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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2023 9:18:09 GMT -5
Introduction
Hi everyone, whether you are new or a experienced member of the forums, I'm happy to welcome you. This is The Clawed Chronicles, a story that's been swirling around in my head for a while now and I finally have the courage to write and post. I hope this goes somewhere and inspires others to make their own stories come to life through the power of writing or drawing.
This is a dark tale however, one of sorrow and death, but there is love and the promise of finding yourself in this story too! Due to the many gruesome deaths to come, I'll have to halt you on your journey. This is and will be a 13+ story, the prologue is fine for younger, but future chapters are not! If you are younger than thirteen please find a trusted and responsible adult to pre-read the chapters ahead of time!
If you are interested in the visual works of the characters and story, check out my Scratch Account: XxLegendarydoggoxX to find sneak peeks for characters, chapter prologue banners/covers, and more!
God bless you!
Note: This is NOT the final version, any part of it is subject to change.Questions, Answers, and Cardboard Creatures
Cardboard Creatures
Some of you may have heard of cardboard cats from another project of mine, that has long since been forgotten. But cardboard creatures have made their comeback!
Cardboard creatures are characters that are bland and/or don't get much page time. If you notice one of these beauties, you are encouraged to notify me and, if you want, suggest some story-line/personality/headcanons/etc that you would like to see. I'm not saying that everything will be accepted, I just want to make sure each character is given some love and dedication.
Questions & Answers
Q: Are they anthro or feral cats? A: Feral! It took a while to decide this!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2023 12:51:44 GMT -5
Prologue Serpent
No light struck the restless sea, only shadows accompanied the blue-green abyss. Thunder and lightning roared and rumbled in their battleground of charcoal clouds, each time sending a heavier burden of rain upon the tormented world below. Foam crashed against rival waves as they took a watery plunge back into the sea, slicing the deep waters with savage currents. A tempest swirled overhead, fighting the waves and sky with a mighty howl. Creeeaaak A meager boat labored through the torrent, unfazed by the daunting tide watching its every move. Algae stuck firmly to the boat’s wooden beams despite the ocean’s eager insistence to move it. The beams moaned with effort as they fought the unforgiving waves and the metal lantern swinging wildly on its holder’s long, metal arm. The flame hissed and spat as droplets squeezed themselves through its glass shield, but it remained burning nonetheless. Against the shadowed sky, the flame seemed worthless, against the raging tide, the flame was worthless. But to the weary travelers, the flame was everything. A pitiful pair ran along the boat’s deck, each tending anxiously over the fire that harbored their safety. Both went silently about their work, neither acknowledging the other’s existence. The darkest one, as dark as the sea’s wicked cradle, glared hatefully at the overcast horizon, her sun-like gaze filled with enough detest to light the boat aflame. The second, a much more skeletal cat, migrated the pathetic-excuse for a boat with such a sluggish and hunched position that any creature would think he was much older than the young cat he was. His gaze, the eyes of the soul, were blind with dread as they flickered over the flame, the molly, ant the violent waters. Tears now lined the dreary tom’s eyes, his nasal voice rasping with an invisible pain. “Prophet,” He glanced upward, milky gaze desperate and imploring, yet, it did not take any strength to ignore them. “Quit this selfish act and steer us home.” The sun-eyed cat’s head snapped around, eyes flaming, and a growl rumbling in her throat. Wrath was a heavy burden, yet this cat carried and adorned it with pride, a dangerous thing. For a moment, a single second, the tomcat’s gaze held an ember of hope and it flared in his chest like a roaring flame, then the thunder raged. “Cowardice is for weaklings, Star Sweeper!” roared the she-cat, ears glued to the back of her head and lightning sparks rippling through the black coat. “Or have you become a sniveling kit?” Fear had twisted and knotted itself firmly into irrational rage, that’s what the burden did. The tomcat’s eyes flickered between her and the ground, as if his paws were worthy of more eye contact than she, but Prophet remained silent, his submission was good enough. Prophet turned away from the tomcat, ignoring his slight whimpering. She stared into the swirling darkness which was the ocean. It called her, called her into its freezing depths. The black cat did not heed its haunting call, she knew better than to give into the water’s trickery. Her eyes were trained on another face in the sea, one so much like her own. She blinked, the gaze blinked back. A beautiful brownish-orange, like copper. Sleek fur against a muscular frame. Prophet sighed. Mirage. She had seen the wishful version of herself in water many times below; sometimes even scenes of a life she could’ve had played out in the water, but this was not one of those times. Prophet outstretched a paw towards the water, her claws appeared like icy blades in the darkness. For a moment everything was forgotten, Star Sweeper, the war, everything. Her long fur rippled as snow-cold droplets streamed through her ebony coat. Thunder rumbled above and lightning cracked above her head like a shattered crown. Wind beat her cursed eyes, she imagined the wind would blow the color away and replace it with a cool, gray gaze. She struck the water, the gaze turned yellow-green and snake-like. Serpent. Prophet leaped upward, her legs struggling to keep a stance against the fear. The once-towering waves had tamed themselves and she watched as the darkness and the sea parted to reveal a demon. His scales glimmered with the colors of the ocean, as if the great waters themselves were trapped inside his serpentine body. Jelly-like fins grew out of his back like transparent mountains with ripples like waves between each fin. A large triangular face peered down at the meaningless cats before him. Prophet scowled grimly at the serpent, her sun-like eyes toilsome and burning, it took all her strength to stare into his eyes. His eyes. They were monstrous. They were yellow-green like algae and shifting like a torrent. Prophet was unnerved by the gaze, the fang-shaped pupil widening and shrinking with each glance at the black cat, it was as if it could see into her tainted soul. When the feline spoke, the dragon lowered itself to meet her. Even creepier. She shuddered, but kept her voice strong and unwavering against the creature’s salty breath and searching eyes. Her legs shook, but not from her own fear, but from the haggard tomcat beside her. She stood still, meeting the demon's gaze and raising her head high. “You do not frighten me, child of the sea!” Even the beast seemed shocked by her confident approach, but he too regained his monstrous mask. The shadow of night swirled around his head like a crown, but it was obscure and wraith-like, as if it was there, but not there at the same time. “A ‘brave’ one, those are the most delectable.” The serpent flicked his tongue over his long, yellow fangs. Star Sweeper trembled beside Prophet, she flicked her tail over his shoulder; but it did little to help, the fear that rolled off him in waves. Unexpectedly, the serpent flinched. Bright eyes grimaced at the pair, his jaws now shut and tongue hidden in his cave of fangs. The scaled beast shook itself, spraying the boat and felines in it with salty water. Prophet didn’t flinch, it was raining, she couldn’t get more wet than this. “You’re a…guardian..?” The serpentine hissed, a cracked yellow gem on its forehead glowing as it spoke the word. “Guardian of Bluewood Treasury.” She rose to her full height, now being a quarter the size of the dragon’s eye, which wasn’t very big, but for her age, it was. “I’m the best hunter in these seas,” boasted the giant reptile, Star Sweeper had and buried himself under the few supplies they had. Prophet rolled her eyes as the beast continued, her eyes wandering to the back of the boat, where he had coiled his long, muscular body. “You and your companion are lucky to be eaten by a serpent as powerful and regal as I.” “Guardians can’t be killed by a mortal soul, you ill-tempered snake!” snapped Prophet, her fiery gaze burning with such a flame that it surprised the serpent. “Many guardians have fallen to the fangs of Souleater, many much more…well, more.” sneered Souleater, his finned tail slapping the roiling water with amusement. Star Sweeper whimpered once again. She spat, her ears flattened. A guardian can’t die! Her black tail whipped back and forth, changing directions as quickly as the tempest above. “You’re lying!” Desperation clawed at her throat like a hound’s claws. “P-Prophet…” Star Sweeper’s meek voice sounded from behind the ebony-furred molly. “W-we don’t want to a-anger—” She silenced him with a noxious, amber blaze. “Listen to the little cat, you don’t want to anger a serpent as mighty as I!” vaunted the snake, his eyes bright with an insatiable hunger. “And what would I gain lying to some sodden rats, I could kill you and your friend with just a flick of my fins!” Prophet recoiled, her head low as she icily watched the scheming snake, her gaze unflinching. Her heart had fallen into the beast’s trap, and now her it was knotted with fear. She knew from stories that serpents were honest creatures, but they were sly, knowing that changing the truth enough that it could plant different ideas into the listener’s mind. The thing was, she didn’t know anything about this beast or how to predicate his temper. “Cute, really, but I’m hungry now.” The boat creaked as Souleater’s body coiled around the boat and his salty breath buffeted the cats and reduced their flame to a small ember. "You can't hurt us!" she hissed. What was the word...the word...? “Why’s that?” Souleater snided. Prophet racked her brain for a reason, then it hit her. “I challenge you to…to…” Souleater’s loathsome gaze looked on. “A Truth Tongue!” Finally! She had the questions prepared, he just had to accept. Souleater stared at her through a judging stare, but he bowed his large, muscular head. His body loosened its grip on the boat and the puny ship and its members went back to fighting the waves and the arrogant serpent ahead. “Brave ones,” he muttered, and it almost looked like Souleater had rolled his eyes. “Very well, but on my terms.” He hissed, the water churning as his scaled body weaved through the currents below. Prophet’s eyes were glued to the sea, churning and hungry, she looked up when Star Sweeper prodded her shoulder. “Focus.” Souleater’s tongue flickered as he spoke. “Only three questions of any type may be asked. If you, on the magical chance that you do win, then I will leave you. But…if I win let’s just say…it won’t please every creature.” “I’ll start,” She huffed, “Will you actually leave us if we win?” Prophet purred to herself, tail flicking as she counted how long it would take the serpent to disappear into the ocean’s icy depths. The crashing of tides remained, and so did he. The scent of fear remained, and so did he. She felt her heart twist tighter than before, he remained. “Yes, I never go back on my word.” The serpent growled as if he had been insulted. There was silence as his yellow-green gaze looked over the pair. “My turn,” Prophet’s ears roared as she expected the question, it could kill or save her. “Why are you not with your colony, but traversing these waters instead?” She looked away, her stomach twisting at the thought of telling Souleater her past. The black molly’s ear flicked, and then her deep voice echoed despite the many elements trying to silence her. “A rival colony refuses to make peace…so I’ve decided to fight back, but our colony isn’t suited for battle…so I went to find fighters.” She gave him the basics, just enough that she could be slick by the sense of lying, but far enough that he couldn’t guess everything. “Interesting…” He stared at her curiously, his forked tongue flicking over his fangs. “Go on…” “Second question,” She flicked an ear dismissively, the facade of fearlessness falling as she franctically clawed a way to win. Her eyes searched the vast ocean, the turbulent waves, and the shadowed sky. The ocean, we…we were looking for land! “Is there land…close by?” Her were words rushed and quiet, but the serpent answered her question nonetheless. Souleater’s eyes glowed with knowledge, the killing kind. He turned his triangular snout towards the north horizon, the darkest of all horizons. When Prophet followed his gaze, she was instantly met with a cold, biting wind. “Yes, but it is a dark place.” He shook his broad head, before speaking in a poisonous tone that Prophet would expect from a wicked and arrogant creature. “Felines, much like yourself, live there, but they are not what they seem. They are tied to a blood-seeking code that purges the innocent of their colonies.” Fear dug its fangs deeper into Prophet’s chest and she felt her legs wobble as he continued. “I’ve heard that even the forces have turned against the colonies, the wind blowing many cats into the sea and the earth eating some alive.” Prophet searched for the darkness, the haunting feeling of the serpent’s lie…but nothing came. The storm raged around them and the brute’s yellow-green eyes were trained on Prophet. Her fur rippled with horror. W-we came all this way, stayed away for so long…only to be met with failure? She sunk her claws into the oak beams, steadying herself, still, nothing came. But the beast lingered. “Now, onto my personal favorite,” He whispered, the storm growing louder as if it was enraged to not hear his words. Prophet shuddered, something was…wrong. “Don’t worry, this question doesn’t make you special.” The black cat growled as Souleater lifted his head away from them, arrogance dripping from his voice. “Are you a true guardian?” Prophet felt everything freeze. The beating rain and the swinging lantern became no more than noise and the serpent’s eerie eyes were spotlights glued only on her. Her ears swiveled, and she heard Star Sweeper say something, but it was muffled and distant…as if he wasn’t here. The sun-eyed feline stared up at Souleater defiantly. How did he know…about my doubts? She hadn’t told anyone, not even Star Sweeper. A fire roared inside her chest then, a wildfire only satisfied by the disappearance of this doubt. She shook her head. I went through all the trails, all the challenges, all the blessings, all the pain, just to be questioned?! “Yes, I’m a true guardian!” She bellowed, staring up at him. Her hackles were raised and tail bristling as she met his fanged eyes. Then there was silence. The serpent watched her darkly, unease crawling through Prophet’s coat like ants. I told the truth...didn't I? Lightning cracked overhead, her gaze drifting to the scene around her. The black cat finally saw Souleater was shielding them from the storm. The waves broke into small ones around his thick body and even the strongest gales parted when he moved. “LIES!” The mighty roar caught Prophet off-guard and when she snapped her eyes to Souleater, he was gone and so was the boat....
✧ The grim clouds cloaked the sky in a permanent gloom, hiding the world below from the savage lightning above. Monstrous waves built themselves higher and higher, each trying to reach the horizon, but they all came down upon the little boat…well, the remains. The feline pulled Star Sweeper out of the ravenous sea and onto the wooden plank, their haven…for now. Her amber eyes met his as they glanced at each other. Prophet turned away, she couldn’t face him. It's all…it was all my fault. If I had tried harder, if I had just…tried, then maybe we would still have a chance at surviving this. A transparent sail-like fin broke the salty surface, ocean-colored scales just visible. Prophet shuddered as a dark thought crossed her mind. S-should we just give in? Prophet glanced at Star Sweeper’s shrunken form, eyes wide with terror, then at her paws. It's for survival. “Forgive me,” Those were the final words she whispered to the tom before she did it. Prophet lunged. The move was quick and precise, and before she knew what had happened her teeth were planted firmly in Star Sweeper’s throat. He screeched in agony or horror, she didn’t know or care which one. It took all the strength that the storm had stolen from her, but she succeeded. Prophet hurled the tom into the sea. A pitiful screech filled the air, then a silent splash. She closed her eyes, guilt gnawing at her heart, but the serpent didn’t go towards the noise…it sought Prophet’s blood. Prophet saw the eyes, she saw the yellow-green eyes that had ensnared her. She stared into their hateful depths. And Souleater’s fangs came upon her.So this is what it was like to be dead.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2023 13:05:12 GMT -5
Four, sorry for no explaination. Their walking style isn't important so I guess they could be walking on two. Eh, its intended to be four, but two would be interetesting...ahhh, now I'm questioning it.
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