"Who--no-- what are you?"
The Equine creature asked. After the first one had fled down the hall, screaming in terror, there was no shortage of warriors who came charging into my chambers. Their initial response to seeing me was mild shock, after all they did expect something to be here, followed by their spears being pointed in my direction.

I still wonder how they hold those spears & use them effectively, what with their lack of hands? But that is beside the point. Focusing back on the mare whom asked me the question. This same mare was the one who, thankfully, managed to calm the warriors down before they could do any harm to me.
The mare was a pegasi, if my memory serves me correct, mythical creatures who bore the wings of a mighty hawk & the body of a strong horse. This pegasus in particular had yellowish-golden coat of fur, whilst her mane seemed to be made of various hues of black & gray, she wore strange beige colored clothes & held a determined yet fascinated look on her face.

The mares question had escaped my mind whilst I examined her features in the dim lighting of the chamber. But I was brought back from my internal ponderings by a loud cough, clearly one ment to get my attention, the source being the very same mare whom asked me the question. She repeated once again...

"What are you?" She asked again, this time in a more slow manner, believing I either held no understanding of what she said, or that I was simply too ignorant to understand. I was tempted to feel insulted by such, but decided not to, mainly because the numerous warriors stood patiently at each corner of the chamber. I focused on the mares question, I hadn't spoken in decades & I had no guarantee that my words would be understandable... or even coherent for that matter.

Slowly I opened my mouth, the joints of my jaw loudly cracking & popping from their sudden use after all these years, I momentarily took note at the cringes that some of the warriors gave upon hearing such a noise. To think they would've seen battle! As I opened my dried mouth, I looked towards the mare & watched her eyes bore into me.

"I am precluded, I was abandoned..." My voice, by the pits of tartarus, it was truly painful to hear. My lack of water had left me all but devoid of fluids & thus my vocals paid dearly. But despite my effort it seemed the mare only heard the guttural sounds of my throat, but not the words I spoke.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" She asked once more, stepping closer to me much to the the guards dismay. Her ears flickered and twisted towards me, attempting to get a better bead on what I was trying to say. Much to my jaws protest, I spoke once more, this time with a clearer throat... well... as clear as I could afford.

"I said... I am abandoned, I am forgotten, I am the last..." My words were cryptic words upon her ears & she did seem momentarily surprised that I spoke her language though. But her surprise was soon replaced with utter bafflement, my cryptic words did not help answer her question & she wasted no time in stating such.

"That doesn't answer my question. What are you?" She asked again, this time she seemed a tad bit more annoyed then previously. But her patience still remained intact, thankfully...

I let out a sigh before speaking again. Unfortunately for the young mare, my true nature would not be so easily revealed, some knowledge is best left for those who know how to process it... and those who do must be very wise on how to handle it. "I am ancient flesh, & I am made of ancient blood... if these do not satisfy then I can give you nothing more then my deepest apologies. But you are simply unprepared for knowing... as is everyone you bring with you..."
My eyes swept across the room & gazed at each guard individually, some of them flinched from my cold gaze while others returned it with a gaze of their own, either way it was made clear that I saw none of these equine to be capable of understanding.

Slowly I lifted my hand, the clanking of the gauntlet & chainmail masked the creaking of bones & popping of joints, and pointed out towards the hole which granted them access into my old city. Slowly my hand shifted so I could point to the distant mountain with a grand castle built into its side, the simple movement of my hand seemed to baffle the equines around me as a few watched in wonder as my fingers moved.
"Return to your cities, go back to your homes. This is not a place where one learns, this is a place for the dead, and none of you seem to be dead..."

The mare seem ready to speak again, although this time she definitely held an expression of annoyance, but the words died in her throat. She looked to one of the guards & nodded, to which the guard nodded back, and soon they began making their exit. But before the mare left, she turned to me and gave me one last look... followed by a simple question...
"Can you at least tell us your name?" She asked, a hopeful spark of interest in her words.

I lowered my arm, returning it to its place at my side, and gave her a long credulous look. Deeming it safe enough to share a simple name, I nodded my head & spoke truthfully.
"Lorus, my name is Lorus Belmont... what, pray tell, is yours?" I asked in turn, seeing it only fair that I be given a name as well.

"Daring, Daring Do, pleased to meet you Lorus..." She replied with a smile. She seemed happy that she'd managed to get some small speck of useful information from me, though I didn't ponder on this, I was instead more focused on the bizarre name which she'd given. Was she mocking me? Perhaps... I didn't have time to question it as I soon found myself alone in the chamber I'd grown so use to.

I had little understanding as for what these equines had in store for me. But I found myself excited for our next meeting, if such a meeting were to occur...

Author's Note

Well, as I promised! another chapter with a few improvements over the last. Though with every improved addition there will always be mistakes & shortcomings. So please, let me know if i've made mistakes or im just doing terribly!