Note: This story is intended to be a slight explanation of events, characters, and lore in War, Friendship, and Crisis: The Tale of a Torn World. If you hate spoilers and want to surprise yourself, do not read this story. You have been warned.

Zervonithiir, the old God of Destruction and Malevolence, used to rule the planet long before Celestia and Luna existed. He used to hold a special day every year that was called the Reaping of the Weak. He would personally seek out ponies, animals, and other creatures foolish enough to wander the dark and kill them, stealing and burning their souls until the end of time. An unknown force finally ended his reign of torture, easing the planet to a much calmer state. Zervonithiir was not pleased about this action though, so he waited millennia until the day a foretold wisp freed his form.

Notice: The gore tag is for slight mentions of the detail in the short story. There is no real mutilation, just mentions.