you'll be safe in my arms

Shadows swirled around the Scint River, old friends and foes climbing out to haunt their loved ones to their faces, sounding hearts breaking and foals crying. One clump however swirled further than the river, floating towards the thirsty flats of Halcyon - like a dark mist, nearly thick enough to cut through. A mix between a roar and a purr sounded in the dark shadows, forming the well-known silhouette of a mare and her jaguar. Travelling quickly towards the flats, the two shapes seemed determined to a fault. As they neared the two horned equines slowly sinking to their deaths, I stumbled as the black shadow jumped me, licking my neck and withers while hanging on to my back using her claws. Lucky for her, my skin had grown tougher against sharp knives for claws. "Dezba! Calm down," I laughed, and the jaguar landed on the ground again. She stroked herself against my front legs before jumping up to stand on her hind legs, looking at me straight in the eyes. She was rather tall when standing on her hind legs, almost taller than me. The feline started to lick my face and I chuckled quietly. This was all a mere memory of my past, yet.. "I haven't been gone for that long. Where is Cahira and Azarel?" My children. Dezba didn't even have time to answer my question before I heard tiny, tiny hoof steps clicking against a stone floor. I looked up, smiling widely. Behind the newborn, stood my son, wearing an equally wide smile on his lips. "My loves..." It wasn't even worth it asking for Destry. She had probably escaped for good and wouldn't let me see her again - but I hoped she would forgive me. That scene wasn't real, the one playing out in my head. They - the children I had birthed - were in front of me, so very clearly drowning. "Aza. Have you taken care of your sister for me?" I bumped my maw against the colt's neck as I spoke, breathing in his scent. It was earthy, blended with sweat and masculinity, just like a young stallion should smell. Except he was scented with the rusty tang of dried blood, blended with regret and lost power. My only son. Did he feel my maw against his scarred skin, did he feel me breathing into his long forelock? Most importantly.. did he see me? "Azarel? Wake up. Please, love." Positions shifted and suddenly I was lowering my head to kiss the face of my daughter, but my memory changed into the now and a hint of panic stirred in me. "Mummy's home, Cahira," I whispered, smiling at her shaky legs and big, sparkling eyes. Her legs slowly disappearing, eyes twinkling as she saw someone else. Did she see me?. Even if her father was a heartless beast, she was nothing like him. She was mine. My daughter. And my daughter was sinking faster. "CAHIRA! Get away from here! Please!" Dezba roared at the mare, white and all pristine even if wounded and bloodied. "Please, my child... Run." Looking back at my boy, he looked so distant.. as if in a dream. "Azarel! Listen to me! Why aren't you two listening?!" "Talking." tags // @Cahira wordcount // 535 ooc // Posted with Azarel because Rift Havoc was inactive :") will post as him later today!