Chapter 1: Calm Before the Storm
Eternal Forest
132 years After Nightmare Moons Return
The Forest appears quiet. Silent, And still. The only noise coming from the rustling of wind, and leaves. The whole scene tranquil. With a hidden hunter lurking on top of a branch. Weapon in hand, and taking careful silent breaths as he awaits the arrival of his prey. A trail of berries leading to a berry bush below him. The hunter having been waiting half an hour as his trap takes patience. Unlike many who he knows back at camp.
Any internal monologue or thoughts are quickly ceased as the quiet rustling and crunching of leaves come to the hunters ears. The scent of a deer coming from upwind. 'Good' He thinks to himself. 'im upwind, it wont suspect a thing'. He watches as the creature eats a few berries that lay on the ground before walking up to the bush. And sniffs around, looking behind itself before feasting on the berries.
It does not get much to eat as its head is quickly impaled by a spear, as the hunter jumps down and stabs the Buck in the head, spear impaling it through to the ground. Instantly killing it. The hunter smiles and stands up, having used his knees to absorb the fall. And quickly pushes his spear through, Coating it in blood but he quickly cleans it in a small stream near the bush. He then picks up the kill and puts it over his shoulder, Grunting at the weight but glad it weighs so much. 'More for us to eat' He thinks.
He begins his slow methodical walking through the forest. His foot wrappings not enough to protect his soft feet from rocks or sharp branches, And thus throughout his years has learned to step carefully and with a glance, scan for threats. 'Reminds me of when i got here.' He begins to think to himself. 'Just a scared young teen. In a crazy world. like im some hero in a fantasy book.' He remains silent as he steps through the underbrush. Looking at familiar trees and symbols carved into them to guide him back.
Within minutes he arrives to his destination. A small tribe, formed in a large cave that is surrounded by dense trees and foliage. As he whistles out before stepping into the killing area the tribe has set up in case of predators or unwanted intruders. He waves with his weapon to the group of guards, two ponies, a griffin, and a Minotaur. The lot seeming glad to see him back safely with prey.
"Hey, Guilla Snagged us a big one like i promised." The hunter calls out as he approaches the makeshift palisade.
"Great! Getting sick of eating rabbit and fox." Guilla responds as she walks out to meet him.
"Gonna go tell your grandmother im back. Didn't see anything weird like she always asks me about though."
"You know how paranoid she is nowadays Vatinius, Especially now that shes older than anyone."
"Yeah, Well im gonna go give this to the butcher. Hes had enough salt for a creature three times this size for a while now. Time to put it to use." Vatinius states as he walks into the cave.
As he walks in, he spots the usual sights. A Dozen or so houses built into the walls, and a few lean to's against the remaining wall. He smiles as he sees a few children running about playing. The griffin and sphinx seem particularly excited now that he has a large deer to eat. He remembers when he was that young. Back on the other world.
He quickly dismisses his memories of his youth. Wanting to let it go back into his subconscious. Focusing back on taking his kill to be prepared for dinner and the rest salted. He walks into the butchers tent. Meeting his friend sigil, a bat pony.
"Hey Sigil, Guess what i got?" Vatinius says as he walks in through the leaf door.
"Another rabb- Is that a buck?!" He exclaims, getting up from his chair and rushing over.
"Told you id have a good hunt today."
"You glorious bastard. Finally us meat eaters can add some flavor to the diet. I love rabbit but a month of it is too much. Too much i say!!" He shouts out. Causing his neighbors to yell at him to keep quiet.
"Yeah i now. Guess luck is on our side."
"You know not to tempt fate like that!" Sigil pushes his hoof against Vatinius' Chest
"Cmon just stating anything about luck isn't unlucky. The world doesn't work like that."
"Well last time i said i was lucky not to cut my hoof off with my new knife we got, and then i cut myself. See?" He shows his completely healed wound.
"That or your an idiot who shouldn't be trusted with a blade. And only is because none of us can cut up prey as well as you can."
"Ok maybe. But still! You jinx it."
"Alright whatever. Just save me a nice piece of it. I've been wanting to see if i can cook it in other ways than a stew." Vatinius says while walking out. Giving a wave to Sigil as he goes.
Vatinius then heads to the back of the cave. Towards the oldest building in it. The tribes Hall. A large wooden building that stretches to the top of the cave, with two floors on it and a balcony, where the council give speeches. He walks in and looks around, spotting one of the elders, an old zebra sitting in an old roughly made chair.
"Hey Faren, Is Gilda upstairs?" Vatinus asks, Causing the old mare to look up from her scroll.
"Ah Vatinius, your back. How was your hunt?" The Mare asks in a sweet motherly tone.
"Great got a large buck. All the meat eaters gonna be happy tonight. Gonna improve some spirits after Wood Work well.. you know." He says in a solemn tone.
"Ah yes.. Well good on you. Im sure Gilda will be happy to see you. I do think shes still awake."
"Thanks."
Vatinius states before going up the stairs to his left. Heading down a hall towards the bedroom of his adoptive grandmother. Knocking on the door before getting permission to enter, And opening it. Revealing a extremely old female griffin, Lying in a bed made of leaves and one of the few wool blankets available.
"Hey Granny Gilda. Im back, and i caught a deer." He smiles as he sees his grandmother look up from an old box, and smile warmly as she closes it.
"Ah Vatinius, Im glad your back safely. Did you see anything.. Suspicious like i foresaw?"
"Granny, i didn't see anything. Your just getting uh.. What was it called. Dimension or something." Vatinius states as he walks over to the side of the bed. And sits next to her.
"Im not going insane you young whippersnapper... Gosh did i really say that. Darn im old. my mind is as fresh as ever! I may be a hundred.. Something years old. But im till as smart as i was when i was a chick." Gilda retorts, giving Vatinius a playful smack on the side of the head.
"Alright alright. I still don't get what you mean by suspicious. But i wouldn't worry."
"Oh but complacency breeds weakness. Never be off your guard young boy!"
"Granny im twenty ish. Im at least allowed to drink alcohol back where i came from."
"Your still a boy compared to me. Now give me a hug i missed you." She chuckles as Vatinius rolls his eyes and wraps his arms carefully around Gilda, hugging her. "Alright don't forget to save me a piece of buck this time. Otherwise ill have to actually get out of bed for once!"
"Don't worry i wont forget this time. Now i gotta-" Vatinius is cut off as the sound of screaming and yells reach his ear. Both their faces turn pale as Gilda stares into the roof.
"Oh no.. They're here.."
"Wha- Granny who's here?" He asks getting up and heading to the window, looking out to see the entrance palisade set ablaze and ponies, clad in dark blue armor running into the cave. Zapping many fleeing members of the tribe with a dark blue beam causing them to freeze up. and fall to the ground. And with each fallen member a pony picks them up in magic and takes them behind the oncoming horde of armored ponies.
"Nightmares goons.. They finally found us." Gilda mutters. Seemingly accepting her fate.
"Whos goons? Who are they! What are they doing to everybody!" Vatinius states as he watches a few tribe members who attempted to fight back get slaughtered by spears and crossbow bolts. Vatinius looks away, seeing Gilda lie back and mumble something. He quickly grabs his spear and heads to help defend the village.
"Vatiniuis dont.." Gilda yells out to Vatinius as hes about to burst through the door.
"What do you mean! I have to help the village!" He yells back. Adrenaline starting to rush through him.
"They'll kill you. And you cant finish the story if you're dead."
"Wha- Granny what are you talking about?!"
Gilda does not respond. But as the door to the council building bursts open and a horde of unicorns run in. Vatinius turns around only to spot a blue beam of magic strike his face. And watch as he falls to the floor. Eyes slowly fluttering closed, as he watches some of the ponies rush to Gilda, and impale her on a spear. The last thing he hears before falling unconscious being her wail of pain..
To be Continued...
Author's Note
Heyyyy another story to add to my colllection. Had this idea for a while now and it went through a few differnet filters but ultimately ended up with this. Thanks for reading and let me know how you like/Dislike it and why.
