The Conjuration Wizard

Samir knew my name.

The revelation had unsettled me, planting within me seeds of doubt and suspicion that could not be ignored. The implications were staggering, each question cascading into another, forming a labyrinth of uncertainties. None of these questions could be answered by anyone on Equis, nor could they be left to fester lest they potentially grow into a threat. So, I did what any self-respecting wizard would do: I prepared a spell.

More specifically, Planar Inquiry.

With a sack of gems in hand, I descended into the castle’s dungeon once more. The air was thick and damp, tinged with a stale bitterness that always left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. The dungeon’s solitude would mask my actions and ensure no trace of my location leaked to the being I intended to summon.

I hated this place. Yet, it was ideal.

Walking through the dim corridors brought back memories I would rather leave buried. Changelings being freed from stone, Thorax’s calming influence over his fellow changelings, and Chrysalis…

My hand rose instinctively, the silversheen fingers of my Wizard’s Arm brushing the scars etched across the right side of my face. The motion was automatic, the touch phantom-like with the unfeeling metal. I clenched my fist, dispelling the thought. I wasn’t here to reminisce.

I focused on the task at hand.

Unlike Summon Monster or its ilk, Planar Inquiry was meticulous, focused, and bound the summoned creature and the caster with rules. Its function was simple: summon a creature from beyond this plane and limit its actions to a single purpose — divulging information in exchange for payment.

No combat, no chaos, just answers.

The sigils were drawn, neat and glowed faintly with power, a blend of abjuration runes and elysian symbols that harmonized in soft pulses of magic. I stood a few feet from the circle. The sigils and circle were likely completely unnecessary for this spell, but I was paranoid, and I’d learned to respect the unknown.

The only components I needed were set within the circle — a sack of gems worth far more than I was comfortable parting with. A gentle hum filled the air as I began the incantation, the language ancient and flowing like music. The sigils flared brighter, and the faint, floral scent of some otherworldly plane brushed against my senses.

Then, she appeared.

The kanya unfurled in a swirl of grace and vibrant colors. Her upper body was that of a stunning, winged elven woman, her skin a shade of lustrous bronze, adorned with intricate golden tattoos that seemed to shift and shimmer with every movement. Long, flowing hair the color of sunlight cascaded down her back, framing a face that belonged in a poet's dreams — sharp, angular, and utterly captivating. Her lower half was a serpentine coil of deep green scales, patterned like sun-dappled leaves, tapering into a tail that gleamed like polished emerald. Her vast feathered wings shimmered with hues of gold and alabaster as they unfurled, stirring the stale air of the dungeon into a fleeting breeze.

What struck me, though, was her lack of modesty — or at least, the colossal difference in what must’ve counted as modesty to a kanya. She was draped only in strands of glimmering jewels and golden chains that accentuated rather than concealed. Thin circlets covered her nipples, but the rest of her was on full display. She was a living testament to confidence and beauty unburdened by mortal shame.

I averted my gaze instinctively, my left eye snapping to the runes on the floor, and cleared my throat. "Greetings, honorable azata."

The kanya's eyes, the color of molten gold, swept across her surroundings. Her expression darkened. “A dungeon,” she said, her voice lilting and melodious but tinged with disdain. “You call me to this… this cage of stone and shadow? Do you think so little of my kind?”

I raised my hands, one flesh and the other silver, in a placating gesture. “I meant no offense. This location is for privacy and security, not to insult your sensibilities.”

Her gaze lingered on me, weighing my words, before she let out a soft sigh, her coils shifting to bring her closer. “Very well. Your summoning is… precise, at least. I will listen, but I warn you: my patience for this environment is thin.”

I nodded, grateful she hadn’t returned to her plane outright. “I need information, and I’m willing to pay the agreed price.”

Her eyes flicked to the sack of gems, and she inclined her head slightly. “Your offering is acceptable. Speak your question, mortal, and I will determine if it is worthy of my time.”

Her tone, though not unkind, carried a sort of detachment that made my throat tighten. It didn’t help that her every movement drew attention to the way her chains and jewels glittered against her skin. I could feel my cheeks heating despite myself.

Focus, Sebastian.

I breathed deeply, grounding myself with thoughts of Luna — her strength, her confidence, and the way she always carried herself, no matter who or what stood before her. The thought steadied me, or it did until my mind went to dresses and braids, then my cheeks heated for a more acceptable reason.

This would have to do.

“I seek information from the Plane of Elysium.” I managed to get out without choking on my words.

Her amber eyes narrowed slightly. “You presume much, mortal. Elysium is vast, and its secrets are not so easily parted with. What exactly is it that you seek?”

“My name is Sebastian Hilam,” I said, my voice far steadier than I felt. “I want to know if there’s anything about me in Elysium. Records, whispers, anything really that ties me to your plane.”

The kanya’s expression shifted as I spoke my name. Her eyes widened slightly, and she tilted her head, scrutinizing me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. Slowly, she leaned forward, her serpentine body curling closer as if to study me more closely.

“You…” she began, her voice softer now, laced with curiosity. “You are known to us.”

Her words lingered in the air, brimming with mystery and a faint sense of familiarity that sent my pulse racing. Still, I kept my expression neutral, though questions surged in my mind, each vying for dominance.

“Known to you?” I asked evenly. “How?”

The kanya shifted her serpentine coils, her gaze unwavering as if studying me down to the marrow. “Permit me to introduce myself,” she began, her voice an elegant harmony that seemed to resonate beyond the physical. “I am Kalthissa, one of the many chroniclers of Elysium’s stories and a seeker of hidden truths. My recent endeavors have often drawn me to the Midnight’s Palette, the newest realm within Elysium.”

The Midnight’s Palette.

The name sparked a flicker of recognition — a divine domain forged by the newly ascended goddess of artists, exiles, and midnight.

Kalthissa continued, her tone turned thoughtful. “I was there recently, documenting the evolution of Nocticula’s realm. Her redemption fascinates those of us who study the nature of transformation. It’s rare to see a being once steeped in the profane now willingly walking a path of light.”

I nodded, inviting her to elaborate further.

“In one of her courts, I encountered a portrait,” she said, her gaze sharpening. “A depiction of a man with a face remarkably similar to yours. The artistry was exquisite, capturing you amidst a battlefield. You held a blade with a crescent moon on its pommel in that silver hand of yours, and behind you, a shadowy figure cloaked in stars loomed as if the night itself stood by your side.”

My chest tightened at her words. The crescent moon — Promise. And the shadow… Luna?

Must be.

Kalthissa’s amber eyes glimmered with curiosity. “When I asked, I was told Nocticula herself recently painted the piece. She is curious about you, Sebastian Hilam.”

“Curious about me?” I echoed, my unease carefully masked.

Nocticula’s story was one of extremes. As the demon lord of darkness and lust, she had ruled through fear and seduction, commanding assassins, indulged in unspeakable acts I preferred not to imagine, and inspired fear among even the most fearsome of demon lords. Now, as the Redeemer Queen, she championed artists, outcasts, and the beauty that thrived under the cover of midnight.

Her redemption sent ripples of awe and doubt through the planes. To some, she remained the first succubus birthed from the Abyss, her change of heart dismissed as nothing more than some elaborate ruse.

But I had to trust in her sincerity. The thought of the old Nocticula — a cunning predator who slew demon lords for sport — turning her attention toward me and Equis was a far more chilling prospect than her current role as a patron of redemption.

“Yes, anomalies fascinate her,” Kalthissa continued. “And you, Sebastian, are an anomaly of the highest order — a human in a plane almost entirely isolated from the Great Beyond. Your weapon is marked with the crescent moon. The moon is a symbol tied to her own evolution, to her own redemption. Such a confluence of symbols and circumstance cannot help but draw her attention.”

Questions churned within me, but I only nodded.

“She means no harm,” Kalthissa assured me, her melodic voice steady. “Do not fear her interest. Her curiosity stems from a place of understanding, not malice. Nocticula has witnessed the extremes of existence, and has chosen the path of redemption.”

Her assurances were only mildly comforting. I stored the information away, knowing that the Redeemer Queen’s curiosity might one day demand answers.

Kalthissa inclined her head, her expression softening. “I have answered your query, Sebastian. Now, I must return to Elysium. May your path remain illuminated, and may the shadow that follows you lead only to wisdom.”

With a graceful motion, Kalthissa’s form dissolved into a cascade of shimmering light, leaving me alone in the dim dungeon, the air heavy with the weight of her revelations.

So that was how Samir knew my name but not my new... looks. The portrait Kalthissa mentioned must have been painted after the return of the Crystal Empire, or maybe Samir never actually saw it himself. Either way, his connection to Nocticula was clear — whether as a servant or a devout follower of the Redeemer Queen. That would explain the prayers he recited when he saved Noctra’s life.

The first succubus had taken an interest in me. Maybe even in Equis as a whole. It wasn’t exactly ideal, but there were far worse entities to attract attention from. At least it wasn’t a demon lord like Baphomet, Lamashtu, or Pazuzu.

Small mercies and silver linings, I supposed.

I needed to speak to Luna and Celestia on these matters.

I let out a steadying breath, and spoke the incantation for Teleport. The world shifted, and in an instant I reappeared in Luna and I’s bedchambers.

The familiar scent of lavender and parchment greeted me as the world settled back into place. Luna and Celestia were already there, seated together on our new plush crescent-shaped couch near the balcony. Luna held a book in her midnight colored aura turning its pages, while Celestia sipped from a wine glass, her golden aura illuminating the soft smile on her lips.

Both sisters turned their attention to me as I arrived. Luna’s eyes snapped to me immediately, her cyan eyes bright with curiosity as she set down her book.

“Sebastian,” she said as she rose from her seat. “How did it go? Did you find the answers you sought?”

Celestia, however, arched an elegant brow at me. Her sharp gaze studying me, and taking on an intensity that made the hairs on my neck stand up. She set her wine glass down and leaned slightly forward. “More importantly,” Celestia interjected with a playful lilt to her voice, “why is your face so red? You look like a colt caught sneaking sweets before dinner.”

Luna blinked, her attention shifting from my expression to Celestia’s words, then back to me. Her lips twitched, the beginnings of a smile playing at the corners. “Indeed, you do seem unusually flustered,” she noted, her tone even but with a hint of amusement.

I cleared my throat, hoping to derail whatever line of inquiry Celestia seemed intent on pursuing. “The meeting was somewhat enlightening,” I began, focusing on Luna. “A kanya named Kalthissa confirmed that I’m known in Elysium. Apparently, there’s a portrait of me in one of Nocticula’s courts in the Midnight’s Palette.”

“A portrait?” Luna asked, tilting her head, her interest piqued.

“Yes,” I answered as I rubbed at the back of my neck. “It depicted me on a battlefield with Promise, standing alongside a shadowy figure that probably represents…” I hesitated, suddenly feeling self-conscious under their combined scrutiny. “…you.”

Luna’s eyes widened, surprise giving way to a soft smile. “Fascinating,” she murmured. “What does this ‘Nocticula’ want with you?”

“According to Kalthissa, she’s curious,” I admitted. “About me and you, about Promise, and possibly about Equis as a whole. Kalthissa assured me Nocticula’s interest isn’t hostile in nature, but it’s concerning to say the least.”

“Curiosity is a powerful motivator,” Celestia mused, her eyes glinting with amusement as they locked on mine. “But, dear Sebastian, you’ve evaded my earlier question. Why the blush?”

“It’s nothing,” I said, a little too quickly. My voice cracked slightly, betraying me.

“Oh, it’s something,” Celestia countered, her smile widening like a cat that had cornered its prey. She leaned forward, resting her chin on a golden-clad hoof. “Did this kanya perhaps… distract you?”

“No!” I blurted, far too forcefully. Luna’s ears perked, and a sly grin began to tug at her lips.

“She did,” Luna chimed in, stepping closer with a sparkle of mischief in her eyes.

“She did not,” I tried again, weaker this time. “She was just… underdressed.”

Celestia blinked before her laughter spilled out, light and melodic. Luna raised a skeptical eyebrow, her grin turning utterly devious.

“You were blushing over a lack of clothing?” Celestia teased. “Sebastian, you’ve noticed, haven’t you? Most ponies don’t wear clothes at all.”

“It wasn’t just that!” I protested, desperate to defend myself. “It was… everything at once. And… jewelry!”

“Jewelry?” Luna echoed, tilting her head as if genuinely curious, though her grin said otherwise.

I sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Not the jewelry specifically. Just the whole appearance was unexpected.”

Celestia’s chuckles grew softer but no less teasing. “Ah, yes, unexpected appearances have a way of lingering, don’t they?”

Words escaped me, and I could only stammer helplessly as both sisters continued to watch me with far too much amusement.

“Leave him be, Sister,” Luna said, though her grin betrayed no intention of mercy. “He’s clearly still recovering from the… ordeal.”

“I’m fine,” I muttered, though my burning cheeks betrayed me.

Luna tilted her head, her tone softening but her grin staying mischievous. “Oh, but I know my consort well. You’re thinking of something else entirely, aren’t you?”

My heart skipped. “No, I’m not!”

Celestia’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, this is getting interesting. What could it be, I wonder?”

“Was it the kanya,” Luna mused, moving closer still. Then, her voice dropped and turned to silk. “Or was it… me?”

I froze, utterly caught in those beautiful eyes of hers. My mind was trapped in a tangled web of memories of our date, and the passion that had come after.

“Fine!” I threw my hands up as I glared at both of them. “It was you, Luna. I was thinking about how you looked on our date. Your hair was braided, and you wore that dress…”

The silence that followed was deafening. Then Celestia’s laughter erupted again, a peal of pure delight. Luna’s grin faltered for a moment, her cheeks darkening slightly, but it quickly morphed into one of triumph.

“I braided her hair that night,” Celestia said, shaking her head in delight. “And I helped her choose that dress. My efforts seem to have left a lasting impression.”

Luna stepped closer, her expression softening as her teasing melted away. “You thought of me,” she said quietly, “even then?”

“Of course I did,” I replied smoothly, my earlier embarrassment melting away. “You’re always on my mind. You know that.”

Luna’s smile turned warm, her teasing giving way to something more genuine as she stepped even closer. Her hoof brushed against my hand, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of us. “You’re always on my mind as well,” she murmured.

Celestia cleared her throat, the sound deliberately exaggerated. “As touching as this is, I’m afraid there are matters that we must discuss.”

I sighed as I pulled myself back to the present. “Of course. What’s going on?”

The shift in Celestia’s expression was subtle but unmistakable; the playful gleam in her eyes gave way to a thoughtful seriousness. She gestured for us to take our places on our crescent-shaped couch, and I ended up seated between the sisters. Luna pressed close to my left, her quiet warmth a source of unspoken comfort, while Celestia settled to my right, her poised and steady demeanor setting the tone for the conversation to come.

“First, the dragons,” Celestia began. “Torch has managed to keep the majority of his kind in line, but a few rogue dragons have taken to raiding neighboring lands. This is straining relations, especially with the griffons who are the main target of these raids.”

“Which brings me to the griffons,” she continued, her tone heavy. “The griffons are once again embroiled in their endless squabbles over the legacy of their old empire. Three of their self-proclaimed kings have already engaged in skirmishes, with reports of at least one of their border villages being caught in the crossfire. Each king claims to be the rightful heir to the throne of the old empire, and their squabbles are beginning to spill into Equestrian territories. Trade routes are disrupted, and border skirmishes have begun escalating.”

Luna frowned and her brow furrowed. “And what of the changelings?”

Celestia hesitated while her eyes flicked to me briefly.

“They are starving,” she said at last. “Chrysalis herself sent a message requesting an audience. She claims her hive is on the verge of collapse and wishes to negotiate for aid.”

The blood drained from my face at the mention of her name. Unwelcome memories tore through my mind — her cruel smile, the mocking cadence of her voice, and the agony of Promise plunging into my chest as she wore Luna’s face like a mask. A phantom ache stabbed through my heart, forcing my breath to catch.

Panic surged, irrational and consuming, as my remaining eye sought out Luna.

She was already watching me, her expression marked with quiet concern. Her hoof came to rest in the palm of my left hand, warm and firm. “You are safe,” she murmured, her voice a gentle anchor against the tempest in my chest.

I exhaled slowly, nodding as I fought to shove the haunting images aside and tether myself to the present, to reality. “Starving changelings are dangerous,” I said at last, my voice level in spite of the tremor in my chest. “What must be done?”

“That,” Celestia began, reclining slightly as she spoke, “is where things become complicated. The griffons, dragons, and changelings each bring their own threats to stability, but their issues are deeply intertwined. The griffons’ internal conflicts fuels boldness among the dragons, whose raids further fracture the region. Meanwhile, the changelings’ hunger and desperation could drive rogue members of the hive to acts of aggression — enough to escalate tensions with the other two, or worse, provoke entirely new conflicts across Equis.”

“And you believe a peaceful resolution is possible?” Luna asked with a clear edge of skepticism marking her tone.

“We must try, Sister,” Celestia replied, her tone steady and resolute. “I’ve begun preparations for a summit. Invitations will be sent to the griffon kingdoms, Dragon Lord Torch, Chrysalis, and every other significant power in the region. The aim is to foster dialogue and secure agreements that could preserve peace — or, at the very least, prevent the eruption of a full-scale war.”

The mention of Chrysalis twisted a cold knot in my stomach. My grip on Luna’s hoof tightened reflexively, and she responded by closing the remaining distance between us until our shoulders touched. The small gesture carried more reassurance than words, freeing the knot of unease that was just borne in my stomach, and threatened to overwhelm me.

“When would this summit take place?” I asked, forcing an even tone.

“Soon,” Celestia answered. “Likely in a month’s time, so as to allow time for representatives to travel to Canterlot. Time is of the essence. And, Sebastian, your presence will be vital, given your unique position.”

Of course.

As Consort of the Moon, and one of the three holding sway over Chrysalis through the Geas, I couldn’t avoid this responsibility. Even if some part of me wished to crawl under a rock, and hide.

“I’ll be there,” I said firmly, in spite of the primal fear that whispered from the back of my mind. “If it helps save lives or prevent war, I’ll do what needs to be done.”

Celestia’s smile returned, softer now. “That’s the spirit I hoped for. And rest assured, I’ve enlisted somepony to help you prepare for the intricacies of diplomacy.”

Luna leaned further into me, a wing wrapping around me and pulling me into an embrace of sorts, her proximity calming the doubts within. Celestia’s gaze lingered on us, her expression unreadable for a moment, before a hint of a smirk crossed her lips.

“Besides, this could be an excellent opportunity for personal growth,” she added, her tone light but teasing.

I let out an exaggerated sigh as I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Can we survive the summit before discussing personal growth?”

Both sisters laughed, the sound lightening the atmosphere. Luna’s chuckle was warm and tickled my ear, while Celestia’s laughter carried its usual melodic charm. Even with what now loomed only weeks away, their presence made the stress, and doubts of it all fade into background noise — easily forgotten and ignored.

Everything would work out in the end. I needed to believe that, or else I would start to lose my mind. Besides, Celestia had mentioned getting someone to help prepare me for the ‘intricacies of diplomacy’.

With that last thought, I finally let myself relax entirely into Luna’s embrace with a sigh of contentment.

Yeah, everything will work out in the end. I just know it.