While the moon disappeared behind a thick pack of black clouds and the swamp slowly darkened, a small child sat on a small island in a muddy lake, sobbing quietly. She wasn't a normal child, but a neko; half human and half cat. That meant she had large cat-like ears on the top of her head and a tail. She hadn't always been like this though. When she was younger, she had been cursed and was now doomed to continue her life as a kitten.

She cried quietly, her pale face hidden in her small hands. Tears continuously streamed from her large brown eyes, and her cheeks were framed by her red hair. She felt lonely and cold; had no idea where she was and had the feeling that this was the last day of her life. If she wouldn't be found soon, she would die in here. She couldn't escape from the marsh, one step into the wrong direction could result in being pulled into the deep earth and drown. And the little girl didn't want to die. She was afraid of death, and the thought made her cry more already.

"Why am I here? I didn't go here on my own!" she whispered, salty tears running down her cheeks and into her mouth.

She was cold as well, the only thing she wore was an old ragged shirt given to her by the orphanage she had been in for ages. She was abandoned and mistreated and still bore the scars of that.

Hauntwood Marsh. The name alone was reason enough for most to stay away. But the swamp for the perfect place to find ingredients for potions. Many plants and herbs grew there. Yet the eerie vibe of the swamp gave people goosebumps. Many believed it was haunted by monsters.

One person didn't care about these rumours. She did not fear monsters. She was looking for a few ingredients for a potion of hers. A pirate had come. Her name was Renate Villerius and she was fearless. She was on her guard, of course. But her body did no tremble like most that entered the swamp. The pirate held her cutlass in one hand and her bow in the other. She was ready to fight any enemy.

Suddenly, a voice could be heard. A female one. An innocent voice. It sounded like she needed help. The pirate increased her walking speed and walked in the direction the sound of the voice had come from.

''Who goes there? Are you alright? Do you need help?'' she asked, concerned. The swamp was a mysterious and dangerous place. And it needed no monsters for that. The quicksand alone ended many lives.

Tissie raised her small head abruptly, perking up her furry ears and slightly wagging her tail. People! It was people! She placed her hands on the muddy ground and pushed herself up, reminding herself that she shouldn't leave the little island. She looked around with her large auburn eyes and smiled.

It's just like the voice of my lady, but it can't be here, she passed away two years ago! But oh, how I wish to see her again!

She jumped up and down, laughing happily and clapping her hands.

"I'm here My Lady! Tissie ish here!"

She forgot all the things she had memorised before and made a step forwards, immediately sinking away into the swamp. She yelled and mowed her arms but couldn't step back anymore. She slashed her claws, producing frightened meows and hoped that Milady would come to her and pick her up like she used to.

Selena hurried out of the bushes, panting heavily.
''Tha stupid, stupid troll!'' she cursed under her breath, wiping her hair out of her face as she hid behind a tree.
''Those silly, big, lumpy creatures just have something against me, I swear...''
She waited for a moment, holding her breath, though she doubted the troll would notice any difference if she wasn't.
''Come on now...I've got a nice, little present for you...'' Selena speak, grinning wickedly, while she moved her hands about, creating a miniature fireball that was growing larger by the second.
For a few moments she just stood there, biting her lip, anxious. Then she heard something. A sharp, clear noise. A twig breaking. She smiled, satisfied.
I just knew you'd fall for it, you stupid, senseless creature, she thought. She jumped out from behind the tree with great speed, shooting her razing ball of fire towards her enemy.
''Take this, you old troll!'' she yelled, aggitated, before she knew what hit her.
As she fell to the ground, on top of a figure very much unlike a troll she could hear a little voice inside her say; whoops...

The pirate heard a sweet, little voice speak now. It said Tissie is here. How adorable, Renate thought and ran towards the creature. She saw her now. A catlike girl with furry ears and big, innocent eyes. Her eyes were filled with tears. She had been crying. She wore an old, ugly rag that made the pirate frown. Who was this child? Where had she come from? Was she alone? So many questions haunted her.

''Tissie, are you alright? I heard your voice and was worried. Why are you here all alone? Don't you have a home to go to? Where are you parents?'' the pirate asked, expecting to hear she didn't have any.

Renate was still standing next to the girl when someone came running towards them and bumped into the little girl. It was a young girl. About Renate's age and when she got a better look at her, she recognized the girl. It was her friend and sister, Selena Starling!

''Selena! It's you! I can't believe we meet again. And in a place like this. How odd. How have you been?'' Renate yelled with enthusiasm. ''I haven't seen you for such a long time. I'm glad you're back. How long have you been in Imythess? I just arrived again a few days ago. What about you?''

Tissie's eyes opened even wider when she suddenly saw the lady running towards her. It wasn't Milady, but she didn't look like an enemy. She raised her little arms in up the air, begging the woman to pick her up and cuddle her. She really needed a bit of love now, here in the dark and creepy swamp. Mud was caked to her bare legs and her shirt had got dirty as well.

"M.. m... m... m... Don't have parents," she replied, her voice breaking. "Don't have a house..."

She wagged her red tail some more and a smile appeared on her face. But at that moment, another being ran towards them, again a woman. Tissie meowed in a startled way and lay her ears flat upon her head. She calmed down again when it appeared the woman opposite her knew the other person. And when Tissie took a better look with her tearful eyes, she recognised the girl as well.

Renate picked the girl up and gave her a hug. She looked like she could use some. The pirate wiped off her tears and smiled at Tissie.

''How come you don't have any parents? And if you have no house, where did you grow up? Who took care of you before?'' the little catgirl looked lonely and Renate contemplated taking care of her herself from now on. But she was a pirate. An evil, killingmachine. Not a great mother. Still, the girl needed someone to look after her. Why not her?

When Selena appeared, the girl seemed a bit scared. ''Tissie, this is Selena Starling,'' Renate said, introducing her friend and sister to the little girl. ''She won't harm you. She's a good person. And very powerful too. She will protect you from your enemies. If you have any,'' the pirate said.