Erebos

**Erebos** is a small, broadly-built black smoke tom with a white chest and paws. A white stripe continues from his chest to partway along his underbelly, tapering to a point. His face, legs, and back are black, with silvery tinges to his cheeks and flanks that gradiate to a full silvery-white on his underbelly and tail. He has small, round blue eyes that loosely resemble a fox's in their shape.

## Personality

Charismatic and quick-witted, Erebos appears quite the charmer at first glance, and for many more glances afterwards. He thinks little of the EagleClan cats, and is openly disparaging towards them whenever they meet; he has earned many scratches for his troubles. Immensely protective of his Bloodhide compatriots, he is happy to cut down enemies without blinking twice, appearing to have as much regard for his own wounds as he does theirs; many who see him in battle tend to avoid him after the experience. He is tolerated for his loyalty and even well-liked by those who can overcome the sharp divide in his personality.

## History

Many moons ago, Erebos joined the Bloodhides as a not-quite-young adult, after living for some time as a solitary rogue. He quickly made many friends among the group, but lost almost as many as they were unnerved by the dichotomy between his usual charming self and his rage in battle. Aconite was one of his more longstanding friends, having met through Erebos' frequent visits to the healers' den, and they became mates around two seasons ago.

### First Leaf-fall

Erebos wakes Vesper for a patrol in the Valerian Valley, hoping to encounter EagleClan so that he can verbally needle them. They catch a rabbit and a vole by the time they run into the EagleClan cats out on an expedition to the Highlands. As Erebos mocks them, Blazestar emerges from the brush to defend her warriors. The conversation is tense and the EagleClan warriors grow more agitated. Knowing that Mackerel would be furious if they started an open fight, Erebos suggests that it would be dishonourable for six cats to attack two rogues, and that surely they can be allowed to take their prey back. To everyone's surprise, Blazestar agrees, though sends Drizzlemask, Rookflight, and Peapaw to escort Erebos and Vesper back to the Underpass.

Upon arrival back in camp, Erebos and Vesper go to Mackerel and report their encounter with EagleClan. Erebos mentions that there were six cats counting their leader, and Mackerel remarks that they might not have been there only for a patrol. He congratulates Erebos for convincing Blazestar to let them keep their prey. As Mackerel begins to muse on his next move, he dismisses Erebos and Vesper, telling them to get some rest before they potentially engage with EagleClan. Erebos takes his leave and goes towards the healers' nests to speak with Aconite.

Erebos and Aconite return to the main chamber to watch Mackerel's declaration of war against EagleClan. When Rubeus calls out a battle cry, Erebos yowls in agreement. During the brief lull, Erebos and Aconite discuss the upcoming battle, and Erebos promises Aconite that he won't let himself be killed. He glances around the cats and, upon seeing Athena and her brother Ace, goes to approach them with Aconite to strike up a conversation. However, they are interrupted when Mackerel calls the hunters and scrappers to be assigned for the patrols. Erebos is chosen to command the first patrol that will go out and wait overnight for the Highlands patrol's return, with Vesper, Icarus, and Athena going with him. He agrees to Aconite's request that he looks after the young cats going out with him, though is not worried, as they will have seven cats counting the reinforcements to EagleClan's six.

Erebos and the rest of his patrol head towards a low ditch close to the Highlands. Vesper asks Erebos which of the EagleClan cats he'd like to fight, with Erebos replying that he'd either go for Blazestar or Rookflight, then telling him and Icarus to hurry up. Having reached the ditch, he and the others settle down and spend the night awaiting the return of the EagleClan expedition. In the early morning, they hear the approach of the EagleClan cats and prepare to ambush them. Athena leans in to ask Erebos if he's ready, and Erebos answers scoffingly that he is. As the patrol appears, Erebos leads the attack, charging towards them with a yowl.

Drizzlemask meets Erebos' charge, ducking beneath him for an attempted belly rake, though Erebos only stumbles aside. He slams his front paws into Drizzlemask's head, knocking him out for a heartbeat. Recovering slightly, Drizzlemask attempts to scramble away, dodging away from Erebos' swipe. He regains his footing and springs at Erebos in an attempt to attack his neck, but Erebos grabs him and flips the both of them onto the ground, grappling Drizzlemask and beginning to rake his belly with his hind claws. Drizzlemask is soon badly injured and falls limp, at which point Erebos grows bored and releases him.

Getting to his paws, Erebos sees Icarus struggling with Rookflight and strides over to pull Rookflight away by his scruff. He cuffs Rookflight's jaw and pins him to the ground with a paw on his head. Erebos turns to Icarus and asks him if he would like the kill, but they are interrupted by the arrival of EagleClan's reinforcements before Icarus can reply.

Erebos looks over the new arrivals and decides to attack Tigerpelt, who he thinks will provide a challenge. They engage and begin wrestling in an attempt to knock the other down, though are largely evenly matched, so Erebos drops to the ground and kicks Tigerpelt away. He gets back up and they begin circling each other. Erebos feigns a limp in one foreleg, hoping to lure Tigerpelt into trying to exploit his weakness. He does and attempts to attack his head, but Erebos ducks and rams his shoulder into Tigerpelt's chest from beneath.