The Un-Named

It was such a long time ago that I barely remember it. In fact, it was so long ago, and so horrible to my mind, that I can’t even remember my real name. I’m the Un-named warrior...  I was twelve when it all started. That’s as far as my memory reaches, yet I still remember everything as if I had lived it yesterday.

That day was exactly the same as any other. You’ve probably heard that line so many times before, but that’s how it was.

My mother; Cocoa Rose, ran her own store, selling flowers and hot drinks, while my father; Iron Ingot, was a royal guard for the princesses. Both were unicorns, except my father’s side sported a strange effect on their horns. No matter what colour they were, their horns faded to black at the tip. Of course, I inherited this.

We were quite wealthy but we didn’t boast. My family treated others as equals; it was how they wanted themselves to be treated. In the evening, my parents and I relaxed in the garden, it was a sort-of tradition that we kept up, except that night, as soon as Luna’s moon had risen, my whole life was destroyed. I saw every single gory detail.

Flowers perfumed the air in the garden, even after the moon started its rise. I lay on the soft grass in my mother’s garden, looking up at the stars, the shades that the sky wore and the birds flying to roost.

Nearby, my parents leant against a tree together.  It was a tranquil moment. I closed my eyes and let the breeze roll over me. My parents did the same.

Opening my eyes, I noticed the quietness and my eyes were drawn to the small Cliffside, where the old mines were boarded up, long empty of any resources. Yet as I watched, I felt something watching me back. It was unnerving.

My father was next to sense something was wrong, his ears pricked up and he too looked at the mines. A low snarl echoed from the depths.

Suddenly something black shot through the wooden planks that boarded up the entrance, it went straight for the tree. Iron jumped up, lifting up Cocoa with him and jumping to the side just as the creature tore straight through the thick trunk.

Leaping out of the way and watching from a distance I saw the tree topple over, splinters flying out. The ground shook as it landed.

Cocoa screamed and I turned my attention to her, wishing I hadn’t. Her entire side had been ripped open and she had collapsed to her side barely breathing. She didn’t even look as her husband brought up a magical shield, summoning his sword and tackling the creature.

I saw only a small part of the monster but that was all it took to embed it in my mind. A huge black tentacle, its underside covered in razor-sharp, blood covered, and mismatched spikes. It threw itself at the shield, writhing around it to reach my father but he drew his sword around and pushed it back again, leaving cuts on the top of it.

Still, Cocoa continued to stare at me, she used the last of her strength for one final message; “Run for us and take your chance to save others from the demons”

No other statement was needed; the life faded from my mother’s eyes. My twelve year old mind couldn’t handle any more torture, and my legs spoke for me. I ran.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I wasn’t sure how long I ran. It was probably hours ago that I heard my father’s screams behind me, but I kept going. I somehow knew that the demon would come for me, that’s what it was, a demon fit for Tartarus and nowhere else.

Coming across the unfinished tunnel through the mountain, soon to be full of train tracks, I became wary. The darkness engulfed me; I couldn’t see anything except the moonlight at the end. I was sure there was debris in here that needed clearing but so far I had been lucky.

Luna’s moon was inviting me back out into the cool night air. So close now I became foolish, focusing only on reaching the end. My hoof hit it first; I flew for a moment then landed face first, skidding on my left side to a halt, my hoof just touching the light.

I froze in terror and turned my head slowly to the sound of unearthly growling. Silhouetted behind me were more tentacles and I realised what I had tripped over. It rose up beside me, blood glistening on the spikes... the blood of my parents.

My hooves scraped across the ground as I struggled to stand as fast as fast as I could, I leant over to the side quickly in an attempt to dodge as in the corner of my eye I saw it come towards me.

...

I couldn’t see it anymore. One side of my vision was black, the adrenaline in my veins preventing me feeling the damage that had been caused to my face. I felt the blood though, it poured down in torrents onto my hoof. It spurred me on though.

Running was my mother’s final wish, so I did as she asked and ran. Out into the night where I could run freely to my destination. I realised as I heard a pained snarl behind me that I had run through the night already, the sun was rising.

Directions weren’t needed, the town was ahead. The sanctuary that was Fillydelphia. Joy thrilled through me.

Entering the town, a few early bird ponies eyes me warily and worriedly as I raced between, weaving between two carts, my one yellow eye leading the way to the doors.

Finally, there it was. The hospital by the town hall.

Fatigue was taking its toll, pain was taking over my mind, I was lucky again however.

I gave up just as the doors opened, again I fell but this time, my whole world went black with unconsciousness.