The New Light of Hope Book I: The Adventure Begins.

Epilogue: Aftermath Events.

ArrowHeart had merged from the Fighters' Den and roamed around, he could hear the crunch of the snow from underneath his paws, and for him, this was his last time he would walk around his Division as the co-leader, for that same night, he would take Chief CrimsonPelt's place as leader; It had been six months since the battle and things changed quite a bit, but for them the biggest change was that Chief CrimsonPelt had died of sickness and old age as well as anxiety the previous night and nightfall would be on its way very soon, yet he felt nervous inside. Never did he expect his former trainer to choose him as the new co-leader of the Division prior to BlueFire's sudden death, this was a big responsibility he was going to take on. As he was walking nervously, he could see StealthHunter and his family approaching him. "Are you nervous about tonight?" StealthHunter asked him. "A little." He replied.

"ArrowHeart, it is all right to feel nervous. We all feel nervous at times, especially if you are a co-leader who is becoming the new leader." HazelStripe told him. "But leadership has always been in our family, father. I cannot step down from this." He said.

SilverHeart: "Being a leader does not necessarily have to be past down from generation to generation."

ArrowHeart: "But in our family, it does."

SilverHeart: "True, but future generations don't necessarily have to be the leader or co-leader."

MistFur: "But we all believe that you will be a great leader of this Division. And we are here for you, always."

StealthHunter: "We know you'll do an amazing job. I'm sure of it."

ArrowHeart: "Thank you, all of you."

SilverHeart: "Anytime."

OceanHeart: "But remember this: Even a leader may need help and guidance, even his own co-leader."

ArrowHeart: "I won't forget."

SilverHeart: "Good luck."

They then continued on, but StealthHunter stood next to him. "I know you will do a great job, ArrowHeart. I know you will." She told him. I guess they are right. He assumed.
...
He walked over to MoonStone, ShadeHeart, and DeerPounce to see how they were up to, since it would be his last conversation before he became leader. "Hey, ArrowHeart." DeerPounce said. "Do you need anything, sir?"

"No, I just want to chat before I head into the Leader's Den." He said. "How have all of you been doing?"

MoonStone: "We've been doing well. I know it has been really hard for all of us since Chief CrimsonPelt died. I know how hard it has been for his family as well and for you as well, old friend."

ShadeHeart: "I still find it hard to believe that my father is no longer with us."

ArrowHeart: "I know hard it has been for you and your family, ShadeHeart. He may be gone, but the memories we all made with him are not gone. Whenever you miss him, think of all the good times you and your family spent with him. My mother told me that when Chief AutumnHeart died."

ShadeHeart: "Thank you, ArrowHeart."

ArrowHeart: "Anytime."

And then caught glimpse of Aurora coming up to him where she asked him: "Preparing yourself to take on the responsibility as leader?"

ArrowHeart: "Yes, I am, Aurora. And by tomorrow, I will be known as Chief ArrowHeart, the leader of the Forest Spirits Division."

Aurora: "Well, good luck with the ceremony and all, I know you'll be a great leader for this Division."

ArrowHeart: "I plan on it."

Aurora: "Well, I wish you the best of luck during all of this. You'll need it for what's ahead."

ArrowHeart: "I know I will."

Soon, nightfall approached, ArrowHeart knew that the time had come. "Good luck, ArrowHeart." Doe told him as he walked by; Doe was the new healing apprentice for the Division, now training with NightStone to become her assistant. He looked at her with kind eyes. "Thank you, Doe." He replied back, dipping his head respectfully to her.
He then went into the Leader's Den to sleep, the den where Chief CrimsonPelt used to sleep and the same one he had died in. He curled up onto the moss and slowly drifted off to sleep.
...
When ArrowHeart woke up, he found himself inside of the Spiritual Realm -a realm that was connected with the Spirit Runners Division-, he had only heard stories of the Realm but he never saw it until now. Welcome, ArrowHeart.
Just then, Chief CrimsonPelt had appeared in from of him. "Are you ready, ArrowHeart?" He asked. He calmly replied to him with: "Yes, sir, I am ready."

Chief CrimsonPelt: "I, Chief CrimsonPelt, now former leader of the Forest Spirits Division, come to my current co-leader upon this night to name him as the new leader of the Forest Spirits Division. ArrowHeart, do you promise to lead the Forest Spirits Division well and to decide for the good your Division and to protect your Division even as the cost of your own life?"

ArrowHeart: "Yes, Chief CrimsonPelt, I will."

Chief CrimsonPelt: "And are you aware of the risks that are ahead of you and your Division?"

ArrowHeart: "Yes, sir, I am aware."

Chief CrimsonPelt: "Are you ready to take on this responsibility head-on?"

ArrowHeart: "I am."

Chief CrimsonPelt: "Then by the powers of Spirits Runners Division and me. I now name you, ArrowHeart, as the new leader of the Forest Spirits Division and by the power of Amanda and Maria. The moment I touch your forehead, I give you your leader name of Chief ArrowHeart. You will no longer be known as ArrowHeart, for you have vowed to protect your Division and have accepted your role as leader. Lead your Division well with courage and dignity. The Forest Spirits Division is counting on you."

He felt Chief CrimsonPelt's cold nose touching his forehead. And with that, he was now the leader. "But before you leave, Chief ArrowHeart, please let everyone know that I'm sorry for the bad decisions I made and for what I've done." Chief CrimsonPelt requested. ArrowHeart knew what meant; months prior, Chief CrimsonPelt began to make bad decisions for the Forest Spirits due to his mental health, so much so that the animals began to resent him and view ArrowHeart as a better leader than him. He looked at his former trainer and replied: "I will, Chief CrimsonPelt."

Just then, ArrowHeart found himself in the Dream Realm soon after however; then, a brown she-wolf with a light brown patch of fur on her chest, a light brown foot and orange eyes appeared in front of him. He recognized this she-wolf; it was his grandmother, Chief AutumnHeart, who died not long after he became a fighter. It was not long after she died, her mate, BlueTail died as well. But he still remembered both of them, even after they died-perhaps there was something he needed to know. Remember, my grandson: Eight animals who share the same bloodline have a great destiny ahead of them.

"Eight animals who share the same bloodline have a great destiny ahead of them." What was that supposed to mean? Before he could even ask, she disappeared.

He then woke up and found himself in the Leader's Den, knowing he was no longer ArrowHeart, but Chief ArrowHeart. And he now had not only new responsibilities ahead of him, but as well as a prophecy for him to remember: Eight animals who share the same bloodline have a great destiny ahead of them.

He did not understand what it meant, but he would learn what it meant when he and all of the other animals left the Southwest Forest behind... forever.

The End.