It felt like a single minute had been stretched to infinity; perhaps months had passed, even years.
Tobey awoke!
However, he couldn't feel his body, furthermore, darkness enveloped him, still, he knew he was alive...or pretty close. Death had an aftertaste to it and despite the abysmal tranquil, Tobey was sure of it. This was life.
Perhaps he was not yet birthed and was indeed in the embrace of the womb of his-to-be spawn point.
'Haa~ always gotta be with the waiting.'
With nothing better to do, Tobey indulged himself with thoughts on plans, dreams and achievements he shall reap in this new life. The judges had declared his merit lackluster in that he was deprived of a future of grandiose fantasy, still, he couldn't help but believe that his new world wouldn't be as boring as the last.
And that— The Orphic!
What even was up with that? Yeah, not ominous at all! Just some supreme being keeping tabs on him from now on. Yeah, peace of cake!
'FucK! "You shall lose your humanity",' Tobey phantasmically pulled at his hair.
What was that supposed to mean? He vowed to himself that if he gained consciousness and discovered that he was some goblin or inferior species?
'On god, I'm killing myself!'
Time stretched further, and Tobey's consciousness began to waver, fatigue was taking over and he allowed rest to wash over him knowing that the next time his eyes shall open, he'll finally be able to gaze at the world!
'A new chapter, Tobey, you can bite off more than you can chew this time around...just swallow!'
••• ••• ••••
The Savannah was eerily calm this afternoon, the heat taking its toll on the inhabitants of the land. The cold-blooded creatures sprawled themselves across rocks to invite the kiss of warmth upon them. On the other hand, massive creatures dipped their hides in water for a swim.
Then there were the Cats!
Upon the trees, across rocks, within bushes, under trees...different species, yet united by universal law of laziness.
On one particular rock formation; sprinkled with Acacia trees and a gigantic Baobab, was a known home of the ruling brown cats. Most were outside, in the shade of trees napping after a hefty meal. Those in the main den were mothers of the new batch of cubs, watching over their energetic plays.
Amidst the several–weeks–old cubs, was one peculiar little bub. While others were chasing their tails like mutts, it remained by its mothers side; sprawled on the ground on its belly with its forelimbs by its side. Truthfully, the other mothers had been puzzled by its unusual behavior. A naturally quiet cub was no 7th wonder of the world, but this particular one spent most of its days in a state of pseudo–hibernation.
The pride would've discarded it long ago if not for its ability to actually feed. They invested hope in its maturity!
And now, perhaps it was time for their patience to bear fruit.
The peculiar cub flinched as if electricity had graced its veins. With a gasp reminiscent of a drowning man, it opened its eyes, wide! It leapt to its feet abruptly and immediately fell on its back when its hind limbs couldn't administer the required balance ratio. The other cubs stopped playing and the rest of the females perked their ears and stared curiously at the weird one's antics.
'Goddamn! Sup with these bitchy legs, did I reincarnate in the body of a drunk?' Unbeknownst to all around, the cub – a previously empty vessel, had finally received its host – was trying its hardest to familiarize itself with the disorienting body!
One of the females arose from its state of rest and padded happily–albeit cautiously, to her cub. She was relieved that it would no longer be perceived as dead weight and abandoned by the pride. She got close and took in the scent of her son...her tail wagged!
The cub had managed to fall on its rear, unknowingly sitting on its tail. For a being of wild, it wore an equally confused and pensive expression across its face. Suddenly, it felt a tickling nudge from its back. Tobey chose to ignore it for now, he had so much going on in his mind to even realize his surroundings. A second nudge near toppled him over.
Now this garnered his attention, he spun around with all the agitation of an insomniac student with a hungover. The migraine was real, it's not everyday you feel your soul attempt to settle in a new body.
Tobey nearly died a second time from fright! His perception slowed as the good Ol' adrenaline flooded his veins. He caught sight of a massive, pinkish tongue descend upon him, and that was all the information he needed to know!
'AaaaaaaaRRHHHHHHH!!! WHAT THE FUCK! I'm in the body of a RAT?!!'
His body moved on its own, his head tucked into his shoulders and he rolled away from the danger! As soon as he'd attained distance, he leapt to his feet and managed to dash two steps before tumbling on the ground!
'Fuck em legs!' He internally screamed as his new body clocked on overexertion.
His pupils contracted to pin pricks as his claws involuntarily flexed from his paws. Wildly, his head turned to his sides, taking in any useful information on his surroundings. Sadly, there weren't any burrows to squeeze his rat ass into. Secondly, he caught sight of a clique of curious kittens and his goal changed. If he was going down, he was taking one or two of the monster's offspring with him.
'Fuck em Kids!'
The other cubs felt a shiver up their spine, their ears curled back and they bared their non-existent fangs; well, as best as they could replicate what their mothers did. But that didn't budge the oncoming weird cub, he didn't get the hint, or rather, he didn't give a damn! His amber eyes paled in focus as he bolted forward on all fours. Instinct admitted it was far easier than trying to balance like a human. His soft claws flexed, cocked for carnage as he closed the distance.
Tobey had roughly estimated their heights to his own, he was apparently the same size as these cubs. 'Heh! I'm quite the chunky rodent.'
He leapt over once he'd gotten closer to one of them. At some point, the cubs had realized this was no longer a game, now they dashed for parental cover; however, the adults thought it merely a play. One of the fleeing cubs looked back just in time to see the mad cub inches from its own head, it chirped and stopped running altogether, it's tail tucked between his legs as it brought its front paws in an attempt to deflect the oncoming clawed paw!
Tobey could taste the fear in this kitty. Not his proudest moment – killing a child – but better than rolling on his back to die as plaything.
But before he could descend all heaven's tribulation on this month–old cub, Tobey felt a vice grip on his nape. His paw harmlessly grazed the lucky bastard's snout before he was hoisted into the air.
Deciding not to go without a fight, he lashed out in every way, profanity from the depths of his soul getting filtered by his lack of appropriate vocal cords.
Then his beholder growled in warning and Tobey ceased all action. His body curled into a pseudo–ball in the maws of the lioness. To Tobey, that growl felt like a V4 engine on bass. While he was making a short prayer–of–discount to the Judges he believed to surely soon meet, Tobey got a glimpse of his tail. It...oddly resembled the other cubs'!
'Oh? Now this is a good development!'
The lioness, sensing the calm of her cub, decided to trust it not to cause sudden chaos. She put Tobey down and chose to lay beside the cub, her massive paws as walls around him.
'Fine, I get it, damn. No more, I'll be in my best behaviour...' Tobey rolled as much of his lion eyes could.
His mother wasn't convinced. She locked eyes with him, unblinking. He stared right back. She snorted, scoffed, then lowered her head and lolled out her tongue to groom him.
Tobey allowed it. His mind was already racing elsewhere. His claws flexed, popping in and out like a magic trick.His tongue toured the inside of his mouth, no teeth yet, but the potential was there! Of all the creatures in the animal kingdom to respawn as...the cat family was just a bonus at this point. He loved cats in his past life, and now, he supposedly was a member of one of their strongest species!
'Watch out world, a King has been born!'