In the future

Cadence rushed out of her seat and barely made took two steps before vomiting onto the ground in my cell. What little food she has consumed was easily expunged from her stomach.

I had finally pushed her over the edge, unsettling and disturbing her to a point where biological repulsion had stimulated her to be sick - to have her innards convulse, her throat burning with stomach acid as it comes out of her mouth, her lungs aching for the chance to breathe, the smell making her eyes cry - and all the while I am the one who is chained down.

While I could have done something to ease the shock and revelation of what I've been through, I find that evil should be revealed and presented without bias - as close as I can telling it from my perspective. Cadence is simply sensitive to the horrors of life, and her wedding is a real taste of evil she ever had. A while I was involved in the matter, I was not responsible, and the fact that Cadence still blames me for it instead of the obvious culprit made it all the more satisfying when she continued to vomit.

I learned at a young age in Big Boss' camp that my actions have consequences, and I am smart enough to know how those consequences will play out. The pink alicorn struggling to steady herself is living proof, as her connection to the magical-machinations of this hyper-enchanted, rune-covered room is becoming unstable.

Enough for the chains holding me down, on the now-slightly-shrunk bed, to loosen just enough for me to move my hands; more than enough for me to reach into my inventory. I just need a good opportunity to show Celestia what happens when she doesn't take me seriously, and I plan to use Cadence as a medium for my brutality.

"I just... I just need a minute..." She said in between irregular breathing, but even that was interrupted by more dry-heaving.

"You're going to be saying that a lot," I said dryly as she slowly made her way back to her seat, only for it to collapse due to erosion caused by the lack of magic maintaining its durability; Cadence was sent sprawling onto the ground, and I mocked her for it. "Tell me, did you survive your underground imprisonment by living off of all the fat on you?" Just imagining her malnourished and scared still made me laugh. "I think you need to lose more weight if your fatass is collapsing magically-created furniture!"

I continued to laugh, shaking the bed I am chained to, as Cadence continued to try and get herself under control. She didn't even acknowledge my insult, and considering how much we bicker, it is proof of how vulnerable she is. It took a while for my laugher to die down, and it took even longer for the alicorn to compose herself.

"Can..." She swallowed, her legs shaking as she got to her feet while she struggled to mentally command the room to create another chair. "Can you just skip this part?"

"The events I experienced in Big Boss' camp lead to the events of the future," I said as I rejected her request. "I don't want to keep backtracking just because you're so pathetic that you can't handle it." It's always a little slice of joy when I witnessed others freaking out - the terror and uncertainty, the fear and panic in their eyes. It was breath-taking, and I loved every second of it. I couldn't help but mockingly tease, "Unless of course, you want to fail Celestia, and possibly doom the world~?"

I could see her trying to argue, only for another wave of nausea to set in. "It's just-" She took in a sharp breath, forcing herself to calm down. "It's too much!"

"Then you better hope your stomach can handle it," I laughed. "Because things had only gotten worse later on!"

In the past

Beneath the terror I've felt, the mere idea of freedom has always been a suppressed desire. As I wasted away in the corpse pit in the Griffon Empire, and monotonously indulging in forbidden knowledge in the Punishment Zone, it never has occurred to me that I would get what I deeply desired for so long.

This is why it had felt so good when I got it, but it also made it hurt so much when it got taken away.

The sun had set, ignorant of the suffering it illuminates. As if it couldn't be any crueler, it took away the source of warmth in the camp. The cultists were heavily armored in enchanted wares, the initiates tolerated the crisp and frosty air as part of their training, but I - along with the other labor slaves - was left alone in the dark cold. Close enough to the camp to watch us, but far away to express their apathy for our well-being.

Yet I knew I would be treated differently; Big Boss just placed me here with the labor slaves because he and his goons were preparing... something. It's always something with the griffon and it never made me at ease. I had to cut my line of thought when pondering the griffon because of the concept of being able to see the future I crave for answers.

And I craved it like a starving wolf.

First came the desire for knowledge, then came the impulse to figure it out, until finally I was left with nothing but an urge to consume. To devour information, digest secrets, and repeat the process until I was satisfied.

But I am never satisfied, and acknowledging my gluttonous desire for more just made the craving stronger, and with it came repulsion as my vice was the sole reason why I entered the Punishment Zone and why I prematurely left it without completing the bonus objectives. I always thought that I had gained enough in that horrible place, knowing dark truths and even fouler knowledge, to survive whatever obstacle I would face - and yet here I am, too weak to do anything for myself.

It only made the hunger more intense, and now I realize the truth; I was a coward. Leaving the Punishment Zone wasn't a moment of clarity defined by exhaustion and despair, it was because I was too weak to endure it - for maybe if I did, I would have been strong enough to obtain my freedom but also to protect it from those who would gladly take it from me.

Due to your reexamining of your past mistakes, your WIS has increased by 1!

I refuse to make the same mistake again. I don't know when, or how, but I will gain my freedom; I worked too damn hard to get this far. Yet a lingering question remained: would I be willing to sacrifice others for my benefit?

I looked at the labor slaves.

I was moved to be with them, but they wouldn't go near me; glancing at me in curious fear when they think I don't notice them looking. They have an aura of hopelessness and sorrow, the knowledge that what dreams and aspirations for a better future will never be fulfilled.

So I sat alone, hugging my knees, my head down while I was too afraid to close my eyes. I didn't want to have another nightmare and I wouldn't hesitate to stab myself if it means preventing me from drifting off into dreamland. I still wore the wool cloak I received earlier, and as much as I hated wearing it, I needed to keep myself warm. It just felt too good after being kept in the cold dark for so long. Yet that pleasant feeling was crushed under the humiliation I feel from being under the oppressive authority of Big Boss.

It made me want to lash out and scream.

My suppressed irritation only grew as the labor slaves talked among themselves - gossiping about me. They think I can't hear them, even as I actively try to tune them out, and now it is like the screaming filly in the corpse pit; they just wouldn't shut up! I pressed my hands against the side of my helmet, against my ears, and all I can hear is the annoyance of their voices in the quiet night!

I wanted to cut their voices out of the throats and-!

[Gamer's Mind] has been activated!

I felt my irritation go away and reminded myself that the other slaves are prisoners too. So I eased onto my back, looking up at the dark sky and the moon, . "I will get out of here..." I yearned for my freedom, and now that I am calm enough to think rationally, a new question lingered in my mind. "Should I even try to stop the raid on Sire's Hollow?"

It was nothing more than an act of curiosity, but it later turned into an internal struggle.

Morally, I should stop the raid on Sire's Hollow. What Big Boss showed in that vision of the future was beyond revolting, and it only fueled my growing hatred for the griffon and his cruelty, and I will use any advantages I have to win: I have an indestructible weapon tucked away in my cloak, there are rewards from the previous quests in the Punishment Zone that I still haven't claimed, and I have an arsenal of dark rituals and the creative capacity to create new spells and curses for my purposes. I even have my Class now, along with the two Sub-Classes; a Merchant, Gambler, and an Abyssal Craftsmen - I just have to work hard and prepare to confront the griffon. I could earn favor and companionship with the fellow captives, somehow using my abilities to make them strong; powerful enough to overthrow the Big Boss and his goons.

Then what is stopping me from using my power to aid him and his cause instead?

If I take morals out of the argument, then I can earn the favorability of Big Boss, and it would be a wasted opportunity if I didn't; he commands dozens upon dozens of devoted cultists, leading the initiates who are slowly being converted to his side, and he effortlessly keeps slaves for cheap labor. Even if I befriend the other slaves, and the fantasy of convincing the initiates to change sides had no purpose. Besides, the labor slaves are malnourished, terrified, and filled with despair - how am I supposed to convince them to stand up to their oppressors when I can't even do it? What could they offer me that Big Boss couldn't?

Then I am reminded of the sounds of children being violated to a point where death is a mercy. Hearing cries made it feel like a thousand insects were crawling on my skin, and made me still; paralyzed from the shock that such a sound is possible through atrocities beyond words.

So if I do help Big Boss, then Sire's Hollow - every family, their loved ones, and children - are doomed to be nothing more than pleasure objects for him and his goons, and I know this town wouldn't be last of Big Boss' depravity, and he wouldn't have trouble with other towns either. Would I be fine with that, knowing the horrible and damnable consequences of my actions? Shouldn't I take the opportunity to stop him?

Just like my time within the Punishment Zone, I would do anything to survive and thrive - yet now it's more extreme, as my actions have direct and obvious consequences to bystanders who didn't deserve it. Despite my reasoning for it all, thinking about the benefits of helping Big Boss causes this growing, twisted knot in my stomach that gets worse the more I ponder it.

System: [Gamer's Mind] has been activated!

Then the guilt was gone, leaving me alone to think.

"...I could try and take him out when I have the chance when I earn his trust..." I whispered to myself before shaking my head at the absurd idea; I'm just foolishly trying to convince myself that the ends will justify the means. "Big Boss can see into the future, catching him off-guard and ambushing him is impossible! ...Maybe I could just leave when the chaos unfolds... but Big Boss would know that too! How am I supposed to beat an opponent who knows my every move?"

I am stuck here. It's just like the corpse put back in the Griffon Empire: a terrible fate I must accept, and now an immoral choice is before me once more. Would I be willing to do another unspeakable act to earn power and freedom?

I waited in silence for an answer, in my mind or through my voice, but there was nothing. No rebuttal. No refusal. Denial was non-existent and I simply felt numb to it all. Yet I would be lying to myself if I didn't feel a tiny amount of doubt. Then again, silence itself is an answer.

But I know one thing: if I do get strong enough, before or after the raid on Sire's Hollow, then I'm going to kill Big Boss.

I heard the steps, and I sat up to see the zebra among the labor slaves approached me. "...They gave us some kindling for a makeshift fire," Her voice was firm, yet it flowed like water. The accent is obvious yet it was cautious. "Although with such items, I do not think they will care of our warmth being so dire."

Her speaking habits already caught me by surprise, she spoke it like flowing water, never stopping as if was effortless to do so. "...Why are you telling me this?" I stood up on my feet, and she took a step back. From her perspective, it must have been unsettling to see me. "It's obvious you're not blind; I'm still wearing the cloak, so warmth isn't an issue." She still gave me a cautionary look, and I immediately thought of what happened earlier. "So why approach me?"

"The softer hearts and innocent minds among us have our concerns," She agreed, and I saw the faintest light of a pathetic fire behind her. It deepened the shadows on her form, so malnourished yet strong, barely covered with tattered cloth. "But we're all prisoners, so there is no point in being mean and firm."

"So you're just being nice?" That would be the last thing I would expect to find in a place like this. I used [Observe] on her.

===
Zecora
Level: 45
Species: Zebra
Title(s): Unconfirmed Leader of the Discarded, Adept Shaman, Expert Apothecary, Favored by the High Priestess, Prodigy of Nature
===
Description:
Zecora once trained under the High Priestess in the Zebra Lands, showing and proving to be a prodigy in the shaman and medicinal arts. She saw the High Priestess as a mother-figure, and it made it more painful when Zecora had to leave her homeland to finish her training. But after being held captive by the Daoloth's Acolytes, her studies have severely stunted over the years, as she is only allowed to make what is permitted; her usefulness is the only reason she is alive, but her refusal to co-operate is why she is nothing more than a source of cheap labor. Yet her caring personality for the other labor slaves makes them loyal to her when they're not terrified of being targeted by Big Boss.
===

So she's someone the other slaves look up to? I never would have thought I would meet an individual who shows compassion in an awful place like this. "You're the first zebra I have directly met," I only heard about them when I lived with my adopted family, and the only ones I saw in person were in the corpse pit in the Griffon Empire. "Especially one so far from home... so why are you talking to me, Zecora?" It never hurts for some clarification.

"I only wanted to invite you to the warmth of the flame," She looks uncomfortable, but not afraid. "But how is it you know my name?"

"I'm different - but special," I added, but I found it odd my voice seemed much louder - why was it so quiet? What happened to all the idle chatter? - I just ignored it, at least the night is silent except for the crackling of fire behind Zecora, and yet I am still pondering the extremes I am willing to do to get out of this camp. Should I treat her as an individual or a means to an end that will only benefit me? "As you know, earlier I was mistakenly being thrown into the corpse pit nearby, but I woke up and fought them off - yet now that I think of it, I saw some of the bodies were wearing tattered clothing too... were they also labor slaves?"

"They were all disposed of for resisting and making a loud fuss," Zecora nodded before letting out a sad sigh. "But some were taken to a special tent, and are no longer among us-"

The pathetic fire was extinguished when Big Boss had stomped it out.

I realized why it was so quiet.

Big Boss had struck her down with a single blow to the side of her head, and I backed away when she fell forward onto the ground. His talons tearing open a large wound at the side of her head, her eyes clouded with pain and confusion. She let out a cry when Big Boss stomped on her back, and the sickening cracks echoed throughout the camp.

"Zecora, you know the rules - there is no talking after midnight... do you know why?" The griffon bent down, his eyes still closed, facing the downed zebra who is in too much pain to say anything. Still having that smile on his scarred face. Several of his underlings, completely covered in magic-infused armor, had gathered to watch. "It's disrespectful to interrupt us when we're praying to the Mistress of Veils; how is Daoloth supposed to hear our gratitude-" He pressed Zecora's head into the ground, muffling her sobs. The smile was gone, replaced by feral disgust. "-when it's being deafened by your rhyming?!"

Two of the cultists walked up to the duo taking Zecora's arms, holding them down and out on the ground. She didn't thrash and scream - she refused to give them satisfaction - but I could tell she was preparing for the worse.

It did nothing to lessen the pain of Big Boss breaking her fingers.

There was a unique sound to hearing bones break. Zecora tried not to scream while her fingers were mangled, one after the other in quick succession, but she quickly gave in and started screaming. I would wince and flinch from the sound - it was as if it came out of nowhere, and it unsettled me.

But there was a strange fondness when I heard it.

"Well now," Big Boss stepped off of the whimpering zebra, casually strolling towards me as if Zecora's agony is nonexistent. "I guess I don't need to introduce the nighttime rules to you now."

I reached for my cleaver in my cloak and took a step back. He easily towered over me. "Are you here to punish me too?" I wasn't going to willingly take another beating - and who knows, maybe I will get to kill him.

"Maybe I will, but not now. For some reason, you don't bleed and your bones don't break," I've always wondered how accurate he can see into the future. I think the griffon didn't know about [Gamer's Body], but now I'm sure he is aware of it. "I'm guessing its that power you have, yet it means that I could hit you again as I did before, but it wouldn't do much like earlier; normally when I thrash someone into the ground, I at least break several ribs, and there is some lingering pain afterward. It's how I keep the slaves in line... so now that I know pain is something you're used to, and it's something you barely feel, physically punishing you won't have any purpose."

"...So what are you going to do?"

"Now? Nothing," He shrugged. "But believe me, I do have something planned if you break the rules in the future. And speaking of the future..." Big Boss then turned to face the other labor slaves who were too frightened to do anything. "Let's see... you!" He pointed to a blue unicorn among the labor slaves. "You'll do for now!"

Without hesitation, the other cultists grabbed the whimpering unicorn, barely in her teen years. "What's your name?"

"T-Trixie..." She stuttered out, clearly afraid of the griffon. Her pale-blue mane is in tatters, the poorly-patched cuts on her azure fur, and her malnourished frame only reminded me where I am, and how lucky that I am not her. "I-Is there something you need of Trixie?"

"...Remember that name, Sweet Tooth," Big Boss said in a dangerous voice, ignoring her. "Because after today's lesson, you are going to learn something."

"...What am I going to learn?" My hand still gripped the weapon in my cloak, ready to pull out and strike. Yet the opportunity to learn knowledge made the hunger come back. I used [Observe] on the unicorn with the odd speaking habits. I wondered if all of the labor slaves have odd verbal habits.

===
Trixie Lulamoon
Level: 15
Species: Unicorn
Title(s):Adequate Entertainer, The Boastful Showmare
===
Description:
Trixie has learned magic to combine with her passion for performing, wooing crowds, and fueling her ego in showing off her talents. She normally has a boastful personality; referring to herself in a grand tone by talking unusually. But after being captured by the Daoloth's Acolytes and being exposed to their cruelty, she now keeps to herself to avoid their leader's wrath, yet that doesn't stop her from trying to find some way to benefit herself.
===

"You will learn how to get what you want," Big Boss turned to walk away, one of his goons grabbed Trixie by the arm - she stuttered something, I couldn't make it out as her desperation grew - but the cultist merely lifted the unicorn by her limb, off her feet, before punching her in the stomach with enough impact to force air and blood out of her mouth. After that she was dragged on the ground, whimpering and coughing along the way. "And learn the right way to do it."

"And what is this 'right way'?" I asked while I looked at Zecora's broken hands. It felt like suffering was a thick, wool blanket; smothering me with warmth restraint. I feel compelled to look, unblinking, and I knew I should leave, but the only place to go is to follow the griffon who broke her fingers in the first place. I pointed at Trixie. "And what does it have to do with her?"

"You can't learn how to torture a unicorn if you don't have one," Big Boss said over his shoulder. Trixie's eyes widen in panic, weakly trying to resist. Although her frightened voice was barely audible, and her malnourished body made her slow, Trixie's protest was met with zero tolerance as she was punched and kicked into unconsciousness by the other cultists. "Specifically, how to exploit medicine and anatomy to maximize the results... isn't this what you want? To learn something new?"

"I..." I know he is tempting me, but the lure was too great. Earlier, I was unsure of what to do; to place morality as equal footing with surviving and escaping to maintain my integrity, and not cross any barriers deemed immoral and irredeemable. But I cannot lie to myself: I want to learn everything about Daoloth, I want to indulge myself in playing the role of the carnivorous butcher, learning under Big Boss as the upcoming raid on Sire's Hollow is the perfect opportunity I have been craving... yet at the same time, I desire to stop Big Boss and his raid, to save Sire's Hollow, and free the other labor slaves. I didn't want to be cursed with any more forbidden knowledge, but there was that sense of pride knowing I have the mental fortitude to resist the insanity such information brings, and the inner hate I have for myself for not taking the opportunity to learn more because of it. I can summarize this inner conflict in one word.

Turmoil.

QUEST: The Uncertain Paths
There are multiple ways to earn your freedom, but it will be up to you on how to get it. However, doing nothing will not help you in achieving your goal, yet what you do will affect the outcome. In these horrible circumstances forced upon you, there is no right or wrong, only consequences. Just note that these options are not strict directions but are merely general guidelines to show the cause-and-effect of your actions, as some rewards from different paths can be gained at the same time by doing certain things, while additional rewards that are not listed can be earned by doing hidden actions.

(OPTION #1: Selfish)
Big Boss is powerful, but he acknowledges he has limitations and requires your help and the terrifying potential you possess. You know you have a better chance of surviving by helping him and gaining the goodwill of the cult, and you also know that [Gamer's Mind] will negate any feelings of guilt and regret, allowing you to go all-out.
-Improve and strengthen the cult.
-Complete tasks are given to you by Big Boss.
-Complete quests are given by Daoloth.
REWARD:
-Allowed participation in the upcoming raid on Sire's Hollow.
-Reputation and membership in the Daoloth's Acolytes that grants you the privilege of operating on your own, and able to branch away from the main group to explore and expand elsewhere.
-Able to loot and plunder any village with the support of the cult.
-Skills, XP, and money, in proportion to the degree of completing the tasks.

(OPTION #2: Moral)
Big Boss's tyranny has earned him scorn among the labor slaves and even those he initiates into the cult have their doubts. Even you are disgusted by the possible future he showed you, and desire to make sure it never happens. While his cosmic power is potent, you are not powerless; your cunning intellect allows you to turn any obstacle into an opportunity.
-Help the labor slaves by using your knowledge, intellect, and crafting skills to make them powerful than their oppressors.
-Convince the initiates of the cult to join you.
-Help increase the levels of those who follow you to at least level 60.
-Arm your companions by crafting weapons and armor with a minimum quality of rare or higher.
-Kill the Daoloth Acolytes before they raid Sire's Hollow.
REWARD:
-Gain a following of loyal companions.
-Ending the Daoloth Acolytes and their horrible plundering activities.
-The horrifying knowledge of Daoloth is forgotten.
-Preventing the destruction of Sire's Hollow.
-Gain 1 level for every cultist of the Daoloth's Acolytes killed.
-Increase all stats by 50 when killing Big Boss.

(OPTION #3: Indulgence)
The fact you are alive despite everything you have been through means it wasn't due to sheer luck, but because you are willing to discard everything, and do anything, to achieve what you want despite the detrimental results it had on your body and mind. This isn't done through self-improvement, it is acted through self-destruction; over-feeding your vices to gain power at a cost. That cost can either be of your health or your morals.
-Torture, kill, and consume every labor slave of the Daoloth's Acolytes.
-Steal and learn every scrap of forbidden knowledge from Big Boss before killing and eating him.
-Lead the raid on Sire's Hollow.
-Sacrifice the surviving cultists to Daoloth to bargain for power.
REWARD:
- Complete forbidden knowledge of Daoloth and any perks and skills related.
- Level up any skills related to the forbidden knowledge of Daoloth by 30% for every cultist sacrificed.
- Increase all stats by 1 when killing a foal in a raid.
- Increase all stats by 2 when killing a stallion or mare in a raid.
- Increase all stats by 3 if the stallion is married when killed in a raid.
- Increase all stats by 4 if the mare is pregnant when killed in a raid.
- Gain +100 HP for every 200 pounds of pony flesh consumed.
- Gain 10,000 bits for every building set on fire during the raid.
- Capturing scholars, merchants, and craftsmen will give you skills and XP when torturing the prisoners for their knowledge.
- Gain infamy in Equestria if you let any survivors escape.
- The escaped survivors will devote their lives to destroying you.
- The disturbing facts will worsen your body.

"Well, Sweet Tooth?" Big Boss turned to me, his eyes still closed, as he noticed I was standing still. Zecora's whimpering can easily be heard in the night. "Are you willing to do something for yourself once more?"

"...Yes," I stepped around Zecora and followed Big Boss as his goons carried of a beaten and bleeding Trixie. "Yes, I am...maybe I should focus on taking care of myself first before I start caring about others..." I whispered that last part to myself. I now have an opportunity to grow stronger once more, and unlike my cowardice in the Punishment Zone, I will do whatever I can to gain the most out of this event. I just feel so tired in pondering my future, thinking and plotting, imagining and empathizing, for a life that is crashing down on me.

And I am perfectly fine with that.

The optional paths of the quests were laid out before me in the quest; structured and organized from my deep uncertainty, and presented with the additional knowledge of hidden rewards with the possibility to claim rewards from the other optional pathways. I don't know how I'll do it, but in the end, it will come down to a me-versus-whoever-gets-in-my-way.

Whether it will be Big Boss and his cultists, Zecora and the rest of the labor slaves, or even the residents of Sire's Hollow. Maybe it could be all three. No matter what, when I do get out of here, far away from this damned campsite, I will be stronger than I was before. So I will go along with whoever benefits me the most, help them in their selfish goals, and then get rid of them when I have the chance. I refuse to relinquish my freedom, and I will work hard to get it; the Punishment Zone has taught me patience. That is why I don't mind waiting,

After all, I can always kill them later.

In the future

"You...you agreed to help Big Boss?" Cadence voice her disbelief. "I thought you said you weren't born evil!"

"I also said I used to care more about increasing my chances of survival than money and sadistic glee," I emphasized that word to make my point. "I've been through so much, and frankly, I just didn't have it in my anymore to care. I just stopped giving a damn, and all my inner conflicts and guilt just became silent."

"But you had an internal conflict on what to do!" Cadence argued, trying so hard to understand. "Weighing the options and morals as a result of your actions, and you just act like it never happened! Why did you stop caring?"

"Because for once I felt calm, and it wasn't forced on me by one of my skills; I was in a moment relief and peace!" I elaborated and I felt passionate when I said it. "I knew what I wanted, and I could focus on how to get it; I didn't have to be restrained by morals, or lengthy internal debates, being hesitant and always pondering my moves. It felt so liberating and I wanted more of it."

"But you were conflicted on what to do!"

"And it exhausted me," I reminded. "Just constantly thinking, pondering what-ifs, becoming so mentally unbalanced that [Gamer's Mind] had to calm me down; it had taken too much out of me. That was the first lesson I learned in Big Boss' camp: sometimes it's fine to stop caring. So when I did, I was in a calm mental state because [Gamer's Mind] didn't kick into balance and correct my unstable psyche."

"Which is why you did nothing to help Zecora, and you willingly participated in torturing Trixie," Cadence said that as if she were repeating facts, rather than asking for clarification. I don't need to tell her that I went along with whatever Big Boss put me through to gain those rewards the quest offered me. "How could you do that to your friends?!"

"If it helps, there were moments when I did hesitate my actions and the tasks Big Boss gave me-" But that's all it was: hesitation. "-as for Zecora and Trixie, they weren't my friends at the time; I just met them." And I never considered Trixie a friend after that stunt she pulled on me in Big Boss' camp, and all the trouble she gave me later on. As for Cadence, I know now it's going to be very satisfying when I get to cut her, always confusing my present reputation and rumors to my past self. "And what was I supposed to do against a griffon who has advanced precognition? Or his heavily armed and armored followers?"

"You could have done something; it feels like you gave up too early," Cadence protested. "Why did you just... give in?" She struggled for a bit to find the right words.

"I've been fighting for so long, Cadence, longer than any child should have to," I said. "I wasn't even a child anymore at that time - time flows differently in the Punishment Zone, and I was so sick of having internal struggles and criticizing everything I did and what I could, would, and should do."

"You could have at least tried to stop Big Boss!"

I wanted to remind her that I did try to stop him after he showed a vision of the future raid on Sire's Hollow, and how I got my back stomped on and my head slammed onto the ground. I wanted to tell her that. But Cadence just made me mad. "Easy for you to say; you're immortal!" I snapped back, reminding her of her ascendance. "A literal god in the flesh for crying out loud! If you were captured by the Daoloth's Acolytes, even as an alicorn mare exiting her filly years, you could have easily used your alicorn magic to slaughter them; heck, you could have used your emotion-influencing magic to make them pacifists!"

"I am not a killer!" She looked appalled at the suggestion. "And I...I can't use my magic to brainwash others!"

"No, you won't use your magic to brainwash others," I corrected. "Because when you were younger, you used your love magic to make two ponies stop fighting each other, by forcing them to fall in love against their will."

"Y-You know about that?"

"I think Twilight was there too, and now that I think about it, I can easily see why she uses magic to try and solve everything when it shouldn't be used." It made much more sense, but it doesn't excuse the lavender unicorn, and I certainly don't regret what I did to her. "I remember how Celestia scolded you for that, and you cried because that was the first time your aunt firmly yelled at you for taking away the two ponies' free will and forced to make them fall in love with each other when they clearly wanted nothing to do with each other. I remember how she made you study for hours without rest to reverse what you have done to them."

Cadence did not like being reminded of that, yet instead of anger, she showed regret instead. "I was just trying to help them..."

"That doesn't mean you should brainwash them with love-inducing magic." Out of the four alicorns, only one of them uses her power responsibly, and she is doing her royal duties instead of listening to my story. Yet I find it a little sad, and very humorous, that despite Celestia's experience throughout the years she has failed to notice the soon-to-be devastation of her own making. However, with Cadence, a thought came to me. "Remember earlier how I said that the only reason Twilight suspects your fake impersonating you at your wedding, as she thought you were a monster mind-raping her brother? Does Shining Armor actually love you, or did you just force him to love you?"

"I would never do that to him!" She shouted, so easily defensive for her husband. It's good to know how much she cares, and seeing it with my own eyes helps to confirm it. "Our love is true because of our genuine effort and devotion to each other, and no magic can ever take that away!"

"Magic did take that away; Chrysalis used magic to brainwash your husband into a thrall who could barely think for himself after so much exposure to it!" I laughed at her expression, and I knew my words hit deep because of what she witnessed in the crystal caverns underneath the castle. Yet that traumatized expression turned into a fierce glare directed at me.

"I'm not going to let your taunts affect me," She said firmly, glaring at me, trying so hard not to let my words affect her. "You can laugh at me all you want, but Aunty was smart enough to keep you specially contained so your magic cannot be used."

"Only smart as she thinks she is," I corrected, and I'm going to make a point of it very soon. "Celestia may have centuries of experience, but those lifetimes rarely had times of great strife, and even she makes mistakes from time to time. Just like she thought the Daoloth's Acolytes were only a small group, when in fact their numbers were over a hundred - and that's just the cultists, I'm excluding the initiates and labor slaves too." I might as well get the conversation back on track, which could go a lot smoother if Cadence's moral compass would stop getting in the way.

"That... that doesn't make any sense," She said, trying to grasp what I revealed. At least she is focusing now, I just wish she would do that more often. "If the group was that big, wouldn't the ponies of Sire's Hollow see them?"

"It's because Big Boss isn't an idiot; whatever knowledge Daoloth cursed him with, the griffon made sure to exploit it whenever he could. Besides, Daoloth provided him with insight into the future, allowing him to take big risks without worrying about the consequences. By the time Sire's Hollow noticed the army of cultists, Big Boss - with my aid - was able to make his move."

"Aunty thought they were a small group using ambushing tactics..." She began to realize the horror of past mistakes.

"Which is why every squad of trackers, agents of the crown, or soldiers, she sent after the Daoloth's Acolytes went missing... well, one of them did come back," I said, and Cadence looked confused. "Unofficially she is known as Bon Bon, officially on paper she is known as Agent Sweetie Drops. She was the only prisoner in Big Boss' camp who was also an agent of the crown; he found her useful and kept her alive, but the others... well, they helped fill the nearby corpse pit."

"Why even keep her alive?" She asked, yet she was uncomfortable imagining what Sweetie Drops went through, and I can tell Cadence suspects I have something to do with it. "I'm relieved she survived that whole ordeal, but why does Big Boss keep some as slaves and kills the others?'

"Potential," I answered. "Focusing on quality over quantity, a rather noble trait in the Leviathan Cult. Most of his cultists were minotaurs and griffons, strong enough in fierce combat, and healthy enough to survive worshiping something that should never be looked at in broad daylight. Big Boss had Zecora for her shaman and potion-making knowledge. For Sweetie Drops? He wanted to see if he could recruit her, thus having an inside spy in Canterlot."

"Then why do we lack information on the Daoloth's Acolytes?" She asked. "If she was there and came back to Canterlot, how come we're only getting information on this now instead of earlier?"

"Because she directly worked for Celestia," I answered. "Poor Sweetie Drops was so damaged, so traumatized that Celestia granted her early retirement, and never pressured Sweetie - now calling herself 'Bon Bon' - to reveal the horrible things she went through in Big Boss' camp. Poor Bon Bon would have a mental breakdown every time she was reminded of what she went through, and with Celestia feeling pity and sadness for the earth pony, she never brought it up."

"She must be brave..." Cadence remarked. "Being strong enough to survive that whole mess, and living a normal life."

"That's being generous," I countered. "As I said before: trauma lingers. It can surface when certain triggers are met, and it showed when I bumped into her when I set up my toy shop in Ponyvile."

"But you know what she went through...what did Big Boss do?"

"He was educating me on how to be cruel."

In the past

"Today will be a special lesson," Said Big Boss, his eyes still closed, as he leads me to a large tent. I almost mistook it for a small house; [Observe] told me it was made out of quality materials, enchanted to be durable and flameproof. "The materials for today will be provided for you."

When we entered the big tent, I was greeted with the furnishings inside. A blacksmith's forge and alchemical stations set to the right. To the left is a table completed with restraints built-in, and a small desk with a padded chair was set a bit away from it. Yet there was only one thing that surprised me, other than the spotless interior of this tent: the wooden basin nearly filled with blood in the middle of the room.

I walked over to it, disbelief in my steps as I leaned over it, and saw my skull-wearing reflection staring back at me - until a wet and faint thump hit my helmet. I reached the spot and pulled my hand back to see fresh blood had dripped down on top of me. I glanced up and saw the bodies hanging upside down from above, their throats slit; eyes bloodshot, and mouths open in quiet agony and terror. I felt that I should have flinched, or even gagged at the sight and smell... but I have been through far worse, and I have seen things more terrifying than this.

"Quite a sight, ain't it?" Big Boss said, in an all-too-proud tone. "You see, if you hang them upside down and slit their throat, all you need is gravity and their beating heart to drain out the blood."

I immediately recognized the tattered clothing on them and knew these bodies are the ones Zecora talked about earlier before Big Boss had silenced her. "Am I going to be doing this to Trixie?" Is this what he wants me to do, removing anyone who makes noise, priming them for disposal?

"And waste a good source of labor?" Big Boss chuckled. "Sorry, but Trixie is needed for today's lesson, and I can't have you eating labor slaves who still have some value."

"Eating?"

"Of course," He walked to one of the chairs near the desk, his cultists silently following him before strapping an unconscious and bruised Trixie down onto the table nearby. He pointed to the bodies hanging above us. "You can use them however you wish because after you're done with today's lesson, you are going to be here for a while. Experiment with the bodies, or eat them later if you wish. Just don't kill Trixie in our lesson, and don't kill her after our lesson is done and when I leave... does that bother you?"

"A little," I said, and while I knew I have the capacity to go through extreme lengths to survive, I wondered if I was capable of torture. "It... it goes against how I was raised."

"Well, your adopted mother isn't here to scold you," He reminded, and I felt my mood worse for being reminded of her. "Remember, if a parent isn't there when you need them, you have no obligation to worry about how they view you - and you, Sweet Tooth should never feel bad for what you've done; it was because of circumstances. So don't worry. No one here will judge you for whatever you do. Think of it as a little vacation to indulge in any activity you want!"

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" His words honestly made it feel that way.

"And why shouldn't it? Just imagine it being that way for the rest of your life!"

I knew he was trying to sway me, and I found myself fantasizing about indulging every bad habit I learned since my time in the Griffon Empire. But then I am reminded of the filly tossed down with me, and her cries, and the cries of the children being violated and mutilated in the vision of the future he showed me.

Just hearing their screams made me want to silence them by any means necessary - by preventing that future, or by killing them before they become pleasure objects to the cult - and I found myself at peace at whichever came first.

(Of course I still cared about the children... Enough so that I wanted to put them out of their misery... Does it matter if I have something to gain from it? ...I never claimed what I did was selfless... Now that's hypocritical of you to say that since you bought that item from me... What you did was not out of love for Shining Armor, it was purely selfish... Not my fault you gouged out your eyes, I warned you of what could be seen...)

The other cultists leave the room, leaving us alone. Big Boss pulled out a rolled bundle of cloth before setting it on the desk near the table Trixie is strapped down to. He unrolled the thick cloth across it, revealing a large assortment of sterilized tools of fine craftsmanship strapped within. Chisels and hammers. Pliers and scalpels. All types of crafting tools, and I knew I would be doing more with them than their intended use.

He motioned for me to pick one up, and when I reached for the hammer, I was shocked at the polish. The quality was simply amazing, and [Observe] confirmed it for me. "I never thought I would see something so clean in a place so dirty. Where did you get these tools?"

"From the previous town, I razed to the ground," He chuckled. "If you are going to do high-quality work, you are going to need high-quality tools."

"...How long have you known?" I asked, noticing the weight and balance of the hammer. "That I would appear in that spot where the initiates found me?"

"Enough time to prepare everything that you will need," He then tapped the desk. "Now would be a good time to bring out your cup."

"Cup?" I set down the hammer on the desk and glanced at the griffon whose eyes are always closed. "I don't have or need one; dehydration doesn't affect me."

"This isn't any ordinary cup," He elaborated. "It has a cosmic nature; grand and old. It's more of a chalice, actually, and I know you have one. You make it appear on the desk."

I immediately wanted to remind him that the only things I had on me were my helmet and cleaver, but then he said that word: cosmic. He said it was something I have, and it's a chalice. I mentally pulled up the quest I completed but never claimed in the Punishment Zone.

QUEST: Embracing Gluttony
You have indulged in the sin of gluttony, consuming an unnecessary excess, but now it is time to push it to the limits; may they be knowledge, stats, or skills! Exploit your temporary immortality in the Punishment Zone before confronting the boss! This quest is optional, and so the rewards you will receive are based on what you've accomplished!
-Level up a skill high enough to naturally evolve. (COMPLETED)
-Increase all stats to a minimum of 20 without using stat points. (COMPLETED)
-Level 5 skills above level 30. (COMPLETED)
-Read a minimum of 10 monoliths. (COMPLETED)
-Learn at least 10 rituals. (COMPLETED)
-Die at least 50 times. (COMPLETED)
-Die at least 100 times. (COMPLETED)
-Die at least 200 times. (COMPLETED)
-Die at least 400 times. (FAILED)
-Evolve 10 skills. (FAILED)
-Increase all stats to be a minimum of 50. (FAILED)
-Read 30 monoliths (FAILED)
-Gain 2 perks related to each stat. (FAILED)

REWARDS:
-Skill: Solar Matrix.
-Perk: Magic Vampirism.
-Item: Chalice of the Cosmos.
-Item: Human knowledge fragment(x4).

Do you wish to receive the rewards now?
[YES/NO]

I tapped YES.

There was a brief flash of light before it died down to reveal two notifications about my newly-acquired perk and skill. I briefly ignored them - surprised I could push them to the side without dismissing it - and focused on the four white shards and an otherworldly chalice that appeared on the desk near the crafting tools. Yet it made me uncomfortable just being near the thing.

Chalice of the Cosmos [Mythical]
A large, blighted green goblet that seems to have the unsettling texture of bones rather than pristine metal. Dark, purple fog rises out from the endless blood contained within; bloating and deflating, taking on the horrifying shapes of leering skulls.

This chalice has existed before the first primal evils roamed the world. This item was granted to those who are beloved by the Moon Presence in a form of inverted worship, for She worships the mortals below, instead of the lesser creatures praying to Her above. The fog that pours out and forms the leering skulls represents the addictive pleasure, and doom, this chalice brings.

ABILITIES:

• The chalice will never run out of blood.
• Heals any physical wounds and illnesses proportionate to the amount of blood consumed.
• This item is bound to Sweet Tooth.
• Can be used to enter the Labyrinth.
• Causes {Blood Addiction}; a status effect to match the withdrawal symptoms due to the blood causing extreme euphoria, thus making it highly addictive.
• Consuming too much will attract the Amygdala.
• Can cause mutations similar to the Beast if the blood isn't properly purified.

I didn't know what I was expecting, but the fact that I had a disturbing-looking chalice containing an infinite amount of super-healing blood wasn't it. While it stunned me that I have a powerful healing tool in my possession, everything - from the chalice's appearance, the dark purple fog of leering skulls, or the neverending supply of blood - made me hesitant to even use it.

It even mentions something called the 'Beast' and the 'Amygdala'. I don't know anything about the former, but I definitely know of the latter; the monoliths in the Punishment Zone taught me more than I wanted to know, and even then my knowledge of the Amygdala is fragmented and incomplete. Only [Gamer's Mind] prevented me from freaking out, yet those less fortunate would prefer suicide rather than going outside with the indescribably minuscule possibility of confronting a terrifying and imperceptible creature.

"...I'm going to be using this chalice on Trixie, aren't I?"

"How else are you going to learn from your mistakes?" Big Boss chuckled. "The hard part when teaching torture is that sculpting flesh and breaking bones causes damage that simply cannot be healed. Sure, they can be patched up to a certain degree, but you can only make so many mistakes before you have to get another body to practice on. Now it can be like painting; if you make a mistake, just paint the whole thing white and start over. Now grab the tools, we're going to begin."

And so I did. Given how big the table is, and how small Trixie is, there was plenty of room to place the tools down along with the chalice. "So what now?"

"When interrogating the individual, you must establish control - to prove that you are the one in charge and have all the power," Big Boss explained before tapping the unconscious unicorn in the horn. "For a unicorn, their horn is the usual preference since it's directly growing out of their head - and it's extremely sensitive - but once you shatter it, you lose your only opportunity to cause any direct, extreme pain. Maintaining the horn's durability while causing maximum pain requires a delicate grip on tools. So for now, you are going to do what I said before: establishing control and proving you have all the power as you wake her up."

"And how do I do that?" I asked. "By shaking her awake?"

Big Boss pointed to the pliers. "By rippling one of her teeth out."

Author's Note

Sorry for the late upload, I've been busy in real life, and I was also reading other fics on this site. Once I started getting into one genre, I sought out more. I've also been joining groups, posting on forums, asking questions, and feedback; it's nice getting another person's perspective.

In between reading fics, and figuring out certain functions in this site, I've been planning out how I want this story to go. I've been getting back into the whole Equestria Girls thing, and I even have a fic planned for it - gamer themed of course - but that's all it is: an idea, with barely fleshed out concepts and scenes.

And let me say thank you for all the support on this fic, even though I hadn't updated it in a while. (I figured out how to make an emoji)