There's no way the Achse have been defeated. Not yet. We still need them!
Littlescent was sprinting down the thunderpath. The last of her group struggled to keep her pace. They all made light steps to avoid being burned by the ground itself.
The path in front of them was lost behind the haze. The sirens continued their wail. The thundersticks were silent. The smell remained. Charred wood and plain heat. The sound of the sky-monsters was the loudest. The one thing that kept the cats running past their limit was their ominous hum.
A high-pitched whine caught their attention above it all.
A whistle. It's getting closer and closer…no, it's too close!
"Look out," one of the pets shouted. "Another one!"
Littlescent veered left. "Into the rubble, now!"
The pets threw themselves into the twisted rubble. The whistle slammed into a nearby structure. The collapse drowned out everything. The heat wave forced the cats to cover their faces. It forced itself through everything , twisting their cover even further. The heated wind stopped.
The warrior opened her eyes. A collared cat was wandering down the thunderpath. It wobbled into an intersection, and spotted her.
"Hey! Over here," Littlescent shouted. "It's not safe out there. Hide, please hide!"
Its ears stayed flattened. The pet continued to stare at Littlescent, its eyes low. The pet tried walking towards the nearest nest rubble. A bright flash and glow of fire appeared beside it. Littlescent's view was blocked, but she felt the torrent it created.
The pet began to claw at the stone beneath. Clawing towards the Twoleg nest. It leaped towards the nest. The pet was sucked through the air mid-leap. The others gasped as its cry was cut short by the inferno. The glow only got brighter, and hotter.
My Stars, Littlescent thought, climbing from the rubble. I've never seen fire so powerful!
"How is that possible?" one of the pets shouted. "How can he just get pulled in like that?"
"Everyone… everyone…" Littlescent's words slurred. Her vision brightened, and she stopped trying.
I need… all my energy just to… just to keep myself awake.
The others emerged from the rubble, each slowly stepping back onto the heated stones beneath. The torrent of fire around the corner grew. The air behind the structure was being sucked in by fire. The cats dug their paws in as hard as they could.
"Let's... go!" Littlescent said. "Not safe."
The pets just followed as she moved. She glanced around. An opening, all the way through the rubble. She saw no red or yellow through the holes. The fires had not reached the thunderpath on the other side.
"Through." Littlescent muttered.
She forced her way back through the rubble, only one paw in. then, frantic mews coming from her group.
"Wait!" one of the pets shouted. She was still in the rubble. "I-I can't get out. Help, please help!"
The warrior sprung towards the trapped she-cat. The torrent, even closer, almost dragged her in. The others, just four, struggled to remove a large piece of stone that had fallen onto her paw. It revealed another one crushing her paw and tail, twice its size.
"Help me please! It's getting hot. Help me!"
Littlescent shoved herself against it, pushing against her burning paws. Her chest was burning. She tried to ignore it, but her strength quickly faltered. The pet underneath continued to struggle. The scrapes of her claws drowned out the sirens and infernos nearby.
Littlescent began breathing heavy, all her attention turned to slowing it. She glanced up. The inferno was creeping from the roof on the other side of the path. It crossed a pile of rubble and to the structure she stood under.
I have to go… before it collapses. Before I get sucked in, too.
"What are you doing?" the pet shouted. "You… you can't just leave me here. You're supposed to protect me!"
She struggled in vain. The stone did not budge. But the glow creeped closer and hotter. The other pets were already moving through the rubble and into the structure, now burning. Littlescent coughed, the air searing her chest. She leaped through the rubble. Not taking a step before looking back at the pet.
"It burns, it burns, Littlescent!" she cried. "Don't let me die here! Hel—"
Her words were cut by the flames. She thrashed at the ground, squealing as loud as she could. The fire twisted her until she became limp, eyes fixed on Littlescent. They kept blinking, even as the large stone pushed forward, crushing her towards the thunderpath.
She gagged at the sight of the flattened pet. Not even her blood remained, boiling away as the fire completely consumed the thunderpath and the rubble.
I… I've never seen another cat die… like this.
Another whistle snapped her from her thoughts. It was close, not as close as the first one. But there were many more of them.
She charged through the rubble, through the shattered nest. It was cooler than outside but still too hot. She felt her paws grow light as clouds and her vision continued to worsen.
The whistles crashed into the inferno, the flames drowned out their thunderous crackle. A heat wave shot through the holes, followed by the wind. The inferno was burning the structure. Littlescent moved faster. She forced her body to leap through everything until it was out the other side.
Where… where did they go?
She emerged into a thunderpath littered with debris. Her pads scraped but she forced herself to continue.
They'll die… without me.
The pets were gone. All but one, who lay in the middle of the path. His black fur had tuffs of smoke coming from it, ready to ignite. But he wore no collar, had no markings. Littlescent moved on, knowing he was dead. Flames were creeping from the far end of the path.
I can't watch that again…
The inferno ate away at the structure she had come from. The color drained from it; it faded black quickly. The flames ate away and consumed all inside. Littlescent ran as fast as her body would let her.
It was heavy, but she struggled against it. The sirens' wail pushed her faster. The whistles of the monster's lightning strikes pushed her faster.
The inferno seemed to slow, just a little. She ran for any sign of her camp. The light haze was replaced by smoke. It flowed past her, itself being sucked into the inferno that created it.
She hacked up some of it, only having reached the intersection. She kept it up but forced herself to look around the corner. The inferno ate away at a massive debris pile. It would keep the fire from sucking her in.
The Achse are dying… just like the rest… this is their defeat.
The winds began to creep through the holes in the pile. They crashed against the warrior's body, reminding her of their power. She forced herself across the intersection. The wind was strong, but she was fast. The thunderpath on the other side was clear of fire, the nests yet to burn down.
"Camp… camp is this way."
The heat got worse. It only picked up with the smoke and ashes. Her body threatened to stop entirely. She forced herself alert. Forced herself forward. The pain only grew worse. It shot all throughout her legs. Her paw pads felt like they had melted away. She resisted the urge to pant amid the smoke.
Another round of whistles. The sky-monsters were not finished. They were further away, far up the path she was traveling on. It forced her to move faster. Stop, and die. She pressed that thought into her mind. Stop, and die.
But the storm of fire was beating her. Her chest forced her to pant, breathing in the smoke further. She could no longer feel the pads under her feet. Her legs would soon share the feeling.
She darted into the nearest, open Twoleg nest. It was still intact, and spared of flames. But as soon as she caught her breathe the orange glow creeped in behind her. She turned; her eyes went wide.
She found the path she had just left was the source of the heat. It burned darker than everything around her. Still bright enough to scare her off.
The thunderpath is on fire! How… how is that even possible… it doesn't matter. I just need to leave. If the thunderpath can burn, so can everything else around here.
The nest began to shake at a massive boom some distance away. The sirens in that same direction ceased their wails. But more whistles came down in its direction.
The nest won't stay up forever. Break's over.
The small warrior shoved her body through every tiny entrance and hole she could to move around the crumbling nest. The den was small, empty, no Twolegs, no cats. She charged through, her body beginning to heat up again.
She neared the end. Stopping to look back, she saw the flames creep on her once more. A light breeze sucked air in its direction throughout the nest. But she knew it was not the wind.
That infernos' made it past the rubble… I need to hurry.
She forced herself to keep sprinting until she ran out on the next thunderpath, near an intersection. More rubble, more fires. Not as much smoke. Littlescent shot her gaze towards the sky, swearing she saw a glimpse of the moon.
"Where are you? StarClan… please answer me. Please guide… me back to camp."
She thanked them when she found another open entrance. Like the ohters it was on the other side of the thunderpath. She ran across and into the nest. The warrior took in all the fresher air she could. It was quickly drained away by the inferno as it began consuming again.
She began running through, quickly darting between Twoleg objects. Her legs began to grow numb. She slowed her pace, just a little. Trying to keep her balance and her vision clear.
I can keep going through structures like this. Keep going across the thunderpaths without having to get to intersections. Eventually I'll make it back to the large path… from there, to camp.
She leaped over fallen rubble and out the other side of the nests. The area was dark. Only a few fires, no light, less smoke.
Littlescent crossed the thunderpath. The entrance was closed. The holes on both sides of them were closed off with wood. The Twoleg symbol embellished on the entrance.
Frantically looking around, she found only closed and covered holes. No ways of getting into the nest. She started down the path, faster as the glow began coating the alley. The breeze sucked the smoke from the fires in. It would take her soon.
More whistles, heading straight into the inferno. She stared up. Watched as the small, black weapons fell behind the nest and into the inferno. Their thunder shook the ground under her feet.
"Those sky-monsters… feeding the flames… want them to eat us all."
The thunderpath felt as it was sinking. She looked down, and then sprinted forward. The entire thunderpath split open. A pit of fire lay underneath. She curled her nose, hacking profusely at the foulest smoke she had ever scented.
Her vision blurred. No matter how she tried, it would not go back to normal. She pressed forward amidst her sight of browns and glowing embers. The smoke scent kept her coughing all the way to the intersection.
Once there, she poked her head from behind a structure. Towards the direction she had just left. The inferno was consuming a nest. The magnificent white forced her to look away, even with her darkened vision.
It was twice as high as any of the nests, covering even the black sky. The sucking winds tore through the structure as it ate it. It would take her in if she was not quick.
I need to cross!
She backed up and charged forward. The intersection could be cleared in one leap. She sprinted to the furthest point, closest to the nests on the opposite side. She lunged into the air.
The torrent sucked her in. Her speed was just enough to make it. The warrior slammed against the structure on the other side, sliding to the ground. Her cries were deaf even to her own ears above the fires and sirens.
She pulled her tail away from the fire's direction as fast as she could. She clenched up, looking at the small bit of skin exposed. The bruise already began to form on her right flank. Forcing herself up, she limped down the rest of the thunderpath, slower.
StarClan I… I can't outrun it like this… I need help!
She kept an ear up. It was filled with the hum of the sky-monsters and a few sirens. The rest was the inferno's feast. She listened for any Twoleg defenders, any thundersticks. None.
She continued to hobble down the path, stopping before another intersection. Poking her head around the corner she found a collapsed Twoleg nest blocking the fire's path.
That will give me more time. I need to hurry while I have a chance.
Her pace hastened. She ran past the next intersection, ignoring her agony. The wind still forced her eyes shut, but did not sweep under her paws. She continued, clenching her teeth even tighter. Her body forced her to slow down.
The Twoleg nests at her right already giving off heat, she looked to the ones at her left. One of them had an opening; a hole bored through its wall. She knew it would lead her to the thunderpath behind them. More distance between her and the inferno.
The top of the nets burned, the glow caught her attention. Even with the fire and sirens, she could hear it creak.
I don't have time for this.
She charged into the hole anyway. The nest's air was stale, but cooler. It had been sucked away, even while the inferno was further away.
That collapsed thunderpath could be adding to the inferno… for all I know everything under this nest could be on fire. I should hurry.
The heat in her body grew intense. It burned worse than the bruise on her left flank. She slowed to a limping walk. Her breathing was fast. She coughed and panted, taking in the slightly clearer air as relief. The nest was intact and open. No need to dodge or jump. She took the time to look around.
Most of the Twoleg objects were still there, where she would expect them. The wood walls of the dens were not charred. Even the decorative objects remained. Images of Twolegs lined the walls, most were next to their warrior's symbol. She continued limping through halls, ultimately heading towards the back of the nest.
She slipped, falling on a patch of blue on the floor. She got to her feet. A fresh stain of red was left behind. And the pain quickly hit her. She knew where it was coming from. She kept moving.
It's worse than I thought. I need to get back… see Fleetheart.
Heat pulsed from the higher floors.
The inferno must've run through the structure somewhere! I bet the thunderpath behind me is completely split open now… I need to move faster.
She turned another corner. The back entrance was in front of her, across the open den. She crouched, but tried not to sit. Afraid she would not get back up.
Another chance to rest. Quickly, though. Then, no more until I get back to camp.
The heat continued to creep over her. She looked around the room. Four sets of eyes stared back at her. The glow of a fire revealed the warrior to the Twolegs.
Two large, older ones were holding the two younger ones in their arms. They did not make a sound. Until one of the young ones widened his eyes and pointed at her.
Trying to warn them would be useless…
"Schau, mama. Katze." the young one said.
"Ja," an older one said softly, "... ist es eine nette kleine katze."
I assume they're talking about me.
The light breeze returned. And it blew in the direction she had come from. The firestorm was gaining on her again. As the den heated, Littlescent raced through the back entrance.
"Aw, es ist weg," The young one said.
The sirens screeched in her ears again. The whistle of more sky-monster lightning strikes came in, landing into the inferno. The smoke was unbearable. Littlescent hacked up all she could from her belly before moving again.
She paused, resisting the urge to sit and lick her wounds. Her flank burned and continued leaking blood. Her head began to spin.
This is it… it's too much for me.
She looked up at the Twoleg nests across the path she was on. They were already burning on their far side, she could feel it. She limped as fast as she could down the thunderpath. She would have to try and make it around.
The intersection was close. She hobbled all the way there, trying to keep balanced. Her vision was still clouded, her legs were numb now.
On reaching it, she looked left. Only a few fires, but no nest fires. And to her right, a structure that had completely fallen into the thunderpath. And the inferno. It still threatened her all it could. The sucking wind pulled at her fur. The orange and white mass dominated her vision. And it was eating all the structures around it.
It's moving faster. I need to move faster.
She took a few steps down the left thunderpath. Her leg kicked something.
She looked down, a large, grey blob. But it was soft, it's fur waved with the wind. The blob was in a familiar shape, and she nudged it again.
"Hey… you okay? You need… to get up."
The cat gave no response. It swayed in the wind now. Littlescent leaned down and licked the grey cat. It still did not move. The wind picked up. The warrior hopped over the body as it slid towards the inferno.
I can't tell if it's a StoneClan warrior, a wildcat, or a pet… whoever you are, may you find peace in StarClan.
Another hissing whistle drowned out the sirens. It crashed, booming directly into the firestorm. The wind instantly picked up. The grey cat flew towards the firestorm. Littlescent stuck her claws against the stone with each step.
She crouched low, clawing at the stone, crawling forward. The heated stones attacked her wounds. Each step was like standing on embers to her. The warrior's flank burned even more, bled even faster. She could hardly breathe over the wind. It almost forced her eyes shut.
She slid away from blobs of orange. Continuing away from the inferno. Its glow lit up the whole thunderpath. She crawled even faster, clawing even harder as she stood a little from her crouch.
Another intersection passed through, a small one. The wind still pulled at her, threatened her. She kept going, past more red blobs of fire.
It's not far enough, she forced herself to think. It's not far enough. The firestorm will still eat me from here. I need to get further away!
She continued, forcing herself not to limp. Forcing her bad leg and flank to move normally. She nearly started running down the thunderpath, a shorter one. All the way to the next intersection.
It's not far enough… it's not—ach!
She slid, dropping flat on her belly. Straight onto a sharper object. But that pain was numb to her, compared to the rest of her body.
Tuffs of fur floated away from her body, singed off her skin by the air alone. Her head pounded, forcing the sirens and the sky-monsters away. Her ears just buzzed, useless. And her body was numb, sore to each movement. Her vision had failed her. Everything was just blobs of colors.
I won't look back… not at my death. Not at certain death.
She got up, the strength in her to just fight the wind and turn left. Left into another thunderpath, devoid of fires. She nearly ran into a large, light brown blob. It had a large object sticking out the front, and it was cooler than the ground. And it was hard. Her paw rested on it, and she looked up.
A Tiger… the Twolegs must have abandoned it, left it to die.
The tops of the nests around her began to glow. Whistles followed, straight into the firestorm, again. Pieces of rubble were blown off by the breeze. It did not take long for it to pick up. Even shielded by the Tiger and a structure, Littlescent felt herself wobble in it.
She looked down the thunderpath. It was dark, aside from the glow of small fires. No cats, no Twolegs, no other monsters. Only the rubble of failing nests gathering in the middle.
Littlescent lifted her nose to the air.
I can't even smell smoke anymore… not that I'll be needing my nose anymore. I'm trapped here by my own body. Just like this Tiger.
Her vision continued to fail her. Her numb legs no longer warned her of the heat below. The breeze flowed through her fur. The only thing she could feel. She no longer felt tired. Only defeated by the storm.
She used the last of her strength to leap on the side of the monster. She settled for falling between the rollers and the underside of its body. She could not feel the coarseness or the ash it was covered in.
It's surprisingly cold.
She relaxed her muscles. Allowed her tail to fall off the side.
That's either my body playing tricks on me, or it actually managed to stay cold. Tt doesn't matter how. I'm just glad I'm comfortable… not that I deserve it.
I can't smell my singed fur. I can't feel the heat, or the breeze. I can't scent anything. My body is exhausted. Relying on the Tiger to protect me… Panzer says the only thing that can break it is another Tiger or a sky-monster. But what about a storm, completely made of fire?
I'm sure it won't break. Not that it matters. I'll be dead no matter what happens to this thing.
A break in the smoke. The orange glow seemed to pull back just a bit. Littlescent looked up at the search-lights. Only a few remained. She could not even hear the sirens. Only the torrent of fire rushing towards her. She knew the sky-monsters were still attacking.
The warrior rested her head in her paws, eyes towards the red sky.
I'll be able to see all the territories when I get up there… what they sky-monsters have done to them. I'll get to see where our clan goes next, if they survive. Where some of the pets hid to, if any of them survived. What becomes of LeafClan… what Bonbon thinks of what we tried to do.
Would she still call me a savior? Would she think our clan has lost its way? Would she be proud of Longstar for approving it… scorn me for not stopping him? For speaking up and talking him into it?
Will I hear her say 'you're the closest one to me'? Would it mean anything if StoneClan is destroyed tonight?
The sky-monsters did it. The most powerful things I've ever seen. I would ask her why they have left us at the mercy of them. And Bonbon would answer my questions… I'd have to show her how the sky-monsters ruined everything. How the Twoleg war ruined everything, not LeafClan.
She closed her eyes.
And I would be forgiven for my failure… and free to die in peace.