Tale of Panthera Regina (Remake)

Chapter 16: Rumors and Lies

Credit to KilleroftheDrake for creating this idea and loving a good chaos story.

POV: Leona

*Note: Common animals outnumber the creatures bearing gifts five to one. This means that for every species of animal there are only ten Gifts given per class/power (great beast). Example: So, for Mountain Goats for example there is can only be ten Angels, or Weasels can have up to ten Griffins, ect...*

The leopard with the fur the color of honey and spots of mud sat in a golden cage. Leona's purple eyes pierce through the darkness as she heard voices and scents of different species surrounding her. There were at least about 100 different species here. However, Leona didn't know the exact number of individuals. The leopard breathes in deeply, trying to take the scents. Something was wrong. All the odors have something in common. This could only mean one thing. All the creatures that were captured were Angels.

"Leona, are you sure you're okay?" Someone called out from the darkness.

The scent and voice were familiar. It smelled like wet feathers mixed with fish. The voice was a mix of soft chirping that can end up being annoying. It must have been Pluma, an Emperor Penguin, that spoke. Leona didn't know her well but knew she was a Great Angel and had once thrown a fish at her face during training. In return, Leona threw a rabbit at her.

Slowly, Leona allowed her eyes to adjust to the darkness and used her other sense to map out the cave-like area. Once her eyes adjusted, she realized she wasn't the only one in a cage. Everyone around her seemed to be in similar cages as her. The sound of chains moving softly as they hung from the ceiling of the cave.

"Yeah, I am okay. I guess I have been out for a while since the Island of Angels was attacked." Leona finally answered Pluma.

Leona didn't understand why she was there. However, she heard Pluma sigh in relief. The leopard looked around her surroundings for clues. She wondered where in the cave they were located and on what territory. Leona couldn't tell much by what she saw, felt, and smelled. The cave had a damp odor, but it was too faint to focus on. There were too many other scents that were much stronger.

Based on how much her stomach aches from hunger, she guesses it was at least two weeks since she was ambushed and kidnapped. Leona looked at herself and noticed no wounds, and the scent of blood was not in the air.

*Thank goodness that no one is hurt.* Leona thought as she took a breath. *Whoever did this to us. They made sure no one got injured.*

Angels can heal themselves, but it often comes at a price that is taking the life of another. Some creatures believed that in the creation myth that the reason why Snow didn't heal herself was that something or someone would have to take her place. Leona could comprehend this as most Angels would rather die than have to live knowing that another's energy was stolen.

That could explain the reason why Leona wasn't able to sense any magic around her. No one was injured enough to have to use their magic. The newbies tend to heal small wounds and have to learn the hard way. This is also a sign that there are no innocents creatures being kidnapped as well as the Angels would feel compelled to keep them safe.

A theory was stirring in Leona's mind that the captures must have known the price of an Angel being injured or killed. Before the leopard could explore any of those theories, she felt her stomach twist.

"CURSOR!!!!!" Leona finally called out, realizing that her daughter could have been taken too. However, there was only a faint scent of her daughter. The leopard wasn't sure if the kidnappers could invade Angel Island and kidnap the Healers, then it would be no problem to rade the neighboring villages. Every three months, Leona would let Cursor choose a village where she would spend the week there while her mother regain her energy. The leopard-girl would always pick the Village of the Leopard People. "CURSOR!!!!!!! CURSOR!!!" Leona called out again, louder this time.