Grim/Noire

NOIRE POV

After my encounter with Grim in the dream realm, I immediately called everyone for a meeting before entering Griffonstone. Once everyone was gathered, I informed them of what happened in the dream. "So, what does this mean for you and him?" Windy asked.

"It means our souls have been cut off permanently. He can't see into my head, nor can I see into his. Probably for the best: I did not want not know what would happen to me if I killed Grim while soul-linked." I imagined the scenario the way it most likely would have ended: with me dying along with him. "However, the most important part is what he said to me before we were cut off 'I'll see you at the controller'. I'm guessing that's going to help his endgame of recreating the world."

"It would make it child's play." All of us turned to Luna "Heros mentioned it to us. It is supposed to unlock a code avatar's full potential. They can initially control the nature of the magic around them according to their will, but is limited by range, their own mana pool, and their subconscious. Grim only seeks destruction, no matter what he says about this 'new world', so his code reacted to that desire and can only destroy. Objects, both physical and magical, as well as psyches from what we saw of Tirek. With the controller, his subconscious limitations would be released-"

"-And he could do anything he wanted," Burning finished "The experiments, though: How do they help?"

"Not only are they added muscle to his forces but from how they can react to emotions like changelings, absorb magic, and hold an incredible amount, it's safe to say he's trying to create a vessel. One with an incredible amount of magic." I answered "The only thing I don't get is why he needs it. This controller sounds powerful enough on its own."

"So it seems he needs enough magic to find it," Luna finished.

We sat in silence and thought. Grim was always one step ahead of us, like he had the whole puzzle figured out in his head and just had to actually put it together. "He needs power. Enough power to find this controller, with enough power to make a world." Like a flash of lightning, it hit me "He needs the full power of the code just like..." I summoned my sword, fully aware of who gave it to me "Faust." The rest soon followed, with everyone realizing. Several expressions were found amongst us. Shock, clarity, but most importantly, fear. "He knows where she is." Luna had the most intense reaction, with her magic spilling out a little, but enough to shake the ship, which was beginning to dock far out of the range of any patrolling forces. Cadance placed a hand on Luna's shoulder, and encouraged her to relax. Just as quickly as it started, the shaking stopped.

"If what you say is true, we should find her as soon as possible. I would say locating an area with exceptionally high amounts of magical defenses would be easy but if she was dormant for this long without anypony noticing, then finding her conventionally would be impossible. Noire, you and these monarchs may very well be the only clues we have to her location." The sound of the wind had ceased, notifying us that we had touched land. We instructed the troops to remain here until we had discussed the situation with Gilgamesh. Under the cover of an invisibility spell, we snuck below the notice of any griffons and were in front of the concealed hole in the walls. "Remember Noire-" Luna said before we entered "Aes is now you second most important mission here. If you feel anything similar to Lucus or Vindr, tell us immediately." I nodded and we all proceeded into Griffonstone.