just. Daughters too were born to Sarrum as well; they were Tera, Zendla, Tati, Myna, and Hadala.

Sarrum’s cubs flourished in the knowledge of The Originator the kingdom blossomed in number and strength. The population of lions expanded without restraint, making for a mighty nation.

Life remained peaceful during Sarrum’s rule, but soon that peace was interrupted with the emergence of Ash. From the belly of the Earth’s darkest caverns, Ash and a host of his kind, the last of the giant lizards, came forward and challenged Sarrum for control over the planet. Unlike the giant lizards of the past, Ash was something more; he was the first of the Nungeda, possessing powerful wings, thick scales, immense horns, and the ability to breathe fire.

On seeing this, Sarrum called his old cubs and an army of lions together to face this menace at the great mountain Javan. There in Javan dwelt the Sargan, famed saber tooth cats. They joined Sarrum and his cubs in the battle against Ash.

Lasting a sum of three years, it was the bloodiest battle in all lion history, culminating with the eventual defeat of Ash. Sarrum and the Sargan king Tyrak managed to assail him back into the caverns from whence he came. But even though this miraculous defeat of Ash and his horde transpired, an unexpected death occurred. Though victorious, Sarrum suffered horrendous wounds from the battle. With his dying breath, he gave control of his kingdom unto his five sons. Knowing Ash’s relentless desire and possible return, Sarrum began the separation of the tribes by his sons. The sons were commissioned to separate and form tribes into the distant parts of the developing lands. This divide eventually caused physical changes to Sarrum’s offspring, due to change in regional environments.

For centuries after the death of Sarrum’s five sons, the lions lived separately by tribes and prides loyal to Sarrum’s words of long ago and in peace, but that age was doomed to end. Touraj, a rogue lion of unknown descent, came and caused a disruption to this peace. His mission was to unify all lions, setting himself up as their sole King and ruler. Any that resisted were subject to the claw, a painful death. He held the mightiest army of lions the world had ever seen. For a period of five years, they traveled throughout the lands subjugating all the tribes under one banner. Touraj declared the land of Akshaya, Sarrum’s birthplace, as his holy seat of sovereignty and inaugurated a large cave, naming it after the land: temple cave. Such success would be short lived, for The Originators plans are always above the thoughts of flesh.

Eventually, Sanjar was chosen as adjuster from the tribe of Ardak to bring retribution. Sanjar’s anointing was by the first of the Messengers, Navid. He was to go and wage war against Touraj and his fighting lions in the battle of Parshanal. Sanjar mustered a fighting army of lions that he called his A’jyt. They were victorious against Touraj, killing him and all those that supported his evil reign. After that, Sanjar was made Lugal (King) over Akshaya and ensued the temporary age of the Kings. Command came to the Messengers to go and advise the monarchy over the matters of the law, and the Lugal was to listen to their words explicitly. The messengers would show the Lugal signs through intimations, proving their calling. This arrangement would last until the fifth dynasty and only then would start the new Age of Refinement, the release of the tribes.

Introduction

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Temple Cave Akshaya, the city of light, is the haven of the Lugal, a long line of lion kings from the northern, southern, eastern, and western lion tribes. Akshaya has an extraordinary abundance of flora and fauna, large dense forests and an unending blanket of rich grasslands. Immense hills and mountain ranges drape the land, scattered for miles throughout. The most exquisite bounty of animal life, both prey and predator, ranging from the smallest of rodents to the largest of predators. The great saber tooth cats walked these lands during the age of the Lugals. To its west is the largest of all mountains, Kishar. So mighty is the mountain that it appears to scratch the belly of the clouds. It is here the laws are dictated, for during these times the lion realm is that of monarchy. The Lugal answered only to the creator of all things in existence and of the five worlds, The Originator. It is said that through his Messengers his word was promulgated to the Lugals.

Akshaya was now ruled by Kusagra, present and last of the royal lineage of ruling lions. His rule spanned for over twenty years, but now his kingdom lay in peril. The beginning of his rule was a blessed time. He protected the tribes from attacks by the Nungeda, winged dragons from the Ice Mountains. He cleared away their depravity from all the territory of the lions and united the tribes under one rule. Kusagra’s territory was constantly growing. Under his command was a mighty army of lions called the A’jyt, warriors of immeasurable valor, with manes shaved in refined Mohawk styles. Yet, despite all his glory, an unrest saturated Akshaya. A king’s crown lay in peril . . .

CHAPTER 1

A Crown in Peril

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Is all well, my lord? asks Pak, a loyal lemur servant to the Lugal. But the Lugal, or King of Lions, with a vacant look on his face, says nothing. A look of despair fills Kusagra’s eyes. He lies upon his elevated lofty rock that oversees the inwards of Temple Cave with his head low, gazing at the ground below. The immense cave within the side of a large mountain is breathtaking. Temple Cave’s exterior is indeed impressive. Steep slopes stand up like a natural wall all around the mountain, the view is spectacular. A long paved path leads to the cave. This is its only entrance. The entrance is fifteen feet wide and eight feet high and right above its top are writings carved into the mountain, depicting the victory over Nungeda by their ancient ancestor, Sarrum. Entering into the cave, there is a block of stone full of a number of stalagmites. These stalagmites form a row down the long dark corridor.

Farther inside past its long corridor one would behold an emmense, widened passage, it is called the Palace Hall, where its décor is the richest of the whole cave. Inside this massive hall are gigantic stalagmite pillars from the ceiling to the floor. Connected along the sides of the palace are ten smaller chambers, various sanctuaries, and places used for worship. The grand palace walls are filled with crystals from the calcium carbonate buildup, which provides an astounding glitter reflected from the light of standing torches placed sporadically inside the cave. Six foot, flat, oval stones with carved Sarrumki writings depict law, history of past rulers and their victories during their reign graces the cavern walls.

Raised rocks lay around the floor of the room with the largest and most elaborate being the throne of the Lugal placed toward the back of the palace hall. His messenger eagle, Karna, is perched near his rock high above overseeing the cave with piercing eyes. The entire cave, filled with his advisors, tribal heads, priest, wives, lemur servants, and personal guards look upon their ruler in distress, not knowing what it is that bothers him. His advisors implore him to speak as to what is troubling his soul, but Kusagra remains silent. Tonight is quite different then other nights, for the weight of his transgression have fallen swiftly upon him.

Kusagra is a handsome lion, once of great prestige and admiration. He wears six braids in his black, luxuriant mane, signifying his royalty. On his face are green and red markings representing his traditional Lugal rights. On his chest is a plate forged from silver, and inscribed on it are the words ‘He who follows by faith and power.’ However, his most notable features are his eyes, for within them there are no pupils but a yellow glow that emanates constantly. Only the kings possess this light within.

His fame is found in the animal territories conquered under his paws. From the northern kingdom of the saber-tooth cats, the Sargans in the Javan Mountains, to the lands of the southern Sholone bears. A fearless lion indeed, he fought savage wars against the great Nungeda for many years until finally a truce was made between their kinds. However, such is not a lucrative truce. Corruption, greed, and sedition are its motives.

Soon Kusagra’s glory grows short-lived in the eyes of many. A desire for an over-abundance of antelope as food from both sides causes terror to seize the inhabitants of the land. Such a union causes the lives of many innocent lions that protest, but Kusagra learns to harden his heart and observes only his self-gain. To remain strong, Kusagra sees the need to keep all the lion tribes under one banner. His final goal is that all lions under his control think and speak all the same, in unison, under one uniformed territory controlled by him alone.

Meanwhile, on this bleak misty night, amidst the high elevations and mountains in which Temple cave resides, a dark figure emerges. He is intercepted by two guards stationed at the entrance of Temple cave.

What is your business here, stranger? the lead guard asks in a stern voice.

What is my business here? Do you not know whom you address? the mysterious lion grumbles in reply.

Yes, an intruder that will soon meet his death if he does not answer! growls the guard.

The dark figure steps from out of the darkness, revealing his identity as the Messenger Agrim. Death does not crave my company yet, for I am protected by a higher power!

Shocked by his presence, the guards lower their heads in humble acknowledgement over Agrim’s prophetic authority.

Our apologies, Agrim, we did not know it was you. However, by order of the Lugal, I must still ask your reason for coming, before introduction to our master.

I bring the word of The Originator to your Lugal, snarls Agrim.

Yes . . . follow me . . . I shall take you to him right away, replies the guard.

It is said that Agrim is the last of the line of Messengers instituted by The Originator ages ago to declare his judgments along with his guidance to both the Lugal and all the tribal heads and creatures alike. In his youth, Agrim was a vibrant and eloquent speaker, possessing a long black mane with a dark coat almost mahogany in color with spotting throughout. His eyes are slanted amber, never wavering once fixated upon those he addressed. However, age has befallen him; his pace is no longer swift. He walks with a limp that tells the story of his long, perilous life. Age even grapples his voice. Though quite deep, it rasps and rattles with every word spoken. However, despite his physical afflictions, Agrim presses forward just as strong as when young. He is fueled by his devotion and love for the Originator and has been preserved for many decades, outliving the reign of four dynasties. Fearless, with a touch of stubbornness, he approaches the Lugal as he would a rebellious child, for who could stand against him if The Originator is for him.

Agrim follows the guards into Temple Cave and proceeds down its long, dark corridor. Vague rays of light pierce through the corridor far at the end.

Upon finally entering the palace hall, there sits Kusagra upon his lofty rock with his advisors and seven of his mates, wives by his side. Lemur servants groom his luxuriant mane and await his commands. Lemurs were sent from distant lands to serve the Lugal, both in Temple Cave and the military. Valued for their use of versatile hands, much like apes, everything within Temple Cave – the armory, jewelry, and writings – are artistically crafted by these talented prosimians from the isle of Tapash.

Upon seeing Agrim, Kusagra’s announcer, a temple lion, loudly gives way to prayer.

In the name of The Originator, the celestial, the wonderful, the supreme of the five worlds, and beyond, all gratitude to him for our ancestors through the seed of Sarrum, the Lugals, and the ancient code. We humbly thank him for all his gifts, the hoofed Akalun, the resilient Shams, the mighty rivers, and his green grass; glory to the heights above and to all affluent things. I greet all with the words of prosperity, Zabal Napishtu.

Shams is always in reference to the power of the sun. Kusagra quickly catches Agrim’s scent, instantly recognizing him. Agrim . . . is that you?

Agrim remains silent with a glare of disappointment upon his face.

"It is you, old friend, Kusagra laughs. Welcome! It has been a long time since our last communion. How have you been all these years?"

Dispensing with the pleasantries, Agrim firmly states, I come to you with a dire message, Kusagra.

Please, speak.

I bring to you the words of The Originator the glorious and the mighty, that appeared to me in a vision: ‘From your mother’s womb I anointed you. You were a beacon of light in the darkness, the fragrance, and sacred vine of blood. I gave to you the sons of Nungeda, and you trampled them like locust. Your paw I did not stay, and your rule has been a prosperous one. So why have you overstepped my commandments? Why have you chosen death over life?’

Confused and a bit unnerved by Agrim’s words, Kusagra anxiously replies, No more riddles, old one. Of what do you speak?

The Originator has given all the lands into your paws, Agrim shouts, and during your rule not one has fallen by the claw and flame of the Nungeda. So why have you disobeyed by not releasing the tribes into the lands. Why do you continue to hold all the tribes here in this land, as did the Lugals before you?

Kusagra suspiciously looks around at his loyal officials, as if looking for a hint of betrayal in their eyes. He then turns his attention back toward Agrim. He lets out a scornful laugh, Is that why you have come here tonight? I know well the words of The Originator, and I will release them when the time comes-

The time is now, Agrim quickly interrupts. You were commanded to release them during the fifth year of your reign. It is now your tenth year, and still you have refused to obey.

With all the tribes under one rule, the glory of Akshaya has been great and prosperous!

Such glory is not because of what you have done; it is by the lord of all the worlds, snarls Agrim. "It is he that has given Akshaya such glory. For nothing is yours, nothing was yours and nothing shall ever be yours. They are attachments of this world, given by, belonging to and returning back to The Originator."

In a cynical manner, Kusagra replies, "Ok . . . ok I have sinned and failed to follow his word to the exact of your notions. Please, make atonement for me."

However, Agrim knows well that Kusagra is not truly repentant. He realizes Kusagra’s lack of sincerity in asking Agrim to make atonement for him, and due to his long-standing actions, he has failed to readjust his ways for many years. Kusagra’s greed and mismanagement is starting to rip the kingdom apart.

"Kusagra, your flagrant disregard for his commandments has turned The Originator against you. Not only have you not released the tribes throughout the lands, but you have also maintained your alliances with the Nungeda, secret treaties for land and food. Explicit warning was given for you to stay away from the Nungeda, not to take them as allies