A Thousand Lessons

Chapter Six

Anubis rushed through hallway after hallway, khopesh out and left hand set ablaze. The Astartes’ gaze rapidly scanning every detail around himself, desperately searching for what could have been the cause of him seeing the shadow before. While he searched, Rubricae escorted students and teachers to sealed, and magic nullifying, areas created by both Twilight and Anubis for these specific emergencies. Once the Academy’s sentinels were finished with this task, they will join their brother and hunt for the source of this state of emergency. Through their psychic connection, Anubis could see the panic within both faculty and students, as they were being herded by their hollow protectors and deans. In all honesty, the Sorcerer Lord hoped he only had a simple delusion, from all the stress he’s been enduring.

“Anubis!” A familiar voice called out, causing the Astartes to halt and turn around, seeing both Twilight and Kamaat trying to catch up to him. “What is happening? Are we in danger?”

“If it is what I think it is? We are in a lot of danger.” Anubis started, as the three began to search together, trying to clear the academy’s grounds. “I am honestly hoping that I am wrong.”

“+Brother, is it Sek’haal?+” Kamaat asked, as he went to clear one of the classrooms, boltgun at the ready.

“+I do not know, Brother.+” Anubis started, as he and Twilight went into the Gymnasium. “+I saw his shadow in front of me, that blasted daemon’s voice whispering and laughing.+” His gaze searched every detail within the gym, looking for anything that would be out of place. “+We cannot allow him to get a foothold on this world, or it is doomed.+”

“+Then we shall scower this Academy and leave no stone unturned or cracked unsearched.+” Kamaat replied, as the three rejoined each other, and continued their search. “+Our brothers have secured the students and faculty, they are now searching other locations on campus.+”

Anubis gave a nod, scanning every direction carefully, causing the pyrokinetic flames to dissipate and placed his hand protectively on to Twilight’s shoulder. “+Have them search all wings, none are to go alone. We cannot risk an ambush by him.+” His orders were acknowledged by the Rubricae, each going to separate locations across campus, Applejack and Rainbow Dash assisting the odd number Rubricae. When they left the gym, Twilight grabbed Anubis’ tabard, causing the Sorcerer to look down. “Yes, Mistress Twilight, what is the matter?”

Twilight pointed towards the gym’s storage room, that was slightly cracked open. “Its always closed and locked, unless the gym is being used or we are conducting an inventory.” She looked up at the Sorcerer Lord. “Neither were scheduled for today…”

This caused Anubis to step in front of the mare, along with Kamaat. The pair moved closer, Anubis grasping the handle while his Rubricae brother took a breaching position, keeping Twilight a safe distance away. With a slight nod, Anubis forced the door open further and allowed Kamaat to enter first, then him, and finally Twilight.

The two giants carefully scanned each direction, making sure nothing was around them, while Twilight stayed within the light of Anubis’ flames. There was no telling what they would find in here, Anubis having already summoned the rest of his squad. However, something was off about their current situation, a hint of familiar but unfamiliar malice within the air.

“Twilight.” Anubis whispered, drawing the mare’s attention. “Stay with Brother Kamaat and keep close. If any kind of warp entity is in here, he will sense it before they have a chance to even strike.”

“W-What about you?” She asked, moving closer to the Rubricae, who wrapped their left arm around the mare, and looked around cautiously.

“I will see if there is something in here, using bait they cannot resist.” Before Twilight could ask what that would be, his khopesh suddenly caught fire, streaks of flames swirling around him like spirits. “Let us see if they fall for it.”

Anubis stepped forward, fiery gaze scanning each direction, mind sharp for whom dwelled within the storage room. His guard could not be lowered, even for a second, doing so would mean that a warp entity could easily ambush and kill him before a counter could be made. These situations were always dangerous, especially when there was no information, besides that a tear in reality had occurred prior to the response. Either the summoning failed, being the best-case scenario, or a Greater Daemon came through and possessed the summoner, being the worst. However, this is something Anubis excelled at, he often found himself sent on missions to stop daemon incursions or consulted young psykers, by Warsmith Zarrix.

Carefully, Anubis gripped one of the shelves and leaned over enough to peak around the corner. His tactic was to release enough psychic energy to draw out any warp entity that could be here, but he also needed to find the summoner. Anubis needed to stop them or put an end to the threat before it became a real problem for them.

As the Astartes glanced around, he quickly took notice of what looked like a magic circle of some kind. Its form had been ruined, chalk marks and dust either rubbed out or pushed towards a single direction. Even the candles, carefully placed around it, were melted past half way, signifying that they had been burning for a while. What made things even worse, their flames were an eerie purple-blue color, one he recognized nearly instantly.

Despite better judgement, Anubis moved out into the open, and walked over to the circle. Kneeling next to it, he placed an armored hand on to the circle’s ruined marks, khopesesh still blazing brightly. “The runes are distorted, but…” Anubis’ mind echoed, as he glared at the familiar symbols. “These are Equestrian versions of the runes to summon a warp entity, that is for sure.”

“They aaaaaaare.” A familiar voice cackled, causing Anubis to lock up. “By the way… Its attack will be on your right, Anubie.”

Anubis snapped his gaze up, searching for the voice, but quickly pulled his attention right… Just in time to parry a bronze colored pincher!

The attack had enough force to topple Anubis over, forcing him to slam into a nearby shelf. Though, his in-human strength was being overpowered by the duel pincher monstrosity in front of him. Its twisted form of bronze and pink flesh, scales being mixed within what seemed like muscle and tissue. The malformed creature’s twisted maw drooled on to Anubis’ armor, being kept at bay by his flaming khopesh and ceramite clad hand placed upon its throat. But, not even the venerated Sorcerer Lord predicted this monster’s next action.

“P-Professor… He-Help…”

Anubis’ eyes snapped open, hearing the twisted voice of his student. “S-Smaug?” He breathed, trying to hold his ground against the twisted creature. “What happened to you, boy?”

“Professor… Help… Me…” Its free pincher reached up and clamped down on to Anubis’ left forearm. “Professor… Heeeeeeelp.”

The pincer began to tighten, the room echoing with straining metal and Anubis grunting form the armor closing in around him. “Not good, he’s been turned into a Warpspawn.” The Sorcerer Lord began to struggle more and more, being overpowered. “I need to end this here, and now!”

Embers ignited around Anubis, struggling to concentrate and focus his psychic power. But, this was something he needed-no,had to do. One of his precious students was made into a sacrifice, to the Ruinous Powers… A crime that is unforgivable, unredeemable, and angered him to the very core.

Like they fed upon Anubis’ rage, flames erupted around the pair. Their forms twisting and encircling them within a growing inferno, burning away everything close to their struggle. Inch by inch, the flames swirled closer to the battling giants, as if their struggle drew the very embers Anubis had summoned.

Without warning, Anubis’ eyes were set ablaze. “I command thee!” His voice echoed with power, starting to overpower the Warpspawn and force it back to where Anubis hovered over it, like some fiery judge and executioner. “Burn!”

The Warpspawn screeched and roared,a s flames seared its flesh and erupted from within. It struggled to get free, writhing in fiery agony, but Anubis would not allow it to escape him. He continued to loom over its charring form, flames raging around his own frame.

”Burn!”

The flames grew stronger with that repeated word.

“Burn!”

One of the Warpspawn’s eyes burst, socket being filled with a ball of flames. It continued to struggle against Anubis’ hold, releating agonized screeches when he grabbed its throat tighter. Heat sapped away what strength it stole from Smaug’s corpse… This mockery of the once teen dragon student serving only to anger Anubis further.

“I said…” Anubis’ eyes turned into minature infernos, rage filling his very soul. “+BURN, WHELP!+”

In mere seconds, the Warpspawn was a giant ball of fire. Its form being a mere shadow within these unforgiving flames of rage, eating away at its flesh. The air was thick with Anubis’ psychic power and rage, growing stronger by the second. They slowly started to devour everything around them, despite Anubis’ desire to only destroy his current foe. If they were not reeled in, these raging flames would threaten everything and-?

“A-Anubis?”

Hearing his name was enough to snap Anubis out of his enraged trance. The Sorcerer Lord’s fiery gaze shifting towards who called him, going wide at the sight of a terrified Twilight. Despite having Kamaat standing protectively in front of her, Anubis could see his own reflection within those fear stricken lavender eyes.

A blazing monser of an Astartes, ceramite clad body replaced with flames… Holding some screeching creature, that is being charred alive by said flames.

Quickly, Anubis dispersed his devouring flames, throwing the scorched Warpspawn down. “Twilight!” He called out, startling her, and pointed to the creature. “Seal it, before this monster escapes and spread utter havoc around campus!”

“R-Right!”

Twilight, startled by Anubis’ command, gathered her magic into a single focal point. When ready, she shot a lavender beam forward and managed to seal the Warpspawn within a matching lavender bubble of pure energy. After realizing it had been captured, the charred Warspawn mustered any remaining strength and slammed against its prison… Only for it to electrify it into submission.

Anubis breathed heavily, much of his stamina being used for such a hellfire but released a sigh of relief. Their current foe had been subdued and sealed so it could not wreak havoc on campus or across Equestria. The Astartes’ legs trembled, before he finally collapsed right there, hands bracing himself. Normally, unleashing such a torrent would be only slightly draining, but all the other Rubricae were active… Draining his stamina further.

“Anubis!” Twilight shouted, sliding next to the drained Astartes, Kamaat keeping his boltgun trained on their trapped foe. “W-What happened? How did you do that?” Sounds of electricity and pained screeches of agony drew the mare’s attention to their prisoner. “And what is that?”

“Its… Smaug.” His answer caught Twilight off guard, Anubis looking to the malformed creature. “He was turned into a damned Warpspawn… Some bastard used him as a sacrifice.”

“H-How do you know?”

“Because, Smaug doesn’t have the power to breach the Nexus Field.” His eyes looked into the Warpspawn’s own… Seeing the pain and pleas for it to be ended right there. “And, as I said before, I once walked such a path myself, I know what can happen.” Twilight, feeling her stomach churn at the sight of this monster, helped Anubis get back on to his feet. “Kamaat… You, and the others, will take this thing to my classroom… Tomorrow’s lesson will be a taste of harsh reality.”

“+Of course… Brother.+” Kamaat acknowledged, his own mental ability being effected by Anubis’ drained state. Regardless, the Rubricae kept his sights trained on their prisoner, ready to slay it at a moment’s notice.

Twilight looked between Anubis and Kamaat, feeling a strange tension growing within the air. Before realizing that her other question had gone unanswered. “Anubis, you didn’t-?”

“Not now.” Anubis’ tone matched that of an enraged commander, whose carefully laid plans had fallen apart before them. It made the mare become fearful, an aura of barely restrained rage fuming from Anubis’ form. “Now Is not the time for worthless questions.” He quickly turned around and walked towards the Storage Room’s exit.

“Worthless… Questions?” Twilight repeated, eyes wide in shock. Ever since the sorcerer arrived, she has never seen him act this way or say such things. “Then what is it time for, Anubis?”

His response had been simple, but the anger behind Anubis’ words caused Twilight to be filled with concern. “A lesson.”

-Anubis’ Classroom, the Next Day-

A looming tension choked the air, as all present sensed barely restrained anger within their instructor. Some kept their attention on the strange cage, surrounded by five Rubricae and hidden behind a black cloth. It had been there, since they arrived, but Anubis ignored any questions about this strange object, the screeching behind it, in favor of his attendance roaster. Star Ruby, who had been the first arrival, waited with her mentor at their desk.

“Twenty-one out of twenty-two in attendance.” Anubis’ words held no emotion, no fire, as it did before yesterday’s incident. “Nova Crystal is out sick, unable to attend today’s lesson. A shame.” He closed the roaster book, placing it back on to his desk.

“P-Professor?” Maria spoke up, the gryphon drawing Anubis’ blank gaze. “Don’t you mean twenty, out of twenty-two? Smaug is not here…” All eyes went to the empty desk, then to Anubis for answers.

“Nonsense, Miss Maria. Mister Smaug is here. In fact, he is assisting me in reminding you all about the price of power today.” He walked over to the draped cage, the screeching growing louder with every step. “Now, I hope you all get a good look at this… And burn it into your memory.”

Anubis’ fingers gripped the cloth, Rubricae instantly taking aim at the cage. The blood of each student began to run cold, Star Ruby forced to avert her tear-filled eyes.

“This is the result, when all one cares about… Is power.”

The drape was nearly ripped completely off what held it, revealing the clawing secret for all to see. In mere seconds, all but the crying Star Ruby screamed and scrambled to the classroom’s back wall. A few even vomited at such a terrible sight.

Smaug’s malformed body oozed from every fanged maw, claws trying to break the containment barrier imprisoning him. He wanted to feed, Anubis having starved the warpspawn of any nourishment or power, quickly becoming desperate. Countless eyes shifted, searching for some way to break free and feed on something. Every time Smaug touched the barrier, however, several volts of magical feedback coursed within his malformed body. But, despite cries of agony, it did not care and still tried to feed.

“Take a good, long, look my students… This is the price of power.” Anubis drew his khopesh, gripping it with both hands, lining the blade with his shoulder. “And the fate of all those who seek it!”

The barrier vanished and allowed Smaug to be free, Rubricae ready to open fire at any moment, charging straight for Anubis out of desperation. Hunger now drove this creature to action, not caring that the warpspawn’s current target had recently scorched it horribly before. Without hesitation, and ease, Anubis brought his blade up then split the warpspawn completely in half. Countless eyes widened, ichor oozing from them, and looked to Anubis.

“Pro-Professor…!” A crimson hand appeared in front of Smaug’s largest face.

“Ignite!”

Upon Anubis’ command, flames blazed all around Smaug’s malformed body. It screeched, whipping around with unquenchable hellfire devouring the warpspawn’s body, charring its flesh. When it tried to escape, the Rubricae open fired on to it, their inferno rounds tearing into their target with ease, causing charred flesh to be torn completely off. Soon, only ashes remained of what had once been Smaug.

The Sorcerer Lord silently stood over the remains of his former student, helmeted eyes staring at the ashes. None spoke, afraid that Anubis would turn his destructive power on to them… Star Ruby finally able to stop her tears.

“If you all still do not understand, then I will show you another example.” Anubis turned towards the class, sheathing his sword, Rubricae distancing themselves. “Come, all of you, and grab hold of my cloak.”

Hesttating, the calss of Equestrians looked to one another, afraid. Star Ruby managed to recollect herself, nodding, and strode from Anubis’ desk before standing in front of him. Carefully, she took hold of the cloak draping over his chest and stood closer to Anubis’ armored frame. This prompted other students to, hesitantly still, do the same as their classmate.

He waited until each student took hold of his robe or placed a hand on to the scarlet red armor. “Good, now… Observe, the fate of Prospero!”

In seconds, a light blue aura blanketed the whole class and their classroom fell into darkness. Though, the darkness is quickly replaced by a city engulfed in flames, distant howls and cracks of gunfire echoing around them. What made things worse, they could see slain warriors that matched Anubis’ own appearance, along with normal looking soldiers and Astartes in storm gray armor. Their professor had not transported them to some ruined city, but the memory of a killing field forever burned within his mind.

“W-What is this place?” Star Ruby asked, unable to look away from the slain warriors that resembled Anubis. “What is going on?”

“I cannot say the city’s name, fearing what would come with such memories.” Anubis started, his helmeted gaze locked on to the flames. “But, this world? Had once been my home, Prospero… The World of Scholars.”

“W-What happened to it?” Another student asked, noticing one of the storm grey warriors did not wear a helmet, and resembled some hairless Diamond Dog.

“In short, we flew too close to the sun, and got burned.” His gaze shifted to a pillar of flames, just as the city’s titan went critical and burst open. “This is the result, when one allows power to be their soul drive and blinds them.”

The group continued to observe, they could even see some of the battle from where Anubis kept them. Warriors clashed with warriors, lumbering metal constructs dueled each other with ancient fury, and blood of both sides mixed upon the marble ground. Such a sight terrified the students, not even Twilight ever seeing a true battle and she is witnessing the worst kind now. This will be a lesson none of Anubis’ students will ever forget, cries of agony and warriors being split in half forever burned within their memories.

It came to an end, when a howl that would force Alpha Timberwolves tremble roared from behind the flames. This caused Anubis to become wary, instinctively grasping his weapon’s hilt. “Another is observing these events…” He looked around, trying to locate this new presence. “We need to return, now.”

They all nodded, drawing closer to the Sorcerer Lord for protection. When the flames cleared, they could see a towering warrior in storm gray armor, wielding a runed great sword and had two wolves with him, searching for something. He released another soul trembling howl, before those yellow eyes locked on to the group and did not hesitate to charge. Seeing such caused Anubis to put up a barrier, despite knowing this being could not harm them, and prepared to end his spell.

“+Aren’t you an interesting creature?+”

The voice echoed around Star Ruby’s mind, lavender eyes going towards its source. She could make out a second towering figure nearby, concealed within a winged silhouette. Their, ever changing, single eye looking upon her with great interest and curiosity. When said eye noticed Anubis, it softened and looked to Star Ruby once more.

“+Oh, I understand now. That is where he went.+” They chuckled, before Star Ruby felt something grasp on to her shoulder. “+You will be most interesting to observe.+”

Realization struck Star Ruby, like a manticore, to what she had accidently done. “Anubis, wait-!”

She had been too late, Anubis ending his spell and returned them all to the classroom. Each student fell to their knees, as if such a return had drained their energy, eyes wide from what they had just witnessed. Though, Star Ruby placed a hand over her mouth and tears streamed down from the mare’s eyes. Unknowingly, she may had just caused even greater strain for Anubis by reacting to that voice.

“I-I need to go…”

“Star Ruby, what is wrong?” Anubis asked, gently placing a hand on to the mare’s shoulder. “Did I take things too-!”

“I need to go!” She sprinted away from the Sorcerer Lord’s touch and suddenly vanished in a flash of magenta light.

-Twilight’s Room-

Twilight’s disguise vanished right as she appeared within the room, running up to her bed and leapt on to it. Choosing to use a pillow to muffle her cries, the mare screamed without care if any could hear her. She had done the very thing Anubis constantly warned them about, since day one, and she did it without even thinking.

The mare accidently allowed a warp entity to connect with her!

After so many months and weeks of progress, training, and preparing herself in case they would appear; Twilight ruined it all with one little mistake. She did not know what to do and knew going to Anubis is out of the question. How would she possibly deal with such a mistake or combat the warp entity when they choose to use her tomorrow, next week, or even now!

Buzz… Buzz… Buzz…

Buzz… Buzz… Buzz…

The familiar sound caused Twilight to pull those tear stained eyes way from her pillow and towards the source. To her surprise, a crimson book had appeared upon her nightstand, glowing blue everytime it buzzed there. Carefully, she reached up and took hold of the book, pulling it towards herself. Quickly, she noticed how it bore the same symbol as Anubis, but held a single eye at the very center of its circle. Taking a deep breath, she nodded and opened it… Seeing only eight words.

“Calm down, I am here to help you.”