Guild Wars

~ Guild Wars: Chapter 8 ~

Rust wanted to slam his head into a wall. So, now was he not only in charge of trying to find a cure for CC, but he also had to save every Guild from some danger that he didn't even know of? Perfect!

Cody was looking through the herbs, quietly listing their uses to herself. "Are you sure there's some kinda cure?" she asked.

"I don't know!" Rust mewed. "You tell me, you're the healer!"

"Yeesh, relax." Cody started cleaning the mess she'd made of the herbs. "You know, you don't have to do this. You should focus on the prophecy."

"I can't," Rust mumbled. "Not with CC's life on the line."

"Well according to the prophecy, every cat's life is on the line," Cody told him, passing him some eucalyptus leaves and shoving the rest into the hole where they belonged. Rust swallowed them, trying not to cringe at the bitter taste. The cooling sensation came soon after.

"I have to help CC," Rust told her. "Carter-"

"I'll figure something out for CC," Cody mewed. "Focus on the prophecy."

Rust hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "But where do I start?"

"Start by finding Peril and Ioclaw, then the three of you try to find this danger that threatens the Guilds," Cody advised.

"Fine," Rust mewed. "But let me go see CC first."

"Very well," Cody agreed, going back to her herbs.

Rust got up and padded out of the den. He hoped Koi would welcome him back, she'd been furious about his last suggestions for helping the poor kit. More than anything, though, he hoped CC was okay.

As he left the camp, he tried to remember the path he'd taken to the barn. I'd hoped that when I went back, I'd have a cure or some idea of what to do. Wait, actually, I think I do!

Rust had never been more relieved to see a structure in his life. The abandoned form loomed before him, the shadows sprawled out across the ground. Rust hurried into the barn, his heart leaping when he saw Carter.

"Carter!" he mewed joyfully.

The tomcat turned to look at him and smiled. "Rust! You've returned."

Rust hurried over to greet him. "I wanted to check on CC," he explained. "Cody and I have been working together to try and find a cure. I think I might have an idea, Koi might not like it but I think it'll work. It worked for another cat."

Carter's gaze clouded over. "You don't need to worry about CC anymore," he mewed with a weak smile.

Rust tilted his head. "Why not?" he asked. Is she better? Did Koi have an idea, the same idea maybe?

"CC is no longer with us," Carter told him weakly. Rust's heart dropped as he realized what Carter would say next. "CC's dead, Rust."

"She can't be!" Rust cried. "You're messing with me, she's alive, I know she is!"

"No, Rust," Carter meowed gently. "She's dead, or among the stars as you say."

How does he know that? The thought was far at the back of his mind, mostly covered by grief. I barely knew her, but she already became a huge part of my life. Even though she didn't know me . . .

"I'm sorry," Carter mewed softly. "I know you were trying really hard to help her, but sometimes there is no cure."

"How is Koi coping with this?" Rust choked out.

"She's gone most of the time now," Carter told him. "The death hurt Olive the worst. The other kits have been trying to help her but she mostly wants to be alone."