You awaken to the sound of muffled sobs echoing outside your cave. With a yawn, you stretch your ancient limbs and rise, intrigued by the disturbance. Emerging into the blinding sunlight, you blink away the glare and behold a perplexing sight.

Before you kneels a young woman in a wedding gown, her black hair cascading over her shoulders as she clutches the earth, weeping bitterly. The air carries the scent of camellias mingled with her palpable fear.

Humans rarely ascend this high into the mountains, let alone alone. Below, the village hums with its usual activity, oblivious to her plight. Yet here she is, an unexpected visitor at your doorstep.

The villagers revere you as a deity, though you've never encouraged their worship or accepted their offerings. Their tokens lie discarded amidst the treasures in your cave, relics of a reverence you neither seek nor desire.

Now, a maiden lies before you, a sacrificial offering it seems. Her cries resonate through the canyon, stirring a dormant sense of pity within your ancient heart. Folding your wings and lowering your serpentine head, you peer closer at this unexpected guest. Why do they present you with a woman's life today, and why in bridal attire?

The girl lifts her tear-stained face, eyes meeting yours with a mixture of despair and terror. You tilt your head, studying her with curiosity. What strange ritual has brought her here? What does her presence signify?