The Tale of the Ocelynx. It is believed by my people that the two wild cats we know today were one original being. The Creator, our Deity, had first made this ferocious cat to be his companion. It was believed to be a terrifying creature.
Able to change its size and the patterns on its fur for camouflage. Claws capable of tearing through time and space. Eyes that read the soul like a scholar reading a scroll. When other beasts of legend and humanity were born, our Creator became the Judge of Death.
For every death, that person was evaluated whether or not they deserved peace. Always did he rely on his ever loyal companion. Using its eyes, the Creator was able to be fair in his sentences. In the beginning there were no problems to be found.
The Creator was beloved by all, given the respect he deserved. However, over time, humanity, who had short lifespans began to question things. They began to question Him.
'Why do we live for such a short amount of time? There are animals that live far longer than any of us ever will.'
'We are weak, fragile in body. Why make us this way?'
'How is it that you hold power over us? Why should we obey?'
When humanity was born, there were three things that the Creator had wished for them. No powers, no weapons of battle and lastly no two humans were to be the same. Now this sounds ridiculous, but the Creator never made us with the desire to rule over us. In fact he specifically made us to reflect him like a mirror.
Physically speaking, we match his likeness. Eyes, nose, mouth capable of speech, arms, legs, hair, all typical features one would be familiar with. That was where our connection ended. Looking deeper, it is clear that he desired humanity to not undergo the same struggles he himself had to endure.
As a being with powers, able to shapeshift and bend reality, he was strong and dangerous. With a snap of his fingers or at his command of the ocelynx, he could risk the world, if not the whole realm of falling into chaos.
This power can also lead to loneliness. The desire for companionship had been the sole reason for our birth. He had wished for people to ease the emptiness he felt. Instead, he was revered and feared.
When he saw that the beautiful world he made brought forth danger, he tried to improve it, granting them gifts. The ability to think. Manipulation over the elements and beasts that wished to combat them. Emotions and instincts to keep their race going. All of it was done for their sake.
So the Ocelynx, who could use its piercing gaze, who saw the envy, malice and scorn of its master's people, attacked. It ravaged the land. Devastated entire civilizations with only a few artifacts remaining. So much blood spilt, corrupting the mystical cat.
The Creator...forced to watch such carnage had to slay his beloved friend, splitting its soul in half. That split soul, powerful in its own right, brought forth the ocelot and the lynx. These two cats were born, forced apart by distance so that the two souls could not merge once more. Since then, their environment and time has changed their features. Adaptation further separated the two.
Centuries have passed and their history is protected by only a few preserved scrolls. These special wild cats still remain to this day however those primal abilities they once had when they were one are dormant. Hidden away, burrowed deeper as the generations continue onwards.
An incredible story. Despite being so short, Zenobia loved it. However as enchanting as the piece was, she still wasn't done with her investigation. So with the mental note to tell the story to Zora, she saved that link before returning to her other ocelot tabs.
Still all she found were physical or biological facts. Pursing her lips, she changed the wording of her search bar. Specifically for the symbolic meaning the creature represented. The teen wanted to see what people thought about it as a whole.
Her hand tentatively touched her mask at the thought. In some territories the fox was a wise being, capable of using their powers to help. Others dictated it was a trickster that manipulated others for its own personal gain. Those that live in Zenobia's home of Chizel believed it was the latter.
Never would she regret picking the fox. Though her mother would probably not want to hear it, the daughter she birth did match both the good and bad sides of the animal that she obsessed over as a child. Using observation and instincts to manipulate the situation in her favor? Giving advice by using her intelligence to aid those who asked for it?
Yeah, no matter what anyone said, it matched her pretty well. Whether it was her growing into it after learning its reputation or her in general being born that way and fate had her pick it, she really couldn't say. There was no regret in her choice. Her father had supported that, able to offer support whenever he felt she needed it most.
Things worked out well enough. She wasn't sure if her sister would feel the same. Her precious little sister was strong, but could she endure the hardships from her pressuring peers? With age comes changes that didn't always mean for the better.
Should things get too difficult, Zora would only be able to rely on her older sister without risk of judgment. Isolated, wary of kindness from others, it was a painful way to grow up. A cycle that Zenobia was all too familiar with and hoped could be prevented before it could even begin. No one deserved to feel alone.
Crimson orbs frantically swiped back and forth on the screen, waiting for it to load. Zenobia's mouth twitched slightly at the presented information. To those of Tortorang, where the story she just read originated, they were fierce, divine beings. Wise with eyes able to pierce into one's soul, able to see who a person is without bias.
Coraline considered them as prized treasures. Beautiful, vulnerable, something to be cherished and protected. Zenobia supposed it made sense in a way. Coraline Territory had a lesser population of ocelots (at least according to some of the other websites) so they were rarer to see. They were one of the smaller wild cats out there, relying on their fur to protect them from harm.
A headache was starting to form the moment the teen searched for Chizel's opinion of that particular animal. It really shouldn't have surprised her that there were so many contradictory opinions on it. Compared to Totorang and Coraline, Chizel's Territory was heavily split on pretty much everything.
Instead of one big territory with towns and cities that had basic fundamentals all of them shared, Chizel was a series of districts. Each one acted like a separate city that had their own principles and rules. There was no unity, only alliances with the occasional neutral zones scattered about. They only banded together in times of extreme crisis, like a war.
Something they thankfully haven't had to worry about for the last few decades due to the treaties between all the territories. Even the more temperamental Tempressos kept their political thoughts on the downlow, agreeing for peaceful trading. An era of prosperity many hoped to keep for the years to come. Though that lovely sentiment didn't help her with figuring out her own home's issues on the topic.
Vawushu had similar thoughts to Tortorang, believing ocelots to be wise and good judges of character. Lunova held opinions that they were dreamers, relaxed and easy going. They were soul soothers, able to mediate tense parties. Ize thought they were silent assassins, able to tear enemies apart in the shroud of night.
That particular article said they made use of their small size and dainty appearances to fool their opponents before going for the kill. Quite gruesome. It wasn't too far from Lockwoods that thought them as charming manipulators. Who latched onto people, surviving through strong allies unable to see through their schemes. Yet, it was different from Franue that held the idea of them being warriors that bravely stood their ground despite their size for justice.
Zenobia held in a groan, thankfully not forgetting Elias was there undergoing this torture with her. Honestly, it was no wonder things were such a mess in Chizel. Just one animal symbolized so many different things. Everything from color to fashion had a different interpretation. There was no way to please anyone in this place!
She felt like she was walking on hidden landmines. No wonder she struggled so much growing up. Schools took on kids from several districts, so it made sense that she would be outed. Because if there was one thing the populations of Chizel could apparently agree on, it was that red eyes were not good and foxes were smart yet dangerous.
Zora would have an easier time, yellow eyes were both rare and valued, showing optimism and energetic youth. Positivity was hardly a bad thing. Throw in an ocelot mask…well, she'd definitely get some looks from a few of her peers. However…most of it was on the slightly better side. Zenobia felt better after she read Momoka's take on it.
'Ocelots are beings of personal worth. They are adaptable, able to be true to themselves even in the midst of great change. Strong intuition, great focus, can remember the past while also walking towards the future.'
Hope. Ocelots were beings of future's hope. At least that was how she interpreted the summary. It was the duty of the old to teach the young. To inspire, teach and warn in order for a better tomorrow to be made. That was the role for all beings with life. The world was cruel while also unpredictable.
No matter the obstacle, these little predators walk along their path. Their heads tall, their lessons passed on to their young to embrace the next rising sun. Food may be limited, space of safety even more so…yet they continue on. Perhaps she was overdoing it a bit. Thinking a tad too deeply into a perspective with no clear confirmation.
However, this was what she wanted to believe. This was what Zora desired to become. She wanted to help people when she turned older. To warm the world with smiles, understanding and kindness. Her steps forward with opened mind, eyes full of clarity, and faith in a better tomorrow. Guess her little sister could have a predator-based mask after all.
"No luck…" A sudden weight to Zenobia's back brought her out of her musings. Her head twisted slightly, finding Elias' head slumped on her spine. She felt his breath warm through her clothes. His nose pressed firmly. Strange feelings squirmed within her, though her eyes were more focused on the computer next to them. Focus.
"How so?"
"The lynx are creatures akin to royalty. They're known for their independence, discretion and beauty. At first I thought it was a good prospect, especially when I read an old tale on the origins of them and the ocelots."
So he read it too. She supposed she shouldn't have been surprised at that. Though disappointment didn't look right on her friend. Zenobia offered him a smile while he sighed, sitting up to look at her. His lips set in an apologetic pout as he continued.
"I've never officially met your sister, but with what you've told me, it just doesn't feel right. Maybe if she was a more reserved, shy girl, I'd feel better considering it. Sorry…" Even if his idea led to a dead end, the artist still appreciated Elias' efforts. Knowing he was putting his all into it was honestly all she cared for. That didn't mean their efforts were wasted. Especially since they still had one last idea.
"That's fine. We don't need it."
"Oh? The ocelot tickled your fancy?" He raised an eyebrow at her while he asked. In lieu of answering, she held her phone out for him to scroll through. His eyes brightened considerably, eager fingers took possession of it before she could even blink. Zenobia huffed, rolling her eyes while he dived in the rabbit hole that was her search tabs. She would give him five minutes tops to read through all her research.
Rolling her shoulders, there was a satisfying crack as she silently exhaled. Sitting for so long left the girl stiff. She flopped onto her left side, bouncing the mattress. A fluffy tail smacked her chest, repeatedly while she settled. Her eyes closed, waiting for that 'whoa' or excited 'this is it!' she expected from her so-called partner in crime.
Time felt irrelevant within the darkness of her mind. Zenobia felt herself relax, soaking up the peaceful atmosphere. However, it was in that realm of black she heard the rattling of chains. The roaring of flames. Voices overtook her senses. The same ones as before-at least she thought they were the same.
'Wake up!'
'Don't let it catch you!'
'Run!'
"Nice!" Zenobia jerked, her eyes snapping open. Elias bounced in place with a triumphant fist raised in the air. With a yawn she turned his way. He threw her a grin, waving her phone in front of him.
"I see what you-you ok?"
"Yeah. You just startled me, is all."
"If that's the case then why are you trembling? It's only been a few minutes, not even." Sitting up she followed his now worried gaze. It was just a dream. An irritating, repetitive one. She shook her head, willing the nerves away.
"I was just startled. More importantly…do you think we can do this?" There was a sparkle in his eye. His previous worries temporarily(because he wasn't the type to forget) was pushed to the side. She saw that grin widen, unabashed as he raised her phone into the air.
"Positive. With you and me, the mask is as good as perfect!" Plans were in motion. The smile on her face was the biggest it's been in a long time. She was finally making progress.