He knew that there are times in a man's life when he must do things he did not expect. But this, this ... he would have never thought, this he has never been prepared or trained for.

This war, his quest so far behind the enemy lines, so deep inside this territory that they considered as the enemy, this land so hostile and so alien to everything that is human, this was all so much. Of course, all that he could see, in this inhuman place, it was so new, and, indeed, so utterly amazing. The buildings the enemy built, the creatures that it has synthesized, this cold and hostile hugeness of things built to kill and to detain, it was indeed great, and impressive, and he knew that such things had never and would maybe never again come to sight on this Earth.

The fight against the enemy was not difficult. The enemy was not so powerful inside its own citadel, and he was able to fight them off easily, many times using the enemy's force to defeat it, like the ancient Eastern warriors. And the magical power that he was endowed with by the elders of his kind, it was making him almost invulnerable to the enemy's weaponry.

But all this was not ending any more and that was the real force that was tiring him to death. When will it end? When will the enemies stop pouring out of their rat holes? So much running, so much hiding and so much fighting can drive a man mad. Every minute, every hour. Here there was no chance to sleep, not even to rest. And he could do this alright for a few hours, for a few days, but this, he couldn't even remember the time when all this had started, when he entered this battle field, being just a usual citizen.

He even questioned the very purpose that he was fighting for, the end of his quest. Was he really right? Was the enemy really wrong? Could anybody really know what was right for humanity? And yes, it is true that what he has seen there, while sneaking through the holes in the metal, was indeed terrifying, he never thought that humans could ever get to look like that. But still, in past wars, things that were even worse were done. Was he really right?

Of course, he never gave up. There was never an alternative to the path that he had taken. He fought, and he jumped and ran through the enemy citadel, and he has killed so many and destroyed so much that otherwise would have been considered as great, but now was just hostile. And he solved all the puzzles, and he has defeated the enemy. And, although the world was in flames, he restored peace.

But has he really won?

[The Movie](for those who never give up, because they fight for something)

The lion succeeded embarking on the airplane, mysteriously unnoticed by the personnel and by the passengers. Its skills are unquestionable. After laying hidden under two unoccupied seats in the business class for the time of the flight, at arrival it ran out of the aircraft and out of the airport's building area, last seen jumping over a fence and disappearing in the direction of the city.

It wasn't the only one to pass through such dangers in order to come to me. Many others have arrived here before. They live in the park in front of my house. A pack of lions too intelligent and too large to be apprehended by the city's civil protection. Moreover, their peacefulness and non-hostility to the citizens did not call for the use of armed forces against them.

It is true, we don't always stay here. When called, they follow me faithfully and would give their life to protect me, and sometimes even did. When I call them, they hear me no matter the distance between me and the pack. When I shout for their support, I hear the reply of their roar across the city and in moments they arrive beside me, to protect me, to help me, to jump high in violent attacks towards my enemies.

I sometimes take them with me just for the fun. They walk a little behind me, faithful, always watching out for potential danger, throwing fearsome glances to anyone who dares be too close. And when we don't walk, they carefully hide themselves in the environment, remaining unnoticeable until called again, or until it is time to move once more.

And I like this. I love them. They are so faithful and protective. And many times I stop for a moment and look behind, just to see them follow me, growling silently, affectively in a way. They are there for me. Always ready. Like my little army. Like friends.

[Like Antlions](for Valy, who is my friend and who recommended the lions to me)