Username: Fairy King
Cat Name: Bright Light through the Harrowing Storm “Brightstorm” | Rafael (past)
Gender: non-binary, any pronouns
Rank: co-leader
Clan: MothclanAge: really old like 6000 years or something
Prompt: partnered with
Gallifrey“Rafael”
The deep voices rang out in stereo, coming from every direction simultaneously and echoing through the endless halls. The Angel nodded in greeting, but remained silent.
“We have a task for you, Rafael”.
A sinking feeling, then. Like rocks in the stomach and a weight on the shoulders, but thicker, heavier. A task from the voices of the heavens was never an easy one. Rafael was honored to have the opportunity, of course, but it was a terrifying prospect all the same. Failure was not an option, it never was. He better be sure he was prepared.
“We expect great things from you on this mission, Rafael. Don’t disappoint”.
The Angel swallowed harshly, nodding.
All at once, the mission’s details flooded into the Angel’s mind. A mass of information, each piece carefully selected as relevant or important. Images flashed in their mind, details of people and places. Demons. The end goal. The plan became clear as the images faded and Rafael came back to himself, armed with the information to complete his task. It wouldn’t be easy, but he was confident he could handle it. He always was the best at making friends, after all.
***
The cat awoke in a forest, light streaking through the canopy above and warming his coat. His body ached and his stomach rumbled as he blinked the sleep from his eyes. And for the life of him, he couldn’t remember how he’d gotten here. There was a feeling in the back of his mind like he had something to do, something important, but it was vague and undefined. What he did know, was that he was hungry. That, at least, he could do something about.
In search of food, he wandered through the forest. Absolutely everything was unfamiliar and strange, but he wouldn’t let that stop him. Hunting was … uneventful, to say the least. Much harder than he had thought it would be, certainly. His stomach rumbled once again, but with nothing to show for his effort, he was nearing the moment of defeat. Nearing, that is, until he heard the rustle of dry leaves and unmistakable squelch of a bite into a fresh meal. He turned his head to the sound, peering through the leaves at the cat who was enjoying the fruits of his labor. It was risky, but maybe, just maybe, this cat would be willing to share. He was just desperate enough to try.
As he approached, striking yellow eyes shot up to meet his own. Yellow eyes that felt shockingly familiar. The cat behind the red-streaked fur was critically important, he could feel it in his gut, but for the life of him he couldn’t remember why. An image flashed across his mind, of the same horns, the same red wings, and those yellow eyes. The cat growled, breaking him from his initial shock and dragging him back into the moment.
“I’m so sorry to bother you, but I’m awfully hungry and was wondering if you might be willing to share?”
The other cat smirked, "Well, alright. Since my prowess in hunting far excedes your own, I'd be happy to share my kill with you. How about you take this one, and a real pro will show you how it's done?”
***
“Why are you following me, again?” The horned cat, snarled.
“Well, to be perfectly honest, I have proven to be a terrible hunter and could benefit from having someone as adept as you for my tutor. Besides, isn’t it quite lonely on your own out here? It’s nice to have some company”.
The horned cat huffed, but couldn’t deny the other’s statement. Perhaps this could benefit the both of them.
***
Nightlight returned from his hunt with a smug look on his face and an impressive haul trailing behind him. “You’re lucky to have me!” He shouted teasingly toward Brightstorm, who was bent over their medicine stores. “I most certainly am” Brightstorm said through a mouthful of herbs, with nothing but sincerity.
***
Brightstorm yawned and blinked the sleep from their eyes, the morning sun just starting to stretch across the cave floor. They smiled softly at the cat still snoozing next to them, but the smile didn’t quite reach their eyes. Their memories had been slowly coming back to them and now the picture was complete. Brightstorm could no longer ignore the truth they had so desperately been avoiding. Nightlight was the enemy. The task they had been sent on, the task they had forgotten about for over a year, was to gather information from the other side. From Nightlight. To end the war, to win the war, it had to be done. But to betray his friend, his love? The one who had been there for him when no one else was. Could he really do that? Could he do it for them, of all people?
“I’m so sorry, my dear”.