Eternal flame of Daybreaker

Excerpt from the Book Daybie’s Diary

Lately, for some reason, I’ve been drawn to prose. I decided to jot down the thoughts swarming in my head like flies, in this sort of poetic rhythm.

Think positively—the glass is always half full, always.
Feel the good—there is no bad.
Between "no" and "yes," the choice is always "yes."
Believe in the best—life is a dance under the watchful Sun.
Repeat this mantra often,
Even if it sounds ridiculous.

Think positively—the glass is always half full, always.
Just don’t think about what’s in the glass.
Think it’s water…

End of excerpt

***

“How much time has passed?” I suddenly asked myself.

The last thing I clearly remembered was the lifeless body of a thestral, and then… I desperately tried to recall how I ended up practically at the edge of the forest. My memories were like shattered fragments of a single picture, scattered across my mind. I sifted through every piece with horror, attempting to piece together the puzzle. But nothing good emerged from these gruesome fragments.

A whole swarm of thestrals attacked me, and I slipped into some kind of madness—a state I had never experienced before. My mane blazed with fiery light, completely dispelling my disguise. It felt as though even acrid smoke was escaping from my mouth. With my horn, I conjured a spell that swept through the air like a tempest, sending every flyer crashing down with a shockwave. While some struggled to recover, I fought off the rest. I killed some without hesitation, my evil laughter echoing across the battlefield. Others I severely injured, rendering them unable to fight.

What disturbed me most was the realization that I was laughing like a lunatic—or perhaps like a pony who had lost all hope.

“Just like a real villain!” I gasped, my eyes wide with the sudden thought. If anything comforted me now—if anything could—it was the fact that I hadn’t killed most of the night ponies, only incapacitated them. In the end, I fled, carrying the last young officer I had recently neutralized with my telekinesis.

“But I’m still a murderer…” I lowered my head in sorrow. No matter how much I had hoped to avoid bloodshed, it was all in vain. I had carried out a full-blown massacre against the thestrals in a fit of rage… I had become a true monster, taking lives.

“Can I continue to rule this kingdom skillfully, with blood on my hooves?” I looked at my crimson-stained hooves, now crusted with dried blood. Melancholy and a deep sense of dread seeped into my heart along with those scarlet marks.

But who else could rule? The army generals? No, they’re not up to the task! Then perhaps the aristocracy? Absolutely not! Those wretched capitalists care only about their wallets and fashion trends—may Discord take them! Only a rational pony like me is capable of governing the state!

I fully understand that I’ve committed a grave crime by taking lives. But was there any other choice? No matter how skilled I am with the glaive, I’d have faced death for certain. My actions followed simple logic: “Kill or be killed.”

That’s what haunts me—if I’d been given a choice, I’d have sought a peaceful resolution. Yet fate decided otherwise…

“Enough with the melancholy—there’s no room for it in war!” I slapped myself across the face to snap out of it. I know from experience that the past cannot be undone, but I can still draw lessons from it.

From these horrific fragments of memory, I gleaned a few things. First, I have a madness-like state that overtakes me when I’m deeply shocked or enraged. Second, somehow, I managed to escape the trap I had walked into and even brought along the last living officer from the encampment. While the second realization brought me some comfort, the first demanded action. It was clear that some extraordinary power lay dormant within me. I had to control it at any cost!

This strength could plunge me into insanity—enough to harm my beloved Equestria and its citizens.

“I need to address this…” I muttered, scratching my chin with a hoof.

For now, it’s best to hold off on tackling this issue. By some miracle, I managed to pull off this daring sabotage. Though, I didn’t capture all the officers. Once this mission is over, I can declare the supply hub completely destroyed. Time to claim it!

I glanced down at my body and grimaced. My fur was caked in blood, dried and congealed, turning my once-lustrous coat into a mess of crimson rags. To my dismay, the stench of swamp and gore no longer bothered me. It seemed my very body had absorbed that foul reek so thoroughly that I’d grown accustomed to it. No matter—it was time to move on! Time was short, and who knew if the castle’s thestrals were aware of this chaos? I had to seize the area immediately!

Almost galloping, I raced toward the outpost where I’d teleported earlier. I decided to give my horn a rest; the last thing I needed was to collapse from magical exhaustion. For unicorns and alicorns alike, it’s a painful ordeal that pins you to bed.

At the outpost, the guards seemed so shaken by the slaughter that they’d called for reinforcements and taken up defensive positions. But as soon as they spotted me, they shifted from military formation to a deep bow before their ruler. Their eyes brimmed with a mix of fear and profound reverence—emotions that shouldn’t coexist yet somehow did. It was as if each of them saw me as a guiding star, capable of leading my people to glory. The sight soothed me immensely. There’s nothing like knowing your subjects support you. It inspired me to press forward boldly and never falter.

"Here’s the last officer!" I declared, tossing the unconscious thestral at their hooves. "You know what to do with him. Additionally, summon General Solar Starlight and his guard here immediately!" My voice boomed as I stomped my hoof into the ground.

"YES, YOUR MAJESTY!" my soldiers roared in unison. They bolted toward the base with the captive in tow, leaving only a few ponies to stand guard. Those who remained gazed at me with adoring eyes, as if my commands and shouting were music to their ears. Strange soldiers I have, indeed. But as they say, “Who can fathom the heart of a soldier?”

I turned my gaze toward the watchtowers perched along the wall of the Castle of the Two Sisters and waited.
“They’ll definitely make a move!” I thought, glaring furiously at the enemy’s domain.

…

Exactly ten minutes later, General Solar Starlight arrived with his guard—and Golden Claw had tagged along as well. Around two hundred soldiers marched in precise formation, their hooves striking the ground in unison, a tremor unmistakable to anyone nearby.

As they approached, I leisurely strode toward the arriving general. But before he could speak, Golden Claw darted past him and galloped straight to me.

"Your Majesty, you’re alive!" he exclaimed, bowing low. "We feared you’d been captured, but now I see our fears were unfounded." He rose from his deep bow.

“Captured? I left nothing but ruins there—what are you even talking about?” I thought, unimpressed by his concerns.

"Alive and well!" I proclaimed proudly, puffing out my chest. "Do you dare doubt the power of your Empress?" I narrowed my eyes and arched a brow.

"Never, Your Majesty!" he shook his head vehemently. "Forgive me, these are trying times, as you know… We didn’t know what to think and were preparing to storm the supply hub in thirty minutes—" he stammered, recounting the situation back at headquarters.

"Now I understand how you gathered so many troops so quickly," I chuckled, eyeing the assembled forces. "Solar Starlight, report!" I commanded.

"My guard and I are here, Your Majesty. The prisoners are already being interrogated—it’s only a matter of time before they talk! Loyal Heart is issuing commands to our army at the base!" he reported, his eyes ablaze with determination.

"Time to share the good news!" I thought, smiling as I raised my head high to address my troops.

"The supply hub has been completely cleared!" I announced loudly, awaiting their response.

"HUZZAH! HUZZAH! HUZZAH!" my guard cheered in unison, their faces lighting up with small, warm smiles that filled my heart with pride.

"Solar Starlight, I officially order you to occupy the supply hub!" I pointed my hoof toward the forest. "Tend to the wounded there and give the dead a proper burial. Treat them with the same care as if they were one of our own!" I commanded. It was a show of mercy, a way to ease my heavy conscience.

"It will be done, Your Majesty!" He seemed momentarily stunned by my compassion but quickly snapped back to attention, ordering the troops to begin clearing the Everfree Forest.

Once again, my eyes returned to the watchtowers atop the castle’s stone walls. I could feel it in my gut—they were planning something. I had to trust my instincts, as Celestia had taught me. If I followed that logic, it was clear they couldn’t have ignored the carnage in the forest. I had shouted loud enough to draw every guard stationed at the hub. That meant they’d decided not to attack me head-on, deeming me too great a threat. Instead, they must be planning a tactical counterstrike. But when would they make their move?

"What if they aim to strike us from behind while we’re busy securing the supply hub?" The thought hit me like lightning.

Indeed, despite our numerical advantage, a well-executed retaliatory strike could severely weaken our forces and morale. While we might fend them off, the losses would be devastating. My successful sabotage would lose all meaning. To thwart their treacherous plans, I had to act first.

"Fight fire with fire!" I suddenly took flight, soaring a few meters above my troops to draw their attention.

"ALL SOLDIERS, HALT!" My sharp voice rang out without the Canterlot Voice’s magical amplification—my natural tone was commanding enough. The troops and officers froze, waiting to hear my next words.

"TAKE DEFENSIVE POSITIONS ALONG THE CASTLE WALLS!" I ordered before descending back to the ground.

"Why are we taking positions by the castle walls?" Golden Claw asked in confusion. "Weren’t we going to clear the supply hub?"

Solar Starlight, standing nearby, merely scoffed, clearly understanding my strategy.

"FOLLOW HER MAJESTY’S ORDERS!" he barked, spurring the troops into action.

…

Everyone moved swiftly, forming ranks along the castle walls. Golden Claw made a move to follow me, but I blocked his path with my wing, signaling, “You shouldn’t come.” I told him to proceed with clearing the area instead. He hesitated, perhaps fearing I planned to storm the castle, but my true strategy was far more cunning—a maneuver to outwit the thestrals’ schemes.

I stood at the forefront of my army. Though only a fraction was present here, it was enough to inspire fear—this division was composed of the most seasoned and elite troops. They were clad head-to-toe in golden armor that gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting the rays to disorient the enemy—a tactic I was about to employ. Carefully, I focused magic through my horn, tilting my head upward toward the horizon, as if commanding the great celestial body to rise. Moments later, the first rays of dawn began to peek over the edge of the world, and soon the brilliant sun emerged, bathing the field in its radiant light.

"SHIELDS UP!" Solar Starlight barked from behind me.

My soldiers responded in unison, raising their shields with a resonant clatter. Behind the shields, they leveled their spears, forming a bristling wall of points aimed directly at the enemy battlements.

"Time for a show of strength!" I thought, steeling myself.

"CITIZENS OF THE THESTRAL REALM!" I declared, using the Royal Canterlot Voice to ensure my words reached the farthest corners of the enemy stronghold. "CEASE THIS SENSELESS BLOODSHED!" Grasping the banner from the standard-bearer beside me, I thrust it into the earth. "THE PONIES OF EQUESTRIA ARE NOT YOUR ENEMIES! SURRENDER NOW, AND YOU WILL BE TREATED FAIRLY!"

I paused to let my words sink in, then switched to a less thunderous tone, wary of straining my voice.

"You will be given warm meals, clean clothing, and medical aid if needed. The soldiers of the Solar Guard are your friends!" I announced with conviction, projecting my voice clearly for all to hear.

"Brave soldiers of the Lunar Guard! Equestria harbors no ill will toward ordinary thestrals! Your Queen, Nightmare Moon, wages this bloody war for her own gain!" I took a breath before continuing, my tone resolute. "Does such a pony truly deserve your loyalty? Are you prepared to lay down your lives for her?" I stomped a hoof for emphasis, awaiting their response.

For a moment, there was silence. Then came a deafening roar from the walls: "FOR GREAT NIGHTMARE MOON!" The cry was followed by a volley of spears launched in our direction. Instinctively, I conjured a magical shield, a six-meter-wide dome that protected Solar Starlight, a few nearby soldiers, and me. The sharp whistle of spears slicing through the air was soon replaced by the sickening sounds of impact—flesh pierced, armor rent. I scanned my forces, heart sinking at the sight of my rear ranks suffering the brunt of the attack. A few were gravely wounded; one pony lay lifeless, a spear lodged in his neck.

Rage flared within me, blazing as hot as the sun itself.

"How dare they!" I seethed, glaring at the triumphant expressions of the enemy atop the walls. "Throwing spears at my soldiers—MY soldiers!"

They were preparing for another volley, but I wouldn't let them. With a fierce flap of my wings, I soared high above the battlefield, high enough to see the thestrals behind the walls arming themselves with fresh spears.

"Let’s see how they like a taste of their own medicine!" My mane ignited into flames, flickering wildly. I summoned a blazing fireball above my horn, growing it larger with each passing second. Its heat distorted the air around me, waves of warmth rolling outward. The enemy, stunned, began hurling spears in desperation, but they fell short, unable to reach my altitude.

"Just a little more..." I snarled, my fangs bared in anticipation.

"NOW!" With all my strength, I hurled the fireball—now the size of a small barn—straight at the enemy.

BOOM!

The explosion rocked the fortress, shattering stone and sending debris flying in every direction. Smoke billowed skyward as I wasted no time conjuring smaller fireballs, one for each forehoof. In the haze, I hurled them at opposing ends of the walls, cutting off potential escape routes. The enemy ranks dissolved into chaos. Screams echoed as flames consumed them, their bodies writhing. Some thestrals, in blind panic, leaped from the walls, choosing a quicker end over the agony of fire. Watching this horror unfold, my fury began to wane, replaced by a heavy sorrow.

"Enough," I whispered, landing amidst the carnage. With my glaive, I mercifully ended the suffering of those who still burned. I couldn’t bear to hear their cries any longer. Once again, I had taken lives in a moment of rage, and the weight of it settled heavily on my heart.

***

Back in my tent, exhaustion hit me like a tidal wave. I hadn’t realized how drained I was until now. My muscles ached, trembling under the weight of the day’s battles. Even my mind felt battered. Orders had been given—Solar Starlight and Golden Claw had successfully seized a supply depot, while Loyal Heart oversaw provisions from a nearby village. All that was left for me was rest, something I desperately needed.

Today had changed me in ways I hadn’t expected. I felt older—not in years but in spirit—and the realization brought no comfort. If anything, it filled me with melancholy. I sank into a basin of water, the coolness soothing my weary body.

"Like a foal..." I thought bitterly. Only now, after witnessing so much death, did I see how naive I had been. This day had forced me across a threshold I wished I’d never reached—one that could never be uncrossed. The griffons have a saying: "You can’t ungrind flour into grain." What’s done is done.

"Enough of this!" I shook my head, splashing water everywhere. In my army, we say, "You can’t chop wood without making splinters." That summed up today perfectly. There was no avoiding bloodshed—not in this conflict, not in any.

But I wouldn’t let these thoughts consume me. Not here, not in my tent. I had duties to attend to, even now. No matter how heavy my heart, the Fiery Empress could not be seen in disgrace. Grime and blood caked my coat, and it was high time I washed it away. With telekinesis, I grabbed a coarse army brush and set to work scrubbing my fur. Though the brush was rough, it was ideal for removing dried blood. Paired with a bar of plain soap, it worked wonders. Within minutes, suds covered me, turning my coat into a frothy mass.

"What in Discord’s name?" I mused, smirking as I poked at the bubbles clinging to my chest.

“Ha-ha-ha!” I laughed out loud like a child, glancing over my soapy body. It felt as though this simple bar of laundry soap had brought a small ray of happiness into my bitter life. I thought, perhaps, today marked the day I fell in love with using laundry soap—not for its scent or utility, but for the emotions it sparked in me. It was a tiny piece of joy amidst the whirlwind of my burdens.

Scooping a bit of foam with my hoof, I placed it on my nose and blew it off with a powerful puff of air, sending bubbles floating across the tent. My mood lifted. I suddenly remembered how, after my speech at the castle walls, my elite guards had started calling me the "Flame Empress." I couldn’t help but wonder if the name would spread among the common folk. How was I supposed to react to it?

Lately, so much has been weighing on me. Those who might have understood me are gone, and everyone else expects only perfect decisions, unwavering protection, and an image of ideal leadership. The perfect empress is supposed to be flawless in every way.
“How did Celestia manage all of this? Maybe that’s why she snapped and fled to the moon that last time?” Questions raced through my mind, one after another, with no answers in sight.
“Enough of that!” I told myself firmly, grabbing a ladle to pour warm water over my head.

“Mmm, who knew a simple tub of warm water and laundry soap could do so much to relieve stress?” I thought as I climbed out of the small bath and began drying myself vigorously with a towel.

But despite everything, a heavy weight remained in my chest. Maybe I just needed to talk to someone? But who? And who could possibly understand the struggles of an alicorn ruler? Perhaps I should start keeping a diary. Celestia once explained to me what a diary was—a place to pour out your feelings when there’s no one to share them with, or to jot down your thoughts and worries. She said it could help me cope better with my problems. I’d put it off for so long, but it seemed like the right time had come.

I sat down at my large desk and began searching for a suitable notebook. Using telekinesis, I sorted through the papers delivered in my absence. For now, only basic reports from the frontlines had arrived—no government paperwork yet. I was relieved, though I knew the day would come when I’d have to face it all. When that happened, I’d need to rely on Celestia’s memories. If I carefully studied them, I was sure I’d manage. The key was not to be afraid.

“Am I an alicorn empress or not?” I told myself firmly, trying to bolster my resolve.

Eventually, I found an empty book with a fine red binding—perfect for an alicorn’s diary.
“A book worthy of me!” I smirked with satisfaction and opened it.

Picking up a quill from the desk, I dipped it in ink and boldly wrote “Dayby’s Diary” on the first page. Flipping to the next, I hesitated at first, unsure of what to write. Then I decided to let my thoughts flow freely. I wrote everything—my musings, my guesses, even poetry. I poured out every emotion: anger, resentment, frustration, melancholy, and nostalgia for the past. I even managed to pen my feelings about the unforgivable act I’d committed—taking another pony’s life. The book absorbed it all. It turned out I had a knack for putting my emotions into words.

“Could I actually have a talent for this?” I wondered briefly, but quickly brushed the thought aside and continued writing with incredible speed.

I didn’t stop even after filling twenty pages. But as the hours passed, my strength began to wane. Resting my head on the desk, I kept writing with fervor.
“Just… one last paragraph… then I’ll sleep…” I yawned heavily, coaxing my tired body to cooperate.

But my body had other plans. My eyelids grew heavier and heavier until they closed entirely. Before I knew it, I was peacefully dozing, slipping into the realm of dreams. Little did I know what awaited me there.