The Legend of Pardus

Chapter 5: The Ancient Truth

Note from author; this took a bit longer, but I have finished the chapter so here you go!

Later that night...
Slowly I woke from my dreamless sleep. A cool wind was blowing over me, my coat flowing with it. I lifted my head slowly, yawning softly. It was still dark, almost pitch black. The moon was barely visible, only a sliver could be seen. Slowly I got up off the cold rocky ground. Glancing back at the cave entrance, I saw animals sleeping peacefully. It made me feel a lot colder, yet still warm. I glanced up at the sky, feeling a calm peace watch over me. My mind clicked awake, the glowing panther was back. Looking around swiftly, I didn't see anything glowing, all I saw was stars and silhouettes of the trees and mountains.
Slowly I felt the peaceful feeling wash over me again. I felt the life force of everything around me again, as strong as the first time I discovered my hidden abilities.

Slowly, I walked up my trail leading to the top of the mountain. Every step I took, the more alive I felt. Watching my feet as I walked up the rocky trail, I could feel small bursts of energy every step I took. The higher I went, the more clearly I could see small waves of energy radiate from my paws every step I took. I then spotted another wave of energy coming from ahead of me. Following the pulses, I spotted the star panther walking down from the stars. It stopped, standing on the very top of the mountain and spoke,
"Your magic has just awakened, but know your powers are greater than you can ever imagine. Learn to control it."

"Why are you here now? Why did you call me?"
I asked, standing before the glowing panther. Grasses and flowers began growing around the panthers paws, glowing as before. The panther sat down and wrapped its tail around its front paws, watching me with a mysterious gaze. I couldn't make out any emotion on its face, it seemed set on a goal, sworn to a purpose. It answered,
"I am here as a guide, you are here because of fate. Your path alone will set the future in stone. I must teach you before darkness comes to take our last hope."

"What do you mean 'last hope'? Why me not someone else?"
I retaliated. The panther slowly spoke,
"You shall meet another in the coming future, but for now, you must learn."
"Learn? Learn what?"

The panther didn't respond, just majestically turned around and walked towards a large cliff on the south side of the mountain. The panther disappeared behind a rock, and I ran to catch up. When I turned the boulder, the panther was nowhere to be found. I skidded to a haut, spraying small rocks everywhere. I looked around, seeing the panther had literally vanished. Upset, I sat down right on the edge of the cliff, frowning up at the stars. If the panther wanted to teach me, I didn't understand the purpose of disappearing. Suddenly a big gust of wind blew against me, pushing my front paws dangerously close to the darkened ledge. In a panic, I stood and backed up swiftly, looking down into the dark forest beneath me. I looked up from the darkness and spotted the panther. It glided up and down in it's massive glowing wings, fluently moving through the air. It stopped, hovering in the air, looking at me.
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Trust yourself."
The panther responded, turning and flying west. Swiftly I yowled after him,
"Wait! I can't follow you! I can't fly."

The wind blew again, and a feeling inside me rose. Were they trying to kill me? Swiftly, I backed up quite a ways from the cliff edge. I lowered my head, growling,
"I'd prefer to stay on a solid edge, not fall to my death."
The wind blew one more time, softly speaking,
"Trust yourself."

Then there was no wind, nothing. Everything was still...silent. Looking down at the darkened forest again, I realized the panthers point (and whoever was speaking in the wind). This was my choice, follow the star panther and think I could fly, or stay on the ledge and never find what the panther was leading me to. I could still see it's starry eyes looking at mine, a universe of majesty and mystery, full of wonder. It was trying to guide me towards a goal I didn't yet see, not kill me. What would be the point after all this time?