Summary

The protagonist, faced with a monstrous panther in a mountain village, is rescued by villagers and finds themselves in a peculiar semi-circular building with modern and traditional elements, where they are met with suspicion and must decide how much to reveal about their quest for an ancient artefact.

Abstract

In "The Castle of Shadows" story arc, the protagonist encounters a dangerous, oversized snow leopard-like creature in a mountain village. With no means to fight or escape, they are saved by the intervention of the villagers who pull them into a safe, semi-circular structure with a mix of stone and concrete construction. Inside, they are greeted by five villagers, including a spear-wielding woman and an older man, who are wary of the protagonist, an "incomer." The villagers suggest the protagonist leave, but they express a desire to stay and search for an ancient artefact. The villagers' reaction to this revelation is protective, and they position themselves in front of a metal panel on the central wall, hinting at something they might be guarding. The protagonist is then presented with three dialogue options to explain their purpose, each potentially leading to a different outcome in this interactive, collaborative web-novel.

Opinions

The villagers are initially portrayed as unwelcoming and suspicious of outsiders, referring to the protagonist as an "incomer" and suggesting they return to their own town.
The protagonist's presence is seen as a disruption, with the villagers implying that the 'devil-cat' only ventures to the village when outsiders are present.
Despite their initial reluctance, the villagers show a willingness to protect the protagonist from immediate danger, indicating a sense of duty or communal safety.
The older man's ironic use of "civilized people" suggests a possible divide between the villagers' way of life and that of the protagonist's town.
The villagers' protective stance in front of the metal panel implies they are concealing something significant, likely related to the protagonist's quest for the ancient artefact.
The interactive nature of the story is emphasized by the villagers' question to the protagonist, "What exactly is it that you are looking for?" and the provided dialogue options, which invite reader participation in shaping the narrative.

Story arc #1: The Castle of Shadows

The Villagers

A chapter of a ‘choose your own’ story

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The monstrous panther takes a step closer and then another, drool dripping from its jaws. It looks quite like a snow leopard, but its fur is darker, and it’s at least the size of a lion. You have never seen anything like it in these mountains.

There is no way you can face or fight off that creature… and you don’t think you can run, either.

Surely it would be faster than you?

Instead you back away, one step and then another, until your back is against the nearest door — the door of one of the houses from the small mountain village.

You glance swiftly behind, taking your eye off the creature for just a moment. The door is firmly closed. The voices of the villagers are silent now. They have no reason to help you.

“Help!” you call out urgently, thumping with both fists. But the door stays resolutely shut.

Your eyes return to the panther. The sky behind it has darkened, and its eyes appear to glow as it walks closer still. Then, it pauses on the newly-fallen snow, muscles bunched, ready to pounce.

“Shit…” you murmur, mentally preparing yourself for an agonizing death.

But just then you hear a click behind you. Strong hands grab your arms and shoulders, propelling you inside. In a flash, the panther jumps, but at that instant the door is pushed shut again by two burly villagers, muscular shoulders braced against it. The creature crashes against the outside of the door, knocking it open again by a foot or so, but the villagers hold on.

Then, to your left, you see a third villager with a spear in her hand. She thrusts it at the creature, and you hear a snarl, and then an angry roar…

Then the door is closed again, and the two men pull down a heavy wooden bar to block it.

You’re safe.

You turn, and take a moment to process your new and unfamiliar surroundings. The building is round, but there is a wall cutting it in half, meaning that the chamber you are in is a semi-circle. The outer walls are built of traditional stone, but the inner wall is a surprisingly modern-looking smooth concrete surface with a metal panel set into one side and a screen to the other.

You glance around. There are a couple of benches, but very little else of note. The floor is made of wood. You’re surprised — shouldn’t there be a fire, or some sleeping quarters?

In addition to the pair of men that braced the door, you can see one older man, the woman with the spear, and a girl of no more than ten years old. All of them are looking at you warily.

“Uh… thanks,” you say. “I really appreciate your help.”

The woman nods towards the door. “It will be gone soon,” she says. “Two minutes, and you need to be going as well.”

Your eyes widen. “But can’t I just stay for a little…”

“Incomer,” growls the old man, “you’re not welcome here. The devil-cat never goes any lower down the mountainside than this. You can hurry back to your town — to civilized people.” He says the latter with an ironic smirk.

“I don’t want to go back,” you reply. “I’m looking for something. An ancient artefact of great significance.”

Now the five villagers all move together, clustering in front of you… and standing in front of the central wall with its metal panel. You frown. Do they have something to hide?

“What exactly is it that you are looking for?” asks the woman with the spear.

What will you say?

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