“The Burning Cage” Novel by SR Dominator.
Chapter 1: The Fall of Westmoor. Westmoor was a small town built between the silent hills and the flowing river that carried its waters through the valley. Surrounded by green fields and ancient forests, the town was known for its peaceful people and simple way of life. For generations, the residents of Westmoor had lived together with harmony. Farmers worked in their fields, merchants opened their small shops, and families gathered every evening to share stories beside warm fires. The town had its own struggles, but people believed that kindness and unity were stronger than any hardship. Among those humble people lived a poor farmer named Jacob. Jacob was not a wealthy man. He owned only a small piece of land on the outskirts of Westmoor, but to him, that land was more valuable than any treasure because it was the source of his family’s happiness. Every morning before sunrise, Jacob walked towards his fields with hope in his heart. His hands were rough from years of hard work, but he never complained. He believed that honest work was the greatest pride a man could have. At the end of the day, when the sun disappeared behind the hills, Jacob returned home to the small wooden house where his greatest wealth waited for him — his family. He lived peacefully with his wife, his two daughters, and his young son Michael. Michael was different from other children in the town. Even at a young age, he was curious, observant, and full of questions about the world around him. His father often told him: “Never forget, Michael… a man’s true strength is not in what he owns, but in what he protects.” Those words stayed in Michael’s heart. For years, the Jacob family lived a simple but happy life. Their home was not large, their possessions were not many, but their hearts were full. However, beneath the peaceful surface of Westmoor, a darkness was slowly approaching. A darkness that would change the fate of the town forever. A darkness that would turn a peaceful valley into a place remembered as The peaceful days of Westmoor did not last forever. One year, a terrible famine struck the valley. The rain that once blessed the fields disappeared, and the fertile lands of Westmoor began to lose their life. Crops that farmers had planted with hope turned into dry, lifeless remains. For Jacob, the disaster was devastating. His small farm, which had always been his family’s source of survival, failed to produce enough harvest. The little food stored in his house slowly disappeared. Every passing day became a struggle between hope and hunger. Jacob tried everything he could. He went from one person to another in Westmoor, asking for a loan so he could survive the difficult time and restart his farming. But everyone was afraid of their own situation. The famine had affected the entire town, and nobody was willing to take the risk of lending money. With no other choice left, Jacob stood before the reality he feared the most. He needed help from someone powerful. Someone who had wealth when everyone else had nothing. That person was Lord Victor. Lord Victor was the richest man in Westmoor. He owned vast lands, grand properties, and controlled many businesses in the region. The people of the town respected his status, but behind the walls of his magnificent estate were secrets that few dared to speak about. Desperate to save his family, Jacob went to Lord Victor’s mansion. The grand gates opened before him, revealing a world completely different from his humble life. Marble floors, expensive decorations, and servants moving through the halls reminded Jacob of the huge difference between their worlds. Lord Victor listened to Jacob’s request. He offered him the money he needed, but there was a condition. The loan would come with interest. Jacob had no choice. His family’s survival was more important than anything else. Without knowing the true nature of the man sitting before him, Jacob accepted the agreement. He thought he had found a way to save his family. But he did not know that the hand reaching out to help him was actually the hand of a man who would eventually destroy everything he loved. After borrowing the money, Jacob devoted himself completely to his work. From sunrise until long after sunset, he labored in his fields without rest. Season after season, his determination slowly brought life back to his land. The harvest improved, and little by little, his family escaped the shadow of starvation. With every successful crop, Jacob repaid a portion of the debt. After years of relentless hard work, he finally returned the entire principal amount he had borrowed. He even managed to pay a large part of the interest. But the debt never seemed to end. The interest kept increasing until it became almost impossible for an ordinary farmer to repay. No matter how much Jacob paid, another amount was added to the total. Lord Victor had never intended to let Jacob become free. Soon, Victor’s patience turned into intimidation. Every week, three or four of his armed goons arrived at Jacob’s small farmhouse. Their horses stopped outside the gate, filling the peaceful home with fear before a single word was spoken. “You have one week,” one of them would say coldly. “Lord Victor wants every remaining coin. If you fail… you will face the consequences.” Without waiting for an answer, they would ride away, leaving behind frightened children, a terrified wife, and a farmer whose shoulders grew heavier with every passing week. Jacob knew he was being trapped. This was no longer about money. It was about power. And Lord Victor enjoyed watching honest people break under its weight. Jacob could no longer bear the burden that had been forced upon him. No matter how hard he worked, the debt never seemed to end. Every passing week tightened the chains around his family. Lord Victor had finally lost all patience. One
