/* Look who is not dead yet. Sorry about the delay which has no valid excuse whatsoever. */
Oren was now out of the immediate vicinity of the castle and back at the lake, "Well now that we are known enemies of the state, I suppose we should get as far away from here as possible."
A quick recheck on the blood sigils showed that the one that would have been next was moving closer and the southern rune had been destroyed. Luckily, relatively all things considered, the one far to the east was left undisturbed.
With one last remark from Oren, "Let's hope for better results in the land of the rising sun," they departed the country leaving a boulder in their sted.
Oren took a quick survey of his surroundings to find he was outside a fortress, one can only assume was on the other side of the large wall decked out with wooden spikes, with little plant life in the immediate vicinity and the sound of waves crashing in the background. After waiting a few moments to see if any creature witnessed his arrival, Oren made his way to a more subtle location and began his mystic scouting. Oren, physically speaking, was fortunate enough to be tackled shortly after leaving his body to scout, by a young female Griffin.
Now pinned to the ground by a creature higher in the food chain Utim began stalling, "I should hope this doesn't mark the beginning of a trend."
Gilda looked down at the most recent intruder, "I see you have returned like that Princess Celestia thought you would."
"My how fast word travels here. That was not more than a couple of minutes ago I should wager, most impressive."
Talking to this creature would clearly wear on her nerves and the others wanted to see it, unharmed if possible. "Hmph, an hour ago actually."
"Ah, news of the first encounter. Still, considering the distance that is no small feat."
'Utim it appears this area is home to a pride, or is it flock, of Griffins.'
'Old news, try and keep up. Word of our actions in the castle have yet to arrive only that of the first encounter, act accordingly.'
"Well the owner is home. It was a pleasure chatting with you; we should do this again sometime."
"What?" It was doing almost exactly the same as the message from Canterlot said it did in Ponyville.
Oren regaining control of his senses noticed the similar position he found himself in. "At least this time a predator is the one attacking me. I never heard of a leaf eating creature initiating a confrontation unprovoked."
Well that was new, "Huh, I thought you were supposed to talk through trees."
Oren chuckled slightly and with a smile explained, "Oh that, I would never speak to a creature like them for the life of me."
Gilda's opinion of the creature went up enough to allow it to get up. "Tell me about it, those ponies sure are a bunch of dweebs."
'Utim do you suppose that is just the Griffin way of saying pure?'
'Oh most definitely.'
Oren and the Griffin were not nearly as conflicting as he was with the ponies. Things were looking up. "As you said but I know there is no need for such concern among Griffins."
Gilda was glad this thing new the proper order of things. "You got that right."
Time to find out the extent of the Princess's lies. "I suppose you must also have heard some version of what I did to the pink pony."
Gilda understood where he was coming from granted it was a tad drastic. She might have done something similar if there were not so many treaties between the Griffins and ponies. "Yah, surprised you lasted that long before having to try and shut her up."
Of course they would accuse me of such a thing. “I had already made myself deaf temporarily."
Gilda might be able to see Rainbow Dash again if she could learn how he could do such a thing. "Really? That sounds like a pretty cool way to deal with them lame brains."
Time for the moment of truth. "I was simply testing to see if they would be able to help. Allow me to demonstrate."
Oren reached for his arm to begin removing the runes but stopped quickly with a grimace. Instead he wiped his hand over his throat looked around at the plant-less surroundings and shrugged. He then returned his hand to the runes. Shortly, they were all aglow again, then began the part he was dreading. As swiftly as possible he began removing the runes from his arm and with them came his skin and a good deal of the muscle underneath. Needless to say it was extremely painful and he was cursing and swearing muted the entire time.
Once he finished his skeletal arm hung limp and he proceeded to vomit on the ground. The salty air from the ocean against his exposed nerves caused further pain. Wanting to get this over with quickly he thrust the glowing orb of runes towards Gilda who flinched slightly only for it to bounce off of her and knock Oren back and onto the ground runes on him once more. The slight burn from the re-etching told him most of his torso, left leg, and some of his neck were claimed now.
'Congratulations, you now have 52 hours remaining.'
'Not in the mood' While the runes seemed to seal the pain, which he was very thankful for, his arm was now useless and would likely have to be amputated when he had a chance. Considering how much worse it was from the first time another attempt would likely compromise something vital in his chest killing him.
'The runes didn't out right reject Griffins like it did for ponies, this was a step in the right direction.'
'If you will excuse my mood I might have been a tad more excited, if it weren't for the fact that the next try will cause me to keel over, probably immediately.'
Gilda was utterly shocked at what she just saw. "Where in Tartarus did that come from?"
New plan, hope to find someone here that can cure me. "That was the test I gave the Pink one. A test that it seems I can no longer give. I don't suppose there is any chance of a good magical healer I can see being nearby?"
"All the good docs are back in Equestria, they can't be bothered to come help any of their neighbors." Memories of going to see Rainbow Dash to see if she might hook her up with a Doc for her younger sister came back.
'Great, I don't suppose I can just kill myself now and save some time?'
'No, I want that body healthy when I get it.'
'I figured as much. Suppose I would want the previous owner of my future home to leave it in good condition as well.'
Oren now had to really rely on the one local he knew who wasn't being blinded by lies. "I don't suppose you could aide me in receiving medical attention somehow."
Gilda could see it clearly was in need of help if only mentally. "Well... I used to have a friend back in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash who has some connections higher up."
'I highly doubt that there is another rainbow colored pony in that hamlet. Your odds of getting the body seem to have gone up in smoke.'
Oren was surprised that a Griffin would associate with a potential meal especially to the degree of friendship. "Could I trouble you to give it a shot anyway?"
"Unlike you, I would have to fly there and that might take awhile."
Hardly a problem for one skilled in breaking the system, “Leave that to me.”
Oren disappeared to be replaced by the boulder from before then Gilda disappeared and found herself under a tree by a lake in Ponyville then the tree vanished and Oren appeared beside her.
"Glad to see I can still abuse a loop-hole like the good old days."
He went to drink some water from the lake, but never made it as he proceeded to cough violently a good deal of blood in the coughs.
'I am 19 during a time of peace, this is ridiculous.'
"I hope you have luck in getting a doctor. I'm just gonna-" Oren then passed out in a heap on the ground.
"If you truly do wish to help, I suggest you leave out the description on just who it is that needs treatment. Oren isn't exactly popular around here."
With that the creature was silent leaving Gilda to wonder just what she should do now.