Author's Note

Touched this one up too. The plot remains the same, but readability has been improved.

• 12/13/2024

Hilam

Thanks to some detailed directions provided by some helpful guards, I made my way to the library in good time. As it turns out, they have more to offer than just their best attempts at giving an imposing expression.

Navigating down a few hallways, I reached the library.

It was a surprisingly cozy library, with enough space and furnishing for maybe half a dozen ponies to comfortably sit and read at once. Bookshelves lined each wall, towering up to the ceiling, which easily reached twenty feet in height. A fireplace stood nearby, logs and tinder set neatly near it waiting for a colder period of time. The only connection to the outside world was a small window adjacent to the solitary table in the room. A chest was placed besides the table filled with blank scrolls, and pens and quills with ink wells.

The most surprising part about the place was that it was empty.

"Huh, we beat Princess Luna. What should we do to pass the time, best-buddy?" I asked Aldin.

Aldin surveyed the room from his perch on my shoulder before fluttering up to a ledge on one of the bookshelves. There, he settled in for a nap, and was fast asleep in moments.

"You're right! Let's see if we can find any interesting books while we wait."

Fortunately, all the books were written in common… or is it English? Or has my perception of language been warped somehow?

Eh, potato, potato.

Not wanting to get ahead of whatever was planned for the night, I decided against actually delving into any text until Luna arrived. Instead, I simply read some of the titles of different books that caught my eye.

“Oh god. ‘Gallop Through Geography’, ‘Trot Through Time’,” A snicker escaped me as I read the different titles. “No… ‘Bridle Gossip’!”

I had to stop reading titles before I started crying from laughter. Whoever chose these titles surely must have many funny bones in them. Outside, rain pattered against the window, creating a rather soothing ambiance.

After taking a moment to calm down, I found myself whispering, "Ah, this is some good reading weather."

"I agree," came a voice from behind me.

I let out a totally manly noise and jumped to my feet, only to find Princess Luna standing behind me with a mischievous grin. She was clearly amused by my reaction.

"You! How did you sneak up on me? You have hooves! The stone floor is loud as hell!" I exclaimed, feeling a bit embarrassed by my own surprise. "And where did your bruise go? I still have mine from those damned balls."

Luna seemed to be enjoying my reaction. She smirked and nodded as she replied with each point. "Trade secret. Alicorn biology."

"Fine, keep your secrets," I said while relaxing back into my chair. I gestured toward the bookshelves. "What will we be learning today, Princess?"

Luna’s expression softened slightly. "Sebastian, if you're going to be my apprentice, I must insist that you drop the 'Princess' title when addressing me. Just call me Luna."

I hesitated a moment before nodding. "Alright then... Luna. So, what's on the agenda for tonight?"

Luna gave a small, approving nod. "Tonight, we will study the history of Equestria, focusing on the civil war between my sister and Nightmare Moon up to modern times. Much has changed in my absence, and we’ll need to familiarize ourselves with these events."

"Sounds like a plan," I said, curious about what we'd uncover. Couldn’t be that bad.

Luna’s horn glowed, and a large tome floated off a shelve, landing softly on the table before us. "This volume chronicles the civil war and the years following it. Let’s begin."

As she opened the book, Luna’s voice took on a more somber tone. "The account begins with the onset of the civil war. It was a time of great strife and sorrow."

I leaned in, following along as she read. The text described the initial conflicts, the divisions among the populace, and the early battles. As we read, Luna’s expression grew increasingly troubled.

She paused, her eyes narrowing at a passage describing a particularly brutal battle. "I remember this one well. It… is difficult to read."

I could sense her agitation growing. "We can stop if you want. We can always pick this up at a later date." I offered, concerned by the tension that had crept into her voice.

Luna took a deep breath, then shook her head. "No. I’m fine. Please, continue reading for me, Sebastian.”

I took over, reading aloud about the major events of the war, the strategies employed by both sides, and the eventual turning points. Luna’s agitation became more pronounced with each word, with each turned page. Finally, I reached a section detailing the estimated total casualties.

I hesitated, glancing at Luna. I tried putting myself into her shoes. I tried imagining being the reason for this much death and destruction. But I couldn’t wrap my head around it. It was all just statistics to me, some numbers on pieces of paper, nothing more. I had no faces to put to the numbers, but Luna had been there. She was there to see the bodies piled high. To her they weren’t just numbers, but rather a tally of her sins.

I began to close the book, but I couldn’t. Luna had reached across the table and placed a hoof to the page, holding it open. Looking up, I matched her steely gaze with my own.

“Please, keep reading.” There was something akin to desperation in her voice. How could I say no?

I never took my eyes from hers, opting to speak entirely from memory. “The estimated minimum casualties for the civil war are... 45,000 killed in action, 80,000 wounded, and 75,000 missing.”

Luna seemed to deflate and retreat into herself. Her eyes turned distant and hollow before the enormity of the numbers. A silence spawned that stretched and uncomfortably filled the space between us.

"Luna, are you okay?" I asked softly, my concern growing with each passing second of silence.

Luna didn’t respond immediately. When she finally spoke, her voice was grim, as though the words could not come so easily. "So many..."

I glanced down at the book, unsure of what exactly to say. “It was war. War is never clean.”

Luna shook her head slowly, her expression haunted. "I must speak with my sister," she spoke quickly, her voice trembling ever so slightly.

As she rose and left the library, I watched her go. A profound sense of unease curled within me. The history we had read together was more than just a series of events — it was a testament to the pain and loss that had scarred Equestria’s past, and my mentor was the primary cause for a significant amount of it.

I sat there for a moment, simply staring down at the book. I wasn’t reading anything in particular, and yet a single word stood out to me, 'thestrals'. It rang no bells, and had only just come up in the text as a footnote of sorts. No explanation, or context provided. Simply the word used in reference to a prior event that was not mentioned in this book. Strange.

I glanced up and caught Aldin watching me from his nap spot, concern radiating through our link. “Yeah, best-buddy,” I murmured, offering him a small smile. “I hate seeing people sad too.”

The rain outside persisted, its once-gentle cadence deepening into a wistful melody that matched the evening’s mood.

Deciding it was time for a distraction, I rummaged through the nearby chest and pulled out a few empty scrolls. Placing them on the desk alongside my spellbook, I flipped to the section containing first-level spells.

“Looks like it’s just you and me tonight, best-buddy. Perfect time for a little scroll scribing,” I said, glancing toward Aldin.

The quiet work of crafting scrolls became its own reward. Each spell inscribed deepened my understanding of magic, the repetitive precision calming my thoughts.

By the time Celestia and Luna brought forth the dawn, two completed scrolls now rested on the desk. The rain had stopped, but the night’s quiet accomplishments remained.

Standing up, I scooped the pair of scrolls into a pouch and had myself a well-earned stretch. I glanced at Aldin and beckoned him over with a wave. “Come on, best-buddy, let's go jump off our balcony.”

Aldin perched comfortably on my right shoulder as we made our way back to our room. Along the corridor, we passed a few guards in gold, including a familiar face — Shining Armor.

“Morning, Sebastian,” he said, falling into step beside me. “What are you up to this morning?”

“Just wrapped up some scroll scribing,” I replied. “Figured I’d test one out — a Feather Fall scroll. Want to watch?”

Shining’s ears perked with interest. “Sure, I’ve got a bit of time. What does Feather Fall do?”

“It’s better if I show you. Follow me.”

When we arrived at my room, Aldin flitted to his nest without so much as a second glance. I made my way to the balcony, and stepped out into the morning air. Below, the streets stretched empty, with no pegasi in sight. A perfect stage for a demonstration.

“Sebastian, what—” Shining started, but I interrupted him by sitting on the railing of the balcony and holding up my index finger.

“Watch closely! If I fuck this up, I will only be able to show you this one time.” I then promptly leaned back before I could second guess myself, and allowed gravity to grab ahold of me.

I began plummeting towards the stone walkway below.

“What the buck! Sebastian!”

As the wind rushed around me, I reached the midpoint of my descent and invoked the words of power. The magic turned my freefall into a gentle glide, and I floated down to the ground laughing maniacally all the way. I could see why pegasi enjoy flight so much, albeit it’s probably more fun when it’s more than just magically controlled falling.

Shining shouted something from the balcony, but I was too caught up in my joyous laughter to make out his words. My back touched the ground and my laughter went on and on.

The city gradually stirred to life around me, echoing with the sounds of ponies beginning their day. Aldin landed on my chest, lightly tapping my forehead with a talon, as if urging me to rise from the ground. I obliged.

As I stood up, Shining Armor hurried around a nearby corner, followed closely by two solar guards carrying a stretcher between them.

“That was Feather Fall in action!” I exclaimed, trying to catch my breath.

He came to a sudden stop and looked me over with a concerned expression. “Why — in Celestia’s name — would you do that without telling me?”

I offered a weak shrug, and furrowed my brows. Why did I do that? “Sorry, I was worried I might hesitate if I talked about it beforehand.”

He looked like he wanted to scold me but held back. “Just don’t pull stunts like that out of the blue, alright? I don’t want to have to explain to everypony in Canterlot that you’re just testing a spell.”

“Deal.”

“Good.” Shining rubbed the ridge of his nose as he turned to his guards. “False alarm everypony! You can put the stretcher away.”

The pair grumbled in annoyance as they turned to put up the unneeded stretcher. Watching them go, I felt my stomach announce its hunger. I had not eaten in quite a few hours.

“I’m going to grab some breakfast. Want to come?” I offered.

He tapped his helmet. “No can do. Still on duty.”

“Ah, fair enough. Catch you later, Shining,” I replied with a friendly wave, already heading toward the castle’s cafeteria. “I’ll grab some breakfast before hitting the hay! Err — in the sleeping kind of way!”

Shining’s words were almost inaudible as I rounded a corner, “What other way is there to hit the hay?”

Aldin and I walked the halls of the castle. With a little help from a few of the castle’s staff, we found our way to the cafeteria doors in short order.

“This should be it,” I said to Aldin.

He blinked back at me, oozing owlish wisdom.

I pushed open the heavy wooden doors to the castle cafeteria, my curiosity was piqued as I stepped into the room. An aroma of numerous freshly baked pastries alongside a variety of other savory dishes filled the air. The smell alone was enough to make my stomach growl in hunger.

Surprisingly spacious and filled with long tables, the cafeteria was chalk full of various ponies that worked under the crown, each one enjoying their breakfast. As we made our way through the place, I couldn’t help but notice the curious glances and whispered words that followed in my wake. It would appear being the only human on the planet had its downsides. Doing my best to ignore the obvious stares and poorly hidden whispers, I made my way to the food line.

Aldin looked around from his perch on my shoulder as I took stock of the food set before us. There was an impressive array of food set out before us: fresh spiced breads, steamed vegetables, a few salads, and even some curious looking dishes I couldn't quite identify. My stomach growled again, urging me to hurry up so that I could reach the part where I feed it.

I grabbed a tray and started piling it high with anything that caught my eye. A few scoops of steamed vegetables here, and a couple of pastries there, soon found their home on my tray, and soon they'd find a better home in my belly. As I reached the end of the line, I spotted a bushel of apples. Absent-mindedly, I grabbed two and placed them on my tray.

"Apples, really?" I asked myself with a disbelieving shake of my head. Back on Earth, I couldn't stand them, but for some reason, they appeared far more appealing here.

I found an empty spot at one of the tables and sat down. Aldin hopped off my shoulder and settled next to me, eyeing my food with interest. After giving him an offering of roasted broccoli to play with, I took a bite of the sole remaining broccoli and sighed contentedly. The food here was amazing, far better than anything I had back on Earth.

But then again, my diet back on Earth consisted mainly of stove top ramen, fast food, and spaghetti. Perhaps, I am not the best of judges for what counts as good food.

As I ate, I couldn't help but ponder this strange new existence I found myself in. Everything on Equis was somehow very much different, while oddly very much familiar. The ponies around me were friendly enough, but their curious looks reminded me that I was indeed an anomaly.

I finished my meal and leaned back. I basked in the feeling of a good meal freshly eaten. I picked up one of the apples and studied it for a moment. What the hell? Why not give it a shot before continuing to hate the accursed fruit? I took a bite. The flavor was crisp and sweet, much better than any apple I had ever tasted on Earth, but the skin still bothered me. I grimaced and took the time to peel it off, tossing the skin to the tray before finishing the rest of the apple.

With a full stomach and two apples saved for later, I made my way back to my room. The halls were bustling with activity now, the castle gearing up for daytime activities. At this hour, the castle was practically the polar opposite of its nighttime hours.

As I walked, I thought about my encounter with Shining Armor earlier. Why didn’t I tell Shining Armor before jumping? A pit of guilt formed in my stomach. This kind of behavior wasn't typical of me.

And apples... I never used to like apples back on Earth, but for some reason, I couldn’t resist their allure here. I grabbed them from the cafeteria without a thought! I must admit that they tasted better than any Earth apples I've tried in the past, but I still despised their accursed skin, so logically speaking my taste buds haven’t changed too much. Have they?

When I got into bed that morning, the questions endlessly swirled around in my head. Deciding to let sleep help me with this strangeness, I stamped out the questions to allow sleep’s gentle embrace to wrap around me. The swirling questions were soothed by the salve of dreams.

_~_~_~_~_~_~_

Darkness enveloped me, pierced only by the faint glow of a magic circle.

Powdered cold iron lined the circle’s edges. A soft hum was audible, and a sort of spectral shimmer was being emitted. The room echoed with dissonant chanting performed by red-robed figures that fumbled through their incantations.

I was bound inside the circle of cold iron, wrists and ankles tightly secured in chains to a stone slab. Positioned such that kneeling was the only position I could maintain. Panic gripped at me as I instinctively struggled against the iron of my bonds, my mind raced to make sense of the absurdity of the situation I now found myself in. This could not possibly be real! But the fear and the resistance from my bindings felt all too genuine, the abyssal chanting a little too understandable for my liking.

Within the circle, I could make out two faces from the shadows. My parents. No, not my parents, Meridin’s parents. The significance of the nightmare reached me. This was Meridin's childhood, a moment of significance from his backstory that I had written so many years ago.

Now it was reality.

And now, I am very much screwed.

Mother strained in vain against her chains, her desperate pleas drowned by the discordant chants of the cultists. My father stood resolute in spite of his bindings. Meanwhile, I did everything I could to keep from panicking.

"Nice décor you've got here. Did you hire an interior designer, or is the whole 'sacrificial dungeon' vibe all natural talent?" I quipped, trying — and failing — to mask my growing terror with my poor attempt at humor.

The cultists deigned to ignore me, and their chants grew louder and more frantic. At the center of the circle, a swirling vortex of darkness began to form, pulsating with malevolent energy that some instinctive part of me knew to be from the Abyss. I recognized the shape forming from the darkness.

"Vrock," I muttered, feeling a chill run down my spine. “Why are you dumb asses calling a vrock?!”

Desperation clawed at me. "Hey, come on guys, there's got to be a better way to spend a night! Maybe a movie? Pizza?" I joked weakly, hoping against hope that something would change the inevitable.

One of the cultists, a young woman with wide, fearful eyes hesitated. Abyssal words, half spoken, tumbled from her shaking lips as she looked down at me, then at the swirling vortex, and back again. She broke rank from her fellow cultists and rushed toward me, fumbling at my restraints.

"We don't have to do this!" she whispered urgently. "We can stop this! There’s still time!"

Hope flared in my chest. "Thank you! Finally, someone with some sense!"

But the other cultists quickly overpowered her, dragging her away into the darkness beyond my vision. During that struggle, the cold iron that made up the circle was disturbed by a stray limb, breaking the magical circle’s containment.

It looks like there is no way to avoid this inevitability.

The vrock demon roared in glee as it was fully called into this plane, its wings unfurling as it stepped past my parents and I, and over the now broken-circle.

Panic spread through the room like wildfire. The demon turned its red, hate-filled eyes on the now fleeing cultists, tearing into them with a savage delight that was as captivating to witness as it was disturbing. Blood sprayed across the stone walls, and screams filled the air as the vrock butchered everything living in its path.

"Not good. Very, very not good," I muttered, any hints of my earlier bravado cast away and forgotten. I fought uselessly against my chains, but they refused to yield. “If I wake from this shit I will never write another edgy character ever again! Only happy ones with loving families and other sappy shit like that!”

The vrock's slaughter of robed cultists was complete, and it turned its gaze to us.

My father placed himself between my mother and I, and the demon. For his bravery he was rewarded with his head being relieved from its shoulders. My mother quickly followed father into the Boneyard via a savage spine shattering bite.

My fight or flight response kicked in, and I chose the third option: I froze.

The demon towered over me, I craned my neck back to see its face. It smiled down at me and with a casual stomp of a taloned foot, it cut through the links of my chains with profane ease.

For a brief moment I felt hope. For a moment, I had thought that perhaps it would spare me. He grabbed me and lifted me up so that I could be at his eye level, he held me aloft like one would a ragdoll.

"You are the last, little worm. I hear that humans your age enjoy games, so let us play one! If you survive this, I will even let you crawl away like the worm you are," it hissed into my mind, a voice more akin to poison than anything else.

I nodded, too terrified to speak.

The demon laughed, a horrible, grating sound, “I like your spirit, worm! Now hold still, I do not want you to bleed out too fast!”

It raised its clawed hand and sank its claws into my chest. Then it pulled its hand diagonally across my torso, from left shoulder to right hip. Agony exploded through me, and I screamed.

The world fell away into darkness and the echoing laughter of the demon.

_~_~_~_~_~_~_

I jolted awake clutching at my left shoulder. I was gasping for breath with my body drenched in sweat and fear. The terror of the nightmare lingered even as I woke, but I forced myself to move through it. I stumbled to the bathroom mirror and stripped off my robes, needing to see.

There, across my torso, was the scar — three long, diagonal marks that perfectly matched the wound the vrock had given me in the nightmare. Or would it be more accurate to say the past?

I stared at my reflection, heart pounding in my ears. I could still feel those claws ripping through me. They ached with phantom pains. The body remembers.

A sigh escaped me as Aldin landed gently on my shoulder, rubbing his head against my cheek. Concern radiated through our link.

"Just a bad dream. I'm fine," I lied, trying to sound convincing. Truthfully, I was terrified. "Just a dream. Just a dream."

Splashing my face with some sink water, I glared at my own reflection. “Get it together!”

Aldin tapped me, drawing my attention to the balcony. The sun was already setting. “Damnit! Luna is going to skin me like an apple if I’m late!”

Hastily, I threw on some clothes, and booked it towards the library. As I hurried through the halls, I threw quick waves at the guards and castle staff who were busying themselves with their various tasks for the evening. Some of them even returned the gesture.

Bursting into the library, I found Luna already waiting. She glanced up with a hint of irritation. "Nice of you both to join me. I thought I’d be going at it alone tonight. Turns out jumping off balconies is not nearly as tiring as I originally thought."

Her words carried a sharp edge to them. Rubbing the back of my head, I found myself unable to meet her gaze. "Sorry! I… I don’t know what came over me."

She let me squirm under her scrutiny for a moment longer before sighing. "Sebastian, I don’t like being told that my apprentice jumped off a balcony."

I gathered my courage and met her eyes. "I’m sorry. It won’t happen again."

She scrutinized me for a minute before nodding. "Good. Now, tonight’s focus will be on your magic. You have more understanding of how your magic works than I do. How do you think we should proceed?"

Rubbing my thumb along a still burning ear, I considered our options. "Scribing spells to scrolls helped me remember some of the less commonly used arcane methods of spellcraft. I should be able to create and recreate spells from scratch, which should help me gain a greater understanding and experience with my magic. I’m not sure how far it will take us, or how long it will take to reach higher tiers of magic. But, it is a start!"

Luna nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps it’s best to start with recreating a simple spell that you are familiar with."

Snapping my fingers and taking up a studious tone, I began explaining the first spell that came to mind. "The Keep Watch spell. It's a simple spell that allows those under its effect to stay awake for eight hours without feeling any fatigue while still gaining the benefits of a full sleep. However, vigorous activities will cause the spell to break and it's off to sleep-land unless you recast the spell or sleep for the remainder of the spell’s intended duration."

"Don’t overuse that spell," Luna warned. "If your biology is anything similar to a pony’s, then you need to have real sleep at some point. I won’t have my first apprentice go mad from lack of sleep."

"I’ll sleep once a week," I offered.

"Twice a week," Luna countered firmly.

I let out an exaggerated groan. "Yes, mom."

Aldin let out an amused hoot as he watched us from in his roost above us. I settled in across from Luna, and flipped open the scroll chest. Pulling out the needed supplies, I delved into my spellcraft.

The Keep Watch spell is a first-level enchantment, straightforward enough. It should take a few days — most likely a week — to sort out this spell’s creation, and add it to my list of known spells in my spellbook. But as I transcribed the formula onto parchment, a feeling of unease crept over me.

My quill slipped from my fingers, and fell clattering to the desk.

"What's the matter, Sebastian?" Luna's voice broke through my thoughts, but her face remained buried still in her book.

I scowled down at the spell before me. Something felt off, and yet the arcane writings appeared to be flawless. It was perfect really, too perfect. Too perfect, far too soon.

"This shouldn't be possible..." I muttered, scrutinizing my work. "Creating spells like this should take days, if not weeks. Not just a few hours!"

I jabbed my finger at the offending spell, frustration boiling within me. "It's not right! I mean — it is right, perfect even!"

Luna set her book down, her attention fully on me as I found myself pacing the room. “I would have expected you to be thrilled by this sort of outcome. Why does it trouble you so?”

I froze, my gaze trying to burn holes into the papers adorned with intricate arcane symbols. A frown affixed to my face. I had tried to avoid this fear as best I could. Going as far as to try to not even think of it, but that was being proven impossible. Too many things had hooked onto the fear, and brought it up from the depths of my mind.

The acrophobia. The impulse. The apple. The nightmare. The scars. And now, the magic.

I could not avoid it. Nor could I throw some lame excuse at Luna. Not after these crazed mutterings and pacing. I have already shown my hand to her, and she has taken a good look at all my cards. She could probably guess what nagged at me if she wanted to. She’d probably get it right with just a handful of tries. But she didn’t press me. Instead, she waited for my response.

So I gave it.

“What if tomorrow I wake up, and I'm not... me?” I glanced up at the window, where a few clouds drifted lazily by in the twilight of night. “This body isn't even my original one after all. What if Meridin returns and I'm no longer myself? No longer here? Where would I even go?"

Aldin came down to stand atop my head, feeling my turmoil, he began to pat my head with a wing. Luna’s silence encouraged me to continue.

"I was never afraid of heights! Meridin was." I held up my trembling hands, clenching them into fists. "I was never impulsive back on Earth! Meridin would do whatever he wanted — without hesitation!"

A bitter laugh oozed from me. "And now, I dream of Meridin's childhood! Not my own, his! It’s all so vivid. All so real."

"I didn't even like apples until I arrived here," I spat out the words, feeling a surge of frustration.

Closing my eyes, I sank into my chair, a weight I hadn't realized I was carrying grew heavier. I could almost hear the vrock’s laughter, mocking me even now. I found myself spilling more than I wanted to. The desire to vent overwhelmed my caution.

"I didn’t tell you the whole truth," I admitted quietly, my voice heavy. "Meridin was never a hero. Not a real one anyway. He was a rude, spiteful, prideful bastard who sought only his own gain. He didn’t care about helping anyone. The only people he cared about were his few friends, and Aldin. He only sacrificed himself because he knew if he didn’t his friends would die trying."

In the stillness of the library, Luna's approach echoed softly against the stone floor, her presence drawing me from my thoughts. Part of me braced for rejection or punishment, expecting her to cast me out.

"Sebastian," she began, her voice carrying a warmth that proved my fears to be irrational, "your concerns are valid, and I understand the burden you carry. But you must realize, you are not this ‘Meridin.’ You are your own person, carving your own path and shaping your own destiny."

Her words offered a lifeline in the sea of uncertainty that had engulfed me so suddenly. She reached out to touch my trembling hand, and with her touch granted me a sense of stability.

"It is to be expected to feel overwhelmed in a new world," Luna continued, her tone surprisingly reassuring. "But know this, Sebastian: you are not alone. As your mentor, I am here to guide you, and to support you through the challenges that come your way."

A small smile found its way to her, further reassuring me with a faint sense of hope. "And as for your fear of losing yourself, remember the strength you've already shown. You're adapting to your new reality with remarkable courage, and I have every belief in your capability to navigate the unknown."

"In moments of doubt, remember who you are and the journey that has brought you here. And know that I will stand by your side, unwavering in my support." She paused, giving me a moment to absorb her words before adding, "And as for the apples, perhaps it's simply a matter of acquired taste. Sometimes, the things we least expect turn out to be the most delightful of surprises."

As Luna's hoof gently held my hand, I couldn't help but find solace in the warmth and comfort it offered. It was such a simple gesture, and yet with it she lifted that great unknown burden.

I wanted to thank her or make some kind of witty comment to lighten the mood, but instead, what came tumbling out of my fool mouth was: “You have nice hooves.”

Embarrassment flooded my cheeks as I realized how awkward my words must have sounded. To my surprise, she laughed. A soft laughter that filled the air, a melodic sound that washed away my self-consciousness.

"It is quite alright, Sebastian," she replied, her voice tinged with amusement. "And thank you, I suppose, for noticing."

In that moment, as we sat together in quiet understanding, I couldn't help but feel a surge of an emotion foreign to me. I was captivated by the kindness and compassion she showed, even in the face of my doubts and awkwardness.

As Luna withdrew her hoof, a sense of loss replaced its presence, surprising me with its intensity. It was a side of myself I had not known to exist. It was a longing for connection that clashed with my self-image.

But I couldn't dwell on it. I need to hammer those feelings aside, and remind myself that I wasn't the type to get attached to anyone or anything so easily. With a bit of effort, I forced myself to focus on the task at hand.

"I think I’ll copy Keep Watch into my spellbook!" The words felt artificial and very much forced. That would be because they are. I turned and began to copy said spell into my spellbook.

Take your mind off it! Think about it when you can hear your thoughts over your own stupidity! Somehow, I just know that this was all Meridin’s fault! That cocky bastard had to be behind this in some way!

As I began transcribing the Keep Watch spell into my spellbook, I made a conscious effort to distract myself from lingering thoughts. Reciting mental commands to maintain attention, and I urged myself to concentrate on the task and to drown out distractions.

Soon enough, I had the spell added to my spellbook. It was ready for future preparation, and subsequent casting.

"Sebastian, how about for our next session we practice sparring in melee combat?" Luna's gentle yet firm tone cut through the air, her suggestion carrying the sense of inevitability. "It's only a matter of time before you'll have need of those skills. Starting sooner rather than later will be invaluable."

"Yeah, you make a good point," I replied, nodding along. "I'm game. Let's do it."

“Tomorrow at moonrise at the sparring grounds.”

“I’ll try to be on time.”

As Luna took her leave, she stopped in the doorway, “Oh, and if you continue having any more dreams that trouble you, come to me. Usually I would simply dreamwalk into your dreams however, we share the same schedule which complicates things some. Remember, one of my duties as Princess of the Night is to oversee the dreams of our subjects. You are one of our subjects, Sebastian.”

With that she was gone.

I took my time making my way back to my room. My mind wandered, and so did my feet. Fortunately, I had Aldin with me to keep me from being completely alone with my thoughts.

“You’ve always been a lonely guy,” I whispered to myself as my steps echoed off the stones. “You’re just latching on to the first sign of compassion a pretty lady shows you! Maybe this was all a mistake?”

A wry thought slipped into my consciousness, escaping through my lips, "Well, Meridin certainly didn't moon over anyone! Heh, moon!"

Aldin slapped a wing across the back of my head. Seems like he either disliked the pun, or he wanted to head back to our room.

Clearly it was the latter. No familiar of mine could ever hate puns.

Simply not possible!

_~_~_~_~_~_~_

The moon hung high in the sky, casting out its lunar glow over the sparring grounds. The air was cool, carrying with it some sort of floral scent. I stood nervously, feeling the odd weight of the training sword in my hands. The castle grounds were quiet, except for the distant sounds of the city at night.

Aldin stood perched atop a nearby pony-shaped practice dummy, his eyes tracking each and every movement I made. Tonight was to be our first session of melee combat with Luna, and I was already well out of my depth. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself... I failed at that. I just knew I was about to get my shit pushed in, and Aldin had front row seats to see it all.

Luna circled me, she scanned my posture with a critical eye.

"First things first," she said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement, "your stance. It's the foundation that everything is built off of, whether that be in swordplay or in duels of magic."

With a fluid application of her magic, Luna adjusted my stance, guiding my feet into a more proper position for combat. "Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, evenly distributed weight is essential to maintain balance," she instructed, while with her magic she continued to correct my posture. "You need to maintain balance, and be ready to move in any direction at a moment's notice."

I nodded, trying my best to absorb her guidance. Luna then moved on to the grip, demonstrating the proper way to hold the training sword. "Firm, but not too tight," she explained, her magic adjusting my grip as she talked. "You want control, but you also want to conserve your energy. A death grip will only serve to tire you out faster."

Looking me over, Luna nodded in approval before stepping back, ordering me to take a few swings at the air. I swung the sword awkwardly, the movements clumsy, uncoordinated, and all together alien.

"Focus on fluidity, Sebastian," Luna encouraged, her voice calm and reassuring. "Let the motion flow naturally from one movement to the next. Don't think of it as swinging a sword, think of it as moving an extension of yourself."

I tried my best to internalize her words as I continued the drills. With each swing completed, I felt myself growing a little bit more familiar with the motions. With each swing, the movements became slightly more fluid and natural. Luna watched silently, her eyes keenly observing my progress.

After what felt like an eternity of practice, but was probably no more than an hour or two, Luna finally nodded in satisfaction. "You're improving," she said, with the faintest hint of pride coloring her voice. "But, there is still much to learn. Let's work on transitioning between openings and striking surfaces."

Luna reached out with her magic to grab her own practice sword from a nearby weapon rack. She demonstrated the drill to me, transitioning smoothly through a series of strikes and parries. I tried my best to follow her lead, struggling to keep up with her speed and skill even with Luna slowing down the motions for me to be able to follow at all. However, with each completed repetition, I felt myself growing more confident. The movements growing just a bit more natural with each practiced motion.

As the practice session drew to a close, Luna suggested we put our skills to the test in a friendly duel. A thought snuck into my mind, what if this was all a ploy so she could whale on me some more, but with a training sword this time instead of balls?

Luna wielded her training sword with her magic, her movements practically oozed a level of grace that told me that victory was very much an illusion. I felt akin to a training dummy with a practice sword poorly taped to it. However, I was foolishly determined to try to prove myself. I wanted to prove to her — and myself — that I could hold my own in the ways of swordplay, if only for just a fleeting moment.

A childish desire, but one that I couldn’t dislodge from my mind.

We circled each other, tension thick in the air. Luna eyed me as though waiting for me to make the first move. I hesitated for a moment, then lunged forward with a clumsy probing thrust.

Luna easily slapped away my attack, her parry was so measured and casual that it felt like she had anticipated my thrust long before I ever started it. Frustration started to build within me.

Luna easily slapped away my attack, her parry was so measured and casual that it felt like she had anticipated my thrust long before I ever started it. Instead of a riposte at the clear opening granted by her parry, she opted to wait and watch. So I tried again, and again.

Thrust high. Slash low. Lunge left. Cut right.

No matter how hard I tried, or what tactic I attempted to employ, I couldn't seem to even get close to landing the dream of a single blow. Luna was always multiple steps ahead, her defenses impenetrable. I grew more and more frustrated with each failed attempt, my swings grew wild and erratic.

With each miss, my frustration mounted, and the weight of the sword grew heavier in my grip. I could almost hear Luna's calm breathing, an easily heard difference compared to my own ragged gasps for air.

And then, in a moment of desperation, I thought I glimpsed the impossible: an opening. Luna's guard faltered for just a fraction of a second. I seized the opportunity, launching myself forward with all the speed and little skill I could muster.

It was a trap. Of course it was a trap.

With a circular motion of her sword and a sweep of her foreleg, Luna effortlessly sent my sword flying away and me sprawling to the ground with a resounding thud. I lay there, dazed and defeated. I stared up at the stars above as Luna offered me a hoof up with a knowing smile.

"Never let your guard down, Sebastian," her voice was gentle but firm, with the feeling of instruction laced throughout. "In combat, whether it be with blades or with magic, the smallest lapse in judgment can be your downfall. Do not let your emotions rule you."

I nodded as embarrassment washed over me. Accepting her hoof, she pulled me to my feet with a surprising level of ease. I dusted myself off and regained my composure. As I looked at Luna, I felt a newfound determination take root within me. The spirit of competition was born.

"Can we go again?" I asked, excitement bubbling up in spite of my weariness.

Luna's smile widened, her eyes alight with pride. "That's the spirit, my dear apprentice," she encouraged, her tone encouraging. "Keep pushing yourself, and you'll become a formidable warrior in no time."

The resolve in her voice added fuel to the determination that was budding in me. The challenge of the training, the encouragement from Luna — it all fueled the fires of an ambition within me that I never had before. Perhaps it was due to being in a new world, or it could be the new form I now inhabit. Maybe this drive was always there, but I just couldn’t truly harness it in my prior mundane life.

It could be a combination of all of it.

We squared off once more, my heart pounding with a mixture of determination and excitement. This time, I focused on my breathing, on the rhythm of our movements, and on staying calm. Luna might be an alicorn and a seasoned duelist, but I was determined to show her that I was more than just a fool with a stick.

I’m a determined fool with a stick!

As we clashed again, I felt a sense of clarity forming amidst the chaos. My swings were more measured, my steps more deliberate. This wasn't just about winning; it was about learning, growing, and proving to myself that I could keep up with Luna.

Despite my best efforts and newfound determination, I found myself once again outmatched by Luna's skill and finesse. Her movements were like poetry in motion, while mine still felt clumsy and awkward. Yet, strangely enough, I wasn't bothered by my inevitable defeat.

"Better than when we started," she said, her voice filled with genuine pride. "Remember, each defeat is just another step on the path of improvement."

I nodded, grateful for her encouragement. With Luna's guidance, I knew that I would continue to improve. The number of losses held no value besides to be proof of dedication to the endless path that is improvement. And so, without hesitation, I eagerly followed her lead as she ran me through more sword drills, each one pushing me to grow my comfort and experience with the use of blades.

But eventually, the time came for Luna to fulfill her princessly duties. With a fond smile, she bid me farewell, promising to continue our training another night. As she turned to leave, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards her.

This entire session, I never once thought of my concerns — of my paranoia. It was nice to unwind and try to beat the shit out of each other.

As I watched her go, something inside me shifted. A new resolve, stronger and more intense than before, took root. I would become strong — no — the strongest! Then I wouldn’t have to worry about being alone or losing any friends or fearing any dickhead demons!

That morning, as I laid in my bed, I replayed the night's training in my mind. And although my body may have been sore, my spirit was invigorated. Each mistake, each correction, each bit of progress, served to teach me. I would learn from every defeat, and I would grow stronger. I have a very long life ahead of me, and with Luna's guidance and my determination, I knew I was on the right path to making this life a wonderful one.

But sleep? Fuck that!

I don’t want to risk running into Mr. Sadistic-Murder-Bird-Demon. And besides, I have spells to craft. I muttered the incantation for Keep Watch, and felt the magic wash over me. The spell would keep fatigue at bay and allow me to better focus. With a toothy grin, I sat up, feeling the surge of conditional energy that came with the spell.

"Alright, best-buddy," I said, looking at my ever-loyal familiar, who was comfortably nestled in his little nest on the bookshelf. "Time to get back on that spellcraft grind!"

Aldin hooted with a look that seemed to say: ‘You're crazy, but I’m here for it.’

First on the agenda: recreating the Alarm spell. I needed something to ensure I won't be taken by surprise. I gathered my materials and set to work, drawing runes and weaving magic in no time.

"Let’s see... abjuration… wards…" I muttered to myself, completely absorbed in my work.

After a couple of hours of tinkering, I finally managed a hopefully functioning ward. I took a step back and admired my work, a clean circle of arcane runes sat glowing faintly on the floor.

"Now for the test," I said with a completely necessary flourish. "Aldin, if you would do the honors?"

Aldin hopped off his perch and waddled adorably towards the circle. As soon as he crossed the boundary, a single mental ‘ping’ sounded. Despite knowing that the sound was coming, I flinched anyway.

"Success!" I declared with a laugh. "With a little modification I can set it to make some sort of noise for everyone to hear, or just keep it to myself."

Aldin blinked up at me, looking very much unimpressed.

"Hey, don’t give me that look," I said, pointing at him. "This is progress! These low-level spells are building blocks towards the crazier shit! Just wait best-buddy, before you know it I’ll start doing crazy shit."

He gave me a look, then returned to his roost.

"Well I think its cool," I said as he settled into his nest. "Besides, now we can’t be surprised as easily. You know, as long as they’re not ethereal or astral creatures, we’re solid!"

I settled back down, setting the groundwork for my next spell, Endure Elements. But hunger roared from my stomach, an annoyed sigh escaped from me. Forging spells was surprisingly fun, and normal mortal distractions such as hunger were taking me away from that fun.

"Alrighty, Aldin," I said, standing up and stretching. "We have a few hours left before the spell wears off, let's grab some grub. We've got more training to do, spells to craft, princesses to one day impress."

Aldin hooted in agreement, and together we tidied up the evidence of our nocturnal activities. As I looked over the now pristine room, I felt a surge of pride and accomplishment.

"Here’s to another step towards becoming stronger," I said, giving Aldin a fist-bump. Or is it a claw-bump? Talon-bump? Fist-to-claw-bump? Fuck it. Whatever it’s called.

Aldin gave a little chirp of approval, and I granted him his much owed pets for the hour.

Together we left the confines of our room, and left to face the day.