Crossworld Between Harmony: Nightmare's Ascension

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// Story: Crossworld Between Harmony

// Chapter 6 - Shadow vs. Guard

// Author: Scarlet Reign

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The gray captain and the rookie, Geos, went inside the mansion with butler Wheler holding out the door. Inside, the room was even more spectacular than the outside, describing of a dream come true for a luxurious suite, except for the hundred of books that was laying everywhere.

“Forgive for the sturdy messes gentlemen,” the butler added, closing the door behind them.

“What’s the deal of this?” Hover asked; and knowingly, slightly intimidated by the darkness. “And what happen with the light?”

“Again, I am deeply sorry about this,” Wheler fetched out the candle as he lit it up. “Master Haliv, out of barkly sense, dislike the light. It...distracts him...from his work.”

“What work?”

“For that, it is a secret,” the butler chuckled and went ahead, heading for the stairs. “If you please follow me, I’m sure my Master is upstairs, studying, as usual.”

======

Canterlot

Princess Celestia smiled at the farewell guests as she returned to her personal chamber. She rub her fiery avian, Philomena, as it cooed with delight. “I am sorry that I wasn’t here for you,” she said, sighing. “But it isn’t the same without her. You would that, after a year without my sister, it would be the same as before. But it isn’t.”

Philomena frowned, nudging at the princess.

Celestia giggled. “Oh stop it, that tickles you know,” she slightly smiled at her pet, but her smile quickly faded at the instant. She looked out from the balcony, feeling the cold embrace of the heavy rain.

Celestia closed her eyes, remembering the good times with her sister, Luna, and her faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. The memories were heavenly, glorious. She would like to go back in time just to spend another moment with them. How they cherished every moment of their life was worth every bit of it. And she would say hello to them and laugh with absolute glee.

But when Celestia opened her eyes she saw nothing, nothing but the dark clouds that was hovering above and the irritable rain. I hate the rain...it makes me all...sentimental.

There was a knock at the door as Phalanx gradually opened. “Mistress, your schedule for raising the moon is coming up shortly,” he said, only to find himself surprise to see the Princess outside, drizzled and soaking wet by the rain. He quickly barged inside to her chamber. “Mistress! Are you alright?” he asked, worriedly.

The princess gradually turned to face the pony-guard, finding her tears coming from her eyes. “Oh Phalanx,” she said, her voice was shaken, unable to hide her sorrow. She quickly lunged at the guard, hugging him tightly like never before. Her forelegs crumbled beneath her, as she weeped dreadfully of the loss. “Oh Phalanx, why is it always happening to me? Why? Why!”

Phalanx couldn’t bear the magnitude that the princess was feeling. He felt a deep, throbbing sadness coming from her. He slowly hugged her back. “I am sorry, for everything,” he grimly confessed, feeling himself responsible for the tragic event. His eyes began to water as he succumbed into tears. “It should have been me that took the shot. Then nothing would have happen to her.”

Then, Luna would still be alive.

======

The two ascended to the second floor, striding through the hallway and following the butler wherever the path had taken them.

Wheler became silent, stuttering not a single word after the explanation from Hover. The destruction of Fortress Ironcloud was unfortunate, and he sympathize to the fallen men defending the mighty structure. Firmly holding a candle light, he continued walking as the floor creaked ominously on the dark path ahead. He'd shown a cool, calming state, unhindered by the surrounding darkness. He turned back at them and smiled.

“Why are you smiling?” the captain asked.

“Nothing sir, no particular reason. Though, it must be hectic back at the capitol of the sudden loss.”

Hover grimaced, still disbelief that the fortress would go down so easily. “In bearing truth, even I didn’t know about it. The news were keeping secret to us as well."

The butler nodded. "It must be quite urgent if the news was being kept from you and the public. The master would be greatly displease that our protectors were left in the dark."

Hover smirked in a agreement. "You could say that again. What is the deal with the darkness?" he added, suspiciously curious from earlier. "You mention before that he was distracted by the light, why is that?"

"Well, it isn't like he was distracted or anything," the butler corrected. "It's just his condition with the light...unsettled him. The longer he stares at the light, the more it hurts."

"And what kind of condition is it? The more I think about it, your master seem to have a fond of the night."

"For that, there can be no lie. The master does enjoy the night. His favorite pastime is astronomy. But for his condition, I am clueless as you are. Even to me, his loyal and faithful butler, he wouldn't tell me about it. Although, if I have to guess, sir, I think it has to do with the accident that happened a year ago."

"Accident? What accident?" Hover asked. "Did something happen to your master?"

The butler grimly nodded, slightly depressed. "I fear the master couldn't recover after the accident. His entire family went onto their usual trip to the woods when bandits attacked. He'd lost his entire family."

"That...is quite unfortunate." Geos said. For once, Hover agreed with him.

"The master wasn't the same after that. I think he still blamed himself for their death," the butler sighed. "That would be my guess, sir, as to why they're so many books. He seemed to be focusing on a way to--"

"Bring them back to life," Hover finished his sentence. "Your talking about raising the dead? Using magic?"

Geos was slightly alarmed, recalling from Ironcloud of the undead horde. Butler Wheler winced. "...yes, that is right. But like I said, it was only a guess. We do not know what our master is doing in his study room."

"Anything else that we should know about your master?" Hover asked, slightly demanding.

The butler cleared his throat, mindful at the captain’s infamous temper that he has heard about. “The master was determine to find the solution, but when he returned from the accident he had the look of a deadman, covering in injuries and blackish stains all over his fine suit. He had told me once that he was saved by a beast. It sounded crazy if you ask me."

“If by chance,” Geos mindfully asked. “Did the beast have black wings?"

"As a matter of fact, he did said something about the beast having wings and a horn on its head. The master even mention that it could use magic, absurd. How in the blight's did you know that?"

“It seems Geos is interested into your story," Hover intervened, blocking Geos and their discussion. "Ah, the youthful mind of imagination. The young lad must have quite the imagination, don't you think?"

The butler glared suspiciously at the captain; and more importantly, at the rookie. He then shrugged, focusing on the direction ahead and silently laughed.

Hover gazed coldly at the rookie, aware that their investigation was almost being blown. "Mind your words carefully, rookie," he whispered. "Or you'll find yourself back in your pitted dungeon."

Geos stared at the captain as he proceeded ahead with the butler. His fist tightened, unbearably wanting punch him in the face. He looked down on the ground, controlling his hatred for the captain. He could feel something stirring into his chest, urging to place a blade onto the captain's blackened heart. But inevitably, he couldn't. He wasn't the type of person to do something so foul and wicked.

He depressingly sighed. For now, he had to accept the reality as he tried to catch up with the captain.

He had been awfully quiet throughout the trip. His mind was ravaged with consistent headache. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this place, lurking beneath the mansion as the pain returned with twice the force, throbbing persistently without any end. He could strangely hear the nightmare beast, whispering in his ears and calling him into the darkness.

Unnaturally, he felt there was something wrong with the mansion. The surrounding place feels twisted, bending to the point of madness. The air was foul in his lungs, reminding him more of the dark equine and its ghastly companion.

The place was written with trouble and, what’s worse, he was about to find out.

======

Butler Wheler had led them deep into the mansion, striding straight on the path ahead. The hallways was pitch utter black as the burning candle was slowly fading from the light. Their shadows were reflected by the candle, showing ominous figures of themselves with fingers extending like claws and their heads slightly deformed, bended into a different shape.

"This as far as I can go," the butler announced, standing in front of a door. A fainting light appeared from behind, peering through the sided space of the door. "This is the master's personal study room. Be advise though, that he doesn't take likely to visitors when he is...lobbying through his books."

"Noted, and thanks for you advice. You can leave us now, Wheler"

The butler gradually bowed. "Very well, captain. Good luck to your investigation. I hope you can clear his goodly name." He calmly finished his sentence and strode back , but not until he glance at the rookie with slight amusement. The candle light grew dimmer as the butler trailed to the hallway and vanishes without a trace.

Geos blinked, wondering on what's the other side of the room. In the instant, the pain gushed through his mind, lingering on with persistence. The door jerked open as a ray of light flashed before his eyes, blinding him completely to the surrounding. It didn't took him very long to discover that he was in a different place.

No longer at the Haliv mansion, Geos was outside, standing alone at a dark and desolate forest. Middle of nowhere and without any knowledge to where he was, he quickly began to sight an animal, slithering its way towards to him.

It was a black snake.

The snake had a feign, dark and familiar energy that was surrounding over its body; it eyes glared with an ominous bluish glow. It hissed, dangerously, sounding enrage about something, or someone. “Curse them...curse them all!”

Geos wasn't surprise to see a talking snake. For him, meeting a talking pony was enough. As the snake was getting closer, he felt a cold chill surging through his spine. His eyes was glued at the snake as it passed right through him like a feign ghost.

The dark purple snake raised its head, gazing at the night and the constellation of the stars. She hissed, despondently. “Someday...I will have my revenge..."

As the animal disappeared into the woods, Geos couldn't help but to put his fingers on it. He was sure that he'd recognize the snake somewhere before and strangely enough, he felt...sorry for the snake. He understood the creature perfectly, seeing the snake to be in badly shape and injured from an accident or a fight maybe.

Her words were dangerous, threatening even. The snake had a deep grudge against someone for sure as Geos could hear another voice, coming from behind. It then quickly said.

“Are you going to open the door?”

"Huh?" Geos twisted his head to meet Hover, impatiently tapping his feet. He saw his hand by the door handle, realizing that he was back from reality. He felt embarrassed about it.

“Anytime now, would suffice." Hover added, his voice slightly strained.

Embarrassed by his action, Geos clicked the handle, gradually opening the door for him. "Right...sorry about that."

The gray captain shook his head as he quickly entered the room.

Geos paused, dozing off as to what had transpired. Did he witness a memory, a dream, an illusion? Who was that snake and where was that place? So many questions and yet, so little time. He didn't had the time to think about the answers as his feet parried into the study room.

======

As they entered the room, they quickly came to stumble upon a mountain of books, laying everywhere in sight. The books had sheer volumes of manuscripts imported from local to foreign land and there were some books relating to sorcery and magic. Butler Wheler was right all along, his master, Joaris Haliv, was attempting on magic

The study room was in a completer and utter mess. It wasn't surprise for them by what the butler had describe of a man being coop up in his room for so long. Dirty clothes were placed at the sofa and the smell of rotten fruits sting in their nostrils in the instant.

Minding the smell, Geos browsed on one of the books, scratching his head in perplexity. The words were foreign, he couldn't understand them if he tried. He kept turning the pages only to see drawings and diagrams of the human anatomy. He checked on another book that was all about clockwork and machines and didn't know what to think. The sketch of the drawing wasn't complete, half finished, but he could make out the unfamiliar design. It was a ship.

“At last, you’ve finally come.”

Out of nowhere, a voice appeared. Geos slightly jumped in startle as he dropped the book. Emerging between the pile of papers, a man rose from the scene. It was a middle aged man, smiling cheerfully with delight. The man was total wreck. Like the rest of the room, his appearance was a mess, disorganized and sloppy. His suit smelled as bad as the rotten fruits.

“I was wondering when you will show up," The middle age man babbled, slightly insane in his voice and checking at the clock. "You're behind schedule as it is. My name is Joaris Haliv. And I welcome you to my humble estate.”

"Forgive of the intrusion, but did you say that we're behind schedule?"

"Indeed you are. You're late to deliver the mail." Joaris spoke like a madman, constantly convincing himself that they were somebody else.

Hover sighed, changing the subject. "Master Joaris, please, we are not some messengers," he stated. "We have come here to believe that you were in some sort of trouble."

Haliv tilted his head, slightly surprised. “Oh? This is strange indeed, but as you can see here there’s nothing to be worried about. Everything is peaceful and quiet. There’s no trouble around this place, no trouble at all.”

“I...tend to disagree,” the gray captain presented his badge. “We are the Soulus guards. By the order councilor Deshu himself, we have come to investigate the sudden rumors. We believe that you are conspiring against the empire and the--"

Suddenly, Joaris bluntly laughed aloud,  interrupting the captain’s speech. He greatly smiled, laughing crazy as if he didn't laugh for a very long time. "Oh please, this is too much," he said, wiping away his joyful tears. "Conspiracy...now that's a good one. You must be entirely mistaken as to think that I would go up against the empire. You must be out of your mind."

Hover lowered his eyes, not likely taking himself for a fool. He really despised nobles with a passion. His action would bludgeoned the crazy man to the ground if not for his promise with Twilight Sparkle. "Maybe you are correct," he slightly admitted. "But if you don't mind as to let us see your work then?"

Joaris heavily blinked, clearly hitting a nerve. “That’s personal affair...you have no right as to--”

“As Soulus guards we every right to suspect any doubt and suspicion," The captain clarified, now smiling back with delight. "You will show us what you have been doing or risk being force to submit by Soulus laws."

Joaris remained silent, staring with disapproval. He slightly glanced at his studies. "...very well. If you must insist then I will show you my work." He quickly grabbed the little bell from the table and rang.

The door opened from behind to see Wheler in present. "You called, master?"

"Yes. Bring the captain to my work. Show him...the extent of my progress."

"As you wish, master," the butler bowed. "Captain, if you please follow me."

The gray captain nodded, willingly leaving the study room. Geos was about follow the captain, but he was quickly stop by Joaris, grabbing behind his shoulder. "My good man, please, stay for a moment. We simply must discuss something important."

Geos wanted to refuse his offer, but the gray captain turned with a commanding voice. "You stay here, rookie. Keep a close eye on our friend while I check his work."

"Understood, sir." Geos watched the captain left the room, leaving him alone with the head family of the mansion.

Joaris smiled. "Excellent, now that he's out of the way, you and I have some important matters to discuss. When I saw you enter the room, I can sense something...unique about you."

"You must be mistaken. I'm nothing of special, sir."

"For that, I tend to disagree," Joaris Haliv stared, his eyes were deep lavender. "You are more special than I thought.

======

The gray captain wondered if it was a good idea to leave the rookie behind; although, he didn’t have the time to waste as his feet trailed into a different path.

Following the butler to the unknown, the captain stopped in his track. "This is different from the rest. Where are we?"

The butler humbly chuckled. "Your doom, I'm afraid."

The gray captain raised to question and before he could ask another question, a sharp blow was felt from the back of his head. Feeling the tremendous force, the captain was knocked out, collapsing in front of the butler.

Wheler ominously smiled. His eyes glared with deep lavender as he could see another butler emerging from the shadows, wielding firmly of his baton.

“Finally, I thought he’d never shut up,” Wheler stated with relief. “Bring him to the working chambers and have him lock with the rest of the unfortunates. Their souls will be excellent for the master’s experiment.”

The butler nodded  “What should we do with the rest of them outside?”

“There are of no concern to the master. Eliminate them all and be done with it." As soon as Wheler was about to depart he then grimly added. "Oh, I forgot one other thing: bring that purple beast to us. I want her head on a silver platter."