Warriors: Nacti Acceptio {Choose Your Own Path}

» Chapter 2.9

» In Chapter 2.8, you chose to: wait in anticipation.

Taking Jackaldusk's word, Minky stopped asking questions and followed Deerstar. The Meridian Rock, Minky thought. That sounds so... Grand. I wonder how it looks like.

The brown tabby she-cat concluded that the Meridian Rock must be sacred, considering that PeakClan cats used it for ceremonies. I wonder how ceremonies are carry out too, Minky thought, swishing her tail.

From the corner of her eye, Minky thought Jackaldusk was staring at her, almost intently. It seemed like he was studying her.

What is he thinking?

Minky shook her head and sped up to walk beside Deerstar. She took slowed her pace, realising she was walking beside the PeakClan leader. Nerved, she bowed her head slightly.

Deerstar gave Minky a warm smile and chuckled in amusement. "You can relax, Minky. No need for formalities. We will be Clanmates soon, after all."

Deerstar's confidence stunned Minky. How can she be so sure I'll be able to pass my assessment? I... I don't know if I belong here.

Discouraged by her own pessimistic thoughts, she shrunk back. Deerstar noticed Minky's low spirits and slowed down so that they were walking side by side.

"I'm most certain you will join us. Our warrior ancestors have sent you over to us, which means it is our responsibility to groom you into a member of our Clan - no matter how long it takes," Deerstar meowed firmly.

Minky gave out a long sigh. "But I-"

"I - We - don't know what you've been through that shaped who you are and why you are hesitant about so many things, but please - give us a chance to accept you," Jackaldusk stated, walking beside the brown tabby she-cat. "Don't ever think you'll never be one of us."

Frostthorn gave Minky an encouraging smile. "Don't be too hard on yourself. You can always confide in us if you ever feel the need to."

Minky felt an unfamiliar warmth resonating within her. "I... I can only thank you verbally. I really appreciate this."

A purr rumbled in Jackaldusk's throat. "Clanmates support one another. It is only natural to help."

Before Minky could respond, she halted at the sight presented before her. She inhaled sharply, her eyes stretched wide. The scene before her was spectacular.

A lone rock stood tall and proud, sparkling brightly - in contrast to Deerstar's den. The shine of the sun's rays seemed to bounce off the myriad of smaller rocks embed into the Meridian Rock, making it seem like pictures Minky saw everyday in her housefolks' home.

She exhaled.

"This... This is the Meridian Rock?" Minky asked, in awe of the glowing rock.

"Indeed," Deerstar nodded. "Leaders, in the case, I, will stand on the Meridian Rock to address my Clan."

"If you look closely, you can see that the Meridian Rock is decorated with many rocks, which glow naturally - even in the dark," Frostthorn added, for the benefit of Minky.

While Minky was deep in her thoughts, pondering about the nature of glowing rocks, Deerstar climbed onto the Meridian Rock, standing tall and proud - just like the rock - despite being an average-sized cat.

"You see, 'Meridian' is a word used by our ancestors," Deerstar began explaining. "The word is related to sunhigh, representing the rock's unusual shine even at night, as if it was reflecting the rays of sunhigh."

The beams of light embellished Deerstar's pelt as she raised her head and called out with her strong voice. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Meridian Rock for a Clan meeting!"

Surprisingly, Deerstar's voice echoed clearly throughout the camp, and Minky was sure it even reached into the cave. Murmurs started rising as cats began to appear one by one.

After the PeakClan cats gathered, Deerstar spoke once more. "I have gathered you here today to announce a cat's arrival to PeakClan."

More murmurs started going around the Clan cats. Elders gossiping, apprentices chattering excitedly, and queens ushering their kits back into the cave.

"StarClan has expressed their will to allow a loner to join our ranks in PeakClan. She will join us," Deerstar meowed. "But like any other warrior, she has to pass the warrior assessment."

The PeakClan leader allowed the news to sink. Many of the cats already knew of Minky's apparent arrival to their Clan, but were unsure and curious about Minky.

"We are known to be accepting towards others," Jackaldusk spoke, seriousness entering his tone. He was speaking as the deputy as PeakClan, not as a friend to Minky. "It has been decided that I will train Minky myself."

Minky shifted uncomfortably as eyes fell upon her. She dipped her head. "Greetings."

"Treat her like one of our own," Deerstar ordered. "That is all. Clan dismissed."

The cats scattered, resuming their daily activities. Minky breathed a sigh of relief - it seemed that no one was noticing her.

However, to her horror, a tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat with green eyes was walking towards her, smiling broadly. Her frame was small, but she seemed full of energy.

"Hello! My name's Sparrowflight! Welcome to PeakClan!" she mewed enthusiastically.

» Acknowledge her presence awkwardly.

» Give her a nod and quietly slip away.

✧ ༻⋆ ✿ ⋆༺ ✧

Close to the end of Chapter 2! How are you liking this so far? I will be slowly introducing the other members of PeakClan soon enough.

This chapter is longer than most chapters, so enjoy!

What do you think of the Meridian Rock?

What do you think of Sparrowflight?

~ Sky ❄