They Paid Me to Watch Over a Feline Woman, but When I Saw Her, I Knew I Had to Set Her Free
.
.
In a world where desperation and survival intertwined, Marco found himself at a crossroads. It all began one fateful morning when emissaries from the Khan arrived in his village, their presence commanding and foreboding. Among them was a massive Mongol, his left eye sewn shut, exuding an aura of authority that sent chills through the crowd. As they rode into the plaza, the townsfolk paused their daily routines, drawn by a mix of curiosity and fear.
The Mongol dismounted, holding a black bag aloft, announcing a job that promised five tales of silver a month—a fortune for Marco, who hadn’t worked in fourteen long months. His mother lay bedridden, her health deteriorating since the rains began. Five tales could change everything, but Marco knew the risks.
“The job is in the forbidden mountains,” the Mongol warned, causing the crowd to recoil in fear. The plaza emptied, leaving Marco alone, clutching the heavy bag and an imperial seal. Despite the ominous air surrounding the job, he felt a flicker of hope. He returned home, the weight of the coins a stark contrast to the burden of his mother’s illness.
“Mother, I got a job,” he announced, but her sunken eyes dimmed at the mention of the northern mountains. “When they pay in advance, it’s because they don’t expect you to come back,” she whispered, her grip on his wrist a desperate plea. But Marco, driven by the need to provide, reassured her, “I’ll be back.”
The journey began with a dusty road shared with merchants, then a barge across a brown river, and finally an ox cart up the treacherous mountain path. Each step felt heavier, the air colder, as he approached the Blackstone guard post—a fortress carved into the rock, where his fate awaited.
The guards greeted him with grim warnings of the last caretaker, who had vanished into the night, leaving only his frozen body behind. Marco’s heart raced as he took the treacherous path to the prison, the fog thickening around him. He climbed higher, the narrow trail a constant reminder of the danger that lay ahead.
Finally, he reached the camp, where an old man, weary and broken, revealed the grim reality of his task. He was to feed a creature that demanded fresh meat every three days, a being bound by chains and cloaked in mystery. “Do not look her in the eyes ever,” the old man warned, his voice trembling with fear. “Because they’re beautiful. Hypnotic.”
That night, Marco heard the creature for the first time—chains dragging, heavy breathing, a sound that sent shivers down his spine. He spent the night by the fire, the darkness alive with the unknown. The next day, he fed her, leaving dried fish at the bars of her prison. She remained hidden, a shadow in the darkness.
As days passed, Marco established a routine—hunting, cooking, and feeding the creature. He learned to navigate the treacherous mountain, battling the cold and rain, all while feeling her presence hauntingly close. Her beauty was undeniable, yet she was a prisoner, chained and alone. Each time their hands brushed during feeding, a spark ignited within him, a connection that transcended fear.
Weeks turned into a haunting cycle of isolation, until one fateful day, the Khan’s emissaries returned. They mocked her, throwing stones and jeering. Marco’s blood boiled. “Enough!” he shouted, stepping in front of the cell. They laughed, underestimating him. But in a flash, the creature struck, her clawed hand stained with blood as she defended him.
In the chaos, Marco seized the moment. He shoved one emissary off the cliff, his body disappearing into the void below. With the other man momentarily stunned, Marco burst into the cell, raising a sword he had taken from the fallen guard. He struck the chains binding her, metal clattering to the ground. She was free.
“Let’s go,” he urged, but she hesitated, her eyes searching his. “Take me to my territory,” she said, her voice melodic yet powerful. Wrapping her in a cloak to shield her from the cold, they fled together, leaving behind the remnants of fear and captivity.
As they journeyed deeper into the mountains, Marco learned her name—Lira. She was not just a creature; she was a being of grace and strength, a guardian of her kind. Together, they navigated the treacherous terrain, forging a bond that transcended their differences.
But the world outside was not ready for their union. The Khan’s men were relentless, hunting them down, determined to reclaim what they believed was theirs. Marco and Lira fought back, using their wits and strength to survive against the odds.
In the heart of the mountains, they discovered a hidden sanctuary—a place where Lira’s kind thrived, free from chains and fear. It was a world of beauty and wonder, a stark contrast to the darkness they had escaped. Marco realized that he had not only saved Lira but had also found his purpose.
Yet, the shadows of their past loomed large. The Khan’s emissaries were relentless, closing in on their sanctuary. In a final confrontation, Marco and Lira stood together against the forces that sought to tear them apart. With courage and determination, they fought for their freedom, for their love, and for the future they envisioned together.
As the dust settled and the echoes of battle faded, Marco looked at Lira, her eyes shining with gratitude and strength. They had faced the darkness and emerged victorious, united in their fight for freedom. Together, they would forge a new path, one where love triumphed over fear, and where chains of the past could never bind them again.
In the heart of the mountains, Marco and Lira found not only survival but a love that transcended the boundaries of their worlds—a love that would echo through the ages, a testament to the power of hope, courage, and the unbreakable bond forged in the fires of adversity.
