I flew through darkness, shadow. There was nothing to light the sky, and the world seemed flipped upside down, with the stars dotting the earth instead of the heavens above. The glowing trees which had sprouted. I still did not know the exact purpose of the trees, but I knew the trails illuminated were the common travels of equines below.

The skies were left unmarked, but my experince told me that I was heading steadily north, toward the World's Edge where Mirage would surely be waiting for me, or, at least, I hoped. Through thick and thin times, the Dragonheart had long stood by my side. When the world faced us with adversity, we met it with surely, stolid determination and the hearts of friends. Few are those who run deep as blood; Mirage was more my family than many who shared my own blood, and I would trust that bond we shared. Some may claim circumstance forced us to remain tied, but I feel that even if we were both stripped of our titles and our homes, we would remain together. I pray that I will never have to test my theory.

The whistle of feathers in the still air is what would greet the dimly twinkling forest below. The air felt dead, reft of any wind that would normally accompany me, yet the push and pull of my wings would never falter. I began to descend, my figure reach soft circles as I scan for a small clearing upon which to land. Forests are always a pain in the ass to visit - too many trees, not enough landing strips. I had become accustomed to traveling closer toward the cliffs of the land, but in this night, I was uncertain where the forest truly ended and the sea began. It would be safer to search in the soft light for a break in the branches.

I slow my pace, an unusual style for one such as myself. I was all about daring swoops and landings, but I could not risk my health in these times. My hooves come to the earth with a gentle thud. It was then I heard the leather of wings. The glint of gold in a world of misty silver stars. The World's Edge was strangely beautiful in this unnatural light. I learned where the constellations that normally bedecked the skies had gone - home.

I began to move swiftly in the direction of gold, hoping my eyes did not fail me. "Mirage," I call, tentatively, in the shadows of the night. The shadow mare, plucked out of the stars, was like a thin silhouette. I smile, my old friend. "I have heard of the troubles which befell your home," I begin, thinking of Solstice and Torasin, the names of the fallen Valentine passed to me. "I am sorry to hear of such a loss."

"A dwindling in the Throat has begun, unfortunately. Several have not returned home for many months. I grow nervous that the Basin is preparing something for us, or planning to slowly choke us of our members," my voice is calm, despite the troubling words I deliver. "Mauja has never been my friend, and I have been a pain in Psyche's ass several times."

"I fear for my family in this eerie night."

The relief in Mirage's voice became evident immediately, and I smile slightly in return. During times of turmoil, the company of friends would relieve the heart, but something about the expression on the shadow mare's face, gleaming in the dull light of twinkling stars, told me that more than just the night rested on her heart. Eagerly, the small chocolate ears pull forward to capture the evenly speaking voice, ripped of her normal riddles.

We were far too close for that now.

More bad news, with the identity of both murderers revealed. My heart sinks, knowing that Mirage would never give into hatred, despite the rage which burns in her eyes. I look meek, even with my brutish features. Mauja the Frostheart. I knew he was going to be a thorn in the side of my life since the moment I saw his collected face in my home. That rat bastard, he would pay for the crimes he committed. Had his target been anyone else than Torasin, I doubt the pain would be felt as heavily by the Dragonheart. To be stricken of your long standing friend - I knew the feeling well. However, I am just glad that those who have passed on do not have to walk this upcoming future with me. I did not know what the world would hold for me, but I knew that I would not stand idly by as Mirage's heart was torn asunder by nothing more than a plague of snow.

I will melt the Ice King with the fire in my soul, or I will die trying. "I will do my best to return a horn of ice to you, my friend," I say, my voice taking back on the fire it held normally, eyes gleaming in the dark. "For a scar on your heart leaves one upon mine as well."

I lean toward Mirage even as approaches me, the soft velvet of her muzzle touching my nape, my own reaching out to her shoulder to complete the embrace. "Your support is felt from a distance, sister," I say in response for her apology. I had never felt abandoned by the World's Edge or their Queen. We were separated by many sands, which explained the lack of communication we often suffered. Trips were often more frequent, but in this night, robbed of my personal wind, even flying had taken longer than usual. "The wind does not follow me in the absence of the Gods, so I have been robbed of fast travel as well." I smile slightly, though sadly. The wind was ever my friend, but now I felt more isolated in this silent world.

"An interesting idea, this line of communication, or perhaps some means of fast travel. It would be lovely to spare the long journey north to see a friendly face."

Funny, how Mirage managed to sound so confident despite the lack of enthusiasm behind the words. We were both uneasy, and I felt as though the older mare were simply trying to comfort me with her own false confidence in the Gods. To be frank, deities have never been my favorite beings. They often were arrogant assholes, or, in Helovia, abandon you without warning, leaving the land and sky lifeless. Whatever feelings of warmth I had received from the God of the Sun were slackened to practically none in his absence.

The Basin was staring us down, slowly eating away at our numbers. Now was not the time for an extended vacation of magic.
Or, maybe, it was the perfect opportunity.

As I listen to my old friend, I realize that she has much of the same reservations as my own. This night was uncomfortable and eerie, but as long as I did not have to face it alone, I would survive. Without something to fight for, I do not have much fight in me. "Valentine described their disappearance as stepping through some sort of... rift," I say, thinking back on exactly what the herd had told her before her flight to the Edge. "I hope they return victorious," my voice sounding distant as I think of where they might possibly be. "And soon."

"I do not fear these children as I would those of Isilme." An honest statement, I suppose. I did not care for Gods nor their spawn, but I knew directly what monsters the children of Sepagus, Nieque, and Cinnoru were. "Unlike those brats, these children will at least know balance and not blind racism. Besides, if the others are anything like Israfel, they are already blessing the world with good intentions." The worry in my heart still grows, but I did not want to fill Mirage with more doubts. Perhaps this time around, the babes of immortals would not wreak havoc on our land.

The Dragonheart mentions again the issue of the Basin, and I know as well as she that we have been inactive for too long as they take our members prisoner, as well as their lives, without regret or consequence. "We have been silent for too long, Mirage," I say, my voice sad and sincere. "That my kin have been reft from my side and yours fills me with a guilt I cannot shoulder any longer. We will remind them of the power which pushed them from their home," my hoof stomping upon the very loam that once belonged to Mauja the Frostheart. "If they will not stand for our freely given peace, we will just have to make them respect it."

"Whatever your plan, I will support it." I did not fear she would lead us to war. After all, Mirage was not the leader infamous for bloodshed.
That would be me.

Even as my words of the demi-god children roll from my tongue, I cannot help but feel a pang of guilt in my stomach. It had never been my idea to be the dam to the son of Sepagus, and all of the Gods know that much. Still, I could not help but feel somewhat responsible for bringing destruction to the home I loved, even if it were at the hands of Cielo. Despite my lack of care during pregnancy, even daring to fight the Roc bird, he had lived. Had I just gutted myself on something, he would never had been born. Did I make the right choice?

Here, in Helovia, I had raised a family out of ragtag pegasus and our friends, something for which I am proud. Even now, I had doubts about my abilities as leader. I need to remind myself more often, perhaps, that I have retained my title longest in these lands, despite the tribulations and challenges I have faced.
Beside my oldest friend, I feel more comfortable in my position.
Worthy, if you will.

Giving her enough space to come next to my ear, noticing once more just how short I seemed in comparison to her own lithe form. Her muzzle tucked close to my ear, her voice comes out like the faint whisper of wind, just loud enough for my ear alone. As she divulges her plan, I begin to smile, the corners of my lips tugging upward in appreciation of those more tricksy than myself. The shadowmare was honorable, but she also had many brilliant plans up her sleeve. As she pulls away to make certain I have heard her words, I give her a smirk, my dark eyes gleaming in the night. "I will get started as soon as I return home," I say with a low whisper, turning my attention back to Mirage as she returns to normalcy.

I laugh, my voice peeling through the darkness with an oddly delighted sound. Her question was amusing to me, mainly because every time someone challenged by grit, I raised victorious, sitting on my throne unharmed. "Not since Azzaron decided he felt like an ass kicking and banishment," giving her a warm smile. "I have not had many troubles aside from the Basin since."