Watership down 2 - a new threat

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Shadows of the Past

As the group settled down for the night, the fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across their tired faces. Bigwig, still recovering from their training, turned to Violet, curiosity etched on his brow. "You know, I've been meaning to ask—how did you survive that crow attack? You were so close to being... well, you know."

Violet looked thoughtful for a moment, her gaze drifting to the stars above. "I like to think I was a ghost for a while," she said with a wry smile. "Just floating around, unseen. But in reality, I hid in a bush until the danger passed. It was close, though. Too close."

Bigwig chuckled, shaking his head. "A ghost, huh? I can't say I've ever met one before."

Before she could respond, Fiver's ears perked up, and his expression shifted from relaxed to alarmed. He sat up straighter, his eyes widening. "No... not again," he murmured, his voice trembling slightly.

Hazel leaned closer. "Fiver? What is it?"

"I see them... the Efrafan soldiers. They're... they're attacking again." He shuddered as images flooded his mind, memories of blood-soaked ground and cries of anguish. "It's just like before—the chaos, the death... there's no escape."

The group fell silent, the weight of Fiver's words settling heavily in the air. "How do you know?" Hazel asked, his heart racing.

Fiver shook his head, his gaze distant. "I can feel it. I see a warren, but it's dark and filled with shadows. I see them—so many rabbits... they're being captured, killed. It's happening again."

Bigwig frowned, clenching his jaw. "We have to do something. We can't let it happen again!"

Hazel nodded, a fierce determination igniting within him. "We need to gather our strength and prepare for a fight. If the Efrafans are coming, we have to protect everyone we can."

Violet, still shaken, took a deep breath. "What if we could warn the others? There might be other warrens nearby that we can save."

Fiver nodded, still shaken by the vision but feeling the support of his friends. "Yes. We need to move quickly. I'll guide us."

The group exchanged looks of determination. Together, they would face whatever darkness loomed ahead. United in purpose, they began to form a plan, their resolve hardening in the face of the gathering storm. They would not allow history to repeat itself; this time, they would fight back.