The den was made up of a strangely hollow bush, there were still quite a few branches sticking out to support the leafy green walls but it was, like most things in Firecamp, unnatural. Streak initially shrugged it off as one of the many wonders of Forpire but now she wondered how these kinds of powers work - and if they’re even real. Streak let her mind wander as she curled herself into a ball on her moss and feather bedding. If the empires really existed, which Streak had no doubt they did, how come she never saw them? Surely the forest can’t be that big? Streak shuddered at the thought of perhaps getting lost in the giant green wonderland, but her thoughts quickly turned back to the empires. 

Why are they called what they are? Forpire can control the plants of the forest, Seapire can manipulate water and Windpire can choose which way the wind blows. Streak knew this much from what the others have told her. Why Firecamp then... If Firecamp one day became Firepire would she and the others control flame? All the hair on her back rose, fire can kill anything; it’s evil. She’d seen fire burn down an entire nofur den with her own eyes was she was still a kit, she hoped that no creature would ever have to meet the fate of the red flames.

Streak looked up and peered through the roof’s leaves, she assumed it was just passed sunhigh, the middle of the day, nonetheless a good time to sleep. Streak rested her head and shut her eyes, as cold darkness swept over her.

His dreams were full of happy hunting and playing. She'd woken up twice but each time decided that she wished to sleep some more so she closed her eyes and nuzzle her face into her soft bedding until sleep took her again.

She chased after something; she didn’t know what. She ran through the unfamiliar forest, as she ran she saw trees and smelled scents recent to her. It was where Burn and her went hunting. She wanted to stop and analyze the area but her paws moved on their own, forcing her forward. Soon she came upon the entrance of the Firecamp but before entering she swung right, carrying herself to Rise Cliff. She was just here not long ago but this time, terror struck through as she pelted at full speed, ‘Stop, STOP!’ she pleaded her body, ‘I beg of you! Stop!’ but no words escaped her mouth.

Once the trees were no longer protecting her from the heat of the sun and she felt her paws touch the stone her eyes slammed shut, she ran almost to the ledge and then abruptly stopped. She saw the night sky fall above the forest that continued on the other side of the revine. She looked down slightly, seeing that she was still a few pounces away from the edge. Her shoulders relaxed and she let out a breath she’d been holding since she stepped on Rise Cliff. She peered up, though she hadn’t done it on purpose, it was hot, it felt as if the sun was beating down on her thick fur. But there was no sun, only a full moon surrounded by stars.

Just ahead of her sat a dark gold tabby, dimmed by the night. He starred in the same direction as her, watching the stars. He then turned toward her revealing a white underbelly and green eyes shining bright under the moon. “Earth will be defeated, and saved by the new only to be destroyed by fire.” The tabby’s eyes seemed to apologize for wounds yet to come despite the brave face he attempted. Streak opened her mouth to speak only to be greeted with the taste of charred destruction, “12,000 moons.” he finished and turned back to the ravine. For a moment Streak feared he would jump down, ‘Wait!’ she called but to her relief and confusion the tabby jumped into the air and hopped up onto nothing, he continued as if he climbed an invisible rock, vanishing behind a cloud.

Streak woke up with a start and a soft paw prodding her side, “You were mewing in your sleep.” Shine sat beside her, “I could’ve sworn you were shouting, I could hear you from the main den.” the yellow molly picked up a forepaw to help groom her face.

Streak forced herself onto her paws, “I only had a weird dream.” she explained, shuttering from the memory of what just happened.

“How’d it end?” Shine’s question didn’t seem as strange as it did when she first arrived at the camp. As Streak came to realize; when any creature mentioned a dream someone would ask about the ending before asking about the rest. She had shrugged it off as a strange forest creature thing.

Steak looked at Shine, who still nonchalantly groomed herself. “Strange,” she said, “A cat I’d never seen before jumped off of Rise Cliff and into the sky.” Streak shrugged, but she noticed the yellow cat stopped grooming mid lick, her tongue still out as she turned to Streak, eyes widening. “We must tell Flame.”

Shine sped out of the den, Streak rubbed her dreary eyes with her forepaw and followed her. “Shine, what’s wrong?” she questioned but Shine didn’t stop. They ran to Flame’s cave, Shine entered quickly but Streak slowed her pace, cautiously entering her leader’s den.

“Shine?” Flame looked towards her friend, her head turned to focus Streak who was clearly confused.

“Streak might have received a message.” the yellow molly explained.

Flame tucked her paws underneath her belly fur, “What happened?” her eyes fixed on the gray she cat.

Streak felt a breath on her ear, “Your dream.” Shine whispered to her.

Streak looked at Shine and then back to Flame, “I was running through the forest,” she started, “I didn’t recognize it until I reached the place where Burn and I hunted this morning.” Streak explained her dream in great detail, as if it were almost real. When all her words came out, she pondered why she had to tell Flame, ‘Did it have something to do with the cat jumping into the sky?’ she asked herself silently.

“Streak.” Flame’s bark broke through her thoughts, “Your dream was sent from Nightpire.” The she wolf explained.

“This means we’re on our way to become an empire!” Shine was now giddy with the thought of being an official empire.

“Yes,” Flame confirmed, “But I’ve also had messages of the time being stated at the end before; ‘12,000 moons’ and the lack of control...” she took a breath and locked eyes with Streak, “This is a prophecy.”

“Earth will be defeated, and saved by the new only to be destroyed by fire.” Streak repeated, what could it mean?

“Prophecies always repeat themselves,” Flame said, “and it’s been 100 years since the last time this happened… 12,000 moons..” Flame sat up and straightened her back to sit tall, “Streak and I will lay on Rise Cliff tonight. Maybe we’ll get more information if we’re closer to Nightpire.” she said hopefully.

“Well,” Streak stated, “It’s safe to assume the fire is either us or an actual flame.”

“And that the Earth mentioned is Earthpire.” Flame continued after her.

“The sun will set soon,” Shine warned, seeming suddenly uncomfortable.

“Then we’ll go now.” Flame stepped out of her cave, leaving Streak to follow her. 

Streak opened her mouth to ask Shine what was wrong but she shut it quickly and rushed to catch up with her leader.