Fractures

Over the course of the following week Sebastian began having several dreams, several memories rather, each worse than the last up to the point where he decided not to sleep anymore.  The first dream was of the statue being taken from a temple in a foreign land.  The second night's dream was of the a pony studying the power the statue held.  The third was of a darkness ascending over the land and troops being summoned.  The fourth was of troops readying for battle.  The Fifth was the war.  The Sixth was a clash between the statue's wielder and a strange beast which ended the war after the wielder was killed by the power he possessed.  The seventh was the statue being taken to the cave in which Sebastian had found it.

The dreams didn't seem as bad as they really were, however Sebastian had felt it.  He had felt everything in the dream.  It was all so real like memories he didn't know.  They weren't his, but he was living them.  He felt the pain, the sadness, the fear, he felt everything and it shocked him to his core.  Every time he awoke from the dreams, he had felt an icy chill as if his veins were made of pure ice and the worse part was how he could hear whispers from the statue as if somepony was trying to speak to him but he didn't understand what they were saying.  He couldn't grasp on to what the words were saying and he was curious to know, but a voice in his head asked him, Do you really want to know?

After a few restless nights, he decided he wanted to try.  Only problem was he didn't know where to start.  He figured that if he fell asleep the rest would happen on it's own, but he didn't know if it was going to work.  So he sat staring at the statue, into the mare's carved eyes of stone hoping for something, anything.  He was greeted with only silence and the icy dread from the dreams.  It had been several days and he was exhausted.  He desperately needed sleep.

" Ahem, Sebastian.  Sebastian?  Sebastian!  "

He was snapped from his trance by the shocking voice of Honey.  He looked in her eyes and he felt her worry.  He tried to talk but couldn't process the words and they died in his throat.

" Sebastian dear, it's been three days, you need to sleep.  Come, I'll ready a nice warm bath for you and maybe you'll fall asleep easier. "

He wanted to say ' no ' but the look in her eyes haunted him and he submitted to the idea.  Without anther word, she trotted to the bathroom and the sound of water flowing soon followed.  He waited a few minutes before trotted back to the room using the wall to help balance himself.  He stood in the doorway watching Honey prep the bath.  She had gotten a fresh towel ready and lit a cinnamon scented candle before walking out and nudging him to the tub.

He settled into the water and his body relaxed himself.  He truly felt the fatigue and his muscles screamed with agony.  He sighed and started the washing process.  First was his mane to which he treated with a fruity smelling shampoo.  After getting his mane nice and soapy, he dunked his head under the water until the soap was gone.  His tail was easier seeing as how it was already under the water and his torso and legs were already soaked in the soapy water so he was clean.  He decided that this bath was a too pleasurable to leave and he leaned back closing his eyes.

A vision filled his head and he was no longer in the bath but a nice cool stream.  He was floating on his back and he looked around seeing only trees and feeling a soft breeze.  He didn't know where he was but it felt a little too familiar.  The Sky was suddenly turned black and stormy and he heard a nearby crash of swords and heard the war cries. Sebastian. He heard tapping and focused until he was back in the bath.  It was cold and Honey's worried voice scared him.

" I'm alright, must have dozed off. " he called through the door.

" Oh I see, you've been in there for nearly an hour, are you done? "

" oh, yeah, I'm done. " he stood up and the water cascaded down his torso and legs.  He stepped on the bath mat and dried off before pulling the plug and opening the bathroom door.  Honey looked concerned.  He could see it in her eyes.

" I've made your bed. " she said pointing to the door of his room.  " Please, sleep. "

He made no objections and walked past her to the room.  He set the statue on his nightstand and fell on the bed.  It wasn't moments later he found himself being sucked into the void of sleep and only blackness surrounded him.  Then, quite suddenly, a match was struck in front of his face and a candle was lit.  He was no longer in his room.  He was in a study of sorts with only a candle to light the way.   So you think you are ready?

The voice was soft and feminine and carried an icy tone to match the way he felt.

I don't think you are ready.  This power is not easily contained and will consume you unless you know how to fight back.

" I know and I'm ready. "  The voice wasn't his and he hadn't even wanted to talk.  It was another memory, and he didn't know whose it was.

There are many out there who seek to wield this power.  You will only endanger yourself.

" I am aware of what will happen, but surely we can change it.  I can, with your knowledge and guidance.  Please, teach me. "

" Very well.

The cold monotone scared Sebastian.  No emotion what so ever and the icy voice sent chills up his spine.  He felt something inside, a burning desire he couldn't explain.  His body was aglow in a golden aura as if he was on fire.  The vision changed and he was at a volcano somewhere.  The magma was flowing towards him and he was scared.

Reach out and redirect the flow.

How was he to do that?  He already knew and dug his hooves in the hard soil bracing himself.  He saw the path the magma followed.  Like strings and he could move them.  He reached out with his spirit toward the strings of the Earth and imagined pulling them aside like curtains.  Suddenly the magma branched in tow directions flowing around him.  His concentration wavered and the magma started closing in.  He quickly regained focused and pushed the strings aside.  He felt pain in his heart, in his very being.

You done well thus far, but know this; manipulating the strings of reality will have a toll on your sanity.  These strings are connected to every life force including you.  Be wary and execute caution, even the smallest change can have a disaster sized  consequence.  One that will not be easily forgiven.  You can't control this power, you can only guide it.  Channel this energy and move it.  Become one with your surroundings, and your surroundings will seek to you for guidance.  Practice, this will come in use later.  Until the time of next my student.