Ah, so this is how his adventure ends. The end of his freedom and the end of his tribe.
Those days were full of misery, torment, sorrow, and deceit. He lived his life between despair and death, with no way to escape, no choice but to die.
Until now, he had always been able to overcome every problem simply by obeying Mitéra's orders. However, this was the first time he had encountered a test that could not be solved by obedience. All his prayers and sacrifices seemed futile in the face of such absolute destruction.
Why did it all end like this? She was not willing to accept it. No, she was not willing to accept that the freedom and dignity of the Mhthyr Tribe, which had been upheld for generations, should end as slaves to thieves from a foreign land.
That night should have been a night of pride—a night full of light and prayers under the holy moon. A night when the chosen Siúr would undergo a blessing ceremony and receive the love of the Goddess Mhyér. She should have stood with her sisters, enveloped in the fragrance of flowers and sacred mantras, welcoming the title of Mìonna, the true daughter of the Goddess.
However, fate changed in an instant.
Betrayal came without warning, bringing darkness and blood. Thieves from a foreign land broke into the sacred ceremony, destroying everything—the land, the homes, and the lives.
Cruel.
Did they not know that the Mhthyr tribe was not a warrior nation? They were not barbarians who lived to fight. They were only women who protected life and purity. No shield could match the iron weapons of the foreign land. No arrow or spear was strong enough to pierce the enemy's armour.
The Marcaiġ, the tribe's finest female warriors, fought with all their might using the knowledge and simple weapons passed down by their ancestors. But how could tradition defeat technology? One by one, they fell under the storm of metal and fire.
The Mhthyr tribe was destroyed. Some fled across the sea, some stayed and died, and others were captured and taken prisoner. And here she was now—bound by invisible chains, imprisoned not only by his body, but also by the deceit of a man from a foreign land.
How foolish he was. Too quick to trust his deceit. Too easily swayed by sweet promises that turned out to be traps. Shee should have listened to the advice of the animals in the basement—they had warned him not to trust outsiders. But he was stubborn. She truly believed that man would help him.
Hunter Rivèira.
That name now felt like poison on her tongue. She used to say it with hope, now with hatred.
"You think running away from here will solve your problems, hm?" Hunter grinned widely, revealing a row of sharp teeth like a predator. The smile was more like a mockery than mere amusement. His cold, strong hand gripped Kaià's chin, forcing her face up.
Kaià grimaced. The pain spread quickly from her cheek to her jaw, almost making her cry.
Hunter looked dissatisfied to see that she still dared to look him straight in the eye. He cursed, then pushed her roughly so that his weak body, which hadn't eaten for days, fell onto the mattress. Hunter pulled out both of her hands, tying them to the headboard with handcuffs before the woman could jump up to escape again.
Even if she screamed now, no one would come to her aid. Kaià hated the fact that she was alone in a foreign land and could do nothing but rebel fiercely.
"You should have obeyed and listened to my advice. Then I wouldn't have to bother punishing you."
The man grinned cynically. His voice sounded persuasive, but it contained a subtle threat. And although his demeanour was calm, his gaze was like that of a cruel and sadistic predator.
"Stop causing trouble and be an obedient puppet to your owner, Kaià."
She was Kaià Mhthyr, Mìonna of the Mhthyr Tribe, and also Hunter Riviéra's personal puppet.