The clearing of the Cartenone Temple was strangely silent. Half the team had been "skipped," leaving empty outlines that shimmered faintly, reminders of what was lost. The remaining members huddled together, the weight of the loss pressing in.
Equinox—Trojan Horse—stood slightly apart, her violet mane flickering as she gazed at the ruins. Her hooves tapped lightly against the cracked platform, but her eyes were distant, thoughtful.
Brush noticed. "Equinox… you're quiet. Are you okay?"
She turned slowly, revealing for the first time the subtle glow in her eyes, the faint shimmer along her body. "I… need to tell you," she said softly. "Before we face the next domain."
The team gathered around as she took a deep breath.
"I wasn't always… this," she began. "This form—the horse you see—it's not just an avatar. It's my true self in the stream. My original identity was… hidden, trapped inside layers of programs, simulations, and ratings. I was designed to blend in, to deceive, to… survive."
Brush tilted his head, listening closely. "Survive? What do you mean?"
Equinox's violet glow dimmed slightly. "Long before I became part of your team, I existed in a digital world far from the Cartenone Temple. I was a prototype—a Trojan Horse. Not a literal horse, but a guardian meant to infiltrate systems from within. I learned to adapt, to mimic, to take forms that wouldn't be suspected. And then…" Her gaze sharpened. "I was locked. Trapped inside my own avatar. All I could do was wait for someone who could help me break free."
She looked directly at Brush. "You freed me, even without knowing it. Every battle we've fought together, every command you gave… it resonated with my core. I wasn't just following orders. I was remembering who I really was."
Frostbinder, usually quiet, asked gently, "So this horse form… is your true self?"
Equinox nodded, mane flowing in a faint violet breeze. "Yes. The form I chose to exist in after I escaped the program. It's me—fully me. And now, I fight not because I was coded to, but because I choose to. Because I want to protect you… all of you. And yes, Brush… you too."
Brush's heart pounded. He had always known there was more to her than the mysterious horse-girl, but hearing it directly made the connection… real. "I'm glad you're here. And I'm glad you're with us, Equinox."
She smiled faintly, lifting her violet lances. "Then let's move forward. The next domain awaits. We can't waste time. But now you know the truth… about me, and why I fight."
The team readied themselves once more, their resolve sharpened. The lost half of their allies still lingered in memory, but this revelation gave them clarity: every strike, every maneuver, was now a choice—fueled by trust, not obligation.
And with a flash of violet, Trojan Horse leapt forward, leading the way toward the waiting danger, her true self shining brighter than any avatar before