Through the course of their stay beneath the crust of the world, many had come to pay homage, to pray or simply to view the marvellous inscriptions which brought to life a wall, otherwise bleak and cold to gaze upon. It had become quite a spiritual posse for the one-winged grey mare also, though the juvenile nature of her relationship with the God of the Sun had been left rather to wane and fizzle. Even after the first week after the herd’s descent it became hopelessly apparent that the structure of her family had been shattered; that all those entitlements and status’s once achieved and represented, had been reduced to mists of memory. It saddened her deeply to think of the loss of that link she had grown so deeply to trust and worship; although perhaps the regal Lord of the desert had thought little of her motility; the bleak stone pelt she wore and fractured flight, Africa had felt for the first time an air of responsibility- meaning behind the otherwise maddening routine of basic herd life.

It had all been lost now though; far quicker than it had been found...

Long black lashes peeled slowly apart to reveal the soft golden gaze of the once Oracle. She had positioned herself close to the back of the small room; beyond the tender gurgle of cleansing fountain water, and apart from the sombre glow of lamplight shed from above. Though not cloaked by shadows as thick and comfortable as those further below, her murky body was not strikingly obvious- easily the Wall of History would have drawn visiting eyes quickly from the dull corners of the shallow room. She could see that another had come to view the etchings and a modest smile curled its path around storm-grey wrinkled lips. She harboured not the same need for seclusion that she had merely weeks ago. Windwalker had met with her only very recently, and though still the manner of that conversation struck the cold blade of confusion through her heart, it had lessened the weight of her overly sensitive mood. This time, Africa did not mind so much the company of a stranger.

"Incredible, don’t you think?" The voice which slithered barely greater than a sigh, was soft, tender; a true, transparent reflection of the soul which had struggled so terribly to sew back together it’s wounds. She was a matured creature; wiser, and more reserved for all the lessons dealt unto her, but still humbleness and tender compassion radiated through her ashy complexion. "A close friend told me that the wall represents the past; that everything portrayed is the evolution of the world." Africa didn’t mind whether the ice-berg Pegasus knew already, all which they now studied together was a phenomenon to behold and admire. "Makes you wonder how long we have been living above with closed eyes, doesn’t it?" A thoughtful grin and placid tilt of her long slim face, and the dappled creature shuffled nearer.

It was said that the depictions; each sophisticated design etched meticulously into the sheer granite canvas, could be brought to life by the mind of a Seer. Africa had heard rumour more than once about illustrations waltzing to life at the will of the skilled mind, and conveying all which its glowing body represented- the four deities, and their marvellous creation of all which had stood so thrivingly upon the land. Personally, the dappled mare had never witnessed such a miracle- it became more and more obvious as time beneath the earth passed, that her ability to foresee, and speak with the Lord of the Sun had diminished. It was a revelation that had been slow to sink in, and a gaping void had been left in its place.

The ghostly mare turned from the wall a second time and smiled kind-heartedly, acknowledging that which Africa had said to her; turning back then, to run pallid lips by the cool stone surface. The once Oracle wished not to interrupt the moment, and rocked backwards her weight quietly and patiently, to watch fondly another enjoying that which she had found so much solace herself reading; that which was the closest place she could find, to be nearer to the Gods whom she missed so terribly.

When the stranger stepped back, the warm lamp-light which flickered down enduringly from above, cast an ethereal glow across the pictures; and they seemed again to shimmer and burn in the soft hue of the room. A remorseful look seeped through the grey mare’s features also, the words spoken by the other held a grave truth which still wrought an eerie anticipation through her heart. None knew how to ruin the darkness; though the wraiths could be cured, their illness cleansed here by the bubbling waters behind the two thinkers, there was always the merciless, sickly cloud flanking the once beautiful landscape. Africa nodded, agreeing soundlessly- feeling unusually drawn to the girl who seemed so uncannily like minded to herself.

As the pale Pegasus mused allowed, the one-winged horse listened humbly- though when the other questioned, or rather implied that they embark on a quest to discover all possible by mortal means, Africa smiled warmly. "The races of today are pompous and ambitious. But we are all so insignificant, truly." Her own eyes, cast in the murky shade of the den, had shifted thoughtfully to consider the drawings for a moment- a lifetime far beyond the memory of any walking today; yet still the same for those proud Gods who tended so mercifully to the foolish demands of an ignorant population. Sometimes she felt insecure while she prayed- did their patience ever wear thin? Would they ever shun the loving devotions of those who thought them so wonderful, because of the pitiful attitudes of peers?

"Africa." She answered through an easy smile. "A brave ambition you have." A light hearted chuckled gurgled passed the flaccid, untroubled lines of her wrinkled grey mouth- certainly there was more to learn about Helovia, than either one of them could grasp over the course of the few years they were gifted. Her inquisitive creamy gaze followed Elsa’s back towards the wall, and Africa stepped closer to inhale the tasteless air as it swirled suddenly down from The Sanctuary’s doorstep. Winter was perhaps raging outside the warm confines of this domain. "These are the four Gods of our world I believe…"

She pursed her lips, and traced confidently the intricate outline of each being portrayed as she relayed the information she had been given, to her company. "The God of the Sun and Light, The God of the Earth and Water, He of Spark and Time and the Goddess of Darkness and the Moon." Drawing her face from the wall so Elsa could see better and without the shroud of her shadow, Africa glanced towards the other mare. "I have lived in Helovia for a few years now. I too hunger for knowledge- you and I surely will never starve!" The bright shrill of laughter unleashed broke the simmering sombreness of uncertainty and fatigue around them; many eyes were perhaps focused towards the wall and the two mares beneath it.