Solum: Arise from Dirt and Ashes

Solum Log #137: Spring

It's been four years since I've gotten the survival guide and I must say the number of things I have learned from it grows with each turn of its' pages. I've read the book three times now, trying to memorize it for when I finally move out of this cave. The book contains all the different species out there, one of them is the "ponies". This creature interested me the most, mostly because the author was one. The book had a picture of him on the back cover, this was one of many pictures the book had of ponies.

A lot has happened in four years. I started working in the mines with my dad, getting some gems myself so I can save them. I try my luck at poker every once and awhile, just to get some extra jewels. I'm building myself up for the outside world, mentally and physically. The book gives me wisdom, the mines give me strength, the poker gives me wit. I need to leave this place, I long for the bright world outside of this hell-hole, it's waiting for me, so full of bliss and opportunity.

I'm going to break it to my parents today. They must know of my plans for the future, they deserve to know...

I put down the quill and signed. I took a look at what I wrote, I nodded. The survival guide told me to write a logs for keeping my mind steady, without it I could become unstable. My brain must be sharp or the world will consume me. I grabbed my log and placed it back into my rucksack.

With the gems I've been getting from work, I was able to get some new gear from the third floor vendors. I got a compass, a heavy rucksack, a machete with a sling holster, thick leather gloves, and a map of Equestria that had a spell put on it to protect it from harsh weather conditions.

I got up from my bed, wrapped the machete across my chest, put the rucksack on my back, and started for the door to my room. I stopped a the door. Well, here it goes... I opened the door and made my way to the kitchen, where my mother and father sat at the table. Their conversation stopped when I entered the room. My mom spoke first.

"Honey, you look heavily dressed." She said while tilting her head. "Do you have work today?"

I wore my bandanna on my head, covering my ears. I had a nice cotton shirt underneath a leather vest I bought, and strong pair of work pants. I was going to wear boots, but I think they were just going to slow me down.

"No, mom." I replied. "In fact I'm never going to go back to work in the mines."

"What? Why not?" My father spoke up.

I paused to gather myself and then exhaled.

"Mom, dad, I'm leaving the cave." I saw hurt strike into both of their eyes.

"I knew this day was coming." My father said in a low tone. He got up from the table and walked past me.

"Why, son?" My mother whined.

"Mom, there's nothing here for me." I explained. "I need to see the world, make something of myself."

"What about us?" She asked. "This is your home!"

"No, mother." I held my glare on her. "I eat in this cave, I work in this cave, and I sleep in this cave. I live in this cave, but it is not my home."

Tears formed in the corners of her eyes, she looked away from me. I bent down and hugged her tightly.

"I'm not happy here, mother." I continued. "I want to be happy."

"You'r not going..." A deep voice cut off my hug.

I turned to see my father standing behind me. I opened my mouth in protest but he spoke again.

"Without this." He laid a long black bow down on the table before me.

My ears perked up in interest. He also dropped a holster full of arrows. I looked up to him and waited for an answer.

"Sometimes you're not fast enough to outrun your prey." He said crossing his arms. "This will help you catch the quickest of food."

"Dad, I can't-"

"Stand up." He interrupted. "Let's get you suited up."

I rose from my mother and stepped closer to my dad. He picked up the holster first and strapped it around my chest. Then he grabbed the bow and handed it to me.

"Now you're ready." Father placed his paws on my shoulders and looked into my eyes. "You must take great care out there, son."

"I understand."

"Good, good." He turned me around and pushed me to the door. "Now go big man, find your home."

  I stopped myself at the door and turned towards my parents. I gave my dad a hug and cried into his fur. His arms pulled me in.

"Thank you, both of you. For everything." I grabbed my mother again and pulled her into the group hug. "Once I find a home to settled down in, I will return and visit."

"That would be lovely." Father choked out, his voice broken from his tears. "Okay, enough with the mush gush, go on."

He broke the hug and opened the door. As I walked through the doorway for the last time, I wiped my tears away. I looked back and waved bye to my parents. I stared at them to soak in their image. Then when I caught it, I turned away.

Goodbye mom and dad...

Hello bright future.