2Willow the cat woke up from her midday cat nap. She stretched her slender, furry body and looked around. Nothing was going on. Her dreadlocked servant was sitting in the same chair as always. His belly was poking out from his shirt, signaling that he had just finished a big meal. Leftover crumbs still clung to the fur around his mouth. Ugh, what a slob. But wait...Why hadn't he offered her any food?
Indignantly, Willow padded up to where Mortis sat. Her cat stealth hid her approach. It wasn't until she spoke that Mortis noticed her.
"Oi! Did you have a nice meal? Got anything for me?"
Mortis stared at the cat, who was trying to glare at him. Because of her small size, it looked more cute than menacing. He smiled at the silly cat and patted his belly.
"No, kitty... there's nothing for you. I ate it all."
The nerve! Not only had he eaten something delicious without sharing, her human was now laughing at her! This was unacceptable!
With a yowl, Willow sank her teeth into Mortis' leg. Her human had done a great wrong. The greatest wrong, in fact. Now he would feel her wrath.
In one quick motion, Mortis rose from the chair and roughly scooped up the angry cat. Before Willow could protest, she was dumped outside the room door.
"Hey! Let me in!"
The only response she received was the jangle of keys, followed by the loud click of the door being locked from the inside. This was terrible. Where would she find delicious food now?
Glumly, Willow sat on the cobblestone floor to think. This was a castle... Castles had kitchens, right? There was always food in the kitchen. All she had to do was find it in this place. Unfortunately, that would be easier said than done for a small cat in such a large castle.
Little cat feet padded quickly down the many twisting halls, in search of food. Eventually, Willow wiggled her way into a large, grand room.
Was this the kitchen? She looked around, seeing no food. There was just a big chair with some girl sitting in it. Maybe she was the head chef?
Getting closer, Willow noticed that the girl looked... weird. She had pointy things sticking out of her head and glowing red eyes.
Willow sat in front of the strange woman and meowed pitifully. The "head chef" looked down at the small creature curiously.
"Hi, miss... got any food?"
The woman let out a loud booming laugh that startled Willow, making her shrink back a little.
"Ah, you must be Willow. Mortis has told me much about you. It is nice to finally meet you. I am Zurin, the Queen of this realm. I welcome you to... "
"I don't care. Where's the food!? If you don't have any food, I'm leaving!" Willow huffed. This place was really starting to let her down. There didn't seem to be even a lick of food anywhere.
Zurin laughed again. "I can give you so much more than food, my dear little feline. I sense you are unhappy being under the care of Mortis... he does not treat a beautiful creature like yourself with the respect you so rightfully deserve, yes?"
Willow just blinked. Was it really that obvious?
"Say no more." Zurin snapped her fingers. A cloud of darkness began to gather around Willow. What was happening? As she stood there, her body began to change. Her limbs lengthened. The skin on her body lost its fur, smoothing down into soft, chocolate-brown flesh.
Where the cat once was, there now stood a beautiful woman with bright eyes and lavish flowing robes.
"You are human now, my dear Willow. Consider it my gift to you... " Zurin stated simply. "Now, you do not have to listen to anyone ever again. Go now, my pet...Be free."