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Heavy brass doors swung open on well-oiled hinges, without a sound. Blinding light burst into the heavy darkness and he turned away, blinking tearing eyes against the pure golden glow that made his own churning, struggling flames dim and darken even further, so bright was it. He hesitated then, lingered on trembling legs on the threshold of a world he had never seen before. Crimson fire flickered and sent off a shower of sparks across the polished marble floors as he drew a deep breath, inhaling the outside breeze. Damp, cold, rich with scents he couldn't describe. It was so different from the dusty darkness he had grown up in, where smoke of fragrant incense and hidden hearths made the air hot and stagnant, low in oxygen and heavy to breathe. Here, now, for the first time the boy felt the smoldering embers of his essence rekindle. He threw a final glance at the silver-maned stallion that lingered by the gate, as if seeking permission, and with the blessing of an encouraging nod Cathun stepped forth into the light, his flames erupting in a road of untamed delight.


* * *

The heat of Tallsun faded as two horses made their way south across the billowing landscapes of Helovia. While the days remained warm and bright with abundant sunlight showering down upon their backs, the nights were growing steadily colder with each passing day. Cool winds ruffled gently through the billowing locks of Cathun's hair where he trotted side by side with his newfound not-quite-but-almost sister. His spirits remained high as they took turns interrogating the other about themselves, the past and their plans for the far distant future. Most intriguing was, however, the things Amaris revealed about Helovia itself, and as she spoke a pair of red-hot eyes trained on her, attentive and as intense as a blazing inferno devouring everything it came across.

"So to sum it up, there are in reality four lands here, a god that rule each and hand out magic and gifts like treats to keep the people content? Sounds awfully nice and chummy." Although he tried the colt was unable to hide the frown that gently creased the lines of eyes and nose, discontent pooling to the surface for no clear reason. "Which one of them reigns over this Dragon's Throat?"

They should be nearly there now. If he raised his neck and gazed past the low twisting trees and crawling shrubs Cathun could see a shimmering blue line stretch out along the horizon, the faded green of vast plains fading into red rock, then into ocean only to eventually rise again in dunes of red sand, shimmering under the heat of the sun.

He had mixed feelings about the place even before seeing it.

Nothing in this new land called out to him as home yet, and he had seen locations that appeared far more inviting on the journey from the green forest Amaris had called The Threshold. The golden girl might look forward to their arrival, and Cat supposed he did too after such a long journey, but... he still felt odd. That tingling, shivery sensation from the forest still lingered over him, like a slightly damp blanket filled to the brim with static electricity, hot and stifling and impossible to shrug off. It irked him, like an itch in a spot far out of reach. The sensation even seemed to affect his dreams at night. Worried dreams, restless sleep, old memories that surfaced - it was the latter that disturbed him most, lingering at the back of his mind as though to remind him of everything he had attained to come this far - and all the things he had lost.

"I can see the ocean. Looks like we're almost there."


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@[Amaris], @[Tandavi], Open! Feel free to jump in at any time :D