Hello again all, sorry for the late update again, I was out of town.

This chapter is where the plot begins to kick off, and I really hope you're all enjoying it so far. Any reviews and constructive criticism are greatly appreciated and I would love to answer any questions you have about any of the characters or worldbuilding so far, though I just also want to say a thanks to all those who read, favourite and follow it too! Your support is greatly appreciated.

Now, without further ado, here's Chapter Four!

Fernstar and Swiftbreeze were waiting in the middle of camp when they arrived. Stagpaw watched him deliver the order for Silverloch to mind camp in his absence as some more cats gathered around him. There was Sunraiser, Shadowwatcher and Feathersinger, the Clan's mages, and Hazelwing had joined too. It was usually tradition for the other cats who had roamed the Hallowlands to see him off, as a blessing of good luck. Since Ambervox had been the Clan's last bayer, there were only mages to watch his descent. He wasn't sure who else was supposed to come, and it wasn't like he had any parents to say goodbye to either.

Briefly, his eyes caught Owlflight's. The grand tom stared coldly at him before sniffing and turning away. Stagpaw curled his lip and moved closer to Foxpaw. Their father had never wanted anything to do with them. He had Ebonywhisper now. Maybe he would be a better father to her three rather than them.

"Don't let him get to you," his sister whispered suddenly, following his gaze, "not today."

"I know…" he replied, drawing his eyes away. Another day, maybe someday, he might have to confront him.

"Stagpaw, are you ready to go?"

He looked up to see Fernstar approaching him. The grey tabby was a clawtooth, he had never experienced the horrors of the Hallowlands and he never would. Thus, he was looking down at Stagpaw with a mix of pride and mild excitement on his face. If he made it out, EskerClan would finally have a bayer to defend themselves with again.

Just…just think of it like that, Stagpaw, he thought to himself, taking a deep breath, you're doing this for your Clan. You've made your mistakes, but this will be a way to atone for them.

He nodded, narrowing his eyes and trying to keep the wobble out of his voice, "Yes, Fernstar."

"Good. We shall head out then," he turned to his sister, "Foxpaw, if you would like to go out with Leopardpounce-"

"No."

Fernstar blinked, taken aback by the sudden rebuttal, "I beg your pardon?"

"I…I apologise for refusing orders, but I would like to come with you to the Hallowlands," she lashed her tail ever so slightly then dipped her head, "I…would like to see my dear brother off."

"Ah, well…" he contemplated it for a heartbeat and then shrugged, "I suppose I don't see why not."

Foxpaw smiled, "Thank you, my leader."

Thus it was with no other word spoken between them that the group left camp. Stagpaw took great care in noticing every bit of his home territory, trying to sculpt an image of every rock and tree to try and ground himself while he was in that hellish pit. Who knew if he would ever see it again?

The snow crunched beneath his paws as he walked. This time, he savoured its icy bite. It was hard to believe that this time yesterday he had been out on a normal hunting patrol, debating whether he liked it or not. He wished yesterday had never happened, yet at the same time he'd do anything to just repeat that day, those moments where everything was okay and nothing could go wrong.

He broke away from his thoughts as Sunraiser and Hazelwing padded up to walk beside him.

"Though I'm upset you didn't tell me, you're gonna do great!" his mentor encouraged, "It's alright to be scared, but just remember everything I've taught you and I'm sure you'll be fine."

Sunraiser nodded, "Hazelwing is right, the Hallowlands are dangerous and shocking, but as long as you keep your wits about you, you'll live."

"Don't forget," Feathersinger called from just at the back of the group, turning Stagpaw's head, "you're a bayer. You can fend off anything attacking you if you stay calm and speak fast. You have one of the strongest chances of living."

Shadowwatcher, next to the grey tabby tom, simply nodded.

Stagpaw tried a smile, "Thanks."

Their words had helped him, but still he had that pit of nerves writhing around in his stomach like a hungry serpent. He didn't want to throw up right now. Not in front of his leader, medicine cat, all the Clan's mages, his sister and his mentor.

He might just let himself be eaten alive in the Hallowlands if that happened.

The journey took a while, though maybe Stagpaw's anxiety extended that. He shivered as they broke out from the lines of coniferous trees and out onto the borders of the Hallowlands. He tried his best not to look. Any kind of denial would be great before he got there.

They ventured on and on through the land, stopping only once to catch prey and share the meal, but Stagpaw couldn't bear to even open his mouth as the mouse he'd caught sat in front of him.

"You've got to eat something," Foxpaw tried to encourage him, sitting next to him and watching him with that concerned expression, "you don't know when your next meal down there might be."

He hunched his shoulder and tried to block out the blood and dead prey smell, "I don't know if my stomach can handle it."

"Well…at least have some," she tilted her head, "for me?"

Unwilling but knowing it was best, he began to talk slow, small bites out of the mouse. Even still, he only managed about half before he felt his stomach churn uncomfortably and pushed it over to Foxpaw. She took it without a word, understanding his needs and not forcing him to have any more.

During the mealtime, Swiftbreeze came over again to check on Stagpaw's wounded tail. Though he wasn't exactly the most talkative himself at this moment, he couldn't help but feel unnerved as the healer scanned over his tail before reapplying fresh bandages with only a nod. He'd never been known as the friendliest of healers, plus he was still rather new to it all, but Stagpaw thought he could at least offer a bit of comfort or something. He watched him go, noticing how Swiftbreeze didn't seem to opt to talk to anyone in particular, instead sitting alone. Strangely, it wasn't like he looked upset or lonely…maybe he was just comfortable in his own presence.

After he'd left, Foxpaw turned to her brother and smiled.

"Well," she said, "now you look even more like a stag."

He couldn't help but laugh slightly.

On their paws again, they began to venture out of EskerClan territory, then out of all Clan territory completely. Stagpaw watched the scenery change with a kitlike expression of wonder and curiosity even despite the situation. He was walking to his potential doom, and yet this was like a whole new world. The clouds above began to thin out, showing a blue sky hidden behind them. He'd gone most of his life without seeing snow, but this grass around here was growing lusher, like the frequent frosts at home couldn't harm them here. More varieties of flowers grew, blossoming in various colours despite the leafbare chill, and to his surprise the trees were not evergreen. Instead of tall pines and larches and all the rest, towering above him and occasionally dropping needles to the ground, more crooked trees of all shapes and sizes rose out from the ground like giants, their roots even furling out of the ground and their branches bare. Dried-up, dead leaves clustered around them, slowly disintegrating into the undergrowth. He had no idea what this place was like in other seasons, but the lack of leaves on these trees gave the area an eerie, dead feel to it. He couldn't help but shiver as he gazed around at the new landscape.

Further down the mountain they went, following the cut of the Hallowlands, until finally they rounded off at the start of a path that ventured down, down into the depths. A unanimous shudder fell through the group as they saw it, hitting them like a wave of cold dread. Rocks and sticks driven into the ground were marked with various frantic claw marks, warning them of danger and no entry, but Stagpaw knew they weren't going to turn the group away. He couldn't help but linger on one clearly old and rotting stick towards the back, where a weathered cat's skull had been slotted through the top. That was about as obvious as it got: this place could kill.

The patrol stopped, and Fernstar turned to Stagpaw. The effects of just seeing the place seemed to have far less of an effect on him as it had the rest of the group, and he still seemed rather proud of everything and everyone.

"Well, Stagpaw," he said, straightening himself up and making his voice loud and grand over the rest of the land, "the time has come for you to face the trials of the Hallowlands."

The rest of the cats slotted into place around and behind him, having apparently done this before, except for Foxpaw, who stood her ground beside him. She was pressed close to him now, shaking beneath her pelt. Stagpaw wished for nothing more than to be able to have her by his side on his adventure, though he knew that was selfish. He didn't want to put her in that same position. Maybe, if StarClan was smiling down upon him, he would encounter someone sane and friendly to travel alongside whilst he was down there. He really hoped so.

"I, Fernstar, with the power bestowed upon me by our faithful ancestors declare this young EskerClan apprentice Stagpaw a bayer to StarClan." he began to recite, inviting those among Silverpelt to give him a blessing, "Today his paws will walk the Hallowlands as a test of his own abilities and to prove his loyalty to his Clan. I ask you to watch over this young cat and guide his paws the right way, lest he be lost forever to its depths. May we be ever eternally in your service."

The mages, Swiftbreeze and Hazelwing bowed their heads, "Amen."

Stagpaw, too, nodded, but his throat was too dry to utter the words.

Fernstar padded forwards to face Stagpaw, "Your task, of course, is very simple. You must make your way from this point here, through the Hallowlands and to a landmark known as StarClan's Rock. It is impossible to miss. You must use your abilities to fend for yourself, and when you reach your end goal, StarClan will name and bless you as one of EskerClan's warriors. Do you understand?"

He dipped his head, "I-I do, Fernstar."

His leader touched his nose to his forehead, "Then allow me to offer you the strength, courage and intelligence of a leader. May you use it well during your trials."

A strange wave of energy pulsated through him, and Stagpaw felt adrenaline kick itself in. He fought the urge to shuffle his paws as Fernstar stepped away with a smile.

"Thank you."

Swiftbreeze came forwards next. Stagpaw was surprised to hear him speak as he began a similar blessing.

"I bless you with the wit, empathy and knowledge of a healer," he said, again touching his nose to forehead, "may StarClan guide you well."

This time he felt soothed, like a good deep breath had suddenly eased the knot in his chest and cleared the fog in his mind. The feeling this time was more brief, as Swiftbreeze moved away again.

Then came Hazelwing, repeating the gesture once more, "I bless you with luck, good hunting and the skills I have taught you during your time as my apprentice. May you return home in one piece."

Again came the energy, this one reminding him of hope and youth and innocence. He smiled at his mentor as she moved away and she smiled back.

"May the light always reach you and the sun forever warm your pelt," Sunraiser murmured.

"May the shadows always guard you," Shadowwatcher whispered.

"May the birdsong of morning always invigorate you," Feathersinger stated.

What felt like little samples of their power rushed through Stagpaw as each of them blessed him in turn. He stood back and watched as Fernstar prepared to speak again when suddenly Foxpaw rounded on him, her eyes brimming with tears.

He couldn't speak before she rushed towards him, pressing her forehead to his in a mimic of the blessings he had been given as tears flowed down her face.

"Make it through there for me," she sobbed quietly, "you have to."

There was no strange, magical sensation this time, just the grief of two siblings who had been through hell together and were now being separated for what would feel like forever. He lent into her, accepting her warmth and appreciating the raw emotion on her face. He didn't know how long they stayed there until she drew back, and Hazelwing approached, gently resting her tail upon her back.

"He'll be fine," she murmured, guiding her away, "he's a very strong and smart young cat."

She sniffled and nodded.

Stagpaw blinked his own tears out of his eyes as he watched her, before his Clanmates cleared a path for him. He took a deep breath as he stared down at the way into the Hallowlands, his muscles tightening from fear and adrenaline.

This is it, he thought, this is gonna decide everything.

The one thing I swore I never wanted to do…the secret I kept because of it…

And here I am.

He stood there and stared for a long moment before slowly beginning to walk towards the entrance, each step making him feel colder and colder. He approached closer and closer until he stood parallel with all the warnings. There, he took a deep breath, raised his paw, then-

"Hey- ow-! G-Get off me!"

All cats' heads turned at the sound of rustling bushes, just from the way they had come. The scent of other cats hit Stagpaw's mouth, and tilted his head as another patrol rounded towards the entrance to the Hallowlands, stopping and staring surprised at the EskerClanners.

"Oh, hello."

It was led by a tall dark brown tom whose deep green eyes seemed to have a long-lasted tiredness and frustration to them. He bowed his head to Fernstar as they made eye contact, and Stagpaw's leader repeated it back. Behind him was a pale grey tom, then a legion of about five cats who were exhaustedly dragging and shoving a light brown tabby tom about the same age as Stagpaw between them. He was hissing and spitting and lashing his tail around, clearly here against his will.

"Ah, Needlestar, greetings," Fernstar smiled, "has PineClan also come for the trials of the Hallowlands?"

"Indeed," Needlestar replied, though his voice seemed strained, "our apprentice Juniperpaw is a mage."

The tabby tom was shoved forwards, and came to Needlestar's side, glowering. It seemed to unnerve Fernstar slightly as he replied, "I see."

"We apologise if we have interrupted your important ceremony," the other leader glanced over at Stagpaw. He shifted uncomfortably.

"Oh, no, don't worry about it, all our blessings were already completed." he reassured.

Juniperpaw growled suddenly, "Blessings, what are they gonna do? Words aren't gonna save a cat from being mauled to death down there!"

The EskerClanners seemed to rear back in surprise, other than Foxpaw, whose tail twitched ever so slightly.

Needlestar rounded on the mage apprentice, "Juniperpaw, I've warned you, shut up."

He lashed his tail again, "Why should I? Can I not speak my opinion?"

"No, no, that's not it, you're just talking crazy, okay? This is all just shock and you'll get over it soon, I'm sure, now close your mouth." the dark brown tom tried to hush.

"No!"

The light brown tom bounded away from him and into the centre of the group, "Why is it that whenever a mage or a bayer gets discovered in the Clans, they have to go down here to prove themselves under the guise that StarClan is protecting them? Why don't we question it? Why is it that when they never return, or we hear news of their death, we just mourn them as if something more every day has happened, like we didn't condemn them to go down there and die? Why do we send down young, barely trained apprentices to somehow make it out alive? Why is it okay that mages and bayers still have nightmares, lasting trauma from what they've seen down there? Why does everyone look at Cedarstripe and call her insane because she grieves for the son she wrongfully lost down there?"

Silence fell around the group, then muttering broke out. Juniperpaw lashed his tail.

"Ah, aha, these woke kits nowadays," Needlestar tried to joke to Fernstar. He laughed awkwardly in response.

Juniperpaw grimaced and turned to Stagpaw. Green eyes met blue.

"Do you want to be sent down there knowing there's a high chance you'll meet your demise and die alone, lost and far from home?"

Stagpaw stared back, caught on what to say, when Fernstar stepped in between them.

"Right, Stagpaw, I believe now is a good time to start your journey. The quicker you're in, the quicker you're out is what they say. Good luck."

"R-Right…" he muttered in reply as the EskerClanners began to leave with a nod to the PineClanners.

Left by his Clan and with Juniperpaw's words echoing in his head, he took another deep breath and began to walk down the path. A chill swept through him as he progressed, thinking of the losses that had occurred down here. His paws went slowly as he took in the fresh scents down here: fallen pine needles, new types of vegetation, and hidden tones of rot and decay. The deciduous trees gave quickly into conifers again, though there was still no snow down here. Fungi he had never seen before grew along fallen or dying trees, and eerie cries from creatures he had never heard before echoed out across the silence. '

The path ended, and as he stood looking out over the expanse of new, unfamiliar land he would have to get used to, a fresh wave of fear washed over him. He was really here, alone. He could die. There could be anything around any corner. Would he be able to eat or drink?

He made to take another step, then stopped, turned, sat and waited, nervously keeping all his senses completely alert for potential threats. A small amount of time later, he began to hear faint pawsteps, then the aggravated cursing and mutterings of another cat walking down the path. Eventually, Juniperpaw emerged, seemingly cautious for threats but still fuming from the altercation with his Clan. It was easy to guess that he too did not want to be down here.

Stagpaw stepped out onto the path in front of him, his heart hammering, and the PineClan apprentice looked up in surprise.

"No," he said simply.

Juniperpaw blinked, "What?"

"You asked me if I wanted to be sent down here. To potentially die lost and alone. My answer is no."

"Ah, then we'll get along well," Juniperpaw smirked ruefully, coming up to stand next to him, "my name's Juniperpaw."

"I heard, I'm Stagpaw."

"Nice to meet you."

He offered a paw out and Stagpaw met it with his own, "Fancy trying to not die with me then, Stagpaw?"

"Sounds fun," he replied, the tremor in his voice not making him sound as cool as Juniperpaw did.

The PineClan apprentice grinned, "We're gonna make a great team then, you and me."

He couldn't help but smile himself at the confidence he radiated, "I'm sure."