One Human, Different Paths 'Dark Saga'

As the night remained cold as always, a warm breeze suddenly bursted when Rhoe entered the room in total darkness. Our hero, Rhoe, has lost his last bit of sanity and seeks for blood as revenge.

His eyes shrinked significantly, his hair was messed up, his lips were in a sorta maniac grin-smile. Basically to sum up, his face wasn't the prettiest sight.

His clothes were partially ripped apart, as if the unexpected event kept your clothes for some reason, the jeans were intact though.

His skin was slighty damaged, as you can tell from all the fights he got himself into.

Blood was falling across his face, yet he didn't about this.

And somehow, he still kept the bracelets. The object of sentiment were unreplacabled even if he was insane for the moment.

Rhoe's appearence gave the impression of someone who was going to give it all away, despite the consequences. He wasn't gonna dissapoint anyone who thought about this.

As he entered the room, with nothing than darkness joining him, a small, faint, glowing light showed up, guiding Rhoe to where he was supposed to go. Thinking clearly, he knew that he was gonna face the bastard once and for all.

"This time, there will be no mercy." he said following the light across the room.

Rhoe walked a least 20 minutes before a blurred image showed up. This image appeared to be a throne room.

Without thinking, Rhoe inmediately rushed to this image, without the light's concern or guide to lead him. As soon as he touched it, Rhoe felt a electricity charge runs through his body, causing him to be knocked back.

Rhoe rolled, and bounced a few times before stopping, facing the floor. He growled a bit, which could clearly tell he was annoyed by this. Without a second thought, he rushed once more to the image, only to have the same result all over again.

Rhoe spat a bit of blood as he was getting up from the knockback. Rhoe didn't showed any kind of trouble getting up, but deep down in his heart, he was completely exhausted. Perhaps it was the madness that kept him going. Rhoe didn't give up and kept trying again and again.

A panting could be heard in the dark room. As a corpse is laying down to the floor, the body starts getting up with blood all over his face. It was Rhoe's going desperately against the impenetrable image. His lack of sanity made him act like a maniac. He didn't care how many times he got thrown back from the image, he still managed to get up and fight. Admirable, yet foolish.

In one last attempt, Rhoe bodyslammed the image. This time, he didn't get knockbacked. Instead, he remained sticked to wall, almost like if the image knew that the situation wasn't going to change even if Rhoe was thrown. He desperately started punching the wall with all his strength, the last remaining strength he had.

It didn't take long for Rhoe to express his pain and agony from the situation. He stopped hitting the image and fell into his back, trying to catch his breath.

His knuckles were bleeding, leaving them unavaiable to be used without having serious consequences afterwards.

Rhoe didn't know what was worse, losing everyone that was his friend, or failing to achieve what he was meant to do.

Then it happened. Rhoe started crying. His tears flowed like a river, non-stop. Rhoe cried for a whole hour. He was crying for his friends, he ws crying for failing his destiny, and he was crying for his family. They wanted him to liove a happy life.

He felt like he lost every opportunity to do something different, even if he has done a lot of changes throughout his life. It wasn't enough.

Soon, a voice echoed through the dark room. It went like this:

Are you done crying?

Rhoe was shocked by this and looked everywhere to find this mysterious voice. As always, empty.  "Just like me..." he thought.

I said, ARE YOU DONE CRYING?

Like a lightning, his anger came back. He got up despite his condition.

"YES, I'M FUCKING DONE! WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT!?" he yelled.

The mysterious voice didn't reply. A rather short awkward silence came after that.

The silence was broken again, this time by the voice.

Good, because we don't have all day.

"What do you want? A medal or something?" he shouted as his insanity started to return from the breakdown he had a while ago.

Oh nonono~, I'm here to help you.

"Another freaking ally?" he said crossing his arms, "Sorry, but I've had enough about that bullshit."

Okay then. I won't tell you what do you need to do to reach Tenebrarum.

"Help? Reach? Tenebra-what?" mumbled Rhoe.

Tenebrarum. He is the one behind all this. Who else did you think caused all this? Darkness itself, of course!

"Great, I'm going to hear another freaking villain movie cliché about remaking the world to their image or something. I rather cut the legs of a puppy than listen to this old, boring story." said Rhoe laughing after he finished his comment.

Okay listen, you fuck. As much as I hate cooperating with others, I happen to hate Tenebrarum myself. This guy is absolutely nuts! I rather have the Equestria I know than staying in this sick world of his.

"Looks like we both share the same goal. I have an unfinished businnes with him," he said as he clenched his injured fists, "and I'm planning paying back for all he has done. Ohhhh, I'm going to enjoy every single moment I make him suffer!"

Rhoe started to laugh in a unusual way as he clenched his fists even harder. The pain reminded him of all the pain he has caused to him and everyone around.

'This guy has definitively lost it...'    So listen, I have a proposal.

".... I'm listening." he said as his laugh died down.

So here's the thing. Tenebrarum is darkness itself, so you are not going to be able to touch him.

Rhoe couldn't argue. He knew this better than anyone. Trying to grab, hit or touch him, is no use. It would have been foolish to attempt that.

"I know."

So the only thing that can actually hurt him is light.

"And how do you expect that to happen?"

Simple. This.

As the voice suddenly said that, a box appeared in front of him. Rhoe looked confused by this and decided to approach it. He was about to touch it, until the voice interrupted him.

Don't touch it yet.

Rhoe pulled his hand from the box and looked in confusion to the ceiling, well, what was supposed to be a ceiling, "Wha?"

Not yet. You still need to do something for me.

"Okay. First, no. I'm not doing anything for you. And second, my vengeance is more important- I MEAN-  the world is more important right now."

Don't worry, it's nothing out of the ordinary. Well, at least for this mad world.

Rhoe wanted to answer back, but right now he was clueless of the situation. Ignoring this opportunity could cost the world, even if it sounds ridiculous or exaggerated. Submitting to the voice request, he spoke.

"Fine, you win. What do you want?"

Just wait for it.

"Wait for it? What do you mean-". Rhoe didn't have an opportunity to prepare for what was coming. He felt something entering his body and mind. He fell to his knees and bent over to the floor. Something was trying to fit in his body, like it was some sort of spirit.

"GUH! W-w-what the-e-e f-f-fuck!?" said Rhoe struggling to have control over his body, or at least trying to endure the pain.

Chill, I'm just entering your body.

"You what!?" he yelled.

What you are suffering right now is the exchange of spirits. Since you were possessed by a light spirit, my nature goes against what you are used to. Don't worry, it will be over soon.

"Mother....fucker...." were the last words Rhoe said before fainting.

As Rhoe woke up, he felt his body powered up, like it was healed and enhanced at the same time. Curious, he tried to get up to feel his new status. NO problem. His body wasn't heavy nor bleeding. He also felt more strong, like if he could lift two heavy boulders with both arms. Rhoe felt like he could take on the world. Then a question landed. The question was expected this whole time.

"What happened to the voice? I should at least know the name." he said.

I'm right here. Name's Umbra by the way.

Rhoe almost skipped a beat. By the looks of it, Rhoe managed to regain a bit of sanity thanks to Umbra's exchange. "Geez, don't scare me like that!"

And I thought you were our last hope.

"What's that supposed to mean, Umbra!?"

Forget about it. Ready?

"For what?". Rhoe's arm suddenly lifted, pointing at the box from the conversation. "Wait, you mean...?"

Yes, you are ready. Now, don't get sentimental on me kid. I just want Tenebrarum to be executed.

"Make that two of us." said Rhoe with a bit of his insanity showing off.

Go ahead. Open it. Make it fast.

Rhoe did as he was told and opened the box. As he checked the insides, he found a weapon. This weapon seemed to be dark appearance. It was a sword. Despite, it's supposed to be a light sword. But something was off. Here's a glimpse of it:

"...is this supposed to be a light sword?" he asked.

Yes. It's supposed to.

"Why isn't it shining?" he complained.

Life isn't made of daisies and candies. Deal with it, kid.

"Fine, fine.", he said as he was going to pick the sword, "I always wanted to use one of these anyways."

As he grabbed the sword, a light emanated from the sword. Rhoe covered his eyes, protecting it from the burst of light.

Huh, looks like the sword accepted you as his master. You can name it the way you like.

"Whoa, what? Master? Name?" he stuttered, confused of what happened.

Yes, you moron! The sword is mystical, dumbass. The sword requests a name to identify it.

"Erhh....okay.", he took a firm grip of the sword and looked at it. The sword looked really nice to Rhoe and he knew that a great sword deserved a great name.

"Lucidus."

Say again?

"Lucidus. That's the sword's name." As he stated the name, the sword inscribed the name in the base of the steel. Rhoe smiled at this and hid the sword. Where do you ask? In its shealth, of course. Here, take a picture of it. WARNING: The sword takes different shape when it's in the shealth. Blade Empire Corp. is not involved, I repeat. NOT INVOLVED.

Now you can stop imagining how does it look like.It's something similar to Inuyasha. You know the drill. Anywayssss.....

"I guess I'm ready-"

Hold it, idiot. I'm the one who decides.

Rhoe looked in disgust at what Umbra just said. This spirit may be helping him, but someone is being a jerk. "Okay..... do what you need."

....Okay, we can go now.

If Umbra had a body right now, Rhoe would punch it in that very moment. Keeping his anger under control, he relaxed and went to the image. He stood in front of it, doubting that it would work touching it this time. Every time he reached out for the image, he inmediately regretted it and pulled his hand.

You know? You are not going anywhere if you keep doing that.

"I know, but...", he remained silent. His insanity made him touch it several times, but he didn't have the courage now.

...Don't tell me you are chickening out.

"...."

Really!? After all the shit you went through, you are backing out!? Are you fucking serious!?

Rhoe didn't answer. He felt completely useless in that moment. After having cried for another chance, life gave him to it, but now he was too afraid of what could come next. Anyone would feel pressured if the world's hope is on you. It wasn't something to be taken lightly. If it was taken lightly, he was a goner.

Umbra spiritually facepalmed after hearing the truth.

'The one and only hero of Equestria, Rhoe, ladies and gentlemen'  .... Okay, I didn't want to do this. But you leave me no choice.

"Huh? What are you talking... about... uh..." he said as his mind suddenly lost control of his body, making him step closer into the image. Rhoe struggled internally as he tried to gain back control of his body, only to fail in the end. Giving up, he slowly watched how the image was turning into a vortex, sucking him up like a lollipop.....

.....Umbra enjoyed every moment he managed to control the body of something that was actually alive. It felt so... free. Umbra let out a somewhat disturbing laugh as the image sucked them up into a vortex. But something caught Umbra's attention. Something that Rhoe possessed, something that many wouldn't believe.

Umbra reached closer to Rhoe's mind, as it lurked into his dark and dangerous fears. What he found, may be his ultimate weapon. Umbra showed a really perturbing smile, as the spirit reached for this 'weapon'. Ths were the last words Rhoe heard before blacking out.

Ohhh. This is interesting.... Hehe, silly Rhoe. You possess something that can others don't.... something unique. I'll make the best use of it... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

It took at least a couple of minutes to reach the other side of the image, reaching their destination. Rhoe found himself on the floor, facing the ceiling. Some effects of the travels caused him to become dizzy. Deciding the best action would be resting at least a minute or two, Rhoe got comfortable on the floor, trying to relax from all the problems he had to go through (...Hasn't anyone).

Soon, Rhoe felt better and got up from the floor. He dusted off a bit dirt off his clothes and then remembered Umbra hasn't spoken ever since they arrived to what it seemed to be a... hard to describe room. Seemed to be a altar-cellar(?) room, completely torn apart.

"Yeah, this room gives me the creeps..." he thought as he looked around searching for his sword. Fortunately, the sword landed next to a pile of barrels, knocking them down. The shealth and the sword were unscratched. He sighed in relief upon seeing this and wrapped the shealth around him, procuring to lock it safer to him. With that done, he started to move along. There was something odd though.

"...I thought the image would take me directly to Tenebrarum! What a waste of time...." he thought as he started to head upstairs.

As he proceeded to move up, Umbra came to his mind. When I mean 'came to his mind', it means he remembered about Umbra.

"That's weird," he thought, "Umbra hasn't showed up at all. I wonder what happened to him?"

Rhoe moved to a kitchen, where a lot of meat and blood were all over the walls. He had rather avoid thinking what happened to this place. A door was on his left and decided to enter. What he saw was some stairs leading to another basement, probably some kind of sick torture room. It was decided not to go downstairs, since it could be a trap.

A fancy door caught his attention, as he proceeded to open it and find himself in the entrance of the house, with the decorated ceiling and everything. He was actually fascinated to see such a clean and nice room like this in such a dark place. Rhoe admired the view once more, enjoying the small things in life, well, what's left ot it.

Suddenly, a figure appeared from the second floor. It came from a big, decoreated door, with a crushing pressure near it. The figure approached the edge of the balcony to see better our hero.

Rhoe, who was giving his back to where this figure appeared, turned around since he felt someone was watching. Once again, he hated the fact that he was right again. This person, no, pony, was one of the few things Rhoe never wanted to face. It was none other than the Royal sisters.

Celestia and Luna, who were wearing some kind of obscure armor. They had the same aura as Twilight and the others possessed. These sisters could possibly be the two of the most powerful ponies of Equestria, perhaps the world. But c'mon, what can you do? Rhoe's blood froze when he saw them. He never wanted to face them like this, especially now.

Rhoe remained motionless as the sisters stared at Rhoe with fierce. Rhoe could only think of two possible conclusions.

1. Death.

2. Miracle.

"Okay, now I'm done for," he said looking in fear at the sisters, "Now what is going to happen?"

For his surprise, the sisters didn't budge at all. They just kept staring at him, waiting for an opportunity. This caused Rhoe to looked confused at them, finally being free of the fear's control. He didn't know what was going, neither he wanted to know. All he wanted to do was to avoid fighting those two. Rhoe would rather fight Tenebrarum than those two together, anyday.

He moved to the left, hoping for a reaction. Nothing.

Now, he goes for the right. Still nothing.

Rhoe wasn't still sure it was safe, so he started to do some weird movements, trying to get some sort of reaction from them. And what did you think happened? EXACTLY!

Nothing.

Silence was the dominative topic in the room, as both parties kept staring at each other like if they were having a psychic showdown of something like that. Rhoe knew this would lead to nowhere, and so, he spoke.

"Umm.... hello?" he greeted.

The sisters didn't answer back. Perhaps they weren't allowed to.

"Celestia? Luna? Can you hear me?"

Still nothing. The silence treatment or whatever they were doing started to annoy Rhoe. Trying to not a ahead of himself, he spoke louder this time. "Princess Celestia! Princess Luna!"

Rhoe called out for them, but they didn't reply. Rhoe was starting to get angry until suddenly a voice other than Rhoe's appeared in the room.

So you finally decided to show up. Took you long enough.

Rhoe recognized this voice. Yes, definitively the guy he was looking for. It was Tenebrarum.

"So, we will finally meet face to face at last." said Rhoe as he pulled Lucidus out its shealth, "Show yourself! Your princess' threat doesn't scare me!". In fact, it was quite the contrary. "I'm actually very scared, so please show up."

With that whispered, a strong wind bursted through every window in the room. In a blink of an eye, a dark energy ball started growing in front of Celestia and Luna, as these two backed away a little. The dark energy suddenly started to take shape, a shape of person. Rhoe was prepared for anything that Tenebrarum was going to do, and yet he wasn't prepared for what happened next...

WHAT!?

A vague spirit started to search through a lot of papers. Jugding by this, it looked like it was searching something.

The place looked grim and dark. There wasn't anything else in the background, almost it was some sort of abstract location. It was in fact an abstract location. Suddenly, this spirit stoppped. It was staring at a paper with determination. By the looks of it, it found what it came looking for. This spirit got up and yelled in victory for his success.

The vague spirit, who was covered in dust, shook and revealed its identity. It was Umbra. Umbra found something inside Rhoe's mind that could change the fate of this world.

Hah! Finally! After a long while, I found the control spell. This spell is going to play such a big part! Ohh! I can't wait to use it!

With that, Umbra took off. Umbra was actually inside of Rhoe's mind this whole time, but subconsciously.

Umbra discovered Rhoe has a hidden power that he has retained for a long time ago. This power was meant to be kept away, since if it was out of control, it could cause a  lot of chaos. Rhoe was aware of this power and at the same time he wasn't. He knew he had powerful force inside, but he didn't realize how powerful it was. Call it ignorance, but it's a bliss.

Once the spirit left the brain, the fella heard a noise outside. It sounded like a loud, yet confusing yell. Umbra guessed it was Rhoe that he encountered something that could threat him. Umbra didn't care actually, but since he was inside his mind, might as well save him from whatever was happeneing outside. What Umbra didn't know was that Rhoe's yell was going to be repeated once Umbra sees what Rhoe saw.

Did I say that correctly? My brain is a tad confused right now. Whoops! Talking to the fourth wall again. I really have to stop doing this.

Umbra took flight and saw what Rhoe saw. Yup, the same response.

WHAT!?

> Regina tenebras posuit faciem eius

Is the very first time you saw a woman?

Indeed. Both Rhoe and Umbra thought that Tenebrarum was a male. Couldn't have been more wrong. What stood in front of them was a  long black-haired woman wearing nothing but a dress. Her beauty could be compared to the Mane 6. Rhoe looked flustered at her, blushing to the unexepected appearance to the King-, I mean Queen of Darkness.

This woman had an eerie aura around her. This aura pictured some memories of fallen victims. Sad memories to be accurate. Rhoe composed himself and trying to talk to her.

"You.. you are..."

"Tenebrarum? Yes, that is me." said Tenebrarum as she crossed her arms, "But you can call me Nebra~"

We don't give a shit about that!

"Oh? Who is this individual that accompanies you? I thought I locked Aeris away." she said as Rhoe clenched his fists thinking of his companion. Those thoughts suddenly focused on what Nebra actually said.

"Huh? You can notice it!?" said Rhoe taken back by this.

Shit, this is bad. The element of surprise is out the window now.

"Huh. Yes, I know this being.... Oh! Who would have thought. It's you Umbra."

Both beings went into a "Crap!" state. Umbra knew that there was no going back this time. If Rhoe was defeated this time, not only would Rhoe perhaps perish, but Umbra as well. So, without further ado, Umbra spoke.

Well, looks like the cat is out of the bag. As expected from the.... queen.... of darkness.

"Oh! You flatter me, Umbra!" said Nebra striking a seductive pose. The sisters didn't budge at all.

Then now that you know this, I'm assuming that you already know why we are here.

"Crystal clear~"

Good to know. Rhoe!

"Yes?" he answered, prepared for anything that might happen next.

It's time.

"I was hoping you would say that." he said as he pulled the sword getting ready for combat, "...and Umbra?"

What now?

"I'll have to request something I wouldn't thought I would need."

....I think I have a clue about it.

"Just do it." he ordered.

As you wish, your choice, your consequences.

With that said, Umbra accesed Rhoe's sanity. Umbra manipulated the sanity with a phrase.

Furor Aliquam ut lacus.

On the outside, Nebra, along with the princesses, jumped to the floor where Rhoe was. She, as well as the princesses, prepared for a combat. Nebra was smiling with mischieveousness as she got into a battle pose. Rhoe, on the other hand, was looking down to the floor...

Then it happened. Insanity is on the house. Rhoe lifted his head towards the ceiling and started laughing maniacally, holding his sword with an iron grip. He looked down to the floor again, this time with a huge, devil grin pasted to his face. Nebra knew Rhoe went into insanity mode, which caused her to be more cautious.

"I hope you are ready..." he said as his laughter died down, "Because things are going to get interesting!"

Rhoe looked up at Nebra. Somehow, his grin turned into a smile, a disturbing one to be accurate. Rhoe grabbed his sword with both hands, placing the sword in his back, ready to launch an attack.

"I'm going to enjoy every single moment of this fight!"

Rhoe & Umbra Vs. Darkness itself. One of them is dying tonight. The fight for the world was about to begin...