Dusk of Peace

Dusk of Peace

Chapter 7

"The bones of the

world will crack

and shatter. Then

be colored black

as pitch."

"So, Omni, did you hear about Tridonstris?" asked Veil Tome. Omni peeked up from his books at his fellow mage.

"No, I have not, go on." he replied.

"It was hit by a huge raid, biggest one in six years."

"Really. Are the Tridonstrians recuperating well?"

"Slowly, but surely."

Omni nodded and returned to his studies. Veil Tome grabbed a letter satchel from his side. He pulled an envelope stamped with the Archmage's mark, and placed it on Omni's desk.

"It's important. I'd read it as soon as possible." he urged before he left.

Omni took the letter and opened the envelope. He read the contents of the letter, realizing at the end just how important it was.

To Magus Omnimental,

As certain events have unfolded it has come to my best interest that a solution be made. I urge you to join the High Magi and I in the discussion of this solution for you might very well be included in it.

Sincerely,

Archmage Arcane Heart

Omni quickly put his books away and put out the candles. He donned his best magus robes, deep blue with gold threading, and left his study. There was no refusing an invitation from the Archmage herself. Especially if she mentions it involves one's self.

Making his way through the streets that were bordered by tall towers and buildings, he made his way to the inner city portals. The traffic was moderate as today was the day of preparation for the upcoming acolyte tests. Dalinix portals were subsequently large, due to the high number of ponies who lived here. They could support several ponies at once from both receiving ends.

Omni stepped into the portal and was instantaneously transported to the Central Portal Nexus. The Archmage Tower's portal was guarded by two high guardians. Omni approached them carefully.

"What is your business here, Omnimental Destiny?" asked the one on the left, in a heavy voice.

"The Archmage has summoned me to see her." he answered. The high guardians stepped aside for him to pass. They were always well informed about all the happenings of Dalinix. He stepped into the portal slowly, he'd only been through it one other time, a long time ago.

The surroundings faded around him and were replaced with new ones. A huge, marble, rune inscribed wall circled the famous Archmage Tower. The gate in front of him was made of multi-hued metals, most likely enchanted. The pathway leading to the gate was no more than a floating isthmus in the sky, but a rather wide one at that.

A Sentinel stood in front of the gate. He was an intimidating fellow, he wore a ceramic mask that bore no eye holes and a black hood that covered almost all of his head. Omni approached the Sentinel with hesitation.

"I'm here to see the Archmage." he spoke, unsure of what reaction he would receive.

The Sentinel turned to the gate and touched it with his hoof. From his hoof flashed a faint light, followed by the sound of it unlocking and opening. He stepped aside without a word and waited until Omni passed through the gate to return to his post. When he did the gate closed and locked itself again.

The courtyard was huge, planted with thousands of exotic flora and multitudes of statues lined the walkways. The hedges were trimmed uniformly, and were like green, leafy walls. Several fountains could be heard trickling water and passive fauna wandered freely to and fro. Omni felt compelled to wander around the courtyard himself, but he didn't want to be scorned for being late to a meeting with both the High Magi and the Archmage.

The entrance to the tower was an ebony, wood double door, complete with antique door handles and mage markings around the edges. The doors sensed Omni's presence and opened on their own. The inside of the tower was awe-inspiring. Bookshelves packed with millions of tomes and scrolls, almost twenty feet high, covered the walls. Desks occupied by the bookkeepers were dotted everywhere, they sat in silence studying their books.

Enchanted brooms swept the floors and feather dusters kept everything tidy. There were no stairs in the Archmage's Tower, floor portals let ponies travel to whatever floor they wished, with the exception of a few off-limits floors that a normal mage couldn't access even if they wanted to. Waiting next to the portal was Veil Tome who showed a welcome smile.

"Well, you're not late this time." he joked. Omni rolled his eyes and kept walking to him.

"Let's get going. I'm not late, but you can make me so." Omni replied, anxiously. Omni stepped onto the portal and Veil Tome as well. They were both transported to the Council Room.

The door to the room was shut and Omni looked back at Veil Tome.

"They're in there don't worry." he assured before vanishing into the portal again. Omni gave a long exhale and walked to the door which also opened to his presence. Sure enough there they were, calmly awaiting him.

The Council Room was almost the same as a court room with the highest podium seating the Archmage herself. One High Mage was in front of her with a lower podium and the other two on equally lower podiums to either side of her. The ceiling was high enough to hold a full grown dragon with room to spare. The room was illuminated with sunlight through the colored glass windows depicting the deeds of Dalinos, the First Archmage.

"Come Magus Omnimental Destiny." spoke High Mage Illuminus in the front podium.

"We have much to discuss, youngling." added High Mage Viscus in the left podium.

"And so little time." concluded High Mage Ethos in the right podium. Omni kept silent, afraid that if he spoke out without being asked he would be punished, like they did in the Academy.

"Why do you not speak, Omni?" asked the Archmage, her tender voice calmed his nerves.

"I was taught not to speak unless spoken to, Archmage." he answered. She tilted her head slightly as if annoyed by such rules.

"You may speak as you wish, Omni, so long as it is within reason." she assured.

He smiled a bit, relieved that the Archmage was more generous than he had thought.

"This meeting you called me to, what solution were you planning to make?" he asked.

"I do not know yet, that is why I summoned you here. So that you could help me make a decision on one." she replied.

"So you already have a few in mind?"

"Indeed."

"Well then, what are they....Archmage." he added in quickly.

She thought for a moment and then answered.

"As I considered the dangers of this task I am asking of you I came across the problem of whom to assign to help you," she began, "and as I explored the possibilities I also thought of the difficulties it would provide. Who would be best to help in such a geas."

"A geas?!" Omni blurted out.

"Yes, a quest. I believe you are capable. Are you not?" she re-iterated.

He was shocked for a moment, but pulled himself together.

"Of course, but just what kind of quest are you talking about?"

"Based upon the studies of the old tomes on the times when Flameberge came about, the only way to combat him is to find the relics the Old Rulers used to seal him."

"....Really....is there truly no other way....?"

"I'm afraid so. Nothing else has appeared in the studies. Trying to loop around only leads us back to them. They are truly the only way fight Flameberge, before the thirteenth year."

He tried to process in his mind how he would even begin to start looking for almost  thousand year old relics that may or may not even exist anymore.

"Where would we begin? I mean if it's the only way I gladly accept, but where in Equinorve do we look first?" he panicked.

"Calm yourself, Omni. I will explain that later, right now what is more important is finding those who could aid in this quest." she explained calmly.

Omni wondered who could help on such a daring task. It was common for adventures to find old powerful artifacts to be terribly dangerous. Who could possibly stand a chance?

"Wait....I think I know the perfect ponies!" he exclaimed. The Archmage made a small smile.

"And whom do you think would be best, Magus Omnimental?" she asked.