CatmanDu an oasis in the middle of the desert, a holy city built to protect the realm of the living. For underneath these shifting sands rest the mortal enemy of the living, the walking dead. Once rampant and unchallenged these monsters held dominion over all corners of the desert making it the Desert of Death. Until a warlord from the east stepped forward to oppose them. With the favor of the guardian deity sphinx and the Hellcats by his side, they managed to push dead all the way back through the gates of the Underworld. With the war won a sacred pact was struck, the humans shall remain in the world of the living protectors of the gate. While the Hellcats will be guardians of the Underworld for their eternal vigil will keep the dead away.
The warlord claim control over the Desert of Death as his kingdom with CatmanDu as its capital. He built great monuments and statues worshipping the sphinx and the Hellcats who fought with them. In return, the sphinx blessed him and his kingdom with prosperity and peace for many years to come.
However, the living does not last forever and neither does a kings rule. For almost an age did the king protect the realm of the living but after his death, something had changed. An emissary from their once staunch allies had arrived from the other side of the gate. No one had seen their forgotten friends in over a lifetime. It was a joyous reunion or so the people of CatmanDu thought. A lost prophecy spread through the city like a plague after their arrival.
Darkness is coming. The last dying sun has set. From the fiery pits, a new light shall rise.
The return of the Hellcats and the death of the king was an omen. That the Hellcats longed to return to the land of the living. That the meeting with the newly appointed king had sinister intentions.
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In the palace of CatmanDu all was abuzz with the arrival of the emissary. For most this would be the first time that they laid eyes on a Hellcat. From the stories, they heard they expected some sort of monster cats that could leap a hundred feet in the sky and could rip apart an elephant with their claws. In the throne room, the king and his retainers waited patiently as their guest was about to arrive. For this meeting and reunion, the king spared no expense to decorate the room. Elegant marble statues were on display emitting a cultured and civilized vibe. Oriental rugs were laid down creating a path from the doors to the throne. The king also indulged with the luxuries that were available to him. Exotic feathers from rare birds covered his shoulders and made up his fan as he waved to cool himself. Purple silk drapes hung loosely on his body with a gold crown sitting on his head. It was clear from the king’s lavish attire that the kingdom had plenty from the previous king.
The large granite doors opened and a few hooded figures stepped forward. A sudden hush descended in the room as the figures pulled back their hoods. The rumors of monster cats were shattered in that instance as a human looking like cat revealed their faces. They looked like normal cats, frail little things walking on hind legs, almost cute in a way as they knelt before the king.
“Hail, great king of CatmanDu. I am lord Mew of the Hellcats, meow.”
The tabby looking cat spoke clearly and perfectly as he addressed the king. For a moment the king stared in amazement that such a creature was capable of speech. A cough from his advisor brought him back to reality.
“Welcome, Lord Mew. What brings you to the land of the living?”
“To pledge ourselves to the new king and offer you a gift, meow.”
“A gift?”
“Yes, meow. A jewel-like no other, one fit for a king. One that cannot be obtained in this world.”
“Where is it?!”
“Our master wishes to bestow you the Cat's Eye jewel tonight in person at your ascension ceremony and request that you allow him to cross over, meow.”
The king looked to one of his retainers and nodded to them to make it so. They quickly leave the room to see to their king’s order.
“On behalf of all the Hellcats, we thank you, your majesty, meow. May we forever live in peace.”