A Hardened Warrior

A/N: This is going to be all dialogue, nothing really interesting here. just talking. ;3

Chapter 8 - Conversations

’Tell me, why do you care for them, you hardly know them.’

‘Because I am a warrior, a knight, and I have sworn upon an oath to defend the weak and defenceless. Be it against orcs, vells, or you.

’What a shame, they hate you, and fear you, and yet you defend them.’

‘My pride does not come from power, but from duty.’

’Duty... you’re a fool. With my power we could easily rule this world!’

‘I’m in no position to be a king, nor do I want to be.’

’You fool... You’re stubbornness will be thy end.’

‘Your point? If I must die to fulfill my oath, then so be it. I will not rest until it is complete.’

’What is your oath anyways?’

‘My knight’s oath is to fear God and maintain his Church, to serve my liege lord in valour and faith, to protect the weak and defenceless, to give succour to widows and orphans, to refrain from the wanton giving of offence, to live by honour and for glory, to despise pecuniary reward, to fight for the welfare of all, to obey those placed in authority, to guard the honour of fellow knights, to eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit, to keep faith, at all times to speak the truth, to persevere to the end in any enterprise begun, to respect the honour of women, never to refuse a challenge from an equal, and to never turn my back upon a foe. Why do you ask?’

’Curiosity... but, that must be so much to uphold, why not just... abandon them? Who will ‘smite’ you? Who is this god, and what are ‘women’?

‘God is the creator of my world, Nibel, she brings light to the world, and I defend it from the darkness that dwells within it. I would never abandon my savior, and god.’

’She sounds much like that impeccable princess of these ponies... and what about ‘women’? What are they?’

‘They are the females of my country and kind.’

’I see... What is it you truly desire most though?’

‘To be pure, and live peacefully. Something you cannot bring me.’

’Says who...? I can grant you anything, power, mates, money, even respect.’

‘That so? I don’t believe you.’

’Why are you so stubborn?’

‘Because I am told to be so. To fight evil, and all it’s entropy.’

’You are so weak, its pitiful, how can you hope to ever defeat me?’

‘I am doing so right now, by resisting you. How can a being such as you, an immortal who has lived for many generations, be so stupid, so naive?’

’SILENCE! I am no fool!’

‘Clearly.’

’Silence!’

Roderick began to chuckle, which only annoyed Nightmare more and more.

‘You are weak, demon. My will is stronger than yours. I will stand by my decision, and until the day the world ceases to exist, you shall be forever inside me. You will not escape, you will not harm innocents, you will not best me.’

’And yet you call me naive? You truly are a fool, I can take possession of you whenever I wish to do so.’

‘Prove it.’

Roderick began to glow, not with light, but with darkness. A black so dark, it would blind those who dared look at it. It lasted for a minute, before dissipating.

‘Wimp.’

’HOW?! HOW DID THAT NOT WORK?!’

‘Good is greater than evil. Purity is stronger than corruption.’

’I’m done speaking to you mortal, I will tolerate you no more.’

‘Is someone cranky?’ Roderick thought while chuckling.

’I truly hope those ponies find us and rid me of you, I would gladly be destroyed before talking with you.’

‘Well, doesn’t that suck? It’s not going to happen, for now at least.’ After this, Nightmare had stopped speaking, albeit through thoughts, but speaking nonetheless. They continued trekking through the forest all throughout the night. Stopping only to admire the scenery. Roderick already developed a mental map of the forest, he knew almost every cave, nook, and cranny.

But he didn’t notice Zecora.