Je Suis Prest

How can the light that burned so brightly, suddenly burn so pale?

Gorsepaw had a busy night, talking to two great cats in the same evening. He knew that he would have to talk to Wolfheart soon after this, but he would linger in a dreamless sleep a bit longer. He wouldn't mind, he wouldn't know. But Gorsepaw was hesitant to approach the tom that had acted as his father in all his living moons. He knew he had broken his heart, and it has broken his in the process. But Gorsepaw still thought it was the right thing that had happened. He wouldn't ever have to be a burden again. They could not be hurt again because of him. Their grief would fade, and so would his memory.

It was as gorse grew around his paws, wherever he would go. Yellow suited him, he often thought. He loved the small little flower, but it was covered with prickly branches. He should have read the signs earlier, but he didn't. He only ever wanted to see the pretty view. Was that a mistake? His heart felt heavy when he finally approached the spotted tom. He sighed deeply, when the stars in his pelt lit up his eyes, but the sorrow and grief was clear. It was a difficult message he had to give, but he had to give it. No one else could. ‘Stallion?’ he mewed with a soft mew, a careful smile on his lips. He didn't want it to make it harder than it already was.

How can the light that burned so brightly, suddenly burn so pale?

Gorsepaw dreaded for this moment and he saw the sadness in his eyes. He realized that he was loved so deeply. But it was his own love for his family to make the decisions to walk among the stars. With some... "help" of course, but he would not tell Stallionstar. He didn't need to know, it wouldn't make him happier. He hoped that the path that would now be his destiny, would make him happier. Gorsepaw had to fight against his tears when the big cat embraced him. He signed trembling, after which he looked up to his father and gave a watery smile. ‘Don't cry, I'm happy here,’ he tried to comfort him. He knew his father probably wanted to talk more about it.. About everything. But their was not much time and some secrets would have to remain secret. All he needed to know was that he was happy. ‘I have a message for you,’ he mewed softly, as his yellow, starlit eyes looked at him with seriousness.

How can the light that burned so brightly, suddenly burn so pale?

Gorsepaw was pressed tightly against the mottled tom. He closed his eyes for a moment and took it all in. Knowing it would probably be the last time in a very long time. Because Stallionstar had to go on a journey of his own and he wouldn't be able to watch over him. Not in those skies. But he was happy for him and he said it wouldn't be easier. ‘I know,’ Gorsepaw muttered. Because he too wouldn't be able to walk by his side. Not over there. He then asked for the message, soon thinking it had te be about WindClan. ‘It's not about WindClan. It's about you,’ he said, his voice getting softer with each word. Gorsepaw didn't know why, why it had to be him. But he was called and he couldn't change the path of the stars. He stepped back a few steps, after which de wind started to raise, towards the north. It tucked on their pelts and Gorsepaws eyes began to shine.

‘When the wind calls do not fear
You will know destiny is no longer here
Abandon the path lit by starlight
And go to seek the mountain's height

Dear brave warrior do not be afraid
For we know your heart is in the heather's glade’

How can the light that burned so brightly, suddenly burn so pale?

Poor Stallionstar. The spotted cat didn't understand what was happening to him. His heart ached for him, about what he had to leave behind. He looked at him with watery eyes, but he blinked the tears away. Gorsepaw had to be strong for his father. One last time. Hopefully not forever, maybe they would speak again. He refused to believe that this was goodbye. he asked about his family, about the ones he cared about, about Amberstorm. ‘Starclans knows all of this, I will handle it,’ he mewed with a sad smile. He would wake up Wolfheart in a bit, but not before he had to do one last thing. ‘But the stars have spoken. And destiny is upon you, Stallionheart.’ He liked his warriors name. It was strange for a young boy to realize that his father had to be the leader, and now he had to change it again, as a young boy still. He steps forward to the know ex-leader. He touched his nose and closed his eyes, and without any force the spirits of the cats who had given him his lives, left. He didn't have to die another eight times. It was over. He stepped back and looked at him again. ‘I will always be watching over you. Until we meet again,’ he speak softly, sadly. He wouldn't be able to see him for maybe a long, long time. But time was relevant in Starclan, and forever was always. And with a final hug in his long fur, he sent Stallionheart back down.