The Hand of the World's Fate

Chapters

2.Rise of Corruption (Rewritten)
3. The Old Fortress
4. A Hole-some Predicament
5. A Crooked Fate
6. A Corrupted Mind
1.413

2.Rise of Corruption (Rewritten)

Author's Note

Decided to screw off with the number reference and try to make a proper chapter.

2.Rise of Corruption (Rewritten)

Male Antagonist: Awaken

Waking up was a bad enough chore, due to how early he was used to rising in the morning for school. School being the last place he remembers being before he realized how cold it was around him. This cold would have been ignored if not for the fact he appears to be lacking proper bedding.

He rose up a little relaxed as he took in his surroundings. Snow. Snow was everywhere and he had no idea why. The wind blustered and billowed. The sound of the winds’ howling muffled any point in yelling, unless one wanted to hurt their throat. The sky itself could not be seen from the dark clouds and flakes of ice. Yet he ignored it as he checked himself over.

The fourteen year olds dark brown hair billowed through the wind as he kept his golden eyes half-lidded, as if in annoyance and bothered than frightened of his current situation. His white, short-sleeved shirt was not accommodated enough for the cold. His light blue pants and black shoes were a maybe in the category, although his crimson blanket, double knotted into a cape, was not.

It was then he noticed his right arm was still with him. Not that it was removed or anything, but it was still comforting to keep it, wherever he was. It was the fact that it was, from just above the elbow bone itself, a skeleton arm.

“Oh, you came with me buddy. And here I thought we might get separated.” the boy said with a fake smile and empty eyes as he analyzed his ‘buddy’ closely.

The forearm, hand, and fingers, or rather claws, were three times the size of his left arm. Upon the palm of the bone hand was a yellow crystal that glowed with a sickly yellow aura, combined with wisps of black energy that wavered like the tendrils of a kraken. From the bottom of the bone wrist were ‘veins’ of yellow that connected all the way down to the elbow.

“Hey, wait a minute.” The boy thought.

He lifted his shirt to look at his chest, and noticed right there. In the center of it. Was a yellow dome with a black slit down the middle. Looking like a sick eye in his chest.

“I kind of remind myself of Utsuho from Touhou. Guess you saved me after I was shot twice, huh buddy?” He said cheerily despite the emotionless smile he retained. “Now that I think about it. Wasn’t I shot in the head right after the shot in my chest?”

The boy checked his forehead and noticed a growth. Feeling it allowed him to come to the conclusion that it was a crystal horn. Feeling his head more revealed he had two more horns that curved up from the temples of his skull. These two felt more like bone than crystal.

Satisfied the boy looked around and noticed the shadow of some structuring in the distance. Obviously a form of possible shelter, so he headed in that direction.

=====***=====

After almost twenty minutes, he finally arrived at the large structures. Turns out, the large structures were massive crooked cliffs of ice. What was even stranger was the fact there appeared to be a wall of ice. It was as if someone or something built the place.

‘Well, they certainly had plenty of building material.’ He thought.

Approaching the largest of the ice revealed it to be an opening. Either it was formed this way, or this was meant to be the main gate area. Either way it didn’t matter for as soon as he entered, the wind appeared to be nonexistent. It was as if the wind was banished from affecting this long corridor of an ice gate.

Not really caring for the pointless details, the boy trudged on, ignoring anything that was deemed unimportant to him.

=====***=====

The amount of time it took for him to reach the ‘exit’ of the long trail only cemented he had even more to go. Not that he minded as walking was an exercise he quite enjoyed. Although it was still annoying for him regardless.

Peering outward from his position was a large, gaping maw of a pit. It appeared to stretch a great distance of miles far and wide. However, he also noticed the path continued to the left towards a fortress of some form. The bastion couldn’t be seen clearly due to the sunlight behind it, but he could get closer by the wide cliff path to the left.

‘Convenient.’

=====***=====

He finally made it to the stairs that led up to the forts open courtyard. Looking up at the old looking fort now, it was a very imposing cliché castle in the snowy north type of place. He has seen many more, and apparently he’ll see more yet.

Climbing up the stairs allowed him to see the almost empty expanse of even more snow. The place has to keep its theme, y’know. It was mostly empty, except for the three tall shadows standing there in the center like idiots.

All three of them were dark. Shadow dark really. Pitch black with red ovals for eyes. A little too big of a size for eyes actually. All three of them were carrying maces as well. Another notable feature was the fact they had flat stumps instead of feet. Their faces, a strange elongated snout. Their hands were unclear to see from his angle.

Without a care, he walked right up into the yard. This action attracted their attention, prompting them to raise their maces against the boy. He approached without a care with his emotionless gaze. The shadows disregarded it as the one in the center charged at him.

A side-step and a thrust with the claws was all it took to impale the living shadow. A burst of yellow energy with black swirls blasted out, destroying it entirely. His smile remained.

“Oh? You want to kill me? Unless you can hit me, I won’t die.” The boy said, sounding strangely happy.

The two shadows charged at once. One with its mace raised above, the other with the mace drawn behind it. The two swung, but clashed against a transparent yellow barrier. The black swirls over it blocked the inside.

“Killing. The act of ending another’s life with extreme violence. Did you think I would choose the quick route?” He said as his barrier expanded, knocking the two back.

As the two fell on their backs, a yellow ball covered in black swirls hit one of them, destroying the upper half. The other was slashed across the chest twice before it was stabbed in the gut, raised into the air, then blasted by bolts of corrupted lightning.

The three yellow bolts hit a different part of the castle, causing yellow crystals to form. The crystals then began exuding a blackened substance that slowly leaked down the walls. Smaller crystals began growing out of wherever the black substance seeped.

“Oh! Did I forget to tell you guys? My buddy here is very infectious.” The boy said as he walked up the second flight of stairs.

The front door opened with red runes on them. That and the door was more akin to being shards of some sort of blue stone. As he walked in far enough, the ‘door’ closed behind him.

Now within the entrance hall, he walked down it, ignoring the mixture of ice and stone walls. There was one detail he had to note down though. It was the fact the ice almost seemed to glow.

=====***=====

It took a bit of jumping and walking, but he finally reached another opening. the castle appearing to be more open than other castles were, revealing the light blue sky for all to see.

It was then, four figures came out of the ground before him. All of them, shadows with maces.

He blasted the furthest to the right as the other three neared. With a swipe of his claw, they were diverted away, colliding into each other. Striking the ground with his claw, he called forth yellow crystals to impale the three. Two were struck and held in the air before dispersing. The last was about to strike when a voice caused it to pause.

“You’re real annoying. Ya know that?”

It spun its head around only to find a fist smash right through. The boy saw the man who killed it and gave him a neutral expression. Taking in what the man looked like, he was curious. The man clearly looked like someone tried to make Baldur from God of War 4 into a Skyrim character. He even had the Fur Armor, the one that left the upper body bare. He was also wearing Skyrim styled Leather Boots.

“Well you’re new. Now, why don‘t you tell me where you came from just now. For your information, I woke up in the middle of nowhere some time ago today.” The boy spoke to the man, unafraid of what he may do to him.

The man looked at him and sighed.

“Huh. A kid that didn’t notice me nappin in the corner. Well, the name’s Bahadur. Thought it be a fitting name for a Norse giant Nord god empowered guy like me. He said as he opened his arms wide. “Now who are you?”

“My name is Atronach. Atronach of Corruption.” The boy responded.

“By that, I could call you Absalom, y’know. From Darksiders… 2 was it? Ah well it doesn‘t matter. Better to be together then apart, right?”

“And why should I go with you? I’m not some innocent child. I kill, therefore I am.” Atronach smiled, allowing his eyes to glow.

“True, very true. But I’m an immortal that’s just bored with nothing else to do. That and ya need me for world information. Let me help you with this place, and you get information.”

“And what do you want in return?” Suspicion in his voice.

“Company with a fellow human. It’s been hundreds, maybe even over a thousand years since I’ve seen another human.” Bahadur spoke with what may had been volumes of truth.

“You’re bad at lying.”

“Geh!” Bahadur moved into a very awkward position before relaxing with his hand behind his head. “What gave me away?”

“You did just now.” Atronach smiled.

“Heh. Clever kid.”

Atronach thought about it a moment. This man might prove useful to him in attaining information about this world. He may also give him some tidbits on who’s in charge of the different locations of this icy realm.

“Very well. I accept your offer.”

“Woohoo! Road trip!”

They continued until they came across a dead end. Well an end as there was a wall. An obviously climbable one, but a wall none the less. Atronach used his claw while Bahadur dug his fingers straight into the stone.

Upon the top of the wall was a large round, and opened area. Nothing appeared to occupy any space nor was there any sign of shadow life. This now brought the question of importance to the boy.

‘Do you choose shadow life, or does it choose you?’ He thought.

The question came up as he has heard a large burly guy say something like that before, but with the word ‘thug’ rather than ‘shadow’. He always thought the question was stupid. Now the question about shadow life. That question was far more important as it seemed more existence committed than life committed.

*BKKKRRRR*

Being distracted by his thoughts, he didn’t notice the large beast of a shadow rise out of the ground. Looking at it, it appeared to be more annoyed than angry. Probably because he was lost in thought, ignoring it. Looking at Bahadur, he seemed more concerned with playing with a few bones littering the ground.

From quick observation, he noticed that unlike the other shadows, this one had a horn on its head and a pair of mock feathered wings. Mock feathered because the wings were just shadows forming wings. Not actual feathers at all.

It roared before swinging its right arm. Atronach jumped back as the shadow swung its left arm down like a fist, smashing the ground as he vanished in a flash of yellow with black swirls.

Atronach reappeared and retaliated with three spheres of his strange power. each struck the right arms elbow, the right shoulder and the right eye. the color of the right eye was twisted into a yellow hue color, showing some form of his corrupted power taking hold.

The giant shadow roared as it swung again. The left arm barely hit him, allowing Atronach to see the shadow had three fingered claws. A detail he kept for any non-shadowed versions he might meet After the shadow missed, it raised both of its arms to smash him. The arms were blocked by Bahadur holding up only his right arm while he carried a giant femur in his left. Atronach then shot corrupted lightning at the claws, fusing them together by the growing crystals.

Unable to separate its appendages, Atronach shot at the right leg a few times. The yellow crystals that grew prevented the lumbering creature from bending its own leg. Bahadur then rushed at the leg, smashing the bone against the knee, causing it to shatter apart. The scream it squealed was both of anger and pain. Sadly it didn’t notice the skeleton claw pointed right at its mouth.

*Pew-KSSSHHHHING*

Multiple shing sounds were heard as crystal grew out from all over the body. Each one growing from the inside out. Each one stabbing to meet the fresh air, the shining sunlight, the screams of agony from their host.

“See that? We make a great pair.” Bahadur said. “With your strange yellow powers, and my immense durability. I’d say we can overcome quite a bit together.”

“Agreed. Now lets go and see who might be in charge here.”

“You’re the boss. Lead on then.” Bahadur gestured his arm to the door.

They walked through the forcefully opened door as the giant body collapsed to the ground. The black ichor like substance spreading onto the walls like veins as crystals grew and formed, blocking the door they went through. To keep others out, or keep his future victims in.

=====***=====

Of all the things one would expect in an ice covered stone based castle, an elevator of stone with gears attached was not one of them. Sadly the elevator became crooked when it crashed into a large chunk of ice sticking out of one of the walls.

Climbing out from one of the massively opened sides, they ascended onto a much thinner cliff side path.

‘Seriously, who has an elevator so opened like that. What if your mail gets blown away or something?’ He thought as he leapt across a gap, using his claw to cleave into the wall.

“Nice parkouring.” Bahadur said as he did the same.

The next challenge was climbing up some broken pillars. A collapse of one of the walls, followed by malevolent chuckling led him to believe there was a more sentient being here. His smile grew.

“Well look at that partner. Somebody… has got some jokes to tell by the chuckling.” Bahadur paced around.

“We have some fun ahead.” Atronach leapt at one of the pillars, climbing it mostly with his claw. Bahadur following soon after.

=====***=====

He finally reached the top, allowing him to look back. It was a great view. Well, other than it looking like a massive light blue sky with a dark blue void below that led to a blackened abyss looking pit, then yeah it was pleasant.

“OOOORAAAAAAAA!” A war cry rang out.

Looking towards the upper left of where he was looking in the sky, he saw what was clearly an undead warrior. The living corpse was brown all over, indicating he rotten all over. His forearms and forelegs were oversized and he was more shriveled up like a skeleton than a zombie.

He also wore large black shoulder pauldrons with three large spikes each, armored gauntlets with six smaller spikes, and black hide boots with nine spikes on the bottoms.

What was surprising was the fact he was coming in on a hang glider. Sadly the wind blew at the last minute, blowing him away into a cliffside where the hang glider exploded into a fiery haze, somehow. The undead warrior fell out of the fire, screaming with a high-pitched voice that would make angels singing jealous as he fell all the way down into the bottomless pit below.

“Must be Tuesday.” Bahadur said before they walked into the cave behind him.

Once inside the cave, Atronach ducked from a red energy attack that hit Talos in the face. Looking ahead, he saw more shadows. These ones were either winged or horned. None of them without either nor both. The winged ones wielded spears while the horned ones were carrying curved swords.

“At least there’s variety.” Atronach shrugged as they charged at him. A blur shot past him and grabbed the shadow that fired by the neck.

“That. that wasn’t nice. It didn’t hurt, but it wasn’t nice.” Bahadur said as he crushed the throat, effectively beheading the unicorn shadow.

As the fight actually started, Atronach was more focused on how they fought over actually fighting them. The horned ones either attacked by melee, or used energy projectiles at long range. The winged ones attacked from medium range with their pole arms. Even worse was their flying capabilities. He was just thankful they were fighting in a cave rather than outside.

While he deflected a blow from a spear, another swung its sword. This forced him to create a wall of crystals. While effective for defensive purposes, he blasted it point blank to fire the shards like a shotgun. Most of the shadows were cut while others lost a limb, forcing them to rely on their other arm or their weapon as a crutch.

“Well this isn’t too bad.” He said as they approached even closer.

“It’s even better when they don’t move around so much.” Bahadur rushed ahead in the group.

The one thing he noticed was Bahadur wasn’t kidding when he said he had immortal power. Seeing the spears impale him looked lethal, yet Bahadur ignored it as he swung the bone he kept and smashed one of the shadows apart with it. The others had their weapons shattered and/or themselves with each swing of the bone club he held.

“I love this thing!” Bahadur yelled out as he swung it again to meet the horn of another shadow.

As the fighting came to a close, Atronach patted Bahadur on the shoulder.

“That’ll do fighter, that’ll do.” Atronach said as they went onward into the castle.

=====***=====

Finally reaching the top, Atronach took a breath from the giant wall climb as Bahadur did some jumping jacks. Looking ahead, they saw a large empty rounded floor with a throne in the back, facing away from the view beyond.

Upon it was a black horse creature. Mostly masculine looking. His eyes were red, sclera was green, and there were purple wisps of energy from the outer parts of his eyes. Covered entirely in steel armor with a red cape with white fur outlining it. A mass of shadow hair and a curved, red horn on his head.

“Greetings mortals. I am King Sombra. Previous ruler of the Crystal Empire. Current ruler of my mothers sealed castle.” He boasted.

“Hey chuckle-duck. What’s your joke?” Bahadur asked. While Sombra held a confused expression at the question, Atronach took the moment to address him.

“Greetings your majesty.” He bowed before continuing. “I am the Atronach of Corruption.”

“Interesting.” Sombra raised a brow. “Atronach, your power is impressive for such a youth. Your friend has quite the brawn on him too. Would you not join me?”

“Unfortunately no. I have my own agenda from here. You’re merely in my way.” Atronach explained while still smiling.

“Like the kid said. Move along.” Bahadur added.

“I see.” Sombra stood while summoning a massive greatsword. “How wasteful.”

In a flash of red, Sombra disappeared, reappearing behind Atronach. Both jumped back from the wide swing, but Atronach ducked under the next before he blasted his own power at Sombra, knocking the dark unicorn back.

Sombra retaliated by striking his sword into the ground, summoning crystals through the stone and shot forward. Atronach was cut on his right side by one, blood dripping onto the ground. Sombra was about to speak until a bone was thrusted into his face.

“For the record, I’ve immortal power chuckle-duck.”

“What does that even mean!?” Sombra roared at him after he halted his skidding.

Atronach was suddenly above him with his claw raised. Sombra swung his great sword downwardly backhanded to counter, then spun the sword to position it above his head before striking down with it. The attack was countered as Bahadur swung his bone club at the blade, deflecting it, but shattering the bone in the process. The next thing Sombra knew Bahadur kicked him in the chest, surprisingly knocking the wind out of him.

‘How strong is that creature? Just a simple kick dents my armor!‘ Sombra panicked in his head.

A spike of pain erupted as Sombra felt like he was stabbed from behind before being lifted and blasted into the air. While in the air, he saw Bahadur jump up at him, legs igniting in fire.

“What!?” Sombra yelled as he was sent even higher up, burned by the explosive blast of a kick in the process.

After almost a minute, Sombra fell to the ground. Blood splattered from the in-between the plates in his armor. He coughed up blood before forcing himself to rise from the crater. As he tried to stand, he realized his legs were of little use. He then realized his lower spine was numb. Feeling back there revealed it was severed. Most likely from being stabbed from behind.

“Ya getting up or what? We don’t have all day ya old geezer!” He heard Bahadur speak, disrespect for others in his voice.

Finally he picked himself up and grabbed his greatsword, swirling darkness around his legs to position himself up. He then teleported between the two and struck his sword into the ground, causing bladed crystals to erupt.

Atronach countered by firing corrupted bolts at him, but it only damaged the crystals he spawned. Bahadur rammed right through them, only to be impaled on them. Smiling in victory, Sombra turned towards the other one. Only to find him teleported right in front of him.

Sombra had found himself blasted through the crystals that held up the other creature. As he recovered from the attack, he was surprised that the other creature rose back up, taking the crystals out of him. He felt he was being mocked by the creature not only healing, but stretching from the damage as if he just woke up.

Bahadur noticed sire chuckle-duck was about to fire another dark energy thingy. Instantly he rushed far faster than normal, allowing him to be right in front of Sombra. He sent a punch to his side, then dodged the energy attack, and sent another punch to his collarbone. he leapt over Sombra when the sword came around. Sombra spun himself and swung his sword only to find Atronach teleported again to grab it with his skeleton arm.

“Never let your guard down.” Atronach said as he let his corrupted energy flow along the large sword.

Sombra used his magic to repel the yellowed power off of his blade and backed off. He took this opening to take a better look at his opponents. Atronach was dangerous enough with his power, now added the effect of attacking directly with his claw would be far too effective. The other one seemed to not even be interested at all which angered the shadowed king.

‘Who and what are they? They both appear to counter my every move in an almost synchronized way. Not even the Sun and Moon Princess gave me this much trouble. Then again, they his behind their Elements of Harmony.’ He thought. ‘Wait, where is-?’

His thoughts were interrupted as Atronach charged at him. He charged in return with his sword like a lance. In the corner to his right, he saw the other. he threw one of the shattered remains of the bone he used at Atronach. Upon catching it, he saw the bone alight with the same power.

*WHHIIRRLLSHIIINK*

Atronach used his power on the bone and grew a crystal within the bone itself, firing a long javelin of corrupted crystal at the king. Impaled through the chest, he let go of the bone and waved to Bahadur, him waving back as Sombra let his sword drop to the ground. Sombra himself soon following.

“Welp. Now we finish him.” Bahadur walked on over casually.

“I have an idea for him and this castle.” Atronach approached the king, charging his claw.

“What? You gonna turn him into something?”

“Yes, a minion.” Atronach said as Bahadur turned Sombra over.

“Well. He should be awake for this then. Or at least see what happens next.” Sombra coughed up blood from mouth onto his neck.

“Like I said. You’re in my way. At least part of you will be useful. For now at just this very moment.” Atronach struck down into the hole with his claw.

“AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!” Sombra screamed into the sky as loud as he could. His last moments were regret he would not be able to release his imprisoned mother.

Queen Umbra.

3. The Old Fortress

Checking herself over, the girl saw her dark, grey hair was just as long as it was before. reaching all the way down to the top of her butt. Her violet eyes still shown brightly, even in the shade of the tunnel she was standing in. Breathing a sigh of relief, she trudged on, hoping to find some help.

As she walked, she noticed from the openings of the tunnel, there was what appeared to be a stone fort ahead. Not paying much mind to it as she figured a height advantage would serve her well, she reached the end of the watery walkway.

Looking around the corner however was a must as she heard some strange groaning. What she saw perturbed her greatly.

It was a strange horse person in dirty brown rags. That in itself wasn’t the only thing that was strange about it though. The eyes were wide, the pupil was the size of a pea, and the mouth, slightly agape. The body lacked fur as the being was like some horse man made of beef jerky. The only retaining hairs were upon its head. The head hair it had left of was dull, thin, and nothing but loose strands of it left.

Against better judgment, she walked around the corner to confront it. Hesitation, evident in her breathing as it neared. She noticed a weapon in its three fingered hand. Either it was a sword, half broken, rusted, and as dull as a pipe, or a rusted metal stick. either way, a weapon. Its left hand held a small, wooden shield. Its small size suggested the tool being that of a buckler.

As it got near, the horse person raised its weapon. Rather slowly actually. Probably due to the rotting beef jerky flesh it had, weighing its arm down.

The girl sidestepped the slash, then swung her blades around. Due to her training coming from anime’s, her swings were somewhat exaggerated. Still got the slash through though.

The rotted corpse fell to the ground, bleeding whatever blood was left in it as it withered on the floor. The flesh dissolving away and the bones were cracking as if age had caught up to it. There was nothing left but the rags it wore, the shield, and the weapon.

Sheathing her weapons in the back belt loop of her shorts, she picked up the sword and shield. Giving a few test swings, she found the weapon to be quite light. The shield was a little too small however. she wondered if the shield was even a shield anymore by this point. Without much in options however, she progressed on.

=====***=====

After walking through another watery walkway, and running into another large wooden door, she was relieved to find a few steps up to her right, along with a large busted in door. from the door came another horse man, or woman in this case.

The horse woman leapt at her with its weapon drawn back. As it lowered from its jump, its weapon thrusted forward, attempting to stab her through. The girl rolled out of the way to dodge it as the horse woman began swinging wildly in place. When it was done, the girl swung the weapon she had. A slash across the side followed by another down the chest, hen a thrust through the neck. The rotted horse woman corpse fell, leaving the same items as the other before.

The girl stepped forward into the new door before being attacked by two more. She rolled between them before turning around, throwing the shield and weapon. One bonked the head of one while the other was stabbed in the gut. Taking the chance, she drew her knives out, jumping forward, slashing while spinning. The maneuver surprisingly worked. The two were felled, allowing her to claim a replacement for the shield and sword she threw.

With a sigh, she analyzed the room she was in. A closed gate to the right from her entrance with empty blackness behind it. Another closed gate to the left revealing a courtyard of some sort. Within it, she saw some shadowy figures. She didn’t know if that was a good thing, or a worse yet to come type of thing. Ahead were stairs. The corridor was quite narrow however. With no other option though, she advanced up the stairs.

A few feet up, another figure came from around the corner, leaping at her. Instinctively reacting, she swung her shield, parrying the attack. While her opponent was off its guard, she took the initiative and ran her blade through the heart. If it still had one that is.

It flopped to the ground, rolling down the stairs. She just hoped there weren’t too many more of them.

=====***=====

“Hoooo.” She sighed as she saw from the top of the wall she was currently perched on was that she was screwed.

looking out from were she was water. Wherever she was, it was a fortress on an island. There was some land around the fort, but no sight of any boats. On the other side was a great view of the courtyard from earlier though. Half of the yard was drenched in water. Flooded. Sunken into the ground a bit on one side. There, she saw more of the rotted horse people, whatever they were.

Walking to the end of the wall led her to an iron gate. Clearly closed with darkness behind it. An opening on the side of the wall would lead her into the yard, but there wasn’t any other way to go, so.

*PLOP*

the landing was surprisingly soft. The green grass must have grown strong and thick over whatever amount of time had passed .

Righting herself up, she walked forward, preparing for the inevitable.

And just like that, one came charging at her. It leapt at her, then began slashing wildly in place. She wondered, yet was thankful they didn’t move forward as they swung erratically. After it was done, she moved forward, slashing at random points of its body. The legs, shoulders, and neck were the only viable weak points as those areas weren’t covered.

After that one was dealt with, she walked forward to meet the rest. Not two, but three more came at her. Lucky for her, like rest, they were slow as well.

She ducked under one attack, then sidestepped another, and spun around to dodge the third.

“Too slow.” She said as her counterattack was made.

The first to go down was stabbed in the gut. As it swung back, she ripped the blade out, then sliced the head off. Immediately grabbing the sword for the next one that approached.

The second, she swung the sword and cleaved off the leg before a stab through the back of its head.

The third swung its weapon only for it to be deflected away by her shield. Sadly, the shield, piece of crap that it was, broke in two. She swung the sword while it was in reverse grip The weapon shattered, but so did the horse persons skull.

realizing the shield and sword she was carrying were useless now, she dropped the useless equipment, and decided to look around. Sadly, to her dismay, she couldn’t find anything relating to that of a boat, nor an exit from the courtyard. the only thing she could see that was even remotely interesting was the spell circle looking symbol on the ground within the small gazebo.

With nothing else, she stepped on it. it then glowed an aqua green color before she vanished in a large cloud of blackness.

=====***=====

When the blackness cleared, she found herself now within a new location. All she knew from looking around her immediate area was that there was a much smaller closed gate behind her, and there was an open area in front of her. Though how opened was the question.

‘Am I inside the castle.’ She thought.

Walking into the opened area revealed another horse person. Nothing special, except for the large axe it was wielding. Pulling out her knives, she charged after the horse person. As expected, it swung down with its axe, hitting the ground. Taking the chance, she slashed the right arm with both knives, causing deep cuts if anything.

The axe fell to the ground with a clanking. Grabbing it, she swung with all her might, beheading the horse creature. Afterwards, she inspected the new weapon she had.

The axe was large, so she had to wield the weapon in both hands, forcing her to sheathe her knives again. The axe itself looked rather worn. Sadly, it also looked like it would break if given enough force. Now with that, she looked around her knew location.

The area was indeed the fort, or what’s left. The wall was collapsed allowing the grey sky to shine through. It even allowed the view of even more of the place. Between the walls outside was a large drop to whatever ground was there. Looking towards a higher position was wooden rafting. As if there was renovations going on. Maybe a hint of survivors would be evident.

With no other place to go, she walked on, over some planks of wood. Past that was another horse person to fight.

‘I’m not catching a break here, am I?’ She raised the axe for battle.

The horse person ran at her, swinging the axe horizontally. While the attack was dangerous, it also let the horse person stagger. With the opportunity presented, she swung the axe with an overhead strike, cleaving into the head of the horse person. Ripping the axe out sadly broke the weapon, forcing her to take the next axe as a replacement. She hoped it would last a little longer than the last one.

She heaved the weapon over her shoulder before moving on. She didn’t notice before, but the air didn’t seem all musty as it should have been. No excess dust or anything. Strange would be a bit underrated. Were the horse people smart enough to mindlessly clean or something.

She decided to put her thoughts on hold as a curved hallway was before her. looking around the corner, to her surprise, was an actual horse soldier. Well, maybe soldier was taking it too far as the ‘armor’ appeared to be pots and pans tied to him. Although the sword and shield looked to be in better condition than the rest.

She ran around the corner and confronted the ‘knight’ with her axe. The horse brought its shield up before charging with it raised. She dodged as the shield moved to the side and the sword thrusted through.

Swinging low to hopefully stagger caused the ‘armor’ to bend inward on itself, inflicting a wound on its bare, jerky flesh. She saw it turn towards her and raise its shield, guarding against the next attack. In response, she swung the axe upward, knocking the left arm over its head.

*WHOO-SHLING*

“Aah.” She gasped as a cut was present on her left side.

The horse swung again at her head. Luckily, she recovered enough to duck from it and cleave through one of its legs. This in turn caused the horse person to collapse onto its only knee to ‘stand’ up. When it looked, the axe came down, cleaving through its pot helm with ease. The skull splitting underneath.

Taking a breather, she hoisted the axe up. Only for the blade to not come with it. Luckily she had a better sword and shield to use now. And spare cloth to wrap around her wound. With that done, she progressed up the wooden steps to her left.

With her luck, she found a food storage area. Looking around, she gathered what she could. though most of it was merely whole loafs of bread, she wasn’t complaining. Checking each one, she found no mildew upon any of them. the only thing to drink however were from these large, round glasses of strange, purple-ish liquid. From the smell, she realized it was wine. Though she was clearly too young to drink any, there was no one to say otherwise. So she took all of the wine. All of it.

It was only four bottles anyways. the only problem was how to carry it all. Looking around, she found a large enough sack and some rope. Together the items worked perfectly as a proper container for her rations. And with that were the stone stairs.

As soon as she was at the top, a bolt of color hit the wall. It was an icky green-ish brown color. Moving behind a support beam, she took a peak. It was another horse person, but they had a horn. A horn that was clearly glowing.

With no choice, she ran around, causing the horse person to fire again. She ran around and closed the distance fast. Just as the horse shot another shot, she slid under it before stabbing up into its throat. Tearing the sword out, causing the neck to be halfway cleaved through.

Smelling something, she walked into the next room. In it was a furnace with a giant soup bowl on top. before she could wonder any further about its contents, she looked left to spy another horse attacking her with a sword. this one had wings however.

It dived at her with its sword drawn to kill. The attack was obvious and dodged well enough. She tried to hit it, but it flew behind the bowl. She was so focused on it, she failed to dodge the kick to her head. It didn’t hurt much, but it still frightened her a bit, yet relieved that it didn’t use its sword.

She saw it flying behind her to swipe again. She rolled, allowing the blade to miss. It went behind the bowl again. this time she wasn’t so focused on the just the sides. Instead of above, it attacked from the other side it came from. Swinging the shield knocked the sword away, and caused the winged horse to flop onto the ground. Its head fell as soon as it rose itself up.

“Hoooo. Well that was relieving. I hope I don’t have to fight too many if those soon.” She mumbled to herself.

Grabbing the sword, she realized it wasn’t a slash type of blade, but a thrusting type of blade. She decided to sheath the it in the left belt loop of her shorts before walking up the wooden stairs the horse person came down from.

After arriving to the top, she dodged another energy bolt. And again it was one with a horn, charging to fire again. With no other choice, she rushed it with her shield raised, allowing it to take the bolts for her. One bolt took the upper portion of the shield while another took the lower right.

Wanting to keep some of the shield intact, she took out the thrusting sword and threw it. It soared as it impaled the horned horse through the chest. It didn’t get the chance to counterattack as the girl swung her sword into its face, cleaving the upper half of it off.

Walking through the doorway the horned horse was guarding, she was face to face with another winged one. The wings seemed to be damaged however. no such luck of it flying around. The sword it wielded was still deadly though. It was rusted yet sharp, giving the blade a sort of barbed, or rather a saw look.

Dodging by rolling out of the way, the winged horse rose again. This one showing some skill as it swung from low to the ground in a wide upward slash. With no choice, she brought her shield up, only for her to be flung into a wall.

She ducked from the stab attack it did and tried to slice off its legs. No such luck as even though the wings were gone, it was still quite nimble. She rushed forward and swung again. Again it dodged. Something was odd about this one. A kick to the gut proved that. if not the actual battle stance it took. Realizing it wasn’t as mindless as the others, she’d have to come up with a better battle plan.

The winged horse rushed forward, attempting the slice her in half. She dodged and swung her sword in return. It too dodged, but gained a small cut. Somewhat annoyed, it rushed at her again. This time with a head butt. Despite blocking with the shield, she was still pushed a few feet back.

‘Talk about hardheaded.’ She thought as a new idea formed.

She got close to slash the horse, but it easily dodged the attack. she waited for a counter, but it gave none. After a few more swings, she realized it was trying to tire her out. In response, she swung lazy swings and fake panted. She needed it to attack for her idea to work. It finally did.

It swung its sword as she bashed it with her shield, knocking out of its weird hand thingy’s. It responded by punching her in the face. She however expected it. It rushed over to grab its sword and raise it again. As it did, she swung her sword down, chopping both of its ‘hands’ off.

It wailed. it wailed not of pain, but of anger. It swung its arms around wildly, attempting to hit her. She kept backing away from it, not wanting to get hit by the corroded stumps it had. Just like with the thrusting sword, she threw her current weapon. It struck, but got lodged in its mouth. Seizing this, she grabbed the blade and shoved it through the skull, leaving it there. She then took the offenders better blade, equipping that instead.

Before going up the large stairs with the massive set of wooden doors, she decided to take a breather and rest. She also looked at the room she fought in.

An octagon shaped room with two halls exiting it. One where she came from and the one ahead. In the room were four pillars, still intact. Part of the roof was on the floor, allowing sunlight in. There was exposed ground with plants growing. That was the most odd as she was sure she was on the 50th floor or something. She saw a practical bottomless pit. Well, not really bottomless, but it was quite a ways down. Regardless, sitting herself down, she had lunch.

She decided to have some of the bread she took. Using the wine to wash it down. While she would be scolded and grounded for something like this, she couldn’t care less. They didn’t have any water to drink, and she didn’t want to die choking on the bread after coming this far.

Speaking of which.

She tried to remember what happened before all this. All that came up was she was going to go after that boy. the one with the skeleton arm. She didn’t remember why, but it seemed important to her. The next thing were the knives. She was bringing them solely for self defense purposes. at some point, she started falling into an empty blackness. Where the empty blackness came from, she didn’t know, but she knew there had to be a way out of this place. Somehow.

=====***=====

After a nice hardy meal, and a small nap on the grass, she did a few exercises to get her body woken up. A stretch here and there. A roll of the shoulders, and she was good to go. Now feeling refreshed, she walked up the large stairs, awaiting to confront whoever was beyond the door.

As she entered the room. She saw how large it was and spacious it was. Four pillars also took position in it as well as a large dark brown beast in the back. It’s back was turned, so she couldn’t see all of it. She did note how it had large bat-like wings, and a long tail.

“So, you are here.” It spoke with a voice of old age. “I expected a visitor, sooner or later.”

The beast finally rose up and turned around. It revealed itself of having dark matted fur and a long snout. It’s arms were long, yet almost frail. In fact, its whole body seemed to be weakened. It was tall, but it was lanky. It had claws, but seemed to prefer the axe it wielded. A massive hunk of metal with a very blunt blade. Actually, the axe appeared more like a hammer with an axe design by how purposely blunt it was.

“So, you have come to end me.” It, or rather HE spoke again.

She noticed the eyes were grayed out. Not fully, but it signified him being somewhat blind. His twitch a bit before he spoke again.

“I do not recognize your scent, but know that I know where you are. I am Scorpan, the fallen prince of the, well it doesn’t matter. Not now. Not anymore. Just, prepare yourself. take your time. I’m not ready either.” he said solemnly.

“Who do you think I am?” She asked, curious of his answer.

“If you’re hear, does it matter? Honestly, no. All I know is there will be an end in this room. Soon.” Scorpan responded.

She thought about saying something, anything but, it seemed he was lost in some delusion. With how large he is, she might have no choice, but to take him down.

Without warning, he swung his axe at her. thinking quickly, she ducked under it and slashed at his legs a few times. He swung again, but much closer to himself. She rolled away from the backhand of the axe. She noticed how slow he was. That also meant he was strong though. or at the very least, hit very hard.

Another attack came. this one an overhead strike. It struck, causing dirt to rise. A slash to Scorpan’s arm was the only indicator she was still alive. Before the smoke cleared, she ran through it, slashing again at his legs. Using his wings, he flew up to smash her with his weight. Unsuccessful as she ran away from the impact spot, but it did give her an idea from a video game.

As he stood up again, he spun faster then expected, smashing through her shield, shattering it into pieces. The impact was so great, it knocked her through one of the pillars, into the wall behind it. She coughed up blood as she fell to the ground.

Coughing as she rose, she saw his silhouette around her. He was standing over her. Seeing the shadow of his arms raise, she dropped her sword in favor of her knives and waited.

*WHOO-CRASH*

The axe struck and Scorpan collapsed to his knees, whining as he did. He began shrieking as he felt multiple pains going up his back. Little did he know, the girl was using her knives to climb him, stabbing him over and over until she reached the head.

He swung his arm up as she jumped to avoid being grabbed. The next thing she did was thrust both knives down on his head. The shock caused him to falter onto the ground, unable to move properly. Most likely due to brain damage. She grabbed the sword and before plunging it through, she spoke one word.

“Kratos says hi.”

*SHLINNNK*

Scorpan became lifeless. The old, withered beast felled by a child, blind as he was. he was too frail to put up a real fight. his body soon dissolved away, leaving nothing but broken bone fragments, and a belt. She didn’t notice him wearing a belt as his fur was quite long. the axe was also left behind, but it was too heavy for her to even wield properly anyway.

*Vrrrr*

A strange sound was heard which prompted her eyes to peer at the floor. Upon it, a red spell circle. It had the same markings as the aqua green that brought her here. maybe this one led her out.

Before she could step on it, more appeared around the walls of the room. Each one slowly beginning to turn yellow.

“Oh no.” She said as she fled from the room in blind panic.

Every room she ran, more circles appeared. Each one beginning to spout ember like sparks. It wasn’t long before they began combusting. Walls, floors, pillars. Everywhere around her, they burst in flames. Fires roared, stones toppled, towers fell.

One tower fell near where she began, giving her a new route to take. Through there, she saw a door on fire. Grabbing a crate, she flung it, crashing the door open. Through the doorway was even more broken walls and crashed areas. She also noticed more horse people, but they were falling to their deaths as they tried to get to her. That or they burned to death, or were smashed by debris.

She ran through as the area behind her exploded causing her to be shot through the air. She landed safely in an outpost tower. Quickly rising to her feet, she ran out of it an towards the nearest shore area. through a gap, she saw a boat, perfect for escaping.

More circles appear, but these ones were blue. Large pillars of blue lightning shot up into the sky. It was merely moments that passed when blue spears of lightning rained down onto the fortress. each one piercing the stone.

it wasn’t long before she felt an earthquake. Witnessing the ground itself split open, swallowing some horse people alive, if they were even considered alive, only for water to shoot up. The island was sinking.

She ran as fast as her thirteen-year old legs could carry her as another tower fell in front of her. An opened window allowed her entrance through a door on the opposite side. Said door was probably one that led into a hallway before the tower fell.

Once exited, she wasted no time and leapt over a chasm. Again she used her knives to get a holding onto the ground, and pulled herself u. The boat, though rough looking was in sight. She hurried to it before anything happened to it.

When she was merely a few meters away, a spear of lightning struck behind her, launching her forward, into the boat. her consciousness fading soon after.

Author's Note

Scorpan is dead. Old, but dead.

4. A Hole-some Predicament

Princess Celestia finally was able to lay in her bed and sleep. Her eyes were bagged and slightly red from all that she had to deal with for the entire day. made even worse by the questions flooding her mind.

Was she really capable of telling Twilight what happened?

Would it be best to call that letter out on a bluff?

What if the letter wasn’t a bluff though?

Is Thorax really-?

She immediately stopped herself from that thought as it was the one that hurt her most. How such news would affect Spike was another matter. A worse matter. One that she didn’t feel ready to tell him yet. He would be more than crushed. he’d be devastated, hurt, and probably become reclusive. She would never want that for the poor young dragon. That was a fate she’d avoid for him at all costs if she could. And how her day started off the same, and became so wrong.

Of course her day was morning court. Nobles with selfish desires enter and proclaim some absurd delusion of gaining favor from her. There was a visit from Blueblood, but he merely stated a few things happening around Canterlot. It was not every day, but it was always relieving when he wasn’t after something himself.

No, the thing that got to her most, was the letter that arrived. At first, she thought it was from King Thorax by the swirl of green and black magic. But when she actually read the letter itself. That was when the weight of its content added to her current strain.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I have decided to give you a fair warning ahead of time for what will be stated in this letter of mine. Yes a Changeling is writing this letter and yes, I have deemed it a necessity.

First, I would depressingly announce to you that King Thorax, the usurper of Queen Chrysalis is sadly, not amongst the living. His life has been ended in a most horribly, unfortunate way.

I merely came to him peacefully with intent to study his physiology. When I found out what is was, I couldn’t help myself, but become disgusted with his insulting existence.

You see, when Chrysalis and the other Queens came to the annual council meeting, which Kings haven’t been acquainted for, told us all about what this Starlight Glimmer had done. before the other Queens could go with their own intentions, I elected myself to study what had happened to him and the rest of the Hive she rightfully ruled.

I found out he wasn’t just Changeling, but also was part Crystal Pony as well. A hybrid of the two. While being a creature born from the very nature of this world itself, being hybrid with crystals in his way would have been enlightening. Sadly, it wasn’t. This was because the crystal part of him wasn’t from the nature of the world, but an offset, subspecies race of a freak of nature.

Now, despite what I’ve said, no, I don’t have a species/xenophobic/racial based superiority complex. None of that. Griffons, and Minotaurs are fine, but Pony. Well, lets just say I’ve been around long enough to know the true origin of YOUR race.

I know what a Pony truly is. I know what force brought your mutated existence into creation. I’ve seen that, that thing. That HORRIBLE BUCKING THING! I won’t stand by and let it have its way through you. Through your subjects. Through your delusions. I refuse to bow down and watch as it completes this machine of its design upon OUR world. Your kind may have been born upon this planet, but that thing you came from isn’t. Parasite.

What I am saying is simple. I am proclaiming a declaration of war. A war between Pony and Changeling. You were given the chance to have a symbiotic relationship with us, but declined and sealed Chrysalis away for a time. The only time you decide to was when Thorax becomes part abomination, under your nieces leash of control, and usurps her.

No, I won’t spare lives. No, I won’t have mercy. No, I won’t stop until you’re dead. Your ‘cutie mark’ does not represent your control to move the sun every day, but to harness its light as power, and move it back into place. The Celestial bodies moved on their own in the first place! What makes you think you were meant to permanently control them, you dunce!

Despite my outbursts, there is another option. Put the Celestial bodies back into place. Surrender the lives of yourself, Luna, Cadence, and finally, but most importantly, Starlight Glimmer. Lay your head down and die under my custom made guillotine. I will call off the war. If not, then.

I will slaughter every last Pony in this world on sight. I know of another way to us. I will be teaching it to the other Hives.

From your future enemy,
High Queen Pollen, the Mother of all Changelings

After reading the letter, a number of emotions came to her. She was sad, hurt, angry. Killing was abolished a long, long time ago. Sure, there were those that suggested eliminating Discord while he was a statue, as he could in fact be killed because he was forced into a more mortal form. Magical stone, but still breakable, but she declined every one of those that suggested.

Many would call her weak. Others compassionate. the truth was, she hated killing. She hated being forced to when she was much younger. She despised bloodshed. She thought of herself a kind, gentle ruler. One that could be a role model to others. One that could guide others into peace.

Now that peace will be broken.

She hated the old, old, long forgotten saying. It was a saying she would love to disagree to her grave. One she would fight no matter the consequences of her actions, as long as they only affected her.

The road to peace is paved with the blood of good intentions.

Still, she had to except this reality. She had to call a war council. She had to wake up her sister. She had to, no, she wanted to keep Twilight and her friends out of this. They weren’t soldiers. Twilight couldn’t kill. She wouldn’t take a life. She didn’t have the heart for it. she would never force her to do such a thing.

Twilight would just try to alleviate the situation with friendship. While the Elements of harmony are powerful, they are meant for healing, not hurting. She now knows she and her sister used them wrong all those years ago. She also realized that they wouldn’t even affect a Changeling. Both came from the world. both have an immunity towards each other.

The Tree of Harmony uses more Earthly magic to stop their enemies. Because of its alignment, it can use the power of the planets magic for one strike. She felt this when Tirek was defeated. It used the entire worlds ambient magic to correct what he had done. It wasn’t some holy, divine instrument of purification. It was just a tree that was aligned to the world. A world of magic. There was nothing godly about it to begin with.

Changelings were also of the world. They were born from an ancient tree that grew from the worlds greyer essence. They too were of the planet they lived on. Which is why the tree would not be able to do anything to them. They were from the very plants of the world. They practically WERE the planet incarnate into a species.

But the one question on her mind the most was what was HER own species origin. She never knew where she had truly came from. She knew of the ancient alicorns and that was a mystery she hoped to find out some day. But what did Pollen mean when she stated some horrible thing had created her race was a bigger question. What was this horrible thing? Why was it so horrible to her? she would need to think and research any avenue she could find.

The only other thing that happened was a letter from Twilight. She remembered requesting her to go to the Western Island Fort and figure out what that massive surge of magic was. She didn’t know what made it and it worried her greatly at the time. She thought it was probably some enemy that wanted to ruin her nations peace.

Disappointingly, there was nothing that was found. It seemed everything was destroyed when Twilight and her friends got there. the entire fort, useless. But there was a strange bit of detail worth noting. There were spots of nothing through the area. A few places devoid of magic. As if some creature nullified any ambient magic it passed through. Sadly, untraceable as the nullified trail ended at the sea. Most likely, the creature that destroyed the fort is a sea dwelling type of creature. That would explain why the nullifying trail ends there.

That however would be a discussion for another time however. For now, sleep.

Author's Note

The next chapter. Just so you guys know, I'm only doing this story for fun.

I don't care for fame and publicity. Certainly this story is not the best. Regardless, I just want everyone to enjoy. If you don't, then you don't. Leave a comment and/or move on.

Again, just have fun.

5. A Crooked Fate

“Really? Before you continue with your story, I must ask. Did you not feel fear?” Asked a robed masked figure. His voice sounding eerily as that of Naraku from the anime Inuyasha.

He wore a dark brown robe that covered like a blanket. A reptilian bone mask with brown hairs on the back. The mask covered his face quite well. Not a single bit of him was showing, allowing him to move wherever he wanted unrevealed.

Currently both the girl and this new figure were sitting inside a shack. A simple one room shack to be exact. There were two windows opposite from each other on two different walls. A door on the wall to the right with one of the windows. A fireplace behind the robed figure, but it wasn’t being used. Instead a tall stand to the left with a candle and the other window on the left wall were. In the center was a table and two chairs. The chairs on opposite sides of the table. There, they both sat.

“I can’t explain it. I never had much in my life before. I had very few interests when I was young, and I just did what was expected of me by my parents. I took survival tips and training, but definitely not a world of magic.”

“Anything else? Surely having such a life isn’t the only reason you’re like this. Maybe, there is something else. Something tragic perhaps?” The figure gestured with his arm.

“I don’t truly know for certain. I felt like, like I needed to live. I did what I did as efficiently as possible. Almost like I just felt the need to do such things.”

“Perhaps an instinct of sorts? It would explain a few things. That, or the magic in this world. You see, the magic in this world is so abundant, that a single blade of grass can become harmful. If the magic within in was extracted. I would not be surprised if the magic was affecting your emotions somehow.”

“But that’s just it! How do I fight against those with magic!? All others I have no problem. The flying horse creatures are annoying, but even they have to come down to attack me, or run out of projectiles to use against me.”

“I know of a way. But first, I want something from you. Simple enough as it wouldn’t hurt.”

The girl eyed him suspiciously at first before she asked him.

“What DO you want?”

“What happened then that led you here to this shack in particular.”

“That’s it? Just the rest of the story? No items or objects?”

“The only thing I desire right now is knowledge. That I can only obtain from you as you alone know the truth. Don’t you? I know you know about the rumors of the imp in the forest as you are the imp they refer to. I’m sure it wouldn’t be long until the Elements of Harmony come for you when the princesses can’t deal with you themselves. Well, by themselves, I mean their soldiers can‘t anymore.”

“And who are these Elements exactly?”

“A wise question as you are referring to their bearers. Each one has an element, and there are six in total. The Elements themselves are gemstones wielded by Ponies, or horse creatures. Twilight Sparkle is of magic, Applejack is of Honesty, Rainbow Dash is of Loyalty, Rarity is of Generosity, Pinkie Pie is of Laughter, and finally, Fluttershy is of Kindness.”

“Gee, they sound quite nice, don’t they? I’m SURE they won’t murder my face with morale lessons.” She said with obvious sarcasm.

“Considering what they’ve accomplished. I’ve already compiled a list and what effects the Elements have had on their enemies. I’ve also taken the liberty of writing down what kind of magic the Elements are, rather than what they claim the type of magic to be.”

She took the pad of paper and began reading it. She treated it with indifference as she read the information given to her. When she was finally done, she closed the pad and looked back at him.

“Really? The ‘magic of friendship is it? Really?”

“As the information states, it’s not really friendship that empowers it. Focuses maybe, but not empower.”

“I get why they might think that, but they seriously believe morals empower those things. *Sigh* Fine, Lets get back to the rest of this story.”

“Wonderful. Please proceed.”

“I remember waking up on a shore somewhere, then exploring everywhere around me. I didn’t know if I was on a giant island like before, but that didn’t matter as there was life. So I went into the forest.”

“Quite dangerous to go into a random forest alone isn’t it?”

“Yes, but nothing else would seem to faze me for some reason, so I kept walking on. Eventually I found a couple and their two kids getting attacked by some dog things.”

“Diamond Dogs.”

“Right. So here I was deciding if I wanted to help. At first no, but then I heard a child scream, so I went in and destroyed them. At first it was useless, but then I used some of the wine I still had to burn them. It wasn’t long until the couple turned on me however.”

“Because you were different? Because they were afraid of unknown creatures?”

“No, they were wary of their children getting hurt, so they protected them. I tried to show I was peaceful, but they didn’t listen and ran off. It wasn’t long until these guys in gaudy golden armor appeared.”

“Ah yes, the Solar Guard as they are called. There are also Lunar Guard as well. Them, I would be more weary of as they are more like assassins. They work best under the cover of the night.”

“I see. I encountered one of them before and got these new blades.”

She held up twin dagger weapons. Sadly the daggers themselves were faulty as they were covered in bits of rust. The blades curved nature suggested they were used more for slashing than stabbing opponents.

“Hmph. A rookie. Those are the blades of a new guard. You were his test.”

“What do you mean test?”

“The test the Princess of the Night set up long ago. Each guard must, in order to pass rookie, kill a certain creature of relevant stature. You must have ended lives or defeated enough to warrant such attention. The question is what exactly, and when did you encounter the bat winged pony.”

“Hmm. Well. it was quite a time later. I started training myself due to my poor performance back against that Scorpan guy. I remember doing what Yusuke from the anime Yu Yu Hakusho did as training. Focusing my power, exerting control of the balance of my body. I pretty much spent weeks, if not months training endlessly.”

“Did you ever sleep at all?”

“Only during the day. At night, I trained, so I made myself more nocturnal.”

“That makes sense. Especially since the Lunar Princess can go into the dreams of others. She can also make horrible nightmares in your head if she so desired. I wonder what other mind manipulative powers she has.”

“Heh. Thanks for telling me. Another thing I have to worry about.” She looked away, downtrodden.

“How old are you, and how long have you been in this world?”

“I’m sixteen. I’ve been here for a couple of years now.”

“I see, so what happened during your time after training?”

“Well, I found a village, and snuck in it during the night. Not to steal or anything. I just wanted to know the area just in case. I remember this one time I made a campfire and had to hide.”

“Why? Soldiers?”

“No, a small family. I ended up coming out and asking what they were doing with my fire. They accused me of being to stupid and shooed me off. I.” She hesitated to continue speaking for a moment. “I killed them.”

“You were angry they thought of you as a simpleton. Understandable since Ponies are quite ignorant themselves. Funny how that works. they claim they don’t go around hurting other intelligent creatures when they act out against you, a child just starting adolescence at the time. How ironically absurd.”

“I was cold. I hadn’t eaten yet, and I was going to cook some of the bread I had with me. They tried to take it away, but I. I wouldn’t. I was desperate!” She blurted out.

“Nothing wrong with it. Nothing at all. Every creature has instinct. They should acknowledged their prey instinct that you were an Alpha Predator.” He shrugged before relaxing his arms.

“Still, I felt bad, but after that. I felt like I didn’t care anymore.”

“The way you were treated, plus your hormonal reaction would indicate your coming of age. In a sense.”

“I guess. Anyway, I didn’t realize how used to it I was until, him.”

“Him? Oh, a special victim perhaps? Or a love interest? Hah hah hah! I’m kidding about the love part.”

“He was just some wannabe hero. After killing the small family, I found an axe. A large one, needing two hands to wield. I trained with it. After one of my training sessions, he came to me.”

“How did he react?”

“He smiled before holding up this old looking sword. He kept talking how he came to slay the imp that terrorized and even killed others. Called me a disgusting beast and did a lot of self-proclamation of his pride and family sword. I readied my axe and swung at him to shut up. he said how it was rude, but expected as such from a wild beast like me.”

“Ah, so he was one of those self-righteous types. Yes, I do hate those. Their heart is in the right, but their mind is not. Continue.”

“Well, I did get a few cuts on me. That was only because of me just getting done from training, and believing he wasn’t so strong. Turns out he was stronger than I thought. Apparently he said he was farm boy dreaming to be a guard or some fantasy of his.”

“Even worse, the delusional type.” He tilted his head to the side.

“I know right!? he just went on about being the hero that I couldn’t give a …well you know.” She paused to breath a moment before continuing. “Eventually I just tuned him out. I remembered a few lessons from some animes I watched. Uh, back in my world sort of thing.”

“Anime eh?”

“One of the few things I took an interest in. I wasn’t an otaku, but I enjoyed watching it whenever I had some spare time to myself. Anyway, I stayed calm and tuned him out. After dodging him enough, he got more aggressive and angry that he kept missing.”

“Pretty typical of his type actually. Self-righteous, delusional, angry when they don’t get their way, and let me guess, he began to swing wildly to right?”

“Yep. He kept swinging with no restraint. When I got the chance, I swung at his legs, cleaving into one of them. he fell and began balling over his wound. After the fortress, and before fighting him, I’ve actually had worse.”

“Really? What was it?”

“A pretty nasty fall that got me fighting more of those dog things. Anyway, I stood over him, telling him how stupid he was. I told him how much this wasn’t a fairy tale. I even went into a full explanation about what I’d been through compared to what he most likely did. I was even talking about whether I should let him live or not and what the consequences would be for me. You what he said after all that?”

“…”

“He said ‘You can talk?’ to me! After I went through all that time explaining the hardships I went through, exerting my frustration or ranting! He says that!” She swung her arms into the air wildly.

“Well, I can see why that would be frustrating.”

“I know!” She lowered her arms, calming herself down as she did. “So I cleaved his head off from the mouth and took his generations old sword and shield with me. From then, I began using three different weapon styles.”

“Interesting. Did you meet the Lunar Guard afterwards?”

“Some time after, yep. There were still the Solar Guard guys that hunted me down, but they stuck mainly to the roads to bother me. This one night I was attacked by one with two knives, or twin daggers. He broke my kitchen knives, so I used my sword and shield attacks against him.”

“How did that go?”

“He was more experienced than the farm boy, but I wasn’t tired this time. And I also took my time to analyze his attacks. He still nicked me a bit, but I still one. Especially when I used him as a cushion when we fell off that cliff.”

“Nicely done. Survival for a Human is quite adaptable to such situations, unlike the Pony race as they have deterred their own existences in their rulers blissful kind-heartedness. Well, their Solar Princess anyway.”

“Afterwards, I found this shack and met you sitting here waiting for me about a few days after I had killed him. That’s about it. I’ve just been trying to survive and not get caught. I know one day they’ll find me, but. I just want to live. I don’t want to die.” She spoke melancholically.

“And what about the ones you killed? Did they want to die?” He asked her.

“I don’t care. They’re dead now. They made their choices as I’ve been forced to make mine. Besides, they’re dead in the past. I’m still alive today. Whatever thoughts or feelings they had are dead with them. I do believe I have a chance to talk to them. They hate me though. I won’t go their route, but if they go after me, then. Then they made their choice.” She spoke with no fear, no hate, no pain.

“You speak with resolve. Good. I will now tell you about an instrument of sorts. One that will give you the capability to fight on par against magical beings.”

She perked up at this.

“What is it?”

“Right now, a group of griffons have the Human Amulet. It is the opposing force to the Alicorn Amulet. the Alicorn Amulet increases the magical power of its wielder. Be it expressive, or innate, it doesn’t matter. But the one condition is, only the wielder can take it off. If they still have the mental capacity to do such.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Alicorn Amulet negatively affects the users mind, causing aggression. this was because it was created with hatred in mind. You can guess against what.”

“Let me guess that it’s non-Pony right?”

“You would be correct. A long time ago, humans used to exist in this world. They don’t anymore because of the Ancient Alicorns. They grew jealous of humanity for a number of reasons. One of which was their advancement.”

“You mean their technology right?”

“Yes. They hated how humans not only were completely devoid of magic, but could manipulate it with their machines, creating Magitech. That and the other reason was because humans had no real boundaries to what they could do."

“What do you mean?”

“Ponies have cutie marks that tell what their special talent is. Humans can have multiple talents to them. They an go any direction unbound. Even the Ancient Alicorns were bound by fate.”

“Fate is a lie told by gods.” She said blankly.

The masked figures head twitched up a bit.

“Where did you hear that?” He asked with slight intent.

“A video game. The main character was a guy named Kratos.”

“I see. Well whatever the case. Kratos would be right if cutie marks didn’t exist. Regardless, I’ve yet to ask you child. What is your name?”

“I. I strangely don’t remember. I’ve been moving in such a blind fright and will to survive, I don’t quite remember.”

“Ashen Fate. Fate for short.”

“Huh?”

“A name for you. It does sound more Pony-like and it would keep them from questioning you too much.” He said as he reached around himself.

“A nice name I’m sure, and what about the Human Amulet?”

“I’m still not done about the alicorn one. Anyways the Alicorn Amulet can be completely controlled by an alicorn. Any other race, or ‘lower’ being will get the mental aggression. Kirin however can resist for a time. Not only being half dragon, half pony, but they have more focus to them.” he turned back towards her with something in his arms.

“Okay. So, are they like special other than being a hybrid?”

“Samurai mostly. Honed skills and mental fortitude and all that. Now the Human Amulet does the opposite as the Human race created it with protection in mind. That protection was against the power of magic.”

“So it ignores magic then?” She asked crossing her arms.

“Not quite. It destroys it. It will allow you to become a living poison to all magical beings. To the point that magical creatures will crumble into dust upon death. Or rather ashes.”

“Heh.” She smiled. “So that’s why the name Ashen Fate. If they fight me, they’ll become ashes in the wind then. I get it now.”

“Not only that, but all magical creatures. A magical god can’t be killed by a simple knife, but with the Human Amulet involved, well, that’s a different story. You won’t be invincible, but you will have a chance. A far greater chance.”

“I see.” She pondered before her eyes went to the items he was holding. “What are those for?” She pointed at them.

“What I can give to help you. After all, I WAS expecting you. Creepy as that is, I know.” He said as he spread them over the table between them.

There were five items on the table. A black shirt, white shorts, and grey underwear that looked like hers, but a different color, a hooded cloak, and a pair of boots. The clothes looked to be the same as hers, but looked to be made from harder material, the boots looked like the Hide Boots from Skyrim, and the cloak had a small blue aura around it.

“The shirt is more properly made for travel and combat as well as the shorts. Underwear for undergarments of course. The boots for footwear too. The cloak has a spell that will help disguise you from prying eyes, unless you get too close. Regardless, they won’t see you well as long as you keep the hood on.” He explained.

Fate took the items and began to dress into them. She ignored the cloaked figure gaping before turning around when she took her shirt off. She honestly didn’t care about nudity much as clothes can also hinder oneself. Her old shirt was already torn to the point of falling right off anyway. Her shorts were already stretching that she had to keep them unbuttoned.

She also noticed her body had shaped weirdly. She grew a decently sized pair of lumps on her chest and her body curved almost like an hourglass. She knew why, but still didn’t pay any mind to it.

‘It would appear the magic of this world is also maturing her body. Probably because she puts a lot of physical hard work into everything she does. I wonder how her body will be like in a few- gah! I shouldn’t think of such things! Shame on me.’ He thought to himself.

“Alright, I’m dressed.” She said.

“Good, now all you have to do is go East. The griffon with the Amulet of interest is in a town in that direction. I’d advise having plenty of bits on you to get his attention.”

“Bits?” She questioned.

“Gold coins.”

She made an oh with her mouth before looking into the pockets of her old shorts, taking out some coins.

“I have ten. How much is that worth?” She showed him.

“Exactly ten bits. Each coin is worth one bit. I suggest you go obtain more. Around thirty to forty.”

“Okay. Well, I better get going then. See you another time. I guess.” She said as she walked out the door.

When her footsteps were out of earshot, two figures arose from the two windows. One was a giant white cobra as long as twenty feet long. The other was a purple boa with yellow dragon horns pointed back of the same length. Much like all the other sapient beings in the world, these two also were anthro.

“So that’s one of the three that will ‘correct’ this world?” The cobra asked indicating itself female.

“Yes, she is. Otherwise I wouldn’t have chosen her to do this.”

“Oh that’s right. You chose them to rewrite how this world works.” Said the purple boa, proving that it too was female.

“I didn’t choose those two. The world itself did. I only chose the girl that was here.”

“Hmm? The world itself chose those other two? How?” The cobra asked.

“I contacted Gaia Everfree from the other dimension and ‘asked’ for her permission. She kindly agreed to our arrangement in using her power to force the mirror to open to different worlds altogether. I then chose the girl for a purpose I have in mind. One that I’ve set on the path towards already.”

“And the other two?” The boa asked.

“The boy, Atronach of Corruption as he calls himself, will serve the purpose of extracting the power from within the world to the surface, causing wild magic to run amuck. The hermaphrodite will take in the worlds errors as manifested orbs.”

“Hermaphrodite? But she looks completely female to me.” The cobra said.

“She does, and unlike the boy, she expresses no emotion nor manipulation of emotions. This would explain her now monochrome appearance. However she has both reproductive organs, making her a hermaphrodite.”

“This first one that was here is completely female though right?” The cobra asked.

“Yes. A female, a male, and a hermaphrodite. What a strange sexual balance the world has made.”

“So, what are these error orbs you mentioned?” The boa asked.

“Not sure, yet. I’m sure it has something to do with the numbers 4, 3, and 1. But for now, we watch, and wait.”

“And of this Human Amulets story? The history you made up? Will it work on them?” The cobra questioned.

To this, the masked figure smiled. Though unnoticed, the feeling of their masters aura was enough to convince them he was in a good mood with his next answer.

“I‘ve assured it.”.

Author's Note

Another new chapter. Meh, felt like it today.

Please enjoy.

6. A Corrupted Mind

I next visited the boy with the power of corruption on his side. His current state of affairs interested me. If Ashen Fate was truly sixteen, but had not aged, yet still physically developed somehow, then I would see what has happened to him.

I still theorized that the magic of this world had affected them by multiple ways. Ashen Fate was disrupted emotionally. This much was evident by how she seemed to be regretful of her action of killing to survive. This feeling was almost instantly brushed aside by my reassurance. Either that, or she didn’t truly care about ending their lives.

Using the terms hormonal reaction was merely an excuse from having her blame herself. The last thing I needed right now was an unstable being to relinquish all the surface problems. This is why I’m visiting the other one. I want to see his progress.

=====+++=====

I had came across the cold fortress him and his buddy had been using. I knew of Bahadur. I knew he would come into play somehow. I didn’t expect him to encounter Atronach of all people. What a strange pair they make. Yet I can’t help but wonder how well they work together.

It didn’t matter to me right now as I made my way through the frozen courtyard. The frost had only grown since three years when he first appeared. Then again I’ve considered the fact he doesn’t care about the condition of the fort itself, but rather the fact he has one to use.

I looked upon the peak of the fortress and noticed the location of the throne room. I would find him there, no doubt.

=====+++=====

I reached the top easily enough. Climbing up the walls with self produced limbs to climb went as easily as expected. Once there, I took in the surroundings. Not much to tell I’m afraid. The only note worthy bits to tell were thus.

Atronach sat upon the throne with new garments. A black, short-sleeved shirt. Forest green pants. Black shoes. Forest green cape. One befitting a king. A king of corruption is a probability of what he mayhaps be going for.

Near the throne in a constant bow was the once regal King of Dark, Sombra. He was covered in clumps of black stone like armor, adorned with yellow, vein-like markings. His red eyes were no longer red, but yellow, and the green sclera he once had was now blacker than his own coat. His shadowy mane and tail was still shadow, but now it had been sullied with specks of yellow energy. Even his red horn had become yellow.

Bahadur was exactly the same as he had always been. He simply stood there, as if wanting to say something to Atronach. It was only a moment longer before he finally did.

“I get that we now have some large army by now, thanks to all the drifters and travelers and such. Bu~t! Don’t you think the princesses will get suspicious about all the disappearances in the northern region we‘re in?”

Atronach responded to Bahadur almost assuredly. “That is what those bug horse creatures are for. They will be blamed for mysterious disappearances and whatnot, while we plan and wait. Speaking of plan, how is the first experiment group going along?”

“I’d say they’re ready. A good size enough to start a ruckus in a good sized town. Not too big though or ya might lose more than ya bargained.” Bahadur warned.

Atronach merely shrugged. “Eh, close enough.”

I decided to make myself known. I was spotted immediately by Bahadur as he looked at me casually. Atronach’s gaze merely moved towards my direction. His head did not. I wondered if he was that overconfident I wouldn’t attack him. Or perhaps he was able to sense. Whatever the case, he didn’t move.

I positioned myself to the side at the bottom of the stairs before I spoke out to him.

“I see you are planning ahead to strike down your foes.” My banter amused him not.

“Ah don’t remember invitin’ you.” Bahadur spoke with a slight drunken slur.

“And you are?” Atronach got to the point, slightly raising his claw, allowing it to glow slightly.

“Now, now. I’m not here for battle. I’m just here to check up on a fellow human.” I raised my arms up defensively.

“Then state who you are. I would have no problem lowering my power if you introduce yourself.”

I had to give a name, or be prejudiced to falsehood. A wicked outcome that was expected of me to face.

“I am a crooked bone masked entity. One who sees the gears of fate turning. Even now. I merely am known as an observer of sorts. With that in mind. Would my name mean anything to you at all?”

“Talk about giving someone the runaround. If you didn’t want to give a name then say so. Wasting time like that does nothing but create pointless titles I have no care for.” He waved me off with his human hand.

“Regardless. It has come to a concern to me that you are going to attack now, was it?” He nodded, allowing me to continue. “Then might I suggest you attack southwest from here. That location is far closer to the Changeling mountain fort than yours. This will allow you to walk safely to the other southern directions.”

“Now hold on.” Bahadur interrupted. “How do we know it isn’t a trap? Besides, there are Changeling Hives all over this land.”

“Really?” Atronach asked, showing an interest in the bug horse creatures.

“Yeah, there’s about six, maybe nine queens total, I think.”

This was new to me. Even I didn’t know there were that many queens in this world. I knew there was more than one, but around six to nine was a predicament. Unless their individual hives varied greatly by number and size. regardless, I responded.

“I can’t guarantee a safe passage, but I assure you I myself had no knowledge of the amount of queens. May I ask how YOU know?”

“I fought one of them before. A large dark blue one.” He said like it wasn’t the most important thing in the world. “She told me after I beat her that there were about six, maybe seven other queens and a mother queen or something.”

I knew about the mother queen, but had no idea about the other children queens. This was information I should look into for later. For now however.

“If not the southwest, then where else could you attack to not divert attention to yourself?” I stepped up a few steps, closing myself in on Atronach.

“I will agree on the ‘stealth’ travel we should consider since we can’t afford to be found out. I’ll even have HIM lead the first group.” He said pointing at Sombra.

“Good call! Let the big guy do the work for us!” Bahadur walked over to the corrupted, well further corrupted king with heavier construction on him, patting the shoulder.

“In further consideration.” *Whoo-SShhrwiiing* “You really should have known better than to try and trick me with a golem-based puppet.”

The severed head of the golem fell to the ground before cracking and dispersing into dust. The rest of the body crumbled away, revealing it was made of stone.

=====+++=====

A great tower stood high upon a cliff as purple mist clouds and fog surrounded the area. The tower while looked old, held itself highly stable with the amount of wooden based construction built around it.

Within the window near the top of the tower, and statue, made from clay, fell apart. What was unusual was the fact the head of the clay statue fell off first before the rest fell apart and crumbled.

“That wretched brat! Destroying one of your creations like that! An anthro boa said.

“It was expected. Besides, this now gives me an indication.” A figure from the shadows spoke. Their voice, hidden by the shadows they sat in.

“What, pray tell is this indication?” The anthro cobra asked.

“This proved he is not all there in the head.”

“He seemed ‘normal’ to me. Unless I missed something.” The boa asked.

“His eyes. Depravity. As I thought. Ashen is going to become somewhat emotionally unstable. Atronach is going to become mentally unstable. The third though. I wonder what kind of instability they will face. No doubt the magic of this world is affecting them like I thought.”

A number of masked figures appeared before the shadowed one. Each with their own element and abilities. The shadowed figure gestured for one to approach. As one did, the figure spoke.

“You will see to it the third awakens from their slumber. The rest of you, seek out any conflict that may disrupt this set of events.”

The figures bowed before leaving. Each one disappearing in a flash of their own element. From air, to wind, to fir, to wood, to darkness, and so on.

“I know who is trying to interfere with them. I won’t allow that ‘tree’ to get ahead and get what it wants.”

Author's Note

Now who's next to introduce?

1.413

Female Protagonist: Rise

The young thirteen-year old girl of dark, grey hair and violet eyes awakens with a jolt. Checking her surroundings, she comes to the conclusion she isn’t in her home anymore. This was made obvious by the water she was laying in for starters, and the crumbled ruin type of setting she was occupying at the moment.

Checking herself, she noticed her white shorts were still on and her sleeveless, black, thick-strapped shirt was still on as well. She was highly grateful she wouldn’t have to walk around naked. If she was, then she would’ve grabbed whatever cloth she would find and use it. For now, she will progress with her currently new adventure.

She took a moment to look at her surroundings to see if there was any form of life. Initially, she noticed her placement was within a stone tunnel. While the tunnel stretch to quite a length away, she also couldn’t help noticing the lack of a roof above her. The hole above her head being a new addition to the tunnels extravagant decor.

The next thing that was noticed was behind her. A large wooden double door. From the exertion, the door was too big and thick to even move. That and the water seems to be coming from its direction, rather than the other. Best not to flood the place.

*Tink*

Looking down, she sees she accidentally stepped on a kitchen knife. Luckily not cutting her bare foot. She picks up the knife and the other one that so happens to be a few inches to the right. It was then she remembered she had these knives with her in preparation. She needed them for protection while she was looking for someone.

Weapon Slot 1: Dual Kitchen Knives

The knife with the thicker blade was now equipped in your left hand. The thinner, but slightly longer by a few centimeters knife was equipped in your right hand. While you didn’t feel invincible, you did feel that you were ready for a fight. Your own fighting skills were adequate proof. While not a muscle child, she acknowledged she was a speed/agility type fighter. At least until she can get some proper equipment. But for now, the dual knives it is.

While feeling a sense of fear and urgency, she put this feeling aside for her own sake of courage. Being afraid won’t help her, but facing her fear and taking the first step will.

“Now begin.”

Author's Note

Can you guess the significance of the chapters name and date?