Well, here he was. Again.

Three cycles. Three cycles of his life: growing, learning, changing. He journeyed through the moment those great earthquakes struck, and journeyed back. He saw lessers fly through the air, or prance through the meadows, or lay dead in decomposing puddles of darkness. He saw the handiwork of others far stronger than him, the distant flashes of magic, the scattering of abandoned dens and chrysalises, and the occasional faraway screech as some poor soul found himself doomed.

Beast saw so many things. And yet he did so, so little.

The only living gembound he met face-to-face was that terrifying thing. Hulking over him, maned with electric quills and ordering him to turn back. An encounter so chilling the child didn't dare interact with anyone else. He was a hermit, watching others chat among ruined buildings or caves of bones while he sat alone. Even in the new caves he found no courage to speak out. An extra in a world full of protagonists.

When he caught wind of the tunnel residents migrating somewhere new, he was quick to snoop around their old place. That beast might've stopped him last time, but not anymore! He trekked all the way back, through Canis, shambling about on six legs until he saw the ruined door once more. Beast stepped over: a ruffle of wind, sand drifting through the air.... but little else. No green monsters, no locked door. The hybrid almost couldn't believe it. A hoof stepped down, clicked against stone-- nothing came to stop him. At least, not right away. Perhaps there were some hiding among the crevices, yet to reveal themselves. But he liked to stay optimistic, you know? Maybe there really wasn't anyone here after all.

The octo-bird-hog sighed, and made his way down from the entryway. He should probably be quick, in case someone was still inhabiting these-- ooh hey, was that a Red Mouse he just saw? He liked red mice! They were flighty, sure, but maybe he could befriend one someday! Completely distracted, Beast trailed after the poor rodent scurrying along the wall crevices. He placed four legs on the sides and tried to scale up... and suddenly remembered he was not a climber. His hooves and flesh pads merely skidded against the walls, scaring away the lesser and whatever wonders it held.

His stomach-beak grumbled in disappointment. He really wanted to be friends with that mouse.