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Love's Trials By: Rogue Ronin
Within the deepest part of the jungle lies a legend which tells of love, sacrifice, and deception. This story begins close to the same way from others that have been told. One day, the bravest and most handsome warrior wanted to go out into the jungle and bring something back for the woman he loved so much.
So, that's exactly what he went out to do. The warrior searched high and low, but couldn't find anything until he heard a faint sound nearby. The warrior continued to follow the sound and came upon a jaguar nursing her wound.
The jaguar looked up towards him with pleading eyes, as she saw him raising up his spear. "I ask you to please spare my life."
The warrior lowered his spear down to his side. "Why should I spare you?"
"Because I can take you to someone that will grant you whatever your heart desires." the jaguar replied as she carefully stood.
"Whatever my heart desires?" the warrior asked making sure he heard right.
"Yes, and I can assure you that your wish will come true as long as you spare my life." the jaguar replied as she glanced back at him.
"Alright, I'll follow, but if this is a trick, then I'll make sure you wished that you didn't cross me." the warrior warned while they walked in the jungle.
Further and further they walked until they came upon a small area with two trees and a huge spider web which was spun from the top all the way to the center.
The jaguar looked at the warrior, "Stay here, I'll come back when I can."
The warrior was about to object, but she already took off towards the web. When she left him, he had no choice but to wait, because he wasn't familiar with this area.
"Mantu, I brought you someone that would like to have his greatest wish granted." the jaguar announced as the spider descended to the center of the web.
Mantu looked over the warrior, "You've done well jaguar."
"I've hunted for you and I've done everything you asked of me. So break me from your spell!" the jaguar demanded.
"First, finish this and then I'll free you." Mantu replied calmly.
The jaguar's eyes grew wide, "But that would mean…"
"Do you want to be free or not?" Mantu asked.
"Yes Mantu, I'll finish what I've started." the jaguar replied with a saddened heart. The jaguar turned around and went back to where the warrior was waiting.
"Took you long enough. So, is this creature going to grant me my wish or have you wasted my time?" the warrior asked as he raised a brow towards the animal.
The jaguar shook her head. "Mantu will see you now, but be cautious when dealing with him and think hard of his offer."
The warrior frowned deeply in confusion at the jaguar's words, but followed none the less.
"So, this is the warrior that wants me to grant his greatest wish. Alright warrior, what is this wish that I can grant you?" Mantu asked as he watched the unsuspecting warrior.
"I wish to have the heart of the angel that has captured mine. So that we can be together forever." the warrior informed the spider.
Mantu mused over his request, "So, it's not power or riches, it's love of a woman. Interesting, if this is your true wish, then it will be granted, but before I grant you this wish you have to make me a promise."
"A promise? What promise?" the warrior asked with a slight frown and then looked at the jaguar. "You never said anything to me about promising anything to a creature like him."
"Never mind about what the jaguar did or didn't say. Do you or don't you want the heart of this angel you speak of?" Mantu asked as he was starting to get a little impatient.
The warrior set his gaze back towards the spider. "Yes, I still want my wish to be granted."
"Then it shall be granted." Mantu replied with a nod of his head, signaled to the jaguar to put upon him the mark.
"What? What did you do to me?" the warrior asked outraged as he studied his arm.
"It's the mark of the jaguar, a sacred promise between us. I granted your wish and you serve me until you find another that will take your place. Every time the full moon comes, you'll transform into a jaguar." Mantu explained to him as he started to ascend to the top of the trees.
The warrior became enraged when he found out that he's been tricked that he tried to kill the spider, but wasn't fast enough. The warrior then whipped around and saw that the jaguar was starting to change back into a human. But he was blinded by his rage killing her, and then ran as fast as he could into the night.
Late into the night, back at the same village the girl that captured the warrior's heart was waiting for him to return. "Esca's been gone for too long, he should have been back by now." the girl stated in concern.
"Rei, you know that Esca is more than capable to take care of himself." the elder reminded her.
"I know, but I can't stop feeling this way. Something is wrong, I can't explain it." Rei replied as she kept her eyes towards the entrance of the village.
The elder smiled gently as she walked over towards her. "Rei, it's no secret that you love Esca, and I know for a fact that he loves you."
"He does? Then, why doesn't he just come out and say it?" Rei asked as she looked over towards the elder.
"The same reason of why you don't tell him. You're both afraid, and there's no reason why either of you should be." the elder replied while squeezing her shoulder for comfort.
Rei's eyes became soft as she gave a slight nod. "Yes, perhaps you're right. I'll tell Esca how I feel towards him when he comes back."
"It's late child, you can tell him in the morning. Now, I'd suggest you get some sleep. It isn't safe to be out when it's the night of the full moon." the elder suggested as she let go.
"Yes, I suppose. Alright, I know better than to argue with you elder." Rei replied as she got up and walked into her hut, laid down next to the open window and fell asleep.
While the warrior continued to run, he could feel that he was changing. He looked up and saw that the full moon was starting to come out. "No, this….this can't be happening! I have to get back before…"
But it was too late, the full moon was out now and Esca was starting to come into his full transformation. He fell to the ground, wincing in pain as he curled into a ball. His body started to form into a shiny-golden coat with onyx spots and emerald eyes. When his transformation was complete, Esca slowly stood up on all fours and howled in sadness and despair. He knew from now on, he had no chance to have the heart of his angel, not as a human anyway. So, Esca came to a decision, he slowly walked the rest of the way back to the village. As quietly as possible he slinked over towards Rei's hut. He leaped onto a bench that was just below her open window and then looked in and saw her sleeping peacefully.
'Rei, I'm so sorry my angel. I should have told you how I felt about you long ago. Now, I have to spend eternity carrying this curse alone.' Esca thought with a heavy heart.
Esca was about to leave, "Esca.." Rei said in her sleep.
The warrior's heart felt like it was going to tear apart right then and there. But then he came to a decision. If they couldn't be together as man and wife in human form, then why not as jaguars. So, Esca gently laid a paw upon her shoulder as well and left the mark of the jaguar on her as well and then disappeared until the next full moon.
Kento crossed his arms and looked at their guide skeptically. "Come on, you actually want us to believe something like that?"
"You're a disbeliever? I wouldn't be so quick to judge on what I've just told you young one." the guide replied as he shook his head.
"Kento.." Kaye said as she looked at him in amusement.
"What, all I'm saying is that seems a bit farfetched. Talking animals, people turning into jaguars." Kento replied as he shrugged his shoulders.
"Rather you believe me or not, doesn't matter, but I give you a word of caution while you two are here. Stay inside when the moon is full or you just might get the mark of the jaguar." the guide instructed them as he walked off.
