Smallcats ◭ Living Myth ◭ Book 1

Chapter Twelve "Tick. Tock. Clocks Ticking, Better Be Prepared Before The Bell"

            Astron sighed, gazing at Mistea as the white she-cat began to snore gently, almost matching her sister. A light drizzle was pattering against the rooftop and the patio umbrella that was shielding the five of them. Shaking his head, he looked at Dew, who was also glancing sideways at Mistea before looking away.

         "We should probably be quiet. Both of the littermates are sleeping," Dew commented, hinting Flightew and Mistea. Astron nodded in agreement and laid his head on his paws, looking at the crow in front of them that the five of them had shared. He flicked his ear absently as the rain continued to fall, gradually growing larger. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and he had the feeling that the storm would last for a couple of days.

         Shivering, Astron tucked his tail closer to his body, glancing at the rain cautiously. The umbrella protected the five of them from the rain, and the candle offered light, but the warmth was from the other Soarians. I wonder who Stonerye's going to choose to be the next leader of the Soarians? Shaking the thought away, he perked up as he heard the sound of paw steps. Turning around, he noticed Aeriality was leaping up onto the patio table that he was on. The Soarian leader shook his fur, careful to not disturb the other four cats. Astron noticed that his leader's fur was drenched, and he twitched an ear at the sight.

          "Aeriality, what a surprise. How can I help you?" Astron mewed casually, trying to keep the worry from rising in his voice. The graying tom licked his fur for a couple of moments before replying.

        "Astron, as you may know, I'm getting old. The Soarian legacy hasn't been going on for even a cat's generation here in Gemstyx," Aeriality grunted. "I'm aging, and I believe these last four and a half years of life has done its toll on me." Astron opened his mouth to speak, to say that Toothle was very capable himself, even being older than Aeriality. But the black and gray tom shook his head, taking a seat with a shiver.

         "I just need either you or Flightew to stay alive through these upcoming brutal games... But that's not all I have to tell you," Aeriality sighed.

        "Wait wait wait. Why are you telling me this now?" Astron meowed. "And what about Flightew? Doesn't she deserve to hear this as well?"

          "I already told her in the morning, and then I was a bit busy; as were you," Aeriality added. Then the feline continued, "Look. I understand that most Soarians haven't met other cats in Fantalinc, including the rogues in this area. But one thing that Alcatri didn't tell you is that we're... small cats."

           "Sorry, what?" Astron meowed, his voice rising. He stood up and lashing his tail angrily. Why did Aeriality choose to tell me this now? In a thunderstorm? Why not sooner? Why not tell the whole colony? Every cat around here? His thoughts whirling, he almost didn't catch what Aeriality meowed next.

         The black and gray tom stood up, taking a regal posture to show that he was in power again. "That doesn't matter. Alcatri's follower clan cats are slightly bigger, not in fur but actual mass. You need to be careful, as with the other Soarians. I can't tell the rest of my colony, since being exposed in this storm for too long will be too risky for me. The rooftop isn't safe anymore. Astron; promise me something."

        "Promise you what?" Astron mewed, taking a step back as Aeriality padded forward.

        "That you tell as many Soarians as you can! We need to spread the news as much as we can, so they're aware of our weakness!" Aeriality yowled through the rain.

         Astron then realized with fear that now that the rain was thundering down, and when he looked to his right, he noticed that storm clouds had somehow gathered quickly and lightning flashed through them. A large boom filled his ears, and he screeched in fear. How did the storm pick up so quickly? Why is everything like it's moving in timelapse? That's impossible! Maybe Stonerye was wrong about everything being logical?