The morn is crisp, and cold. All that greets the desert dwellers is the roseate hue of the dawn light, spilling out onto the pale canvas of sand like the cusp of water within a pitcher pushed too far. It dances in gentle rays across the lidded eyes of the sleeping inhabitants, for who would wish to open weary eyes to face the glowing sun, when it is still so fiercely cold around them? They would rather remain in the warm embraces of their loved ones, wait until the earth was flooded with further warmth before rousing themselves. Had they known what was to come, would they have risen long before the natural birds of the world had spotted the glow upon the horizon? Drunk up every spare moment the Sun Lord had gifted them in his struggle with his brethren for the welfare of those who disregarded their efforts that very day? Would the Gods ever forgive them for their ignorance and easy mannerisms?

I could not sleep well that night, plagued once more by the discomfort of leaving behind my precious family in a world so far from my reach. Something...something told me that somebody needed me. Somebody I could not reach. All night I had tossed and turned, Hototo's and Ranjiri's names upon my lips. I rested in the predawn sunlight only because I was far too tired to summon the strength to face another full day. Why stir and bring my visage to the eyes of others only half-awake and likely not in the best of moods? I wasn't one to believe in beauty sleep, after all what did I care for looks? Even so I still found it more respectful to face another being with a clear head and calm internal balance. I knew Father had risen earlier than I, heard him moving about and felt his familiar warmth leave my side. The drape of his wing had shielded me from cold that my body did not agree with. He, despite being shorter than I would soon reach, was better equipped for the cold due to his stoutness and well earned muscle. I on the other hand was naught but a twig, much to my chagrin. Even Toto had a larger frame than I did, though I knew better by know than to envy him. We were simply who we were, there was nothing to be jealous of.

When at last I cracked my eyes open to greet the morn, I saw from the hanging boughs of our magnolia tree my father, tapping his golden walkers against the ground, reveling in his new magic. Ilaria shifted beneath my wing but remained in slumber, and I did not move for fear of waking her. Instead I watched my father through an exhausted face, wishing my slumber had been more restful. My name was called softly, excitedly, and I gave a soft giggle as I answered his call. "Has it finally turned, father? How long have you been working?" Teasingly I spoke, knowing he had been diligently working with his new magic to try and harness a power he could not control. Harmless, and yet beautiful. Ilaria is risen by his vocals and Fina's comforting trill, and I lift one whitening wing to view her yawn as she shifts beneath the canopy I have created over her. It is how we always sleep- Fina curled in a glowing ember in a branch high above, Father sheltering me beneath his wing against his side, and Ilaria in the same position I occupied in our group. Honey eyes met mine as she blinked sleepily, tiny mouth yawning once again. Carmine and ebony furred bodice came wriggling out, padding on tiny paws towards my chest as I rolled to my shins.

I was only just pressing my pale hooves to the sand when I felt it. It came swiftly, sent shudders of unknown fear down my spine as it passed. The skies shifted and quaked as if in some ethereal tug of war, and as I watched I knew in the pit of my soul that something was terribly wrong. Raised with such loyal faith towards the Lords and Lady that sheltered us beneath their awesome power, I turn my heart to them before anyone else, and my faith in them swells inside me like an uncontrollable storm. I don't know what's going on, but I support you. I'm not much, but please, take what you can of me. I need you, we all need you, please, don't let whatever this is tear you from us! In my fear my heart pounds as swiftly as a racing river, and in an instant I call a sharp command to Ilaria. Racing up the hard fores of my wing she is upon my spine, and I am deaf to my father's words. Something is wrong wrong wrong.

The world goes dark.

I watch Fina tumble from the sky, watch her fire disappear into nothingness that envelopes the earth. Hear my father hit his knees, the labored breaths he sucks into his lungs. I am terrified. No, no, no! YOU CAN'T TAKE THEM FROM ME! Like an unstoppable tide I am racing towards them, gaze blind but uncaring. "FATHER! I am scared, so scared. Don't leave me alone! I am back to that terrified little colt lost in the desert, hungry and cold, waiting to be found, wondering why I was left so defenseless and alone. I am not the only one to race towards his figure, and I burst through the blossomless boughs, uncaring as they scratch my face and snag in my mane. The bellow of another stallion echoes, and I slide to where I last saw my father before the sky went dark. I feel his wing first, and with that I am reassured that he is still with me on the mortal plane, that I am not abandoned. He is unmoving, and I cannot feel what he does, cannot fathom what it feels like to lose the essence of a god itself. I have no magic, I cannot feel the pain he feels. Instead I position myself at his forefront, standing directly ahead of him, backing myself until my right flank is pressed to his left shoulder. There is an unknown brute approaching, a bellow in his throat as he dictates my father's name, and a protectiveness has roared in response like a lion in my soul. I lift my massive wings, knowing I am earthbound but ready to feel out in the vague light whomever charges us, to shake the earth with my rage should he come with an intent to harm.

The stranger stops quickly, drenched in sweat and panting, and though I do not know his name- something he is quick to rectify- he is familiar to me. Father and this stag have often patrolled and sparred together, after all. My wings do not lower themselves, the fire that is sure to be glowing in my eyes unquenched. But I shift my right wing to no longer block my father's face from view, allowing him to answer his underling at his leisure. I will not be moved, will not be shifted away, for I am a stone guardian and I will not allow harm to befall my family. Why Father and I have suddenly traded places is beyond me, and where this desire to crush and deter all who wish pain upon is came from is again far from my grasp. I do not question it. Another approaches, but the unnatural darkness makes me wary, for any features I could have discerned are hidden. When he speaks I recall Valentine, the other Artisan from when I had first met my mentor Sohalia. I do not move my tense posture, just as I had not when Gaucho had appeared. Hearing of the Gods falling makes my heart ache, yet I refuse to let loose the keen that bubbles in my throat. Ilaria does so for me, crying out her loss of our Father who had cemented our bond, and echoing the wail that I kill in my vocals.

He does not know who his own General is? I have never used this to my advantage, never really seen the option at all, but I answer before my father can. To me it is disrespectful, a blow to the power he holds. Had he not attended any of the herd meetings? Let my father talk to the kinder of the two, it seems. At least I know Valentine. "My father is the General, and we have been here all morning. Kri and Sumati's whereabouts are unknown to us." It is all I offer, all that I will. I press closer to my father, raised wings shielding him, and I mentally order Ilaria to find Fina. She leaps from my back to race down my wing, touching Midas gently before using him to slide to the earth once more in search of her winged sister. I watch the other two warily. We may be brethren of the desert, but in this land of darkness, my father is the only one who means something to me.