Gods and their games

There were days back home where I didn't want to get out of bed. In this world those seemed far to common place. Today that was especially true. The sun was shining through a window onto my face. Turning my eyes away only served to place an uncomfortable amount of heat on the back of my head. Resenting the glowing orb I slowly started to rise.

Lunas room was as spacious and luxurious as it was before bed. Speaking of bed the princess of the moon rested on hers. Not wanting to disturb her after what happened last night. I went for the pack but she must have had someone take care of it. Didn't really make a difference although the snacks would have been nice. As I made my way out Luna stirred slightly and perked up when she saw me.

“How was your rest last night?” She asked with a tinge of pride.

“It went smoothly after your help, thanks for that.” With that I let myself out, before the door closed I heard her faint voice.

“Anything for a friend...”

While walking to the kitchens the thoughts were rampant. The sodding bitch, dare call me a friend. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't even be here. I would be home with my brothers where I belong. Not in some fucked up universe with magic and gods and this bullshit circle binding me like some kind of collar. No matter what she does or what she thinks, no matter how kind her actions seem... it will never change what she did. You can't change that which has already been done.

She could spend the rest of eternity trying to make up for her mistakes and that still wouldn't change the simple fact that they happened. They are just as ageless as she is. For as long as I draw breath they will not be forgotten. All of the thoughts were distracting me and I opened the doors to the dining hall with slightly more force than intended.

When they slammed and all the staff jumped one mare didn't seem fazed in the slightest. Celestia sat there a cup of tea and some sort of flower sandwich in her aura. The worry from the discovery of gods greater than she didn't show through that mask of hers. With a calm smile she addressed me.

“How are you doing this afternoon Grim?” Have I ever mentioned how much I loathe lying, or facades, or bullshit in general? Well Celestia exuded and an air of... pseudo calm that stood out to me as the sun did in a clear sky. It was infuriating.

I took my seat without a word to her and instead turned to a cook. “Something with meat, if you don't have any just bread and beans.”

I'm not sure if it was my blatant disregard to the princess that put him off or the meat, but after giving me a look that reflected his utmost disgust he trotted off. Celestia had lost her calm smile and had a more neutral expression on her face. The silence between us was palpable. After my food came out and I dug in she started to speak.

“I don't know what you think this treatment will get you. I will say that, from experience, it won't help matters. This won't change anything and others will only think less of you for it.”

It took a moment of contemplation but I decided to cut the crap and get to the heart of the issue. “Really now? Who is here to think less of me? You? The cooks? Celestia realize that there is not a single being here that I respect enough to value their opinion. I do not respect you or Luna. I harbor a fear for the both of you and resentment, nothing else. I have no loyalty to your cause, I am not a subject. I am your slave, here by force and maintained through terror. Whatever pedestal you are attempting to place yourself on is level with all of your sins.”

For a moment I saw anger in her eyes and like that it was gone. She showed very little struggle in reining in her emotions. It was so easy to wonder what would happen if she were to ever let go, if the great wall she had built ever came down. While lost in these thoughts the fear of her, of her sister, was ever present. The power that these beings claimed to have was dreadful and even they paled in comparison to others.

“Grim...” Looking to her now the expression she showed was genuine. It seemed the only thing that made the mask harder to keep on was guilt.

“I know that you harbor these feelings towards us and will likely do so for a long time. That is acceptable, on the other hoof you cannot let these feelings guide your every action. A life lead by hatred isn't much of a life at all.”

I stood and slammed my fist on the table. “So what am I to do? Just embrace my lack of freedom? My inability to go home? Befriend the two who caused and persist this?! I don't fucking think so!”

She hung her head and droplets started to slid down her muzzle. “I'm not asking you to like it, I'm asking you to try and make the best of it... I will speak with Luna, to remove that seal. After we are finished you are free to leave if you wish.”

“Tch, it's about time you realized how fucked up this is. Call for me when you're ready, I'll be in the library.” I left her there, I didn't have much time.

When the day guard came for me I had finished my preparations. This was the first moment I would be free in this world. No circle binding me to some contract, no gods giving me orders, just me.

“Why do you lie to yourself in such a way? You know there is no such thing as true freedom in this world. You will always serve something or someone.” The echoing voice chided me. Of all the times for him to come around.

The guard escorting me didn't seem to notice his presence and kept marching on. “Why do you insist on fucking with me at the most inopportune moments?”

“If I did this for your convenience then that would be boring. I like it much better when those with my gift have a healthy dose of madness.”

“Was there anything particular you wanted or was it your sole intent to piss me off?”

“My, my, so rude. I was trying to be helpful enough to let you know this isn't going to work and offer an alternative. Alas, if you don't want me here.”

This eldritch prick based his entire existence on chaos and annihilation. Listening to anything he said will most likely result in the destruction of the world itself. Did the ends justify the means?

“What kind of deal?” The resulting cackle made my stomach turn on its head and spin.

“Just a loan of sorts and don't worry about the interest. That has already been sorted out.” I could practically feel his maw split open into a disgusting grin.

“If I fail then I may be inclined to take you up on that.”

“Good, good. Now I have to be going. You know, worlds to destroy, galaxies to terrorize, god stuff. When you need it just let go...” His voice faded and I was alone in my own skull again.

Just in time since we seemed to have arrived at the training grounds. The two sisters stood there side by side with melancholy looks. They must be sad to let their slave go... such a pity. The circle was in front of them with the middle bits left out. Guards stood on all sides, every one of them seemed anxious. Casting nervous glances at one another, shifting from hoof to hoof.

When I stepped up to the circle they attempted a smile, Luna a little more successful. “Hello Grim, Tia and I have made all of the necessary preparations to free you. Isn't that great? I do hope you choose to stay around for at least a little bit. I would hate to see you go so soon.”

I managed to smile, it came out more twisted than I would have liked. “Of course I'll hang out for a bit. There's no way I would leave so suddenly.”

Celestias face fell a little more at that. “Well, step to the circle and we can begin.” Heeding her word I stepped to its center. Luna lit her horn and immediately I felt a pulling on my chest. It got more and more intense as she poured power into the spell. After it got to the point where it felt like my skin was being ripped from my body it stopped. A weight felt like it had been lifted from my soul. Looking down I could see the mark freshly etched into the ground. I laughed and I laughed some more.

It felt so amazing to be free once more, and now to make the two pay in blood. It was suicide but worth it. They had taken something priceless from me and I wouldn't be able to continue on until I tried my absolute best to make them pay. Looking them in the eyes I flared my magic, the eye making them feel the terror of the abomination. In this moment I took full advantage, the fresh runes on the back of my hands made my control of flame that much greater.

Charging forward I made a spear of flame in each hand. They burned more white than orange but the increase in power didn't matter. A shield protected each princess from the strikes. They wore expressions of sadness, of loss.

Celestia spoke first. “We knew you would try this Grim, please stop. If not for our sake then for your own.”

Luna looked on the verge of tears. “Grim, I am so sorry to have made you see what you saw and I vow to help you in any way I can. Just stop... please.”

I looked at the two of them and pulled back. Their shields dropped and I addressed them. “You both took away the thing I value the most. There is no way for me to go on without trying my damnedest to make you pay.”

I poured mana into my hands, two flaming orbs formed. I hurled them to the princesses. As their shields came up again I dashed around. They had already spotted me so I launched at Celestia. My fist came to bear covered in white hot flame. The impact to her shield did little more than damage my fist so I hit it again.

One after another my punches impacted her shield and soon the flames died as all focus went to hitting as hard as possible. I could see Luna out of the corner of my eye with an expression filled with guilt and pity. Celestia just looked like she was having an internal struggle to not overpower me.

My knuckles had started bleeding at some point but I couldn't even feel it at this point. As an idea struck me mana flowed into the blood left on Celestias shield and it faltered. One last hit and the bubble of magic shattered. The shock was clear as day on her face and she was too distracted to dodge any of the coming blows. With every successive hit she gave little ground while showing no signs of damage. Hitting her felt like punching a steel door and there was no way I could do this for much longer.

My world was suddenly enveloped by a beam of silver blue mana. It impacted me from the left and sent me flying away. When I landed everything got hazy, it took a moment to notice the beam had burned most of my skin away. The two of their voices carried over to me.

“Tia! Are you alright? Did he hurt you?” Luna asked in a voice laden with concern.

“I was more surprised than anything Luna. His blows didn't do much damage at all I'm just astounded he broke through the barrier.” She almost sounded proud of that... almost.

“We should be wary from here on out, it seems he has skills we were not aware of.”

“Indeed, be sure he doesn't get any of his blood on you.”

As they started to trot towards me I knew it was now or never. Struggling to stand for a moment I made it up with a grunt of pain and exertion. Upon seeing my condition they stopped. Celestia gave Luna a look which she returned with a sheepish smile before turning back to me.

“Grim if you continue on I cannot guarantee I will hold back with the next blast. This has gone far enough, now cease this foolishness so we can work this through.”

It hurt immensely but I couldn't help laughing. The two princesses looked confused so I decided to enlighten them. “My dears, you cannot imagine how similar you are to the humans from my home. We are a people that have built a society on subjugation, greed, and power. You both... hold a power far above that of other creatures that call this world home. So you decide to rule over those that revere you, to command instead of guide. At the top of this tower of bodies you have placed yourselves, letting the general populace squabble and rot. You focus so much on holding the land of your country and building a power that no others will oppose, that you never stop to consider what could be done for the common folk. Instead of creating a place where all life can thrive you have shown that you are no better than the mortals you command.

Right here, right now, I will stand where others have knelt. I will fight where others have fled... I will die where others have lived. I know that there is no chance in hell that I can beat you two. Then again, I'm fine with being the forerunner. In my world there were never any gods, fakes yes but none were real. However in our legends people were able to overthrow deities when they stood as one. Maybe I'll inspire some ponies to take a stand. Or even, given enough time, you will see the error of your ways.”

Forming a claw on my right hand and enveloping my right arm in armor I moved forward. My magic was draining fast to replenish all of the used blood. That trick with Celestia though... I might be able to steal some instead. When I was within twenty paces of the goddesses Luna shot an arc of lightning at me. Catching it in my left hand the mana flowed into my core and added to the reserves. Celestia followed up with a mana beam.

It struck my out held right hand and shattered the claws there. Before the shards hit the ground she was in front of me. The buck that followed felt like it caved my chest in. I skidded to the side of the arena and tried to recover. When I made it halfway up Luna suddenly kicked me back towards her sister; the attempt to block it with my armored arm failed miserably as it shattered on impact. Between the two goddesses hits it took much longer to stand than I would have liked.

As the two took their first steps towards me I reached out to the shards of mana infused blood and crushed them into dust. Before they could figure out my plan they were surrounded by a storm of the particles. I directed as much of it at their mouths as I could and by the time they used their wings to blow the remains away it was too late. The dust was in their lungs and ready to receive the next order.

All of the guards around started to panic when they saw what happened next. Their infallible, undefeated goddesses, bled. They gasped in pain as the dust formed into needles and tore at their innards, ichor dripped and eventually gushed onto the ground. The guards were trying to help but were stopped by a barrier, the princesses must have put it up to keep them out of this. Looking back to the struggling forms I noticed something. Lunas horn was lit up with a spell and a dome of pitch black was surrounding us rapidly. When it finally closed I was taken aback at what happened before me.

The two goddesses released a gigantic burst of power and stood before me as they truly were. Lunas coat had changed to a stark black while the vast reaches of space seemed to dance across the surface. Her mane flowed erratically behind her while stars died and came to life inside of the beautiful locks.

Celestia was such a contrast to the current environment it hurt to look at her. The radiance of her flaming mane was brilliant. Her coat shined an impossible shade of white while novas danced across her body. These were goddesses... in all of their glory. In this moment I knew the true scale of their power. When they spoke it was as one, their voices reached out to my soul. It was not that maddening echo The Crawling chaos used. It felt as if they saw through me, though the facade, the lies, only seeing what was in my core.

“You have wounded us... it has been a long time since anything has done so. We see the pain inside and can forgive you with time. Do not throw aside your life in this petty pursuit of revenge. You have the capability to do so much more. Come, help us correct our mistakes. Living so long in flesh has made us forget what is important. You reminded us of that which we sought to accomplish. Together we can all make a world where everything can live in harmony. Where everything can flourish. Will you join us?”

I let out a sigh as a few stray tears slid down my face. “Don't ever forget what you two can do together. There was no saving my people from the downward spiral of destruction we created. In this world... with you guys here as a guide, I think the potential is limitless. If we can get everyone here to unite, then there will no longer be a need for suffering. There will be no need for hatred, malice, or greed. If you swear to me that you will never forget, then yes. I will join you.”

Each of them lifted a hoof to their chest and made an 'X.' The marks glowed for a moment and then faded. “We swear on our heavenly bodies that we will never forget this promise, for the rest of existence.”

I smiled my first genuine smile since I arrived here. As I approached the princesses there was a sudden pain in my left eye. His screams filled my head as Celestia and Luna started to run towards me. No matter the speed they were going I knew it wouldn't be fast enough.

“Sentimental mortals, here I thought you would relish the idea of besting these insects. Instead you spat on my offer and took their side instead. No matter, its not like anything will survive after a dose of my power.”

That is when the pain started to spread throughout my entire being. The pain to flesh was barely even noticeable as his power twisted and warped my essence, my soul. His voice started to fade when reality ceased to exist.

“Welcome to my madness mortal.”