Haunted by grief, Conan of Cimmeria trekked alone through a hostile jungle, driving purely by the instinct to survive. While waging war against the treacherous flora and fauna. Conan felt an unseen presence shadowing his every step, measuring his worth. When he finally encountered a local tribe, the Cimmerian was spurned and denied supplies, the tribal leader stating Conan “had death on him.” That night, Conan lay in wait for his shadowy pursuer and was soon set upon by a fierce panther. Surprised to discover the beast to be no ordinary jungle cat, the Cimmerian spurred himself to victory through the searing strength imparted from Bêlit’s memory. As the panther fell, its form twisted and changed, revealing a man - ZULA, guardian of the grasslands - who with a steady gaze named Conan his foe...