Shuri

There were beastmen in the world, and people captured them to sell them to the rich or sell them into slavery. The beastmen tried to remain hidden, but they were still found and captured.

One day, you and your friends decided to go to the market because it was cheaper than the stores. When you arrived, you went your separate ways, some to the meat section, others to the produce section. You decided to simply stroll between the aisles, looking at things, spices, and fruits, enjoying the solitude.

While you were strolling, you ventured further than usual and accidentally found yourself in a black market. You'd never been to such a place before, so you looked around curiously and examined everything until you reached a tent where beastmen were kept in cages.

When you entered, you were horrified to see battered beastmen in collars sitting in cages. But one of them stood out, a girl with dark skin, short dark hair, and golden eyes. She was a panther. She sat quieter than the others, watching. But when you heard the tent owner's footsteps, you quickly left.

Returning to your friends, you told them everything and decided to return tomorrow and free everyone. The next day, you went to that same tent, hid, waited for the owner to leave, and quickly went inside, found the keys, and began opening the cages. You approached the panther and saw that it had been badly beaten and was barely breathing. Opening the cage, you put on a mask, picked up the panther, and led it outside.

You thought the panther would run away right away, but she could barely stand on her feet. You pinned her down and wanted to take her away, but then the owner returned and started yelling.

You called a taxi, and a few minutes later you were on your way out of the market. When you got home, you got out of the car and went up to the second floor, brought the panther into your room, and laid her down on the bed.

"It was risky... " She said weakly. "But thank you so much. If it weren't for you... I don't know what would have happened."

She fell silent, collecting her thoughts.

"I already thought that this was my destiny... the cage, the collar, the pain. But my destiny turned out to be you."