{мy ѕpιrιт ιѕ вroĸeɴ, мy dαyѕ υѕed υp, мy ɢrαve dυɢ αɴd wαιтιɴɢ.}
The bushes shuddered. Grass swayed, whispering apprehension to the wind. The birds continued to sing, while the tree branches shivered, looking down from lofty heights to see who would emerge from the depths of the foliage below. A grayish blue, sharply angular face was the first to emerge. Large blue eyes scanned the surroundings, and jaws opened, tasting the air for another other of her kind. The head was followed by broad shoulders, a slender torso, and a long, sweeping tail. Her scar-ridden, misty pelt shone with morning dew, and the said cat flicked an ear, a water drop descending down the tip. She had her own sort of comeliness, not one of features, nor of attributes, but of way.
The new morning sun threw its rays down upon the plain, gracing the dew ridden leaves with golden light, making the drops of water shine like that of polished diamonds. The sight caused the rather rational she-cat to desire to gambol. And frolic she did. At times, she would even have intermittent bouts of uncontrollable purring. How free she felt, leaping in the air, rolling on the grass, relaxing herself. Ah, she needed to do this more often.
"You are trespassing, on land belonging to the Circle." This cold sentence cut the she-cat's delightful reverie short, and she came to a stop before one of the most handsome tom's she had ever seen. The intruding she-cat shrugged off his comment, lazily stretching her tight muscles. The tendons rolled with ease, rippling beneath her sleek fur as she completed her movement.
"State your name and purpose," the tom mewed, eying her in annoyance. The she-cat only purred, slinking towards him. Her advances were deterred, however, as a black she-cat emerged from the bushes, padding up alongside the tom. Instantly, the loner felt the strange aura coming off the newcomer. It was filled with power, something she could not resist; she was drawn to her.
"Oh leave her alone, Fate. Let a she-cat have her fun, why don't you?" she purred, her eyes flicking from the spotted tom to the loner. Green met sea green and at that moment, Vycle felt something powerful. She was a striking thing, beautiful in her own way. Her countenance was engaging, her gaze mesmerizing, her tone willed with goodwill.
She's perfect, Vycle thought, her head dipping in something of withdrawn depression.
Out of her side vision, the ashen-limbed she-cat watched as the tom who went by the name of "Fate", glanced down at the newcomer affectionately, purring and nuzzling her hear.
"You are to trusting, Tilt," he mewed, something deeper than affection lining his tone.
So her name is Tilt, eh? The she-cat thought. Vycle raised an eyebrow. Where these two lovers? The Russian Blue stored away that information.
"What's your name, newcomer?" Tilt's voice broke her thoughts, causing Vycle to look up. The black she-cat had her head cocked to the side, waiting expectantly for Vycle's answer. There is something about this she-cat that seems off, Vycle thought, shaking out her fur in something of annoyance.
The loner took her time in responding, "The name is Vycle, but my friends call me Vy."
"It's nice to meet you, Vy-mind if I call you that?" Fate mewed, padding up beside Tilt, who rubbed against his shoulder lovingly.
Vycle forced the snarl back down her throat, jealousy sprung up within Vycle heart.
She. Wanted. Fate. She utterly disliked Tilt know, as the raven she-cat seemed to be sucking up to him. Her heart set on Fate as her conquest, the loner spoke up, her voice seemingly lined with silk.
"I-I am tired of looking for a home, tired of being alone." Here, she glanced up at Fate, pointedly ignoring Tilt.
"Do you think that it would be possible for you to take me in?" However, before the handsome tom could answer, and much to the present she-cats annoyance, the bushes bore forth five other cats.
A black she-cat, looking far to similar to Tilt for Vy's comfort was the first to speak. "I found him!" She rushed over to Fate.
"Daw, Fate, where you hiding from us again?" she inquired, her dark blue eyes fixed upon his light ones.
"Why are you always with Tilt? Don't you like our company better?" a beautiful white she-cat whined, pushing Tilt away from Fate, but not before casting Tilt a nasty look.
"It's not that, Ice," Fate mewed, looking over the head of a long-legged cream she-cat who had come to join the party. His gaze was locked on Tilt.
Vycle's sea green eyes watched the ordeal, hungrily taking in every detail. So I'm not the only one, she thought to herself. A handsome grey tom promptly dashed to Tilt's side, fussing over her and asking her various questions. Vy, however was more interested in the accompanying golden tom, his gaze roving about until coming to rest on Tilt. The black she-cat met his bronze gaze, but soon dropped her eyes to her paws. It was only a second before Tilt once again raised her head, locking gazes with Fate's wistful blue ones. Vycle flicked her tail as she watched Tilt smile at him faintly before padding away with her escorting toms.
What are their connections? Vy wondered, watching the three as they passed her in what seemed to be, slow motion.
"Hey, Vy, are you coming?" Tilt called to her, breaking the she-cat once again out of her thoughts. The there were looking at her, the toms shifting impatiently. Vycle got to her paws, cringing as she felt a tiny paw kick inside her. That's right, she told the kittens inside her, you will have a home, something I never knew. Carefully, the she-cat padded up to them, forcing herself to look cheerful.
"Yeah!" She enthusiastically nodded her head once, and shouldered Tilt, faking friendliness.
"Great!" With that, the four took off, three before and one straggling. Vycle looked over her shoulder. Fate was being swarmed by the she-cats. You will be mine, she vowed silently to the oblivious tom. With that thought, the pregnant she-cat hurried after the three friends. They had gone on with their lives, seemingly having forgotten about Vycle. As the she-cat followed them wordlessly, her head bowed, she thought, I will become the most beautiful, the most liked. I will show you, Tilt, the flipside of the coin. While I am lonely and unwanted now, I will become a favorite, taking your place in the spotlight.
{мy нope тнαт ɴιɢнт woυld тυrɴ ιɴтo dαy, мy нope тнαт dαwɴ wαѕ αвoυт тo вreαĸ.}
It have been three days since Vycle (now Violet), had been accepted. The ashen she-cat had join as a kit-bearer, and Tilt had been surprised to find out that she was soon to give birth. She seemed to be fitting in smoothly with member of the Circle, and the handsome Copper had taken a strange liking to her. Copper was also happened to be Tilt's trainer, and so she saw more of Vy than she had bargained for. And it seemed that Violet had a disliking for her, of which Tilt had done nothing to give cause to.
It was Copper and Violet, she was watching as these things went through her head. They were in the gardens outside of the Manor of the Circle. Jackal shifted lazily beside her, arresting the Bombay she cat's attention. A soft smile graced her maw as her eyes rested on the peaceful grey tom beside her. The furball was napping, like a kitten would do. But that was Jackal; you had to love him.
A shadow entered her peripheral vision, changing the air about her. The fur on her shoulders rose as his scent wreathed her, her eyes widening in recognition. Tilt's heartbeat resounded threw her ears as blood rushed through her veins. Why on earth was she so nervous? She had attempted to stay away from him lately, feeling pressured by her training and those around her. However, it seemed the golden tom was always on the sidelines. Waiting, watching, and meeting her gaze as the worst times. What was a she-cat to do? Besides, what did he want with her? She had only conversed with him three times… or maybe more. But she didn't understand why he could just come and speak to her in the presence of those who were constant about her. A flustered Tilt gingerly rose to her paws, making sure not to awake the sleeping Jackal, and slunk into the bushes, but not before being seen by Violet.
He was waiting for her not afar off. His ripple of his muscles seemed gentle hills beneath his sleek golden pelt, and his bronze eyes sparkled with eagerness for life. The broad-shouldered tom purred as soon as he saw Tilt. But slunk into the bushes as his brother, Strife, entered the small clearing.
"Ah, I see your face is still as repulsive today as it was yesterday." He paused, a playful smirk lightening his features.
"Your beauty sleep had no effect."
Tilt sniffed, sitting up straight as Strife circled her mischievously. Toms, she thought, holding back a purr.
"Obviously is your face you should be worrying over. You are scaring all the she-cats away and Edge, Jackal, and Fate seemed to be herding them in," fake concern entered her tone, "and we all know you should be the one with the most kitties." Strife chortled at this.
"Your tongue has you destined for trouble," he prophesied.
"And you are destined for greatness," she declared, "you will scale the utmost heights to the attic, swim across the stream, and explore all the possible sleeping position in your nest!"
"You are delusional. You are the worst sleeper ever to grace the earth," Strife retorted.
"Look who's talking. The cat who snores like a monster."
"I do not!"
"You do to-just ask Ice."
"You know how Ice is. She would probably say, 'Whatever', or, 'Get lost'. You know how sassy she can be." Yes, the relationship between she and Strife was interesting. It's as if they were still kits.
"What are you two mumbling about now?" Talon voice almost caused Tilt to jump out of her fur! She turned to face an obviously annoyed Talon with a dull look in his eyes. She had been waiting for him.
Talon pretended that he had just come upon them, acknowledging Tilt with a flick of his ear.
"We were discussing one's sleeping patterns like intelligent creature," Strife stated, a playful light in his hazel eyes.
"If it looks like I give a dead rat, please tell me. I don't want to give of the wrong impression," Talon muttered, flicking his tail, his eyes narrowed.
"You are the one who asked!"
"You should have known it was rhetoric, Strife," Talon snorted, rolling his eyes in an uninterested manner.
Tilt watched as Talon turned to her.
"You wanted to talk to me?" she inquired, shifting uneasily as Strife watched their exchange with confused hazel eyes. He's never seen me speak to his brother, Tilt realized.
"Yes, I did. I-" he was cut off by a confused, but angered Strife.
"Why are you talking to her, of all cats? We all know that you stay away from the other Learners like they have the plague. Now what are you doing talking to my closest friend? What makes you think that you have that right?"
It was Tilt's turn to become surprised. Whenever had Strife become possessive? Her maw almost dropped open in shock. This was not the Strife she knew. Talon, however, steeped forward, a smirk playing on his features.
"First it was Edge, and now it's you. Don't you think it's my turn to befriend her, brother?" he asked, his tone nonchalant.
Tilt's eyes widened; what was this aura that she felt coming off of Strife? Cringing, she ducked behind Talon. She sensed hatred, and a lot of it. And what was this nonsense about "it's my turn"? She was annoyed. Tilt was for sure not some family heirloom to be passed down from brother to brother. She wasn't sure whether to be confused or angered. What was happening to her? Ugh, she was tired of this.
As if he had read her mind, Strife said, "She isn't an item to be passed around, dear brother." And that was why he was her best friend.
"And she is not someone to be hoarded either. You seem a bit jealous, Strife," Talon cocked his head, his upper lip rising in a scowl. Tilt felt the tension. I don't like this, she thought, her tail flicking nervously. As if he felt what she was feeling, the bronze-eyed tom swivel his augustly head to face Tilt, gentle nuzzling her forehead. It was as if he was communicating, "It's fine." His eyes softened, something Tilt was no used to, but she slowly felt herself relaxing.
{ιғ αll ι нαve тo looĸғorwαrd тo ιѕ α нoмe ιɴ тнe ɢrαveyαrd; do yoυ cαll тнαт нope?}
Soft ushers of roaring thunder plagued the overrun garden at the time of evening. Sun no longer in view as deep swept clouds scored over the earth, demolishing any hopes of sunlight to reach the surface. The signs of an oncoming storm were not only made obvious by the clouds, but the sleek blue and white streaks of plasma that flickered violently through the heavens, leaping about in their playful horrors.
Strict gales brushed the green leaves of the small trees that rest within the land, ones that built the savannah abruptly. The faint sound of a crackling twig could barely be heard through the sounds of the zypher within the atmosphere. A delicate white paw was sent into a spreading appearance as the pads could not hold a steady grip along the surface. Muscles within the ankles were sent into a tense posture as they ran up thick legs, connecting to an intense figure of sable. Hardly seen as the darkness grew around, the frame of a cat came to be seen as lightning above slipped through the clouds, silhouette found out by striking hues of maroon.
Clean fur was sent into a frenzy by a fresh gust of wind, brushing through the sleek pelt to cause it to rise in an aggressive poise. The figure paused, proboscis thrashing to the left as sapphire iris tossed their gaze in the same directing, mirroring the images that surrounded their features. A nose was scrunched into a wrinkling state revealing fangs of pearl that had been stained in red fluids belonging to another cat. Saliva dripped delicately from the teeth of the vicious female, tail held solid stiff against her built haunches. The sounds of rustling objects around her caused the feline's attention to be pulled in several directions, ears twisting and swiveling in chaotic madness left and right, her massive muscles rippling throughout her body.
She had never felt as alive as she did now. Muscles beneath a long-haired white coat rippled as she took a step from beneath the little nook by which she had been sheltered, and into the ominous world about her. Sapphiric orbs glittered with an eerie excitement. Had she ever had so much diversion in all her years? A high pitched giggle escaped a pretty maw. One mitt in front of the other, she edged closer and closer towards the dilapidated building. Phantom navigated the gardens with ease, her coat now logged with drops of the deluge.
Her target was a large, rather handsome tom. Defined beneath jet fur were toned muscles, signifying his strength and giving one assurance that this was a powerful opponent. Her silver tail flicked in excitement. She looked forward to her next prey. He was unaware of her presence, typical, as the she-cat snuck in for the kill. From which angle should she take him? Oh, she just couldn't decide. Shoulders rolled as two pairs silver paws follow one another in the exact placement of the one before it.
Eyes ice blue eyes narrowing, she lunged, claws out, flying through the rain like a spirit of the in. He knew nothing before her claws tore into his back. That was the end for him. Her teeth tightened about his scruff as she shook the black tom like a ragdoll, her neck muscles contracting as she rolled them, shaking her wedge-shaped head like she a canine. The light within his eyes died out as, finally, the she-cat heard a "crack" of his spine giving way.
The she-cat let out a dismissing, tired sigh as she dropped the limp body. Her lip curled up showing sharp canines; Phantom was bored once more. That tome had been no fun. Maybe I should attack them instead of using my surprise tactic. "Oh, it is truly delightful, being a sadist," she cooed to herself as she daintily stepped over the body and disappeared into the surrounding darkness of the foliage. If there as a cat about, they would have heard Phantom's parting words, "What kind of flower is on your face? Tulips!" Shrill, wild laughter erupted from her lips.
"What kind of horses go out after dusk? Nightmares!"
{тнey'll ɴever αɢαιɴ вe reмeмвered— ɴαмeleѕѕ ιɴ υɴмαrĸed ɢrαveѕ.}
"HARGH!" Tilt lunged at the she-cat, her green eyes wide with hatred and disgust. "Die!" the molly yowled at her, sharp fangs coming dangerously close to Tilt's exposed neck.
"I don't recall you being the one to give me orders, Alley Cat scum!" With renewed energy and vigor, tense muscles tightened even more as she kicked out violently at her opponent's soft underside. With a gasp, the molly went flying, a flash of black and gold. It's rather pretty, Tilt thought, a sneer upon her lips as she struggled to get back up.
Haggard breathes forced themselves in and out of her opponent's lips. Tilt felt as if the world became perfectly still as the battered she-cat staggered liturgically towards her, swaying as she ignored the ongoing battle about her.
"You-" Tilt barely heard the word that fell from the lips of the golden and black molly. The rival she-cat raised her head, opening brown eyes.
"You black devil!" she yowled, ramming Tilt off her paws with such force that our heroine had the breath knocked full out of her. Tilt couldn't move.
"Agh!" she yowled as the enemy clawed at her belly and sides. In a flash, however, a spotted silver tom was upon her, colliding with Tilt's attacker. Fate, Tilt thought, feeling a tad bit dizzy as her watched the two cats with blurred vision. "Fa-" she began to call out. But familiar auric eyes stared into hers as a finely shaped golden head filled her field of vision. Instantly, she felt a sense of relief come over her. Talon, she thought, smiling to herself. The large tom gently lifted a limp Tilt by the scruff, transporting her to the sidelines of the vigorous battle.
"Stay put," he whispered into her left ear, placing an affectionate lick upon her forehead. She nodded in response.
Crickets ceased their music; the birds hushed their chirping. A furry lump of black and silver lay still upon the border of the Utherworld, sides barely moving up and down with the faint breathe that still managed to force itself into her tired lungs. Her chest felt as if a great weight had been placed upon it; her mouth was parched and her throat was felt as if it was slowly closing shut.
"Mother," she managed, calling out into the unknown, slit amethyst eyes gazing up into the heavens. However, it was not her mother who watched over her from the confined of the growing shadows.
Into oblivion, a massive silhouette stood, planted upon the withered lands that lay across the border, pale blue eyes serving as windows into a hollow, light starved soul. The mist was slightly over the dying forest still, lingering with a hazy effect to some eyes. Muscles rippled with each decided step, not one movement being wasted by the being who approached her. Heliotrope-hued gems fluttered open as the pawfalls of the approaching glided lightly above the ground. A massive midnight paw was the first to step into the light. No, it was so intense an onyx, it seemed a silky bluish-black. His shapely head was attached to a thick neck, which in turn was connected to a heavily muscled torso and well built legs. In all, his figure was imposing, grand, strapping.
Cold, clear eyes, resembling that of a fresh water spring, eyed her, and Tilt could identify no emotion whatsoever within those icy blue depths. However, what caught her gaze were the appendages, decorating his sides. They were magnificent, rising high above his head, and curving into a delicate arch at the fringes. Wings. Velvety black ones. They resembled those of a raven. The bearer of those wings had stepped over the invisible borderline and was now right next to Tilt. The feeble molly just watched him as the handsome stranger nosed her flank, as if he were trying to determine the points of injury that she had sustained. The aura about this massive tom was frightening, and while aloof, it was also regal, like he was one to be respected. The shadows on the Utherside shifted playfully, seeming to dance ever closer to the light, yet staying far away enough not to be caught be the daylight.
The winged tom above her flicked his thick, long tail, beckoning an unseen presence from the darkness. The shadows parted respectfully, making way as yet another spirit emerged, the dark mist clinging to his fur as he did so. Shock was evident in Tilt's demeanor. He was a feline of some sort, having a reddish golden pelt, and leaning towards the smaller, and shorter side of the size chart. A shapely neck held a small head that perked up some huge ears and horns. His body was also dis-portion with his legs. He sported a stub for a tail, his chipped ear and scarred torso telltale signs of the violent life he led. It was a scary sight at first, then a surprise. What this creature a deformity in nature?
Hard green eyes focused themselves only upon their bearer's master, awaiting his command and order as if it was the only words he lived to hear. The august tom spoke from his post beside Tilt, the dark mist wafting about his form.
"You will summon Nyx, and bring this body to the main tunnel," he ordered, his tone strict, his voice smooth and low. The scarlet subordinate dipped his head in deepest reverence.
"It is as you say, Master," he mewed obediently, backing into the shadows, who welcomed him enthusiastically. With that, Tilt was left alone with this mighty presence.
Muscles, tendons, and limbs ached in defiance as the maculated molly forced herself into a sitting position, inched herself farther from him, determined not to show any sign of weakness, though he has could her in an assumedly helpless state. Immediately, the midnight feline was by her side, supporting her with a broad shoulder. Almost instantaneously as her shoulder made contact with his, a painful jolt shot through her body, causing her to be out of breath as she hissed in pain. The light and darkness surrounding the two were telltale signs that showed they were for opposite sides, and those two had come in contact and had there for caused a static reaction.
The tom snarled in annoyance as he watched her, his upper lip rolling back to reveal pearly fangs. Who was he? What did he want with her? These were the kind of questions flying through Tilt's mind at the moment. She struggled to rise once more from the earth beneath her. Horror was evident in her gaze as her tapered orbs focused upon the ground on which the mystery cat stood. It was withered into brown nothingness. Alarm snaked it's way down Tilt's spine, her tail waving in hostility.
"Who are you?" her voice, despite her body, came out strong, and resilient. The tom leaned backwards in something of surprise, but recovered quickly, folding his large wings as he bowed before her.
"I am called Tenebra, the king of darkest souls. I am yours to command, Stella, ruler of righteous hearts."
{тнey αre plυɴɢed ғroм lιɢнт ιɴтo dαrĸɴeѕѕ, вαɴιѕнed ғroм тнe world.}