Prologue

I paused, staring up at the setting sun. Night was approaching, and I needed to hurry. I didn't know why, but I had a feeling that time was running out. I began running. Faster and faster, until I was panting for breath and could move no more. Collapsing unto a pile of grass, I closed my eyes.

There came a roaring sound.

I bolted up and glanced around nervously. "Who's there?"

"Cloudfeather..."

"How do you know my name," I growled. "Come out!"

The voice laughed. "I'm trying to give you advice. Get rid of the hawk with no wings before they join the others, for they together will destroy a powerful force. Could that be the clans?"

"Get out of my sight," I muttered, but it all sounded too much like a plea. "Go away..."

Then there came a tight feeling in my chest, and I blacked out.

Hiding. Running. More hiding.

There seemed to be no end.

Someone was chasing me. I knew it. I could feel it in my bones. I stopped, glancing back. Was that cat still there?

"Shadowleaf..."

I snarled. "Why are you following me around."

"Oh, poor little Shadow. You don't know advice when you see it, do you?"

I unsheathed my claws. "I may be a medicine cat, but I'll fight if I have to! Who are you?"

There was no answer, just the whispering of wind in the trees. "Hello?"

Then someone pushed me. I looked back, but no one was there. "Stop playing tricks on me!"

Then the world closed in on me, and the last thing I heard before the ground rushed up to meet my head were the words, "Beware the tiger with no claws before they join together and finish off what appears to be set in stone..."

Trapped, alone, and... Well, alone. I pressed my back against the hard surface. Where am I? This wasn't Fireclan!

"Where is this?" I called out into the distance. I didn't who I was even calling to. "Hello? Is this... The dream world?"

Multiple voices seemed to laugh at me. "Finally, someone gets it right. I have a message to deliver to you, Flameheart."

My ears perked up. "Do you... Belong to Moonclan?"

"Of course I do!" It snapped. "Where else would I be? The Ones That Feed on Fears?"

I shivered at the mention of that place. "Of course, of course. What do you have to tell me?"

The voice softened. "Destroy the wolf with no nose, before they band together and destroy a great force!"

My blood turned to ice. "The great force... The four clans?"

"You tell me," the voice whispered. Then a tide of crimson washed over me, and I realized it was blood. Lots of it. "Don't let this happen, Flameheart. You must defeat them!"

I was swimming. I usually did, but this time it was different. The tide felt strange. It seemed to be actively fighting me, pushing me away.

"Help me!" I managed to croak before another wave buried me.

"Riversoul..."

I spun around, spitting out water. "Who's there?"

"Moonclan sent me," it whispered. "Come, I need to tell you something. Beware of the salmon with no scales! He will join the others and bring doom to the most formidable group of all."

I gasped for breath. "Who's that cat, then?"

There was no answer, and as I went under for the last time I could already feel my lungs bursting.