〘 Galepeak's Regret 〙

Chapter 4

Galepaw slipped though Windclan territory, birds chirped gingerly above his head, their songs bringing a type of peace to the moor. One of the small song birds landed, picking at some seeds on the ground.

Galepaw crouched down, his eyes focused on the bird. He leaped forward, pinning the small prey to the ground with one paw. He quickly snapped its neck before it could let out a warning cry. He stared at his catch proudly, it had been oddly easy to catch. Suddenly, he heard paw steps approaching him. He spun around to see a ginger and white she-cat with light green eyes, she purred at him, "Good catch, Galepaw!" She praised.

He unsheathed his claws, "Who are you!? Why are you on Windclan territory?!" He questioned, she paused, her eyes grew dark and depressing, "We never met..." She stared at him with glazed eyes, "But I love, and watch over you every day..."

The fur on Galepaw's neck began to rise, "W-what?" He stared at the she-cat, confused. Suddenly, the moor disappeared with a flash of light, leaving a starry meadow, the she-cat was now covered in stars, her body translucent. Galepaw stumbled back in shock, staring wide-eyed at the starry cat.

"Be careful, my dear..." Her eyes glowed ominously as she spoke, "You are the wind that feeds the flames, their fangs will be your downfall."

Galepaw opened his mouth to respond, but a powerful wind knocked him over. He let out a squeak of panic as the ground opened up under him, causing him to fall into a dark void. Icy wind swirled around him, freezing him to the bone.

Two dark blue eyes appeared next to him, he let out a scream of fear, "Help! Help please!" He begged, but the eyes just stared, looking frozen in fear. The blue eyes melted into fiery amber ones, shining with anger. He heard a battle cry before the amber eyed cat leaped at Galepaw, claws outstretched.

Flames erupted as the cat flug them self at him, a deep voice echoed around him, "You are the wind that feeds the flames!" He let out a yowl of pain and fear as the cat dug his claws into his sides, gripping onto him as they continued to fall though the now fiery void.

The cat bared his fangs, shooting down and biting into Galepaw's neck, he let out a wail of pain as blood gushed out of him, "Their fangs will be your downfall!"

"Galepaw!"

The young tom shot awake, gasping for air. He looked up to see Icepaw and Piercepaw standing over him, a worried look in their eyes. He glanced over his shoulder to see Robinpaw still cuddled up to him, but awake. Icepaw and Piercepaw's worry reflected in his eyes.

The pain from where the strange cat had attacked him quickly faded, leaving only the sting of the wounds Branchstrike gave him earlier. Icepaw nudged him, "Are you okay? You were talking in your sleep."

He shook his head to clear it, "I'm fine, it was just a bad dream..." The two she-cats glanced at each other, still seeming unconvinced, but they didn't pester him. Piercepaw jumped up, "Well, now that we know Galepaw is fine..." She waved her tail excitedly, turning to Icepaw, her amber eye shining bright. Icepaw smiled and turned back to Galepaw and Robinpaw, "Tomorrow is my warrior assessment, meaning this might be my last night as an apprentice."

Robinpaw stared at her, wide-eyed, "Wow, I forgot how much older you are than us." She rolled her eyes, "Shut up, rabbit-brain. Anyways, I thought we could, well, sneak out tonight." Galepaw fluffed up his fur, still feeling a bit cold, "But its so late," He complained, "My tail will freeze off!" Piercepaw playfully cuffed him around the ears, "She's going to be a warrior tomorrow, rabbit-brain, after that she won't have time for us!" Icepaw bumped the brown she-cat with a giggle, "Not true, fluff for brains!"