Raven's Song {The End is Coming} Chapter 1 is up!

          It is night when they come. There is an air of silence for the rest of the world as they arrive, howling and clawing like vicious wolves. The leaves of the mighty trees still as if the world is holding its breath until the creatures pass by. Their screeches pierce the air and their claws gouge the dirt. They are monsters and they know it.

          Into the forest they go, ducking into den by den, retreating with a scrap of fur occasionally hanging from their jaws and their paws stained a rusty red. One leads the pack, crimson as blood, head held high, sly and proud.

          No one knows where they come from, or when they will make a visit to the rest of the world. They live in solitude, hidden somewhere within the ravaged forest, always watching, always waiting. The creatures are the predators, the rest of the world their prey.

          They call themselves pure. They speak of long ago times where winds almost demolished them. They are the survivors, the strongest of the bunch, the victors of the war against nature.

          Everywhere they go, a raven follows. It is always close behind, carefully watching. It is unknown if it is their ally or enemy. These creatures are mysteries to us all.

          No one knows who they truly are. Stories are simply passed along, sharing the horrifying news when they have been spotted. Everyone only knows one thing.

          They are monsters.



Chapter 1


    A brown she-cat stood, facing a tumbling waterfall. The forest she was in was beautiful, laden with vibrant trees of different kinds and running brooks and streams. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, yet the sun did not beam down too brightly. Little critters chattered away in the bushes, birds sang as they swooped through the sky, and rabbits bounded away in the distance.


    The cat looked down at the soft green grass curling over her white paws. It was unlike anything she had seen before. The only grass she had ever seen before had been burnt and yellow, it was what remained of the earth after the destructive event that everyone called The Dusting. Massive winds had come, destroying homes and killing many. It had been followed by days of flooding until one day they finally ceased, only to be followed by the earth shaking and rumbling. Many had perished in the terrible storms. The she-cat, Lark, had been a lucky survivor.


    She had only been a kit when it happened. She could only just barely remember the absolute terror that had stricken her tiny body, and the sound of wailing. Her mother had whisked her away from the group of cats that they lived with and brought her somewhere safe- a Twoleg’s nest. There they had been safe, and her mother had told her countless stories of the mighty clans that had perished in The Dusting. She dreamed of the powerful warriors, wished that she had only gotten the chance to meet them.


    Lark was positive that where she now stood was a dream. What grass could be this green and what place could be this beautiful in the real world? It was all too good to be true. And she had no recollection of ever seeing this place before. She was positive now. It had to be a dream.


    The bushes suddenly rustled behind her, causing her to jump. Lark turned to see a slender black she-cat, her fur shimmering, weaving her way out of the branches.


    “Who are you?” Lark asked, narrowing her amber eyes.


    The black cat tipped her head. “I’m Ravenlily. I’ve come with a message for you.”


    “What kind of message?” Lark asked, her voice harsh and grating.


    Ravenlily stepped closer. “I know what you’re thinking. You don’t think that I can be trusted. Not everyone is automatically an enemy, Lark.”


    Lark rolled her eyes. “You don’t know anything about me,” she said. “I just met you.”


    “That’s true, but I can tell. This apocalyptic world that we are living in has made many cautious,” Ravenlily murmured. “Few are quick to trust strangers. But I assure you, you can trust me.”


    Lark lashed her tail. “How can you prove that you’re trustworthy?”


    “Look around. Do you know this place?” the black cat asked.


    Glancing around quickly, Lark shook her head. “So,” she said. “How does that prove anything?”


    Ravenlily's voice was gentle. “This is a dream, Lark. We’re in Starclan.”


    “Starclan doesn’t exist anymore,” Lark protested. “It was destroyed when the clans were during The Dusting.”


    Ravenlily shook her ebony head. “It was never truly gone. We will be around as long as the clans are.”


    “But the clans are gone!” exclaimed Lark.


    Ravenlily tilted her head. “Are they really? If you- a little kit- survived, then why couldn’t they?” she asked.


    “So you’re saying that the clans are still out there?” Lark questioned. “They might not be. You could be lying.” Her voice wavered.


    Ravenlily’s gaze remained even, her patience still intact. “Look at my fur,” she said. “I am a Starclan cat. Why would I lie?”


    Lark peered closely at the black she-cat’s fur, noticing the tiny specks of stardust scattered throughout.


    “I died saving my clan during The Dusting. I would do anything for them. But now, I fear that they are in danger. I have come for your help,” Ravenlily explained.

    
    Lark frowned. “Okay, I believe you. But why me? How could I help?”


    Ravenlily sighed. “You are my last hope. I needed a cat who has no knowledge of what the clans have become. Their situation is a bit complicated. Not many who know the truth would be so willing to help.”


    “Why?” Lark asked. “What’s wrong with them?”


    “They have just…” Ravenlily hesitated, “lost sight of the warrior code.”


    Lark closed her eyes for a second, deep in thought. “I’ll help them,” she said, finally.

    
    Ravenlily’s eyes lit up. “Thank you. Starclan will reward you greatly for this. You must follow the river until you come across a giant stone tower. There, you will find the clans.”


    Lark’s stomach churned as she realized what she had gotten herself into. But it was just a dream, right? She must have eaten a bad mouse before going to sleep. That was what causing this dream, she was sure of it.


    Before she could open her mouth to respond to Ravenlily, the black she-cat vanished with a swirl of smoke. The bright forest darkened, the green leaves wilting and turning to a muddy brown. The grass yellowed under Lark’s paws, and the chattering of birds stopped abruptly. A dirt-streaked figure strode out of the withered trees.


    Streaks of red gleamed from its muddy pelt and its green eyes glinted in the dim light. It stalked towards Lark, snarling and bared its teeth. Then everything went dark.