The Hardest Gate
By Xilimyth
(based on real events)
In loving memory of Rosemarie (Passed the gate 6/12/2025)

"Where... am I?"

The black cat looked around nervously as she combed her fingers through her short hair looking around the natural cistern she found herself in. There was no ceiling to be seen nor walls to close her in. Her hind paws lightly splashed in the shallow water that covered all but the tips of the grass beneath her feet. The sound of dripping water filled her ears as if she were in a dark chasm, but the space immediately around her was light and bright like a sunny day after a spring rain.

Her nose twitched as she caught a familiar scent. A quick pivot on her hind paws was all it took to look over her shoulder to see 'her'.

The black cat ran as fast as she'd ever run before upon catching a glimpse of the dragon-winged cheetah. As she got closer, more details came about. The purple hair and eyes, the soft smile...

"Xilimyth! My daughter! What are you doing here? What is this?" the black cat asked as she ran towards the figure and practically leapt into the cheetah's waiting arms. Arms that along with the dragon-cat's two wings wrapped tightly against the shorter black cat and a double purr briefly echoed through the space. At least before the black cat started to panic.

"Mom, relax... you're safe..."

"No no. I ran. My oxygen... my..."

Xilimyth watched as the black cat reached up to the tip of her muzzle and her nose for a nasal cannula that was not there. Feeling around her face, she couldn't find the hose or see the end where it was connected to her oxygen supply. Instead, she found herself free from any restraints or connections. She found herself breathing deep breaths without support as if she never had any issues.

"Mom, really. It's ok." Xilimyth chirped with a soft smile as she leaned back in and gave another hug to the black cat.

"I'm ok? I'm ok. But what's..."

Xilimyth found herself looking eye to eye with the cat. Stoic as she was while beaming a soft-smile to her mother, she still couldn't maintain the strength to keep a tear from dripping down her cheek. A tear that fell from her chin and landed into the water with yet another 'drip' echoing around.

"We... my sister, the medics, did.... we did everything we could. Tried everything to bring you back..."

The black cat watched as the larger winged cheetah looked slightly off from her. The strong daughter she knew, the one that through everything was always reassuring her that she was doing great and making progress was gone. Instead, here she was looking to the side as tears were starting to form and a solid voice starting to crack.

When she looked back, the light opened up and the water at her feet shifted away as the light in the room slowly expanded. Exposing a flowing river, a dock, and a small boat for one.

She knew. And she now knew what her daughter was...

"My angel… You and your sister... you always did everything for the family. For me. For whoever needed you. And I'm so VERY proud of both of you. Especially with what you're doing now."

"Mom, I'm sorry I couldn't..." Xilimyth chirped as she was interrupted by her mother's hands reaching up and slowly wiping away the falling tears before wiping the cheetah's eyes dry. As death itself was caught off guard being called an ‘angel’.

"None of that now. You brought me happiness in a time of fear. You brought hope instead of despair. Every latte you made me, every sacrifice of your time you did to help me... I was so blessed."

"Mom...." Xilimyth sighed again and this time reached up herself to cover her own eyes.

"I'm free. I can breathe finally. I can move on my own again."

"Don't just move mom... fly. When you're there... fly like I always took you. Feel the wind on your face again. The sun on your cheeks..."

Again, Xili was interrupted as this time SHE was the one giving the forceful squeeze as she was hugged tighter than she ever had been.

"Promise you'll visit?" the black cat said as she kissed Xilimyth's cheek one last time.

"Every dream mother. Every dream."

Xili smiled softly and gave a final nuzzle as she watched her mother walk freely. Stopping briefly to feel that sun on her muzzle and a full breath to her lungs before stepping into the ship at the dock.