You decide to pay a visit to Excidium. At a glance, his path seems very long, so you walk quickly in order to get to your destination sooner. A breeze blows softly through your hair, and a bird sings in the distance.
After about 10 minutes, you come to a small glade. The path leads between two trees, and you stay true to it. Walking through, you find yourself in a kind of haven, with colorful birds in the trees and the sun glistening high above. You are reminded forcibly of an enchanted grove.
There is a ring of bushes in the central area of the grove, with an opening facing you. Through the opening, you see a unicorn.
Seeing you, the unicorn starts, and rises. It seems to be very old, you notice, seeing the wrinkles on its face and the forced gait it now displays. It whinnies softly, and turns as if it's going to run.
"Wait, Excidium?" you say nervously. The horse turns to look at you with an appraising eye. "I'm just exploring Dracogrex, and I was wondering if I could meet you."
Holding your breath, you watch the magnificent creature turn around. You can still almost feel the wary attitude Excidium has toward you. He stands still for a moment, then speaks.
I am Excidium, he says quietly. I am a Unicorn. I lived with my brothers in Trialle before the humans came. After the first couple of people arrived and learned of the mystical powers our horns wield, they began to hunt us. Many were killed needlessly, along with the elusive Crystacorns. Finally, we fled, seeking safety. I was alone. My brothers were killed, and I barely escaped. I have lost my trust for humans.
"How horrible," you murmur.
You cannot imagine the fear we felt those days on the run. Several times, humans nearly found our hiding places, but luck and the gods were with us, and we escaped. Finally, we reached Skyhaven Adoptions, and the Master Dreamer took us in. I did not agree with the decision to lay our faith and trust in humankind's hands, but I was in the minority, for most of the unicorns in our party were young, fearless, foolhardy stallions and mares. The other elders and I chose to leave the adoption complex itself, and reside in the grounds protected by the Master Dreamer, where those people brave enough could embark on the Adoption Hunt, as she called it. Amaryllis found me there and, since she resembled a human, I was not immediately trusting. However, she told me of Dracogrex and the safety and wonders there. I could tell that she was not a danger to me then, and I returned here with her. Now I live a life of peace and relative safety, because I know she would not willingly let any sort of poacher in here. However, I must be cautious, and I will now take my leave. You enjoy the rest of your tour.
With that, Excidium darts away, his blue tail glittering one last time in the sunlight before he vanishes.
Wondering how any human would be so cruel as to torment such magnificent, innocent creatures, you return to the signpost, enlightened of the evils of the world, and the goodness that dwells there as well, keeping the balance.
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| Name: Excidium
Breed: Unicorn Color/Type: Blue Glitter Gender: Stallion Age/Stage: Elder Adopted At: Skyhaven |
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