It began as a rumor.
Not even a rumor, but a hastily whispered secret from medicine cat to leader.
To patient.
To clan.
To the clans.
A small, tickling cough.
A few breaks from patrols.
That was it; after all, it was just a rumor.
Half a moon in the medicine den.
"...It's just a rumor…" they whispered.
A full moon in the medicine den.
"A simple…"
Elders and kits collapsing as if they were dragged down by the paws of the deceased.
"...simple…"
Warriors stricken down by invisible claws in the midst of battle.
"...simple…"
The deaths of loved ones; the fear of what comes next…
Haunting the eyes of the bravest warrior and the wisest elder.
"...rumor."
It was a rumor that destroyed the clans.
It was a rumor that killed the loyals and spared the cowards.
It was a rumor that managed to shake Starclan out of the stars.
"It can't be… It's just a rumor!"
It was a rumor that turned out to be true.