The view from the rock outcropping where we set up camp was beautiful. The evening sky illuminated the valley below in a dull pink light. The treetops rose up like pillars. The lakes glistened with the reflection of the sky. The view was absolutely gorgeous, but it didn’t make me feel better.
What I had seen earlier today still scared me. The groan of the lurker, the liquified thump as Opal kicked it, and the sights of its head torn to bits. She had explained to me that what was done needed to be done. She told me that it wasn’t the same as killing a pony because those things weren't ponies, just monsters in a pony shaped shell. I understood what happened and why it needed to happen but it still scared me.
I heard Opal approaching behind me. “You should really come eat something,” She said, placing a hoof on my shoulder. “You’ll need you strength if we’re planning on continuing tomorrow.”
With a sigh I turned and followed Opal to the campfire, which was surrounded by a wall of rocks about knee high.
“Why is the fire pit so big?” I asked curiously.
“Its to reduce the amount of light it gives off.” She turned to me saw I was still confused “Those Lurkers will be able to spot an uncovered flame from about a mile away and we don’t any to show up when we’re sleeping.”
I nodded and took a seat by the fire and levitated a bowl of what looked to be some sort of stew over to me and started eating. The taste in my mouth wasn’t the best feeling in the world. but it was warm, and on a cold night in the middle of a forest, warm was good.
“So.” I started awkwardly “What made you want to become a messenger?”
Opal put her bowl down and thought for a moment “Well i guess a big reason is for the adventure. Being locked up in a underground city doesn’t exactly fall under my definition of fun.” Opal then turned to me. “Why did you become a navigator?”
“When I was younger I used to listen to stories that the navigators told to the children. They always made them sound so exciting and action packed, and i guess I just wanted to have a story like that. My very own story.” I said worried, hoping it wouldn’t seem to selfish.
“Well, stick with me and you’re certain to have plenty of stories to tell!” she said with a laugh.
I laughed as well. “No doubt.”
After that we were silent. Only the crackling of the flame could be heard. The silence was calming. It made me feel secure. I lie down and look up at the sky. The stars are glistening up high overhead and the moon was at its fullest. I stare up for a long while. My eyes begin to close. I try fighting sleep for a while, but it was no use. I let fatigue take over as I fall asleep, hoping for peaceful night.
What I got was far from peaceful.
I was standing in clearing. The cool air brushed past my face and through my mane. The night sky sparkled with millions of stars. The grass beneath my feet was as soft as a cloud and the trees around me were covered in green leaves. The scene was amazing, but it didn’t last.
The air around me started to feel more cold and unforgiving. The sky and the stars went dark as they were covered by grey clouds. The trees around me lost their leaves, revealing dark creepy branches. The grass beneath me turned brown and died. I then heard a noise from behind me. When I turned I saw Opal, But this was not the normal Opal. This version of her had blood covering most of her now pale pink fur, most of her mane had been torn away, cuts were scattered all across her body, and lastly there was a bite mark on her neck.
Opal was dead, at least in the sense that none of what made her her, really remained. What was left was this empty shell, filled with some sort of evil.
Opal opened her mouth and let out a loud defining moan. Then more moans came from all around me as more lurkers appeared from the shadows of the trees. I had nowhere to run. The lurkers slowly got closer and closer, Opal in the lead. She got close enough to the point I could feel her dark, raspy, dead breath down my neck.. She then pushed me onto the ground in a tackle. I tried to fight back but her strength was too much. She let out another blood curdling moan and then, with the forces to crush bones, she bit.
~
I shot up, awake, sweat running down my face and neck. Thank Celestia that it was a dream. I didn’t know what would’ve happened if it wasn’t.
I then felt a hoof on my shoulder, making me jump back in surprise.
“Oops, Sorry.” Opal said flinching “I saw how scared you looked so I came over to see what was wrong.”
I stay silent for a moment, shocked in Opals taking notice to what had happened. “I’m fine, just a little nightmare, nothing to worry about.” I say with a forced smile
“Are you sure?” She replied, still worried “You seemed pretty scared...”
“I'm Fine.” I push.
She was about to argue more but was interrupted by a rustling in the bushes behind her. Opal raised her pistol toward the sound. She took a second before lining up the shot Just before she started squeezing the trigger a voice came from the bushes where she was aiming.
“I would rather you didn't” A figure emerged from the trees. It was a colt, a unicorn buck to be exact. His charcoal fur blended with the shadows behind him. His white mane and tail seemed to glow against his body. His cutie mark was what looked to be iron. What really intrigued me about him though, were his eyes, they weren't normal. They were cloudy, grey and lifeless. I realized the pony was blind, unable to see, but that didn't seem to effect him.
“After all I've been through with the undead, it would suck to die from a gun.” He said, taking some more steps forward into our base.
“Who are you?” I ask approaching the black and white unicorn. “What do you want?”
“You first.” He says, calmly.
“My name is Compass rose, and this is Opal Star.” I say, hesitantly.
The colt nods politely. “I am Cobalt.”