I have walked the paths of life as Orus, the healer and scribe of our village. My days have been spent in serene resignation to my duty, recording the events of time in my vast memory. However, everything changed from the instant my eyes fell upon you, Lala. At that moment, a part of me, which had long lain dormant, awoke with force.
I followed your footsteps from a distance, watching every nuance of your facial expressions, treasuring them deep in my memory like precious jewels. On the night of the full moon, when I tasted for the first time ,your blood and using my ability of premonition, revealing a destiny for you as vast and complex as a labyrinth woven by a god. But I also discovered that my destiny is intertwined with yours, like the threads of an ancient fabric, though the time for our lives to unite has not yet come.
I hope with longing that your long journey will lead you back to me, that you will bring with you the light that has illuminated my existence since our destinies intertwined in the tapestry of time - I pray for you my beloved Lala to overcome every obstacle you encounter on your journey and return to my nearness.
()()()()()()
During the first few days of the trip, my companions and I left behind the temperate forest where our village was located. The fresh air and the scent of damp earth faded away as we descended towards the village in the Peacocks, located in a lush subtropical forest. We followed the map provided by the system, a sort of video game-like guide that showed us the way to follow in this adventure.
The atmosphere changed drastically as we moved deeper into the dense foliage of the subtropical forest. Sunlight filtered through the green leaves, creating a play of shadows and reflections on the ground. The air was more humid here, charged with the song of exotic birds and the constant buzzing of insects.
Our journey was not without its dangers. Every time I took human form, I found myself in trouble. The wild males of the forest detected my scent, and on two occasions they tried to abduct me. To them, my lack of a conjugal mark on my body meant that I was single and, apparently, available for capture.
It was a terrifying and exhausting experience. My companions and I had to remain on constant alert, always on the lookout for any threat that might emerge from the thick forest. We moved stealthily, trying to avoid the wild males and looking for the safest path to our goal.
()()()()()()
The incidents in the subtropical forest, although dangerous, had an unexpected effect on my skills. Thanks to the stress and the need to stay alert, I moved up two levels in my survival and combat skills. I learned to trust my instincts and better utilize my skills to avoid unnecessary dangers.
However, despite my growing proficiency, I still faced daily challenges. One of the most difficult aspects for me was food. I tried not to be picky, but the limited diet in the forest did not offer much variety. We were always eating fresh fruit or grilled meat over a makeshift campfire.
Remembering the food of the modern world became one of my greatest cravings - a pizza loaded with mushrooms and melted cheese, a homemade lasagna layered with sauce and cheese, or maybe some sushi rolls filled with fresh fish and perfectly seasoned rice! Just thinking about those delicacies made my mouth water and aNoirndo the delicious food.
Hoping to find beans in the Blue Feather village, we continued our journey through the subtropical forest. The sun was beginning to set, tinting the sky with warm, golden hues as we moved deeper and deeper into the dense vegetation.
Noir, one of my companions, found a safe place to spend the night: a large tree with thick, leafy branches. I looked up and watched the branches stretching majestically above us. An exciting thought crossed my mind, recalling the feline documentaries I had seen on television. With a sudden impulse, I made a small run and dug my claws into the tree trunk, seeking stability and comfort between two thick branches.
()()()()
Noir:
I was proud of Lalabel, my beloved companion. I watched with admiration as she faced the journey without complaint, showing a strength and determination that filled me with pride. For some time, I had heard the testimonies of other females who found it uncomfortable to travel due to the heat and the strong sun that made them feel weak. For this reason, most females and companions preferred to avoid long journeys.
But Lalabel was different. She bravely kept pace on this dangerous journey, transformed into a panther to hide her scent with mine and Teru's. This strategy allowed us to move more safely through the subtropical forest, avoiding attracting the attention of the wild males lurking in the darkness of the jungle. This strategy allowed us to move more safely through the subtropical forest, avoiding attracting the attention of the wild males lurking in the darkness of the jungle.
However, every time Lalabel returned to her human form, our problems multiplied. Twice, they tried to kidnap her, endangering her life and the tranquility of our group. I felt a knot in my stomach every time I saw Lalabel vulnerable, exposed to the dangers of this hostile world.
()()()()()
As Lalabel and Noir's guide, my goal was to get them safely to their destination. I had been to Blue Feather village before and knew the way. However, its true name was a mystery to most, as the males simply called it "the peacock village." Despite that, I had a responsibility to make sure we got there without mishap.
The two kidnapping attempts we faced along the way were moments of pure adrenaline. I clearly remember the feeling of tension that gripped us when we realized that Lalabel was in danger. The urgency to act quickly, to protect my beloved, filled me with determination and courage.
In those critical moments, when danger lurked all around us, I held on to my bow and arrow tightly, ready to face any threat that stood in our way. Every shot was a mixture of concentration and nervousness, but I knew I had to stay calm and act quickly to protect Lalabel and the rest of the group.
()()()()
I jumped back to the ground and took my human form, I felt the weight of the world materializing again on my shoulders. Still, I was used to this transition and knew it was necessary for our daily tasks. I dipped into my dimensional backpack and pulled out the flint, feeling its familiar shape in my hands as I prepared to light the campfire.
The atmosphere around me was calm, but tense. The orange light of dusk filtered through the treetops, painting everything in shades of gold and orange. The sound of nocturnal insects began to fill the air, creating a natural symphony that accompanied our actions.
With care and determination, I lit the campfire with the flint, letting the flames dance in the twilight as the heat began to envelop us. Pulling the fresh meat and condiments from my dimensional inventory was an act of caution, making sure we would have a decent dinner without attracting the attention of any creatures lurking in the shadows.
Noir took over, preparing the skewers of meat with salt and seasonings, placing them over the fire to slowly roast. Her dexterity and skill were evident in every movement, and a sense of gratitude filled my heart to have her as a companion on this dangerous journey.
Meanwhile, Teru stood vigilant, her figure silhouetted against the orange sunset sky as she scanned the horizon for any sign of danger. Her presence was comforting, reminding us that we were not alone on this journey and that we had a united team to face whatever challenges stood in our way.
()()()()
As we ate dinner around the campfire in the middle of that hot forest, I decided to break the tense silence by sharing some anecdotes from my childhood. I talked about how my mother used to take me to the beach as a child and how she taught me to surf. Excitedly, I described the moves I made with the surfboard, letting my hands draw in the air every turn and every maneuver I had learned over the years.
Noir and Teru listened attentively, fascinated by the story I was telling them. Although the primitive world we were in knew nothing of surfing, the smile on my face and the joy I radiated as I shared my memories aroused their curiosity and admiration.
With every word, I tried to transport them to that place of peace and freedom I found in the waves of the sea. I told them about the thrill of gliding across the surface of the water, feeling the power of the ocean beneath my feet and the salty breeze caressing my face. I told them about the moments of pure bliss I experienced while surfing, leaving behind all the worries and stresses of the everyday world.
After sharing my stories, the atmosphere around the campfire became lighter and more relaxed.
()()()()
Two days later, just as the sun began to rise on the horizon, we found ourselves in front of the entrance to the village. The road here had been long and arduous, but we had finally reached our destination. However, the entrance was guarded by two middle-aged males, which made us stop in our tracks and cautiously assess the situation.
We watched the guards carefully, trying to discern if they posed a threat to us. Their faces showed determination and seriousness, but no overt hostility. We approached slowly, with our hands raised in a gesture of peace, showing that we were not a threat.
()()()()
Noir returned to his human form and stepped forward, being a more powerful male. -We come in peace, we come to see the healer Lao.
—Wait a moment --- the guards announced us, with a shriek.
The males looked at us suspiciously, but after a few moments of silence, one of them nodded his head, indicating that we could pass. Before we moved forward I was still in panther form beside, Teru and Noir in human form, hugged me and impregnated me with their scent, so that they would not discover I was a female and cause a ruckus. With relief, we advanced towards the entrance of the village, our hearts pounding with the hope of finding new food and the healer Lao.
As we made our way deeper into the village, we were struck by the beauty and tranquility of the place. The houses were built high up in the trees, connected by bridges of vines and boards, in harmony with the surrounding subtropical forest environment. Mostly males came and went, busy with their daily chores, but they looked at us with curiosity and benevolence.
We headed towards the center of the village surface, following the directions of the locals. Where a market of sorts was taking place.
In the heart of the village, following the bustle and activity emanating from a market of sorts that was taking place there. A dozen merchants were there, trading a variety of goods ranging from furs to tropical fruits, seeds, grains, cotton and rice. Vibrant colors and exotic aromas filled the air, creating an exhilarating and exciting atmosphere.
In my panther form, I perceived every smell with impressive clarity, every product in the market aroused my curiosity and my interest. I was overwhelmed by the excitement of being surrounded by so many new things. Noir noticed my excited look and gave me an understanding smile, aware of how overwhelming this unfamiliar world could be for me.
—Do you want something from the market, Lalabel? -she asked me kindly, as she looked curiously at the various stalls spread out before us.
I paused for a moment, gazing at the wares with sparkling eyes. There were so many interesting and tempting things that I found it difficult to make up my mind. Finally, I pointed to two stalls displaying sack rice and cotton.
—I would love a sack of rice and cotton," I replied, moderating my tone of voice so as not to be discovered.
Noir nodded with a smile and headed towards the stall, while I followed close behind, impatient to explore all that this market had to offer. Amidst the bustle and activity of the market.
The merchants could not help but notice the strong presence emanating from Noir's body as a four-striped male. Despite his friendliness and smile, his gaze and posture revealed a strength that did not go unnoticed. They wondered who we were and where we came from, but they were also struck by one detail in particular: the panther tattoo that adorned Noir's left shoulder.
They looked at the tattoo with curiosity and bewilderment, unable to understand its meaning or origin. Noir noticed the curious stares of the merchants and felt momentarily uncomfortable under their scrutiny. However, he maintained his composure with grace and confidence, not letting his discomfort show on his face.
An old merchant sharpened his gaze on Noir's tattoo, then settled his attention on the black panther that accompanied him. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes before he uttered his words in amazement.
—"She is a special female," the old man said, and his statement seemed to echo in the air, causing an immediate reaction among the males present in the marketplace. Suddenly, we were surrounded by a crowd of males, all of them looking at us with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.