Solum: Arise from Dirt and Ashes

It took me a while to walk through the cave. I took some time and said goodbye to all the familiar faces I grew up with. I even stopped at the school to say bye to the teacher there, and to tell her thank you for letting me buy the guide off her. After all the soppy farewells, I made my way to the top floor. There, I said goodbye to the dog working the lift and gave him a jewel for his service to me before. I carried myself to the exit of the cave, where I waved to all the guards on duty and then made my way out of the cave's mouth.

The outdoors were just as beautiful as when I left them four years ago. I took a breath of the morning air, it smelled the same as well. The survival guide contained a map in the back cover of "Equestria". I opened the book and checked it to get a sense of direction. According to the map, the closest pony settlement was Ponyville.

I could go around the forest, follow the tracks all the way around the Everfree, but I would be back tracking at that point. It would be much faster to cut through the forest, find the main river that runs through the forest, and just follow that north to the settlement. I looked down at my compass then back at the map. North-west was the safest bet. I closed up the book and made my way down the side of the mountain.

My feet touched the soft grass for the second time in my life. The feel of the ground giving way under my weight gave me goosebumps. I continued walking until I reached the river bed. Just beyond the river laid the thick jungle trees of the Everfree. I could smell the musty air of the forest from where I was standing. It had a different taste to it than the light breeze that rolled through the mountain's base.

I took a step into the cold river, then another. The water was still chilly from the winter freeze. I bent down and cupped some of it in my paws. I lifted it up to my muzzle and tried it, it felt refreshing to taste the water again after so long. I didn't know the next time I would be able to drink clean water so I took another hand-full.

After my drink, I moved closer to the edge of the forest. I unsheathed my machete and started clearing a path. As I swung the blade back and forth, I inched one step at a time further into the jungle. I made my path as straight as possible, didn't want to get turned around in here. The atmosphere almost instantly became hot and moist once I cut past the thickets. I continued chopping a path until I came to a clearing. The sun bled through the tops of the trees. I looked up at the gaping hole in the jungle. By the position of the sun, I've been cutting for a half an hour. I decided it was a good time for a break.

The blade of my machete was soaked in plant blood and sap. I wiped it on my pant leg to clean it off, then I slid it back into it's holster. I sat on a nearby rock and brushed the sweat off my forehead.

I've got to be getting close to that river. I took the bandanna off my head and packed it away in my backpack. No need to have it on my head in this kind of heat. A low growl froze me in my place. I twisted around and searched for the source. Movement came from dark colored hedge.

"Don't you know better than to travel alone?" The hedge hissed. "You become easy pickings on your own."

A cold sweat gathered on my palms. I pulled out my black knife and readied myself for a fight.

"Show yourself."  I commanded.

"Hmhmm, it's so cute when they think they can defend themselves." The voice chuckled. "As you wish."

A figure stood up past the bush and quickly towered over me. The figure stepped into the light. There, before me, was a dark red dragon. Once he was out of the brush he went on all fours, he was still taller than me. My blood ran thick in fear, adrenaline was starting to kick in. Fight or Flight.

"You have nothing to be scared of." The dragon grew an evil grin. "I'll make your death quick!" The beast darted toward me and leaped.

Both? I rushed at the monster with new found speed and ducked underneath his pounce. His eyes went wide in surprise when my knife was placed in his thigh. The dragon cried out in pain as I cleared his body and made a dead sprint into the jungle, leaving my blade still stuck in my enemy.

My legs were carrying me faster than I thought was possible. My hands were in front of me, quickly swiping vines and branches out of my way. The beast was right on my tail, the loud cracks of trees being snapped in half gave me even more motivation to run faster.

My feet felt hard rocks beneath them and the trees quickly cleared out.I stopped just short of a massive cliff. I looked down it and saw the river I've been looking for. Before I had a chance to decide on jumping or not, a roar from behind me got my attention.

"YOU LITTLE BRAT! You don't want a painless death?! I'll just roast you instead!" The dragon took in a breath.

I turned to face the beast and was greeted by a blinding light. I brought up my left arm to shield my face and turned my body into the incoming fire blast. The flames poured over my arm and face singeing my fur and melting my flesh. I screamed in agony and fell backwards. Only there was no ground to break my fall, I was weightless and dazed. I couldn't open my eyes. I couldn't brace myself, I was in complete shock. All I could do was feel the warm air brush at my face.

I felt my mind slipping and fading into darkness. The hot wind stopped and was replace with cool water. I winced at the pain of both my new burn wounds and the shifting of my organs from the sudden stop. I needed to surface on my back so I wouldn't drown. With what little strength I had in me, I paddled with my good arm in the water. I managed to flip myself over and surface. I took a breath and my consciousness left me.

Aaw, the pain...

Is this the end?

Is this death?