Blood Legacy: Book 1: Darkness Rising

The day after the funeral, Cross Fire sent Crystal and myself, up to our rooms to gather whatever things we would need for our journey. I used to feel such joy in these halls, but they held only dread for me, as the innocence this place once held for me, was stripped away in one single terrifying night.

Despite our apparent victory, Cross Fire sent a small groups of the armored ponies to hang back and guard us. After we split up, I sadly opened the door to my room, the door giving off an eerie creak for me, as I slowly stepped in. I saw the iron candle holder lying on the floor, the wick of the candle broken in half. The suitcase I used to defend myself from the assailant, lay scattered on the floor, the clothes I packed had flown everywhere.

Cross Fire had told us not to pack too much since we were going to travel lightly, so I tossed the suitcase aside. Not that a decision like that was hard to make, but the options were clearly so many. I had initially planned to take a week’s worth of clothes, but that alone would be too much, so I would have to pack less, and there was the idea that I would never return here again, so I would have to take something of the utmost importance.

I looked over at the desk, which still remained mostly the way I left it, aside from the few pages of my notes that had scattered around the floor. Normally, I wouldn't classify myself as a ‘Neat Freak’ but I did always have a knock for having things in order, which I supposed I had simply gotten from Satchel’s habits.

I calmly walked over to the desk and examined the damage, until I saw a few of the pictures I stacked near the top. I levitated one of them down to me and wiped some of the dust off the glass, and smiled warmly at the picture. It was a picture of Satchel and myself, only I was very young, it was within my first few years here at the school.

Although Satchel considered me as a sort of adopted daughter, he made sure not to treat me better around the other students. When it came to class time, he made it seem as if I was simply another student, even though I could tell some students knew and were jealous by the fact. I chuckled when I remembered, that one time one of the bigger male students confronted me on the fact, but I was miraculously saved by Crystal, and one of the teacher’s intervened before things got ugly.

When it came to personal time together, Satchel taught me many of the things I know today, most of which weren't even from his educational lessons. He taught me some of the more complicated spells I know today, including Advanced Levitation, Basic level Offensive and Defensive spells such as blasts and shields, and even some basic teleportation. On the rare occasion, he even taught me how to defend myself with a sword, which of course was wooden when I was young, but he eventually trusted me with an actual metallic sword. He had even begun to teach me how to properly hold a pistol with my magic, and how to reload it!

I smiled at the picture and wiped a single tear away, as I levitated the other picture to me as well, which was one of Crystal and I when we were playing as young fillies. I smiled to myself and levitated the suitcase back on to my bed properly, and began levitating the pictures, some of my favorite books, and a few minor clothing items such as a scarf, black cloak, and my sleeping attire, and even added in some essential items from my bathroom.

Stacking everything into the suitcase nicely, I smiled to myself and latched it shut, just in time to hear a knocking on my door. I turned to see Crystal standing in the doorway, a gentle smile on her face, I smiled back and picked up the case with my magic, which proved to be mildly difficult, since my magic was still regenerating.

I took a deep breath as I used my magic to tie back my mane like it always was, into it’s tail. I turned and made my way to the door, but before I stepped past the threshold, I turned back and looked around the room. My mind flashed back to all the memorable times I had in this room, from when Satchel first brought me here, when I first arrived, to the night I spent with Crystal, wrapped in a blanket by the fireplace, as she told me her past.

Despite everything I had come to learn here, and despite my thoughts speaking against it, I knew everything in my life was about to change. I sighed sadly and turned to leave the room, the light from the crack in the door, slowly diminishing until the room was completely enveloped by darkness.
________________________________________
(Vale Town Fortress, Courtyard)

As Crystal and I stepped back outside the fort, we saw Cross Fire waiting for us, standing calmly by a small cart, were an earth pony stallion was latched to it’s metal harness, another Pegasus stallion sitting on top, armed with a rifle.

As we walked up he smiled to us, “Glad to see you had a chance to say your goodbyes, if may be a long time until you see this place again, if you ever do.” He said in a calm but serious tone. Even though Crystal and I still had no real grasp on what it was he was planning, we both knew he was telling the truth.

I did my best to smile, “Yeah…I think were good here. I will admit it was hard, but…I suppose that’s what it means to move on.” I said to him in a calm fashion. He smiled and nodded before turning to the wagon and activating his magic. We watched in surprise as he levitated over a sword, it’s sheath, and two pistol holsters, and set them down in front of us.

We both simply stared at him in confusion, until he cleared his throat, “What? I trust Satchel taught you how to defend yourself with a sword and pistol?” he asked in an amused tone, and we both simply gulped and looked at each other.

Crystal cleared her throat and spoke up first, “Well…yeah, but…why would we need these?” Crystal asked, which only seemed to amuse Cross Fire, who chuckled lightly.

“Well, for starters, we'll be traveling in a small party, so it’s best if all of us are armed. Secondly, the Emperor will likely send patrols across the northern routes. We’ll be taking a lesser known path to Van Hoover, it’s a little bumpier, but our wagon is designed to handle it, plus it runs parallel to the trail south to Van Hoover.” He said in a calmly fashion.

Crystal and I yet again exchanged confused looks, but before we could say anything, Cross spoke up again, “Oh! That reminds me. Here…put these on, not only will they keep you warm, but it will help to disguise us as simple traders, when we arrive in Van Hoover.” He said as he tossed each of us a cloak, and made his way around the cart. Crystal and I sighed and put them on, which they turned out to be surprisingly warm and comfortable, despite the look they had. We both latched on the holsters and sheaths, when I quickly noticed that Cross Fire had forgotten to give me my sword, that and my sheath looked different from Crystal’s.

“Uh, Cross Fire? I think you forgot you give me my sword.” I told him as he came around again, levitating something behind his back, that neither of us could see.

He simply smiled at my comment and chuckled, “Oh trust me Star! You're not getting any regular sword, you shall wield this!” he said as he pulled out a strange looking sword and levitated it close to me. Both Crystal and I looked on in awe, he smiled and continued his talking, “This sword…is very different from others. I believe Satchel was planning on giving this to you for your birthday, it’s name is…The Aura Blade!” he said in a very proud tone, he said as he gave it to me.

My eyes still shining in shock, and my mouth hanging open with disbelief. I took it in my hooves first, but I levitated it up and lifted it up to examine it, Cross Fire watching with a pleased look. I stepped back from the others and gave it a few experimental swings, until I saw a small pile of wood by the wall, and I turned to swing my sword at it. I felt no resistance at all, as the blade cut cleanly through, and after a second, the pieces of wood began to slide apart, a near flawless cut!

I laughed a little bit, and then ran my hoof along the flatness of the blade, to my surprise, it felt so much lighter than it looked. “What is this made out of? It’s so light!” I said in amazement, which only caused Cross Fire to chuckle again.

“You see Star, this sword is embedded with magical properties. It’s blade was made from Heart Stone, which is known as one of the strongest materials in the world, and it’s strictly found in the mountains north of the Crystal Empire! The magical powers in the blade, allow you to use your magic to amplify it’s abilities, even to the point where you could shoot magic from the blade itself! But…that will take a great amount of practice, training, and magical discipline. Legend says that it was the blade wielded by one of the four Princesses of Equestria, Princess Twilight Sparkle herself!” he said with a proud smile.

I smiled and sheathed it into it’s case, and turned to him with a thankful smile, but I quickly turned to see Crystal bare a jealous expression, and I instantly felt bad for her. “Wait! What about Crystal? I don't want to have something better than hers, how’s she supposed to fight, if I have such a powerful sword?” I asked him in a concerned voice.

Cross Fires seemed to have an answer for that question as well, as he smiled and cleared his throat. “Like I said, The Aura Blade will take a great amount of time to master, it will be a long time before your sword can do most of the things I said it could. For now, it’s simply just a sword that is sharper than others, nothing more than that. However…I know you feel bad for Crystal, but I can assure you that she will have a chance to pick out a special weapon of her own choosing. Now…as for using the sword, I must ask that you refrain from using that sword as much as possible. If we run into any conflicts, you two let us take care of it.” He said with a more serious tone.

Crystal and I gave each other confused looks, and I could tell Cross was simply waiting for me to ask the obvious question.

“But…why?”

He sighed and took a deep breath, “Because, that weapon is extremely rare, the only one of it’s kind, they are other weapons made from Heart Stone, but this one is unique above all others! If somepony were to see you have it, especially an imperial soldier, it will bring nothing but trouble, and our position will be compromised, is that clear?” he asked with a serious tone, as he pointed to me with his hoof.

I looked at Crystal who seemed just as confused as I was, simply shrugged her shoulders. I turned to him with a determined look, and gave him the best nod that I could. At first, he gave me a slightly suspicious look, but he lowered his hoof and cleared his throat again. “Very good, just as a safety precaution, I placed a ‘Hidden Detect’ spell on it, that way it will remain invisible until being used. Of course, you will still feel it’s presence, but it will make it impossible for others to see it directly, unless you use it.” He said as he looked between us.

“Alright then! Now…we shall be traveling south to Van Hoover, by a lesser known trail through the woods. We will have to be quiet, since the trail runs close to the main route.

The journey should take approximately two days, so we need to be long gone from this valley by the time we make camp. Our escorts here are highly trained warriors, they know their duty is to keep watch for any danger, that is all they are here to do, and they will keep watch while we sleep. Now, your pistol holsters come equipped with the necessary items to reload your pistol, but they are only for emergencies, as in you happen to get disarmed by an opponent. Hopefully…that won't be the case. Now then! I hope you're ready to walk, because it’s a long trip, and we don't have much time before nightfall, so…Let’s Get Going!!!” he shouted and both Crystal and I exchanged confident glances, as the earth pony stallion began pulling the cart, while one of the two Pegasus stallion loaded our things inside.

Cross Fire smiled and motioned for us to move ahead, and we started after him, the wagon close behind us.
________________________________________

By the time we reached the edge of the valley, the sun was beginning it’s descent across the horizon. Cross Fire planned for us to me well aware from here by the time we were to make camp, as the journey would take a few days. As we began to diverge from the main trail, and head for the forest’s edge, I couldn't help but look back to the town.

As we passed through the outer gate that protected the city from wild animal attacks at night, the entire town had come to say their goodbyes, some of which Crystal and I had come to accept as friends. Some of them even offered us food for our journey, to which we were all to kind to accept.

I stopped and looked across the valley once again, feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness wash over me. The fort stood in the distance, now nothing more than an empty shell from what it used to be. But, it wouldn't have been the first time the fort had been abandoned, since it was once abandoned by the troops who inhabited it. It now served as the hollow shell of the once pleasant memories it held for Crystal and myself, as all the friends we had once made there were murdered in cold blood. The same for the stallion I came to call a father.

I felt a hoof on my shoulder as I turned to see Crystal looking across the way as well, and I could see the sad look in her eyes. “Ladies, as much as I hate to break this up, we have to get moving, before it gets dark.” One of the escorts said to us, as he flew back up on top of the wagon and perched there.

Crystal turned and made her way after them, but I turned back to glance one last time, feeling a gentle breeze flow through my mane. I sighed sadly and turned away as well, believing it to b the last time I would ever see this place again.

My home.
________________________________________

By the time the light of the sun was nearly gone from the sky, Cross Fire had stopped us in a small clearing along the path he chose. We all pitched in to set up camp, but it was awkward for Crystal and I, since we've never been camping before in our lives, but we guessed it would become our new normal life.

The life of a traveler.

Well, it could be worse! At least we have food, a fire, and something soft to sleep on.

I sighed as Cross Fire used his magic to start a controlled fire, even placing a ‘containment’ spell over the blaze. At that point neither Crystal nor I realized it, but we were completely starving from the journey. Mainly because neither of us had ever walked for that length of time.

Luckily, one of the escorts was a very experienced chef, and made us all some delicious soup and bread, and we all ate with happiness. Our three escorts ate around their own circle near the wagon, which left Cross Fire, Crystal, and myself to eat around our own fire. Despite the fact, that knew close to nothing about him, other than the fact that he was good friends with Satchel. Towards the end of our dinner, I decided it would be best to strike up a conversation with him.

“So Cross Fire? How…how long did you know Satchel for?” I asked, even with the awkward tone in his voice, which seemed to be more mixed with curiosity and intrigue, then it was sadness. I knew the best way for me to come to turn with Satchel’s passing, would be to learn more about him, and his connection with Cross Fire.

Cross simply drank down the last of his soup, and looked to me with curious eyes.

“Why do you ask?” he asked me in a similar curious tone, Crystal turned to me as well, but I could see that she was just as curious as I am.

I looked away for a moment, and a strange silence fell between us. “It’s just that…I've always felt like I knew so much about him, but after meeting you, and everything falling apart…I feel like I know less about him now than I ever did.” I said in an honest tone, as I took another bite of my bread and drank it down with some tea.

Cross Fire seemed to approve of that answer, so he smiled lightly and cleared his throat, “Very well, I suppose you deserve to know that much. I've known Satchel for many decades, we practically grew up together, and practiced the same professions. Of course, I saw him less and less over the years he ran the school, but that doesn’t matter, I suppose.” He said as he sipped his tea again.

I looked to Crystal who simply shrugged her shoulder and drank more of the soup, so I decided to prod deeper with my questions. “Okay, then…how long have you been doing this…’profession’ of yours?” I asked in an honest tone, and that was met with a loud chuckle from Cross Fire, who turned to me with an amused smile.

“Since long before you were even born, as the saying goes, ‘long before you were even a twinkle in your father’s eye’.” he said as he stretched his hooves up a bit. I smiled to myself at my small victory, and after another moment of silence fell between us, so I decided to go for the big question that was really on my mind.

“Okay, if were taking this journey with you, the least you could tell us, is what’s waiting in Van Hoover?” I asked with a more serious tone, and Cross Fire seemed to catch on, as the smile faded from his face, and he gingerly sipped his tea. Crystal felt the same as she patiently waited for him to answer, while I did the same and sipped my tea.

He placed his tea on the ground and cleared his throat, “I suppose you at least deserve to know that much.” He said as he opened his eyes and looked between us. “In Van Hoover, I have an associate, who is going to arrange for transportation to Las Pegasus. From there…we will meet up with some friends of mine, and make our way to the Light Seeker’s Sanctuary.” He said in a calm and dignified tone, as he could see that his answer would only bring more questions to my mind.

But before I could get a chance to voice them, Crystal beat me to it, and asked, pretty much the same thing I was going to. “The Light Seeker’s? Who are they?” she asked in a curious tone. By this time, the escort’s conversation had completely faded from our concentration.

Cross seemed to be expecting his question, as he sighed and thought for a moment. To which I could only assume that he was thinking of the best way to describe his answer.

He opened his eyes and looked away for a moment, but sighed and looked back to us, determination in his eyes. “It’s hard to explain, and it’s a long story.” He said, but he could see that we were perfectly willing to listen.

“The short version, The Order of the Light Seeker’s is an organization of gifted ponies of all races, who come together to fight the Emperor’s forces, and restore balance and harmony to Equestria and the surrounding lands. The order was first founded by Princess Twilight Sparkle, a few years after she was crowned princess. Back then, the order was primarily composed of the most gifted unicorns in Equestria, and it was our purpose to study and experiment with the magical possibilities of the three races. You see, Princess Twilight, was as much a scientist as well as a gifted magic user, she believed that we could find a sort of ‘happy medium’ between the two ideals.” He said as he recounted all he knew of the Order.

Crystal and I listened with the greatest curiosity, as he stroked his beard a little, and continued his story. “Needless to say, that purpose quickly changed a few years later.” He said as he looked at the two of us and fell silent. I stared at him in awe, but I still felt like he was keeping something from us, but I wanted to know more.

“Well? What happened?” I asked leaning forward slightly, feeling the heat of the fire increase on my face.

Both Crystal and I watched in confusion as he closed his eyes and stood up, he began to walk away, but he turned to look back at us, a look of concern mixed with anger in his eyes.

“Grey Sky happened.” He said as he walked off to his sleeping bag and pulled a book out to read.

Crystal and I sat there with confused looks on our face, but we both looked up into the sky and saw how late it was, so we both stood up and stretched and made our way over to our bags as well, to get ready for bed.

We all knew tomorrow was going to be an interesting day.