Year 2532, 36th of Chillwind, Hour 33 – 1/2 Kilometer south of a forested hamlet – Solaria’s POV

The last shimmers of sunlight fully fade, leaving only the campfire I was huddled by as a source of light. I had arrived within sight of the town around an hour ago, setting up a fire while waiting for the sun to completely settle.

There was a slight problem with my journey, however: I had forgotten how much I hated the cold. Six hours after leaving the MagLev, snow clouds had rolled into the area. Now, a fresh layer of snow had covered the ground, more still falling.

Curse the one who decided that layering the ground with frozen water particles was a good idea…

It was the one disadvantage to my Sarabian blood. Any temperature below freezing was detrimental to my health, especially without some form of additional warmth.

Fortunately, with the sun having vanished behind the clouds and mountains, I could slip into the town unnoticed. A flash of Telekinesis and a pile of snow later, the fire is out. I gather my pack and begin to slowly make my way down the hillside.

Going down the hill was a difficult process. The snowy wind was blowing directly into my face; the fresh snow slick under my feet. After nearly falling many times, I made it to the bottom.

My foot shoots out from under me on a patch of ice. A low hanging branch saves my near fall. Once I had balance myself out, I notice the source of ice: a cold rushing stream, about 15 meters across. Unable to cross at the current point, I begin to travel upstream.

Two-hundred meters up is a clear enough spot. I ignite the Teleportation spell and travel across the river in a flash. After walking back downstream a short distance, the snow-covered grass and dirt changes to a snowy cobbled stone street. Soon, my eyes were staring where the gunship had been sitting two days ago.

Walking further down the street, I pause at the single crossroad within the town. I draw magic to my hands, igniting the Life Detention spell and apply enough magical Energy to increase the range to around 100 meters. After engaging it, wisps of blue fire appear within my vision. Each fire was a sign of sentient life, speckled throughout a few houses. The biggest batch was within the tavern.

A quick 360-degree spin later, the spell is disabled. While there were plenty of blue fires, the signature yellow fire of an Equestrian Guard was absent.

Not to be unexpected, there was a reason the Minotaurs always raided this town. Not that the townsfolk care, this hamlet could burn to ashes and the habitants would be too drunk to notice.

Upon the street corner to my lower right was a trading shop. Everything needed for my journey could be found in there. I approach the window closest to the door, cupping my hands and peering into the store.

It was dark, but I could make out four rows of shelves perpendicular to the front wall. Since there was no sign of life shown to me from within the shop, I shift to the door.

With a final glance up and down the empty street, I ignite Telekinesis and magically grab the hinges. Pulling my arm towards my body, the three sets of hinges are ripped from their place. The hinges are released from my grasp; the magical energy shifts to the door as the wooden structure threatens to fall into the shop.

I carefully set the door down on its side, stepping through the open gap into the store.

The loudest whine possible cries from a floorboard.

My body tenses. I couldn’t care less about any property damage dealt, but it wouldn’t bode well to jeopardize the shoplift before it even began.

After a minute of silence and stillness, I slowly delve deeper into the store. With the lack of lighting, I ignite the Angel’s Light spell. A brilliant white light bursts into existence in my left palm. Quickly toning down the glow, I shift the orb from white to orange, the glow similar to a candle. It’s tossed above my head and magically locked to travel with me.

I begin along the first row, checking both sides for any valuables. Most of the contents are useless. Near the far end of the row, however, was a heavy-duty flashlight. I peel off my pack and stuff the tool into it.

With nothing else valuable, I traverse to the next row, only to have a reflection from the Angel’s Light to catch my eye.

The cause of the reflection was a glass case. The simplistic wooden case itself was nothing special, but the wide array of tools inside was more than enough to gather my attention. There were various axes, knives, shovels, and even more.

Without a second thought, and a glance at the door, I strike the glass with my gauntleted fist. The glass loudly shatters, throwing shards all along the floor. The rest of the glass pane is peeled away.

I pull out a hatchet, taking a moment to examine the tool. It was pristinely made, the darkened wood handle and silver-toned axe-head contrasting each other. The axe is slipped into its sheathe and stored in my pack.

Despite my awareness to the lack of guards in the hamlet, my pace is quickened as I continue my thievery. The next three rows are quickly covered, providing me with a simplistic pocket watch, a backup water container, and plenty of preserved foods.

I finish searching the final row and turn to check the remaining displays. A brand-new synthetic fur cloak, as well as a single-anthro tent and bed roll displayed upon the wall catch my eye.

The last strap is locked around the bedroll, when a beam of light flashes into the shop’s interior.

Freezing in place, I swivel my ears, straining to hear a sound.

Near the doorway, a load creak of floor and a quiet curse reach my ears.

Definitely a mare. Her near-silent steps are a trait of a Pegasus and the high-beam flashlight means a guard.

A deep sigh in my mind.

Typical of an Intercity Guard to do their job at the last second.

The beam of the flashlight vanishes.

With the interior of the shop returning to darkness, and the quiet steps of a Pegasus, a bold risk is taken. I begin to slowly sneak along the outer edges of the rows, farthest away from the window.

Almost reaching the end of the rows, the sound of crunching glass is heard from under my boot. Instinctively and foolishly, I freeze. Heavy footsteps rapidly approach. The Guard is no longer trying to hide.

I duck into the row farthest from the footsteps. The sound of an activating MCB firearm alerts me of the guard’s position:

She’s right on top of me.

With no opportunity to think up a battle plan, I wait a second, then jump out into the path of the charging guard.

I duck and narrowly avoid receiving a sidearm grip to the head.

Igniting Telekinesis and grabbing the sidearm in the spells magical grasp, the weapon is pulled from the guard’s hands. The weapon flies from her grasp. Her shocked expression quickly changes to one of determination.

The guard jumps at me, lifting her legs from the ground and drawing them in. Before I can react, the guard’s legs shoot out, successfully planting a drop kick to my chest. The force sends both of us in opposite directions. With an agile roll, my opponent is back on her feet.

I am not so lucky. The wall connects with my back, causing the wood to break under the force. The air leaves my lungs as I drop to the ground on my right shoulder. I look up at the guard. She’s already running to land another hit on me with a freshly drawn electric baton.

Gritting my teeth, I ignite the Gust spell into my left palm, drawing back my arm best I can and focusing on her folded wings. As the breeze catches her feathers, her wings are pulled open. The guard’s caught wings send her crashing to the ground.

With the opening, I quickly swap to one of two Illusion spells I took the time to learn: Drowse. Igniting the spell, I begin to work at the guard’s mind. It wasn’t easy. Her mind was strong; but I do not relent. As she was trying to stand, the spell connects. Her eyes roll back and she falls from her half-standing state to the ground.

The air has fully returned to my lungs. I give a soft groan of pain. Rubbing the pain in my shoulder and lifting to my feet, I walk over to the sleeping guard.

A flick of my wrist and the Angel’s Light spell is relit, glowing white instead of orange.

I watch as her chest slowly rises and lowers, before rolling her onto her stomach. Strapped onto her back at the hip sits a steel shortsword of the Solar Guard. I draw the blade out a third; it gives off a soft hiss as the metal slides against the leather sheathe. Re-sheathing the sword, and drawing my survival knife, the binding that attached the sheathe to the guard is cut.

Not wanting to waste any more time, I return the knife to its place and haphazardly slip the re-sheathed sword into my pack and exit the shop though the front. Now filled with proper supplies and tools, I pull out the compass, find northeast, and begin a paced jog in that direction.

37th of Chillwind, Hour 37:02 – Tundra of the Minotaur Lands – Solaria’s POV

The leather layers of the tent violently shake from the blizzard winds, threatening to tear away as the howling winds scream into the night. Within my tent, at the entrance, was a small magical fire. I had not engaged the burning effect, rather increasing the warmth the fire emits.

Even with the tent and the boost of warmth, my body still shivered. I tried to help my coldness by wrapping myself in the bedroll and eating the last MRE my pack had. Neither did much to help.

Stupid Sarabian blood. Why couldn’t I have been born in the country that isn’t connected to the Frozen North?

Unable to do much else besides freeze, I drop the bedroll from around me and straighten my back. With a twist of my wrists, the fire is disengaged and replaced with my second known Illusion spell, Magical Meditation.

As my eyes close, I cast the spell. Seconds pass, and the pitch black begins to shimmer in waves. The waves shift from a dull gray to an earth brown. As the brown changes to a dark, then vibrant red, the shimmering waves change to streaks. When the color reaches orange, my vision becomes black again.

When my eyes open however, I am no longer in the claustrophobic tent freezing in a blizzard. Instead, I am standing upon soft, green grass. The sky is tinted in shades of red, orange, and yellow. The rustling of leaves and chirping of birds sing to my ears.

Looking around, a great sense of calm surrounds me while I take in the beauty of my Meditative Plane. Small floating islands, connected to the main island through wooden bridges, lazily exist. The forest is silhouetted in a red darkness.

I begin to take a clear dirt path leading me along the forest edge of the main island. After passing underneath the hanging branches and by the colorful flowers, I reach a bridge spanning over a bubbling river.

From the bridge off to the left, a mountain reaches into the sky, its peak glowing red. After a moment of admiration, I continue across the bridge. After a minute of walking, another wooden path enters my view, spanning to a smaller island.

Upon the island sits a cabin. The worn wood and rustic appeal are quite calming to me. Upon entering the cabin, the fire automatically flashes to life. I quickly cross the open room and exit out through another door. Beyond the door was a massive porch, overhanging the small island.

Out from the far edge of the porch was the source of the sunset that lit my Plane. The sun was half-hidden behind a thin layer of cloud, its rays cut through the wisps.

I hang my legs over the edge and lie down onto my back. My body is already rejuvenating. The bruises and cuts sustained begin to heal and fade.

Some time passes. I stand and begin to practice my magical skills. As each spell is casted, my magic pool and casting ability slowly grows more efficient. This goes on for hours, as normal time flies by.

The relaxation suddenly dissipates as the whole island begins to rumble and shake. Alarms begin to go off, as the rumbling is not from within the Meditative Plane. I ignite Magical Meditation and cast it, the effects that brought me here reversed until my vision was once again in black.

38th of Chillwind, Hour 10:57 – Tundra of the Minotaur Lands – Solaria’s POV

I jolt back to consciousness feeling the rumbles still, albeit much less extreme.

Something was near. Something big and in numbers.

I grab my leg armor that was stacked on my left and hastily begin to attach it. With my practiced strokes, the pieces are secured within a minute.

By this time, the rumbling has ceased. I slip on and secure my gauntlets before unzipping the tent and jumping out. The unsheathed shortsword is in one hand and an ignited Lightning spell is in the other. I peer around to see if I can spot the source of the sounds.

Behind my tent, around 50 meters away, stand twelve grizzled Minotaurs. Each armed with heavy Warhammers. Each now realizing that the occupant of the tent was aware of their presence.

One of the twelve steps forward a few meters. My breath hitches.

Before me stands a Minotaur chief; but not any chief, the same one that escaped my clutches a few nights ago.

My mouth twitches, slowly twisting into a furious snarl.

He does not seem to recognize me, as he yells back to his companions, making sure I can hear him as well.

“Well, well boys! Look at what we have before us! A little, lost Equestrian!”

The faint sound of Minotauric laughter is heard. Their voices cause my fists to tighten. I’m not thinking of the current predicament.

Stronghold…

The chieftain speaks again, this time from a closer distance.

“Ahh, not just any Equestrian, but a Unicorn mare at that!”

His voice becomes laced with lust.

I only breathe heavily, merely fighting to keep my vision from going red.

The chief turns to his group and lifts his hands into the air.

“Well don’t just stand there! Go and get your prize!”

The other eleven Minotaur roar with excitement and begin to charge towards me. As the charging group reaches the chieftain, he joins them.

Forget rational thinking.

Taarg’s POV

This was meant to be like any other Equestrian mare we found. She would be overwhelmed by our presence, we would have our fun, then we would take her back to our camp as a slave.

We all had thoughts of lust-filled excitement on our minds, even more so as we got closer. We could tell this mare was physically perfect in every way; the armor could not hide what she had to offer us.

Unfortunately, these happy thoughts vanished, as the mare began to have a shift occur around her. A bright white glow began to shine from her right eye and horn. A magical humming sounded from around her body. Lightning sparkled on her hands and arms.

All of us halted our charge about eight hammer-lengths from her.

When we did, she began to twist her arms and hands in an intricate motion. Thunderous noises cracked in the air above us. Looking up to the sky, purple flashes can be seen in the gray clouds. I became confused. Thunder doesn’t happen here.

My confusion is replaced with utter terror as a bolt of lightning drops from the sky, landing right on top of Burnk. The crack of the bolt deafened me, and the concussion of the blast threw me five hammer-lengths away into the snow.

The last thing in my vision before snow covered my face was the image of the chief’s arm being melted away.

My ears rang as muffled screams were heard. After coughing up flecks of snow and wiping snow from my eyes, I force myself onto my legs.

I look up.

Florgn’s head explodes from a smaller strike of lightning. His body fell to the ground, blood and flesh seeping into the already red snow.

After witnessing the gruesome death of my friend, the rage once again courses through me. Retrieving a fallen Warhammer near me, I begin to charge at the Unicorn. Before reaching her, Svelg beats me to it. He swings his own hammer, aiming for the Unicorns chest like he said he had done before.

This time, she catches it. With little visible effort, she grabs the hammer, tears it from Svelg’s grasp, and swings the blunt stone into Svelg’s stomach.

Multiple sickening cracks echo out. Svelg gives a raspy scream before falling over, his body unable to hold still from the pain.

With her distracted by Svelg, I take a chance and attack from behind. I raise my hammer into the air, ready to bring it down.

The Unicorn stomps her foot; I feel intense pain explode in my chest.

My hammer slips from my grasp as my arms go slack. Looking down, I see a massive spear of blue ice protruding from the ground into my chest. As my breaths grow less, the Unicorn turns to look at me.

Her eyes hold intense hatred with terrifying and unnatural power, their gaze filling my soul with terror.

As she stares, my vision slowly fades to black as I lose conscious.

Solaria’s POV

(Warning: If you are not partial to graphic depictions of torture or do not like the breaking of bones, then skip until you see the all clear)

The utter rage finally dies down to a controllable level. With most of the Minotaurs dead, a few having ran, only one remains: the chieftain.

He was lying a few meters away from me, clutching what remained of his left arm. He noticed me approaching, trying his best to crawl away from me.

I grab the double-bandolier around his chest with Telekinesis, pulling him face-to-face with me.

“Pl…please…” He begged.

“I told you,” a cold whisper barely audible came my lips. “I would spread your corpse to every corner of Alheere… But now” —I begin to shift a portion of Telekinesis to his remaining hand, the spell slowing twisting his fingers clockwise— “I think such a death is too nice for you…”

With a flick of my right wrist, his fingers harshly twist; one by one they release a harsh crunch. The chieftain screams. I cancel the Telekinetic grasp on him. He falls onto the snowbank behind him, tears streaming from his wide eyes while staring at his backward-facing fingers.

The Telekinetic grasp grabs his leg, quickly bending his shinbone in half.

More screaming and sobbing.

I continue with every bone in his lower torso and remaining arm. The sobs and screams die away, leaving the shuttering breath as the only sound he’s making.

Silently igniting the Magical Weapon spell, the magic is pulled into the shape of a longsword. His glazed eyes look to the blade.

“K-kill me…”

“You don’t deserve such a mercy.”

I bring the summoned blade down onto his broken legs, cleaving both off. The screams return. Without missing a beat, his remaining arm is removed as well. While the severed limb impacts on ground, I exchange the weapon spell for Incineration. Blue flames flicker to life in my palm, liquid fire dripping onto the snow.

“Have a taste of Tartarus you faraking sahkira!” With a snarl, both my hands are thrusted to his chest. The blue flames jet forward, searing into his flesh and pouring out from around my palms. His screams were ten times worse than before, but they disappeared in seconds as the blue flames burst out the chieftains back.

My muzzle is struck with the scent of burning flesh as his body slumps into the melting snow drift.

(The graphic violence is over, for now)

I cancel out Incineration, stepping back. The hatred and adrenaline die out. My legs shake, forcing me to fall back onto the snow. My breathing grows faster. I mistakenly glance to the desecrated corpse, nearly vomiting. I close my eyes and clench my fists, desperately trying to calm my body. With Telekinesis, I grab the body and toss it away. Knowing the brutal sight is gone, I reopen my eyes. My bloodstained hands are shaking.

You are not like her, you are not like her, you are not like her…

I repeat the sentence in my mind. Eventually, my breathing slows, and my hands cease their shaking.

I am not Celestia. I, I did what was right. Celestia kills without reason, I avenged Stronghold. I completed my task.

Shaking my head to reset my thoughts, I stand up.

Whether or not I feel satisfaction, I did what had to be done.

Turning back towards my tent, which was torn to shreds, my pack was relatively unharmed.

My reason for coming here is done. What matters now, is to forget this whole ordeal. I forget what I’ve done, I forget Stronghold.

I face east, walking back the way I had been traveling.

Two magical overloads in a week is dangerous. Both were the cause of Stronghold. He’s been avenged. There’s no reason I should continue thinking of him.

…

You know you will…

I shake the thought from my mind. With the chieftain dead, my real goal was no longer being overshadowed. He had suffered his due amount, now it was Celestia’s turn.

My slow pace towards Equestria halts. Up in the sky, around 50 kilometers away, was the grayest, angriest storm I had ever seen. It was moving fast, heading south. It would hit me before the Equestrian border would be within my sight. Not even the forest would be a haven from the storm.

Oh svist…

I begin to hightail it west, passing by the dead Minotaur bodies. I ran for 100 meters, before a decent slope cut off my run. With a glance back at the storm, I decide to try a long-range teleportation. A very risky maneuver, considering the extreme amount of magic that would consume; it was either death by magical loss or death by freezing.

I decide the former choice would be the lesser risk. The Teleport spell is ignited, the motions are made, and the bright flash transports me out into tundra. When the spell completes, I find myself a few meters up. Barely managing to catch myself with Telekinesis, I drop onto the snow. My head is spinning.

Teleporting 80 kilometers in one go isn’t the best idea.

A gut feeling was telling me my magic pool was low, to the point where a rest would be beneficial. Unfortunately, there was no time for such a luxury. That storm, despite my lead, would still reach me within a few hours.

With the temporary hindrance the lack of magic gives, I slowly began to make my way northeast; my goal being the safest area I could think of, both from storms and hostility.

39th of Chillwind, Hour 17 – Less than a kilometer outside Norrg’kl, – Solaria’s POV

Despite the odds and unbelievable number of blizzards, I had made it to the safe-zone. Regardless, there was still the chance for failure. Every step drained more and more energy. My magic was nearly drained again. I was a freezing mess. Only the current calm between storms, the hope of warmth, and my will to exact revenge kept me going.

Three faraking storms over the course of a day. No wonder the Minotaurs hate everything all the time.

I almost felt a moment of pity for the occupants of this region, but seeing the guards at the front gate eye me up as I passed through removed such feelings.

The first thing to enter my vision was a massive bonfire, a hundred or so meters from the gate. I shifted over the fire and collapsed as close as I could to it, sending a thousand thanks to the Creator.

Never had fire and warmth felt so wonderful. I adjusted my position to be sitting cross-legged.

Eventually, as my body began to function normally again, I notice the staring. Several of the Minotaurs around the fire are directly staring at me. Even though their staring was mostly surprise at seeing an Anthropony in such a place, it was still greatly uncomfortable.

In an act of intimidation, I ignited the Firestorm spell along my arms and bare my teeth. Most of them flinch and avert their gazes, a few even jumping back. None of them fled. I did not continue my act, as long as they didn’t bother me.

For an hour, I rested in front of the fire. Soaking the warmth of the flames and regenerating my magic pool. It was actually somewhat peaceful. The weather was calm for the time being, and other creatures around the fire were leaving me alone.

All good things come to an end, however. My ears perk as heavy footsteps approach from behind me. Before I can react, hands grasp my arms and pull me into the air.

Without a second thought, I ignite Gust into each palm and fire a blast of powerful wind behind me. The spell works, as the grasp my attackers have on me disappears. I whip around to see which fool decided to bother me.

To no surprise there are three Minotaurs, currently scrambling onto their feet, all bearing a clan crest of the Hytori. I ready myself in a defensive position, drawing the shortsword from my pack. Two of the Hytori Minotaurs retrieve a Warhammer from their backs, while the third draws a crossbow.

“All of you sheathe your weapons! Right now!”

A new voice calls from my left. Another Minotaur clad in slightly rusted armor bearing the same symbol as the gate flags. He’s carrying his own crossbow; the barbed bolts look much more dangerous than the Hytori Minotaur’s.

Four more guards come up on us, two on my right and two behind the Hytori. Listening to the guard, the shortsword is slowly sheathed.

After seeing my compliance, all the guards turn to the real problems.

“Are you all deaf?!” The same guard barks. “Sheathe your weapons! You know the rule: no fighting within the city walls!”

“But,” A Hytori Minotaur protests. “She did wrong to our clan! She killed our chief!”

“Oh, she did?” The guard sneers. “It seems like she was doing all of us a favor…”

The other guards chuckle as the Hytori Minotaurs seethe.

“If you aren’t here to buy or trade, get out. We don’t like your kind here.” Four of the guards begin to funnel the Hytori towards the front gate.

More sputters of protest are made. As the group approaches the gate, a Hytori Minotaur yells out to me.

“This isn’t the last you will see of us, Witch!”

I smirk, glad to know I wasn’t the only one to hate the Hytori clan.

“And you,”

The remaining guard points to me.

“If you cause us any trouble here, it won’t just be the weather you’ll have to hide from…”

He stalks off before I can respond.

Good to know that all Minotaurs are still dicks.

I was alone at the bonfire, the presence of Clan Hytori seeming to plague the area for the time being. I sit back down next to the fire.

There’s no way I can leave this place. Even if I was strong enough, those Hytori leathersacks will be skulking around for a while. I need a safe spot to build my resistance to the cold and expand my magical power. It’s doubtful I’d be welcome in any home and living on the streets would not be ideal. In my current state, one storm would kill me. I wonder if someone would be willing to trade work for shelter.

With my plan made up, I circle around the bonfire and walk down the street from the gate. Up from the fire, is a decently active marketplace. A perfect spot for finding work.

Author's Note

This chapter is a revision of what it once was...

Please, feel free to leave a comment asking questions, giving thoughts, or providing constructive criticism.

Chapter 3 Spells Conducted (in order of use)

Telekinesis - Previously described (Chapter 2)

Teleportation - Previously described (Chapter 2)

Life Detection - Subject to the Manipulation category, this spell allows the caster, as the name suggests, to detect life. Within the area of effect (the caster as the centerpoint), any living creature with a soul will emit a colored flame only the caster can see. Depending on the creature's natural magic signature, the color will be different (blue=sentient life, green=herbivorous, red=carnivorous, etc)

Angel's Light - Subject to the Manipulation category, this spell will spawn a ball of light (defaulted at 1/2 meter circumference and a bright white color). The ball of light can be changed through color, size, brightness, count, and location.

Gust - Previously described (Chapter 2)

Drowse - Subject to the Illusion sub-category Mind Illusion, this spell can cause the targets mind to believe it is asleep. The spell can be quite varied on difficulty, as the amount of magic required depends on the mental strength of the target

Burning Embers - Subject to the Offensive sub-category Fire Element, this spell allows the caster to expel burning embers onto the ground. Said embers will burn until the caster cancels the spell, holding the ability to change temperature at will.

Magical Meditation - Subject to the Illusion sub-category Mind Illusion, this spell is an alternate plane of reality where the caster can do whatever they please. Anything they wish to create, can be created. Granted, there is a limit, which depends on the mental power of the caster and the magic pool they have. Time within the casters Medatative Plane does not pass as fast as time does in the real world

Thunderbolt - Previously described (Chapter 1)

Lightning Bolt - Subject to the Offensive sub-category Lightning Element, this spell sends a smaller-sized lightning bolt from the caster's palm. The bolt will travel at the same pace as natural lightning, as well as have the voltage count adjusted to fit the casters will.

Grounded Ice Spike - Subject to the Offensive sub-category Ice Element, this spell summons ice spikes from the ground, anywhere the caster chooses within a certain distance. The spike can be adjusted through length, circumference, amount, jaggedness, and sharpness

Magical Weapon - Subject to the Offensive sub-category Magical Element, this spell allows the caster to summon any melee-based weapon though magic. The weapon itself is made of magic, although it acts just as the weapon it's formed after would.

Incineration - Subject to the Offensive sub-category Fire Element, this spell is the next step up from Flame Throw. The fire expelled begins twice as hot, signified with blue flames instead of orange.

--Thanks to HoneyBacho for proofreading and helping with world continuity.