Light Guardian

Chapter 9

There are many reasons to travel. Some travel to explore, to experience the world around them. To learn as much as they can from nature itself. Others travel for no reason at all. Their paws mindlessly leading them along. Some travel to a set destination. Their eyes not as focused on the world around them, and more on the endpoint. And many, like ourselves, travel to find something. The end result is not clear, but you can't stop until you make it there.

    In a way, traveling is boring. At first, it can be exciting. There are new lands to explore, new plants to see, new flowers to appreciate. But after a while, it all blends together. Everything looks the same, and nothing looks new. Travelling loses its joy, but not its purpose.

    My paws ached, we had been walking for a long time now. I'm not sure how far we have come or much longer we have to go. There had been multiple attacks by shadows on us, every time they seemed stronger. Every time they grew scarier, larger, darker.

    Amos was scared today. He didn't tell us why. He didn't know why himself. The fear was just there, hanging onto him. His fur was unkempt and his large paws were trembling constantly.

    I was sure that something would happen today because of it. There has to be a reason that fear clings to his pelt like burrs. I just wish I knew, so that he didn't have to be so scared. So that he didn't need to dwell on the unknown.

    The sun was sleepy today, even at its most awake point. It didn't shine as brightly, its eye wasn't fully open.

    A familiar screech sounded in the distance. Shadows. More and more screeches echoed after it, overwhelming the once quiet forest. A cat's growl emitted from the shadows. We all got in a defensive position. Light shone from my pelt, and I could feel sparks flickering from my eyes.

    Shadows crept from between the trees, rushing towards us. The silhouette of a cat in the midst of the darkness. A maniacal laugh erupted from the figure, causing my fur to stand on edge. When a faint light illuminated the cat's body, a shiver passed over me. Darkness clung to her, surrounded her. She was a shadow herself, in a way.

    She was lithe, thin, but also heavy. Her pale brown fur was spotted with darker brown patches. A light underbelly and paws contrasted to the darkness clinging to her. Her eyes looked innocent, but the look on her face and the shadows that had become one with her screamed everything but innocence. Nakoma only told us about a cat named King. Why didn't she tell us that there were other cats? Why didn't she warn us of his allies?

    My heart was fluttering in panic. I would have to fight her off. Was I ready? The attacks on us are tiring, the traveling is tiring. I couldn't be ready for a fight, not with a formidable cat such as her. At least Amos and Rhea would be able to touch her.

    The voice of the cat was deep, heavy, too dark to be one of a she-cat, "Well, well, well. What do we have here? The measly Light Guardian." Her voice became snarky as she continued, "And what is this? Friends! Ah, another weakness!"

    I began to tremble. Everything about the cat was intimidating, even her voice. I couldn't respond, my voice was caught in my throat. I felt Rhea shift beside me, and she spat, "Friends are never a weakness, they are a strength!"

    The she-cat before us let out a laugh, her voice was sharp as she responded, "Of course they are a weakness. You can never rely on anyone but yourself. There are more ways to get to you with a friend, secrets easier to reveal. It is easier to break someone by hurting a friend, easier to distract and hurt them."

    Working up the courage, I shouted at her, "Who even are you?"

    The pale brown cat smirked, "Me? I'm Sage, and I'll make sure you remember my name." Without any warning, she leaped at me. Her claws sharp and long. A snarl echoed through the forest, and her claws sank into my pelt. "Varian!" Rhea cried out, panic coating her cry.