Author's Note

Alright, imma be real with you guys. I really didn't describe what the Azur look like, and it's been causing me a lot of pain to describe each Primarch individually. Especially when it comes to skin color. So, to save myself a massive headache, and you the readers from boredom, imma just straight up tell you about them this chapter. Anyways, enjoy!

Imprisioned

9 DAYS UNTIL ASCENSION. THE VOID DESCENDS UPON EQUUS

Sunburst found himself in the palace dungeon. Bleak and dreary, the air was stale from years of not being used. Iron bars encased Sunburst in a stone cell. There was no light save for the torches that lined the hall. He was hear for the simple crime of curiosity, wanting to know more.

So how did he get here?

He sought an audience with Celestia after he had done his research on the Primarchs he saw. He didn't find anything in the libraries, even the really old ones. So he decided to go to Celestia for answers. She was less than enthused about the questions. She refused to answer them outright. Then, when Sunburst told Celestia of what he saw, she thought him mad and a liar. And now he's here, in the dungeon. He was actually quite surprised that there was a dungeon.

"Guess she built it just in case something like this happened." Sunburst was nervous, and he knew he couldn't get out through magic. There was a magic seal that nullified any spell that might be cast. It wasn't powerful, but it was enough to get the job done.

"Oh, she knew. She just didn't expect it to be this late."

Sunburst jumped at the voice. He turned around, and there laying on the stone bed was Magnus.

"Do not worry. I am not here to harm you. Besides if I did want to harm you, I probably would have asked Konrad to do so." Magnus chuckled at his own joke.

Sunburst was stunned at Magnus's sheer size. His glorious armor and wings up close, he could now see much more detail.

"Would you stop gawking at me? I know you want to ask questions, so go ahead, ask away. Besides, I am not the type to keep secrets from others, like your princess."

Sunburst was stunned. "How did he know I had questions."Magnus had been in this scenario before. Young wizards and scholars coming to him asking for knowledge about the Azur race.

"So, what are you?"

"I am part of a race known as the Azur. Tall, black skinned beings with purple eyes. We are an ancient race of creatures that has been around for more than twelve billion years. Our empire spans the entirety of a plane of existence, which is our home, known as the Void. It is a cold cold and dark place. Unstable and ancient magic rages through out it, magic which we have tamed to use to our advantage. We are one of the most powerful races in existence. It is a good thing you are our allies."

"Wait, allies?" Sunburst asked in confusion.

"Yes, long ago the king of your people signed an alliance with mine. Protection in exchange for information and outposts. Azur military was a common site among this planet many years ago. Outposts dotted all over. Don't worry, we weren't overlords enslaving your people to do the bidding of my people. It was a friendship. Before this world was created, Azur'rath, god of the Void, and Sol, your god of the Sun, were and still to this day are best friends."

"So, where do you fall within the Azur hierarchy?"

"Well, there's the common folk, who range from six to six and a half feet tall. Then there are the Azurian Knights, more commonly known as the Space Marines by other races, who range from seven to seven and a half tall and are more muscular due to genetic modification upon becoming a Knight. Then there's the Primarchs of the twenty legions of Knights. This is the category I fall into, along with my brothers. We range from eight to nine feet tall and are more muscular than the Knights."

"And the Emperor?"

"Ah yes. My brother Void. Once he was destined to be a Primarch, but after father's untimely murder at the hands, actually hooves, of Sheol, he became the new God-Emperor of the Azur. The Emperor is supposed to be ten feet tall but due to the circumstances that no one saw coming, my brother remains at eight and a half feet tall. He also has four horns, relating to the Draconic heritage the royal family has."

"Yes the whole Bahamut marrying one of your gods thing." Sunburst said.

"Huh, you really did do your research. I respect a scholar of knowledge who actually does his own research." Magnus truly was a little impressed.

"So, if your brother is a god, aren't you one as well?"

"Yes, but I am a minor god of knowledge. The major god of knowledge is the Whispers, I am simply his champion."

"So I'm guessing the other three are also champions to the other gods?"

"Yep. They are the champions of the sons of Azur'rath. Angron is the champion of the Eater of Worlds, Fulgrim is the champion of the Instrument of Desire, Mortarion is the champion of the Composer of Strands, and I am the champion of the Whispers in the Void. Four champions for four patrons. They are recognized and worshiped in the Azur pantheon. Along with my brother who is the God-Emperor. The Divine Conduit, the End of the Cycle to name a few titles. He is most commonly known by other races as the Void Master."

"I see. So why is Celestia so reluctant to talk about him?"

Magnus paused in thought. He sighed. Just before he spoke there was the sound of hooves trotting, and armor following. It was Celestia.

"Sorry to keep you waiting Sunburst but I-" She completely stopped in her tracks. She saw Magnus.

"Y-you-you're-you're-"

"Hello, Celestia, it's been a while." A grin spread across Magnus's face. He was obviously looking forward to this.

"You went missing... the entire Azur race disappeared after Void's death." Celestia was still in shock. Someone who she thought was long dead and gone, now showing up out of the blue ten billion years later. Celestia's expression turned from one of shock to one of anger. "Why did you leave us? Why did you disappear?"

"My kin have their reasons. We faded into myth and legend, and eventually, non-existence in the minds of your people. All because of you. You wanted to forget. You wanted to put everything that had happened behind you." Magnus stepped off the rock bed and walked right up to the iron bars, which started to melt away. He was right up in front of Celestia, staff in hand.

Celestia summoned her pike from ages long past. It materialized and she pointed it at Magnus. "Why do you torment me so? I wanted to protect my people. I wanted them to forget the bloodshed. It was too much for any pony to bear."

"And look where forgetting has gotten you. The past is now coming back to haunt you. Sheol is on your doorstep" Magnus retorted.

"SHUT UP! I KNOW YOUR GAMES, MAGNUS THE RED. THE SORCERER KING OF PROSPERO, CRIMSON KING, IF YOU EVEN ARE HIM! I KNOW OF THE WAYS OF THE DEMONS, THEIR TRICKS OF LIES AND DECEIT. SHEOL IS DEAD, NEVER TO RETURN! YOU DARE MOCK VOID'S SACRIFICE! BEGONE FROM MY SIGHT DEMON! RETURN TO THE PITS OF HELL FROM WHENCE YOU CAME!"

"And yet here I stand in the flesh. The omens are clear. The Lost Prophecy is coming to fruition." Magnus remained calm.

"THAT DAMN PROPHECY DIED WHEN VOID DID!"

"But he didn't die."

Celestia was silent. She was outraged.

"My brother is alive and well. His heart was not struck by the anathema scythe of Sheol. He fell down into the pits, we found his body, and brought it home. It seems you've forgotten that gods can regenerate if their physical form is destroyed. Granted the amount of damage relates to the amount of time it will take one to regenerate. He's been biding his time, preparing for the true fight, the true war. And that war is on our doorstep."

"BE GONE FROM THIS WORLD! NEVER COME BACK!"

"...As you wish, Sword of the Sun, Goddess of War, Champion of the Light. Truly ignorance is bliss, but what will happen when the problem shatters your ignorance, and you have no choice but to face the problem head on?"

And with those words, Magnus was enveloped in purple fire, and disappeared.

There was silence for a time. Then Celestia finally spoke.

"Tell no one of this, for if you value your life, you shall not speak of these events."

Sunburst understood, and he took off galloping.

When the time draws near, The Sword will be forced to confront her past. She will not believe the Crimson King, although he speaks the truth. For Sheol draws ever closer, and so too does the Void Master.