The Elements of Virtue.

What the F…..?

You slowly awoke to the rays of sunshine piercing through his window. You grumble slightly at the offending light before your brain clicks on fully and your eyes snap open to stare at the lovely beams of light. You’d only seen them once before, years ago your master had taken you up to the top of your mountain home through the darkness that permeated everything and you’d seen the sun for the first time in your life its golden rays trying to push through the darkness below to no avail. Your master had told you one thing while you both spent the day up there, he told you that should you ever see the sun again it meant one of two things ether he was training his own pupil, which he wasn't or they had succeeded.

You jump out of bed with a scream “THEY DID IT” you throw on your armored robes quickly and burst out of the room popping yourself into the rooms on the way to the commons room all the while screaming. “The sun, look the sun, they did it” all you got in return where grumbles and a few pillows but you didn't mind as you heard them gasp at the light while you continued on.

Your legs quickly take you into the commons room of the house only to see something that rips the joy right out of you. The air seems to get sucked straight from your lunges and the smile is wiped from your face as a single tear runs down it while you sink to your knees. You hear your friends and brothers laughing and yelling as they head your way. Hilarity screams something about a party while Courage and Honor playfully argue on how tough it was. Chivalry just laughs with them as Intelligence spits out statistics on the chances. All their laughing stops as they notice you on the floor. Courage is the first to speak.

“Patience uh is everything okay” He hesitantly asks taking a few steps forward, towards his elder brother. You can’t speak so you do what you can and raise your hand pointing into the room. Chivalry takes a step forward.

“Brother what’s wrong, surely it can’t be that bad” again your only response is to point and let your arm fall to your side. Chivalry and the rest of your brothers walk forward and look into the room. Their reactions are almost instant. Honor raises his fist and bows his head a silent tear runs down his face. Hilarity bales into Chivalry’s shoulder while Chivalry holds tightly onto him small sobs escape him slowly. Intelligence doesn't cry but he can’t look at the room and Courage repeatedly slams his fists into the wall tears flowing freely until he places hi head on the wall looking at the six weapons floating in the room, marking their masters death.

Slowly you and the rest begin to move, after what felt like hours but was probably only minutes. They’d trained you for this the day you’d take up the mantle as The Elements of Virtue. Each of your brothers takes their place infront of their respective weapon. Hilarity approached a large war hammer its head large enough to crush a man in a single blow. Chivalry moved to stand before a rapier its elegance only surpassed by its speed. Intelligence study’s the two sias infront of him he’d make quick work of his enemy’s with those. Honor glances at the spiked mace silently floating before him knowing he would use it well. Courage glares at the two-handed sword before him its large blade able to cleave anything in two. You look at your own weapon before you the large scythe its curved blade glinting in the sun.

They each reach out for their respective weapons only to hesitate on the last inch. A thought crosses your mind. The ignoble are gone why are these needed. Honor looks around at us “We made a promise” he grabs the handle of his mace.

Intelligence is next to speak “It’s what’s right” reaching forward he grips the awaiting sias.

Chivalry nods”We need to protect” his hand slips into the elegant handle of his rapier.

Courage grunts “For them” his fists close on the large handle.

Hilarity gives a small smile “for us” he grabs his hammer and they all look to me.

I look at the scythe before me and open my mouth to speak “For everyone” you grab the handle of the blade. We all look at one another and speak as on “So, What now” and as if those where the magic words the weapons begin to glow and a portal rips open before them and sucks them in.

With a thud you land in what appears to be a hedge circle. His first thoughts are of his brothers and he quickly looks for them calling out “Intelligence, Courage, Honor where are you” you run into the maze of hedges quickly becoming lost panic entering your voice “Chivalry” your continued running only brings you back to the original circle. “Hilarity” his voice tinges with fear as he calls out once more “Anyone”. Behind you the clop of hooves sound and you spin around only to find a dark blue pony with a flowing blue mane and a horn as if this wasn’t freaking you out enough. Your most clever response is to give a small wave and say “Uhhh hi” of course you weren’t expecting an answer.

“What are thou in our maze” the pony infront of you speaks and your brain seizes up the combination of grief, fear, exhaustion, and confusion seems to be too much for you as you slam to the dirt out cold.