//------------------------------// // Premonitions // Story: Hurricane Trinity // by Lovesick-Ded //------------------------------// HURRICANE TRINITY An MLP Extended-Universe Story Written by M.J. Hopper CHAPTER TWELVE The cool nighttime breeze brushed against Stormbreaker’s fur as he stood out on the balcony, glacier-blue eyes fixated on the horizon ahead. The moon was waning, and very soon, he knew, the sun would rise…along with his transition into adulthood at long last. After many years of contemplation, he now had a thoughtful grasp on what exactly he wanted to do from here on out, until the day when both princes would eventually (as Gallyen had promised him years before) become the new rulers of Tambelon. He was positive of his decision, and was certain that his father would approve of it...kind of. The more subtle details were still being worked out in his mind, but the general idea was there, so… “Ugh.” He lowered his head and shut his eyes for a brief moment. “What is going to happen with Mom, though? She’s always been so doting…she would never approve of what I have planned…” “Hey.” The young yeti-goat’s small ears flicked and he looked over his shoulder in time to see Gallyen letting himself in through the doorway. The now fully-grown adult Caprinian had become quite the honorable sight, indeed; he had inherited his father’s muscular structure and his horns had become fully-developed, as well as having obtained what Stormbreaker himself would ultimately get within the span of a few hours… The beautiful silver bell around Gallyen’s neck reflected the fading moonlight perfectly, casting a faint glow along his blueish-purple coat as he stepped onto the balcony beside his younger brother. “So…sun should be rising soon, huh?” He grinned and looked over at Stormbreaker. “You excited?” “Kind of.” Stormbreaker looked down, his tail swaying from side-to-side a bit as he leaned against the balcony railing. Gallyen raised an eyebrow, tilting his head a bit; sensing that he was confused, the younger brother sighed irritably. “I…I just don’t know what’s going to happen at the ceremony, is all. I plan to tell Father and Mom what I intend to do until Father retires, and…” He shook his head and turned away from the balcony then, pushing himself off of the railing slightly as he walked back toward his sleeping quarters. “…You don’t think it will go well.” Gallyen finished the sentence almost spot-on to what Stormbreaker was thinking. He smirked a bit and shook his head. “How many times have I told you…Father doesn’t mind what we plan to do, as long as it is productive, Stormy. I mean, if you think about it, not much of what we’ve been doing lately hasn’t been productive…other than, like, us goofing off and all, I mean.” “But that’s EASY for you to say, Gallyen!” Stormbreaker retorted, whipping around to face him. “You discovered that you possess holy magic, and you’ve decided to use it to help others around here! I’m, like—I don’t even KNOW what kind of magic I have, if any!” He groaned in frustration and plopped up against the wall, sliding down slowly as he looked toward the ceiling. “Like, seriously. The only instance I ever used an ability was after my birth, and even then, I can’t even remember doing that.” “Stormy…look.” Gallyen plopped down on his haunches beside him. “You may have a Yeti mother, but you’re still my brother and Father’s son. I know that it’s been diluted a bit, but…you still HAVE Caprinian blood in you, you know? The fact that you were able to produce a lightning storm-bolt at birth is…well, unheard of, to say the least. Most Caprinian youth don’t develop their abilities or even show signs of having them until they’re at least four years of age.” “What good is that if you can’t DO anything with it?” The yeti-goat sighed and drew his knees against his chest. “I mean, every other goat I’ve seen seems to have something useful they can do…the Fire users can project flames and provide heat for those that need it; the Water manipulators can point out wells and places of interest; the Holy users like you can tend to the sick and wounded…” He gritted his teeth slightly. “Even the Arcane and Necromancy users are able to do interesting stuff like transmute metal and stone, and commune with the ancestors. But me, yeah, I just make cute little lightning bolts; wheeee.” He rolled his eyes. Gallyen thought for a moment. “I…wouldn’t doubt myself so quickly, Stormy. I mean, yeah, there have been no further signs of your magic abilities, but then again you have to consider the fact that you don’t yet have your bell catalyst.” He used a front hoof to bat the bell around his own neck as an emphasis. “Remember, a catalyst is what aids in channeling and ultimately revealing what type of magic you are capable of. You can’t judge yourself based on just one incident.” “But what good could I possibly do, even then?” Stormbreaker shook his head, still feeling utterly discouraged, and looked down at the ground. “Gallyen, I…even though I haven’t figured out quite what my own magic is capable of, I want to tell Father…” He shut his eyes and drew out a long breath. “Look, I want to join the Consort, okay?” “The Consort?!” Gallyen leapt to his feet, eyeing his brother like he would an insane goat. “Absolutely not. As your brother, I completely forbid you to even TRY to—” “Gallyen, no.” Stormbreaker looked him in the eyes, his own ice-blue ones gleaming with determination. He got to his feet. “My whole life, I’ve had to deal with the staring and jeering of the residents within Tambelon’s city walls, and I’ve had enough of it. I want to prove that I am just as capable as any pure-breed Caprinian.” He turned his gaze toward the sky, where the soft pink and yellow of the rising sun was beginning to fill the skyline; a light breeze swept past them and caressed their fur. “The Consort are the best group of patrol specialists in all of Tambelon…if I join them, maybe I can prove my worth.” “You are going to get yourself KILLED.” Gallyen spoke each word slowly, as if he were talking to someone who didn’t understand proper language, and there was obvious anger and worry in his tone. “I don’t think you realize how much the Consort even goes through to ensure our safety on a daily basis. The constant exposure to the negative energy fields of demons has driven a majority of them to insanity, and worse. I refuse to stand by and allow you to put your life at risk just so you can prove you’re like everyone else.” “Then what do you expect me to DO, Gallyen?!” Stormbreaker exclaimed angrily, throwing out his hands in defeat. “I don’t HAVE any natural talent. I can’t HELP other goats like you do. Hell, I can’t even take a walk without at LEAST five goats sizing me up like I’m some sort of sideshow attraction!!” His breathing turned ragged and harsh, and he clenched both fists tightly. Gallyen shied away as if he had been struck, and for a long time there was nothing but silence. Then, finally… “Stormy…look, I know that things have been difficult for you amongst the ‘full-bloods’, so to speak. I’m a bit angry with that too. But…” The older goat shook his head. “If you attempt to try too hard to prove yourself to them, you’re only making them seem like they’re the ones in the right. The only reason they act this way, is because they fear what they cannot understand.” The younger creature sucked in a breath and looked out over the horizon, folding his arms across his chest. He seemed a bit calmer now, albeit saddened. Gallyen approached him, raising his head up, and placed one front hoof upon his brother’s shoulder. “Stormy…remember. You don’t know what talents you have until you learn what you are capable of. And to do that…well, you need to stop this self-doubting. The ceremony is within a few hours for you to finally obtain your catalyst…maybe that will open up some doors.” Stormbreaker glanced over at him, still uncertain, but managed a small smile regardless. “I hope so, Gallyen…and, I want you to be right, too. I…I guess I can wait a little longer, but now I’m a little more anxious about the ceremony than anything else.” “Well, that’s normal, at least.” Gallyen replied with a smile in return and looked over toward the doorway. “I’m probably needed at the infirmary in the meantime…but I’ll definitely be at the ceremony for sure. Oh, and…” His expression shifted into one of slight concern. “Please…forget about the Consort thing, okay? At least until AFTER you figure things out. I don’t want you getting hurt. Trust me.” Stormbreaker nodded as Gallyen turned around; the older goat sighed and lowered his head as he walked toward the doorway, dropping his volume to a mutter: “If I were to lose you, Stormy…I could never forgive myself ever again.” * “Where IS he?!!” Novo slammed a back hoof into the floor angrily as she continued to search the area for Storm’s whereabouts; her expression was clearly angry but the others could tell she was panicking ever-so slightly. Capper and Grubber were attempting to calm her down; Celaeno’s heart continued to pound as she looked toward the angry Hippogryph queen, and then over at Skystar, who appeared preoccupied with something in her own mind. The parrot woman was normally never one to put herself before others, but after hearing the recent news she really did not care for this right now…she needed time to herself. Time to think. She had to leave while the others were still distracted. Shutting her eyes, she gave a polite head-bow in Novo’s direction before turning around and rushing down the hallway, her eyes searching for a good place to withdraw the sword and contemplate. So far the area seemed populated, moreso than she would have expected…if you could call one or two guards “populated” by any means. Still, she needed to be alone; COMPLETELY alone. There was no way she could think straight with— “OOF!” Realizing that she had forgotten where she was going or how long it was taking her, she slammed into someone from behind; startled, she fell backwards while the figure she had bumped into fell forward, almost stumbling over the edge of the balcony that…wait. Celaeno looked around, befuddled. How had she ended up on a balcony? A moment ago she had been in the hallway… Figuring she shouldn’t dwell on it, she rubbed at her head before attempting to struggle upright. “Oh wow, are you all right?” Genuine worry was in her tone; for a moment there she had been terrified that she might have made someone fall to their death. She reached out to help the figure up, circling a talon around one arm. “I am SO sorry, I wasn’t—” Her eyes widened a bit when she finally was able to process who it was, and she frowned. “Oh, it’s YOU.” “Well, glad to see you too!” Storm’s tone dripped with utter sarcasm as he got to his feet, whipping his arm away from the parrot woman and rubbing at it slightly. “What are you even doing over here? I thought you were with the others.” “I should be asking you the same thing!” Celaeno snapped back. She gestured toward the balcony’s exit. “Do you even KNOW how friggin’ angry Novo is with you right now for leaving?! You’re going to cause a riot without even BEING there for it!” “Do you think I care?!” The goat-creature snarled a bit, raising one hand in an aggravated gesticulation. “I am in NO ONE’S control right now, all right? I came out here to think about—” Rise “—Stuff.” He bit his lower lip a bit and looked away, and Celaeno could sense a brief hint of bitter emotion within his being, as well as something else…something so full of pure negativity that she didn’t want to even dare to poke at it further for fear it would lunge for her jugular at any given minute. Fear and anger grasped at her heartstrings, and she clutched at her chest, willing for it to stop. He was not a threat…not anymore. She had to tell herself that. “I…uh…” She looked up at him, appearing sheepish. “I kinda came out here to think, too. Granted, I mean, it probably wasn’t for the same reasons you had, but…” She shook her head and her rigid attitude returned. “Y-you should have at least told Novo where you were going! Now everyone’s probably looking for us, and—” “Why would they be looking for ‘us?’” Storm raised an eyebrow. “Did YOU tell them where you were going?” “Uh—” Celaeno’s cheeks deepened into a hard blush and she looked surprised; this was one of the rare occasions she had had her own words turned against her. She struggled to regain her composure. “I, um…well, they probably already knew that I was okay, so, I figured, uh…” She groaned irritably and threw up her arms. “Fine, fine, you got me. Cheers on you. I DIDN’T tell them before I took off.” The yeti-goat, surprisingly, smiled in response and flicked the tip of his tail playfully. “I won’t tell if you won’t,” he chuckled. He looked up at the sky, which was starting to dim a bit due to the sun setting off to the West, and sighed. “So what brought you out here, anyway? Had to be pretty flustering in order for you to smash right into me without noticing.” “I TOLD you that I…” The parrot woman halted her speech immediately, realizing that she had not really apologized…and still kind of didn’t want to, in all honesty. Her eyes shifted down to where her sword was sheathed, and she shook her head, turning away. “No…no, I can’t tell you. You wouldn’t get it—” Cela. “Wha…?” Celaeno’s eyes shot open wide and her ears pricked upright; this was the first time she had heard the voice speak since first discovering the sword. It drifted through her hearing like mist, as she shut her eyes for a moment: Cela. Listen to him. Tell him, Cela. “Why…?” Her whisper was barely audible, if it had made any sound at all; she glanced over at Storm, who was eyeing her with a slight hint of concern, his arms crossed and one eyebrow raised. The voice said one more thing before fading…something that she could not, for the life of her, understand at that moment in time: The Deliverer… She opened her mouth to speak, but the voice was clearly either gone or refusing to acknowledge that she wanted to know more. She folded her arms over her chest, trembling a bit. Storm cocked his head to one side, still appearing concerned and puzzled; it was clear to her that he had not heard a single breath the voice had uttered, and maybe that was for the best. What in the ever-loving bowels of Hell was that last phrase supposed to mean, anyway…? “Ugh…” Her head was spinning and it made her feel weakened; she stumbled to one side in an attempt to stay on her feet. Storm immediately came to her aid, grabbing her around the waist with one hand. “Whoa, easy!” He pulled the parrot woman upright with his other hand, attempting to keep her steady as she panted and rubbed at her temple. “Geez, what’s with you all of a sudden?! You were fine and then like, it looked like you were going to faint or something.” “I...urgh…I, uh…” She swayed a bit, before opening her eyes and realizing that Storm still had his hand on her waist. She blushed ever-so lightly, looking up at him and placing both talons on his chest, shoving him away slightly. “G-Get your hand off my waist, you jerk!” “Oh, right, I’M a jerk.” Storm rolled his eyes and glowered at her before huffing a bit. “SO sorry to have prevented you from tumbling over onto your feathery ass, madam.” Celaeno’s cheeks flushed bright red and she raised a claw in his direction, preparing to give him a serious tongue-lashing. “You are SUCH a—” “FINALLY!” The two were startled out of their would-be argument at the sound of Novo’s voice, and they looked at each other for a brief moment, knowing for a fact that they were both in trouble. The Hippogryph queen stepped forward onto the balcony, spreading her wings and raising her head as she glared at them with disdain. “Do y’all KNOW how long I’ve been scouring the Citadel for you?! You are DAMN lucky that I don’t punish you right here and now. What were you two even DOIN’ here in the first place, hmm?” Grubber, who appeared from behind her, giggled and clapped both paws to his mouth, a mischievous twinkle in one eye. “K-I-S-S-I-N-G…” “Grubber, friggin’ shut up—” Storm began, looking irritated, but Novo stomped her hoof again, bringing him back to attention; he blinked and straightened upright. Brushing at her beautiful pink-and-purple plumage, Novo eyed them for a moment, as if determining their fate, and finally nodded and looked back at the rest of the group, whom were standing in the hallway behind the balcony. “All of you, please go to the Banquet Hall for attendance. As for YOU two…” She looked back at Storm and Celaeno, frowning. “It appears that y’all weren’t doing anything out here, at least nothing that concerns our safety…regardless, I’m still keeping my eye on y’all…especially YOU, Fluffy.” She jabbed a talon in Storm’s direction, baring her teeth slightly. “Don’t think for a heartbeat that I’m gonna trust that dopey face of yours. You chased us away once…you could do it again.” Storm gave her an irritated glance as she turned and walked toward the hallway. “Now move your tails before I do it for you.” “Uh…” Celaeno and Storm eyed each other before following after Novo; still, as the parrot woman strode along beside Storm, she could not forget the words that the voice had branded into her mind before it had faded. What did it mean by “The Deliverer,” and what did telling Storm about the sword have anything to do with it? She shook her head, frowning a bit; she had missed her opportunity to listen to what the voice was saying for now, and her pride complex would make it near-impossible to approach and talk to the yeti-goat without anyone silently judging her intentions. It would have to be a completely isolated conversation…but, even then, why was that? Storm had actually behaved well towards her, so why did she make such a big deal out of it? Granted, yes, Storm had forcibly made her AND her crew work for him in the past, but… No. Capper had said, time and time again, that the past was not important, but she would not let go of something like that so easily. Storm had wronged not only her, but her crew, and even though most of them seemed okay with him—Lix, especially, for some odd reason—she would be the one who would never forget. She had made this a sworn oath to herself— Oath, Cela But still… I won’t tell if you won’t. She found herself blushing and pulled her hat down in an attempt to hide it. Whether she loathed him or not right now, when he was actually being playful and harmless for a change… …He was kind of cute when he smiled. * The Staff of Trinity. Stormbreaker had known of its existence since he was a small pup, and the tale of the Titanfall, while still a bit jagged in lore, had always fascinated him to this day. He had remembered, in past years, standing at the edge of the gates as the Consort headed out, eagerly eyeing the wastelands that lay beyond in an attempt to see the dreaded creatures that had only been spoken of in whispers and feared conversations. Most of all, though…he had always wondered about the Titan, Argon. Even though it was scrap-paper oral lore at best, he could get a clear picture in his mind of what the fearsome being looked like, and he was eager to one day see him with his own eyes. The most he could do, however, was stay within the Tambelon city walls, and research information on the demonic creatures as much as possible. The library was located on the opposite side of the palace usually, in another corridor that led down to an end hallway; he had been utterly forbidden to even go near that tightly-sealed door for reasons unknown to him… Until now. Windcaller was walking beside him as they approached the door, its arcane seal now removed and passage granted to outsiders at long last. Despite the fact that this was a big moment in the young prince’s life…he was terrified of what lay beyond that door. Gallyen had informed him that it would be taking place in the “Haunted Sanctum” as they had called it when they were both younger, and though he had shared a laugh with his brother at the time…gods, it was frightening. He felt his fur fluffing out slightly; his mother frowned and reached over to stroke it down neatly. “Don’t be nervous, Stormbreaker,” the female Yeti encouraged. She smiled. “From what I have heard, this is a tradition for every Caprinian that comes of age…and it’s an honorable one, at that. You can’t be seen getting your catalyst with a fright-pelt.” “Mom…” Stormbreaker felt a bit disgruntled, but knew that she was only attempting to calm him down. They reached the door, and he looked up at the looming structure, his heart racing yet again—to the point where he could feel it pounding in his throat. The Sanctum wasn’t really haunted…it was all just a stupid joke that they had made up years ago… There was nothing to fear, nothing at all...to fear… Squeezing his eyes shut, he pushed himself against the door and it creaked open, immediately greeting the young prince with a cold burst of wind that felt like winter ice. His fur bristled and he winced slightly, before he shook his head and forced his eyes to open and take in his surroundings. The room was…interesting, to say the least. From what he could observe in the structures and objects, it appeared to be some sort of shrine room: the tall ceiling cut off into flowing walls glittering with runic patterns and images, all of which were currently illuminating the room with a pale blue light, and the room itself was littered with various artifacts: suits of armor worn by Caprinian guards; relics that probably dated back centuries; there were even various layouts of weaponry that the Caprine army was capable of wielding and using to their advantage. There was an ornate metal cage in the back of the room, centered against the wall…and within it… Stormbreaker blinked and for a moment thought he was losing his mind. That couldn’t be…that was not possible… “Cool, isn’t it?” “GAH!” Stormbreaker nearly leapt out of his skin before whipping his head to the side, only to almost bump noses with Gallyen, who snickered a bit and brought one hoof against his mouth. “What, I scare you or something? Sorry, Stormy.” “Y-you didn’t—I wasn’t scared.” The young prince fluffed out his chest a bit and looked toward the back of the room. “Is…is that really…?” “Yes.” The goat’s purple-blue fur appeared even more radiant in a common-colored light and seemed to shine more brightly than a spirit’s essence, which made what he said even more awkwardly appropriate: “That’s…the Staff of Trinity.” Stormbreaker took a few steps forward, eyeing the artifact with a mixture of curiosity and awe. He had never seen it for himself up until now, but he had seen engravings and drawings of it in the past, but they did not seem to do it justice now that he was eyeing it up close and personal. The gem in the center shone in the light and seemed to ebb and flow with a misty aura, as if containing something, and the outer circle, consisting of six individually-colored gems set in pure gold-plated Argosteel, still maintained its sheen after all these centuries. The three blades—the ones said to represent each individual race within Trinity—protruded from the center; he had heard tales that they would open and shine with blades of pure holy energy once activated, but obviously they were idle at the moment. His glacier-blue eyes glimmered brightly, almost with anticipation. It was such a beautiful weapon… “Prince Stormbreaker of Tambelon.” The yeti-goat whipped his head up with such incredible speed that the inertia almost snapped his neck a bit; he saw now that Grogar and several other Caprinians—members of the Tambelon Council—had gathered around the staff, as well as Rivvon (who was, of course, eyeing him with pure disgust as usual) and now Windcaller had headed to join them. Gallyen looked over at the small gathering, before eyeing Stormbreaker with a look of pride and eagerness. “Guess we’re gonna begin. You ready, Stormy?” “I…um, yeah.” Stormbreaker sunk his head into his shoulders and his face turned a bit pink as the brothers headed toward the back of the room; Gallyen took his place beside his mother and sat on his haunches as Grogar stepped into the center of the small circle the group had formed around the staff, raising his head in his younger son’s direction. “Stormbreaker.” “Father.” The young yeti-goat bowed his head in respect before kneeling down before him, tucking his tail around his legs. Grogar looked down at the young prince, the orange runic patterns set within his horns shining slightly as he sized him up visually. Finally, he nodded. “My son…regardless of your heritage, you are still a Caprinian by blood. Your time has come to serve the subjects of Tambelon to your best ability. That ability…will be gifted to you through this.” He pulled out a brilliantly-shining silver bell that almost seemed to reflect everything in the surrounding area, making it glow with a faint blue light as he held it before the prince. The bell pulsed and rattled with energy, making it jingle ever-so slightly, and it seemed to especially react to Stormbreaker’s presence—the rattling increased in intensity as Grogar used his magic to hold it before him. The elder goat spoke: “As the owner and wielder of a bell catalyst, you are hereby accepting the responsibilities brought upon you as a full-fledged adult. You will serve our subjects and contribute to helping our society prosper and overcome our hardships. Should you ever use your power to harm allies…” His gaze darkened for a brief moment. “…You will not want to face the wrath of our people on your lonesome. A great consequence will always befall your actions.” Something flickered in Stormbreaker’s memory for a very short period of time, before he looked up into his father’s eyes and nodded his head. “I…I accept.” “Then so it shall be.” Grogar held the bell above Stormbreaker’s head before lowering it down slowly; it finally slid and magically locked itself into place on the small collar around the prince’s neck. Stormbreaker smiled, looking down at the bell with pride, as Gallyen and Windcaller applauded, along with the other members of the Tambelon Council. The yeti-goat felt beside himself; tears welled up in his eyes slightly as he eyed the others and bowed, getting to his feet. Before he could leave, however, his father halted him, raising up a front hoof. “Wait, Stormbreaker. There’s one more thing…one more rite, if you will.” “Uh…?” The young prince cocked his head slightly in confusion; Grogar stepped aside and looked toward the case where the Staff was positioned. He lowered his head for some time, as if contemplating something, before looking back up towards his son. “It is a simple task…a meager one, really. We need you to do one thing and one thing only…” When Stormbreaker still appeared befuddled, Grogar nodded in the direction of the Staff: “Touch the Staff of Trinity.” “What?!” Rivvon’s declaration startled nearly everyone in the room, probably due to how loud it was. She leapt to her feet. “N-no one has been allowed to touch the Staff for years…no Caprinian is allowed to do it…” She whipped her head in Stormbreaker’s direction, glaring daggers as she pursed her lips. “…Why are you letting that half-blooded FILTH desecrate our—” “Rivvon, that’s ENOUGH!” Grogar’s shout was enough to bring the doe back to her senses as her eyes widened; ears flattening, she slowly backed down and away. Flustered, Grogar turned to eye his younger son once more. “Stormbreaker, I implore you...touch the Staff. There is something I must know.” Stormbreaker looked into his father’s unwavering stare for a moment, before sucking in a breath and tilting his head down. “I…yes, Father…I’ll do it.” Legs shaking harder than an earthquake, he approached the Staff’s case, and reached out a trembling hand through the arcane shield to place it upon the cold rod of the Staff itself. For a moment, there was absolutely no result…but then… A bolt of blue lightning shot from the staff, winding up his arm and plunging itself into his body; he opened his mouth in a beginning scream of shock but it caught in his throat as if it were something of physical manifestation, silencing him immediately. The lightning grew in size, wrapping around his body like a cocoon; the bell around his neck trembled violently and his entire body shook and spasmed as the cries of a million voices filled his head: You can— Why didn’t you— They were only— Don’t do this— Storm— Rise— STORM— STORM… “Stop…” Stormbreaker could find his voice returning, but could only breathe the singular word at the time, for the voices were still continuing to echo within his mind, as well as many different images flashing before his eyes. He could not make all of them out, but he could see the general theme…lightning strikes; frightened, condescending eyes; pools of blood; himself standing over the corpse of a dead— “STOP!!” He practically wailed the last line and threw his head upward, as a jagged bolt of blue lightning surged from his body, brightly illuminating the entire vicinity before an unseen force threw him backwards. He slammed against one of the pillars nearby and slid down, tears streaming freely from his face as he held his head in both hands and panted, small crackles of lightning still emanating from his horns. It was too much…none of this sat well with him at all… “Stormbreaker!” He heard his mother’s cry as he fell onto his side; his body shuddered and spasmed once more with electricity before the entire conscious world left him. * “…Okay.” Skystar paced around in front of the door, chewing her beak a bit in anxiety; she knew that what she was about to do would go against ALL of her mother’s rules, but, then again, it wasn’t like she hadn’t done that before now. Not to mention she needed to go in there; she needed to find the source of that strange voice that had called her earlier… She stopped, looking up toward the door, her head hung like an ashamed puppy. “Ugh…Mom is gonna be so, SOOOOO mad at me for this, but…” Steeling her resolve, she raised her head, fluffing out her chest a bit as she did so. She began to trace the familiar pattern into the door to remove the Arcana Sealium spell. “I…I need to do this…I need to find out for sure!” The sigil now removed, she opened the door and dashed into the chamber, raising her head high and looking around. “I…hey! I’m here now! I came back like I said…are you still there?” For a moment there was nothing but eerie silence, and the little Hippogryph’s ears flattened a bit; this was not comfortable for her at all and she considered turning back for a split second before she heard it, that familiar whisper again: Skystar… “Yeah!” Her eyes lit up and she looked around, eagerly prancing on her toes. “I’m here, I’m here! Where are you? I want to find you!” Back corner…Skystar… “The back corner of the room?” The Hippogryph princess spread her wings, gliding a bit toward the back of the room; she landed and looked around. “Um…hmm. Not a whole lot back here…I kinda know that this is where we kept a FEW of the artifacts, but I can’t remember—OH!” She jumped a bit to the side as one of the glass cases flared up with a bright yellow light, and her feathers fluffed slightly for fear that something had spontaneously combusted; however, it was a silly thought, as the light decreased in intensity and eventually dimmed to a dull yellow. Catching her breath, Skystar looked over at the case, then raised a talon to her beak, giggling slightly. “It was just the case…oh.” Shaking her head, she approached the case and looked inside, squinting to try and see the artifact through the glow. There was no doubt in her mind that this was, in fact, the thing that the voice was referring to…if only she could see it… Sky…Star… The light dimmed to the point where the detail of the artifact was fully viewable now, and the young Hippogryph silenced a gasp that rose in her throat as she saw the small identification tag that was scribbled hastily beside it on parchment: PENANCE. “Th…this is mine? N-no way…” She couldn’t even contemplate what she was saying at this point; she could only eye the artifact before her, which appeared to be an ornately-decorated necklace with a cloudy, amber jewel set within the center. She had heard tales about this particular artifact and what it could do, but she had never, for once in her life, thought she would be the Chosen to use it… She could feel tears welling up in her eyes in spite of herself, and she reached up to wipe them away. “Ohhh…oh, thank you, whoever you all are…thank you!” Flipping open the glass case, she gingerly took the necklace out and hung it around her neck; the clasp in the back snapped together the instant she brought it back against her neck, and the amber jewel in the center shone brilliantly. Looking up, the little Hippogryph added: “I’ll take really, REALLY good care of it. I promise!” She looked around for a moment, before prancing up and down in place, fluttering her wings happily. “Ooh, so exciting! Mom is gonna be SO proud of me when she finds out I’m a Chosen! She’s gonna HAVE to let me go and fight against—” The sudden realization of what she had just said dawned upon her, and she stopped in her tracks, suddenly appearing a bit worried. “…Oh.”