The earth seems to come alive with the entrance of these Helovians. It has rejuvenated the darkness of the land, giving it festering seething life, though it does not take kindly to the strangers, nor does it take its new lease on life for granted. One would think having life returned would foster light, warmth, thankfullness, but this land has been broken, forgotten, abandoned, and it will never forget. Like a toll keeper, the Rift will collect its fare, and none will be safe, least of all, those who have continued to call this land home, despite the way darkness seemed to prevail. But this does not hold true for only the equids, no, for more creatures inhabit this plane than just those who walk upon hooves. Monsters live here, and they have adapted. They have grown towards the darkness, shed their soft exteriors, evolved to flourish beneath the neon glow and the cold air. They have become formidable and more dangerous than ever before. And they are hungry.
The ground shudders beneath clawed feet. Rear haunches stand higher than the shoulders, a tail snaking and whipping behind the great beast. Front claws, sewn to the ends of shorter front legs, are tipped with dangerous talons, just as the rear feet are. Spines rest in a neat row down the beast’s top line. From the shoulders and chest sprout two towering necks, each ending with the head of a dragon, their mouths containing the teeth of predators. Glowing green eyes rest within the skulls, and down the neck and body are rows of green chevrons pointing towards the tail, pulsing with sickening green light.
The monster stalks through the trees, sending heavy drops of water showering down from their resting places within the trees. A snarl bubbles up through its throats as it hunts, peering out through the foliage in search of meat.
There, through the dampened greenery, it sees it’s target. Jaws stretch open and it releases a hell-raising howl, and it thunders forwards, teeth bared, jaws snapping wildly as it seeks to find the sweet flesh of the hybrid stallion.
With my newfound knowledge of a family I once thought lost to the outside world, to time and hate, I parade through the forest surrounding the Portal, wings outstretched as I feel my way between the trees. From the foliage comes fat drops of water, hitting the outside of my wings and raining down upon my exposed back, shivering as the water runs down my sides and through my feathers. It's quiet as I wander, having parted from Cahira and Dallilja in search of a world beyond the eerie portal with the feeling of being watched always present, eyes I cannot see boring into the back of my head as I wander.
Perhaps I should have remained with my aunts rather than venturing on my own, or found someone who wouldn't mind escorting me through the damp undergrowth, guiding me through gnarled trees and over tangled roots, past lurking dangers and confused strangers tumbling through the portal. Instead, I am all on my own, the target of a beast I cannot see nor comprehend, but will soon come to learn of — hydra. For it is lurking, foul and hungry for prey that cannot defend itself, for the unearthly scream consumes me and I am suddenly very aware of my position, of the thundering steps of a beast that hasn't eaten in an eternity, lunging for me eagerly. Out of instinct my hooves are alight, striking out at the monster without any idea of where it is, flames licking up my forelegs as I crash back into a tree, feeling the warmth of my fire singing the hair of my legs. I'm stumbling, bracing myself as the wreath around my head expands into armour, tight against my figure as I warily flee with wings outstretched, panting and shaking as I maneuver through the trees, graceful and terrified. I'm whispering under my breath, wheezing as my mind races to figure out what it is that's attacking me. "words."
Shahrokh
This is the world as I see it now
Turns out that nothing is fair
07-25-2017, 08:31 PM (This post was last modified: 07-25-2017, 08:38 PM by Ki'irha.)
KI’IRHA
She has been getting used to the silence that has consumed her world, her sight has grown slightly more keen, and her sense of smell has nearly colored the world in totally new shades. She finds herself returning to the portal in hopes of discovering her lost family, praying that her daughter, and perhaps miraculously her son, made it through the portal unscathed. But besides that, she was encouraged by some unseen force to return to this place, for perhaps it would hold an answer to recovering her hearing.
Suddenly, she feels the smallest vibration shake the ground beneath her, and as soon as it vanishes, another small quake replaces the stillness. Again and again, the steps are rhythmic, and anything capable of shaking the ground like this must be massive. In this world, massive probably meant more dangerous, leaving the star-swept woman more cautious than ever.
A flash of golden light sends gilded silhouettes along the trees, and though she can’t get any honest detail from the fleeting sight, her heart sinks, because it was a dark body and wings and a crown, and something was attacking it.
”Vesper!”“The word is nearly a cry, and she careens off at a gallop, not caring about the branches and underbrush that claw at her, trying to hold her back. She will not be subdued, she will not be stopped. If that is her baby, she will be sure to kill whatever has dared to threaten her child.
As she breaks free of the thicket, she can't see the equine, but knows the monstrous beast is in pursuit. She pulls at her magic, feeling its weakness compared to its power at home in Helovia, but still she musters all she can. From the air with a loud sizzle an eagle appears, soaring towards the monster’s hide. It explodes in a shower of sparks against the beast.
She breaks into the clearing, silver eyes panicked as she searches for her daughter. Had she been able to escape? That moment of pause was all that the monster needed, and her distraction was enough to allow the hydra a chance to strike.
This food may be fast, but it is not easy. There’s a thrill in hunting prey that fights back, yet the beast has gone so long without a solid meal, it lacks any patience for this game of cat and mouse.
The beast recoils, for a moment surprised by the golden tongues springing from the colt’s hooves. The light illuminates the thorny features of the monster’s faces for only a moment before the boy retreats into the trees, dashing blindly away from imminent danger.
An enraged roar rips from one mouth, and is echoed by the other. The mixed-blood colt is quick and agile, but the monster is strong and bulky. It lunges forward again, barreling easily through the thinly-trunked saplings, only hindered by the widened trunks of the ancient trees.
Then, a brief and mild shock tickles its flank; an attack with the ferocity of a horsefly. It staggers forward with unused momentum, bursting free from the trees into a small clearing. It twists its heads, one preoccupied with scanning the trees for its intended meal, and the other casts an enraged gaze upon the meddling unicorn mare. As she rampages forward, the beast turns and swings its massive tail, sending the woman tumbling into the wet grass. A shrill whinny escapes the mare, echoing through the trees. Its target has changed, and it turns its back, unsuspecting. A rumbling growl rolls up the throats. Now both heads direct themselves towards the girl, forked tongues licking lips greedily as it steps forward to claim a galaxy-flavored hors d’oeuvre.
The Portal
