The Warrior Forgotten by The Hero |x|Macaque X Reader|x|

10

Ayo quick side note. I'm white and Mexican, born in America so I don't know much about Chinese mythology and stuff and really have my limited research so if you notice anything wrong, no you don't. I apologize if I get things wrong but this is fiction so please forgive me. I'm trying my best but some things I will get wrong or change slightly to fit in with the book. Thank you)

I groaned as I woke up to the sound of pounding on my door. It's been 3 days since I returned to my home. I got up and slipped on my tiger slippers. I rubbed my eyes and saw it was 8 am. Man, I really wanted to sleep in. I yawned and stretched as I made my way to my door. I opened it and internally groaned. " Oh, there she is! " It was my mother. " Oh uh, hey mom" I was very enthusiastic to see her. She wormed her way into my apartment with stuff all cluttered in her arms. " (Y/n) as you know the Festival of Guardians is coming up and you know what that means!" " Being a centerpiece at a table?" I muttered. " Oh don't be so silly." She placed the items on my table and held up a hanfu. It was pitch white with black strips on it.

" Here's your hanfu you'll be wearing" She set it down and held up a few necklaces and headpieces. " And some accessories," she set those down as well before holding up some flats and makeup. " Can't have you bland with no makeup and of course you need shoes." She set those down. as well and felt my hair. " Tch, and you're gonna need to put in some extensions. Your hairs too short." She huffed. " Ok ok I get it mom can you go? I'm tired" " I suppose, I have a facial apportionment anyways. Oh but before I forget!" She gave me a small figurine of a white tiger. " Remember their our good luck charm. But don't embrace it too much. Have you had any flare-ups?" " No mom" I set the tiger on a shelf with the others.

" I'm fine just please, I'm tired. You know I don't wake up when you do." " Well, you should! Bye-bye now dear I'll see you at the festival! Remember everyone else will be there too!" My mom said before quickly leaving. I groaned and looked at the outfit on my table. The Festival of Guardians. I always hated it. Ever since I was a child I had to attend it and be just a centerpiece to be gawked at. My family seems to take enjoyment of all of it. They tell the story of our family and sell tiger merch. I usually just stand there and have to stare at everyone having fun while I'm forced to be a poster.

The Festival of Guardians is held to honor the four guardians. The Azure Dragon of the East, the Black Tortoise of the North, the Vermillion Bird of the South, and lastly, the White Tiger of the West. As you guess, my family is connected to the white tiger guardian. Years ago, my many great grandfather was granted the power of the White Tiger to protect his home, his kingdom, his family. My many great grandfather, an emperor who wanted nothing more but peace. The White Tiger was a tiger of peace and came to him when he was in his worst state. Tattered, broken, crying his eyes out as he prayed for a sliver of hope to protect his loved ones and kingdom as the war had broken them all.

As the story tells, the White Tiger blessed him and he gained the ability of a tiger and some even say, the form of one. But that's just what I've heard from my mother as it was also told to her, and everyone else in my family. I've never really cared for the stories. My mother always loved our family's history. She even told of times out family members exhibit the same characteristics of the white tiger and even its form. It wasn't everyone, and it wasn't held the oldest or the males, it was like something had to trigger first. That trigger could be anything for anyone. My mother though, she has always put down seeking the inner tiger.

My cousins have tried but stopped due to my mother scolding them and saying that we would be nothing more than a danger to others. Same thing grandma said, and great-grandma, and so on and so forth. That legacy has been shut down. We still honor our family and the things that happened and we're done, but forced to comply to the thought of us being dangerous to even help. The White Tiger would be disappointed in us. I picked up my hanfu and other things and placed it into my closet and shut the door. I sighed and put my head against the door, thinking of ways to escape the Festival. But, if I don't go, it's hours of my mom asking why and making me feel little just for not going.

I honestly just want to experience the festival, I want to do the games, play around and buy stuff. Instead, I have to just sit still and look pretty. I'm sick of it. I truly am. I'm don't with being a toy. For my mom and for Macaque. If I'm not being bossed around by my mom, it's getting my food stolen and kidnapped by Macaque! Can't I go my own way? Do my own things? I don't want to be a puppet in a puppet show. I'm a white Tiger, I will always be even if I can't show it. I will always be something rather than nothing. That's why I stole those two books. A spellbook, and a book of creatures. At least then, I can be something more. Something that's me. Because I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me. I am me.