The thousand voices came from all around him, audible even in the howling winds. Each of them were taunting, each of them dripped with cruelty. And yet among the Windigoes, only the one before him seemed to be addressing him.



"You have FAILED, old fool." The ethereal horror gloated, "Your people will fall... their hatred had nourished us well. And from their frozen forms, we shall feast upon their essence for ten thousand years and more!"



The unicorn's grimace deepened. For a while, there was only the snow and darkness, and the sound of the Windigoes' dark laughter amidst the winter gusts.



Then, suddenly, he gave a light chuckle.



"Lies." He said simply. "I know you, monster, and I know you well. You are nothing - Nothing but whispers in the wind. You have nothing - Nothing but malice and spite!"



His voice grew loud, defiant against the startled creatures, filled with conviction and resolve. "You are hatred - but hatred have no hold over any creature who does not give in to it! And we will give you nothing! My people will survive, and when they discover they have each other, their strength together will burn away your shadows and your lies! YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER US!"



Then, they felt it - far away in the distance, beyond the mountains, a glowing light banishing the darkness of the storm, a growing warmth pushing away the deathly cold in the air. It shone with the brilliance of a burning flame - a fire of friendship.



This, and the mocking smile from the unicorn mage - a smile of vindication - made the Windigoes scream with fury, and they were upon him as his horn glowed with magic ...