Child of the Moon

CRACK

The shimmering magical whip flashed overhead again.

CRACK

And what have you done to get yourself into THIS mess?

CRACK

The same thing you do every day, idiot. Just reading books. What's wrong with that?

His forelegs were tightly bound to a log. It was raining, turning from a light drizzle into a stinging downpour.

How cliché. I bet she planned it like this. Just to make it mean more to her? To make her feel special? Yeah, congratulations, you got to live up to your life dream: big shot Interrogation Squad member. Why not go all the way? Whipping the "Demon" of the Moon for bragging rights. Why not?

CRACK

And why are you getting so mad? It's not like you can actually FEEL it or anything. Remember that training? Total and absolute tolerance of pain? Sitting under the roaring waters of Mist Crag Falls for days on end? Pain should just be a word now.

CRACK

Well, yeah, but isn't it the thought that counts? Sure, I may not be able to feel it, but just the fact that it is happening and that some stupid mare is getting off to it kind of upsets me.

CRACK

Eventually it stopped. He looked up from his meditative state. He just stared straight ahead. Not even an inkling of feeling in his eyes. The rain wasn't showing any signs of letting up. At least he could finally pay attention. Focusing that much energy to ignore a whipping takes a lot out of you...

CRACK

He Jumped at the sound. It didn't even hit him. He just wasn't expecting it.

"Hahahahaaa". A tittering, girly giggle. It did a good job of hiding her true nature . "I Finally got a response!. I thought you would have done better than that."

Shut up

"Same to you. I thought you would have gotten something hours ago." His words oozed sarcasm. "I'm actually disappointed in you. Isn't this kind of your thing? I thought the Interrogation Team was for those good at causing pain and getting information out of others. All you've managed to do tonight is clear up a pretty nasty itch I had on my ass, no pun intended, so I guess I should at least thank you for that."

"What? How dare you mock my abilities! I am Lens Flare, direct descendant of Solar Flare, the greatest leader this clan has ever known. Do NOT speak of me so lightly, DEMON."

Shut up Shut UP

He smiled wickedly. He put extra effort into his accent. "Please, you talk like you're something special. What can you do? The only thing you can do is create that pitiful whip, isn't it?" He had a knack for making every one around him angry.

Huh. Maybe that's what my mark will be.

"YOU think you are any better? Hated by every pony in the clan. Not even your own mother can stand to look upon your face. Your father even said that he would much rather have never been born if only to have stopped your creation."

Shut Up Shut Up SHUT UP

"And don't try to act like you didn't feel anything. Simply impossible. MY whip is imbued with the power of the sun itself. What it doesn't cut and tear..." her horn glowed with a soft golden color. "...it burns." The whip appeared once again. The rain hissed and turned to steam as it touched it.

Alright, bring it on. We've been at this for hours now. Nothing you do now can effect me...

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just get it over with. I have a lot I need to do tonight and I don't have time to deal with your emotional prob-"

SNAP

"...lems? GAH! What Are You DOING TO ME?!" The whip was tightly wrapped around his neck. He could barely breath, almost completely denying him air.

How am I supposed to get into Zen Mode like this?

"Well, I just wanted to make sure I had your FULL attention while I told you this." She placed a hoof on his chin, taking care not to touch her own whip. She leaned in close, her face almost touching his. "I hate you, but not because of your existence. I hate you because of what you did. It is the one thing I know you can't stand, and thanks to you, it ruined my life."

SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!

"Three years ago, when you first discovered the Sealed Vault, My father was chosen to lead the search mission for your sorry hide. You had holed up in the 'Forbidden' Chamber, poring over the defiled, evil filth of the tomes and codices that were hidden there. He thought that you were trying to use them to destroy the clan, and tried to stop you by using a simple spell to smash your head in order to knock you out. But YOU had put up one of those evil shields of yours. My fathers magic ricocheted off of your shield and struck him instead. His neck snapped, and he died instantly."

Ah, so that's who I hit... "AAAGH!"

She tightened the whip even more. She held it like that for a moment, savoring the sight before her. He was choking, gasping for air, or at least that's what it looked like to her. He shuddered, shaking uncontrollably in what looked like a desperate struggle for air. Just one breath is all he needed.

"How does it make you feel to know that you killed my father? Guilt? Sadness? Shame? It doesn't matter. It will still take many more nights, maybe even months, before I am satisfied with your punishment. Such a shame I can't just kill you right now..."

The whip disappeared into thin air. The silence was greeted by gasping and coughing.

No

"Haa... Haaahaaaaa... Haahahahaaahahaahaa! Joke's on YOU Lens Flare or whatever you name is. You asked how it made me FEEL to know that I killed your father? You really want to Know how it FELT? It....Felt....So....GOOD. And you want to know something else?" Now his own horn was glowing: bright, silver wisps snaking from his forehead and around his forelegs. "Your WHIP is NOTHING to me. I was choking because of what father did to me ten years ago. Like a thousand tiny shards of glass embedded within my lungs. That is something I can't ignore. Now, you're probably asking yourself 'why is he laughing? What's so funny?' You want to know what's so funny? YOU ARE." His words caused his magic to pulsate, almost as if it was alive. The straps binding his legs snapped apart and he lowered himself to the ground.

Shame I'm not being serious. I would make for an AWESOME villain or something.

He stared her right in the eyes, looking through her and straight into her soul. "I find you FUNNY because you think you can Kill... ME? That might just be the best joke I have heard in my entire life." He started to circle her, fear clearly etched across her young face. Soon enough her back was to a wall. He took a ponderous step forward, and she stepped back again, bumping into it.

"EEP!"

Too easy

Her eyes were huge. Now she was the one who couldn't think straight. Another pulse of silver light from his horn, and the darkness of night swelled and spread itself outward, smothering the dim light being thrown off from the single hanging lamp and completely obscured him from her vision.

Maybe if somebody hadn't banned all of those spell books with actual GOOD spells like this one, somebody would have known what to do. But NOPE, 'just gonna ban these books so that none of our fighters can learn to deal with Moon Clan shadow spells.' Seems like a good plan to me

The darkness disappeared as soon as it had arrived, and he was nowhere to be found. She let out a sigh of relief. She began to plan out what her next move would be when a shadow was cast over her from behind.

WHOOSH

Before she got a chance to turn around, a midnight blue hoof softly caressed her face.

"Boo."

Well, she may not have good spells like me, or a cool sense of humor, or...ANYTHING remotely as awesome as me, but she CAN run pretty fast. That's good right?

And for the first time in a long time,

He actually laughed.

The rain had slowed down to a light drizzle. The moon and stars shined brightly in the sky, only a few clouds were still visible.

Perfect

He waited at the stump for a while. Making sure the coast was clear.

Well, of course it's clear. We're kind of like... seven miles from town. Just WHO in there right mind would be out here at a time like this?

He calmly walked over to the back wall, right next to where Lens Flare had bumped it. His cloak was hung on a hook screwed into the wall. He took extra care to make sure it covered the horrendous scars, slash marks, and burns on his back and flanks. His cloak was basically a long sweeping cape that covered his entire backside, as well as a large portion of his hind legs. A small gem was attached to the back just above where his mark would be. Doc had given it do him... on his tenth birthday.

"Keep this stone close, Dusk. It defines everything you strive for. Do not lose sight of your goals

Keep it.... In memory of our friendship

Always remember: In death, I will always be with you, even when all hope seems to be lost

He quickly snatched up his satchel. This satchel bag was the last thing Doc had given to him before he die-

NO! Don't think about it. Tonight is perfect. Don't let the memories ruin this. Tonight we will finally be free. Happy thoughts, just think happy thoughts.

He shucked the Bag up over his shoulder, focusing his magic on it's contents, carefully taking note of everything inside it.

Right. Quill, Scrolls, Notebook, Ink. Everything seems to be in order. I'll wake them up once I find a safe point for teleportation.

He wandered a few miles further from town before he stopped again. Just like before, he focused on his bag, grabbing two small objects from a hidden pouch under his notebook.

This is a pretty important night. I should at least be official about this, right?

He placed the first object (a round, shiny hunk of obsidian) on the ground. He then used his magic the levitate the other object directly over the first. It too, was shiny, but its surface was chrome instead of black.

Sometimes this just sounds so cheesy....

"The Night is my Shield,

Its Shadows I shall Wield"

He slammed the chunk of chrome down onto the piece of obsidian. Bright sparks sprayed from the force of the impact, and the obsidian spun into the air, while the chrome dug itself deep into the ground.

All the while his horn glowed and shining silver waves of magic emanated from it, passing over the two objects.

The objects started to move, slowly undulating under the soft glow of his magic. Their surfaces rippled like the waves of an ocean, and eventually began to change shape. The piece of obsidian had a round oval shaped midsection with sharp wings spreading from its sides. It looked just like a Bat.

The other piece of metal melted into a puddle, only to reshape itself a moment later. Four legs, a snout, and a wagging tail. A Dog.

Technically a Timber Wolf, but who cares?

"Hey Flint. Steele. How have you guys been? Now, before you say anything, just here me out first. I KNOW you guys were asleep for a while and I'm sorry, but you got to believe me. Tonight really is the last night of this living hell. I promise."

"Don't worry 'bout it, man!" the Bat said, perching on his left shoulder and using the satchel strap for support. "We know how things are. It's not like we were born yesterday! And did I hear you right? Did you say we were finally leaving?"

The Wolf paced lazy circles around him. "What are we waiting for then?" Hearing her soft voiced always made him feel better. "Lets be rid of this accursed place once and for all."

"Uh, well....That's the problem. The Books I need for the teleport are still at the Vault. Quick, hold on to me as tight as you can. I hope it doesn't take too long...

Flint gripped the satchel strap tightly in his feet while Steele clamped her teeth down on his tail. He focused all of his mind on the Vault, trying to picture the exact spot they needed to get to. Another flash from his horn and an orb enveloped the three of them in swirling, silver light. The silver sphere made a cacophonous whirring sound. After a few minutes of charging, the orb of light made a loud WHUMP and they were gone.

They were flying. Not with wings like a Pegasus or a bird, but still flying all the same. His teleport spell was taken straight from the Moon Clan book "Winds of Change" (the first of the books he'd found in the vault). It worked almost like a catapult.

Yeah, a small catapult that tears through the fabric of reality itself. It rips open a small hole and places you in another plain between the worlds. If that makes sense. Then the hole collapses and the force of it launches you to the desired location. Crazy awesome magic, let's just leave it at that.

The only downside to this particular spell was that it was still a novice level spell, no matter how powerful it was. This kind of teleport required the least amount concentration, and as such, was the 'slowest'. Teleportation is never really SLOW, but teleportation through this method was extremely dangerous. Only a master could instantly get from point A to point B with it.

They traveled over the land, seeing everything in slow motion even though they were moving at hundreds of miles an hour.

It took them five minutes to get from the field to the inside of the Vault chamber (about twenty miles)

The chamber was filled with the sound of howling wind, and the three of them landed roughly in center of the hallway.

"Alright then. I know what I'M going to be practicing first once we get out of here. You guys ok-"

"HEY! This is Sacred ground, You can't be here!"

"Oh.... Uh....

...

......

..........

RUN!"

"Just kidding! Why would we run?" A transparent wall of silver light was sliding down from the ceiling. It glittered like the stars of the night sky.

The guard in question snorted in contempt. "A shield won't stop me! I could break it with a single buck!" His legs were already poised for the kick.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. You'll only succeed in breaking your legs. And possibly your spine. And might be tossed across the room. My shields tend to do that, you know."

The night watch pony hadn't realized who the intruder was until he saw the faint glimmer of the golden brown gem on his flank.

"Dusk! I should have know you'd be back. What are you after this time? Some sort of all powerful spell to aid in the destruction of the clan?"

He really hated ponies who called him by his real name. Demon almost sounded better sometimes.

He smiled at him anyways. At least show a little courtesy. This WILL be the last time I see him. Or any pony from the clan, for that matter.

"If you must know, I am taking the Banned Books with me on a little trip. I assure you, they will remain safe with me. Or... I have a better idea! I'll take ALL the Shadow Clan books off your hooves, for keeps!" He had already given up on the formalities. "No book deserves to be kept from the sight of others."

"You won't get away with this! I'll get Morning Glory! He'll stop you for good." He bolted in the opposite direction, shouting at the top of his lungs. "Dusk is raiding the vault! Call Morning Glory! Get the Council!"

He was already perusing the shelves for the books, using one of his spells to light up the room, and Steele sat in the corner listening to the fading shouts of the guard.

"Ok. 'Winds of Change': check. 'Knights of Night'? Night fighting spells, eh? Works for me. 'Night Crawler: shadow sneaking and concealment'. Why not? Hey, 'Metallurgy'. Definately taking that one...."

He saw the title of the last book on the shelf and froze.

WHAT?

"Crystal Power: Metaphysical Magic"

It wasn't exactly a book. It was more like a tome. It was huge. Almost as big as his satchel. The front cover featured a glyph of what appeared to be the moon, but with a mouth hanging open as if it were howling. Inside the mouth was a crystal: orange and with dozens of prisms jutting from it in all directions.

He opened the book and saw words hastily scratched on the inside of the cover.

The book you now hold contains the power of a Creedite crystal, as well as instructions on how to use Crystal Power. Unfortunately for you, you probably don't know how to read the code it is written in. Your first lesson in Crystal Power begins now. Place a hoof against the stone on the cover. Feel its energy. Relax until the only things you feel are the stone and the words of the book. The stone will give you its knowledge of languages. All you have to do is trust in its power.

He did as the book told him to. He immediately felt a difference when his hoof touched the stone. He felt....empty somehow. He saw a million reflections of himself in the surface of the prisms and focused everything he had on them.

It was like he was being lifted off of the ground. The Vault room was gone. Everything was just a swirling mass of orange mist. Flint and Steele were nowhere in sight. Just him and the crystal. Strange symbols appeared next to it and started to spin. Like an asteroid belt, the symbols revolved around the Creedite as if it were a planet.

Η δύναμη των κρυστάλλων είναι η δική σας εντολή να, ένας νεαρός

"What? I... I don't understand. Where am I? What is this?"

More words formed next to him, but in his own language. They were all just a jumbled mess, but several of them stuck out to him.

POWER. STRENGTH. PROTECTOR. JUSTICE. PEACE.

"Wow. As soon as you think you've seen everything. Something awesome is always waiting to happen, I guess."

Die Realität ist nur, wie Sie es empfinden, Mond Kind

His words flew to the symbols. They started to meld together. The individual symbols started to stretch and change into the letters that he knew.

The gem glowed even more, if that was possible. Just as he thought things couldn't get any more amazing, the gem spoke to him.

"Ora, ascesa, figlio delle tenebre. Fate vi chiama, ed è necessario ascoltare il suo invito."

"How am I supposed to learn an ancient language in one night? It doesn't seem possible, even if you do have great powers."

The gem flashed again, even brighter than before. He had to shield his eyes or else he might have gone blind. It spoke in that hollow, echoing voice again.

O. Videtur quod sapientia non tamen linguarum.

"као сто мозете видети... I know all languages. Old, New, Dead, and those not even created yet. Certains même pas considérées comme des langues par les normes habituelles. You must learn them all if you are to take on this task fate has given you. If you accept, that is..."

"What task? I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing here. All I want to do is to use that Winds of Fate spell and get as far away from the clan as possible. Why all....THIS?"

The mixed up words and symbols were spinning faster every second. They moved towards him in unison until they hovered above his head. They swayed there, like they were searching for a good point of entry. After a minute or so, they decided on a target and lunged towards his neck. They just melted into skin. Totally absorbed into his thin pelt.

He felt nothing at first. Then.... Enlightenment. Absolute bliss. His brain went numb and all feeling to his body was lost entirely. He felt the words come to him, centuries of knowledge filled his mind in an instant.

The gem spoke again. Just how many languages are there?

Теперь у вас есть мудрость языках. Повторите это для меня язык.

He actually understood it. He didn't even need to stop and think about it, like it was a language he spoke on an regular basis. "You now have the Wisdom of Languages. Repeat this to me in your tongue.... Haha! Fantastic! What else have I been missing out on?"

"Listen to what I say, Mond Kind. Fate has a purpose for you, and here with the clan is not your place. Since the day you were born, we knew you would be hated and cast aside by your so-called family. Knew that you would be bold enough to defy their laws and find your way to the Vault. Knew that you would discover The Spell and in essence..... Me."

The migraine forming in his head definitely wasn't from the sea of languages that now flooded his mind. WE knew? Everything was planned from the beginning? This can't be right. They knew that my life would be filled with nothing but pain and contempt, yet they did NOTHING..?

"Do not be cross with us, luna consanguineis. We did not sit by and watch for our amusement. Your life so far has been nothing but a tool we used to shape you into what your destiny requires you to be." The gem's light began to dim, and the mist was fading into nothingness.

"You must use the spell and accept the mission Fate has given you. Your destination is a small village not too far from the Royal Capital. Its name is Pony Ville. You are to defend it from evil and assist the spirits of the Elements of Har-"

"DUSK! Wake up, please! They are going to trap us in here if you don't WAKE UP!"

He was sprawled across the floor of the Vault chamber. There were a few specks of blood on his lips and the floor. "Wha- what happened? How did I get on the floor?" He tried to stand up and winced. His entire body was numb. He was frozen on the floor.

Steele's voice was panicked and full of worry. That's not good. He had never heard worry in her voice before. "Please, you must get up! I heard the alarms. The Council is going to use Rising Sun!"

Rising Sun? Just for me? I'm flattered. OKAY legs, WORK already!

"What else happened?" He could hear the alarms for himself. Thousands of bells being rung simultaneously. Every living creature withing fifty miles could hear those stupid things.

This time it was Flint who voiced his concerns. "We really need to get outta' here, like, a.s.a.p. you know? I don't want to go back. Don't let 'em get you again. Please. We need to get out for good. I won't let them take you again..." he kept rambling on.

Flint......you always did care more about me than yourself. Thanks for that.

The time for sitting around and thinking is over. Time to act and do something for once. "Hold onto me guys, it's going to be a bumpy ride." Again he focused his mind on the field 20 miles from town. The silver sphere enveloped them and then they were gone.

They were cutting it close.

TOO close

As they flew out of the walls of the Vault, they could faintly see a golden glow on the horizon. It wasn't the Sun.

The Rising Sun spell can only be used if the entire council is present. It is the ultimate barrier spell, blocking teleportation spells and cancelling out the spells that exploit the darkness of night and shadows. It was created to be used only during the war with the Moon Clan. Not now, it seems.

It rapidly spread over the entire town, creating a perfect domed shape in the sky above. The shiny golden barrier slammed into the ground just a few feet behind them on their way out.

"Only one thing left to do now...."

"The field is just up ahead guys." It was dead, dried up and withered away from the recent drought and hundred degree temperatures they'd had the last few weeks. The rain from earlier that night had created a desert marsh full of dank puddles filled with mud, sand, and other refuse. A perfect place to use a powerful spell in peace.

Hopefully I can find it quick enough and get us out of here before HE shows up.

His mind wandered for a moment, and that's all it took. The ball of light they traveled in disappeared too soon, and they plummeted down to earth.

He wasn't worried about the others. Steele had excellent balance and Flint had his wings, but a problem did present itself. He still couldn't move or feel his legs, and he landed right on them. There was a sickening snapping sound. And then there was pain.

It was the first time in a very long time that he had actually experienced pain so intense. The show he had put on for Lens Flare was nothing compared to how this actually felt.

"AAAGH!" His legs buckled under him, grinding his face into the mud as his momentum kept him moving. When he lifted his head he saw them staring down at him. "What happened to my legs?! What happened in the vault while I was out?"

They looked at each other uneasily. Flint finally broke the silence. "Uh well... you floated up into the air with that book, and then there was this weird orange mist around you. You were almost at the ceiling, but then you started shaking real bad. Then you had one of your coughing fits and you just.....fell. We tried to catch you, but we were too late. You hit the ground and there was these nasty soundin' cracking noises. I guess the cracking was your legs."

They sat there in silence again. What was there to say? He didn't blame them, but how were they supposed to escape with his horribly mangled legs?

I have to try anyway.

"Don't worry about it. They'll get fixed when we get there. Hand me that book. Yeah, that one. Thanks." He started flipping through the pages as fast as he could. "D's, E's...F! Okay here it is. Winds of Fate: requires total focus and concentration. You may never return to where you began. Use of this spell puts your life in the hands of Fate, and it is for Fate to decide the when and where. A great sacrifice must also be made."

Sacrifice? No time to worry about that now. Here goes nothing.

He lowered his head back down to the ground. "Guys, hold onto me and don't let go no matter what." They did as they were told. He had to use an old technique Doc had taught him to make this work. He liked to call it Zen Mode. A state of such inner focus and concentration it was almost like an out of body experience.

When he used it, he was almost literally pulled into the back of his mind. The ultimate meditation. No interruptions, feelings, nothing. Just him, his thoughts, and the task at hand: Focusing on the Spell.

Outside his mind, Flint and Steele were nervously glancing around to make sure the coast was clear. They would have to defend him while he was in this state.

There was a flash of white light from the city and the sound of rolling thunder soon followed it. Some pony knew where they were, and they were coming.

"Please hurry, Dusk..."

Too late.

Golden light seeped upwards from the dirt in a tight ring around them. It flowed like water around them. The ring broke into several chunks, which then rose up and changed into the shapes of ponies. One by one, the gold shattered, revealing its occupants.

Before them stood eleven stallions, all with brilliant golden manes and perfect white pelts. Each one clad in an assortment of highly polished golden armor. These were the elites of the clan, the best fighters ever. The last one to arrive was wearing the most outrageous armor of them all. Completely covered from head to hoof in golden plate armor with a winged helmet. He spoke with a deep intimidating voice.

"You two unwholesome beasts, what manner of spell is this that Dusk is attempting?" Steele knew better than to play along with Morning Glory, but Flint's bullheadedness got the better of him.

"We're gettin' out of this dump. He found a spell that will take us where we are wanted and where we can live normal lives without worrying about you crazy Sun Clan creeps!"

The sky above had turned dark. Storm clouds rolled high above them now and thunder rumbled in the distance.

Morning Glory turned to his soldiers. "We must not allow the Demon to spread his evil in other lands. Stop him at all costs." They nodded. Things were about to get bad.

Back in his mind, everything was going perfectly. The spell only needed a few more minutes. He decided not to leave them out there to defend him, so he used a tiny fraction of his focus to revert Flint and Steele back to their base forms and returned them to his pouch. Their lives meant more to him than his own.

Now we play the waiting game...

"Dusk. I thought I'd find you cowering in this place. "

How did you get in here?

He got that stupid smug look he always gets. "There is magic for everything in the world. Getting into some ponies mind is merely foals play."

Get out. Now. What I'm doing is of no concern to you or the clan. I am a free beast now.

"Oh, sure you are. You can leave if you wish. I just thought I would come in here to let you know that my soldiers are destroying your body as we speak. You may get away, but your body will not survive long after."

Back outside again, the soldiers were having a field day with his unprotected body. Intense heat rolled from their horns in waves, turning the already arid atmosphere into that of a stifling desert. What little plant life had survived withered and turned to dust instantly. Reflective smears of glass were left where the magic connected with the sand.

That doesn't matter. Fate has already decided the paths I walk, and I refuse to allow the likes of you to interfere with my......

DESTINY!!!"

Though he had spoken it in his mind, the soldiers outside could hear it clear as day.

No. Not just heard it. They FELT it. Waves of pulsating energy were being cast from his horn. A ring of silver fire erupted from the ground around him and the sky lost all traces of its light. The storm clouds swirled as if they were of a great tropical storm from the far eastern coasts.

As if to prove that it was indeed a tropical storm, an eye opened in the center. Directly above Dusk. He was still oblivious to the drama going on outside his mind and continued to project his thoughts out into the real world in his anger.

I will not allow everything we have striven for to BURN and CRUMBLE away into ASHES. I WILL FACE DEATH BEFORE BOWING TO THE WILL OF EVIL SUCH AS YOURSELVES!

BURN..........CRUMBLE.......ASHES.........DEATH..........EVIL......

These soldiers were bred to be perfect, fearless killers, yet their resolve wavered in the face of such awesome power. The fear served to create a desperate need for survival in the backs of their heads, as they almost doubled their efforts to kill him so that he would not be able to spread his 'evil'.

The first spell that struck him was most devastating, a huge ball of plasma, almost the same size as his teleportation orb, smashed into his flank from behind, tearing its way up to his neck until it reached the scar left by Lens Flare's whip. It left a horrendous scorch mark all the way across his side. The smell of smoldering hair and flesh filled the air.

The storm above also increased in its intensity. Heat lightning slashed through the thick clouds like white hot blades.

You may destroy my body, but I will never die to such mundane attacks. Fate has already dictated my purpose, and while I still draw breath, I will see it through to the end of times...

By now the soldiers were getting more confident. The second spell to strike him was in the form of a shimmering harpoon. It sailed through air and embedded itself within his thigh with a wet crunch.

...To die at the hooves of such evil would be blasphemous in my eyes. I will not die until I grow ancient and decrepit. The only thing that can kill me now would be old age.

The flames surrounding him rose higher into the air. Just a foot or so above his head it stopped and folded inward to make a solid wall around him. The ominous swirling ocean of storm clouds picked up speed and lightning struck the ground all around them in rapid succession.

He was completely obscured from their vision now, but Morning Glory still trespassed within his mind.

"You will not escape us, Demon! We will hunt you until time immemorial! Your 'friends' and all those you grow to care for will be crushed when we find you. All things touched by your evil SHALL BURN!"

Come and get me then.... Father. I'm not afraid of you.

At last the spell was finished. A final bolt of lightning streaked from the eye of the storm straight towards Dusk. The lightning struck him directly in his horn, breaking through the supposed impenetrable wall of his mind and snapping him from his meditation. The bolt struck with such force that his horn cracked straight from the tip all the way down to his skull.

He wanted to cry out in pain. He couldn't. His whole body was wracked by violent spasms from the raw energy that had hit him and static electricity danced across his body. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and he lost consciousness. Another two bolts hit the flaming wall from the sides. The flames expanded into a giant ball, blasting the soldiers away from it in all directions.

The ball was pure fire and wind. The expanding air was so volatile that it shredded the land and everything around it like a knife through butter. It finally shrunk down to a more reasonable size, revealing the crater the winds had dug into the earth below it.

The howling wind grew to an ear piercing shriek. Most of the soldiers had managed to cover their ears, but those too slow were writhing on the ground, howling in pain with blood leaking from their obliterated eardrums.

The orb of flames rose high into the air. The spell was complete. A final bolt of lightning sliced down towards him, splitting in two as it made contact with the ball of fire. Instead of continuing downwards and hitting the ground, they wrapped themselves around until they connected again at the bottom.

The orb stretched outwards until it was no thicker than a piece of string. It snapped back into place and there was flash of blinding light and an explosion. Heat and air expanded outwards from the crater, but all traces of Dusk were gone.

Everyone stared at the crater left in the ground. One of the soldiers, a rookie, asked the question everyone was asking themselves. "Where did he go?"

Morning Glory was trotting back to towards town at a brisk pace. "That's what I'm going to find out."