Corruption

Celestia stood, her form still as her mind whirled with implication. She remained looking at the silhouette of the human growing ever smaller. Then, after a moment, the figure vanished entirely through the pillared entrance of the castle.

"Princess, why didn't you give the signal?" The Archmage asked as she removed her cloak. Her and a dozen others.

"Gumshoe? I want you to take as many of your subordinates as necessary to sift through the crate of information that was received in the Mages Tower. It's now your highest priority. I need to know if any of the Bloombergs contracted the services of a pyromancer at any time in the past decade. Or if any of them specialize in that particular branch of magic."

"As you will, Your Highness." The head stallion of Royal investigations replied sharply.

" ... I also want you to inform the captain that the security detail that is currently watching over Bloomberg is to be doubled. It's not his potential escape I am concerned with. I will see Justice done for his crimes but he needs to be alive for his trial. Arkfire Arcanum?" Celestia asked as she turned to the Archmage. Her expression was thoughtful and focused as her mind went to task.

"Yes, Princess?"

"You had said, Crystal was your most trusted. So I require you both to scan the graveyard and catacombs of Canterlot for any dark relics, or fragments of one in this case."

"Do you think it could be there? That he doesn't have it?" The Archmage asked worriedly.

"Regardless if it is or isn't, the search itself needs to happen."Where its remains lay." It's not a lot but it's a start. I will be doing much the same in the Shadow Realm. It's either been destroyed or he's figured out a way to prevent it from influencing him. If it's the latter ... I think it's time a group was created to specifically watch him."

"He didn't react as if we were here. Do you think the cloaks worked Princess? That we're invisible to Soul-sight?"

"He didn't stop smiling, even when he should have thought we were alone. I think it appropriate to operate under the assumption that it's still an unknown. If there are any plans for overt movement involving the cloaks, then I think it's wise they are modified to reflect these new criteria until further notice."

"I helped spearhead their development, I don't see how he could possibly have known." Arcfire stated somewhat indignantly.

"I would prefer that be the case but it's always better to err on the side of caution. Tell me, do you think there is a way we could find out everything those runes of his do? Without him immediately knowing what we're trying to learn."

"Well," The Archmage's eyes slightly glazed as her expression transformed into a far-off look, her mind focusing on the query. "The main issue is that we don't have a starting point. We wouldn't know if the means of measurement used would already be within his perceivable range... Maybe I can put together a think tank..." The Archmage rubbed her temples as she pontificated. "I'll have to continue this line of thought later after we've searched for the remains."

Celestia gave an acceding nod in understanding. Arcfire kept her focused expression as she and Crystal stepped a few paces away. Their departure was a soft flash followed by an audible pop.

{ One day later }

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvNQLJ1_HQ0&ab_channel=VoicesofMusic

Though none remembered it, the Canterlot theatre was one of the oldest buildings in the city. As the great Mages, stonemasons, and various artisans constructed the new capital, their temporary homes and areas of commerce came into existence first. The infrastructure to build was the priority. Enabling the framework and on-site planning to gain a hoof hold before even a single stone of the foundations were laid. Knowing where they wanted it, and building are entirely different animals. And so tents, wagons, and roads along with taverns and areas of entertainment sprang up as the castle itself was being built. The Canterlot theatre was one of the first of these buildings, and its age showed. It hadn't deteriorated, no, not with the magic woven into the materials, but for those that had an eye for detail, they could see the subtle differences. It had originally started as one large room, but as time progressed, it grew incrementally.

As the demand required it, another section was added on. First another room, then a hallway, a corridor for the actors behind the stage. Removing portions and replacing them with balconies, raising the ceiling. Over time, subtle differences in design changes manifested into a myriad of subtle variations built upon layer, upon layer for the past 650 years. The upper floors of the balcony seats donned an elegant decor; red carpets and velveteen ropes lined the paths to each private section. Stained glass windows depicted the poets and thespians of days long past. Actors and actresses play their parts in legendary tails of triumph and tragedy, comedy and romance. Large paintings and vast murals of wordsmiths and Scholars telling of stories, both historical and fiction. Of epics and epitaphs. Ultimate forms of flattery in Magna opera, the chronicles of life, death, and bodies of their work.

The evening air was thick with the scent of spice & wine. The burning of wood filled braziers and lightly scented candles. Potpourri and the collection of delicacy topped silver platters carried by maître d'hôtels culminated into an atmosphere of decadence and refinement. Skylights framed the view of clouds, long and wisped languidly moving through the moonlit starscape above. Obsidian pillars inlaid with golden floral imagery, marble sculptures, and extravagant fountains, along with the rest, wove a feeling of elegance and a wealthy history into the ambience. The sound of music, conversation, and the tittering of laughter rose and fell like the tide. Conveying an underlying excitement that seemed to well within the crowd, who waited with anticipation. Whispers of fanciful potentials and other gossip made their rounds.

The infamous recluse and famous inventor of House Star was rumoured to be here this evening. For what reason, there was plenty of speculation, but only a very quiet few knew what for. The vast majority of the public would only see him once or twice a decade, and that was only if they were in the right place at the right time. Few had seen him with any regularity, but everypony knew of him. Although the man was of the kind and soft-spoken sort, what they were waiting for was what he brought with him. On the very rare occasions he was in the public eye; it was always for a purpose. New branches of mathematics and areas of science. More powerful enchantments and refinements in spell design. Golem assembly lines and new metals were collected from the fill that mines were throwing away or pulled from pools of lava, to name a few. And of course, the most famous among them, his announcement of the Mana Reactor and its involvement in a new kind of vessel, the Skyship. Some didn't want anything to do with it, but there were yet more that wished to see the world as the pegasi do. The thought of sailing through the sunny skies and moonlit starscapes was an intriguing prospect to many and for various reasons.

Celestia sat down in her private section, sparing a moment to give a wave to an excited Pristine Flower and her family, as well as those of House Star she sat with. The Star balcony was the very next one to her right. The odd parallels of House Star's original ascension into nobility and the circumstances surrounding the advent of the Skyship were not lost on the Princess.

"That has to be, singularly the most horrible thing I have ever encountered..." The Archmage whispered with a somewhat haunted look. "Crystal and I could feel that thing before we even opened the catacombs and that was just a single piece... I couldn't imagine what it was like when it was whole."

"Whatever you're thinking, it was worse. So... so much worse. I cannot express the feelings that I have now that I know it's gone, but that leaves us with other problems." Celestia said as her horn formed a ring of magic. A barely visible sphere encircling her and the Archmage. Arcfire's horn lit soon after, erecting a secondary barrier within the first. "Gumshoe has reported that a team is together that will be able to watch him when the time comes. As of now, they're investigating potential points for integration."

"I may dislike playing the demon's advocate but, what if the books were destroyed like the Bell? Now don't misunderstand, I think the investigations and all that entails are a necessity but let's say for the sake of argument that his intent was to destroy them and not use them?"

"Have you ever visited the human's collection?"

"His Library? No, I haven't."

"In my experiences, I have encountered very few with such a voracity towards the acquisition of knowledge as him. Let's say he doesn't strike me as one capable of destroying ancient sources of information (Knowledge is power and power corrupts...) regardless of its origin."

"What about the Thatchers or Reeds? I don't know if I'm allowed to ask but, do we know where they went? With the amount of evidence against them, I can understand why they ran and went into hiding, but where have they gone?"

"You are, and I have as of yet to know that myself."

Celestia hadn't told a soul about the shadow-inclined visitor. It was simply for the fact that in the improbable chance it was Bloomberg who had summoned the shadow Wraith and merely lost control of it, or perhaps an inability to pay. Doing so would not only bring unwanted attention to those vile creatures but would ultimately lead to a dead-end. Whatever evidence for or against either the human or the stallion was turned into a crater of ash and molten glass with the loss of the Bloomberg's family home. (I don't think Shade knows I found the shadow wraith, I don't know if it was him controlling it but keeping it to myself seems to be the wiser option. And with the Bell gone... I don't know if he still has the ability to control them, if he ever had it. The same method used to cover the evidence benefits him either way... Irritating. Questioning the stallion as soon as he is lucid and able is the priority.)

"Have you given any thought as to what we discussed yesterday? Is there a way to learn of what his markings do?"

"Ah! Yes...Well, a start, at least. This morning I realized that the ward of the Mages Guild, the castle as well as the cathedral and others have a record of his magical signature. Not only that, they could potentially be used to give us an idea as to what he can perceive. It will take time but I've gathered a few of my colleagues to work on the problem too. We have a few ideas scrolled down on parchment and we have a good direction..."

Tak! Tak! Tak! Came a sharp sound as the conductor began rapping her baton on the podium.

"May I have your attention, please!" The sound of its strike, as well as her voice, being magically amplified to reach the farthest corners of the theatre. The older and wizened mare certainly had a strong voice. "It is my honor to announce on this fine summer evening that the Royal Canterlot Orchestra will be performing for her Royal Highness Princess Celestia!"

The sound of applause rang out through the spacious room as the conductor announced her presence with a gesturing bow.

"Not only has the Princess decided to grace us with her radiance, but as some of you may already know, the grand inventor himself will be making an announcement as well, followed by a special performance! So without further delay it is my pleasure to introduce to you all, Shade of House Star!"

The human came from in between a pair of curtains to the side of the stage. Walking past the front of the orchestra, he proceeded down the stairs a few steps and to the podium. Once again, the din of applause sounded through the Great Hall. Shade giving a flourishing gesture of gratitude to both the conductor and the audience before stepping to her side and speaking.

"It truly is wonderful to be here before you all, erelong we transition into the announcement and a surprise I've prepared for the gallery this night. First, I would like to say thank you to each of those wonderful and generous individuals who have seen me along my path. Whom have walked alongside me and helped in more ways than I know I am aware of. You now and forevermore have my sincerest gratitude."

He placed the other over his heart with a pointed open palm to the Star balcony and dipped his head in thanks. Morning Star placed a hoof on her cheek and graced him with a soft smile, then waved at him to continue. Fallen gave a respectful nod, and Diamond twinkled. His posture and direction shifted to include the Princess in this as well. (...what?)

"Now, it is with the same sentiment in assisting those in need. In making available opportunities and resources to those that seek the knowledge to better themselves and their understanding of the world. That I hereby announce the opening of the Verstehen Ist Göttlichkeit, my personal Library, to the public. As well as announce the creation of a Curriculum of Higher Learning. Experts in their subjects and their written works will be made available to all those who require them. The fields of Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Arithmancy, Golemancy, and every currently known Runic language and many more are at one's disposal... free of charge. For all those seeking to better their understanding in their respective fields or broaden their knowledge base. Or even the simply curious," Shade looked once more to the Star balcony with a broadened smile. "I invite you all." Then he turned to the Princess. "Thank you."

The quiet followed a few seconds after the human gave a formal bow, then erupted into cheers and applause.

The perception of Celestia's presents, though she would disagree, was taken by the others in attendance as support of Shade's endeavours. This, in combination with his tangential association with the current investigations, would lead those that hear of it to surmise that the likelihood of the human's innocence was unquestionable. (That bastard! Did he plan this...) The fact there was to be academic competition with her own school was given little thought at the time. She could hear the squeal of what was undoubtedly Winterbloom Flower and her Mother to the right of the balcony.

"And now the special performance! I have commissioned a composer to write a recreation of a musical piece from my original lands. So before these amazing and talented mares and stallions begin your regular scheduled auditory art, we will first lead with this. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20a."

Stepping to the other side of the podium to face the collection of musicians, the human was given a baton. As his right hand tapped the podium with the musical implement, the left was used to retrieve a small crystal sphere from his pocket to be placed on the top of the stand in front of him. Again, Celestia could feel a subtle twisting lethargy come to... unlife. The sense of black shearing ice and hollow dead the human's magic carried with it. Deliberately controlled and suppressed, she very much doubted anypony but her was aware of it. It reached out like tentacles and cradled the crystal globe, holding it almost protectively. From all other perspectives, the sphere's colour phased from crystal to an obsidian sheen. Raising both hands, baton at the ready. The music began with a sweeping flick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cNQFB0TDfY&ab_channel=pianushko

Celestia remembered that particular item from the aviary back in the human's Library. However, knowing what it was didn't soothe the sense of welling dread that curled in her stomach.

{Elsewhere}

The quiet of the usually vacant hallways and candlelit corridors of the hospital would occasionally be disrupted by the sounds of clinking metal and board idle chatter. The previous evening, orders from the Princess had come down to increase the number of royal guards. The move from three to six attendance to watch over a single stallion, much less a catatonic one, at any given time was excessive in the opinions of the modest number of hospital staff. The perspective of the guards, much like the guards themselves, remained unspoken. Thought to be excessive.

Until the screaming started.

Their response was swift; attempting to slam the door open, they were met with an absurd amount of resistance. Despite the focus of three rather powerful unicorns, it was only through a collaborative effort of two additional Earth ponies that heaved their natural strength against the door that the seemingly immovable barrier gave way. And move it did. The door peeled from its hinges and tumbled end-over-end into the room. The mare and stallion pressed up against the door then tumbled directly there after onto the floor of their charges room. A ground that was covered in writhing tendrils and viscous shadow. Darting up to stand and take stock of the situation.

They froze as the others rushed into the room and stopped at their sides. The walls and windows were blanketed with it. The only light in the room was coming from the hospital bed. Bloomberg's thrashing form lay on its top covered in... sickly green flames. The sight before them was horrific, but what stilled their action wasn't the knowledge that there was nothing they could do to extinguish the fire. Or even the cold that seemed to ignore the searing flames and gripped their bones. It was the meaning of his past murmurs and now screams. It was that it now made sense. It was the eyes.

"It can see me! It can see me! It can see meee!"

Dozens, hundreds of eyes peered from the dark, all varying in colour and size. As the guards looked onto the hideous scene before them, it felt like there should be sound. A deep thrumming or a piercing screech, a howling echo... Something. But it was silent. The collapse of the door, them rushing in. The scream of a nurse and the wails of Bloomberg. Every one of its eyes were solely focused on the hospital bed, unblinking, unmoving. It ignored everything else as the screaming faded into the quiet. It watched on as even the bones were turned to ash. Then, and only then,

It vanished.