Mlezi (Albinoraven666fanart Contest Entry)

My first upload! This is also my first try at digital art, so sorry if the shadows look a bit wonky XD. This is my entry for Albinoraven's "Fill in the Gaps" contest [link]. Mlezi is my version of Dahlia's father and Juno's mate.

Story time!
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Mlezi is a very kind and gentle lion. His name means caregiver or guardian, which is exactly what he is to Juno and Dahlia.
He was struck by Juno’s beauty and kindness when he first met her as a teenager, and they were inseparable. Juno loved Mlezi’s romantic ways, even though he was a bit clumsy and awkward at times, but he was tough when he needed to be. Mlezi would do anything for her, even if it meant him getting hurt, and he knew Juno would do the same for him.
As the duo grew older, they decided they wanted a cub of their own, and they were blessed with a beautiful baby girl three months later.
Soon, the cub now named Dahlia, grew to be a very playful and kind cub. She befriended the future king, Ahadi, when they were still small. Mlezi allowed them to play whenever they wanted, even though he was one of the few lions who knew of Ahadi’s father’s strict and harsh ways. He would never forbid his daughter from having a friend.
But after the future king “ran away”, things started to grow very grim.
Ahadi’s mother died a few weeks later, she could not handle the loss of her son, and her broken heart gave in.
Dahlia was sad about the loss of her friend, and didn’t have much cubs to play with. Her father tried to make as much time for her as he could, and they grew closer than ever.
About a year later, strange animals came to their lands and set the whole territory on fire. Many lions were lost in the flames, including their king. But Mlezi wanted nothing more than his family to get out alive. He fought off every enemy they came across, and eventually led his mate and cub out of the flames.
But his burns were severe, and the many scars he got from the animals didn’t help. He collapsed once he led his family to safety, and he didn’t have the strength to follow them. He was swallowed whole by the flames. But the last thought that went through his mind was one of selflessness.
'At least my girls are safe...'