Heart Souls: The Loss of Harmony

Furious winds challenged the trio as they headed up the mountain.

"Do not break formation; less you tempt death itself," the soft-spoken knight told the two.

The walls of the mountain were sharp. One wrong move, and it's all over. The blinding rays of the sun do not help with their perilous travel. But they were able to manage.

As they pierced through the clouds and reach the top of the mountain, they have a wider view of where they are in the world. But lost they remained, as not one familiar site can be seen.

"This is a problem. I do not recognize these lands. How about you?" She asked the two pegasi.

One would point out a peculiar mountain, almost hidden by the horizon. It appears to have a castle on top of it.

The soft-spoken knight scanned the horizon once more; perhaps she missed something? But alas, nothing but that spec of castle atop a mountain, beyond the horizon, is the only thing that catches her attention.

"Good work; that would be our next destination. Chart a course for us to follow, the safest route possible."

One of them would bring out a magical quill and paper and began drawing a map. His skill was astonishing, as he drew the map quite well and accurate.

"Done? Then we return to the others." But that plan would be halted as the same giant bug-like chimera creature that attacked them from the desert intervened, but this one seems to be bigger.

The knights prepared their weapons, as they knew first hoof how terrifying and aggressive this creature can be.

But the creature did not take initiative, as it waits.

This was a bit unusual as how the same creature they fought was quite aggressive. Their questions would soon be answered, as it appears to be someone was riding it.

It had the same outfit as the wanderer the first had slayed in the desert. But this one seemed bigger and stronger.

Seeing this, the soft-spoken knight began to speak to the rider.

"We come in peace!" Assuring the rider of their intentions.

"Oh, but our Lord needs none of that," replied the rider.

The knights looked at each other and prepared for the worst.

"If blood shed is what you want, we would gladly give, but we have much more urgent things to do than to amuse you." She then gave a nod to the one who bore the map. A signal for him to run back to the group, which he did.

The rider attempted to block the fleeing knight; an opening, the soft-spoken knight eagerly waited.

The creature's pincer, which was about to grab the fleeing knight, was cut off by the soft-spoken knight.

The rider was shocked at the speed of the small-framed knight.

This also opened the chance for the other knight to strike the tail of the creature.

The cut was not deep, but enough to make the tail limp and inoperable.

This would make the creature's movements slow and allow it to dish out fewer attacks.

The creature screeched in pain and began to flail wildly. They put distance to their foe and watched the rider panic and fall from the creature; completely losing control, and it's ride as it flew away to escape them.

The knight quickly pointed her blade at the rider.

"Hmm. My urge to kill you is strong somehow. Speak."

Stunned, the rider tried to collect himself. "Y-You're strong. Spare me, and I can recommend you to Warlord Gallus!"

The soft-spoken knight stabbed the ridder in his mouth before cutting it in half.

"That is my answer." She struck her sword in the air to clean off the blood on it before sheathing it back at her scabbard; absorbing its essence.

"Well said," the knight who assisted her applauded. He began rummaging through the body of the rider.

"Be quick with your task," the soft-spoken knight said before leaving him with his business.

Meanwhile, as she descends the mountain, the first knight can be seen hastily climbing the mountain.

She quickly called for his attention. "What are you doing?"

The first knight halted and searched where the voice came from. "Oh, my worry was for not. Forgive me for doubting you." The first knight saluted and gave a bow of apology.

The soft-spoken knight looked below and saw where she was, seeing how fast and high the first knight had reached. He was almost one fourth high up on the mountain

"Yes, it was for not, but impressed me, you did. Is that how much you worry for me that you quickly climbed this high?" She asked.

The first knight could not reply and was stumped.

"Come, let us descend." The soft spoken knight came close and grabbed him from the waist.

"Hold tight, or was this your plan all along?" The soft-spoken knight teased.

"Maiden, manners, please," he said as he carefully held onto her.

Later, the knight rummaging the rider would catch up to them.

"Why is our leader here?" he questioned.

"Long story. More importantly, have you found something important?" The soft-spoken knight asked.

The knight tossed a small emblem at her. It has the design of a shield with a griffon's head on it.

"Warlord Gallus's banner, perhaps. What else?"

"A pouch full of gold and some bottles containing colorful liquids," the scavenger knight replied.

"Perhaps we can ask some of the unicorns about this potion," the soft-spoken knight suggested.

"Agreed," the first knight replied.

A few minutes passed, and they were able to reach their camp.

The first knight would ask for all to gather and have a meeting.

The three pegasi who climbed the mountain began to give great detail on their travels up the mountain.

"Perhaps we are not in Equestria anymore?" One of the knights pointed out.

"Perhaps..." the first knight responds. "Either we go to the castle from the distance or face Gallus. Seeing how his men act, I see no good would come upon us with this Gallus."

The rest would agree and continue to follow the first knight.

They checked the map once more and checked the routes to choose from.

"We follow the river; that way we have water to drink, although we do not thirst. We still need the sustenance the water gives us, I think." The first knight, unsure, as this too was a first for him.

He may not thirst, but perhaps he still needs water for the body to work properly.

_________

A knight, limp and tired, is seen being dragged inside a tent.

"You passed. Rest; you'll need it later, tonight," Gallus said while cleaning himself up from his fight with the knight he just captured.

"My lord," the cat once more interrupted.

"Two have returned seriously injured, while the rest did not return at all."

"They're not making it easy for me, huh. Good."