The Six Sides

The area was quiet. A gentle breeze blew through the treetops while countless critters of all kinds hopped around without a care in the world. There was no danger anywhere around them, so why worry?

None would ever think the peace could be broken, until a lone, heavily armed and armoured, sky-blue Kirin swiftly raced past, not taking one single moment to catch their breath or to calm themselves.

Cursing themselves for their hasty ignorance and the Host for dragging them into this twisted game, Light dashed past ancient trees, which they knew would stand little chance of survival after today.

Too long had it been since they had last been at home, but knowing they had a chance to fix things, no matter how slim, they put aside their heart's desires as they made their way through the forest.

Running at great speed through the woods they had protected for so many years, they knew every part like the back of their hoof. With their mind focused on one goal, they hoped they were fast enough.

Their hooves pounded against the ground, their breaths were heavy, and their heart beat ever faster as tears began forming in their eyes, while they made their way whither they hoped to never return.

They quickened their pace, and though they knew they were close to reaching their limit, still they pressed on, without stopping, nor using any magic, save for eating some berries from their satchel.

The forest grew denser, and they struggled to make their way through, until they decided they would stop at nothing to reach them. Pausing for one second, the forest was burnt when they turned Nirik.

Eventually, the sound of metal on metal reached their ears, followed shortly after by bloodcurdling screams, and cries of anguish. They slowed down, as their painful memories returned, in full force.

They had hoped this day would never come. Now, on this day, for the second time in their life, they knew not if they could make it. But as they knew what occurred, they could not let it happen again.

If they made it, they could save everyone. They had to...

Poking their head through the brush, cloaked in flames, they stood upon the precipice, looking down at a field, one they remembered too well, and the only thing Light could see was utter devastation.

The attack had come without warning, and not from whence they expected. If their enemy had attacked from the front, instead of the flank, they would have repelled them, as they had done often before.

Now, friend and foe alike laid scattered all across the field, lying face down in dark, red puddles staining the grass and dirt. Out of everyone who stood valiantly, now, only few were left standing.

Though the loss was great, they remembered it was far greater. Had it not been for their swiftness, they would not have arrived in time to help, only arriving to an empty field, and a decimated army.

They looked away, unable to bear the sight of the two-sided massacre. But Light knew they could not stand idly by, while so much destruction happened in front of them, so they ran towards the fields.

When their allies heard the sounds of their galloping hooves, they turned around, wearing a look of relief, and frustration, upon their faces when they noticed Light, for none expected their arrival.

When they reached the field, Light joined the defence, and held back the enemy. They would not gain a hoof of distance to their village. But even with their experience, they could not defend forever.

Too well they knew what the end result would be, so they gestured to the youngest remaining Scouts, ordering them to fall back and to call for aid, while more of their fellow Rangers arrived to help.

Eventually, the enemy fell back to regroup, giving them a moment of peace. Light doused their fire, and grabbed healing supplies from their satchel, treating the wounded next to their fellow Rangers.

Relief arrived, and Light helped move the most gravely injured, when they heard rallying cries, far away. While the Scouts fell back with the many wounded, Light and the Rangers concealed themselves.

With some luck, they could buy them enough time...

Far in the distance, the last of the Scouts made their way through the dense forest, until they had vanished from sight, far enough ahead in familiar territory to be safe from the oncoming onslaught.

Hiding behind trees and in the tall grass, Light and their fellow Rangers waited, motionless, until they saw the attacking army appear over the ridge. Silence fell as the army made their way forward.

Spread out over a large area, the Rangers could see every part of the field, but they waited before they attacked. When the army stood in the centre of the field, they drew back their bows and fired.

Instantly, many were slain, as they desperately tried to find whence the arrows came. Some of their archers started to shoot, but they, too, quickly fell, at the hooves of the stealthy Kirin Rangers.

But then, one of the arrows found its mark, striking a Ranger in a tree, falling next to Light, who put down their bow to help their friend. Gently holding their hoof, Light whistled to call for aid.

Two Rangers appeared by their side to guard them and to help Spring Blossom, who was badly injured. The army was relentless, firing more arrows, as they charged the Kirins, hitting many more Rangers.

Seeing their fallen comrades, Kirins they had known for so long, hurt once again, Light tried their best to stay calm, and to help as many as they could. But they knew, many would not make the night.

At that moment, an armoured stallion appeared charging through the field, wielding a warhammer, and Light grabbed their sword to block his attack. But the stallion kept swinging, over and over again.

Then, their sword horizontally over their head, there was one strike too many, and the blade broke. The shards of the blade, now but a mere dagger, flew all over. But now, it was shorter and quicker.

Light moved quickly, charging headfirst into the stallion, who toppled, and harshly hit the ground. After throwing away his warhammer, they raised their broken blade, and prepared to strike him down.

Then, they heard the sound of a short, weak whimper, calling out from behind them...

Turning around, Light saw Blossom, weary and crying, stretching out her hoof towards Light, wearing an expression that gripped their heart. Looking back at the stallion, Light let go of their dagger.

As the dagger landed in the ground, its blade barely visible, Light doused their flames, turning to a Kirin before the eyes of the stallion they fought a moment ago, and sat down, to comfort Blossom.

Laying her head on their lap and holding her hoof, Light smiled and tried to hold back their tears. But Blossom's grip weakened, her smile brightened and her tears flowed, and their facade shattered.

Pulling in their friend for one final embrace, Light cried, in utter silence, as they tried to ease the passing of one they had known for a long time. Then, Blossom sighed deeply, and stopped moving.

Still, Light did not let go of their friend. Even as more arrows flew by, the stallion rose, but to their relief, he did not attack. Light looked up, saw the stallion, with his warhammer, who nodded.

With a tear-stained face, Light nodded back, before they closed her eyes, and carefully removed the arrow, allowing her to rest in peace, while the stallion put his hoof on his chest and walked away.

They were not able to save her, but at least they were with her, in her last moments. The remaining Rangers tried their best to treat the injured, but instead, this often resulted in injury for them.

Slowly but surely, as the Rangers' numbers thinned, so did the advancing army, until eventually, no more than a hoofful of fighters were left, on either side. Some injured, others entirely uninjured.

Wiping away their tears, and gently laying down the resting body of Blossom, Light slowly walked to the field. Past their broken sword and its shards, they put down their bow and lifted their hooves.

Joined by more of their Rangers, the sight of the Kirins confused the army, who had only known them as shadowy, fiery beings. But still, some felt threatened and attacked, and an arrow flew to Light.

They prepared for their end, had it not been for an unexpected saviour...

First, there was the sound of an arrow, hitting a target. Then, when Light felt nothing, they dared to open their eyes, finding the Stallion standing before them with his warhammer and shield raised.

For a brief moment, Light grew concerned he was hit, slain by his allies for daring to defend their opponent. But the Stallion looked at them, then towards Blossom's body in the distance, and nodded.

He talked with his allies in a tongue unknown to the Kirin, but the Stallion calmly stepped forward to speak. As he lowered his arms, Light saw the arrows which hit and pierced the stallion's shield.

Looking around at their fellow Rangers, Light saw no dry eyes nor a single unstained face. Too many had fallen on both sides, and those who remained could not find the strength to perform their duty.

Opposing the Kirin Rangers were but a hoofful of Ponies. Shaking in their armour and trying to hide their tears, Light could tell, a great number had seen too many winters, yet more had seen too few.

Thinking of this day when they first lived it, Light remembered there were fewer survivors, and the fields were scorched. Could it be they had managed to change this moment, by being slightly faster?

Then, the Stallion turned around, to gaze between the many fallen Kirin, at the edge of the forest, and the slain Ponies in the field where they stood. Looking at Light, he then laid down his weapon.

In turn, Light, and many of the Rangers, lowered their hooves, and dropped their weapons. A silence fell upon the area, calming the hearts and minds of those who were left, to lay the fallen to rest.

When Light reached Blossom, now resting peacefully with her hooves on her chest, holding her sword, in the distance, Light saw a couple of Scouts approaching, and nodded, wearing a bittersweet smile.

The Scouts got scared, seeing the enemy this close, but Light gestured to Blossom, and many injured and fallen who all needed aid. Light hoped that this peace would last, at least for a little while.

When another group approached, they knew it would not.