//------------------------------// // Chapter 17 - Immortals and Magic // Story: Book, Blade, and A Whole Lot of Magic // by Frustaz //------------------------------// I hummed as I inspected the collection of blue crystals, running my fingers over the crude recreation of unicorn horns. I could feel the confused look of Luna bearing down on me and my project. “Luna, feel free to speak your mind. I’m not going to be offended.” “Well, I’m quite confused as to why you have shattered fragments of the Crystal Heart, despite the artifact in question resides safely in the Crystal Empire. How would you have acquired such similar gems?” Luna hovered the gems up to the light, frowning. “They also seem to have been recently purified of some quite foul magic.” Pulling up my mask, I began to stomp on the pedal for the grinder, getting it up to speed. “Multiverse problems. A world I was summoned to had it’s Crystal Heart weaponized and used for slavery, brain washing, and some incredibly fucked behaviors to be enabled. A low that I can fairly say Celestia would never allow in her gilded cage of a government.” I carefully ground the crude shape down, sharpening and rounding out the crystal till I was happy, and checking the scrap bag underneath for the glittering blue dust. “Many ponies in that world have been literally de-horned, and so I’m turning these into temporary replacements till they regrow.” “You have less than 5 days to prepare for my sister, and yet you work for the sake of another? How noble.” Luna mused, allowing me to continue to work in silence for a time. I hummed and grunted as I worked, raising each ground out horn to inspect for any accidental flaws. An alert to the right let me know I had earned some crafting skill points, eliciting a slight smile under my protective mask. I scooped up my pet project, and tossed it into my inventory, alongside the bag full of gem dust. “Luna, you’re here because you want to talk about something, and it’s important. Just spit it out already.” I turned to face her, pulling the mask down and leaning against the workbench, Nyx speaking through me as usual.  Luna’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Well, it is true, but I’m not quite sure how to approach the topics I wish to speak of.” “Then how about I start; Luna, what do you intend to do to hinder us from harming your sister? Last time, you prevented me from killing her out right repeatedly, but then again, I was more a concept of evil rather than a truly thinking entity at that time.” Nyx’s voice shifted from my mouth to a small mirror on the table, her slit eyes filling it’s frames.  “You’ve gotten comfortable speaking, Nightmare.” Luna tilted her head as she stepped closer, now that the wheel had stopped spinning. “I chose to be the mediator because I cannot justly interfere, yet I am filled with deep concern that you’re trying to justify my sister’s death with flimsy excuses.” “First of all, it’s Nyx. She’s not just ‘The Nightmare’ anymore. Second, you can just invade my mind and find the truth quickly if you wanted.” I narrowed my own eyes in return, drawing my blade and setting it on the desk. “Third, your sister has created a gilded echo chamber where racism is rampant, ponies are protected from anything that might challenge their world view, and treated history as so much of a joke that you, Discord, Tirek, Grogar, Sombra, and myself were nothing more than fucking fairy tales.” Silence filled the forge as I turned to the workbench and set my armor upon it, preparing my tools and materials. Luna cleared her throat. “Luna, how many ponies do you think died during the Peasant's Revolution?” I asked, calling a weathered whetstone from my inventory. Luna furrowed her brow, thinking. “I do not know. I have been trying to research everything that has happened in my absence as chronologically as possible." “A mere 10,000 recorded noble deaths happened during my time gathering my forces and fighting for change. However, my handy codex says it was estimated that upwards of 460,000 across all of Equestria died of famine, plague, and riots that were inspired by my movement.” I started sharpening my sword as the facts spilled from my lips. My eyes became unfocused as I ran the whetstone along my katana.  “Illua?” Luna stepped closer as tears began to run down my cheeks, my eyes growing ever more distant and dull as I became lost in my horrific thoughts.  “So many rotting bodies. So many children, held by their mothers who were nothing but skin and bones. Entire villages turned into nothing but ghosts.” My fingers slipped off the whetstone. I looked blankly at my now bleeding fingers, watching the physical form of hit points drip out.  “ILLUA!” Luna shouted at me, shaking the forge in its entirety with the force of her voice, snapping me back to reality.  “Oh, shit. [Cure.]” The green light enveloped my fingers and closed my wound immediately, my mind refocusing. “I’m sorry, I can’t believe I did that.” “Illua, have you had anyone you could honestly speak to about this?” Luna reached her wing out to comfort me, but I waved her off.  “I had two ponies I could speak to, but they’re long dead.” I wiped at my eyes, drying my cheeks of the tears that fell. “You’re the only other pony I’ve even opened up about this to.” “I know only because I was there with her for the entirety of it.” Nyx frowned in her frame, her eyes softening.  Luna stroked my hair a bit, and I sniffled, fighting to keep my composure. I didn’t want her pity, but she knew a similar fate. “Luna, if.. if you’re serious about trying to help me, you can't just see my dreams. You need to go deeper." Luna chuckled softly as she withdrew to her spot at the corner of the room. “I can visit your memories, if you'd prefer. However, as a slight tangent to explain how, do you know how magic works beyond the mundane cutie marks and the act of casting?” “I have some idea, thanks to Nyx earlier, but how does that relate to being able to dive into memories?” I was visibly confused, but I picked up my whetstone and resumed sharpening my blade. The night princess encapsulated a piece of chalk with her magic, and began drawing on the design board mounted in the room. “Each symbol in what is referred to as ‘The Universal Diagram’ is referred to as a Domain, a Principle, or an Element. The Most powerful, the Domains, each have a Keeper, an individual who should strive to keep its effects upon the world balanced but still enforced.” I frowned, setting my sword down to look at the recreation of Nyx’s image from earlier. “So let me guess, you have the power to dig into peoples minds and brainwash them into subservient monsters?” “A dark example admittedly, but as the Bearer of the Mind Domain, yes.” My eyes snapped to Luna, who looked a bit deflated at that admission. “So, did you visit only my dreams last time?” “Yes. Not only would it have been invasive, your ever-shifting mind is akin to a stormy sea. One wrong decision, and I would have found myself deep within your mind with no discernable way out.”  I stared blankly at her, surprised at the suddenly grim tone. “I could dive into your memories to see that era, and begin to understand your perspective, but I won’t do that without your permission.” I groaned. “Nyx, will you help Luna with this? I’d rather not have a third voice stuck in my head.” I sighed as I lifted my blade, and frowned. “Dammit, I'm going to have to straighten you out again.” I tossed a few more coals on the fire. “Of course.” The Night spirit purred from the mirror, drifting in the background of the reflection. “Just know she may end up seeing things you might not have been comfortable sharing.” I set the blade into the flames, and started on the bellows. “Well, there you go, Luna. You can dick around in my brain tonight. Anything else you want to talk about before I ask a few questions of my own?” Luna put her hoof to her chin, quietly mulling her thoughts. a high pitched rumble resounded over the sound of the bellows. I snickered. “Do you want anything to eat?” Luna's cheeks flushed a bright pink. “Fish." "Yeah, Fish would be nice.” "I will be back then."   I set my now pristine blade down as Luna returned to the workshop, a bag of food held in her magic. “Welcome back.”  “I have returned with dinner for you two. One of the night diners is owned by a former guard of mine, and specializes in making food for our nocturnal, and carnivorous, citizens.” Luna hovered the boxed up dinner over to me.  “Thanks.” The scent of oil, salt, and fish hit me like a nostalgic freight train. "Fish and chips? Fuck yeah!" Luna quietly watched as Nyx and I devoured the meal, trading control and making happy noises. The night princess chuckled as her horn lit up and added more to the design board. “So, what are the Nine Domains exactly? Outside of being the basis of life, magic and the universe as a whole?” My eyes traced the layers on the design board as I chewed a tartar sauce coated piece. “To start, the Nine Domains consist of Death, Mind, States, Nature, Energy, Balance, Conflict, Time, and Dimensions. With enough time, study, and power, one could access any one domain in a briefest of senses, but only the Keepers have true mastery in that field.” Luna wrote the names next to their individual icons. I could see the codex icon flipping pages in the upper left. Oh joy, this is going to be detailed and important. I swallowed my bite, frowning. “So if each keeper enforces their Domain, does the Keeper of Death go around killing people and the Keeper of Conflict go around starting wars? That’s just a wee bit fucked up, wouldn't you agree?” “My dear sweet Illua, don’t insult me so. I’m honestly hurt by that!” Discord chimed in, as he dripped in from the ceiling, wielding an umbrella. “You can’t assume I want merciless death and destruction just because I keep Conflict! What would the children think of me!?” Discord bent over backward, with his bear paw flung over his face dramatically. Nyx simply chuckled as I set my food down to rub my temples. “Of course you, of all people, are Conflict Incarnate.” Luna covered her muzzle with a hoof, attempting to stifle her snickering. Discord snorted. “Wow, I am positively hurt, mon amigo, that you think moi would just be some violent ragamuffin. I’ll have you know that I keep Time and Dimensions as well, and the only conflicts I try to incite are nothing more than prank wars.” He huffed and turned away, refusing to look at me. “Oh, who am I kidding, I can’t stay mad at my favorite little chaos causer!” Discord gave me a hug suddenly before gasping. “Oh we’re having one of those discussions! Celestia’s gonna be so mad!” He started giggling.  I sighed, finishing off the fries. “Alright, I’m gonna take a shot in the dark. Let me know if I’m right. If Discord has three of them, being one of the oldest known beings in the world, the remaining 6 are divided between Celestia and you, right Luna?” “That is entirely correct.” Luna smiled. I covered my eyes, groaning. “This is going to be a long night.” “Tea Party!” I scribbled into my grimoire on a blank page, deep lines of concern etched into my face. “So allow me to summarize if I can. Luna, you keep Mind, Death, and States. Discord keeps Conflict, Time and Dimensions. Celestia keeps Nature, Energy, and Balance.” A pair of affirmative nods from the two immortals forced me to finish my 3rd cup of coffee. “Because of this, in an attempt to prevent any one of you three from going power mad, you made The Elements of Harmony as the great equalizer between you three, requiring two operators against the third in their original forms.” Discord floated upon a garish rainbow plaid chair upside down, drinking something from his twisted pot. “That is a completely valid summary, yes. Mmh. Fine job, Watson.” Discord replied in the thickest, poshest accent he could muster, before quietly snickering. “Because of this amount of power, You three could, with contracts with each other, warp reality to such a degree that literally anything could become possible, and you all just so happen to originate and live in what appears to be the most advanced society in the world?” I grimaced, tapping my charcoal pen to the page. Nyx quietly sipped her tea in the reflection, only her eyes showing her mirth with the discomfort I felt. “Despite this, Luna, you and your sister petrified Discord because he was enforcing his domains against Celestia’s, which then in turn allowed The Nightmare to possess you because the Keeper of Dimensions could not do his job.” Discord’s quiet chuckling advanced to full blown laughter as gravity ripped him floorward. Luna blushed and shrunk sheepishly. “In our defense, during that period in time, we three were all vastly inexperienced with being the Keepers and lacked the judgement we needed.” “Nah, ya Think?” I gently snapped at her, releasing a pent up breath before continuing. “Celestia then brute forced the Elements against you, revoking her rights to them. She then orchestrated a thousand years of history to ensure Twilight and her friends would acquire the elements." "Which then ensured the recent threats to Equestria could be defeated, including my purification, Discord's subsequent rehabilitation, and Tirek's downfall." Luna took a long draught of her tea. "Your summary seems sound, but there's more, correct?" I nodded. "All of this means that, while she has remained in power and in control of her Domains, she now has an enforcement squad that is completely loyal to her that could turn on you two in a heartbeat at her command." Luna nearly spit her drink out as Discord's laughter intensified. I cast a sidelong look of concern as he began to cough out confetti. "Now, in just a few days, I’m walking into an arena with a threefold walking force of the universe, who for some reason is terrified of me, yet didn’t use any of her god-like power to delete me off the face of the earth. The question; Why?” Nyx rolled her eyes at Discord. “She’s always been hesitant to kill if she doesn't have to. She’s surprisingly soft at heart, but her powers are devastating.” Nyx turned over in the mirror, facing the conversation from her upside-down position.“The Everfree Forest for example, is a direct result of her clash with Discord. A masterful creation between Conflict and Nature, prevented from spiraling out of control by Celestia’s enforcement of the Balance domain.” Discord finally clawed his way back up to the top of the table, wiping his eyes. “Illua, just using the Domains for admittedly minor tasks can affect the world around us beyond the obvious. The only reason I can so freely use mine is because I know my limits, and practiced.” Discord pulled his chair down to the floor before sinking into it once more. "I just tend to guide the affects back towards myself, resulting in my ever so colorful manner of transportation." Luna poured herself a fresh cup of tea, idly stirring before her eyes locked with mine. “Illua-... Hrm.” Luna started, before silencing herself to think. “My sister is very protective of our ponies, far more than I. She seems to have the best intentions regarding foreign policy, and actively seeks to push for peaceful resolutions. Do you think Celestia is acting in accordance to her domains, or even in good faith?” Luna seemed conflicted with her own question, perhaps seeking some consul to her thoughts.  I sighed, staring into my dry cup. “Based on my brand new frame of reference? I can’t say. I’m not a keeper, and I’m not some goddess who can step back and see the great big chess board in the sky. I’m just a mortal with a sword. All I know is that Celestia’s behavior ever since I’ve known her is that of a OCD Dictator under the guise of 'Big Mommy'.” I carefully set my cup down. I could feel my anger boiling just below the surface, They're not the ones I'm angry at, they don't need me yelling at them. “Good answer.” Discord purred. Luna and Nyx both looked at the relaxed chaos spirit with a look of surprise. “Oh don’t give me that surprised look. She was the only one of the three of us for nearly a thousand years able to properly enforce her domains, and created an idyllic kingdom with no ability to truly protect itself without the six beings she orchestrated into existence.” The chaos lord snarled, taking a long swig of his drink. “And despite all of that, in the matter of a few short years, we’ve had the three of us, Tirek, Chrysalis, and Sombra all return from exile, imprisonment, or entrapment? I think the Domains are trying to break her, and you may be the tool they’re using, Illua.” “Are you suggesting this isn’t my choice?” I glared at Discord. "Or are you suggesting that I'm simply a pawn for the psuedo-sentient forces of the world?" Luna spit her tea back into her cup, looking surprised at Discord, who only calmly smiled. “Oh heavens niether, my dearest chaos bringer! I merely suggest that, perhaps, this day was to come regardless, and you may be the final nail in that coffin.” Discord stretched, his spine popping musically before he snapped away his chair and pot. "However, it is quite late, and I have many errands to run tomorrow. Perhaps we can actually teach you something next time!" Glancing at the time, I cringed internally. Jeeze, 2 am. “Yeah, I need to sleep too, if Luna's going to fiddle in my head tonight. Hopefully I can finish preparations for tomorrow, and then rest until the duel." I stood up and began drawing a chalk sigil on the wall. "Perhaps I can finish a few spells in that time too. Night Discord, Luna." “A wise decision. ” Luna collected our cups, saucers and plates from the small table we shared. "I shall go make preparations for our mental rendezvous. Please, try to be asleep soon. Good evening, Discord." Luna quietly excused herself, while I completed my teleport sigil, and stepped out. leaving Discord to watch the both of us. "Oh me, oh my, oh stars. The battle ahead is going to be very, very, interesting."   I arrived in my sanctuary, my rage instantly welling up as I kicked over my stool, sending it down the stairs to the cellar.  “Alright, I was quiet most of the time you and those two talked. What’s going on behind the scenes?” Nyx made her presence known by draping her ephemeral arms over my shoulders, giving me that comforting pressure. “You’re upset, and you wanted to explode at those two.” “They’re so.. So…  They seem so ready to fucking forgive her for imprisoning them for a thousand years, and act as if nothing is truly wrong with what happened!” I kicked at the wall, hot, bitter tears beginning to stain my cheeks and shirt. “It’s almost like they want me to see her as someone necessary!” The edges of my vision became fuzzy as my heart rate began to rise, yet I wanted to vent my emotions physically. “Illua, you need to breathe.” “Why does everyone want mercy for that bitch?! She doesn’t fucking deserve it!” My mind kept jumping from one conclusion to another in a series of discordant sentences. I could feel my heart pounding harder, my breathing becoming shallow, but I didn’t want to stop shouting. “She can’t just be excused from her god damn crimes! She needs to pay!”  “Illua, you need to sit down and calm yourself.” “‘Oh, I’m such a pretty immortal, where a thousand years is less than a drop in my eternal bucket, oh look how wise and mature I am! I can forgive my sister for abusing me to the point of allowing a demon to possess me for world domination, and then let her abuse me further by isolating me on a barren wasteland to go insane until fatebound sailor scouts magically save me from psychosis!’ No fuck that! I won’t just accept it like a complacent DOG!” My vision blurred as my tears blinded me, and combined with the encroaching darkness and dizziness, Nyx ripped control from me, saving me from passing out on the floor. “Illua, I know you are upset, but you need to calm down. Luna is going to be in your mind tonight, and we want to avoid it being any more turbulent than it already will be.” I wanted to stand, to kick, and scream more, but Nyx forced me to undress, and to get comfy in my bed. I couldn’t hold back the infuriated sobs that had been building.  Nyx, I thought things would have changed by now. That she would have learned her lesson by now… I know, I know. Things have changed, but unfortunately, she really hasn't.  She’s so much worse than some of the officials back on Earth. She’s made her people so blatantly ignorant and compliant that she could do almost anything and no one would see her doing wrong. It’s so infuriating.. The current generation of ponies grew up literally worshipping her. No matter what we do, she will always be seen as a good ruler. I curled up tighter as Nyx relinquished control, stifling sniffles and sobs to take hold of my emotions. Illua, I’m not telling you to roll over and do as the ponies do. You and I both know we don’t fit well with them, and it’s hard enough trying to justify ourselves to them. How about after the duel, we go beyond Equestria? Perhaps visit the Gryphons and Minotaurs and study with them?  That sounds actually nice… Maybe we can leave the ponies behind.. They're gonna hate us anyways..I slowly yawned as my tears began to dry on my cheeks. I just wish I knew where Cadenza was buried, maybe unload a bit more… Let’s ask Luna tomorrow then. Okay. Have fun tonight, Nyx... I turned onto my side as sleep suddenly pulled me under amidst my emotional low. Nyx's musings was the last thing I could remember before that dreamless night past by. “I love you Illua. Cadenza loved you. There are beings in this world who care about you, Like Discord, and ones who want to understand your pain, like Luna. There are others who share your suffering in some way, like Horus. You’re not alone. You’re not a burden. You’re not weak. And you deserve the happiness you fight for, be it for yourself or others.” The thunder and rolling waves that made the surface of this mindscape slowly withdrew as Illua's mind submitted to slumber.   “Speaking to Illua, are we?” Luna spoke, her wings folding as her hooves dipped into the wet pitch black floor. “Sometimes, she needs a little bit of subconscious comfort, Luna. She's not like the ponies, where a hug and a few wise words can be comfort enough. However, that's not what we're here to do today." Nyx ran her fingers over the water that they stood upon, summoning forth an unusual archway made of pulsating black flesh and colorful stained glass, white porcelain and grey concrete. “Oh, Mother dearest, help me.” Luna’s horrified exclamation made Nyx smile a bit. The thunder that once echoed around them now escaped from its source, as a mixture of terrified screams, mechanical beeps, and clashing swords. "What is this abomination?"  “My, Luna, as the Mind Keeper, I thought you’d be familiar with what this is?” The humanoid one smugly nudged the pony shaped one. “Nyx, I know What it is. It’s the entrance to her subconscious. I’m just… I’m absolutely horrified to see how twisted and damaged it is. Did you do this?” Luna cast an accusatory glare, while Nyx just laughed.  “Oh, definitely not.” Nyx snorted as she took a few steps towards the gaping maw, turning to face the Dreamwalker. "This is just what a human mind is like." "A beautiful horror, a horrific beauty. Come, shall we fall down the rabbit hole, Alice?"