《ASTRALIGHT》 Prologue [ Prologue ] The Tall One entered the jostling back of the van, rattling the cages with every step. A tiny kitten, barely a month old, its eyes still shut tightly, mewled pitifully and scrabbled at the cage door. The Tall One crept over, making little of a sound, the kitten still pressing its tiny orange paws against the bars, and shook the kitten¡¯s cage around roughly. The kitten¡¯s tiny body slammed against the roof of the cage. It dropped to the ground, unmoving. The Tall One poked the body, satisfied, then walked towards the other cages, shaking a few, until a voice called from the front of the van. The Tall One replied, before walking back towards the front of the van, shooting one last glance at the kitten, before vanishing into the darkness. The van was plunged into darkness as the lights flickered out. The kitten groaned in such a small voice, but it was still alive. Another cat, sitting in the cage across from the kitten, tried to get to the tortured, feeble being. The bars of the cage were too close together, A sense of sympathy enveloping the cat. Noises ran through the van, other Waywards, those who had no real home, caught by Tall Ones. Animals of all kinds, cats who ventured too far, dogs who were abandoned. The cat had heard tales about the horrible things the Tall Ones do to Waywards, the pain and agony. A loud noise sounded from the outside, the van seemed to spin sideways, and the world went black.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Chapter One: Against All Odds Something made a noise, the tiny kitten blinked open its eyes, not used to the bright light of the outside. Something smelled awful. it invaded the kitten¡¯s nose, making it cough and splutter. A rough burning sensation was tingling around the kitten, before it quickly sank back into the darkness of its own mind. Something touched the kitten. Mewling sadly, it tried to press close to the sensation. Maybe it was the kitten¡¯s mother? The kitten¡¯s eyes blinked open again: dense leafy trees, a bright burning ball in the sky. It collapsed back into the endless void of shadows, not being able to process the pain of what happened. The Tall One was gone, the bars of the cage sprinkled across the field. The kitten¡¯s mewling barely made a sound against the rough noise. What was that noise? Thoughts raced through the kitten¡¯s mind. The endless night of the kitten¡¯s mind was easier to comprehend than the real world. A vague sense of peace washed over the kitten¡¯s tiny body. ~ ~ ~ The cat blinked open her eyes, fire was everywhere. She bolted up, memories rushing through her head: The fire, the crash, the smell, the others! She looked around, assessing the situation. The van was lying on the side of the road, covered in fire, a faint sound coming from somewhere in the distance. The cat saw a way out, a small little shard of unscorched grass. She rushed through the fires, her pelt turning black with ash, towards the sound. It was the kitten! She scooped it up and ran towards the nearby forest, burns covering her tail. The kitten¡¯s tiny mewling was so faint, but it was there. At Least one life could be saved. The cat stopped when she saw a bundle of dark fur crouched near the base of a tree. Another cat, She knew him well. He had been a housecat, and ventured too far from his owner. Mouse, his name was. The cat touched his flank with her leg. Cold as ice. He was dead. Grief for Mouse rushed over her, but she kept going. She had to save the smallest, then she could go back and see if there were any more survivors. She stopped when she saw a river, a slice of blue through the dense green. She crouched by the river, setting the kitten down by a clump of ferns, before lapping up some of the water. The cat went back to the kitten, licking it, trying to warm it. She looked around, and saw some feathers by a tree, possibly from a bird. She grabbed them in her jaws and raced back to the kitten, covering it in the feathers. His tiny calico coat stood out like a light in mist, an obvious marker for predators. The cat knew this, being a wild cat herself, and pushed the feathers closer together, creating a cover for the kitten. She did a small circle, finding a comfortable enough spot in the reeds, before laying down and closing her eyes. The fire still roared in the distance, and the humans closed in on it. The wail of the water-trucks grew closer, the sun was setting.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Chapter Two: Sunset to Sunrise [ Chapter Two ] Sunset to Sunrise The kitten blinked open his eyes, slowly. His head felt fuzzy and mushy, and his paws felt like stone. He mewled, hoping for his mother¡¯s soft embrace. All he felt was air, and another feeling. He shuffled around, eyes still weak. A voice seemed to fill the air around him.¡°Hello, little one.¡± The voice said, her voice full of warmth and gentleness. The kitten squirmed a bit, before wincing. He felt a large jab of pain coming from his legs. ¡°Hold still,¡± The voice said. Before lifting her paw off of the kitten. A long white clump covered his hind-legs. The voice, now a cat, he saw, began to pull it off, soothing the kitten. ¡°You were hurt pretty badly,¡± She said. ¡°Do you have a name, little one?¡± The kitten shook his head. ¡°You must¡¯ve been pretty lucky to survive that, considering it was just you and me who did.¡± The cat meowed, slowly so the kitten could understand. Her voice was full of pain. The kitten suddenly began to sniffle, tears welling in his eyes. ¡°Are you hungry?¡± The cat asked, trying to change the subject. The kitten didn¡¯t respond. The cat stood up, and padded out of the make-shift den. The kitten began to cry softly, all he had ever known was gone. His throat felt scratchy, his mind whirled. He remembered his tiny little toy, his Small One had given it to him when she had gotten him. A mouse, I think she called it. The toy¡¯s warmth seemed to be here with him, as if it was really here. The kitten whimpered, but the sobs eased. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. The cat returned later that day, something clamped in her jaws. She used her claws to cut a bit off, and pushed it towards the kitten. ¡°Have you ever had prey before?¡± She asked gently. The kitten shook his tiny head, taking a tiny nibble. It was amazing! The kitten began ravenously eating his tiny share, small bite by small bite. ¡°You really are hungry!¡± The cat laughed, before eating her share of the food, tearing off bits for the kitten every so often. When the prey was done, the kitten¡¯s belly full, he curled up into a tiny ball. The cat did a circle and curled around the kitten, all of his sadness replaced by happiness and comfort. The cat knew it in an instant, she would defend this tiny kitten with her life. The calm crickets lulled them both to sleep. Chapter Three: A Slice by the River [ Chapter Three ] A Slice by the River ¡°What a waste!¡± Mother said, her paw flashing out of the river. The kitten, playing with a ball of reeds on the river-bed, looked over. A nasty bite had appeared on her paw, blood was already welling. The kitten raced over, the ball of reeds forgotten. Mother began to lick the wound, the kitten joining her. ¡°Can you get some reeds?¡± She asked politely, her voice a mask of the pain that lay below. The kitten nodded, and bounced over to the reed-ball he was playing with. Soaked in water, he carried it back to Mother, wrapping her injury with the soft reeds. He put a glob of cobwebs on the reed-wrap, and patted it in with soft orange paws. Mother purred. Even though the kitten was still so young, barely two months old, he was a bright learner of the wilderness. Mother purred warmly. The kitten nodded, happy that he could help his adopted-mother. She gave him a lick on the ear, before the cat went back to fishing. The kitten bounced happily, spinning in a little circle. There was a brief moment of love between them, before it was interrupted by a sharp noise. It cut through the air, louder than the gurgle of the stream. It was a strange noise, pain and sorrow mixed together. Mother¡¯s ears shot up, an emotion that hardly ever was felt in the calm forest rose in the air. Alarm. Mother sat up, her injury forgotten, and started to pad towards the sound, still growing louder and louder. The distressed cries echoing through the dense forest. Mother beckoned the kitten with her tail, still walking slowly towards the sound. They arrived at a tall cliff, the kitten had ventured near it before. Mother had advised him to stay away, it was dangerous. The kitten always listened, but now the cries were coming from the base of the cliff. A sharp tang soured the kitten¡¯s delicate nose, he had smelt it in Mother¡¯s paw when she had injured herself. Blood. The kitten raced over, despite Mother¡¯s yowls to stay back. Near the base of the cliff, a sprawled figure lay at the bottom. Blood was pooling around them, turning the grass red.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Chapter Four: A Pool of Shallow Blood [ Chapter Four ] A Pool Of Shallow Blood The kitten zipped over to the body, but Mother held him back, ¡°They are already too far gone.¡± She said mournfully. The kitten slipped out of Mother¡¯s grasp, running back over to the body. He pulled grass from the earth, weaving it together. He began to press it into the wounded cat¡¯s injuries. Mother put a paw on his shoulder, but the kitten pushed her away, shaking his head. The cat opened its eyes, a long gasp escaping its lips. The kitten wrapped the last injury, and began to press one of his pulps into the most serious injury: a long gash ran across the cat¡¯s head, as if a lightning bolt had skimmed its face. Mother appeared in the kitten¡¯s field of view, he hadn¡¯t noticed she had left. She laid a ball of reeds, dripping wet, next to the kitten. He pressed it into the injured cat¡¯s mouth, squeezing moisture into its throat. It was all the kitten could do, he had applied every pulp, wrapping, and morsel of information he knew, all that was left was to wait. The kitten retreated, Mother pressing close. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to see this,¡± She said, almost apologetically. The kitten was bewildered, why would she be sorry about this? The kitten thought, but gave up. Mother nodded her head thoughtfully, before pulling the injured cat¡¯s body onto her shoulders, and back to their home.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. ~0~ The night was quick approaching, owls had begun to hoot. The crickets'' soft dance had begun to lull the kitten to sleep. Mother was in the other nest, tending to the injured cat. Her white pelt stuck out like a snowflake in the forest. The injured cat had begun to wake up, only being able to answer a few short questions before lapsing into sleep. Dash, the kitten repeated to himself, it was a trick he had taught himself to remember things. Dash wasn¡¯t exactly old, nor was he young. The brown male was quick to anger, but just as quick to accept the family¡¯s help. The kitten giggled to himself, and closed his eyes. Chapter Five: The Dream Warriors [ Chapter Five ] The Dream Warriors He walked up to the door, pawing at it eagerly. Bright voices glowed behind the dark, stained door. He pushed his head against the door, meowing. The door wouldn¡¯t open. He meowed again, the humans always opened the door when he meowed. He grew frantic, mewing and pawing the door fearfully. Suddenly, he was outside, the cold air stinging his lungs. His tiny paws were buried in snow, freezing cold snow. The snow began to rise, his shoulders were soon covered. The house disappeared, as if it had never existed. He squealed into the air, until his head was covered with snow. He tried to breathe, pawing the snow away. More snow poured over him, drowning him in the cold. The world began to fade, all he could see was white. All he could feel was cold, pain was everywhere. He screamed his loudest scream. Everything went black. ~X~ The kitten stood in a clearing, frosted with snow, stars twinkled in the night sky. He could hear rushing water, and the chirping of birds. He looked closer, and saw something strange. Odd shapes littered the clearing, some more solid than others. The kitten took one paw step forward, and all the heads snapped towards him. They were cats! The strange cats began to whisper, their hushed voices melding together. ¡°Hello, I¡¯ve been expecting you.¡± The kitten took a step back, ¡°Who¡­ What are you?¡± He asked. The weird cats spoke again, ¡°I am North Star, and these are the Icebound Warriors.¡± One shape stepped out of the crowd, more solid and bright than all the others. Its pelt was a dark grey, white stripes running down its back. Its eyes were crystal blue, and starlight glittered in them. Frost weaved around its paws. ¡°I have brought you here for a very special reason,¡± North Star said, calmly. The kitten interrupted him. ¡°What is this place?¡± He said quickly. North Star purred, ¡°Already curious, you¡¯re a fun one!¡± The kitten dropped his gaze apologetically. ¡°You are in the Spirit Realm, the land where all souls go when they die. This clearing is part of the territory of the Winter Stars, the cats who die in the cold.¡± North Star explained, amusement danced in his icy blue eyes. ¡°Did I die?¡± The kitten asked, fear sharpened his voice. ¡°No, far from it! You are a part of a prophecy, an ancient one at that.¡± The great cat said. ¡°Prophecy?¡± The kitten tilted his head, confused. Mother hadn¡¯t spoken of any of this. North Star read his confusion. ¡°Honestly, what are you youngsters taught these days? Did your mother not mention any of this?¡± The kitten shook his head. ¡°Prophecies were ancient visions of the future, carved into the stars by the first Visionary, Sky Of Bright Stars. He foretold that-¡± North Star stopped. ¡°You didn¡¯t understand any of that?¡± The kitten shook his head. ¡°Visionaries are special cats who can see the future.¡± The spirit explained, his voice betraying his exasperation. ¡°Sky foretold that, As the Sun traced its path, beware of Shadow¡¯s mighty wrath.¡± The sky began to dim, the clearing fading away. ¡°Wait! What does that mean?!¡± The kitten was pulled away.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Chapter Six: Starry Ceilings and Misty Woods [ Chapter Six ] Starry Ceilings and Misty Woods The kitten bolted up, panting heavily. Mother looked over, worry in her eyes. ¡°Are you okay dear?¡± she said. The kitten pressed close to her, wishing he could explain. He opened his mouth, trying to speak. As always, not a sound came out. ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡± Dash¡¯s voice sliced through the air, a hint of a snarl in his tone. ¡°Just the kitten, don¡¯t worry.¡± Mother said. ¡°You keep saying ¡®The kitten.¡¯ Doesn¡¯t he have a name?¡± The kitten thought about it, he never needed a name. Dash rolled his eyes, ¡°Well if you¡¯re talking to him, how should I know if you¡¯re talking to me?¡± The kitten grumbled to himself, since when were you going to stay? But he knew that Mother would never leave a cat by themself. Mother pondered to herself, ¡°Well what would you call him?¡± She asked. Dash almost instantly responded, ¡°I¡¯d say Sun, y¡¯know his yellow fur ¡®n all.¡± Sun, Sun thought. I like that name! Sun nodded at Dash, happiness in his gaze. ¡°Another thing, why doesn¡¯t he talk?¡± The brown cat asked. Mother shuffled uncomfortably, Sun looked away. ¡°He just¡­ Hasn¡¯t. He¡¯s never been able to speak.¡± Sun knew Mother was trying to explain the complex situation, but it still felt wrong. Sun just¡­ couldn¡¯t. He didn¡¯t know why, it was just something Sun had accepted. Dash waved his paw, changing the subject. ¡°How long do I have to stay here? This stuff is so gross.¡± He bristled, the flower mixtures jostling around on his back. Sun padded over and began to peel them off. Dash let out a long sigh of relief, finally standing up. ¡°My legs were starting to die,¡± Dash began to pad out of the den, Sun following. Just because his wounds are healed, doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯s fit yet. Something caught his attention. A black shape flashed in the distance. Sun span around to face it, his fur bristling, his tail lashing. Dash looked back, puzzled. ¡°What?¡± He grumbled, ¡°You see ¡®somethin?¡± Sun let his fur lay flat, Just a light trick. Sun shook his head, ¡°Fine then, kids these days. Always seeing stupid stuff.¡± Dash continued forward, plunging into the forest ahead.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ~Z~ It was hard getting to sleep that night. Constant nightmares, blood pouring from the skies. Finally, Sun went to sleep. He was back in the weird place, but somewhere different this time. A dark, shady hollow. Trees raised into the skies, so high the starry sky was almost invisible. Sun looked around, waiting for the dream cats to come back, like they did when North Star had visited him. Something else happened, a ghost appeared, staring at him from atop a rock. Sun padded over, eager for what this star had to say. The ghost, a male, was much more solid than North Star and the Winter Stars. His pelt was inky black, his eye a ghostly red, the other replaced by a withered rose. An aura of mystery hung over this cat. ¡°Welcome.¡± He said. His voice was thin, but firm. Sun dipped his head, ¡°Oh, no need.¡± The cat mused. ¡°I am not one you would consider, godly.¡± The strange black cat drew the last word out with a rasp. Spirits flickered in the clearing, their mouths open in soundless wails of pain and agony. The spirits flickered out as quick as they had appeared, the black cat looked on as if nothing had happened. ¡°I am Schade, and you are here for a very special reason.¡± Schade sat down, encouraging Sun forward. ¡°I brought you here to right an awful wrong, an evil done to me by the Stars.¡± Schade drew in a breath, and told his tale.