Warriors Short Stories | 2020

The Scorching Sun Sacrifice | Short Story AU

The sun wounded the Clan, its golden rays viciously attacking the life below, leaving everything and everyone craving water and shade. But the heat didn’t stop the cats, the ones gathered under its blazing heat. They didn’t grumble nor complain, for the sun was a blessing and a dark message all at once. Instead they sat still and respectful, no matter how much their paws smoldered against the earth.

The intense heat was a sign from StarClan, a sign that something needed to change. Their starry gods needs someone to join their ranks, needed someone to step up to leadership. Birds chirped frantically as a glossy, golden furred she cat stepped up to the boulder all the cats were facing. Her expression was serious, her white furred chest puffed out proudly, intelligent yellow eyes glinting in the sun.

“Today is a day we all knew would come,” the molly spoke, her voice strong as an army of hundreds of warrior. “When StarClan sends the hot, unbearable sun our way, we know they want a change in our Clan, a change in leadership. Today, all the Clans will follow StarClan’s command and send a gift their way : a sacrifice!”

The Clan cheered, their voices echoing throughout the territory.

The stunning she cat continued. “Today all the Clans will make a sacrifice of leadership to please StarClan. If StarClan accepts all of our sacrifices they will bless us with a change of weather. Like last time, many, many seasons ago, we pray that our wise decision will be acknowledged. Now, we begin. Welcome the sacrifice of ThunderClan, Quickstar!”

Through the yowls and cheers of ThunderClan a large, old tom limped up the boulder. His thin, ragged fur hung loose around his battered body in clumps. His ears were torn to shreds, his tail missing and in its place a forever scarred lump, and yellow, crooked teeth pierced out of his mouth. And yet Quickstar still stood, for now, bumpy chin up to the blazing sun that brought on his fate. Every leader knew the day would come for them, through sacrifice, as they passed their strength and wisdom to the next.

“And receiving Quickstar’s position is Lynxcatcher, our deputy and Quickstar’s most trusted Clanmate,” the she cat announced. Lynxcatcher barely needed an introduction. He was a massive tom with muscles bulging through his cinnamon calico fur. His chilling amber eyes met with Quickstar’s, who whose gaze was sad yet certain.

The golden she cat acknowledged Lynxcatcher and turned to ThunderClan once more. “My name is Palecreek, your medicine cat, and I will be conducting the Scorching Sun Sacrifice for ThunderClan today. Let us begin!”

Yowls and calls of agreement rose through the air as the sun shone brighter, as if interested for what was to come.

“As always, we begin the ceremony with one last meal. Quickstar will consume a starling to give him strength for the sacrifice. And as always, a medicine cat apprentice will represent the bird. I welcome my apprentice, Salmonpaw, to the stage.” Palecreek’s long, fluffy tail swayed, inviting her apprentice forward. Salmonpaw was a tan tom with a skinny build and hazel eyes. In his mouth he carried a plump starling, its feathers glistening in the light.

Salmonpaw stepped respectfully to Quickstar and lowered the starling at his paws. The leader smiled at the apprentice warmly as he leaned into the old tom to say goodbye.

“Thank you.” Quickstar’s voice was creaky and worn by age, but it’s edges were still sweet like honey. Salmonpaw nodded and swallowed hard, backing away and making his way back towards the ground. Palecreek gave him a nod.

Quickstar bent his head and took a bite of the starling, wincing from the pain his crooked teeth brought. The Clan sat in respectful silence as their leader ate. Lynxcatcher stood a few tail-lengths behind Quickstar, next to Palecreek, and the two stared straight ahead, never letting their gaze stray. Quickstar was hunched at the edge of the boulder in front of the crowd, slowly tearing away at the bird.

Finally, he finished and stood straight, rasping his tongue over his jaws. Palecreek heard Lynxcatcher release a shaky breath. Quickstar had been given a starling, a bird always used in sacrifice ceremonies, and now the main part was to come.

Quickstar knew what to do, for he had watched a sacrifice seasons ago the day he became leader. The old cat padded over to Palecreek and lay in front of her, his torn body flat against the rock, heat radiating off of its hard surface in waves.

“Quickstar has finished his last meal. It will give him strength for his journey to StarClan. It will also help the process of transferring his strength and wisdom to Lynxcatcher,” Palecreek explained, eyeing the old leader in front of her. “And now we continue the ceremony by ending Quickstar’s life here, allowing him to leave his body behind and dance among the stars. You will be missed, Quickstar, and ThunderClan thanks you for your contribution and leadership.”

All at once the Clan began thanking and saying goodbye to their leader, their sad voiced filling the forest and traveling across the lake. A melancholy smile crept onto the old tom’s face before he laid his chin on his front paws and closed his eyes for the last time.

Palecreek stepped over his body and unsheathed her claws, raising them up so they glinted dangerously in the sunlight. “Today, StarClan steals back their leaders’ nine lives that ensured a leader life until today so that the sacrifice will be final. Goodbye, Quickstar!” She called and dug her sharp claws into his neck, slitting his throat and cutting off his airway. Quiet groans of disgust were heard from below as their leader went limp and pools of blood began to spread across the rock. But they had to watch until the end, it would be disrespectful not to.

Palecreek was unmoved by the gore of the dead cat in front of her, steam coming off his fresh, deep wound. She carefully turned away and brought a hardened, cupped leaf to the body. Lynxcatcher stepped forward, knowing it was his time.

“Now that Quickstar runs with StarClan, it is time to gift his chosen one, Lynxcatcher, with his strength and wisdom. Lynxcatcher will drink all the blood that fills this leaf to obtain what Quickstar passes down.” Palecreek brought the leaf forward and pressed down on Quickstar’s neck. Dark red, sticky blood pooled from the wound, and the medicine cat watched it fill the leaf, staining its cool, green surface. She placed the blood filled leaf in front of the mighty cinnamon calico tom, Lynxcatcher, and spoke one word.

“Drink.”

Lynxcatcher flexed his claws and bent his head. The scent of the dark liquid stung his nose, but he forced his tongue out of his mouth and began lapping it up. The Clan stood tall and stretched, trying to watch the muscular cat drink his old friend’s blood. Palecreek stood to the side and observed, a mad smile spreading slowly across her face. A gag threatened Lynxcatcher to choke, but he squeezed his eyes shut and continued. The hot, metallic liquid ran down his throat, coating it with the stench of death. It gathered in his stomach, boiling as it collided with the acids. It was almost gone now, the leaf drained from its contents, but Lynxcatcher knew it wouldn’t be enough. He rasped his tongue over the sides of the leaf, making sure to get as much blood as he could inside of him. Finally he gazed up at Palecreek for approval, muzzle covered in splatters of blood. The she cat nodded and pulled the leaf bowl away. Lynxcatcher turned to the corpse of Quickstar, going over in his mind what he had just done, disgusted.

“Lynxcatcher has completed the ceremony. He has taken on Quickstar’s strength and wisdom. Quickstar shall never be forgotten, but we move on to accept the leadership of Lynxstar.” Palecreek announced his name to the Clan loudly. “Now we wait for StarClan’s approval of all the Clans’ new leaders.”

Lynxstar’s stomach twisted as Quickstar’s offerings digested and became a part of him. If StarClan didn’t accept the new leaders the heat would only get worse. Staring up at the sun, its intense heat didn’t seem to waver.

Suddenly, a strong wind picked up and scattered leaves throughout the camp. Excited murmurs filled the Clan as Lynxstar beamed. The leaves danced and twirled as thunder boomed in the distance. The light faded as darkness overcame the Clan, cooling their surroundings and relieving the warriors. ThunderClan cheered and danced while Lynxstar’s heart fluttered, staring in awe at the blessing. Then came the rain. Fat, juicy drops of fresh water fell from the dark clouds that had gathered so quickly. The rain turned to a downpour as the cold, sweet water drenched the Clan. Lynxstar lifted his head to the sky and let the water clean off his chin. The rain poured onto Quickstar’s body, washing away the blood he lay in. Palecreek bowed her head and began making her way to her den as ThunderClan celebrated, saying her work was complete. The ceremony was over.

StarClan had accepted their sacrifice.