Prologue
Edited by Knight of Cerebus and Proofread by Idylia
There was an unorthodox storm front on the horizon, which swiftly blanketed the sky as it moved northward on the eve of the summer’s solstice.
The storm headed all the way up from along the southern low countryside warm prairie lands and towards the northern mountains. The Shetland Appalachian valleys were once the most fertile lands one could find within the untamed lands in Equestria, mythically able to grow any vegetation imaginable with the right hooves, but under the rage of the storm the once thriving land was seized by ice and treacherous rocks within weeks.
The rapid destruction of their livelihood seemed a distant memory to the farmers with tough times ahead. This brought a major setback for two kingdoms that resided along the mountains, though they stood proud and vigilant even while teetering on disaster.
While the storm headed northwards, a unicorn’s nostrils flared from a sickly sweet odor tainting his entire mouth with each breathe. Chilled torrents soaked the very frozen ground beneath his hooves. As dark clouds flew past the stallion up above, the winds roared as it whipped around his dark misted coat.
Meanwhile, voices of agony drowned out his thoughts, the tempest roaring and engulfing anything before his eyes.
“What is going on he-” whispered Sombra
That same darkness began to swallow the brilliant vastness of land before him. Something on his mind left his senses on high alert, with a chill running down his spine. The blinding snow pelted against his hide. The unicorn stallion stood there on a hill his feelings turned most ill, his mind restlessly nagged at him to run and keep on run away from this changing place.
As the dream began to collide and blend, it content repetitively haunted him once more. Below him the land turned crimson as shady the beasts marched into the Empire he called home. What took hold of mind was losing his wife, and those who trusted him; his ponies with these to these fearful shadows, and the worse of all he couldn’t do anything. A king is nothing without citizens, who live off the kingdom he grunted, his face grimaced while his teeth gnashed, what he thoughts turned to his wife and his unborn daughter and his citizens.
“Were they safe? Did they get away from these...these monsters!” A dark voice scratching at his mind forcing his very body to lock up flinching as his thoughts were flooded with worry and sadness. Sombra’s leg muscles tighten while fear coursed through his veins, and what’s more things looked hopeless he would find anypony alive down there. The cold chilling him to the bone as the storm raged on, for a moment he fidgeting at that lonely stop desperately wishing for heat to return to his numb limbs.
Even his own body seemed petrified his whole body locked up like a dungeon cell, and what bothered him more his thoughts began to betray him.
“You are a pathetic fool, you wanted peace and see what it brought? You couldn’t even save your unborn daughter and your wife because you are too soft! You caused the fall of your own kingdom, because of your hubris and that weakness of yours you call mercy!”
He tried to drown out that harsh voice echoing in his head; which sounded like he was criticizing himself, as he knelt on the frozen grass and snow his heart began to ache as if he was lost something. He knew in they were gone now, everything was rendered to ashes; his home and his wife... all due to the ravaging monsters before him.
Sombra unleashed a cry of a beast seeking death, the desire tore from his sore throat. He wanted nothing more than to leap into the fray to save his loved ones, but with his senses were being robbed from him all he could do was to just sit there and watch this hellish dreamscape unfold.
__________________________________________
That chilly evening as Sombra lay in bed with his wife Aurora, the cycle of nightmares occupy his mind to the point of obsessive thoughts of twisted shadows, with the glass barrier shuttered from the howling squall outside. He sat up in cold sweat his breathe irate, throat sore and his thoughts cursed with the very same nightmares for robbing him of rest for a fortnight; it was unfortunate that little rest he did get was far and few in between for his weary mind.
The constant howl and moan from the rattling bedroom windows, grabbed Sombra’s attention from his swelling thoughts as his heart was still racing. Aurora, Sombra’s wife was most beautiful Pegasus in the kingdom. what was known about her was her soft voice and kindness, she could even soothe a manticore with her lovely that sounded like a harp. she was golden mare, with a strawberry mane hiding half her face but her most impressive feature was her blue eyes soft and clear like a calm lake. She stirred from the sudden movement of her husband, turning over she placed her hoof on his back. He jerked from her soft touch, that was enough her for to start worrying.
“It was that dream again wasn’t it?” Aurora whispered, her graceful movement sitting up from the covers and with her gentle touch began to try soothing him. As ripple barely pulled the silk covers from Aurora,she leaned on Sombra’s back her left ear filled with heart beat.
The Stallion felt at peace from her touch, his breath evened out and heart slowed. At first he was so disturbed his muscle coiled ready for action. “Yeah… Sorry, my little star. I wa- I didn’t mean to wake you.” He only nodded after he mumbled how his better half knew him so well.
“Dear, you know I sleep lighter than you do, and you should expect your wife to know you, my brave black knight. Perhaps you might have him a potion for you to sleep better. ” she whispered enjoying the thrall of his heart as she laid there against his between his withers
“I suppose I’ll give his medicine a try, but only for you… my queen. You never cease to amaze me; it’s like you know me better than I do…”
Then a heavy knock came from the heavy wooden door, the couple sighed as the saying goes no rest for the wicked. This seemed to include royal duties were needed, even during the dead of night.
~~~~~~
The Kingdom grew restless over two nights ago, coincidentally about the time Sombra’s nightmares started, and no matter how much he proceed to quell the citizens from quarrelling over matters of starvation or shelter.
What was once easily handled now grew out of control; Though this very night the king was brought to handle this new affair concerned with a recent incident. The shedding of innocent blood: somepony broke into the royal pantry and began to steal food, he was caught by the palace guards but another bystander to it upon himself to deal unneeded punishment. A small brawl broke out; inconsequentially gravely wound would be thief. So now the bystander became the accused instead of the thief who seemed possessed and mad with blood lust.
Sombra yawned as if he had not slept in weeks; his tired eyes squinted at his reflection while he was fitted his crown. Meanwhile his loyal servants took care of every little to him look presentable as he trotted to the royal throne grumbling that his kingly duties got him up at this ungodly hour of the night. Queen Aurora already seated on his right side quietly; she stole a glance at him occasionally due his reluctance of sleeping after that nightmare, had her mind on edge as well as his well being.
The room was a glorious, as the floor itself sparkled in the dimmed light casted by the magical lantern lined the walls and the royal purple carpet stretching down the halls. The hall themselves were decorated neatly with statues of armor, and banners draping of various royal crests. The throne room held the Royal banner being draped in the center behind the thrones of the ruling couple.
“BRING IN THE ACCUSED!”
The unicorn guards brought forth a crystal stallion through the decorated halls, the stallion was dressed in chains as the queen’s eyes went wide. The prisoner groaned with each step he was forced in the royal court his coat faded in and out of transparency, a messy mane and batter and bruises with crimson stains covered his face. The look in his eyes of something dead it had no spark to them in the slights, but the unicorn guard held the chained prisoner ten meters from the present King and queen, five spears stallions drifted with group at the ready if he tried to attack the royal pair. Sombra was too busy to notice the prisoner as he pawed at his throat with his hoof from the use of the royal voice, and nodded to his wife to interrogate only through his fit of coughs.
“What matter is this? Thou knows the punishment is death for staining thine own hooves of innocent blood!? Dost thou deny such claims? Well?! Speak, what say y-?” asked Queen Aurora
The stallion started to laugh darkly, sending a chill throughout the room everyone within the room could feel it. The guards’ emotionless faces were resolute, but their body shook their breath misted with the changing temperature in the air.. It was as if the very warmth of their soul was stolen from them. Sombra tensed up as the air laced thick of an icy chill, his wife cling to him for warmth, his laughter stops abruptly. Whilst a ghostly wispy formed a silhouette of a mare flowed out the unicorn prisoner’s body, floating into the air like puppet in majorette strings.
“Silent wench! I haven’t come to banter with you, only your husband! You are such a pathetic excuse for a King, Sombra! You know not of what true power brings, only that of which the crown gives you through inheritance, you spoiled brat!” screamed the ether mare, turning her icy glare which silenced the queen.
The king stifled his dry hacks, glaring at the stallion for not just insulted his wife, but insult him within his own in the middle of the night?!
We are the windgos! Seekers of hate and conflict, it is fortunate we found this land so suitable to us, very pleasing indeed! Though i you seek to name us, Ghost would do.” She proclaimed pulling at the chains that bound him, looking between the guards then back up to the king and Queen on the throne before him.
Sombra blood was boiled at first; glare more intensely at his subject under his reign would speak to him that way at all.
Sombra paused in his thoughts of violence, he would have to teach this commoner some respect in that regard, and even if he was benevolent he had his standards. At that moment he saw a dark spectral form began to slip out of the mouth from commoner's body. Its voice had changed from a deep bass to a softer feminine one; she had soft quality, with a slightly hypnotic effect on those within hearing range. Even if her words struck where it hurt and made ponies squirm under her rants reverberated within the throne room, as her form still clung to her host.
The royal guards were shocked, some were disgusted at what just were seeing as their stomach wretched and turned horribly. The royal stallion was in a stupor to what he bore witness and Aurora shuddered under the horrific spectacle sight cling to Sombra’s forelock. Sombra recomposed himself quickly focus his glare on the wispy body thief, commanding his knights to restrain the demon forces tightly, most if not all of his men were having a hard time controlling the possessed prisoner; the magic that kept him loft was freezing the chains the held to him. Sombra’s voice though harsh was tight, as if the chill stole what happiness from in facing his fiendish specter.
“What is it that thou want fiend? Why did thou shed innocent blood or force this one in your clutches to do so too?”
“We want a body! A suitable body, we carve for one in so long! Give us one! NOW or you shall pay most dearly for what you cherish most!” provoked Ghost through the possessed stallion
“Look here ghastly coward we are a peaceful kingdom, what we don’t have in anything of the sort for the likes of you! You should pay with thy life for what transpired this very night! “Sombra barked slamming his hoof on the arm rest of his throne.
“You Lie! And if you think that threats of death would work on me? As If! Hardly a peaceful solution isn’t it? Listen and listen well! You have three weeks to give us a vessel; one that is young and beautiful, or your mental anguish won’t be the only thing made to suffer! If you make us wait any longer.
"It shall be month or years to gain back the peace so easily severed, as your lands shall be stained with the blood of your precious subjects, and you’ll have darkness creeping on your doorstep as little to no aid will be given to by your sister!” Ghost chuckled darkly seeing her word got a rise from the kingdom, the look in his was of want and murder... oh the things she could do a being like that at her side.
With the possessed prisoner dark laugh echoed throughout the halls, as the wind and snow blasted the windows open, swirled around the chained stallion into a raging vortex. The violent winds picked up the guards and smashed them across the hallway floors. As the king and queen covered over their ears with their hooves from the howled banshee’s winds resounding through the room. It was an empty gesture, as they too were flung into with two remaining guards still trying to restrain him. The raging winds tore the armament and banner crashing them leaving the royal hall in tatters, before leaving through a shattered stain windows to escape with she escaped with her laughter still could the royal and guards looked out into snow blinding gale outside…
~~~
Three days later, war erupted due to the tension between the two civil kingdoms, and it stemmed from the lack of food and envy between Aries and Sombra were running high. Amidst the civil war tides of darkness surrounding their doorway came all too fast before anypony realize they were besieged within mere days.
It was like something out of nightmares ravaging the crystal empire’s lands and the high mountain, scorched everything in its way black. The monsters from the dark army slew the innocent and soldiers alike it was a massacre; and the lands seem to aid their enemies with strange dark crystals coming down like rain or sprouting grass of sharp blades against either army. Everything they tried to do was for not, the very land seem to forsake them in hour of need. These dark forces were composed of cursed fairy ponies, other nightmares being that would make a war harden stallion cry like a foal; were coming to amass upon the kingdom. (These ruthless creatures were once the legendary fairy ponies were once gifted spell casters and excelled in healing arts but shied away from anyone and were a timid race. They rarely seen or contacted unless times like these. The mass were possibly captured turned into gluttonous beasts of evil sucking life out those they attached to, changing shape into anypony or anything, Chaos bringers were shapeless monstrosity so called beings of chaos; beasts that tampered with dark spell enslaving the fairies or any pony to their whims.) Most of which survived were handful of the fairies being forced to seek sanctuary in deep caverns or fleeing from harm and corruption.
The king was growing weary of the war that happened. The three day off endless bloodshed, turn to a fortnight; though as much he wasn’t accustomed to war Sombra had to forsake his pride for his people, and fought alongside his men on the battlefront for his kingdom. The war was took a heavy toll on his side; they needed aid from his brother in law. It was turned down for the petty difference, between Sombra and Aries, even though his sister tried her best to send aid in the upcoming battles. it was small groups of her mercenaries at best. Things went from bad to worse from there on with the continuous bloodshed blurred the weeks; there was no end in sight. The last attack, was a complete slaughter, even with his mystical Earth dragon to end of these raiders, it dwindled his forces to half its legendary strength. Many of the civilians with cowering in their homes after the dark one slipped into the empire after the one side slaughter taking a few of innocence for their own .
Ghost came back once again the battle scarred Sombra that war having nearly his peaceful ways completely.She was different now, the body she inhabited changed to suit a mare like qualities, but the mane and tail were tinted light shade of brown and were long and flowing.
“I see you take up war well, my king… Blood and soulless revenge suits you well!” Ghost elegant curtsy to the crystal king, while in the same breathe mocked him. she was raveling in his hate laid glances it tingles of joy through her entire being it felt like dipping into a cold river a refreshing treat
The King had a sword on him at all times since the nightly raid, but due to this he was sleep deprived and enraged that nothing he did was going right. His eyes were laced with hate and bitterness, while his wife was lying in bed growing sicker by the day as if death was ready to claim her. Sombra glare hard at the possessed pony, who not only threatens his family but his homeland as well. This time he would let that smug wreck get away, he was going to try and behead this wretch that was goading him here and now for not only mocking him but slain innocent lives on but a whim. He voice seethed with malice, and his posture looked like one seek blood as he got up off his throne pacing slowly towards specter as if ready to pounce.
“I know why thou are here, Fiend! I have the body thou seekth, once thou get what thou came for! Leave and take the infernal army with thee! I want nothing more to with war never again!!” groaned Sombra his words dripped in bitterness the very sight of this ghostly mare made his stomach turn
“I see you came around to reason! Though I hate to see you deep seeded hatred and grief go to waste… I’ll only take them away, if you enter a blood pact with me…” Ghost smiled that sent a chill down Sombra's spine when he saw her smile
The stallion was glare and spat in contempt towards Ghost, not only to be cornered to this bloody ghost bidding to save everything he hold dear but to enter a blood pact ridiculous! He took a grip with his magic of a sword from its sheath on his back. Lunging at his foe with all his rage, but the phantom didn’t make her move as the blade passed through where her neck should be. Sombra was shocked, the apparition was unharmed she glared then smirked lightly. He was about to try again channeling his magic into the blade but it never reached its target. The rush of magical wind surge knocked him back, while he swept off his hooves landing near the steps to his throne. Grunting from the painful impact a cut on his face, a part of his horn and left hooves were encased within ice. Then the ghostly entity passed his own blade in its misty tendril against his throat. as he felt the metal against his flesh upon swallowing his pride nodded sagely, since his wife life was hanging the balance of his ever own hooves. Sighing deeply as he laid there in front of phantom, lowing his head in defeat.
“What must I do to?” Sombra begrudgingly complied
“Bring the vessel and his or her family perhaps, though your niece she has grown beautifully since my last visit… Anyways I wish for then slay one member of that family in cool blood by your own hooves, Sombra. Once the deed is done, your life and that of your kingdom with be safe from me sealing the pact! Though once the pact is seal, if you ever need of aid, you just need to call upon my name, and the deed shall be done! Call it a blood deed, partner…” Ghost smirked maliciously withdrawing the blade slightly but keep it close at hoof
“What th-?! You know what you ask of me?! How do you know of her or the fact she is related to me anyway?! I can’t murder my sister Althea or my niece like that! There has to be some other way! There has to be… You better not have harmed them or I’ll -”screamed Sombra then was abruptly silenced as the cold steel pressed close to his neck as it wept a tear of crimson
“You’ll what little king? You have no power here or over me and especially when I’m holding all the pieces and your life. Now behave yourself or you’ll lose it all here and now! I said slay one member of your family and the deed shall be done!! I’m sure figure out something…”Ghost sarcastically jabbed at the pathetic stallion under her hoof with her free hoof
Sombra bite his tongue in anger; wanting to lash out at the cringing scum- ridden wretch, before him. Silently Sombra cursed the phantom; know its threat was real; not only holding the fate of his kingdom in its hooves but his sick wife life as well. Desperate for the peace stripped away and his wife to live he was willing to do anything…anything… Thus cursing his choices resigned the demon’s demands as his gut churned sickly to sacrifice one life for the greater good, he hoped his sister would forgive him after this.
“Alright, I shall do the deed!” He final sighed to the fates
“That’s much better… Now we’ll talk how I want it done, and I’ll be here to watch it unfold later this very evening least you play me false!” warned Ghost disappearing into thin air as her voice echo in the now empty room, as the sword fell clinging on the crystal floor
~~~~~~
That following night, as Aries and his daughter Suhaila came to visiting with a promising treaty for the meeting. Aries, a sienna unicorn who was unusual taller than normal ponies, he had a soft halo aura over his head. His eye bright golden eyes brought out with his fiery crimson mane framing his face. Suhalia, (pronounced Sarhra) was a golden filly with icy blue mane and tail. Her eyes were white, the strange thing about this foal, she was curious about everything and anything new, this was her second visit she leapt for joy wanting check out everything out about the castle and the ponies inside. She was a ball of energy asking a mountain of questions from either her Uncle or Sunburst who was infinitely patience with the foal; ever since her Aunt Aurora became ill with strange disease and forced to be bedridden. While Sunburst, personal friend and assistant set out tea on the table behind Sombra, after leading the royal family in Sombra’s private study, and soon departed the room trying to take Suhalia with her out the room. Sombra sat there in the Royal court of his weary less pristine Empire. He felt his gut wrench as his thoughts focused on his loving wife, she was still beautiful in his eyes, but her hacking cough and trembling hooves told another story. Her eyes look as if she was too tired to fight anymore. He didn’t want to give up, she had to hold on and keep fighting, she was the only thing he cherish the most in this world.
The crystal king went to the decorated wall of arms, drawing of the sabers, his eyes harden overlooking the blade. He would do anythi- he shook his head; he would try something to save his wife.
As Aries, walked in the throne room Sombra just sheathed the blade and propped it back on the wall.
“So, Brother would please tell why of all things in the world, would want to do this? What brought about this change?” he hissed after stomping his hoof which cracked the crystal floor, Suhaila quivered from shock hearing her father tones normal soft spoken, as he with contempt towards her Uncle.
“I wanted to say I’m sorry for what a fool I have been. I know I have no right to ask for your forgiveness…but I need to do this for the sake of kingdoms we need to bury our rivalry, brother!” Sombra said as his gaze content with the crystal floor as he sat on his hunches
Aries glare soften at his brother-in law, who slumped on the floor, after whisper to Suhaila ear. She looked at her father with wide eyes, smiling towards Sombra. The onyx stallion ears flatten and the gravity towards his stomach dropped like a stone. Sombra put on a smile, whispering to Sunburst to take Suhaila to the kitchen for a treat while they talked. As Aries watched his daughter leave the room, the smile dropped from his face.
Aries went up to the door locking, both physically and casted an arcane spell to soundproof the door and room magical so their talk in private and would go uninterrupted.
“What is this really all about? I know there is more then you are letting on about our treaty we made this morning, why another one? No more secrets, Brother...” Aries sighed never hearing his brother-in law apologize so sincerely before. It was eye opener to see how desperate and humble the ever boastful Sombra really became for the last week.
As Sombra took a deep breath, his stomach turned his expression matching his insides, “Alright, I won’t sugar coat it. Well it’s like this… I need to your help! My wife is dying and I- I need to fill a ransom to save her life in exchange for another in return.”
“What?! You- can’t be serious?! You planning on going through with it, are you? With that…that… thing you told me about earlier?!” Aries screamed marching towards Sombra and slamming in the wall under the coat of arms.
“But I don’t have a choice… Please tell me what I should do?! Aries, I can’t…breathe…please…” Sombra hissed a he struggled under the heavy gripped hoof around his neck nearly choking him
Aries dropped Sombra as he gasped for air, he then screamed in pain and as he looked up grunted to see Aries magical holding a saber skewed into his shoulder. The giant stallion silently exhaled deeply than whirled around with a magical sword striking the shocked unicorn; as he heard an agonized scream after Sombra was busy gasping for air. Twisting the blade deep into shoulder, Sombra eyes went wide quivering, as Aries dark eyes grow dark black. His blood ran cold as he saw another magical blade hover above Aries who casting a dark grin at him.
“You always have a choice, Brother! You either make it now, or I make it for you!” Aries seethed pushing his hoofs on top Sombra’s chest with more pressure pinning him down further.
“Now say your prayers, Brother! For they may be your last and my face last you ever see!” Aries screamed, there was a click from the door that drew his attention, looked behind him for a second.
That’s all it took for Sombra to break free from Aries heavy hoof, scampering away from him, and to his hooves on the other side of the room, tripped up his brother in-law in the process. He hurriedly made a crystal short sword with his magic charging at Aries who bare his swung blades in a cross arc.
Anypony or anything within 5 Kilometers could hear the blood curling scream ripping through the frosty night sky, within the Empire’s borders.
Author's Note
I'm currently having two expert Editors and an Expert proofreader, help out with the pacing of this story. I hope it is as inciting to read as it was to just write this introduction for the stage to be set for out adventure to begin shortly! I'll make changes to it, when i get more feedback on my chapter with the people i work with.
I want to say I was greatly inspired to write out this fan fiction based on the music from Carbon Meastro and Fantastic artwork by Ziom05 of "Derpy's And Carrot Top's Journey". I recommend go checking their stuff out you'll shan't be disappointed in the least! GIVE CREDIT TO THEM ALL THE WAY!
