#author writes

cats who are meant to go to the dark forest will still wake up meeting star cat, and they're given the chance to explain and justify their actions. once star cat has heard enough, the ground under the cat would cave in and they'd fall into the dark forest. redemption for them is possible but not guaranteed.

but cats who have committed so much evil and hurt in the living world won't meet star cat. when they open their eyes after taking their last breath, they're instantly in the dark forest. there is no journey, no meeting the light of day ever again.

(the dark forest is a whole other world. there are no borders between it and starclan.)

star cat did not create life as many cats like to believe; that's another being entirely that is out of any cat's comprehension. however, they are created and assigned to be the guardian/protector of all feline life. they take many forms, but the form they mainly take is the one you're seeing on the image above. star cat did create starclan however, to serve as a clan cat's final resting place.

non-clan cats, believer or not, will remain a wandering spirit and they won't get access to starclan grounds. regardless, star cat still loves them and would continue watching over them. clan cats who don't believe still go to starclan. former clan cats who become loners, kittypets, etc. still go to starclan.

star cat is genderless and they use any pronouns. when they speak, dozens of different voices come out, representing the variety of cats on earth.

I imagine the starclan grounds to be an endless field of lush grass and rivers where a cat could spend the rest of eternity living without burden. they can imagine any prey or anything they'd like and it will appear. there are also small floating islands hovering above the main land because why not I think it would be cool. also the spirits can't fly/float when they're in starclan grounds because they're technically alive again. they can only do it when they visit the living realm.

For the first time in your life, you were grateful for the Aether core in your heart. It had given you the power you needed to repel and destroy the last of the Wanderers. Chansia would be able to rebuild and go on now.

If there was something you regretted, it was your parting with Sylus. Your hand felt empty without the comforting weight of his ring. You hoped someone else would take up the case of finding your brother and grandmother's murderer.

The edges of your vision were going dark. Blood was seeping between your lips and down your chin. Lying on the ground in the ruble of what had been an office building wasn't exactly comfortable, but it wouldn't be long now.

You could hear shouting, people were calling your name. You couldn't hear clearly enough to make out who was desperately searching for you. You wanted to call out and let then know you were here. But any attempt to speak resulted in coughing up more blood.

You knew your ribs were broken. Most likely at least one had punctured your lungs. Your leg was definitely broken. Being thrown had caused the rib break. Having heavy debris falling on you had caused the leg break.

The calling grew louder. They had almost reached you. At least you wouldn't be alone in the end. A smile tugged your lips upward.

Using what little strength you could muster, you managed to grab a rock and toss it a bit. The resulting clatter echoed in the otherwise silent space.

"Over here, she's here"! The voices were accompanied by footsteps and sliding rocks.

People came to your side moments later. You were surprised at the faces you saw. "Sy... lus?" You managed weakly trying to lift your hand again.

The last time you saw him came rushing back as tears gathered in your eyes. You remembered every detail of the last fight.

*******************************************************

CRASH

Luke and Kieran turned in the direction of the master's study. They were at it again, this would be the fourth time this week an argument had broken out.

"I'm going on this trip, Sylus, and that's final"! Your voice echoed down the hall to the library where the twins were sitting.

"How do you think it'll end this time?" Kieran asked his twin. "Same as always." Luke said looking back down to his book.

You were fuming, blood racing as your heart pounded. "I am not a child, Sylus. I am going on that trip!" You shouted at him hands splayed on the surface of his desk as you leaned over it glaring back at him. He was just staring back at you. Eyes hard, a deep frown on his brow. A fist was clenched near his temple.

"I said no. It's too dangerous." He responded in his faux calm, even sounding voice. You clenched your hands into fists. Nails digging into your palms. "It's my damn job. I have to go, and I will be going to Chansia." You'd been trying to tell him about the mission Captain Jenna was sending you on all week to no avail.

Everyone knew how bad the situation was there and how poorly understaffed and under-equipped to deal with the outbreak they were.

They needed help and Jenna was counting on you and six others to go. She had put you in charge of the team and given a rundown of their immediate need. Metaflux was out of control and Wanderers were running rampant in the city. Total lock down had been imposed and people were advised to stay inside and defend themselves in whatever way possible.

You would be teaming up with the Chansia hunters and begin reducing the Wanderer numbers. Rescuing those in desperate need was the second objective. Updating their metaflux barriers was the final goal.

Captain Jenna had stressed the extreme dangers you would be going into and the importance of maintaining personal safety. How this had happened in the first place was unclear, news was slow coming from the city. What did trickle out was only a plea for assistance.

It wasn't like you didn't understand Sylus' concerm for your wellbeing. You'd endured injury after injury fighting the Wanderers. Had broken almost every bone in your body to date. The worst of which had earned you six weeks in the hospital. One of which was in the ICU.

What had made you so angry was his immediate no, when you first brought it up. He couldn't go with you this time due to conflicting schedules and no other flights could be scheduled to Chansia until the situation was resolved.

Your flight was supposed to leave early in the morning. Originally you'd planned to spend some time with Sylus and get him to take you to the airport, but since he was being an asshat, that was no longer an option you wanted to explore.

Storming out of his study you angrily dashed up the stairs to the bedroom. Your anger was such that you didn't even want to be under the same roof as him right now. You shoved all of your clothes into one of your bags and began throwing random items into another.

You didn't need to turn and look to see him standing in the doorway watching you angrily buzz around his bedroom.

"Just where are you going?' He finally asked after several minutes watching you. "I'm going home!" You said throwing your slippers off and stuffing your feet into your boots. "Wait, just wait a minute. You're not leaving..". He began before you cut him off.

"The hell I'm not! You don't get to tell me what to do Sylus. I am not your underling or employee." You push past him with both bags. He tries again to stop you. "Wait, don't leave now. It's raining." Again he tries to prevent you from leaving but you keep walking.

"I'm going home to sleep and then I'm going to Chansia in the morning." You tell him resolutely daring him to try and stop you.

He follows you all the way to the front door. You set your bag down and reach for the knob and then see the ring he'd given you a few months prior. You pull it off your finger and turn around.

You throw it at his head. "Take your ring back, I don't need someone who does not respect me. I'd rather be completely alone. Tears sting your eyes as you catch his expression.

It's just a slight change in his demeanor, but after two years together you can read him like an open book. He's hurt by your actions, deeply hurt. The ring you just threw at his head had been one he personally designed and picked all materials for.

When he'd give it to you, he admitted it had taken him six months to find the red diamond that was the center stone. He'd wanted it to be absolutely perfect, and you knew how high his standards were.

Saying yes to his proposal had been one of the happiest days, but looking at that ring now just hurt. He had no confidence in you and he didn't respect your desire to help others. How could you willingly marry a person like that? The answer seemed simple, you couldn't.

You slammed the door behind you and dashed over to your car. Slipping into the driver's seat, you threw your bags into the backseat and started the engine. Waiting for the heat to kick on, you sat there for a few minutes trying not to cry.

You will the tears to stop, urging yourself not to shed one more second of sadness for him. Sylus did not respect you or your wishes. He had made that abundantly clear tonight. So why should you grieve his loss? Like flipping a switch, the rational part of your brain took over and your tears stopped. Drying your face as you pulled out of the parking spot and flipped the car around. Headed back down the long drive of his ridiculously huge home.

Twenty minutes later you were back in the familiar brightly lit, Linkon downtown area. It was late, almost one thirty now. Thankfully You'd be at your complex in less than five minutes.

As you were getting out of the car you heard your phone beep with a new message. Glancing down, you saw it was from one of the numbers the twins liked to use. It said 'just making sure you made it home safe.' The rustle of wings and a caw had you looking up into the huge tree.

You knew then, that the twins weren't the ones to send the message. Sylus had, and just like always he was checking up on you. A gesture that used to make you feel warm, now left you cold.

In your anger you typed out, don't bother. My actions are no longer your concern.

You couldn't bring yourself to send the text. Instead you tossed your phone onto the bed and then flung yourself down after it. Sleep was going to be a must for the long flight to come in a few hours.

What felt like only minutes later, your phone was going off. You groaned and looked at the screen. Why did this always happen before the alarm sounded? You glanced at the screen, surprised to see Captain Jenna calling so early.

You sat up, now wide awake and answered the call. "I'm sorry for calling so early and right before you head to Chansia, but this couldn't wait". She says before you can even great her.

"What's going on"? You ask, concern pulling your brows into a frown. The seriousness of her tone is putting you on edge. "I've tried not to pry too much, and I know you're investigating the murder of your grandmother and brother, but your frequent trips to the N109 Zone have caught attention. I'm being questioned now. If you weren't headed to deal with an emergency today, I'd be required to pull you from this mission and brought in for questioning." You can tell that she doesn't like saying any of this to you.

"You're one of our top hunters and consistently have the most rescues and time put in, but it's drawn some bad attention to you. I'm so sorry, but when you get back from Chansia, I'll have to bring you in and before all of the commanders and even the chief". The silence following her words is loud. Your heart is thudding in your chest.

You want to blame Sylus for this, but the fault lies with you. You'd known that eventually someone was going to see your location constantly in a place it shouldn't be, and now they had noticed.

"Thanks for the heads up Captain." You tell her somberly, resigned to the fate you'd chosen. "Just take care of yourself, whatever that means for you". Her words carried a weight you were unable to place at that moment. After wishing you a safe flight, the line went dead.

You got up from the bed and began rechecking your bags, trying to ensure you'd forgotten nothing. For some reason you couldn't shake that you wouldn't return to this place again. One last glance around and you were headed out the door.

You heard a car pull up as you locked the door followed by a horn. Glancing behind you, the taxi that you'd requested was right on time. As you approached, the driver got out and helped place your bags in the trunk. A short while later and you were speeding down the highway towards and uncertain future.

*******************************************************

Sylus sat in his chair after you had left, fingers holding up his head and a deep frown on his face. In front of him on the desk, sat your ring. Gleaming back at him, almost mocking him with your absence.

He was tempted to go after you, the thought of following you all the way to Chansia appealed to him greatly. It would mean postponing his trip to Italy, but he could always go there after getting you.

Finally after thinking over his plan and getting all the details straight, he called in Luke. "Make sure the jet is fuled. We're going to make a little detour. He was coming for you, one way or another.

*******************************************************

The situation in Chansia was so much worse than what you were prepared for. Your plane couldn't land in the city because the airport was no longer there. Part of it had collapsed and it looked like a bomb had gone off.

When you finally made it into the city the other hunters were waiting to escorted your group to their secured temporary base. You could tell they were exhausted. Constant fighting with little to no rest had drained them greatly.

That had been three days ago, now your group was equally running on empty. Rescues were slow going. The few families you'd managed to get to had been safely evacuated. Combined efforts had resulted in some success at the very least. Part of the city on the western side was no Wanderer free. Patrols roamed the freed edge ensured thay it remained safe.

"We need to put together a small team and head straight for the center of this mess. If we can stabilize the mwtaflux and implement the reinforced shield then no new Wanderers will appear." You were sitting at a make shift table with Captain Willow and a few others. "It's a suicide mission!" One of the Chansia hunters objected.

You sighed heavily, this had been the argument for the last half hour. Rubbing your temple you spoke again. "Look, I understand your concerns and objects very clearly but you need to remember this. If we don't do this, the Wanderers will keep appearing and our efforts to evacuate will turn into a retrieval for the deceased. My team and I cam here with three objectives. I will do this myself if I have to, but it's going to be done." You had tried being nice, and you had even tried negotiating, but the same hunter again and again stood in your way.

"Captain Willow, you can take this down as defying a direct order from yourself if you wish, but I am going to get that shield up. Even of I have to do it without support."

Looking at the stubborn and set faces of the Chansia hunters you got up from the table. "So be it then, stay alive." You tell them and leave the tent. You make a brief stop by your own tent. Simone is waiting for you.

"I take it they are still opposed to heading to the metaflux center then?" She asked, but not needing an answer. You just nod and enter the tent, gesturing for her to follow behind you. "What will you do no?" She asked sitting on the cot beside you.

"No choice, I'll have to do this alone. I can't risk the safety of the entire team on a small chance of success." You flop back onto the cot and throw your arm over your eyes. "I can go with you." She said softly. You lift your arm just enough to see her. She is grapling with something.

"I can't let you come this time Simone. You're my partner, so if I can't find a way then you'll have to lead the team. I won't leave them without direction." You stand up and pat her shoulder.

Simone has worked with you for almost a year now. She was a very capable and reliable partner. If you couldn't do this, she might be able to.

You started packing a backpack, making sure the Flux stabilizer and shield were secured. If they were damaged, then saving Chansia would become a hundred times harder. The odds already seemed impossible. If only Xavier were here now. He could get you to the center.

You shook your head. Xavier had been on an extreme mission for the last year now. It's how Simone became your partner. With Xavier otherwise occupied the spot beside you had become vacant and some missions were just too dangerous to do alone.

With a map of the city and a goo understanding of where the Wanderers were concentrated, you plotted your route with Simone. It was going to be easy, damn near impossible, but if you could stick to this, the faintest hope existed that Chansia could be saved.

Having everything you needed, you made one final stop to Captain Willow's tent. She seemed to know to expect you. "I won't report you for insubordination, I know you are trying to save the city. Even if I don't agree with your methods. Captain Jenna has told me of you. It's not like your reputation is unknown to us. I wish you luck." She turned and went into the tent after.

Picking your way through the east side of the city was easy going at first. The sun was up so at least the nocturnal Wanderers were not active during the day. The further into the city you got, the harder it became to go unnoticed by the Wanderers.

Battling them seemed to attract more attention. It had been four hours since you left the campsite. You'd managed to get only halfway to the target.

The sun was starting to set. The longer this took, the harder it would get. Depending on the type, nocturnal Wanderers could be up to ten times more dangerous. There was one type of Wanderer that you prayed would not be in the vicinity. You wouldn't be able to take it on alone. It just wasn't possible.

After another hour has passed you finally arrived at the building, or what was left of it. This was where the strongest distortions in the metaflux were coming from. No doubt this was also the most dangerous place in Chansia city.

The first two floors of the building has collapsed. Surprisingly, at least from what you could see, the thrid floor now resided on the first. Making your way over sections of broken wall and scattered glass, you headed for the hole in the wall that would get you inside. Much of the floor was still in tact.

Well from what you could see. Unsurprisingly, there was no power. Shadowy darkness awaited you past the hole. With the rapidly sinking sun, you did not have much time.

Carefully you made your way inside, a flashlight leading the way. You occasionally swept the bright light around, checking for any lurking Wanderers. You breathed a sigh of relief, not noticing the large tail coming up from behind you.

*******************************************************

Finally he'd come back, the urgent mission taking him deep into the tunnel was over. He smiled looking at the back of his phone. A picture of the two of you as kids was displayed in the case.

In it you were hugging him, caught in a laugh and your eyes closed. He remembered thay day well. Every moment was precious to him.

Who knew that Jospehine adopting the two of you as her grandchildren would bring him a world of joy? Nothing was more precious to him than you. His precious sister, one of the only good things to come out of his life.

His work was dark and devoid of the light that seemed to always grace you with it warm love. He was always reaching for thar sun, for you. "Just wait for me, I'm finally coming home." He whispered to himself before getting up from his seat and heading for the ships open bay doors.

An hour later and he felt nothing but frustration. You weren't home, no one seemed to know where you were. Deciding to just cut to the chase, he was headed to association headquarters when a story played on the TV.

"Our latest breaking story, Linkons finest were deployed to Chansia city several days ago and since then no information has been received as to their fate. Reports have trickled in over the latest disaster to befal Chansia city. An Ignus wrymlord was spotted yesterday in the cities center. Unconfirmed pictures of the Wanderer have been provided to us but we've been unable to verify the identity of the creature seen in Chansia's vicinity. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the men and women fighting to save the lives of the people still trapped. Please stay safe."

After the report ended for a moment the picture was displayed on the screen. He froze, blurry picture or not. It could only be one thing. He picked up his pace running to headquarters hoping against hope to find you there.

*******************************************************

Your ears were ringing and your fingers came away wet from the side of your head. You didn't know exactly what had happened. Only that you'd been thrown into the side of the wall. You hadn't seen what had attacked you either. The flashlight was gone and so was the backpack you'd been carrying.

The first attempt to get up had your stomach curling.

So you lay there for several minutes. Waiting for the ringing to subside.

It was when you attempted to stand that you finally heard it. A roar so loud it had you crouching down and trying to block your ears. It felt like the very ground was shaking.

Fire sprouted to life moments later, lighting up the space all around you. Any hopes of leaving you previously had vanished. Ten feet in front of you nesting in the huge creator in the ground was a creature that resembled a dragon.

Your brain whispered the correct name for this monster but your eyes couldn't make sense of it. No Wanderer of this magnitude had been seen on this side of the Deepspace Tunnel since their appearance sixteen years ago. Only petrified remains could be found in the older parts of Linkon city, but even then. None of them were the size of this one.

Easily thirty feet across, with a wingspan of at least a hundred feet. It's tail flicked behind it, and you knew this had been what knocked you into the wall.

Without the stabilizer you couldn't even drive it off. Much less fight it, but lacking any other choice you stood your ground and waited for it to make a move.

Maybe you could deal it enough damage that someone else could finish what you started.

This time you were ready for the tail swipe. You just barely managed to dodge. You drew your weapons and fired, the bullets ricocheted off the scales not leaving so much as a scratch.

You began trying to recall your studies in the academy. They had taught you about every known Wanderer. Ignus wrymlord being the most dangerous one.

A nocturnal type, vast firepower, highly intelligent and calculating. Territorial and temperamental, all of these things made for a very aggressive Wanderer.

Tightening your grip on your favorite guns you stared it down. You were going down fighting, refusing to give in to fear. Let your efforts cast the die of fate in Chansia's favor.

Standing to your full height you took a deep breath and dashed forward.

*******************************************************

Explosions rocked the ground, and at first Sylus thought it was an earthquake. For how frequent it was and the fact that it seemed to come from one part of the city every time, he crosses that off the list.

It was only when a bright light lit up the sky, blazing as bright as the midday sun, did he know something was very wrong. He felt his heart constrict in his chest and cold fear wash over him. It was coming from you.

You were unleashing the power in your heart, all of it and all at once. This would kill you for certain.

As he emerged from the side of the building he ran into a few other people. The two women he recognized immediately. Tara your chatty best friend and Jenna leader of your unit. The man he thought looked familiar, dark hair and piercing purple eyes. He was almost as tall as he was.

"Name yourself!" Jenna shouted at you holding her gun aloft. Her shouts attracted some attention. Approaching behind them was a large group of low level Wanderers. Like it was reading his thoughts his evol took shape and raced past them, cutting down the first wave easily.

Getting to you wasn't going to be easy.

*******************************************************

You got to your feet again, your body protested as another wave of pain threatened to knock you over. Numerous cuts and gashes had taken you over. There was hardly a patch of skin on you not soaked in your blood. One of your guns had been lost the last time you'd been thrown against the wall.

At least you'd managed to deal it damage too. It's wings were shreaded and bent at odd angles. It's tail could no longer throw you around either. Being trapped under a huge section of the ceiling. One of its eyes had also been taken out.

You may be worse for wear, but this Wanderer certainly wasn't unscathed. Your body felt heavy and your mind was becoming hazy. Briefly you wondered if it was because you'd lost too much blood.

It roared again, shaking the ground and knocking you off your feet. You heard your other gun hit the ground and silently cursed its loss. Now out of weapons, ideas and strength, you sank to your knees. Your evol had been drained to empty awhile ago.

You thought back to everything you'd ever learned about protocores and Aether cores. To when you'd first met Sylus after sneaking into the N109 Zone. He'd told you that the Aether core in your heart could provide unlimited energy. What was preventing you from using it to destroy this Wanderer?

The moment that thought popped into your head and idea began to take place. Quickly setting to work in provoking the Ignus wrymlord into striking several load bearing pillars brought the upper floors down with a crash.

The light of the moon shone down through the clouds of dust. The Wanderer roared in fury at having its lair destroyed. It began attacking you indiscriminately.

Trying to tap into the power of the Aether core in your heart had never been easy. Sylus had tried many times with little to no success. He used his own freely but couldn't understand why you were unable to do the same.

You realized the answer quickly. It wasn't that you couldn't. Rather that you shouldn't, his thinking before that, you had very similar Aether cores was wrong. They were vastly different. Sylus' provided strength. Yours was meant to protect, the answer seemed so obvious now. It was a wonder it alluded you before.

Once you understood that, it was as simple as breathing to draw out the power. Slow going at first as you imagined the power gathering in your hands. Opening your eyes, that was exactly what you were doing.

A golden ball was in your hands. Growing in size as you gather more and more power. When you had it all you stared, dazed at the explosive energy dancing just over your palm. You smiled faintly, this would surely save all those still trapped in Chansia. This Wanderer wouldn't hurt anyone else.

With that thought in mind you fired the ball of energy at the Ignus. Once again you were knocked off your feet, but this time there would be no getting up.

*******************************************************

"Stay with me, Kitten." Sylus said as he took your hand. You blinked slowly as your vision refocused on what was in front of you. You glanced to the side and saw Tara. She was crying and doing a poor job of hiding it. "It's ok, you're gonna be fine!" She said voice cracking. Jenna had a grim look on her face to she could only scrunch he'd fists and try to hide the worry in her eyes.

It was then that another person made his presence known. "C... Caleb?" .... You asked, voice unsure as you stared at him. Unable to believe he was real, and this was not his spirit coming to guide you.

"Hey pipsqueak." His voice lacked it's usual cheer. You could see the worry all over his face, it wasn't like him. "Ca..leb?" You say softly reaching for his face trying to smooth the worry from his brow. "S'ok I'm fine." He grabs your hand and holds it firmly.

"Of course you are. A medical will fix you right up. You won't even have a scar afterwards." You can see that he doesn't believe what he's telling you and you try to smile at him, but coughing takes over. More blood is seeping between your lips.

"Where's that damn medic?" Glancing back at Captain Jenna as she anxiously looks around for someone. "I'm fine, it doesn't hurt anymore." Your arm goes limp as you can't hold it up anymore. "I'm jus gonna take a lil nap." You whisper and your eyes slide closed.

Sylus grabs your hand tighter in his grasp. "No, you need to stay awake now. Kitten stay with me." You manage to wrench your eyes open again but you can hardly see now. Everything is hazy and even though you're laying down the room is spinning. "It's ok, just let me go." Unable to keep your eyes open anymore they close again. In the silence that follows he can hear your heart stutter and then stop.

"No, no!" He shakes your shoulders trying to rouse you again but you don't wake up.

Finally the medical finds his way to your group. He begins cpr immediately. After ten minutes he stops and calls it. "I'm sorry, there is nothing more I can do. Her injuries are extensive. With the rib fractures and lung puncrure alone, I can't perform the surgery here. She'd die of infection. I'm so sorry for your loss." He gets up quietly and retreats.

Sylus sits there holding you, unable to accept that you are leaving him permanently. "No, you aren't leaving me behind again. Not this time." He said ans leans over to lay you back down on the ground.

*******************************************************

As you sit next to Sylus and Caleb, quietly observing the procession a strange feeling comes over you. "Is this how it feels for everyone to believe you're dead?" You ask softly. Sylus only shrugs not offering a verbal response. "Can't say pipsqueak, I didn't attend my own funeral." You sigh, this was your own idea after all.

Almost the entire city of Linkon had shown up to pay respects to you today. Your services to the city were no small collection of deeds afterall. Captain Jenna had first suggested this after your miraculous recovery. Although he would not tell you how, Sylus had said you were connected now. If he dies, so too would you and vice versa. No amount of begging and pleading would budge him on the matter. Eventually you'd stopped asking.

Jenna had told you I'm detail what exactly was waiting for you if you returned to the Association Headquarters. A full scale investigation, dismissal as a hunter, possible jail time, and some other things.

Being pronounced dead however, the Association had organized this massive funeral service and posthumous award ceremony following the service. Few people would know that you had survived the ordeal with the Ignus wrymlord. The second known person to fight one and live to talk about it. Lumiere being the first and only other one.

"What am I going to do now? Being a hunter was all I'd ever wanted to do, even as a kid." Sylus takes your hand and squeezes it softly.