Rise of Stars: Part One - TheCursed Moon

Prologue

NOTES (IMPORTANT FOR UNDERSTANDING THE STORY):

The world is split into six areas. Two large round circle walls are around the living areas: an inner and an outer. The inner protects The Kingdom, the main power in the story. Rulers of The Kingdom are known by their titles only: The King and The Queen. There may also be The Prince and/or The Princess. If there is more than one female or male kitten, The King and The Queen choose one to be The Prince or The Princess and kill the others. The outer circle has three sections: Heartfire, Bloodfire, and Moonfire. Each has the suffix "fire" to show their agreement with The Kingdom (they may live within the outer walls but may not interact, talk to, or trade with those in the inner walls). Outside of The Kingdom, shapes are burned into the paws of the Heartfire, Bloodfire, and Moonfire cats so that they can be recognized. This is kept secret from The Kingdom’s subjects. A Heartfire, Bloodfire, or Moonfire cat may become a subject of the Kingdom, but they must be accepted by The King, and there are ‘procedures’ for entering. First, there is a signed agreement not to tell any subjects about the cruelty outside the inner walls, and then there is ‘isolation’, where the cats are kept in one place so any ‘diseases’ will be stopped from entering the inner walls. What really happens in isolation is the removal of the paw burn, likely by cutting the paw and letting it heal over a long time (no deaths are caused by this due to some mystery technology that prevents the bleeding). Cats who leave The Kingdom cannot return unless they were born a subject. Separate from all of these is a ring just inside the outer circle which continues through to the outside. Cats there are called Selfs. Selfs may not have a family or be friends with any other cats, since leaving is a sign they want to be on their own. They may rejoin a fire, but they can never become a Kingdom cat, unless they were royal or had any powers of worth to the kingdom. The Heartfire is the kindest of the three, while Bloodfire and Moonfire are brutal and harsh to the cats living there if they are seen as outsiders. All leaders wear a skull with a hole in the forehead that is the shape of their group's symbol.

The Moonfire leader is The Celestial, the Bloodfire leader is The Lifeblood, and the Heartfire leader is The Bright One (Heartfire used to be known as Heartlight before the agreement with the Kingdom).

CHAPTER ONE - PAST

Eclipse stared down at her kits, one of which had just opened her eyes for the first time. She met her kitten's eye and stumbled backward in surprise. “H-Harvest?” she tried to call. Almost immediately, a white tomcat with black paws stepped inside the kit-cave.

“Eclipse? What is it? Are you hurt? Are the kits okay?” he rushed to her side, checking her over and looking at the two kittens. “W-We’re not hurt, but…” Her words trailed off, and she nodded toward the white kitten. “Bloodmoon’s opened her eyes and—” she hid her face in her mate’s fur. Harvest looked down at the tiny kit, who was staring up at her parents in confusion. He gasped as he saw—she had red eyes. “No—it can’t be—have you checked her pupils?” Eclipse nodded, raising her head. “Pure white.” It couldn’t be. His kit couldn't be… cursed. “What… what do we do?” he asked, afraid of the answer. “You and I both know there’s only one option,” the black she-cat replied, leaning against him as she gradually stood up. “We have to take her to The Lifeblood.”

CHAPTER TWO - PAST

Harvest cautiously picked up the white kit, while his mate picked up the black one. The little dark kit now stared at him with clear blue eyes like her mother’s. He felt a small sense of relief that at least the second kit wasn’t also cursed, but it faded when he looked at the confused eyes of the kit he was carrying. The blood-red irises looked strange, unnatural danger in a cat so innocent and young. Little Bloodmoon probably didn’t even know what might happen when they brought her before The Lifeblood. They had made it through the camp—finally— they stood before the red rock of the Bloodstone. Eclipse put down Bloodmoon and walked around the side to find their leader. A little while later, she came back out, with The Lifeblood following her. He leaped up onto the rock, already yowling to call a meeting. “Cats of the Bloodfire, gather! We have a new Cursed in our midst. This kit—the little white one—is a Cursed. If we keep it here, it will bring death and destruction to us all. We will be selling it—and its sister—to the Moonfire in exchange for prey or Kingdom coins.” Harvest gasped. They were going to sell his kits—for Kingdom coins? The Lifeblood didn’t even want to trade with the Kingdom! And to sell poor Bloodmoon too? Bloodmoon wasn’t cursed! He looked up angrily at the cat with the skull. The Lifeblood was glaring back, his fiery eyes forcing Harvest into submission. “We accept your offer to save us all, Lifeblood. We thank you for caring for us.” He took one last look at the two kittens before following Eclipse back to their den, head lowered.

CHAPTER THREE - PRESENT

Bloodmoon watched the Moonfire leader standing on his rock. She rolled her eyes and glared. She was expected to be grateful that the execution would ‘save the lives of innocent cats.’ SHE was an innocent cat for goodness' sake. It didn't really matter though. She knew she would be gone by night's end, a Self at last. The only thing left to do was say goodbye to Bloodmoon. Leaving that until last had probably been a good thing. If she hadn't, Bloodmoon would have spent the whole day trying to convince her not to go. And that would be a pain. She had to leave tonight, or the execution wouldn't be stopped. Too many cats had noticed her plans to leave that day; if she didn't, she was probably going to die tomorrow. Stupid Celestial. She realized that the light had faded as she was thinking. It was time to talk to Bloodmoon. Bloodmoon slowly padded to the den they shared, softly calling out to the black cat. “Blue? Are you here?” Her sister's head shot up almost immediately. “What is it?” Her blue eyes looked so large and innocent that Bloodmoon winced at what she was about to say. “I-I'm leaving. Now.” Bloodmoon stared at her, then shook her head. “No, no, no! You can't LEAVE? Then you’d be a Self and I couldn’t see you.” Bloodmoon looked sadly at her. “They won’t kill you. If I leave, you’ll be safe; you’re normal.” “B-but I want to stay with you.” Bloodmoon said, shaking her head and turning away. “I have to leave now. Goodbye.” She stepped slowly out of the den. Speeding up, she leaped onto a rocky outcrop before jumping out of the camp. She ran quickly, away from the crater that was the Moonfire’s base, and towards the outer ring where Selfs could live freely. She heard Bloodmoon’s yowl—or was it The Celestial shrieking in anger at the escape of his ‘sacrifice’? She couldn’t tell. She just knew she had to find an Outer Gate. After what felt like forever, she could see the wall clearly. Bloodmoon carefully slowed to a trot, surprised no one had followed her, but still scanning the wall for a gate. There should be one around here somewhere, but she didn't know exactly where. She kept going, beginning to walk as the foggy night set in. The wall was so close now, close enough to shelter by for the night…

The bright sun woke Bloodmoon, shining down onto her face. She shook her head. She was later than expected. Springing up, she rushed by the wall until, finally, she found a gate. She shoved open the door, pushing through to find two cats: a Guard and a Paperworker- she assumed. The guard, a ginger tom, stepped forward. “What is your business here?” Bloodmoon looked at him blankly. “I want to become a Self. Why else would I be leaving the Kingdom’s walls?” The guard nodded and then murmured to the Paperworker. Bloodmoon suddenly froze. She had assumed the second cat was a Paperworker—but there was no paperwork in becoming a Self. Oh—oh no. She finally saw the sunset-colored ribbon in the silver tabby’s tail fur. A Blazecaller. She was going to get a new Mark. The Blazecaller stepped forward, Bloodmoon flinching away as his ice-cold voice said three words. “Are. You. Ready?” She tried to step back, but having already expressed her desire to become a Self, there was no getting out of it now. A bright hot glow filled the room, condensing in the Blazecaller’s paws as a stamp made of fire. The Guard grabbed Bloodmoon’s front paw and held it up for the Blazecaller as he brought the fire down and everything went black.

Bloodmoon awoke once more to freezing water being poured on her fur. “Enjoy your time being a Self,” the guard smirked as he shoved her out of the other side of the wall. She tried to step forward but collapsed as her right paw hit the ground. The pain was almost unbearable. She looked down to see the mark: a deep, ashy burn on the pad of her paw. It seemed to sizzle, the feeling of the icy water fading as she felt the scalding heat of it. She slowly limped away from the wall, keeping her eyes wide open for any water. She felt so stupid for having forgotten about the Blazecallers. Although she had heard that normally there was a Dropletdancer there too— Selfs must just not be important enough to have their pain dulled properly. She hop-ran faster away from the gates, managing to get far enough that she couldn’t see the wall. She was safe enough now. She sat down and slowly, painfully cleaned her burnt paw. The ashy taste made her feel sick, but she couldn't risk the wound getting infected—if that could happen to burns. She knew enough about cuts and common illnesses, but she had never considered running into fire. Silly, she knew. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Ha. At least no one else could call her that now. It was just her, all alone, forever. She shivered as the chill of the darkening sky above caught her. That was strange… it hadn't been that cold before. She looked up to see a beautiful cream she-cat with long, soft fur. So much for being alone forever then. “Hello,” the unfamiliar cat said in a dainty voice. “Who are you?”

“A new Self by the looks of it,” said another voice, and another cat with slightly rougher black fur stepped out from behind her. “Look at the mark on her paw, Princess.”

The cream cat nodded. “I meant her name, Shadowform.”

“Bloodmoon,” Bloodmoon said cautiously. “And you?”

“Shadowform,” said the cat behind the first, stepping forward so he was beside the other cat.

“I'm…” the she-cat seemed to pause before answering. “Four. Call me Four.”

Shadowform nodded, seeming to smile at her. “I didn’t realize you had chosen yet,” he said, flicking his tail to intertwine with hers.

“I wasn’t sure… but I like it. It's a fitting name.” Bloodmoon watched the odd conversation, confused.

“You… only just chose your name?”

Four shook her head. “No—it's nothing. Uhm… would you like to travel with us? I know Selfs aren't supposed to be friends with other Selfs, but it would be nice and there's no way anybody would know.”

Bloodmoon stepped back, taken off guard by the offer. It wouldn't be what she was planning, but with an injured paw, wouldn't it be easier to travel with others?

“All right,” she said warily, hoping it was the right choice.

“Okay!” Four said, doing a little happy jump. “Let's go then! We were heading to… the waterfalls, right?”

Shadowform smiled, nodding once more and turning. Four turned too, her tail flicking in the air by Bloodmoon’s nose, a ribbon flipping behind it. It was dark, shining blue. Royal blue.

“Wait.” Bloodmoon said suddenly as Four turned back to her. “Your tail—”

“Oh—” Four’s eyes widened in surprise before Shadowform leapt in front of her. “You can’t hurt her; it's not her fault. If you attack, I'll shred you,” he growled at Bloodmoon.

“I wasn’t planning to,” she snapped back. “I just wanted to ask why she,” she pointed an unsheathed claw at Four, “has a royal ribbon marker.”

“It's okay, Shadowform,” said Four, stepping in front of the angry tom. “I’ll explain.”

“I am,” she began, sitting back down, “The Princess of The Kingdom. But I left recently. I wanted to stay with Shadowform. He is… we are… special.” Four stood up again as she finished her sentence, flicking her tail forwards. Bloodmoon watched the odd cat carefully. Should I still follow and travel with them? What if this is just some sort of trap by the Kingdom to keep an eye on Selfs? Although if it wasn't, she could gain a lot of information about the Kingdom. She had always known she would try to destroy the Kingdom, as soon as she had heard the stories about what they did to other cats—and experienced it herself with the Blazecaller. And—the memory hit her hard—her parents had been willing to give her sister up for extra Kingdom coins. I'll stay with them… for now. It would probably be worth it later.

“Are you coming?” Four's voice called, shaking Bloodmoon out of her thoughts.

“Yes, just give me a second,” she replied, giving her burned paw another quick clean before trotting to catch up with the other two.

CHAPTER FOUR - PRESENT BUT IT’S NOW LIKE A YEAR LATER FOR REASONS

Bloodmoon silently stepped towards the mouse ahead of her. Her paw had almost completely healed; however, a brand remained to signify her status as a Self. Suddenly, she leaped out at it, chasing it through the long grass. Just as she lost sight of it, a cream cat with still-shiny fur jumped out from the grass and trapped the mouse, killing it easily. “We’re a great team!” Four said before picking up the mouse. “I’m not as good at hunting with you as Shadowform is; you two are the perfect duo—although a little strange,” Bloodmoon joked as they headed back towards the lake where they had set up a main camp. The two had become very good friends after traveling together for so long, but Four and Shadowform still had a strange bond that Bloodmoon didn’t completely understand, although she didn’t yet know how long they had traveled together before meeting her. As they stepped into the cave where they put their prey, suddenly,  a few footsteps sounded nearby them. Bloodmoon spun around, and Four made a quick circle so they were facing the same direction.

“Who’s there?”

“Shadowform?”

“It’s not Shadowform,” Bloodmoon hissed quietly. “He wouldn’t be specifically trying to be quiet.”

Four nodded, looking worried. “Well, who is it then?”

Bloodmoon ignored the question, silently creeping toward the cave entrance where the sound had come from. She leapt out, startling an unfamiliar cat with dark blue fur. The cat let out a small shriek before flying backwards. “I'm sorry, I'm sorry!” Bloodmoon glared. “Why are you in our camp?” she said coldly.

The cat let out another small squeak. “I-I became a Self recently, but there was someone I met before I left, and she said to find a cat called Bloodmoon and give a message, and she gave me a description, and I asked other Selfs, and is it you?” Bloodmoon glanced at Four, confusion etched on her face. Who would be trying to give her a message? “Okay then,” she said skeptically, “what's the message? Oh, and what’s your name?”

“Starlight,” the cat—Starlight—said quietly. “And the cat who asked me to give you the message said, ‘I am alive, please come to Heartfire, Bloodmoon, I miss you.’ I think. She looked like you but backwards.” Starlight said. Bloodmoon? She couldn’t be alive? “Heart—Heartfire?” Bloodmoon stuttered, momentarily shocked enough that she was almost unable to speak. She looked at Four, who nodded. “It is possible. Heartfire has been known to rescue sacrifices if they hear of them. Or trade in order to rescue. I'm not completely sure honestly, but what I'm trying to say is we should go visit her." She turned to Starlight. “Why did you become a Self?”

Starlight shuffled their paws, gazing downward. “The Kingdom didn’t want me after my Dropletdancer skills weren’t strong enough to be helpful, and I didn't want to be part of a fire group.” Four nodded sympathetically. ‘So, um—have you ever considered rebelling against the Kingdom? We are hoping to, erm, do that and are looking for some cats to help- especially magical talents?’ she said awkwardly. Starlight looked up, surprised. “I’d like to help!” they said, smiling. Four smiled too, and Bloodmoon tried to. Suddenly, a voice interrupted. ‘Who are you and what are you doing here?’ Shadowform hissed as he walked towards the three of them. “Oh, Shadow, it's fine. This is our newest recruit for the rebellion!” Four said, practically bouncing over to him. Shadowform looked at her grumpily but nodded. “Okay,” he said, trying not to smile as she twined her tail with his. Bloodmoon leaped over to them. “Can we… uh… go visit Heartfire? I know you know ways in, Shadowform,” she said, giving him a look. He shuffled on his paws slightly, with a mildly annoyed expression. “Yes, yes, I know ways in. But we’ll have to wait a little while. Maybe in… three nights.” 

“Fine,” Bloodmoon replied, then turned to Starlight. “Would you… like to stay with us until then? You can come with us, especially if you want to join our rebellion!” Starlight looked up, their eyes brightening. “Yes, please!” they said, quietly stepping over to where the group was now standing. Bloodmoon looked at them properly for the first time and noticed bright flecks of silvery color in their fur, and the fact that they had eyes the same color. “Oh!” she said quietly. Starlight looked worried. “What is it?” Bloodmoon turned her head away. “Sorry, just your eyes; they’re a really nice gold.” Starlight looked surprised, as if they weren’t used to compliments. “Oh—thanks?”

CHAPTER FIVE- THREE NIGHTS LATER

Come on, come on, let's go! I really want to see Bluemoon!

“We're coming! Calm down!”

Well, can’t Shadowform at least move a little faster? I need him to show me where to go next!”

“Yes, fine, I'm COMING!”

The long journey to the wall had been exhausting, but Bloodmoon was eager to see Bluemoon. It had been so long, and she would be an adult now! Bloodmoon gasped as a thought struck her. What if her sister… had a mate? A Heartfire cat? She shook her head. No time to think about that now! She had to get through this stupid wall! Shadowform had finally gone ahead and was heading into another of the tunnels. “This is the last one!” he called back to her as she trotted to catch up to him. She pushed her head through a curtain of leaves at the other side of the tunnel. Bright moonlight flooded her vision as she surveyed the Heartfire camp. It was much more beautiful than the Moonfire area and had rainbows of flowers, vines, and other amazing things around the den entrances. Starlight pushed a little ahead of her and nodded at her to follow. They silently jumped onto a higher ledge covered with soft moss and pointed with their tail at the den entrance there. “There?” Bloodmoon whispered, and they nodded once more. She leapt up beside them and cautiously, quietly stepped into the den. A shadowy form lay at the back, with a white nose, ears, tail, and paws creating a striking contrast. A larger cat was positioned nearer the front, her ginger and brown body pressed against the side of the den. Three kittens slept peacefully by her, their small bodies happily squashed together. Is this… a nursery?! Bloodmoon’s eyes widened as she carefully crept over to her sleeping sister. “Blue?” The small she-cat awoke, her ice-blue eyes looking up at Bloodmoon. She let out a small gasp. “Bloodmoon! I can’t believe—oh my goodness, you're here!” Bloodmoon nodded, smiling. Bluemoon sat up quickly to greet her, but in the process disturbed a little caramel shape. Is that a kit? Is that… Bluemoon’s kit?!?! She looked back at her sister, who looked down at the slowly awakening kitten. “Oh!” She turned her eyes back to Bloodmoon. “This is… well, she’s my kit,” she laughed, sounding slightly worried. “This is Altair.” Altair raised her eyes to look at Bloodmoon. They were a striking, deep purple that Bloodmoon hadn’t thought could exist in nature. And as she gazed at the young cat, she had the odd feeling that there was something about her… special… important… powerful.

 PART ONE COMPLETE

 PART TWO COMING SOON …