Meet the Masu: The Giant Flying Cats of Osivirius

The Masu are the giant flying cats at the heart of Son of Osivirius. Powerful, intelligent, and deeply connected to the rainforest world of Osivirius, they are far more than fantasy creatures. Readers frequently mention the Masu as one of the most memorable aspects of Son of Osivirius, praising the sense of hope, balance, wonder, and connection they bring to the story. The emotional core of the story, they embody the themes of belonging, contentment, freedom, and humanity's relationship with the natural world. And they are what transform this story into hopeful dystopian fiction.

What Are the Masu?

The apex predator of Osivirius, the Masu are stealth hunters with an ability to manipulate and use the electromagnetic properties of the planet. They have a matriarchal social structure and an innate connection with the Balance. They live in the rainforest areas of the planet, making dens in caves where they raise litters of two to three cubs.

These science fantasy creatures, who are the epitome of beauty, elegance, and power, have chosen to bond with the rebels. They communicate telepathically in pictorial language. This is important, because their communication is direct, rather than obscured by words, and meaning is transferred without the usual emotional barriers and filters we erect. It also keeps them anchored in creaturehood, an aspect of the world building essential to the story.

Why I Chose Giant Flying Cats Instead of Dragons

While I love dragons, I wanted to create something unique for my fantasy world. Big cats have always fascinated me–their power, elegance, and how they seem to stare into your soul–so giving them wings just seemed like the perfect choice. The intricacies of the world-building took several drafts to refine, but the Masu were the foundation for all the other elements.

"We Didn't Tame Them. They Tamed Us."

I tend to discover things in the process of writing, and it was during the drafting of some dialogue in what was then chapter three, that I had Jayden ask, “How did you tame them?” In that moment, I knew what kind of creatures these were, and I had Flint respond, “We didn’t. They tamed us.” It was definitely not part of my original plan, but it just felt so right, and with those two lines of dialogue, my climax became crystal clear.

The Masu operate in a matriarchal frame of mutual relationship rather than domination. They are humble, content, and do not have a concept of 'unfairness'. This allowed the rebels to put into practice the way of life they were searching for when they left the colony. The climax hangs entirely on this.

What the Masu Teach the Humans

In a society obsessed with control, status, and consumption, the Masu simply are. They do not strive to be something else. They are content to fulfil their place in the world. Through them, the humans of Osivirius learn lessons about belonging, trust, freedom, and what it means to live well.

In short, they learn how to be truly human, and accept the offer of a completely different paradigm for human flourishing.

Why the Masu are not Anthropomorphised

The Masu are not just a human-like intelligence inside an animal’s body. They are not anthropomorphised either. 

They are creatures. And they stay creatures. And it’s from this grounded creature perspective that they can teach the humans how to be human.

We’ve lost touch with our world. I’m no different. But every now and again I get a glimpse into the staggering loveliness of the natural world, and how it just IS. How each thing just does its part and never thinks to be anything but itself. Content.

Contentment is a big theme in Son of Osivirius, and it’s communicated primarily through the great Masu.

Why I Say 'Masu', not 'a Masu'

During the beta reading phase, one of my wonderful readers queried this line:

“The python was being a python, just like she was being Masu.”

‘Shouldn’t it be ‘a’ Masu?’ he asked.

No. This phrasing was deliberate. And here’s why: I was giving them equal dignity with humans. 

It’s a subtle thing, but we tend to objectify the world around us and other creatures. I wanted to do something different in this book. I wanted to have the animals be the mentors. 

But still stay animals. 

If You Love Creature-Centred Fantasy

Readers who enjoyed the dragons of Pern, the bond between dragon and rider in Eragon, or the deep connection to nature found in Avatar, may find something familiar in the Masu. Creature bonds and animal companions are nothing new in fantasy and speculative fiction, and these stories had an influence in the shaping of Son of Osivirius, either directly or indirectly. 

James Cameron's Avatar was a direct influence (including the rainforest setting) with its eco-spiritual themes and the concept of Eywa, as well as the 'one-body' bonds the Na'avi formed with the ikran and other creatures. The Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey influenced both the human-animal bond I wanted to create, as well as the concept of a group of people attempting to set up an agrarian society on a second-chance earth. And Fern Gully, which is set in the Australian rainforest I myself live in, dealt with the problem of corporate greed in a similarly hopeful and life-giving way.

What Do the Masu Represent?

In many ways, the Masu are the real heroes of Osivirius. They embody the qualities of hope, compassion, belonging, and emotional depth that the humans are searching for. They don't operate from a scarcity mindset, but rather an abundance mindset, and in contrast to the main characters, are not ruled by fear. In many ways, they also embody the freedom the human characters are searching for throughout the novel.

The Masu offer an alternative to the colony's systems of control and scarcity. This puts them in a unique position to be the real, yet hidden, heroes of Osivirius, which is why I think so many readers connected deeply with them, and what transforms Son of Osivirius into hopeful dystopian fiction. They represent a way of life built on trust rather than fear, contentment rather than scarcity, and relationship rather than domination. 

Is Son of Osivirius Right for Readers Who Love Creature-Centred Fantasy?

At their heart, the Masu are not simply fantasy creatures. They are a lens through which Son of Osivirius explores freedom, belonging, contentment, and humanity's relationship with the natural world. They carry emotional significance, and are the vehicle that transforms this story from a simple action adventure into hopeful dystopian science fiction with deep themes. Exactly what a magical creature should do!