My life with death.

Chapter Five: Something to deal with.

“You sure you’re ok? You’ve been under her spell.  Probably since I left.” He gives a soft smile as I help him into a seat, holding a steaming cup of coffee in his magic.

“Thank you Revenant. And, yes. I’m sure. Please, sit down, and I’ll start from the beginning. Please just listen to me.” I give a cold nod to him and sit down across from him.

“I’m listening.” I say, and stare at him firmly, waiting for his story.

“Many years ago, before the time of Celestia and Luna. Even before the time of Discord, this world embodied Harmony and Chaos equally. Night and day moved on their own. Seasons changed with no help. The world was in perfect balance.”

“But soon, that all changed. Chaos grew out of control. Seasons changed quickly with no warning. Night and day became longer or shorter on a whim. The land started cracking and breaking apart. One brave pony decided to change all that. Ponies described her as the most generous, kind, honest and loyal pony that lived. They said she could laugh on the dreariest of days. But, most of all, she was a unicorn with immense power.  To counteract Chaos’s rampage, she took all her attributes, finding them to be the keys to keep the integrity of the world, and channeled them into five gems.”

“Then she made the ultimate sacrifice. She gave up her own body and magic, channeling her very essence into a sixth gem, one that would empower and unite the other five. In doing so, and by invoking their power, she banished Chaos from the world. Every pony mourned the loss of her great spirit. They took the gems and put them on display, letting their light shine out for all to see. And in her honor, they named the six gems after her. They named them, the Elements of Harmony.”

“And their light brought the world towards a new found peace. All was not easy though. It took time for ponies to learn how to control the world. The pegasi were put in charge of the weather and the changing of the seasons, using their natural ability of flight, and innate talents to do so. The unicorns were elected to control the paths of the sun and moon in the sky, using their collective powers to do so. And the earth ponies gladly kept tending to the lands, keeping the land fertile for further growth and prosperity.”

“Chaos did not leave without a fight however. Upon its defeat at the hooves of Harmony, it released seven essences into the world. Seven essences that could easily bring about Chaos once again, with time.  Each of the seven essences embody a sort of primal feeling in us. Our carnal pleasures.”

“Our lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and our pride.”

“Then Chaos, as a final measurement, used its power to create something that could keep chaos in the world. A being that could throw the world back into a state of unbalance. A being we all know as Discord.”

“And he was able to carry out his mission of world-wide chaos.  Discord, with the vast power that was granted to him turned the elements dormant and locked them away.  The elements, as bright as they shone, alone could not keep him at bay.  A thousand years of chaos passed, but then the two princess we know and love today rose to the challenge of defeating him. And ever since he has been, with some difficulty, defeated time and time again.”

“The reason being, that he has not been fully powered. The seven embodiments, they’ve been hiding in the dark, gathering their strength. They have recently started to take on physical forms. If they are able to reach Discord, and pour their power into him, then Chaos will return to this world.” He takes a pause, before looking up at me, giving me a look of despair “And I’m not sure the Elements will be able to stop it this time around.”

“And what does this have to do with me?” I ask.

“Everything.  Harmony, in an effort to slow down the Sins, used her last remaining powers to alter their mortality. They are spirits, Revenant. Ghosts, apparitions, lingering beings. Whatever you may call them, you have the power to stop them.”

“But why me?!” I break off his speech in a fit of rage. I was starting to get tired of listening to my father.  I wanted to run out of this awful house again, just like all those years ago.

“Because of my mistake.” He lets out a sigh and is unable to look me in the eyes.  “You see, Death did not take kindly to Harmony intruding on its domain like that, but she bargained with him to let it be.  She convinced him that they need a way to protect the natural order of events and he agreed to make three artifacts.  Each of these items have a special ability.  One artifact handles the living, telling you of when somepony will die. The second artifact handles things that have died, or have been dead, detailing how to deal with them. And the third, which Death kept for himself, is his scythe.  One swing from it, will set in motion the events that will lead to one's demise. Whether it be peaceful, or. . . Not so much.”

He looks up to gauge my reaction and I give him a firm glare, to tell him to get on with it.

“Well, in their deal, they agreed that two of these artifacts would be placed in the mortal realm.  And, once uncovered, they will choose one being who will aid death in bringing souls to the afterlife. As well as being able to defeat the seven Cardinal Sins.” He pauses again, giving me a sad look.

“During my travels, when you were but a newborn filly, I had uncovered the two artifacts. I didn’t fully comprehend what they were at the time.  I knew they were important but if I had known the terrible price they would…” He lets out a shaky sigh, and a look of utter sadness and regret. “I should’ve known.”

“If I only knew what they were, we wouldn’t be in this position.  We were both at the excavation site where we had uncovered them.  I had brought the artifacts into the tent, and set them down on my workstation so as to better study them. You were always a curious one when you were younger.”  At this he gave a fond smile as remembering better days.  He shook himself out of his reverie and looked over at me.  “I turned my back for a second, but a glow caught my eyes. Then, I saw you holding that book.  Your eyes were glowing in a soft yellow light for a few seconds, before reverting back to their original color.” He says as he points over to my saddle bag. The book peeking out of it.

“They chose you. Those damned, cursed book and watch. They had chosen you as the vessel for their mission and there was nothing that I could do to save you from that fate.” Tears were streaming down his face which was marred by anguish.

“And why could you never tell me this before?” I asked him, my voice trembling from the emotion I was restraining so that I would not break down like him.  He looks up.

“Because I didn’t think you could handle it. I couldn’t just tell my only daughter she had to leave the only home she knew to go collect souls and defeat an ancient evil. So you could leave with no regrets I had to make you hate me. I tried to explain my reasons before you left. I tried to beg for forgiveness. But, I had already pushed you over the edge by that point. I had already lost my only daughter.”

He dropped his head back into his hooves as his sobs started to break up his speech.  His cries held the weight of all his regret.  I almost went over to give him a hug.  Almost felt like forgiving him for the countless times he had made me experience emotional pain.  Almost.  When he spoke again his voice was little more than a hoarse whisper.  “And it was all my fault. I truly do regret everything.”

“You had your reasons. But I’m not sure that I can just up and forgive you. You said some truly hurtful things to me. I lived happily, wanting my father's lover. But you just acted so distant. You called me a failure, a mare who would never do anything important. And, when I spoke to you about my ability?” I was shouting now, finally letting my frustration at him vent out and lend weight to my words.  “You just tossed me that book. Then you had the nerve to ask for my forgiveness before I left! It disgusted me. ” I start to quiet down again.  All of my anxiety and anger at being back home rushing out of after me tirade and I gained control over myself again. “I really don’t think I’m ready to forgive you…Not yet. I now know you said those things to make me hate you. But let’s not pretend you didn’t mean some of those words.”

My father sits in silence, avoiding my gaze before speaking in a choked voice as he brought his own emotions back in check. “And I’m not asking for forgiveness that I haven’t earned yet. There are more important manners to deal with anyways. The thing that was here, the thing posing as your mother. That was one of the Cardinal Sins. Invidia. Envy.”

“So, that’s why the book brought me here.” I mumble to myself. Sighing as he changes the subject. Best to just listen.

“A few days after our fight, she came in.  She was just a normal mare who said she needed a place to stay for the night.  I hadn’t known what she was at the time but her eyes captured me in some sort of trance, most likely either her innate ability as a Sin or due to a spell I don’t know.  I agreed, but soon that night turned to several. I noticed that she had changed.  First her voice and then her appearance.  She began looking more and more like your mother. I was already under her spell by that point. And as much as I wanted to deny the fact, a part of me also wanted it to be true. That your mother was still here-”.

He trails of and sniffs lightly. Tears forming in his eyes once more. I let out a low sigh, and walk over to him, wrapping my hoof around him. “Hey. I. . I did to. I wanted to have a mother.” He takes a deep breath, holding it in before letting it out.

“I’ll be fine. You will too. We’re strong.” He chuckles a little then looks at me with the first fatherly smile I had seen on his face in what felt like forever.  His eyes had a proud sparkle to them. “Your mother would love the mare you grew up to be.” He smiles, and I give him a soft smile back.

“But I still have a lot of growing to do, father.” I laugh a little before I take on a serious look. “Now I have a question.” My father leans back from our embrace to look at my face. “What dose Princess Luna have to do with all of this?”  He draws his eyebrows into a form of confusion.

“Princess Luna? Why would she be involved?” I go to open my mouth, but there’s a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it.” I say and get up to walk briskly to the door, having a pretty big hunch at who’s going to be standing behind it.  Throwing the door open I instantly start my interrogation.  “What is it Moon Be-” I stop abruptly as a take in the sight in front of me.  “Roxy?” Outside my door stands Roxy. She’s sweating, and has tears running down her face. She’s even scratched up. “Great Faust, Roxy! What happened?” I nearly shout and she gives me a hug, clutching onto my neck with all of the desperation of a Madmare.

Gasping as though she ran all the way to Revenants home, Roxy pushed the words out.  “She’s… she’s back Revenant. My sister. She’s back.” My eyes go wide and I hug Roxy back.

“Revenant. Who is it?” I hear my father call out.

I rush back in and grab my saddle bag, using my magic it to through it over me. I give my father a serious look over my shoulder as I walk back to the door. “Ignis. We’ll talk later. Right now, I have something to deal with.”