Cade: The Tortured Crossing is a dramatic meme format that blends the mundane actions of a cat with the high-stakes aesthetic of dark fantasy RPGs like Elden Ring or Dark Souls. The template typically features a cat, humorously referred to as 'Cade', navigating a narrow path or bridge, paired with epic, cinematic typography. It gained popularity on social media platforms like X and Reddit, where users use the boss-battle vibe to satirize everyday difficulties—ranging from walking past a sleeping parent to navigating social anxiety. The meme's appeal lies in the stark contrast between the cute, small protagonist and the overwhelming, tortured gravity of the situation presented by the text.