“Now, let’s pretend a human hurt Slaen here.” The cubs laughed. “No, no, be serious. It can happen.” They frowned. “Some humans are Hunters, and they are specially trained to kill any animal-souled people they find. Even lion-souled.”
“But if we’re stronger and faster, how can they kill us?” Leine asked.
“They’re very clever, and they know that lion-souled people are weak against silver.” Everyone sucked in a breath. “So, let’s pretend that a Hunter somehow managed to kill Slaen.”
At the phrase, Slaen grabbed his chest and collapsed to the ground in exaggerated death throes. A chorus of giggles spawned, but Shiro didn’t hush them this time. “Very dramatic, thank you.” He looked back to the group. “How would you feel?”
There was a chorus of “Angry!” and “Sad!” and the like from the cubs. “Dead!” Slaen piped up from his spot on the ground.
“Hey, the dead can’t talk!” Issere protested, folding her arms indignantly.
“Okay, settle down. What would you want to do to the Hunter who killed Slaen?”
“Kill ‘em!” the cubs all roared immediately.
“Right. You’d be vengeful, yeah?” The cubs roared their affirmation. “You’d stop at nothing to find the one responsible. Well, imagine if you killed a Hunter you didn’t have to. How do you think they’d feel?” The cubs fidgeted as the realization hit them.
He continued, “Lion-souls kill only when they have to. That’s how the hunt goes, and that’s how it is with humans, too. You shouldn’t kill if you don’t need to. If you cause a human enough pain, they’ll stop coming after you. It will let you escape so you can come back to the pride and not bring trouble with you. It will also buy the pride time to regroup and perhaps move on while that Hunter recovers. Remember: a wounded enemy has to be looked after; a slain enemy has to be avenged. Got it?” There were solemn nods all around.
Lion Soul, chapter 1 a collaboration by @braincoins & @yliseryn art by Yliseryn