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It was early, still before winking starlight had faded into the seeping blue hue of dawn, and Hector was swooping through the final leg of a vigorous training session. Though the tranquil air suspended above the desert was bitterly cold and dry, sweat streamed of the stallion’s rippling hide as grand proof of his effort; a reminder that without exertion, there was no gain. Vivid tangerine gaze was fixed right ahead, unwavering and determined. A challenge had been extended to him from those haughty peers who thought themselves to be of finer quality (healthy competition and goading was always such good motivation), and he’d committed wholeheartedly.
The cliffs to the west of the Throat, rugged and lashed constantly by violent waves loomed in view. Their shadow was black against the shimmering starlight, and Hector lunged still harder towards them. He was going to cross the angry inlet between the Veins of the Gods peninsula and the desert cape. As he breached the edge of the land, a rush of cold wind swept upwards from the churning, frothing soup below and the mass of his body rocked unsteadily, forcing him to climb; to find the slower thermals which would hopefully cushion the journey. It was not as straightforward as he’d anticipated, and for a long while he was floundering midair, unable to progress against the howling, bitter squall, unable to even balance himself above the ocean.
When at last he’d lifted enough, the highway of the sky swallowed him into a more comfortable rhythm, effort more maintainable; and he sighed heavily, turning only to find the company of darkness following, watching. He could not see the Veins, but he trusted it would not be nearly as far away as Threshold.
He was startled by the gruelling hour it actually took, and promised himself not to bother trying this hazardous route again. By that time, dawn had well and truly graced the heavens and the strange blue lava seemed to glow as his eager gaze scrambled across it; but it was not the familiar terrain bedding the shrines that drew his interest. Above him, a great island perched atop cloud had materialised, and astonished, he could not help but stare. Naturally he thought to investigate it, and though utterly exhausted, the driven stallion thrust down the weary span of his wings to ascend once again, higher and higher.
Hooves trailed through the wispy cloud, and he angled himself to land, heart thundering; confusion throbbing through his core. Veci too was captivated, sailing along, absorbing eagerly the phenomenon before them and slipped ahead of his bonded to scout the valley which welcomed them down. Hector landed with a dramatic thud across the soft green carpet, knees wanting only to buckle and fold beneath his falling bulk- but he urged on, staggering forward, until the momentum of the landing eased and he fell into motionless awe. Incredibly, there seemed to be a village of sorts nestled between the lush hills and Hector made quickly towards it, unable to resist the temptation to investigate.
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