Selina's POV
"Bodies dry, shoes on, gloves on… Oh, crap, my hair's still wet," I muttered, flipping my damp hair over my shoulder. It stuck awkwardly to the back of my neck. I glanced over at Alicia, checking if she was ready.
"You set to go, little sis?" I asked, stepping closer as she tightened the last lace on her boots. The faint ting of the metal hook snapped into place.
"Yeah, all set," Alicia said, standing up and shaking her wet hair before tying it into a loose ponytail.
Satisfied, I grabbed her hand and started toward the waterfall.
Alicia gave me a confused look, her brows furrowing slightly. Did she really think I was about to drag her through the rushing water? I almost laughed but kept my face serious. To her surprise, I led her behind the waterfall instead, revealing a hidden passageway. The roaring sound of the water faded behind us as we stepped into a narrow corridor, softly lit by crystals embedded in the walls.
"This way," I whispered, guiding her deeper into the cave. I could feel her curiosity bubbling, but she stayed quiet until we reached a small chamber at the end of the tunnel.
we approached, I reached out and lightly touched one of the glowing crystals. Alicia jumped back and slipped, nearly falling. Her shriek echoed off the walls, making me stifle a laugh. Her expression was priceless—like she had just seen a vampire.
"What's wrong?" I asked, smirking.
She folded her arms, narrowing her eyes at me. "If there was a shortcut this whole time, why didn't you take me here earlier? You had me freaking out back there!"
I chuckled, my laughter fading into a more serious tone. "I wanted you to learn your way around the cave. It's important to know your surroundings."
She didn't argue, but the eye roll said it all. We kept moving until the roar of the waterfall returned, louder than before. Instead of walking through it, we slipped around a corner, avoiding the cascade altogether.
Stepping outside, we were met with wild, gusting winds. The force tugged at our clothes and sent our hair flying in every direction. I quickly reached up, pulling mine back into place.
Alicia did the same, squinting as she scanned the horizon. We stood at the edge of the sanctuary, the cave behind us. The journey ahead still stretched far, but for now, we had a moment of peace, just the two of us and the wind at our backs.
---
Luna's POV
From the mountain peak, I surveyed the valley below. Jagged cliffs, rolling hills, and the winding river created a breathtaking view. But my eyes narrowed as I noticed something off—the wind. It had picked up, growing harsher as it whipped against Selina and Alicia, who were struggling to stay upright.
"Zephyr," I called, turning to my companion, who had been chatting with the other unicorns nearby. He trotted over gracefully, his hooves barely making a sound.
"Look down there," I said, gesturing toward the valley.
Zephyr followed my gaze, his horn glowing softly as he used his heightened vision to scan the area. "I see them," he said, frowning. "They're struggling with the wind."
I nodded, my rainbow mane billowing in the gusts. "The wind's being quite rude today, don't you think? It's making things difficult for them."
Zephyr tilted his head in agreement. "We should help them. The wind is far too strong for them to handle."
"Exactly what I was thinking," I replied, a determined glint in my eye. "Let's go."
Without wasting another moment, we descended from the mountain, our hooves barely grazing the ground as we picked up speed. The wind howled around us, but our magical aura shielded us from its fury. we approached Selina and Alicia, we extended our wings and took flight, gliding swiftly toward them.
---
Selina's POV
At first, the wind was fun—a playful force drying our hair and cooling us off. But it quickly turned wild, relentless. Dust swirled in the air, stinging my eyes. I had to squint just to see ahead. My gown whipped violently in the gusts, and Alicia was struggling to keep hers from tangling around her legs.
"I think the wind's out to get us," I muttered, leaning forward to keep my balance.
Alicia tried to laugh, but the wind shoved her hair into her face, cutting her off. "I liked it better when it was just drying us off," she groaned, shielding her eyes from the swirling dust.
Just as I was about to suggest finding shelter, I noticed something in the distance—two figures, one gleaming gold and the other a brilliant black, flying down the mountain. My heart skipped a beat.
"The unicorns," I whispered to Alicia, nudging her. "They're flying."
Alicia squinted, her face lighting up with relief. "Luna and Zephyr! They're coming for us."
---
Zephyr's POV
Flying once again felt exhilarating, though it had been a while since Luna and I had taken to the skies. As we neared Selina and Alicia, our magical presence calmed the chaotic winds around them. The fierce gusts softened into a gentle breeze by the time we landed.
"We saw you were struggling with the wind," Luna said, her voice kind yet clear as she stepped up to the girls. "We thought you could use some help."
Selina let out a relieved sigh, running her fingers through her now-tamed hair. "You have no idea how happy we are to see you," she said with a grin. "That wind was getting rough."
Alicia, still catching her breath, nodded. "Yeah, I didn't know you guys could fly! I hadn't even noticed you had wings."
I glanced at Luna, silently laughing at Alicia's astonishment. But Luna shot me a death glare, reminding me to stay serious. She moved closer to the girls. "We've always had wings," she explained. "We just use our magic to hide them most of the time."
The girls looked amazed, wide smiles lighting up their faces. I couldn't ignore how impressed they seemed, but I kept my focus.
"The valley can be unpredictable," Luna continued. "But with us here, you'll be fine. We'll guide you through."
Luna stood beside Selina, while I positioned myself next to Alicia, lowering my body so they could climb onto our backs. Once they were settled, we took off into the sky, spreading our wings wide.
we soared higher, the girls clung tightly, their laughter blending with the wind. I increased my speed, passing through the clouds with a surge of excitement. The sky stretched endlessly ahead, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.