Returning Homeby dragovin08ChaptersPart 1: Coming Back HomePart 2: Travlers SpeakPart 3: Revealing TruthPart 1: Coming Back HomeSix days it has been since Aeon left Equestria by force. He sails in his small boat to go back to his home. To him it almost seems like deja vu as he had to leave his homeland almost two years ago as his own kind were wiped out, as he remains the last of his kind. Out on the sea the days feel long and the nights feel even longer for there is nothing to do but think about the choices that he has made over his life. He sat looking at his reflection in the bright blue water seeing himself and a black faced monster with blank red eyes and horns. He turned away grabbing his satchel he opened but grabbed nothing out of it, he only looked at it for a moment, then he closed it and set it back down. Just who am I? What am I really? Reflecting on what he’s done memories began coming through his mind of his past before arriving at Equestria. Not remembering anything when he was born, he recalled when he was very young. Aeon remembered running and playing with his father being a careless innocent child as they played with wooden swords but he always wanted to play catch with him. Aeon chuckled as he looked up just noticing he was now in the fog coming close to Lacerta his homeland. Though he was close to shore the thick gray fog enshrouded his vision. The air was cold and the smell of moisture was all around him as he sailed through the thick fog. Aeon laid down in the boat, even though he was close to the shore it would still take awhile to get out of the mist. As he looked straight ahead into the gray sky his eyes became heavy and fell shut. He saw a town engulfed in flames making it unrecognizable to the eye a small distance in front of him. Burnt lifeless bodies laid everywhere mutilated from men, to women, to children. Aeon saw a figure standing in the middle of the town, it was facing sideways yet also facing towards him. Its head was facing him, staring at him with its blood red beady eyes. Yet Aeon could barely see its face for it wore a cowl with a large black cloak, hiding most its mud brown colored face. It raised its arm in his direction pointing its finger at him. “You cannot escape your thrist,” The figure said. The words baffled Aeon as he stood there staring at the figure. In the blink of an eye a chain propelled out of the figure’s sleeve. Aeon tried to move but couldn’t, his body felt stuck in that place. The chain link wrapped around his neck closing itself to suffocate him, many times he tried to pull the chain off but it stayed around his neck. A large jerk came from the chain sending Aeon off of his feet towards the figure. Aeon sat up fully awake breathing profusely just realizing it was a dream. He noticed that the boat wasn’t moving anymore seeing that he was now on shore. He got out of the boat and dragged it up shore so the tide wouldn’t reach it. Finishing he grabbed his satchel out of the boat throwing it over his shoulder and began walking upshore. Towards the road he approached a dead forest, the trees stood with no leaves, charred to the point of never being able to reproduce for even the soil itself was drained of all nutrients. Aeon looked up to the clouds seeing the sun partially covered by the clouds. He looked back in front of him and began to take the first step back into his homeland. “This use to be such a place,” A voice said stopping Aeon in his tracks, he turned and saw the voice came from the one sitting on the rock,” The trees at this time would be blooming such beautiful flowers but now all that is left is dust.” “True it is... this was once a thriving land too.” “It was boy but that time has passed, this land is just a shadow of its former self.” The one sitting on the rock got to his feet, Aeon noticed that his right arm and his left leg were wooden but they moved as if they were real limbs. Too he saw a sheathed saber on his right hip over his long black coat that reached to his ankles. He took a look at this one’s face, both his eyes were different colors, the left was a light blue while the right was glowing yellow. Most of his dark green face was covered by a shadow from the round hat he wore. “What are you looking at boy?” He asked. “Nothing.” “I know I look very different from you.” “Yes... what do you want from me? Are you here to kill me?” “Ha!... If I wanted to kill you, you would’ve already been dead inside your boat.” “I guess that would be true,” Aeon said scratching his head. “Well then boy you better get moving unless you want to waste daylight on a patron like me.” “Why do you say that?” “I know you’re not here to go sight seeing, you’re here looking for something.” “You’re right I am.” “Well then you best get moving.” “Y-yeah.” The black coated one turned around to sit back on the rock, he had a dark green tail that was like Aeon’s yet it was coiled up at the end like a chameleon's. He’s a zenthain like me! “Ummmm... sir,” Aeon huffed. “Yes,” The black coated one replied turning his head to look at Aeon. “I never got your name?” “Nor have I yours.” “Oh!... My name is Aeon.” “And thy name is Nier.” “Oh, okay I’ll remember that.” Nier sat back down on the rock he sat on before staring into the distance to the ocean and the fog. Aeon began walking down the rocky road towards the nearest town, he turned his head back wondering what Nier was looking at but it didn’t matter to him. Off Aeon went down the stone road to town near the shore. Down the road the trees were dead, no leaves grew on the branches all that was left was the trunk. All it was left to do is rot away until the end of days, many trees still stood while others had fallen over unable to hold on anymore. Aeon just kept on turning his head in every direction seeing the aftermath of the fatal attack on his home. Even the animals that thrived here were wiped out for no sound could be heard but of the wind and his footsteps. Not even the animals sing anymore from the treachery that has occurred. Arriving to the town the sign above, smashed through, shattered into pieces of what use to say Welcome to Sang-ran(The town of songs). Many of this small town’s buildings were barely staying together from how hard it was hit from the attack. There were large holes going through the houses and out of them. The bright paint on these houses were faded and peeling from abandonment. Aeon touched a wall making it fall over for most of these buildings supports a very worn from what the attackers did, leaving these wooden supports rotted and weak. He went towards the large inn of the town seeing that the roof gave out, caving in the entire building. “So much has changed in so little time in this place,” Aeon heard Nier’s raspy aged voice behind him. He turned and saw Nier standing behind him,” Yeah... a lot has changed... changes that should’ve never happen,” Aeon sighed turning his head back. Aeon began walking towards the end of the town, then he noticed a house in the town still intact or at least looked like it. He walked up to it opening its loosely hanging door, the interior was full of dust and there was a foul smell in the house that Aeon covered his snout with his forearm. There were small knick knacks that sat on shelves all over the delicate wood floor in the house. In the back of the house the kitchen was plundered of any kind of food with cabinets broken and arm sized holes in the walls. At the right edge of the house there was a room that Aeon drew himself towards, walking the floor creaked as if it would give out at any moment. He turned and looked into the room mortified from what he saw. “Oh my... holy sh...” He moved back trying to keep his composure then he looked again. In the room were bodies of zenthains who had gotten away from the attackers but hid away and starved to death. Their bodies were skinny and deteriorating as their skin looked more like old leather, their eyes caved into their skulls just leaving the dark pits. Though Aeon is use to the sight of death yet his body was trembling from this. He unrolled his hands from the fist balls they were in and felt them bleeding as his claws stabbed right through his hands from squeezing them so tight. The floor began creaking again and Aeon turned his head to see as Nier walked toward him. Nier looked into the room, all he did was just sigh. Then he mumbled under his breath,” For the days of hiding away the real damage are over.” Part 2: Travlers SpeakThey left the house leaving the bodies where they lie for Aeon didn't even have the audacity to even be near them anymore. As they left the town, Aeon was wrapping his hands with bandages he had in his satchel. "Now tell me boy, why were you afraid to touch the bodies or even stay near them?" Nier asked in a low tone. Aeon didn't answer for a moment," That's none of your concern." "Oh... that's the thing boy it is of my concern." "No it isn't and stop calling me boy, I already told you my name," Aeon addressed to Nier," And I can deal with the sight of the dead." "Well then excuse me for barging in while you trembled about," Nier chuckled. Aeon huffed then said," very funny and why didn't you grab the bodies?" "Because I felt it was better to leave the dead where they lie." "That's a stupid excuse you know that old man and besides why are you even following me? Don't you have some medicine to go take?" "No and besides wouldn't you like a little company while you walk through the desolate wasteland as you search," Nier proposed. "No, I like being alone right now. Helps me think," Aeon harshly responded. "Bullshit." "Bullshit?!" "No one likes being alone, people like having company, makes them feel as they are part of something." "Whatever, cliched words don't mean a thing to me." "You're a warrior are you not?" "Yeah, why?" "Well even the loneliest even wants the aid of some company." Aeon didn't say anything and began walking faster leaving Nier behind him," I don't need anyone, foolish old man,” He grumbled. Anxious to get to the next town Aeon was storming as quickly as he could. Then Aeon felt a huge pain come into his chest, he fell to his hands and knees. It felt as if he was getting stabbed by one hundred swords and they just kept digging through him. He began cough profusely until he coughed up blood but it hurt to since it felt like his throat was sand paper. When the coughing was finally over Aeon sat down holding his chest wondering what just came over him. “Are you alright boy?” Nier asked concernedly. “Yeah I’m, I’m fine,” Aeon answered huffing for air. Nier looked and saw the blood on the road,” Are you sure?” “Yeah.” Nier reached to grab Aeon’s arm to help him up,” Come on let’s get you on your feet.” Aeon pushed away Nier’s hand with his elbow,” I don’t don’t need your help, “ Aeon growled getting to his feet,” I can get up on my own.” "I was just asking because I can see that you've coughed up blood," He pointed out. "I'm fine just keep your concerns to yourself." Shortly after continuing to keep on walking they arrived at a new town, the capital city of Lacerta. Aeon could see the king's castle was completely destroyed, only what was left of the foundation still stood. Most on the buildings of the city stood charred from the attack. Few buildings were still in one piece but they were barely clinging to staying that way. "If some kind of attack happened I would've expected to see bodies lying every where but why isn't there?" Nier muttered. "You weren't here when they came?" Aeon asked. "No... I haven't been home in decades... nor have I seen how much has changed." "Oh, when they came, they killed everything turning our people to dust." Nier saw Aeon's frill droop down," Who are they? If you don't mind me asking." Aeon looked up at Nier who was slightly taller than him," The gargoyles." "Demon spawns," He sighed. "Yeah, but they're no more because I killed their king," Aeon began walking forward into the city. "I wouldn't be so sure of that," Nier said walking next to him. "Why?" "Because when you kill a demon spawn its power will go inside you releasing out your sin and if there is enough evil within you it will take a phyiscal form becoming a new demon." Aeon stopped with his eyes widened in realization," So it really is what I feared it to be," Aeon said squeezing his fist. Nier turned around," So your sins were released and took upon a phyiscal form." Aeon hung his head down," Yes," He mumbled. "Unfortunate, but that's not irregular for a warrior to carry a heavy burden of sin on his back." They pushed forward through the city passing streets of burnt buildings and stepping over sets of empty dust filled armor. The sun was setting over the land and soon it would be to dark for them to see anything. "We should stop here and camp out for the night and continue on in the morning," Nier pointed out. "Why?" "It would be too dark to see anything, that's why." "You're right we'll stop here, but where should we rest?" "How about there," Nier pointed his long finger at a small shack that had huge tears in the walls with the roof still intact and with small ropes hanging from the ceiling. "I guess it should work." They went inside the shack, Aeon set his satchel down and sat down leaning against the wall. Nier found a small lantern and lit it with a match he had setting it down. He unbuckled his belt and removed his coat, he had on a thin leather cuirass with chain mail underneath and he worn long faded black pants. As he was sitting down he took off his hat. On top of his head was a small fin that ran down the length of his neck. Aeon was eating some fish he had left over from sailing across the ocean, he stopped for a moment looking at Nier who sat looking at the flame of the lantern. He reached into his satchel pulling out a piece of bread, ripping it in half giving one to Nier. Nier looked up," Thank you," He said taking the bread. He began ripping pieces off and eating them. "How... how did that happen?" Aeon asked,"Your arm and your leg. He didn't answer for a moment then he said," Sometimes your past actions can have the greatest consequences when they come back and find you," He moved his wooden hand around for a brief moment looking at it. There was a marking on the shoulder part of his wooden arm, which Aeon knew was the enchantment so they could connect to his nerves and move freely like real limbs. "Did you make them yourself?" "Actually yes I did but I did have some help since I only had one arm," He chuckled a little," What's funny is that we couldn't the foot right," He lift up his wooden leg," As you can see, we couldn't get it to look like my foot and every time we tried it would be so unbalanced I would fall over, so we decided to just make the bottom rounded," Nier chuckled a little more then stopped by sighing," I still remember that day." "It kinda looks like a pony's hoof," Aeon commented. "What's that?" "Your foot it looks like a pony's hoof." "Does it now." "Sorry I was in Equestria for a while... I ended up settling in," Aeon said scratching the back of his head. "That's nothing to worry about you found a new home... but, why leave to come back here when there's nothing?" "Long story." "Disagreements?" "Was part of the reason." "It's understandable two completely different races with two different ways of life and fractions of course conflict will arise." "Yeah but I was stupid thinking it wasn't going to." There was a moment of silence," there's someone there you love isn't there?" "Yeah there is." "Is it a pony?" Aeon hesitated," Yeah," He said looking away. "There's no need to hesitant, I'm not going to disagree with your choice in finding love." "Thanks, for not being upheld by it." "I can see how it could work out since the Equestrian ponies are peacekeepers, I can see how you two would get along, a wandering fighter who has turned himself away from the world and peaceful maiden who's as careless and as pure as a child," Nier chuckled little," Sounds like something out of a story book." "Your right it does," Aeon chuckled. Nier pulled out a small paper out of his pocket and looked at it with a smile on his face. "What's that?" "Oh this it's just a little picture," Nier handed the little picture to Aeon. He took the picture eager to see what it was. It was a slightly faded brown picture of a young male zenthain in a general's uniform with a young female zenthain stand smiling next to him in a exquisite dress, the male was holding a little zenthain girl and there was a very young zenthain boy where his hat. Aeon looked up at Nier," Is this you?" "Why yes it is, it's me with my wife and two beautiful children." "What are their names?" "My wife's is Freya, my daughter's is Precious, and my son's is Abel." "You have beautiful children and a beautiful wife," Aeon said handing the picture back. "Thank you," Nier said taking it back. "Do you still see your family?" "No we don't talk anymore nor have I seen my wife in years." "Did she leave you?" "It's complicated," Nier put the picture back into his pocket. "Oh." "Now what about you?" "Me... well I don't have a family like you but I was going to be married." "To that pony?" "No, it was zenthain girl..." Aeon smiled trying not chuckle "... And the funny thing was is that she was part of a noble family." "Was she now?" "Yes and she was willing to give everything up just to be with me." "You two must have been very close." "Oh yes, we were very much in love... I still remember the first day I met her like it was yesterday." "Tell me how you met her." "Well it was the first day after earning my freedom out of the arena and I was getting food from the market. Then these thugs came up to trying to steal my stuff," Aeon started chuckling a little then stopped," I ended up getting into a fight with them which was a big mistake because there was at least fifteen of them, so I had to run from them and for a few miles I did. Then I saw a balcony with a door open and I climbed up there and went inside. What I didn't know was that I was where all the nobles lived, so as I got inside I walked on her changing." "You're fucking kidding!" "I'm not kidding, but she was going to scream bloody murder," Aeon sighed in esctacy," But the sight of her was like looking upon an angel, I still remember every curve of her body. "Here's a thing I never understood about our women is how come us males would walk around with no clothes and we didn't care but the women would dress a bit conservatively sometimes." "Well Hazel didn't really care she would only wear clothes when she had to go to parties or get togethers but the only thing she would always wear small white flowers on her head." "Hazel?" "That was her name, I remember having to keep her quiet when I was in there because I didn't want to get caught." "Of course especially with nobles." "After that she started visiting me since she found out I lived at the inn near by because the people at the arena gave me the money to live there even though I started working with a local blacksmith." "How long did you two see each other?" "A year and half but a day before we would get married her parents found out about us and forced her to go to a different land so we could see each other anymore," Aeon paused trying to keep his composure," I never even got to say goodbye." Nier looked into the dimming flame of the lamp," It's hard to lose something like that... just when you're at the peak of happiness the world comes up and snatches it away leaving you in misery." "Yeah," Aeon choked, he laid down resting his head on his satchel and closed his eyes. Nier saw a single tear run down his face; he took up the lantern and blew out the flame, then he sat in the darkness thinking. Well Freya you were right, I've became an old washed up zenthain who's still barely able to understand the young. Nier then fell asleep as well for he knew they were going to be traveling even farther than today. Sometime in the night Nier's right eye opened looking at Aeon who was still asleep. He reached over grabbing his sword; he got up and unsheathed his sword lifting it up into the air. A voice overcame him saying," Kill him, kill him, kill him, KILL THIS HEATHEN!" His other eye opened dropping his sword letting fall to the floor. He put his wooden hand on his head walking back a few steps away from Aeon. "I won't let you take control," he whispered hanging his putting his fingers on his yellow eye," not again, never again." He grabbed his sword, sheathed it, laid down and fell back asleep. Part 3: Revealing TruthIn the morning they gathered their things and continued out of the city. They passed by the smithy that Aeon worked at, the roof to the small building was caved in; there was a large soot pile around the small building. Aeon trudged up to the building remembering the first day he began work there five years ago. He walked seeing the Smith hammering a glowing orange piece of metal. The smith stopped and at Aeon setting his hammer and the piece of metal of the anvil. "Ahh, so you're the one those arena fellows told me to have you here," He said wiping his hands with a rag; his voice was strong and solid like a soldiers. He was large and well built towering over the young Aeon. His scales were a sapphire blue and his underbelly was a sandy white with two large white horns on his head and a smaller horn on the end of his snout and he wore a red blacksmith's apron. "Ummm... yes," Young Aeon said hesitant. "There's no need to be afraid I ain't gonna squish ya," He looked down at Aeon," How old are ya boy?" "Fifteen and a half." "Hmmm... good age, now show me your arms." Aeon raised his arms towards the large blacksmith and he looked at his arms. “You’re quite scrawny, damn bastards don’t know how to feed a Zen but don’t fret boy you’ll build up some muscle here.” “Really!” Aeon said excitingly lowering his arms. “Of course but first I’ll have the misses cook you up a good meal so at least you have some nutrients.” “That will have to wait I still need to go to the market to get some ingredients,” His wife yelled out. “I could do it for her,” Aeon offered. “Could you?” His wife stuck her head of the door, she had yellow scales and she had no features on her head,” That you be great here’s what I need,” She handed Aeon a list. He took the list,” Okay I’ll be back,” He said leaving to the market. Setting his hand on the destroyed smithy smiling," What I would do to go back to those days," Aeon took his hand off and they continued on. As they were walking he could feel that sensation returning but he wanted to brush it off. Yet everytime he held it back, it would come back stronger. He felt his breathing becoming heavy and his body becoming weak. Aeon then gave in falling to his hands and knees coughing out blood again. "Are you alright?" Nier asked kneeling next to him. "I... I don't know," Aeon coughed," I think I might be getting sick." Nier ran the back of his palm across Aeon's forehead and sides of his face," Well you're not sick but there is something wrong," He exclaimed taking his palm off of Aeon. "What do think?" "I don't know," Nier puzzled," Did you do a lot of fighting while you were kept in the arena?" "Of course I did but also I was tortured, beaten, stabbed, burned and even... raped by the other competitors." "Sorry to hear that you had it so rough there, but I think I may know why you're like this just hold still." "Okay." Nier closed his left eye looking at Aeon with his right. He began seeing Aeon's muscles, veins, organs, and skeletal system. He looked for a couple minutes and found what was wrong. "I see," Nier said opening his other eye. "Well, what is it?" Aeon asked. "From all the damage you've taken your matches, torturings and beatings is..." Nier stopped hesitantly. "Is what?" "Unfortunately you're bleeding internally." "You're saying I'm, I'm-" "Your body's becoming weaker," Nier concluded," but don't worry the bleeding isn't very bad." Aeon sat down," How long do you think I have?" "In your current state a good maybe fifteen to twenty years but I might be wrong." He sighed in despair," So I'm starting to succumb to my wounds." "We all succumb to our wounds whether they be physical or mental." "Yeah maybe." Aeon got up and continued walking, he saw the house Hazel use to live in. He scaled the wall to the balcony into the room. It still looked the same from when he had first seen it. The elegant sheeting and curtaining, the exquisite furniture still here. That day was not a good first impression as he sat there hiding, holding her down with his hand over her mouth. He heard them stop. "He went this way!" One of them yelled, they ran in that direction. Aeon sighed in relief, he took his hand off her mouth and got up. "You scum! You no good low life l! Sneaking on a lady!" She ranted at him in her soft elegant voice," If you're here to take advantage of me you're sorely mistaken!" She grabbed a knife off of her dresser pointing it. Aeon was on the balcony, he looked back at her," Sorry to bother ya," He jumped down back into the street. It took her by surprise that he didn't do anything to her and he was just about her age. All he did was look back and leave. she felt her heart pounding in her chest. Setting the knife down she looked into the mirror seeing herself blushing. Who was he? Aeon chuckled a bit as he looked in. He opened the closet and saw a charcoal colored scarf, the same she wore that night they danced together. He took it and wrapped it around his neck to keep her with him. Coming back down Nier leaned on a wall," Took you long enough," He said," Nice scarf." "Thanks... do you keep anything to remember your loved ones?" Aeon asked. "Of course but sometimes it's haunting making you remember things you don't want to remember." "Maybe... maybe." They left the city going out towards the arena but Aeon didn't want to go there because to many horrible memories lingered there. "The arena," Nier said. "I know," Aeon responded. "A place I don't accept its existence in our homeland." "Why?" "Because slaves shouldn't be fighting to the death or crafted into killing machines." "Oh." "I have seen what the arena can do to those who have participated in the fights and it can be... frightful." "That be true Nier... I just don't want to go in there." "Why?" "Too many memories." Nier didn't say anything he just looked ahead thinking of his past, the burnt bodies of children and the slit throat of a female. His mind seemed somewhere else, clouded and empty. In a sudden jerk Nier kicked Aeon with his wooden leg sending him backwards to a small shack. Aeon broke through the door dazed and confused on what just happened. He laid on the ground looking forward at Nier who was charging at him with his sword unsheathed. Aeon got up grabbing Nier's arm holding his sword back. "What are you doing?" He asked, looking into his eyes, Nier's normal eyes was completely black while the other eye was still the same," Snap out of it!" Aeon tossed Nier over his shoulder throwing him at a table. Nier jumped back on his feet leaving his sword on the ground. Nier came swinging at Aeon; he tried blocking every hit but Nier was extremely skilled in hand to hand constantly hitting Aeon in the lower torso and legs. He kicked Aeon breaking him through the wall of the house, dust and wood travelled with him as he rolled into the rain. Dazed he looked to the sky as Nier came over him hitting in the face over and over again. Blood leaked from Aeon's mouth and nose as he took he strike from Nier's wooden hand. "Finish me... do it," Aeon huffed in pain," do it." Nier's eye returned to normal and he dropped Aeon looking at his hands, panting heavily with a face of fear," I'm sorry, I'm sorry," He repeated over and over. He sat on the wet stone road with eyes wide open. "What happened?" Aeon asked struggling to lift his head. "This... has happened before... I begin seeing things as foe," He replied. "How?" "The war, the war gives me visions and this eye doesn't help the burden I carry." "What burden?" Aeon had his head up. There was no answer for only the sound of the pouring rain could be heard. Tears began running down Nier's face," My wife and my children's blood stain my hands." "What do you mean?" "... They made me kill them, they took control of me and made me do it," He sobbed. "Who?" "The demons," He growled," And after I cut my wife's throat and burned my children alive. Their leader stood in front of me out of the flames my sin and tore out my right eye giving me this," He pointed to his demonic eye. "Now you have committed the ultimate sin and for that you shall live unable to die and those around will perish as you can only suffer and grieve, this I give you as a curse," The words of the demon king stuck to Nier like glue as he placed his eye in place of Nier's. "I still feel its power inside wanting to seize control wanting to possess me again." Aeon looked at him in disbelief unable to speak, trying to grasp the fact that Nier is immortal. He struggled to his feet, legs shaking and a sharp pain in his torso making his lower half feel numb. "Come on," Nier said helping Aeon stay on his feet. They moved towards a large prison to get out of the rain. Inside the prison it was dark with slightest creaks echoing from the rusted cell doors. A torch was lit to give light in the pitch black. The hallway seemed to go on without end; in the corner of his eye Aeon saw a chest that he had seen before, large, wooden, and locked to keep evidence as he remembered watching from the cell across the hall. He let go of Nier limping to the chest. Easily the lock broke and he lifted the top. "Still here," Aeon sighed. Inside was a black hooded cloak shredded at the bottom and two silver gauntlets with markings on engraved on them and eight foot long chains with hooks on the end attached to them. Aeon stood staring at them with a bleak face and frightful eyes. "Are these your items?" Nier asked getting Aeon's attention. "Yes... they are," Aeon responded in a muddle voice. "What are they doing here in a prison?" Aeon closed the lid," I... use to be a murderer ." "Murderer?" "Yes, I killed the innocent... men, women, children, whatever I could grasp in my claws." "How many... did you kill?" "In the arena ten but when I started murdering... I lost count of how many innocent lives I took." "What did they call you?" "Night Stalker." No words were said for a moment,” Leave these items and just like this place it will be forgotten.” “Yeah, but what I did I never wanted to do because it wasn’t part of my destiny.” “Destiny the book written by the blood of kings telling that life is already written for a soul. Actually destiny is not already written, it’s not written but each day a page is written and a new chapter is made each year for the pen is the soul and the ink is blood.” “I guess I can’t change anything, huh.” “Tis not, what is written is written and like time it cannot be changed.” “Then lets go.” They left the prison and they began heading back to the shore. Aeon couldn’t keep his head wrapped why he did what he did back then. "You seem lost," Nier said. "What?" "You look lost." "I'm just trying to wrap my head around why I did what I did." "Is it over something?" "I don't remember, it just feels like there's another side to me, something that makes me hurt and kill others." "There could be but a second personality that would be one answer." "Maybe but I feel that there is something about me... something different." "What I see is that you're just confused." "Most would see me as evil... but I'm not evil, I've just made the wrong choices." "Anyone would see you as evil if they didn't understand you." "Do you?" "Hard to say if I do." They made it to the shore where they met, the air smelt of moisture and the tide was at its lowest. Aeon's boat sat with the water barely touching it. The flapping sail in the breeze indicated that it was a good day to go. Aeon walked to the boat setting his satchel in it. "Well I guess I'll be taking my leave Nier," Aeon told him. "And so you will." "Will I ever see you again?" "Just like how light and dark always cross each other I believe we'll cross paths again in time." "That's good to hear, but since you have that eye do you know where demons are?" "Aye, and whatever demon comes to any land I will go and smite it," He exaggerated. "It was good to meet you Nier," Aeon smiled holding his hand out. "Tis it was, " Nier shook his hand," But before you go I'll give you this," He took his belt off and opened his coat revealing swords and daggers," Take these," He said handing him a curved sword and a dagger. "What kind are these?" Aeon asked partially unsheathing the sword. "It's a scimitar with a dagger to go with it forged by goblins. They gave them to me as a gift for purging their land of their demon but I think they'll serve better than they have for me," Nier closed his coat and tightened his belt. "Thank you." "You're welcome." Aeon pushed his boat into water, hopped in it, and unfolded the sail. He looked back at Nier who was standing there watching Aeon sail away. Aeon looked until he couldn't see Nier in the fog, he turned forward to the ocean. It doesn't matter I'm going back to Equestria. *** Another six days passed as Aeon came to the shores of Equestria. The night was young as it began to rain as he docked his boat pushing it upshore. The streets of Ponyville were completely empty from the rain. Aeon stood looking with a smile having a good feeling being back. He found Shoeshine's house, cupping his hands he looked into the window seeing the place was completely empty. "Must have moved," He said to himself. For a few minutes he searched the town looking for where she was. A door opened from a house just a short distance away from him. He couldn't see who it was with the cart that was next to the door. As he walked closer he noticed it was her and he leaned on the market cart without her even noticing. "I see you've moved," He chimed in scaring her. She jumped turning her head looking him," Aeon!" "Well you don't seem very thrilled to see me." She picked up a bag with her mouth and threw it into a trash can," Well the way you exited why would I be," She huffed. "True, my exit was a bit harsh and I have thought about it." "Have you now," She said sarcastically. "Yes, I have and I was wrong to act in that fashion towards you." "You've been gone for a few days and this is all you can tell me, that's flattering but its now enough." "You're right it's not enough, I don't think there will ever be enough for the way I've acted. I know you might hate me but if you don't want to see me then I'd rather end on good terms then how it was a few days ago, that's all I wanted to say." She said nothing as Aeon began walking away," Aeon," She hollered and he turned his head," I think maybe we could start over." "Maybe." "We should go out sometime then." "We should." "But how will I know where you are?" "I'll be around," He started again heading towards the woods, within the woods he sat under a tree to stay out of the rain. Now it's time to start building my new home and forget my old home.
Part 1: Coming Back HomeSix days it has been since Aeon left Equestria by force. He sails in his small boat to go back to his home. To him it almost seems like deja vu as he had to leave his homeland almost two years ago as his own kind were wiped out, as he remains the last of his kind. Out on the sea the days feel long and the nights feel even longer for there is nothing to do but think about the choices that he has made over his life. He sat looking at his reflection in the bright blue water seeing himself and a black faced monster with blank red eyes and horns. He turned away grabbing his satchel he opened but grabbed nothing out of it, he only looked at it for a moment, then he closed it and set it back down. Just who am I? What am I really? Reflecting on what he’s done memories began coming through his mind of his past before arriving at Equestria. Not remembering anything when he was born, he recalled when he was very young. Aeon remembered running and playing with his father being a careless innocent child as they played with wooden swords but he always wanted to play catch with him. Aeon chuckled as he looked up just noticing he was now in the fog coming close to Lacerta his homeland. Though he was close to shore the thick gray fog enshrouded his vision. The air was cold and the smell of moisture was all around him as he sailed through the thick fog. Aeon laid down in the boat, even though he was close to the shore it would still take awhile to get out of the mist. As he looked straight ahead into the gray sky his eyes became heavy and fell shut. He saw a town engulfed in flames making it unrecognizable to the eye a small distance in front of him. Burnt lifeless bodies laid everywhere mutilated from men, to women, to children. Aeon saw a figure standing in the middle of the town, it was facing sideways yet also facing towards him. Its head was facing him, staring at him with its blood red beady eyes. Yet Aeon could barely see its face for it wore a cowl with a large black cloak, hiding most its mud brown colored face. It raised its arm in his direction pointing its finger at him. “You cannot escape your thrist,” The figure said. The words baffled Aeon as he stood there staring at the figure. In the blink of an eye a chain propelled out of the figure’s sleeve. Aeon tried to move but couldn’t, his body felt stuck in that place. The chain link wrapped around his neck closing itself to suffocate him, many times he tried to pull the chain off but it stayed around his neck. A large jerk came from the chain sending Aeon off of his feet towards the figure. Aeon sat up fully awake breathing profusely just realizing it was a dream. He noticed that the boat wasn’t moving anymore seeing that he was now on shore. He got out of the boat and dragged it up shore so the tide wouldn’t reach it. Finishing he grabbed his satchel out of the boat throwing it over his shoulder and began walking upshore. Towards the road he approached a dead forest, the trees stood with no leaves, charred to the point of never being able to reproduce for even the soil itself was drained of all nutrients. Aeon looked up to the clouds seeing the sun partially covered by the clouds. He looked back in front of him and began to take the first step back into his homeland. “This use to be such a place,” A voice said stopping Aeon in his tracks, he turned and saw the voice came from the one sitting on the rock,” The trees at this time would be blooming such beautiful flowers but now all that is left is dust.” “True it is... this was once a thriving land too.” “It was boy but that time has passed, this land is just a shadow of its former self.” The one sitting on the rock got to his feet, Aeon noticed that his right arm and his left leg were wooden but they moved as if they were real limbs. Too he saw a sheathed saber on his right hip over his long black coat that reached to his ankles. He took a look at this one’s face, both his eyes were different colors, the left was a light blue while the right was glowing yellow. Most of his dark green face was covered by a shadow from the round hat he wore. “What are you looking at boy?” He asked. “Nothing.” “I know I look very different from you.” “Yes... what do you want from me? Are you here to kill me?” “Ha!... If I wanted to kill you, you would’ve already been dead inside your boat.” “I guess that would be true,” Aeon said scratching his head. “Well then boy you better get moving unless you want to waste daylight on a patron like me.” “Why do you say that?” “I know you’re not here to go sight seeing, you’re here looking for something.” “You’re right I am.” “Well then you best get moving.” “Y-yeah.” The black coated one turned around to sit back on the rock, he had a dark green tail that was like Aeon’s yet it was coiled up at the end like a chameleon's. He’s a zenthain like me! “Ummmm... sir,” Aeon huffed. “Yes,” The black coated one replied turning his head to look at Aeon. “I never got your name?” “Nor have I yours.” “Oh!... My name is Aeon.” “And thy name is Nier.” “Oh, okay I’ll remember that.” Nier sat back down on the rock he sat on before staring into the distance to the ocean and the fog. Aeon began walking down the rocky road towards the nearest town, he turned his head back wondering what Nier was looking at but it didn’t matter to him. Off Aeon went down the stone road to town near the shore. Down the road the trees were dead, no leaves grew on the branches all that was left was the trunk. All it was left to do is rot away until the end of days, many trees still stood while others had fallen over unable to hold on anymore. Aeon just kept on turning his head in every direction seeing the aftermath of the fatal attack on his home. Even the animals that thrived here were wiped out for no sound could be heard but of the wind and his footsteps. Not even the animals sing anymore from the treachery that has occurred. Arriving to the town the sign above, smashed through, shattered into pieces of what use to say Welcome to Sang-ran(The town of songs). Many of this small town’s buildings were barely staying together from how hard it was hit from the attack. There were large holes going through the houses and out of them. The bright paint on these houses were faded and peeling from abandonment. Aeon touched a wall making it fall over for most of these buildings supports a very worn from what the attackers did, leaving these wooden supports rotted and weak. He went towards the large inn of the town seeing that the roof gave out, caving in the entire building. “So much has changed in so little time in this place,” Aeon heard Nier’s raspy aged voice behind him. He turned and saw Nier standing behind him,” Yeah... a lot has changed... changes that should’ve never happen,” Aeon sighed turning his head back. Aeon began walking towards the end of the town, then he noticed a house in the town still intact or at least looked like it. He walked up to it opening its loosely hanging door, the interior was full of dust and there was a foul smell in the house that Aeon covered his snout with his forearm. There were small knick knacks that sat on shelves all over the delicate wood floor in the house. In the back of the house the kitchen was plundered of any kind of food with cabinets broken and arm sized holes in the walls. At the right edge of the house there was a room that Aeon drew himself towards, walking the floor creaked as if it would give out at any moment. He turned and looked into the room mortified from what he saw. “Oh my... holy sh...” He moved back trying to keep his composure then he looked again. In the room were bodies of zenthains who had gotten away from the attackers but hid away and starved to death. Their bodies were skinny and deteriorating as their skin looked more like old leather, their eyes caved into their skulls just leaving the dark pits. Though Aeon is use to the sight of death yet his body was trembling from this. He unrolled his hands from the fist balls they were in and felt them bleeding as his claws stabbed right through his hands from squeezing them so tight. The floor began creaking again and Aeon turned his head to see as Nier walked toward him. Nier looked into the room, all he did was just sigh. Then he mumbled under his breath,” For the days of hiding away the real damage are over.”
Part 2: Travlers SpeakThey left the house leaving the bodies where they lie for Aeon didn't even have the audacity to even be near them anymore. As they left the town, Aeon was wrapping his hands with bandages he had in his satchel. "Now tell me boy, why were you afraid to touch the bodies or even stay near them?" Nier asked in a low tone. Aeon didn't answer for a moment," That's none of your concern." "Oh... that's the thing boy it is of my concern." "No it isn't and stop calling me boy, I already told you my name," Aeon addressed to Nier," And I can deal with the sight of the dead." "Well then excuse me for barging in while you trembled about," Nier chuckled. Aeon huffed then said," very funny and why didn't you grab the bodies?" "Because I felt it was better to leave the dead where they lie." "That's a stupid excuse you know that old man and besides why are you even following me? Don't you have some medicine to go take?" "No and besides wouldn't you like a little company while you walk through the desolate wasteland as you search," Nier proposed. "No, I like being alone right now. Helps me think," Aeon harshly responded. "Bullshit." "Bullshit?!" "No one likes being alone, people like having company, makes them feel as they are part of something." "Whatever, cliched words don't mean a thing to me." "You're a warrior are you not?" "Yeah, why?" "Well even the loneliest even wants the aid of some company." Aeon didn't say anything and began walking faster leaving Nier behind him," I don't need anyone, foolish old man,” He grumbled. Anxious to get to the next town Aeon was storming as quickly as he could. Then Aeon felt a huge pain come into his chest, he fell to his hands and knees. It felt as if he was getting stabbed by one hundred swords and they just kept digging through him. He began cough profusely until he coughed up blood but it hurt to since it felt like his throat was sand paper. When the coughing was finally over Aeon sat down holding his chest wondering what just came over him. “Are you alright boy?” Nier asked concernedly. “Yeah I’m, I’m fine,” Aeon answered huffing for air. Nier looked and saw the blood on the road,” Are you sure?” “Yeah.” Nier reached to grab Aeon’s arm to help him up,” Come on let’s get you on your feet.” Aeon pushed away Nier’s hand with his elbow,” I don’t don’t need your help, “ Aeon growled getting to his feet,” I can get up on my own.” "I was just asking because I can see that you've coughed up blood," He pointed out. "I'm fine just keep your concerns to yourself." Shortly after continuing to keep on walking they arrived at a new town, the capital city of Lacerta. Aeon could see the king's castle was completely destroyed, only what was left of the foundation still stood. Most on the buildings of the city stood charred from the attack. Few buildings were still in one piece but they were barely clinging to staying that way. "If some kind of attack happened I would've expected to see bodies lying every where but why isn't there?" Nier muttered. "You weren't here when they came?" Aeon asked. "No... I haven't been home in decades... nor have I seen how much has changed." "Oh, when they came, they killed everything turning our people to dust." Nier saw Aeon's frill droop down," Who are they? If you don't mind me asking." Aeon looked up at Nier who was slightly taller than him," The gargoyles." "Demon spawns," He sighed. "Yeah, but they're no more because I killed their king," Aeon began walking forward into the city. "I wouldn't be so sure of that," Nier said walking next to him. "Why?" "Because when you kill a demon spawn its power will go inside you releasing out your sin and if there is enough evil within you it will take a phyiscal form becoming a new demon." Aeon stopped with his eyes widened in realization," So it really is what I feared it to be," Aeon said squeezing his fist. Nier turned around," So your sins were released and took upon a phyiscal form." Aeon hung his head down," Yes," He mumbled. "Unfortunate, but that's not irregular for a warrior to carry a heavy burden of sin on his back." They pushed forward through the city passing streets of burnt buildings and stepping over sets of empty dust filled armor. The sun was setting over the land and soon it would be to dark for them to see anything. "We should stop here and camp out for the night and continue on in the morning," Nier pointed out. "Why?" "It would be too dark to see anything, that's why." "You're right we'll stop here, but where should we rest?" "How about there," Nier pointed his long finger at a small shack that had huge tears in the walls with the roof still intact and with small ropes hanging from the ceiling. "I guess it should work." They went inside the shack, Aeon set his satchel down and sat down leaning against the wall. Nier found a small lantern and lit it with a match he had setting it down. He unbuckled his belt and removed his coat, he had on a thin leather cuirass with chain mail underneath and he worn long faded black pants. As he was sitting down he took off his hat. On top of his head was a small fin that ran down the length of his neck. Aeon was eating some fish he had left over from sailing across the ocean, he stopped for a moment looking at Nier who sat looking at the flame of the lantern. He reached into his satchel pulling out a piece of bread, ripping it in half giving one to Nier. Nier looked up," Thank you," He said taking the bread. He began ripping pieces off and eating them. "How... how did that happen?" Aeon asked,"Your arm and your leg. He didn't answer for a moment then he said," Sometimes your past actions can have the greatest consequences when they come back and find you," He moved his wooden hand around for a brief moment looking at it. There was a marking on the shoulder part of his wooden arm, which Aeon knew was the enchantment so they could connect to his nerves and move freely like real limbs. "Did you make them yourself?" "Actually yes I did but I did have some help since I only had one arm," He chuckled a little," What's funny is that we couldn't the foot right," He lift up his wooden leg," As you can see, we couldn't get it to look like my foot and every time we tried it would be so unbalanced I would fall over, so we decided to just make the bottom rounded," Nier chuckled a little more then stopped by sighing," I still remember that day." "It kinda looks like a pony's hoof," Aeon commented. "What's that?" "Your foot it looks like a pony's hoof." "Does it now." "Sorry I was in Equestria for a while... I ended up settling in," Aeon said scratching the back of his head. "That's nothing to worry about you found a new home... but, why leave to come back here when there's nothing?" "Long story." "Disagreements?" "Was part of the reason." "It's understandable two completely different races with two different ways of life and fractions of course conflict will arise." "Yeah but I was stupid thinking it wasn't going to." There was a moment of silence," there's someone there you love isn't there?" "Yeah there is." "Is it a pony?" Aeon hesitated," Yeah," He said looking away. "There's no need to hesitant, I'm not going to disagree with your choice in finding love." "Thanks, for not being upheld by it." "I can see how it could work out since the Equestrian ponies are peacekeepers, I can see how you two would get along, a wandering fighter who has turned himself away from the world and peaceful maiden who's as careless and as pure as a child," Nier chuckled little," Sounds like something out of a story book." "Your right it does," Aeon chuckled. Nier pulled out a small paper out of his pocket and looked at it with a smile on his face. "What's that?" "Oh this it's just a little picture," Nier handed the little picture to Aeon. He took the picture eager to see what it was. It was a slightly faded brown picture of a young male zenthain in a general's uniform with a young female zenthain stand smiling next to him in a exquisite dress, the male was holding a little zenthain girl and there was a very young zenthain boy where his hat. Aeon looked up at Nier," Is this you?" "Why yes it is, it's me with my wife and two beautiful children." "What are their names?" "My wife's is Freya, my daughter's is Precious, and my son's is Abel." "You have beautiful children and a beautiful wife," Aeon said handing the picture back. "Thank you," Nier said taking it back. "Do you still see your family?" "No we don't talk anymore nor have I seen my wife in years." "Did she leave you?" "It's complicated," Nier put the picture back into his pocket. "Oh." "Now what about you?" "Me... well I don't have a family like you but I was going to be married." "To that pony?" "No, it was zenthain girl..." Aeon smiled trying not chuckle "... And the funny thing was is that she was part of a noble family." "Was she now?" "Yes and she was willing to give everything up just to be with me." "You two must have been very close." "Oh yes, we were very much in love... I still remember the first day I met her like it was yesterday." "Tell me how you met her." "Well it was the first day after earning my freedom out of the arena and I was getting food from the market. Then these thugs came up to trying to steal my stuff," Aeon started chuckling a little then stopped," I ended up getting into a fight with them which was a big mistake because there was at least fifteen of them, so I had to run from them and for a few miles I did. Then I saw a balcony with a door open and I climbed up there and went inside. What I didn't know was that I was where all the nobles lived, so as I got inside I walked on her changing." "You're fucking kidding!" "I'm not kidding, but she was going to scream bloody murder," Aeon sighed in esctacy," But the sight of her was like looking upon an angel, I still remember every curve of her body. "Here's a thing I never understood about our women is how come us males would walk around with no clothes and we didn't care but the women would dress a bit conservatively sometimes." "Well Hazel didn't really care she would only wear clothes when she had to go to parties or get togethers but the only thing she would always wear small white flowers on her head." "Hazel?" "That was her name, I remember having to keep her quiet when I was in there because I didn't want to get caught." "Of course especially with nobles." "After that she started visiting me since she found out I lived at the inn near by because the people at the arena gave me the money to live there even though I started working with a local blacksmith." "How long did you two see each other?" "A year and half but a day before we would get married her parents found out about us and forced her to go to a different land so we could see each other anymore," Aeon paused trying to keep his composure," I never even got to say goodbye." Nier looked into the dimming flame of the lamp," It's hard to lose something like that... just when you're at the peak of happiness the world comes up and snatches it away leaving you in misery." "Yeah," Aeon choked, he laid down resting his head on his satchel and closed his eyes. Nier saw a single tear run down his face; he took up the lantern and blew out the flame, then he sat in the darkness thinking. Well Freya you were right, I've became an old washed up zenthain who's still barely able to understand the young. Nier then fell asleep as well for he knew they were going to be traveling even farther than today. Sometime in the night Nier's right eye opened looking at Aeon who was still asleep. He reached over grabbing his sword; he got up and unsheathed his sword lifting it up into the air. A voice overcame him saying," Kill him, kill him, kill him, KILL THIS HEATHEN!" His other eye opened dropping his sword letting fall to the floor. He put his wooden hand on his head walking back a few steps away from Aeon. "I won't let you take control," he whispered hanging his putting his fingers on his yellow eye," not again, never again." He grabbed his sword, sheathed it, laid down and fell back asleep.
Part 3: Revealing TruthIn the morning they gathered their things and continued out of the city. They passed by the smithy that Aeon worked at, the roof to the small building was caved in; there was a large soot pile around the small building. Aeon trudged up to the building remembering the first day he began work there five years ago. He walked seeing the Smith hammering a glowing orange piece of metal. The smith stopped and at Aeon setting his hammer and the piece of metal of the anvil. "Ahh, so you're the one those arena fellows told me to have you here," He said wiping his hands with a rag; his voice was strong and solid like a soldiers. He was large and well built towering over the young Aeon. His scales were a sapphire blue and his underbelly was a sandy white with two large white horns on his head and a smaller horn on the end of his snout and he wore a red blacksmith's apron. "Ummm... yes," Young Aeon said hesitant. "There's no need to be afraid I ain't gonna squish ya," He looked down at Aeon," How old are ya boy?" "Fifteen and a half." "Hmmm... good age, now show me your arms." Aeon raised his arms towards the large blacksmith and he looked at his arms. “You’re quite scrawny, damn bastards don’t know how to feed a Zen but don’t fret boy you’ll build up some muscle here.” “Really!” Aeon said excitingly lowering his arms. “Of course but first I’ll have the misses cook you up a good meal so at least you have some nutrients.” “That will have to wait I still need to go to the market to get some ingredients,” His wife yelled out. “I could do it for her,” Aeon offered. “Could you?” His wife stuck her head of the door, she had yellow scales and she had no features on her head,” That you be great here’s what I need,” She handed Aeon a list. He took the list,” Okay I’ll be back,” He said leaving to the market. Setting his hand on the destroyed smithy smiling," What I would do to go back to those days," Aeon took his hand off and they continued on. As they were walking he could feel that sensation returning but he wanted to brush it off. Yet everytime he held it back, it would come back stronger. He felt his breathing becoming heavy and his body becoming weak. Aeon then gave in falling to his hands and knees coughing out blood again. "Are you alright?" Nier asked kneeling next to him. "I... I don't know," Aeon coughed," I think I might be getting sick." Nier ran the back of his palm across Aeon's forehead and sides of his face," Well you're not sick but there is something wrong," He exclaimed taking his palm off of Aeon. "What do think?" "I don't know," Nier puzzled," Did you do a lot of fighting while you were kept in the arena?" "Of course I did but also I was tortured, beaten, stabbed, burned and even... raped by the other competitors." "Sorry to hear that you had it so rough there, but I think I may know why you're like this just hold still." "Okay." Nier closed his left eye looking at Aeon with his right. He began seeing Aeon's muscles, veins, organs, and skeletal system. He looked for a couple minutes and found what was wrong. "I see," Nier said opening his other eye. "Well, what is it?" Aeon asked. "From all the damage you've taken your matches, torturings and beatings is..." Nier stopped hesitantly. "Is what?" "Unfortunately you're bleeding internally." "You're saying I'm, I'm-" "Your body's becoming weaker," Nier concluded," but don't worry the bleeding isn't very bad." Aeon sat down," How long do you think I have?" "In your current state a good maybe fifteen to twenty years but I might be wrong." He sighed in despair," So I'm starting to succumb to my wounds." "We all succumb to our wounds whether they be physical or mental." "Yeah maybe." Aeon got up and continued walking, he saw the house Hazel use to live in. He scaled the wall to the balcony into the room. It still looked the same from when he had first seen it. The elegant sheeting and curtaining, the exquisite furniture still here. That day was not a good first impression as he sat there hiding, holding her down with his hand over her mouth. He heard them stop. "He went this way!" One of them yelled, they ran in that direction. Aeon sighed in relief, he took his hand off her mouth and got up. "You scum! You no good low life l! Sneaking on a lady!" She ranted at him in her soft elegant voice," If you're here to take advantage of me you're sorely mistaken!" She grabbed a knife off of her dresser pointing it. Aeon was on the balcony, he looked back at her," Sorry to bother ya," He jumped down back into the street. It took her by surprise that he didn't do anything to her and he was just about her age. All he did was look back and leave. she felt her heart pounding in her chest. Setting the knife down she looked into the mirror seeing herself blushing. Who was he? Aeon chuckled a bit as he looked in. He opened the closet and saw a charcoal colored scarf, the same she wore that night they danced together. He took it and wrapped it around his neck to keep her with him. Coming back down Nier leaned on a wall," Took you long enough," He said," Nice scarf." "Thanks... do you keep anything to remember your loved ones?" Aeon asked. "Of course but sometimes it's haunting making you remember things you don't want to remember." "Maybe... maybe." They left the city going out towards the arena but Aeon didn't want to go there because to many horrible memories lingered there. "The arena," Nier said. "I know," Aeon responded. "A place I don't accept its existence in our homeland." "Why?" "Because slaves shouldn't be fighting to the death or crafted into killing machines." "Oh." "I have seen what the arena can do to those who have participated in the fights and it can be... frightful." "That be true Nier... I just don't want to go in there." "Why?" "Too many memories." Nier didn't say anything he just looked ahead thinking of his past, the burnt bodies of children and the slit throat of a female. His mind seemed somewhere else, clouded and empty. In a sudden jerk Nier kicked Aeon with his wooden leg sending him backwards to a small shack. Aeon broke through the door dazed and confused on what just happened. He laid on the ground looking forward at Nier who was charging at him with his sword unsheathed. Aeon got up grabbing Nier's arm holding his sword back. "What are you doing?" He asked, looking into his eyes, Nier's normal eyes was completely black while the other eye was still the same," Snap out of it!" Aeon tossed Nier over his shoulder throwing him at a table. Nier jumped back on his feet leaving his sword on the ground. Nier came swinging at Aeon; he tried blocking every hit but Nier was extremely skilled in hand to hand constantly hitting Aeon in the lower torso and legs. He kicked Aeon breaking him through the wall of the house, dust and wood travelled with him as he rolled into the rain. Dazed he looked to the sky as Nier came over him hitting in the face over and over again. Blood leaked from Aeon's mouth and nose as he took he strike from Nier's wooden hand. "Finish me... do it," Aeon huffed in pain," do it." Nier's eye returned to normal and he dropped Aeon looking at his hands, panting heavily with a face of fear," I'm sorry, I'm sorry," He repeated over and over. He sat on the wet stone road with eyes wide open. "What happened?" Aeon asked struggling to lift his head. "This... has happened before... I begin seeing things as foe," He replied. "How?" "The war, the war gives me visions and this eye doesn't help the burden I carry." "What burden?" Aeon had his head up. There was no answer for only the sound of the pouring rain could be heard. Tears began running down Nier's face," My wife and my children's blood stain my hands." "What do you mean?" "... They made me kill them, they took control of me and made me do it," He sobbed. "Who?" "The demons," He growled," And after I cut my wife's throat and burned my children alive. Their leader stood in front of me out of the flames my sin and tore out my right eye giving me this," He pointed to his demonic eye. "Now you have committed the ultimate sin and for that you shall live unable to die and those around will perish as you can only suffer and grieve, this I give you as a curse," The words of the demon king stuck to Nier like glue as he placed his eye in place of Nier's. "I still feel its power inside wanting to seize control wanting to possess me again." Aeon looked at him in disbelief unable to speak, trying to grasp the fact that Nier is immortal. He struggled to his feet, legs shaking and a sharp pain in his torso making his lower half feel numb. "Come on," Nier said helping Aeon stay on his feet. They moved towards a large prison to get out of the rain. Inside the prison it was dark with slightest creaks echoing from the rusted cell doors. A torch was lit to give light in the pitch black. The hallway seemed to go on without end; in the corner of his eye Aeon saw a chest that he had seen before, large, wooden, and locked to keep evidence as he remembered watching from the cell across the hall. He let go of Nier limping to the chest. Easily the lock broke and he lifted the top. "Still here," Aeon sighed. Inside was a black hooded cloak shredded at the bottom and two silver gauntlets with markings on engraved on them and eight foot long chains with hooks on the end attached to them. Aeon stood staring at them with a bleak face and frightful eyes. "Are these your items?" Nier asked getting Aeon's attention. "Yes... they are," Aeon responded in a muddle voice. "What are they doing here in a prison?" Aeon closed the lid," I... use to be a murderer ." "Murderer?" "Yes, I killed the innocent... men, women, children, whatever I could grasp in my claws." "How many... did you kill?" "In the arena ten but when I started murdering... I lost count of how many innocent lives I took." "What did they call you?" "Night Stalker." No words were said for a moment,” Leave these items and just like this place it will be forgotten.” “Yeah, but what I did I never wanted to do because it wasn’t part of my destiny.” “Destiny the book written by the blood of kings telling that life is already written for a soul. Actually destiny is not already written, it’s not written but each day a page is written and a new chapter is made each year for the pen is the soul and the ink is blood.” “I guess I can’t change anything, huh.” “Tis not, what is written is written and like time it cannot be changed.” “Then lets go.” They left the prison and they began heading back to the shore. Aeon couldn’t keep his head wrapped why he did what he did back then. "You seem lost," Nier said. "What?" "You look lost." "I'm just trying to wrap my head around why I did what I did." "Is it over something?" "I don't remember, it just feels like there's another side to me, something that makes me hurt and kill others." "There could be but a second personality that would be one answer." "Maybe but I feel that there is something about me... something different." "What I see is that you're just confused." "Most would see me as evil... but I'm not evil, I've just made the wrong choices." "Anyone would see you as evil if they didn't understand you." "Do you?" "Hard to say if I do." They made it to the shore where they met, the air smelt of moisture and the tide was at its lowest. Aeon's boat sat with the water barely touching it. The flapping sail in the breeze indicated that it was a good day to go. Aeon walked to the boat setting his satchel in it. "Well I guess I'll be taking my leave Nier," Aeon told him. "And so you will." "Will I ever see you again?" "Just like how light and dark always cross each other I believe we'll cross paths again in time." "That's good to hear, but since you have that eye do you know where demons are?" "Aye, and whatever demon comes to any land I will go and smite it," He exaggerated. "It was good to meet you Nier," Aeon smiled holding his hand out. "Tis it was, " Nier shook his hand," But before you go I'll give you this," He took his belt off and opened his coat revealing swords and daggers," Take these," He said handing him a curved sword and a dagger. "What kind are these?" Aeon asked partially unsheathing the sword. "It's a scimitar with a dagger to go with it forged by goblins. They gave them to me as a gift for purging their land of their demon but I think they'll serve better than they have for me," Nier closed his coat and tightened his belt. "Thank you." "You're welcome." Aeon pushed his boat into water, hopped in it, and unfolded the sail. He looked back at Nier who was standing there watching Aeon sail away. Aeon looked until he couldn't see Nier in the fog, he turned forward to the ocean. It doesn't matter I'm going back to Equestria. *** Another six days passed as Aeon came to the shores of Equestria. The night was young as it began to rain as he docked his boat pushing it upshore. The streets of Ponyville were completely empty from the rain. Aeon stood looking with a smile having a good feeling being back. He found Shoeshine's house, cupping his hands he looked into the window seeing the place was completely empty. "Must have moved," He said to himself. For a few minutes he searched the town looking for where she was. A door opened from a house just a short distance away from him. He couldn't see who it was with the cart that was next to the door. As he walked closer he noticed it was her and he leaned on the market cart without her even noticing. "I see you've moved," He chimed in scaring her. She jumped turning her head looking him," Aeon!" "Well you don't seem very thrilled to see me." She picked up a bag with her mouth and threw it into a trash can," Well the way you exited why would I be," She huffed. "True, my exit was a bit harsh and I have thought about it." "Have you now," She said sarcastically. "Yes, I have and I was wrong to act in that fashion towards you." "You've been gone for a few days and this is all you can tell me, that's flattering but its now enough." "You're right it's not enough, I don't think there will ever be enough for the way I've acted. I know you might hate me but if you don't want to see me then I'd rather end on good terms then how it was a few days ago, that's all I wanted to say." She said nothing as Aeon began walking away," Aeon," She hollered and he turned his head," I think maybe we could start over." "Maybe." "We should go out sometime then." "We should." "But how will I know where you are?" "I'll be around," He started again heading towards the woods, within the woods he sat under a tree to stay out of the rain. Now it's time to start building my new home and forget my old home.
