Alicia trailed behind Zephyr, observing that he was heading towards the Heart of the Sanctuary, a place Selina had previously taken her behind the waterfall.
She moved stealthily, trying not to make a sound as she followed him into the cave. Her heart raced with anticipation as she watched Zephyr approach a glowing crystal, his eyes fixed intently on it.
Transfixed, Alicia saw Zephyr touch the crystal with his horn, amplifying its power and glow.
Attempting to startle him, Alicia shouted "Boo!!" But Zephyr simply turned to her, a knowing glint in his eye, and said "You think you surprised me? I knew you'd follow me, Miss Detective." He removed his horn from the crystal and went to do the same to other crystal.
Alicia chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ahhh, that's a nice joke, Zephyr," she said, playfully rolling her eyes. Her smile still lingered on her lips.
Zephyr looked at Alicia, his expression serious. "Okay, you got me," she admitted, her head bowed. "I let my curiosity get the better of me."
Alicia thought to herself, 'What the hell am I doing now? I need to do something fast before I embarrass myself father further.' She took a deep breath, raised her head, and put on a strange, nice smile on. Zephyr, noticing her expression.
"So, what are you doing?" Alicia asked, walking close behind him, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Zephyr walked among the crystal gems, he declared, "I'm harnessing the power of each gem and infusing more light into them to replenish my energy and amplify my horn's power, for I am a unicorn attuned to the crystal's essence." With gentle touch, he tended to the gems that had dimmed, restoring their radiance. Alicia followed closely behind, her footsteps quiet on the crystal floor, her eyes fixed on Zephyr's harmonious connection with the gems.
Alicia's steps faltered, and she hesitated, her mind reaching out to Zephyr's through telepathy. 'Zephyr...' she called out, her mental voice barely above a whisper. He turned to face her, his expression curious, his eyes sparkling with interest. 'Yes, Alicia?' he replied, his tone gentle and encouraging, as if coaxing her to share her deepest thoughts.
Alicia's eyes darted around nervously, as if seeking an escape from her own questions, before settling on the calm, gentle gaze of the unicorn. She fidgeted with a strand of her hair, her voice barely above a whisper, her words tumbling out in a hesitant rush. 'I was wondering... maybe I shouldn't ask, but since we're alone... I want to know how you guys know Lucian, and me as the chosen guardians. Sparkle never wants to talk about it, but... can you please tell me everything?' she asked, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and trepidation in her thought.
Zephyr nodded his head, his mane flowing like silk as it bobbed up and down, his eyes shining with agreement. 'Come with me,' he said to Alicia in her mind, his voice gentle as a breeze in her thought.
Alicia followed Zephyr into the dark cave, where the only light came from the crystal's radiant beauty, illuminating every corner. The sound of water droplets echoed through the air, growing louder as they approached the cliff. Before them, a breathtaking blue waterfall cascaded down, its gentle glow piercing the darkness.
Zephyr stopped at the cliff's edge, settling in comfortably, while Alicia looked around, her eyes finally resting on a small rock. She sat down, and Zephyr gazed out at the water, mesmerized by its flow and fall, creating a soothing melody that filled the air with peace.
'What do you think of this place?' Zephyr asked Alicia, his voice whispering in her mind through telepathy.
'It's peaceful and relaxing,' she replied, her thoughts echoing back to him.
'I couldn't believe Selena never brought me here.'
'Selena didn't know about this place,' Zephyr replied with a soft chuckle. 'Nobody else knows about it either. I come here to relax or think about things much better.'
'Back to your question, you want to know how I know Lucian, Ethan, and Alicia Robert Redford, the guardians of Lacdon' Zephyr took a deep breath before continuing. 'A hidden sanctuary, veiled from the world's chaos, is an enchanting haven known only to a select few. It offers a glimpse into the divine. As you step into this mystical realm, the breathtaking vista unfolds, revealing a tree of unparalleled beauty, its branches adorned with delicate pink flower petals that gently fall, like whispers from the heavens. In this serene paradise, the whispers of the wind carry the secrets of the universe, and the soft rustle of leaves whispers tales of ancient wisdom. The air is alive with an otherworldly energy, transporting you to a realm beyond earthly bounds. Time stands still, and the world's troubles fade into the distance, as you bask in the tranquility of this sacred haven. Here, one can escape the turmoil of the earth and find solace in the stillness. It's as if the heavens have parted, revealing a glimpse of the divine, inviting you to leave your worries behind and soar on the wings of peace and quietness. In this mystical sanctuary, the veil between worlds is thin, and the essence of serenity awaits, like a gentle lover's caress." Zephyr exhaled with relief. Alicia looked at him, wondering how he knew her name and Lucian's, and how he knew so much about the land, considering he had never visited before.
Zephyr turned to look at Alicia. 'Hey, don't forget I can hear your thoughts,' he said.
'Ohh,' she replied.
'But... how...,' Alicia began, only to be cut off as Zephyr spoke up again.
'I can hear your thoughts, see your past, present, and future - it's a gift I possess, and that's why I find it easier to understand you and everyone else,' he said. Alicia nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the new information.
'When we were little ponies, long ago, we were playing and having fun. But then, something like a dimension or a portal from another world opened out of nowhere, and all the ponies stopped playing and got ready to fight, thinking it might be an enemy coming to destroy them,' he said, returning his gaze to the waterfall as memories of the good old days came flooding back. He remembered how they met Lucian, initially thinking he was an enemy.