BIRD SONG. ━━━━━━ warriors short story

━━━ 𝐏ROLOGUE

  𝐁IRD SONG       /     𝐓HE PREQUEL.
©lovtowne

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all that penetrated his senses was an seeping, inescapable chill.

the cold descended like a silent shroud, wrapping the woods in a crisp embrace. the air was biting, each breath a sharp reminder of fridgity's grip.  it seemed that all  of the usual chirps and  trills ceased within this weather.  it was as though a sense of simple disquette was firmly implanted in the atmosphere.

this marked his very first leafbare in complete solitude.  no tasteless pebbles of brown were poured in a bowl, nor did the warmth of flickering coils of ember serve as a shield against the climate.  it left a  raw ache  within his chest. a subtle ideal of, maybe he would've been happier if he stayed. but, he had a place to be.

as he stared into the vast expanse of the cold, moonlit wilderness,   a resolute resounded in his mind with a clarity that cut through the raw wintry.  his gaze caressed over the towering trees that surrounded, the long, slender needles serving as a covering for their branches.  he, perched upon one of many pines,  felt the rough bark, weathered by years of wind and rain, rubbing against his pawpads.  his surroundings bore intricate patterns of boundless grays and browns.

the forest floor beneath was carpeted with fallen nettle, creating a soft bed for the dappled sunlight,  of which  filtered through the bough above.  frosty flakes and dew fled through the air - occasionally grazing against his pelt -  while small creatures burrowed further  beneath the ice-gilded soils.

as he leapt from his branch, his paws lightly crunched the ground,  piercing the relentless silence that came with the coming of dusk.  his weight slammed down on the soft underpaw,  and his balance was overtaken by gravity for a fleeting moment.  though, he quickly managed to withdraw his composure, and darted forwards.

he advanced as briskly as he could, keeping close to the ground with a leveled tail, arched back, and swift steps; he was sure that his dark pelt would blend into the dimness of night. his ears were perked, twitching at every sound and rustle as he scrambled.

it seemed that with each minute flicker of movement that drew his attention, came a warning. perhaps a warning that venturing - keenly near the area in which he had been repeatedly told to avoid - was a regrettable decision. 

however, he found solace in the belief that a get-together wouldn't have been suggested if it posed any real danger.  she had never knowingly subjected him to serious risks in the past, so why would that change now?

the land took an upward slope, littered with more greenery than not.  this was the closest he'd ever dawdled to the mountain -  the closest to the territory of the hypothesized forest cats.   or the clan  as she liked to call them.

the air became crisper, and the ascent steeper. the moon casted elongated shadows, emphasizing the rugged beauty of the landscape. he pressed on, a scrawny  figure in the vast expanse, seeking both answers and companionship. 

he slowed his plod, his pawsteps decelerating in speed in that of a moment.  after a heartbeat, he blew out a breath, of which lingered as a  hushed wisp of misty air.

"lakesong?"

tempest's whisper lingered in the chilly air, a fragile sound that contrasted with the vastness of the moonlit wilderness. the name hung there for a moment, suspended in the quietude, as if testing the response of the night.

the quiet that followed was profound, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of the forest. his senses heightened, and he strained to catch any sign of movement or reply. the moon up high, a watchful companion, bathed the surroundings in ethereal light, casting long shadows that danced on the forest floor.

a soft breeze stirred, carrying with it the scent of pine and the distant fragrance of the mountain air. the landscape seemed to hold its breath, as if nature itself awaited her response.

suddenly, from the shadows, a subtle ruffle disturbed the stillness. a figure emerged, silhouetted against the moonlit backdrop. it was lakesong, her pale blue fur reflecting the cool glow of the night. she approached with a quiet grace, her bright eyes meeting tempest's in a moment of silent acknowledgment.

it was her who bounded forwards, leaving minute ripples in the diluted grass. her fur was strayed in large tufts, all of it slathered in a blue-hued white, lined with darker stripes on her ears, cheeks and spine.

she wore a faint smile on her features, the corners of her mouth upturned in a solem expression of affection. with a light gesture, she briefly brushed her nose against his own before stepping back, a silent reassurance in the simple gesture.