Duality of Existence

A few hours had passed since entering Red Pine Woods and Betta had his coat done up, hood up and blade ready to draw. He wasn’t a master swordsman and being such would require teachings and experience he can’t call upon at a whim. If something attacked him, he’d need to evade, attack, evade and counter attack until the fight ends, end it in one draw of his sword or run and never look back until he finds a place to hole up for a while. Heading through Red Pine was peaceful during the day with only a few dangerous creatures coming out at night. At least he won’t be fighting any bugs the size of a pony anytime soon as such a meeting would make him drop everything and go home in mild shame and mostly terror, though meeting a few wouldn’t be so bad as something like a rhino or stag beetle is passive like sleeping children. Taking the time to practice some swordplay, Betta drew his sword and started to draw and swing the blade as quickly as possible while walking, taking care to make it like he was actually trying to cut something. Swinging a sword while in a stance is done to hone battle skills and prepare for the next lesson, swinging a sword while walking allows for diverse and perhaps advance kinesthetic flexibility and development.

Entering to the furthest point into the forest, as per the joke he was told, Betta toke a seat on a dry uproot to think about how he was going to get to Celestia in the first place. He would need to travel to the far south of his town until reaching the mountain Canterlot rests on, but not before going through a few pony establishments first, but not before crossing the Forsaken forest or else go the long way around to avoid the danger. Heading into the forest, Betta had his sword drawn and at the ready, recalling the stories he’d heard of the forest as a child. The stories were the reason he first hugged Uzuri before immediately backing off and the children laughing for him being scared before Gentle got her vengeance by telling a story of a spirit baring nothing but a pony’s face for its appearance and how it ate little colts and fillies who tortured others, using the same torture to scare the child until it bit out your eyes, then ears then the rest of you. Parents did not like Gentle doing that and talked about Betta getting tougher skin before Mama Touch proved how tough her own skin was. She was a gentle mare but that did not mean she was without violence.

Just reminiscing on the past made Betta drop his defense as he heard something move around him. He heard stories of Timberwolves from the Everfree forest further south but Forsaken was home to far worse, creatures of the dead of all kinds from the remains of corpses to spirits of the damned. Drawing his sword, Betta held the blade straight up, closing his eyes to call upon the wind of the sword as the air kicked up, dispelling the mist and fog as he opened his eyes, seeing further and wishing he hadn’t. Standing on five twisted legs, was the mutilated body of attached corpses the smell of decay filling the air from the settled wind the Betta almost vomited from the stench. Tapping the swords power again, the wind cycled the smell of rot from the human’s nose as Betta saw the beast before him. It stood in five legs, three with hooves and two with claws. One arm with moderate and had two forelimbs while the other was massive with stumps for fingers. The chest had a mouth lined with teeth and wings on the back but the head was the most alerting. It was suspended by a cable of flesh, contorted in an expression of terror as it seemed to rasp a scream, shaking the human for a moment before he did something unusual in this situation. Holding the sword up, his hands at his belly, he closed his eyes and whispered. “Fang of the wind, born of the air, open the path to slay this monster and lay to rest the remains it has desecrated with a powerful torrent that shall reem the defiler of its life.” The air became visible around the blade as the smell of decay took color in a horrid green and purple as Betta’s air took the color of a pale blue. The air of the two came together and Betta could hear a noise, a rip in the open space. The whole time this was happening, the beast was waiting for the human to run or drop his guard. The flesh looked strong but the stitch job was weak so it had to rely on scare and fear tactics to kill its prey. The human opened his eyes as the beast prepared to charge before the sword was raised over Betta’s head. He slashed down and the wind from the sword fired into the area of the clashing winds and bright torrents of powerful wind erupted, ripping the body to scraps as the spirit was revealed and destroyed for defiling the dead.

Sheathing his sword, the sound of hoofsteps could be heard but instead of another beast, Betta saw a small group of ponies with axes, pickaxes and whatever else they had, all with unusual stock designs. “What manner of weapon was that?” An old pony asked no one.

“You think he’s related to Shale Stone the Bomber?” A stallion asked in awe and fear.

“He looks too handsome and mysterious. Maybe a student?” A mare commented none to subtly that she was interested in the hooded human.

“Shale never took on an apprentice.” The old stallion replied sharply before approaching the human. “Young man, surely there are better routes than going through the Forsaken forest. Our village had to traverse this path for one of its mines, but you didn’t need that much danger.”

“I have business to the south of here in Canterlot. I need answers to something.” Betta answered keeping his face hidden, not knowing and not risking the ponies’ fright to humans.

“Well you’re better off spending some time in our village. We have tools and weapons to help traverse this land.” The old stallion walked off and Betta started walking before a hand grabbed his leg. He quickly cut the limb and saw some of the flesh still on his ankle. Quickly catching up, he requested to see a medic only for them both to see that his ankle was clean but the worn fabric was evident of claws and scales. Dismissing it for now, Betta headed out into town to look for this Shale. By the town’s word, he was an inventive builder for the mining occupation, having made all manner of mining tools from pickaxes that can blast rock to axes that can break it with no wind up from the owner and vise-versa.

The human spent time in the town, thankful no one knew he was a human - even the clinic didn’t remove his clothing, which was a huge help - trying to find Shale the Bomber. He was confused at how such a well known builder would not have a shop. This thought was interrupted when the ground shook suddenly. No one looked alarmed except for Betta before a look around said what was happened, why and where. He walked up to the old stallion from before. “Excuse me.” The elderly male turned around to meet the human eye to eye. “I assume from the tremors that Shale is underground, correct?”

“Yes. He tests his inventions underground for our safety so he can find the limit of his tools. That tremor says he was testing a prototype.” The old man started to walk, beckoning Betta to follow. Once to a door in the ground, the old man left as Betta opened the shaft and descended several meters below ground before entering an open chamber. Inside he saw almost nothing, even with the torches set. Inside was also a glowing stone that casted brilliant light around the cave.

Walking in a few steps, there was a sudden yell and Betta held his sheath up, blocking a pointed end from caving his skull in. Quickly observing his assailant, he noted the attacker to be an old male unicorn. “Who are you? Who sent you?”

“What are you on about?!” Betta yelled in confusion, surprised he was holding back what looked like a heavy weapon.

“Don’t play dumb with me. I know your type, sent to take what ain’t yours then come back when it works. I heard about a new visitor, that’s why I set off my latest work, but you seem to be determined to take my craft.” Shale was obviously scared, something is close by or he was mugged. “Where are you from?”

“Fix your eyes old man, I’m from Forge Hills.” Betta defended.

“Liar. That sword used strong wind from what I hear. Even the best smiths can’t make that good an enchanted sword.” Shale’s weapon, which appeared to be a pickaxe, changed chambers as the blade heated to a brilliant light. “Now tell the truth.

“What more truth do you need - my name?!”

“It don’t matter what your name is, you came in here to steal!” The axe grew brighter before Betta covered his face, guarding it as the axe seemed to explode when it reality it just discharged from an overload. “Darn blast it!” The old man threw his pickaxe to the ground. “Piece of junk! No matter what I make the darn thing from, none of the stocks or blades can handle the darn magic crystals.”

“Would seeing my blade give you an idea then?” The old man looked to see Betta holding the sheath and drew the blade. Looking at the blade, he was confused to feel very little magic. It was there, engraved via the line dragon on the ridge but there wasn’t much wind.

The man offered the blade back and when Betta took it, the wind grew stronger before the blade was sheathed. “Couldn’t be…” Shale looked shocked. “Young man, take hold of that pickaxe would you?” Betta looked confused and even defensive as he took hold of the pickaxe and the crystals seemed to even out and agree with each other. “Hmmm…” The old stallion walked up to see his pickaxe and found that the chamber in use was glowing strongly, as the power was received to the weapon but without overload. “Young man, what magic do you think exists?” The human looked up, puzzled. “What your body is using, subconsciously, is Slayer Magic. In short, the way your body is using it for the pickaxe, is taking in the element in the chamber, amplifying it and sending it back into the weapon itself, boosting yourself and, by entension, the weapon without feedback or overload. This also seems to nullify the other crystals a small bit to keep you from absorbing too many magical elements. It seems my tool needs some work but I am inspired by what action to take.” Shale held his hand out. “If I may young man.” Betta handed the tool back as Shale took it to his workbench.

“So why were you so convinced I was a spy or thief then just drop the accusation?” Betta asked exasperated.

“My work is meant for the mines and some fool in the government heard of my exploits and wants me to make a weapon. This pickaxe is meant to be more of a multi-tool but those shield coats want to turn my work into a new weapon for no reason other than shaft measuring.” Shale started taking it apart. “I swear, my daughter and son have to put up with too many stupid ponies wanting to making something into what it was never meant to be. Thank the Metal they quit because of it.”

“The Metal?”

Shale turned back to the human. “The Battle of Steel Mountain or Metal Saviors, take your pick. The story goes that an augmented human tried to prepare for a threat his kind faced, but his preparations accidentally made the threat when he was trying to prepare for it too quickly and his darker nature to control of his craft. Soon, some of his craft fought back and sealed all of itself in many places across the world. This has had a beneficial side-effect on the minerals in some of the mines and cave we found, but the effect is so wide spread we’ll never find the vaults themselves, and thank goodness for that.”

“So why make the multi-pick?” Betta asked watching the stallion work with interest.

“I like that name.” Shale perked up before returning to work. “Anyway, the reason I made this pick was to aid in mining in all of its phases, blasting, clearing, moving, cleaning and so on. This pickaxe will simplify the process into one tool, well one of many.”

“What does it do then?”

“It uses magic crystals of varying elements to boost the weapon’s strength or give it an elemental power. But everything it uses, no matter the material, overloads the tool and it detonates, which will cause harm to the user if this isn’t rectified.” The inventor replaced the blades and reloaded the chamber with an empty chamber slot in the middle. “There we go.” The pick of the tool was replaced with a geometrically pointed tip and a blade the tool like a scythe while the back of the pick was like an industrial pickaxe where the head is flat and spread, likely as the chambers could only power one head given the design of shaft so Shale picked the actual pick of the axe to augment with the magic stones.

“The design is ingenious, but you seem to be a bit sad.” Shale sighed at Betta’s words.

“Using crystals is a big waste of time. Once the power drains it takes forever to recharge with the same power or a different one.” The stallion just slumped.

“Have you tried increasing the surface area?”

“Then the chamber would need to be filled with one crystal that takes longer to charge!” The miner screamed.

“And crystal dust?”

“I’ve-!” Shale calmed immediately. “Never tried that.” He looked around. “Listen, I want you to do something for me. Complete the task and you’ll get the axe for free but the Dust shells will cost.”

“What do you need done.”

“I need you to take a party and head into the forsaken mines to get me some materials. That pickaxe you’re holding has materials made from the remains of the monsters inside, but with our tools losing effectiveness, no thanks to a lorge horde setting up nest in that mine, and so the town is having to switch to metals for our tools. We’re running short on stock and it’s getting worrisome. This will give me time to make the Dust shells, which may help the new pickaxe and then some for the future. Help us and you get the axe and can come and go in my shop for tools and gear as you wish.” Betta nodded as he climbed the shaft to the surface and headed for the town hall to place a request for a party in Shale’s name. Ponies were eager to work with him until they saw that the destination was the Forsaken Mines. The crowd thinned to four ponies, covered head to toe in plate-mail with chainmail underneath. They carried swords of unique make and material and each pony also had a different build.

“Why the Forsaken Mines?” The middle height pony asked, his voice indicating a male.

“It was a request from Shale, said this town is having to dig into its metal for everything instead of the materials obtained from the monsters inside.” Betta answered professionally.

“That’s correct. We’re using our metal for tools instead of building and the lack of metal leaves us worried about our buildings and maintenance.” The shorter one spoke, the horn and lighter voice telling of a female unicorn.

“Are you sure you want to do this. The mines are fraught with monsters as small and numerous as hungry roaches and some coming close to being as big as the average dragon.” Another female, this one a pegasus, almost mocked with joy.

“Spoken like a mare who’s willing to crush nuts to get a job done or for sick kicks, you four better be ready right now because we’re heading out.” The four just held up their swords as the shorter male led the way, the other three of the party guarding their client, well other two as the pegasus was bored. “So why take such a dangerous job. We get young males trying to impress mares for a bedroom but is this really necessary?”

“I wouldn’t have taken the job if this axe wasn’t the prize. The chamber design has me rethinking the design of my sword.” Betta answered looking over the sword and axe.

“Can it you two. We need to be on alert. As we approach the cave the volume of beasts will grow so no slouching.” The stallion called firmly as he drew his sword, quickly killing what appear to be a snake that had grow far bigger than allowed with complex and thick scales adorning the body like armor. The priority was to clear the mines for metals and material so the group would leave that for later.

Coming up to the cave entrance, well more accurately about ten feet off, the entrance he massive canines at the mouth of the mines. They were sleeping, but sharper senses means getting nasty and staying quiet or get into a fight. The four ponies used hand-eye communication that confused Betta so much he didn’t know what they were planning and with him out of the loop and with any noise able to wake the wolves he had to stay quiet or risk a fight, which was concerning him greatly. They looked to him and drew their blades before looking at the wolves. Taking his stance, the team saw him and nodded, they agreed a fight was the only thing they could go for as sneaking in was too risking and waking them up while they were inside would be worse.

The largest pony pulls out his weapon, a massive warhammer, and the wolves wake from the disturbance but not before two of them get their skulls crushed in. The pegasus pulls out a bow and flies high while the unicorn casts spells over the full party and a few offensive magic to keep the wolves of the melee fighters. Betta stode ground close to the caster and changed chambers before he and the axehead glowed a fluorescent blue. As if he teleported, Betta swiftly moved behind the unicorn and pierced the wolf’s head, going straight to and through the brain and the shock rupturing the spine, killing it in one motion. While it looked like teleportation, it was actually increased reaction time, both magicly and physically. The lack of said increase would make him to slow to save the mare. Switching between the blue and a brilliant yellow, Betta and the team of ponies were finished with the wolves in minutes.

Entering the cave, they all smelled the foul air. The cave must have large bugs and reptiles secreting acid and foul lubricants from their bodies. The pungent odor made Betta gag a bit before the unicorn mare offered a mask, which cut the smell of the toxins greatly. Heading in, the encountered a large spider adorned in bright, contrasting colors.The unicorn immediately bombarded the arachnid with magic beams as the spider was knocked out, likely paralisis. “My sister is not a fan of many bugs.”

“I swear to Faust if I see a centipede I am running out.” The aforementioned sister said in protest. Continuing forward after a brief fight amongst themselves, the party came across a large cave opening of massive creatures from mammals to insects, but they weren’t peaceful with each other. “Ew. Ideas brother?”

“Use their friction to our advantage, wittle their numbers before going for the kill.” They nodded as the unicorn cast a cloak and stealth spell and got behind the bug. Nocking an arrow, she pick an animal and fired before moving back to her spot. The arrow hi the animal and the frenzy began. The unicorn was navigating the wall, staying close to even temperature surfaces as she made her way back to the party. Perching themselves above the fight, the lizards caught wind of the smell of the fight and got in on it. As long as the party did not get involved, the village would be getting a massive influx of materials for weeks. After some minutes passed, the cave was almost motionless with only a few monsters left and the party pounced, killing the remaining creatures and silencing the cave. The pegasus mare was the first first to leave, informing her party she’d bring the town to collect the materials.

A half hour passes and cart after cart was entering and leaving the cave as the corpses were hauled into town. Furnaces lit ablaze as the towns folk cheered and drank while the smiths worked in renewed delight. “Well sonny, you earned that pickaxe but I have something for your sword.” Shale pulled out a handle and suba that had two revolving chambers. “Something to help you on your travels.” The old man shook the human’s hand and went back underground.

As Betta enjoyed his time, the town began to cheer. “Cheers for the new arrival, his team and our restored peace!” The town cheered loud as a mare approached the human.

“You know stranger, we never got your name nor see your handsome face.” She began wrapping her arms around him when he evaded. “Hard to get huh?” The mare began going for the hood as she attempted to see Betta’s face, the human afraid of their reaction. As he tried avoiding the mare, others noticed his running away and laughed as she was, thankfully, no closer to unmasking him but one pony got the drop on him, the unicorn from his party earlier, as everyone present saw his face and he stood there, frozen with fear of what may befall him in an unknown town.