Once the world became overridden with despair till the inhabitants perished and life was reborn. We, the Noulicorns, awoke to a still sleeping mother trying to mend her wounds. Protection was granted in the form of sanctuary for our kindred souls to grow and nurture within Homewood. But, our young ventured out into the world that lied in uncertainty leaving them open to the dangers that also dwelled in the shadows. One such place was whispered of the Erli Ruins. Treasure, they murmured, of a civilization past drew the young ones to that Forbidden place leaving their elders to weep. Darkness lied within creeping inward with shallow intentions though the foliage was slowly overtaking this menace. It was a slow rebirth from the creatures before, so much damage befell our beloved world we know now. This is why it is Forbidden to seek knowledge from the ruins. Too many have been lost due to negligence in a strong warning...
One such tale revolved around a young buck born to the wilds outside Homewood. His curiosity took him directly to the place the warnings were derived from. He was indeed a brave buck barely able to fully be on his own. Hooves in merriment carried him to the ruins' entrance, eyes beaming in curiosity. So many wonders were here leaving him to explore without his parents watching over him. Ears swiveling he paused listening to the silent breeze that carried a strange melody into the ruins themselves. It was oddly garbled yet he could hear it clear as water when it trickles over the stones. A small smile slowly danced upon his muzzle giving him full courage to keep moving inward.
"Promise me Tsarine. Promise me you won't go in those Forbidden ruins".
He paused once more hearing his mother's warning. I can do this mother. I can return from this place unharmed.
"Tasrine, your mother is correct. The ruins are filled with uncertainty and death".
The young buck sighed wondering why his parents were so cautious. The ruins were an amazing place after all. Shaking his head he began running with a snort. I'll show them I can return from this place...
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As the warmth of the sun trickled inward like gentle rays, they caressed a sleeping buck. Breaking out in a sweat he came to with deep shallow breaths. Blinking the strong male pulled himself to his feet looking around the sunlit room. Was that vision a dream? It seemed like only yesterday he had those memories of entering that strange odd place known as the Erli Ruins. He knew the name well because of his parents weaving the tale. Feeling dryness in his mouth he stretched his back then wandered out for water. The darkness was fluid here leaving him always on guard. Moving down a corridor his ears swived once more picking up on the tricking of water. The rains must have come overnight leaving the small waterfall to reward him with a quenched thirst. Sure enough, the waterfall carried the essence he needed to survive. Once he drank his fill he returned to his home grabbing a strange circular item that was deep with space. It had a convenient thing he could carry in his mouth which made his daily duties functional. Several of these things were scattered, sometimes buried in the shadows. Moving back to the waterfall he placed the circular item beneath the water leaving it to fill the strange item. When satisfied he returned once more to his sanctuary placing the item in the corner. Should the waterfall dry up, he'd have water so thirst wouldn't be an issue. It seemed strange he learned to use this creation, to understand its purpose as he was growing up.
Mother. Father. I'm sorry.
The dream was merely a memory as he set out again seeking other items he could use. Many walls barred him away from answers, cruel things indeed. Still, he gathered what he could find from the crumbling structures, storing them in his sanctuary where the sun was always the brightest unless a storm set in. Pausing he looked at all the strange things he had collected. Who were they he queried looking at the strange thing that carried a language he couldn't comprehend? Beings from another time had dwelled here leaving him with his thoughts since he was a foal. Time had passed so eagerly leaving his memories as his only companion. Were their others like him beyond this strange place he called home? He sighed knowing he was truly the cause for his torment.
I'm so sorry.
He remembered now looking at all the things had uncovered of why he was here living this solitary life. Even if the past was behind him he still blamed himself for his parent's deaths. Such a foolish buck to not heed that simple warning. They came looking for him one day since he had wandered into the ruins. Worriment had shattered their well-beings knowing their only son had ventured into a Forbidden world. His father he remembered was furious whilst his mother remained panicked setting hooves into that place. They followed the trail of those tiny prints till they saw Tsarine moving inward toward the darkness. Immediately, they gave hope away to caution chasing after their wayward son. Without warning, they took off in a full gallop calling out. "Tsarine! come back!".
All the young buck could do was run further in fear of his punishment. Just a little further he thought.
His parents called out in fear louder with each hoof that pounded the ground. Caution was forgotten as their voices echoed even more amongst the crumbling walls. Yet all Tsarine could do was move further into those shadows avoiding the inevitable. Suddenly, two screams were heard along with a loud crash. Then silence save for the echos of the past only filled his ears with fear. Gasping he took off in a gallop weaving throughout the crumbling structures. His tiny hooves carried him so far into the darkness he forgot where he had come from. Crawling through the rubble and debris he made his way deep into a strange room where he stayed. Then with no warning, he cried knowing he was alone. The ruins had swallowed him never to see the real world again leaving a broken buck to learn how to survive.
It was difficult in the beginning to learn what was edible, poison, and locating water. Many times he experienced sickness, sadness, and overall confusion. But, as he grew he made note of things he cherished or favored. He had no clue how to leave the ruins so, there he made his niche. Exploring became once of his favorite pastimes leaving his musings to ponder still, would he find another of his kind? It was a whimsical thought at best knowing full well no one ventured into the Erli Ruins. Shaking his head he had to believe someday someone would come to this place.
As the sun filtered into the room from the fallen ruins he smiled to himself knowing he had survived. The warnings of the ruins were indeed true though, There was danger lurking here knowing full well something else was tracking him deep in the shadows. That which breath was undeniable with weapons sharp. Venturing too far from his sanctuary the ominous presence would surely find him.
Till then he would remain here with hope.
Tsarine WC: 1239
