Chapter 28: Agent of Change
I awoke to the sounds of a small fight. Midnight seemed to be trying to push her way past Brambleclaw, who was not having it. Midnight was trying to explain herself as she tried to nonaggressive move past Brambleclaw. "I know you no trust me, but I need to help. Dark one visited by cat from dark lands. Dark lands for those who whisper sickly promises wishing others to share their views. Not place of good cats. Can push dark lands cat away." Midnight stated, not making a lick of sense to anyone but me.
"If you're talking about Mapleshade, she's a bit of an exception. Though she definitely deserves what she got, she's a family friend who looks out for us and benefits most by keeping us happy. If you try and drive her off, you'll be making an enemy of me." I mewed which drifted into a growl towards the end.
Midnight looked as kowtowed as I could imagine a badger to possibly get before apologizing in her broken up, hard to discern speech. "Sorry. You, Dark one… I know you not. Cannot predict you. Cannot know you. Seen future without dark one. Things same yet different. Dark Lands cat very bad in seen future, but somehow don't see it now. Fading… Losing my sight… Void consumes the vision. Strikes fear in me. Hoped to avoid change, but maybe change is good? Used to acting towards seen ends. Feel blind for first time. Should stop interfering. Not my fate to weave."
Maybe it was time I gave Midnight a little slack. While she still terrified me, I could just feel that she meant well. She may be a prophetess, but even they sometimes need advice of their own. "Listen. An unknown future is always scary. It is easier and simpler to walk a path, but it is those who leave it that find hidden treasures. My dad, Ravenfeather, once told me something that stuck. He said 'I'd rather be walking in pitch black than stand in fire.' It sounds strange, but it means that sometimes it is worth taking a chance over pursuing something known."
Midnight, the strange badger, nodded sagely at the advice. "Wisdom of the Father. Wisdom of the Dad. Darkness is the agent of change. See wisdom in your words. Now see the potential. Much suffering is seen in the future, a changeable path. Advise you not walk blind but dip into darkness when path is suffering." She responded with a newfound clarity.
At this point, Crowpaw had enough. "Enough already. As much as you two want to talk philosophy, we don't have moons for you to cryptically piece together your messages. If you need a reminder, we're here to save the clans, and we don't exactly have unlimited time to do it."
Midnight nodded in response. "Yes. Champion of Wind is correct. You aren't here to hear me blather about the intricacies of fate. You're here to find an answer, to learn how to save your clans." She mewed mystically, clearly having rehearsed these parts. "Your home cannot be saved. The forest will crumble. The earth will be roiled. It is unstoppable, but there still remains hope. The clans do not originate from the forest, having fled from their ancestral home. As you flee your home, you are to reclaim what the ancestors lost. When the clans lose their meaning of home, a dying warrior will guide the way."
"What do you mean a dying warrior will guide the way?" Brambleclaw tried to wheedle out.
"You will know when you see it. I have said all that I can say. Your future is your own to make. Salvation is in your reach, but you must be willing to take it. One last thing before you go. Journey to the mountains. You will see your home from there but be wary. Fate desires a sacrifice. Deny it if you can Dark One." She cryptically answered before turning away, ignoring us completely. I wasn't even sure if she was breathing anymore, she'd gone so still.
We got our answer but were unhappy with how vague it was. We had little choice but to leave. Our destination for now were the nearby mountains. Midnight's words hung heavy in my mind. Fate desires a sacrifice. Was this why I was here? I felt on edge, wondering when fate might try to collect its dues. Brambleclaw, of all cats, seemed to pick up on this.
"Are you alright Darkpaw? You seem worried." He asked. For the first time in my life, he took a gentle tone with me. It felt strange, and I was compelled to answer him.
"I can't forget her words. Fate desires a sacrifice. This was why I was brought along. Starclan saw it. The question is how do I stop it. I don't have destiny on my side like you all. It may even be impossible for me to prevent. If a sacrifice must be made, am I to be the sacrifice? Am I to give my life for one of you? After yesterday, I realized I do not want to die. I thought death was just another part of life, but that is far too simple. I want to hear my father's wisdom again. I want to feel my dad's warm embrace. I want to know if Stonestep finally confessed his love to my father and dad. There is still much I want to do. I do not want to die." I confessed.
Brambleclaw met my gaze gently. "It is alright Darkpaw. I promise that we won't sacrifice you. You aren't just a body to take a hit or something to trade away for our safety. You are a cat, same as us. Despite all Midnight said, it is not just up to you to protect us. We all have each other. Midnight never even expected to see seven of us, and look how much it changed what she was going to do. Simply, you being here will be enough. If it is not, we'll make it enough. This is not just your responsibility to bear. It is all of ours." The others, who had been eavesdropping, decided to chime in.
"Fate shmate. If something tries to kill us, we'll just kill it first." Crowpaw answered, flexing his claws.
"We're all strong and capable of defending ourselves. If fate sets its claws into one of us, well we'll remind it how hardy we are as warriors." Stormfur mewed firmly.
"We've all been around you. If your presence is enough to throw off a prophet, then us interacting with you is enough to change everything. The future is already changed. We can make our own with our own paws." Tawnypelt added.
"Blood, destiny, and fate were all things thrown at Stormfur and I when we were but apprentices. They were words used harshly to say death and pain was deserved. What meaningless words they are. I choose to not believe them." Feathertail stated with distain.
Finally, Squirrelpaw spoke her piece. "We're best friends Darkpaw. I'll have your back as you have mine. I don't really understand all this destiny and fate nonsense, but if it's what we have to fight, then I'll gladly shred it by your side."
It felt like when the rest of the journey cats jumped to defend me after Midnight grabbed me. I felt safe again. Maybe me being here was enough. Regardless, I didn't feel alone in my duty any longer. We could make the change we wanted. We were prepared.