Viventis Anathema - Story of a Cursed Mare

"Asphodel, what's wrong!?"

"What happened!?"

"I don't know. We were just talking when she suddenly felt sick."

"What?".

"I'm going to get the water!"

"Hurry!"

"It... It hurts... Make it..... Stop...."

Opening her eyes from her dream, Grimwood soon realized to not be alone. She hastily rose up and turned to see the green mare who found her stumbling. The green mare was startled a little to see the violet mare's eyes but maintained her calm despite their animosity. Behind the mare there was a brown maned beige elder stallion who was using a wok to cook the soup.

Grimwood realized to be inside a cave. She also realized to have her claws being removed from her hooves and that the black bag with all her equipment was nearby the said wok. She would had tried to reclaim her belongings but she could easily know that the two ponies weren't armed or anything. The green mare was the first to speak.

"G-good thing you had woke up," The green mare said. "You know, we saw you fall-"

"Give my equipment back," Grimwood threatened, being about to pounce when a sudden circle of magic surrounded her body and paralyzed her movement. "Oi! What the-"

"I know that you would had tried some reckless move, so I put a spell to make sure that you behave tranquilly, Grimwood Vileberry." The elder pony said. "Oh, the same goes for the entrance."

True to the worlds of the elder pony, the entrance of the cave became sealed by a luminous red wall covering it. Grimwood became instantly enraged, but then didn't even bothered to struggle since the magic of the circle was too strong. She steadily calmed herself down, seeing that the two ponies weren't armed or anything. And yet doesn't trust them a little bit.

Still, what she saw had transpired some form of curiosity.

"An earth pony with ability to use magic? He's not a unicorn and should have at least read some formula to acquire such powers. But that is something that I want to keep for later."

"For how much I had slept?" Grimwood demanded.

"Eight hours," The green mare answered. "Listen, isn't our intention capturing you but-"

"I have no time to waste with you," Grimwood interrupted. "Can you have the courtesy to set me free?" Grimwood demanded.

"Only if you don't attack us,"

Grimwood groaned and the sighed. "Fine... but then again, I was about to pointlessly assault unarmed ponies."

The elder pony pointed his hoof at her, causing the magic circle to disappear, setting Grimwood free and allowing her to
rose up.

"But what exactly you are, bounty hunters?" Grimwood asked.

"No, nothing like that. We are both former Royal Guards. I am Ortiva Eclair," The green mare said. "And he is my companion, Dandy Leon. It's like a second paternal figure to me."

"Don't exaggerate, Eclair," Leon said, almost embarrassed.

"What do you mean with that?" Grimwood demanded.

"My real father died long time ago." Eclair said with a grave tone.

"Ah... Sorry." Grimwood replied, feeling a little guilty.

"I took her under my custody since then," Leon said. "It's like a second daughter to me."

"Did you have any credible rank, mr. tough elder?" Grimwood demanded curious.

"The least notorious figure of the military," Leon explained. "Not that I will have the opportunity to meet some worthy celebrity that is not Blueblood."

"Well you can't do that anymore," Grimwood retorted.

"I know what you mean. It's destroyed by the monsters generated by the curse." Leon replied.

"Wait, how did you know that happened?" Grimwood demanded.

"I have my sources," Leon informed.

"Seriously?" Eclair said astounded. "First Appleloosa and now Canterlot too!?"

"Wait a minute, are you telling me that whole mess isn't happening in just Canterlot?" Grimwood inquired, almost shocked.

"I was trying to follow the trail of somepony who was carry on the plan to release the curse," Leon explained. "I guess i was too late to stop him."

"And so dozen of ponies were turned into bloodthirsty monsters who are also caricature of themselves." Grimwood added.

"I hope that Ponyville isn't the next to fall... Oh, please, no..." Eclair shivered.

"Well, the only thing that we can do is hide in this place." Dandy suggested.

"I guess I have no choice but join your dinner and remain here... right?" Grimwood demanded.

Leon nodded. "Believe me. You won't make it all alone. Those ponies who were turned into monsters by the curse would be everywhere."

"Can we just eat already? I am getting hungry." Eclair complained.

Grimwood and Leon looked at each other for a moment without any kind of pathos whatsoever and then nodded.

"Ok, but only for this time." Grimwood said calmly.

At that point, the three ponies proceeded to consume their meal and began to talk about stories on their own, except Grimwood, who never talked about herself, much to Eclair frustration. After having consumed their meal, they went to sleep. The wind outside the wall of red light at the entrance was becoming slightly strong, but only for a few moments.

After a few seconds, Grimwood opened her eyes and silently rose up. Exploiting the sleep of her hosts, she took back her bag. She first checked inside and found her chainsaw box and her claws being in their own places. Grimwood put her bag in her bag and approached the wall of red light. She pulled out a white jewel and used to dissipate the wall.

She was about to leave, but not before having given a final look at the two sleeping ponies.

"Sorry guys," Grimwood said as she went out the cave. "I am going on my own."