Warriors: a path by the stars #1

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Hyenapaw pov

Hyenapaw sprinted towards the elders' den, hurriedly placing brambles by the entrance. "There, hopefully, it will be enough to protect you," he said, panting. Addernose shook his head gently. "Don't worry too much about us, Hyenapaw. We may be old, but we can still fight if we have to." Hyenapaw nodded, then dashed back to the clearing. His Clanmates were running in all directions, preparing for the imminent battle. With their leader and deputy away, there was no one to give clear orders. All they could do now was be ready for any enemy that came their way.

He spotted his father, Hollowthroat, giving instructions to the other senior warriors. "Father! What if they need help out there? Send me in!" Hyenapaw pleaded, desperate to join the fight. Hollowthroat shook his head firmly. "You heard what Hareshade said. We need to keep our camp protected. Remember, we have new members who can't protect themselves."

Hyenapaw knew his father was right, but it still felt unfair. Hareshade had taken Owlpaw and Ivypaw instead of him. He shook his head, pushing the thought away. Now was not the time to question orders. He saw Coldpaw securing brambles by the nursery entrance, with MorningSun inside, ready to defend the kits. Echoflower and Alderstripe were busy storing herbs in a safe place, preparing for the aftermath of the battle.

Suddenly, noises came from the entrance. Sparrowtuft sprinted inside, breathless. "They're coming! Be prepared!" Dapplesong, Cloudstreak, and Silverfeather positioned themselves by the entrance, ready to defend their camp. Coldpaw and Hyenapaw stood shoulder to shoulder, tense and alert.

A single cat walked in, her lithe form moving with unsettling grace, her pale green eyes gleaming with sinister intent. Hyenapaw's blood ran cold as he recognized her. It was Rosestar, leader of RainforestClan, known for her unrelenting cruelty and thirst for dominance. Her sleek, dark tabby fur glistened in the faint light, and her gaze held an intensity that sent shivers down Hyenapaw's spine.

Hollowthroat stepped forward, his voice a growl. "Rosestar! You are completely out of yourself. Take your warriors off our territory now."

Rosestar's lips curled into a dangerous smile, her voice low and almost purring with menace. "I'm afraid we will not leave until we get what we need."

Hyenapaw's heart pounded as RainforestClan warriors began to slink down from the surrounding walls, their silhouettes looming like shadows, surrounding them.

"You have two choices, Hollowthroat," Rosestar continued, her eyes narrowing. "Surrender your territory, and you may live... or refuse, and we will make sure your Clan is nothing but a memory."

Dapplesong hissed, stepping forward. "We won't let you lay a single paw on our land! Isn't your rainforest enough?"

Rosestar's eyes gleamed with a dark, predatory malice. "I've had enough of that suffocating place. This gorge will be mine. Vengeance has brought me here, and I won't leave until I have it."

With a flick of her tail, RainforestClan warriors charged, teeth bared and claws flashing in the dim light. Hyenapaw barely had time to react as the battle exploded around him. Warriors clashed, their yowls echoing off the sandstone walls. Claws were aimed for throats, and the scent of blood soon filled the air.

Hyenapaw braced himself as a warrior barreled towards him and Coldpaw. The attack came too quickly for Coldpaw to dodge, and he was knocked off his paws, tumbling to the ground with a pained grunt. Fury surged through Hyenapaw, and he unsheathed his claws, leaping at the grey tom attacking his brother. He swiped fiercely across the warrior's face.

"Stay away from my brother!" Hyenapaw growled, standing protectively in front of Coldpaw.

The grey tom sneered, his eyes narrowing. "Ahh... I know you..." he hissed, a twisted smile forming on his lips.

Hyenapaw and Coldpaw exchanged confused glances. "How do you know me? I don't know you..." Hyenapaw demanded.

The grey tom let out a cruel chuckle. "We all know who you are. You're those junk-blooded kits that shouldn't even be in a Clan."

Before Hyenapaw could react, Hollowthroat appeared like a bolt of lightning, grabbing the tom by the scruff and throwing him aside with a powerful swipe. The tom disappeared into the chaos of battle.

"Father, what does he mean?" Coldpaw asked, his eyes wide with confusion.

Hollowthroat hesitated, his gaze distant for a heartbeat. "I—"

Before he could finish, his attention snapped to Sparrowtuft, who was being overwhelmed by multiple attackers. Hollowthroat rushed to help, leaving Hyenapaw's question unanswered.

Hyenapaw's ears pricked as he heard the terrified mewls of kits coming from the nursery. His heart nearly stopped when he saw a RainforestClan warrior's gaze shift towards the nursery, their eyes gleaming with cruel intent.

"NO!" Hyenapaw yowled, sprinting towards the nursery, where MorningSun stood guard over the kits. Just as he neared, a heavy blow struck him from the side, sending him sprawling across the ground. His vision blurred, and his hearing dulled as his head throbbed in pain.

The last thing he saw before the world went dark was the RainforestClan warrior's satisfied expression as they peered through the brambles, ready to strike at the defenseless kits.

"No..." Hyenapaw murmured weakly, struggling to stay conscious. His Clanmates were being overwhelmed. Some lay injured, and others fought desperately to defend their home. He could see Coldpaw lying nearby, injured, and the enemy breaking into the nursery.

"I need to help... my Clanmates..." he whispered, forcing himself to his paws, though every muscle screamed in protest. He couldn't fail them now.

"Please, StarClan... help us..." Hyenapaw prayed, feeling the weight of his Clan's survival pressing down on him like a crushing force.

Suddenly, a sharp voice pierced through the fog in his mind. "Hyenapaw! Wake up!"

Blinking, Hyenapaw shook his head and looked up to see Ivypaw standing over him, her eyes wide with urgency. "I can protect myself, you know," he muttered, though he felt a rush of relief at seeing her.

"Yeah, well, it seems like we're even now, furbrain," Ivypaw retorted, though her eyes sparkled with worry and relief.

Hyenapaw staggered to his paws, his body aching all over. He looked towards the nursery and saw Owlpaw and Stormpaw bravely standing their ground, fending off a RainforestClan warrior while MorningSun gave Owlpaw a grateful lick on the head.

His heart sank as more unfamiliar cats streamed into the camp. "What's happening...? There are more RainforestClan warriors!" he exclaimed, panic rising in his chest.

"Don't worry! They're here to help," Ivypaw reassured him, her gaze steady.

"Who?" Hyenapaw asked, confusion etching his features as he scanned the camp.

A tall, thin, foggy grey tom stepped forward, his voice steady. "It would be unfair for RainforestClan to take two territories for themselves. Your message owl was lucky to find us in time to save you all."

Hyenapaw's eyes widened in awe as he realized who they were.

OceanClan!