Afterwards, she could never quite remember how she managed the long way back through the darkness. The only thing that was clear from that horrid trek across unfamiliar midnight lands was a sense of dizziness from not being able to separate land from sky, and the fear and horror that ravaged her mind, threatening to drive her insane. Never before had she realized just how much warmth the sun created even in the midst of winter. Never had she for a second stopped to consider what it would be like to be blind, robbed of one of the most vital senses. The mere fact that the relentless, edge-less darkness kept her from lifting into the air caused the black mare to resent it, loathe it, for robbing her of her freedom. This unnatural darkness had only lasted for the greater part of a day but already she hated it with all her might.

If only the sun could rise again.

Slipping through the blackness of the day, a shadow among shadows, Skuggi felt drawn towards the light that radiated from a single point in the desert. It had erupted from the mystical fire just as the gods disappeared into the rift, a great pillar of light that illuminated the sands and drained it of all color, dyeing the world in monochrome black and white. There were none of the colorful trees here to light the way towards hope, only barren rocks and icy winds that bit through even her thick winter coat. The mare shuddered as she walked, constantly searching around her for any sound, the tiniest glimpse of life. She was home, but where were the others? Had anyone else seen the same sight as she had, were they as terrified, no even more frightened than she was? At least she knew what had happened, to the best of her understanding.

Only when the light from the blinding pillar grew strong enough to paint a semblance of horizon did the young pegasus finally stretch out her wings and take to the sky. It was with great hesitance she did it, afraid of what would happen if she lost orientation and began to fly upwards, or even worse, towards the ground. The scenario wouldn't be entirely unlike a whiteout, where clouds surrounded you until all landmarks and all sense of direction disappeared...

At least she didn't have to fly very far. With a muffled thump as her weight afflicted the shifting sands the little crow landed close to the blazing light, hoping and believing that others too would be drawn towards this place. Inked lips quivered as she raised the head and attempted a soft whinny, calling out to any and all around; begging, pleading, that if they heard her they would come and keep her company. Now, as the day had turned into night and no one knew when dawn would come next, not even a shadow felt like being alone.