The Demon Blade Chronicles

The next morning, Twilight and her friends are outside the Coliseum barracks, there priority being to meet the person named Bálor. As they reach the entrance to the inner workings of the massive structure, Sunset begins having second thoughts.

"Twilight, are you sure we should be talking to this guy?" she asks.

"Yes, if we want answers, we'll need to talk to him." Twilight replies.

"It's not that I don't trust you or anything. It's just, well... it's just that the only people they hold in the coliseum are either military prisoners or enemies of the crown." sunset explains.

"So what's your point?"

"My point is, Judging by his fighting style, Bálor is obviously both. We don't who he is, or why he is in the coliseum in the first place."

"Why do you think were going to talk to him?"

Sunset groans in annoyance and concedes, following her two friends into the arena. As they walk through the underground living area, Hawke is surprised by the small number of people being held in the place, but the thought is quickly subsided as the three of them arrive at Bálor's living quarters; only to be shocked at the amount of locks and reinforcements that have been placed on the entrance.

"Holy crap, you think they could've gone for something a little less solitary?" Hawke jokingly asks.

"A door 2 feet thick, locks made of metal found only in the crystal empire quarries, and a magical barrier cast by all three princesses. I think Bálor is living up to whatever reputation he has." Twilight says.

"How did you know all the security measures?" Hawke asks.

"There was a brochure at the entrance." Twilight replies.

"...What?" Hawke replies, dumbfounded.

Twilight pays no mind to her friends antics and approaches the door. As she reaches for the latch, the sound of gears turning fills the hallway. Looking towards the door, the three friends notice four locks disengaging their latches and two steel posts being pull upward from the ground. Afterwards, the sound of a chain lock being unlatched can be heard and a small doorway in the center of the much larger vault like door open slowly.

"So, are we supposed to go in, or?" Hawke asks, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"He can't get out, the locks may have been deactivated, but the magical barrier is still up." Twilight explains.

"Oh... so who's first?" Hawke asks.

"Not it!" Sunset exclaims quickly.

"Not it!" Twilight exclaims also.

"What, NO!" Hawke yells in defeat.

The two girls fist bump as Hawke hangs his head in defeat, slowly entering the room. As he does this, the tw girls follow behind him as the once dark room is illuminated by a fire pit in it's center. Confused by the sudden ignition, The three friends are caught off guard as Hawke is tackled to the ground, a black blade held to his throat.

"Who are you!?!" the dark figure asks.

"WHOA, Hold on a second!" Twilight exclaims at seeing her friend held at knife point," Lets all calm down for a second."

The figure turns his head into the light and is revealed to be a very agitated Bálor. Twilight slowly backs away as Sunset begins regretting the journey down here.

"Uh...guys," Hawke says," I know we're all having a great time, BUT WOULD PLEASE GET THIS LUNATIC OFF ME!"

Bálor responds by pacing more pressure on Hawke's neck with the blade.

"Why don't you shut up before I turn you into a cannibal buffet." he threatens, barely piercing the skin around Hawke's jugular.

Seeing this, Sunset decides to say something.

"Look, all we need is an explanation for these tattoos." she says while rolling up her sleeve to reveal the tattoo.

Seeing it, Bálor goes wide eyed and looks up to her.

"We're you followed?" he asks.

"Uh, no. Why do you ask?" she replies. Bálor looks back and forth before responding.

"Lock the door and take off your shoes." he replies, getting off of Hawke.

Twilight does as told and relocks the door, turning back to a now much calmer Bálor. At first glance, he appears to be no older than her, several scars running along his back and a few tattoos on his shoulders and chest. His sword returned to it's sheath, Bálor takes a seat in front around the fire pit.

"So, I take it you guys met the other demons?" He asks.

"Well, that's technically why were even talking to you in the first place." Sunset explains. Bálor sighs.

"So, this is my team. A princess, a scholar, and a wise cracking battle mage. Great, that's just fucking great."

"Uh," twilight begins, "Sorry to interrupt, but could you please tell us about these so called demons and what we have to do with them?" she asks.

Bálor throws a piece of wood onto the fire and looks back to her.

"Alright, here's the short version," he begins," A long time ago, Equestria was ruled by a demon king. hi four generals all decided they had had enough of his ruling and turned on him, sealing him in what is known today as Tartarus. those four generals gave up their mortal bodies in order to seal away the demon king, so they roamed the land as spirits, searching for beings they could use as a 'vessel' to fight against the demon king when he returns."

"Could you speed t up a little bit?" Hawke asks.

"Anyway, the four of us are those chosen beings. You all got your partners two nights ago, I've had mine for five years." Bálor explains.

"Wait, before we get any further into this; why are you fighting in the coliseum?" Sunset asks.

"I, along with three others, successfully attacked and destroyed a royal guard fortification about three hundred miles north of us. I was about twenty at that time." Bálor explains.

"Wait, three years ago," Twilight says," That's right in the middle of the Crystal Wars."

"Yeah, I was one of the last few guys fighting against Equestria. I was hired by the rebels to destroy a Royal Guard fortress blocking the road to Canterlot. I did, but I lost a few good friends, and... Never mind." Bálor explains.

"Wait, what were you going to say?" Sunset asks.

"It's not important. So, now that we are all acquainted, I guess you guys will want to know what exactly the demons do for you?" Bálor asks.

Twilight and the others nod at this and Bálor chuckles slightly.

"Alright, but first I need something from you Princess Twilight."

"What would that be?" She asks.

"Freedom. I want a full pardon and all charges against me dropped. You make that happen and  I show you what the Demon being bonded to you allows." Bálor explains.

Twilight is about to reach for a hand shake before sunset grabs her and pulls her away from the boys. Now alone, Bálor looks to Hawke.

"What's up with your hair?" he asks.

Meanwhile, Twilight is getting an earful from Sunset.

"Twilight, you cant just give him what he wants; He is an enemy of Equestria!" she exclaims.

"Sunset, we either do this or we can forget about getting more answers." Twilight replies.

Sunset groans at hearing this and returns to her seat. Twilight follows behind and takes her seat as well. after a brief discussion involving Bálor's demands the two come to an agreement and Bálor is released from the coliseum the next day. Now free for the first time in three years, Bálor is a, somewhat, free man. Though he has to do a few tasks first, he will do whatever he can to set things right.