The finish was finally within sight but the task of getting there was getting harder and harder as fatigue drew at the last of his remaining stamina, oh how he wished to just stop and let his body rest but he couldn't quit now just a few more feet. A haze had began to cloud his vision distorting the images that made it to his oxygen deprived brain, he could see shapes around him but he could not tell if they were the other two competitors surging ahead of him or if he was just imagining things. Blinking multiple times brought back a little focus here and there but nothing to tell him who was where around him. The heat of the ground and the heat of his body was getting to excruciating levels causing lather to build upon his neck and chest. His lungs screamed for proper oxygen but drew only heaving breaths from his battered body, almost there, almost...

Memories had been created within the Rotunda quite recently for the dappled stag, it was a joyous occasion that would always impact him for as long as he lived. The image of his newborn son laying within the greenery brought a smile to his blackened features, this was who he was fighting for, this was his motivation. He wanted not the title to claim glory over the other competitors, no he wanted the title to do better by it. If this race didn't end in his favor he would still be able to say that he finished, he gave it his best and went down fighting. He was no quitter and he would put his heart and soul into protecting those he cared about, he would never run from a challenge. This was his moment to prove it to both himself and to the others, he would cross that finish line.

A sharp pain flared from the top of his withers as his legs faltered slightly beneath him almost throwing him off balance and to the ground. The effort to catch his heavy frame was almost too much to bear but he couldn't fall, he had to make it over the finish line. Three strides seemed to take hours but the cool grass of the Rotunda felt so good beneath his hooves, it was soothing to his exhausted mind as it threatened to fail him at any point now. Light seemed to prod with annoyance into his consciousness rousing him from the point of collapse, Kiara? The answering sound from upon his back shocked him, what was this? Could it be possible for two bonded to share strength from one another? Maybe he had just lost it completely, who knew. Not wanting to question the possibility further he threw his heart into the last few strides giving it everything he had left plus more if that was even possible. The burning glow of the final archway surrounded him as at last he dared to slow his rapid pace. Stopping in a couple shortened strides he fought with gravity to remain standing just a minute or so longer.

Tremors threatened to bring him to the ground but he held on splayed hooves with his head nearly resting upon the ground. Managing to hold himself this way for another moment or two he finally gave up as his giant frame came crashing to the ground. Oh, the grass felt so nice under his flaming flesh, it was like plunging into the first snowfall of the season. He could feel none of his limbs as they lay seemingly fused to the earth by invisible threads, he was not moving nor could anyone make him for awhile. The results of the race were a mystery to him, he was too tired to comprehend that much information at once. A minute he mused silently, a minute was all he needed.


Ciceron talks
Ciceron thinks
Kiara speaks