The Meteors

Chapter Three - Cassandra, the Great Explorer

"A long time ago, in the time where we, cats, and humans were only hundreds, we live in one main clan. We live as one big family. We only live in one part of the Earth. We have many traditions. One of them is to tell stories to kits after dinner. My own Mother told me the legend.

"Once upon a time, there was the great explorer Cassandra. Cassandra was the second kit of Bluestar, the clan's greatest leader of all time. She was a smart, beautiful kit since the first time she entered the world. Everyone adored her, most of all her Mother, Bluestar. From the time she was born, she had been a curious kitten, that's why she was the smartest in the Clan. She even started her hunting training a month before her brothers, Max and Tigerclaw.

"There were many rules, but only one rule confused Cassandra. Her mother always told her: never go beyond the borders of the clan. Why? What's there beyond the border? A monster? What kind of monster that would scare us so much?

"Cassandra was sure that her Mother would know the answer. One evening before dinner, Cassandra asked her Mother, "Mom, why can't I go beyond the borders?" her little eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"Because it's dangerous," her Mother replied.

"Why? What's dangerous?"

Her question was greeted by silence.

"Are there any monsters?" she asked again.

"No, honey, I don't know," her Mother replied.

"You don't know?" Cass' eyes widened in surprise, "But you are the leader of the Clan. How could you not know?"

"You sure are a curious little kitten. I have never gone beyond the borders. Just obey the rule, Cass, for your own safety."

"Okay," Cass said, disappointed.

"However, Cass will not obey the rule unless she knew the reason. Therefore, the night she went to bed making her mind. She will explore the land beyond the border the very next day. It was her decision.

"The next day, she woke up early in the morning, before the sun rised and everyone else were still asleep. She tiptoed across the room and outside her house. She took some fish in case there aren't any rivers beyond the borders. She was only five months old when she started the great journey.

"Her Mother was brokenhearted when she learned that her daughter had disobeyed the rule and left without warning. She didn't see her for another 3 years.

"Three years later, you would have guessed that Cass came back safe and sound, but you are wrong. She didn't come back. She did came, but through a dream.

"One night, a night that her Mother had given up searching for her and had almost forgotten her, she came.

"In her dream, Cass came, now a fully grown adult cat.

"Mother, it's me, Cass. I'm sorry I have disobeyed you, but I have come back to you. In my journey, I have discovered a waterfall. I drank the water and fell to a state of unconsciousness. I dreamed of an old cat. He said to me, "I'm your ancestor. The water gave you the power to see me. I have a very important message to deliver to you. 7 days after the meteor shower, there will be disasters around the world. Don't worry, there will be a human who knows about this. One of you is destined to meet this human. If one of you ever meets him, tell the leader of the Clan." This will be our last meeting because I am no more."

"Bluestar woke up and cried. Her kit is dead."

Panthera finished his story, "The cause of Cassandra's dead was unknown."