A Clan with secrets to hide.
A Clan with a sinister streak.
And a gang who are not what they seem.
With war looming on the horizon, loyalties are tested and families are torn apart. In this world of light and shadow, everyone has something to hide.
Here Only one thing is certain, only one clan will survive.
Perhaps Sorrelheart could have brought her Medicine Cat. Moral support. A confidant. However, this felt like something she ought to do alone. The overlook was dangerous, but it wasn’t like she hadn’t patrolled there before. Sleeping upon the cliffs though...it felt wrong. She knew the risk of snakes biting her whilst she slept was high. Perhaps she shouldn’t have come alone. She could have had someone by her side, watching over her and waking her or killing the snake if they spotted one. It would certainly be safer. However, she’d spent most of her life alone. Sure, her father had been there, but he was never truly there as he welcomed and cultivated her independence. For a brief flicker, she’d had Bramblepaw, truly had a brother. Yet she knew well enough that good things don’t last. Her thoughts wandered back to her mother, and Adderpaw, to Swiftflame and his exile. Perhaps bad things don’t last, either. A slight smile graced her muzzle at the thought. Yes, this may be daunting, but it would be worth it. And the bad things wouldn’t last.
The paths leading up to the overlook were dangerous. Of course, everything here was dangerous. At least it was Greenleaf. It meant the air was dry and warm, along with the paths. In fact, as she padded cautiously along the stone, approaching the edge of the overlook, she could feel the remaining warmth seeping into her pads. It relaxed her slightly, in a way. For some reason, it made this endeavour feel a little safer. Still, she kept her ears pricked and eyes focused, looking and listening for snakes. She’d chosen a spot where they’d be the least likely to be, where no one had ever scented or spotted one. She may be taking a risk, but she’d do her best to limit it.
Reaching the edge of the cliff, Sorrelheart raises her head and looks out toward Winterclan, surveying the scenery. She felt calmer than she expected. She heard no battle cries and saw no streaking shadows. The night was clear and cloudless, the moon hanging high in the sky. The stars glittered from above, blinking at her. They, too, were ready. Waiting for her. To some unknown presence she could feel nearby, Sorrelheart dipped her head in thanks. They would watch over her. She was grateful, and the remaining tension loosed from her muscles as her gaze gave one last sweep before she lay down.
”I hope to see you tonight, Bramblepaw” she murmurs softly, peering up at the stars one last time. Silence. She didn’t expect to hear anything, but part of her couldn’t help but be a little disappointed anyway. However, a soft breeze whispered past a moment later, stirring her ears. She could have sworn she heard a faint voice. Smiling softly, the molly curled up and closed her eyes. She was ready.
S T A R C L A N ________________________________________
Starclan had been waiting. Nine cats stood at the rim of a small clearing, their pelts glittering with starlight. This silent vigil lasted no more than a few minutes, only breaking when Sorrelheart appeared in their midst.
A delicate, gray she-cat stepped forward, her eyes bright and filled with the wisdom of a a hundred cats. Her sharp features twitched into a razor smile as she dipped her head to the warrior. "Welcome to the stars, little one." Breezestar glanced over her shoulder at the cats gathered there, a familiar pride swelling in her chest. The founder had been present at the ceremony of every single leader that would continue making her clan a name to be held in awe. This was everything to her. Breezestar drifted forward with elegant strides to stand before Sorrelheart, her yellowed eyes shinning.
With a gentle touch of her nose to the opposing molly's head, she began, "With this life, I give you honor. Use it well to lead Breezeclan on a path that your ancestors can be proud of. Never lose this valuable trait." Breestar stepped back into the gathering of felines as the nest cat stepped forward.
The tom had a pelt that shone like a sharp burst of sunlight and a large scar stretching across one of his milky eyes. Sunpelt, ancient warrior of Breezeclan, offered the molly a gentle smile. "With this life, I give you humility. Use it to your advantages in times of great loss. Accept what fate may bring, don't try to control things out of your grasp." Sunpelt slipped back into the crowd to stand beside Breezestar.
This time, a young she-cat with a dark tabby pelt bounced forward. She had to be no older than six moons of age but looked as though she had seen far too much. Dewpaw, medicine cat apprentice of Breezeclan, gave Sorrelheart a dazzling smile. The tiny molly had to stretch as high as she could to touch her nose to the top of Sorrelheart's head. "With this life, I give you faith. Never doubt Starclan or yourself when times become tough." Dewpaw bounced back to Breezestar's side.
Another tom took her place, his large figure imposing and demanding of respect. Waspstar, cunning and revered former leader of Breezeclan, touched his nose to the molly's head roughly. "With this life, I give you certainty. Never doubt yourself and your strengths. Breezeclan rests in your paws, lead them well." He returned to the circle of cats, his features unfeeling.
A calico she-cat with a lop-sided grin and large ears slid forward like a snake to give her own gift. Everything about the she-cat felt predatory and harsh despite her smiling face. Nightwind dipped her large head to touch the top of Sorrelheart's head. "With this life, I give you endurance. I know your journey won't be easy, but never let your exhaustion get the best of you." The warrior slipped back in the same manner as she had arrived.
With the air of one dancing, a white tom took her place elegantly. His sharp blue eyes radiated strength and compassion. Icesplash, former medicine cat of Breezeclan, reached down to touch the molly's head with a musical laugh. "With this life, I give you hope. Things with this war may seem like they will never get better but I promise you that if you have hope, you may yet come out of this in triumph." Icesplash gave the molly one last warm look before backing away.
This time, the warrior who approached was not one who had died long ago. Berrypatch, ginger warrior of Breezeclan, had died only eight moons prior due to birthing complications. Her smile was still gripped with grief but her soft green gaze had a lingering hope for the future. "With this life, I give you trust. Never turn a blind eye to the advice of your clanmates." Berrypatch walked back into the circle where she was greeted joyfully by Dewpaw.
Another tom of recent departure slipped forward, green eyes shinning from his black pelt. Elmclaw had died defending his clan in a recent border skirmish with the Reapers at the young age of 13 moons. "With this life, I give you pride. Your clan is your own, embrace them with pride and lead them with that same trait." He dipped his head to the molly in respect and shuffled backwards.
Finally, a young apprentice stepped forward to give Sorrelheart her final life. Bramblepaw smiled widely as he approached his sister, only the faintest sign of regret flashing across his young features. The tom pressed his nose gently to the top of the molly's head. "With this life, I give you forgiveness. Things of the past are no one's fault. Everyone deserves a second chance no matter their crimes but always use caution." Bramblepaw removed his nose from her head and burred his face briefly in her shoulder, "I'm so proud of you," he murmured before stepping back.
Breezestar returned to the front of the queue silently, pride radiating from her. Pride for what her clan had become and pride in this young cat who would guard her legacy. Her voice boomed over the silently terrain as she ended the ceremony, "I hail you by your new name, Sorrelstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of Breezeclan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity."
The nine cats of Starclan stood quietly, gazing at the new leader for a heartbeat longer before turning, one by one, and disappearing into the mist.
Sorrelheart opened her eyes to face a new world, yet one that felt almost achingly familiar. Like once upon a time she may have called it home. She wasn’t really sure why she felt like that, but it was equal parts thrilling and unsettling. Shaking off her thoughts, the calico sat up and rose a little uncertainly to her paws. Her gaze scanned the ranks of starry pelts before her, and she couldn’t help but smile at a few familiar faces. Sorrelheart felt strangely at peace here. She thought it might have been more daunting, but with all the welcoming gazes...it felt right.
After a moment longer of silence, a lithe grey she-cat stepped forward. Sorrelheart had never met her before, yet still something told her she was very important. Her yellow gaze held great wisdom, and she seemed more ancient than time itself. Yet still she held herself with a confidant air, and her aura radiated a certain immortality. Following her gut, Sorrelheart bows her head in respectful greeting. “Welcome to the stars, little one.” Sorrelheart blinked slowly in thanks. It did not feel right to speak at that moment, as the ancient starclanner stepped elegantly closer and touched her nose to her head.
“With this life, I give you honour. Use it well to lead Breezeclan on a path that your ancestors can be proud of. Never lose this valuable trait.” Without warning, pain ripped through the molly, and she felt her knees buckle. Gasping, Sorrelheart just managed to catch herself, but remained crouched low with her head bowed. The painwas gone as quickly as it appeared, and Sorrelheart was left with a strange energy rippling through her veins. This energy gave her the strength to take a few deep breaths and straighten. Only she’d decomposed herself, she met Breezestar’s gaze and dipped her head in acknowledgement of the gift.
The next cat stepped forward, an unfamiliar tom with a pelt that shone light a brand of golden sunlight. One of his milky eyes was clearly blind, but he looked strong and brave as he touched the top of her slightly bowed head. “With this life, I give you humility. Use it to your advantage in times of great loss. Accept what fate may bring, don't try to control things out of your grasp.” This time, Sorrelheart braced herself in time for the wave of pain, biting back her gasp this time. It still left her shuddering slightly afterwards, but she recovered herself and loosened her muscles. Her head bowed to him in thanks as she wondered who those first two cats were.
Next to step forward, or more so bound, was the first familiar face. A young tabby apprentice, only six moons of age. Still, her eyes shone with pride and happiness. Sorrelheart felt a pang of sadness. It had been so horrible to watch the young healer go, not even making it a moon into her training. ”I’m glad to see you smile, Dewpaw” she murmurs softly. The little molly struggled slightly to reach the top of her head, so Sorrelheart lowered it for her. “With this life, I give you faith. Never doubt Starclan or yourself when times become tough.” This time, when Sorrelheart braced herself for pain, it didn’t come. So before the molly left, she gave her a gentle lick on the cheek to symbolise she was missed.
The next Starclanner was also familiar. He came forward and groughly stood before her, wasting no time with smiles and greetings. He was strong and imposing, and the way he touched his nose to her head was rough, but she did not fear him. He was a good, brave cat, and she would never cease to respect him. He helped her in her last few steps of reaching this night, and she was eternally grateful for that. “With this life, I give you certainty. Never doubt yourself and your strengths. Breezeclan rests in your paws, lead them well.” Unsurprisingly, pain accompanied this life, and Sorrelheart was once more prepared. After all, only one so far had instead been an electifying sureness instead. With the pain fading, Sorrelheart watched through shining eyes as Waspstar returned to his post.
The next molly was a vaguely familiar calico with a wide lopsided grin. She seemed equally friendly and dangerous, but Sorrelheart did not worry. She would not have made it to Starclan if she was cruel. Likely, this was the molly that had died when she was just a kit. Sorrelheart couldn’t recall her name. “With this life, I give you endurance. I know your journey won't be easy, but never let your exhaustion get the best of you.” Again, pain rippled through her. Her distraction led Sorrelheart to be slightly less prepared, but she stiffened and took it like a blow. The only slunk back into the crowd, and Sorrelheart watched her go.
The next was much more familiar than the last. A white tom with bright blue eyes, his warm smile radiating gentle compassion. A musical laugh sounded from the former medicine cat, and Sorrelheart smiled. “With this life, I give you hope. Things with this war may seem like they will never get better but I promise you that if you have hope, you may yet come out of this in triumph.” Like with his first apprentice, the pain she was expecting granted from Icesplash’s gift did not come. Instead, she felt a feeling of warmth, almost like she was glowing from the inside out. She purred and blinked gratefully at the former medicine cat. It was a shame not to have him by her side in her first few moons of leadership, she would have been grateful for his guidance.
The next to step forth was a molly who had died only recently. Her radiant smile was touched with grief, but still the queen’s gaze was warm as she touched her head gently. “With this life, I give you trust. Never turn a blind eye to the advice of your clanmates.” Again, not a whisper of pain. She felt a bit of a shock, like coldness, before it warped into a faithful certainty that Starclan and her precious clanmates would always be there for her. Again, the molly uttered a gentle purr, and watched gladly as the ginger queen was greeted joyously by Dewpaw. Berrypatch would have been an excellent mother.
Elmclaw was next to step forward, looking a little less certain of himself even as his green eyes shone brightly. Sorrelheart offered him a gentle smile. She had fought at his side on his final day, and she’d been sad to see such a young warrior go. ”You are well missed, Elmclaw. You fought bravely.” She dips her head to him, and he touches his nose to her with a bit more confidence. “With this life, I give you pride. Your clan is your own, embrace them with pride and lead them with that same trait.” This time, after two good feelings, Sorrelheart was not expecting the pain. The calico gasped in surprise and winced, squeezing her tightly eyes closed against the wave. As she recovered and opened her eyes once more, she saw that black warrior retreating with a respectful bow of his head, and wondered if this was the pain he had felt from the injuries that took his life.
The final life-giver to step forward sent a pang of love and regret through her, and her heart ached for a moment. Her brother. The one member of her family who had truly and openly loved her. Gone because of her foolish mistake. Yet he was not mad, and his smile was wide as it ever was in those short moons together. “With this life, I give you forgiveness. Things of the past are no one's fault. Everyone deserves a second chance no matter their crimes but always use caution.” This one started off not as pain, but as a dull ache that slowly transitioned itself to a warm and comforting feeling. It seemed fitting. Was Bramblepaw speaking in reference to their family? Perhaps he meant Swiftflame, exiled by Waspstar for trying to kill her. Or maybe his words were directed toward their mother and other sibling, Honey and Adder. Was she meant to forgive them?
The feeling of him burying his face into her shoulder pulled her thoughts from their confusion, and all melted away but the love for her precious brother. ”I have missed you dearly, brother.” She remembered a time when they had fought. She had forgiven him, hadn’t she? Purring despite her lingering grief, Sorrelheart placed her chin gently over his back and closed her eyes, willing this moment to stay. But it didn’t. The young brown tabby pulled away. “I’m so proud of you,” he murmured, before melting back into the crowd. If only he had stayed by her side, she would have given anything to take him back with her to Breezeclan. Their home.
Once more, the ancient molly stepped gracefully forward, her voice booming proud as her eyes shone like the stars that gleamed in her fur. “I hail you by your new name, Sorrelstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of Breezeclan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity.” The words were both daunting and thrilling, just like the feeling she got when she saw the cats for the first time. She did not know all of their names, but it didn’t matter. They would remain from now on like family in her heart.
Sorrelstar held her head high with pride and leaderly regality, feeling much more whole now than she had before. It was like the starlit forest around them sung, and she swore she could see eyes of all colors gleaming in the shadows of the trees. Ever watchful. Once the grey Starclanner was finished, Sorrelstar dipped her head. ”I thank you, Starclan. I vow I shall not disappoint.” Her long tail swished once, and she watched calmly as the nine cats disappeared one by one into the mist. And then, the forest around her faded, and Sorrelstar awoke anew upon the overlook of Breezeclan territory. Her home.
