The Immortal Warrior

Pain

It was the first thing Rei-Skalen felt as he started to return into world of consciousness, his body aching from his head to his toes. He let out a pained groan as he opened his eyes; his vision was blurring as he was lying on the hard ground, feeling that even slight movement hurt his body.

As his vision started to focus, what he saw was something he had seen 6000 years ago, before the world was turned into dead wasteland by the old gods.

Hundreds of stars shining in the night sky, looking down on the planet below as the moon showered the landscape with its pale light, shoving his surroundings as the trees of forest almost glowed in the white light. As he breathed painfully, he could smell the fresh air and almost taste the smells of fresh forest around him.

“Enjoyed your little nap?” Lilith asked within his head, making him groan in discomfort as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, which caused him to go into coughing fit because of the pain in his chest.

“It would be better if you let him gather himself after being violently torn from our world to this….whatever this place is” Medusa hissed, clearly annoyed of Lilith’s sarcastic questioning “And besides, that magical anomaly might have been a blessing in disguise, because there might be some form of intelligent life on this world. And if there isn’t….well, we’ll just strip this world clean of any resources and transfer them back to our home world, even if we have to tear the planet apart while doing so” she finished in pleased tone.

“Will you two shut up? Six thousand years of having you both in my head is more than enough to make me want to force some sort of sapient life into this world just to have some company that isn’t you two” Rei-Skalen said aloud as he recovered from his coughing fit.

“Well, our combined magic will not be useful here at the moment, because the magic of this world keeps it locked away until your body is used to it” Lilith said in annoyed tone, which made Rei-Skalen let out frustrated sigh as he opened his eyes and moved his hands to his side, slowly pushing himself into sitting position while his body felt like he should be screaming in pain

However, that did not happen. Instead he let out a hiss as he finally managed to raise himself into sitting position and looked around. The forest was very dark, but he could see it fine in the moonlight while his magically modified eyes gave him a clear view of his surrounding areas.

As he continued to look around, he could hear Medusa comment their surroundings "Interesting....it appears that it is either end of spring or middle of summer from the looks of it. Now, could you show the state of your body? The wild magic might have done some damage to it" she commented as Rei-Skalen turned his attention to his own body.

From the looks of it, there were no wounds on his body, nor were there any damage to the armor he was wearing. However, from the burned grass around him and slight downward curve of ground forming circle around him gave them a clear picture why his body ached so hard. Apparently the other end of portal had been either in middle of air or the force of him entering this world had been enough to slam him into ground hard.

"Or both, we can't be sure because none of us was awake when it happened" Lilith answered in serious tone "However, we should find a safe place in case some wild life decides you would make a fine meal....it would be a pain to watch your body become a infinite food source to some beast while your in weak state" she continued as Rei-Skalen shakily raised himself into standing position, almost falling over before he steadied himself.

"It's also possible that whatever sapient life is here could have spotted the portal and would be heading this way right now to check it out. There isn't a way to tell if they are hostile or not right now, so it would be best if we hide in case there is someone coming to our direction" Medusa said in concerned voice. She had no desire to have Rei-Skalen become a prisoner or experiment to be cut open and researched.

"Good idea" Rei-Skalen answered as he slowly started moving in random direction, before realizing that he had somehow managed to keep his hold on his blade without realizing it. As he put it into sheath, the flash of light on corner of his eye caught his attention.  He took quick cover behind thick tree, staying silent as he peeked around to see into direction of light.

While the source of light was too far to be seen, he could sense presence of at least 3 magic users, as well as 6 more creatures walking, coming to his direction. They would pass him by 20 to 40 meters, but it was possible that they would sense his presence as well or detect him by change.

He cursed as he heard voice speaking, putting his hand on his blade while other hand was against the tree, unconsciously draining it's life source and healing his aching body faster....

• 5 minutes earlier, royal palace -

"Attention soldiers" A powerful and commanding voice gained the attention of everyone in barracks, making them turn to the door where an Alicorn stallion with golden fur,mane and tail stood, wearing the crown and necklace with the word "ROYAL" almost screaming from his aura, was standing.

"Your Majesty!" one of the soldiers yelled as he took stood straight and saluted, others following him "Moments ago, there was a magical anomaly above the forest in the west, lasting only a little while. However, it is clear that something came through either intentionally or accidentally, so i need a group of soldiers to head towards there and check it out" he ordered as group of 9 soldiers (3 of each pony race) came forward and saluted "At you command,your highness. Anything else before we head out?" the leader of this group asked.

"If whatever came through is a threat, it is to be either captured or eliminated. However, if it's not a threat, it is to be escorted here to be questioned" he said as the group of soldiers saluted and rushed past him to follow their orders while the Alicorn standing there turned back to rest "As for the rest of you, return to your duties" he said as he turned around and walked out, heading towards the throne room....

• In middle of the forest, present -

As the group walked closer, Rei-Skalen could hear them talk in very familiar language "So where is the place?" one of them,male from the sounds of it, asked in curious tone "We should be there in few minutes. And talk silently, we don't know if there are any threats out here" Female, clearly experienced commanding voice ordered as the group stopped.

"What is it,soldier?" the same female voice asked, sounding cautious as he heard few of the guards shift,most likely looking around "I cannot sense any other lifeforms near us,nor in the direction of the site. Whatever came through that anomaly, it is possible it might not be alive or it's powerful enough to keep it's presence hidden" the second male said in curious tone "A scholar possible?" Medusa suggested as Rei-Skalen heard the female sigh.

"Or it's possible that whatever came through is far enough or it's a flyer. In later option,the 3 pegasus in the air should spot it easily" as soon as the female said that, Rei-Skalen started scanning the skies for anyone flying around while staying hidden behind the tree.

"Wait, did she say pegasus?" Lilith asked, making Rei-Skalen stop looking at the night sky as he slowly leaned to peek from behind the tree,making sure he didn't make any sounds. What he saw made all 3 of them silent.

Ponies. There was 6 ponies standing there, one of them carrying a torch with his magic, all of them dressed in golden armor. As he shifted his attention to their details, Rei-Skalen saw that 3 of them had horns on their head, one of them being the one who's horn glowed and was carrying the torch.

The other 3 didn't have horns, so he suspected that these "pegasus" that were flying around would have wings instead of horns "Well,this is interesting. A prey animals being sapient" Lilith commented as Medusa hissed within his mind "Yes,this is quite interesting. I wonder if they would allow you to cut one of them down to be your food" Medusa said in hungry tone.

"How have they not managed to sense me? i am close enough for even a novice to sense my presence with ease" Rei-Skalen wondered, before hearing Medusa chuckle at him "What's funny?" he questioned her within his head, almost feeling her smirk.

"Because your drawing the tree's life force,which i'm using to keep us hidden from these pests. And besides,their using harmony based magic,which i think wouldn't detect our presence even if we were standing right behind them" she said in amused voice as Rei-Skalen's eyes widened and he turned to look at his hand that was still against the tree he was hiding behind.

As he looked at it, he could see green light vines coming from the tree and into his hand, barely glowing as he felt the tree's life force pulse in his veins and making him almost transparent. Of course he could still see himself, but only because it was natural for magic user to see whatever it was making invisible while other's couldn't spot it even if they were standing centimeter away from it.

He narrowed his eyes as he turned back to look at the group who started moving again, walking towards the direction he had woken up "You said we couldn't use our magic until my body got used to this world's magic" he said angrily to 2 females,who he felt shift in his mind.

"Technically your not using our magic,but the tree's so it's possible to use it to fuel our spells" Lilith said nervously, before Medusa continued "However,we can't use it too long or we'll accidentally make our presence known to them" she said with nervous laugh as Rei-Skalen took his hand away from the tree, becoming visible again as he could see the group of ponies walking away from him.

Big mistake. As soon as his presence became visible again, one of the unicorns turned around and send a ball of light towards him at fast speed. His eyes widening, Rei-Skalen dodged it by jumping to left, alerting the group of his presence "Whoever you are,stop right there or we are going to have to use force to detain you" The same female voice from before ordered as the group began walking back to his direction, their weapons ready.

"Fight,run or surrender?" he questioned the two souls within him as the group of ponies came closer and closer, almost within range for their torchlight to show him fully. They could only see him shape in the moonlight,but from looks of their expressions they have never seen a human before.

"Stay still and question them of their intentions. If what i can sense is correct, they are very weak creatures. Even the infant has more magical power than those unicorns" Lilith said Rei-Skalen slowly stood up, keeping his eyes on them as his hand stayed against the hilt of his sword.

• Ponies viewpoint -

As they walked closer to the creature, first thing they noticed was that it was armored bipedal. It was clear from it's stance and footing that it was an experienced warrior, it's small eyes shifting a little to scan them. As it was fully in the torchlight, they could see that it's claw was resting lightly on the blade on his side,ready to use if necessary.

After that they focused more to it's details. It was similar to other bipedal species, but it was clear that it wasn't a diamond dog or a minotaur. It had similar features to apes, but it was clear it was something more than a ape,so it would be offending to call it an ape before learning it's species. It had white skin and no visible fur,only a very short mane in top of it's head and flat face.

As the other soldiers looked at it cautiously, captain Moonshine stepped forward, the creature's gaze moving to her quickly "Tell me creature, what are you and what is your purpose here?" she asked in calm tone as her eyes shifted a little to look past the creature's head, seeing 3 of the pegasus hovering few meters behind it silently, ready to strike if needed.

The creature narrowed it's eyes as it spoke in cold voice "my species is called humans, and for reason of being here is because i was accidentally dragged to this world because of magical anomaly appearing right behind me randomly. Now,tell me, what are your intentions with me and where am i?" it asked,making the guards more cautious as it shifted it's head to right,spotting the pegasus behind it before turning it's head back towards captain Moonshine.

"Our orders were to find whatever came through the anomaly you spoke of and bring it back to questioning. Will you return with us willingly or do we have to force you to?" Moonshine questioned as the creature moved it's right claw to hilt of it's blade,taking grip but not drawing it as the guards stood ready to attack.

"Questioning,torture or experimentation?" the human before them asked,it's voice cold as it narrowed it's eyes, the unicorns taking a step back because it was letting them know it's magic was far more stronger than theirs,even though other's couldn't feel the waves of magic pulse around him,concealing most of it's true strenght.

"Simply questioning, torture if you are a threat send by other nations of this world" Moonshine said as they stood in silence for what felt like an eternity to rest of the soldiers, ready to attack at slightest movement.

• Rei-Skalen's viewpoint -

"Go with them. they can't be classified at a threat unless in very,very large numbers" Lilith said within his mind as Medusa mentally nodded with her,agreeing her statement. Even if they couldn't use their magic yet, the power difference and lack of knowing better made the unicorns very nervous, if their step back and look on their faces was anything to say about.

Rei-Skalen chuckled as he slowly took his hand from the blade, the mare in front of him relaxing a little but still ready in case he attacked "If you turn hostile, know that i could easily take you all down. Even the pegasus standing behind me" he said as he nodded behind him,hearing them land few meters away from him.

"That won't happen as long as you don't try anything funny" the mare answered,staying silent a while before continuing "My name is Miss Moonshine, the Captain of royal guard. And you are....?" she waited him to answer.

"We shouldn't tell them our true names. It would be best if we made a new name for ourselves in this new world" Lilith said as Rei-Skalen smiled at the idea,making the two females speak with him, using his body to speak the exactly the same words as his eyes glowed blue "We are Legion. We are the slayer of gods and wanderers of dead world of Earth"