SHADOWS crept from behind the cypress trees, reaching out for Sedgepaw as she ran. She could only hear air filling and escaping her lungs as she pushed through the cypress swamp. Humidity clung to the air, weighing it down onto her body, making her strides heavy. Mud crusted against her thick fur, flaking off as she pushed passed myrtle bushes and swathes of ferns.
Behind her, she knew Toadpaw was being hauled away. His body would be limp by now, his tongue lolling out of his mouth as spittle dripped down his chin. Mudpaw would be by his side, head low, eyes half-shut, mourning.
She ran faster.
The camp would be confused, then shocked, only to be devoured by grief. Sandthroat would demand for Heronpaw to do anything, everything to save his apprentice, knowing it would all be in vain.
Sedgepaw crashed through the underbrush, leaves clinging to her fur as thorns scratched at her legs.
Russetnose would burst from the elders den, overcome with dread, as he beheld the limp body of his only son. He would collapse on top of him, cursing the stars for taking his son away.
Night emerged, drenching the sky in indigo. Stars began to appear above in the moonless sky. The eternal blackness above consumed what remained of the tiny sliver of moonlight. Dark ruled the swamp, even the crickets were too frightened to sing their song. In the quiet, Sedgepaw's head pounded with thoughts of Toadpaw and Mudpaw, shaking her.
Sedgepaw slowed as she recognized the narrow trail Blueflower showed her, the trail leading to the springs. The dust tickled her toes as a soft breeze rustled the myrtle bushes and buttonbush that lined the path. Her paws felt like they were about to fall off as she began her trek down the narrow path.
Guilt ate at her insides, and she felt hollow. Was Toadpaw dead because of her? Her gait slowed to a walk. She felt ready to give up. She wanted to turn back and vouch for Mudpaw. The freak accident cost him his chance at warriorhood… and it was her fault! She saw the viper, she should have done more… Squeezing her eyes shut, she pushed through the bracken with her head low. The scent of fresh spring water and the trill of frogs was what prompted her to open her eyes again.
When she did, she saw the three remaining apprentices sitting before her. Blackpaw, Yewpaw, and Ospreypaw were murmuring to one another, but when they saw Sedgepaw, they fell silent. Behind them, the effervescent springs rested, bubbling gently as the stars twinkled at the surface. Whitestar and Redleaf were sitting close to the lip of the spring, exchanging whispers.
Yewpaw's eyes widened as she read Sedgepaw's face. "What happened?"
Ospreypaw was instantly on her feet, rushing to her friend with concern in her eyes. "Are you okay?"
"It's Toadpaw…" she croaked. "He… he…"
"He what?" Blackpaw demanded.
"A viper bit him," Sedgepaw murmured.
"A viper?" Whitestar echoed, approaching her from the shore. "Dreadful…" The leader shook her head. "That's the last thing we need… Another body to bury."
Sedgepaw narrowed her eyes, catching her leader's use of "another." As far as anyone else knew, the last MarshClan cat to die was Rosebreath, Hollyfoot's mother. Her mind flickered to Vinestripe, but she pushed the thought away. She was too tired to think about more death.
"I assume Mudpaw accompanied him back to camp?" Redleaf guessed.
"Yes, he went with Gingerstep. The viper was in the marsh." The melancholy in Sedgepaw's voice was evident, but neither the medicine cat nor the leader seemed to care. Instead, they exchanged a glance and nodded.
"A water viper's bite is potent. There's no way he survived the strike." Redleaf's voice was methodical, void of feeling. "I fear for Russetnose," he relented, finally allowing some solemnity in his words. "That was his only son, and his only kin since he lost Dustpool."
"We can mull over Russetnose after this test," Whitestar decided. The impatient flicker of her tail betrayed her frustration. "Due to the unfortunate passing of Toadpaw, StarClan rest his soul, both he and Mudpaw failed to complete the last challenge. We will be continuing on without them, and the remaining apprentices will not be given a failure for the speed challenge."
Sedgepaw opened her mouth to protest her leader's callous dismissal of Toadpaw, but Whitestar was already leading them along the shore of the Starlit Springs. She followed after the group with her head low, tail dragging. Exhaustion threatened to overcome her. Ospreypaw's scent comforted her as they walked alongside one another, and it was the only thing that kept her wits about her.
The cats continued along the shore in silence, becoming nothing but black silhouettes against the ethereal blue springs. As they made their trek to the Lunar Cavern, the stars seemed to descend on them, blinking at their paws.
"Fireflies," Sedgepaw whispered, eyes widening.
The little lights danced around the cats, flickering like minuscule embers in the night. To Sedgepaw's surprise, Whitestar seemed annoyed by their presence, and she flicked them away from her with her long tail. Redleaf seemed perturbed as well, for he picked up the pace.
"These are pretty," Ospreypaw observed. Sedgepaw could hear a smile in her voice.
"Yeah," Sedgepaw agreed. She thought about telling her friend the legend Blueflower shared with her, but thought better of it. There was a reason the warrior shared the story in secrecy. She also did not trust speaking of such mysticism around Whitestar or Redleaf; who knew what they approved of?
As they pressed on, it became evident that the fireflies favored Yewpaw. They slowly began to hover around her in a cluster, looking like a flame that lapped at her frame. Her sister seemed conscious of their presence, for her ears twitched and swiveled as if the bugs spoke to her. Sedgepaw grew concerned. If fireflies could talk, what would they say? Then again, if they were truly the lost souls of the dead… Sedgepaw imagined they had a lot in their mind.
"How are you feeling?" Ospreypaw murmured to Sedgepaw, clearly not noticing how the fireflies continued to collect around Yewpaw.
"I'm okay… Just tired." Sedgepaw was lying, but she refused to unveil her true feelings, fearing they would pour out of her relentlessly, too strong for her to stop.
"Is that all?" Ospreypaw pressed, unconvinced.
Sedgepaw was unable to say more, for she witnessed her sister deliberately divert from the path, trotting briskly toward the springs. The fireflies crowded her, illuminating her tawny fur in the night, twinkling near her face, which was awestruck. Her ears continued to tremble, and her face was unphased as she set foot in the spring, causing the still water to ripple.
"Yewpaw?" Blackpaw called out, stepping toward her. Confusion littered his features, and he appeared scattered the moment Yewpaw strayed from his side.
Sedgepaw also took a step toward her sister, concerned. Yewpaw froze with one paw in the springs, her lips parted as if she was about to speak. Ospreypaw, Whitestar, and Redleaf remained standing still, mystified.
Redleaf sighed sadly. "It's the fireflies," he assessed grimly. "They must be speaking to her."
"Wh-What are they saying?" Blackpaw demanded. "Are they asking her to go for a swim?" Though he tried to joke and lighten the mood, the fear in his voice was evident.
"Let us pray they aren't," Redleaf rasped. "Fireflies are tricky creatures. They've been known to spirit away cats, whisk them far off into a land in-between the living and the dead."
Sedgepaw's ears flicked. That sounded nothing like what Blueflower told her. Was this what the warrior meant when she said Sedgepaw needed to know the "truth" before her test? She remained skeptical of her medicine cat, feeling mistrust for the odd glint in his eyes.
"If Yewpaw submerges herself in the springs, the fireflies can steal her soul."
Redleaf's growl only frightened Blackpaw more, for he turned to rush to Yewpaw.
"Stop!" Redleaf hissed after him. "If you touch her, you could fall victim to their magic as well!"
"I don't care!" Blackpaw snapped. "I… I can't lose her."
"Blackpaw you received an order from your medicine cat." Whitestar's calm, cold voice froze Blackpaw, and he remained still under her icy glare. "Do not disobey him."
"But—But I'm her partner! I must help her!" Blackpaw begged.
Sedgepaw was taken back by Blackpaw's emotion. Suddenly, the cocky, brazen apprentice she knew him to be transformed into a passionate, desperate cat she never knew existed. Perhaps she was too hard on him? Maybe she had him pegged wrong. The care and devotion in his eyes for Yewpaw was never more evident before tonight.
"Enough of this," Whitestar hissed. "This is a challenge of Yewpaw's spirit. Though it is occurring outside the Cavern, it does not make it any less of her own. Allow her to overcome this obstacle and stand down." Her final two words were etched with a chilling warning.
Ears folded, Blackpaw bowed his head to Whitestar, slowly returning to her.
Meanwhile, Yewpaw remained standing in the springs as the fireflies began to circle her. Sedgepaw pricked her ears, wanting to hear for their whispers, but she heard nothing but the screeching frogs and rustles of nocturnal animals in the underbrush. Yewpaw set all four of her paws into the springs, eyes wide as a full moon.
Sedgepaw uttered a silent prayer for Yewpaw, begging for her to snap out of this trance. After the forest seemed to stand still, a rush of wind buffeted the cats, and Yewpaw's fur stood on end. All the fireflies simultaneously extinguished their lights as if blown out by the breeze. The tawny apprentice shook her head, panting softly, and she snapped her head around to stare at the cats surrounding her.
"I—uhm—I don't know what came over me," she admitted sheepishly. "I'm sorry."
Whitestar nodded, continuing along the path in silence. Redleaf, however, lingered, eyeing her curiously. Sedgepaw felt her fur prickle protectively as the medicine cat's eyes glowed for Yewpaw. She made sure to fall into step close behind her sister, brushing passed Redleaf while casting him a baleful glare. The medicine cat did not seem to take notice of Sedgepaw's mistrust, for he still stared after Yewpaw with piqued interest.
"That was weird," Blackpaw was murmuring to Yewpaw. Sedgepaw strained her ears to listen to their conversation. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing… I… it's hard to explain." Yewpaw shrugged him off, her voice quivering. "If I could tell you, I would."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Blackpaw grumbled, frustrated.
"Don't worry about it," Sedgepaw growled at him. "She gave you her answer. Leave her be."
"Who asked you?" Blackpaw hissed, turning his head back to her with a curled lip. "At least I went after her, you were content to watch her get taken away."
"What do you know?" Sedgepaw growled. "I care for her just as much as you do."
"Could've fooled me," Blackpaw sniffed. "I was the only one willing to go after her."
"Just shut up before I claw your face off!" Sedgepaw snapped, growing tired of the relentless rebuttal.
Blackpaw scoffed. "Typical Sedgepaw, resorting to violence to get her point across."
"Would you both stop bickering?" Ospreypaw growled. "The Cavern is ahead."
Sedgepaw was distracted from her rage by a massive wall of stone. The brown rockface was scarred by crags that harbored spongy clumps of moss. The spring fed into its side, splashing gently against the wall to darken its shade. The mouth of the cave was lopsided like a yawning snake, and a curtain of moss shielded it from the elements.
Whitestar hesitated at the entrance, waiting for the rest of the group to catch up. Sedgepaw was in awe of the vast wall of rock. She could not see over it or around it. On one side was the spring, and on the other the cypress forest, but the cave was so vast it threatened to dominate both landscapes with its rocky presence.
"Behold," Whitestar meowed. She turned to the apprentices, expression blank. "This is the last challenge. It will take your skills in spirit to overcome it and become a warrior at last."
"It is your job to work together with your partner, navigate the tunnels, and find the Lunar Cavern," Redleaf spoke up from the back of the group. "Do not tread lightly. This is a labyrinth carved by time and endless rivulets of water, and it keeps the sanctity of our ancestors safe."
"So long as you stick together, you will be fine," Whitestar assured them. "Walking these tunnels alone is dangerous. Many cats pining for StarClan have gotten lost in here, never to emerge again."
"Whitestar will be going in first," Redleaf mewed. "She will be waiting for you in the Cavern. I will remain within the entrance."
"You have all night to find the Cavern. If you do not find it before sunrise, if you exit the tunnels without finding the Cavern, or if you get lost and do not exit with your leader at the end, you will fail this challenge," Whitestar explained studiously. "We will do our best to find you find you if you get lost, but there is no guarantee."
"Though we cannot force you to work with your partner once you're in the tunnels, it will behoove you to not go through this alone," Redleaf stressed.
All apprentices nodded in understanding. Sedgepaw wouldn't dream of leaving Ospreypaw in the tunnels alone.
As Whitestar entered the curtain of moss, she pressed close to her partner. They were so close now. The key to their earning of their warrior names stood before them, and it was as daunting an obstacle as it was vast. Sedgepaw had not the slightest clue what awaited her in the darkness of the tunnels.
It felt like moons passed by while Sedgepaw and the other apprentices waited for the go ahead from Redleaf. She gazed at the stars that shone in the sky, wondering. Would StarClan finally answer all her questions?
"Apprentices, you may proceed," Redleaf rasped. "May StarClan light your path."
The pairs of apprentices approached the mouth of the cave slowly, collectively knowing and not knowing what was in store. The greatest mystery was about to be unveiled to them should they succeed: the power of StarClan. The Lunar Cavern, the place of worship for all of MarshClan, was so full of unbridled spiritual energy, that only the leader and medicine cat could enter unescorted.
And yet, the final challenge, spirit, had the apprentices go against everything they were told as kits. The greatest secret all apprentices came to realize: in order to become a warrior, they had to enter these hallowed tunnels… and find the Lunar Cavern without the guidance of their leader or medicine cat. As Sedgepaw set foot into the cave, her paw was greeted by the cool, smooth touch of stone.
Though the tunnels were engulfed in a black miasma, once her eyes adjusted she was able to perceive the silhouettes of massive precipices that flanked either side of her. Rivers of scarlet floatsone, frozen in time, seemed to be pouring from the roof, to spill at her paws in ripples of brown, red, and orange.
"This is unbelievable," she whispered.
"I don't like it…" Ospreypaw muttered. "It just looks cold."
Sedgepaw turned to her friend, smiling. "Let's get through this. Once we do, we will finally be warriors!" She tried to remain positive, but Toadpaw's fate remained to cloud her mind and dampen her spirit.
"Okay." Ospreypaw mewed. She glanced about the cave. "Where should we start?"
Though the narrow entryway remained singular, Sedgepaw was able to see it split into three directions up ahead. The fork in the road could mean their victory or their ultimate failure. It all depended on the path they chose.
"If it's a test of spirit… maybe we need to feel which way is best?" Sedgepaw suggested.
"They all feel equally hopeless to me," Ospreypaw deadpanned.
Chuckling, Sedgepaw approached the passageways. Her laugh echoed down their depths, prompting Sedgepaw to go silent. The sound of water dripping from the roof reverberated as she glanced between the passageways. They were all identical in width, and seemingly length, for the far stretches of each pathway were swallowed by shadows.
"We could always follow Yewpaw and Blackpaw," Sedgepaw mewed. She could easily pick up on her sister's scent, which led her into the middle passageway.
"But what if they're wrong?" Ospreypaw countered.
Ospreypaw was right. Though she trusted her sister, she knew the purpose of the challenge was to rely on her partner not her kin. Shutting her eyes, Sedgepaw strained her ears, hoping to find something, anything, that would lend her a hint. She thought she heard whispers, carried in a gust of wind the bellowed from the far left passage.
"Did you hear that?" Sedgepaw whispered breathlessly.
Ospreypaw's fur was standing on end as she nodded. "Yes… whispers."
"It could be Them."
Sedgepaw raced for the far left pathway, panting excitedly as the whispers grew more numerous. Ospreypaw was on her heels, her warm breath hot on her toes. The path grew more narrow, and Sedgepaw's fur brushed against the cold stone walls on either side. The whispers coaxed her onward, and though she could not decipher words, she knew what was being spoken was meant for her and Ospreypaw.
The pathway led to an open dome that was almost as tall as a tree. She gazed above, witnessing an indigo canvas splattered with silver stars, shining for her. They lit the cave with their dim glow, chasing the shadows from the center.
"StarClan!" She mewed.
Ospreypaw came beside her, glancing around. "I don't think this is it," she mewed to Sedgepaw.
Though the sight was breathtaking, she knew her friend was right. Whitestar was nowhere to be found. She sat on the cool rock, sighing. Their challenge was far from over.
The whispers continued.
Sedgepaw's eyes narrowed as she honed in on the source of the whispers. A small hole in the wall resided at the far side of the den, and Sedgepaw gasped. "Follow me!"
Racing across the cave, she came upon the small tunnel that burrowed into the wall. It was so small that they needed to crawl if they were to travel through it.
Ospreypaw gave a snort of disbelief. "I don't think that's a good idea," she murmured.
"Can't you hear Them?" Sedgepaw reasoned. "Remember, this is a test of our spirit. It's not supposed to be easy!"
"I know!" She shrugged. "I just don't like the idea of tight spaces."
"Come on, we will be fine," Sedgepaw encouraged.
As she turned to the hole, she realized her own misgivings. Such a small tunnel could easily narrow into a trap that would prevent them from escaping. They could remained entombed in it forever… Sedgepaw shook her head. Enough doubt! She needed to get through this to become a warrior. There was no turning back now.
Plunging into the tunnel, she scrabbled away, crawling into its depths. Before long, her whiskers were brushing against the walls, which hugged her broad frame like a cold cocoon. She wriggled on, but as the tunnel became tighter, she had less room to maneuver, and soon had to resort to dragging herself one outstretched paw at a time. She thought she heard heavy breathing, and a heartbeat. They became louder and louder, and she felt like the walls were trembling.
"Sedgepaw, I'm scared!" Ospreypaw cried out behind her. The sound of her voice was muffled by the confines of the tunnel.
Sedgepaw felt like she was gulping for air and knew fear radiated from her pelt. "We're close!" she called back, lying, knowing her friend may not hear her. "Don't give up!"
Ahead, she only saw darkness. The whispers morphed into distorted murmurs, laughs, and cries. The voices of the dead seemed to surround her, crushing her body with the weight of their past. So many stories flooded her ears, lost in translation as a filter time and dimensions divided them. She could smell the scents of cats unknown to her, but familiar all the same.
Just as Sedgepaw thought she would be suffocated by the madness of her transit, she pushed herself out into a massive cavern. Freed, she took a deep breath and allowed her heartbeat to return to normal. The cavern was split by spring water, which hugged a rocky shore. Boulders built a bridge to the center of the crystalline pool, with the last piece resting broad and flat in the middle.
Sedgepaw turned to the tiny tunnel entrance, her heart stopping when she realized Ospreypaw failed to leave the tunnel with her. She hurried to it, sniffing at the entrance, only to nearly jump out of her fur when Ospreypaw burst from it with a loud gasp for air.
"That was awful!" she wailed.
Sedgepaw laughed, almost hysterically. It was awful. This whole day had been awful. But it was finally coming to an end. "We made it," she murmured to her.
Ospreypaw's eyes widened as she took in the sight. "This is the Lunar Cavern?" She was breathless. The starlight shone on her black and white pelt with a pale sheen.
Sedgepaw caught herself admiring the contours of Ospreypaw's strong legs. The lighting had a talent for highlighting her features. She shook her head, knowing better than to stare for too long. She padded up beside her partner, admiring the encapsulated view of the night sky.
"This has to be it," Sedgepaw murmured. Her golden eyes fell on the flat stone that sat in the middle of the Cavern. As she narrowed her eyes, she was stunned to see a fine layer of sand, pale as sugar, on its surface. What was more disconcerting, no pawprints were to be seen. Weren't Redleaf and Whitestar supposedly here just yesterday?
Curious, Sedgepaw drew closer to the shore and bridge of rocks. The scents of cats were so stale along the pebbly bank, that Sedgepaw could only identify them as MarshClan and nothing more. Peculiar…
"Where's Whitestar?" Ospreypaw wondered, wandering about the Cavern, wide-eyed.
Sedgepaw glanced around again. It would be easy to see her stark white pelt against the earthen canvas, but she only saw shadows. One shadow in particular was wider and deeper than them all, and it took a moment to realize that it was a large entryway. Perhaps the main entryway? From its depths, a pair of burning amber eyes shone, and Sedgepaw flinched back when the ghostly white figure of Whitestar detached from the darkness.
"I'm here," Whitestar mewed coolly. "Well done." Her eyes slid to gaze behind the apprentices. "I see you took the most difficult path to arrive here. An omen for challenges and great pressures ahead, but your ability to perservere foretells success."
Sedgepaw smiled. Though she had an idea of what challenges lay ahead of her, she was pleased to know she had a chance to overcome them.
Paws patting against the earth sounded from the wide mouth Whitestar entered from. Blackpaw and Yewpaw burst into the Cavern, panting and smiling as they exchanged a triumphant glance with one another. Though Blackpaw's jaw was still swollen from battle, he managed a grin wider than Mother Lake itself.
"And it seems Blackpaw and Yewpaw took the road most traveled, for those destined to rely on the tried and true way toward success and mold their desires to best combat the tribulations around them." Whitestar nodded appreciatively. A Cheshire grin remained on her muzzle as she spoke. "The reality of the spirit challenge is this: all the pathes at the beginning of the tunnels would've led you here eventually. It was only the doubt in your mind or your lack of belief in StarClan that could've set you back from accomplishing this task."
Sedgepaw's eyes widened. It was… a trick? To think… she could've made it to the end without her struggle through the narrow tunnel.
"However, your faith in yourself and the Stars has proven true! Apprentices, follow me to the heart of the Lunar Cavern," the leader commanded.
Whitestar flicked her tail for them to follow, and Sedgepaw sprung forward, giddy on her paws. This was it! As her first paw touched the stone leading to the center slab, she felt a shiver down her spine. They began to hop from rock to rock, and as Sedgepaw came closer, she felt more and more excitement rush through her veins.
Though Ospreypaw was quiet, she could see the excitement in her friend's eyes as they lept from rock to rock, drawing closer to the heart of the Cavern. Behind her, she could hear the excited murmurs exchanged between Yewpaw and Blackpaw, and she shared their enthusiasm.
Once Whitestar set foot on the center slab, a silvery cloud of gust stirred around her like a plume of smoke. The stale scent of MarshClan churned with it, reminding Sedgepaw of a peculiar detail: why did the slab not smell of Whitestar or Redleaf? They were just here yesterday…
Stirred from her perplexion, when Sedgepaw set foot on the slab, her muscles hummed with an unspeakable energy. The strength of all her ancestors pulsed within her, and she thought she could hear their breaths and taste their scent. Surrounding her was the crystalline spring water that bled into the cave from the Starlit Springs. At the bottom, of unveiled several rocky clusters, porous from erosion, where algae of all colors of the rainbow gathered. Without the light of the moon, the reflection of the stars was more apparent, glistening at the surface.
Surrounded by the beauty and mystery of it all, Sedgepaw was speechless as she sat before Whitestar in a daze. As the other apprentices took their place before their leader, she gazed at the sky.
"StarClan, I bring these apprentices to you today as tribute, for they have shown the utmost devotion to You and MarshClan in their moons of training." As she spoke, Whitestar's eyes were on the stars, and she seemed entranced by their pale shine. "In turn, I humbly ask, as leader of MarshClan, that you bestow your guardianship and guidance in their impending moons as warriors and recognize their true names as we gather before Your grace."
True names… Sedgepaw felt her heart soar. She would receive her warrior name tonight. Before her heart could soar over the moon, it fell, hard and fast, into the pit of her stomach when she realized the two apprentices that were missing. Toadpaw. Mudpaw. They both should have been here tonight. Sedgepaw's eyes fell to her paws solemnly. How could she celebrate knowing what had been undone?
"With permission of our ancestors, I shall place my paw into the pool and receive their power and divinity," Whitestar announced, continuing to recite the ancient warrior-naming tradition.
She turned, facing the still spring water. Sedgepaw watched, eyes as wide as a full moon. With an outstretched paw, Whitestar dabbed her toes in the water. Upon touching its surface, the crystalline water surrounding them was instantly turned red; its beautiful blue surface became a memory, as sticky, thick fluid took its place. Sedgepaw froze. Her jaw opened, lips trembling, when she saw her leader lift her paw from the pool, her white fur stained and dripping with blood.
Whitestar approached her, and Sedgepaw was too terrified to speak. Her leader seemed ignorant to the blood on her paws. As she pressed her paw to Sedgepaw's chest, the liquid felt warm, and it smelled of fresh blood. Sedgepaw almost gagged.
"StarClan, the apprentice before me has continuously displayed great ferocity in battle. Her willingness to strike down those that harm our Clan, and her willingness to laying her own life down in order to protect others has inspired me to bestow this name on her: Sedgestrike."
Sedgestrike was too consumed by the smell of blood to murmur a thanks. She only bowed her head. Her tongue felt like it turned to ash, drying her mouth and throat out beyond repair.
As Whitestar moved on the Ospreypaw, the blood surrounding them remained. She stole a glance at her friend, seeing that she too, like Whitestar, was unperturbed by the surrounding gore. Even as their leader pressed her bloody paw to her chest, she did not seem to notice.
"StarClan, the apprentice before me has exhibited swiftness in thought and gait since the start of her training. Her ability to think and move quickly has long been a boon for her and the Clanmates that rely on her. Due to her skill, I have decided to dub her: Ospreyflight."
The Cavern was quiet as Whitestar moved on. For Sedgestrike, the scent of blood was overpowering. Blackpaw was just as ignorant. His chin was raised proudly, jaw still swollen, and his green eyes blazed with confidence. When Whitestar touched her paw to his chest, his back straightened.
"StarClan, the apprentice before me has long shown courage and the will to protect the weak and misfortunate. His loyalty to MarshClan unquestionable. In honor of his vigilance and valiant heart, I bestow shall bestow this name: Blackhawk."
Lastly, Whitestar came before Yewpaw. Sedgestrike gazed over the heads of her Clanmates beside her to see if she also seemed unaware of Whitestar's bloody accolade. To her surprise, and eerie relief, Yewpaw's fur was standing on end. Her green eyes darted about the Cavern wildly, in fright, and when Whitestar lifted her paw to push it gently against her chest, she froze. Did Yewpaw see the madness too?
"StarClan, the apprentice before me is known for supporting and encouraging her Clanmates. She is always willing to lend words of advice or comfort, and her spirit has proven to withstand the greatest adversities. Therefore, I think it's most appropriate to name her: Yewbranch."
Stepping back from the newly-named warriors, Whitestar took a seat before them once more. As she left them, the water surrounding them slowly faded back to normal. Sedgestrike shivered as the last metallic whiff of blood bled into the air before being drowned out by the scent of wet stone and the night sky.
"StarClan, I present these new warriors to You. I entreat You to accept their names and hearts into Your arms, and embrace their destinies as warriors of MarshClan!" Whitestar's voice echoed through the Cavern; it reverberated off the walls, causing loosely-clinging gravel to rattle onto the floor from the ceiling. Though there was no verbal response from their ancestors, the silence was heavy, and it felt like they were surrounded. The feeling did not fade as Whitestar spoke again, "Congratulations, you are all now warriors of MarshClan."