Dragon of The Depths
Razor's Office
19 Days into the Voyage
Razor was reading though several books, trying to narrow down where the next crystal was. So far he wasn't having having much luck.
'Where is the next crystal? Iron Horn's message said he had sensed strange readings around the "Dragon Skull Islands" so why is it we haven't found anything yet.'
Razor knew of the Dragon Skull Islands well, the location was a massive chain of twenty large islands that from above resembled a Dragon skull with an open jaw. He had visited the islands more than once during his years as Pirate Lord for various reasons, the main one being to learn more about Western Kirin Culture. Razor remembered the day he first met his own kind as clear as a cloudless day, he had just turned nineteen and had been relaxing with his crew four shapes appeared over the horizon. The shapes turned out to be four Western Kirin, a Clan Thane with three Elite Guards, looking for him. Razor chuckled as the memory came up...
Flashback
Twenty-One Years Ago
Razor stood on deck watching as the four Western Kirin approached the Dragon from the air, three trailing behind the one in front by a respectful distance. The one in front stopped hovering over the deck and said,
"Permission to come aboard?"
"Permission granted." Razor said, watching as the four landed, their wings kicking up a bit of a wind. The three guards were wearing red, gold-trimmed full-body armor that was very heavily scared and worn by battle, only their thick wing membrane was uncovered, exposing the scars and burns to all. It was however the fourth one that had Razor's attention
This Kirin, a male Crystal Pony-Born by the shiny, gradient cobalt coat and shimmered black mane atop of his head, stood up looking around at the ship. He wore silver armor with a red cape flowing over his shoulders and back and a purple, gold edged sash over his chest, and a long scar ran down his neck from just under his left ear to under his long gold and black striped scarf. After looking around for a moment he turned to Razor, a soft slime appearing over his face.
"Greetings young brother, Razor Tail is it? You've made quite the name for yourself among the Clans."
"That's...good..." Razor wasn't really sure how to act, this was the first time he had met another of his kind and he hadn't wanted to make a bad impression. The Clan Thane chuckled lightly.
"You can relax Razor, if I had wanted to hurt you I would have brought an army. Though is this really first time you've met a fellow Western Kirin?"
Razor nodded, still a little guarded, his crew looking ready to fight if they needed too. The Thane, either not noticing or just ignoring them, continued speaking.
"So one of the Outsiders then, that would explain it." To Razor's surprise, and his crews', this was said without any hint of animosity or similar. The Thane chuckled again noticing their surprise.
"Let me clear it up for you, "Outsider" for us Kirin refers to those born outside of the Kirin Lands, it's not a slur, insult or anything like that. In fact there are a number of Kirin who are proud to bear the tilde. You see, Kirin who are born out of the Kirin Lands more often then not have unique sets of skills, it is for that reason that insider Kirin seek out Outsider ones so younger ones can learn these skills."
"So... that means I would have to leave my crew?" Razor asked, not liking sound of it.
"Only temporarily, it is against Kirin law to take one from their Clan permanently unless it is for a very good reason. Besides, I'm quite sure your Clan would fight to prevent that with everything they had.
"My Clan? I don't have one."
Actually you do." The Thane waved a foreleg around the deck, "Your crew here is your Clan."
Razor blinked, so did the rest of the crew.
"I though only Kirin could be in a Clan."
"I understand why you would get that impression, but that isn't the case. Kirin don't care what species their companions are, the Clans have had plenty of members of many different species throughout out history; Ponies, Griffins, Dragons, and so forth."
The Thane then tilted his head slightly.
"I'm guessing your parents didn't really teach you much from your questions."
Razor looked at the floor, Snowheart placing a wing over his back.
"Your parents weren't the teaching sort."
"...No, my so called father locked me in a cupboard for seven years, after casting my mother to the waves, and barely even fed me. I was twelve when I finally escaped."
The Thane gave a look of sympathy, the guards behind him bowing their heads as a gesture of respect and sorrow.
"I'm sorry to hear that young brother, have you taken your father out?"
"Not yet, I'm not ready to face him, and I have other things to take care of first before I'm ready."
"I understand that, truth be told you're not the first Kirin to go though something like that, but at least you are one of the lucky ones, most don't survive, with some going completely feral and leaving us no choice but to end their suffering. I would also explain your size."
Razor looked up with some puzzlement.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Razor, you're rather small for a Kirin your age. If anything, you should be at least seven feet tall, and you're only five. My guess is due to the malnutrition your father inflected on you."
"Wouldn't surprise me, I'm not the only one he has harmed, not by a long shot. Though I get the feeling you're here for another reason."
"Indeed I am, tell me, have you ever felt a haze or other things you know are not normal?"
"Yes, since I turned twelve, I've had this really strong haze, not really sure what else to call it. Some of it has been kept under control thanks to my crew helping me, and Atlas here enjoying some "alone" time with me." Both Razor and Atlas blushed, the Thane smiled.
"Well that's the Kirin mating instinct, so you already took care of it. No need to feel ashamed, I did the same thing myself. As for the haze, you've had it for eight years?"
Razor nodded, the Thane whistled.
"Wow, that's quite the time to have that synonym. You must be pretty strong willed to not have gone insane by now."
"Well as I said, the crew have helped me through the worst when it pops up, but you know what it is?"
"Yes I do, but before I tell you let me explain somethings; those synonyms met that you were becoming an adult. For Kirin it also means that it's time for them to take their Rites of Passage."
"Rites of Passage?"
"Yes, every Kirin goes through them regardless of their origin. There are three: The Rites of Survival, Hunting, and Teamwork. The first is one surviving for one week on their own in the Kirin Lands with nothing but their skills. The second is hunting one of the dangerous creatures that roam the Lands, taking it down, and bringing it back. The more dangerous, the better. The third and final one is working with your Clanmates to both survive for two weeks and hunt a creature more dangerous than what you and your Clanmates hunted before."
He paused as Razor took this in, then continued.
"Now the Rites of Survival and Teamwork wouldn't have to be done as you, without knowing, have already down those. With leaves only the Rite of Hunting, and that will clear up the synonyms."
Razor thought about this for a minute, than asked,
"Two questions: One, do I have to hunt on my own, and two, would it help me get my Cutie Mark?"
"Yes to the second but I get to back to that, as for the first you are allowed to bring two others of your choice as your circumstances are different from Insiders. As for the mark; for Kirin, even when we find our Special Talent and know what it is, wouldn't get our mark until all three Rites are complete. No one knows why, it's just the way it has always been for us."
Razor smiled at the memory, after their talk he, Snow, and Atlas had traveled to the Kirin Lands and done Razor's Rite of Hunting. He still remembered taking down the massive Crested Snake, which was rather rare as most Kirin would avoid them on their first hunt, and the haze that had bothered him of so long finally fading away, like a thick fog clearing for a bright, warm sunny day. Razor had been in pure bliss for at least several minutes, enjoying it before Atlas pulled him out of it.
Snow had actually slayed a Zerker that day while Atlas had brought down a Titan Bear; The Zerkers are twelve-foot tall beasts who are blind but powerful, known for their highly developed sense of hearing and smell, extremely durable bodies, and extremely aggressive behavior. Zerkers are stuck in a never ending state of rage, attacking anything that’s not themselves, even each other. Their skin is so tough that standard weapons deal little to no damage, only fire and magic will significantly damage them as well as allowing standard weapons to do full damage via the heated skin. But even then, it still takes a lot to bring one down for good. Those who end up fighting one must also be aware of the fact as Zerkers, the closer to death they get, became more enraged and dangerous as they do not feel pain at all.
The Titan Bear was a massive fourteen-foot tall on all four beast with incredibly long teeth that jut out of its jaw almost at random, eyes and part of its mouth bioluminescent, the fifth claw on each of its paws almost appears to function as an opposable thumb, and muscle thick enough to stop a 68-pound cannonball and not be fazed.
From what Razor had learned not many Kirin, even veteran hunters, would take on either creature unless they were very bold or they were a danger to the young. Razor remembered laughing hard at the looks of mute astonishment the Kirin gave the three of them as they came back, dragging their prizes behind them. Snow carrying her's with pride despite her sporting numerous lacerations, a black eye, and a broken wing.
She called it the most fun she'd had in a long while.
Snow and Atlas left the Kirin Mountain with a lot of respect from the Kirin.
He looked over at his hat, picking it up and looking at the teeth that sat on the tall brims. Those same teeth were the ones from that Crested Snake, it was a day he would always remember.
He was brought out of his memories when he heard the door open, his son Silver Moth stepping in.
"Hey dad, am I interrupting anything?"
"No son, just lost in my memories. So what do you need?"
"Everyone else is busty and I don't want to get in the way, so I came down here."
"For a little Father and Son time?" Razor said with a smile.
"Yes." Silver said hopefully.
Razor turned in his chair and patted his lap, Silver came over and hopped up, sitting straight and resting his back against Razor's hand as the older Kirin held him up.
"Anything you wanted to talk about Silver?" Razor asked, using his left wing hand to scratch his son's head.
"Well I would like to know more about Kirin Culture." Silver said leaning into the scratching.
"Well... what subject do you want first?"
"The Halberds, and why are they so important to Western Kirin."
Razor smiled, set his son on the table and stood up, grabbing his own halberd.
"Well son, every sapient species on Equus has a preferred weapon of choice, for example: Earth Ponies prefer clubs as the heavy weapons deal a lot of damage and it allows them to make full use of their strength. Unicorns, being the physically weakest, even if it is very small, prefer to keep their enemies at a distance. Using their magic alongside ranged weapons like crossbows, and throwing knives. Pegasi use polearms like spears and pikes to get close to their enemies yet keep them at a distance."
"How does that work?" Silver asked with his head tiled to the left.
"Well, the longest running enemy of Pegasi as well as their offshoot races like Winged Thestrals would be the Griffins, most of their battles took place in the air, high above the ground. Often times if one dealt a major enough wound to the other the wounded would fall, landing fatally when they hit the ground. The reason for the polearms was when an enemy was wound enough to fall, they would often try to take their killer with them, the polearms could be dropped so they would fall instead of the one that was carrying them."
"Makes sense, but wouldn't that leave them unarmed?"
"Which is why the flying Pony races started carrying polearms that were telescopic, which means having or consisting of concentric tubular sections designed to slide into one another..." Razor trailed off.
"To make it easier to carry several at once and not be hindered by their length." Silver finished.
"Exactly Silver, now as for your original question; There are a few reasons as to why Western Kirin prefer halberds. First, Western Kirin are like Pegasi in that we try to keep our enemies at a distance, as the halberd is a polearm this works for us."
"Then why use them if regular polearms work?"
"Well that ties into the second reason, Western Kirin use halberds because of their versatility." Razor held out his to show to his son.
"Take mine for example, you notice how both ends have spikes?" -Silver nods yes- "With these I can jab at an enemy like if I was welding a pike." Razor stood on his hind legs using his tail for balance, he held his halberd with the sword-shaped end facing away from him, his right hand gripping the spot were the axe head was attached to the body. He thrust the sword-shaped spike forward a few times as Silver watched.
"The axe head is great for getting through armor, while it is rare and only certain units make use of it, one will still encounter it from time to time. Now swords are among the most common weapons in the Sea of Legends, but only the largest and heaviest are able to deal damage to armor." He flipped the weapon around so the end with the axe head was in front of him.
"Now mine has this scythe-shaped spike at the top to grant a little extra cutting power and allow me to still stab an enemy without having to flip to the other end. The hammer can crush enemy armor if I can't use the axe, and can also be driven into the weak points or armor, or used to kill a downed opponent before they could get up. The hook below it has a few different uses, like pulling an enemy weapon if you get the right angle or a shield out of their grip. And the handle itself can be used as a blunt weapon or to block an enemy's weapon."
"Oohhh... okay I get it, it's basically an all-in-one weapon: They could pull and enemy from above down, trip an opponent, hook a gap in their armor to cause a painful wound, pull away their shields, and had all the functionality of a battle-axe and a spear into the bargain."
"And depending on the local and/or available resources, inexpensive to make."
"But... isn't a halberd rather difficult to use?"
"It depends on the wielder, they can be if one is not trained in their use. Most Western Kirin train with other polearms to get the feeling for some time, then they start with the actual weapon."
"Aren't polearms hard to use in close quarters though?"
"Well I never said the halberd is a prefect weapon, like any weapon it too has it's weaknesses. The trick is knowing those weaknesses and using them to your advantage."
Silver tilted his over until it was almost completely sideways, Razor chuckled at his son's confusion.
"An important lesson to learn Silver: A strength can be a weakness, and a weakness can be a strength."
"How does that work??"
"Well Silver, take the hearing of a Thestral or Diamond Dog, I have yet to meet one that isn't proud of it. However, their sensitive hearing leaves them vulnerable to certain sounds; Ultrasonic spells cause great pain to Thestrals and even a simple dog whistle will stop a Diamond Dog in its tracks as the pain in its ears become too great. Magic casters like Unicorns are proud of their abilities, and some are very powerful, but at the same time the vast majority, though not all, become solely reliant on their magic. They find themselves without a fall back option if their magic fails them, one good hit is all it takes to down most of them, which is also why Unicorns and other spell casters fear having a Kirin as an enemy."
"Because Kirin can't be harmed by any magic."
"That's right son, but our magic-immunity is both a gift, and a curse."
"How so?"
Razor set his halberd back on the table and sat down.
"While it is true that Kirin are completely immune to magic, that also includes helpful magic such as healing spells, which means Kirin have to use other methods to heal wounds. Now, having said that, you know how the Eastern and Mountain Kirin are able to use magic?"
"Yes Dad, but how? They have the same immunity as the Western and Valley Kirin, so how can they use magic?"
"No one really knows, it's possible that their immunity is weaker but this hasn't really been tested. Though from what I do know their magic is very limited; Eastern Kirin only have the standard telekinesis which every creature that can use magic knows, while Mountain Kirin have that and basic growing spells. But that's the extent of my knowledge on that subject. But we got a bit off topic. You also wanted to know why the halberd is so important to Western Kirin?"
Silver nodded his head.
"Well Silver, you're old enough now to learn a bit about Kirin history: A long time ago, long before the Ponies even united, there was an empire, ran by the Centaurs. Now what I'm about to tell you is mostly forgotten history by this point and only very few actually know of it outside of the Kirin themselves, during the Centaurs' reign we Kirin had been slaves ourselves. I wouldn't go into details as I don't actually know much about it as the Kirin just want that bit of history to be forgotten and those that are still around during that time have taken an oath of silence on it."
"Okay, I understand, it also explains why Kirin hate slavery so much. But... what do the halberds have to do with it?"
"Now that I know, you see... the first Kirin to rise up armed themselves with crude, but effective, halberds and freed their brothers and sisters with them. Since then the halberd has become a cultural icon for the Kirin as it represents a symbol of freedom and the day the Kirin freed themselves and destroyed the Centaur Empire, the day the Kirin became what we are today."
Silver was amazed by what he had just been told, the halberd was a symbol of freedom for the Kirin? He never would have guessed.
"Wow dad... will I wield one someday?"
"Indeed you will son, every Western Kirin wields one when one comes of age. speaking of that It's-"
Razor was cut off as the compass crystal suddenly glowed red, once again he place it in the center of the map and traced the path the arrow was pointing. After a second his claw went over an area of the islands were the joint of the "jaw" would be, which was also the island chain's tallest mountain and were an old Western Kirin Clan Fortress stood proud. Once Razor's claw touched that spot the compass crystal' glow grew brighter.
"So that's were the crystal is, in the old fortress." He though for a second then turned to Silver, who was looking at him curiously. A small smile slowly grew on Razor's face.
"Say Silver, how would you like to come with me for this one?"
"Really?!" Silver's ears perked, eyes brightened, and his tail started wagging a little.
Razor smiled widely at his son.
"Yes, really."
A bit later
Silver sat on the seat of one of the longboats as his father and some of the crew loaded it with various items for the trip, his mother speaking to Razor as this went one.
"Razor, are you sure you want to take Silver with you on this alone? I know you can handle yourself just fine but..." She trailed off. Razor only smiled gently as he cupped her cheek with a wing hand.
"Atlas, relax. I know you're worried about our son, but I think it's time he start learning about what he will need to expect next year. He is eleven now and went he turns twelve it will be time for him to take his rites, you know as well as I that we wouldn't be able to protect him when that happens." He said gently, rubbing Atlas' cheek with a thumb.
"I know honey, it's just, I'm just worried about him going into a dangerous place." She wrapped her hoof around the wing cupping her cheek. Razor leaned up and pulled her into a kiss, to the almost quiet "dawwws" of those watching. Razor pulled back and nuzzled her horn with his nose.
"I will be careful, It's not like we're going through the dangerous areas of the islands. I know of a back entrance into the fortress that was once used for shipping, if the runes are still active we wouldn't have to worry about the wildlife. But we still have the teleport runes and I'll send for backup if danger does show up, okay." Atlas slowly nodded with a small smile and kissed him again.
"Everything's good to go sir."
Razor pulled back from the kiss and nodded.
"Alright, you ready Silver?"
"Yes dad."
"Then off we go."
The longboat was lowered into the water and the lines were unhooked, Razor started the engine and the two moved away from the Dragon. They soon came up to the remains of the fortress docks, which had been once used to load and unload ships for the clan that had once lived here. Once they had gotten close enough to the remains of the docks Razor shut the engine off and started rowing, partly to save fuel, partly because the wreckage of the dock remains meant that one had to move slowly, and partly to avoid any dangerous water creatures that might be hanging around.
after several minutes of careful maneuvering they reached a stable spot were they could secure the boat, once Razor was sure it wouldn't drift away on them he nodded to Silver and the two spread their wings and took to the air. Either of them trusted the old docks so they flew to the entrance into the mountain, landing at the opening. Razor leaned forward a little and examined the tunnel ahead of them.
it was clear from the amount of dust and debris that had gathered about that they were the first creatures to be here in a long time, possibly at least a hundred years, maybe more. Razor looked at Silver.
"Stay close to me son, we don't know if the runes are still active and there could be other threats here."
"Okay dad." Silver waled over and climbed onto Razor's back, who lowered himself down to make it easier for his son. Standing up again Razor took out his lantern and after turning it on walked forward, the two walked in silence for awhile, keeping an eye out for any movement that was not their own. At some points Razor would stop and tap the bottom spike of his halberd into the stone floor, sending a small disk of colored sparks up. He did that to test the runes of this place, and so far they were still active.
Despite that Razor as well as Silver couldn't help but feel they were being watched by someone or something.
The two remained silence as they passed through the long tunnels and stairways, it took awhile to get through as some of the faster ways had collapsed, been blocked, or were too unstable to use before they finally saw light at the end of a tunnel. Stepping out into the sun they breathed in the fresh air, looking over their immediate surroundings.
They were standing in what once was the fortress' main plaza, remains of old market stalls could be seen along the edges of the area. The plaza itself was actually the bottom of what could be described as a "reverse pyramid structure"; the fortress itself had been build inside a long extinct volcano, the plaza they now stood in being the lowest point of the fortress. From there the levels moved outwards like a giant staircase, with each level having their own buildings.
The next five levels were all housing, though only the entrances to each house resembled one, the homes themselves had each been built into caves, saving work and allowing the Kirin to comfort one of their baser instincts; the instinct to live in a covered area. Beyond the housing levels was were the military and government buildings stood and at the tallest points was the home of the clan leader and several watch towers along a tall wall that run along the rim of the volcano's summit.
"Wow..." Silver gasped out in awe, this was the first time he had ever seen a Western Kirin city, even if it was an abandoned one. Razor smiled as he looked over his shoulder to see his son looking around like a kid in a candy store.
"Wait until you see an active one Silver, and you can get off my back now. We're safe here."
Sliver did so and they started walking as Silver began asking his farther questions.
"What was it like dad? Why did this clan abandon it? What will we find here?"
Razor gave a good-natured laugh at his son's enthusiasm.
"One at a time Silver. I wouldn't know what it was like as this place was abandoned long before I was born, as for why they abandoned it... That has a bit of a tale to it, which I learned about during a visit to the Kirin Mountains."
He cleared his throat and started.
"The Clan that once lived here were great sailors and navigator, they were the ones who charted much of the Sea of Legends thousands of years ago, and they might have still been living here today... if it hadn't been for a creature known in Kirin Lore as the "Tyrant".
One dark night, a massively powerful Crested Snake with wings that would become known as the Tyrant appeared as if out of nowhere. Day after day, night after night, the creature rampaged across the island killing and devouring the creatures that lived here. Eventually the Clan took action and set out to slay the beast, while they did managed to trap the creature, they were unable to slay it. At the time the Western Kirin hadn't yet created the right tools for one this big. So... they trapped the Tyrant deep underground, but they feared that it would escape and come after them... so they left this place, never to return.
"Now if that was to happen today the Tyrant would be small fries compared to a good number of the creatures in the Kirin Homeland, and as for the Clan... it lived a long time but at some point vanished into history."
Silver took it all in as his father told the tale, eyes wide in amazement. After a minute he asked, his voice showing a little fear.
"Could the Tyrant still be around?"
Razor watched as his son moved closer to him and he gently laid a wing over Silver's back.
"I'm not sure Silver, that was over three thousands years ago so most likely the creature is long dead by this point, but I've learned from experience that with some things, especially if there is high amounts of magic involved, could very well still be around."
Sliver nodded and pressed against Razor's side, the Kirin's wing tightening against the youngster like a blanket. The two continued on, climbing the steps as they followed Razor's compass while keeping their eyes and ears alert for trouble. While as long as the runes were still working they would be safe, but Razor wasn't willing to take any chances. After walking for a bit they went through another tunnel at the middle levels of the city they stepped into the light again and stopped to take in the sight before them.
Built into a second, shorter volcano was a massive structure that filled up the extinct volcano's pit like the city did for the other one. The structure could only be described as one word: Arena. It looked much like the Colosseum in the Old Empire Country near Germaney, just much larger. In between the two volcanoes was the remains of what once was a massive stone bridge.
Razor smiled seeing it.
"The old Combat Arena. This was were Kirin, both recruits and veterans, would test their skills against each other and captured creatures to keep them sharp and ready. It was also how they could blow off steam and settle problems."
"Did Kirin actually kill each other here? Like in the Old Empire Country?" Silver asked, Razor shook his head.
"No, there were and still are very strict rules against that, the rules stated that combatants were to only fight until one could no longer or or taken what on the battlefield would have been a fatal blow. Special runes were created for just that reason; so that combatants couldn't kill each other accidentally, healers also always stood on standby if something did go wrong and the combatants were not allowed to use their real weapons among other rules. We Western Kirin might be know as formidable fighters, but we are not savages and do not throw life away needlessly. We are a close-nit kind and even if we sometimes fight with each other, at the end of the day and when it really counts, we are still brothers and sisters, clanmates, one big happy tail kicking family."
Both Razor and Silver smiled at the last one and looked out towards the Arena before they spread their wings and flew over the gap, landing safely on the other side. Razor pulled out his compass, watched as the needle turned, then looked and pointed towards the entrance. After wondering through the halls of the Colosseum for awhile they eventually stepped into the Arena itself, and as soon as they were passed the door it slammed shut, putting both Kirin on alert. Razor gripped his halberd tighter while Silver hopped onto his back while pulling out his own weapon; a short sword, that Snow had given him for a Hearts Warming present. Silver positioned himself so Razor was facing one way while Silver faced the other.
They waited there for ten minutes, when something emerged from the far wall. A larger than normal Crested Snake slowly slithered towards them, Razor immediately turning to keep an eye on it as it hissed at him, Razor growling back fully baring his teeth. The Crested Snake was generally thirty feet long and as thick as a Sycamore tree with a wide five-armed crest that gave the creature its name, red eyes and a maw of sharp teeth with a pair of long fangs sticking out. This one however was at least fifty feet long and as thick as a large steam engine wheel, its crest was red while its eyes were yellow. the real eye-catcher was the pair of large but badly damaged wings below where the creature's shoulders would be.
"So... the Tyrant still lives." Razor growled low, time had clearly not been kind to the creature; Its body was covered in many scars and wounds that clearly had never healed right, one of its fangs was broken off a little over half-way up and its crest appeared badly shredded. It looked to be in a lot of pain as Razor could see in its remaining eye, he felt Silver shift on his back and saw the snake glance at the young Kirin but then immediately shift its attention back to Razor.
'It wants me... it must be in pain from its wounds and wants to go out fight even if it knows it can't win.' Razor glanced up and noticed that the rune magic field that kept combatants from flying to high was off. "...Perfect."
"Silver, listen closely. Climb onto my tail, then I'm going to fling you into the air and get you clear. Once clear you spread your wings and get to the seating, I'll deal with this creature."
"Okay dad."
It all happened very fast, Silver shifted onto Razor's tail and was flung into the air where his wings flared open as Razor and the Tyrant attacked each other. With the latter's age and wounds the fight wasn't long and Razor quickly defeated the creature, though it seemed the Tyrant had wanted this and actually smiled as as Razor found were the heart was and stabbed the blade on top of his halberd into it, finally ending the suffering of the creature. Razor noticed that just before the Tyrant died he saw something in its eye; peace, the Tyrant had died at peace.
Razor gently rubbed the Crested Snake's head, before closing its eyes as Silver landed next to him.
"Sleep well."
He stood up and walked away with Silver next to him, leaving the body of the Tyrant to rest in piece. The doorways had opened again and soon the two Kirin found what they had been looking for, sitting on a small but tall stand was the Red Crystal which Razor picked up and after studying it for a brief moment placed it into a pocket.
"Let's hang around for a few more minutes son, there are still somethings I want to talk with you about."
"Alright dad." Silver said and hopped onto his father's back with a wide smile. The two spent the next few hours touring the city with Razor pointing out the various buildings and the roles they once served. They even played a bit in the plaza, chasing each other round. Eventually though they had to return to the Dragon of the Depths, as they walked down the tunnels back towards the docks Silver looked at his dad and asked something that had been on his mind for awhile."
"Dad?" Razor turned to him, noticing the unsure look on his face.
"Something wrong son?"
"No..." He looked at the floor with a frown. "Well, maybe." He looked back at his father.
"You remember a few days back when one of the Pegasus Mare crew members had their first foal?" Razor gave a small smile.
"I do indeed, the foal was born healthy and both parents were very happy." The smile dropped into a small frown. "Why do you ask Silver? Are you alright?" He asked softly.
"Well... seeing the newborn foal caused me to think about when I first came into the world. What was it like for you and mom?"
Razor blinked, a little surprised by the question but mostly by the worried look on Silver's face. He stopped walked, leaned over and gently nuzzled Silver's head.
"For your mom, you'd have to ask her for the full details but I do clearly remember how happy she was the first time she held you. As for me..." He pulled back to look his son in the eye.
"I will admit I had many emotions running through me when I first held you Silver, of those there were two that stood out the most: The first was terror, I was scared that I wouldn't be a good father, after what mine had done to me. I had virtually no idea how to be one as by the time I even had someone I could call a father-figure I was already an adult. But..." he let out a sign and smiled at Silver.
"The other emotion overpowered that fear: Love, I remember staring at you Silver as I held you, then you opened your eyes for the very first time and looked into mine, and reached up with a tiny hand and placed it right on the tip of my nose." Razor tapped a claw on said part for emphasis. Silver chuckling at the sight with Razor just smiling in return, he then continued.
"It was at that moment I realized that even though I had no idea how to be a father, I would still give my all, to give you the foalhood I never had. Silver, I done many things since creating the Outcasts of the Abyss, the good and the bad. But if there is one thing I will never regret doing, it's bringing you into the world Silver."
Said son smiled happily before wrapping his father in a massive hug which Razor returned. Once they started walking again they soon reached the docks where their longboat was waiting, they flew over o it and headed back to the Dragon where the others were waiting for them.
When they climbed aboard Atlas immediately saw Silver tear-stained eyes and face and rushed over to him.
"Silver! Are you okay?! What happ-" She was interrupted when Silver wrapped his arms around her neck.
"I'm okay mom, better then okay actually, because I know how lucky I am to have such a loving family." He said as Razor wrapped his arms and wings around both of them and Atlas hugged her son and husband. The crew could only smile at the sight, a few even crying slightly (as much as they tried to deny it). Razor opened his eyes and looked up, before opening his wings again.
"Anyone else want to join in?"
Snowheart was there in a heartbeat.
"Do even have to ask."
Steel was right behind her.
"I may be a big tough guy but I still a self-admitted big softy."
Zenith was next.
"Like I'm gonna miss out on that."
One by one the rest of the Head Officers joined in, along with eventually the whole crew plus the newcomers. They all just stood there, just taking comfort in each other's presence and show their bond as Razor had put it: one big happy tail kicking family.
Soon the Dragon sailed away from the island, on a course for their next location, unaware that someone was watching them leave. On one of the watch towers of the fort, there stood a single figure. From the shape it was a very tall Western Kirin Mare, Unicorn-Born from the horn atop her forehead, who wore a thick and heavy hooded black cloak with dark green highlights though a few spots were glowing a bright green, same with the edges of the hood with a flare that resembled some kinds of coral and a few small pieces of the cloak were even floating a few inches away from were they came out of. Worn over the shoulders of the cloak was a dark green shawl with bright green edging.
Under the cloak she wore a coat that was once purple but it had darkened to almost black and had black leather padding on the left shoulder a faded gold chain going over her chest and shoulder, on the part of the shoulder pad over the chest was a faded dark gold-colored hexagon-shaped badge with a stylized emerald green Pony skull. Over her face was a faded white skull mask that left the jaw exposed and over her left eye was a large cloth strap with a badge similar to the one on the chest and on each side of the badge was a bright green glowing pole pike head-like shaped trinket.
The most eye-catching things were the large number of skulls hanging on several chains over her body and from faded gold metal bands on her long tail and the strange lantern over her horn. The skulls came in four types; one colored grey with only a few glowing runes, one colored a polished grey with more runes and a few cracks, one colored gold with runes and the top floating in pieces above it, and one colored black with brown leather straps covering it and light blue flame coming off the top. The lantern on her horn had a Minotaur skull missing the horns over top of it with a broken one with a bent and twisted metal frame that had a large bright green flame burning within. The skull of the badge over her left eye was also giving off a bright green flame.
She watched as the Dragon sailed into the horizon, and looked at the plastic-cased picture held in her right wing hand.
"Could... could he really be..."
She looked up again while gently rubbing her claw over the picture, which showed what was possibly a younger version of the Kirin though it only showed her arms and her mouth, the latter was in a small but very happy smile and in her arms was a baby Pegasus foal wrapped in a long, red, gold, and royal purple striped scarf.
A foal with a silver coat and a single lock of a red, gold-striped mane poking through the wrapping.
"Maybe... not all was lost."
She placed the picture in her cloak and the halberd in her right hand glowed bright green as a sickly green fog formed around her, she swung her weapon right to left and the fog wrapped around her like a blanket. When it faded away...
She was gone.