Warriors: Poisoned Loyalty {COMPLETED}

Chapter 28

The silence of the night was shattered by a piercing yowl. Poppypool's eyes flew open, her heart pounding as shrieks of battle erupted outside the medicine den. Cats were screeching, the sounds of claws raking fur and flesh filling the night. She barely had a moment to process the attack when the scent of blood and rogues hit her full force. They were attacking the camp again.

"Stay here!" Poppypool ordered Dusk, who was huddled in a corner, trembling with wide, fearful eyes. But before she could shield them, a hulking rogue tom burst into the den, his eyes glinting with a cruel intent as he advanced on them, lips curled into a snarl.

Poppypool squared herself, a fierce protectiveness flaring in her chest. "You're not getting past me," she growled, lowering herself, claws unsheathing.

The rogue laughed, a cold, mocking sound. "You're just a healer. Step aside, and I might let you off easy."

"Try me," she spat, lunging forward to swipe at his face. Her claws raked his muzzle, and the tom reeled back with a furious snarl, blood dripping from his nose. He retaliated swiftly, claws slashing across her shoulder. Poppypool gasped, a fiery pain ripping through her, but she held her ground, standing firmly between him and Dusk.

"Get away from them!" she hissed, backing the rogue toward the den entrance. With a final, furious swipe that left a deep gouge on his flank, she drove him out, her breathing ragged but steady. The rogue stumbled back, hissing in frustration before vanishing into the shadows of the camp, leaving her standing guard, bloodied but resolute.

Dusk whimpered from behind her, their small form quivering. "They've found me... they're here because of me. I– I never should have stayed..."

Poppypool turned, pressing her nose to Dusk's head gently. "You're not alone in this anymore, Dusk. I'll protect you, no matter what."

Dusk's eyes glistened, fear and gratitude warring in their gaze, and they pressed closer to her side. "I... thank you."

Outside, the sounds of battle were dying down, the victorious yowls of the rogues echoing in the chilling silence that followed. Poppypool and Dusk emerged from the den, surveying the devastation.

The camp was a nightmare. Bodies lay strewn across the clearing, dens were shredded, and the acrid scent of blood hung thick in the air. Poppypool's heart twisted painfully as she spotted Cedarpelt's lifeless form beside the entrance, his eyes fixed and sightless, his body still.

"No... not Cedarpelt," she murmured, her voice breaking. She felt Dusk's soft nudge, grounding her.

Nearby, Hickorytree was crouched beside the nursery, sobbing, his voice a guttural, heart-wrenching sound. The realization struck Poppypool like ice: one of the kits was missing.

Poppypool approached, her legs trembling. "Hickorytree," she said softly, her voice thick with grief. "What happened?"

Hickorytree looked up, his face streaked with tears. "Th-they took her," he sobbed, sniffling uncontrollably. "Th-they took Magpiekit..." he choked out, his voice barely above a whisper.

Poppypool felt her claws dig into the earth as fury and despair swelled inside her. "They dared to steal one of our kits?" She turned, her eyes blazing. "This isn't just a skirmish. They're trying to destroy us."

Nearby, warriors were regrouping, their faces hollow with shock and grief as they assessed the damage. Hawkflight was pressing a paw to a wound on Sorrelfur's side, his face a mask of barely-contained rage.

Hawkflight caught Poppypool's eye, his voice low and venomous. "This ends here, Poppypool. No more mercy. If they're willing to take our kits, we have no choice but to fight back. Hard."