Joining the Dark Forest (Lionhearted)

[Deleted]

Tags: Lionhearted

It was strange. Ivystep almost felt as if she watched herself die. Watched as her abomination of a daughter closed in with claws unsheathed. Watched as she bled to death on the hard stone floor. Watched the life leave her body.

She was high up on a stone ledge through it all. Her paws felt frozen to the ground the whole time. Suddenly, though, when at last she died, she felt life in her paws again.

She tested them out gingerly. Yes, she could move her legs. Yes, she could unsheath her claws. Yes, she could gnash her teeth. Yes, Ivystep could still destroy.

With a wicked snarl pasted on her face, Ivystep leaped from the ledge, aiming for her unprepared and bleeding daughter's throat.

Suddenly, though, the cave disappeared. So did the cats. Instead, she was in a dark, misty forest, surrounded by thick undergrowth and covered by a dark sky with no stars. Surprisingly, she found she could see just fine. And, a bit less surprisingly, Ivystep found that she instantly loved the place. It was dark, mysterious, dangerous. Just like Ivystep herself.

[Deleted]

It was dark and soul-less. The leaves made no crunch as the dark, shadow-y form stepped over them. The whole place stank of rotten bodies and dispair, but Nightfrost had already grown to call it home.

The black tom strutted down the trail. Distant wails of lost spirits racked his head, but he grinned and pushed on. Regret was something he despised. No one should've regretted what they did, even if they were smart and knew what was coming. Regret was for the lower class; pity was also for the lower class.

He suddenly stopped, and sniffed. Another soul? He hadn't seen another one in centuries. Peering through the trees, he saw it was a new soul; shining brightly like a star (he hated stars), the newcomer freshly radiated living emotions. Living in the Dark Forest had hardened Nightfrost and his comrades' hearts, turning all their emotions to cold stone. This one was new, and he licked his lips in spite. "Ah," he whispered to himself, "fresh blood."

[Deleted]

Ivystep glanced around, finally aware enough to wonder where she was. Suddenly, her ears perked up as a harsh whisper echoed around the dark place.

"Who's there?" she hissed. Ivystep figured everyone already knew of her behavior and evil nature now. Her daughter, her mortal enemy, had probably already told everyone she knew to be on the lookout for her murderous mother. Well, if this was someone who wanted her dead...

Wait, wasn't she already dead? After all, she had watched herself die. What was going on?

"Show yourself or I'll kill you," she hissed.

[Deleted]

"Young one," Nightfrost said smoothly, stepping out in confidence, "respect your elders! You can't just barge into our camp and threaten to kill," he purred. "It shall be the opposite! Now tell me, dear lady, what is your name?" he asked, leaning close. "I am Nightfrost, patron of Darkness. Welcome to my realm."

[Deleted]

Ivystep turned when she heard a voice, hissing in irritation. How dare he sneak up on her! Then the realization of what he had just said dawned on her. The dark realm? She really was dead. And all the stories were true about what happened to evil cats. Ivystep was in the Dark Forest.

"I'm Ivystep," she told the tom. "And I'm humbled to be here," she mewed, dipping her head. Never in her old life would she have submitted herself to any other cat. but this was her new life. Here, she would be surrounded by evil of all shapes and sizes.

[Deleted]

"Welcome," Nightfrost said rustily. "Here, you will finally... fit in. We shall meet our other comrades." Eyes glittering, he stepped onto the mucky trail once again. "Here, we are all equal. No cat is a leader. No cat is a follower. We are all the same. We share the same hatred, the same enemy. May you one day prosper in the light of the night also!" Grinning crookedly, he asked, "any questions? Aren't you scared?"

[Deleted]

Ivystep followed after him, taking in all of this new information, her new home, and embracing her new life. She didn't even bother to be offended when he questioned her. After all, a place like this would truly frighten anyone who wasn't evil to the bone. Even Ivystep herself was a bit nervous, and she was evil right down to her very core.

"Of course not," she mewed, but the slight falter in her words gave her away. She attempted to cover it up with a wicked grin. "Finally, I belong," she mewed, a bit stronger.

[Deleted]

Nightfrost could sense the small amount of fear and uncertainty building up- she was still a freshie, a newbie, subject to bullying by the others. She still radiated fresh emotions like a living soul, but the others (and him already) would be tearing those away, until nothing was left. He was willing to take her in, to help her bring her own confidence about. The others were pathetic, whining worms. They would someday see him as their leader; he smirked. He had lied so blindly to her; who was equal here? Nobody. You had to survive by your own wits.

Nightfrost had always viewed going to the Dark Forest as a sign. A sign that he could survive here, and triumph. Suddenly stopping, he faced her with his still gaze. "Try me, won't you?"

[Deleted]

Ivystep could feel the desire for revenge burning inside her. Yes, she would regain her strength, gain some allies, and then she would attack. but first, she had to figure out how to exit the realm. There must be a way...

She was debating on whether or not to ask Nightfrost when he asked her a strange question.

"What?" she mewed, confused.