A cold breeze ruffled Starfaith's fur as she padded through the night alongside Silverberry. As they crossed the moor, she raised her head to the stars. The moon hung in the dark sky, half concealed in shadow. She breathed in the cool air, feeling refreshed and at peace. Everything will be made clear after tonight. I can feel it.

It seemed to take no time at all for them to reach highstones. The other medicine cats were already gathered outside the tunnel. Dewstorm was sitting in front of the other medicine cats, looking solemn. Otterpelt, Ryeheart, and Spicewhisker's heads were low. He must have just told them about Hawkfeather. She thought sadly.

When the WindClan cats joined the others, Spicewhisker dipped his head. "This will be our first meeting without Hawkfeather," He meowed quietly.

"Yes," Silverberry agreed solemnly, and they were silent for a long moment. Starfaith noticed a small silver and black tabby she-cat beside Otterpelt, and at the same moment, Silverberry spoke again. "Who is this?"

As every cat looked at the stranger, she shuffled her paws uncomfortably, her green eyes filled with anxiety. 

Otterpelt looked down at her and let out a purr. "This is my new apprentice, Sagepaw." She noticed her discomfort and added gently, "Don't worry, these cats are all friendly."

"H-hello," Sagepaw meowed quietly and nervously, slowly straightening.

I remember when I was that nervous about my first moonstone meeting. Starfaith thought with a pang of sympathy for the young she-cat. "It's nice to meet you, Sagepaw," She purred. "You're going to love being a medicine cat."

"Starfaith is right," Dewstorm added warmly. "There is no greater gift than the ability to heal and speak to StarClan." 

Sagepaw ducked her head shyly as every cat looked at her. 

Ryeheart shuddered. "Chilly tonight, isn't it?" He commented, saving Sagepaw from further awkwardness.

"It is. We should go inside where we're sheltered from the wind." With a flick of her tail, Otterpelt turned and led the way into the tunnel, Sagepaw close behind. Spicewhisker, Ryeheart, and Silverberry fell in one by one behind her. 

Starfaith paused at the entrance and turned to Dewstorm. He leaned forward and rested his chin on her head, purring. "I'm sorry we haven't seen each other in a while."

"It's alright," She meowed warmly and licked his shoulder before stepping back. "Has Bloomfire kitted?"

He nodded and stepped into the tunnel, and she followed. "Yes, a few days ago," He meowed as she padded behind him. "Everything went well. She's had four healthy kits."

"That's wonderful!" Starfaith purred as they reached the cave. "I told you that everything would be alright."

She and Dewstorm sat near Spicewhisker and looked toward the RiverClan medicine cats. Sagepaw's ceremony was about to begin. Otterpelt sat before the glowing stone, the light turning her reddish pelt into a pale orange. Sagepaw stared, her eyes wide and filled with awe. 

"Sagepaw, is it your wish to enter the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?" Otterpelt asked as she gazed at the apprentice.

"It is," She breathed.

"Then come forward." When Sagepaw did so, Otterpelt continued. "Warriors of StarClan, I present you with this apprentice. She has chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant her your wisdom and insight so that she may understand your ways and heal her Clan in accordance with your will."

As Sagepaw let out a purr, Otterpelt stood. "It's time to speak with StarClan," She meowed and crouched in her usual spot. "Come, touch your nose to the moonstone."

The new apprentice slowly joined her mentor, her eyes round. As Otterpelt continued instructing her softly, the other cats took their places around the moonstone. 

Starfaith lowered herself onto her belly, aware of Dewstorm and Silverberry crouching on either side of her a few steps away. She met his warm yellow gaze before closing her eyes. StarClan will reveal the meaning of the prophecy tonight. She thought. I know that they will. She leaned forward and rested her nose against the icy surface of the stone.

An earsplitting crackle of thunder screeched in her ears, and she snapped open her eyes, letting out a horrified gasp. Wind raged around her violently, and she dug her claws into the stone under her out of fear of being blown away. What's going on? This isn't StarClan! 

She looked around, squinting as wind blew into her face without mercy. She realized that she was at highstones, just outside the cave. It was dark above, but she couldn't see a star in sight. She looked up desperately for her warrior ancestors, but saw nothing but a black, empty sky. Even the moon was absent. 

She breathed inward in shock only to feel swift, cold air rush down her throat, and she staggered backwards, coughing and gasping for air. Suddenly, something crashed into her, throwing her down against the rocks, and she looked up to see the shadowy shape of a cat standing over her, yellow eyes blazing with hatred. 

"What-" Starfaith gasped against the roaring of the wind and stared in horror as more shadowy shapes raced out of the darkness and lunged for her, claws out and teeth bared in fury. She struggled desperately, but countless cats were on her, digging their teeth and claws into her and ripping at her flesh. 

"No! StarClan, help me!" She shrieked as the shadowy cats tore at her, blood trickling from massive, horrible wounds and forming a sticky crimson pool under her. "Stop!" 

One of the cats sneered at her and raised an unsheathed paw, swinging at her face, and terror and pain swept over her as her vision disappeared, and she saw nothing but blackness.

***

"No!" Starfaith jolted awake and shot up onto her paws, her eyes snapping open as she staggered backwards, breathing heavily.

Silverberry shot to her side. "Starfaith?" She gasped in alarm. "What's wrong?"

She couldn't respond. She trembled uncontrollably, the nightmare vivid in her mind, and she stared at the floor of the cave, frozen with shock. They killed me... They tore me apart...

The other medicine cats were awakening around her. Dewstorm saw what was happening and raced to her, his yellow eyes lit with fierce concern. "Starfaith!" He exclaimed. "What happened?"

"I..." She couldn't speak. She let out a whimper and sank onto the floor of the cave, wrapping her tail around herself. Silverberry crouched by her side and began lapping at her fur in an attempt to comfort her. Dewstorm sat by her other side and stared down at her anxiously, longing to do something, but unable to due to the presence of the others.

"What's going on?" Ryeheart stepped toward them, and Spicewhisker followed, looking worried. Sagepaw was behind them, excitedly telling Otterpelt about her first meeting with StarClan. But when they noticed Starfaith's condition, they hurried over to her.

She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to calm herself. Silverberry stopped licking her and stared at her anxiously. "What happened?" She whispered. "What did you see?"

My own death... Starfaith trembled. I am the star that will die... She looked toward the tunnel. Out there, I will die... But when? In a few moons? When I'm old and training an apprentice?

Tonight?

"Starfaith?" Silverberry prompted worriedly.

She blinked and looked up to see every cat staring at her anxiously. "I... I'll be fine." She struggled to sound strong, pushing away her fear. She slowly sat up. "I'm sorry." She looked at her former mentor, having difficulty focusing on her face. "I-I'll tell you about it when we get back to camp."

"Alright..." Her mentor stared at her and touched her shoulder with her tail. "Let's go. You'll feel better once you're back at camp."

No... Starfaith looked toward the moonstone. I'm so frightened... I want to see StarClan. I need them more than ever...

Silverberry gently nudged her to her paws, but she only stumbled and slumped back down, her muscles tense with shock.

"She's in shock," Dewstorm meowed worriedly. "She needs time to calm down. I want to stay here with her and talk to her about it." He turned to the other medicine cats. "You can start heading back to your camps, we'll catch up with you."

Ryeheart blinked. "What? Leave without you two when she's in this condition?"

"Why should you stay with her?" Silverberry turned on the ShadowClan medicine cat, her eyes flashing. "She's my clanmate!"

"Let him stay!" Starfaith rasped, hardly caring at this point if her mentor found out about she and Dewstorm. She wanted his comfort and to be alone with him. "Please."

The silver she-cat's eyes flashed with surprise. She glanced at Dewstorm, then back down at her. A feeling of cold dread washed over Starfaith, adding on to her stress. She sees it now. She knows.

She was surprised and relieved when Silverberry only slowly dipped her head. "Alright," She murmured, resting her gaze on Starfaith's. "We'll talk about it when you get back." She glanced at Dewstorm. "All of it." After a moment, concern filled her expression again. "Are you sure you'll be alright?"

"I'll be fine," Starfaith murmured. For now... "I'll see you back at camp."

Her former mentor stared at her for a long moment. Then she turned away, gesturing to the others with her tail. "Come on. Starfaith and Dewstorm will catch up with us."

Ryeheart dipped his head to them as he followed her, and Spicewhisker paused in front of them. "I hope you're alright, Starfaith." He meowed, then gave Dewstorm a nod. "Take care." He turned away, and Otterpelt and Sagepaw watched them for a moment before following. 

The medicine cats slipped through the tunnel. Silverberry was about to follow them when she hesitated, looking over her shoulder at Starfaith worriedly. 

She cares about me so much. She's known me since I was just a kit dreaming of the stars. She forced a purr and blinked warmly at her. Silverberry's eyes softened, and she looked away, following the others through the tunnel. Starfaith and Dewstorm stayed alone in silence for a moment.

She let out a shaky sigh, and Dewstorm crouched by her side and pressed himself against her, licking her fur repeatedly. "What happened?" He asked anxiously between licks. "I've never seen you like this."

"I... It's nothing." Starfaith rested against him, trying to keep herself from trembling.

"StarClan showed you something, and it's scared you out of your pelt," Dewstorm meowed quietly. "I can see that. Please, tell me what happened."

She shook her head miserably. "I can't," She rasped. "You just have to trust me." I can't tell him that I'm going to die. I just can't. Nothing can be done about it. This is my fate.

Dewstorm stared at her, his yellow eyes lit with love and concern. But he didn't question her any further and wrapped his tail around her. "Just relax, it's alright," He murmured. "It was just a dream. You're safe."

She closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulder. They stayed like that for a long while until she found herself calming down, comforted by his scent and the feeling of his warm body against hers. She drew in a deep breath and slowly sat up. "We should go," She meowed quietly. "You need to get back to ShadowClan."

"Are you well enough to travel?" Dewstorm asked as he stood, touching his nose to her ear. "I can go with you to WindClan if you want."

Starfaith hesitated. She would feel much safer if he went with her. But he had already made the journey to highstones, and he still needed to make the return trip to ShadowClan. He'd be exhausted. He should get back to his camp as soon as possible. "That's alright," She meowed quietly. "Your clan needs you."

"Alright, if you're sure..." Dewstorm stayed by her side as they crossed the cave toward the tunnel. She stepped through the dark tunnel, and he followed close behind. When they emerged on the other side, Starfaith peered out warily.

This is where I was in my dream... The rocky ledges of highstones were dark and shadowy in the night. The sky was dark against the rocks and the treeline in the distance. Crickets chirped softly in the grass. There wasn't a cat in sight. She slowly relaxed and stepped out. 

Dewstorm padded to her side and looked at her worriedly. "Are you sure you'll be alright?" He asked quietly. "You know you can tell me anything."

She met his gaze, feeling a rush of guilt. I don't want to hide anything from you. But this is something that would be too difficult to handle. For both of us. "I'll be alright," She murmured, partially speaking to herself as well.

He studied her uncertainly, then slowly nodded. "We can talk about it another time," He meowed quietly. "Whenever you're ready." He flicked his tail. "Let's go. Silverberry will be waiting for you."

Starfaith nodded, and they began padding down the rocky slope. They hadn't gotten far when the bushes rustled behind them. She spun, and at that same moment, weight crashed into her, knocking the air out of her and pinning her onto her side.

StarClan, no! Her heart exploded with panic, and the world blurred around her. It's happening. Claws dug into her shoulders, and her eyes flashed upward to see a white tom standing over her, his yellow eyes blazing with maliciousness. Beyond him, she caught a glimpse of Dewstorm gasping under two other cats who snarled and clawed at him.

The white tom swung down at her, and hot pain seared her chest as his claws tore at her skin. She shrieked out and struggled helplessly, unable to free herself. She was a medicine cat with very little battle training. On top of that, she was a thin, delicate cat. She had no hope of fighting off a savage rogue.

Dewstorm's yowl of pain caught her attention, and she jerked her head toward him. Dewstorm! One of his attackers had slashed his claws across his shoulder, sending him stumbling backwards, blood trickling down his forearm from the deep wounds. He caught Starfaith's eye and started toward her on three paws, only to have the second rogue lunge at him and throw him down onto the rocks. The first attacker sneered and raised his claws, his attention on Dewstorm's throat.

No! I'm supposed to die tonight, not him! Terror and desperation gave her the strength she needed to pull free from the white rogue. She ignored the pain in her chest as she raced for Dewstorm, cannoning into the rogue before he could strike his throat. 

As the cat huffed out in surprise, Starfaith staggered and snarled, trembling as she faced him. Behind her, Dewstorm had pulled himself to his paws, leaping at the other rogue. 

Starfaith's breath caught in her throat as she recognized his dark tabby fur and glaring yellow eyes. No...!

"I told you I'd make you pay," He sneered.

"Tornadowind!" She choked in disbelief. Before she had time to react or question this, heavy weight slammed down onto her back claws tearing down her spine, and she gasped as her paws gave way under her, and her jaw hit the rocks hard, her teeth clanging together and sending a sharp, throbbing pain through her skull. 

The weight vanished as teeth closed around her scruff, and she gasped as she was thrown clear across the ground. She rolled against a large rock and groaned in pain. Oh, StarClan...! She tried to pull herself to her paws, only to fall back to the ground. Her back and chest felt sticky and hot with blood.

She realized that the white tom and Tornadowind were stalking toward her, ready to finish her off. The third rogue tossed Dewstorm aside and spat at him before following his companions. 

The ShadowClan cat's fur trickled with blood, and he staggered backwards. Run! Starfaith silently shrieked at him. Get out of here! 

But the moment he saw all three rogues closing in on her, he let out a yowl. "Starfaith!" He stumbled as quickly as he could across the rocks and in the way of the rogues, crouching over her and snarling defiantly.

"No!" She croaked. "We'll both die!" She wasn't sure if he heard her, and didn't get a chance to find out as the rogues lunged for Dewstorm. 

The white tom dragged him away from Starfaith and threw him onto his back, raising his claws and swinging down. Dewstorm screeched out in agony as claws tore open his stomach, blood spurting out of the fresh wound.

"Dewstorm!" She shrieked and tried to pull herself toward him with her front paws, feeling her pads sticky with blood. Before she could get far, The other rogue lunged down at her and buried his teeth into her flank, flesh blood gushing out and running down her belly. 

She cried out and looked up weakly, her vision blurring and spotted with black. Tornadowind stood over her, his eyes lit with malice. He raised his claws and swung down at her. Sharp agony blazed across her throat like fire, and a heartbeat later, everything went black.

***

"Starfaith..."

She slowly opened her eyes, bracing herself to face Tornadowind and the rogues. But she wasn't at highstones anymore, though she was still laying on her side, twisted in an awkward position. She slowly turned onto her stomach, feeling warm grass under her. She felt no pain, and when she looked down, her fur was soft and clean of blood. She raised her paw to her throat cautiously. There wasn't a scratch on her.

"Starfaith."

She raised her head and saw Dreamwhisper standing over her, her eyes soft with love and sadness. On either side of her stood Weaselnose and Sunripple. Beyond them, she saw Hivepelt, Icetail, and even Hawkfeather, their pelts shimmering with starlight. When she looked down, she realized that her own fur twinkled with stars.

"I'm dead..." Starfaith murmured as she slowly stood and met her mother's gaze. "I'm in StarClan."

Dreamwhisper nodded solemnly. "It's never an easy truth to accept," She meowed softly. "But it won't be long before you call this place your home." She started to turn away, waving her bright tail. "Come."

"Wait..." She stared after her. "What about Dewstorm? Is he alright?"

Her mother turned to her again, her eyes hesitant and full of sadness. "I'm very sorry. He'll be joining us shortly."

"What?" Starfaith's heart skipped a beat. "No! He can't die!"

Dreamwhisper stepped closer and gently touched her shoulder with her soft tail. "His wounds are too severe," She murmured. "He is alone. He will join StarClan before any cat finds him."

Beyond her, Hawkfeather lowered his head, his eyes filled with sorrow. "ShadowClan will be left without a medicine cat," He meowed solemnly.

"That can't happen!" Starfaith exclaimed, her mind racing with panic. "StarClan cats can visit the living. I can go to ShadowClan and tell Depthstar about Dewstorm."

Hivepelt's eyes widened. "You can't interfere with fate. You know that."

"Dewstorm is not meant to die tonight. I know it!" She looked at the StarClan warriors desperately. "Please, let me save Dewstorm," She pleaded. "I must at least try."

Dreamwhisper exchanged an uncertain look with Hivepelt. She waited, staring at them impatiently. Dewstorm is dying right now! Hurry!

"Very well," Hivepelt murmured. "You may try."

Thank StarClan! Starfaith thought in relief and turned away, determination and fear blazing through her. Dewstorm will not die tonight. I won't let him.