Here we are with our very first interlude chapter. I had a lot of fun writing it, but don't expect Hazelfrost to be joining the main cast at any point. As always, thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy this new instalment.

Interlude 1

The Reaper stirs. The Watcher lingers on the edge of victory. The Tide, guiding the river, seeks the source of its stream. Darkness, born in the shadows, takes its revenge. Leaves, scattered about by wind, find their true purpose.

Ragnarok approaches.

"The Winds of Death are blowing."

…

Things had a habit of dying around Hazelfrost.

At least, that was how she thought of it. In reality, death came to all things, regardless of Hazelfrost's presence. Her mother, father, and brother had all died, but that didn't change mortality among the Clans, right?

The day was still young as she headed away from the ShadowClan border, Fireheart at her side. Darkclaw had been a strong opponent, but she felt fine. If she needed to, she could fight a few more vicious battles before the day was done.

"Are you sure you're alright?" the ginger tom asked. "I really wouldn't mind letting you lean on me."

"Fireheart, you're obsessed with giving help to cats who don't need it," Hazelfrost replied. "It will take more than a single ShadowClan tom to render me useless."

The ginger warrior sighed, but he didn't protest. Instead, he fell back with the rest of the patrol. Hazelfrost headed towards the camp, relaxing as the sun started its ascent. Soon, its light would spread all around the forest, allowing all things to bask in the warmth.

Beside Hazelfrost, some invisible cat seemed to float, whispering in her ear. "The day has come. You've lingered for a long time, Hazelfrost. Now, you have to stop planning and start acting."

The brown she-cat nodded. She had interrogated each one of the voices in an attempt to discern between the real ones and the ones she merely imagined. Although she hadn't yet figured them all out, being imaginary didn't make any of the voices less truthful. They were completely correct when they spoke to her. It was time to take action.

And, more importantly, it was time to have her revenge.

…

Hazelfrost let out a contented sigh as she finished gulping down a squirrel. Her sister Risingleaf gave her an amused glance, which she responded to with a shrug.

"I guess we'll need a new patrol now," Risingleaf teased. "We need to make sure that you don't doom the Clan by eating the whole pile."

"I need to keep my strength up," Hazelfrost responded.

"For what?" asked her sister. "Are you worried about Bonetail?"

Hazelfrost was about to explain her glorious plan, but one of the voices interrupted her thoughts. "What are you thinking, telling her before you've completed your goal? You could ruin everything!"

"She's my sister," Hazelfrost muttered under her breath. "I can trust her."

The voice considered this for a moment before responding. "Yes, but can you trust your Clanmates not to overhear? When you've finished your work, you can tell Risingleaf everything. But until then, keep it a secret. Let it come as a pleasant surprise to her."

The brown she-cat nodded. The voice was right, of course. If she wanted to, she could explain her goal to Risingleaf. But if she did, she would undoubtedly have to waste time explaining her reasons. What good would that do?

"Yes, I'm keeping my eyes peeled for Bonetail," she told Risingleaf.

Her sister nodded, accepting the answer. Just then, Jaytalon strode into the camp, eyes dark with misery.

"Still no luck?" Hazelfrost asked him.

He shook his head. "I've searched everywhere, but Mousepaw is nowhere to be found," he explained. "But, he can't just be dead! He has to be somewhere, right?"

"You'll find him," she reassured him, touching his flank with her tail. "You have more devotion to your Clan than most cats I know. In the end, Mousepaw will definitely return and stand by your side."

Jaytalon nodded, but he didn't look like he believed her.

"Speaking of missing cats, have you seen Sandstone anywhere?" she asked.

Jaytalon recoiled as if struck. "I think she's out on a hunting patrol," he muttered before turning and padding away.

"Idiot! Why did you ask him about it? You know that he was unjustly cheated of the deputy position when Lightningblaze murdered me. How could you think that he would react positively to hearing about the cat who has what he should have had?"

Hazelfrost knew that Whisperwing's voice was one of the imaginary ones, but every word the former deputy had just spoken to her was completely correct. She wanted to run up to Jaytalon and apologize, but that action would waste precious time. Instead, she would apologize to him through her actions.

"I'm going out," she told her sister. "See you soon."

Risingleaf nodded as Hazelfrost left the camp.

"The time has finally come."

"Yes," she agreed. "I'm looking forward to it."

…

Hazelfrost didn't waste any time locating the Clan deputy. She found Sandstone not too far from a camp. The she-cat was carefully stalking a mouse, but that wouldn't suit Hazelfrost.

"You're needed," she snapped to the deputy.

Sandstone looked up, now aware of Hazelfrost's presence. "Is Thornstar having a meeting?" she asked, green eyes showing puzzlement.

Hazelfrost smirked. "You're needed," she repeated, "in the Dark Forest!" Then, unsheathing her claws, she leaped at Sandstone.

This took the deputy by surprise. Hazelfrost raked her claws across Sandstone's side, revelling in simple thrill of having the deputy's blood pour onto her paws. Laughing, she licked it up. "That's where you belong!" she sneered. "I'll be happy to send you there."

She bit down hard on Sandstone's leg, then slammed into the deputy. Sandstone fell to the ground with a satisfying thud. Slowly, the deputy stood up and tried to limp away. Hazelfrost lazily followed. She was going to kill this she-cat, but first she needed answers.

"Hazelfrost, what do you think you're doing?" Sandstone weakly asked. "Have you gone mad?"

Hazelfrost snarled. "Vengeance!" she screamed. "I want to know everything. Why did you kill my mother?"

Sandstone stared at her, whiskers twitching in confusion. "Confusion, or maybe guilt. You'll learn the truth now."

"You mean Goldenfoot?" the deputy asked. "Hazelfrost, she was killed by a fox. You know that."

"Liar!" screamed Hazelfrost as she leapt at Sandstone. "Traitor! Murderer! You think you can fool me with that tired old story? Lightningblaze said that a fox killed Whisperwing, but everyone knows that he did it. And all his work was so that a wretched cat like you could steal Jaytalon's rightful position!" She sliced through the deputy's muzzle, then slammed into her side.

"Explain it to me," Hazelfrost snarled as Sandstone fell to the ground. "If a fox did kill my mother, then why did that fox look exactly like you? Only the finest of lies suit the Clan deputy."

Sandstone weakly met her glare with a look of helplessness. "Hazelfrost, you have to stop this," she pleaded. "Goldenfoot was alone when she died. How would I know what the fox looked like? How would you know what it looked like? This isn't you. Someone else is manipulating you for their own ends. Work with me, and together we can find the truth."

Hazelfrost stared at the deputy, growling. Sandstone's look of utter helplessness was definitely genuine. It was a look she'd seen before. In her dreams, her father had looked that way just before he'd died. And in her waking hours, her brother had looked that way when she'd killed him. For a moment, she was almost swayed into stopping, into trusting Sandstone.

Then, Whisperwing's voice returned to her. "She's lying! She may remind you of departed loved ones, but she's a snake who isn't to be trusted. Your mother pleaded with Sandstone just as Sandstone pleads with you now. Don't be a coward Hazelfrost. Only you can expose the truth!"

Hazelfrost nodded, resolve flooding her. She kicked Sandstone in the stomach, snarling at her deceit. "You think you're oh so clever because the Clan swallowed the lies you fed them," Hazelfrost hissed. "But you overlooked me. You can fool the rest of ThunderClan, but I know what you truly are! The voices in my head told me everything! They told me how to see through your lies!"

She savoured the look of utter despair in Sandstone's eyes. The deputy was still for a moment. Then she nodded, after spitting out a mouthful of her own blood.

"You win, Hazelfrost," Sandstone mewed wearily. "Goldenfoot was a… well, she died at my paws. I'll tell you everything, if only in hope that you won't stray to the path your mother followed."

Hazelfrost grinned at the deputy. "The time for lies is over," she hissed.

And just then, all her glorious plans were interrupted by a yowl filled with pure horror. She turned to face the intruder.

"H-Hazelfrost, what in StarClan's name do you think you're doing?" stuttered Jaytalon, sweat pouring down his whiskers.

"I'm taking my revenge!" she hissed. "Jaytalon, can't you see it? I'm doing this for you as well! Once I kill this wretched she-cat, there will be nobody standing in the way! You can finally achieve your dream of becoming Clan deputy!"

Jaytalon shook his head. "Never," he replied. "If I'm going to make my dreams become reality, I'll do it the right way. Not like- nothing like this!"

"Traitor!" Hazelfrost shrieked. "You can die too, when I'm done with her."

She padded over to the deputy, preparing to deal a killing blow. "Sorry Goldenfoot," she whispered. "I'll have to avenge you without knowing the reason behind your murder."

As she went to make her move, Jaytalon rushed forward with lightning speed. He threw himself in front of Sandstone, knocking Hazelfrost aside.

"Run, Hazelfrost," he snarled through barred fangs. "Run and don't come back. If I see you again, I'll kill you. I promise you, I'll never let anyone hurt my Clanmates!"

"Fine," Hazelfrost snapped. "Your Clan of traitors and murderers can collapse on itself. And then, you'll die just like everyone else."

She turned and hurried away. As she fled, she could hear Jaytalon and the deputy talking.

"Sandstone, are you alright?" asked Jaytalon, worry edging his mew.

"I don't know," Sandstone replied. "I'm sorry, Jaytalon. Thank you for saving me."

"I'll always save you," he whispered. "I'll hold you, and never let go."

Hazelfrost screamed as her paws carried her out of ThunderClan territory and into an unknown world.

…

Hazelfrost slowed down, panting as she trudged across the moorland. The breeze cooled her, but she couldn't imagine ever living on WindClan territory. She felt exposed, a feeling amplified by the knowledge that her former Clanmates were probably hunting her. She'd considered hiding out in the tunnels, but that would be much too obvious. They'd check there for sure.

Just then, a familiar voice spoke to her. "Ah, Hazelfrost. I thank you for your service to me, but it appears that Sandstone still lives."

Hazelfrost nodded. "I'm sorry, Arise," she murmured. "I failed to kill her. A warrior called Jaytalon interrupted me, and he would have killed me had I not fled."

There was a long pause as Arise considered what to say. Then, the tom responded. "Very well. Sandstone needs to fall, but her demise can wait. I have a much more important job for you, if you would be willing to travel. Your new mission will take you into the mountains, where you must locate a tom named Rock."

Hazelfrost smiled at Arise's words. The mountains would make a perfect hiding place. ThunderClan would never think that she would travel that far away. "I can go to the mountains," she replied. "But, Sandstone will be prepared for my next attack, won't she?"

The voice in her head chuckled. "You don't need to worry about that. There's a young she-cat in RiverClan who I could compel into aiding you. Now, before you begin your journey, I need you to retrieve something from the moor."

"What is it?" asked Hazelfrost.

"It's a spike, placed in the land by the vengeful tom who Watches the four Clans. You'll need to take off a small part of it. Don't take too much, or the Watcher will know that you've been there." Instantly, the image of the moor flashed through Hazelfrost's mind. "You see, if your mission is successful, you'll lose all connection to me. However, you can use this spike to restore it. I'll explain how you can do that at a later time."

Hazelfrost grinned as she headed in the direction of the spike. "You can count on me, Arise," she told him.

"Wait a moment. It looks like a Foretelling has come upon me. I'll have to leave you now. Obtain the spike, and await further instruction." And with that, Arise disappeared from her mind.

Hazelfrost continued on her way through the moor, feeling elated. Even if Sandstone still lived, she had a purpose again. Arise had given her a new mission, and she aimed to complete it.

"You'll leave the Clans, but only briefly. You'll be back soon. And when you return, the liars and thieves and traitors and murderers had better watch out."

"Because then Hazelfrost will stalk the night."

To be continued…

So what do you think? I've put clues everywhere, but in tandem with Chapter 6 this has the largest hints so far as to what's going on in the world. As always, thanks for reading.

Also, I just want to say that Hazelfrost isn't The Deliverer, but The Deliverer has appeared in the first six chapters. I wonder if you can pick her out?

Also, if you like Golden Dawn, my friend IcepathX is writing a story called Silent Skies. It's pretty interesting, and I'm doing some editing for her, so you'll see some of my writing style in there too. I have it in my favourites, so if you have the time, check it out! (Her chapters aren't as ridiculously long as mine, trust me.)

Thanks for reading! I hope to see again you soon!