Prologue: The Prophecy
A lithe white figure entered the snow-padded clearing. Moonlight glanced off his glossy pelt as he sat down on his haunches. Another, smaller feline approached the white one. Antlerstar glanced down at the newcomer.
"What is it, Nightraven? You wanted me?" He enquired. Nightraven – the smaller cat – bowed her dark head in greeting, and wound her tail around primly-tucked paws.
"I come with news, Antlerstar. DreamClan has sent me a message. It is a prophecy. They say that dark times are ahead, evil is rising." She lifted her eyes from her paws and glanced at Antlerstar, who nodded for her to go on. She drew a shaky breath and continued.
"The star is hidden by the clouds. The hope in our minds is gone. The trouble, the doubts, the seeds of darkness. The battle that can never be won. Water's Daughter, Fire's Son, the Coldest Light, and the Wind's Song. The sky shall weep for the plight of the Clans. The four will come together as one. The earth will shake our very roots. The only hope is the Darkest Sun." Nightraven recited the prophecy to Antlerstar, whose eyes widened in surprise.
"I have never heard of these before. Water's Daughter, Fire's Son... Who could that be? Coldest Light... No. I don't know. Wind's Song. Could that possibly be the Willow Grove? The place where the wind whistles? And the Darkest Sun... A dark sun? What does it mean, Nightraven?" He rounded on the medicine cat, fierce intensity burning through his eyes.
"I don't know! DreamClan is never straight to the point with their prophecies!" Nightraven confessed, with her voice thick with despair.
Antlerstar stared into the distance as if his green eyes were searching for an answer. After what seemed like an eternity, he looked back at Nightraven. "You may go. Thank you for telling me the prophecy."
The sleek black cat stood up, dipped her head at her leader, and left Antlerstar alone, gazing at the stars.