The Girl Under the Mountain

~📜Prologue📜~

"Long ago when Mainecoons walked the land with an iron paw everything was at peace. All the creatures lived together in a circle of life. The Mainecoons provided protection, a sort of government-like status among them. Mainecoons had thick long fur so during the nights smaller creatures would snuggle close to keep warm. In return, Mainecoons were given respect and were never challenged for their authority over the domains. Mainecoons were also very wise even from a young age so they provided wisdom to the young and old, and when you come to be my age you have more wisdom than even Mother Nature can provide." The elder smiled, pulling me closer with her paw, and continued her story, a frown slowly took over her face as she continued.
"But one day a new creature, and lots of them arrived on this land and all the others. As usual, the kind giants approached with peace and offered the newcomers food, but they were shown no mercy in return for their kindness. The newcomers walked on two legs, had hair apun just their heads and long thin limbs, and came bearing weapons of all sorts. Swords and spears, daggers and nets so you couldn't fly away." The elder lifted her large wings up into a stance on her hind legs telling her story with more physical movements now.
"They hunted the Mainecoon and everything else. They skinned us, they stripped us of our claws and teeth for trophies of their victories. Using our fur as clothing and decoration. These humans or men they called themselves nearly hunted us to extinction until one of the men put an end to it all. Returning the circle of life back to what it once was and forcing humans out of the forest but they never truly left. Only a few did. The man created a village atop our once beloved mountain and has lived there ever since."
I looked out of the cave entrance into the rain dripping down the rock.
"Am I like them, Elder Firelily?" My voice trembled with uncertainty as I sought reassurance from the wise dragon before me, my eyes wide with worry that I might one day bring harm to my family.
"Dear child, you are nothing like them," came the soothing reply, accompanied by a gentle smile that radiated understanding. Elder Firelily laid back down, tucking her worn wings by her side once again and taking slow raspy breaths.
"And the men who live there now aren't like who they once were. After all, we aren't bound by the actions of our ancestors, are we?" The elder's words offered solace, yet my thoughts lingered on the world beyond the forest's edge. What were they like now, those who dwelled in the village atop the mountain? Had they truly changed, or did the shadows of the past still loom over their hearts?
"I remember those days, little one," the elder continued, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. "But I believe you are meant to unite us together again."
"Me? How can I do anything? I'm just a kid," I protested, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the elder's words.
"You may be just one person, but who's to say you won't have help?" Came a reassuring reply.
"And as for those in the village, you mustn't let fear hold you back. Something is calling to you, something beyond our understanding. One day, you will find the courage to answer its call." As I gazed out into the forest, the elder's words echoed in my mind, stirring a sense of purpose within me. Despite my doubts and insecurities, I couldn't shake the feeling that my destiny lay beyond the safety of the trees, waiting to be discovered. With the elder's guidance and wisdom as my beacon, I knew that one day, I would find the strength to heed the call and embark on a journey that would shape the fate of us all.