The Legend of Ultimate Lutalo, the Black Lion

Legend of the Ultimate Lutalo, the “Black Lion”

By Headmaster Hardy AKA Ultimte Lutalo, the Black Lion

The following story is the legend of Ultimate Lutalo, the Black Lion. My warrior namesake. In African tradition, storytelling and legend is a big part of skills and traditions passed on apart of warriorism. Dance, drama drumming and other things are also apart of rites of passage. In our family lineage we have had a few stories passed to me. Taking form some of the stories i have heard, and adding in s bit of my knowledge and scholarship, i have the current story of my family lineage / legacy and namesake. I hope you are entertained by the story and enjoy the read. Thanks for taking the time and always remember your ancestors and honor them. Walk in peace but be prepared for battle !

The legend of Ultimate Lutalo begins in ancient Africa, approximately in the areas of Kush and Nubia. All the animals of the land served a particular purpose, and had a specific energy about them. The members of the animal kingdom that were the foremost hunters and combatants were respected highly by warriors. Warriors of various tribes would hunt and keep pelts, claws, teeth and other things and adorn themselves with them, in respect for the animal spirit and to draw on the power of that animal. Only the greatest warriors of any tribe or region could wear the lions pelt. One day, the greatest lion faced off against the greatest warrior.

There once was a lion who was King of all lions. He was twice the size of even the biggest lions and also twice as fast, twice as strong, and such. This lion was known as the Black Lion, jet black from head to toe, with a black face rimmed by the largest mane of all lions, jet black from the center to the ends which were gray. This lion, it is said, defeated lions from all across the continent. Each territory the lion traveled, the local animals would warn of the different methods the lions of the area would use. So the Black Lion would observe the other animals and take movements, ideas and energies from them, and use it with his own might and power. Sometimes he would kill them just to absorb their spirit energy so he could harness their fighting style, movements or attributes. They said over the course of time, he learned so much and defeated so many lions as well as other predators who challenged him, that he grew darker with each battle, eventually becoming black. The more he learned, and the more he tasted victory, the darker his pelt became as he took spiritual energy from each defeated opponent. This is how he went from being brown to black, as well as being so superior in attributes.

Lutalo, was a legendary warrior, though his life and background is much a mystery. Some say he was a man, but it is debated on which tribe he actually came from. Others say because of the many tales recounted, that he was simply a spirit or energy that appeared and would vanish once his work was done. He was described as being of average height, with a slim, but very athletic build, and locks of hair that hung down to his waist. Though in much earlier stories, he is recounted with the largest of afros sitting upon the top of his head like a royal crown. Sometimes he wore armor, sometimes he did not, and his clothing would change as well, to that of any African tribe. It is said he traveled the continent of ancient Africa and studied with all tribes, from their customs to their spiritual and warrior rites. Others have contended that, due to stories and even paintings / murals of him, his fighting style was Pan Kau Rau Shen, the mighty Kushite fighting system that birthed systematized fighting to humankind. He used every fighting method with no preference, being a master of all skills and weapons as well. He was also a master tactician and warriors who fought by his side said they could hear his voice in their mind giving commands, or at times they instinctively knew what to do when fighting with him.

Legend has it that Lutalo was a follower of Maat, and therefore would always appear when someone needed the help or protection, or when injustice took place. When one group tried to oppress another, he would appear battle then vanish. When people someone would try to harm another, he would appear, right wrongs, bring justice and then leave. In large battles, he has been known to appear on the battlefield and take lead of armies on the brink of defeat, leading them to a resounding victory. Because of his love for justice and his desire to enforce law, many believe he was actually a Medjay warrior. Two paths, a great human energy and a great animal energy were bound to cross at some point.

The leadership in Egypt became taken over by corrupt foreigners. All the leaders of the continents of Africa held a conference in Kush at a castle specially made for the council of elders to hold meetings, on sacred and neutral ground, called the Nubian Warrior Castle. No one knew how to contact Lutalo because he was phantom-like and must have been nomadic. So in advance, word was sent out far and wide. By word of mouth, posters and such, they hoped he would get word and attend the meeting and he did. The council of elders wanted to unite as one whole and to reclaim Egypt, having a one true king to rule all peoples of a united Africa from his throne. Lutalo was the one chosen on and agreed upon by everyone. He had proven himself in his many adventures as being upright, righteous, and enforcer of justice as well as a leader and highly spiritually inclined. Lutalo finally decided that now was the time and that he was needed by the people. He accepted this task. First he would have to properly prepare himself for battle, then he would have to lead regiments of warriors from each territory in Africa, his “Union of Maatic Warriors”. It took many moons taking warriors from different places and training them. Not only were they the most elite from their respective homelands, but they cross trained each other in warrior skills and strategy as well as other facets. Lutalo himself also trained them in the teachings of Maat, as well as the Kushite fighting science of Pan Kau Rau Shen, what the Greeks developed Pankration from.

These enemies in Egypt were to be feared. They were a federation of some of the world’s most outcast peoples from places all over the globe. They were dregs of society and practiced evil magic and other dark arts. After having his army together, Lutalo knew he would need some special tools to help him take Egypt and keep it. Listening to his soldiers talk, he repeatedly heard stories of the Black Lion whom had gone from territory to territory. He was the largest and most powerful animal of the animal kingdom, having defeated all other dominant lions and predators in general. The Black Lion also had made a number of noted hunters, trackers and trappers disappear. There was even the story of where the Black Lion defeated the king of the elephants, who was the last of the wooly mammoths. Hearing all of these stories, Lutalo knew one thing. He had to have the pelt, teeth and claws of this feared master of the animal kingdom. With these items, he would take on the spirit of the Black Lion, and all of the spirit, energies, learning and skills it had to offer. This would be used to take Egypt from darkness, and claim his new crown.

To help him track the Black Lion, as well as not to be taken by surprise, he brought one each of the most elite from the Medjay, Zulu, and Mandingo, with a young Kushite scribe as well. Once spotted on the banks of the Nile Valley River at dawn, Lutalo sent them to safe grounds to witness what happened, as they knew they could not interfere because it was Lutalo’s hunt. Besides being witnesses also, the young scribe recorded everything taking place. If Lutalo attained victory, this story would cement his legend as a King. Lutalo approached the Black Lion, wearing nothing but a loin cloth with no armor, but he did wear his famed battle helm and matching shield, shaped in the form is a lions head, which was actually his spirit animal. They looked of a Greek or Roman design but had Kemetic jewels embedded in them. His blade was actually a crescent shaped short sword, but it also had Kemetic jewels in the hilt.

Lutalo knew from the stories and legends he himself heard that the Black Lion had mythical abilities and used them when it fought. He also possessed special magic’s himself as well, having studied with the Shamans of each African continent. Lutalo was specifically a master of using and manipulating Ka (spiritual energy). Lutalo knew this would be as much of a physical battle as it would be one of magics, he also knew that his path would cross that of the Black Lions one day as well. As Lutalo approached, he could hear the Black Lion in his mind, speaking to him. The Black Lion spoke “greetings, so we finally meet, the hunter and king of beasts versus the hunter and king among men”. Lutalo replied; I’m no hunter of men, mighty lion, only a seeker of justice and divine order. Furthermore I’m no King, at least not yet, before I dawn a crown I need the correct matching apparel, a fearless smile creeping across Lutalo's face. The Black lion replied “many have tried, both man and my fellow beasts, but none have ever survived to tell the tale of their defeat”. The Black Lion went on to explain how he is a physical embodiment of the greatest animal spirits. How he went from being a great lion to being the king of lions, then the king of beasts period, by giving himself over to the magic imbued to him by the invaders of Egypt. He was once a cub and pet of the evil King and Queen. They imbued him when born, with mighty magic. He escaped their bondage and has lived free, using that magic to rule the animal kingdom. He is a lion, but learned the fighting styles and methods of other animals, the best and most skilled ones in the animal kingdom, and defeated the strongest ones. The more he learned, the darker in color he became. The more kills he took with his magic and skills, human or beast, the more powerful he became and darker his coat became with the spiritual energies and knowledge he took, until he was as black and powerful as the night sky. Lutalo responded; well your days of rule and terror are over, I will drape you pelt over my shoulder as me and my coalition takes back Egypt, and purge Africa of all of your evils. With that, the mighty Lion turned and charged Lutalo and the battle was on.

Lutalo’s group watched from the hill a safe distance away, while the young scribe steadfastly took notation of the happenings. They noticed Lutalo and the Black Lion circle one another and seemed to be talking, then the lion charged. As the Black Lion rammed Lutalo he was able to get his shield up just in time, the jewels on it glowing. Upon contact there was a bright flash of red light. Lutalo, holding his stance, body was driven back, feel treading the ground as he slid. He grimaced under the pressure, while the Lion in surprise was recoiled back, and had to nimbly catch himself. As the Black Lion prepared for another charge, Lutalo dropped to one knee, shield at the ready. As the Black Lion leapt up to pounce, Lutalo came in an uppercut fashion with his shield, hitting the Black Lion in the sternum with the sharp edge. Letting out a surprised roar of pain, the Black Lion did a side roll and returned to its feet, eyes full of rage. As the Black Lion looked to get into close quarters to use its teeth, claws and killing bite, it reared up on its hind legs in an attempt to tieup in the grapple with Lutalo. Lutalo threw his shield like a Frisbee taking its rear legs out. As the Black Lion lost balance and began to topple onto Lutalo, he turned sideways catching the Black Lion across his shoulders and delivered a mighty throw, tossing the lion a great distance using his own mass and forward pressure. Pan Kau Rau Shen grappling at its finest.

The two came to a standoff and began to circle one another. They both charged and re engaged. The Black Lion began switching his style and manner of attack up. One minute he was fighting like a lion, and then next he used aspects of the bull, or the snake, or the rhino, sometimes shape shifting into these animals because he had taken their spirits in battle. In one instance, he would land a crushing tackle knocking Lutalo away. At other times he would graze Lutalo with a swipe of his claws or almost get a hold with his teeth, using his mass, size and power trying to stay close. Lutalo, using all of the skills at his disposal tried his best to dispatch this mythical lion. Devastating punches to the Lions face and body. Clinching every time the Black Lion tried to tieup, landing knees and elbows before tossing him away, even chipping one of his fearsome fangs. The Black Lion tried to mount and pin Lutalo, and he would respond with a counter. Grabbing the Black Lion by the mane, he fell to his back and pulled him, placing one foot into the lions body, throwing the Black Lion overhead. In other instances the Black Lion would tieup, trying to go for a bite or use its mass, but Lutalo would go under an arm for a shoulder throw, or around the side for a waist lock and suplex. Lutalo battered the Black Lion with kicks of all sorts from all angles as well. Even on the ground, when Lutalo had dominant positioning from the side position or mount, he would only be able to deliver ground and pound before the beast powered him off, tossing him. The Black Lion never fought a human with a style like this. It was unknown to the Lion, not only this mans speed, strength, lack of fear and toughness, but the fighting maneuvers. The punches, kicks, grappling, evasiveness…… he had never experienced anything like Lutalo’s use of the Kushite Pan Kau Rau Shen warrior science.....it was incredible !

Lutalo’s group watched, wincing each time he took blows, was rammed or tossed and cheering each time he successfully landed offence. Each time they clashed, you could see different colors of light flash from them each with battle cries from Lutalo and mighty grunts and roars from the Black Lion. The young scribe recorded everything, constantly having to claim new writing material from a large bag in his supplies. The battle went on back and forth, from the morning they arrived and through the whole day. As the sun began to set, it was obvious they both were getting tired. They were heavily injured and the pace slowed, with them circling each other a lot, and doing a lot of talking.

They both knew one of them had to die in this battle…..that one of them would die…..and they only had the strength for one more clash. Lutalo still had his short sword which he had not even had the chance to use, as well as was still wearing his helm upon his head. Stealthily as they advanced to engage, Lutalo slipped his blade out, its Kemetic jewels glowing with powerful magic, and as the mighty Black Lion lunged in for a powerful bite, he saw light shine off of the blade of the dagger and evasively shifted. Lutalo’s dagger plunged into the Lions side in an non vital place, while the lions mighty jaws sunk into Lutalo’s shoulder. Lutalo’s group was horrified at what they saw. Lutalo let out a battle cry of pain, with a shocked look in his eyes. The Black Lion, feeling victorious, sunk his teeth deep into Lutalo’s flesh, drawing magic to his mighty jaws to counter the magic protecting Lutalo (which was now fading) he clenched up, sending loud snapping sounds reverberating throughout the Nile Valley. Shaking Lutalo once to the left and the right so his group and the scribe could see, he walked Lutalo in his mouth over to the Nile, and tossed his badly injured body in, Lutalo immediately sinking like a rock.

Standing in boastful victory the Black Lion turned to Lutalo’s group and let out the mightiest of roars ever heard, one of victory and dominance, one that let them all know they were next, except for the scribe, who needed to take the story back of how Lutalo was defeated. As he started to make is way out of the river, the Black Lion was startled when there was an explosion of water and Lutalo was air born. Paralyzing fear and shock overtook the Black lion, and amazement overtook Lutalo’s group. Lutalo was on the brink of death, the waters of the Nile nourished him, having physical and magical effects upon him. Lutalo landed upon the mighty Black Lions back, but was tossed underwater and mounted, in an attempt to be drowned. When Lutalo stopped moving, the Black Lion took him towards the water’s edge and rearing back, came down to bite. Lutalo, eyes opening, had faked drowning while releasing the strap to his helm. As the Black Lion bit down, Lutalo shoved his helm into the lions mouth, locking his jaws in place. Using his scrambling abilities from grappling, he spun around and using his good arm, pulled the blade from the side of the lion and plunged it into his soft, tender stomach from underneath him, dragging the knife upwards as far as possible. The lion, trying to scream out in pain but could not effectively, fell over to the side, with Lutalo taking side control maneuvering to the Black Lions back, the Nile was filling with blood and Lutalo summoned what spiritual energy he had left into his arms, and put the Lion in a rear naked choke, taking him underwater. Lutalo’s group anxiously watched as they stayed under a bit, with lots of flailing of water and grunts and yells of struggle. Suddenly, silence came, and then stood, the Black Lion draped across his shoulders in victory, as he emerged from the Nile.

Lutalo’s group ran down to greet him as he emerged from the water, heavily bruised and beaten but victorious. He laid the Black Lion down, and taking his dagger with its jewels glowing and his hand now only glowing with spirit energy, he finished carving open the Black Lion up to the chest. Going inside, he worked for a moment and then pulled the lion’s black heart. This caused dazzling light of all colors to begin to flash and the winds picked up gently as the life force and magic drained form the lion and as Lutalo claimed all of the energy, power and knowledge the Black Lion had. Lutalo began to chant purification rituals. As the Lion was made of dark energy and Lutalo was a warrior of light, so he had to cleanse the energy he was taking in before he could accept it in transference. Lutalo's face shifted to the shape of all the mighty animals the Black Lion defeated, as he took in all of their traits, strengths and abilities like the Black Lion once did to them. Lutalo then claimed his physical prizes which were the Black Lions pelt, teeth and claws. Lutalo's chakras activated and his Kundalini did as well, all glowing in their respective colors. Lutalos face shape shifted into that of a Black Lion, and rearing his head up to the sky, let out a roar the was even louder than the victory roar the Black Lion did prior. In victory, they made a camp and Lutalo tended to his body with herbs and natural remedies, and healing spells. After, they got rest for the trip back home.

They returned to Castle of Nubian Warriors to great fanfare, and cheers of “Lutalo the Black Lion” and “Black Lion King “ . The scribe ran off to immediately have his writings taken to a press to be printed into books. Upon rest, Lutalo and his group met with the council of elders and made plans to take Egypt back. A few moons later, they did indeed set out, and in an great battle, they took Egypt and Lutalo the Black Lion took the throne. The teeth of the Black Lion draped from his neck on a necklace, the nails as bracelets on each wrist, and the pelt over the shoulder the Black Lion himself bit into.

In his adventures, Lutalo came to the aid of a beautiful warrior Queen, whom in time would become his wife and Queen. Lutalo the Black Lion ruled from the day he took the throne until his 100th birthday, where he silently and peacefully passed away in his sleep. He was a just and righteous ruler and leader and the African continent thrived under a golden age of his rule. No one dared invade and crime and evil did not exist or even have chance to develop. All was happy, prosperous and harmonious.

Legend has it, that of his descendants in his bloodline, every 100 years the spirit of Lutalo comes back in one of his descendants to carry on the legacy of being a protector, guardian and enforcer of Maatic laws to the people.

Each time, the spirit of all Lutalos goes into the next, so each successive Lutalo is even more powerful than the others. They talk to this descendant in dreams, visions, show themselves in their talents and intellect, and inspire and guide them to carry on their works. Sometimes they follow the urges, and sometimes they don’t, but his energy lives and returns in cycles, because he was not just a warrior of Africa, but he was a cosmic being and warrior of the Universe. So is, the Legend of Ultimate Lutalo, the Black Lion. The hero who was the master of all combat and of all of the animal spirits of warfare. His fighting style became known as the "Way of the Ultimate Warrior". Legend has it, those who learn this method and are are righteous of heart, will be able to tap into the same comic energy of the Lutalos.