Corruption is Magic

Looking out to the city in chaos I stand in front of the Lord’s manor in a secluded part of the city. Alexander and Olvin stand to my sides each watching in their own way. It seems most of the guards of the city decided to join my forces when they got confronted by those following me along with those who didn’t vocally support me till this all kicked off. “Truly marvelous. The sound of screams and cries of battle, It is truly a spectacle.” Alexander dreamily says followed by a sigh in delight.

“You really have a fucked sense of taste.” Olvin snorts.

“I honestly have to agree.” I say looking over to Alexander who shrugs.

“To each their own.”

“Right.” I slowly say turning back to the commotion. “So, I guess this is as good of a time as any to ask. Can you two fill me in on the need to know stuff for a ruler to know. I’m a fish out of water here and you two have ruled and obviously know a lot more than I do.”

Olvin looks at me out of the corner of his eyes but then looks back to the commotion going down. “I could help, though I have to ask you something before I go promisin anythin. When you get that throne, what will you do?” His question is short and simple, yet not. Not that long ago I would have said I would leave immediately and take those I desired to come with me to come along. Now though… I don’t know. I look out to the commotion and think about those who have jumped to my aid, those who came out of the woodworks when we arrived to help me and my cause. I have always been taught to do the right thing… but here the right thing also means basically waging a war against the status quo.

“I’ll fix this world. I won’t leave till at least this is done… and I’ll open a portal to my home that remains open so I can go back to see my friends and family but remain in power.” I say formulating the plan as I speak. This can work, trade can happen then. Resources not native here can be imported then and we can export the plants and stuff we get in deals from other worlds to Equestria.

“That’s quite somethin.” Olvir chuckles as he strokes his braided beard. “Now then, this city is on the western side of the Red sea. That is a sea of Lava that flows like an ocean. To get across you would need one of them fancy metal boats the capital and major ports have.”

“Speaking of the Capital.” Alexander pipes up, stopping Olvin who glares at him. “We truly are lucky because the Capital, Belfor, is on this land mass.”

“Yes… It is.” Olvir grumbles, giving Alexander the stink eye. “Now as I was sayin. This little fact means that there isn’t just Vo to deal with, we have the current King.”

“Wait, current king!?” I yell turning fully to Olvin.

“Well ya, you didn’t really think that there wasn’t a King or Queen in the throne right now right?” I… but… I didn’t know this! What will they take my declaration as!? Do they see me as an enemy? Will they sen- “Stop your fussin Lass.” Olvin barks, stopping my racing mind. “I’ll be the first to tell ya that the Kings are prohibited from interfering with these things till they are challenged after a certain event.”

“Ah, the gauntlet. I remember my time going through that.” Alexander dreamily says. “Truly the best part of each year.”

“Right… Anyways.” Olvin sighs. “Look, the King is your last obstacle for the throne. Vo is another competitor but as he has the largest support under him right now due to his deals with influential people he is a larger problem than the current King.”

“So this is a kind of proving ground?” I ask, feeling I have gotten ahold of what is being explained, getting a nod from Olvin I know I understand fully. “So what happens if the current King does get involved?”

“Well, they will be seen as an unfit ruler and it is acceptable for all in the trial to focus on disposing of them. This has happened a few times but only once has a King been in power, killed the possible replacements, and due to him not using the wish he got upon being crowned escaped to another world.” Hearing this my mind connects the dots. So that’s what happened.

“So who all can join this event?”

“Anyone and everyone is allowed to join but most don’t seek that kinda thing. That doesn’t mean they don’t play their part. Even before the event those who want to fight in the event make moves through the year to become Ruler. The more people who are under your rule and actively acknowledge you as their ruler the more power you get to draw upon.” Wait, so I could get even more powerful, first Corruption and now this!? Wait… No this seems to be an extension from Corruption since I technically am dominating the people. I guess it works like taxation on those you rule since Corruption also works as money here.

“Okay. Also care to explain Corruption to me. I have had a hell of a time to grasp what its deal is.”

“Ah, I might be best to ask my Dear.” Alexander pipes up, I turn to look behind myself and see him smiling at me. “You see Corruption starts out rather not noticeable. You likely didn’t get to experience its slow creep up due to the effect you were under that made your corruption desire Domination. Corruption when really active can become a sort of voice in your head and it will become difficult to separate yourself from it. Right now I’d guess it's still in your torso only. Eventually you will feel it in your whole body but it’s going to be able to keep growing because though you feel it everywhere you aren’t completely full of it yet.”

“Okay but it almost feels alive.”

“Oh, it is. Think of it as a living wellspring.” Alexander says happily but as if he was smacked with something his face twitches in contained anger. “Did… she not… teach you… containment?” Alexander slowly asks, looking ready to blow a gasket.

“No.” I quietly say taking a few steps away from the potential explosion that is Alexander.

“I swear, one job. Gomra, when I get to the afterlife I’m going to make sure you are punished for this… this… idiocy!” Alexander yells uncharacteristically. Taking some breaths Alexander relaxes. “Okay… So Containment. I have no idea how you haven’t been taught this or not but do you know what meditation is?”

“Oh meditation, I have done that before when Rarity got into it for about a month.” I hesitantly say, nodding.

“Well, to Contain or better yet keep it content you need to meditate and try to mentally connect to the Corruption. In doing this you will be able to communicate with your Corruption and imprint on it. This is when it will get your voice and become like you more and more but in doing so you will also merge with the Corruption.”

“Uh… question.”

“Yes my Dear, ask away.” Alexander happily says.

“What if it has already talked to me and sounds like me… and it wasn’t when I was meditating?” I sheepishly ask, and upon asking I could almost hear Alexander’s expression shattering like glass as his head slowly turned to me.

“Say what now?”