ivypool_by_ivylight-d5v3hda

Here’s Hazel and Anthracite’s level 1 to 2 writing, I posted it a link to it on the discord but I should put it here too. And yes I was planning on leveling them up via rp posts but it took too much effort on my part

Hazel Level Up: 1 -> 2
Hazel stared at the small sparks of fire dancing around his paws. Powers, He thought, tilting his head. So that god…Pilate…he wasn’t lying when he said that we’d get powers. He never thought he’d get something as interesting as this – Fire and Nature powers. After all, he was an average Haningan soldier who had devoted all his energy and strength to the army – loyal to Haninga, proud of his heritage, and all of that. So why? Was it the connection to his homeland, or was it just a coincidence?

His gaze turning to the screeching griffin that had been summoned, he grimaced. But these powers…at the moment they’re so weak. How am I supposed to do anything? But all around him, he noticed other cats, fighting the griffin. Even the ones with powers that Hazel himself thought of as somewhat inferior…at least most of them were doing something. If we’re supposed to use our powers to defeat it…together…then would we stand a chance?

Rearing back, he aimed a blow at the creature – only for him to miss, tumbling away into a darker corner of the wide room. Getting to his paws, the Haningan huffed, his claws still unsheathed. He sat back at his haunches, brushing off the dust on his pelt. How could he have missed? His gaze scanned the room, his eyes narrowing – there was too many cats attacking it at once. Even with their practically useless powers, He thought grimly, though a hint of a smirk was on his face.

Nearby him was a small, withering plant. His ears pricking up, he took a few steps towards it, avoiding the fighting. That’s right. I also have nature powers. Focusing in on the decaying stem, he attempted to make it grow – the stem gradually began to pick itself up, as if it had just been touched by the sun. And I’m its sun.

Struggling to keep the plant growing, he let out an exhausted sigh, his tail drooping. I can’t even make anything grow that much, He deduced, turning away from it. I don’t suppose the greenery here will be doing much good around here, will it? Upon catching sight of the flickering flames once more, he let out a suppressed hiss, baring his teeth.

“What good is having dangerous powers if they don’t do anything to anyone?”

Forcing his fur to flatten, he kept his claws unsheathed. How am I supposed to practice these powers in the middle of a fight? He wondered, feeling a twinge of irritation in his chest. How are these powers supposed to do anything during a fight now? These flames don’t do anything but dance, and what good is a plant against a griffin? However, he knew that these questions wouldn’t get answered. The only thing I’m good at is using my brute force. So that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

Taking another swipe at the griffin, Hazel aimed for its belly, hoping to wound it terribly. Instead, the griffin noticed Hazel, its narrow eyes sharp – it lashed out at Hazel, striking his flank before he could even land a hit. Yelping in pain, he stumbled back, his eyes wide at the now bleeding wounds he had just received.

I…I couldn’t even land a single hit on it. His tongue rasping against the fresh wounds, he let his shoulders slump. Useless fire powers. Useless nature powers. Useless me.

He noticed two other cats attacking the griffin – one small dark chocolate tabby and a much larger grey tabby. Hazel didn’t remember either of them from the first Test – did they arrive during the second wait? It didn’t matter much, to Hazel at least. The grey tabby’s body was flickering in the shadows, sneaking behind the griffin – she soon pounced, distracting the griffin as the smaller tom scratched the griffin’s stomach. As the griffin began to inflict damage upon the two, Hazel turned away, unable to watch.

Those two…they aren’t even using their powers that much, are they? Except for that grey tabby, but… Wrapping his tail around his paws, he let out a sigh. Even without using the powers, everyone else knows their place. And how to contribute. But me?

I’m just here.

Anthracite Level Up: 1 -> 2
Anthracite always thought that they were a nuisance to the cats around them. It was no secret to them, this being one of the few things they could remember off the top of their head. Despite losing most of their memory and leaving that old life behind them, Anthracite found themself believing this more than half of the time.

…The powers they were given during the Tests did not help with this mindset, either.
★ ★ ★
Upon hearing Rostrata’s yelp, Anthracite twisted around, their gaze wide. What was that for? And is she alright? Anthracite had found it weird, being concerned for another cat – they had been living outside the districts on their own for so long that it was hard to find the heart to care for others. Rostrata glared at Anthracite, her gaze hard.

“What was that for?” She snapped, huffing. Anthracite recoiled, baffled. Just what is she getting on my case for now? I thought we agreed to communicate with one another?

Before Anthracite could whip up a snippy retort, they glanced down at their paws – maybe they accidentally poked Rostrata with their claws? Rather than being relieved to see that their claws had in fact been sheathed, Anthracite held back a horrified gasp upon seeing the crackling on their paws – it was faint, but it was definitely there. Rostrata let out an excited squeal, her once irate demeanor suddenly vanishing.

“Right, didn’t that cat say something about powers? That must be yours!”

“So I have Electric and Healing powers. Big deal,” They muttered in reply, though Rostrata thankfully didn’t seem to hear. It is a big deal. Because instead of just being a nuisance like I’ve always been, now I could actually become a threat to others.
★ ★ ★
Sitting nearby the flowing stream, Anthracite watched as Rostrata took a sip from it. They couldn’t exactly bring themself to drink or eat after witnessing the events of the last test. Those two cats…they died. And even though I’m supposed to be able to heal, I didn’t do anything… Of course, they knew it wasn’t their fault. While they were an expert at finding ways to blame themself for anything and everything, they tried their best to avoid it. Still, in this situation, they still felt that they could have done something.

Glancing down at the little sparks of electricity at their paws, Anthracite held back a low growl in their throat. When these things aren’t a nuisance or a threat, they really are useless, huh? Before they could drone on, they stopped themself, sighing underneath their breath.

Don’t go down that path again, you idiot, They snapped, feeling their ears flatten against their head. You don’t want to be the coward you were back in the world outside of the districts. You don’t want to worry anyone – especially not Rostrata.

Anthracite wasn’t sure how exactly Rostrata felt about the whole situation, but they knew that they didn’t want to cause the she-cat more concern. I certainly didn’t help by eating that fruit, I at least know that. They could tell that Rostrata generally seemed to care about those around her, if the first test was anything to go by. Anthracite had been trying to ignore it, but they did feel terrible about being the reason for her concerns.

But Anthracite definitely knew that they were still trying to figure out if what had just happened was real. Those cats…they perished in the flames, fearful and in pain, their screams of terror playing on repeat in Anthracite’s mind. Even without knowing them too well, Anthracite could hardly find themself accepting that this was their fate. But it is. And the rest of us are next.

Raising one of their paws, Anthracite took a closer look at the sparks, frowning – they still didn’t seem particularly useful against other cats. And they doubted their healing capabilities would be that useful for anyone at the moment. Images of the screeching hellfire burned in Anthracite’s head.

And if these powers remain futile, like me…then more than just blood will be spilled in these Tests.