The gathering was not far away and above sat a saturated moon, whose glow seemed to radiate through the skies. Darkglow’s sides heaved with slow and labored breaths. Time had flown by quickly. She’d been a warrior for a couple moons, grown in friendships, and distanced further and further from the ability that tethered her to realms beyond her own. Klaus had become a reassuring presence but life in the clan had improved as well. During that time, she and Flywhisker had become intertwined. Their journey had started as a simple reach to bridge the gap with a distance clanmate, to enjoy a patrol. Her clanmate had proven to be friendly, despite what their normal and removed disposition suggested.
They had shown her the stars in a manner that had been reassuring. Silverpelt sparkled above, causing her eyes to grow wide, as she drank in the way the ancestors had watched over the pair of clanmates. Despite how close and real Starclan was to her, Darkglow relished in the idea of them being a distant world. Flywhisker had brought her some form of peace. Together, during a particularly chilly night, they slid their paws over frozen pools of ice and looked the least like warriors possible. But she thought fondly of that night now with a half-smile and a bleary gaze. Her head tucked neatly into her chest as she looked over the little bundles of fur that nestled into her belly.
Kits. She had her own kits.
The idea had never really occurred to Darkglow, as he mind was often preoccupied with other matters. But such a thing brought her joy and the idea of sharing this path with Flywhisker made it all the more sweet. This was perhaps the most content she had been in her entire life, after leaving behind the innocence of kithood. And now that very gift was bestowed upon her own offspring. To live in a moment like this seemed far too sweet to last more than a fleeting second. As the slow breaths began to soothe her heart, the calico she-cat found herself able to drift easily into an engulfing sleep. Darkness met the she-cat, a welcome thing. In the waking world, a contented purr rumbled.
And then, she was shocked by a swirling scenery. Everything twisted and swayed around her, distorting before settling into something familiar. Starclan. She blinked and slowly recognized the familiar pelt before her. It was Sageleaf. In spite of her normal demeanor, given the circumstances, the new queen smiled at the Starclan cat and dipped her head slightly in greeting. Sgaeleaf’s eyes shone and her face was twisted in a manner that spoke of something concerning. Hesitating, Darkglow dared to ask, “What’s wrong, Sageleaf? Did something happen?”
“Something is coming. The moon is going to… disappear instead of watching over the gathering. The stars will be covered. Shadows will have limitless power.” Sageleaf’s words shook slightly, no matter how much the gray and white medicine cat tried to keep her composure. Her shoulders dipped forward and, for a Starclan cat, she looked impossibly defeated, “I won’t be able to protect you, Darkglow, whatever comes - Starclan won’t see it. I… think that’s why you’re here. A warning from something greater than the ancestors, from the universe.” Claws gripped the star-ladden earth as an impossible worry seemed to overcome her.
Darkglow blinked. This was the answer? What she had sought for so long? That Starclan was going to become powerless and briefly leave the clans to defend themselves. She couldn’t move. Swallowing was impossible. The ball of ice in her throat thickened rather than melting away. Staring at Sageleaf, she began to feel faint. Her time here was coming to the end. That was enough to shock the queen to her paws and she longed to rush toward the Starclan cat, “Wait! I need to know what to do? What are we supposed to do?” The yowl was cut short.
Her head shot up and the breath that tore from her lungs was erratic. If Starclan was terrified, every cat should be petrified. Darkglow tried to calm herself but it quickly proved to be an impossible feat. She glanced around wildly, finding nothing more than the sleeping forms of her denmates before her sights settled on the kits. As much as she longed to spend this moment with them, she knew that it would be impossible to stay here, to sit here and do nothing. Slowly and carefully, she removed herself from the nest, tucking in bedding around them so they would stay comfortable and warm until she returned. From where? Darkglow had no idea.
“I’ll be back soon, my loves.” A fervent whisper vowed as the calico slipped from the den.
Riverclan was silent. Cats slept unaware of the information that consumed her thoughts. She glanced at Cloverheart’s den, swallowing back indecision, and instead turned towards a secluded corner of the camp. Guards would only interrupt. Claws snagged into the frailest corner that she could find and after several swipes, the she-cat was able to slip out. She would head towards fourtrees and keep going until her paws ached. It was a hopeless attempt, given she had never left the camp before. But she needed comfort, she had to run from this. In this moment, the queen knew that such a thing would only come from her companion beyond the borders - Klaus. He would help her sort through this, he would provide comfort. If anything, it might momentarily soothe her pounding heart.
