//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Book, Blade, and A Whole Lot of Magic // by Frustaz //------------------------------// I groaned, sore from the successive falls into the abyss. The sounds of birds and bugs filled the air, and the wind in the trees accentuated the ambiance. Wait… I’m in a forest?... Opening my eyes, I finally began to take in the surroundings. Dilapidated stone, and ruined architecture faintly echoed the sounds of the outside. Shards of glass long shattered reflected the sunlight filtering in. I was in a ruined castle or chapel, with a fountain upholding orbs of some form. This is vaguely familiar… Standing up, I dusted my self off, and began to explore more in depth. The windows had once been stain-glass murals, displaying mythical creatures such as dragons, serpents, minotaur, standing against what looked to be horse, pegasi, and unicorn soldiers, but their colors had faded and some of the shards had simply fallen out. I tilted my head in thought, my brow furrowing. This is definitely familiar, but where have I seen it? I reached for my bag, only to panic as I couldn’t find it on my person, nor in my immediate vicinity. Where is it? A window, much like the one in the void appeared before me. [Reminder: To access your inventory, use your menu ring.] ~[OK]~ The rush of the last few minute of my memories came flooding back to me. I had been taken from my world, and dropped... somewhere, most likely another world judging from the overall look of just this ruin. My eyes started to water, but I focused on breathing, suppressing the emotions for now, just like for therapy. I dragged the ringed finger down through the air as I had been instructed prior, and found that my inventory in fact held most of my possessions. I tapped the okay button cautiously, watching it blink out of existence at the confirmation. Game mechanics, check. I pulled my phone out of my inventory, checking its functionality. It couldn’t make calls for a damn, and most of the apps didn’t work, since they relied on the presence of internet. However, 6 missed alerts for medication caused me to worry. Have I been out cold for days or did those black portals change time? I then pulled out my medication, and counted. It seems I have 3 months worth of meds.. I could ration it if I can find something to assist in the meantime. I took my necessary dose, swallowing it with the last of the sports drink I had. I waited quietly, slowly breathing. My medication was a both a supplement and a treatment. While I didn’t quite understand what the doctor was explaining in the fullest of terms, His simplified explanation was that my body destroyed red blood cells faster than they were made. It explained why It was hard for me to do physical activity without getting dizzy or feeling like my heart was going to burst. I continued to breathe, focusing myself as if I was meditating. Just a bit longer, and then I can begin to move beyond these walls… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I grimaced at the memory, scratching the back of my head. “So, thou entered at the old castle, and especially near the Fountain of the Elements..” Luna mused, chuckling. “However, That is interesting. Celestia made you out to be a juggernaut. You were sick—” Luna tried to comment, before being interrupted. “Luna, It’s not a disease one can cure with a wave of a wand and a couple herbs. I’ve tried. It’s a disorder. I’ve created spells to help me in place of the medication, but I still suffer from it. The only reason I didn’t suffer for the last few centuries was because I was made entirely of fine marble.” Illua grumbled. She idly scratched the inside of her elbow, the reminder of her old tests still causing that spot to itch. “I apologize. I didn’t realize it was a sore topic.” “You’re the only pony who knows this.” “Oh. Well I appreciate this first pony perspective of your thoughts and emotions at the time.” “This was only the first day. I spent a few days in the Everfree.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Grumbling, I found my way to a clearing, with a single large and bulbous tree. It had been days since I left that ruined church. I had unfortunately did more damage as I began to practice the magic I had been given, learning to cast a simple few spells from my book. Things were written in a language I definitely did not know before I came here, but I could understand all the same. They were clear, concise, and direct. However, it had attracted the attention of a creature dubbed ‘Chaotic Chimera’; a boss level creature for me, the ‘game’ ever so helpfully informed. I was given an avenue of escape, but I knew that thing was hunting me still. Carefully scanning the sky, I could see its shadow in the distance, frowning more. If I use magic, It’s going to come barreling for me. Could I maybe make a hidey hole? I crept slowly to the tree in the middle, hiding underneath its wide branches as I began to flip through the book. God if I only had a pokemon with Secret Power at this point, that’d be fantastic… Aha! Curiously, the page I had found was labelled “Sanctum.” It described exactly what I needed, but It took either a lot of magic for instant results, or time if I didn’t have the required mana inherently. My status said I was still level one, so while some of my stats where decently high, I definitely did not have the raw mana to do it quickly. I kept peeking around the trunk as I began to carve the required sigil into the tree’s trunk, grumbling. ‘Don’t you want a knife Seinaru? Attach it to your leg as protection?’ Nah, Jayson. I’ll be fine. I don’t think I’ll need that if you’re around! Should of taken the damn knife. The sword was not conducive of a clean marking, but it did what I needed it to. Peeking one last time, I began to channel the magic into the tree’s new marking. It’s faint glow was the fruit of my work, as it began to modify the tree and surrounding earth, albeit it slowly due to my small reserves. Minutes passed quietly before I watched as the edge of the clearing became covered in a prismatic aura, erecting an arena, as the health bar appeared on my sight. ‘Boss: Chaotic Chimera.’ To punctuate its arrival, the three fold creature screamed in it’s descent. I heard it slam on the opposite side of the tree, digging a new dip in the earth as I peeked at it in the daylight. It’s wings and tail were that of the dragon. The front half of the body was the lions, muscular and equipped with razor claws. The back half was the goat’s, providing stability and speed, whilst all three heads turned back and forth, The dragon’s mounted upon it’s serpentine neck, scanning for me. However, it’s colors screamed of clown vomit, and it dripped a sickly purple fluid that blackened the grass around it. Making things worse, it was 3 times my size easily. Definitely a boss. Blade drawn, I knew I couldn’t use magic, as I was focused on the Sanctum spell. This was going to be a rough fight. It had to be quick, or else my blood would betray me. I stepped out from behind the tree, making a beeline for the arena’s edge. The screech from behind me told me to duck and roll. Following that instinct, The chimera lunged into the indestructible barrier the game erected, taking a pinch of it’s health off. I brought the blade down on its tail, letting the instincts guide me, as it cleaved the tail off. It roared as it reclaimed its footing, the Draconic face splitting as a gout of flame erupted towards me, singing me, but only taking a fraction of my health off from the now revealed health bar. Oh, so I have one as well. As it turned, I cut at it again, the blade eating into its hind leg, claiming the tendon before I leapt back. My movements felt strange to me, as if I had practiced them for years. The chimera brought down a claw onto me, and I blocked it with the blade, the edge carving into its paw, the blood running down onto me. I could tell the dragon was prepared with another breath of flame. Was I to die before I even had a chance to see this world? “Buckin’ pull you daf’ curs!” I heard a rough voice declare, as the sound of something being launched brought my focus back once again. An absolutely massive wooden shaft impaled itself into the maw of the serpent, killing that head immediately. Taking my opportunity, I sidestepped from under the claw, getting under the beast as I heard the second weapon fire, another bolt claiming the face of the goat. I stabbed my blade into where I thought the heart would be, only to bring it outward, tearing through any flesh I could before the third bolt launched the beast backward, finishing it off. I looked towards the direction of the bolt launchers, seeing a set of ballistae, and armored ponies. I fell to my knees, panting as the adrenaline caught up, holding my chest. Those movements were not mine… Those were a trained warrior’s… D-did the game give me the skills I needed?... I shook, curling inward as the words ‘Boss Vanquished’ appeared on my sight for a few seconds, only for them to be replaced by an imposing armored pony looked at me. “"Oi! What you doin' In 'ere? An' what are ye? Equestrian, 'illy thing, Does ya' Speak it?" I began signing to her, only for her to put her hoof up. “I don’ unders’and Claw-Sign. You dun’ look like ye a dragon. Butter Cream! Get ye flank over ‘ere, and help with this For’ner.” In response to the officers barks, the only non-white pony stepped forward, saluting with hoof and wing. “You deal with it. Find it a home or somethin’, I ain’t got time ta learn it’s gibberish.” “Yes Commander Gust.” She replied. She began looking over me, tilting her head back and forth. Butter Cream was a bright yellow Pegasus, but I couldn’t tell the color of her mane due to her helmet. “I’m Lieutenant Butter Cream. I’m the survival specialist for our expedition. Can you understand me?” She asked. I simply nodded. “Good, good. I can understand Claw-sign, since I have a few scaly friends.” “All units, continuing march to the village. We want to get there by sun down!” Commander Gust ordered, getting the other soldiers moving. “Butter Cream, get the For’ner moving or leave it!” “Come on, let’s get going.” I nodded in affirmation, getting up. As I left the clearing, I could feel the spell finally finish, meaning I would have a place to return to later. That can wait… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ While I kept up with surprising ease, I chose to stay in the back having earned glares from the other soldiers. I began signing to Butter Cream. “I’m not from here. Is this Equestria? What is ‘For’ner?’ Are there other humans?” I had to finger spell a few words, but she was quite the helpful Pegasus. “I mean, I could tell. Yes, this is Equestria, the year 705 of Princess Celestia’s reign. For’ner is a term to identify sentient non-ponies. That’s the nice way of saying it, but… Anyways, I’ve never heard of humans, so I’m not sure if there are.” Butter Cream’s mood definitely was soured by the talk of that obvious slur. “So, what is your name?” she asked, trying to clear the air. I was internally giddy. My sign language wasn’t useless here, but it definitely meant that I would need to either have help, or try talking again. It helps that they speak English, but I’m almost positive that it’s just more acclimation assistance. Would that mean I can speak again? I shook my head, clearing the overly hopeful thoughts. “I’m Illua.” I signed in response, choosing to use my cosplay’s name. “Hm… That’s different. Do Humans usually have names like that?” Butter Cream wondered, only to jump slightly at the bark from Gust. “Cut the chatter, Butter Cream. Ya can stop talking to ye self, if ya ain’t talking to the for’ner. Forest’s edge is up ahead.” “S-sorry sir.” Butter Cream went quiet, leaving me to only think. As the forest parted, I could see a small village down the hill, with colored ponies dotting the surrounding land scape, pulling farm equipment and collecting fruit. Even at this distance, I could tell things were hard in this little village. As the rest began down the hill, I looked over at Butter Cream. “So what can you tell me about the village?” “Well, besides the occasional monster from the Everfree, the forest we just left, It’s quiet. We have a little blacksmith, a carpenter, and a lot of farmlands. Although, you’re going to have to work for your meals. That’s why I joined the guard.” The yellow pony landed to walk along side me, resting her rustled feathers. “The local governor is a bit of a jerk, but he’s trying his best with limited resources. Taxes have to be paid, and if there aren’t enough bits, services and food work just as well for payment.” I raised an eyebrow. “So he’s taxing you guys to death?” I had to teach her the sign for taxes, as it was unfamiliar to her. “Well, he doesn’t set them. The Parliament does. He’s more a collector than anything.” “Butter Cream! Stop jackin ya jaw and keep marching!” Gust ordered. “Drop the for’ner off and leave it to itself before you come back.” “I’m sorry. I’ll take you to the inn before I go to the barracks. Hopefully I’ll see you later.” Butter Cream went decidedly silent for the rest of our walk. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luna’s feathers were rustled verily. “My sister’s lax attitude towards the noble’s cruelty is… hard to witness. This is only the beginning of your story?” “Oh, I know, and I was there.” I chuckled. "This is only the beginning. Humble, isn't it? Not some grandiose beginning where a prophecy predicts my rise to power and villainy." “That vaguely looks like it should be Ponyville… It’s close to the Everfree, and with sprawling farmlands, I’d stake lands over it.” “Well, you’d win that bet. That is Ponyville. I spent my first winter in the area, travelling between my sanctum and the village. I learned a bit of smithing and carpentry while I was there, and used that knowledge to improve my Sanctum. I traded magic services for knowledge, and hunted monsters in the Everfree for my food.” I grinned. “Have you ever eaten Basilisk? Tastes like chicken.” The grimace I received from the Princess of Night fueled my laughter. “But honestly, I also saw my first deaths there. I buried children and parent’s alike for them.” The dark tone shift brought the rolling storm clouds closer in the dreamscape, the flashes of thunder showing the haunting images of atrophied children and adults who had withered away. “I couldn’t help them.” The tears still came unbidden, streaking my face. Luna put her wing around me. I shrugged it off. “While winter was terrible, Summer was torment.” “Why?” “I met Nyx.”