Fire and Shadows
Chapter 6
Fireheart ran.
He felt his heart thudding madly, struggling to provide blood to fuel his straining muscles. He felt all the fur along his spine bristle with the dread of impending doom. He was all but overwhelmed by his own fear-scent. And still he ran. Ran, and ran, and ran. Because if he stopped, his world would surely crash. His life would surely end.
He dared not look back at his hunter. He did not want to see. He did not need to see. He could sense the absolute malice gaining on him. His ears picked up the terrible sound of blood-curdling laughter in the wind, getting louder with every pawstep he took.
He had never been so afraid of anything in his life.
The sky was dark. The sky was so dark. His soul cried for StarClan's comfort, strength, and guidance. There was no doubt in his mind the StarClan could rescue him from this horrendous monstrosity behind him. But StarClan did not answer. Perhaps they could not. Perhaps they did not know of his crisis at all.
Or perhaps, they simply did not wish to help him.
That thought chilled him even more, adding despair to his growing list of dark emotions.
Where was he running to? If StarClan had abandoned him, there was nowhere safe, in the forest, or in the entire world. Without StarClan's backing him, who could give him a place of solace? Who could provide him with a fortress strong enough to withstand the monster's wrath?
He was so very, very afraid.
The forest was to be savaged, torn beyond recognition, and swallowed up. The Clan would be lost forever. All his friends, his home, those who had become closer than family to him…all would be lost forever. He was sure of it. For not even all the clans together could take on this beast and survive to tell about it to future generations.
It was gaining. It was so very, very near.
And he, he was so very, very tired.
And yet…
And yet...
"Don't give up, Fireheart."
He heard the whisper in the light gust of wind that blew into his ears. This was a different type of wind, not the biting, tearing gusts that were raging around him, but a warm, caressing summer breeze that sent warmth to his fear-frozen mind. He heard the soft, familiar voice, filled with all the tender emotions that the Beast had chased out of his heart, and he could see the speaker clearly in his mind.
"Don't give up, Fireheart."
Then there was a cat running beside him, her slender form flashing above the earth, her pawbeats matching his exactly, falling into the pattern with him. Her mere presence made his entire being swell with hope, and his weary muscles regain the strength they desperately needed.
"Don't give up, Fireheart. No matter how bleak things may seem. No matter how hopeless, how impossible, how desperate the situation, don't you ever give up. Even when it appears as if all is lost, and doomed to failure, remember that there can be no darkness without light. When the darkness surrounds you, Fireheart, search for that light, and hang on to it with all your mind, soul, and strength. I cannot always be there. We cannot always be there. But we are watching, Fireheart, our love is with you, always. The Darkness is coming, Fireheart. The Fear is coming, the Shade is coming. These words are all that I can give you."
Fireheart trembled, but did not break a stride.
"But I'm scared. I'm scared!"
"I know, Fireheart, I know. But you are not alone. We cannot aid you in this one. But we have children near you, much nearer than you know. They will help you through, Fireheart. Do not give up. We need your strength. Your Clan needs your strength. The whole forest needs your strength."
"Why me? Why must I be the only strong one? You have no idea how afraid I am!"
She gave him a sympathetic look. "Of course I know, Fireheart. I am afraid for you. But it's alright to be afraid. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather, the mastery of fear.
"Remember, Fireheart, remember these words well. The Darkness is coming. The day will come when the Stars are forbidden to shine. But our dear children are near, Fireheart. When the Stars cannot be seen, the Dragons will come, and will fight by your side.
"Remember my words well…don't ever give up."
Then Spottedleaf was gone.
The wind, as if sensing the last of the light had disappeared, picked up and began to holler. The night became impossibly darker, and the shadows pressed in, suffocating him. Terrified, Fireheart could only run towards his unknown destination, Spottedleaf's words ringing like a mantra in his otherwise paralyzed mind.
"Don't give up."
He was weary and weak. Running was life. Running, running…
Just when he was about to collapse from utter and pure exhaustion, a shadow appeared up ahead. Lighting flashed, cracking electric blue against the otherwise frighteningly dark sky. This new shadow…was different. And Fireheart knew that was where he needed to go. He needed to get to this shadow that spoke not of death and despair, but of safety and protection.
Such was the nature of darkness; it was a double-edged sword.
As he grew closer, the shadow up ahead took on a definite form. He struggled to run even faster, his paws flying madly over the bare earth. Safety…safety was so close…
As if sensing its query was nearing a site of solace, the Beast suddenly let loose a furious roar, and charged full speed ahead.
With a desperate yowl, Fireheart flung himself recklessly forward.
He sailed through the air, and landed in an ungraceful heap.
He was dead. He was so dead –
A shadow fell over him. It had come when he had fallen.
Fireheart looked up, and felt his heart nearly stop.
Towering above him was a jet back dragon. Its huge wings were unfurled, its fangs were bared, and its metal claws were placed protectively a few feet above his head. It glared into the Darkness, and snarled.
The Beast faltered, uncertain for the first time.
The Dragon snarled again, and opened its jaws wide.A torrent of red-blue flame shot forth. The Darkness cried out, and grudgingly, bitterly retreated. For now. Fireheart knew it was not yet finished. It would return. But for now, for now, he was safe.
Frieheart looked up at his savior in awe.
The Dragon lowered it majestic head and looked down to meet his gaze.
There was another crack of lightning that split the dark sky.
In that split second where the sharp light sliced though the surrounding gloom, Fireheart saw the color of the Dragon's eyes for the first time.
With a jolt, he realized they were crimson.
And then…
Amber eyes snapped open.
He was awake. Awake, in the Warrior's den, among his unhurt, blissfully unaware clanmates.
There would be no more sleep for the ginger warrior tonight.
The warning from StarClan was still too fresh.
The fear of the Beast was still too sharp.
And every time he closed his eyes…
…he saw a pair of crimson orbs.
They were unsettlingly familiar.
He knew. He knew where he had seen them before. He lived with the only being he knew to such a shade of eyes.
The little black cat in question was sound asleep in the apprentices' den. The ceremony had been held only mere hours ago.
Fireheart now found himself a bit wary of his own, new apprentice.
Yes, it's true! I am updating twice in as many weeks. It's a miracle!
I don't care if it's a short chapter. Don't burst my bubble.
See? I'm keeping my promise to work on my stories.
By the way, I moved this fic to the Warriors section of I had not known there was one until...oh...fifteen minutes ago. Since this is admittedly (for now) more of a Warriors fic than YGO, I have decided to give it to its rightful place. Sorry for any inconvienience.
Please review, everyone! (Insert 'Begging Kitty Eyes' here). Even just one word would be awesome! Thank you!