//------------------------------// // A Tale of a Proud Griffon (Beginning and Middle-ish) // Story: The Magister // by Xinamar //------------------------------// Chapter Four - A Tale of a Proud Griffon “Almost there…” I utter softly. With some effort I look up, pressing a fore-hoof firmly into a vast field of untouched snow. “Come on, Alma! Let's get a move on!” As I finish my words attempt to leave the my frozen lips, but quickly die within the rushing of wind. “Yes, master!” I hear her respond, somehow noting my command. I notice Alma struggles to press forward against the wind and as soon as she could grab onto my cloak she does. With her small size and lack of power in her metal wings, she is unable to compete against the harsh mountain wind. “You need shelter, master.” She’s right, I reason to myself. With the temperature and winds as they are I have, at most, several more hours before my body can’t support the stress of metabolizing magic to maintain my body heat. I pause and gather my thoughts to do some quick math. After this, if I can quickly reach my target, I might be able to cast one more spell above novice level without killing myself. Dammit, whatever when I get there I should at least be out of the wind. Keeping a steady pace I walk forward and then lower my gaze. Snow starts to pile onto my mane, but at least I keep is out of my face. After a few moments, I glance upward again and see the large shadow of our destination. It’s within a hundred meters, give or take. “Alma, you still here?!?” “Yes, Master!” Alright, I'm almost there, just let me get in there body.. I continue to push through the snow and wind the best I can with my cloak doing nothing more than adding drag to my body. This thing is useless, dammit I should’ah just waited for my jacket… why the hell did I get so ticked back in Ponyville anyway? I redirect my eyes and peek over my shoulder at Alma. … I remember, who am I kidding. Come on, just let me get there. The wind continues to hiss at me doing everything in its natural power to deter me. As for the snow, it cuts into my fur coat leaving no physical markings, but the feeling of miniature blades gliding over my skin. However, with a deep breath I look forward and smile. The pain is somehow reassuring. I am out and about again, outside politics and other ponies business, just adventuring against the natural and unknown forces. I got this, I smile. Again I place a forehoof slowly in front of me and… BOOM! I blast off running, leaving a puff of snow behind me. “ALMA, YOU STILL THERE?” “YES. MASTER!!!” I hear Alma respond. Bolting forward to the fortress my smile widens. I can see the fort's body grow larger as I press on, the details of its exterior becoming clearer and clearer. The wind and snow no longer feel like an obstacle, but an opportunity to feel what it means to be alive, without a responsibility to anypony else but yourself, without a predetermined purpose. The guiding light is curiosity and basic need. “ALMA, IF I WERE TO TELEPORT WOULD YOU BE TELEPORTED WITH ME?!” I yell not looking at her but at the stone wall rushing toward me. “YES, I WOULD BE TELEPORTED WITH YOU, MASTER!” “GOOD!” I reply. The wall is now a few feet from my snout when my charge reaches max speed, my smile now an arrogant smirk. Come on let’s see if I can still do this. Taking a blink I dematerialize into magic and, instantaneously, re-emerge beyond the wall in a spectacle of crimson lights. “WHOA! Dear Luna, how I've missed that!” Quickly I shake off the snow from my hooves and cloak. After clearing all the snow off of myself I roll my shoulders slightly, implying to Alma to please get off of me. She does so almost immediately and floats in front of my snout, “That worked, surprisin'ly, perfectly. Alma, where are we and what are we lookin’ for?” I bounce side to side a bit to loosen myself up. “We are in Fort Alaric,” she explains with a glow to her eyes. “The last stronghold of the Griffon Northern Land Forces during the Dragon-Equestrian Wars.” “Hmm, anything else interestin' Alma?” “An 'interesting' fact that may please my master is that, after the dragons were finally pushed back and defeated, griffons were no longer allowed to reclaim their provinces and forts on Equestrian soil; however, any skyward territories were still theirs. This was a negotiated agreement in the Treaty of All Earths by Celestia and dragon ruler, Amita.” “Okay, any recorded reason for this action?” “These areas were to be used as breeding grounds for newer dragon races. Races that could more easily coexist with Equestrian residents, especially the Equines.” “How did the griffons respond?” “Any rebels were slaughtered, including General Alaric himself, the griffon this fort was named after. These events were then erased from all Equine and/or griffon archives.” “What was Luna’s position on all this???” I quickly ask, directing my attention to Alma. I personally prefer hearing any new information on my allies, especially if it pertains to my alicorn ally. “She was already banished to the moon at this point master.” “...Oh okay." Kind of disappointed but I continue my questioning. "So we are after an artifact of Alaric’s then?”Alma’s focuses on me, her eyes dimming, and she simply nods as a reply. “Alright. Hey, did the griffons win or what happened?” “It is recorded that Alaric himself attacked the dragons killing thousands but was pushed back to this fort. He then defended this fort against several hundred dragons invaders before falling. It is stated he retreated; however, griffon history, within my library, states that Celestia pulled him from his “glorious” death. Afterward General Alaric returned to the fort with Celestia and the Equine armies behind him and reclaimed the fort from its new dragon occupants.” “Hmmm, that is interestin'. Should I expect any traps here?” “No, master. Griffons highly emphasized honor in their pre-War culture. According to historical records, they would even prefer to overpower their enemies in full frontal offences, attacking invading forces until they reach a checkpoint. They then fight to the death to hold their position, but this tradition was ended after Alaric.” “Why?” “Celestia wiped out the entire Griffon armed forces, then immediately after rewrote Griffon history and tactics using Equine methods as a model for their new strategies.” “Really? That's hard to believe. I defeated her and, for Luna’s sake, a love-powered bug kicked Celestia's flank.” “According to records of the time, the era was referred to as the “Year of No Light” by the griffon race. The moon and sun did not rise nor set over griffon skies. The griffons described it as being “within an endless void.” Famine and mass hysteria followed suite. Many griffons then slaughtered each other out of fear and necessity, leaving the strong but reducing the intelligent and creative populations.” “Uhh... That’s effective to say the least. Hey Alma, thanks for the history lesson. I’ll be sure to remember this next time I confront Celestia.” “I am always happy to assist master.” “Now, time to get on with this hunt.” I straighten my posture and stretch my back crack. “I missed this.” Swiftly I rush into the stone depths.The sound of my hooves echo through the darkness. It’s really warm in here. I take note. I don’t like it, but I don’t outright feel any magic from anything animate. So it could be heat trapped within the mountain. I keep glancing back and forth looking for anything obvious. After going down a few hall and corridors, I spot an empty archway and emanating from it a flickering light. That’s not right… I think as I change the direction of my charge towards this lit tunnel. The place is uninhabited from the impression I am getting. Hmmm, this may actually be an interesting hunt. I keep my charge unyielding during my approach my muscles burn from overuse and a smile arises again. It is a beautiful feeling really, and I love it. It’s a welcome and familiar pain. As the light grows nearer I glance at Alma. Her eyes appear to be glowing. I forgot of my new asset for these hunts. “Alma! What's up?” “Sensors within my core systems are picking up large amounts of possibly dangerous energies.” “Like what Alma? Magic?” “No, I cannot accurately process it, please master, exercise caution.” “Alright." I state solemnly. "Run right into it then.” Excited at the new development my legs carry me faster. I make it into the lit archway and I notice a turn approaching me. Quickly I smash a hoof into the stone floor, pivoting into the turn as sharply as possible. What I see is unable to be explained. There, before me, was a hollow griffon standing against a obsidian dragon. The only sources of light, the torches, begin to flicker even more wildly as I am in awe of this situation. No way…A fucking black Dragon. I think. But I snap back to my senses as I realize the potential danger of this scenario. Shooting back towards the turn of the archway I glance back towards the dragon. It's mouth is open. The beast promptly starts to breath out its black fire. First over taking the griffon. Then approaches me. I try my hardest to reach the hallway, but I know I can't reach it in time. Then I see Alma zoom into room maintaining the twenty feet rule I established earlier. “Alma!” I blare out at the top of my lungs. All she does is look at me plainly while she progresses towards me. I glance again at the dragon and assure myself I have enough magic for a shielding spell. I've got to protect Alma... Without a second thought I cast the spell around Alma and stop running. The blackness of the fire covers my vision. Alma is the last thing I see. This is gonna hurt like a bitch… I just know it. * “Master?” I hear Alma say from a distance. Confused I open my eyes. The first thing I am greeted with is Alma trapped in her protective bubble. I am then met with the realization that I am in my previous location, unharmed. Hastily I turn back towards the location of the griffon and the dragon and, to my astonishment, they’re gone, “Alma did you catch what happened???” I almost yell as I turn back towards her to release the bubble. “Yes master,” she answers while she hovers closer to me, her movement is no longer restricted by the shielding spell. “What exactly happened?” “As I passed a corner to remain twenty feet from my master, master started to run towards Alma. He yelled for me, then master cast a protective bubble around Alma.” “I mean the fuckin’ dragon, Alma. And also the griffon that was just here.” I tell her. Taking a glance around I start to notice that there are no lit torches around here. Catching another look around me, there is no actual evidence that there were torches ever here or at least recently. “Alma...? What happened to those ‘dangerous energies’ you were talkin' about earlier?” “They had dispersed…” Her eyes again glow. “My sensors are still picking up high concentrations of this energy forming nearby, however.” “Where?” “Beneath us, master.” “Alright. Alma can you please grab onto my shoulder?” “Yes, master,” she affirms and then without delay hovers next to my head and lands onto my shoulder. “Awaiting your next command, master.” “That’s all for now, just stay there.” “Yes, master.” With a deep breath I concentrate. Magical auras begin to form around my horn as I start to slowly dissipate into magic for a teleportation. As the spell progresses, I can feel my chest increase in weight while my thoughts cloud. I clench my teeth and keep the spell going, but my magic reserves are depleted. My body is trying to instantaneously metabolize what fats and other organic fuel I have to power the spell. Giving up I relax, and stop my attempt before I fuck something up. “Hmmm, well Alma I think we need to do this like Earth ponies and walk.” The grey darkness of the old fort looks at me,depositing a sense of eeriness and anxiety into my soul. Not wanting to get too antsy in my mind I try to figure out where I might be in the fort. I see a lot pillars and this room is kinda big. With a casual trot I start my investigation to my position in space. I look for details as I pass: remnants of several archways, a destroyed staircase leading upward to possibly another corridor, and a iron clad door at the very end of the room. Jackpot, I think. This looks dungeon-y, I know this’ll lead downstairs. “Alma, how old is this place?” “Six hundred and ninety-two years as of today.” That should be old enough. The iron should be rusted to the point of breaking. Continuing my trot I reach the door. Examining the door more closely, I realize the possibility of fucking up my shoulder if its still too sturdy. Either the old iron gives way or the wooden door frame snaps. I'm confident I got this. “Alma, can you please withdraw from my shoulder? I’ma try somethin’.” She nods as a reply and hovers off of me. Walking backward, away from the door, I ready myself loosening my muscles up with a few hops side to side. I then stretch my back and take one small step forward with one forehoof. Off the bat my body tightens as I blast off towards my target gaining speed with every stride. “COME ON!” I yell. I know I need more speed to bust open this door but my body doesn't want to comply. I grind my teeth together in a struggle to move faster. My breaths become more erratic. Finally, my legs carry me to the speed necessary to breech this door. SNAP!My shoulder collides onto the door shattering its frame. Fuck yes, I think to myself; however, this victory is short lived. Da fuck... My entire body is in midair as I realize my mistake. The door led directly to the staircase with no space before the first step to let me recover. As I fall the first thing to hit the hard granite stairs is a forehoof, but it quickly loses traction and slips off the stair leaving my chest as the next object to fall. That quickly hits the corner of a step, then my body follow immediately after. * After what seemed like an unusually long fall and with a countless number of attempted recoveries and fumbles. I finally manage to stop myself with a hoof. “Ow, fuck… Hey, Alma you still behind me?!” I manage to cough out as I recover my breathes. “... Master.” I hear her as if she were a whisper. “Can you get a bit closer, Alma. I can barely hear ya.”My recovery is a little sluggish but I get up off my back and onto my hooves again. Continuing my pattern of slowness, I steadily balance myself on the stairs and look up towards the top of the staircase. I only spot a small bulb of light. From what I can tell it appears to be approaching me. “Alma, you comin’ here or what is that?” No answer. “Alma?” “Master…” The bulb answers slowly. It sounds so close, but I can plainly tell Alma isn't hear yet. “Okay, you’re bein’ really creepy. Just get over here so I can see you.” The bulb complies and approaches at a hasted rate, getting larger and larger as I stand ideally by. Silence then seems to drop around me as the light gets closer. “Alma, come on stop bein’ weird, really.” This doesn't phase the light as it finally reaches me. Something is off all I see is light, no tangible form within. “ALMA!!!” I yell as I grab for the light. My hoof flies through it, making contact with nothing. “ALMA!!!!!” Continually I yell as I desperately reach into the light grabbing for anything. With repeated failure to even touch something that feels like Alma. My panic switches to a frenzy as I realize the light may not be her. “WHAT ARE YOU!?! WHERE”S ALMA!!!?” No answer. “I WILL DESTROY YOU IF YOU DON'T ANSWER ME!” I threaten to no effect. My rage grows as the light appears to “look at me", mocking my concern for Alma. “I AM GOIN’ TO KILL YOU!!!!!!” I yell as my body stiffens up in fear and rage. Crimson magic starts to illuminate around me and the essence in front of me. I can feel I am killing myself doing this. My body is devouring itself to give me the volume of magical energy I need to pwer this spell. I don't care though. I need Alma and this thing took her. She couldn't have just vanished. “GIVE ME BACK ALMA!!!” The crimson auras starts to invade the configuration of the orb. “GIVE HER BACK!!!" BOOM!I release a destructive pulse in front of me. Everything vibrates uncontrollably. The stairs above me then collapse, blocking my only way out of here. With the foundation suddenly disappearing into dust the stones above me fall. Chaos everywhere I am beaten by the falling bricks... My vision clouded I can see a light pale emanate from within the chaos. As everything clears there is now longer an orb before me but a pale mare. “Tell… me, where is Alma.” I weakly breathe out looking up at her. She approaches my fallen body. “Tell. Me.” Only a step above me she looks into my eyes with her own. They are a piercing pale blue. Within them there is an unwavering storm. I feel uneasy as I look into them. They are a prison, a prison for... The mare snaps her mouth open and lets out a sickening sound. * “Master…?” I hear Alma whisper again. Everything is pitch black and I can’t seem to understand why. I feel my body on an even surface, cold to the touch but I can’t feel anything else. As my senses play catch up I move my face a bit to speed up the process. I then realize the reason for the darkness, my eye are closed. “Master…?” I hear Alma whisper again. I feel something else now. Its wet, beneath my head. It's warm. After a second I feel the warmth creep towards my shoulders. Dammit, that’s blood. Dammit. Dammit. Dammit, I fell down the entire flight of stairs and now I am laying in pull of my own blood. Dammit… “Master?” Alma repeats. With a laborious effort, I finally manage to open my eyes and see Alma above me. Specks of light accompany her. These lights appear to be slowly shower me. As they make contact I can feel them being absorbed into my being. This is “mulcebris lumen”, how did she know to run this repair program without my command. She hasn’t shown any sign of sentience at all before… none I can recall to be more accurate, or maybe I just can't rightly define what is a sentient action or not. I don't know. “Master. Are you okay?” Again she’s using that phrase. 'Are you okay?' Alpha’s can’t evolve, they are stagnant personalities with no morals or real emotions.They learn processes but only to an extent, it must be formulaic in nature. Alma’s worried, compassionate and caring even. She cast a repair program without an order too, this isn’t enough to prove anything but I’ve never seen her do this before. She's never shown evidence that she knew that if I sustain bodily injury she should activate “mulcebris lumen”, but I can see how she could put two plus two together though. So, maybe it is a formulaic response. “Hey Alma…” I state slowly and smile. "Yes?" “It’s goin’ to be alright.”