The Game We Immortals Play

Chapter 1:
A New Kind of Magic

Warnings: None

Veritas watched as the ritual progressed waiting for the right moment. This last part had been his idea, if Mors was to be kept from falling into his old ways there would need to be something to get his attention from the start. A spark... Now. He reached out into the other world, it didn't take long for him to find the one he was looking for. Making a connection he focused the last of his power and voice boomed with power as he spoke one last word before his life ended.

"Awaken"

*****Somewhere just outside Ponyville*****
It was another beautiful day in Equestria; the sun was shining, the birds were singing, a slight breeze caused the trees to sway and on top of a small hill not far from the town a figure appeared in a sphere of Arcane power before falling to the ground.

Several moments passed as Mors collected himself before opening his eyes then quickly squinting them until they adjusted to the light. Alone once more. he remained unmoving lost in thought for a time, eventually he decided it was best to assess his situation. Upon trying to stand he discovered his muscles did not respond correctly, bringing his hand up in front of him he found the reason why A hoof? his right eye twitched not the first time Loki's pulled a trick like this, why now though? letting out a sigh might as well have a better look at myself. Mors began his spell, drawing power from Stygia across the Abyss...he froze in the midst of the spell. Ever since he had become an Archmage the Abyss had ceased being a hindrance to him but this was different, the Abyss was gone. How can this be possible? Mors' mind was reeling, a mass of thoughts trying to make sense of what he now faced. Ever since the Fall the Abyss has separated the Supernal from the Fallen World. It should not be possible...Fate, Life, Prime and Space, the ritual comprised of four Arcana; Prime had been used to channel the power and focus the effects. Life was used to alter my form, so what role did Fate and Time play? I need to know more about this place if I am to figure this out Shifting his focus, he began drawing on the Arcana of Prime, channeling its power into him. The world around him exploded in a symphony of light, everything glowed with a faint aura of magic; the grass, the trees, even the air. As he looked up something caught his attention; the sun radiated with an aura of immense power, it felt ancient yet young, bursting with life. Odd, the power is most definitely arcane but it is not Supernal in its origin. It would seem this place contains another form of magic... as he continued pondering this development he noticed another oddity. It was a thread of arcane energy coming away from the sun, following the thread he found himself looking at a castle coming out the side of a mountain in the distance, the thread connected to another aura. It was similar to the sun's yet; focused, contained it was... Alive. The sun is connected to a living being. What... a thousand more questions came to mind, he cast them aside and focused on the aura. It danced in a multitude of lights, he watched for awhile discerning different patterns and fluctuations intelligent, not human, a Sleeper? It wields arcane power yet it is not an Awakened, that confirms that there is at least one other form of magic here apart from Supernal. his earlier suspicion confirmed he again focused on the aura not mortal, at least not in regards to time, benevolent there was far more to the aura but the last part would suffice for now.

Satisfied that the being the aura belonged to was not a threat, he turned his focus back to himself. He reached out once again, this time drawing on Matter, with a thought three 2x4 mirrors appeared in front of him. Looking back at him Mors saw a small pony with large grey eyes, a black coat, his mane and tail a dark grey. Noticing something near his flank he turned to get a better look, it was an image, one he was very familiar with even if the depiction was less than detailed; a tower, of what he knew was bone, stood with a blue flame rising from the top, the Watchtower of the Lead Coin from which he channeled his power. With another thought the mirrors vanished as quickly as they had appeared so I'm a pony, although the proportions seem...off. The being connected to the sun wasn't human perhaps it is some form of pony too... his thoughts are interrupted, it was like a ripple in a still pound starting small but growing; a connection was being formed to one of the Supernal Realms An Awakening? Without the Abyss there shouldn't be any need to... frowning to himself I've missed something. I shouldn't need to draw power through the Watchtower either focusing on his connection to Stygia he noticed something that he had overlooked earlier, it was like a membrane just strong enough that the Supernal Realms were separated from the world around him yet didn't hinder his connection to it one surprise after another, I wonder... he focused; looking for signs of any more Awakened, other than the new connection he had felt there were none. Very strange, but then that being from before was a Sleeper looking in the direction he sensed the Awakening he noticed a town two likely possibilities; there are few to none Awakened in this world or they are beyond the area of my ability to sense. Not good, both cases mean that it is unlikely another Awakened will be there anytime soon and that could be problematic. It looks like I'll have to go investigate. As he started walking toward the town he noticed a slim wisp of arcane energy head off rapidly from the direction sensed the Awakening toward the castle. After pausing briefly he continued on his way.

It had taken longer for Mors to reach the edge of the town then he had guessed. Part of that had been from the sight of rainbow colored blur followed shortly by a yellow pony with a pink mane and tail flying by him toward the town a Pegasus.

As he set hoof inside the town he strange feeling, like something knew he was here but the feeling passed as quick as it came. He walked past two ponies having a conversation, one he noted had a horn just above their eyes, the other lacked any secondary features Unicorns, Pegasi and... I guess just ground ponies will do for the last group. He was presently surprised that the two were speaking English at least I won't have to worry about a language barrier after a few minutes of walking he began to notice something about the town, while for the most part the town seemed to be rather primitive yet every now and then he would spot something that seemed completely out of place it seems as though this place has a developed along a very random path in its technological development he thought passing a cafe with soft music coming from several speakers in the outdoor dining area.

As he rounded a corner he found himself looking at a large tree which appeared to have been hollowed out and turned into a building yet it looked very much alive. In front of the doorway was a sign with a picture of an open book on it a bookstore or a library perhaps? He dispersed the magic enhancing his sight and the auras faded away, the building in front of him was most definitely where the individual he was looking for was located. As he approached he began to hear several voices coming from inside they sounded worried and confused. Pausing at the door he ponder how he should proceed I didn't think there would be Sleepers present, perhaps the absence of the Abyss along with this worlds other magic... a cry of pain and a loud thump ended his musings. The voices inside became panicked and filled with concern best to get this over with Mors knocked on the door with his hoof, there was a pause from inside. A moment later a white Unicorn mare with purple mane opened the top half of the door.

"I'm sorry dear but the library is closed at the moment..." Her voice trailed off as she turned her head to look back as a pained voice let out a moan followed by the sounds of movement. Mors looked behind her into the room; it was roughly circular, there was a staircase leading to the second floor, the walls of the room were lined in recessed bookcases and a few pieces of furniture scattered about. On the floor near the stairs was a lavender Unicorn mare with mane and tail of dark indigo with twin strips of pink and purple, four other mares half standing half were hovering beside her, one of which was the Pegasus he had seen earlier, also by her side was what looked to be a dragon, albeit a very small one.

"I'm here to help." The mare's head turned back to face him with a questioning look. Before she could respond there was a bright flash of light in the middle of the room followed by a *pop* causing her and the other occupants of the room to jump in surprise. Mors' attention, along with that of everyone in the room, was now on the figure standing in the middle of the room. A pony, though nearly twice as tall as any of the ones he had encountered, with a pure white coat, the mark on her flank was that of a blazing sun, her mane and tail a hue of pale colors, a gold tiara and necklace adorned her, the most striking feature though was the presence of a horn and wings. After the initial shock most of the ponies looked relieved, the dragon was the first to act.

"Princess Celestia! Thank goodness you're here, Twilight seems to be getting worse." the dragon's voice was filled with a mixture of worry and relief. Celestia looked down at him with a gentle smile and was about to speak when Twilight started to get up with a groan before starting to move toward the stairs.

"Twilight Sparkle." Celestia's voice was soft and filled with a hint of concern.

"She can't hear you, your highness" Mors found seven pairs of eyes suddenly on him.

"Who are you? and what do you know of what is happening to Twilight Sparkle?" Celestia's voice was calm but

Looking into Celestia's eyes he came to a realization this Princess Celestia was the being he had sensed connected to the sun. This makes things interesting, a direct approach will likely be best bowing slightly toward the Princes before responding.

"My name is Mors. As for what is happening to Twilight Sparkle; in short while her body is here her spirit is elsewhere." He paused briefly as Celestia turned to the Unicorn mare at the door giving her a nod at which a she opened the bottom half of the door to let him. Bowing his head slightly to her.

"Thank you, Miss..." he trailed off at the last part.

"Rarity" the mare stated finishing his sentence. He turned his gaze back to Celestia pausing to look at Twilight who had started to crawl up the stairs perhaps she has made it to the Watchtower, if so that will make things much simpler Celestia looked back at Twilight before bringing her attention back to Mors. Before either of them could say another word a bright rainbow colored blur shot across the room before stopping inches from his face wings flapping.

"How do you know what's happening to her!? Did you do something to Twilight!?" the blue rainbow haired Pegasus asked glaring at him. Mors looked straight into her eyes before replying.

"The answer to your second question is, no. As for your first question there are several reasons for why I know what is happening, the simplest being that I experienced a similar event years ago." his quick direct response caused the Pegasus to pause, staring into eyes for a moment she looked like she was about to say something when a soft cough caused her hover slightly higher before flying back across the room with a hoof rubbing the back of her neck and slight blush.

"Sorry, Princes." she said sheepishly. Celestia gave her a gentle smile before bringing her attention back to Mors.

"You said her spirit is elsewhere, where is it? and how do we get her back?" her voice remained calm and even.

"Her spirit is in one of the Supernal Realms, which of the five I do not know. As for getting her spirit to return, there is no way to stop an Awakening it all comes down to the individual. If it is any comfort the fact that she is climbing the stairs is a good sign, it means she is near the end of her Awakening." the last part of his explanation caused more than a few in the room to let out a sigh of relief. Mors turned his attention to Twilight who had just made it to the top of the stairs and now seemed to be focused on the opposite wall looks like she made it to the top, best to warn them just in case "I should mention that the last part can be...taxing." his words were met with questioning looks which soon turned to ones of panic as a loud cry of pain followed whimpering came from the second floor. There was a stampede of hoofs and a flurry of flapping wings as the five mares rushed to their friend, the dragon followed closely after them.

A pained look flashed across Celestia's face at Twilight's cries "Will she be alright?" her gaze stayed on Twilight who had managed to make her way over to the wall, her horn glowed a faint lavender as she began carving her name into the wall with her magic. Seeing this Mors gave a faint smile before turning his attention to the Princes.

"Yes, when she finishes carving her name her Awakening will be finished." Celestia looked back at Mors catching the implications of his last statement. Her expression became one of seriousness and concern.

"There is more?" it was as much a statement as it was a question and Mors felt the eyes of the Sun Princes boring into him, it was not the first he had seen such a look, that of a parent or mentor when they become protective.

"Yes, there is more. I will not be able give you a better answer until we learn which Watchtower she has carved her name into." Celestia's stair soften, wither because of his response or the sound of happy voices from the landing above. The small dragon appeared at the top of the stairs in a much better mood than earlier

"Twilight's awake Princess!" he said smiling before heading back to the mare in question. Celestia motioned for Mors to follow her as she proceeded up the stairs.

Mors reached the landing of the second floor just as Celestia laid down next to Twilight giving the young mare a comforting nuzzle before speaking.

"I am glad to have you back my Faithful Student. You gave us all quiet scare." her voice was calm and soothing.

"I'm sorry Princess, I didn't mean to worry everypony. One minute I was talking to Spike and the next I was someplace else." Twilight lowered her head, looking at her hoofs. Celestia smiled down at Twilight before speaking.

"There's nothing for you to apologize for and from what Mors has said you've been through quite an ordeal." Twilight raised her head with a puzzled look noticing him for the first time.

"Nice to meet you Twilight Sparkle. My name is Mors. Hopefully I will be able to answer any questions you have about your Awakening." Mors finished as he laid down across from Twilight and the others.

"Awakening?" Twilight responded looking puzzled first at Mors and then turning to Celestia.

"I am afraid I do not know much more than you on this matter my Faithful Student. However, Mors has said that he would be able to tell more about what is happening if you can tell us about where you just were." Celestia stated in a calm voice.

Twilight nodded her head and afterwards looked around at her friends before facing Mors. Taking a moment to collect her thoughts she began to go over everything that happened since she had passed out earlier.

END Chapter 1

Story Notes:
Locations;
Stygia
Watchtower of the Lead Coin
Concepts;
Awakened
Sleeper: Anyone not an Awakened and therefore can't use magic.