A Lion's Head | Characters

Isha

Theme: Dessert Rose - Sting feat. Cheb Mami

Isha seeks the stargates. He and his wife have brought their people to the immortal lands to escape Armageddon in the mortal lands. They soon learn there is no way back. In a sterile world devoid of decomposition, they spend decades irrigating and nurturing what would become the Water Buffalo herdlands.

But why are the birth rates failing? With every generation, more of their culture and society is forgotten as humans are pushed asunder by the indigenous Asura population, who never wanted them on their lands to begin with.

Chala

Theme: Stay - Shakespears Sister

Chala had always known that her husband sought external validation. When his attempts to develop a relationship with their Asura hosts failed, the respect and trust of his dwindling herdspeople stopped being enough. He was slipping away, drawn to a society and culture that was not theirs.

Chala must make a choice: convince him to stay, or let him go—knowing he could not return. She decides to give him an ultimatum. But, it breaks her heart to ask—will he stay with her and trust her faith in the Greater Gods, or will he return to his King?

Oumo

Theme: Nothing Matters - Seth Witcher

He had married a good woman. She had been such a young thing when they had been hand-fasted. He thought to give her time. Years became decades. She was kindness, loyalty, and dependability. He was now an old man, stuck in his ways. He wished he could roam free and not be burdened.

With the tyrant on the throne, how could he wish children into this world?

He hadn't expected her to take matters into her own hands. He had no idea how strongly she had wanted to have a child. When she had shown up wishing to take on a second husband, how could he refuse? He had failed to accommodate her needs.

Mehta

Theme: Complicated - Avril Lavigne

A young acolyte who has a calling. He dreams his deity needs him. A recurring dream of two lions stuck on a rock. He tells his teacher... And sets off.

Nalini

Theme: Rush Rush Paula Abdul

She has been avoiding Malinda for days. Her cousin Yohan warns her that he is hoping to waylay her. She takes the long way around the village. That evening, she begins to feel symptoms of morning sickness and is scolded for her inability to look after herself. Dejected and alone, her cousin Yohan finds her and reassures her that the spirits have a plan.

Saida

Theme: Whispers of the North

"If only I could have a child."

"Why not adopt," her friend asks.

"It's not the same."

"I could have my Gama talk to your Oumo."

"Oumo isn't like that. He is asexual. Besides, I have known him so long, it would feel strange."

"So, who would you have as a father then?"

Just that moment, Davos walks by.

"He would do, if he were willing."

Banchic

Theme: Hazard - Richard Marx

"A caravan comes next week. You have got to escape this poor town, my son. They will come for you like they did for your brother," his mother said.

"I... He is no longer my brother." Banchic recalled the stranger with a face like his, marching past. What spell had the god king cast that his flesh and blood would become a stranger?

Why him and not me?

"Because you are god blessed," the local priest said. "Ishwara protects. You will not fall to the god king. Another fate is in store for you."

"I wish I could marry and live a normal life!"

Maybe in the next life.

A Lion's Head By D.M. De Alwis

Two hybrids were created to serve and protect. Their success is tempered by circumstance. Both are cut loose, abandoned, and left alone to find their way through Samsara.

Who would desire a fierce lion at their hearth? Sinha is a young immortal asura with the power to transform between the forms of a lion and a man. Struggling with identity, he gravitates to the familiar, which turns out to be the reincarnations of his long-dead companions.

What price would you pay to safeguard your loved ones? The water buffalo god, Isha is playing with fire when his ambition lands him a coveted role under the Asura King. Good intentions pave the path to hell. Isha is slow to realize his mistake. He is out of time. Cursed, he descends into madness.

Sinha could save him, but will his efforts be enough? Destinies entwined, the knots of Samsara take hold.

Introduction and first chapter:

A Lion’s Head | Pawn of Samsara

A LION’S HEAD is a retelling of the mythology of Nara Sinha. In my version of events, he is an immortal who lives for over 1,000 years. His mortal enemy is Mahishasura, the Water Buffalo Demon. The book sets up both characters in their mutual hatred.

The Erudite BookwormD.M. De Alwis