Chapters Blessed Altar of the Diseased Angel
Author's Note
My writing the last few years has focused mainly on the nostalgia and emotional storytelling of the '90s and early 2000s. I was depressed for most of my adolescent life, and it hits so much harder as an adult. All I'm hoping for now is to make it to my birthday. On the plus side, it generally leads to some pretty creative outcomes - both online and IRL.
Blessed Altar of the Diseased Angel
Twilight lay under a tall oak tree, breathing deeply as the scent of life coursed through her. Spike emulated his sister's behavior, resting against the trunk. Leaves fell to the earth, echoing sentiments of death. The world now seemed cold and gray. Even during summer, the light could only reach so far. Between fall and winter, feelings of tenderness ceased altogether. Only sleep's embrace remained, tempting them to be whisked away by forces beyond their power.
"Hey, Twilight...?"
"Hm?"
"Why are we alive?"
"I don't know. We've been asking ourselves that question long before you and I were born. It's just the nature of reality I suppose. Organisms exist to reproduce. Nothing else matters in the grand scheme of things."
"You think there's a grand scheme at all?"
"On the cosmic level? Probably not. The personal's a different story. The lives we've lived aren't unique or exciting, but they're ours, and I'm content with how they've turned out. Are you?"
"Yeah. I was just curious more than anything."
"Curiosity killed the cat, or in your case, the dragon."
"Very funny."
"Think we should camp here tonight or go home?"
"I think I've had my fill. I wanna read a bit today, anyway."
"Me, too."
The siblings flew north to their mansion. It was close enough to maintain contact with civilization, but far enough for privacy. After high school, most of their friends either got jobs or moved away. Nowadays, only a tight-knit brood of mares kept in touch. With the colder seasons set in motion, they'd be hanging out a lot more soon.
Inside, Twilight ignited her horn. She could've switched on the lights, but it seemed more convenient to save on power. The walls were adorned with mystical creatures referenced throughout history - witches, vampires, ghosts, goblins. The list went on, but most of all, Twilight admired her progenitors. The spell-casters of days yore inarguably passed down a far richer tale. For centuries, they formed pacts with like-minded people, swearing their devotion to one another in rituals of allegiance. The Alicorn never understood what the purpose of these covens were. For the most part, there was no grander goal - nothing driving them to hold true to their oaths. However, after years of growth and maturity, she began to realize...Their contributions had been leading up to them...Their Coven of Evolution...
"So...It's finally time..."
In Twilight's room, she discarded her cloak and hat, revealing a simple t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Spike turned on the heater while she booted up her computer. She messaged Rainbow online to see if they could talk. Almost immediately, the Pegasus responded with a video call.
"'Sup, bitch?"
"Just checking to see whose dick you're gargling today."
"Yeah, right. I haven't been laid since prom."
"Aww! That's sad."
"Look who's talking. Got more money than you know what to do with and you still can't get a man."
"You have any idea how many gold diggers are out there? It's like, why can't someone just love me for me, ya know?"
"They will. Just gotta get out and mingle a bit. Only advice I can give is stay away from bars."
"Yeah. Tell me about it."
"To tell you the truth, I always figured we were the outcasts. Everybody hung out with us out of pity. After graduation, they forgot we existed. Still bums me out, even now."
"Just goes to show they weren't worth the time."
"Guess you got a point, but damn."
"Next time you guys come over, I wanna show you something. You know my penchant for magic by now, but Pegasi and earth ponies can use it, too. We never really experimented much back then."
"Sure. Fuck it."
"Wanna play some ROMs in the meantime? I've got some hacks we can try."
"May as well."
"Cool."
Twilight opened her playlist. It was sorted alphabetically to keep her files organized. She selected Morbid Angel's third album Covenant - fittingly titled for what she had in store.
A week later, Twilight told her friends to meet her by the basement. Rainbow, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy circled around her. Spike stood aside for dramatic effect.
"So," Rainbow inquired, "what you got for us?"
"I've practiced a lot of spells here since I moved," Twilight explained, "The concrete prevents projectiles from escaping. Fortunately, I haven't had many mishaps."
"I doubt that's why you called us."
"Follow me."
Twilight led the sextet below. Spike followed behind, closing the door once they were all inside. At the bottom, they bore witness to a statue constructed by their leader. She'd placed candles around the base, creating a mystical atmosphere akin to a Luciferian gathering. The statue itself, however, was the exact opposite.
"I made it a couple years ago. It's based on a novel I read back in the day. It was about a seraph falling in love with a suffering stallion."
"She looks awesome," Rainbow praised, "I had no idea you could sculpt!"
"You know I come from a long line of mages. My family history extends to all branches - witchcraft, wicca, paganism, Luciferianism: everything you can imagine. School was just a stepping stone in my journey to draw out my latent abilities. Now that I've mastered my own magical powers, I can teach you to do the same."
"You lost me."
"I want us to form a coven - one dedicated to growth in all walks of life."
"A coven? Like...Chanting in the woods and stuff?"
Twilight shrugged.
"That could be part of it. There's a variety of magical styles. Mastering them requires practice and patience."
"That's weird. You're weird."
"And you love it."
"What can I say? I'm an open book."
"I don't know about this," Applejack hesitated, "I was brought up to believe in God and that witches were evil. I've been tryin' to be more open-minded, but..."
"Magic is only light or dark depending on how it's used. Are you familiar with Universal Unitarianism?"
"Can't say I am."
"It's a religious denomination dedicated to faiths around the world. People can meet and get acquainted with one another. It's one of the more popular sects these days."
"A harmonious gathering of faiths? I had no idea..."
"Just to demonstrate, I've prepared a ritual just for this occasion."
Twilight stepped aside, revealing a chalice filled to the brim with holy water. A magnificent light opened the gateway to another world.
"This is the real deal - blessed by the tears of a lifelong priestess."
"Where'd you even get that!?" Rainbow questioned, almost cackling at the absurdity.
"I have a lot of time on my hooves."
"Apparently."
"What I planned today was a friendship pledge. I'll perform an incantation, and each of us will drink from the chalice. You can add something to the pledge or just talk between sips."
"You have anymore cups," Pinkie asked, "I'm super thirsty!"
"I only have one for now. We can try to get more later. Prayer is at its highest during the colder months."
"Aww!"
Rainbow ruffled Pinkie's mane, locking her head in a noogie.
"You could get fat on water if you tried."
"Internet fetishes aside," Twilight continued, "I'll be performing my section in Latin. There's no real significance other than symbolism. You can pick whatever language you prefer."
"Mind if I ask what the endgame is?"
"You mean my goal?"
"Yeah."
"Mostly to stop making dirty jokes."
"That's no fun."
"We have a responsibility to protect the citizens of Equus. They'd be disappointed if we never evolved beyond our juvenile phase."
"Why you gotta be so smart?"
"Comes with the territory. Now, everyone form a circle."
Twilight extracted a piece of paper from her pocket. She began reading. It became clear why she'd chosen the language she had. The English translation was written on the back.
"Tutores vocamus praeteritorum, praesentium, et futurorum. Animas perditas benedicamus subsidio quaerentes in ulnis amantium. Exáudi vocatiónes nostras sicut nos tibi tradímus, et vovéndo tibi semper grátius servíre. Animae perditae non orant errant, sed inveniunt eos qui se patiuntur et novam viam praevertunt, quia corda nostra ad eos pertinent."
She sipped from the chalice, feeling her soul begin to change. It didn't matter if the others believed or took her seriously - only that the words spoken proved true. Over time, she would find a way to win their trust, and the greatest magic of all would be born...
Author's Note
The chapter's named after the Acacia Strain's second album. I've been receiving counseling for anger management issues the last few months. Aside from soundtracks when I'm playing games, I usually listen exclusively to metal. The style often depends on my mood. It ranges from fast and thrash-y to melodic and soothing, with the latter being more prevalent during depressive episodes. Being that way 24/7, you can imagine how much I listen to daily. I actually have hearing loss because I overdid it for so long. The counseling's helped some, but I still get frustrated easily. Really need to work on that.
3750 (Interlude)
Back up on the surface, the group's breath crystalized, signifying rapid onset of the cycle's end. As a new year peered around the corner, so too did death. What died were the moments before - the memories, the laughs, the tears. What they died for would only be determined by conscious thought. The key lay within what made all things precious - the harbinger of blood anew.
"Hey, Twi," Rainbow began, "Not to be a naysayer or anything, but doesn't this all seem kinda...LARP-y? I mean, it feels like a D&D campaign. Where's the balrog, ya know?"
"It's the other way around. D&D is heavily based on the folktales passed down from our ancestors. I thought it might help to connect with our traditional roots. Plus, it reminds us we're sentient. We're just like everyone else. We think. We feel. We cry. If it feels strange or odd, it's supposed to, because we're strange and odd. It's what makes us wonderful."
"Damn. That's deep."
"You know I was always the nerdy one."
"All right. I'll play along. This whole magic thing better be on the level, though. I wanna shoot fireballs from my mouth like chili pepper tacos."
"Magic's not a toy. I need you to take this seriously. Someone could get hurt if we're not careful."
"Okay, okay! I got it! Sheesh! No need for the death stare."
"Speaking of food though, you guys wanna grab a bite before you head home? You can warm up for a bit or stay the night if you'd like."
"Sure. I'm down."
Author's Note
Part of the reason I write is to help people think on a deeper level, be it philosophically or emotionally. I believe in no uncertain terms that the world is broken. Compassion and critical thinking have fallen to the wayside in favor of tribalism and greed. As human beings, we have the power to change things. It all begins with a choice. The mind is our most powerful tool in the quest for progress. Help your fellow man, be good, and do good. That's all there is to it.
Expulsion
Twilight scheduled the first lesson for Halloween. Five o' clock, when the trick-or-treaters came out to play, they made their move.
"You put out the candy?" she questioned her brother, making sure no loose ends were left untied.
"Yeah," Spike replied, "You know Rainbow's gonna be pissed, right?"
"She'll get over it. Every game starts small."
"I guess. You know how impulsive she is."
"That's why we're doing this - to teach her self-control. It's like ultra instinct. Stoicism's the key to mastery."
"Fair enough."
"Come on. We shouldn't keep 'em waiting."
Down by the woods, Rainbow, Applejack, and Fluttershy stood at the ready. They were waiting for Pinkie and Rarity.
"Someone's eager," Twilight jested, "Might wanna hold your horses for the time being, though. We're not doing magic today."
Contrary to what Spike expected, Rainbow wasn't so much mad as confused.
"Then...Why are we here?"
"Magic requires extreme self-discipline and focus, especially if it's benevolent. If we're to have hope of mastering each form, we must acknowledge and practice the fundamentals in our daily lives. From there, we must purge ourselves of ill will. Anger, sorrow, and resentment will only stifle our progress."
"But...How do we stop feeling them? I mean...It's normal, right?"
"It's not about not feeling them, but tempering them. You can use your emotions to your advantage without letting them control you. This is what's known in psychology as assimilation - coming to terms with your darker half and accepting its value."
"The shadow, huh...?"
"Science and magic aren't mutually exclusive. Multiple advancements have been made using traditionally 'magical' methods - exploring nature, combining medicines, that kind of thing."
"Wow. That's actually kind of impressive."
"If you're serious about learning, now's the time to harden your resolve. There's no point in going further if you're unsure."
Rainbow's bravado rocketed, recognizing the challenge set forth by her companion.
"You kiddin'? I was born ready!"
Twilight smiled.
"Good."
Pinkie and Rarity came into view as the others finished speaking. Pinkie stuffed her face with doughnuts to keep up her energy. Twilight hoped she wouldn't regret the crash.
"You guys ready?"
"Yes," Rarity acknowledged, "Truth be told, my magical abilities were always less than ideal. It's high time I caught up with everyone."
"Don't worry. By the end, you'll be far more powerful than anyone can imagine."
"Very well. Consider me thoroughly motivated."
"Didn't realize we were bringin' DMC into this." Spike chuckled.
"Summon swords are a spell." his sister reminded.
Between the trees, Twilight sparked a campfire, inviting the others to form a circle as before. Being the most experienced, she thought it pertinent to speak first. She wasn't just helping the others grow. She had her own flaws to iron out.
"It's funny. To think, a few centuries ago, we would've been attacked for being what we are..."
"You mean the witch hunts?" Rainbow recalled, thinking back to history class.
"Burnings, lynchings: all of it. You know how I feel, right?"
"Yeah. Coming from the tribe responsible's been a weight on my shoulders. If I could go back and knock some sense into 'em, I would."
"That's the thing about knowledge. It doesn't stop when people die. It only grows with their successors. Someday, someone will surpass me. I'll be proud when it happens, but sad it's over. I'm just a stepping stone for something greater."
"They might surpass you alone, but they'll never match us together. Only fools desire power for power's sake."
"That's true, and unusually astute."
"I pay attention."
"The real reason I brought you out here was to vent. Until we move on, we can't be trusted with this power. Not even me..."
"This is about last week, isn't it?"
"I have an idea what you're feeling, but I can't actually know without being you. I was introverted from the beginning. I related more to Fluttershy in that regard, but you guys were more outgoing. I knew once high school was over, our friendships would decline, but I always figured it was about the quality, not the quantity."
"It is. I spoke out of anger, and I really shouldn't have. I'm sorry if I made you feel unvalued."
"It's not me I'm worried about. What hurt was seeing you suffer. It felt like witnessing some hellish nightmare you couldn't wake up from."
"Like Freddy Krueger?"
"Something darker - far older and way more deadly."
"The shadow you mentioned earlier."
"When the shadow turns against you, it's hard to come back. It's not impossible, but those of weaker wills have little hope for survival."
"Did you think I'd end it?"
"It did cross my mind."
"Never."
Twilight's ears perked, surprised by the authority in Rainbow's voice. It sounded ancient...Powerful...God-like...
"Now that you've told me, I have every reason not to. I understand now. We have the strongest friendship of all."
"So I wasn't blind?"
Rainbow shook her head.
"No. I was. We all have secrets we hide from the world, and I trust you with mine. Do you?"
Twilight nodded.
"Yeah. I do."
Rainbow turned to the others, prepared to join them in eternal solidarity.
"We've said our piece. Now it's you guys' turn."
Previously uncertain, Twilight's mind solidified. They were on the right path.
Author's Note
Up to now, I've been winging it a bit without extensive knowledge on the actual history of witchcraft. Now we can cement the rules of the world. I'll be studying up as I write. While I'm taking tongue and cheek jabs at the belief systems, I'm not doing so maliciously. I'm poking fun at mine as well.
Co-Misery
For their first lesson, Twilight took two books from her personal library at home. The first provided extensive historical knowledge surrounding magic, its origins, and basic spells. The other was the novel she'd mentioned to Rainbow prior.
"There are two main types of magic. In the old days, it was referred to as 'magick' with a ck at the end. Modern spellings stem from the enlightenment age. There are various sub-categories, but they all fall under the two main types: Internal and External."
"What's the difference?" Rainbow questioned.
"Internal draws power from the user's own energy supply - specifically the glucose and fat stored in our cells. External relies on outside forces - stuff like nature, machinery, art, etc."
"I imagine internal's a hell of a workout."
"The way it works is both simple and complex. By focusing your energy, you can manipulate the particles around your body for extremely potent effects. It's a technique Shining used extensively during training. You can create all kinds of weapons, armor, and medicines just by thinking about them. For more advanced examples, you can mix internal and external to execute powerful summoning spells. This is extremely useful for daily tasks and combat. We'll worry about that later."
"What about limits? Even magic's got rules, right?"
"Some, but they're few and far between. Take cloning for instance. While it's possible, the clone would be a separate person. They wouldn't think or act like you because they couldn't. Aside from the brain being impossible to replicate, they haven't lived your life. They haven't experienced your thoughts, emotions, or memories. People are just too unique to copy. In a way, it makes us special. No one can be us, no matter how hard they try."
"Could you use them for say, I don't know, personal reasons...?"
"Personal?"
"You know what I mean."
The Alicorn thought for a moment, turning red as the pieces fell into place.
"Oooh!"
Rainbow smirked, pushing her mane to the side.
"Absolutely," Twilight assured, "provided consent is given."
"Good to know."
Twilight cleared her throat, changing the subject to avoid the others catching on.
"Anyway, we'll start with levitation. This is the most basic skill taught to Unicorns from birth. In a controlled environment, negative effects are bound to be short-lived. Think hitting yourself with a beanbag or toy ball. That's about the worst that would reasonably happen."
"Sounds simple enough."
"Why don't you take the lead?"
"I'm on it."
Rainbow focused on a small pebble by the fire.
"Close your eyes," Twilight instructed, "Feel the flow between you and the stone. You're part of the same world, connected by time and space. Transcend your physical limits and speak through the soul."
"You know what this reminds me of?"
"What's that?"
"The Sorcerer's Apprentice."
"True. It runs on similar logic, doesn't it?"
For a time, there was nothing - just the crackling of flames among the whispers of the wind, and then...Shaking...
"That's it," Twilight encouraged, "Keep going."
The vibrations grew more frantic, resisting as Rainbow poured herself into the object. Sparks began to appear, forming a stream between the Pegasus and the ground below. Slowly, steadily, the rock began to rise.
"Open your eyes."
Rainbow obliged, shocked at the result. She'd done it.
"That's...Me...!?"
Twilight nodded, a smile of pride on her face.
"Well done. You've passed the first test."
"Huh! Figured I'd feel tired."
"Small objects require less energy to move. The same's true of manual labor."
"Ya know, maybe we should start training both our minds and bodies to handle the strain. I know it's a lot harder for us being new and all."
"You read my mind. A healthy lifestyle will drastically boost our stamina. You don't have to be in peak physical form, but general exercise will keep us in shape for higher level spells, though technically, spell tiers don't exist - at least not in a streamlined notion. Some just take more practice."
"Anything else we should know?"
"I guess at this point, I can tell you my real goal."
"Meaning...?"
"Remember when I said we were dedicating ourselves to growth in all walks of life?"
"Yeah."
"What I meant was evolution."
"You mean like biology?"
"Maybe in time, but I was referring to the philosophical branch. The theory of evolution is a concrete phenomenon dating back to the dawn of life. Philosophical evolution is a broader, more expansive term that entails conscious effort on the part of the organism. While biological evolution occurs over millennia, philosophical evolution encourages the organism to develop on its own. Strength, intellect, and discipline are the primary focus of this variation. It's more abstract and cosmically agnostic than its successor. It's been around far longer under different names."
"So essentially, we're trying to become self-made superheroes."
"Well...Yeah. Pretty much."
"Well, shit! That's all you had to say!"
"Really?"
"I'm in. Think it'll be fun - help break up the monotony."
"How 'bout you guys?" Twilight inquired, turning toward the others. They nodded, their faith in her unyielding.
"Well," Rainbow concluded, "That settles it. You're stuck with us."
"Thanks guys..."
Author's Note
Get to know me long enough, you'll notice my taste in music, while limited mainly to metal, is extremely diverse within the genre. It ranges from high-tuned blackened doom to guttural melodic death and dissonant Drop D metalcore. I even dabble in progressive metal from time to time. All these styles line up to influence my storytelling as I discover more nuance between each genre. Metalcore from the '90s and metalcore today are two vastly different worlds. Same goes for the others.
Motion (Interlude 2)
Rainbow hovered home on the east side of the city, inspecting the cover of the novel. The cover had been drawn by hoof for a more authentic feel, portraying the matrimony of two separate realms. It almost seemed like the author himself was in love with the seraph, which Rainbow suspected he was. Knowing Twilight, there was more to the story than met the eye. The Pegasus glanced toward the title, reading it over in her mind.
"Lilies of Day..."
She bumped into a pole, smacking her forehead against the wood.
"Ah, damn! Really gotta watch where I'm goin'. That's like the first rule."
She rubbed the point of contact, shaking it off.
"It'll start snowing soon..."
She looked toward the sky. It was cold, gray, and dreary.
"The world's true face..."
Inside, Rainbow shut the door. Now that she thought about it, she was a bit hungrier than usual. The magic took more of a toll than she thought, but that would be rectified with a quick snack. She headed toward the fridge.
"Let's see what we got here...Apples...Carrots...Bananas...Aha!"
She extracted a tupper container divided into sections for quick serving. Inside, there were green beans, a tray of broccoli, and some leftover barbecue chicken.
"Perfect!"
While her food cooked, the Pegasus began reading. The author opened with a note informing readers about his views on life, the alienation he felt as a result of political and personal turmoil, his struggle against suicidal ideation, and how he hoped to reach out to those afflicted by the same ailments. For most, the self-indulgent spiel would have turned them away, though that was likely intentional. Only those who could relate would look beyond the surface.
"He'd fit right in with us."
After dinner, Rainbow retreated to her room, opening her playlist to unwind while she read. The warmth from the heater combined with a feeling of safety sent her into a trance-like state, breezing through the story at an uncharacteristic speed. She drifted between the border of hypnagogia, yawning to keep herself awake. She was so invested she barely heard her phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Rainbow!"
"Hey, squirt. How's it hangin'?"
"I just wanted to call to make sure you were still coming over for Christmas. I haven't seen you around lately."
"I've been busy. I started a new training program with Twi. It's been takin' up my extra time, but yeah. I'll be there."
"Awesome! Can you take me sometime?"
"I'll see. It's a bit more intense than usual. Might be too much for kids."
"Oh...Okay..."
"Sorry..."
"Don't worry about it. I'll see you soon, right?"
"Yeah. It's a promise."
"Pinkie promise?"
"Yeah. Pinkie promise."
"Cool. Bye."
"Bye..."
Rainbow hung up, going back to the book. She was already far in. She'd finish it another day.
"May as well play some games before I go to sleep..."
The Pegasus opened her emulator, grabbing her gamepad and a bottle of water. To immerse herself fully in seclusion, she cut her internet for the night.
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. View Online
Feathers to Flowers, Petals to Wings (Interlude 3)
Author's Note
It takes a lot to move beyond trauma and try to be better. If we live to face judgement, what will matter is the strength of our collective characters. I'm done letting my emotions control me.
Feathers to Flowers, Petals to Wings (Interlude 3)
The group began a steady regimen of training, focusing primarily on strength, purification, and levitation. The following weekend, Rainbow returned the book to Twilight. She invited the Pegasus in for tea.
"That whole thing was...Wow..."
"Hits home, doesn't it?"
"The level of emotional depth was something I never allowed myself to feel. Everyone thought I was a dumb jock who didn't know her ass from a hole in the ground. They never really knew me as an individual. Most of the blame for that lies on me."
"You can only be expected to tell people so much. Even if you'd said something, only a handful of people would've listened. We're still friends because we did listen, albeit on a regrettably superficial level."
"There were so many points I was pulled in every direction - sadness, anger, joy, arousal. It felt I was actually seeing myself from within. Nothing I've read in all my life ever pulled it off like that. That kind of story comes along once in a lifetime."
"Now you know what I meant by growth. You understand yourself better than you did before. It takes strong will and tremendous courage to admit your flaws, and even more still to become a better person because of them."
"I've reached my limit emotionally for the time being. I can't grow much beyond here. For now, I'll have to concentrate on the magic. Problem is, I have no reason to keep going. There's nothing driving me to improve."
"If you don't want to continue, I understand. Knowing they can do magic would be enough for most people."
"My gut tells me I should, though. This is the point where I have to think logically. The same way there's no reason in doing it, there's also no reason not to except Scootaloo."
"If you need to change your schedule around to fit in time with her, that's fine. I can tutor you one-on-one if it's more convenient."
"Really? That'd help a lot."
"Sure. I'm always free."
"Thanks. I owe you one."
"Any time."