Senseless Writings

Darkness was all they could see. Endless darkness as it silenced any noise, and blinded and sight. Without a sound they were drifting. Were they really drifting? Maybe they were not moving at all, or maybe they were quickly flying through the darkness they could not feel. Time was endless as well in this world of darkness. How long have they been in the darkness? Minutes? Hours? Days? Months? Time was lost in this darkness as well as everything else. Who were they? Where were they? The only thing they could remember was darkness.

A light began to shine as Winter slowly started opening her eyes. With little strength she forced herself up and took in her surroundings. She first noticed Thunder and Ace passed out near her. The second thing she noticed was the ground was as black as night and the sky glowed with red stars and colorful streams of lights. She then noticed what at first seemed like nearby boulders and trees but quickly realized they were only crystals in the form of them.

As she slowly regained her strength she started to remember what had happened. They had found an odd castle in an ancient forest and Ace had opened up a book that sucked them into a portal of darkness. After that it was difficult to tell what happened because when she was sucked into the darkness, it was as if everything had simply stopped. She couldn't tell how long they were in it and was a bit surprised they even got out.

Once her strength had started to come back to her she woke up Thunder and Ace and waited for them to regain their strength as well. They also were a bit shocked at the odd surroundings. Not even a moon or sun in the sky to let them know the time of day. Even the compass Winter had was spinning around with no direction to point them in.

"You couldn't listen when I told you the book was dangerous could you?"

"Hey, you only said it might be a danger. Who would honestly believe an old dusty book would open up a dark portal and instantly drag us in?"

"It was guarded by a powerful rune that I couldn't even identify. In fact, when you opened up the book I'm rather sure I saw runes just like it on it's pages. My best guess would be we are inside the book somehow."

"How is that even possible? I've never heard of any kind of magic like that."

"Well when you have a castle that's been around since the start of Equestria it's not that hard to believe it would have used long forgot types of magic."

Runes were patterns that could be made out of anything and enchanted with magic. Some runes which are only for quick use would be made with easy to clean materials such as sand while other multipurpose runes would be imbedded into an area to ensure multiple uses. What the rune looked like held no real meaning other then to identify the kind of magic it was charged with. Different cultures used different styles so to know what a random rune you might find does it would often require some in depth research in order to pinpoint it's origins and meaning.

"Well." Thunder had began to interrupt.

"We are here now, and we need to find a way out. Also, where is Flakes?"

"I remember she left Winter's bag to help us look around but I don't think I saw her in the room with us."

"Well it might have worked out better this way seeing as she shouldn't be in any danger in that old castle. We should make our way back before she thinks we abandoned her."

None of them actually knew how long they had really been gone though. The idea that they could have been stuck in that darkness for a long time scared them. Once they were all rested up and having regained their strength the group tried looking around for anything unique. Needless to say they quickly spotted a large object in the distance that resembled a castle.

As they made their way to the castle it became more clear that like everything else they had come by, it was also made of crystals. The crystals seemed to be a mesh of the kind that are found in crystal caves while the architecture appeared similar to that of the black castle they were just in. With an odd feeling of nostalgia they walked into the jaggedly formed castle.

Unlike the black candles and blue flames the other castle had, this castle seemed to use glowing crystals that were likely charged with a faint magic. Unsure of where to go the group tried going to the main chambers and was shocked to see a dark shadow shift in the distance. After a few second they realized this dark shadow not only seemed to resemble a pony, but an alicorn.

"I have to say you shock me greatly with your presence. I had assumed the book had become lost to time and my fate here was sealed for good."

"Pardon for not knowing, but who exactly are you?" Thunder bravely asked.

"You seem to not understand where you are along with who I am. I will then explain my situation along with this place. This world used to be my own private world. It took a long time to create the right runes for the book to use in order to make it possible. I was a king once, until those who served me turned on me and trapped me inside my own paradise. With no moon or sun to guide me I cannot say how long I have been trapped, but I am rather sure it was a long time. Even my body eventually failed me as my spirit with all it's great power was forced to take on this shadow of a form."

"The world has changed much outside. Sadly we only found your castle by luck while exploring." Winter started to explain.

"Also, I think I can understand your feelings as well since we ourselves lost track of time when we entered here through the darkness."

"Yes...The void is not like this world. It has nothing in it. No world, no objects, not even time. Going through it can break many easily. Now I am willing to assume you want to find a way out? You are lucky that there is a way for ones such as yourselves. Three magical crystals tie this world together and bind us here. They are shrouded by darkness and can only be approached by those with light in their hearts. It is because of the darkness that used to fill my heart that I was unable to approach them. Now I simply cannot because I am only a spirit of darkness at this point with no real body."

"So the only way out it to destroy those crystals? And we have to destroy all three, not just one or two?"

"That is correct. I will point you in the direction to each crystal and you can each follow your own path. The darkness will only allow one inside it at a time anyway. It will also hold a trial for you in order to pass through it."

They didn't have much choice, so the group split up each on their own path to help save them from this world. While they still worried about the "King" and how much they could trust a dark spirit such as himself, they knew they didn't have much choice. Eventually one by one they came up to the darkness that shrouded an area. Now they only needed to clear the trials before them and make it back to their own world.