[Sorry for the delay!]

Gaucho wasn't sure what had caused the creature to release it's grip on the white mare - whether it had been his outright attack, or the distraction of the dolphin, or perhaps some other source - it didn't really matter. All the dun knew, was that he saw Alina's body moving towards the surface, seemingly on her own. He did not dawdle to understand the situation any more than that - he needed oxygen just as much as she, as did Mara. With a grunt, Gaucho beat his wings, using them like paddles to move his large body through the water. It was difficult, for his mass was so large and his body already so fatigued from previous injury, but he managed. As his antlered skull broke through the crest of the waves, his gaze spied the mare moving steadily towards the shore. Weakily, Mara slithered to his antlers - being able to move her body much easier through the waters than her bonded. She looped herself over the very top of his antlers, mentally begging him to keep his head afloat.

His thigh ached immensely, and for the first time in a very long while, Gaucho felt physically exhausted. Normally Gaucho would appreciate the opportunity to build a different set of muscles - to learn of any weaknesses in his body was merely a tool to improving them. Now however, he just wanted to reach land. The extent of Mara's condition was slowly seeping into his brain, but he knew he could do little for her while he was still in the sea. So, with what remaining strength he had, he followed Alina to shore.

In a similar manner as she, once his large hooves struck the sand and his body was forced to deal with full gravity once again, he collapsed. Gaucho was like a giant boulder as he slumped on the beach, compared to Alina's much smaller and more graceful shape. "Need Onni..." He grunted weakly, his deep voice now course with pain. His right thigh felt nearly paralyzed with pain from the monster's attack, and Mara had almost completely lost consciousness. He was in no condition to fly - nor was Alina, it seemed. Gaucho felt his chest tighten, as he once again tried to call on the magic that swirled within his soul, but it would not come. The spark of power could only be ignited when his blood had been spilt, and the small gash Mara had given him, had completely closed. Gnashing his teeth together, Gaucho forced himself up slightly, thrusting a dark forelimb forward. There was a rock nearby, and with a little effort, Gaucho pulled his body towards it. Ears against his skull, he slammed he knee onto the sharp side of the rock several times, until it pulled the skin away and blood began to rise to the surface. With a sigh of exhaustion and pain, Gaucho slumped over in the sands, as silvery liquid once again poured from his antlers. Nearly too mentally tired to force the magic into a shape, it remained a floating blob for a moment, before finally forming into two distinct animals : a snake, and a songbird. "Find...Onnninniiiii..." He grunted weakly to the floating shapes. Could they go that far away from him? Gaucho had no idea - nor did he know if Onni would understand the symbolic animals. But it was the best he could do.

@[Onni]