Humani Victoria

b]Chapter 36 ~ Battle of the Sky

“If peace cannot be maintained with honour, it is no longer peace.”

                                                                -John Russel

Somewhere, The Kingdom of Gryphonia, Saturday, 11th of April, 7:13pm, 2206 AC

Falling.

Falling really sucks.

Jason groaned as the pain hit him, granted it could've been a lot worse given the circumstances, but still. The aches and bruises now covering his entire body would hurt for the next few days, no doubt. He lay upon soft lush grass, trees and their branches blocked much of the dying light of the sunset, the forest becoming very dark. Jason stared at the orange sky for a few moments before a noise reminded him that he wasn't alone, he looked over and saw his two knightly companions. Ser Goldbeak seemed unharmed enough, some scrapes here and there, most likely from branches during the fall; Ser Steelclaw on the other hand lay upon the ground, his face was lined with pain and his feathers spattered with blood, a huge gash spilled blood into the knight’s previously well-groomed feathers and into the grass.

“It.. It was the Alicorn, yes? He hit this one with a spell or perhaps a blade, in glorious battle?” Ser Steelclaw asked, his eyes clamped shut and his words coming out with difficulty. Jason looked at the sound, it was rough and uneven, no blade nor spell caused that and when Jason met Goldbeak’s tortured gaze he knew that the knight had come to same conclusion. He watched him hesitate, sorrow and guilt weighed his shoulders down as he responded.

“Yes,” Goldbeak lied. “You died in honourable combat, in service to crown and country, your tale shall be sung by bards and shall inspire children, you shall be granted entry into the Hall my brother, this one promises.”

“This one dies content,” Steelclaw moved weakly, grasping for his sword, Goldbeak helped him and placed the blade in his claws, Steelclaw held the sword over his chest. “For the king, for the kingdom, for Gryphonia, the oath honoured to the end.”

“Fly now, my brother,” Goldbeak said, his voice cracking. “Fly now in that peaceful place beyond, fly with your ancestors and the kings of old, know rest, know peace.”

For a moment it seemed like Steelclaw would say something else, but he released the breath in a shuttering gasp, his body relaxed, his face became serene. Goldbeak released the sob that he had been holding in his throat, he leaned forward and gently closed Steelclaw’s eyelids before pressing his beak gently into Steelclaw’s forehead. Goldbeak straightened himself and took several deep breaths before wiping the moisture from his eyes, he looked at Jason whom had sat himself up, Goldbeak’s sorrow was outlined by the approaching night.

Without a word, Goldbeak walked into the woods, his form disappearing into the darkness. He returned shortly with a bundle of sticks in his beak, he placed them down next to Steelbeak before leaving once again to return with yet more sticks. Jason stood when Goldbeak returned a third time and followed him into the woods, they gathered wood and tinder together and slowly they formed a pyre around Steelclaw.

“Do you know the flower, Daffodil?” Goldbeak asked, his voice hoarse.

“Yeah?” Jason said.

“Gather as much as you can,” Goldbeak said.

There was a surprising amount of Daffodils growing along a small stream that ran not too far away. They gathered whole bundles of the stuff and brought it back to the pyre where Jason watched as Goldbeak carefully placed each flower around his brother, wreathing them into his wings.

“Do you have a flint?” Goldbeak asked once he was finished.

“No, but…” Jason kneeled down and summoned fire to his hand, the flames caught the kindling and spread across the pyre. Jason stood back up as the flames began to cover Steelclaw.

“You should rest,” Goldbeak said softly. “Recover.”

“Shouldn't you?” Jason asked.

“This one must remain on guard until his brother has been returned to ash, he must honour him.”

“…Alright,” Jason said, he remembered what Luna had said; outsiders would never understand these Gryphons. He laid himself down on the soft grass, the heat of the pyre washing over him. For a while there was only the sound of the crackling fire and the forest around them, until, softly at first but with rising volume…

“ Qui canitis ad me,

Longe me in mortem somno,

Cum iter ad mortem ire

Et hoc track et conculcabit

Frigidum frigida, et frigus.

Quaesivi et Missa,

Et misit ad cantica.

Et in profundissimum puteum

Lacrimis ita mihi durum

Ex pignus fratrum.

Ego nihil scio, mei regis

Semper paratus sum mori,

Qui canitis ad me,

Longe me in mortem somno,

Unde iter ad mortem ire

Et hoc track et conculcabit

Frigidum frigida, et frigus.

Mane vel in fine diei,

Corvus tamen scit si ceciderit.

Cum stabitis ad portam

Cumque lacerare liber

Ego sequi te

Super montes mea.

Vincula et ligabunt te carere,

Inter se vinculis liberatus es tu

Tangit mortuum,

Amicis mortuis,

Sic moriaris oportet.

Si hoc

Et non moriatur;

Honestate unus honos.

Fratres die,

Amicis mortuis,

Sic moriaris oportet.

Unum scio,

Ut non moriatur;

Iudicium defuncti militis vitam.”

Jason said nothing, he allowed himself to slip into sleep to the sorrowful song of a mourning knight.

Talonguard, Gryphonia, Saturday, 11th of April, 7:34pm, 2206 AC

“Hm, Celestia brought the moon out a tad early,” Luna commented, staring up at the sky from her position on her back, the collapsed building that she had crashed into forming rubble piles around her.

“Well, at least she did it for you, it's the thought that counts,” Nemesis replied, he himself being in the same situation as Luna, having crashed into the building with her.

“I suppose, anyway, shall we continue?” Luna asked.

“Why not?”

The two dark Alicorns shot out of the ruined building and into the air, below them Talonguard was on fire. A mass moshpit that had evolved long past loyalist versus traitors and into a mad clash of pure bloodlust and rage, there were no sides anymore, only death.

Luna summoned her scythe to her side and without hesitation she became shadow, her form melting into an ethereal form that shot towards Nemesis at speeds unimaginable. Her blade collided with Nemesis’ sword with the force of a titan, the resulting shockwave rocked the ground beneath them. Wasting no time, Luna teleported to the side and went for another blow which was once again blocked, the two Alicorn’s exchanged blows back and forth with neither making any headway. Luna eventually twitched tactics, and teleported far away. She reached out to the moon, it's light graced her and she felt it’s strength seep into her, this was her time. The moonlight glinted off her scythe and became a solid blade of silver which shot forth and pierced Nemesis’s eye, he screamed in agony as he cried godsblood.

Nemesis disappeared and reappeared next to Luna, they grappled with each other and Nemesis dragged her down with him. The two Alicorn’s tumbled from the sky and crashed into the marble streets below. Luna recovered quickly and faced her foe once more, it had been a long time since she had faced something worthy of her skill, she had to admit, this was enjoyable.

“Why do you fight me, Luna?” Nemesis asked, with a tone very distant from that of, which confused Luna. “I remember such a time when you desired revenge yourself, first against the Human’s, then against your sister no less…”

“SILENCE!” Luna shouted, her voice thundering the heavens. “SPEAK NOT OF THAT TIME AS IF YOU UNDERSTAND! FIEND! CURR! FOULEST DEMON!”

“Oh, but I do,” Nemesis smiled, the moonlight spike still stuck in his eye giving him a grotesque appearance. “How dare they love her more than you, how dare they fawn and scrape before while giving you naught but queer and frightful looks.”

“I said… Silence,” Luna growled, she was beginning to shake, her entire body smoked with magical energy.

“Can you not see? Your revenge was never complete, your whore of a sister stopped you from taking back what was yours, but I can help you, set things right,” Nemesis magically pulled the spike out of his eye, the wound beginning to heal instantly. “That is what I do, I set things right, I am balance, I am justice, I am fairness, Clan Blood stole that throne from the rightful line of kings, now Nightclaw comes to bring it all into balance, the Human's slaughtered our brethren so I have sworn to slaughter them all in turn including your pet, Jason.”

The shadows grew around them, the fires dimmed to an eerie glow as the stars slowly faded away, including the moon itself, as the world slowly became nothing but darkness. Luna’s entire form glowed with an ethereal blue flame and her eyes shined the same colour, the marble at her hooves began to crack and crumble from the pure energy.

“You could have it again,” Nemesis continued, his voice excited as he walked undeterred towards Luna. “An eternal night, your sister kneeling at your hooves along with the people, if you'd just stand aside, I can give you your revenge.”

Luna smiled.

“You are nothing but a molding pile of excrement.”

The shadows descended upon Nemesis and tore into him like an animal, his flesh was torn from the bone and the bones themselves were crushed to dust. Every cell of his body was utterly destroyed until there was naught a speck of him left, the shadows retreated and the stars and moon came back. The city had grown quiet of battle leaving only the crackling of flames and the howling wind to refill the silence. Luna could barely stand after that feat, shadow magic was a toll even had she been in her prime.

Nodding in satisfaction that she was victorious Luna turned to leave, there was still the new king to deal with after all. She made it not three steps before a noise reached her ears, the sparking of magic, the sound of flesh impacting flesh, the snap of bones, and a slowly growing laughter, she turned around.

Bone by bone, with flesh, muscle, and sinew growing on them like fungus grows on a corpse Nemesis reformed. Before Luna’s eye’s she saw powerful ancient magics at work reconstruct the god piece by piece until he stood before her once again, the fur and hair growing back into place.

“Not possible,” Luna said, feeling true fear. “I… That's…”

“One of the few ways to truly kill an Alicorn,” Nemesis finished. “I know, how do you think that scroll killed me in the first place? Destroyed every piece of me until there was nothing left.”

“Then how are you...?” Luna frowned, something wasn't right, she needed time. Gathering her magic she began to fade away.

“No!” Nemesis lunged forth and stabbed towards Luna, but his sword hit air as Luna teleported away.

“I WILL FIND YOU!” He screamed, taking flight. “YOU HEAR ME, I WILL FIND YOU!”

Elsewhere in the City, Talonguard, Gryphonia, Saturday, 11th of April, 5:50pm, 2206 AC

When Luna and Nemesis began to clash in the skies, Twilight knew she had no business being there. After snapping out of her awe-struck state, she broke out in a run towards the nearest exit to the city. Nightclaw must’ve had his army nearby because soon Gryphonian  warriors bearing the sigil of Clan Night descended upon the city and clashed with the loyalists. Madness and chaos soon ensued as Twilight almost swore that every Gryphon within a fifty kilometer radius took up arms, and began to wantonly slaughter their kinsmen. All Twilight could do was run for her dear life.

She didn't know where Jason was, but she hoped beyond hope that he had found a way out of the city and to safety. She had to get to safety , she had to find Jason, she had to warn Celestia, yes, Celestia would know what to do. At the very least she could stop Gryphonia from drowning in it’s own blood. Twilight turned a corner, avoiding the main street which was currently being used as an impromptu duelling arena, as a Gryphon challenged the honour of anyone who would dare pass through him.

Unfortunately the alleyway wasn't much better, as Twilight entered it, she spotted six figures standing over a seventh. They had just finished off their prey when they spotted Twilight, they approached, their blood-stained surcoats bearing the sigil of some Gryphon Clan.

“Stay still so this one can get a look at you..” The leader said, his eyes crawling across Twilight’s body. “Yes, this one thinks he’ll have you, please don't resist, wouldn't want to claw up that pretty face.”

Twilight scowled in disgust and manifested her magic, she grabbed the hilt of the soldiers sword and pulled it out of its sheath. Before he could react Twilight had slashed it across his neck, opening a deep wound that spilled blood upon the cobblestones, she then threw his limp body into his comrades knocking down four of them. A thunderbolt crackled forth from Twilight’s horn, striking the remaining Gryphon square in the chest, the electricity arced through his body, burning his feathers to a crisp and exploding his eyeballs with bloody popping noises. Twilight then took hold of the sheath that belonged to the sword she carried and pulled it away from the dead Gryphon. As as the remaining four struggled to stand up, Twilight summoned a fire which scorched them all. At least, she fled the scene, leaving them burning to death.

She made it only about twenty meters forward before her stomach gave out; retching and puking up disgusting bile and acid. Twilight shook and sobbed, she had just killed six Gryphons, six people, regardless of their crimes they didn't deserve to die! Especially in such a violent manner. Twilight wasn't even sure where half those spells came from, she had never really studied combat magic outside of the theoretical. Twilight looked at the sword she was still holding in her magical grip, it was long wide and curved slightly, if she remembered correctly this manner of sword was called a Falchion, with its blade splatter in blood.

Quickly Twilight shoved the Falchion back into its sheath, she fit the straps around herself and tightened them before continuing on her way. The memory of what she had done was shoved to the dark recesses of her mind -- now was not the time to have a breakdown, she was almost out of the city and she couldn't stop now.

Somewhere, The Kingdom of Gryphonia, Sunday, 12th of April, 6:26am, 2206 AC

When Jason awoke Goldbeak was in the same spot he had been last night, the pyre had burned itself down to a pile of smouldering ashes. Goldbeak was sitting up but his head was down resting on his chest, clearly asleep.  Jason sat up and rubbed the gunk from his eyes he looked up. The sun was just beginning to leak over the horizon. Dailight would reach its peak soon,and they needed to get moving, he had no idea how far they had drifted from Talonguard but he hoped it wasn't far. Jason gently roused Goldbeak who woke without much fuss, but the tired look in his eyes and the streaks in his feathers told Jason that last night had not been restful for the knight.

“We need to get moving,” Jason said softly. Goldbeak silently nodded, he unclasped his blue cape and laid it out next to the ash pile, we quickly yet carefully picked up all the ashes and placed them onto the cloth, once he had all of them he closed up the cape to create a makeshift bag. He tied it tightly and stuffed it into his chestplate.

“This one thinks we landed in the Noct Forest, it's the closest forest to Talonguard,” Goldbeak said.

“That would make the most sense,” Jason agreed. “Question is, where exactly are we in said forest? Which way is Talonguard?”

“No idea.”

“Well couldn't you like… Fly up and look?”

“…No.”

“…Why?”

“Because…” Goldbeak looked embarrassed. “Because my wing is broken.”

“Your wing is…” Jason’s hand gravitated to his face. “…Why didn't you mention this earlier?”

“This one was ashamed,” Goldbeak admitted. “A Gryphon who cannot fly is no Gryphon at all, he is better off dead.”

Jason sighed heavily and rubbed his temples, honour it seemed came at the expense of common sense.

“Which wing?” He asked eventually.

“The left.”

Jason moved over to examine the break, it wasn't visible which Jason took as a good sign but when he gently ran his finger down the length of the wing Goldbeak yelped in pain.

“My bad,” Jason apologized.

“You are forgiven,” Goldbeak said thinly. “Just don't do that again.”

“Right, well we’ll have to splint it so it doesn't move and it can heal properly,” Jason rubbed his chin. “Hold tight for a second, I'll be right back.”

Jason went into the woods, it was there he grabbed two long sturdy sticks that he estimated to be the length of Goldbeak’s wing. He brought them back and then removed his coat, using his knife he cut two lengths of fabric from it, he had Goldbeak lie of his good side (it took some convincing) so Jason could lay the sticks above and below the wing and secure it all together with the fabric.

“It’ll have to do,” Jason said. “But you’re grounded until that heals.”

“My ancestors would scorn me for shaming our clan,” Goldbeak said unhappily.

“Oh suck it up,” Jason said. “C’mon, walk like a normal person.”

“You are insufferable.”

“That's just a synonym for loveable.”

“Do shut up, this one is in pain.”

“Fight me.”

“This one is a predator with sharp claws and a beak, you are a pale squishy thing.”

“Hey, I am a manly pale squishy thing.”

Goldbeak let Jason have the last word and continued on with a grumpy huff, but Jason knew he saw a small smile on that beak of his whether he would admit it or not. They walked rather aimlessly for what felt like a fair amount of time, the trees were fairly evenly placed apart and there was game trails everywhere making the trek simple enough. Yet after at least two hours it didn't feel like they were making much headway.

“So how big is this forest?” Jason asked.

“Large.”

“How big is large?”

“Bigger then a wood but smaller then a jungle.”

“That's helpful.”

“You asked, this one answered.”

“You know, for a supposedly honourable knight you’re awfully sarcastic.”

Goldbeak stopped in his tracks, Jason turned to look at him. The knight seemed both deeply offended and completely terrified. Looking at Jason with wide eyes.

“Are you… Questioning my honour?” He asked, carefully but very deliberately.

“No you dunderhead, calm yer feathers.”

“Good, this one really didn't want to declare a dual of honour,” Goldbeak sounded legitimately relieved and continued walking, Jason just silently shook his head and followed closely behind.

The forest grew dark around them, thick branches blocking the light and casting all into shadow. With a snap of his fingers Jason summoned a magical flame that illuminated the area around them in an eerie silver slight, the flickering cast wild shadows everywhere which wasn't too comforting. At many points Jason could've sworn he saw movement just beyond his vision, something or several somethings moving in the dark, he hoped it was his imagination.

It wasn't.

The arrow flew right by Jason’s cheek, just brushing him with the fletching before slamming and embedding itself in a tree just behind him. Both Jason and Goldbeak went for their swords but before they could even draw them halfway they were surrounded with bows pointed at them from all angles. It was only then that Jason was able to get a good look at them, they were Gryphon's clearly yet they were clearly one of the subspecies, these had the heads of ravens with long black beaks and glossy black feathers, and their bodies were that of black panthers.

“Croui,” Goldbeak mumbled.

“What is your purpose here, Aquila, you know these woods are forbidden to you,” one of the “Croui” said, a female and clearly the leader judging by her rather ornate steel chestplate and sword.

“A thousand pardons, fair lady,” Goldbeak said, easily slipping into a bow which the Croui returned. “But this one did not intend to intrude upon your sacred lands, for you see we had been fleeing Talonguard when we were struck from the sky… This one’s comrade was lost in the fall, and his wing was broken.”

“We have heard of the battle raging in and above Talonguard,” the Croui said as she signalled for her men to relax. “But it must truly be a horrific thing to cause a Knight of the Sky to flee… It is Ser Goldbeak is it not?”

“At your service, Lady..?”

“Ser Starbeak, of Clan Star,” Starbeak said, she then turned her ebony eyes to Jason.

“Oh that is-“

“Ser Jason, yes, I know,” Starbeak titled her head as she examined Jason. “Her Majesty sent us to find you.”

“Her Majesty? Luna?” Jason asked.

“The Princess, yes.”

“In that case we would be most honoured if you would see our safe passage through your lands and to where Her Majesty awaits us,” Goldbeak said.

“Of course, my  is honour bound by the Princess of the Moon, and I would not go back on such a pledge,” Starbeak said. “Come, we must make haste, from what my scouts have told me the armies of treachery already march across the kingdom, time is not with us.”

Outskirts of Talonguard, Fields of Ashfall, Kingdom of Gryphonia, Sunday, 12th of April, 6:34am, 2206 AC

Twilight had been on the run for what felt like forever, just outside of Talonguard the landscape became nothing but large empty fields and rolling green hills dotted with small woods, patches of tall grass or marshes. In all honesty, Twilight had no idea where she was going, there was nothing but a desire to escape fuelling her. She had ran full tilt the first few minutes out of the city, but it wasn't long before years of physical inactivity in favour of reading caught up to her and she was forced to stop and try not to puke again. The images of those six Gryphon's burned in her mind, the splattering of blood, the electricity by her own manifestation stopping a heart, the death gurgles of the one with the slashed throat... Oh Celestia…

Night fell quickly, and with it came an exhaustion that Twilight simply could not fight off, her eyes dropped and she stumbled blindly forward through the dark. Her mind too muddled and her body too tired to conjure any light, she stumbled into a patch of trees and fell asleep under the stars.

It wasn't a restful sleep as almost immediately after Twilight’s eyes closed she experienced the sensation of falling, branches whipped at her and her ears were filled with the sound of wind and fluttering wings. In the midst of splattering blood and death screams there was something else, a whispering, getting louder and louder, a familiar soft voice from the either.

“Twilight! Twilight! Follow the ravens!”

Twilight awoke with a sharp gasp, the sun was making its first peak over the horizon and its splendid orange light cut across the landscape like a blade. Twilight’s head pounded from lack of sleep and water, her legs were sore as was her throat, she stood weakly and rubbed her head. What had that dream been? Never before had she experienced something so… Intense, and that voice had been so familiar yet so distant “follow the ravens” it has said. Twilight glanced up and evidentially there were no ravens in the sky, no birds at all, including the non-talking kind, thankfully.

She was safe for now, so at the very least there was time to formulate a plan. Think, think, think, c’mon Twilight what if-

The screech of an eagle followed closely by the angry lions roar set Twilight’s heart into overdrive as no less than six shadows dotted the sky above her, they immediately dived towards her and before Twilight could even so much as move she was surrounded with swords pointed at her.

“You’re a hard girl to find, mi’lady,” one of them said. “But now we have and we need you surrender peacefully, it is dishonourable to harm a female but we will if we have to.”

There was no way out, Twilight’s head felt like an overused drum she just couldn't summon her magic, concentrating only made the headache worse. The Gryphon’s closed in around her, except…

“What is that noise?” One asked, looking up at the sky.

“Sounds like… Crows?”

“No… Ravens,” Twilight found herself saying.

It happened in an instant, the air was filled with black feathers, the flapping of wings, and the cawing of ravens. The six Gryphon’s cried out in agony around Twilight while she remained unharmed, it wasn't long before it was all over and her six pursuers were reduced to nothing more but bloody piles, slashed and cut to pieces with eyes pecked or clawed out. The ravens settled around her, no wait, Croui, half raven and half black panther they peered at her with black eyes.

“Lady Twilight?” One asked, a male. “Are you unharmed?”

“Y-yes, yes,” Twilight said shakily. “W-who are you? How did you find me?”

“We were bidden by your Princess of the Moon, she guided us using her magic.”

Follow the crows!

“Luna,” Twilight said relieved.

“Indeed, it would be my honour to fly you to her mi’lady, let us away.”

Heart of the Noct Forest, Hold of Clan Star, The Kingdom of Gryphonia, Sunday, 12th of April, 7:00am, 2206 AC

Luna carefully ran the stone along the edge of her scythe, the metallic shiiiing! sound was soothing, reminiscent of the tense hours before one of her many battles of the past, wether during the war or not. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, but it was a familiar and comfortable one that Luna slipped into easily.

“Your Majesty?”

“Hm?”

“Ser Jason has arrived.”

“Ah, splendid.”

Luna laid her weapon down carefully before stepping out of the tent that Clan Star had provided her. Her eyes swept across the camp which was made up of a hastily constructed collection of tens, fire pits, a makeshift smithy, armoury, and even some defences in the form of watchtowers in the trees. Luna soon spotted her friend walking into the camp escorted by Ser Starbeak, with him was that Knight of the Sky Goldbeak, they were both battered, bruised, and dirty but nonetheless, alive.

When she approached them Goldbeak and the rest of the Gryphon’s immediately fell into steep and respectful bows which Luna of course returned, Jason always the charmer, nonchalantly waved his hand.

“Wassup?” He said casually.

Magically pulling him closer Luna wrapped Jason in a warm hug, a rare gesture from the reclusive Princess and one that Jason returned without question.

“I'm glad you’re alright,” Luna said.

“So am I,” Jason said. “What about Twilight? Is she alright?”

“This is the first I've seen of either of you for several hours, I have been preoccupied as you must understand,” Luna explained.

“My scouts spotted Lady Twilight escaping Talonguard, I send a rescue party to retrieve her,” Ser Starbeak said. “That was no less than an hour ago, with luck she shall arrive momentarily.”

“Well, seeing as there is a large group of raven-looking Gryphons flying this way, I would hope that the moment of arrival is conveniently right now,” Jason said, pointing to above the treeline where indeed the shadows of six flying creatures where silhouetted against the sun, as they approached it became obvious that one of them was carrying something, and that something was revealed to be Twilight.

The moment her hooves touched the ground Twilight broke out in a sprint that nearly tackled Jason to the ground in a hug, burying her face in his shirt as sobs and tears flowed rather freely. Jason stroked her mane with a small smile on his face.

“Look, I know I'm ugly but it's nothing to cry over,” he joked, getting a good-natured punch to the shin by Twilight.

“You are both exhausted and worn, take the time to rest and gather your strength, there is yet more we wait upon until we must strike back, use this time wisely,” Luna said.

“A moment, mi’lady, a thousand pardons,” Goldbeak interjected uncharacteristically. “But you and Lady Twilight were in the palace with His Majesty… What happened?”

“Oh my brave knight,” Luna said softly, she looked sad. “The King died in an honourable duel for the throne and your brothers in arms.. The last I saw of them they were surrounded in their defence of us.”

“The King… The King is dead?” Goldbeak said in distraught. “We have failed, our order is destroyed, oh gods how..” Goldbeak held his beak with his claws. “How could this have happened?”

“Tis not your fault, Ser Knight,” Luna said softly. “But mark my words, you will have revenge.”

“Revenge is what caused their deaths in the first place, Your Majesty,” Goldbeak said, before bowing and taking his leave.

“You should all get rest,” Starbeak interjected, after a long pause. “There's some spare tents in the north quarter, a fire pit too, I’ll have food and water brought over.”

Jason, and Twilight made their way over to the aforementioned campsite. Twilight refused to leave Jason's side the entire walk over and resigned herself to using him as basically a pillow as they watched  Goldbeak get a fire going. They sat in silence for a fair while, listening to the crackling of the fire and the sounds of the forest. As promised, food and water was brought over but both were left untouched in favour of the ale, which all three indulged in. It was only past the third cup or so was when the silence was broken.

“So, are you going to tell me what happened?” Jason asked as gently as he could. “You’re upset, but you wouldn't be if something bad hadn't happened while you escaped the city.”

Twilight didn't answer at first but Jason didn't really expect her to, she merely my fiddled with the Falchion which was laid on the ground before her: pulling it slightly out of its scabbard before pushing it back in. Her eyes never left the blade even as she finally began to speak.

“Just before I was able to get out of Talonguard I ran into these Gryphons, there was six of them and.. They wanted to.. To… They wanted to use me, for.. Pleasure..”

“Dishonourable swine,” Goldbeak said angrily. “To try and force themselves upon a female, disgraceful, how did you get away mi’lady?”

“That's just it, I thought I couldn't,” Twilight explained, a tint of sorrow entering her voice. “I was surrounded, I was too scared to concentrate and teleport so I… I… I lashed out, I didn't even think -- the magic just came out of me, and before I could even know what I was doing they were all… Oh Celestia..” Tears sprung to Twilight’s eyes again.

“Hey, hey now,” Jason said, pulling her close. “You defended yourself, there's no shame in that.”

“But, but… I know hundreds of pacification spells, dozens of paralyses spells, I didn't have to kill them, yet the first thing I did was cast lethal magic, why? Why did I do that? Why didn't I think? Why did I instinctively kill?” Twilight was becoming hysterical.

“It's never as easy as to kill or not to kill,” Goldbeak suddenly said, his voice uncharacteristically soft and gentle. “Most of the time it's you or them, and it's then when all thoughts of mercy or non-lethal actions go out the window and your mind selects the most efficient way to remove the threat, which happens to be killing your attackers.”

“This one’s kind speaks of glory, of honour in death,” Goldbeak continued, staring into the fire. “In truth there is no glory in death, no honour in war, no, these things come after, in how we shepherd in the peace we fought and killed for; On how we carry ourselves with honour afterwards so that those souls taken by our blades never go in vain, you have that responsibility now, mi’lady, and trust me when this one says that it is the greatest of burdens as well and the highest of honours.”

Twilight stared at Goldbeak’s eyes for a few moments before speaking.

“I think… I think I understand, thank you.”

Silence fell upon them again, Jason didn't have anything to add as he himself was contemplating Goldbeak's words in reference to his many deeds.

“What happened to you two, anyway?” Twilight asked, breaking the tension.

“We sorta..  Fell outta the sky,” Jason explained. “Flyboy here crashed us into the woods, broke his wing too, we lost… He lost one of his brothers.”

“Oh Celestia.. I'm so so sorry,” Twilight said sincerely. “Your wing though, how bad is it?”

“Fractured in several places, this one is afraid, “ Goldbeak said, glancing at his broken appendage. “He won't be able to fly for months, let alone fight in the battle to come.”

“We’ll see about that, come here,” Twilight said suddenly determined, she beckoned for Goldbeak to come closer. Although bewildered, Goldbeak obliged, when he came close enough Twilight stood and manifested her magic before bringing her horn to Goldbeak’s broken wing. There was a humming sound as the light from her horn intensified, Jason’s makeshift splint fell away as Twilight’s magic retreated.

“Go on,” she said. “Stretch it.”

Goldbeak did and his previously broken wing extended to it’s full length without a hind of pain or injury.

“You.. You have healed me,” Goldbeak said in astonishment.

“Well, I suppose we’ll need your help soon,” Twilight said with a smile, but then without warning Goldbeak took hold of her hoof and fell to the ground in a kneeling/bowing position.

“You have restored this one to health, whatever you desire mi’lady Twilight, however this one can repay you, name it and it is yours,” Goldbeak said passionately.

“Um..” Twilight said, taken aback. “That's really not necessary…” Twilight became slightly worried as Goldbeak began to shake rather violently, his beak nearly touching the ground his bow was so low.

“You do this one… so much honour,” he said, sounding quite emotionally moved. Twilight looked to Jason for help but he jerky shrugged as Goldbeak continued to grovel at Twilight’s hooves.

After they calmed Goldbeak down, him and Twilight soon fell asleep, taking Luna’a advice of rest. Jason remained awake, absentmindedly stoking the fire. Eventually Luna joined him.

“Wassup, Lulu?” He asked.

“Ser Starbeak has sent word to every clan still loyal to their late King,” Luna said. “Including Bloodbeak’s only living family member, Bloodclaw.”

“The legal successor to the throne?” Jason asked.

“Technically.. No, Nightclaw’s challenge was legitimate, he won the dual of honour, by rights he is king,” Luna explained. “However, for obvious reasons, his reign isn't exactly favourable to us, Bloodclaw is the only one with a strong claim, he's been in the Northern Unknown for the past sixty years, allegedly hunting for dragons.”

“You think he can take on Nightclaw?”

“If we can eliminate Nemesis, then yes.”

“Right, and how do we kill a god again?”

“I have a theory, but I shall explain it only when it is time to execute,” Luna said, she looked sideways at Jason. “I never asked before, but did you discover anything in your incursion?”

“A few things,” Jason said. “First that there was a Human cult operating in Talonguard, the Followers of the First, and that the were frequently in conflict with the Gryphon church.”

“And?”

“Well after consulting some.. Apparitions, it turns out that there was an expedition conducted by these Followers… To North America, what you know as the Humanlands.”

Luna fell silent as she reflected on this information,  her jaw clenched and unclenched as she visibly chewed her lip in thought.

“This news is concerning but not the object of focus at this time,” Luna said eventually, ever the pragmatist. “Was there anything relevant to the fight before us?”

“Well, I saw Nemesis resurrected,” Jason said. “The worshippers used a human-made scroll, just like the one I found in Rome, only this one just resurrected one person, that being Nemesis.”

“Indeed! Well that certainly adds to the equation,” Luna said thoughtfully. “For now… Well even I must rest…” Luna yawned.

“Go ahead and sleep then, even the Goddess of dreams needs sleep, right?” Jason joked but then Luna draped a wing around him and pulled him close, laying her head stop his.

“I will if you do,” she said.

“Promise you’ll keep the nightmares away?”

“Always.”

Heart of the Noct Forest, Hold of Clan Star, The Kingdom of Gryphonia, Sunday, 12th of April, 3:00pm, 2206 AC

Jason awoke to the sound of stone on steel, he opened his eyes and saw Goldbeak running a stone along the edge of his blade. Luna was gone and Twilight remained fast asleep to Jason’s right, the sun hadn't even leaked beyond the horizon yet.

“How you holdin’ up?” Jason asked.

“This one is weary of this fight,” Goldbeak said. “Not because I am tired, but because I fear that our efforts may be misguided.”

“Misguided?” Jason asked. “That's surprising coming from you, I'd thought you be excited to strike back at the people who slew your king and brethren.”

“Revenge is a cycle best left broken,” said Goldbeak. “Killing in spite would not resurrect his majesty nor my comrades, there's no honour in it.”

“So you're not going to fight with us?” Jason asked, feeling disappointed, having Goldbeak's sword by his side was definitely a comfort.

“This one will fight, but not for revenge,” Goldbeak said, staring into the fire. “This one has come to respect you as a man of virtue and of bravery, and he owes his health to the purple one, it would dishonourable upon him and his clan to abandon you both in your time of need.”

“Ser Jason of Rome, this one failed in his duty to protect his King, but the last command he was given was to protect you with his life, to regain this one’s honour and to respect the final command of His Majesty High King Bloobeak the Eighth this one does hereby pledge himself to your service,” Goldbeak had approached, lain his sword at Jason’s feet and slipped into a deep bow. “With his blade and with his claws he shall fight for you, his heart shall be dedicated to you, every breath he takes shall be to honour you, my lord, Hail Jason of the Old World, Blade of Rome, Liberator of Lupa Mines, Bane of Chaos, and Last of the Lost People's!”

Jason, to his credit, didn't interrupt this display until it was clear Goldbeak was finished, he raised an eyebrow at the blade lain in front of him and at Goldbeak who’s beak was practically stuck into the ground his bow was so low. Jason sighed a rolled his eyes.

“Oh god you're serious,” he said, putting his face into his palm. “I don't suppose I can say no?”

“Refusing this one’s pledge would be an insult to his honour and he would be forced to challenge you to a duel,” Goldbeak said grouchily from his bowed position.

“Riiight… Uh,” Jason scratched his beard, why was everyone such a weirdo but him. “I, uh, accept your service and… Yeah.”

“You do this one honour, mi’lord,” Goldbeak said, rising from his bow and picking up his blade.

“Okay, my first command is to not call me ‘mi’lord’ okay?”

“Would you prefer, lord?”

“No.”

“Your Majesty?”

“No..”

“Master?”

“No, that's creepy.”

“Your Grace?”

“No!”

“Your Excellency?”

“Oh for fucks sake. No!”

“What about..”

“Just… Call me Jason, please, goddamnit,” Jason said, already feeling the headache coming in.

“As you wish, Jason,” Goldbeak said, a stupid little smirk on his beak.

“I hate you.”

“Now, now, that's no way to treat your loyal knight, Jason,” Luna said as she cantered over, her smile saying she witnessed everything.

“I hate you too,” Jason said grumpily.

“A knight sworn to your service, you’re certainly moving up in the world are you not?” Luna mused, regarding Goldbeak. “And serve him well I trust, ser knight?”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Goldbeak exclaimed, puffing out his chest a little with pride.

“So what's going on, Lulu?” Jason asked.

“Are most esteemed guest has finally arrived, with a host of warriors too, Bloodclaw is eager to speak to both you, wake Twilight as well she wouldn't want to miss this,” Luna said.

They woke a very grouchy Twilight, but she perked up once they relayed what was going on and all of them made their way over to the command tent and entered. There was Ser Starbeak but also several very rough looking Gryphons in worn plate and mail armour with scars and burns allegedly from hunting dragons, but it was the one that Ser Starbeak was speaking to that caught Jason’s attention.

He looked like Bloodbeak had, same snowy white head and shade of brown on the body but that was where the similarities stopped. Bloodclaw was missing an eye, a claw-shaped scar running through it and an eyepatch covering the would, he had long scars all across his swings and face, his feathers appeared thicker and his claws more worn and used. None of the polish and gilded gold of the former High King, no, this one was a soldier.

“And you must be this Jason I've heard so much about, an honour,” Bloodclaw gave him a stiff bow, a movement that he clearly hadn't done in a while. His voice was gruff and booming, used to crying battle commands over the wail of arctic blizzards and the roar of angry Dragons.

“Wassup, you must be Bloodclaw,” Jason said, bowing.

“Indeed, and apparently king now, as my brother is dead.”

“Sorry about that.”

“My brother was a good King..” Bloodclaw said. “But also a fool, he thought that honour alone would hold this kingdom together, that some abstract code would keep the chaos at bay.”

“You disagree?” Jason asked.

“Boy, my time outside of the kingdom have taught me many things, and the recent events in Talonguard have confirmed my suspicions,” Bloodclaw scowled. “Honour is dead, and it's about time these oversized peacocks realized that.”

Jason glanced at Goldbeak whom to his credit said nothing, merely frowned, Bloodclaw continued speaking.

“That being said, do you have a plan for taking back my throne, your majesty?”

“Indeed I do,” Luna said. “Your rule will only be accepted if it is done in the old way, wether you believe in honour or not my friend it is with a duel.”

“You can defeat him, yes?” Goldbeak asked skeptically. “Nightclaw bested your brother after all.”

“My brother was skilled in his time but he’s been sittin’ on that bloody chair for two centuries, that could make anyone fat, I've slain forty dragons in the past three decades, I'd like to see this high and mighty lord go up against an angry Ice Drake.”

“…Fair 'nuff,” Jason said. “But what about Nemesis?”

“The Alicorn revenge God back from the dead?” Bloodclaw asked.

“Yeah, that's the one.”

“It is there that the complication lies,” Luna said. “Nemesis shall be near, protecting Nightclaw, he will have to be distracted and eventually defeated.”

“But he's too powerful for you, yeah?” Jason asked.

“On the contrary, I surpass him quite handedly, in fact I killed him at least once before fleeing,” Luna explained. “The problem is, he apparently cannot die.”

“…Okay, does that have anything to do with the fact that he's, you know, a God?” Jason asked.

“Jason you should know by now, we Alicorns are powerful -- I will not deny truth, but we are not immortal, and we are certainly not gods,” Luna said. “Titles only mean so much, no no, for you see, Nemesis thought ahead, and make himself into a litch.”

“Oh… Oh no,” Jason said.

“Wait… What does that mean?” Goldbeak asked.

“A litch is someone who attaches their soul to an object in order to become nearly immortal,” Twilight explained. “So long as the object in question remains intact of course. But it can only be destroyed by a very powerful Necromancer.”

“Which means me, fuck, why do I have to do everything?” Jason complained.

“Wait, Necromancer?” Goldbeak asked.

“Yeah, the guy you just pledged your sword and life to is also a Necromancer whom frequently summons and communes with dead spirits, cheers,” Jason snarked.

“O-oh?” Goldbeak looked like he was questioning his life choices.

“So what would his object be? And where would he hide it?” Jason asked.

“Fortunately Nemesis is rather arrogant, so he didn't put wards around it, I was able to scry its position last night,” Luna said. “It’s Caine’s Blade, apparently his sword is simply a projection the true weapon lays within the very chamber where Nemesis was resurrected.”

“So here is the plan in full; myself and Bloodclaw shall lead the charge into Talonguard, I shall keep Nemesis at bay while our troops engage Nightclaw’s soldiers, giving Bloodclaw a window to enter the palace and challenge Nightclaw to a duel, meanwhile Jason shall enter quietly from behind, find Nemesis’s litched object, and destroy it.”

“Kill the bad guy, rescue the princess, save the world,” Jason said. “Second one's already been done, so this should be simple.”

“As you say, but the battle will only get more perilous the longer we take, we must be swift,” Goldbeak said. “This one shall stay by your side and protect you so you may reach your destination.”

“Princess, what would you have me do?” Twilight asked, stepping forward with a look of determination on her face.

“Twilight..” Luna said, her voice and eyes softening. “I did not look to you to be in this battle.”

“But I want to,” Twilight stated. “I.. Ive killed already, this is no different, I'm not going to let you guys risk your lives while I sit on my flank.”

“You are a mage, are you not?” Bloodclaw cut in, approaching Twilight and practically towering over her. “I could use magic at my side as I storm the palace, and can you use that blade you carry?”

“Um, yes?” Twilight said nervously.

“Good, you shall need that too,” Bloodclaw said.

“Very well,” Luna said, a hint of reluctance and worry for Twilight. “We attack at noon, I suggest you all rest for the coming battle…”

Talonguard, The Kingdom of Gryphonia, Sunday 12th of April, 12:00am, 2206 AC

The world grew dimmer as the moon slowly moved in front of the sun, Nemesis stared up the the celestial anomaly with a frown.

“Luna,” he growled. “They’re coming.”

Nemesis shot into the air and would clash steel with Luna who met him halfway, thunder cracked across the eclipsed sky as thunderclouds rolled in. Not far behind the storm front was a different form of cloud, this one made of thousands of warriors and Knights swooping down upon the city.

“You know how this will end, Luna,” Nemesis said, struggling against her. “You may have skill but I hold the cards.”

“I wouldn't count on it,” Luna said, smiling as she teleported above Nemesis and struck him on the back, sending him plummeting to the ground.

Meanwhile Twilight had watched with growing anticipation as Luna and the first wave descended upon Talonguard, from their hidden position in the woods she, Bloodclaw, and Ser Starbeak awaited.

“Shouldn't we attack soon? Don't let the enemy have time to organize?” Twilight asked.

“No, let Nightclaw do his thing; This is all we have, let him commit all of his swords, so our attack is much more effective when we commit ours,” Bloodclaw said.

“I… See,” Twilight said, making a mental note of the Gryphon's words.

The only visible part of the battle was the clash of gods above it which even at this distance was a spectacle. Twilight found a new appreciation for the power of Alicorns as their battle crafted a storm around them, buildings were toppled from mere missed blows, and the dimmed sky lit up with the light of magic so bright it could be seen from far distances.

“I believe it is time to go, sir,” Starbeak said, after they had let the initial attack draw out a little longer

“Indeed, prepare the warriors,” Bloodclaw said. “Mi’lady Twilight, you cannot fly nor teleport the distance to the city can you?”

“That's right, I was planning on creating a long range teleportation circle and drawing energy  which would allow me to-“

“No need, you shall ride upon my back.”

“I… What?”

The next thing Twilight knew, she was soaring through the air clutching to dear life on the feathered back of Bloodclaw. She couldn't help the terrified squeal she let loose as Bloodclaw went into a steep dive straight towards the firm ground, fortunately she spread his songs at the last moment both to slow their decent and to direct his landing so he landed on a enemy knight, sinking his claws into the back of the Gryphon's neck spraying blood across the cobblestones.

Once he landed Twilight immediately teleported off of his back and drew her Falchion, a knight swung his longsword overhand at her which she blocked with her blade before blasting him back with a powerful telekinetic push. The Gryphon slid across the stones which his claws screeching in an effort to stop himself, and before he could recover he was grasped in a magical grip to be thrown at another charging Gryphon, the two would collide and be knocked out.

Twilight had a few seconds to get her bearings, long enough to see Bloodclaw and Starbeak pushing up the steps to the palace. Gritting her teeth Twilight teleported again to their side just in time to block a spear thrust that would've hit Bloodclaw and sending a lighting bolt up the metal shaft to electrocute its owner. The trio rapidly stormed the palace to confront Nightclaw…

“Welp, that's our cue,” Jason said as he saw Bloodclaw engage the remainder of his forces. Jason and Goldbeak lay at the outskirts of the city much closer than the army had been, where they waited for everyone to be distracted so they could sneak in.

“This one doesn't like sneaking around,” Goldbeak said as they entered a city via an alleyway  “Tis a dishonourable tactic.”

“You know, no one asked your fucking opinion, featherface,” Jason chided under his breath, checking a corner.

“You are a model that every lord must follow,” Goldbeak said with deadpan sarcasm.

“Oi, I work for a living, I ain't no lord.”

The two of them snaked their way between the spires, the alleyways were like a maze. Goldbeak knew the streets well enough that he landed both him and Jason into the church which was the entrance to where their target lay. Unfortunately there appeared to be a group of no less than five Knights guarding the entrance.

“Well easy wouldn't be a challenge now would it?” Jason mumbled. “Alright, you charge ‘em and get their attention and I'll come up from behind.”

“Got it,” Goldbeak said, drawing his longsword and shooting forward with powerful flaps of his wings, he sped across the ground like a missile and beheaded one of the Knights in passing before skidding across the cobblestone to a stop. The forces of Clan Night Swordsmen turned to face him which was when Jason took his opportunity to run up behind them. He threw one against the church’s outer wall with a magical push and did away with another with a swift stab to the neck before either of them really noticed he was there. Goldbeak charged from the front and knocked away the blade of his adversary before delivering a death blow to his neck. Jason quickly dispatched the remaining knight with a powerful magical bolt from his blade which send the Gryphon flying.

The two of them entered the empty church and swiftly descended into the chamber wherein they first saw Nemesis being summoned, and sure enough, there in the altar glowing an angry red, was Caine’s Blade.

“Okay, I swear if I grab this thing and a boulder falls down on my face...” Jason said, approaching the altar and grabbing the blade. The second he did, a magical blast sent him, the blade, and Goldbeak flying against the wall as Nemesis teleported in with murder in his eyes. He swung towards Jason whom rolled out of the way and would've done it again had it not been for Goldbeak attacking from behind distracting the God.

“Hurry!” The knight said, desperately dodging lethal attacks.

Jason searched around frantically before finding Caine’s Blade laying in the dirt, he dove fore it and grabbed it in his hands. He felt the magic in it, but also something else, something much more powerful, a soul, bringing his necromantic powers forth Jason reached out to the soul and grabbed it. Nemesis screamed in pain as his very form began to crack, white light bled from the cracks that formed along his body along with golden godsblood which practically flooded the room.

“No! No! I am not finished! It's not fair! I am spite! I AM NEMESIS GOD OF-“ Nemesis exploded outward in a burst of energy which tossed Jason like a rag doll across the room and against the wall where his head would smash against the rock and the world would be consumed by the darkness of unconsciousness.