Order of the Black Sun

by daOtterGuy

Rating: teen
Tags: Horror, Stygian, Alternate Universe, Original Character, The Pillars, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 10086

Stygian, Leader of the Order of the Black Sun, will seal the Corrupt Pillars

Battered and bruised, Stygian is not long for this world, but a chance encounter with the Moon will save him and provide a solution to his monstrous mentor.

Part of the Corrupt Pillars Anthology

Content Warnings for the following: Body Horror, Blood, Claymation, Mutliation

Edited by: EileenSaysHi
Preread by: The Sleepless Beholder, and Dewdrops on the Grass

Published 2023-10-23 14:50:00 UTC
Last updated 2023-10-23 14:50:00 UTC

Reminisce

Stygian trotted through the forest, contemplative as he reflected back on all that he had accomplished over the last few decades. He hardly resembled that bright-eyed naive unicorn that had once been apprenticed to a monster.

He walked with self-assured confidence, his lean, muscled body coated in scars, each a story of his struggles. He wore his old ratty cloak over tightly woven armour. His mane was pulled back into a bun with a fringe that partially covered the symbol of a new moon painted onto his forehead. He had an air of mystery about him, strict discipline and hardship that had shaped him into a closed-off pony.

A shimmering figure appeared next to him, torn between two worlds in preparation for what was to transpire. It was difficult to make out any of the figure’s distinctive features, but Stygian was very familiar with this particular being.

“Are you truly certain of this decision?” She, for Stygian knew she was a mare, asked.

“Yes. I’ve never been more sure of anything before,” Stygian replied, conviction in his voice.

“There is a very low chance that you will ever return. At least, not for a millenia or more.”

“You promise?” Stygian asked, bemused.

“I cannot make a promise that I do not have absolute certainty in.”

“Which is why I wished you could, so I know all of this was worth it.”

“... I’m sorry. I cannot.”

He sighed lightly. “Well, I appreciate the honesty.”

They continued onward in a companionable silence. As they approached their destination, Stygian could feel a hum of magic permeating the air. A steady rhythm that grew louder and louder as he trotted forward.

“I wish to take a moment to thank you,” The figure said.

“What for?” Stygian asked.

“Assisting me in taking down my brother. It's been an absolute pleasure to work with you and—” a moment of hesitation “—it's been nice to have someone I could call a friend.”

Stygian laughed, a warm, brassy sound that dispelled the haze of stern mystery around him to show the compassion underneath.

“What’s so funny?” the figure asked, somewhat offended.

“It’s just—” another snort of laughter “—we’ve worked together for decades and yet you wait until literally the last possible moment to declare our friendship. You really are the closed-off sibling, aren’t you, Artemis?”

Artemis tsked and looked askance. “Must you poke fun at my earnestness?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Stygian placated as he wiped a tear from his eye. “I just needed that since we’re so close to the end of this madness.”

“... Yes, we are. I genuinely never thought we would ever see this day.”

The forest opened up into a glade. A haze of mist hung about a circle of six, tall stones engraved with runes. Most of the inner circle was obscured by an outer ring of smaller stones that served as a barrier of sorts, but Stygian knew this place to be Ponhenge.

The soon-to-hopefully-be final resting place of the Corrupt Pillars.

“Well, you should rejoice, Artemis, since in a few moments we will have finally done what we set out to do.

“Seal the Pillars in Limbo.”

Saviour

Stygian stumbled, hitting the forest floor with a shout. He felt sharp stabs of pain as his wounds worsened from the impact. He cursed his luck to have escaped Starswirl, only to potentially meet his end by the whims of some unknown predator in the woods that, in his current state, could easily finish him off.

Determined, he dragged his body forward, feeling his blood stain the grass underneath him. His body craved rest, but he needed to reach safety before he indulged in that. Especially since, as is, he was still within teleport range.

It was unlikely that Starswirl could track him; however, it was Starswirl, and he would never pretend to know all of that old stallion’s tricks. As much as he was a monster, Stygian was loath to underestimate the Archmage’s intelligence.

He collapsed, his forehooves giving out. He cried out as he tried to force his body to continue its advance, but injury and exhaustion made that feat impossible. He felt hot tears of frustration in his eyes as he screamed at the injustice of it all.

“You appear to need some assistance.”

Stygian jerked his head up in the direction of the feminine voice. Fear gripped his mind at the possibilities of the stranger.

“Who are you?!” Stygian demanded. “D-don’t come closer! I can cast attack magic!” He tried to spark his horn. It spluttered off a few motes of light. Nothing he could work with. “Dammit, dammit!”

“I mean you no harm,” the stranger said. “I would just like to know if you require my help.”

Paranoia and too-soon betrayal made him question the authenticity of the offer. He had only just escaped from someone he had wholly trusted as a friend and mentor. A stranger he couldn’t even see made him leery of any goodwill he was offered.

“H-how can I trust you?!” He asked.

“... I suppose showing you who I am would help,” the stranger remarked.

Rustling came from a nearby bush. Fear turned to awe as he watched his potential saviour appear.

She was a tall unicorn, built of strong, corded muscle. She had a light blue coat studded with white patches of stars. Her long wavy purple mane was tied into a tight bun over half-moon spectacles. She radiated light, each step she took leaving behind a hoofprint of pure light.

He recognized her immediately.

“Artemis,” he whispered in reverence.

“That is correct,” Artemis replied. Her tone was clipped. Short and to the point, with no nonsense inbetween. “Will you now allow me to help you?”

“Please,” Stygian said.

“Then try to hold on. I will be taking you back to my home to treat you.”

He felt her magic envelop him, an off-white warm glow, before he was lifted and placed overtop her back. As he was jostled on his way to destinations unknown, Stygian drifted off to sleep.

Prometheus

They flew above them; the twin corrupt pegasi of Prometheus. Their bodies were gaping maws. They dove into the ranks of the knights, raking their razor-sharp teeth through metal and flesh like a knife through butter. A vicious ballet of two predators and their prey.

Clay abominations spewed from the cave atop a distant hill. Amalgamations of body parts that rolled through and devoured the brave ponies mounting an offense against Prometheus’s stronghold. His orange glow polluted the sky, making the early morning feel like a smog-covered afternoon.

Intermingled amongst these atrocities were the monsters that slipped through the cracks. Horrors let into the world by the fractures caused by the Corrupt Pillars’ mere existence. They were indescribable. Things that defied the natural laws of their world.

The Order would not fall to these monsters.

“Forward, knights!” Stygian shouted. “Hold the line!”

He was in the center of the battlefield, his voice amplified by magic while he flung spells at the various monstrosities that threatened his people. He was weathered from decades of struggle against the Pillars, but kept young and strong by Artemis’s blessings.

Generations of knights had already come and gone, their lives cut short by the threat they hoped to one day defeat. Despite this, they continued to fight back against them. Recent times had provided to the Order a clear goal, a way to end the threat. This was but the first stage of that goal.

A shriek, unnatural and terrifying. One of the clay pegasi dove toward him.

Acting quickly, Stygian blasted the abomination’s wing with a burst of arcane magic. Clay-like blood spewed from the wound as the creature overshot and impacted into the ground behind him. Stygian conjured an arcane shield to ensure no blood would touch him. Shortly afterward, the gore burst into spiked balls and rolled back to their owner, leaving behind cracks in his shield.

Flash Magnus stood up laughing as his wing repaired itself with the recovered blood. It was a harsh guttural sound made worse by the gaping maw in his body splitting open with his mouth.

“This was a mistake, Styggy.” Flash gave him an expression halfway between a smile and a snarl. “Never knew you to make stupid unnecessary decisions. Gotten desperate lately?”

“There’s a plan, Flash Magnus,” Stygian responded. He converted the remains of his shield into a long sword. “I never make ‘stupid unnecessary decisions’.”

“No, you don’t.” Flash’s voice darkened. “What is your goal here?”

Stygian smirked. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Anger overtook Flash’s expression. “You know what, I do. I’ll just find that out after I kill you.”

There was a wet schlock as Flash’s body morphed. It opened along its seam into a massive maw of teeth. The teeth propagated and grew as wings stretched into a multitude of hideous arms similar to a minotaur, and innumerous legs that scuttled along the ground like a millipede.

Flash charged at him, his teeth snapping at Stygian. A quick teleport brought him out of range and a slash of his sword cut a line through the inner lining of Flash’s mouth.

Another snap. This time, Stygian waited patiently. As his teeth were about to close around him, he conjured an arcane shield, then burst it, the arcane shrapnel causing Flash to shriek as the shards embedded inside of clay flesh.

Several arrows of moonlight shot into Flash’s side. He retreated further.

“I would ask that you not instigate our opponents,” Artemis remarked as she trotted up next to Stygian. “It makes them angry and causes them to transform into more difficult-to-manage monstrosities.”

“But where’s the fun in that?” Stygian replied.

“Are you not too old for such things?” Artemis retorted.

“It’s because I’m too old that I do this,” Stygian replied. “Are you not supposed to be with the forward guard?”

“The Knight of Moonlight was more than capable of breaking through Prometheus’s defenses and is on his way toward the corrupt god alongside the Music Knight.” As if on cue, an explosion of musical notes and arcane magic burst forth from the cave. “I thought it prudent to regroup with you, as you have a tendency to get yourself into trouble if I’m not watching you.”

“Artemis,” Stygian said in a flat tone. “I am not a toddler. I am perfectly capable of handling any instigation I cause. I do not need—”

Flash screeched. His body morphed yet again. It elongated into a multitude of bulbous bodies each connected by the facsimile of flesh. He was growing. Soon, Flash had grown to the size of an average two-story home and showed no signs of slowing down.

“What did you do?!” Flash shrieked from his many mouths.

“... Will you need to be burped later after receiving your milk?” Artemis asked. Her tone was dull, but Stygian could see the twinkle of bemusement in her eyes. “You appear to have caused a bigger problem than you would reasonably be able to handle.”

Stygian, a very strong and masculine stallion, shot back a very stallion-like pout. “I resent that remark.”

“And you’ll resent the missing part of your flank once Flash is done with you. You’re immortal, not invincible,” Artemis replied.

“Well, at least we know that our knights have succeeded.”

“Yes, now, come foal. Let us do battle.” She conjured a quiver of arcane arrows around her.

Stygian rolled his eyes and readied his sword. They both charged forward toward the abomination, shouting a war cry.

Despair

Stygian woke up with a start, heaving in air as he took in his surroundings. He was sitting up in a soft bed within a strange square room. The walls had a cavernous texture with ornate glyphs carved into the stone, each ornate character providing a luminous white glow.

As he took in the room, he became aware of the lack of pain he felt, which led to confusion. A quick inspection of his body showed that his wounds were mostly healed, the last of it glowing with the same light as the walls.

“You are awake.”

He turned toward the voice to see Artemis step into the room.

“Yes, I just woke up,” Stygian replied. “I’m fully healed?”

“Mostly. It took a considerable amount of magic and some of my good herbs, but the remnants should be gone within a few days,” Artemis explained. “Though, I would avoid any strenuous or sudden movements in the meantime.”

A grunt of acknowledgement. Stygian removed the covers, then cautiously got out of bed and onto his hooves. He winced from a few sharp stabs of pain, but nothing he couldn’t tolerate.

“The texts never mentioned you were a talented healer,” Stygian remarked.

“Because I am not. I am simply a survivalist with a decent knowledge of the natural world,” Artemis stated. “Healing is more in the domain of my… brother.” She hissed out the last word.

“Apollo?” Stygian asked. A nod of acknowledgement. “You sound unfond of him.”

“You could say that,” Artemis said darkly. Then, in her normal deadpan, “Are you able to move?”

“Slowly, but yes.”

“Then, if it is not too much trouble, would you be willing to come with me?”

“Of course.”

Without further preamble, Artemis trotted out of the room. Stygian followed after her, winding through several tunnels. She kept a steady pace; enough to stay ahead, but not enough for Stygian to fall too far behind.

The corridor opened into a central chamber with vaulted ceilings. Depictions of Artemis’s past deeds were painted in bright saturated colour onto the walls. The room was lit by an overhead dome that displayed the constellations, upon which an artificial moon hung. A massive raised dais took up most of the area with what appeared to be a throne situated atop it. He presumed this, as it was covered by a heavy cloth that obscured its form.

Artemis ignored all of it and opted to sit herself on a cushion placed before a low, well-worn wooden table set with tea and biscuits. Somewhat put off by the conflicting imagery, Stygian took a seat across from her. Tea was poured, biscuits were procured, and then Artemis was ready to talk business.

“What do you know of the situation surrounding your past mentor, Starswirl?” Artemis asked.

“That he murdered my fellow apprentices with poisoned arrows,” Stygian answered, bitterness in his tone. “I am unaware of any reason he did that other than madness.”

Artemis nodded. “What do you know of the current state of the Gods?”

“That they live on Olympus.” He furrowed his brow. “They have something to do with this?”

She nodded again. “Yes, but it is clear to me that you are unaware of what is actually happening behind the scenes.”

“Then I presume you will fill in the blanks for me?”

“Of course. We’ll start with Starswirl.” She took a sip of tea, savouring the sweet taste before continuing with their bitter business. “He did what he did under the suggestions of Apollo and has since become his avatar.”

“The God of healing, the sun, and music?” Stygian asked, confused. “What would he have to do with the poison arrows and rampant murder?”

“He is also the God of prophecy and plague,” Artemis stated. Stygian looked at her in surprise. “They are his lesser-known aspects, and his most dangerous. Starswirl was shown visions of the future that did not agree with him, and, in an attempt to change course, killed his apprentices with those arrows, then teleported them to specific locations given to him by Apollo.”

“What, why?!” Stygian exclaimed.

“To create what Apollo is affectionately calling the Corrupt Pillars.” Artemis scowled. “The poison is actually a deadly plague meant to bring out the worst in ponykind. The goal was to twist some of the greatest would-be heroes of our time into irredeemable monsters, led by Starswirl, who has been resurrected as a lich.”

Stygian sipped his tea. The cup shook between his hooves as his mind reeled from this information.

“Okay, so Starswirl is helping Apollo create these Corrupt Pillars. How bad are they?” Stygian asked.

“If left alone, they will either corrupt everything beyond possible repair into a Tartarus-cursed landscape, or bring our modern world to total ruin with no hope of recovery.”

“... What in the name of everything good in this world does Apollo gain from this?”

“A cure for his boredom.”

His cup shattered against the stone floor. He planted his hooves on the table and reared up, his face twisted into fury. Pain radiated from his wounds, but he ignored it.

“You will reopen your wounds if you—”

“His boredom?!” Stygian interrupted. “All of this pain is because some jagged ponce couldn’t entertain himself?!”

“He is lonely and feels isolated, despite any attempts on my part to soothe him.” Artemis took a bite of biscuit. “So, yes. It's understandable, but I agree. He’s a ponce. Though, I would personally call him a blubbering moronic douchebag.”

“And what part do you play in this as his sister?!”

“Nothing. Besides failing to stop him on my own.” Artemis regarded Stygian with eyes filled with rage. “I promise you, Stygian. If I had known anything about this, I would never have let him do this.”

Stygian lowered himself back into his chair with a heavy sigh. He felt overwhelmed, but came to a quick realization.

“What about the rest of the Olympians?” Stygian asked. “Could they not intervene?”

“They cannot,” Artemis said.

“What?!” Stygian exclaimed. “They couldn’t possibly—”

“The Olympus Council is opposed to Apollo, but, in their current state, they cannot do anything to stop him.”

“What happened to them? Did Apollo manage to subdue them?”

“No, they—” A weary sigh. “You know that the Olympus Council represents the primal aspects of the world, correct?”

“Yes. Zeus represents the Sky, Poseidon represents the Sea, and so forth.”

“Due to recent events that none of us quite comprehend, the Olympus Council now are those aspects.”

“... I don’t understand.”

“Zeus is the Sky. Poseidon is the Sea. They have merged with their aspects and become what they only once channeled. They are significantly more powerful, but now cannot interfere with the mortal plane for fear of causing irreversible damage.”

“But Apollo will already cause irreversible damage!”

“Not to the same level as the Olympus Council should they deign to affect the mortal plane. Apollo is bad, but to have one of the Olympians interfere...” Artemis glared into the middle distance. “The consequences would be inconceivable.”

“That is… unfortunate,” Stygian muttered. “But what about you and Apollo? Should you not be merged with the Moon and Sun respectively?”

“Without going into too many details, Apollo and I are half-gods. We are nearly as powerful as the Council, but not enough that we have merged with our aspects. There are a few others in similar situations, but they have no wish to go against Apollo.”

“What about the minor Gods and Goddesses? Would they be willing to lend their assistance?”

“Most have refused to intervene. Some have sided with him… willing or not. The remainder have decided to be neutral, having no desire to deal with I or Apollo. We will find no help from any of them.”

“... I see,” Stygian said, his voice flat.

He grabbed a biscuit from the tray, then tore off a chunk, letting the morsel fall to the table uneaten. He tore off another, and another, his rips becoming more violent as the wasted food became a pile of crumbs and mush on the table, soaked by unnoticed tears from his eyes.

“Stygian?” Artemis asked gently.

“What can even be done now?” Stygian asked, helpless, crushing the remains of the biscuit with his hooves. “Divine intervention will not come, and we are no match for Apollo and his abominations. What other options could there possibly be left to us?!”

Artemis took a deep breath. “I have a plan.”

“You do?”

“Yes, but it will require a significant amount of effort and pain on your part to execute.”

“... Will this stop Starswirl and Apollo?”

“It is our best chance to.”

“Then we shall proceed with it.” Stygian drew himself up, wiping away tears. He felt a fire of determination built within him as the beginnings of hope stirred in his chest. “What do we need to do?”

“Research, primarily. Though, in the meantime, we can prepare to get several items we will need regardless of our conclusions.

“To steal the Corrupt Pillars’ symbols.”

Symbols

“Symbols? Like what?” Stygian asked.

“Tokens that best represent the bond between Avatar and God. We’ll need to research the Pillars closely to find a suitable item to procure off of them. Perhaps delve into what is known about the Gods that sponsor the Corrupt Pillars.”

“Oh, I meant to ask. Which Gods are they?”

“Prometheus of Fire, Somnus of Sleep, Thanatos of Death, Melpomene of Tragedy, and Nike of Victory. Thanatos in particular will be difficult, as his symbols may all be guarded by Hades.”

“Hades? Is he not part of the Olympus Council? Would he not be already absorbed by his aspect?”

“The Chthonics are of a different breed and have suffered the effects of these recent events a bit differently,” Artemis explained. “As far as I know, Hades’s aspect is just Tartarus. His only drawback is that he cannot leave it… which probably isn’t a big deal for him since he hadn’t been visiting for a long while anyways.”

“If the Chthonics are available, could we not ask for their help?”

“No. They are infamous for their disdain of the mortal realm, only intervening if the flow of death is disrupted. Furthermore, most of the Chthonics are dubious at best, and are more likely to make our task harder than easier.”

“Right, so don’t ask for their help,” Stygian noted. “So, we gather the symbols of the Pillars—”

“And Starswirl,” Artemis interjected. “He has become a symbol of Apollo and will suffice for our purposes.”

“—And Starswirl. Then… what?” Stygian tilted his head to one side in confusion.

“We will use the items as anchors for a spell that we will need to spend time researching. With those, we can bind and imprison the Pillars in a certain place to keep them from causing any more harm.”

“And what is this place?”

“Limbo.”

Thanatos

Sparks flew as arcane clashed against steel. Stygian leaned against his magically conjured blade, pushing it toward his opponent. Hisan, a blade of bone and metal gripped tightly between his teeth, glared back. Two green flames that burned within his empty eye sockets.

Somnambula’s second was a mass of bone and sinew. Exposed cords of muscle wound tightly over yellowed bone. He was adorned with light armour that prioritized mobility over protection, with several adornments providing additional smaller protections.

They were hedged in by cliffs on the other side, a less-than-ideal situation caused by a reckless, on-the-spot decision to tackle Hisan off the edge of a crevice. Magic had kept him from being injured, and being undead had ensured Hisan had renewed his assault without a moment’s respite.

Though he would not be there to get what the Order needed from Somnambula’s stronghold, Stygian was confident that the knights of the Earth and Valour would be more than capable.

A sword wielded in a skeletal wing covered in golden feathers lunged toward Stygian’s neck. Stygian conjured a second blade of magic to parry the blow.

“You appear to be losing your edge, Hisan,” Stygian remarked. “You would never have let someone pull that kind of stunt on you before.”

Hisan leaped back and moved the blade in his mouth to his other wing, an expression of pure rage directed toward Stygian.

“I have lost no such thing! I had simply expected better sense from someone I had presumed to be smart enough not to throw himself off a cliff!” Hisan retorted. “What did you hope to accomplish with this?!”

“Well, you see—” Stygian quickly drew his blades together in a cross to block Hisan’s sudden lunge “—you’re not even going to let me explain?!”

“You babble too much and, frankly, I care more that I am separated from Som then whatever harebrained scheme you think is going to work.”

“Rude,” Stygian replied. “I don’t interrupt your monologues.”

“That’s because you’re too caught up in your own head and unwilling to take the initiative.”

Hisan sweeped his blade forward. Stgyian ducked and maneuvered himself backward out of Hisan’s reach.

“No, it’s because I like to know what the enemy is thinking, since it makes them easier to outsmart.” Stygian conjured an axe behind him and swung it forward at his foe. “Recklessness is why you ended up falling for Apollo’s lies.”

The axe was deflected with a quick slash of Hisan’s swords. He lunged forward, slashing at Stygian with a flurry of blows. Stygian parried each one with perfect timing, his gaze fixated on Hisan’s harried movements.

“We did not fall for Apollo’s lies. We simply took the only available option to us.” Hisan cut sideways, catching his blade on Stygian’s. “No one would give Somnambula a chance, so we did what we had to. It is not our fault that the world has spurned us.”

Stygian narrowed his eyes, his face twisting into disgust. “If that is how you see your past actions, then truly you are meant to be with the mad God.”

Before Hisan could respond, a bloodcurdling scream echoed through the canyon. Hisan whipped his head toward the noise.

“Som?!” He shouted.

Stygian took the opportunity to form a spear in his magic and thrust it into Hisan’s torso. He pinned him to the rocky wall, green blood oozing from the punctured muscles. Hisan struggled against the weapon.

“How’s that for initiative?” Stygian said.

“I will kill you, Shadow!” Hisan shouted.

The crevice was lit by a burst of green light in the sky—Artemis’s signal that they had succeeded and were ready to retreat.

“Goodbye, Hisan. I sincerely wished that you and Somnumbula had made better decisions,” Stygian said.

Then, with a burst of magic, Stygian teleported away.

Founder

“Okay, so we seal them in…” Stygian waved a hoof.

“Limbo,” Artemis provided.

“Limbo, right. Then they’re trapped there forever?”

“Hopefully.”

“Hopefully?”

“There is no guarantee of sealing them permanently using this method, only that it is the best possible option available to us,” Artemis explained. “There is a high chance for their release, but that time won’t come for a long while.”

“How long is a long while?”

“Centuries.”

“Then, presuming there are no other options, it really is our best possibility.” Stygian tapped his chin in thought, his brow furrowed in worry. “How will we achieve this just with the two of us? It sounds like we’ll need to be able to take on the Corrupt Pillars directly, and be able to steal their symbols from them.”

“There are also the consequences of their corruptive influence.” Stygian looked at Artemis in confusion. “Their combined magic is enough to thin the fabric of our world, thus allowing… problems to slip through. They will need to be dealt with alongside the Pillars.”

“Which means significant damage control, while we research.” Stygian sighed. “This is a lot for just us to handle.”

“You presume we shall do this alone.”

“You mean to gather an army?”

“More… an Order,” Artemis amended. “A group dedicated to stopping Apollo and the Pillars, and any of the abominations that may breach into our world.”

“An Order requires a leader,” Stygian said. “I guess you would take the mantle?”

“No. You will.”

“I cannot lead, Artemis. I am merely the ex-apprentice of a monster and only survived until now by your grace.”

“You are selling yourself short.”

“I am being realistic.”

“No, you are being pessimistic. Stygian—”

“This is not within my capabilities!” Stygian interrupted. “I was a scholar, not—”

“Let me finish.”

Stygian went silent.

After a moment, Artemis continued. “You managed to survive and outsmart Apollo’s strongest Pillar. I saved you, yes, but you held onto life through sheer grit and determination for hours. You are not just merely some scholar to a has-been, you are a survivor.

“Furthermore, people do not need an immortal goddess, they need someone like them. Someone who faces the same dangers and doesn’t have the benefit of being born into power. A pony that is wise for intelligence will get us farther than brute strength against creatures on par with that of Gods.”

She leaned forward, entrapping Stygian with her eyes; Hope and faith in equal measure. “I will help you in this task, I swear by it, but you will be who they will respond to best. I chose you because I have the utmost confidence in your ability to blot out the horrid sun.”

He felt overwhelmed by Artemis’s expectations. He should have been more hesitant and fearful of this proposition to lead an entire group of ponies against a literal God, but… faith from a Goddess was one Tartarus of an ego boost.

“... Alright, I’ll do it, but what do we call ourselves?”

“I will leave that for you to decide.”

Stygian mulled over his thoughts for a moment. He smiled as he recalled Artemis’s last line to him.

“How about the Order of the Black Sun?”

Melpomene

“Alas, poor Stygian could not avoid injury indefinitely, for misfortune struck as the stage lights from up high fell.”

Stygian quickly conjured an arcane shield just as a rack of lights crashed on top of him. He cursed, once more regretting fighting Melpomene and Mistmane in a theater, since their combined strength was significantly more powerful on their home turf. Unfortunately, it was also the only way to draw them out into the open.

“Artemis met a fate most foul when her hoof thus tripped over a pile of rope. Tumbling, tumbling off the rafters and down to the stage below.”

Acting quickly, Stygian cast a feather fall spell on Artemis as she plummeted from above. She stopped just short of the floor. She righted herself, a glare firmly affixed to her face and mane a whirlwind of fury. Melpomene leaped gracefully from the upper stage to land next to Mistmane. Both stared down Stygian and Artemis, waiting for their next move.

“I really hate fighting these two,” Stygian remarked.

“Due to their complete control of the world around them?” Artemis noted. “Because if so, I agree with the sentiment.”

“No, because they’re smart. Smart villains suck.”

“I also agree with that sentiment.”

“We will take that as a compliment,” Melpomene said.

“It is truly a joyous thing to hear that we are both problematic for you, as you two have proven to be a massive pain to us,” Mistmane added.

“And soon, we will see who the biggest pain truly is,” Stygian said. “Artemis now!”

Artemis took out a stack of pages from her saddlebags, a worn, yellowed thing scrawled on with scratchy words.

“Regrettably, Mistmane and Melpomene found themselves glued to the floor as Stygian made his move.”

Stygian lunged toward Mistmane whose eyes opened as surprise as she found herself unable to dodge. She had probably not expected another muse’s magic to be used against her.

“Due to structural issues from times long ago, Stygian fell through the floor of the stage that collapsed underneath him,” Melpomene quickly said.

He felt the floor buckle. Artemis repeated the prior statement, reinforcing the magic granted to them from the muse Terpsichore. He felt the pull of their combined magics, each vying for control of his fate. The world seemed to slow down in his view.

A hoof outstretched, reaching toward the pin in Mistmane’s mane. She leaned away from him, a look of reproach on her face.

The floor collapsed.

He grabbed the hairpin, undoing Mistmane’s bun.

Stygian slammed against the debris in the trap room with a pained groan. Artemis landed next to him, lifting him onto her back.

“You have the symbol?” She asked.

He lifted his prize up in his magic. She smiled.

“Excellent work,” Artemis said.

“Get back here, you rats!” Mistmane shrieked.

“I suppose we shall make our exit through stage bottom,” Artemis remarked.

“Whichever way gets us away from them and me into a bed,” Stygian replied.

Artemis galloped off, Mistmane’s angry shouting following behind them.

Rise

Stygian stood before six ponies, each with their heads bowed to him. The rest of the Order was spread out in the temple interior, watching in rapt attention.

These six were the descendents of those whose bloodlines had been blessed by Artemis to serve the Order as its core Knights. They were in the final phases of the ritual to seal the Corrupt Pillars in Limbo, and these six, replacements for the knights who had fallen before them, would hopefully be the last generation needed to serve.

He walked to the first on the far left. A large speckled brown earth pony stallion dressed in heavy green plate mail with his family’s trademark cowpony hat covering his short cropped blonde mane.

From a quiver slung over his side, Stygian levitated out a single arcane arrow with his magic and set the tip upon the right shoulder of the stallion.

“In continued service to the Order, you, Cortland of the Apple family, will be granted this blessing. Rise, Knight of Earth.”

The arrow burst into moonlight then dissipated. Cortland raised his head, his green eyes crackling with his family’s magic.

Stygian moved to the next. A quiet light green mare enshrouded by a massive tangle of green mane that covered most of her face. Her armour was entangled by bouquets of flower buds.

Grabbing another arrow, Stygian repeated the rite.

“In continued service to the Order, you, Erysimum of the Blush family, will be granted this blessing. Rise, Knight of the Wilds.”

She raised her head, the flower buds bursting to life. Stygian gave her a wide berth, well aware of those flowers' potent poisonous properties.

He drew another arrow as he came upon his next knight. A dour beige stallion with half-moon spectacles and a wild mane of blue, red and purple that was at odds with his straight laced appearance.

“In continued service to the Order, you, Lune of the Dancer family, will be granted this blessing. Rise, Knight of the Archive.”

As stars twinkled in Lune’s mane, Stygian moved onto the next. The stallion was a massive golden pegasus with white-blonde mane combed over into a pompadour, dressed in pure white heavy plate mail. Before Stygian could speak, the stallion grabbed Stygian’s hooves with his own.

“I am honoured to be given this opportunity, Sir,” the pegasus said, awe in his voice.

“I am thankful that you accepted the call.” Stygian gingerly lowered the stallion’s hooves. He would never be used to Staunch’s sycophantic devotion. “I can think of no other worthy successor.” He had checked.

Staunch bowed his head… far too low for Stygian’s liking. The Sentries had always been overzealous, but they were loyal, and had proven to be both capable and devoted to the cause. As much as Staunch and his ilk made Stygian uncomfortable, they had more than proven their worth.

“Taking up the mantle of the Skies family who had betrayed us, you, Staunch of the Sentry family, will be granted this blessing. Rise, Knight of the Shield.”

Nothing happened. Concern rippled through the ranks. Stygian felt himself tense, then relaxed as the arrow burst into moonlight and enveloped Staunch in its glow. He could hear the audible relief of the crowd.

Stygian moved onto the next knight. A mare of bright orange that burned like a wildfire dressed in light armour to not hamper her mobility.

“In continued service to the Order, you, Inferno of the Fire family, will be granted this blessing. Rise, Knight of Valour.”

Inferno’s mane burst into flame as she raised her head. She had her signature cocksure expression and looked back at him with nearly overwhelming burning intensity.

He moved onto the final member of his inner circle. A small mare with a curled white mane, and a bright green coat of fur that was brushed against the grain.

“In continued service to the Order, you, Lyre of the Heartstring family, will be granted this blessing. Rise, Knight of Music.”

She raised her head, staring at Stygian in bemusement as musical notes danced around her.

He stepped away from the knights and stood before the raised dais, the throne from all those long years ago still covered by an ugly tarp. Neither he nor Artemis had ever felt a need to use it, and never would. It was better to stand with his people, not above them.

“You have been chosen as the new Knights of the Order, as most of your families before you!” Stygian shouted, his voice amplified by magic. “You will be in service to protecting the people and driving away the monsters that threaten us!”

“We rise!” The knights shouted as one.

“To blot out the Sun!” A chorus of hundreds added.

He looked across the swell of people, finding Artemis buoyed amongst the sea. She nodded to him in unspoken agreement to a decision they had made prior to this gathering. He nodded back.

“Today, we begin anew, but!” Stygian paused for a moment. “This will be the last generation to serve the Order!” An excited murmur. He saw his knights stand taller. “We are close to achieving our ultimate goal: sealing away the Corrupt Pillars!” A resounding cheer. “Let this be the last time we must fight! Let us bring forth peace for future generations!”

“No more will we suffer!” The crowd roared.

“Freedom from the Monster of the Sun!”

“May he never hurt our friends and family again!”

“No more will we hurt!”

“We rise!” Stygian screamed.

“To blot out the Sun!” The crowd answered.

Fervour. Madness. Devotion. Determination. Excitement. A culmination of Stygian's efforts. A conclusion to what he had set out to do all those years ago. The end was in sight. They would succeed.

There was no alternative in Stygian’s mind.

Nike

The battle was a travesty. A field of strewn-about corpses across a rocky plain. They had been members of his Order. Ponies who had placed their faith in him. It devastated Stygian to see how many dead there were, but he knew the casualties would be high when dealing with this Corrupt Pillar. Despite the horror, he was resolute in seeing this mission through to the end. Their sacrifices would not be in vain.

Stygian conjured a javelin with his magic into his hoof and chucked it. It flew through the air and embedded itself between the rock plates of Rockhoof’s body. The colossus roared. He reared up on his legs. A call rang out to run. Rockhoof came crashing down, crushing those too slow to get away underneath his hooves and sent those closest sailing through the air.

Many said Rockhoof was the size of a mountain, but Stygian thought of him more similar to the size of a big hill. A muscle-bound, monstrous hill with a hide thicker and tougher than any mountain could ever hope to achieve, but still just a hill. Made him feel less intimidated.

A small speck flitted about Rockhoof’s ear. Stygian scowled at it. Nike presumably urging Rockhoof on and offering more of her accursed blessings. Rockhoof was one of the few Stygian had some knowledge of in terms of their life prior to becoming a Corrupt Pillar, and he was the only one Stygian had any measure of pity for.

“He has weakened,” Artemis remarked from beside him.

“I thought I had asked you not to appear out of nowhere like that,” Stygian replied.

“It may be time for one final push,” Artemis continued, ignoring Stygian. “We’ve never had a better opportunity.”

Stygian observed the giant. Rockhoof was covered in wounds from their continuous assault. He could see that he had slowed down considerably, and raggedly drew in breaths with the rise and fall of his massive chest.

“Alright. Let’s send out the knights for an all-out attack. It’s time to get Nike’s symbol.” Stygian fired a burst of pink light into the sky.

He charged forward, galloping toward Rockhoof, his horn glowing with magic as he prepared several spells in advance. Rockhoof noticed his approach and swung his shovel toward him.

Staunch flew in from his left and then flapped his wings hard in the direction of the shovel. Streams of golden light shot forward and halted the advance of the weapon. Vines burst forth from the arid dirt and bars of arcane musical notes encircled Rockhoof. Both ensnared the giant, binding him in place.

The call of a war horn rang out, enshrouding the Order in a greenish glow.

Stygian cast the first set of his spells, a pair of wings appearing on his back and a sword in his mouth. He launched himself into the air, flying toward Rockhoof as the colossus struggled against his chains.

A streak of fire descended from the sky. At the last moment, a pegasus, Inferno, pulled back, releasing a barrage of flames at Rockhoof’s face.

He howled in pain, blinded temporarily by the flames.

Stygian beat his fake wings as hard as he could. He cast two more spells in quick succession. Growth for his sword, and empowerment for himself, amplifying the greenish glow around him provided by Cortland.

Pulling back his sword, he plunged the tip into Rockhoof’s right eye socket as it opened.

Roars of pain. Splashes of blood. The sickly sound of metal through flesh.

He whispered an apology as he carved out the giant’s eyeball. It tumbled down to the dirt below and into the hooves of several waiting members of the Order. They galloped off, the eye balanced on their backs.

Stygian shot a burst of white light from his horn to the sky. The signal for a full retreat.

The Order of the Black Sun had gotten what they’d come for. No reason to stay around to see what Rockhoof would do in retaliation when his eye healed.

Future

“They’re gone,” Cortland announced bluntly.

He and the other knights were gathered outside of Artemis’s Temple. They had all just felt the surge of energy from Ponehenge, meaning that Artemis and Stygian had succeeded. With the Pillars finally sealed, it was time for them to go over the plan in a post-Pillar world and give commands to the rest of the Order inside.

“Our Lord will be greatly missed,” Staunch blubbered. He sniffled loudly.

Inferno looked at him in disgust then addressed Cortland directly, “So, we’re gonna get started on the post-Limbo plan?”

Cortland nodded. He turned to Lune. “We’ll primarily be ensuring that that one prophecy happens, right?”

“The prophecy of the Two Sisters,” Lune said. He delivered the answer with a neutral deadpan, as he did everything. “One of Apollo’s that Artemis stole from him. They foretell of two ponies ascending to alicornhood and eventually taking on the throne of Equestria. We will ensure that this comes to pass.”

“We’ll have to be careful, since those naughty little retrobates that sided with Starswirl will try to thwart us at every turn.” Lyre giggled behind a hoof, her expression cheerful, eyes malicious. “Can’t have them in too great a position of power, or they’ll undermine the sisters before they even get started.”

“Except they are already firmly entrenched in those positions already,” Erysimum remarked. “We won’t be able to dislodge them, unless—”

“No,” Cortland interrupted, his tone firm. “Starting off our future with more death is no way to honour the tasks granted to us by Artemis and Stygian.”

“Then we will suffer consequences later,” Erysimum replied. “As all petty survivors are prone to do in their positions, history will be rewritten to look unfavourably upon us. You have a noble sentiment, Cortland, but we will suffer for that decision.”

Silence reigned, broken only by Staunch’s loud blubbering.

“Get it together, you blithering idiot!” Inferno snapped.

“Well, excuse me for showing how much I miss them,” Staunch replied.

“There’s missing someone and then being a damned foal about it,” Inferno hissed.

“At least, I’m not some heartless wretch,” Staunch retorted.

Before Inferno could reply, Cortland stomped his hoof. The ground shook, causing the group minus Erysimum to become unbalanced.

“Enough!” Cortland roared. “We need to focus!”

“As much as I find the aggression unwarranted, I agree.” Lune re-adjusted his glasses. “A review?” He glanced toward Staunch first.

“I’ll gather the most able of our forces and position them as the new diarchy’s protectors,” Staunch said.

“Laaaaaame,” Inferno drawled.

Staunch bristled, his wings flaring up. “Right, because your stupid loserbolts are going to be so much better.”

“Wonderbolts, idiot,” Inferno spat back. “We’re gonna be the best pegasus flying team ever and have the whole Pegasi population wrapped around our hooves.”

“By preening your feathers and flashing your plots over a bunch of tasteless gawkers?”

“Pegasi respect physical prowess, you turd! Obviously, this is the best way to keep their attention and loyalty!”

“I’m sure they’ll think that everytime you give them a good view of your oversized plot.”

“Oh, you are so dead—”

“ENOUGH!” Cortland shouted. Inferno and Staunch whipped their heads away from each other, both scowling. “... If you two are done, I’ll be establishing myself with the earth pony communities. Reinforcing the agricultural landscape to be impenetrable to the Corrupt Pillars Agents’ influence.”

“And I’ll do the same for our culture. Keep it untouched by those filthy charlatans.” Lyre tilted her head to one side. “Perhaps through a theater group, or maybe an orchestral society?” She waved a hoof. “Eh, I’ll figure it out later.”

Lune gave her a withering glare. “I’ll focus on our knowledge. Gather what I can into an archive and protect it from eager hooves hoping to modify it.”

Corland nodded then turned to Eysimum. “And the most important part?”

“Creation of the Wild Zones,” Erysiumum answered. She raised her head, a soft and sinister smile on her face. “Protect any places of power and seal any dangerous artifacts inside of them. Keep them out of those windbags’ hooves.”

“Will you need help?” Cortland asked.

“No.” She widened her smile, teeth gleaming like a predator. “You’ll only hold me back.”

The ensembled knights didn’t think too deeply into her remarks. Knowing what went on in the mind of Erysimum Blush was asking for trouble.

“Then we all know what we’re doing?” Cortland asked. A murmur of consent. “Then let’s get started on our plan post-Limbo. To our future.”

“To our future!” the group cried out.

Spit

Melpomene stood before the stone where Starswirl, and, more importantly, Apollo had been sealed. She was the only one of the so-called Corrupt Pillars not locked in Limbo. Turmoil gripped her mind as she tried to come to terms with her newly found freedom away from the God of the Sun.

“Good thing we switched my hairpin with a fake,” Mistmane remarked as she trotted up next to Melpomene. She adjusted the blood-stained knife in her mane, light glinting off the metal of the blade. “Otherwise we would have become stuck with the rest of them in there.”

“... Yes. I am glad for our forethought,” Melpomene answered.

A look of concern crossed Mistmane’s face. “Are you alright, Mel?”

“... I don’t know.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Silence. The wind blowed gently through the grove. It was chilly. A forewarning of the cold months to come. Melpomene allowed the chill to settle in her bones, numbing herself enough to be ready for the conversation to follow.

“Have you seen a pony hang?” Melpomene asked.

“A morbid start to this, but yes. I have.” Mistmane tilted her head to one side. “Why?”

“When a pony hangs, they can feel their life slip away. The noose tightens, their breath begins to run its course. Darkness encroaches on the edges of their vision as the inevitable approaches. There is no after. They will die. Their story will end.”

“Then, suddenly, the noose loosens. They drop to the ground, shocked by this turn of events. Their savior is nowhere to be found and they are left to their own devices. No one tells them what to do. No one helps them in the aftermath. They are just alive and now have a future they never knew they would have.”

Melpomene touched the mask over her face. She could almost feel the tender, sun-charred skin underneath. It throbbed from within its confinement. A reminder of the noose that had and may once more be pulled around her neck.

“I have been freed from the gallows,” Melpomene stated. “What do I do now?”

Another bout of silence followed. Heavier than the last. Implications and undertones darkened the grove making the sun seem a bit colder, the world crueler.

Mistmane laid her head on Melpomene’s shoulder. “If you want. We can find out together,” she said.

Melpomene mulled over the suggestion. She found it agreeable. More than she would have expected. She placed a hoof on Mistmane’s head, reciprocating the gesture.

“That sounds wonderful,” Melpomene said.

Mistmane smiled. “Do you want some time alone?”

“Yes.”

With one last nuzzle into the crook of Melpomene’s neck, Mistmane departed.

Once more by herself, Melpomene regarded the sealing stone of Apollo once more. She already knew the spell wouldn’t hold forever. Though it would take many centuries, Stygian had only brought forth a long, but temporary peace.

Wholly unwilling, thoughts of her sisters filtered into her mind. A long period of happiness interrupted by the descent of the sun who looked “gladly” upon them. “Blessed” by his company for providing him the most entertainment at the time.

She thought of her misplaced anger toward the favoured sister, Calliope. How she blamed her for the pain that followed the arrival of the bastard God when she failed to provide his needed amusement. To whom, in a flurry of love and rage, she had confessed of deeds most terrible done to her and found a sister of not only blood, but suffering.

Melpomene moved on to reflect on her feelings toward Apollo. The toxic cesspool of conflicting emotions that bogged down her thoughts nearly every waking moment. Should she wax poetic? Perhaps recite some epic to eulogize his legacy? Maybe monologue about their shared history?

But, in the moment, she felt that the peasantry had the best idea when dealing with a right royal bastard like Apollo.

She spat on his grave.

Limbo

Stygian wasted no time as he trotted into Ponehenge, already beginning to weave the spell necessary to complete the rite. He could feel Artemis doing the same. Unseen, but, as always, by his side as his most stalwart companion and greatest supporter.

On the opposite side of where he had entered was Starswirl. Pinned to one of the stones by a myriad of weapons run straight through his body. He was not a petty stallion by any means, nor vindictive, but he would be lying if he didn’t say he got some amount of pleasure seeing the monster so helpless.

The battle had been long and hard, but it had been cathartic for everyone to skewer the lich with everything they had. Stygian himself had been the one to throw the javelin right through the center of his head.

There was a shimmer around Starswirl. Apollo, sealed to his avatar by some nasty spellwork courtesy of Artemis and supplemented by the twisted minds of Erysimum and Lyre. This would ensure that they would both be trapped in Limbo, with Apollo unable to bail at the last moment.

He would suffer for what he’d done, and truly was it a joyous occasion that Apollo would face consequences for his actions.

“You know this is only temporary,” Apollo remarked using Starswirl’s mouth. “Be it decades or centuries, we will return.”

“That may be so, but, frankly, this is going to piss you off and drive you mad with how boring it is. Very appealing,” Stygian replied.

“You could have killed us,” Apollo growled.

“Oh, please.” Stygian rolled his eyes. “You know that’s not possible at this time. Besides, a couple of centuries of being trapped in a white void sounds much worse for you.”

Starswirl, or rather Apollo, glared at him.

“Anything else to say? Some witty retorts or promises of vengeance?”

“When this seal comes undone, we will come for you first,” Apollo said.

“Uh huh, how original,” Stygian drawled. “Now, if you’re finished, I would appreciate it if you could take your loss with some amount of grace.”

The shimmer darkened, leaving the lich of Starswirl behind. Apollo had resigned to his fate, aware that there was no trick nor conniving play he could pull to get out of this. Stygian felt a large measure of pride getting one over on the monster.

“... You will be nothing,” Starswirl said darkly.

Stygian ignored him.

“As always,” Starswirl continued, “your legacy will be to wallow away in my shadow. A shade that is barely a footnote to the greatest unicorn of a generation. My name will last a millenia, while yours will be forgotten and besmirched. Naught but a pony of shadows.”

He continued to ignore him, focusing intently on the spell building in his horn.

“You lived a mediocre existence, wasting your life on this pointless pursuit that will come undone in a mere few centuries worth of time. You are truly useless, my apprentice.”

Stygian smiled. The spell was ready to cast. He could afford a few moments to taunt his failure of a mentor.

“It’s funny, because I would have thought that the greatest unicorn of a generation would be more than capable of winning over some so-called ‘pony of shadows’,” Stygian remarked.

“Watch your tongue,” Starswirl hissed. “You have only won temporarily. The record will tell the truth.”

“Yes, they will,” Stygian agreed. A self satisfied smirk spread across Starswirl’s face. “They’ll say that the so-called great and powerful Starswirl got his flank hoofed over to him by some nobody called the pony of shadows. That’s so embarrassing for you.”

Starswirl’s features twisted into rage. He readied to retort.

Stygian casted the spell.

White enveloped him. His surroundings faded away. Ponehenge was gone. Starswirl was gone. It was just him, and the infinite white void that he presumed was Limbo.

And then two hooves wrapped around him from behind.

“Thank you for taking on this monumental task, my friend,” Artemis said.

Stygian wrapped his hooves around hers. “Thank you for always believing in me.”

They lingered, hugging each other tightly and enjoying each other’s company. It would be the last vestiges of touch they would both experience for a long, long time.

“Rest now, Stygian,” Artemis whispered. “Close your eyes. When next they open, there will be much to do, but, for now, you have earned some peace.”

Stygian nodded, drowsiness quickly overtaking him. He fell back into Artemis. He felt safe, for the first time in a long time. An overwhelming sense of relief flooded through them as he finally felt that he had finished his long, hard labour.

He closed his eyes.

Propaganda

[Excerpt from ‘Truth of the Order’ by noble stallion Sun Spiral Swirl in an open letter to the people of the EverFree Dominion. Found in the Royal Archive of Her Majesty, Princess Celestia Invictus by Historical Archivist Twilight Velvet Sparkle]

To blot out the Sun. That was the goal of this heinous Order of the Black Sun. Founded by some nobody unicorn named Stygian. Ex-apprentice to the Great Starswirl the Bearded, which should be enough to consider this so-called ‘pony’ a menace to society.

His Order was a ragtag group of retrobates and brigands that bullied the common folk into becoming conscripts to their militant forces designed to overthrow Her Majesty, Princess Celestia Invictus in the early days of her reign. Because whom else could they possibly be referring to when they say that they want to ‘blot out the sun’?

They were surprisingly well-trained, but no match for the superior military force of Her Majesty. In just a few years, their entire Order was imprisoned and put on trial. On recommendation from the Noble House of Swirl, the descendents of the Great Starswirl the Bearded of which I am part, the criminals were justly executed for crimes against the crown.

There is no room for these overglorified bandits in modern times.

With the solid establishment of the dual Diarchs upon the throne and subsequent cementation of the Noble Houses, we shall finally be able to build our great nation of Equestria into what it is meant to be.

All that remains is to remove any remaining traces of that disgusting hearaldry from their bandit hideouts.

[Note is attached by Twilight Velvet Sparkle addressed directly to Her Majesty, Princess Celestia, asking for clarification on the identity of Luna Invictus and the heraldry in question. Additionally, there is a request for the following books: ‘An Apple Family History’, ‘A Botanical Guide to Canterlot’, ‘Leadership in the Equestrian Astronomical Association’, ‘Timeline of the Canterlot Harmonic Society’, and ‘Founding of the Wonderbolts’.]

[This request has been reviewed by Bright Churn Swirl and promptly denied. Action has been taken to move Twilight Velvet Sparkle out of the Historical Division and into a place better suited for her fantastical observations: Foal’s Literature.]

Somnus

Thick mist enveloped him, lulling him into a false sense of ease. He fought back the urge to sleep. A difficult task, even with the talisman around his neck warding off the worst of Somnus’s influence. He could hear the screams of villagers as they succumbed to Somnus’s lies, the agony of having one’s organs shut down one by one. That was the danger of simply being around the Corrupt Pillar Mage Meadowbrook.

He pushed forward, his mind focused on the singular goal of reaching her. He could feel her through the mist, her magic a powerful beacon to him. Only a few more exhausting steps and he would be close enough to do what he needed to do.

“Doesn’t it hurt?” A feminine voice whispered in his ear. He shivered. It was so painfully comforting, like a parent singing a foal to sleep. “Why keep fighting this? Isn’t it tiring pushing onward for decades with no end in sight? Just lay your head down. Let go.”

Ignoring the voice as much as he was able to, Stygian continued his trek, his pace significantly slowed down by drowsiness that grew with each step he took.

“It’s okay to rest, Stygian. To take a moment for yourself.”

Internally, he admitted that the statement was true, but he knew that any form of sleep within the confines of Meadowbrook’s domain would be his last.

“You shouldn’t push yourself so hard.”

An outline in the mist. He felt renewal as the end came into sight.

“No one will blame you for wanting release from your burdens. You’ve been fighting for so long. There is no weakness in admitting you need sleep.”

The hazy outline took the rough shape of a cloaked mare. He could see her eyes through the mist, two bright blue irises. There was a wreath of flowers entangled around her head.

Stygian formed a blade with his magic.

“Just let it—”

He lunged forward. A quick swipe of his blade, and he cut off a flower from her mane. A pale blue flower that glowed softly in the mist.

Meadowbrook screamed. A horrendous, scratchy sound like cats and foals crying at the top of their lungs. The mist thinned as the chorus increased in volume. With it, he felt a surge of energy.

His mission accomplished, Stygian galloped away from the Corrupt Pillar. Flowering vines tried to grab him, but were cut by precise shots of arrows streaking through the night.

Stygian’s breath was ragged, but he pushed himself forward, racing toward the exit. The mist clung to him, trying to hold him back until, with one final burst of speed, it couldn’t. As the mist receded from his flanks, he continued to run away.

Despite being the avatar for the God of Sleep, Meadowbrook could move really fast when she wanted to.