“I am worried about the commander. He hasn’t been the same since the attack of the tatzlwurms,” whispered Dasher. She and Moon Nettle sat next to each other by the fire. It had been a week since they were attacked. What had once been a group seventy was now fifty-four. The buffalo had lost five of their own, while their company had lost eleven. Five earth ponies, three pegasi, and two unicorns. Another pegasus had died because of blood loss, while others were able to be healed in time. Their journey took much longer than they had planned, and their resources were wearing thin.
“I know, if anypony brings up the attack, he just yells at them to be quiet. I think he is blaming himself too much. We all knew what we were getting into, and we all accepted the risk that we may not be coming back. The resistance doesn’t die with us,” said Moon Nettle. “I also think he feels the weight of our resources waning. At least our destination has come into view. Tatanka is confident that we should reach the mountains quickly, and he says that there is an oasis there.”
“There better be. I don’t know how much longer I can go when everything tastes like sand,” complained Dasher.
“Oh? And here I thought somepony had slipped chocolate into my food. Lighten up. Tatanka says that our journey is close to being finished and that we are out of danger from any more tatzlwurm attacks,” snarked Nettle.
“Maybe no more tatzlwurms, but that storm behind us is looking quite feisty. Are you sure he said we would be safe before it hits us?” replied Dasher.
“Yes, Tatanka already explained that those kinds of storms were natural among the plains. Though he did point out that it was unusual weather for this time of year,” pondered Nettle absently, watching the flames dance.
“Yeah, but could it be the tatzlwurms coming back for revenge?” asked Dasher fearfully.
“Doubt it. We are too close to the mountains, and we are ready to face them again out in the open,” said Nettle.
“How are you so calm? Most of us are on the edge of our nerves.”
“You forgot I was a city guard in Fillydelphia before joining the resistance. I have had my fair share of dead bodies to deal with. We constantly had monster attacks from the Hollow Shades forest. Didn’t I already tell you this?” asked Nettle.
“You did, but I probably wasn’t listening,” quipped Dasher, lightly hitting Nettle’s shoulder.
Reaching their destination, the company wished the tribe farewell. Watching as the buffalo made their way back across the plains. Nettle, along with Dasher and Arocez, approached Shining. “So, Commander, What is our next move now? The pass ahead of us is too narrow to fit the entire company, and I doubt our wounded would be able to maneuver well through it,” started Nettle.
“And our troops need rest. The resources we have here would be perfect to set up a little camp. Not all of us have the same strength or fortitude you have to keep continuing like this. I think it would be wise to stop while we have the chance,” added Dasher.
“The path forward possibly holds dangers as well. I would not be surprised if those that have sought my sister before have tried and fell,” added Arocez, staring up at the pass that spiralled upward.
“Yes, well, I have considered all of this. And I have come to a decision. I am going to leave our main force here, under your supervision, Nettle,” began Shining, laying a hoof on her shoulder.
“But--” interjected Dasher, yet Shining stopped her. Nettle simply nodded, smiling at the thought of having authority.
“I do not plan on going alone. I knew this voyage would be dangerous, and was prepared for the loss.” Shining turned to Arocez. “I do not know what trials we may face from your sister, Arocez, but I would offer you to join me, if you are willing.”
“I am,” the zebra stated.
“Dasher, I know you have wanted an answer as much as I, so I offer you to join me as well. You of all ponies deserve to know what is going on, and I won’t push you off to the sidelines. Will you come?”
“Of course! I haven’t traveled this far just to wait to hear second hoof,” exclaimed Dasher.
“I thought so. I also wish to bring Piper along. I--” continued Shining.
“Are you sure it would be wise to bring him along? He is young and has already been pushed pretty hard,” interrupted Nettle.
“I want to keep him by my side. I think I would have a better mindset if I knew he was safe with me, no offense, Nettle. We came here for answers, and maybe we can find some that pertain to him and why he or his generation is important. I have already made up my mind on this, please inform everypony else,” finished Shining, ending the discussion and turning back to look at the path ahead.
As the trio left, they each mulled over what he had spoken. Nettle was a bit excited, being left in charge was pleasant enough for her. Arocez pondered what dangers lay waiting on their journey. Would her sister even see her after all these years? Dasher was beginning to feel a little trepidation at what lay ahead. What would happen next? Would they find information crucial enough to do damage to the rapidly growing Empire? Or was it too late, and all hope was surely lost? She continued to think about these things until she bumped into Ulla, who had been nervously looking at the storm.
“Oh, hey, Ulla. The commander has decided for us to split up, he, Arocez, Piper, and I will be heading up the pass, while Nettle takes command of the company and holds our position here,” said Dasher.
“We are splitting up? But shouldn’t we wait for the storm to pass?” asked Ulla, rubbing her hooves together and nervously glancing at the storm. Her eyes widened and her breath hitched as she attempted to consol herself.
“I doubt a storm will stop the commander,, as he wants to get to our goal as swiftly as possible. Relax, it's just a storm. If you are super scared, you can hide behind the tree line until the storm rolls over you or something,” said Dasher, trying to calm her friend.
“No no no, we all were supposed to wait out the storm,” continued Ulla. Dasher, confused, gave her friend a sideways glance, before being called by the commander to come over. Shrugging the comment away, she made her way back to the commander.
“We should leave as soon as possible. Nettle has addressed the company and taken over command, are you ready? I want to make good headway before the storm hits us,” said Shining.
“Yeah yeah, I am ready to go. Do you think we should wait? It might be a good idea to wait until the storm passes us before we continue,” asked Dasher.
“No time like the present,” stated Shining, smiling for the first time in a while. “Let’s go, we are burning daylight. Err, moonlight. Celestia, that's hard to remember sometimes.”
The hike upwards was easier than expected. After walking through the tree line, they came across a path that spiralled and scooted around the bottom corners of the mountains. The path had started out as rough and uneven, with rocks sliding down and leaving impressions. Yet the higher they climbed, the smoother the terrain became. “Interesting. These stones below us have been shaped through magic,” noted Shining absently.
Another odd detail the group noticed was the dead silence that permeated the mountain. Other than the gusts of wind and the occasional pebble that fell and echoed around, the mountainside was lifeless. With hardened earth everywhere, it would be nearly impossible for any plant to live here. So what fascinated the group, was that towards another bend, they came across a mossy structure. One could guess that it would have resembled an arch. Yet the cut stone had probably whittled away, causing it to collapse in on itself. Only a simple sign that seemed untouched sat to the side of the crumbled structure. The group all congregated in front of the sign to see what it said.
“Beware! Should you be a friend, be prepared to be tested as so. Should you be an enemy, turn back, or never turn again,” read Shining.
“What does that mean?” asked Piper.
“No idea. But we are coming as friends, so hopefully we can pass whatever test is before us,” said Dasher. Arocez simply stayed quiet, a bit mystified at the thought of meeting her sister. How much had she changed since the last time they met? Would she be a loving sister? Or would she have grown cold in her solitude? They continued, climbing over the ruins of the arch. Just as they were about to round another bend, Shining stopped abruptly. The other three bumped into each other behind him.
“Hey what’s the--!” began Dasher, before Shining shushed the group. Wide eyed, he took another peek around the corner before ducking back.
“There’s a sphinx blocking our path,” muttered Shining. “I was not expecting a sphinx. This complicates things.”
“What’s a sphinx?” asked Piper.
“Have you dealt with one before?” said Dasher at the same time.
“They are enormous mythical monsters. Their words can trap even the most powerful of ponies, and their magic is even stronger. They have only been a hypothetical scenario that I’ve had to deal with,” responded Shining nervously.
“Do you think we could fight it? I know it’s huge, but I think the three of us could take it on,” stated Dasher confidently.
“D-do we need to fight it? Why not hear it out first?” asked Piper.
“Arocez, you have been pretty quiet through this journey, what are your thoughts?” voiced Shining.
“Agree with Piper, I do. If we could ask the guardian of my sister, it may give us a clue,” said Arocez after a moment.
“Very well, we will hear it out and then decide from there,” declared Shining. The group rounded the bend and came within sight of the sphinx. It was a captivating creature. Standing at nearly ten meters tall, the sphinx had dark eyelashes and was covered in deep red fur. Sharp jagged teeth were barely visible within its maw. It wore a simple purple nemes, and a purple band around its right front leg. It carefully watched as Shining approached. “Great guardian of this path, what must we do to pass you in peace?”
The sphinx paused, before answering him with a distant look, “To pass and consult the Medium, you must first answer my riddle. I shall choose an individual to ask. Should they be unable to answer, I shall let them turn back. Should they fail, their life is forfeit.” Shining bowed, then returned to the group.
“Do we continue?” asked Shining.
“We haven’t traveled this far just to turn around now,” said Dasher.
“And should one of us fall, we can only come back and get more. Fight her and settle our score,” added Arocez.
“Then it is decided, just remember, the sphinx’s questions are very simple, we just over complicate them,” announced Shining, before returning to the beast. “We agree, choose your pony.”
The sphinx paused again, looking at each one of them in turn before speaking, “The youngest of your group. Let Piper come forward and be tested.”
“No,” said Shining, shaking his head, “I can’t let you have him.” The sphinx’s posture changed immediately. It leapt up, baring its teeth at the group. It rose on two legs and roared.
“You dare defy me?!” it exclaimed, slamming its paws into the ground and shaking the mountains. Shining winced, but stood his ground.
“His life is in my hooves, ask me instead,” he said.
“Your time for self-sacrifice has not come, step aside and let the colt be asked!” boomed the Sphinx. The dark swirls beneath her eyes glowed, and she shoved Shining back with her magic. Piper reluctantly stepped forward, heart pounding, waiting for the anvil to drop.
“No!” shouted Shining, making another attempt to stand in front of the colt. Yet he was stopped in his tracks, as the sphinx erected a barrier between the three and Piper. Shining slammed into the force field, desperate to try and stop Piper.
“It’s okay, Shining,” the colt said hesitantly, giving a forced smile before walking closer to the Sphinx. “Ask the riddle, should I be unable to answer, we shall turn back,” Piper mustered, trying to sound brave. The sphinx changed its demeanor from anger to a more tranquil state as it watched Piper. It bent down till it was face to face with the colt, as it looked at him with its great yellow eyes. It purred softly before speaking.
“We hurt without moving. We poison without touching. We bear the truth and the lies. We are not to be judged by our size. What are we?” said the sphinx. Piper paused.
“C-could you repeat it? Slower though?” he asked politely. The sphinx bowed, with a slight smirk, and repeated the riddle. Piper thought about it. He considered their journey, and those that had lost their lives for this to succeed. He thought about all of the events leading up to this moment, and how crucial it was for him to get this right. He considered his options. He was never the smartest, and the words of the riddle were enigmatic. Wait, he thought, words! But could it have been that simple? Maybe it was an opinion? Or could it be something else? He decided to go with his gut and take a chance with his first choice.
“You are simply words,” Piper responded, hoping beyond hope that he was correct. The sphinx paused for what seemed for like an eternity, before bowing its head again.
“You are correct,” stated the sphinx. Satisfied with Piper’s victory, the sphinx lowered the barrier, letting the group congratulate Piper. Then the sphinx addressed all of them, “Now, since you have answered my riddle, let me tell you of myself and why I am here, as it pertains for your future. Long ago, I, Fate, once was a proud creature, and hated ponykind. One day, a pony stood up to my wrath and defeated my words. In my anger, I fled. And with my anger, I brought wrath to not only others, but to myself as well. A powerful unicorn came along, and stopped me in my rampage. Rather than kill me, he was merciful and placed a spell on me to never see again. Forcing a once proud creature to roam the world blind.
“Yet one day, I came across the same medium that you seek. She repaired my vision, but not as you would think. She gave me a vision of the future and the bloodshed that is to come. I, in grace, protect her from those that wish to take control of her knowledge and power. Giving tests and warnings of my own such as now. So, I compel you all, do not go to her. If you do, you will cement what is to come. Instead, move beyond her dwelling place. There is a place behind her door for you to pass over. Once over, you can find a way to escape the coming storm,” finished the sphinx.
“We cannot just throw away the chance we have been given! We must see the medium! She is the only one who can understand what is happening in our lands. Maybe even a way to fight or stop it,” argued Shining.
“Very well, but beware, Piper. Words can be your ally, or they can sow poison. Use them wisely, for if you do, you will light a fire. Now I must go, for I am needed in another place,” said the Sphinx, before rising. Extending its wings and flapping them experimentally, it launched into the air. Each one in the group stood amazed at the proclamation and the sudden departure of the guardian. Piper was excited to find that he had just faced a sphinx.
“Well then, we best get moving,” said Shining after a while, looking back at the storm.