Run Boy Run

_{The story is meant to be a flow of consciousness, just loose framework for this song, which is the true inspiration for the piece.
For the optimum experience, slow your reading down and match yourself up to the time stamps I've provided.
Music: [link]}

_0:15
The stink of fear clings to his nostrils. He hits the ground hard, running because his life depends on it. On his back Ari is hunched low in the saddle, shoulders bowed, smelling as upset as him. They flee the monsters on their heels, the plains opening up ahead of them with storm shadows lacing the ground in darkness. Each breath scrapes its way out of his lungs and he's never felt so hunted, streaking for the sanctuary of the far wall of mountains. Blackness snaps at his heels, ugly and angry and he whinnies in fear.

_0:59
Suddenly the clouds scatter ahead of him, a glint of sun opening up into a line of light along the ground. He lifts his head higher, doubling his speed, hoping the light can wash him clean of the pain. Ari has straightened a little, seeing the light. The more they gain on it the tenser she gets above him. His heart is thundering in his chest when she throws her head back and screams, angerhurtsaddnessbetrayal clawing free of her to shatter on the dark ground behind them. Meters away from the border her scream becomes a war cry and he pants madly into the noise, leaning towards the beacon of light. The ground shakes under his hooves, cracked rock splintering away at his fury.

_1:56
They break into the light at full tilt and he feels his heart stop, Ari's cry cut short.

_2:03
The benediction of the sun falls upon them both and they gasp for air in unison, hearts beating at the same rhythm. His steps are suddenly light. Ari spreads out her arms and their shadow gains wings as he flies over the ground. Warmth spreads in his chest and golden light fills the gaping hole left by sorrow as they race forward into the horizon.

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Vent art inspired by a gorgeous, earth-shaking kind of dream I had a few days ago. You can read a poem also inspired by it here; [link]

This is a scene I never thought I'd be able to put onto a canvas; the first moments after Ari and Jager are exiled from Ragnarock, they're chased to the border of the territory by the very Slayers they once thought their friends.

The moment has always been bittersweet in my memory, because for as much as they lost they gained an independence and freedom they never would have achieved otherwise.

I ran across Run Boy Run about a month ago and was really inspired by the mood, which I think perfectly reflected this whole scene. I listened to it and Iron on repeat about a billion times during this process, which ended up being more of a personal investment than I intended.

Done ref-free, amazingly. I googled clouds and sand and such but didn't actually trace anything, so this was also a good learning experience.
I'd love feedback on this. I know the writing is really rough and jerky, but it was.... not intentional exactly, but appropriate? As I said above, it's just meant to provide context for the song, which is the real star of the piece.

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_{Can I count this as a dragontack pic? |D He's wearing it...}