//------------------------------// // EP 1: Where Destiny Lies|CH 1 // Story: 8 Realms of Magic // by AzuraKeres //------------------------------// The world began with a single seed. A life sparked within the infinite space. The seed is said to have sprouted endless roots until it formed a tree. One so massive that it became the world itself known as the Cosmic Tree. Within its many branches, the trees sprung new universes. Nine realms in total that housed unique biomes and natives to carve their stories. Ponies started nearest the peak of the Cosmic Tree. They thrived in a realm showered in the breathtaking glimmer of the Sun and Moon. The realm of light, Sollothus. Despite the wonder of their homeland, ponies became curious about the world beyond their own. And thus, many set forth to descend the branches of the Cosmic Tree. From their journey, ponies met the marvels of numerous realities and creatures wholly different from themselves. Enchanted by the realms, some settled in each as their new home. After several generations within the realms, their bodies went through extravagant evolutions and melded in the worlds as new natives. Casting aside shimmering wings and light, ponies embodied the element of their respective realms: Ogomund, the Realm of Flames. Eklaria, the Realm of Seas. Nimbus, the Realm of Skies. Anidell, the Realm of Stone. Iphelon, the Realm of Storms. Ivitall, the Realm of Snow. Athos, the Realm of Giants. Mutebis, the Realm of Shadows. Upon their conversation, the ruler of Sollothus sought to establish a bond between the realms. A unity amongst the eight realms to create everlasting peace amid the Cosmic Tree. A grey mare strolled through the glittery cobblestones of Illuma, the capital of Sollothus. Infinite light showered her and the crowds, themselves garbed with the unyielding radiance so typical within the realm. Ponies passed by her in a plaza. They donned lustrous garments of gold and silk. Ribbons big and small adorned their manes, dresses, and vests quite slim yet heavy from lavish ornaments. Pure luminance was common in the Realm of Light. And it couldn’t annoy the grey mare more. Its endless creep has been a bane to the mare’s existence for her whole life. Her home felt like staring into an overly burnished gem, disorientating to her eyes. Its gaudiness never ceased to vex the mare. She despised her world the most for it. And the mare knew the world felt mutual towards her. These natives who loved to flaunt their status with wasteful luxuries disgusted the mare. Was the blaring light around them not enough? Did they need to cast themselves in so many blinding lights wherever they went? They threatened to burn the mare’s eyes blind with their heaps of junk. Well, if they were so amped to put on snazzy fineries, then they shouldn’t mind a few missing bits, she thought. Within the plaza of glamorous merchants and pedestrians, a stocky mare was marked as the grey mare’s victim. Her cheeks and proportions were plump as a well-fed sow. She dressed in a fur coat and thick brocade on a sunny day. This mare was practically begging for someone to loosen her up. The grey mare wore a sly grin as she melded with the crowd. With prismatic patterns of mares, griffons, and elks strolling the plaza, she found herself easy to blend in. The crowd flowed like a river, and she rode it downstream until she drew near her target. The grey mare glanced at the stocky mare’s purse, adorned in gold and silver. It was small, yet bulky. It must be flooded of delightful bits for her to strip away. The grey mare harnessed her horn to cast a dual spell. One to quickly clear the color of her red magic and another to slither her magic into her left hoof. Her magic stripped the color from her hoof, rendering it invisible. The mare acted fast. She thrusted her hoof into the stocky mare’s purse, phasing inside like a phantom. She then retreated her hoof into her own purse, in-and-out just how she likes it. As she converged into a different stream of pedestrians in the plaza, the grey mare smiled at the bulk of weight the gold and silver purse had lost. She happily patted her stuffed purse. The mare continued to another part of the plaza, hoping to distance herself from her plundered victims. As she followed the flow of the crowd, she noted a figure skipping atop the roofs of shopping stands. It was a squirrel. One with a leather purse strapped to its side. When the squirrel drew near the grey mare, it descended from a roof and strode over the back of pedestrians until it settled on the mare’s. “So, how much did you get?” The squirrel asked. “I think a good morsel,” the mare answered. “Not enough for her to care, I bet. She would probably think she had spent them herself.” The squirrel chuckled and took out a large nut coated in powdered honey. “You’re a shrewd one, Lune Star. I wouldn’t expect less from my little sis.” He took a large bite from the nut, chewing merrily in his now bloated cheeks. “It’s not my fault they make themselves easy, Ratty,” Star said. “Maybe if they weren’t so distracted with their popularity, they’d be more mindful of their surroundings.” Lune Star knew pickpocketing to be a despicable act. However, the art to its trickery had always fascinated her ever since she first witnessed it as a filly. “And who knows,” Star continued. “Maybe I’ll get good enough to take from mom. That’d be a nice milestone in my growth, don’t you think?” Ratty laughed. “You might be cunning, but nothing ever goes past a mare like her.” “Are you sure you want to say that?” Star nodded at the nut within Ratty’s claws. “And will you stop eating that in the open. You know mom probably has the guards watching us.” “Stop being such a worry-wart. We already have it covered, right? Star gave her brother a flat look. “You don’t even see your contradiction, do you?” Ratty had already finished through his third nut of powdered honey. He licked the powder stained on his claws like a popsicle. “It won’t matter since you’re going to replace it with another batch, right? You just have to make sure she doesn’t catch you in the act.” “Hopefully, she won’t give me one of her body searches. She acts like she can’t trust me with anything.” “You know how she is. She wants to bring the best out of us. Too bad for her yours happen to be partly the opposite of what she likes.” “It’s not my fault I’m wired this way.” Star continued to down a path of passing brickwork homes coated in glitter swarming like fireflies. With the light overabundant across the land, the darkness was something of rarity. A dull arrangement in Star’s eyes. However, a cry from a foal relinquished her boredom. She noted the desperation bleeding in its voice. Star found a filly standing before a merchant’s stand full of toys, candies, and accessories. A young mare stood next to the filly and tried to pull the filly away. From the stand. “But sis,” the filly cried. “I really want the teddy bear. Please, please, please, let me have it.” Her sister frowned at her. “I’ve already told you that I can’t waste bits on it. We’re supposed to be picking up an order for our parents.” “But sis, I want it!” “I’m so sorry, ma’am,” the mare apologized to the feigned smiling merchant. Star could tell the merchant took no pleasure from their presence. “We’ll get out of your way right this moment.” The older sister summoned magic from her horn and enshrouded her sister in a blue aura. She walked off from the stall as she drifted the filly at her side. “But Sis!” The filly cried. She looked back and saw the teddy bear shrinking from her sight. She let out a dejected sigh. Her head hung low, knowing she wouldn’t have the plush toy. Star eyed at the fleeting filly. She expected more of a fight from her. Sollotheans can be quite demanding when they don’t have their way, especially from their foals. And yet here this filly was defying the norm. Star curved a smile on her lips. “Well, aren’t you the humbled one.” Star came upon the merchant and requested for the teddy bear. With her stolen bits, she purchased the plush toy along with a gift box to stuff it in. “Ratty,” Star called her brother. “Yeah, yeah,” Ratty said. “I know the drill here.” He grabbed the box and stuffed it in his purse. A string of mysterious writings lit a yellow glow on his purse as the box fell inside. Despite the box’s large size, it fit easily inside of his purse as if it was never there. Ratty hopped off from Star and climbed through the constructs around the plaza. Star followed Ratty from the crowd. Because of their difference in size, Ratty could garner more distance in a thick crowd than her. But there was no need to rush. Her path led to a single direction and eventually she found Ratty atop the back of the elder sister. He presented the box and the filly gleefully accepted it. The filly would never know who blessed her with this generosity, and Star preferred it that way. The last thing she wanted was to be fawned over like the strutting folks of Illuma. And so, it was left to Ratty to endure the filly’s loving hug. They eventually regrouped at another part of the plaza to retain her anonymity from the sisters. Her brief generosity left a smile on her face, but it didn’t take long for the light to annoy her again. Would there ever be a day she gets a break from the light? “Oi, Star-filly!” Star perked at a gruff voice. Star traced the sound to a hardwood stand on a side of the plaza. Its construct lacked the shine reflected across the Realm of Light. An array of rusty and ancient objects could be found shelved in its interior. And before its counter stood an old grey griffon waving a claw composed of iron. A vigor lit in Star’s step as she diverged from the crowd and greeted the griffon, “Morning Gilfred. How is my favorite old bird doing?” The old griffon grinned. “Bout time you showed your face. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were avoiding me.” “Would’ve been the best thing she ever thought of,” Ratty grumbled behind Star’s neck. “Oh please,” Star chuckled, waving her hoof dismissively. “You’re like one of the only few folks I can stand in this place. I might have enjoyed too much of my time off this morning. Usually my mom would train me so ragged on the field that I stay bedridden through the afternoon.” “Your mother, eh?” Gilfred stroked his goatee. “Can’t help ya there. But you’re a smart filly. I’m sure you can figure something out.” “Wow, is that all I get?” Star said, disappointed. “You’re not going to fear something that could help me from my cruel predicament?” “Fraid not, filly.” Gilfred shook his head. “I don’t think there’s anything that could stop that beast you call your mother. Although, I could grant you something to stratify that curious mind of yours.” Star assessed Gilfred’s collection of ancient artifacts stocked across his stand. His relics were neatly sorted in shelves and strings. They looked centuries old and stained of collected dust and rust. However, Star could find small traces of smooth surface Star clapped her hooves. “Oh yes, I would love that.” “Why not quit while your purse is heavy,” Ratty urged. They’re all just junk, anyway.” “I assure you that none you see here are by no means junk,” Gilfred assured. “Especially the relic I offer exclusively to you, Star. You see, this particular thing I found sitting on the seabed of Eklaria.” “For real?” Star gasped, intrigued. Ratty gave his sister a dirty look, to which she ignored. “But the seas of Eklaria are known to be at least over twelve kilometers deep. How did you manage such a feat?” “It was on a day when I sailed the Realm of Seas with my younger brother,” Gilfred began in a dramatic tone. “The sea was as vast and eternal as the deserts of Ogomund. It was by chance when we happened upon a gaping hole in the sea. A hole that sunk so deep that it pierced straight into the underside of the ocean.” “It made its own space within the ocean?” Star said, fascinated. “That has to be a repulsion function, but for it to stretch so far is unimaginable. You landed on a gold mine.” “That I did.” Gilfred proudly nodded. “And traveling down that empty hole was quite a spectacle. However, with it buried so deep, it’s inevitable to get spooked. Had it turned off at any moment, I’d be another treasure for the sea.” Ratty rolled his eyes. “Then why not hire Merponies to fetch it for you?” He suggested. “Pretty stupid for a land creature to dig something up from the bottom of the ocean.” “Feh.” Gilfred smirked. “And let them take a piece of the wealth? No way. I don’t share unless it is I who is reaping all the benefits.” “Then it’s not sharing!” Ratty retorted. “Star, can we please go now? I’m getting sick of this old coot.” “Play nice, Ratty,” Star urged. Ratty grumbled to himself and averted his gaze elsewhere to munch on another powdered nut from his purse. Star shrugged. “So, how does it work?” A sly grin laced on the old griffon. “Ah, a good question that is. I could tell you of all its secrets, but don’t you think its mystery is the true appeal? A tool this ancient and unique must hold a heck of secrets to the rune language and previous cultures that we have long forgotten. I’m sure you’re just itching to unravel all it has to give.” “Aww, you know me so well. So, how long are you going to keep me waiting in anticipation? Let me see it.” “Sure thing, Star-filly.” Gilfred sifted under his counter and withdrew a cube composed of obsidian. It was as big as Star’s hoof and blemished with yellow stains Star had recognized . Cosmic sap, a material integral to a language as old as the cosmos. “What is she supposed to do with that?” Ratty questioned. “You can’t even read the words anymore.” “I don’t expect a boorish mind like your own to understand the true value of this relic,” Gilfred argued. “You lack keen eyes like me and Star.” “It is an interesting offer,” Star commented, rumbling through her purse with her magic. “Star!” Ratty hopped in front of her. “Don’t tell me you’re really going to buy this junk. You know he’s just a scammer, right?” Star arched an eyebrow. “Ratty, don’t say that about Gilfred. I’ve bought countless artifacts from him. I would know by now if I was being swindled.” “Maybe if you stop putting him up on a pedestal! Do you honestly believe that some old bird went off on some random part of the ocean of Eklaria and just randomly came across a rune tool defying nature?” “I’d also like to remind you that I went through a lot of trouble grabbing this thing out of the sea,” Gilfred said. “Descending the depths of the ocean like Eklaria is no simple task for an old griffon.” “That’s your own fault,” Ratty argued. “And that’s if your little tale is even true.” “I see,” Star said, rubbing her chin inquisitively. “So, how much for the cube?” Ratty’s jaw fell. “Star! You shouldn’t do this. How can you trust this bird over me?” “He’s an adventurer, Ratty,” Star answered. “Or have you forgotten that? No creature could come up with so many vivid experiences across the realms unless it had actually happened to them.” Star whisked a dozen of bits from her purse. With her magic, she circled them into a stack before her. “Will this much do?” Star asked. “Hold on!” a voice rang in Star’s ear as brown magic intervened with hers. It heaved the bits away from her and into the hoof of a silver stallion garnered in gold armor. “Chipped Flint?” Star said. “What are you doing?” “What are you doing?” he asked back, his glance curbed in disapproval. “C’mon, Chip,” Star huffed. “I just want a trinket to study. If I’m gonna be a slave to my mother’s agonizing sessions, then I at least deserve something for the trouble.” “And would your mother approve of using your allowance to buy random items on the street?” Chip countered. “I don’t think she gave you bits for that purpose.” “By the realms! Why are you such a goody-two-shoes? I liked you more when you listened to everything I said.” “Well, unfortunately for you, I’m not as naive as I used to be. I’m no longer that artless colt you can manipulate at your leisure.” Star rolled her eyes. “You say it like it’s a bad thing. You were having just as much fun as I was.” “Also, you’re still a bit artless,” Ratty added. “Even as a guard to the capital, you’d still run to her beckon call. You’re not even compensated for all her trouble you throw yourself in. A typical shining armor.” “Who else is she going to rely on to save her?” Chip argued, though a blush weighed his cheeks. “Somepony has to make sure she doesn’t hurt herself on her misadventures.” “That’d be mom’s job,” Ratty said. “And she does a really good job.” “For now,” Star grumbled. “Excuse me!” Gilfred made his presence known. “We still have a matter of an exclusive offer to carry out.” Chip narrowed his eyes at the obsidian cube and then onto the old griffon. “I know Star has a terrible tendency to manipulate others, but I still don’t like when others do that to her.” He reverted his gaze to Lune Star. “And you should learn to be more conservative with your bits. You know this would upset your mother.” “Oh please,” Star scoffed. “I can easily make up the bits I’ve used.” Chip gaped and then narrowed his eyes at the mare. “You got a lot of gall saying that in front of a Sollothean guard. I’m still on my shift, you know?” Star shook her head. “Oh, Chip, when will you ever learn to stop being such a stiff? Learn to live a little.” “I am,” Chip argued. “As a respectable guard of Sollothus. And as my close friend, I would hope for you to respect that.” “Then I guess we’re at an impasse.” Star shrugged. “I want to buy the relic, but you don’t want me to spend my bits. If only there was some way to resolve this predicament?” “Well,” Ratty spoke, staring at Chip’s purse strapped next to his armor. “If Chip is so against it, he could always buy it himself.” “What?” Chip said, surprised by the suggestion. “Why would I do that?” “Because you know what it means for me to study runes,” Star answered. “It’s one of the few passions I have in this world. And I would be mortified to be denied that passion. Is that what you want? For me to be sad?” Chip panicked before the doleful face of Lune Star. “You’re not playing fair, Star,” Chip complained. “Do I ever?” Chip gritted his teeth. He wanted to stay strong before this temptress, but he knew she could see through him. She knew he was drawn to her happiness. “Er… fine.” Chip sighed. He returned Star’s bits into her purse and withdrew his own. Gilfred smugly grinned as Chip surrendered a dozen of his hard-earned bits to the griffon. “Will this do?” Chip asked, his tone dull. Gilfred juggled the bits in his makeshift claw of iron and then shrugged. “Eh, why not.” He tossed the obsidian cube for Star to grab with her magic and store it in her purse. Ratty shook his head in disappointment. “Always the chump, huh, Chip?” “Oh, be quiet,” Chip grumbled. “You’re the one encouraging her behavior.” He sifted through his purse to count his remaining bits. Before Chip could finish, Star pounced on him with a hug. “Thank you so much, Chip. Don’t worry. Since I like you, I’ll be sure to pay you back.” Chip’s face burned red. His hooves shook at Star’s side, contemplating with his mind and desire whether to reciprocate the hug. “Oh, it's no trouble,” he said with a cracked voice. “If you two are done,” Ratty said. “I’d like to get going. All this swindling today is making me hungry.” As if you’ve done any, Star thought. Chip raised a brow at Ratty. “Are you saying there were more?” Star hurriedly pushed on Chip, prodding him to walk the plaza at her side. “You know, I think Yuki and Yori may be at the cafe around this time. How about we join them for a meal, my treat.” Ratty climbed back atop Star’s back. “Well, we can’t say no to a free meal, right?” “Why do you always have to act so cheap?” Chip asked. “You shouldn’t have your younger sister pay for your things.” “What do you mean? It’s not her bits she’s paying with.” “Hey, mom gave me her bits, so they’re good as mine,” Star argued. At least that’s what planned to go with. Gilfred watched them disappear into the crowd as he shook his new bits in his claws. “That mare is out of his league,” he said. “Way too sly for a colt scout like him.”