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Description
  Ember dragged a paw across the rough bark of a tree trunk, looking around the desolate forest. She scanned the trees for any signs, but saw nothing past wilting branches and dead undergrowth from the drought. She looked up at the sun, which was larger and brighter than ever before. It had rested a blanket of dry heat across the forest, reminding her of when she’d still lived with… she shook her head, clearing the thought from her mind. That was then, this is now, she reminded herself.

    Reminding herself as to why she came, she moved on to another section of the forest. Ember had started searching the forest a couple days ago, when she’d first come across it. Something felt… off about it, as if it was waiting for something to happen, or for something to be discovered. Now Ember was determined to find what this ancient forest was hiding.

    Treading deeper into the forest, Ember noticed a group of odd looking stones. Rushing forward, she brushed dead leaves from them. With the debris cleared, she saw that the stones were actually weathered ruins engraved with illegible runes.

      As she reached to grab one of the ruins, her paw made contact with a jumble of runes, and lightning pulsed through her body, knocking her back. Ember rubbed her paw, which was raw, red, and even bleeding in places. A faint red glow caught her attention. It came from the ruin she’d touched. Staring at the stones, she could see four runes glowing much brighter than the others, and one that glowed purple, unlike the others.

    Ember was puzzled, but she didn’t dare get near those ruins. She’d have to ask someone about it. She shook her head. Who was she kidding, no one would believe her. She got to her feet, raising her tail to steady her. As she began to walk away, a blur of orange caught her eye.

    Ember flew across the forest floor, feeling as if her paws barely touched the debris ridden ground. Trees and undergrowth blurred past her as she ran, quickly gaining on the orange and black creature. She reached for the sword strapped to her back, preparing for a battle, but when she grabbed the creature’s shoulder, what faced her wasn’t a monster, but a small ginger tabby.

    The two stood there, staring at each other. The young ginger cat was no more than 13, maybe 14. She wore a horribly ripped black cape across a ragged velvet nightgown. Her fur was matted with blood and covered in gashes and scratches. Her eyes were wide and green, filled with a confusing mix of fear and wonder. Worst of all, across her stomach was a large gash.

    ”Who the f*ck are you…?” Ember didn’t realize she’d said it until the young cat responded. “I-I’m Violet…” She responded, pulling her ragged cape over her chest. “And… who are y-you?” She questioned Ember, setting her face into what Ember presumed was supposed to look serious but merely made her look concerned.

    That’s when Ember noticed it-how could she have been so stupid? The cat-Violet, had nothing special about her, other than her enormous eyes. Nothing that made her be able to be on this side of the ravine. Ember narrowed her eyes, backing away from the small tabby. “How in a million f*cking years did you get over here? The Ravine is impossible to cross, Cursed.” That’s what she was. Violet was one of the Cursed, one of the Gods’ failures. No abilities, no connections.

    Violet took a step back, clearly hurt by Ember’s words. Tears pricked her eyes as she spoke, “I-I don’t know, I guess a root or something just broke my fall.” Violet began spilling about how she’d been chased by her father’s guards because she found out some plot, and Ember was baffled by the idea that someone could be so open to a stranger.

    Finally, the gravity of the situation hit Ember. There was no way Violet could get across the Ravine again without someone who could fly, and she definitely wasn’t getting Haze in trouble for that. So she could either leave the young cat to fend for herself, or she could bring Violet with her and see if Haze could harbor her until she could find away across the Ravine back to her home. Ember didn’t know if she could live with the guilt of abandoning a child, so she chose the latter.

    ”Come on.” Ember grabbed Violet’s arm, dragging her through the blazing forest. She surprised when Violet didn’t struggle, just following Ember as best she could.

      The two seemed to be walking forever, the sun beginning to hide behind the distant mountains when they finally reached their destination. Before them was a bustling marketplace where Fire spirits sold potions and weapons, Air spirits offered guidance and other services, Earth spirits sold herbs and other produce, and the Water spirits hid in the shade, desperate to escape the beating sun.

      ”Pull your hood up, no one can see you like this,” Ember ordered Violet, and the young cat obeyed, tucking her face in the shadow of her torn cloak. After making sure no one could tell Violet was a Cursed one more time, Ember led Violet through the busy marketplace.

    Ember felt a pull at her paw, as though Violet had stopped walking. Looking behind her, she confirmed her suspicions. “What is…” Ember stopped talking as she followed Violet’s gaze to a weathered stall, its sign saying Mrs. Doldrum, future telling expert. An elderly Air spirit hunched behind the stall, her faded figure covered in pearls, gold, and a blue velvet dress. She had nothing at her stall, except a small sign that read Guidance for the lost: 20 rublets.

    Ember gave a half-hearted tug at Violet’s paw, and she didn’t budge. “Oh, f*ck it.” She growled, leading the entranced cat to the stall.

      The Air spirit looked up at them with sightless blue eyes, a delighted smile growing on her face. “Well hello, darling. I see you’d like your future shown.” She greeted Violet. Violet merely nodded, completely silent. Ember dragged a paw down her face, second guessing her life decisions.

    ”Just take my money and get it over with” Ember grumbled, pushing the red coins over to the blind cat. Mrs. Doldrum pushed the rublets back over to Ember, saying, “I take payments after, dearie.”

      She turned her attention back to Violet, and began waving her hands in the air, scrunching her eyebrows. Now I know why she takes payments after. Ember thought to herself, rolling her eyes. She tapped her foot, growing impatient. Finally, Mrs. Doldrum’s eyes popped open, fear glazing them. “Oh dear, oh dear…” the elderly spirit murmured, pacing. As she did, the pearls laced across her curled horns began whipping around as if they were ina storm, and her ragged wings shook with fear.

    ”Wh-what is it?” Violet ventured, “I can handle it, I promise.” When Ember looked at Violet, she could see her eyes were glittering with fear, despite her brave face.

    ”My poor darling… I saw many things. I saw a blazing wildfire, a monstrous silhouette, unthinkable monsters, and…” Mrs. Doldrum broke off, her eyes filled with fear. “No payment is needed. You may go. And let the Gods bless you over any other spirit.”

    Ember stared at the young cat with new eyes. Some scrawny, ragged kid was going to face so much more than Ember had in her first hundred years. This kid-Violet, she knew, must be the one from the prophecy, the one to save them from the drought, and all the hardships they were bound to face.

    She would save them from something not even the all the Gods together could defeat.

Description
  Ember dragged a paw across the rough bark of a tree trunk, looking around the desolate forest. She scanned the trees for any signs, but saw nothing past wilting branches and dead undergrowth from the drought. She looked up at the sun, which was larger and brighter than ever before. It had rested a blanket of dry heat across the forest, reminding her of when she’d still lived with… she shook her head, clearing the thought from her mind. That was then, this is now, she reminded herself.

    Reminding herself as to why she came, she moved on to another section of the forest. Ember had started searching the forest a couple days ago, when she’d first come across it. Something felt… off about it, as if it was waiting for something to happen, or for something to be discovered. Now Ember was determined to find what this ancient forest was hiding.

    Treading deeper into the forest, Ember noticed a group of odd looking stones. Rushing forward, she brushed dead leaves from them. With the debris cleared, she saw that the stones were actually weathered ruins engraved with illegible runes.

      As she reached to grab one of the ruins, her paw made contact with a jumble of runes, and lightning pulsed through her body, knocking her back. Ember rubbed her paw, which was raw, red, and even bleeding in places. A faint red glow caught her attention. It came from the ruin she’d touched. Staring at the stones, she could see four runes glowing much brighter than the others, and one that glowed purple, unlike the others.

    Ember was puzzled, but she didn’t dare get near those ruins. She’d have to ask someone about it. She shook her head. Who was she kidding, no one would believe her. She got to her feet, raising her tail to steady her. As she began to walk away, a blur of orange caught her eye.

    Ember flew across the forest floor, feeling as if her paws barely touched the debris ridden ground. Trees and undergrowth blurred past her as she ran, quickly gaining on the orange and black creature. She reached for the sword strapped to her back, preparing for a battle, but when she grabbed the creature’s shoulder, what faced her wasn’t a monster, but a small ginger tabby.

    The two stood there, staring at each other. The young ginger cat was no more than 13, maybe 14. She wore a horribly ripped black cape across a ragged velvet nightgown. Her fur was matted with blood and covered in gashes and scratches. Her eyes were wide and green, filled with a confusing mix of fear and wonder. Worst of all, across her stomach was a large gash.

    ”Who the f*ck are you…?” Ember didn’t realize she’d said it until the young cat responded. “I-I’m Violet…” She responded, pulling her ragged cape over her chest. “And… who are y-you?” She questioned Ember, setting her face into what Ember presumed was supposed to look serious but merely made her look concerned.

    That’s when Ember noticed it-how could she have been so stupid? The cat-Violet, had nothing special about her, other than her enormous eyes. Nothing that made her be able to be on this side of the ravine. Ember narrowed her eyes, backing away from the small tabby. “How in a million f*cking years did you get over here? The Ravine is impossible to cross, Cursed.” That’s what she was. Violet was one of the Cursed, one of the Gods’ failures. No abilities, no connections.

    Violet took a step back, clearly hurt by Ember’s words. Tears pricked her eyes as she spoke, “I-I don’t know, I guess a root or something just broke my fall.” Violet began spilling about how she’d been chased by her father’s guards because she found out some plot, and Ember was baffled by the idea that someone could be so open to a stranger.

    Finally, the gravity of the situation hit Ember. There was no way Violet could get across the Ravine again without someone who could fly, and she definitely wasn’t getting Haze in trouble for that. So she could either leave the young cat to fend for herself, or she could bring Violet with her and see if Haze could harbor her until she could find away across the Ravine back to her home. Ember didn’t know if she could live with the guilt of abandoning a child, so she chose the latter.

    ”Come on.” Ember grabbed Violet’s arm, dragging her through the blazing forest. She surprised when Violet didn’t struggle, just following Ember as best she could.

      The two seemed to be walking forever, the sun beginning to hide behind the distant mountains when they finally reached their destination. Before them was a bustling marketplace where Fire spirits sold potions and weapons, Air spirits offered guidance and other services, Earth spirits sold herbs and other produce, and the Water spirits hid in the shade, desperate to escape the beating sun.

      ”Pull your hood up, no one can see you like this,” Ember ordered Violet, and the young cat obeyed, tucking her face in the shadow of her torn cloak. After making sure no one could tell Violet was a Cursed one more time, Ember led Violet through the busy marketplace.

    Ember felt a pull at her paw, as though Violet had stopped walking. Looking behind her, she confirmed her suspicions. “What is…” Ember stopped talking as she followed Violet’s gaze to a weathered stall, its sign saying Mrs. Doldrum, future telling expert. An elderly Air spirit hunched behind the stall, her faded figure covered in pearls, gold, and a blue velvet dress. She had nothing at her stall, except a small sign that read Guidance for the lost: 20 rublets.

    Ember gave a half-hearted tug at Violet’s paw, and she didn’t budge. “Oh, f*ck it.” She growled, leading the entranced cat to the stall.

      The Air spirit looked up at them with sightless blue eyes, a delighted smile growing on her face. “Well hello, darling. I see you’d like your future shown.” She greeted Violet. Violet merely nodded, completely silent. Ember dragged a paw down her face, second guessing her life decisions.

    ”Just take my money and get it over with” Ember grumbled, pushing the red coins over to the blind cat. Mrs. Doldrum pushed the rublets back over to Ember, saying, “I take payments after, dearie.”

      She turned her attention back to Violet, and began waving her hands in the air, scrunching her eyebrows. Now I know why she takes payments after. Ember thought to herself, rolling her eyes. She tapped her foot, growing impatient. Finally, Mrs. Doldrum’s eyes popped open, fear glazing them. “Oh dear, oh dear…” the elderly spirit murmured, pacing. As she did, the pearls laced across her curled horns began whipping around as if they were ina storm, and her ragged wings shook with fear.

    ”Wh-what is it?” Violet ventured, “I can handle it, I promise.” When Ember looked at Violet, she could see her eyes were glittering with fear, despite her brave face.

    ”My poor darling… I saw many things. I saw a blazing wildfire, a monstrous silhouette, unthinkable monsters, and…” Mrs. Doldrum broke off, her eyes filled with fear. “No payment is needed. You may go. And let the Gods bless you over any other spirit.”

    Ember stared at the young cat with new eyes. Some scrawny, ragged kid was going to face so much more than Ember had in her first hundred years. This kid-Violet, she knew, must be the one from the prophecy, the one to save them from the drought, and all the hardships they were bound to face.

    She would save them from something not even the all the Gods together could defeat.