Username: wildsight
Clan: kingdom of khafraQuest Number: 1
Response:It was something that never let go of her. A thought that rested at the back of her mind, silent among the deepest, darkest parts, simply lying in wait to spring the dreaded reminder upon her. Grief and hatred entwined themselves upon the memory, painful pangs among her chest seeming to ring loud in her ears, an overwhelming sense of sorrow resting over her. She regretted everything...but her most recent actions had and would continue to be the most regretted of all.
XXXXShe'd always been one that sought after the care and wellbeing of others, she put such before herself more often than she should have, according to those around her. And yet, she refused such...until she met him, anyway. Such was when her life truly changed, the idea of one caring for her had been a foreign thought previously. But it was something she'd unknowingly desired quite a bit and despite the obvious danger they'd be in should someone find out, she refused to let it go. She couldn't let it go. She just couldn't…
XXXXAnd yet, such had been her greatest downfall. Her special friend...someone she loved dearly, was undeniably gone. Forever? Quite possibly. The memories of those cries and screams still echoed quite clearly in her mind, his pleas for her to run the most painful of it all. It was quite possible she'd been the cause of an innocent cat's demise...all for selfish reasons. He'd had a life too...and I ruined it.
To make matters worse, she'd also helped further along the rift between the two kingdoms. Already on uneven ground, there was no doubt war was in their midst and she harbored a few secrets she shouldn't due to her forbidden relationship. If anything, she was being sought after by the enemy and along with that, her own kingdom worrying about her wellbeing. It was quite likely there'd be something breaking out sooner or later over the sudden disappearance of two felines...with only one positively alive to her knowledge.
XXXXThis is all my fault. She was torn between returning to her home or merely roaming for the rest of her moons. The endless desert realm seemed to call to her, an easy route of escape due to her troubles. But then the guilt of abandoning her kingdom and loved ones came to mind and she had to reconsider. This was her doing, not theirs. Thus simply leaving them to deal with the mess she'd help create seemed terribly wrong. She could face them, however guilty she was...or run away for forever.
Whatever the case, no one has to know. I can just keep it to myself, regardless of what anyone believes or says. The guilt and regret might still rest heavily upon her shoulders, but such didn't mean anyone needed to know of it. She could come up with something to say instead, give some sort of reasoning for her disappearance...that would most certainly do. Right? But even that feels wrong... So what else could she do?
XXXXIn the end, she didn't change her plans. She'd think of some story to tell and hide the truth from the kingdom. No one had to know. Only she would suffer from the regret, guilt and grief she'd caused. Or at least, she hoped she'd be the only one.
Word Count: 559
Quest Number: 2
Response: Quest Number: 3
Response:"He's not doing much better...I don't know if he'll even make it through the morning" came the hushed whisper of Fadedhaze. The tom's singular visible eye was both fearful and tired, dark rings resting under it, though wide like the moon above. His tail twitched nervously as he fell silent, clearly drained by both constant work and the frustration of only receiving negative news. Flarefeather noticed all these things, feeling a pang of sympathy for the tom.
XXXX"Don't be too hard on yourself. You've done everything in your power, Fadedhaze. It just...might be his time." Now, sorrow fell upon the ginger tom. His shoulders wanted to sag, his ears wanted to droop and he himself wanted to cry out into the night. He had a horrible feeling that this situation would become reality sooner or later, but he'd hoped it would've been the latter. And yet, he was watching the older tom slowly die. He'd be among the ancestors quite soon if everything progressed as it currently did, but it didn't make anything easier. How were they supposed to survive without Hollowheart? We finally escape the dreaded lands of Menes and now this. What'll be next?
XXXX"Thank you for your help, Fadedhaze. If...if anything happens, let me know." the tom briskly arose and hurried off, before his words could falter any further. Blue eyes were unusually dull, as the tom fought back tears that threatened to flow. This couldn't be happening. It just couldn't be happening. Khafra won't survive without him. We're all going to meet the same fate.
Deciding to distract himself from the inevitable, the tom gathered some felines together and left the camp to head out on a patrol. He made sure to take those along who wouldn't - or at least, hope they wouldn't - question his actions. They were close friends of his and they'd understand the situation and his uncharacteristic mannerisms. There wouldn't be an overwhelming amount of questions or various toned whispers sounding from behind him. It'd be a mere quiet, normal patrol. Which was something he desperately needed. Normality.
XXXX"So, hunting or checking the borders?" Applesnap asked after a while, reminding the tom he hadn't stated what they'd be doing - he only gathered them together and led them away without a second thought. His ears heated in embarrassment at his mistake, blue eyes darting about the others faces to see if they had noticed - probably not, considering it was Maplewish and Weaselskip. But now, they turned to him curiously and before he knew it, they'd all paused to gaze at him expectantly.
XXXX"Oh. I must've...forgotten to say. How about a hunting patrol? It'd be nice to see what we can find out here." he answered at last, nodding in the direction they'd been heading to signal for them to move onward. His ears flicked as he led the way deeper into the territory, soon feeling the fur of another brushing against his. He flinched before relaxing at the sight of Applesnap, an odd look on her face. "What?" he asked, curiously.
"I know you don't want me to ask, so I won't about that but...are you feeling alright? You look unwell. Maplewish and Weaselskip have already left us a while ago...but you're still wandering about mindlessly."
XXXXHe knew her words hadn't been meant as offensive - but they felt such a way. He was perfectly fine. "I'm fine." he answered simply, flicking his tail dismissively. The feline beside him expression changed and this time, he had no problem deciphering the emotion - doubt. "I'm fine!" he repeated himself, though louder. For a moment or two, they stood facing each other before the tom whisked himself away, irritated. Perhaps he shouldn't have brought along Applesnap. I'm fine, just fine.
XXXXAs if to assure himself of this, the tom decided to start hunting. To his delight, the scent of jerboa wafted into his nose almost immediately and his mind began to focus on it. He trailed after it for a few moments, moving swiftly across the desert plains before spotting the small creature. With a huff, he lowered himself into position, slowly creeping forward with care. He held his breath as he came within striking distance. And now, he paused. Waiting...waiting…
Suddenly, a horrible pain struck him. It rippled down his spine, all the way into his bones and caused him to shriek in both surprise and anguish. He collapsed upon his side, writhing in pain, eyes forced shut as he laid there, helpless. The pain only grew worse and as it did so, his vision began to falter. What's happening?! He tried to call out for the others, but could only emit another cry of pain before blacking out. And then, there was only darkness and silence.
When the tom awoke, he was in the desert again, but alone. No jerboa, no friends. A chilly breeze swept through his fur, carrying the sound of various whispers. His whiskers quivered as he inhaled a shaky breath, daring to attempt to arise after quite the scare. Gingerly, he arose, blue eyes narrowing slightly with distrust directed at himself. He sat first, then stood and gazed about the vast, empty land. "Where is everyone...?" He was still among the Lands of Altan, right?
XXXX"Flarefeather." came a soft, yet familiar voice. It called him once more, then twice more as he stood there, gazing about in confusion. Who was there? Who was calling him? His faze darted about for a few more moments, before he turned around. And there stood the familiar form of Hollowheart. He's okay!
XXXX"Hollowheart! You're okay!" he cried aloud, racing over to the elder tom with kit-like excitement. But before he could reach him, something made him stop. Another cat appeared...and then another and another and another. Before he knew it, a small group of felines had gathered alongside Hollowheart, leaving Flarefeather rather dumbfounded. "Hollowheart...?"
"Flarefeather." the tom responded with a nod, drawing closer to the ginger tom. "Welcome to the realm of the Beyond. The realm of the ancestors." The elder tom then nodded to those behind him, before turning to gaze at the young tom once more. "You're confused aren't you?" When he received a nod in reply, the tom sighed. He blinked, a sad expression appearing on his face.
XXXX"Hollowheart...? You're not...no. This can't be it. No!" Flarefeather cried, realization becoming clear upon his face. If he was among the land of the ancestors, that meant he was... But if Hollowheart was, did that mean he was too?
XXXX"Yes, Flarefeather." came the dreaded reply. "Yes, my reign has come to an end. But do not fear for your safety and those among you, for I will remain by your side nonetheless. You will need such aid, with your new position."
"New position?" What could he possibly mean by that?
"Flarefeather, you've been a devoted pupil of mine since meeting me. It only seems right that you take my place as the leader of Khafra. You know my wishes and I have trained you in such ways that if you follow them, learn and grow in them, you'll make for a fine leader." Hollowheart rumbled.
"But no! I don't want to take your place."
"Flarefeather...you'll do fine. There is no room for arguing, this must be done." The elder tom spoke a set of words that the young tom failed to understand, yet a few other felines stepped forward. "It is time for you to lead the Kingdom of Khafra. It is time for you to receive your nine lives."
Now, the felines made a circle around the young tom, leading him to a pool of water. Guided by Hollowheart, the tom waded into the pool and then, the opposing felines surrounded it. With a nod from the elder tom, the felines began chanting and then, they started to speak.
"I, Heronsight, former leader of Junud of the Kingdom of Menes, grant you the power of strategy. War is not only won by strength, but that of wits." With that, pain was inflicted upon the tom.
"I, Tumblefern, former huntress of the Kingdom of Menes, grant you with the power of observance. Such is among the greatest of weapons." The tom flinched as another burst of pain flowed through him.
"I, Coyotespring, former soldier of the Kingdom of Menes, grant you the power of strength. You'll need such both mentallg and physically." Another burst of pain.
"I, Drizzlestep, former healer of the Kingdom of Menes, grant you the power of empathy. Do not lose such at any time. A leader is nothing without it." Yet another burst of pain. Would it ever be over?
"I, Duskwatcher, former hunter of the Kingdom of Menes, grant you the power of endurance. Endure until the end, young leader."
"I, Willowcloud, former healer of the Kingdom of Menes, grant you the power of selflessness. Others should go before you as leader."
"I, Pebbleskip, former hunter of the Kingdom of Menes, grant you the power of intelligence. Use such to your advantage."
"I, Raventrail, former royal guard of the Kingdom of Menes, grant you the power of devotion. Remain ever loyal to those around you."
And last, but not least one more burst of pain. But this one was even worse than any others. Flarefeather felt tears among his eyes once more. They began to fall as the tom spoke. "I, Hollowheart, former soldier of the Kingdom of Menes and former leader of the Kingdom of Khafra, grant you the power of wisdom. You are a wise young one. Never forget what you've learned." And with that, he laid his nose upon the tom's head. "I will be with you, Flarefeather. Now, go forth and lead your kingdom. It is waiting for you, Alani. It is waiting for Flarestar."
"Hollowheart, no!" came the sudden cry, but now he was back where he was before. No jerboa, but his companions surrounded him, concerned looks upon their faces. "Hollowheart..." he muttered, as he tried to rise but collapsed again.
"Something's wrong. He'll need to make it back to camp and quickly. Help me, Weaselskip." came the urgent orders from Applesnap. Flarefeather hardly noticed the two picking him up and carrying him home. He didn't care. He cared for Hollowheart. And he was gone...and he'd have to replace him, somehow.
Word Count: 1,728