The half-child strikes true and within moments the Night Phoenix is after him. But while Erebos dreams of his father's conquests, the half-child does not know what to dream of. His true mother is gentle, a healer by trade. She does not stab others with horns, she does not inflict pain or wish harm. And his other mother is a spy, a slave to the shadows. He knows little of her craft but he cannot imagine her slender frame in battle, cackling over fallen enemies, blood smeared across her delicate mouth. Perhaps if he knew his father, he would know of a warrior to emulate- a warrior to try and make proud. But he does not know Krieger other than the faintest of images, does not know that his father is hate-monger, a beast, a monster. And though he is young, just a babe barely burst forth from the womb, it already pains him that he does not know what to aspire to.

At least for now, he is provided a distraction.

As he looks back, he sees the Night Phoenix running towards him and suddenly he forgets himself. He forgets that he wants to lose, forgets that he should not desire to come out on top because he is not worthy. So he urges his limbs to churn faster against the ground. His efforts are too late, of course. Erebos touches the half-child's withers, grazes them with teeth that are more worthy to bite in malice than in play. But still the child has forgotten himself and he laughs along with the black prince, boyish voice spilling out with abandon. This is fun- real fun- like he has not known it before. “I'll get you!” he calls back, though try as he might his already-heavier body cannot quite keep pace with that of Erebos. He falls behind as Erebos charges ahead, Adelric urging his half-legs onward, onward, onward! Still, it seems he is too slow.

But ah, Erebos is a good friend and he dances around a tree that has appeared upon the field. So while Erebos circles one way, Adelric tries to go the other- to meet the young demon head on. He is not mindful of the roots that jut from the earth, however, and he trips, awkward limb foals flailing to try and save him from the very fate that Erebos met earlier. He fails, tumbling to the earth. He is scraped here and there, surely his mother will ask why, but he has forgotten his cautious mind so he rushes back to his hooves, trying to find Erebos, to set him in his sites. Once risen, once balanced again, he finds his target and renews the chase with fervor and desire. Then, when he thinks he is close, he flicks his nose out, trying to butt it against Erebos' hip or side. Laughter mixed with heavy breaths spills from his throat and he turns, running back away from the tree to some other, yet unknown destination.

For now, he simply has fun.