𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗢𝗥𝗦ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿ 一 𝔅𝔩𝔞𝔷𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔓𝔞𝔰𝔱 [𝟑]

❆☾𑁍𓆱ᥴhᥲρtᥱr 𝟹𝟾𓆱𑁍☽❆

"Two souls?" Larkwing's mouth was wide open. "Such a thing is impossible! That means that once you're infected, there's no saving you, right?"

Cirrus's gaze darkened. "If you're that unfortunate and come into contact with the disease, all you can do is hope that your body doesn't survive it. That is a terrible and very painful fate, but the only alternative is to become a soulless husk whose only instincts are to kill and infect more cats."

An invisible tendril constricted Larkwing's chest, making it difficult for her to breathe. Why did I insist on coming along? Anger flared up inside her. Anger that she had to be so stubborn and had begged Palestar to come. She should have listened to Dawnbreeze and Kestrelpelt. For they were absolutely right. It was mouse-brained of her to think that she was up to this mission.

If only it were possible to turn back time, then she would be far, far away from Sunray. She wouldn't have to worry about turning into a Shadowless. Crowshadow would never have to hurt her leg in an attempt to protect her either.

"Is everything alright? You seem so stiff all of a sudden." Cirrus's voice sounded like it was coming through a wall of fog in the far distance.

Larkwing flinched. "I'm fine, don't worry. It's just that a lot has been happening lately. I guess that makes me a little nervous."

Very nervous, actually.

Cirrus let out a sympathetic coo. "Come on now. It's time to get back to camp. It's not good to stay under the Tree of Protection too long or its strength will fade."

With a queasy feeling that she couldn't suppress, Larkwing padded after Cirrus. "Why do you insist that we should leave? You're in danger. When the Shadowless come—"

"They will not come!" Cirrus snarled tensely and her tail lashed. "Put it out of your mind that Sunray has the ability to infect souls. Where did you even get that stupid idea?"

Thereupon Larkwing remained silent. Fury boiled up inside her again. On the one paw, she could understand that Cirrus didn't want to believe her. Still, she couldn't tell her the real reason how she knew about the Shadowless.

So Larkwing had no choice but to keep walking, her jaws tense. Somehow she had to convince Cirrus that they needed the help. In their current state, there was no way they would survive the impending attack. What's more, half of the ruin cats had no fighting experience whatsoever.

Larkwing pushed a pebble away with her paw. If they absolutely want to hold on to old traditions that make no sense — fine! But they shouldn't complain when they're wiped out.

Nevertheless, she felt terribly uncomfortable at the thought. Even if Cirrus's stubbornness almost drove her crazy, the ruin cats didn't deserve such a fate.

When they arrived at the entrance to the camp, Larkwing stood right in front of the grey and cream she-cat, blocking her way. "Think about it carefully. If you refuse to do anything, the deaths of the ruin cats will be your fault alone. You still have the chance to prepare them all for battle. Not only toms, but also she-cats. Last time the Shadowless won, but this time it will be you who emerge victorious."