//------------------------------// // Trial Five: Answers Long Overdue // Story: Born In Light, Forged In Darkness // by Jest //------------------------------// Trotting into the next room, Kanathara found herself in an open area that had once served as a summoning chamber and was now a makeshift hospital. Beds lined the walls and filled most of the space, pain demons walking between them and administering what primitive healing they were capable of. A good number of the bed bound demons were already dead however, and another chunk were on death’s door or missing several limbs. Evidently the escape had not gone well, though Kanathara didn't see Tirek or Pear Butter anywhere. A fact that could be very good, or very, very bad. Pythias waved them on, pointing to one of the doors on the other side of the room. “Woah,” Rainbow Dash muttered as she looked out over the gathered demons. “Is this all that's left?” Pythias nodded slowly and held up eight fingers. “And by the looks of it that number is going to shrink,” Kanathara added grimly. “Damn. This blows,” Rainbow Dash remarked as she walked past a particularly nasty war demon who was missing both his arms and his legs. Ignoring the moans of pain and growls of rage, Kanathara and her familiar trotted across the room before pausing at the indicated door at the seer’s insistence. “What is it, Pythias?” Kanathara asked. The seer winced and signalled for the keeper to walk softly. “I understand, you can let us in now,” Kanathara replied. Nodding, the bipedal demon pulled open the door and stood off to the side, allowing Kanathara and Rainbow Dash access. Upon entering the two demons found themselves instantly uncomfortable, the smell of demonic blood even heavier here than it was in the last room. Steeling themselves, they trotted inside, the door closing behind them, and leaving them alone in what at first glance looked like a bedroom. A curtain of hanging fabric cut the room in half, the visible side being a sitting area of some kind, while Kanathara assumed the other half was where the bed was located. The sound of soft groaning combined with snoring made Kanthara perk up and she shared a confused glance with Rainbow Dash, who shrugged. Trotting across the room, Kanathara pulled open the flap and peered within, quickly finding that her first assessment was right, and that her parents were indeed within. Tirek lay half slumped over the side of a large four poster bed, bandages covering a good chunk of his body, while a large, vaguely pony-shaped lump was visible in the center of the bed. Rainbow Dash peeked her head inside and shared a confused look with her mistress before shrugging and motioning for them to walk in. Unsure of what to do, the keeper slowly crept inside, her body low to the ground, as she inspected the shape. She could tell that it was likely Pear Butter who lay there, but everything seemed off for some reason. “Father, are you alright?” Kanathara whispered. The centaur’s head jerked up from the bed, and he wiped his face with a hand before turning to face the keeper of secrets. “Kanathara, thank the gods new and old you are alive,” Tirek exclaimed, revealing that gauze covered a good chunk of his face as well as one eye. “What happened to you?” Kanathara asked. Tirek blinked, a hand going up to his face which was covered in plenty of bandages, most of which were red from collected blood. “It is nothing. This will all heal in time,” he remarked dismissively. “If you want to worry about anyone, worry about Pear Butter.” Rainbow Dash leaned over the keeper’s shoulder and winced. “Yikes. Is she going to be alright?” Kanathara winced as well, only now noticing that Pear Butter’s forelegs were both missing, and most of her body was covered in either bandages or casts. “Has her regenerative abilities been hindered by something?” Kanathara added. “I don't know, and yes,” Tirek replied in turn. “And to answer your next question she's currently in a coma. When she wakes she should be able to regrow her legs, as well as heal the other wounds. But we are going to need time and souls.” “I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything we can do?” Kanthara requested, her gaze lingering on the pained, yet sleeping demon lying before her. Tirek shook his head. “Rest now. I’m sure you are as tired and hungry as the rest of us. We can start figuring out what is left as soon as we are in better shape.” “I don't suppose it would be possible to ask you about something, eh?” Rainbow Dash inquired. “Maybe we should avoid this topic for a little while,” Kanathara interrupted with a glare. “What topic?” Tirek asked. “Boss here was going to ask about you and Celestia,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. Kanathara sighed and threw up her hooves. “I admit I’m curious, especially now that you are no longer bound to Tartarus.” Rather than be angry or dismissive, Tirek seemed sad. He rested a hand on the sleeping demon’s chest. “It's a long story, one that I had hoped to tell you when you were a little older.” “But…” Rainbow Dash added expectantly. “But now is as good a time as any,” Tirek admitted. “Though I would caution you against putting words in my mouth again, Miss Dash.” The vengant shrugged. “Someone had to press the issue. You and Kathy over here suck at this whole talking to each other thing.” “Augh, I hate it when you call me that,” Kanathara muttered. Tirek chuckled. “I suppose you are right. For once.” Rainbow Dash huffed and crossed her forelegs over her chest, the keeper plunking down on the floor in order to pout properly. “So how did it all start anyway?” Kanathara asked hesitantly. “You never really told me much about your time before Tartarus.” The fear demon nodded slowly. “It was a long, long time ago. In some ways it was a lifetime ago.” “Well duh, you gotta die to go to Tartarus,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. Tirek rolled his eyes. “What I mean is that it feels like I was an entirely different being back then. In both mind and body.” “So what happened?” Kanathara pressed. Tirek rolled his body slightly, allowing him to rest a little easier, wincing as he did so. “First off, what do you know about centaur and gargoyle society?” “Very little,” Kanathara replied. “Diddly,” answered Rainbow Dash. Tirek nodded slowly. “Our history and culture are largely ignored by the wider world, and records are sparse, but I’ll give you the short version.” “Cool, ‘cause there ain't enough pillows here if you are going to give us the long version,” Rainbow Dash quipped. Kanathara growled and punched the vengant in the shoulder. “Be quiet, Dash,” hissed the keeper. Rainbow Dash rubbed her shoulder. “You didn't have to hit me you know.” “Quiet, both of you,” Tirek barked. “I will not repeat myself so you better listen.” Kanathara nodded and sat attentively before the centaur while her familiar flopped onto the ground and sprawled out like a bored cat. Seeing that the two demons were ready to hear his tale, Tirek cleared his throat. “Our two species both came into being near the edge of the great expanse, an enormous desert and wasteland bereft of life. We, the centaurs were able to supplement our appetite by consuming magical energies, while our gargoyle neighbors were able to slumber for great lengths of time, conserving their energy for when times were tough. Even with our adaptations and unique abilities the land was harsh and difficult to survive in. Escape was also impossible as we needed to pass through the very heart of the desert to do so.” Tirek stared off into the distance, his mind evidently conjuring images of that harsh and inhospitable land. “I was told it was a hard life, but we endured nonetheless, both species keeping our distance from one another out of a mutual respect. All that changed when the Maw emerged and began to swallow up whole villages.” “The Maw?” Rainbow Dash muttered. “Now that's a cool name.” Tirek chuckled darkly. “The great wyrm was some sort of cousin of the old dragons, though it had no arms, legs or wings, it retained the old dragon’s hunger and ferocity. Able to pass through solid stone like it was little more than water, the Maw consumed whole families before disappearing beneath the earth. In time our numbers dwindled, and the survivors of both societies were forced to fight the beast together, or die apart.” Waving a hand, Tirek conjured an image of an enormous wormlike creature clad in scales of night with great, sword like teeth. Shadowy centaurs one tenth its size stood upon the ground before it, firing spells up at it, while gargoyles rained arrows from above. “Eventually, it was the power of our chieftains and a pair of weapons they forged that brought down the beast, and ushered in an age of prosperity.” A glowing gargoyle and Centaur stepped out from the pack, and together dove towards the great wyrm, slaying it and standing atop its body. “After its death, the formerly barren land began to bloom with new life, the blood of the wyrm filled with a potent, life-giving magic.” The corpse of the wyrm sunk into the illusionary ground and caused trees and grass to appear on the spot of its death. “With our two tribes no longer struggling for survival, and a deep friendship born from the fires of combat we went out into this new world hand in hand. The first kings of old ruled the land kindly and fairly, allowing our two peoples to prosper for the first time in our history. Upon the birth of the king’s first born sons a year later, a tradition was founded, one that would see these two young beings raised as brothers.” “That seems like a delicate situation,” Kanathara added. Tirek nodded. “It was, at times, but mostly it worked as intended, bringing our people together, and helping them to empathize with one another.” The centaur waved a hand and conjured an image of two young beings, one gargoyle, one centaur standing atop a podium, small crowns resting on their heads. “They became the true powers of our new nation and went onto become the first prince kings. Though that didn't mean each tribe didn't have its own sovereignty. One half of the nation usually let the other half do whatever it wanted to without butting in too much.” “So they were part of a larger nation as well as its leaders, while also being kings of their own province so to speak?” Kanathara inquired. Tirek nodded again. “Indeed. This system had its flaws, but it enabled us to grow and become powerful while tying our societies together through marriage, shared power and an interwoven economy. These prince kings were absolute monarchs in their own land though, something my uncle took advantage of.” Rainbow Dash scooted closer. “Is that the bad guy in this story? ‘Cause you don't seem like a fan of his.” “I most certainly am not a fan of his,” Tirek muttered, his features darkening slightly. “In fact, he was one of the cruelest beings I knew, one time he even-” “TIIIIIRRRREEK!” boomed a distant voice which echoed off the stone passageways of Castle Reach. A young Tirek trembled upon hearing the voice of his uncle, the centaur only about as tall as the average pony at this time, his hair long, and his horns short and stumpy. “Oh no,” he muttered in fear, the young centaur scampering across the room, his hands clasped tight around his prize. Shoving his hands under his bed, he pushed the slimy creature as far back as he could go, his gaze lingering on the confused and startled lizard he had been holding. “Just stay back there and don't come out,” Tirek warned before grabbing a nearby plate that had once held his lunch and covered the lizard with it. He turned around just in time to hear the thunder of his uncle’s hooves as they came up to his room. Steeling himself, Tirek clenched his hands tightly a second before his bedroom door all but exploded outwards, revealing the snarling form of his uncle standing there, nostrils flaring. “Yes, Uncle Thereon?” Tirek replied as kindly as he could muster. The aged and utterly enormous centaur filled the entire doorway, his lone arm gripping the hilt of the longsword belted at his hip. “A servant has informed me that you may have brought an animal into my castle, is this true?” he asked, his voice cold and utterly bereft of mercy. Tirek resisted the urge to gulp and looked the old centaur up and down, studying his features and trying to gauge how best to approach this situation. His uncle stood head and shoulders above Tirek himself, the elder centaur’s horns curling around his head and pointing forward. The black fur that covered his chest and lower half had long since become grey, the hairs poking out from the breastplate he always wore. As per usual, the elder centaur looked ready for battle, his body lightly armored, and his large, cruel black longsword remaining close at hand. One eye gazed down at the young centaur with an intensity that was as common as it was piercing while the other saw nothing, the grey orb sporting a shallow indent across it. The blade which had taken sight from his right eye had also scarred much of the centaur’s face, and cut open his lips, permanently revealing the centaur’s teeth. The scar that spread from his eyebrow to his chin was not the only one of its kind, though the rest were fall smaller. “So, what say you in your defence, boy?” reiterated the centaur. “First I must ask, am I not allowed to have a pet?” Tirek inquired with a hint of hesitation. The older centaur’s gaze narrowed. “You may be the next in line for the throne, but I am not in the ground yet and you had best remember that.” Tirek bit his lip and nodded slowly. “If it is your will for me to not have a pet, then I will not do so.” The centaur growled. “Don't be coy with me, boy. Have you brought an animal into my castle or not?” Thereon jabbed a finger at the younger male. “And don't even think about playing any more word games with me.” “I… may have,” Tirek admitted. “But it is not here, and I swear to you, uncle, I will get rid of it immediately!” Thereon’s grip tightened and the two centaurs stared at one another for several long seconds. “Consider this a test, you will dispose of this lizard you have acquired and do so quickly. The dewbacks bring with them parasites, provided it even is a mere lizard and not a zebra shape-shifter in disguise.” “T-thank you uncle,” Tirek replied, bowing his head slightly. “I’ll get rid of it right away.” The elder centaur relaxed slightly and was about to turn around when he suddenly drew his sword and pointed the long, ebony blade at something behind Tirek. “You lied to me, boy, stay back while I deal with this myself!” boomed Thereon. “He's just a lizard, uncle.” Tirek interjected, putting himself between the older centaur and the pet whom had inquisitively poked its head out from under the bed. “Please just let me go put him back where I found him.” “You lost your chance the second you lied to me,” snarled his uncle. “Now step aside.” Tirek’s entire body shook, but he refused to move, not while his newest friend was in danger. “P-please, he’s just a lizard, I swear. I even used the cleaning spell on him and-” “Enough,” boomed the larger male, who brushed aside Tirek’s weak defence, and skewered the poor lizard on the end of his sword. “No!” cried Tirek as he reached out to the poor lizard who was writhing weakly on the end of his uncle’s blade. The ebony blade thrummed with life, draining the energy and color from the lizard. “One day you will thank me for this,” exclaimed Thereon. Tirek didn't hear him though, as his attention was fixated on the pained wails and increasingly desperate thrashing of the poor lizard. The thing’s eyes bulged briefly, before rolling into the back of its head, its body falling slack shortly thereafter. A second after that Thereon dropped the colorless husk to the ground with a flick of his blade. “Empathy is a weakness they will use against you if you are not careful,” remarked the elder centaur who sheathed his blade once more. “Do not let this happen again, boy. You may be the last of our family’s line, but not even that will save you next time.” With that, he left, leaving behind a scared and angry child, whose tears stained his face and his hands cupped the corpse of one of the few friends he had ever made. “He even…” Tirek’s voice trailed off for a moment and he stared off into space. “He even what?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Nothing, it was just a memory of when I was a foolish child,” Tirek replied tiredly. “He was paranoid in his old age, maimed from a brutal war, and twisted by the pain which haunted him until his final days.” “What did he do, exactly?” Kanathara asked hesitantly. Tirek sighed. “There were small things, like how no one was allowed to eat within a dozen feet of him and how he had a personal taster who tried all of his food before he ate it.” The centaur’s features darkened. “But that was only in the beginning, as time went on he grew crueler, more paranoid, and more capable of senseless violence. Whole villages were put to the sword if he so much as dreamt they were about to rise up against him. Children butchered for merely staring at him, and servants sent to the dungeons for stuttering in his presence.” “That’s needlessly cruel,” Kanathara muttered. “He may have been a good man at one point, but the war took away his kindness and replaced it with only bitter resentment and intense paranoia,” Tirek stated. “That must have been hell on his family,” Rainbow Dash added. Tirek shook his head. “His sons died on the battlefield, as did my father and brothers. My own mother had passed away years earlier, and my aunt had been killed by an assassin not long after the war began.” “Which left you as the only one left, didn't it?” Kanathara concluded. “It did indeed,” Tirek admitted. “I was the last hope he had of our family staying on the throne, as poison had taken his ability to have children.” “That’s brutal,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Who were they fighting anyway?” “The zebra clans led by a mad warlord as well as numerous gryphon and minotaur mercenaries,” Tirek replied. “The warlord in question fancied himself ruler of this entire continent, and somehow managed to get several other races under his command including an entire hive of changelings.” “I think I’m starting to understand why he was left so scarred. The changeling’s are fierce and cunning warriors, nevermind adding gryphons and minotaurs to the mix,” Kanathara said with a sigh. “It was also after the banishment of one of Equestria’s leaders and a lengthy civil war,” Tirek added, his gaze lingering on the slumbering equine form in the bed before him. “They were weak from years of fighting and called for aid. My uncle, eager to prove our fledgeling nation was capable of greatness, convinced his brother to join him in battle. A decision that would seal his fate, and mine.” “But you've fought demon wars,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed suddenly. “From the way you talk about this war on the mortal plane you make it sound worse than anything you’ve seen.” Tirek eyed the vengeant critically, before sighing and leaning on the bed. “Tell me child. Have you ever had your entire family killed before you in a brutal fashion? Well… have you?” “N-no,” Rainbow Dash stuttered. “Exactly,” Tirek stated, the centaur clenching his fist tightly. “We demons are without connections, without ties that bind us to one another. In the end we have only ourselves, and tools, or objects we use to attain our goals. To see them broken is to be enraged, not saddened, for they were never things you truly cared about in the same way you do about family.” “Are we just tools to you, father?” Kanathara nervously inquired. Tirek sighed. “No my children. Not anymore.” “I think I get what you are saying,” Rainbow Dash muttered slowly. “Though I still think demons are way meaner than some mortal ponies with stripes.” Tirek chuckled darkly. “They were immensely cruel, capable of shape-shifting into animals and using this power to sneak behind our lines, devouring defenceless smiths, cooks, and bakers. They hypnotized those they captured, sending them back into our ranks only to be activated by some phrase and turned into psychotic killing machines.” The centaur shook his head. “There are no defenceless demons, and it's almost impossible to mind control us, or otherwise hypnotize those of us who hail from the lower planes.” “I think we’re getting off topic,” Kanathara announced suddenly, the keeper placing a hoof on Rainbow Dash’s foreleg. “What does this all have to do with Celestia?” Tirek ran a hand down Pear Butter’s back and looked off into the distance. “What I meant to say with all of that was that my uncle was not a good man, not anymore anyway. But he was not always this way, there was a time when he was the best of us, the kindest and most honorable person I knew.” He pulled back his hand. “I knew the moment the first night raid alarm went off that something was wrong, that my uncle had lost something important. I was still young at the time though, and only had good memories of him, so I didn't do anything. When I grew older and understood the depths of his insanity, I merely told myself that he was old, and broken, and would die soon.” Tirek sighed, and shook his head. “But that didn't happen. Somehow he remained strong even as he grew madder, and more violent, his aged body holding together despite all that had happened to him. In time, I realized that I would have to do something, to remove him from power before he could do anymore damage.” “So what did you do?” Rainbow Dash inquired, the vengant having slowly scooted forward while Tirek wasn't paying attention. “I went to my sole remaining brother, the gargoyle, Scorpan,” Tirek began, conjuring a smokey image of a young gargoyle with red leather wings, a prominent brown mane, brown fur, and a thick belt around his waist. “I had hoped that he would have been able to aid me, but his own father remained on the throne and Scorpan was little more than a prince in waiting. Still, he had a silver tongue, a good reputation for telling the truth, and I thought our chances of convincing the other prince was high.” “Let me guess, they all remembered your uncle as the good guy he used to be,” Rainbow Dash interrupted. Tirek frowned and glared at the vengeant for a moment before his gaze softened. “Yes. That is the short version, but there is more to tell, I’m afraid.” “That was… disappointing,” Tirek muttered, his shoulders falling as the now adult centaur stood outside the great doors to the gargoyle throne room. Though he had grown taller, stronger, and wielded potent magic, Tirek’ physical appearance had not changed significantly. His brother prince in waiting hadn't changed significantly over the years either, the gargoyle still standing a bit shorter than Tirek did. “Come on, Tirek. We knew that was going to be a hard sell,” Scorpan remarked, the gargoyle leaning against the wall and slipping to the floor. “But to think my uncle would sew rumours about me is something else entirely,” Tirek exclaimed bitterly. “To call my very sanity into question all because I have been learning a bit of magic is just ridiculous.” Scorpan nodded slowly. “It is unfortunate that there is still so much division and fear between us and the Equestrians. Magic is not the terrible force everyone sees it as.” Tirek groaned and let his horned head hit the stone wall. “Maybe it was foolish to learn what I could from that old pony.” “Don't say such things,” Scorpan urged. “You are a natural, and I am sure that your new abilities will help you, and our nation in time.” “I wish I had your naivety, brother,” Tirek muttered bitterly. “If my uncle is not removed, we may not have a nation to help.” Scorpan stood suddenly. “I had hoped it would not come to this, but I have one other possible solution to this problem.” Tirek raised an eyebrow and studied the gargoyle closely, noting just how serious he now appeared. “Really? What is this solution? And don't tell me it's going to your mother and begging her for assistance.” The gargoyle shook his head. “No. But we can't speak of it here.” Stumbling into a stand, Tirek followed after the gargoyle with a resigned frown on his face. “Alright, but I’m not putting much stock in this solution of yours. You always were too nice for your own good.” “Not this time, brother.” Tirek slammed shut the door to Scorpan’s private room and looked around. “It's been a while since I’ve been here. You’ve really cleaned up the place.” Scorpan blushed slightly. “Yes, well. I’ve grown up quite a bit these past few years.” “It seems like it. Now, what is this grand secret that you needed to discuss with me?” Tirek exclaimed, the centaur glancing around the room with a bored expression. “Your uncle is poison,” Scorpan stated, the intensity of his words making Tirek face him fully. “He has done dark and terrible things in the name of security, and though it pains me to say this… he must be removed from power.” Tirek grinned. “Finally, someone who agrees with me. How are we going to do this? His defences are numerous, and though he has grown old, he has not grown weak.” Scorpan turned and began to rummage through his desk. “Which is exactly why I’ve been searching for something to give us an edge over the old tyrant.” “What are we talking about exactly? An undetectable poison? A spell capable of killing him from afar?” Tirek questioned. Scorpan shook his head. “Your uncle may be a cruel tyrant, but he still deserves to be brought to justice, and be forced to admit to his many crimes.” Tirek scowled. “He believes himself to be in the right, no matter what he does, and how far he takes things. He will not come quietly, and he will not admit to anything.” “That is not true,” Scorpan retorted as he continued to rifle through the drawers, tossing aside books and piles of paper as he did so. “The last time a wandering wizard was in court he helped to create a truth circle in the courtyard. All we have to do is bring him there, and then it's all over.” Tirek snorted irritably and crossed his arms over his chest. “Good luck with that. The old fart doesn't get out of bed without a guard, and never leaves the castle.” “Which is why you are going to bring him here and make him admit to his sins,” Scorpan declared, his hand shooting into the air, “with this!” The small piece of paper in the gargoyle’s hand seemed to be a map of some kind, a crude and ancient one at that. “What is that anyway? It looks old,” Tirek asked. Scorpan nodded eagerly and laid out the piece of paper on his desk. “It shows the location of an ancient artifact called the amulet of dominance,” Scorpan explained, pointing to a small drawing of a triangle shaped amulet in the corner of the paper. “It is said to have the ability to take your enemies’ greatest strength and make it your own and was supposedly one of the two great artifacts that defeated the Maw.” Tirek trotted next to the other male and glanced down at the map curiously. “It won't be easy. This is a long journey, and an artifact of such power will not be unguarded.” “Guard or not, we must acquire it,” Scorpan declared. Tirek smiled. “This is quite the plan, brother.” “You are not the only smart one, you know,” Scorpan replied with a smirk. “So it seems.” “I should warn you though. The amulet is not without its drawbacks, as the artifact apparently corrupts its wielder, making their heart turn dark,” Scorpan remarked while tapping the small black gem at the center which was clutched by a stylized eagle. Tirek nodded. “Then as soon as we have brought him to justice we should destroy the amulet so no one is tempted to use it. Or at least put it back.” “I knew I could trust you with this, brother,” Scorpan confided while placing a hand on the centaur’s shoulder. “You are the only one I know with the will strong enough to resist this temptation thing.” Tirek smirked at the gargoyle. “You have too much faith in me.” “And you do not have enough faith in yourself,” Scorpan reprimanded while jabbing a finger into the centaur’s chest. Tirek scoffed. “You are insufferable. But enough of this, when can we leave?” “Tomorrow at the earliest,” Scorapn replied. “I’ve already assembled most of the necessary gear, I just need a little time to establish our alibi.” “You really have planned this all out,” Tirek remarked with a hint of pride. “Of course. I would not have declared my intention to help you if, I didn't,” exclaimed Scorpan. “Thank you, brother,” Tirek announced. “It means a lot to me to know that there is someone who still has faith in me.” “Now and forever,” Scorpan replied, before pulling the centaur in for a hug. “Now and forever.” “Woah, thats intense,” Rainbow Dash muttered, the vengant having crawled forward a little while Tirek had been telling his story. “This Scorpan guy sounds awesome.” “Indeed, I have never heard you speak of him before,” Kanathara added. “He was a good man,” Tirek remarked tiredly. “His positivity and endless optimism helped me through much of life’s struggles.” “What happened to him? If you don't mind me asking, that is,” Kanathara asked hesitantly. Tirek sighed. “My banishment destroyed him, and though he never succumbed to the darkness that consumed my uncle, a light left him that day. I watched him grow old, alone and forgotten by most until I could bear it no longer, but that is a story for another time.” “Yeah, right now you gotta tell me how things went with that old crazy dude,” Rainbow Dash pressed, wiggling a little closer to the centaur until she was right next to her mistress. Tirek chuckled and shook his head. “At least one of us is enjoying this.” “You don't have to go into as much detail, father,” Kanathara suggested. “I know this isn't exactly the most pleasant memory for you.” “But if you didn't stop with the voices and all the cool shadow puppets that would be awesome,” Rainbow Dash added hastily. Tirek smiled, a little relieved to find the vengant was actually paying attention. “It’s okay, Kanathara. This story may not be one I enjoy telling, but it is important that you understand what I’m trying to say.” “Well, alright,” Kanathara muttered, settling back into her spot next to her familiar. The centaur waved a hand and conjured an image of what looked like a throne room of some kind, the only inhabitants of which were an aged centaur sitting on said throne, and a younger Tirek who had just walked in. “I had managed to convince the guard captain to let me speak to my uncle alone, and to stay out of my affairs for several minutes. Giving me the opening I needed to take my uncle down, and finally bring him to justice.” “Do not bother calling out for help, uncle, they will not come,” Tirek declared as the centaur used his magic to close the large double doors, sealing the throne room off from outsiders. The room itself was barren and devoid of decoration save for the single large chair designed to seat a centaur which stood at the back of the room. Upon it sat the aged and twisted tyrant who had plagued the kingdom for almost two decades at this point. He wore the same breastplate and chain mail that he always did, his trusty sword still belted at his hip even after all this time. Though definitely older and greyer, the centaur still had a keen eye, and large, rippling muscles. Tirek was nearly the complete opposite of this aging warrior, for he wore no armor save for the robes of a wizard, and a pair of gauntlets. Though he too had a weapon at his hip, the mace was a mere backup, and unlike his uncle, Tirek had no confidence in his ability to actually use it. The only other thing that stuck out was the large amulet attached to a loop of metal that hung around his neck, the gold object pulling in the gaze of a casual observer. Rather than be annoyed or even surprised, Thereon merely sighed and stood slowly. “So, it has finally come to this. I knew this day would come though I thought you would wait until age began to sap my strength.” “Your madness must end, uncle,” Tirek declared with a stomp. “If I wait you may very well butcher another family and though you may not flinch at the slaughter of innocents, I do.” The centaur growled as he wrenched forth his blade. “There are no innocents in this world or the next, boy. We are all stained from the moment of birth until our soul’s final, dying gasp.” “Do you even hear yourself, uncle? You proclaim that even babes not even fully conscious are somehow impure. How can you claim the moral high ground while you put your blade through cribs?” Tirek shouted, the centaur stomping forward, his amulet glowing faintly. “For the same reason you do not injure a cliff horn!” Thereon shouted back. “Once injured, they will seek out revenge, no matter how far or how much they have to sacrifice. If I had let those children live they would have risen up and tried to destroy all that I have built.” “And has it ever occurred to you that maybe you should just not kill innocent people in the first place? You would not need to worry about assassins all the time if you did not breed enemies left and right,” Tirek retorted bitterly. “All who resist the prince kings deserve annihilation,” Thereon growled. “I am simply doing what needs to be done and pruning those who would destroy all that is good and fair in this world.” “Then you are well and truly mad,” Tirek remarked with a hint of sadness. “No matter. After I defeat you, the world will know your crimes, and you will be remembered only as the mad, red king.” “I would rather be remembered as mad, than be remembered as the one who doomed our great empire, which is exactly what you will do, sorcerer,” proclaimed the elder centaur, who pointed his ebony blade at Tirek. “Magic is a tool, you old fool. Would you besmirch an archer for his keen eye? Or a dancer for his dexterity?” Tirek snarled, the prince in waiting raising a hand, and conjuring forth a fiery orb. “Magic corrupts worse than money, power or even authority. It is ability without practice, skill without perseverance, power without price, and you will fall, be it to my blade, or the powers you claim to control,” Thereon retorted. “Then let us cast aside these weary words so I may show you true power!” Tirek yelled before hurling the fireball at his uncle. Who smacked the fiery orb aside with his blade, causing the spell to dissipate harmlessly against the floor leaving a scorch mark on the formerly pristine black stone. Without missing a beat, the older centaur charged, his hooves clattering across the floor as he raised his weapon high. Knowing he didn't have much time, Tirek reached towards the amulet around his neck, and began to channel its power, directing it towards his uncle. The amulet itself glowed brighter still, emanating a blood red light that illuminated the stylized eagle emblazoned upon it. Across the room, Thereon charged, a strange sense of calmness overcoming him, as he wordlessly galloped towards his sole remaining family member with murderous intent. He didn't hesitate, or slow, until the amulet flashed a bright red, and began to sap his strength, causing him to stumble a few steps. Meanwhile Tirek could feel himself grow stronger, his body growing larger in proportion to how much his uncle shrunk. Though the change wasn't significant yet, the amulet continued to do its work, making the older centaur glare down at his nephew. “You reveal your hand too soon, boy,” Thereon shouted as he charged in, sword raised. “Your demonic powers will not be tolerated by me, or anyone else.” Tirek grunted as he conjured a small hand-sized shield and deflected his uncle’s first attack, sending it wide. “It is fitting, uncle, that a demon like you would be brought down by a weapon forged in the same hell that birthed you.” “You know nothing of hell,” snarled the centaur as he attacked over and over again. His swings were hard, fast, and difficult to predict, with Tirek only just barely able to stay ahead of them, countering each one with a conjured buckler. Already the centaur’s arms began to grow numb, the sheer power his uncle brought to bear enough to make his bones rattle. Grunting, Tirek stepped back before conjuring a larger shield and using it to shove his uncle back. He didn't move far though, the old centaur putting his shoulder down and meeting the shield head on and without fear. For a moment it seemed like they would be stuck in a stalemate, a situation that would have seen Tirek win eventually, but that wasn't what happened. Thereon shoved hard, his leg muscles adding more power than Tirek could counter, breaking the shield and causing the magic user to stumble back. As he did, the king’s blade struck true, carving a deep cut in Tirek’s shoulder and sapping all of the strength he had gathered from the other centaur. Reacting on instinct, the younger male conjured a flash of light, temporarily blinding his opponent and causing him to stumble back, though he maintained a defensive guard as he did so. Tirek wasn't in a position to exploit such an opening though, as he was focused on the wound he had just received. Though it took more power than he would have liked, the centaur did his best to stop the flow of blood just in time for his uncle to shake off the effects of his spell. “Cheap tricks will not save you from me,” snarled the older centaur. “You only say that because my tricks are better than yours as your sword may steal the strength of others, but it does not give it to you,” Tirek replied as he began a new spell. “Unlike my own weapon.” “You rely too much on your magic. Your movements are sloppy, your attacks predictable,” Thereon shouted, a second before he attacked once more, his strikes remaining as powerful as ever despite how long he had been under the amulet’s effects. For one dread-filled moment Tirek wondered if the old fool had somehow found a way around his magic, only for a slight stumble to make the younger centaur grin. Each blow his uncle launched was quickly blocked by Tirek’s magic, only this time he did not use small, weak shields but large kite shields as long as his arm. The blows which had been painful up until this point were now little more than a slight irritation, something Thereon quickly noticed. Tirek had gained several inches of height, and a considerable amount of mass by then, and though he stood taller than his uncle, he was unsure of his own footing. With a snarl, the elder centaur leaned in and tackled the now larger centaur, driving his armless shoulder into the younger male’s midsection and knocking the wind out of him. His attack didn't go off perfectly though, with Tirek having enough time to grab his uncle’s wrist and stop the downward cut that would have surely beheaded him. Though unused to his new size and strength, Tirek was able to regain his breath while still holding his uncle in place. This time there was no stalemate as the older centaur was unable to gain any ground or free himself from Tirek’s grasp. Though he gave one final shove, and tried to wrench his sword away, the action was a wasted one, as Tirek simply overpowered him. “Give it up, uncle. Surrender to me and I swear no harm will come to you,” Tirek shouted. “Doing so would only weaken us further,” Thereon yelled right back. “To see one of the royal family tried like a common criminal would undermine our very authority. If you had any sense left in that head of yours, you would strike me down where I stand.” “I will not become a slave to the same paranoia that made you the monster you have become. You will give up, you will stand trial, and you will accept the judgement of the people,” Tirek bellowed. For a moment there was silence, only the sound of Tirek’s spell filling the quiet that separated them. In that moment Tirek couldn't help but see the other centaur in a different light, one that showed him not as strong and implacable, but as weak and old. His time had come and gone, yet he had remained while everyone else passed on, and the weight of that regret could clearly be seen in the older centaur’s eyes. “Fine,” he muttered, the still shrinking centaur taking a step back. “Just stop your magic before my bloody heart gives out.” “Thank you, uncle,” Tirek whispered, the centaur placing a hand over the amulet and stopping the flow of energy. “Your cooperation can only help your case.” Thereon sneered. “Just answer me this. Why did you really do it?” Tirek shook his head sadly as he stared down at the old man. “You truly can't understand someone wanting to do something for any other reason other than self-interest, can you? Justice, old man, justice is why I do this. Justice for all those you killed and would have killed had I let you keep that old chair you covet so much.” Thereon’s grip tightened and he stared long and hard at his younger. “Then you are as foolish as your father was.” Tirek was reading his own response when his uncle’s weapon flared a dark and twisted light, causing the older centaur to suddenly radiate strength and power in spades. Knowing what was coming, Tirek conjured another shield, placing both hands between himself and his enemy. A thick blue shield sprung into existence, one large enough to turn aside every strike Thereon had launched until then. Yet even as Tirek congratulated his own quick thinking, he noticed something strange, namely that his uncle remained confident. In the span of an eyeblink, the ebony blade met Tirek’s shield and sliced straight through it like it was nothing. Tirek’s new bulk proved his downfall, as he could not move out of the way in time, leaving him defenceless as the blade plunged into his gut. The strength he had stolen from the other centaur vanished in an instant, leaving him weak, and causing him to stumble to the ground, his legs giving out from under him. Though Thereon did not regain the strength he had lost, he looked every bit as powerful as he had only a few minutes ago. His face was neutral, mirth and cruelty alike having been discarded the second he stood triumphant over his challenger. “Know that I take no pleasure from this. The time it will take to find a worthy heir will be long, and the process itself a difficult one,” Thereon remarked idly. Tirek slumped, the pain growing only more intense the weaker he became. “I suppose I should be glad. Your treacherous father’s line is finally at an end, and all the useless nobodies he spawned will finally join him in the grave,” Thereon concluded. Something in those words made Tirek stop and look up at his uncle, realization flashed through his mind. “It was you,” he blubbered weakly. “Of course it was me!” Thereon shouted indignantly. “Your father was a fool whose weakness would have seen us all become vassals of the ponies. I did what I always have. What I must.” The strange, dark whispers which had been at the back of Tirek’s mind until now began to cry out in vengeance and the centaur could not resist them even if he wanted to. Power surged from the amulet, harsh red light filling the room, causing Thereon to look away from its source. The spell all but leapt from Tirek’s horns, the familiar sensation of another’s strength filling him, and washing away all pain. Only this time it wasn't just a trickle, but rather a flood, the power coursing through Tirek being so great that it made him realize how much he had been holding back. Already he had regained his height, his density, and even though the ebony blade was still stuck fast in his midsection, Tirek hardly noticed it anymore. Grabbing the blade in an outstretched hand he pulled it from his gut and then crushed the weapon, causing it to shatter into a thousand pieces. “H-how,” Thereon stuttered. “Nobody can survive the black thorn’s sting!” “It’s as you said, uncle. I am nobody,” Tirek whispered. The elder centaur stumbled forward as if to strike Tirek in the chest, though the younger male couldn't tell what his intention was as he made it only a handful of feet before he fell to the ground. The vaunted strength he had maintained since he was young failed him, his muscles wasting away and leaving only skin and bones behind. A distant voice at the back of Tirek’s mind told him to stop, pleaded for him to not continue on this dark path, but Tirek paid it no mind. This was justice, this was right, he was right. His uncle needed to die. And so the amulet continued to pull every last bit of power from the other centaur’s body, even as it wasted away. The old centaur’s eyes glazed over, his arm fell away, crumbling to dust as the rest of his body rapidly lost all color. When finally the last bit of color drained from his eye, and the last drop of strength had been sucked from the very marrow of his bones, Thereon died, crumbling to nothing in the span of moments. And then, there was silence. When Tirek felt the amulet’s influence lessen, and his body return fully under his control, he looked down to the gaping hole in his midsection, only to find it was gone. The magic that had allowed him to steal every last bit of strength his uncle had also healed him, leaving behind only a jagged scar barely visible beneath his fur. With his life no longer threatened, the centaur quickly grabbed the necklace and tore it off his body before tossing it across the room, where it clattered to the floor. “What have I done?” Tirek whispered. The dull boom of the great oak doors opening made Tirek turn to where he saw a horrified Scorpan standing with centaur guards flanking either side of him. “Tirek, what happened here?” he shouted. “I, I just, he…” Tirek stuttered, gesturing to the pile of ash that had been his uncle only a few seconds earlier. The gargoyle wasted no time, and sprang into action, grabbing Tirek by the shoulders and forcing their eyes to meet. “What, happened?” he asked, his words slow and deliberate. Tirek’s guilt-filled mind could hardly process what happened, and he half expected for Scorpan to look upon him with hate and fear, yet that's not what he found in those brown orbs. There was only kindness, empathy, and a deep desire to simply understand behind his brother’s gaze. “He killed my father, Scorpan,” Tirek blubbered. “After that I couldn't control it anymore. The amulet was too powerful.” Scorpan grimaced and gave the amulet a weary glance before pulling the now larger centaur in for a tight hug. “This won't help our case, but I will plead it regardless. I must return home and report what happened here.” “You can't, if they knew-” Tirek began, only for Scorpan to silence him with a look. “You are not your uncle. We will gather the witnesses, corroborate our evidence, and prove that what you did was justified. I will not abandon you, but we must be better,” Scorpan declared before taking a step back. “We will endure, and when it's over, we will destroy that amulet, together.” “R-right,” Tirek stuttered, the centaur standing tall once more, doing his best to appear regal. “I should probably hold onto it until you return.” “Who knows what tricks Thereon had set up in case of something like this,” Scorpan cautioned. “His paranoia knew no bounds and I expect he's planned for even this possibility.” “Don't worry, Scorpan, I will not put it on unless absolutely necessary,” Tirek declared. The gargoyle nodded. “Good. I trust you, Tirek. You are a good man.” The centaur watched as his brother turned and left, leaving him with a pair of apprehensive guards who looked at him expectantly. Steeling his resolve and straightening his back once more, Tirek strode forward, a grim expression on his face. “Seal the room. Noone gets in until Scorpan returns with his father.” The guards seemed unsure of what to do for a whole second before bowing slightly. “As you will, my prince,” one declared while the other moved to close the door. Tirek walked through the entryway, and into a new, more just world. Or at least, that's what he told himself anyway.