//------------------------------// // Chapter 21: The Gift // Story: Havoc // by Histy //------------------------------// How long has it been since she's seen this city? Aurora wasn't sure. But even so, the humanoid acknowledged that a lot had changed during the time she was subjugating the Yaks. Back when the Phalanx had began its expedition, there had been only one to three Agoge Camps, but now that number had swelled to well over twenty. As expected, no one in the Phalanx had prepared to see so much of them dotting around the city. Just how many ponies inhabit this place? Regardless, Aurora ordered them to disperse and bring the Yak children into the camps in order to begin their service to the Imperatrix. She left two soldiers to carry Golden Arrow, also known as the “gift” for her Goddess. Along the way to the Palace, Aurora noticed another thing that was different from when she had departed. The streets were far more quiet. When the expedition had begun, the streets had been bustling with civilian life, having finally recovered from their former lives as slaves to the Dark King. Now she was returning to a dead city, the only residents on the streets being individuals who converse in only quick conversations, nothing louder than a whisper. To Aurora, it only made sense, since the events of the recent coup were still fresh on their minds. Regardless of the silent streets, the humanoid, soldiers, and gift moved onwards, approaching the Palace of the Imperatrix. Speaking of which, it was also different, at least in terms of who was guarding it, that is. Once the group had arrived on the Palace grounds, it would have been impossible for Aurora to not notice the soldiers guarding it. Their armor was black and red crystals, a dark red visor blocked their eyes, and a large red crest rested on their head. It was rather clear that these soldiers were here primarily for intimidation reasons, but Aurora wasn't sure if that indeed was their purpose. As they neared the entrance to the Palace, a guard noticed them, and moved to intercept. “Halt! State your business!” That was unexpected. Aurora had thought that, by now, everyone would know of the high position that she now held. Alas, that doesn't seem to be the case. She looked over to the guard. “We are here to bring a gift to the Imperatrix. We think she will be very grateful.” “The Imperatrix is grateful to no one,” the guard rebuked rather harshly. “Now state your business!” Aurora released a quiet groan, before rephrasing her words. “We have brought a prisoner. One who orchestrated the attempted overthrow on our beloved Imperatrix.” The guard's attention changing to the captive Golden Arrow suggested that he understood that sentence. The guard stared down Arrow for a brief period, before looking back to Aurora. “ All prisoners, no matter how important, are to be kept in the dungeons, as per instructions of the Imperatrix. We'll handle him from here on out.” Aurora was taken aback by this. Seeing her plan of finally pleasing Zerstörung starting to crumble, she began to get desperate. “B-But can't we get an audience with the Imperatrix and show him to her?” “I believe she said all prisoners, no matter their importance, are to be kept in the dungeons. Are you possibly rejecting her will?” Shit. Now he's accusing her of disobedience. She needed to think fast. “N-N-No! Not at all! I-It's just that he… he tried to overthrow her! Tried to bring you back to slavery!” Aurora took a breath, calming herself. She then asked, “So, what would be the better punishment? Rotting in the dungeons like any other prisoner? Or to suffer a fate given by the Imperatrix herself?” The question hung in the air for a time, silence following it as the guard went deep into thought. Finally, he answered. “Very well, then. You shall wait here while we give you an audience with the Imperatrix.” After saying that, he walked off into the Palace with purpose, leaving Aurora, her soldiers, and Arrow to wait on the Palace grounds. As time passed, Aurora ordered her soldiers to knock the treasonous Arrow unconscious, seeing as they were starting to have trouble carrying him any longer. The General hadn't spoken at all since his arrest, and whether it was for the fact he knew he was doomed, or a pitiful act of “resistance”, Aurora did not know. After the soldiers had knocked him unconscious, they dropped him hard onto the pavement, before sitting down and starting to chat amongst themselves. Aurora, meanwhile, waited nearby one of the Palace's massive legs which kept it above the ground and waited. And waited. And waited… “This is going to be a long wait,” she finally sighed. Lucky for her, she had something which could pass the time. Leaning her staff on the Palace leg, she reached behind her back, pulling out what looked to be some sort of instrument. It was mostly a long vertical stick-like neck, at the top of which two large tuning pegs were located, and at the bottom is a small sound box which is covered with what looked like snake skin on the front end. Two strings are attached from the pegs to the base, and a small loop of string placed around the neck and strings acting as a nut pulls the strings towards the skin, holding a small wooden bridge in place. Obviously, it wasn't like any other instrument found in this world. It is from another, after all. After staring at the instrument for a brief period of time, Aurora moved to play it. She grabbed the bow which was attached to the strings, and sounded the first note. The instrument was played like that of a violin, but the sound in which it made clearly gave the idea it was quite different. Aurora started the piece slow, gliding her left hand on the strings as her right moved the bow, creating a variety of sounds which relaxed Aurora's mind and body. She lost focus to the world around her, becoming fully entranced into the rhythm of the instrument. Aurora closed her eyes as she focused all her attention on the sound the instrument reverberated in her ears. They twitched and turned as the notes changed, as if it were some kind of signal. Her tail swayed back and forth slowly, absentmindedly. As the piece continued, it began to become dramatic, the low notes turned high as the bow quickened, the speed fast-paced. Aurora moved along with the change in rhythm, her ears twitching more often, her tail swaying faster, her eyes hardened in focus. The high notes and movements continued for a time, Aurora playing the instrument as she had many times before. But soon enough, like all things, it had to end. The high notes eventually went to low notes as Aurora's movements slowed. And after a low note which trailed in finality, the piece ended. Opening her eyes once more, Aurora found that her two soldiers, as well as some of the Palace guards, were looking at her intently. It seems she's gathered a crowd. The thought of this made her blush a little in embarrassment. But then she became confused when they all began to stare at something behind her. “Vere magnifica,” a voice breathed behind her. Aurora turned rapidly, and upon seeing who it was, struggled to speak. “M-M-My Lady! I'm s-so sorry! I-I did not a-acknowledge your presence!” As if for emphasis, she bowed multiple times. Zerstörung, who had been wide-eyed in disbelief, shook herself out of her stupor, and back to her infamously cold demeanor. She had many questions, most importantly of which… “Who gave you that instrument?” She asked, with a particular venom in her voice. Aurora stopped her shameful bowing and looked upon her Goddess, confused. “What?” “I do not like to repeat myself, Aurora,” Zerstörung responded with a growl. “So it would be in your best interests to answer my question.” Knowing what that statement implied, the humanoid answered the Goddess’ question. “I-It was my father's, b-but Baron and Stiermann gave it to me after he…” she trailed off with a look of sadness. Zerstörung merely narrowed her eyes, ignoring Aurora. “How did you learn to play it?” she asked, if possible with much more hostility. Ignoring her Goddess’ clear anger, Aurora looked upon her instrument, a small smile forming on her face. “I-I was self-fought, since Baron and Stiermann didn't know how to play it. I memorized the notes and movements, then began to make songs.” Looking back up, she finally saw the evident anger upon Zerstörung's features, and her fear was rekindled. Even more so when the Goddess harshly ordered, “Get that damn thing out of my sight.” “Y-Yes, M-My Lady!” Aurora acknowledged, quickly hiding the instrument behind her back. Now she was confused. Why did Zerstörung show so much hostility to the instrument? Hadn't she been amazed after Aurora's show? It made no sense to her, but then again, the Goddess always looks for some way to downplay her accomplishments… Aurora quickly perished that thought. She finally came back to reality as Zerstörung passed her, and walked towards the soldiers guarding the unconscious Arrow. The soldiers quickly stood in attention, honored to be in the presence of the Imperatrix. She ignored them, however, and looked over the unconscious Proditor in front of her for a time. During that time, the soldiers guarding Arrow looked to become nervous, and looked at one another worriedly. Aurora wondered briefly why they looked like such, but ceased to after her Goddess called out to her again. “Aurora?” Zerstörung asked, her voice in the tone of happy glee. Aurora, slightly disturbed by the tone of the voice, answered cautiously, “Y-Yes, My Lady?” She hoped desperately that she hadn't done something wrong. The Goddess turned towards the humanoid, revealing a large smile which encompassed almost her entire face. A smile of wicked glee which showed more cruelty than care, more savagery than kindness. Now Aurora understood why her soldiers looked so nervous beforehand. After a long, uncomfortable silence, the Imperatrix spoke again, her smile not disappearing as her voice exclaimed in the greatest joy. “This is the greatest gift I could ask for!”