POV Rio
When I awoke, I felt a sense of chilling cold and full-body weakness. I was disoriented, but I quickly recalled where I was and how I got here.
Sniff Sniff
Something was sniffing and licking my ear. I was so weak that I couldn't even muster the strength to shoo them away. My first priority was to stab myself with lots of Stimpaks and Healing Potions. That restored enough strength to at least sit up and assess my surroundings. The creature that was licking my ear was a white fox; they weren't alone, as I noticed several other foxes pulling over some berries and other things.
"For me?" I ask while looking at the food they brought me.
They nod, and I smile.
"Thank you, I assume you dragged me out of the river," I respond.
They nod again. I struggled to grab the offered food as I still had a slowly healing hole in my chest. By some luck, the bull hadn't pierced my heart. That thought makes me remember that creature, which sends a fresh chill through my blood. But I notice it was weaker this time, as if confronting my race's nemesis had diminished that blood fear.
I slowly heal and use my mana to help the healing process along. Once I was at least in moving shape, I thanked the white foxes with some head scratches, pets, and lots of treats. Then I bid them farewell. If I were in better shape, I would have noticed that the foxes started to fade away as I left, or the fact that their presence was very ethereal, as if they were never there in the first place. Perhaps I would have also noticed a massive white elk watching from a distance. But perhaps that was for the best.
I slowly make my way out of the forest I was in and try to find where I fell from, but that was hard, seeing as I was carried quite some distance and my mana was being used to constantly keep healing the numerous injuries I still had to heal, such as the cursed burns that were agonising with each step or breath I took.
After a decent amount of wandering, I eventually find someplace that seems familiar and follow the road back to the bridge I fell from. I follow the road for almost the entire day, taking breaks occasionally until eventually I see a fire in the distance.
I approach the fire until eventually I find my companions sitting quietly around a fire.
"Why does everyone look like someone died?" I ask sarcastically.
"That's because we've lost Rio... Wait?" Schmendrick responds, but he notices something was wrong and looks towards me.
"RIO! You're alive!" Molly is the first to shout in surprise, followed by the others.
"Ouch, careful, I'm still healing," I respond with a grimace as they hug me tightly.
"Oh my goodness, I'm sorry," Molly says as she and the others give me room.
"How did you survive? We heard a great explosion, but when we returned, the bridge was gone, and you were nowhere to be found," Schmendrick asks with wonder.
"I fought the Firey Beast, but his power was too great for me; our clash sent us falling into the icy waters of the ravine. I was carried by the currents out to sea, where I was rescued by some kind foxes," I respond.
"H-How strong was the Red Bull?" Schmendrick asks nervously.
"Strong, stronger than I by a large margin. Alone, we cannot defeat it, but I have a feeling that with our strength combined, we may yet best the beast," I say with consideration as I take a heavy seat on the ground due to exhaustion.
"You mentioned before that it was a Demon; what kind of demon?" Molly asks with slight fear.
"When I first felt its presence, I believed it to be a Balrog. A creature of Dark Fire and Evil, twisted into a Demon, but I no longer believe that. If it were a true Balrog, it would not do the bidding of a mere mortal king, and I would not stand nearly as much of a chance as I did," I respond.
"But you said it was beyond your power to destroy," Schmendrick points out.
"Yes, but I'm still standing, aren't I? Or I guess living," I joke while sitting.
"The Balrog is the nemesis of the elves. Called The Bane of Elves, but I don't believe what we are facing is a true Balrog; instead, I believe it is a descendant of one, or something similar," I add.
"Then what do we do?" the Unicorn asks.
"If we wish to defeat it, we must have the courage. But not just us, the others, the other Unicorns," I reply firmly.
"You know where they are? Where? You must take me to them," the Unicorn demands very emotionally.
Too emotionally. I look at Schmendrick.
"What did you do?" I ask.
"I... It wasn't my fault. We had to find a way to hide her from the Red Bull. After you left, we feared the creature could come for us next, so I asked magic to do as it wills, and it did. She's been changed," Schmendrick says nervously.
"The fool has cursed her. She now has the emotions of mankind and all that comes with it," Molly says angrily.
"So she has been given humanity. Tell me what is wrong with that?" I ask.
"What? What do you mean, what is wrong with it!? She's a unicorn; she is meant to be pure and untainted by such emotions," Molly complained.
"To deny yourself your emotions is wrong. Are the Unicorns truly any better than the Demon that nearly killed me? Both have cut themselves off from most emotions, save a few. Can a being truly live if they cannot feel anything? Tell me, Unicorn, do you hate having these emotions? To truly feel the world around you, to love, to hate, to experience it all?" I ask seriously.
The Unicorn looks stunned by my questions, and she seems unable to answer the question.
"Have you felt like this before?" the Unicorn asks.
"It is like a cloud, a mist that drifts from living creature to creature. Set in motion by currents and eddies. It is the eye of the storm, the passions of all living things turned into energy, to a chorus. It is the rising swell at the end of life, the promise of new territories and new blood, the call of new mysteries in the dark... Feel this moment, for as long as it'll last... Feel life as it is... But let us be silent... Words and thoughts are distractions," I say before we all go silent and listen to the world around us, the distant sounds of the ocean, the sounds of birds calling to others, of the wind through the trees, all the sounds around us.
We sit there in silence for several moments as I connect to the Force and we meditate on the sounds of life. Only after the epiphany passes do I open my eyes and notice my wounds were all healed, and I felt... Centered.
"I... I don't regret this. I admit, at first, I was horrified; my mind felt foreign, like my body and mind didn't match. But now... Now I realise all the things I had been missing. Now that I've stopped worrying about the change, things feel... clearer. And I find myself wondering why I never felt this way before," the Unicorn says with a tone of clarity.
"Good, remember this feeling. Do not hide yourself from your emotions. It is why the Unicorns were all captured. If they had a better understanding of their emotions, they would be able to face their fears and stand up to the Red Bull. That is the only way we will win," I say while looking off into the distance towards the ocean, where my words were echoing.
"Where are they now?" the Unicorn asks.
"The Bull drove them into the ocean at the command of King Haggard. They dare not step hoof on the shore so long as the Red Bull is on land. With their combined power, they could easily destroy even a True Balrog, but they lack the courage to stand. They need a leader," I say while staring at the Unicorn.
"Me? Surely you must jest? I am no better than they are," the Unicorn denies.
"If nobody stands up, then they will never be freed," I reply simply.
"But... But surely you could lead them, can't you? You stood up to the Red Bull?" the Unicorn suggests.
"They know you. You are a unicorn, and you have something none of them has. Humanity," I reply calmly.
She looks shocked, reluctant, and perhaps a bit scared of the prospect.
"I am too scared to try," the Unicorn laments.
"Courage and Bravery are not the same as Fearless. I have the courage to face down a creature that makes my blood freeze in terror. I'm still scared, incredibly so. But I still stood up to the beast. Because I have something to fight for. Fear is an important emotion.
However, you cannot be bound by it," I soothe.
"But I'm not strong enough," the Unicorn says nervously.
"There are times when the mind outperforms the body. If your physical abilities are not up to the task, prevail with your heart," I say with a reassuring smile.
She closes her eyes, and we all look at her with expectation, before finally she opens them, and I see the determination to fight.
"I shall do it, for me, for them, for everyone!" the Unicorn says with a great and strong voice.
"Then we shall fight with you," I say with a smile.
"You have my magic," Schmendrick says with his smile.
"And my trust," Molly adds with her smile.
"Then it is settled, we march at first light. We shall fight the beast at the beach; the unicorns can either support you or spend the rest of their days shackled by their fear, but this is not the end. Even if we defeat the beast, this world is not safe for Unicorns anymore. Magic is fading at an alarming rate. Soon, the humans will come for the unicorns again, but they may not wish to capture you next time. I wonder what you will do," I comment to the distant unicorns.
"What can they do?" Molly says sadly.
"Then can come with me. I am not from this world, and I can give them a place to live under the protection of a Nature Spirit of immense power," I offer.
My offer disappears into the ocean, and I let it be. I would let them consider my offer. For now, we would rest. Tomorrow would bring a battle, one that would determine the fate of an entire race.
The Next Day...
In the morning, I make us a meal, and we head for the beach where we planned to fight. We were a decent distance from the castle. I considered killing Haggard and seeing if that broke the control, but I didn't dare risk something like that. I couldn't be certain what kind of effects that would have. It could solve all our issues or make them a million times worse by making the beast unbound to anyone and free to act as it wills.
My first step was to add a whole lot of magic traps and wards. I knew they wouldn't stop or harm the beast, but the spells should at least slow it down and, at best, weaken it slightly. Though I was interrupted by a mage.
"What are you doing here, wizard?" the mage demands.
"My business is my own," I respond.
"Answer me or face the wrath of Mabruk the Archmage!" Mabruk threatens.
"I cast Gun, prepare to meet god!" I joke.
"What? I've never heard of a spell named Gun?" Mabruk comments.
Bang
Mabruk looks confused as he looks down at the hole in his chest and then to the smoking gun I had just fired.
Thud
He falls back dead, and I clean up the body.
My senses made it clear the mage was a pretty nasty person on the inside, so I felt no guilt killing him. Everyone else didn't seem that upset and ignored it.
When dusk approached, we were as ready as we could be. The moon turned blood red, and the distant howl of the beast was heard as it ran through the land. I pointed my wand into the sky and cast a simple spotlight spell. The light drew the beast's attention as it ran towards us, but stops at the edge of the beach. The beast wasn't a fool and could sense something was wrong. But unfortunately for them, they had to drive the Unicorn into the sea. So they kept going anyway, though they did start by trying to scare her from a distance.
The Unicorn stares at the beast, though I can tell she was barely managing.
"Lion's Heart," I cast quietly.
The spell hits her and bolsters her courage, causing her to stand even taller and walk confidently towards the beast.
ROOOOOOARRR
The beast seems enraged by the provocation and starts to charge right onto the beach. The various spells activate and slow it down a bit, which gives the Unicorn the chance to dodge the attack and send the beast nearly into the ocean. It barely manages to stop, but I use this chance to attack. I wave my hand, and a massive surge of ocean water crashes into the beast and attempts to drag it out to sea, but the water was evaporating almost as fast as I could supply it.
"Hurry up, I can't hold it for much longer," I shout.
The Unicorn nods and neighs to the sky before channelling her magic into her horn and shooting that purification magic at the beast.
ROOOOAAARRR!!!!
The beast screams in pain that seems to do the trick, as the Unicorns in the ocean start to appear, and I can tell some are almost willing to stand with us.
"My Kin! Only together can we beat this beast! Lend me your power!" the Unicorn shouts strongly.
NEIGH!!!
The neighing of thousands of Unicorns is heard as they all channel their magic and shoot beams of their own.
BOOOM
Whimper
The beast weakly roars as beam after beam of purifying magic hits the beast, and this was the final straw, as the unicorns finally step out of the ocean, and this causes the weakened beast to slowly back into the ocean in fear. I also notice its form getting smaller and smaller as the ocean starts to drain its power. I wasn't fully sure what that entailed, but it was interesting.
Once the beast was fully gone and I could no longer sense its power, I relaxed a bit. Then came the loud neighs of victory. Some Unicorns left soon after, likely to return to their old forest, but most stayed here and seemed to be discussing amongst themselves, eventually causing one to walk up to me.
"On behalf of the Unicorns, we thank you for your help, and we wish to take you up on your offer. We know the world is changing and that the age of magic is at an end. Soon, no Immortals will be left," the Unicorn that approached me said quietly.
"I will gladly accept. I'm certain Lady Everfree will be happy to have you," I reply calmly.
I talk with my companions about this adventure, but as expected, Molly politely refuses.
"I must return to my husband. He may be a loud fool, but he's my loud fool. But it was wonderful to meet you. And I'll miss you," Molly says while hugging me.
"I hope you don't mind if I come with you," Schmendrick asks.
"I would be more than happy to have a mage of your potential with me," I reply with a smile.
"Potential, hah! Sure, sure, let's call it that," Schmendrick says self-deprecatingly.
"Don't sell yourself short. Very few mages could gift humanity and emotions to a being that had none. You could become a very powerful mage if you learn how to control your power," I say honestly.
"Aww, shucks, thanks," Schmendrick says with a shy smile.
"What about you?" I ask the Unicorn that started this journey.
"I shall return to my forest as I promised them. But I shall always remember you, and you will be welcome in my forest anytime," the Unicorn says with a smile.
"What about the other Unicorns? Aren't you a leader now?" Schmendrick asks.
"They don't need two leaders. I am confident Rio can lead them in my stead. After all, he is a Unicorn as well," the Unicorn says.
"Hahahahaha! Very well, I shall take good care of them, and you are welcome in my world anytime you wish," I say with a boisterous laugh.
"Amalthea, call me Amalthea," Amalthea says before hugging me.
"Amalthea, huh? It's a beautiful name," I respond before breaking the hug.
We part ways, and I start the long process of transporting all the Unicorns from this world to my portal room and then into the massive forest I called home for much of my life. I was correct when I believed Gaia Everfree was happy to have them. They were nothing but a boon for a forest and wouldn't attract much more attention than we already didn't attract.
The very last thing I did was to wait for the young prince of Haggard's kingdom to be out on an adventure before shooting a Predator Missile at the castle, destroying it completely. I also tried to see if any other immortals wanted to live in a new world, but that would have to wait for another time.