Chapters The swordsman in white, and the red mage
Chapter 1: Crude Awakening
“And now, males and females, let’s hear some cheer for our champion of the arena!” Yelled the announcer above the arena. The crowd cheered, and the heavy iron gates opened, allowing said veteran to enter. “And now, let’s hear some noise for his challenger!” He continued, and soon a Griffon entered the arena. The champion unsheathed his blade, while the contestant took a spear from the wall. “You know the rules! No dirty tricks, a clean fight to the death!” Both participants nodded in response, and the announcer left the arena. “Let the fight begin!” He yelled, and the gates dropped shut with a loud thud, causing the ground to shake.
The challenger hurled his spear at his opponent, but in his panic, he missed. Crap! Quick! Something else! He hurried back to the wall full of weapons, while the champion walked ever so slowly toward him, no emotion apparent on his face. The Griffon managed to get himself a new weapon, a fine steel blade. “Let’s settle this once and for all!” He yelled in his fear, backing away slowly from his opponent.
“Then don’t run…” His foe replied.
The Griffon backed up until there was nowhere to go. “Stop right there!” He yelled, shaking in fear. As he kept walking toward him, he remembered the times he saw him fight from the other side of the gates, in the end he shook so bad he dropped his blade.
“Big mistake.”
He was so scared, he was filled to the brim with fear, which soon enough became fury, and lunged at his foe with his bare claws. When he felt his foe’s cold blade spill his blood he realized he had made a mistake, which soon became his last one, as he lay incapacitated on the bloody sand floor of the arena, barely able to hold the wound together. The champion looked at the Emperor’s decision, who smiled as he slowly turned his claw to a thumbs down. He stepped one foot on his defeated foe’s chest and prepared his blade for a swing, while his foe held a claw toward him.
“P-Please…” It was in vain, and he knew it too, as he saw no sign of mercy on that hooded face, and everything slowed down for his as the blade approached his head.
*Splat* “And so, our champion has proven the might of Humanity once more!” The announcer yelled, as the champion presented his foe’s head to the Emperor, who gave him a thumbs up with a smile. He then halfway bowed down at the audience, as if he was thanking them for their attention. The crowd cheered, then he turned for the gate he came through as he let go of the head. As he walked through the gate it slammed shut behind him, and saw the next entertainer preparing for their performance… They briefly greeted one another with a handshake , then continued on their separate ways.
“Well fought, now, about your weapons…” Said one of the guards while reaching for them.
“Touch me and you’re dead.” He replied.
“Oooh, real tough. Okay, we saw you out there, you can relax now.” The guard replied and reached further, only to soon cease feeling one of his limbs. In his anger the guard swung his other claw at him, but lost that as well. In the end, he was rolling on the dirt floor of the corridor in pain, while our hero moved on to where they were given shelter with the others, and sat down in his bed .
“Another good soul wasted…” Exclaimed one of his friends.
“As good I am at it, the more blood that stains my hands, the more I grow tired of it…” He replied.
“No argument there, I just want to go home as well…”
“At least you have one to return to…”
“Hey, don’t be so down! You’re the champion! If you continue like this, you’ll probably be given your freedom back!” His friend tried to cheer him up.
“You’d better be right about that, or else the next I’m going to kill is the Emperor himself…” With that, they laid their heads to rest, until another day shined upon them.
“Up! Up, you worthless sacks of crap!” Yelled a guard at them all as they swarmed the room, beating and kicking them until they stood up. “Listen up! Which one of you took off the limbs of that guard yesterday?”
If they find out it was him, he’ll never be free again… Our hero’s friend though to himself, and looked at him. As his hand was slowly starting to rise, he lifted his claw high. “Me! It was me!”
They all looked at him in surprise, as he was not known for fighting more than necessary. “Very well then, you’re scheduled for execution… You know the Emperor has no use for a limbless guard… Or a disobedient slave…” Exclaimed one of the soldiers, then dragged him away.
“Wait! He’s lying! It was me!” Our hero yelled.
“Nice try, but you won’t save him.” The soldier replied, and left them all. That day there were no fights scheduled at all, instead what they got was a newcomer. The door opened and much to their surprise, their newest sibling was another Human… She wore red robes with a hood, and bore a strange banner on her chest.
It was not easy for them to capture, anyone could’ve easily guess from the beating the guards got who brought her in, and the condition she was in. “Get used to this place, this is where you’re going to rot away…” One of the soldiers exclaimed, then hit her with the shaft of his halberd. When he was about to hit her, a sword blocked it. When he checked what it was, the blood froze in his veins, as our hero stared right through his soul. “Fine, be that way…” The soldier replied and left.
Looking back at her, he knew she’s barely alive. “Don’t give up, this is nothing compared to what awaits you here…” He exclaimed, and put her to rest in his friend’s bed. Hours passed, breakfast came and went, so did lunch, then came dinner, none of the meals were rich, needless to say, not to mention the rationing was off balance as well. There were 12 mouths to feed, but the food was just enough to keep 6 fed. Fortunately for them, they all had some sort of bond, so they shared the food, knowing they had enough time to fight in the arena. Eventually she woke up however. “Wh- Where am I?”
“Griffonstone, arena.” Our friend replied.
“Great… How do I get out?” She wondered.
“The only way out is to die… Or we could try make ourselves one…” He replied louder than he meant to. Those behind him began to whisper.
“Fuck my life…” She muttered.
“Are you any better?”
“Yeah, thanks… But we need to get out of here.” She replied.
“Oh, I have a plan on that.” Our friend replied, and looked outside their door, no guards to be found. They all gathered around him, and explained the plan. “Brothers, sisters… Are you not tired of the life this place offers?” They agreed in unison. “Have you got the desire for your freedom? Would you fight or die for it?” They all agreed again. “Our friend, Galdir’s execution will be held tomorrow at noon. At the time, all the guards will be there, nowhere else… That is our perfect opportunity to save him and end the Emperor for once and for all!” The plan was finished, they all agreed, and the next day the slaves all snuck out of their so called home, and headed for the gate to the gallows, waiting for the signal while our friends took a different route which was not as quiet, and had a few guards in them.
“Now what?” She whispered. Or friend simply leaned over the corner, and landed a throwing knife in the guard’s head from behind. “Better than nothing.” They moved on, down the corridor, up the stairs, and into the tower, from which they climbed out onto the rooftop, and took position above the Emperor with clear vision of the executioner.
“What’s your name?” He asked.
“Itrix, why?”
“We might not make it out alive…” He replied, and with another knife took out the executioner, jumped at the guards, then whistled loudly, it was the signal. Soon the gallows were emptied, and the raging slaves flooded the streets, attacking everyone who stood in their way…
“What’s going on?!” Itrix asked.
“A revolution…” He replied, and the crowd grew larger and denser as it got closer to the castle, but stopped at the gates they stopped to regroup.
“Thanks for getting me out of there, I think this is the best time you two slip away… We’ll handle these shits.” Galdir exclaimed.
“Best of luck my friend, stay safe and have a sharp blade.” Our friends said farewells, and the two Humans slipped away from the entire Kingdom… Well, they got to a seaside harbor town, where they spent another night. The next day they approached one of the merchants, who was seemingly preparing to leave. “Safety and peace, merchant. Is there room for us too?” He asked.
“Oye, what’s in it for me?”
“You get to keep your life.” He replied, and pulled his blade.
“Fine, be what you want… Get in.” The merchant replied, and they took off.
“Where are we going?” Itrix inquired.
“To Equestria, my friend…” The merchant replied, and they looked back to see the capital be consumed by flames.
"Are you sure it was the right thing to do?" Asked Itrix from our friend.
"I'm not sure, but there's no way back." He replied.
"No surprise you were in that much of a hurry..." The merchant replied from behind the wheel. "Some people just want to see the world burn..." He added. "None the less, it's not easy to do such to a city, let alone the capital..." He continued.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Our hero inquired.
"Depends on what you consider such." He replied, and took a huge turn to the left. "Could one of you climb up and cut that rope up there?" He asked.
"Can't you do it?"
"I have to stay at the wheel, we don't want to go off track around these parts..."
"I'll get it..." Our friend replied, and climbed the ropes, and cut one of the sails free with a knife, then dropped back down.
"I'll let ya know when we get there, in the cabin you should find some food too." The merchant replied. Hours passed at sea, nothing else but water to be seen... Until... "Good news lads! Land in sight!" Yelled the merchant, and the two rushed to the deck. "That's good old Fillydelphia right there, we'll be there soon." Only 15 minutes ago the anchor was dropped. "Here we are, best of luck from here on..." Exclaimed the merchant.
"Thank you for your help." Our friend replied, though he threatened him to begin with.
"This might make up for the trouble..." Itrix whispered, and spawned a few gems into the merchant's claws, and they moved on. "So... Now we're in a safe distance and free again... What will you do?" Itrix pondered.
"I will try to find a way back home... How about you?"
"I'll head back to Canterlot, they expect me to be there... Hell, probably haven't noticed my absence either."
"Well, I guess it's best we go together..." Our friend replied, and they set off on their way... Just an hour of walking and talking later, something began making noise in Itrix's pockets. Yes, she received a phone call…
“Yes?” She inquired.
“Decent enough, it’s been a while since I got here…”
“What’s that? You’re worried, aren’t you, Snowball?”
“And, how is your story progressing?”
The caller replied.
Itrix looked around, and saw the top of our friend’s hood peek out from behind the bushes. “Right… How many chapters are done?”
“And do you have plans what could happen?”
“Just asking…” She replied.
With that, the call ended.
“What was that?” Our friend asked.
“It’s a device which allows long distance conversations. Just like pigeons.” She replied, and they walked on, until it grew dark above them. Is it that time again?
“Should we stop for the night, or go on?” Our friend.
“Oh, we can go.”
“Are you sure?”
“What could possibly go wrong?” She replied. Now that I said it, watch some fuck shit happen… Time passed, steps were taken, until they heard the faint sound of a camp fire’s crackling, which they approached out of curiosity, our friend held his shorter sword in hand.
“Someone should be nearby, we should go before they assume us as bandits…” He exclaimed. They gained some warmth, then promptly left, leaving to sign they ever been there.
“Yes?”
“With the story?”
“Up to you… I wonder if they will read that story though.”
“So… What is your story about by the way?”
At that moment the caller cleared his throat.
“Wait! Snowball!” At that point the caller hung up. “Fuck.”
“Is something wrong?” Our hero asked.
“No… No… Not that bad, let’s just go.” She replied. “Look! That’s Canterlot right there!” She exclaimed with relief. They quickened their pace, until the night shift welcomed them.
“Who comes there!?” Asked one of the guards, head to hoof in armor, holding a halberd. Itrix simply formed a small ball of flames in her hands, providing enough light. “Oh, it’s just you, Itrix… Welcome back.” The other guard replied. “Go on.”
As the walked past the gates the guards stopped ‘Somebody’. “He’s with me, without him I wouldn’t be here.” She informed them, they agreed to let him in too.
“It seems you have some influence here… Is there something I need know?”
“Let’s just say we’re in the capital for a reason… I’m the royal advisor.”
“How so?”
“Been years since I found myself here… They gave me shelter and trusted me, in return I offered them my wisdom.”
“Let’s hope they won’t do me any different.”
“We’ll see, hopefully your blade will be of use.” She replied. The guards saw them talk, and allowed them pass into the corridors, where they went straight to the throne room, where they met with the monarchs.
(King Cosmos)
(Queen Galaxia)
“Ah, we were waiting for your return Itrix… Who’s your friend?” Asked the King.
“Greetings, King Cosmos… “ Itrix replied, then looked at the other royal one. “And Queen Galaxia.” She replied, they both nodded. “He’s a reliable man, same species as I… If it wasn’t for him, I would be dead.” She exclaimed.
“Is that so?” Inquired the Queen.
“No lies told.” He replied and bowed.
“What’s your name, friend?” Asked the King.
“Altamir De Marz, your highness.” He replied, Itrix however didn’t expect it.
“What means brought you here?”
“Itrix told me she’s coming your way, I decided to accompany her… Now that I’m here, perhaps I can add my blade to those which serve you.” Altair exclaimed.
“We shall see if you deserve that level of trust… Until then, we can grant you shelter…” Galaxia replied.
“If I may… He can have the spare bed in my quarters…” Itrix threw in.
“It is settled then, you should go and rest now.” The Queen replied.
They did as suggested, and laid their heads to rest.
End of Chapter 1
Author's Note
None of the art is mine.
Banner: https: //derpibooru.org/807341?scope=scpef75b24089774c24714c1df608d75e7faf61535f4http://auveiss.deviantart.com/art/King-Cosmos-Father-of-Celestia-and-Luna-380365108 https://hu.pinterest.com/pin/313985405245235337/
The swordsman in white, and the red mage
Chapter 2: New beginnings
The next morning they woke up to the roosters crowing. Before they fully woke up, two of the servants were already present. “Good morning miss, sir, how was your sleep?” Asked an Earth pony mare.
“Pretty decent…” Itrix replied.
“So this is what it really feels like…” Altamir exclaimed, thinking back at his previous life.
“Glad to hear, can we do anything for you?”
“Not at the moment, thanks.” Altamir replied, Itrix shook her head, and the servants left.
“So? Still willing to fight for them?” Itrix wondered.
“I could get used to this… And yes, since that’s what I did most my life...” He replied, then a guard came in.
“General Walgarus awaits outside, let him in?”
“Sure.” Itrix replied, and seconds later a colt stood before them, taller than usual, head to hoof in steel plated armor.
“Good to see you again Itrix.” He exclaimed, then looked at Altamir. “So you’re the one King Cosmos asked me to inspect… Come, we can’t waste our time.”
Altamir got out of his bed and stretched his limbs, then followed behind. “What are you up to, General?” He inquired.
“A basic test I had set up for you…” He replied, and soon they arrived to the training grounds. “Here it is.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“1000 push ups, 1000 situps and 1000 rounds ran around the castle.”
“Are you serious?”
“You think a General would joke?” Altamir sighed, and began the exercises. “1… 2… 3… 4…”
[Meanwhile] Itrix left the room as well, and went to the throne room right away.
“Blessed morning, Itrix.” Greeted her friend, a researcher.
“Good morning, Moonlight… Are you busy with anything?”
“Well, I think I’m supposed to help Queen galaxia with a spell later today… Why?”
“Just curious, you know… Advisor needs to know everything…”
“I’m glad I’m just a researcher… All I need to do is write down what I see, you however… Need to study hard…” Moonlight replied.
“No wonder my head hurts most the time… I’ll see you later, I need to go.” Itrix replied, and moved on to the room.
“Where are you hurrying?” Asked a Pegasus guard while blocking her way.
“Out of my way, feather brain…” She replied.
“Or else?” Itrix snapped her fingers, and the guard’s armor slowly turned from the cold silverish grey, to a brighter shade of red, and he soon began to sweat. “Nice trick…” Moments later it began to burn him. “Ok! Ok! I’m sorry!” He exclaimed, and soon his armor cooled back down.
“That’s what I thought…” She replied and entered the room, where the royals awaited her in the company of a few Griffons.
“And this is our advisor, Itrix…” King cosmos exclaimed, the Griffon in the very front turned to look at her…
“You?” *Chuckle* “Glad you’re all right, how is Altamir?”
“You two met before?” Asked the Queen.
“Yes, of course… Back at Griffonstone… She and Altamir saved my rear end, then came the uprising…” He replied.
“Intriguing…” Replied the King.
“All true… “Itrix informed them, then approached the Griffon. “Galdir, was it? What are you doing in here?”
“Watch your mouth, you’re talking to our King!” Replied one of the armed Griffons.
“So I guess the uprising worked out well.” She muttered. “As for Altamir, he left with General Walgarus this morning.” Then she turned to that one Griffon. “Are you sure want to threaten me in MY domain?”
“Itrix…” The King noted.
“I’m not gonna let anyone threaten me in my home all right... “ She replied. “You little shit, show me what you got…”
The Griffon looked at Galdir, asking for permission, who shook his head in response. “Try, and I make sure you’ll never come home…” He replied.
The Griffon looked back at Itrix with a hateful gaze. “That goes to show what you are compared to me… This much exactly.” She replied, and showed him her empty hands.
“They’re empty.” He exclaimed.
“Exactly, you’re nothing…” She replied with a grin, then returned to the original topic. “Anyways, have you called?”
“Actually, we haven’t…” King Cosmos replied. “But if he wishes to, I’m sure you’ll show Galdir to Altamir…” He continued.
“Sure, this way.” She replied and lead the way. When they got there he was at the sit ups.
“700… 701… 702… 704… Ah, Itrix… I see you’ve brought visitors…” The General exclaimed.
“Yes, he came to see Altamir… I suppose he deserves a short break.” She replied.
“Indeed, he did well so far. Come, let them be…” Walgarus exclaimed, and they walked away.
“Excuse me sir, do we know eacho… My God, Galdir…” Altamir exclaimed.
“Barely been a few days, I guess we made it without you…” He replied.
“And how long it took for you to get that crown, huh?”
He chuckled in response. “Right? We took down the Emperor and his bunch, and needed someone to replace them… Guess who was chosen.”
“Well, glad you’re doing so well…” He replied.
“Yeah, how are your days going?” Galdir inquired.
“The General wants to see what I can do, I got 1000 pushups and 704 sit ups done… Tell me… Now, as an Emperor, what do you intend?” He replied, still catching his breath.
“First off, slavery has been destroyed, so was the arena… Thinking back, Some part of me misses that place…”
“Your words are exact…”
[Meanwhile]
“So… Are you satisfied with his performance?” Itrix inquired.
“You were right… He is one determined soul for sure… But he’s barely halfway through…”
“Do you think he can do it?”
“That’s only up to him to decide…” Walgarus replied.
“Well then, I believe this is where our paths diverge. I must see to the researchers.”
“And I shall see Altamir does well…” He replied, and headed the way they came, saying his farewells to the now to be called Emperor Galdir , and returned to Altamir. “Are you well rested?” He inquired.
“Certainly, General.”
“Have you finished with the situps and pushups?” Walgarus wondered.
“Yes.”
“I trust you with it, so you may leave now…”
“But… What about the running?”
“We will continue tomorrow.”
“I will look forward to it.” Altamir replied and headed for the royals, but on his way he found one lost Griffon guard remove a brick from one of the walls, and put a letter behind it. What am I getting myself into? He waited for him to leave, then took the letter and headed for the royals still.
“Where are you headed?” Asked a guard in front of the door.
“To the other side.” He replied.
“Meh, move on.”The guard replied and let him through.
“Your highness…” He greeted them.
“Altamir?” Galaxia inquired.
“Have you got anything to tell us?” Cosmos asked.
“I saw one of the Griffon guards leave this behind a brick in the walls…” He replied, and walked closer to them and handed the letter over.
“Have you read it before?”
“Not yet.”
“I shall see to it later then, anything else?”
“The General told me we’re finished for today. Is there something you could have me do?”
“If you feel bored, I’m sure the researchers or servants would appreciate some help… You can go stay with Itrix too.” Galaxia replied.
“If so, I would leave now.” Altamir replied, and walked off to the castle entrance, where the servants were unloading carts from farms, delivering wheat and such. He said nothing to any of the servants, nor the guards… He just grabbed two bags, and followed the servants a bag in each hand. Hours passed, carts came and went, the heat rose, but at the end of the day the last cart had left.
“Great job… “ A guard exclaimed, and threw a bag of money into his hands. Altamir caught it, gave the guard a thumbs up, then left to Itrix’s room, where he ran into her.
“Hey Altamir, good news…”
“Oh?”
“The room behind you is now yours, right in front of mine... “
“Great!” He replied.
“And that one there belongs to the King and Queen.” She continued and pointed at a double door.
“I will remember that… Good night.”
“Night, Tamir.” Itrix replied. They took their baths, then went to sleep.
[The next morning]
Altair woke up well rested, and soon the servants arrive the way they did every morning. “Good morning sir, we have brought you breakfast.” One of them exclaimed.
“Thanks.” He replied, then tried to sit up but couldn’t. “So… Could you please call Itrix? I have a problem…” He exclaimed.
[End of Chapter 2]
The swordsman in white, and the red mage
Chapter 3 Forgotten legacy
One of the servants left seeking her as requested, while the other stayed and kept him company. “What’s wrong?” The mare inquired.
“I can’t move…” He replied.
“I could help you eat if you want me to.” She offered.
“Let’s see what Itrix can do about it…”
“Do as you see best.” The mare replied and went silent. Minutes later Itrix finally arrived.
“What happened?” She wondered.
“I just can’t move even if I try to.”
“You must have over-worked yourself yesterday. Let your muscles regenerate today, and you should be fine tomorrow.” She explained.
“That easy?” Altamir wondered.
“As simple as it sounds…” She assured him. “I’ll help you with breakfast, then I’ll find someone to keep you safe and company for the rest of the day.”
“Sure…” The servants left right away, Itrix helped him as she said she would then moved on. On her way to the barracks she ran into one of the guards who she could call a friend as well.
“Hey Itrix, where’s the hurry to?” He wondered.
“Hey Moondust, could I ask you a favor?”
“Depends on what it would be.”
“You would have to look after a friend of mine… He over-worked himself yesterday and can’t move…” Her friend rolled his eyes and sighed.
“How come we are best of friends, while you keep asking me to do shit like this?” He wondered with a grin.
“I’ll get you a week free…” Itrix replied jokingly.
“I’m in…” He replied with a grin and Itrix lead him to Altair where she introduced them to one another.
“Altamir, meet my friend, Moondust. He’s a Major of the Royal guard.”
“Hi.” Altamir replied.
“And this is Altamir…” She continued.
“If I could move my hands… You would be getting the middle finger… Twice…” Altamir informed her.
“I see you two are a match made in heaven…” Moondust threw in jokingly.
“I’m sure you two will be good frie-” She was cut short by a guard.
“INCOMING!” He yelled, and the city was hit by boulders of all sizes, and the room came down above them.
*Grunt* “Guys?”
“Yeah?” They both asked in unison. “
“Moondust, get Altamir to safety!”
“Got it!” He replied and dragged Altamir away.
Itrix used her magic to make room for them to leave, then met up with the King and Queen. “Itrix, go help the defenses, we’ll be on the front.” Cosmos exclaimed, she nodded in response.
When the got to the battlements she joined the mages while the troops began pushing back the enemy. Looking up he saw the Pegasi block out the sky, carrying various things with which they would bombard the attackers with. When she was about to look back down she noticed something off, or… Someone… It was Walgarus at the lead. That fucker always surprises me… But how the fuck is he up there with no wings? She pondered, but had no time to bother with it. “Are you guys ready?” Itrix asked her fellow mages who nodded. Here goes… They focused hard, and soon the incoming army way parted by beams of magic tearing it’s way through the enemy lines.
“NOW!” She heard Walgarus yell, which was shortly after followed by the whistling made by their improvised artillery: Barrels full of glass shards, sand, and other unpleasant materials. After dropping their cargo the Pegasi joined those on the ground… The battle went on for hours, until the battle became rather one sided…
The enemy had lost all morale, and most of them tried to run away, those in the front kept saying “Get back!” While those in the back said “Forward!”... They were pushed into their demise by their countrymen.
At last, Canterlot was safe once more, and the surviving defenders began to rest. “Well, they won’t be back so soon…” Walgarus exclaimed.
“I hope so… They came without any indication… Or reason of which we know of…” Galaxie threw in.
“You know the Saddle Arabians, they think they can do anything…” Cosmos replied.
“Next time I won’t hold back…” Itrix spoke up.
“Prepare for round 2!” One of the guards yelled, and an army many times larger appeared.
“Oh, you have got to be kidding me…” Itrix muttered.
The defenses set up all prepared, the mages were ready and the Pegasi got their next shipment of bombs . When the two fronts were about to meet everybody stopped at the ear-piercingly loud whistle which echoed all over Canterlot. Soon both the Arabians and Equestrians stood in confusion, as a third army appeared… Comprised of Humans… Seconds later Itrix receiver a text message…
“I have nothing to do with this shit…” It was from the same person she usually received calls from.
Yeah right… “Uh, Cosmos? What do we do now?” She wondered.
“We wait, and watch who they attack…” He replied. Soon the Humans turned their blades to the defense of Canterlot, doubling the amount of the total troops. The newly arrived reinforcements forced the equine ones back and made their way to the front rows.
“This is going to be interesting…” Walgarus noted.
“I would rather say quick and one sided…” Itrix replied, and the Humans began cutting through the invaders until none remained, in fact none of them lived long enough the even lay an eye at the royal guard behind them.
“I’m glad we made no wager…” Walgarus whispered to her.
“I’m glad they stood with us, you know…” She replied, pointing out the difference between their priorities.
The last attacker had fallen, so the Humans turned to face Canterlot and sheathed their blades. “Come, my friends… We need talk…” Cosmos yelled to them. At first glance their rank was clearly indicated by the complexity of their robes and equipment. Seconds later only of said Humans made it’s way toward Cosmos and Galaxia.
“At last, we finally meet face to face…” She highest ranked exclaimed.
“Have some respect, you filth!” One of the guards exclaimed from aside Cosmos.
“Or else?” She asked, her eyes being the only thing to have moved. The guard didn’t respond however. “Thought so.” She continued, and stood still, holding a rather strange looking spear with a hole leading down the shaft, the blade being rather off center. She was confident about both being about the equal level of strength.
“Have we talked before?” Cosmos inquired.
“No, but I… Well. we all know everything about you.”
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Extos, Extos De Solaris, do you know what’s the other reason I’m here?” She replied with a question.
“No, but I assume you will tell…” Galaxia threw in.
“According to our information somebody named “De Marz” can be found here…” She replied.
The monarchs remembered Altamir’s name, and realized the situation. “Yes, he IS here… What do you want from him?”
“Show me to him.”
“What do you want from him?”
“That’s none of your business…” She exclaimed.
“Then you won’t pass…” One of the soldiers exclaimed, and stood in between them.
She put the blade of her spear to his throat then spoke on. “Do you think I fear death? That of those behind you, of those behind me, or that of mine?” She quickly found herself surrounded by the rest of the soldiers.
“Speak, and we may avoid more blood being spilled…” Cosmos replied.
“Is that supposed to be a threat? If so, need I remind you that the Arabians were coming with times many troops than you have? Need I tell you NONE of mine had fallen?” She threw back. “Give me what I want, and you may live.”
At this point Walgarus and Itrix joined the conversation… “You’re going a bit too far…” Itrix replied.
“And who are YOU to tell me that?” Itrix tried to make her change her tone with a few of her tricks, which didn’t work.
“What the?”
“What’s that? Your precious magic doesn’t work? How come you’re a Human, yet you don’t know we’re immune to magic?” Extos inquired.
“You leave him alone!” Itrix yelled and tried to punch her. Unfortunately for her, Solaris dodged and hit her in the back of the head with her spear’s shaft, then pointed it’s bladed end at her, then looked back at Cosmos.
“Let me see him…”
*Sigh* “Be so, but now tell me why you want to see him so much.” He replied.
“He’s my brother…”
“Don’t be joking… Your names don’t even match!” Itrix threw in.
“Were you asked?” Extos inquired, then pulled her spear away as a sign of trust. “You have no clue on how we get our names…” She continued.
“Come, I’ know where he is…” Itrix replied, and lead her to Altamir and Moondust. “You see… I asked a friend of mine to bring him to safety when we were attacked… He overworked himself yesterday, and can’t move much today…”
“And what do you expect me to say?”
“More than that, you ass bag.” Soon they got to the room Altamir was in. “I’ll leave you to it.” Itrix continued and left.
Extos opened the door and was greeted by an armed guard at Altamir’s bed. “I take him from here…” She informed him.
“Who sent you?”
“Itrix…”
“You get 10 minutes.” The guard exclaimed while passing her.
“You have 1 to re-think commanding me…” Extos threw back, and knocked him out cold, then hid him in the wardrobe. “You sack of shit! You though you can get away from me?!” She yelled at Altamir.
“What the fuck are you about?” He replied.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know me!”
“I don’t…” She made her way to his bed and pointed out the scar they shared. “So what does that mean?” She rolled her eyes and showed him her necklace, which looked just like his. “Get to the point already…”
“You’re my brother!”
“And why are you here?”
“To bring you back home…” She replied, pulled out a vial of green liquid from a bag on her belt. “Drink this.” She muttered, and made him drink it.
Soon after he got out of his bed and started for the exit with his sister at his side, but ran into Itrix. “Where so soon?”
“He’s coming with me.” Extos replied.
“Are you?” Itrix asked from Altamir.
“I’ll be back soon…” He assured her, then left with with Extos, into the depths of Canterlot, where they entered an abandoned warehouse, with a set of stairs leading deep down.
“Welcome home…” Extos exclaimed while still walking to her own room, where she explained the situation.
“So… What do I have to do with this… Order? Brotherhood?” Altamir wondered.
“What’s your name again?” Extos asked.
“Altamir De Marz…”
“Wrong! No it isn’t…”
“Then what is?”
“You’re not Altamir… Never were… It’s simply the name the Griffons gave you… They lied…”
“Well… Then what IS my name?”
“Mortis… Mortis De Lunaris…”
“How do you know so much about me?”
*Sigh* “I knew this moment will come… Well, we both were born into a the brotherhood by the same father and mother… Just like those you saw on our way here, we too are assassins… Were trained to be just that, the best of the best, since our parent’s were the mentors of the brotherhood. When we were 10, we were already sent out on missions to kill, threaten, steal, eavesdrop, etc. On one occasion we both were sent to the Griffon Empire to kill the King, but we failed, and during our escape attempt they cut the bridge from beneath us. I barely made it with a jump, but I had to leave you behind…”
“Then came the guards to take me to the arena…”
“Now, that you have returned… We can finally take our place in the order, and serve justice, freedom, and spread the truth of the world…” Extos replied.
“Was that whole army hiding down here all the time?”
“No, we are spread across all of Equestria… They simply came by being called upon…” She replied.
“And, what do you want me to do?” Mortis (Altamir) inquired.
“Go, rest… Tomorrow you will see…” She replied.
[End of Chapter 3]
Author's Note
Yes, Altamir's real name IS Mortis De Lunaris... Their names will play out in the end, though.
The swordsman in white, and the red mage
Chapter 4: Tests to be taken
The following morning Extos made sure Mortis (get used to it, it’s Altamir’s actual name if you forgot.) gets up in the right time, so she went to retrieve him. “Rise and shine, we have a lot to do…” She exclaimed.
“Just… Just five minutes…” He muttered still half asleep.
*Sigh* “You’ll learn… In time…” She muttered to herself, then elbowed him in the crotch, surely waking him.
*Grunt* “Okay… Okay… Ow… I’m up!” He replied.
“Get dressed, then come with me…” The exclaimed, then left the room leaving him some privacy. Of course, just minutes later he rejoined her.
“I’m good…”
“About time.” She replied and lead the way back to the lobby, where three other robed ones awaited them. “Mortis, they will be your teachers… They will help you master the ways of our order… They each will teach you different things, of course…” She informed him.
“Right, anything else I need to know?” He wondered.
“Yeah… Uhm… You see the thing on their lower arms?” She asked him, pointing at her own.
“What the? What is that?” He asked, as he saw their lower arms fully enveloped by some sort of dark crystal.
“It’s a universal tool, in a way… But you have to earn it, and you can NEVER take it off… Unless you don’t need one of your arms anymore…” She replied.
“Well, what is it good for?” He wondered.
“Well, if you end up losing your weapons, you got a replacement…” She replied, and soon the crystal gauntlet began to grow into a sword, which separated from the source and landed in her hand. “You can also shoot crystal shards, like throwing knives… But I won’t demonstrate that in here…” She continued, then turned at one of them. “Primer, would you be the first to take him?”
“Sure…” He replied, then closed his arm around Mortis’s shoulder. “This way,” They promptly left, leaving the three by themselves.
“Are you sure he’s who you think he is?” Secunder wondered.
“He will be…” She assured him.
“Why haven’t you told him about these being just prototypes?” Tercier threw in.
“Would YOU want one, if you were told that they might kill you one day?” She threw back. Tercier remained silent. “Besides, at least him getting one will show some dedication to the order…” She continued.
“He’s got much to learn, just because you surpassed the expectations against you doesn’t mean he will do the same…” Secunder exclaimed.
“Maybe, but we’re already 19, we both did things like this for 8 years straight, most the time only relying on each other’s skills and trust, if I could do it, so can he,” She replied.
“And what do you intend with him? After he learned what he need to, that is,” Tercier asked.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean… About that woman in Canterlot, Cosmos, Galaxia, their royal guard…”
“What should I? He will have an option to return there and be our ear and eye, or stay here with us. None the less, after getting a Crystal Gauntlet he will have no option but to follow the order’s priorities and laws…” Extos explained.
“And what if… What did you say? What was her name?”
“Itrix?” Extos wondered.
“What if she gets in our, or his way? They are close, would you have him kill her still?”
“Let’s hope it won’t come to that. Besides, if he won’t, someone else will.” She replied.
[Meanwhile a few meters away…]
“All right, now, where shall we begin? An introduction perhaps?” Primer asked.
“You already know my name though, so do I know yours, Primer.” Mortis replied.
“Well then, what weapon class do you prefer? Maces, flails, muskets, pistols, daggers, bows, crossbows, knives, swords…”
Mortis took some time to reply. “I’m not sure, so far I’ve used throwing knives and a longsword…”
“Well, let us see which suits you the most…” Primer replied.
“Uh, sure… Where, when and how?”
“Just follow me…” They left the hideout during daylight, and made their way toward the castle, where they met Walgarus talking to a patrol group.
“Altamir? Back already?” Walgarus wondered.
“Yes, well… Turned out my name is actually Mortis ,” He replied.
“Mortis it is, and your friend?”
“He’s Primer, he’s the reason we’re here,”
“Oh?” Walgarus replied, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, well, we’re here to see the list of wanted criminals,” He exclaimed.
“Hmm… Go to the dungeons and ask the warden, she’s the mare you’re looking for…” Walgarus replied.
“Thanks,” Primer replied, and headed for said mare.
“How did you even know the way? Have you been here before?” Mortis asked.
“You have lots to learn,” He replied, then approached the mare. “Excuse me, ma’am…” He exclaimed.
“Hey, I know you… You’re one of those guys who helped us… What can I do for you?” She replied.
“Walgarus told us you’re who we need to talk to about the list of wanted criminals,” Mortis replied.
“Doing some bounty collecting, or just plain practice? Sure, come and look…” She replied and showed them to a wall, covered in portraits of criminals. “Here they all, let me know if you found a target…” She continued.
Mortis and Primer talked for a few minutes deciding who to hunt, until they decided. “That guy it is? Well then, what would you try using?” Primer wondered.
“I was hoping you would recommend one…” He replied.
“Well then, how about this fine two handed razor sharp blade?” Primer inquired while handing him a Katana, which was made from his C.G in no time.
“Sure, should we go now?” Mortis wondered.
“We? Huh, what do I have to do with this?”
“What? You’re not coming with me?”
“Why would I? Your blade, your target, your reward,”
“But, aren’t you my teacher? Shouldn’t you come and tell me how to do stuff?”
“If I were to tell you what to do, what would be left for you to learn?”
*Sigh* “Good one, I’ll be going then,” Mortis muttered, and walked away.
“Good luck!” Yelled the warden, then turned to Primer. “Are you sure he can do it?”
“How would I know? I barely met him hours ago… He could make it, or not, it’s all up to him,” He replied.
“You talk like my trainer did, anyway, there will still be a few should he make it back,” She informed him.
[*Buzz Buzz Buzz*]
“Yes?” Itrix wondered.
The caller replied, then hung up.
She wasted no time and teleported to said gate, almost appearing in the same spot as one of the guards stood. “Easy there, Itrix. You know what happened last time,” One of the exclaimed, then seconds later Mortis approached blade in hand, lowered though, since he lacked a hilt.
“What are you on about?” Asked a guard.
“Nothing you should worry of,” He replied. “Itrix, what a coincidence,” He continued.
“Yeah, we can say that,” Come on Snowball, are you making things happen, or just trying to help me out? “What are you doing with that Katana?” She asked.
“Bounty-hunting,” He replied and walked past her.
“When will you come back though?”
“To Canterlot, or to the castle?”
“To us,”
“As soon as I’m done with the order,” He replied, and walked off.
“Don’t you want to go, help him?”
“No, he’ll be fine,” She replied.
Mortis wandered restlessly for hours, until dusk came upon all those beneath, when he met a group of merchants, who greeted him fairly well, given then never saw any of his kind before. “Greetings, swordsman,” One of them exclaimed, the oldest.
“To you as well, merchants,” He replied. “Have you headed for Canterlot?”
“Indeed we have, where have you headed?” The colt replied.
“I have a life to take in Ponyville, given I recognize the target…” He informed him.
“You pity death dealer!” A mare yelled from behind.
“You condemn what you do not understand, it is a criminal I seek to kill,” Mortis assured her.
“It is the same still, their life for your money, shameful,” She blamed on.
Mortis visibly tightened his grasp on the blade’s hilt. “Right, we should part ways, we mean no harm after all, do we?” He replied, and walked on, until he came across a mare lying on the ground, resting her back against a tree. At first, he thought nothing of it, other than a tired traveller, but when he got closer she turned to look at him. Well, what had remained of her anyway. As soon as he saw the other half of her face blood froze in his veins, she was seemed to be in the middle of being consumed by some sort of crystal vein. “What the fuck is this…”
“Help… Me…” The mare exclaimed, still clinging on to what she had left.
Mortis did his best to break her free, and in the end managed to part her from the chunk of mineral which partially ate her, and left her lower body with thinned skin, some parts even missing, and rib cage exposed. “Are you all right?” Mortis asked with concern.
“Thank you,” She said quietly, then rested her head against his thigh.
Mortis carefully picked her up and took her away from the shards he broke off, and leaned her against another tree, then sat down in the same position next to her. “You need help, but we can’t go while it’s dark… I will help you back to Canterlot, a friend of mine can surely help you,” He assured her, and pulled her away from the side of the road to a safe distance, where those passing by won’t notice.
[Meanwhile in Canterlot, hours passed.]
“A long story,” Primer replied. “Trust me, it is,”
“And what is that thing on your… Limb?” She wondered.
“Arm, it’s my arm. And the thing is something we call Crystal Gauntlet ,” He explained.
“And what is it for? A piece of armor perhaps?”
“Partially, yes, but also a weapon, I might show you how it works, should it come to combat,”
“I’ll look forw-” She was cut short by a prisoner.
“Hey! Come on baby! Let me out, and make love!”
The warden looked at Primer in disbelief at the prisoner. “I’ll be here,” He assured her, and under a second she silenced said prisoner with a moderate sized rock.
“Where were we?”
“Waiting for him to get back,”
“Right,” She agreed, and soon Mortis barged in.
“About time, how did it go?” Primer wondered.
“Not the best, I found a damaged mare and brought her in for Itrix to fix,” Mortis explained.
“You did what?” Primer asked.
“I-”
“WHO TOLD YOU TO GET BACK?!” Primer yelled, followed by a slap on the back of Mortis’s head.
“Bu-”
“WHO ALLOWED YOU TO RETURN!?” Came next was another hit.
“I-”
“GET THE FUCK OUT THERE, AND COME BACK WITH YOUR TARGET’S HEAD, OR STAY DEAD!” He yelled so loud as he could. Mortis simply nodded, and walked away muttering something like ‘Dáyna avruk…’
“Gee, that was uncalled for,” The warden threw in.
“For you, yes, for him, maybe, for me? Not so much,” He assured her.
“How so?”
“Our order has a few rules he yet has to learn, “
“And which one would this treatment enforce?”
“Don’t change your mind, if you set out to kill, do so, don’t return without killing,” He explained.
“Remind me not to join any time soon, which order is it anyway?” At this point she busted a grin. “The order of the menacing hood?”
“It seems it’s better I leave now, before anything regrettable would happen,” He informed her and left.
Hours passed until Mortis returned.
This asshole didn’t give, hah, too bad, I took it myself… Mortis through to himself, while carried the target’s head in his hand, sword in the other. “Good day guys,” He greeted the guards, who immediately stopped him.
“What are we to make of this sight, human?” One of them asked.
“Ease up, it was a criminal with bounty on her head,” He explained.
“If so, you may pass, but for the sake of others, hide the head,” He hid said body part behind his back, and followed by a facehoof, the guard replied. “You know what? Never mind, *sigh* just go,”
He happily walked down the roads, until he came to the warden’s door. “Open up!” He yelled, and soon the mare opened the door.
“That was quick, I see you got her,” She replied, and in the exchange of the head, she gave him a bag of currency. “Fancy another target?”
“Later, maybe,” He replied, and bid farewell, as he headed back to the cellar to rejoin Extos and the trio.
“You made it?” Extos wondered.
“I’m alive, she’s not…” He exclaimed.
“Good, Secunder, your turn,” Extos exclaimed.
“Sure…” She replied, and promptly left.
“Why can’t I even catch a breath…” Mortis muttered under his breath, and followed behind.
“You may be wondering what I will teach you,” She said after.
“Can we just get over it? I’m sort of ti-”
“WRONG!” She yelled, and hit him.
“Oh, so you will be the close combat teacher? Well then,” He replied while recovering, and readied his fists.
“Let’s see how long you last!” Secunder replied with a grin, and they got at each other. In the end, Mortis quickly passed the test, and defeated Secunder. “You learned quick, good, I have nothing to do left,” She exclaimed while dusting herself off. “Now go, you’re far from done,”
Mortis did just that. “Back already?”
“Why else would I be here?”
“You’re starting to impress me, good, you will know when you’re needed, you may go,” Extos assured him.
“Okay,” He said farewells to the trio inside, and to Secunder on his way. Needless to say, since the attack, Humans appeared more frequently in the streets during daytime as well, instead of living under the night as they did before. Strangely, those whose hoods were off weren’t quite avoided by ponies passing by. Maybe because their exposed face shows trust? Even less need to say, the first thing he did was see Itrix.
“Ah, Altamir, good to see you back,” Walgarus greeted him.
“My words are exact, General. Have I missed anything?”
“Not much, though Queen Galaxia hasn’t been feeling well recently,” The General noted.
“And how are your days?” Mortis wondered.
“I can’t complain, food is decent, equipment well kept, soldiers ready and loyal,”
“And what of Itrix?”
“Ah, you care for her, do you not?” The General asked with a grin.
“We one each other our lives, it’s the least,” He replied with a blank face, instead of the blush Walgarus expected.
“She’s been busy in the library, heck, if you ask me, I would say she’s possessed…”
“How so?”
“She and Moonlight had locked themselves in, barely do they even accept food carried by servants,”
“Why?”
“I haven’t had much success in talking to her ever since, perhaps you will,” He assured Mortis.
“I’ll see what I can do, I must waste no time, though,” They parted ways, and soon Mortis was at the library.
“Hello sir, you’re lucky, we were given orders to only let you, Itrix, and Moonlight through, except the servants with food and such,” One of the soldiers informed him.
“Why me?” He wondered.
“Beyond me,” The soldier replied.
“I’ll see what they’re up to then,” Mortis replied and stepped through the door, only to see a mess. Books, scrolls, parchments littered everywhere. Not torn, sure, but it was a mess, none the less… See? I can rhyme too, eat your heart out, Zecora!
Sure, sure, fine… Ahem, the library was a mess, the only thing other than the pieces of paper were Itrix and Moonlight sleeping on the ground.
Have they slept even? He walked over carefully, and checked them. Yeah, they’re sleeping… He quietly left the room, and asked the guards to help him take them to their rooms. They agreed to help him, and the two were put to bed. Now to see Galaxia and Cosmos. He made his way over to them as well, but were nowhere to be found. “Huh…”
[End of Chapter 4]
The swordsman in white, and the red mage
Chapter 6: The fallen kingdom
Altamir immediately took off to the throne room, where he was given not so great news. “Have you called for me?” He asked.
“Indeed, we have a reason to think the Saddle Arabians will return, we must be ready,” Cosmos replied.
“What would you have me do?” Altamir wondered.
“Fortunately, your sister came by, and gave us the information, so she and your kind are preparing a defense. I want you to-”
“DRAGON!!!” Yelled a guard, and soon the throne room’s windows were shattered by debris of the ceiling, which collapsed after a dragon flew into it.
“Get out of here!” Altamir instructed the royalty. “We will handle them, get Galaxia to safety!” He continued, aware of her state.
“What abou-”
“Cosmos, I know you’re in charge here, but we have no time to argue!” Altamir cut him short.
“You’re right, good luck,” He replied, and with the help of a few guards took Galaxia out of there.
Altamir rushed to the outside, barely meeting up with Itrix on his way. “What happened?” She wondered.
“A Dragon is,” He replied, and soon left the hallways. The sight which welcomed them weren’t the one they anticipated.
“A Dragon? You mean only ONE ?” Itrix asked in disbelief, as the swarm of said reptiles nearly blocked out the sky.
*sigh* “Well, here we are again…” Altamir replied, sharing her opinion.
“It’s always such a pleasure…” She continued with sarcasm.
“Where are the other Humans though?” He wondered.
“They are probably a bit late, or getting settled who knows,” Itrix calmed him.
Probably Etarr does… “You take the left, I go right,” He replied, and they parted ways.
They fought like never before, like it was their last fight, but when they realized they barely slew half the Dragons, and even the S.Arabians were back as well, and having Extos, Primer, Tercier, or anybody else than half the Royal Guard around, they just gave up, and lost the battle, causing all of Canterlot, then all of Equestria to fall under Arabian control, those of the guard who survived were killed, Cosmos and Galaxia bound in chains with their horns broken off, and Itrix and Altamir put in the same cell… Life was dull and miserable, citizens were forced to work with no rest and little to barely any food, while Itrix and Altamir were tortured on a daily basis, until two months later, one day the door opened once more. “Rise and shine, pigs,” Their visitor greeted them.
[279 Days left.]
“You again?” Altamir asked.
“Don’t waste your breath, Human, you will die either way,” The colt replied.
“Give up Ishtar, you won’t get away with this,” Itrix threw in.
“Says the one in chains, pity you ended up this way,” Ishtar threw back.
“She’s right, we will hunt you down,” Altamir threatened him.
Ishtar only whacked him across the face with a hoof jab, breaking his nose in the process. “How brave are you NOW?” He asked triumphantly.
“This is nothing compared to what you have coming,” He replied.
“We will see about that,” He muttered. “KYLOTH!” He yelled, and an armored Dragon approached.
“Have you called, your highness?” The Dragon inquired.
“Stay here, and make sure they remain here,”
“By your command,” He replied, and prepared his lance.
“As for the two of you, enjoy his company, I heard he’s got a good sense of humor,” Ishtar assured them, then left.
“So? You two are the Humans I read so much about?” Kyloth asked.
“Apparently,” Itrix replied briefly.
“Listen, I would do anything to be out of here as soon as I can, but if I try, I’d die faster than a blink,” He informed them, then drew closer to them. “If you have a plan out of here, I’m in, I can help,” He assured them.
“Ha! I know that trick, nice try,” Itrix replied.
“Look into my face and eyes, then tell me again I’m lying,” Kyloth replied with some anger.
“Right, so you’re on our side?” Altamir wondered.
“So long you consider me an ally, yes,” He assured them.
“Glad to hear, by back is itching and I can’t reach…” Altamir replied while struggling his restrains. Kyloth faceclawed, then proceeded to carefully scratched his back. “Much better, so, you can fly, fight, and breathe fire, correct?”
“Your words reflect the truth,” Kyloth replied.
“Do us a favor, can you?”
“What would it be?”
“See how Galaxia and Cosmos are,”
“They are well kept, bound in chains, wings and horns broken, but they will regrow… In time,” He informed them.
“Good, good, do you know the way to Griffonstone?” Itrix wondered.
“What do you have in mind, Itrix?” Altamir asked.
“Isn’t Galdir your friend?”
“Yeah, but wh- Oh,” He replied.
“I know the way all too well, why you ask?” Klyoth pondered.
“Their new leader is a friend of mine, first we need to make sure Galaxia and Cosmos are safe, right now in their state they are… Sad to say, worthless,” Altamir explained.
“What would you have me do?”
“For now, nothing, we wait…” Altamir assured, and they remained in the cell until the night approached.
During the darker hours of Canterlot, two mares trotted down the hallway of the dungeons, the warden, and a slave, bringing food to our friends. The warden opened the cell and let the other mare in. “Make it quick,” The warden exclaimed, and the mare entered the cell, removing her cloak.
“Moonlight?” Itrix wondered in surprise. Moonlight did a double take on Kyloth, trying to change subject. “Oh, he’s with us,” Itrix explained.
“Good to hear, how are things?” The warden asked, having recognized Altamir.
“Hang on, let me help you,” Moonlight exclaimed, and with her magic released them for the chains for a while.
“I’ll take it from here,” Itrix replied and fixed took a hold of Altamir’s nose. “Take a deep breath,”
“Why?” Itrix shoved a thick piece of her robes into his mouth and with a loud crack, fixed his nose.
“Ow, that must hurt,” Kyloth noted.
“And it did, thanks,” Altamir assured them.
“So, what’s the plan?” Kyloth asked. “Now that your friends are here too, I mean,”
“Moonlight, can you get to where Galaxia and Cosmos are held?” Altamir asked.
“Sure, with a tray of food, I can get to any prisoner,” She replied.
“Tell them, that tomorrow around noon, a Dragon will pay them a visit, a friend it is, and help them prepare for a long way to Griffonstone,” Altamir instructed their friend.
“What are you planning?” Moonlight asked.
“Kyloth, you’re that Dragon, Moonlight, you’ll go with him, and heal their wings with your magic.”
“Sure.”
“Itrix and I will stay and free the city. Then Equestria,” Altamir assured her.
“Be careful…” The mare assured them.
“No will to spoil the fun, but a shift is coming this way,” The warden warned them. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
“Get the chains on us again and go!” Itrix exclaimed, and the two were bound once more.
“Tomorrow morning I’ll come back with your breakfast, oh, and Kyloth,” Moonlight replied.
“Yes?” The Dragon wondered.
“Here’s a copy for the cell’s lock,” She gave him the key, which he hid well in his helmet.
“Time to go, we will raise suspicion,” The warden whispered. “Come on already! Get out!” She yelled to assure the guard shift. The two left, and returned in the morning.
[270 Days left.]
“So, what did they say?” Itrix wondered.
“They agreed, they should be ready,” Moonlight replied. “Here’s your breakfast,”
The two were freed once more, then ate their meals. “Alt?” Itrix muttered.
“Nicknames again? Trixie?” Altamir replied.
“Hide this,” She exclaimed, and with her magic, gave him a longsword and a hatchet, to replace his confiscated weapons.
“Itrix?”
“Yes?”
“Do we have to wait for noon?” Altamir asked.
“Your plan it is,” She reminded him.
“Then let’s go now,” He replied, and readied his sword.
“Give this to me, Moonlight, show the way,” Kyloth threw in, and took Altamir’s sword. “You two pretend your hands are tied behind, it will look like we’re bringing you to Ishtar,” He explained.
“Good idea,” Moonlight replied, and they set out on their way to the monarch’s cell, the two were thankfully kept in the same cell.
“Altamir! Itrix! Isn’t it a little soon?” Cosmos asked.
“No time! You two must get out!” Itrix replied, and blasted a hole into the wall as Moonlight healed the royal wounds.
“What now?” Kyloth wondered.
“Kyloth, take Moonlight, and take her too, Cosmos, Galaxia, follow Kyloth to Griffonstone, Galdir will surely be of help!” Altamir explained.
“But…” Moonlight was cut short by Kyloth, who took hold of her and took off, followed close by the royals.
“They’re on their way! What do we do now?” Itrix asked.
Altamir looked down the blown hole. “Jump!” He replied, and pulled her with himself into the depths, landing in a pond.
“You’re a crazy one,” Itrix informed him.
“Better ideas?”
“What now?” She inquired.
“We hide, then at night, we kill Ishtar and the leaders,” He explained.
“Fine, care to play cards till then?” She wondered.
“Sounds fun…”
[Hours later… ]
“I won again!” Itrix exclaimed.
“You must be cheating…” Altamir muttered.
“It’s not my fault you lost 34 games of 35,” She replied.
“Right, right, let’s get it moving,”
“Can’t lose, can you?”
“We have a nation to free…” Altamir explained slightly annoyed.
“Right, right, here we go…” She replied, and teleported themselves to where Ishtar was.
“How did you?” Asked Ishtar and Altamir.
“Where else could he have been?” She asked.
“No matter, well done on escaping your cells, now, die…” Ishtar instructed.
“We’ll see,” Altamir replied, and the two got at one another, until reinforcements arrived, and they were forced to flee. Unfortunately, Itrix was caught, but she had enough time and power to send Altamir away with her magic.
“Wa-” He was cut short, and teleported away. “-it…” He muttered. “Shit!” No! Nononononono! I have to get back and free her too! Etarr, come on, help me…
As he thought of it, Etarr appeared for him. “Have you asked for my presence?”
“YES!” He replied.
“Easy there, what happened?”
“What do you mean what happened? Itrix is captured again!”
“Oh, shit…”
“How did you not know?”
“Just because she’s my eye, it doesn’t mean I know everything what happens to her. The way it works is simple. I have other things to do, you can’t expect me to sit still and watch what she and you go through without an end…” Etarr explained.
“You must help me!”
“You’re wrong, some things are meant to happen, some are just meant to happen a certain way… This is one of those events…” He assured him. “I’m sorry, you can try to help her, but I can’t, it has to be this way. Go, free her, I won’t help you, but neither will I stand in your way…” Etarr apologized.
“Fine, I’ll remember this though.”
“Be upset not, you have to understand, not remember. Fate has it’s ways, I have mine, and the two are not allowed to cross.” He explained. “However, if you wish, I can give you what you think you’ll need.”
“I’ll do it on my own, you either come and help, or stay out of this…”
“As you wish, good luck,” Etarr replied, and perished once again.
[Meanwhile, over the ocean…]
“Kyloth?”
“Yes?”
“How far do we have yet until we see land?” Moonlight asked.
“A few minutes, why?”
“I have some private matters to settle…” She replied.
Kyloth only sighed in response. “Just hold on, okay?”
[Back on track…]
Altamir collected his thoughts, and did his best to find where exactly he was. To his fortune, he was in a smaller town with minor military presence from the invaders, and moderate rebel presence. “Hey, I know you…” A mare said to him.
“Do you?” He wondered.
“Yeah, come this way, we can’t talk here,” He followed her into one of the homes. “Now, you must be The White Swordsman I we all heard so much about… You have no idea how well your presence means to us.”
“Us?” Altamir asked.
“Yes, the resistance,” She explained, and soon a few well equipped ponies of all race trotted down the stairs.
“I see, good to see I’m not alone here,” Altamir exclaimed in relief.
“We will blindly follow you into battle, be it victory or death,” The mare explained. Those behind her nodded in agreement.
“Your faith is not misplaced,” I hope… At least I hope… I never actually played the role of a leader before.
“What would you have us do to begin liberation?”
“First off, how many invading troops are stationed here?” He asked the group of seemingly loyal and well armed ponies.
“35 soldiers and no dragons.”
“Where are we exactly?”
“Fillydelphia,”
“All right, how many of the citizens are part of the resistance?”
“About… 6?”
“Only 6?”
“I, them, and you,” She explained.
“We have a lot to do,”
“So, what would you begin with?”
“At first, we observe the patrols, their amount, and the shift changes,”
“We shall observe eagerly,” She assured him, and after a week, they had all the information in said regards.
[263 Days Left]
One morning, the guards changed shift at the town hall once again, and as soon as the replaced guards left, they turned down a corner, only to see a few carts flipped upside down. “What is this supposed to be?” One of them asked.
“I’m sorry sirs, a few idiots made this mess, you should take a different way,” The mare exclaimed.
“Fine, but clean this mess up,” The other guard replied, and turned down an alley.
“We will,” She assured them.
They took a few turns, until they came to a dead end. “This wasn’t here before,” One of the exclaimed, and turned around.
“Either were you,” Said a colt from behind, and within seconds, the two were ran through by large wooden stakes, depriving them of any last words.
“Good work,” Altamir noted.
“32 remain,” The colt muttered.
“By now, only 28,” Altamir replied.
“Yes, Crimson Iris was always a fit for a soldier,” The colt assured him.
“Let’s go, hide these and get their supplies…”
[End of Chapter 6]
The swordsman in white, and the red mage
Chapter 7: Redeeming peace
After hiding the corpses, and retrieving the necessary supplies, the three returned to their hideout, soon did Crimson Iris arrive. “Sorry for the delay, ran into a few more of them, so there’s only 20 left,” She explained.
“Good job, have you hidden the bodies?” Altamir wondered.
“Right away,” She replied.
“Excellent, is everyone here again?”
Iris briefly looked around, then replied with a nod.
“Good, now we wait for the night, then, we will kill them all,” Altamir explained his plan.
“Only 6 of us against 20 of them? I like the plan,” A colt replied from aside.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea?” Asked another mare.
“If we kill all of them before they send word about our attacks, yes,” Altamir assured her.
“Are you sure we can do it?” Iris asked.
“I’m certain, and by tomorrow, Fillydelphia shall be free again,” Altamir replied.
“How would you have us act?” Iris asked.
“If you can kill a patrol at once with no witness, go for it, but hide the body. If you see one guard during the day, trick them to follow you to secluded areas and kill them,” He explained.
“What of you?” A colt asked.
“If they see me, they either try to kill me, or capture me before sending word of one of the results,”
“How long will it take?”
“Only longer with each second spend on questions, and not acts,” He threw back, and the group of six left for the day, only to reunite at dusk. “How did it go?” Altamir wondered.
“We killed 10, leaving 10,” Iris informed him.
“They must have noticed the absence of 25, so we must end them tonight, leaving none of them alive,” Altamir explained. “For now, ease, rest and prepare,”
The group laid their heads to rest, and slept a few hours, before returning to the streets. “About time,” A guard exclaimed, and swung his halberd at Iris.
“My words are exact,” She replied and blocked the attack. When the guard looked up, he saw Altamir behind her, and took a knife in between the eyes. “Nice,” She noted.
“9 left, don’t hold back,” He replied, and reclaimed his knife.
“There they are!” One of the guards yelled from a patrol group. “Go! Send word the Human is here!” He continued, and one of them took off running.
“Kill them I get the messenger!” Altamir yelled in response, and slipped away after the lone guard.
Now, you may think that the Saddle Arabian guard, and equine, and basically just a horse taller than a pony would be too fast for him, but keep in mind, Altamir is no average man, and chased him as far as the guard could run, when he collapsed of exhaustion. “Spare me! Please! I won’t te-”
“Now you won’t,” Altamir replied, cleaning his blade. He too was tired after the chase, so he just walked quicker on his way back. When he arrived he saw no guard left alive, only one of the rebels being injured.
“Alas, victory is ours,” Iris welcomed him.
“Nobody escaped?”
“None alive, as you requested,”
“Great job, now to the town hall, gather the citizens, and bring them there,”
She nodded, and the group split up again, and hours later all of Fillydelphia was at the town hall. “Here they are!” Iris yelled to inform Altamir, who stood on the roof of said building.
“Citizens, I’m proud to announce, that your town is cleansed of invaders, and is free once again!” He yelled, and took down the invading flag, and showed it to a Unicorn aside him. “Light it,” He instructed, and the mare did as requested. He held the flaming flag into the air, and let go of it. As soon as it landed the crowd broke out cheering. Altamir lept off, landing on the ground easily. “You have these brave souls to thank, now, to liberate the rest of Equestria, I have a favor to ask you all… I need at least one Pony from each household to come, and fight by my side in the next town,” He exclaimed, and soon around 50 colts stepped forward.
“I’m coming with you!”
“So am I!”
“Me too!” They began to say.
“What about us?” Iris wondered.
“You need to stay, and organize the defense until the Griffons arrive, they will come to help,” He explained.
“But…”
“This place needs you all better than I do,” He assured her.
“It must be true, good luck out there,” She replied.
“Before you leave…” Exclaimed a colt, then walked closer. “You should have this map, so you know where and how many towns there are. On the back is written the population of the towns, you should decide the next with the least, though, since the least population, the least guards,” He explained.
“This will be of most use, thank you,” Altamir replied.
“You may also wish to have this,” Another colt said, and gave him a sword.
“I already have one,” He replied.
“Trust me, you would want this,”
“Be so,” Altamir replied, and sheathed the blade, giving his previous one to Iris. “Now, we must go,”
The volunteers said farewells to their families, and followed him into the dawn.
[Meanwhile in Griffonstone, 262 Days left]
At last, Kyloth and the group arrived safe to Griffonstone, where at first the guards greeted them aggressively, until they recognized Galaxia and Cosmos. “Galaxia? Cosmos? My, what are you doing here?” Galdir wondered.
“We will talk about it in time, for now, please, have a few doctors treat Galaxia,” Cosmos replied respectfully, aware of being in a foreign nation.
“Ares, show Queen Galaxia to the doctors,” He asked a certain guard, who did as requested. “Now, how are your friends?”
“This is Moonlight Comet, she’s a researcher, as for the Dragon, he’s Kyloth, a new ally to us,” He explained.
“So, why are you here again?” Galdir brought up his first question.
“Equestria has been overrun, and had fallen into Saddle Arabian control…” Cosmos explained. “Kyloth, Moonlight, go , get some rest,” He continued.
“Grave news, and what of Altamir and Itrix?”
“They insisted they stay and fight,”
“Then they shall do great progress…” Gladir assured Cosmos.
“He told us you would be willing to come to our aid,”
“And I am,” He replied. “Pallas!” He yelled, and soon a General appeared.
“Have you called?”
“General Pallas, this is King Cosmos of Equestria, they need our help, go, assemble the troops, all of them,” Galdir exclaimed.
“By your command,” The General replied, and flew off.
“Now rest, Cosmos, soon we will take the fight to them,” Galdir tried to calm Cosmos.
“You have my gratitude, Galdir. Now I see how Altamir and you are friends,” He noted.
“Leaders have to help each other, do they not?”
“Indeed they do,”
“Now I want you to stay, and be by Galaxia’s side, she seems to need you badly,” Galdir continued.
“It would be wrong for me not to be part of the liberation…” Cosmos objected.
“She needs you better, you must be there when it happens,”
“So you noticed?”
“How could I have missed?”
“Fine, I’ll stay,” Cosmos replied.
“Take care of my home while I’m away, will you?”
“It’s the least,”
“They know you’ll be in command while I’m away, now, time is short,” Galdir explained, then took flight.
[In Canterlot, however]
“Speak! Where did you send him!” Yelled Ishtar to Itrix.
“Go, find him, I won’t tell!” She replied.
Ishtar hit her in the stomach a few times, then asked again. “Speak up!”
“Never!”
He hit her several more times. “Don’t waste my time!”
“I will not tell!” She replied. Hopefully I can buy Galdir and Altamir enough time…
“Away with you then!” He replied, and she was carried away into her cell again, only to starve for a few days. “Maybe now your tongue is giving,”
“Don’t you ever dream of it,” She replied.
“Here we go again, then,” Ishtar replied, rather tired of her resiliance.
[Back to Altamir…]
“How long left for Manehattan?” Asked a colt.
“A few hours of walking…” He replied.
“Then what’s that ahead?” Asked another one.
“We’re in luck, go, surround the exits, and kill those who try to run,” He instructed them.
“Are you sure going in alone?”
“Just watch,” Altamir replied, and with his new sword, walked in.
The group remained outside as told to, and soon after they heard screams coming from the town, some were cheering for Altamir, some were fear of death, some of agony from the invaders, none the less, the group stood still for an hour or two, when suddenly the sound of struggles grew closer and closer, until they saw a Dragon leave the city limits to create distance between him and Altamir. “Die!” It yelled, and began to breathe fire, which Altamir dodged, and rushed toward him.
“That you will!” He replied. The Dragon charged at Altamir, and in the end, swallowed him whole. The group stood there shocked after what they saw, and started to back away before the Dragon would get at them too, when suddenly the Dragon stopped. Just mere seconds passed, when the Dragon’s throat was cut from the inside out, making his blood spray everywhere. The Dragon was still alive, when Altamir pried himself out, covered in blood. “So much for being The White Swordsman …” He noted. “Go, check the bodies, hide them, loot them, whatever you want, then gather the citizens to the town square,” He exclaimed. The group stood now even more so shocked, having witnessed the mere power of just one Human, but quickly shook themselves back into reality, and set out to do as told to. Few more hours pass, and the whole city Manehattan gathered for the same ceremony which took place in Fillydelphia, and the so called mayor approached.
“You all have saved us! How can we thank you in return?” She wondered.
“Don’t, give me as many fighters as you can, so we can move on to-” He took a look at the map “Ponyville,”
At least 450 Ponies soon joined his now growing army, and marched off to Ponyville, and just when the town was in sight, he heard a familiar voice. “Where do you think you’re going?!”
He turned around, and saw the Griffons who arrived. “Galdir? You? Here? What gives?”
“Are you seriously asking that? Was it not your idea to send Cosmos and Galaxia over?”
“Well, I didn’t expect you to be so early,” Altamir replied with a grin.
“AT EASE! FALL IN LINE!” Galdir yelled to his troops, who landed aside the marching Ponies, and joined the formations. “Where are you headed?”
“Ponyville, then the remaining cities… And at last, Canterlot.”
“Don’t you think taking back Canterlot would scare the others away?” Galdir offered.
“Hey, I’m not a thinker, okay? You take that part if you want,” Altamir replied.
[In the following 142 days they took back Ponyville, and marched on to Canterlot, but the odds were even, and just made no advances for a while, until one day Extos and the rest of the Humans joined the fight on the right side,]
“At last, we meet once again, sister,” Altamir greeted Extos.
“Alas, death and life meet once again indeed,” She replied, then also greeted Galdir.
“What’s the plan?” Said Griffon wondered.
“Simple, Mortis, a few more of my men, and I go in, kill Ishtar,” She replied..
“What about Itrix?!” Altamir wondered.
“Mortis?” Galdir asked.
“It’s my actual name, now, what of Itrix still?”
*Sigh* “Fine, we will see if we can find her too….” Extos replied.
“Hey, if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here today,” Mortis reminded his sister.
“Now that I think of it, it is clever, the fewer of you go, the harder it is to be noticed, good luck,” Galdir exclaimed.
The minor group of the two and 5 more of them snuck in under the cloak of darkness, and quickly made their way to the entrance, where the 5 were sent to get Itrix out, while the other two headed for Ishtar’s quarters, killing anyone who stood in their way. They stopped at the door, however, when Extos withdrew a pistol and gave it to her brother. “You might need this,”
He listened to her advise, and put said firearm away. “Ready?” She nodded in response, and the two bursted the door down, only to be greeted by Ishtar surrounded by many guards.
“Right on time,” Ishtar greeted them.
Extos waited no time, and began cutting down the guards, until she was thrown out the window. “Extos!” Altamir yelled, looking out the window, unable to find his sibling. “You bastard!” He exclaimed, and in the blink of an eye cut down the rest of the guards. The two fought for hours, until Mortis made a fatal mistake, which resulted in him taking a sword through the chest, which shattered his spine, causing him to fall on his back.
“Ha! I told you you’re no match to me! Face it! This is the end…” Ishtar exclaimed.
“It is… You know what comes at the end?” Mortis asked, struggling with the pain.
“What?” Ishtar asked.
“Fireworks…” Mortis replied, quickly drew his pistol, and his Ishtar in the heart. *Laughter* Too bad for me, heh, good luck, Itrix, and good bye Cosmos, Galaxia… He thought to himself, before everything went black.
[The End]
.
Author's Note
The End
Thank you for reading.
The swordsman in white, and the red mage
Chapter 5: Good news, and a contract
(For future reference, in an environment where they know him as Altamir I will be calling him just that, but where he’s known as Mortis , I’ll call him that, okay?)
“Hey Altamir, Galaxia and Comsos wants to have a word with you,” MoonDust exclaimed.
“Yeah, but where they at though?” Altamir replied.
“Have you not seen them?”
“Nah, why should I? I’m coming from the library,”
“Are you telling me the King and Queen are gone?” Altamir replied.
“If you put it that way, yes…” He replied.
“Are you telling me, that while the entire Royal Guard was on shift, they disappeared in broad daylight in the middle of the day without anyone seeing them?”
“Maybe?” MoonDust replied, trying to make a charming face.
“You lazy fuck,” Altamir muttered.
“What? I got knocked out by your sister, okay? You owe me a favor…” Dust replied.
“You owe Itrix one, she asked you to watch me, not me,”
“Not the point, we need to find them anyway, or else we’ll be in trouble,”
“Who and why would be in trouble again?” Asked a colt from behind, wearing similar robes to those Itrix wore.
“You again? What do you want?” Dust asked.
“Watch your tongue when talking to a Royal Advisor , or else you might find it’s missing,” He replied.
Altamir leaned in to whisper. “Who’s this douchebag?”
“It’s one of the advisors, he’s Minas,” Dust replied.
“Ahem… So… Why would you be in trouble?” Minas wondered.
Dust and Altamir pretended not to see or hear him, and walked past him, until a wall of magic appeared in front of them. “Altamir, don’t you dare leave me here,” Dust said and Altamir walked through the wall.
“You think I would?” Altamir replied, and turned to face Minas.
“Now, speak or he’ll regret,” Minas replied.
“If he does, you’re done for,”
“Ha! As if you could defeat me, don’t be ridiculous,”
“You seem so sure about yourself, but what are you worth without magic?” Altamir wondered.
“Why would I NOT use it?”
“Against me? Useless, it is,”
“We will see then,” Minas replied, taking an aggressive position.
“If you lose, you die,” Altamir informed him, and raised his blade against him.
“Let’s see what Humans are made of,” Minas threw back, and the two lashed out at one another. At first, Minas shot a blast at Altamir, which hit, but caused no damage… Not in him at least, but a window ceased to exist. “Your words were true at last, well then, how about this…” He replied, and produced a sword from his robes.
“How did that even fit in there?!” Altamir asked loudly while blocking most attacks.
“An advisor must have a wit of their own!”
“In short, you had it up your rump,” Altamir replied, taunting him.
“Your tongue is sharp, but is your blade as sharp?”
“You’ll see…” He replied, and the next time Minas stuck, Altamir grabbed the handle of the sword, causing Minas’s (Minai? Minas’s? Minases?) magic to disperse, disarming him in the end.
“This is not so fair, don’t you think?” Minas taunted.
“Neither is abusing your rank as an advisor… You crossed the wrong Human, you will never do this mistake again,” Altamir replied, and with no hesitation cut off his horn, leaving him defenseless.
“I will have your head for this!” Minas cried in pain, then turned to run.
“I doubt so,” Altamir threw back, and slashed his hind legs, slowing him down. He let go of the swords and grabbed Minas by the robes and threw him against the wall.
“What do you want?! You already won!”
“I can’t tell, but I will, since you won’t speak,” He replied. “Rule one, kill your opponent, or die, ” He explained, and began beating him, until Dust stopped him.
“Enough already!”
“Step back, or you get some too,” Altamir threw back.
“Woah, fine, be that way then, I saw nothing…” Dust replied and walked away, leaving the two by themselves.
“Wait! Come on! Help me here!” Minas yelled after him.
“Where were we? Oh,” Altamir muttered, and continued beating him, until blood soaked the carpet at his feet. “You should’ve been a Pegasus,”
“Wha- Why?” Minas asked.
Altamir said no word, and threw him out the window, and watched him fall to his demise, landing with a splat loud enough to be heard from 200m. Unfortunately for him, Minas didn’t die instantly, but the crash paralyzed him. I’ll see you in h- He couldn’t finish his thought, as his own sword came down, landing between his eyes.
“Let me guess, the wrong Human to mess with?” Mortis asked, crouching aside him, aware of his death. She stood back up, looked up, spying for her sibling, soon sighting him standing behind the shattered window. Apparently he saw her too, and waved. Lesson learned it seems.
Altamir wasted no time, and went to check on Itrix, who was still asleep. I won’t wake her… So he headed for Moonlight’s instead, where the mare just woke up.
“Hello?” She exclaimed.
“Greetings, I doubt we met before. At least, I doubt you know me,” He replied, and sat down at the foot of her bed.
“How so?”
“Here’s a hint, I’m Altamir,” He replied.
“Ah, the guy Itrix spoke of all the time,” She noted.
“Oh, did she? Touching…” He replied. “Tell me, are you any better?”
“Just needed some rest, yes,”
“What were you doing so long in the library?”
“We tried to develop a spell, requested by Galaxia,”
“What kind?”
“You will have to ask yourself, you know, not only the guards and soldiers get orders,”
“I’ll keep it in mind, thanks,” He replied and left, only to run into said mare.
“What a pleasant surprise,” She noted, taking some distance.
“Your words are exact,” He replied. “I’ve been looking for you two for a while now, Moon Dust and I grew worried even for your absence,” He explained.
“Yes, yes, come walk with us, I’ll tell you everything,” She replied.
“So, what have I missed?” He asked on their way to the throne room.
“You’re the first we tell, you see, this noon I felt ill, so we called for the healers…”
“Was it a reason to worry?” Altamir asked.
“Not by the least, in fact, it’s the best reason to celebrate,” Cosmos continued.
“How so?” He asked again, this time the two sat in their thrones.
The two swapped glances, unsure which one of them would tell. “Well, soon there will be more bearing crowns than the two of us…”
Altamir was unsure what to make of it, until he noticed Galaxia’s belly. “Oh! Oh! Oh, oh my, that’s great news! Congratulations!” He replied. “Have you heard of the gender?”
“No, we will let fate tell us,” Cosmos replied.
“Well, that is good to hear, truth be told,” He assured them. “When will you tell others? The Royal Guard , the citizens, Itrix...”
“We’ll let them wait, we just got to know it too,” Cosmos replied.
“If you would excuse, I need leave,” Altamir informed them.
“If you must,” Galaxia replied with a nod.
Altamir left, and headed for his room for some rest, but was surprised when he found a figure standing at him bed. “Who would you be?” He asked.
“Ease, Altamir. I’m anything but a foe… To you at least,” The man replied.
“And why are you here?”
“Remember the day Itrix brought you here?”
*Nods*
“Remember the device Itrix used to talk to somebody?”
*Nods*
“Then you know who she talked to,”
“You?”
“Yes, but I fear it would be a waste to introduce myself, as you would not believe me,”
“Do it anyway,”
“I am Etarr, a being capable of anything you can imagine, I could make all life cease to exist with a snap of my fingers, I could bring thousands of citizens to existence, send you back or forward in time, and everything else you can, or can’t think of,”
“How so?”
“I fear I myself know not the reason, nor the source of my powers, but should you need proof, I’m eager to provide,” He replied.
“So long I have no reason to do otherwise, I believe you. Why are you here?”
“You may not know, but Itrix is a friend of mine, in fact, she’s my eye in a way. I trust her on a reason, and gave her the power of magic, and knowledge beyond recognition, but I must admit, she may not be enough alone,”
“I didn’t know that about her…” Altamir noted.
“I have come to you with an offer, Mortis, ”
“Of what kind?”
“I might be a powerful being, sure, but the more effort, the more result, the more people work for me, the more influence and effect I can have on this world… Altamir, work for me,”
“What? How? Why?”
“The why is answered already, the what is as well, as for the how , it’s simple… Altamir. Be my arm, my strength, follow my words, and fight for a better world, to ensure peace for the generations to come,”
“I’m willing, but what will I have in return?”
“What do you desire to have? You have Extos, Itrix, and maybe even the royal two as family, or friends at best, you have your might as well, I’ve been keeping an eye on you since your first day in that arena, so, what would you have?”
“I fear I can’t answer yet,”
“I want you to be clear, so I tell you again. If you work for me, I will grant you a few favors or wishes from time to time, and if you wish to, I can reward you now as well…” Etarr explained.
“Perhaps, I have,”
“Good, good, what is it now?”
“Make sure Galaxia’s children will be born healthy,”
“And do I shall, now, come, I need your presence,” Altamir approached as requested. “Here, sign this parchment, I need your name here, and we will be good to go,”
Altamir slightly hesitated, but in the end, signed the parchment. “Now, here’s a secret I tell you once, so listen close,” Altamir leaned in to hear. “Mortis may be your sister, but don’t take all her words for granted, I feel her intentions aren’t so noble as they seem,”
“Are you telling me to,”
“All I’m saying, is that she seems to be hiding or planning something, Altamir. For now, tell nobody we met, not even Itrix,”
“Why not?”
“It is better she doesn’t know,”
“If you wish, be that way,” Altamir assured him.
“Remember, just because I can make anything happen, don’t assume I actively am, I only intervene if necessary, and in person, only in dire need,”
“I shall not forget then, good to meet you,”
“The pleasure is mine, Altamir. Now, listen well... When she comes to you in sorrow, tell Celestia these words: Prepare for unforeseen consequences… Now, this is where I get off. ” He replied, and faded into thin air.
“Celestia? Who?” Altamir muttered in confusion, unable to find a solution. He lay down in his bed, and went to sleep.
[Hours later, he woke up to knocking on his door] [340 Days left.]
* Knock Knock*
Who could that be this late in the night? He approached the door and opened it. “Yes?” He asked on a tired tone.
“Oh, did I wake you?” Asked a familiar looking mare.
*Yawn* “No, I spent at least half the day in bed, or so it seems. Come, sit,” He replied, and Moonlight trotted in, and sat on her haunches on a carpet. “What brought you here in this time of day?”
“Well, I just wanted to thank you for bringing us to bed… Uh, I mean to ours, our own individual ones, no innuendos,”
“You’re welcome, but was it so urgent it couldn’t wait until dawn at least?”
“The healers checked us both, turned out the library has some sort of gas inside, which wasn’t so good to inhale as air is, and caused us to fall asleep , as you called it. Should you have come minutes later, we would no longer be on this side of the ground,” She explained.
“That’s interesting, have told Galaxia or Cosmos?”
“I was going to tell Advisor Minas, but I couldn’t find him… Maybe I will tell the monarchs though,” She replied.
“You see, I doubt Minas would be around in the future…” He replied.
“How so?”
“He and I had a nasty argument the other day, so…”
“What did you do?” She asked impatiently.
“Nothing! He told me that If I know better, then why not replace him , so he packed his stuff and left…” He explained.
“Had he mentioned where he went?”
“I haven’t bothered to ask,”
“Huh, sad to hear he left so sudden… He and Moon Dust just didn’t come out well anyway,”
“You know Moon Dust?”
“My own brother? Certainly, have you not yet noticed? Moonlight Comet, Moon Dust? Hello?”
“Yeah, I thought your family names were Dust and Comet, so no… I haven’t, sorry,” He replied.
“As for the spell, have you asked Galaxia?”
“I knew I forgot something, but I did meet them today,” He assured her.
“Well, I’ll tell you a secret then…” She replied. “She asked us to find or develop some sort of future telling spell, I’m not sure as to why, though,”
“Well, I believe it is better left unknown, unless she tells her reason, right?”
“No argument from me, well, I must go now, good night!”
“Bye, Comet,” He replied, and shut the door behind her, and went back to sleep.
[339 Days left]
In the morning, he woke up to Itrix knocking on his door. That was a good sleep…
“Here you are, sleepyhead, where were you yesterday?”
“I got home yesterday, and found you in the library?” He replied, unsure if she was aware.
“No, that was before yesterday, where were you?” She assured him.
He briefly looked back at his bed, then back to her. “Um, probably asleep?”
“Sleepyhead all right, well, Galaxia and Cosmos were wondering where you were, you should go, see them,”
“Okay,” He replied, and the conversation was over, since Itrix simply left, so he made his way to the throne room. What could they want?
[End of Chapter 5]
The swordsman in white, and the red mage
BONUS CHAPTER [READ STORY FIRST!]
As the title suggests, this is a bonus chapter, which I will use to highlight a few references and easter eggs…
I tried to tailor Itrix’s personality to match that of my caretaker
At first, I intended Itrix’s phone calls to be from me, the writer, not from Etarr
I tried to make Altamir’s character similar to that of Altair Ibn-La’Ahad from Assassins Creed.(A clear minded, ruthless killer with a heart of his own)
Extos and the other Humans were supposed to resemble the Assassin Brotherhood.
I planned to have Celestia’s name to come from Galaxia’s ideas, while Luna’s would come from “Mortis de Luna ris”
The line which Altamir mutters to Primer “Dáyna avruk…” Is actually written in Hungarian, backwards. (It means “You son of a bitch”)
The days left counter is an indicator for how many days are left until the birth of Luna and Celestia.
The conversation between Itrix and Altamir:
-“Well, here we are again…”
-“It’s always such a pleasure”
Is an obvious Portal reference.
Author's Note
SPOILER! Altamir and Itrix are not actually dead, same goes for Extos- SPOILER!