RAGEOUS WORLD: ECHO'S SHADOW

Part 2 , Chapter 8: The Gathering

The moon hung high in the sky as WarmClan made their way through the dense forest. Blossomsun, their fiery Rageous Fury leader, led the group with her head held high. Echopaw trotted nervously at her side, trying to look as confident as her leader. Behind them, Thornstrike's scarred form moved silently, his presence commanding.

Gakota padded alongside her siblings, Duskpaw and Dawnpaw, their tails flicking with anticipation. This was their first Gathering, and the glowing bioluminescent clearing of the FourClans awaited them.

"Stick close, all of you," Mto, their father, said in a low voice. "And remember, you represent WarmClan."

The forest opened up into a breathtaking sight. The Glowing FourClans was alive with shimmering blue and green light, radiating from the towering, glowing plants that surrounded the clearing. Dragons from the other clans-Cold Wind Clan, Aqua Clan, and Dark Hill Clan-were already gathered.

WarmClan's arrival drew attention as Blossomsun led her dragons into the clearing. She strode confidently to the center, where the other leaders waited: Nyeupe of Cold Wind Clan, with his frosty gaze and regal posture; AidenStar of Aqua Clan, sleek and composed; and Usiku of Dark Hill Clan, brooding in the shadows.

Blossomsun dipped her head in greeting. "WarmClan has arrived," she announced.

The other leaders nodded, and the Gathering began. As was tradition, each leader stepped forward to share news of their clan.

AidenStar of Aqua Clan spoke first, his voice smooth and steady. "Aqua Clan has had a plentiful season. Prey is abundant in the rivers, and our warriors grow stronger with every sunrise. Our waters remain clear of any threat, and our hatchlings thrive."

Nyeupe of Cold Wind Clan stepped forward next, his tone sharp. "Cold Wind Clan has been strong through the season. However, we warn all clans to stay clear of our borders. There have been disturbances, and we will not tolerate trespassers." His icy glare swept across the other leaders, lingering briefly on Blossomsun.

Blossomsun returned his gaze with unflinching confidence before stepping forward to share WarmClan's news. Her voice was calm yet commanding as she addressed the gathered dragons.

"WarmClan thrives under the blessings of the stars. Our warriors remain strong, and our healers work tirelessly to ensure the health of our clan. I also have the honor of introducing two new apprentices tonight: Echopaw, who trains as my apprentice, and Gakota, who has already shown great promise in her training."

Echopaw felt a wave of pride as Blossomsun's gaze briefly met hers. Gakota stood a little straighter, her eyes flicking nervously toward the crowd of gathered dragons.

"But that is not all," Blossomsun continued. "Our hunting grounds have been bountiful, and our warriors-particularly Frosthawk, Mto, and Arcade-have ensured our stores remain full even as the season begins to turn. Additionally, Shinepaw, one of our healers-in-training, has made significant progress under the guidance of Kuma. We are proud of the strides our young dragons are making."

Murmurs rippled through the gathering at Blossomsun's words. A few dragons from Aqua Clan nodded in approval, while Nyeupe's expression remained cold and unreadable.

As the leaders finished their announcements, the dragons began to mingle. Apprentices from different clans cautiously approached one another, curious yet wary.

Echopaw found herself standing beside Gakota, Duskpaw, and Dawnpaw, their tails flicking nervously as they glanced at the other clans.

"Do you think they're all watching us?" Echopaw whispered.

"Probably," Duskpaw muttered with a smirk. "But let them. We'll show them WarmClan is the best."

"Duskpaw, don't cause trouble," Dawnpaw warned, though her tone was light.

Gakota's gaze was distant as she scanned the clearing. "There's a lot of tension tonight," she murmured.

Before Echopaw could respond, a voice cut through the quiet. "WarmClan sure likes to boast."

They turned to see an apprentice from Cold Wind Clan standing nearby, his icy blue scales shimmering in the light. His smirk was cold and calculating.

"What did you say?" Duskpaw snapped, stepping forward.

"Duskpaw, don't," Gakota said sharply, stepping between them. "We're here for peace."

The Cold Wind apprentice smirked but said nothing more, stepping back into the crowd.

Echopaw exhaled in relief. "That was close."

"Too close," Gakota agreed. "We need to stay focused."

The rest of the Gathering passed without further incident, though the tension in the air was palpable. As WarmClan left the glowing clearing and made their way back through the forest, Echopaw glanced at Gakota.

"Do you think all Gatherings will be this intense?" she asked quietly.

Gakota smirked. "I hope not. But if they are, at least we'll be ready."

Blossomsun's voice carried through the group as she led them back to their territory. "You all did well tonight. Keep your heads high-WarmClan stands strong."

Echopaw felt a flicker of pride despite the unease lingering in her chest. The night had been a test, and she knew it was only the beginning of her journey.