It Sleeps Beneath Foal Mountain

by the7Saviors

I crossed the threshold...

Exactly how long I spent pouring over the tome's contents, I wasn't sure. As I flipped through the yellowed pages of the book, expanding my mind and eagerly absorbing the details of a world and creatures literally alien to me, time seemed to lose much of its meaning.

My horror had long since given way to complete and utter fascination. The scholar in me had taken over, and I—without worry or hesitation or even conscious thought—had committed to internalizing every twisted monstrosity and heinous ritual I came across while reading. So immersed was I that I failed to hear the persistent knock at my door, and it was only when the tell-tale sound of a turning doorknob reached my ears that I roused myself from my fugue.

At that moment, reality crashed back down around me and panic seized my heart at the thought of Daring Do entering the room to find me in possession of the tome. My fear was no longer her discovery of my breach of trust, but that the mare would attempt to rob me of the knowledge I so desperately desired. She couldn't know that I'd taken the tome not only because I hadn't finished researching its contents, but because I was afraid of what I might do to keep the book in my hooves. A sort of quiet frenzy came over me as I waited for Daring Do to enter the room, but it wasn't long before I realized she'd failed to get the door open.

I allowed myself a small, relieved chuckle as the mare knocked again and inquired about my well-being. I had locked the door the night before and had completely forgotten in the wake of my strange dream and obsessive perusal of the tome. Making sure to place the tattered tome well out of sight, I unlocked the door and bade Daring Do to enter the room. Despite my assurances that all was well, she eyed me strangely nevertheless, but I was not caught and so didn't let her look bother me overmuch. I discovered that only an hour and a half or so had passed during my reading session, though it certainly felt much longer than that.

I was surprised to find that I was disappointed that I hadn't been able to continue my study of the book's contents, a sentiment far removed from my initial disdain and fear of the thing. My eyes had been thoroughly opened to wonders and horrors the likes of which I'd only seen in recent memory, and I now had names I could put to some of the terrifying creatures I'd seen. For all that I'd read, however, I had found no mention or even a trace of the black creature I'd seen in my initial vision—that massive monstrous black thing that had crawled its way up out of the mountain in an ever-expanding pillar of darkness.

Many questions remained, but the answers would have to stay just out of reach for the moment. Now it was time for Daring and I to make ready for our arduous trip through the vast desert that lay further east of Dammare. It was late in the morning by the time we finished packing our essentials into our saddlebags and it wasn't long after that we left the hotel. Perhaps noticing my immense discomfort as we made our way through the city, Daring Do went out of her way to procure for me one of the traditional headdresses I'd seen many of the other Saddle Arabian mares wearing around the city, but it did little to block out the scathing light of Celestia's sun.

I appreciated the gesture all the same but was beginning to feel somewhat uneasy as the mare continued to give me that strange look she'd given me back in my room at the hotel. It took me several moments to realize it was the same sort of look I'd received from the old mare at the train stop near the forest by the Galloping Gorge. I felt the blood drain from my face as I thought about the implications of what that look might mean, and though I was reluctant to ask, I had to know. Mustering up some semblance of composure, I questioned Daring about her strange looks, and the answer I received was dismaying, to say the least.

Seemingly embarrassed that she'd been caught staring, she apologized but looked no less troubled as she explained that my lavender coat had noticeably darkened a shade. Surprised, I stopped and took a moment to observe myself and sure enough, my fur had changed from its lavender hue to a purple shade that matched that of the scales of my faithful assistant. Daring went on to say that she hadn't been certain back at the hotel, but now that we were out in the sun, the change was much more apparent. What's more, she'd also noticed that the deformity in my eyes had grown more prominent than it had been the day before, which most likely would've explained the increased aversion I felt the sun's rays.

Whatever was happening to me, it was getting worse, and I had no doubt it had something to do with that vaguely remembered dream of the night before. I resolved to check the full extent of the changes at the nearest opportunity but was able to set the issue aside for the moment. Though the shock and unease were great, I found both passed much more quickly this time—almost worryingly so—and with a simple reaffirmation of our resolution to resolve this mystery, Daring Do and I continued forth until we made our way out of the city.

Once we had passed the borders of Dammare, we spread our wings and took flight, hoping to make good time as we soared towards the distant and endless dunes of white sand. The heat was intense, but it was nothing compared to the constant burning that assaulted my eyes. It was bearable, but only just, and I found myself wishing more and more for night to fall. The night would bring with it a bitter cold that would no doubt cut straight through my coat and into my skin, but the thought was almost comforting to me.

I, of course, told Daring Do none of these thoughts or complaints, and for the first hour or so of flight, I was content to keep my silence, but the flight quickly grew dull and both the burning in my eyes and the general heat soon grew to be too much. In an attempt to distract myself from the discomfort, and curious about our destination, I questioned Daring about this ancient temple buried in the sands. It was clear from her troubled expression that the mare was reluctant to talk about her past expedition. She'd told me much about the wall paintings she'd seen within the temple's depths, but very little about the temple itself and what was in it.

"Of all the ruins I've been to, this temple may be one of the most unsettling. If I may be completely candid, Princess, I'd still much rather we turn back, but if your affliction is getting worse and this is our only lead, then we may have no other choice but to proceed. Despite my misgivings, I do believe the answer, or at least part of that answer lies inside that temple.

"Still, it is a place best left buried by the literal sands of time in my honest opinion. The temple is caved in at several different points and I was unable to plumb its full depths, but what I found was enough to give me an idea of the horrible acts committed in the past. Long rusted tools used in ritual sacrifice, altars stained black with ancient blood, the twisted remains of creatures that may not have been—no, clearly were not entirely equine, and I've no doubt I would've found much worse had I been able to make my way further below.

"Fear and superstition are both things that don't come easily to me, but in this case, I know without a doubt that there is a malignant presence in that place, even now. What I found there—the tools, the altars, the remains—those were not enough to deter me from my expedition. No, it was an older, much more primal fear, Princess. It was the fear of the dark, the fear of whatever might have lurked in that darkness. The deeper I delved, the darker my world became, and once I'd traveled deep enough, once my vision had faded to nothing, I began to hear things; whispers in the dark, unnatural echoes in the silence.

"There was a terrible itching my eyes that only grew worse as I continued on, and before I knew it, I'd scratched at them until they were red. I imagine it was much like how you had described in the dream you had during your trip to my home, and that's what made me so reluctant to agree to this endeavor. There is something deep in the bowels of that temple—something old and very evil. If we're to undertake this expedition, we will have to tread very lightly, and that means following my lead to the letter."

At this, Daring Do gave me a significant look, one that spoke of dire consequence should I ignore that rule. Naturally, I agreed to defer to her experience, having planned to do so all along, and that seemed to satisfy her. She nodded and continued speaking, her countenance growing somewhat rueful, if still deeply troubled.

"You might think me a coward despite my name, and you're free to think as much. I certainly did once I finally made my way out of that horrible place. It wasn't until I was safely outside the temple's walls that I began to wonder if what I'd experienced was all in my fear-addled mind, and eventually, I was able to convince myself that that was the case, but faced with the idea of going back, I'm not so sure. I've explored countless old temples and ancient cities over the years, and have seen several crumbling monuments and monoliths from all over the world, but this place feels far different than any of the other ruins I've ever been to.

"That temple and everything in it feels... out of place, like something that fundamentally shouldn't exist in this world, and yet it does. Still, this temple has revealed that there is a large gap in history, and though the risk is great and some knowledge is best left alone, I can't in good conscience leave a mystery that groundbreaking unresolved now that there's a chance to uncover the truth, so I suppose I sympathize with your plight somewhat in that regard. We both might be fools for doing this, but that doesn't mean we have to be reckless, Princess, so I say again, tread carefully and follow my lead closely once we arrive."

I voiced my assent once more but the response was brief and distracted. My mind was elsewhere, lost in the remembrance of my latest dream. As little as I remembered of what had transpired, I'd retained enough to know that there was a connection of some sort—another possible vision of what was to come perhaps. That my appearance had changed yet again was troubling, but I felt all the more that we were getting closer to the answers I sought. Like Daring Do, I was certain whatever we found would be unpleasant and possibly life-threatening. Whatever secrets were buried along with that temple might even exacerbate my condition, but I was ready to take that risk if it meant getting closer to the heart of the matter.

Worry for what the near future might bring stymied any attempt at casual conversation between Daring and I, and the rest of the trip was relatively quiet as a result. The two of us were lost in our own thoughts, and as night fell and we stopped to set up camp, I couldn't help but wonder if my companion understood the gravity of my current situation. Could she see the depths of my growing obsession? The complete and utter need to know despite my fears and uncertainties? Did she realize what I might be willing to do to root out the source of all this madness? I found it highly unlikely, else she'd have most likely abandoned me and my journey before we even started.

I know I could have left well-enough alone.

I realized that if I were to stop here and now, there would be no risk of me bringing about this terrible darkness to Equestria and the rest of the world. I understood and acknowledged that I was pulling myself and Daring Do further into a black hole from which there was no escape. I knew all of this, and yet for me, there was no turning back. Daring Do may have had her own reasons for agreeing to take me to this ancient temple, but looking at her asleep in her tent, watching her chest gently rise and fall and her peaceful countenance, I knew she was getting in over her head... but I wouldn't tell her—I couldn't.

There was something in that temple that I needed to see, and I couldn't allow any hesitation to get in the way of that—not mine and not Daring's. Several more thoughts ran through my mind as I continued to watch the sleeping mare, but ultimately I decided a deep and thorough rest would suffice. One simple spell was all it would take to ensure she'd be all but dead to the world. Perhaps a good night's sleep would wash away the lingering doubt, I thought. It was as good a solution as any, and I had more reading to do as it was.

After making sure Daring Do was taken care of, I put out the fire and made my way to my own small tent. I rummaged around in my saddlebags until I found what I was looking for and left the way I came. Outside the tent, I settled down next to the darkened firepit and sighed in contentment, reveling in the gentle yet frosty breeze that blew through my coat. With the fire gone, the only light for miles came from the stars and Luna's moon. That was more than I needed to take advantage of such a picturesque desert evening, and an engaging book I could read beneath the light of those stars made the experience that much more satisfying.

Comments

[Mr cold ghost]

An update! The atmosphere is building quite well! I look forward to the next chapter!

[Mix-up]

Neat the taint is spreading, can't wait to see how it turns out for Twilight, I love stories with the all to curious learns more then they ever should. Looking forward to see the next chapter of this story.

[Ice Justice]

Perfect! Twilight will even have a convenient pony sacrifice on hand once they reach the temple!

[Yosh-E-O]

The atmosphere of this story is always a delight to take in.

The ongoing series of "..." makes me think that something very unwordly happened the moment she opened that book again. It is like those scenes in shows and movies where you hear that 'ringinging' sound that is most commonly associated with one's hearing in a region void of sound. The world around you appears to fade and all you hear is that ringing getting louder-and-louder until you aren't where you thought you had been.

[Amaethon]

i wonder if her magic has been tainted as well…