The Cave Princess

Johanna, a hunter who lives amidst the mysterious beasts of the Black Mountain Range, is no stranger to danger. But her life takes a tragic turn when her father is murdered.

Longing for warmth and connection, she dreams of the comforting embrace of a village and falls in love with Barenta, the first source of kindness she’s ever known. Together, they imagine a gentle, happy future.

But just as she’s preparing to leave her isolated world behind, her father’s sins come back to haunt her.

“That’s the hunter’s daughter.”

The price of her father’s crime—a long-buried sin—is brought to light.

“So, what do you want from me?”
“A princess.”

The stranger claims that her father had once stolen the princess of their tribe, and now Johanna must pay the debt in her place.

“What exactly is this ‘princess’?”
“A rare and precious female.”

***

The white termite’s guttural growl was low and menacing, more akin to a predator’s warning than an insect’s hum. The sensation of its body so close to hers sent shivers down Johanna’s spine. She felt as though she might be devoured at any moment.

The creature leaned closer, its pale hair falling forward to brush her forehead. The proximity was suffocating.

“Mating with the princess… feels good.”

Johanna glared, her fear giving way to anger.
“Ha, even monsters like you feel pleasure?”

The termite tilted its head in confusion, its inhuman features twisting into a puzzled expression.
“What… does that mean? Does the princess… call us monsters?”