-- « Break of the Red Dawn » --| Rise 1000

[zippo.]

┌───────────────────────────────────────┐

Ｔｈｅ　Ａｎｃｉｅｎｔｓ　Ｗｏｒｄ

There is nothing but ash and dust within
the memories of the sacred meadow, but there is hope
for the land now marked by crows.

For the old gods have given breath too ancient spirits,
and strength to a brave soul.

The land can only be freed by
those chosen by the three crows,
but beware of the red dawn.
└───────────────────────────────────────┘

[zippo.]

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Red Clouds at Dawn | Dawnflare | Red

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gender: male, masculine presenting

age: 23 moons

rank: warrior - exile

clan: The Land of Three Crows

form counts: everything made and written by me
art pieces - 3/3
word count - 5999/6k, bonus 1k tacked onto the 5k with the writing extras

-- Ferocious

-- Imperious

-- Tenacious

-- Dutiful

-- Alluring

A look into Red's past - his fall, the fire, the wolves; and his future- his followers.

and a moodboard reflecting Red and Ash's relationship.

[zippo.]

Red Clouds at Dawn was born into a disgraced family, into a family always seeking out redemption for the actions of their ancestors. He was a single kit, a miracle to the parents who had tried and failed many times before. His mother, Call of Morning Hawk, was only three generations removed from the infamous Owl that Cries at Dawn - and while 'Dawn' was a tainted name to the Tribe of Gentle Petals she bestowed this to her only son in hopes he would redeem the title, and release the anger that has cursed his family line. Owl was the second spiritwalker within the Sacred Meadow, but instead of learning from his gift as his predecessor Rain - he let it drive him to Insanity. Owl that Cries at Dawn snapped one faithful morning and murdered two of his clanmates before he was put down, leaving his pregnant mate distraught and alone. His mate, Lily Hidden in River Weeds - went on to give birth to three kittens; one of which being Red's great great grandmother Leap of Startled Hare. Hare's two siblings and her mother died during the harsh winter, she was the only survivor and carried the line onward to her two kits. Her daughter, Wind through Summer Flowers was killed by a fox during an apprentice hunting trip. She then only had her son, Strike of Summer Lightning - who went on to be a notoriously skilled Warrior. Hare died of old age, which would be a first in the recent years of that line. Lightning had found a tom he had fallen in love with, and together with the help of a donor they had their own kits. Though it seemed his line was cursed, and out of his three kits only one survived until adulthood. His name was Croak of River Toad, a rather forgetful blip in Red's ancestry. Toad was a simple hunter who settled down, had a single kit - his mother, before falling ill and passing on. His mother was a extraordinary hunter, who had an extraordinary warrior as her mate by the name of Broken Clouds across Night Sky. The pair had tried for years to have kits, their first litter being stillborn. Red was their second litter, dozenth attempt - he was born one early spring morning, and the gods rejoiced by making the sky explode with reds and pinks. Hawk was overjoyed, and her soul was full of hope for her sweet child - if only she knew what she had given birth too; what Owl that Cries at Dawn had started and what Red Clouds at Dawn would end.




"Isn't he the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?" Hawk muttered to her mate, her tears slipping down her cheeks and falling onto the newly born kitten. The explosion the sunset brought had sense the dissipated, the gods' celebration dying down as the night crawled through the territory.

Night remained silent, but gently nudged the tears from her cheeks and placed a even gentler kiss onto son's head. "What shall we name him, my love?" his voice was soft, softer than the brash tom had ever been before. The moment was too precious, the happiness in his heart to expansive to be held down for a collected exterior.

The new mother glanced up to her mate, briefly pausing to look out into the darkness. She remained silent, pondering the repercussions of what she was about to say. She took a deep breath before meeting his gaze again, "His name is Red Clouds at Dawn."

Her mate gave her a stern look, his whole body going stiff as the stories of Owl flooded to mind. "Why not Red Clouds at Dusk?" he growled in annoyance, not to her but to the situation and the fear bubbling in his chest.

"No" She barked, grooming the kitten as it mewed for attention. "Besides, he was not born at Dusk" She mumbled with a snarky grin, causing him to smile once again. "I know what you're thinking" her voice softened as did her gaze, "But Red will save us from this curse, he is the start of something beautiful. I can feel it, can't you?" her voice cracked as tears threatened to spill once more.

Night laid down, his mate curling into him as their kitten curled into his mother. He nodded in return, but remained silent and instead started grooming his love. He could feel the stress rolling off her shoulders, and wanted nothing more than to appease he worries.

---

"Momma, Mommmmma!" The kitten cried in annoyance, earning a laugh from his father.

"Sense when did you become such a Momma's boy?" He questioned, nipping at the kittens butt in a playful manner.

Red stuck out his tongue before leaping at his father. He, however, overestimated how far his little legs could take him and ended up stumbling into the dirt of den, rolling and thumping into his father's chest. Night let out a hearty chuckle, blowing raspberries into the kittens exposed stomach.

"What're my boys doing?" Hawk said through a muffled mouth while she trotted in, a smile erupting onto her face at the sight. Red was getting so big, he was already almost double the size of the other kittens his age. She dropped the prey she brought for them, a juicy rabbit she had caught previously for the family to share.

"Hungry, baby?" She asked, nuzzling Night and stretching out next to him.

"Of course I am!" Red responded instead, charging at the rabbit and attempting to rip through the fur himself.

"Easy there tiger, save some for the rest of us" Night teased, dragging the rabbit towards him and ripping it apart easily. He tore small strips for the kitten to nibble on, saving the bulk of it for the two of them.

"It's almost time for him to start training" Hawk commented, the worry evident in her voice though her face was calm.

"He'll be fine" Night assured, giving her a comforting look and licking her cheek. "Eat something, darling" He commented, pushing the thigh of the rabbit to her in which she graciously accepted. "Red" he beckoned his child's attention with a deep and commanding voice.

Red barely glanced up from his food, his dark pelt splattered with the blood from the fresh kill. "Yes papa?" He asked, nearly choking on his food in the process.

"Training season is coming my son, what do you think you would like to do?" He asked, earning a look from Hawk but she remained quiet - her hunger was more important at the moment.

"I want to be the leader!" He beamed brightly, raising from the rabbit with dirtied fur and a wide grin. His mother giggled, and his father just sighed with a chuckle.

"Don't go ahead of yourself, all leaders have to start somewhere. Do you want to protect, like Papa, or hunt, like Momma?" Night asked in more simple terms.

"I can't do both?" Red mumbled, pouting before settling in a comfort position. His stomach swollen with food, and his fur in desperate need of grooming. "I think I'd like to be like you Papa, fightin' and protectin'" He nodded firmly, confident in his answer.

"That's my boy" Night smiled proudly, leaning forward to pick up Red and plop him closer to himself - the father began to groom the meals mess off of son.

❝But Red will save us from this curse.❞

"Do you think the gods are real?" The young molly asked, looking up to the bigger kitten. His fur was dark yet with blinding patches, his eyes almost glowing against the pale blue sky.

"Of course they are real" Red scoffed, playfully swatting at the younger she cat. "Who do you think brings the rains? changes the color of the leaves? grants us strength and wisdom?" he rambled on, stretching out onto his back to watch as the sky began to change colors. The sun was beginning its descent into night, and the sunsets within the sacred meadow were always the most beautiful.

"How do you know though? What if they don't exist?" The wood colored molly still pestered him with questions, mimicking his actions as he rolled over. She too was an only kit; they found companionship in each other.

"Oak" He groaned, shifting his head to look at her before turning back to the sky. "I think the sky tonight is proof enough of the gods' existence, now stop talking and just watch" he scolded before the two fell into a comfortable silence. The blues gradually became darker, strokes of exciting orange and comforting pink streaking the darkness and lulling them into serendipity.

--

"Look at him" A patchy looking tom hissed in disgust, throwing his head towards Red. Though Red was much larger than all of the other trainees, he was still looked down upon.

"Stop bullying him, Reed!" A runtish looking molly whined, stomping her paw into the ground.

"Why? He needs to be put down just like Owl was. He's going to snap one day, I know it!" Reed's fur was on end, his tail slicing the air angrily as he watched the larger tom training with his father.

"He may share the name but he is not Owl, now shut your mouth Reed before I shut it for you" Pine snarled, puffing his chest out as he challenged the other tom.

"Everyone needs to calm down" Oak warned, eyeing the group. "Or I'll get Night over here and no one wants that" She commented, flicking her tail calmly.

"You're such a little taddle tail Oak" Reed groaned, his fur flattening itself out as he calmed himself.

"You know how to start fights, Reed - I know how to finish them, all without bruteish violence" Oak raised her head in pride, the molly silencing the naysayers of the group.

--

"You're getting strong, Red" Night commented, their training session stopping as he caught his breath. He was getting too old to be teaching all of these apprentices.

"Are you proud?" Red questioned, looking up to his father. He didn't care about the whispers, the disgusted looks, or anything else the tribe threw at him. He just wanted to make his family proud, to earn their love and respect.

"Of course, my son" He smiled, giving a brief nuzzle to the top of his head. "Call Pine over for me, will you?" he asked, stretching out his front paws.

Red nodded, trotting anxiously over to the group of other apprentices. Reed shot him a dirty look, though the others smiled and nodded their heads. "It's your turn, Pine - good luck" He smiled be it awkward, Pine nodded his head and heading towards the training pit. The other tom was never one for showing much emotion.

"Red - May I speak with you? Privately" A commanding voice emerged, the apprentices all standing up a bit straighter in the presence of their chief.

"Yes, Crow" His voice came out meekly, his head down low as he followed the chief nervously to a secluded spot within the meadow. "Have I done something wrong?" He asked after a journey of silence.

Crow smiled down at the young tom, shaking his head. "No no, young Red one" His voice bellowed, surrounding the tom in a deep bass. "You know it is the time for cats to choose their apprentices, and your father has requested both you and young Pine" he began explaining, "I fear your father has been through a lot, and that has slowed him down. I do not think two trainees is a good idea for him, not at this time" the chief remained steady with his eye contact even though Red cowered away. "That is why I want you, Red, to work under me."

"Wait - What?" The young toms head shot up, eyes wide at the sudden realization of what the chieftain was asking him.

"Do you decline -"

"No! No, I would love too" He laughed nervously, legs shaking in excitement and anticipation of what was to come.

❝I think the sky is proof enough of the gods' existence.❞

"No, please" Red threw himself into his mother, her tears shaking him to his very core. "You're lying, you have to be lying. He can't be dead" he muttered hysterically and began to shake with her arms.

"Red, Red" She croaked, stroking his head in meaningless attempts to comfort her son. "He's gone, papa's gone" she whispered, though she wanted to scream until her lungs burned as much as her heart did.

"How - How?" He stuttered, chest threatening to collapse with every shaky breath.

"They don't know, they think his heart gave out during a training session" Hawk did her best to center herself, to stay strong for her child.

"This is Pine's fault - I'm going to - It's all his fault!" He began screaming out of anger, out of the pain radiating throughout his whole body.

"Baby, baby please stop" Hawk let the tears fall again, wrapping herself around her son. "It's no ones fault, no one did this" she desperately tried to reason with him.

He would not listen, he slammed his mother aside and ran into the chaos woods. The shouts of his concerned tribe mates being drown out by his heart racing and head pounding. His legs finally gave out after what seemed like hours of running, and he collapsed into dirt of a small clearing within the forest. His body shook with every labored breath, his thoughts swarming like the summer mosquitoes.

"Red - " Pine's voice broke through the darkness, the tom slowed as he entered the clearing. He had gotten much bigger sense they were newly appointed apprentices, his muscles rivaled his fathers. "I'm sorry, Red. Loosing someone is the hardest thing to go through, I know" he whined softly, remembering the loss of his sister when they were kits. "The gods always have a reason, even if we do not know what it is now."

"You're sorry?" Red's voice was darker, his body shook as he turned. His eyes flashed with a wild ferocity as he lunged towards the tom, slashing his face and pinning him into the mud. "The gods? The Gods?! They mean nothing! They are nothing!" he shouted again, maniacally laughing in his face.

"Red - stop! please!" Pine screamed now, fearing for his life. He may have gotten stronger but Red was still stronger, and easily kept him pinning as he thrashed wildly. Blood dropped down his eye and blinding his right eye as he continued to panic.

Crow emerged from the shadows, slamming Red back into the dirt. His paw steadily on his throat, applying just enough pressure to stop the tom. "Go back to the tribe, Pine - now. Hawk needs help" he ordered before returning his attention to Red.

The young tom stopped thrashing his body at the mention of his mother, looking into the eyes of the chief. "What have you done to my mother? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" He screamed his throat raw, spit flying into the leaders face.

"I have done nothing but have faith in your mother, and in you despite the history of that treacherous line!" Crow snapped in anger, applying more pressure to the tom's throat.

"Where is my mother!" He shouted again, ignoring the chieftain's words. He began throwing his body weight around again, but Crow was the largest cat within the scared meadow.

"You killed her, Red" Crow's voice was hoarse with anger and sorrow, he put his full body weight against the toms throat and watched as the light began to flicker before falling backwards.

Red scrambled to his feet, wheezing as his vision slowly came back. Crow's face was splattered with tears as he watched the old apprentice stumble backwards into a tree.

"Leave, now" The Chief ordered, fighting to keep his body from shaking. He did not have the strength within him to kill his apprentice, but he knew that he could not remain. "Do not ever return to the Sacred Meadow!" He barked, lunging towards him.

Red turned and ran again, even deeper into the chaos woods. His body ached from the tireless running, his vision blurred from the tears of confusion and pain. He had no home, he had no family - he had no god.

❝The Gods? The Gods?! They mean nothing! They are nothing!❞

And so Red Cloud at Dawn followed suit to Owl that Calls at Dawn, but the gods still smiled down upon him and spared his life. He was banished into the Chaos woods, the realm of Dásos - the panther goddess of courage and trickery. Despite his denouncement of the Gods and Tribal life, Dásos still watched over the tom as he grew stronger and angrier within the darkness of the forest. He watched from the shadows as the Tribe of Gentle Petals grew, as Oak became Chief upon Crow's death - as Pine rose to be her second in command. As they fell in love, as the tribe became happy - all of those only fueled his thirst for revenge against those who took his mother and father from him; who took his family, his love, his happiness. When the prophecy of doom was brought to the Tribe of Gentle Petals, Red saw this as his opportunity. He stayed close, on the outskirts of the camp out of sight - he watched as Oak and Pine fall apart and split the clan - the perfect time to strike. Dásos whispered in his ear, telling him of the curse to fall upon the land and the gods' plans. He taunted a pack of hungry wolves, leading them to Oak and the cats who joined her in fleeing from the Sacred Meadow - he watched as they were torn apart before fleeing to the safety of the outskirts once again. From there, he soaked in the sorrow of Pine as they waited for the fated day. The fire came suddenly, and spread quickly - all of the cats in the Sacred Meadow were swallowed whole only to be trapped as spirits within the land. Vrochí, the allmother of the gods, gave form to Pine, Oak, and elder she cat by the name of Ash as crows. These Crows are what brought Dusty to the Land of Three Crows, and what taught him of what he had to do to cleanse the Sacred Meadow of its curses.

When the time came, Vrochí reincarnated Ash as a kitten - wiping her memories and allowing her to start again as a daughter to the now crowned Duststar. Unknown to Vrochí and the other gods, Dásos reincarnated Red and wiped his memories as well - giving him to a loner she cat unknown to the Land of Three Crows. The ancient histories of The Tribe of Gentle Petals, Dusty's journey to the Sacred Meadow, and the creation of the Land of Three Crows as led to this single, explosive point.




Ash stalked the fluffy tom, crouching along her territories border watching him closely. Her hunters had picked up his scent before, never quite crossing the line but always near. She kept the news form Dusty, though he was chief he was still beginning to age and she did not want him to throw himself into danger. Besides, it was a perfect opportunity to prove herself to the gods, and to the clan themselves. The dark tom was too preoccupied chasing a plump hare around to notice her, probably starving without a clan to rely on. Her eyes narrowed as he crossed the imaginary border, stumbling after the prey. It took her seconds to make the decision - she lunged forward and colliding with his side. They two stumbled for a few feet, before she stopped and pinned him down. "Who are you?" she snapped, chest puffed up in order to appear larger than she was.

"Who am I? Who are you?" The tom shot back, he made no attempts in escaping and instead just looked up to the molly with a lopsided grin.

Ash rolled her eyes, annoyance rolling off her in thick waves. She did not want this to turn violent, not when she was alone. "Ash" she commented simply, giving him a stern look.

"Ash is a beautiful name" He smirked, this caught the molly off guard allowing him the opportunity to reverse the positioning. He easily pushed his weight forward, gently resting on top of her as he grinned down to her angry and shocked face. "I'm Dawnflare, it's a pleasure to meet you" he dipped his heads in respect, bouncing off of her and allowing the molly to gather herself.

"You're on my territory" She barked, trying to mask her embarrassment at letting such a foolish thing distract her.

"You're territory?" Dawnflare quipped, tilting his head. "I wasn't aware this was anyone's land. I've lived near here sense I was a kit, with my mother" he explained, sitting down calmly.

"We don't venture into the woods often" Ash rebutted, remaining on her feet in case she needed to run and attack. Her tail flicked curiously.

"There's more than just trees?" He chuckled heartily, glancing to the side. "It's all I've ever known" he said in a more somber voice, turning his attention back to the molly.

Ash watched the tom, he didn't seem to be a threat - more like a confused and lonely mess. She sighed, rolling her eyes and brushing past him. "Well, come on then" she called over her shoulder, smirking as he scrambled after her in excitement.

--

"You disappear and bring a whole cat back" Dusty threw his head back in laughter, leaping down from his perch and sizing up the tom. He was much bigger, with layers of muscle that Dusty just never had.

"Hello, Sir" Dawnflare bowed, unsure of how these cats worked. It had always been just his mother and him, but with the recent winter she had passed on leaving him alone for the first time.

"Sir? Well I like him" The chief grinned, pulling Dawnflare's head up so they were level.

Ash groaned, swiping a paw down her face at her adoptive fathers antics. "He's the cat the hunters have been picking up, apparently he's been in the woods this whole time" she explained, looking between the males.

Dawnflare fidgeted nervously in his spot, "I'd like to stay, if that's alright - sir.." he trailed.

"Ash, what do you think?" Dusty looked to his second in command, knowing his mind but not hers. She was very different from him, even if he did raise her.

The she cat pondered, glancing between the two of them once again before settling on Dawn. "He could be threat" she eyed him, though doubtful it was always on her mind. "He can stay, but someone has to keep an eye on him" she concluded with a swift nod.

"Great, then he can be your trainee. Report to me at the end of everyday and we'll make a decision by next week" The chief gave a sly grin, sneaking off before she could protest.

"Well, partner" Dawnflare shot a goofy smile, turning to the she cat. "What should we do first?" he teased.

Ash glared at him, but quickly gave up with a frustrated sigh. "Follow me and keep quiet, got it?" she ordered, swiftly moving past him to begin her daily duties.

--

"How is your little shadow?" Dusty purred, grooming himself in the early morning light. He glanced briefly to Ash as she made a dramatic groan.

"Dawnflare is unbearable" She commented with ease, ears flicking in annoyance. "He's arrogant and stubborn and absolutely will not listen" she ranted on, interrupted by her father's laugh.

"He sounds exactly like you" He teased, patting at her head playfully. She nipped at him in retaliation before breaking into a giggle. Dusty missed seeing her like this; carefree and sassy. Becoming the second in command changed her a lot but he knew it was what was best for her.

"I guess I can see your point" Ash sighed as she gazed towards the tortie tom. He was currently playing with some of the littles, tossing them around as they cackled.

"Can you see anything else?" His brows raised as he watched her face contort in confusion. "Perhaps something more my darling" he ushered with a touch of urgency.

"Something.....more?" The molly trailed, beginning to space out as she daydreamed. She had never thought of of starting a family - or love in general. She was always too busy with herself and the clan; however the thought of being with Dawnflare was somehow comforting.

"We'll see" She laughed again, shooting a wink to her father. He rolled his eyes and crossed his paws before him.

"We'll see" He mocked and looked towards the tom. He liked him - but what mattered most is how he treated his child, how he would prove himself to her.

--

"Ash?" Dawnflare spoke nervously, bouncing between his two front paws.

"Yeah?" The second in command turned, a smile breaking her cool facade as she watched his cheeks flush.

"I was wondering if you'd, um" He coughed, glancing to another molly who watched them curiously. "Would you like to go to the blossom pool with me?" he managed to finally sputter out. His eyes glued to his feet - for once the tom was not confident in himself.

"Sure, Dawn" She laughed, feeling nervous herself. Warmth bubbled through her chest up to her cheeks, her tail flicking cautiously as they walked side by side.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" The tom commented, a slight whistle to his tune.

"Small talk, huh?" She smirked, purposefully brushing up against him. She sped up, tail trailing underneath his chin as he attempted to keep up with her. He stumbled slightly, catching himself at the last minute. Ash continued to speed up as she began to run through the sacred meadow. She glanced beside her to see Dawnflare, the poppies blending in with his brightly patched coat. It was a sight that both quickened her breath and took it away. His laugh warmed her heart more than the afternoon's sun - she felt as if she could relax with him.

--

She cuddled closer into him, not minding the smell of the lake's water and the mud clinging to their furs.

"Do you want a family?" He asked suddenly, causing her to stir slightly in surprise. A smile broke onto her face as she kissed his cheek lovingly.

"With you? I want everything" She purred in satisfaction, showering his face in kisses causing him to chuckle. She laid her head down on paws, feeling the warm pressure of his head resting on her back. He whistled a familiar sweet tune - one he knew lulled her into a comforting sleep.

--

"What?" Dawnflare's voice cracked, and his knees buckled in his moment of weakness. Ash was immediately by his side, allowing him to fall onto her. She supported their weight, nuzzling into the fluff of his neck.

"Dawn" She cooed, kissing his tears away. He looked into her eyes and found strength within them.

"I won't let this stop us, stop our family" His voice was still faltering but had a wave of confidence too it. He bowed his head to the herbalist, trying to not let her sympathetic expression damage his pride as they left the den.

"We could use a donor, or adopt. There's plenty of options" Ash comforted her mate, the two leaning on each other as they walked to their shared den.

"You're right my love" He sighed, kissing the top of her head before curling into a ball in the center of the den.

She curled around him, "There's a lot of kits in the village that need rescuing" she said in-between grooming his fur. "They could use a strong mother and father" she continued until the tension fell from his shoulders.

"What would I do without you?" He laughed - though the brightness didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I don't know, you'd probably still be wandering around in the chaos woods alone" She laid her head next to his and watched as he drifted off in the comfort of her warmth.

--

Ash giggled as the two kittens chased each other around. They were energetic and toppled over one another in excitement.

"Do you think we're ready for...this?" Dawnflare gestured to them with a nervous lopsided grin - he was only kidding, raising these kits would be the greatest thing he would do.

"This? No, but we're doing it" She nodded in determination; a soft smile on her face as the two tired themselves out and curled up at her feet.

"What do you think we should name them?" He questioned before gently picking the two up. It was time to go home, the village was no place for such sweet kittens.

The new mother watched her mate and their small bundles of joy. "Rain and Robin" she decided suddenly, and without explanation - however Dawnflare didn't need one. They were perfect.

--

"Ash! Listen to me!" Oakflight demanded, her tone had become much harsher than her normal maternal spirit.

"No!" She screamed, turning to face away from the older molly but not running.

"He is not who you think" She walked towards her again, using her paw to lift her chin up.

"Dawnflare is -" Ash tried to meet her gaze.

"Dawnflare does not exist!" She hissed, stomping her paw into the dirt. "That tom known by one name, Red Clouds at Dawn. You have to remember what he did to me, to us - to our tribe" she was stern but caring; she needed the molly to remember.

"Red?" She repeated, something snapping within her. Ash collapsed - the pain radiating in her skull as memories she was never meant to recover rushed back into her brain. "Night fire" she murmured repeatedly.

"Ash of Night Fire" Oakflight continued, speaking Ash's previous name. Little did the two mollies know that with Ash's awakening, Red's memories began to return.

The dark patchy tom erupted from the den, his eyes shone with a different brightness - one of flame and ruin. He spotted his mate across the camp and quickly made his way to her.

"Ash!" his voice boomed with ferocity, Oakflight stepping between the two. The rest of the clan was alerted and on guard as he violently approached.

"Do not come near her" Oakflight hissed, the fur bristling along her spine and tail. Her nails ripped into the earth beneath them.

"She is mine" Red snarled back, his chest puffing up and shoulders straightening.

"I belong to no one" Ash spoke up, stepping to be alongside Oak. She would not cower - not from him.

"Come with me my love" It was not a request, but an order. He met her eyes - the coldness from them sent a chill down his spine. He loved it.

"Dawnflare, please" Her voice was strained as she attempted to keep herself together. "You don't have to do this, to be this. We can still -"

"I am better than that coward of a tom could ever be" Red growled, circling her like prey.

"Ash, you cannot change the tides of time" Oakflight's wisdom hung in the air as Red came to a stop before the mollies. "And you cannot change the curse of Dawn" she snarled the last part, raising her paw to strike the dark tom across the face. He winced and stumbled backwards, a smile across his face. The little molly he knew before seemed different in this life than the last.

"Think of what we could do my darling. We could be unstoppable, we could conquer the heavens" He ranted maniacally, tail brushing underneath Ash's chin. "We will be gods" he purred in her ear and nuzzled into her cheek, relishing in the tremor of her body.

"Leave my land" Dusty's voice echoed through the tense silence of the sacred meadow. "Never show your face again" he moved swiftly forward between his daughter and their ex mate. Various warriors moving forward as they pushed Red backwards step by step.

"Ash! Ash! ASH!" He shrieked until his lungs burned like the rage within his heart - eventually turning and running from the meadow for the second time.

--

"Dad! Dad!" Ash cried out, stumbling out of her den. Dusty lurched forward from his sleep and ran too his Ash's den faster than his legs could carry him.

"What's wrong?" He met her panicked gaze, looking into her den. Only Rain remained, sleeping soundly within the nest. His glaze fell back onto her shaking form - he fell next to her and laid his head over her.

"We will get him back" Dusty promised solemnly, though she did respond.

--

"We got one of the kittens, sir" A molly gently dropped the ginger kitten at his feet.

"One?" He snarled, claws ranking across her face. Droplets of her blood falling onto the fiery kit.

"I wanted both of my children!" He enunciated with another smack to the sniveling she cat.

"Red, we'll get the little blue molly. You will have your heirs" A tom smoke commandingly, grabbing the attention of the rogues.

"Forget it" He ordered, flicking his tail boredly. "She can keep the weak one. This one will be mine" he purred, picking up the kitten and disappearing further into the shadows of the cave entrance.

❝We could be unstoppable, we could conquer the heavens❞

Past and Future converged into one life, memories thought lost now regained and fracturing the fragile present. The Ancients foretold of the red dawn - but did not utter a word of the dangers of its break. Red Clouds at Dawn had a fragile psych and the loss of his parents; the only ones who showed him love, pushed him to edge. However he only teetered along the line, dipping into the darkness before returning to his dull world of gray. It wasn't until Dawnflare was born, that he experienced a true love - and when Red returned he twisted the purity of Ash's heart. He became obsessive, hellbent on turning her into his queen and raising his own brood of heirs and soldiers. Red no longer wanted just revenge, his past incarnation had taken care that plenty enough. No, now it was time to become a King; of all cats, of all gods.



┌───────────────────────────────────────┐

The world was ruined with Smoke and Flame,
reborn from Ash and Dust,
and now must face the tides of curse.

Dawn has broken and for the the sun to fully
rise;

command the word of ancient deities,
heed the shattering gales of crows past.

be wary of the voices of that sing at night,
the sweet melody lies with crimson ends.

remember shadow's dance in the chaos of the woods,
growing and shaping into something more.
salvation lies within the roots.

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