Clouds cover the sky. The world is washed in grey. Fog fills the air.
"Brr." Says a golden she cat.
"It is quite cold." Agrees a dark tom.
A group of about ten cats walk down a hard, black trail. Nofur dens line the trail.
The cats are thin, clearly starved, their eyes dull with exhaustion.
"We need to stop soon." A brown tom with black and white stripes says.
"Do you see anywhere we can stop?" A dark tabby snarls at him.
The brown tom looks angrily at him. The dark she cat walking beside the tom looks apologetic.
"You shouldn't treat him like dirt, Wildtalon." She says.
He only glances at her, not wanting to argue.
They soon reach the end of the path. A bigger path goes horizontal to the one they walk. Across the path, a skinny, sandy trail leads to what is assumed to be a hill, though a faint roar can be heard.
"What do you think, Prophet?" A small gray and white spotted tom asks.
"I told you to call me Ruststripe," the tom says, his orangey stripes practically glowing despite the lack of sun, "It's up to Wildtalon. I'm sure there is no wrong answer."
"But there could be a wrong answer." The brown and black tabby mutters.
"We go straight," Wildtalon decides,
"You need to have more faith in me, Sparrowpelt." He adds to the tabby.
Sparrowpelt only gives him a mutinous glare.
"It's a wonder you became deputy." Someone says to Sparrowpelt.
The cats look to the left, then right, and cross the path hurriedly. They walk down the sandy path to an arch.
"White place." One cat gasps.
All the cats are silent as they look at the hill of white sand before them. To the sides it seems to last forever. Ahead of them, roaring water advances and retreats repeatedly on the sand.
"Yes... We're close." Ruststripe says.
"To the End?" The grey and white tom asks excitedly.
Ruststripe only nods hesitantly.
"What are we waiting for?" A black kitten with one stripe down his spine and tail races forward.
"Badgerkit!" Ruststripe calls after him.
The grey and white tom races after the kit with several other on his heels.
Wildtalon follows, looking furious at their overtaking him.
Ruststripe smiles, walking after them. An older cat walks beside him, her grey pelt dull, but joy shines in her eyes.
"This is the happiest they've been in moons." She says, her legs shaking under her.
"Yes." Ruststripe agrees, looking in dismay as the elder falls to the sand.
"I'm sorry I can't make it." She whispers.
"You made it to the Eve of End, and that is close enough for me." He nuzzles her cheek, tears brimming in his eyes as the she cat closes her eyes.
"Goodbye, mother."
