Chapter 49: Border Festival: Cult of The Mother
After sitting in on Sunflower's tales for a little bit, my attention was drawn elsewhere. A large cluster of cats sat together, all of which were heavily faded and bore the black symbols of the obelisk on their bodies. Some even looked right on the edge of becoming echoes themselves. Ravenwing appeared to be the head of them, but leading wasn't the right word for what he was doing. He was preaching. I didn't bother hearing his words, but the looks of those cats faces was what drove me to approach them. These cats were filled with fear at the idea of disappearing, but as I approached, I saw hope rising through their ranks. These cats needed me.
"The Mother may tread in the land of eternal darkness, but a light shines brightest in the dark. She is merciful. She loves us all as her kits. With her guidance, we will not only survive. We will thrive! She has bestowed upon me the duty to heal those wounded in this border land regardless of origin. As the Mother has shown us, through mercy we will be granted mercy." Ravenwing bellowed with religious fervor.
The way those cats' ears were pricked, attentive to any word Ravenwing mewed spoke loudly of their new devotion. What else was there for them to do? They'd followed the obelisk and the council expecting salvation, but they'd lost most of themselves in the process. They'd been faithful to the obelisk, oh so faithful, but the object knew no mercy. It bore no feelings. Despite their insistence that it was conscious and thinking, the obelisk was just a thing, and things are cold and unfeeling, doing what they were made to do with no regard to why. The obelisk did not care because it could not. It was a thing.
Splitpelt, having previously been flirting around for his amusement, spotted me making my way over to that group and joined me. That kittish look on his face faded as he deemed this worthy of being serious. Ravenwing spotted us approaching.
"The Mother must have found us worthy of her presence! Do you feel her light warmly caress you like your mother so long ago?"
These cats seemed to be basking in my presence almost like I was the sun on a cold winter day, my light warming the cold set deep into their being. Their faith in my was so pungent, not even the barriers restrictions could conceal or absorb the amount of faith generated. As they sunned themselves in my presence, I could only bask in theirs. I never wanted cats to follow me this way, to find purpose in following me. I've always believed a cat should find faith in doing right, but could I teach that? Could I provide the hope these cats need? They're so faded, they're hardly even the cats they originally were. Like Ravenwing once was, these were hollow facsimiles waiting to be given life. I needed to teach them kindness so they could find purpose and save themselves.
I stood resolute as I gave my address. "You who have gathered here in search of salvation, I cannot give it. Look among yourselves and ask, who here do you know? Why are these cats the one I stand with? Do you stand near a friend or a stranger? I cannot save you alone. You must save yourselves. The reason you've grown faded is because you've lacked purpose and let yourselves stagnate. You must go out, learn, and experience new things. You must care. This apathy you've let fester is what eats you. I cannot heal back what you've lost. You must fill the hole within yourselves on your own. The best I can do for you is provide a little bit of protection. I can provide a barrier to prevent the fading the pulses cause, but you will still fade if you think that will save you. I have only one favor I want in return for the protection I provide. I want you to spread the kindness. I want you to make friends, families, and find purpose through helping others, but those who abuse my kindness and yours, show no mercy."
It was strange that a third of those fading cats just left. Apparently, it was just too much effort to put in work to save themselves. Their apathy would be their downfall. The rest came before me as I provided barrier after barrier. It would only really protect them for about a moon's time, but with how faded they were, if they actually tried, they'd begin filling in faster than the pulses could take away. It was my trial. Next moon, I wouldn't provide a barrier for those just as faded as this time. As I said, no mercy to those who abuse my kindness.
"Do not waste the Mother's gift! As any mother should, the Mother cares for us. She wants us to succeed, but just like any good mother, she expects us to overcome our trials and tribulations on our own. We are but kits. We must walk and stumble and fall. We cannot expect our Mother to walk for us. She is not the answer, but she teaches us the means to find our own. Walk in the Mother's light! May you grow into a fine cat!" Ravenwing announced, closing his meeting with what I could only now call the Cult of The Mother.
After all those cats departed, I let the nerves of speaking to that crowd get to me. I was panting lightly from the stress. Then I felt Splitpelt press himself up against me. His mismatched pelt grounded me in the moment. I never wanted to be a god. I never wanted cats to see me like that, so why must I bear the mantle? My only answer was that I was the one who could handle the burden. That wasn't to say there weren't cats I thought better than me, but they hadn't overcome the same heartbreaks and misery I had. They might crack or change under that weight. After a moment, my breathing slowed down as I got myself back under control.
"You're alright. Just take a deep breath and focus on me." My eyes cleared to see Splitpelt's concerned eyes. The two mismatched orbs never looked so beautiful.
"Splitpelt?" I asked now that my minor breakdown was over.
"I'm here. Listen to me. You did well. I know you never wanted cats to see you like that. I know how hard it was for you to stand brave in front of them. I know how much it hurt for you to see so many just give up, and I know how draining it was for you to give out so many barriers. You showed them the love of a mother, but you also showed them the wrath of one too. I think you taught them what they needed to know. Show kindness, but don't let your claws dull."
"Thank you Splitpelt. I think my mind would have broken long ago without your support. I hope you never envy me. This new duty of mine is more curse than blessing. I hope you never have to make the hard choices that now find their way to me."
"That is why I am here Maple dearest. It is why we followed you. You don't have to stand alone. Let us shoulder the weight when you can no longer. As I'm sure you know, I'd gladly fade hundreds of cats for you. I'd fade for you. I've made tough decisions in my many lives, so feel free to lean on me. Frecklewish and I will always be here for you."