The New Light of Hope: Books I to VI.

Chapter XXVII: A Heartbreaking Sacrifice.

Abigail:

Date: August 27, 2020.

It was just another day like any other and you would think that nothing would pop up out of the blue, but if you've been listening to the story long enough, then you'll know that when it comes to our story, then it definitely was like no other day as something was bound to pop up out of nowhere without warning. And I would be aware of it as well.

That day, I was sent out to give a message to the Stream Echoes Division and then head back to the Night Runners Division right afterward.

When I did finish sending that message, I began to make my way back to the Night Runners Division. But while I was walking, it felt like my footsteps were heavy even though I was picking them up with every step I took. But I know for a fact that it was not even me in the first place and I was as light-footed as my own mother and sister. But I realized quickly that it wasn't my feet, but rather someone elses. Someone familiar probably

"…"

Oh God, Marley's after me! I gotta run and get out of here now! As much as I wanted to fight, I couldn't. An enemy that's built like him would instantly kill a weaker person like me in less than sixty seconds or even ninety at best. As I ran, I could hear his heavy feet as he chased after me but all I had to do at that moment was run and NOT look back at any given moment.

But then, the chasing stopped as it was followed by Marley yelling out in pain and shouting: "Get off of me, you weak lump of Forest trash!" I cautiously turned around to see that it was Chief DoveFeather who was attacking him! "Oh my God, DoveFeather! What the hell are you doing?!" I yelled. "Saving you, that's what!" She replied. "Run now while handle him!"

Abigail: "Have you seen how this guy's built? You'll die!"

Chief DoveFeather: "The only thing I'm afraid is either you dying or my mate or one of my boys. Just please go."

Abigail: "But—"

Chief DoveFeather: "Go, Abigail! Now!"

And without another word, I left the area. But oh, who was I even kidding? It was basically a force of habit to go and help her and just as I was about the fully leave, I ran straight back to the area and fought Marley as well and I kicked his knee so hard that he began to whimper so loud that it made the birds retreat from their homes and quickly limped away into the forest back to the territory he belonged in.

Then, I looked to see Chief DoveFeather on the ground. "DoveFeather!" I ran over to be right by her side; she was bleeding and breathing heavily and knowing that I had to do something, I said: "Hang in there, DoveFeather, I'm going to go and try and find some stuff to help you out and stop—"

Chief DoveFeather (Faltering): "I'm afraid you really have the time to do that."

Abigail: "But I have to save you, it's my responsibility after all!"

Chief DoveFeather: "You can't always save everyone. Sometimes you just have to let faith do its job."

Abigail: "I know. But why exactly did you come back?"

Chief DoveFeather: "I was just clearing my mind up after a bit of some tension back in the Division and I just so happen to see you running around from Marley andi had to jump in to save you and judging how bad my wounds are, I don't think I have enough time. So let me just say that I'm sorry about last year; how I was brainwashed into believing that VenomSlash was responsible for BoulderSnout's death when we first came here. I know now that it was an accident."

Abigail: "I-it's okay. I'm sorry too, for the way I acted towards you that day when you exiled IvyFoot and her cubs just for that reason alone. I know for a fact that I was wrong for what I did and im sorry for what happened."

Chief DoveFeather: "It's okay. I forgive you. But please tell IvyFoot and her cubs that I'm sorry for what I did."

"…"

Chief DoveFeather: "Well… at least we got to make amends, right?"

Abigail: "Yeah, at least."

"I'll see you… around…" Her voice began to trail off and she laid her head back down on the ground and rasped: "Someday hopefully…"

"Chief DoveFeather…?"

Then she slowly closed her eyes, her breathing grew shallower and shallower until it came to a stop and her stomach was no longer moving up and down. And just like that, Chief DoveFeather had died all just to sacrifice herself to save me.

"Chief DoveFeather, noooo!" I yelled, tears flooding my eyes and my knees hit the ground as I cried near her body, not knowing how I was going to tell everyone about this. But knowing that they needed to know that their leader died just to save, I had to tell them and so I picked up her body and began to make my way over to the Shade Hunters Division.

***

I made my way into the Division and I announced: "Animals young and old, gather around!"

Half of the animals who were already out saw what was going on and were horrified by what they saw as I placed her body down in the center of the camp. Her mate, General ShrewTalon and their two sons, BadgerPelt and BeetleLegs were shocked by the sight of her body and were devasted by what they saw. "Chief DoveFeather has died," I said. "She gave her life just to save me. And now, her spirit will now live on with honor and dignity in the Sky of Silver Souls."

Everyone was devasted by what they heard and saw with their own two eyes but no one was more devastated than General ShrewTalon, BadgerPelt, and BeetleLegs as they were just bawling their eyes out at that moment. I was heartbroken by the sight of the family and did my best to comfort them and even though I tried, none of it really worked so I would step back and I would give them the space that they needed.

That night, she was buried, we held a service for her in which I attended as well to respect her and for all that she did and afterward, I decided to spend some the night there and then head back to the Night Runners Division the next day.

But one thing was for sure; Everyone else needed to know about this ASAP!