Dead cat POV!

I am Hare, the first spirit-tamer of my ancient family. We were esteemed hunters and fighters, and the Forest of Rising Sun was our domain. Any mates we desired were always ours. But we were unhappy, for we feared death. Only I, among my powerful kin, discovered the ancient magic that would give me a life as a spirit, to watch over the world. I have lived as a loner, meeting some other spirits on my travels, and remained alone. Until the meeting.

I was surprised at the location. It was above the forest I had once called home, I had once ruled. I had not gone back since my death, ages ago, but it seemed my small family had grown into a large group that had spread through the entire forest. I scanned their minds, and was disappointed to find that they did not remember their noble heritage. I was angrier still to find that they were not even unified any longer. This would change.

The domain that we spirits lived in, above the earth, merely consists of green grass beneath our feet, and the occasional plant or stream. I was therefore astonished at the large clearing, full of many plants and even the spirits of prey. I was even more surprised at the number of spirits I had not known existed. How many people know of this magic?

As I padded scornfully into the clearing, I noticed a family of three who seemed to be revered by many. The cats had parted all around them to make space. I tasted their scents, and jumped slightly. They were older than I, centuries older! Millennia!

"Mother, why can I not speak?" asked the kit. "It was my vision!"

"Hush, Brightspirit, do you wish us to be scorned for the next decade?" scolded the mother. "Alright, you may speak your part."

"But only that," said the father. "You will not discuss strategy. There are many older warriors here who will make the decisions."

"They be older in looks, but I-" Brightspirit's mother silenced her with her tail-tip and stepped forward. "Greetings, spirits. We are gathered here for a most grievous circumstance. As the older among us know, we are sometimes summoned together here for important meetings." I had not known this. Hmph. "Today, we are called because of a vision from my young daughter. Brightspirit? If you will step up to the pool?"

Her daughter sniffed, almost haughtily, and padded forward. She pressed her tail tip to the water, and the spirits crowded around to look. I stared down, astonished.

The pool showed many, horrible images. The cats of the forest, my forest, fighting a battle that would last till the moon rose and set. Blood dampening the ground like rain. The sacred place my family often used to make speeches, littered with bodies. Five cats stepping up from the carnage, to take leadership. And… what was this? Spirits of the recently dead? But how? How could they all know the ancient magic?

Many murmurs arose at this, but Brightspirit's mother spoke. "Do not worry, friends. This place, this clearing we have used for meetings, has been so filled with our magic that the land below it has taken it in. Their spirits will now be instantly taken here. And with every soul to enter here, the clearing will grow." As she spoke, a tree erupted from the ground, growing to full size in an instant. "The spirits will watch over the forest, and we will no longer be needed here."

"But now for the other visions," said Brightspirit, and her father growled. "As you have all seen, this forest is not inhabited by many cats, housecat and forest-born alike." My ancestors noble blood? Tainted by kittypets? "But a great battle is approaching. A cat of the purest evil had amassed many followers, terror and bloodlust in their souls. They will kill many, and from the remains…" She showed the vision of the five cats again. "The forest will assume new leadership."

"Those five?" A cat spoke up. "They must lead? Why, they're no more than kits."

"And how shall five share leadership?" asked another. "Impossible. I like the looks of the black one, though. Won't just one do?"

Brightspirit's father spoke up. "Do you go against the wishes of those above? Those who did not fear death, those who have truly passed on? All prophecies come from them, and we would do well to listen."

"Yes, Braveheart, but that will do," said his mate. "We must only make sure the leaders-to-be find the forest. Two, we are certain, are already there. The three of us have each chosen one of the cats to bestow our protection upon. You," she motioned to the cat who had wanted just one leader, "will care for the... 'black one.' We have chosen you, Hare, for the last."

I was astonished. "Was this forest not your possession in life, Hare?"

"Y-yes, it was," I replied. "Who will I be protecting?"

Brightspirit flicked her tail, and in the ripples of the pool, a cat was standing.

"That?" I yelped. "It is just…"

"…The most important of them all," snapped Brightspirit. "His skills are already growing. For every enemy he vanquishes, he shall gain in power."

"That's enough, Brightspirit," said Braveheart. "Shiningheart, please show our guests out."

"Wait…" asked the same cat who was in favor of one leader, "When the cat… the evil cat, and his followers… when they die, will they come here? And continue to kill?"

Shiningheart spoke with a heavy voice. "This cat, and his accomplices, posses an evil so great that they will create their own place to reside. A horrible place it will be, full of only darkness. It will be called the Place of No Stars, and none shall ever escape it." She turned to leave with her family.

And, in a state of shock, I departed.