[ Chapter Six ]

  Starry Ceilings and Misty Woods

  The kitten bolted up, panting heavily. Mother looked over, worry in her eyes. “Are you okay dear?” she said. The kitten pressed close to her, wishing he could explain. He opened his mouth, trying to speak. As always, not a sound came out. “Who’s that?” Dash’s voice sliced through the air, a hint of a snarl in his tone. “Just the kitten, don’t worry.” Mother said. “You keep saying ‘The kitten.’ Doesn’t he have a name?” The kitten thought about it, he never needed a name. Dash rolled his eyes, “Well if you’re talking to him, how should I know if you’re talking to me?” The kitten grumbled to himself, since when were you going to stay? But he knew that Mother would never leave a cat by themself. Mother pondered to herself, “Well what would you call him?” She asked. Dash almost instantly responded, “I’d say Sun, y’know his yellow fur ‘n all.” Sun, Sun thought. I like that name! Sun nodded at Dash, happiness in his gaze. “Another thing, why doesn’t he talk?” The brown cat asked. Mother shuffled uncomfortably, Sun looked away. “He just… Hasn’t. He’s never been able to speak.” Sun knew Mother was trying to explain the complex situation, but it still felt wrong. Sun just… couldn’t. He didn’t know why, it was just something Sun had accepted. Dash waved his paw, changing the subject. “How long do I have to stay here? This stuff is so gross.” He bristled, the flower mixtures jostling around on his back. Sun padded over and began to peel them off. Dash let out a long sigh of relief, finally standing up. “My legs were starting to die,” Dash began to pad out of the den, Sun following. Just because his wounds are healed, doesn’t mean he’s fit yet. Something caught his attention. A black shape flashed in the distance. Sun span around to face it, his fur bristling, his tail lashing. Dash looked back, puzzled. “What?” He grumbled, “You see ‘somethin?” Sun let his fur lay flat, Just a light trick. Sun shook his head, “Fine then, kids these days. Always seeing stupid stuff.” Dash continued forward, plunging into the forest ahead.

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  ~Z~

  It was hard getting to sleep that night. Constant nightmares, blood pouring from the skies. Finally, Sun went to sleep. He was back in the weird place, but somewhere different this time. A dark, shady hollow. Trees raised into the skies, so high the starry sky was almost invisible. Sun looked around, waiting for the dream cats to come back, like they did when North Star had visited him. Something else happened, a ghost appeared, staring at him from atop a rock. Sun padded over, eager for what this star had to say. The ghost, a male, was much more solid than North Star and the Winter Stars. His pelt was inky black, his eye a ghostly red, the other replaced by a withered rose. An aura of mystery hung over this cat. “Welcome.” He said. His voice was thin, but firm. Sun dipped his head, “Oh, no need.” The cat mused. “I am not one you would consider, godly.” The strange black cat drew the last word out with a rasp. Spirits flickered in the clearing, their mouths open in soundless wails of pain and agony. The spirits flickered out as quick as they had appeared, the black cat looked on as if nothing had happened. “I am Schade, and you are here for a very special reason.” Schade sat down, encouraging Sun forward. “I brought you here to right an awful wrong, an evil done to me by the Stars.” Schade drew in a breath, and told his tale.