//------------------------------// // Chapter 17: Bad company: Part II // Story: Unearthed: Curse Of The Undying // by Talion The DARKandBRIGHT //------------------------------// Details *Thoughts* ~Mental speaking~ "Normal speaking" ~"Mental and normal speaking"~ Songs ...(Radio static)... CIRCLE OF TWO ~Do not stand at my grave and weep,~ ~I am not there;~ ~I will not sleep.~ ~I am the black shadow of Death,~ ~I search for you.~ ~I am the long last dying breath.~ ~I am the Sun, the dusk and the dawn,~ ~I run from you.~ ~I am a mirror, a king and a pawn.~ ~I am the thousand winds that blow,~ ~I call to you.~ ~I am the blood stains in the snow.~ ~I am the Moon in circling flight,~ ~I hide from you.~ ~I am the soft stars that shine at night.~ ~I am the tears that Passion cried,~ ~I weep for you.~ ~I am the forgotten sacrifice.~ ~I am the life you gave to fight,~ ~I look to you.~ ~I am the hope that brought you light.~ ~Do not stand at my grave and cry,~ ~I am not there;~ ~"I. WILL. NOT. DIE."~ *Father, forgive me for what I have done.* "You are forsaken!" The Ursa roared as he reared back on his hind legs before Talion had reached him and swung both claws, sending out white streaks of magic. Talion quickly flashed to his left and right as he dodged the magical blades. The streaks briefly cut through the ground before exploding, sending snow and dirt into the air. I unleashed my frost fire breath onto the Ursa from above, giving Talion ample opportunity to get close. In response, the Ursa roared at me, sending out a shock wave of force magic in my direction. I quickly dodged by folding in my wings and swooping down under the wave. Talion had flashed underneath the Ursa and slashed his sword across one of his legs, causing the bear to try and hit him. But before he had the chance, I breathed more frost fire onto his head while Talion stabbed his sword into the Ursa's elbow. The Ursa lost his balance and tripped over his own legs as I flew close by his head and slashed my claws across his face. Talion swiftly rolled out from under the Ursa as he fell while I dropped to the ground. I quickly turned towards the Ursa again and breathed a jet of frost fire at his side causing him to roar in pain as he rolled over and turned towards me. The Ursa's eyes lit up as he inhaled. "Perish!" My eyes widened as the Ursa breathed out a bright white and purple fire towards me, similar to the white streaks from his claws. Thinking fast, I quickly inhaled and unleashed my own frost fire at the Ursa in return. Our breath weapons collided with a loud hiss as a bright white sphere of energy started to rapidly build up in the center of collision. And before either of us had the chance to stop, the sphere exploded outwards, knocking the Ursa and I backwards. As unexpected as the effect was, I managed to stay standing and steady myself. While the Ursa steadied himself, I briefly looked around for Talion, but didn't see him. The Ursa growled in frustration as he slowly approached me again. "Fotiá pagetoú!" ("Frost fire!") "That power was taken from dragonkind centuries ago!" "It has been reclaimed." I said with a smile. The Ursa roared in rage and charged towards me. My eyes lit up and I leaped towards him in return and exhaled frost fire at him. He roared and attempted to blindly swing at me, expecting me to take to the air again. Instead, I crouched low to the ground to duck his attack before leaping towards him again. He roared in surprise and pain as I suddenly bit onto his exposed neck. In an attempt to shake me off, the Ursa swung his body around and attempted to bite me in return, but I used the momentum to swing my own body over him, causing my teeth to sink deeper into his flesh. Just as I dug my claws into the Ursa's back, a flash of light shown in front of me and I saw Talion stabbing his sword into the back of the Ursa's neck. The Ursa continued to roar in pain before rearing on his hind legs. "Storm unleashed!" A boom was heard above us in the sky, followed by the flashing and cracking of thunder. Before either Talion or I could react, lightning started to rapidly strike the Ursa and course across his whole body forcing me to quickly leap off of him. Talion however wasn't as fast to react and was struck by some of the arcs and was thrown off by the Ursa, who quickly grabbed him mid air and smashed him into the ground. In an attempt to stop the Ursa, I took to the air again, but before I could unleash my frost fire, the Ursa suddenly jumped and grabbed me mid air. It was so sudden and unexpected that I had no time to react. I screamed as the Ursa brought me back down and slammed me into the Earth. My vision flashed red with pain and before I could recover, the Ursa had lifted me up again and threw me. I crashed into several large trees before coming to a stop against a cluster of boulders. The pain was almost unbearable, but I couldn't give up now. I shook my head and managed to push myself back up as I heard the Ursa roar again. Looking back to the fight, I saw Talion stabbing his sword into the Ursa's back repeatedly. The Ursa attempted to shake Talion off, but he only caused him to continue stabbing. I struggled, but I managed to quickly run back over to them and rejoin the fight. I breathed frost fire onto the ground in front of the Ursa before flapping my wings to direct it towards him. While I continued to breath frost fire at the Ursa, I was able to see the extent of the damage he has sustained thus far. A deep blue colored blood was pouring out of the Ursa's many wounds. Many parts of his fur had been burned away by my breath weapon, leaving behind scared patches of pale, frost bitten skin. Even as strong and powerful as the Ursa was, I could tell he was reaching his limits. If I recall correctly what the elder dragons taught me, both types of Ursa will more than often make the mistake of spending too much of their magic reserves too early in fights. Forcing them to either retreat or result to primarily using their physical capabilities. But make no mistake, an Ursa can be extremely dangerous either way. My attention was brought back to the Ursa I was currently fighting when he let out another roar as he stood up on his hind legs before repeatedly slamming his claws into the Earth. The ground trembled and cracked opened like an earthquake as the Ursa roared in rage, eyes glowing red. I managed to leap backwards away from the Ursa, followed by Talion as he jumped off his back. Now it was clear to me that the Ursa was spending a great amount of his power. I was sure that at this rate, he will be forced to retreat. "Anya." Talion called to me and I looked to see him breathing heavily. "The Ursa's power is nearly spent. His attacks will continue to increase in strength until his magic is completely depleted. Be careful." "We can defeat him, Talion. Together." I assured him. "Friends till the end... How touching." The Ursa said and chuckled. Talion and I returned our attention back to the Ursa as he slowly approached us. "Impressive... You've surprised me little dragoness. I hadn't expected one so young to be so powerful. You may yet be worthy of a challenge to me." "As I said before. I. Am. Stronger." I replied. The Ursa growled and started to circle me again. "You cannot know strength, until you are broken." I smiled in return as I walked in the opposite direction. "I'm curious, did you learn that when my ancestors drove your kind from these lands?" He growled in response as his eyes lit up. "This time, we will not be denied what is ours! You have no king to stop us now!" He stood up on his hind legs and raised his claws into the air. "This time, you will fall!" When the Ursa finished, lightning began rapidly striking his claws. Before I had a chance to move, the Ursa growled as he turned towards me and swung his claws, sending out arcs of lightning at me. "No!" I heard Talion shout a split second before the arcs of positive energy struck me. I screamed in terrible agony as electricity coursed through my body. The pain was truly unbearable. Indescribable. I was brought to my knees as all feelings throughout my body was replaced with searing pain. I don't know how long I was being electrocuted, but just as I was about to pass out, Talion appeared in front of me and held out his hands. "Talion!" I managed to scream in horror and pain as he took my place and was repeatedly struck by the lightning. The Ursa smiled as he held out his other claw, striking Talion with more electricity. Talion grunted and closed his eyes as he was brought to his knees. The Ursa approached closer and laughed. "How very noble and foolish. You may have the wisdom and knowledge of two minds, mortel, but I have the wisdom and power of a god!" Talion bowed his head for a moment before looking back up with a determined look. "Power will be your undoing." He stood up and lowered his arms. "And your false gods have forsaken you." Talion finished and began walking towards the Ursa. The lightning that the Ursa was unleashing on Talion seemed to no longer have any effect on him. Instead Talion's form seemed to be getting brighter as he approached the Ursa. The Ursa looked shocked and frustrated as he continued to try to stop Talion. "Impossible!" Despite the pain, I smiled to myself in realization of what was happening. "It is not magic, Ursa. It is science." Talion flashed forward at the Ursa and drove his sword into his chest. There was a bright flash and a very, very loud sound that I couldn't really describe as the energy built up in Talion was discharged onto the Ursa. "NOOOOOOO!" The Earth trembled and the Ursa let out a deafening roar in agony as his own power was turned against him. I watched on in amazement of what Talion was capable of doing while trying to remain standing. Surprisingly, the discharge of electricity didn't last as long as I expected. Just less than a second actually. Soon after the blinding light dissipated, I saw Talion collapse to the ground as the electricity left his body. He was breathing heavily and smoke was coming off of him. I would have been surprised to see him still alive, if I didn't know his true nature. Now that the Ursa was lying motionless on the ground I was able to see the aftermath of our fight so far. The Ursa was covered in ice and frost bitten skin across his body. There was a bloody gash across his left eye and smoke was emitting off of his body. There was no longer a glowing aura around him. I couldn't believe it. We had done it. We had defeated the Ursa Minor. I never once thought such a feat could be accomplished without at least five adult dragons, but Talion and I have done what they couldn't. "Anya." Talion called me. I looked to Talion and saw him slightly limping over to me while holding his side. "It's over Talion... We did it." I told him. He stopped and looked back at the Ursa for a long moment. "Talion?" I asked him. "It's so strange." He said. "What Talion?" I asked. He continued to stare at the dead Ursa as he spoke. "The last time I felt that kind of power flow through me... was the day I gave up my life and forfeited my freedom... The day I became what I am now... An Undying." I struggled for a bit, but I managed to crawl closer to Talion and leaned down to nuzzle against his shoulder. Talion looked down at his hands. "I... I had hoped... if only for a moment that this would end... That my suffering would finally end and I could be at peace... That's all I wanted." I leaned my head against his in comfort. "Talion." He sighed and looked up. "It's okay... I'm alright, Diaphanous. It's over now." I tilted my head in confusion. "What?" "No, please... tell me about the Undying... Talion." We both quickly turned towards the Ursa and saw him slowly pushing himself up. "No." I said in disbelief. I started to tremble in fear, but Talion stood his ground and slowly raised his sword again. ++ The Ursa stood still and held his head low while breathing heavily. "You... truly are... a dangerous one... But..." He looked up at me with one eye as the other was bleeding. "I. Am. Stronger." Suddenly, I felt the Ursa's mind lash out at mine again. I screamed in pain and dropped my sword to grab my head as I fell to my knees. "Now it is over." The Ursa said as he slowly walked over to us. "Now you will die." He reached down and lifted me up. "No!" Anya shouted and breathed frost fire at the Ursa, but was quickly stopped as the Ursa grabbed her by the neck and slammed her into the ground. "Be silent dragoness! You mean nothing to me!" "Talion!" Anya cried out to me in tears as she weakly thrashed around and attempted to free herself. The Ursa growled and squeezed down harder around Anya's neck. "For what your kind did to us, this is merciful." "Leave her alone!" I shouted and attempted to mentally attack the Ursa in return. The Ursa winced and growled in pain before slamming me down next to Anya. "Such a pity... So much wrath and rage you have, but you do not use them. So I will take it from you." I looked up at the Ursa without fear as I spoke. "Death... cannot break me... You cannot kill me." The Ursa smirked at me. "An admirable feat, to fight on, even in defeat. But now you have wasted your strength." I closed my eyes for a moment and smiled. "Even in defeat..." I looked back up at the Ursa and what I said next left him speechless. "Even in defeat I will fight until the blood takes the sword from my hands, until my heart stops beating, until my legs fail to support me and I can only crawl! And even then, you will not defeat me. Even then, you will not kill me!... Even then... I will spit in your face... Because it is enough for me just to hope, that is all the strength I need." The Ursa stared at me in complete astonishment for a moment. Even Anya was taken a back by my resolve. For a long moment, there was silence before the Ursa finally spoke. But this time there was no cruelty in his voice. Only respect. "You. Are... Worthy... You are one who's name is to truly be respected... You have mine, Talion. You will be remembered." I stared into the Ursa's eyes for a long moment before closing my eyes and leaning my head down. "You keep what you kill. There is always another trial... We all want to be remembered." Slowly, the Ursa raised me up higher as his claws began to glow with magic again. "Take solace in this, Talion, you may have fought alone, but you will not die alone." Once again, I shocked the Ursa. "I may have been alone then, but I am not alone now... I refuse to fade." I looked up at the Ursa again. ~"I. WILL. NOT. DIE."~ My eye lit up and a draconic roar was heard from behind the Ursa, followed by the sound of cracking glass. The Ursa roared in pain as ice shards pierced his back. He let go of us and quickly turned around just as Velirin flew in and slashed his claws over his face. Velirin quickly landed and spun around, striking his tail against the Ursa's right elbow, causing the bear to lose his balance and fall. But before the Ursa hit the ground, I performed a back flip kick to his chin. The Ursa roared and backed away as he held his jaw in pain, while I leaned down and picked up my sword as Velirin stood beside me. "Velirin-" I started but he interrupted me. "I know what I have said and done, Talion, but say what you will of me, I am no deserter... I will never abandon my kin again." I looked up at him for a moment. After all we have just gone through, he was willing to put aside his hate to prove me wrong. Maybe I was wrong about him. Perhaps there was hope for him. I nodded and we both turned towards the Ursa again, who was still backing away from us. "Never in my long years have I ever thought it possible to defeat an Ursa, alone... It would seem my fear of them was misplaced, as was my respect." Velirin commented. "Let us put aside our grievances, Velirin. Together we are stronger. Let our strength be as one." I said and raised my sword. Velirin looked down at me for a moment and nodded. "I was wrong about you, Talion... You're not cruel. You're not heartless... You are a greater man than I, Talion... Anya has chosen wisely." "I'm glad you're with us, Velirin." Anya said as she stood next to me as well. Velirin looked to her and smiled. "This time, I will not fail you, Anya. This time, I will prove father wrong." "NO!" The Ursa roared in frustration. We looked back to the Ursa as he smashed his claws into the ground. "I will not flee from them again! Not this time!" The Ursa shouted to the sky before turning towards us again. Suddenly, the Ursa's fur began to change. It was becoming darker and the stars imbued into it were vanishing, leaving behind nothing but the darkness of space. Soon, all of the color on the Ursa's fur became black and his eyes, red. ~"This time... she will be avenged."~ The Ursa's voice took on a much more sinister tone as his body suddenly burst into white flames. There were no more traces of the wounds he has received. Only darkness. Velirin began to tremble in fear. "Soul fire." I looked up at him. "What do you mean? What's happening?" Anya was also shaking in fear now. "He's... He's..." Velirin finished for her. "He's becoming a Major." In sudden realization, I looked back to the Ursa in dread. He was growing in size and power. The Ursa looked towards us and smiled. ~"I. Am. Stronger. You will fear us again."~ The earth began to tremble and crack open as the air vibrated and began to rapidly heat up around us. I watched on in amazement and horror as the Ursa laughed, but then I felt a comforting hand on my shoulder. ~Talion... It is time.~ I looked down for a moment and smiled. "Finally." I looked back to the Ursa and stepped forward. His smile vanished and was replaced with anger as he watched me. "You want to know why I do not fear the strong, Ursa?" I said with a smile before reverting to a look of determination as my eyes lit up. ~"Because I am beyond strength."~ Suddenly, my vision began to shift and change as Diaphanous reached out to the Ursa's mind. ~My turn.~ I watched in silence while the Ursa ceased all movement and growled as he lowered his head. The air began to vibrate and heat up more as Diaphanous and the Ursa engaged in psychological warfare. Stones and uprooted trees began to levitate off the ground, causing Velirin and Anya to gasp in shock. Diaphanous smiled as he mentally lashed out at the Ursa's mind. ~You are out of your place, boy. In this realm, my will is supreme.~ The Ursa growled and roared before shaking his head around. His size began to revert back to its original and the color of his fur returned, but the Soul fire remained. "No!... NO!" He shouted and looked at me, this time, in fear. ~You felt their pain, now feel yours!~ Diaphanous shouted and unleashed his will. The Ursa threw his head back and roared in agony as he started to thrash around while Diaphanous entered his mind. "Stop!" ~No.~ Diaphanous said cruelly. Velirin and Anya's eyes widened in fear as the mental battle echoed in their minds as well. ~A child who has only known hate, confuses it for love... What is this about? Siblings?... A sister. Tell me her name.~ The Ursa continued to shake his head. "No, don't!... Talitha!" Diaphanous didn't relent. ~Ah, yes. I see. She saved you, but failed to save herself... or rather... you failed her.~ The Ursa slammed his claws into the Earth, causing me to leap backwards to steady myself on stable ground. Diaphanous continued. ~You held Talitha close, watching the life drain from her eyes as she died, hoping that she would take you with her... It was all your fault." The Ursa stood still and held his head low. For a brief second, I saw tears in his eyes. "And now... you fear to fail him... Like father, like son.~ Diaphanous finished in a cruel voice. The Ursa continued to thrash his head around, attempting to free his mind. "He killed her! They killed her! Traitors! All of them! They will all die! I WILL KILL YOU ALL!" The Ursa attempted to mentally repel Diaphanous, who easily deflected the psychic energy. ~I am not finished with you yet, Polaris.~ Diaphanous said, revealing the Ursa's name. Suddenly, Polaris stopped all movement. ~"Yes. You. Are."~ Polaris reared back his head and unleashed the most powerful, devastating roar I have ever heard. It was more powerful than even the loudest of explosions and roaring jet engines. I screamed in pain and held my ears, trying to block out the sound. I could see from the corner of my vision, Velirin and Anya screaming in agony as well. I felt Diaphanous retreat to my mind as he was cast out from the Ursa's. "RAHHHHHH!" I roared and entered my true wraith form. Polaris stared me dead in the eyes, but I knew that he wasn't truly looking at me. But at Diaphanous. "It was you... You were there. You were the one who deceived us, lead the ancients to these lands and betrayed us to Bahamut... king Diaphanous." My eyes widened in shock. I couldn't believe it. My internal shock increased even more as Diaphanous began laughing. ~Hehahaha!.. I never betrayed your ancestors, boy. They betrayed me... Ask your sister.~ Polaris started to breath heavily as his eyes became red. His fur started to darken again and now I could physically feel the burning hatred radiating off of him. "I will do what Talitha could not. The dragon race will die and your empire will never rise again! This I promise you, on my blood and on my true name, ~Strüiedev~... You. Die. Here." With that, Polaris opened his mouth and spoke one last word. "Thánatos." ("Death.") A black and red aura erupted outwards from Polaris. There was no time to react. Everything seemed to slow down as I watched the wall of death come towards us. This time, there was nothing I can do. This time, I couldn't save Anya. "Time." Everything and everyone froze as the death spell vanished and all became silent and still. "Hehahahahahah." A pitch black mist slowly poured out from the Earth like blood as the sky darkened and the snow turned red. "Isn't this just like... OLD TIMES?" ~No... It can't be.~ Diaphanous said in utter dread. "Thank you... all of you... for letting me in." The Earth began to crack and quake, quickly becoming stronger as the black mist erupted skyward like a geyser. ~Run Talion! NOW!~ Diaphanous shouted. Suddenly, all of our shock and dread vanished. I jumped onto Anya's back and poured my power into her. "Fly! NOW!" I shouted and Anya's eyes burst into blue fire. Velirin and Anya both quickly launched themselves into the air and away from the black mist. Just as we started to climb, thunder boomed overhead along with the Earth as the mountains themselves began to shake. Lightning began to rapidly strike the ground and we heard the Ursa roar in pain behind us. I turned back for a brief moment and saw Polaris roaring in terror as he was pulled down into the Earth as it opened up around him. His figure vanished beneath the darkness as he was swallowed up by the black mist. Just as I was about to turn away, I noticed that the whole valley was trembling. The trees were falling over as the Earth collapsed beneath them. The mountains shook and fell over around us before suddenly being thrown skyward. Like a volcano, the Earth erupted with a very powerful explosion. With no time to react, all I could do was wrap my arms around Anya's neck and hold on for her life. Velirin and Anya roared in pain as the blast threw us through the air. We were carried by the shock wave so fast that I was sure we had broke the sound barrier as the sound had become muffled and stretched out for a very brief moment. My ears were ringing and my vision was disoriented as we spun through the air. Eventually, I was able to hear and see properly again, just in time to notice that we were free falling back towards the valley. I looked up to Anya and saw that she had been knocked unconscious from the shock wave. "Anya!" I called out to her, but received no response. Out of the corner of my eyes the fast approaching mountain we were heading towards. "Anya!" I called out again. I closed my eyes and placed a hand on her neck. ~"Anya!"~ With one last final call, I poured my power and mind into Anya as her eyes shot wide open. In a single moment, Anya's eyes burst into blue flames again and her whole body became covered in shadows as she changed into a wraith. A split second before we reached the ground, Anya flashed upwards over the forest. We soured high above the valley as molten rocks fell around us and pelted the mountains below. I briefly looked to my side and noticed that Anya wasn't using her wings to hold us in place. They were instead folded to her sides as we hovered in place. ~"Velirin!"~ Anya shouted. I looked down and saw Velirin falling towards the forest below before disappearing altogether in the tall trees. ~"No!"~ Anya shouted and was about to fly after her brother when suddenly a very, very large shadow that engulfed the entire forest loomed over us, causing us to freeze. Slowly, we both turned around and looked up as we gasped in complete dread. There are no words in Equestrian, Dragon or the tongues of man that could describe the unimaginable fear I was feeling at what I be held. "Bahamut." "My God... What have we done?" Silence fell upon the land and everything froze as Bahamut released the most powerful roar imaginable to the heavens. It began like distant thunder that grew to that of a hurricane. It was almost indescribable. It was so incredibly powerful and loud as if I was standing in front of a Boeing jet turbine at full power. Anya and I screamed in terrible agony as we watched with dread the Mad King rising from the Earth, escaping his tomb. Thunder cracked and boomed across the sky. The winds fled with the clouds, revealing the night sky and even the mountains parted and trembled under Bahamut. "Stars... fall... the hardest... And you have fallen so far." We both continued to watch in dread as Bahamut held up Polaris in one claw and gave a wide sinister smile. "Yes... this is indeed just like... OLD TIMES... HEHEHAHAHAHA! HEHAHAHAHAHA!" Fear. I felt fear. Bahamut the Dragon Tyrant has returned and I am the one who has awaken him. This was all my fault. "Father, forgive me for what I have done." *Breath in, count to four. Breath out, count to four. Repeat.* "Now remember, the secret to driving a strike." *Remember.* "Focus the energy of your whole body here and here. And let it travel through to your blade as you swing or thrust it forward." Silence befell as I steadied my mind and body. "Remember that it is a part of you, an extension of your arm. Empower it with your will and guide it to its target." *Breath in,* I closed my eyes and slowly raised my sword. *Count to four.* "Now," *Breath out,* I crouched low to the ground and readied my stance. "Drive your strike!" My eyes shot open and I lunged forward as I drove my blade forward. In a fast motion, I spun around and slashed my sword repeatedly at my target before leaping over it and driving the blade through its neck. *Remember... Iron Heart. Always.* I closed my eyes and sighed as I lowered my sword. "Always." I opened my eyes and turned around to examine my work. A tall wood and straw dummy littered the ground around me. Its arms and legs were dismembered and looking down I saw the dummy head still impaled on my sword. "Impressive." I turned my head to the side and saw my father, Stone Hoof, standing behind me with a smile and his arms folded. "I must admit, you've really surprised me on how fast you're growing your skills, Iron Hoof." I smiled at him and removed the dummy head from my sword. "Thanks dad." I walked up to him. "What're you doing over here? I thought you were working on the roof." He chuckled at me. "Of course I was, at least over an hour ago. Haven't you've been paying attention to the time?" My eyes widened a little and I looked up to see that the sun had just settled over the horizon. The sky was steadily darkening, giving way to the stars above. "Oh... I guess I was a little too distracted with my training." I replied. My father raised a brow. "Oh really? Is that what you're calling all this?" He gestured behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw at least a dozen or so of destroyed training dummies littering our whole back yard. "I'm just a little excited about joining the academy. I need all the practice that I can get to impress the judges." "I'll say. You've been tearing these things down faster than I can put them back together." He remarked. I walked over to a small table and picked up my sword's scabbard. "Well, seeing as I'm fresh out of combatants, now seems like a good time to take a break anyway." I placed the sword in its scabbard before drinking some water from a pitcher. It has been a little over three months since I had last seen my friend and mentor, Talion. And in that time, my father, with some hired help, had been working on building our new home. Thanks to my father's skill in masonry and my mother's skills in art, the blueprint they had both made for our house mostly resembles a small, two storied wood and stone keep. It even has Its own tower next to the large double door entrance. Although much of the house was still incomplete, it was still coming along nicely. Father even mentioned some plans on building a small wall around the property to keep wild animals out of our land. The land that my father had purchased was located by a small river on the outskirts of Ponyville, near the Everfree forest. There were very few houses out here, other than a few small farms and cottages, this part of town is mostly quiet. A perfect place for me to train without distraction from the town's ponies. The ponies of this town themselves are a pleasant folk. Friendly and easy to get along with. They instantly took a liking to us and welcomed us in with open arms. Many even offered assistance in helping us get settled out here. Although quite a few were concerned about the location and had warned us of the dangers the Everfree forest posed to us. Though my father had assured them that we were capable of defending ourselves and would be fine. I myself have taken every opportunity to train myself, mentally and physically, the lessons Talion had taught me. Although, I wish I could have learned more from him. I did wonder how Talion was. I wondered what he was doing and where he was going. If he had met anyone else out there and if he was still alone. I leaned my head low and closed my eyes "I wish he was here." My father hearing this, came over and placed a hand on my shoulder. "You're still thinking about him, aren't you?" I sighed as I turned away slightly. "I... It hasn't been... the same, training without him." "That's not everything, is it?" He asked me. "No." I answered. My father moved to stand in front of me. "I know your worried about him, Iron Hoof. I know you miss him." I looked up to him with teary eyes. "Even though I had only known him for a short time, I've never looked up to anyone more than Talion." I paused as I looked down at his dog tags. "He was my friend... I miss him." My father placed his hands on my shoulders as he spoke. "I miss him too, Iron Hoof. We both do, your mother and I... He is our friend too." I looked back up and smiled. "Talion is more than a friend and a mentor to me, dad. Weather he believes it or not, he is hero... A true hero who gave his life, more times than anyone could count, for those who will never know." My dad smiled as well. "But we know, Iron Hoof. We know who Talion is and we won't forget him." "No, I won't." I turned and picked up my blade. "That's why I keep training. To remember him." My father watched me as I walked towards the center of our backyard. "I wonder how he is and where he is. If he is still out there, alone. Or if he's found anyone else in those empty lands... I wonder if he's still running... Or if he's found peace." My dad walked back up to me and stopped me from raising my sword. "I do not believe that he is alone. As he has showed us, no one is ever alone. Our father in heaven is always watching over us all and I know he is watching over Talion right now." He took my sword out of my hand as he continued. "We will meet Talion again. I believe it. So rest assured, son. We will see him someday." I looked down for a moment before turning back to my father. "I believe it too, dad. Thank you." He smiled at me again and pulled me into a hug. "You're welcome, son... Now that's enough training for today. Come inside. I have something for you." "We both do, Iron Hoof." I heard my mom's voice from behind. I turned towards our home and saw my mother, Lura, standing at the backdoor, carrying my sleeping, younger brother in a bundle of cloth. My younger brother had been born just over a month ago. I had never been so happy to know that it was a boy. His hair and mane was the same silver color as mine, but with a light gold trim on the edges and instead of a light gray coat like mine, his fur was a spotless white like our mother's. "How long have you been standing there, mom?" I asked. She smiled at me. "Long enough... I didn't want to interrupt this touching father and son moment." My dad walked up to my mom and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Don't you think it's a little cold to be bringing Aothar out here, dear?" My mother chuckled and kissed my father back. "I only came out to let the both of you know that I have finished my work." My excitement grew in hearing this. "You mean, it's done? Can we see it?" "That is why I made it. To see and always remember. Come inside." She replied and stepped inside. I quickly ran inside and into my mom's art room to see a large painting that was now decorating the center of the bare wall. I stood still, staring at my mom's painting of Talion in amazement. It resembled Talion when I first met him deep within the Everfree forest. When he saved my family and I from a pack of timber wolves. I heard my mom step behind me as she spoke. "The true measure of a hero is that of a man who sacrifices himself for those who will never know... He was a light for us in the dark, who gave his life to save us... from himself." She placed a hand on my shoulder as she finished. "That is the meaning of this work of mine, Iron Hoof. Happy birthday." I smiled as I slowly approached the painting and reached out to it, tears building up in my eyes. "Careful now, Iron Hoof. It's still a little wet in some places." My mom said behind me. "Sorry." I said and lowered my arm. "Well, what do you two think?" She asked us. "It's incredible mom. I love it." I replied. My dad stepped next to me as he admired the painting as well. "It truly is, Lura... But I don't recall Talion wearing that much armor." "He also had longer hair." I commented. "Humm. I thought it would be more fitting for Talion. Even if he never saw himself as a knight, he was to me." She explained. "To us." I corrected her. She smiled at me again. "Yes, to us." My father looked down to me for a moment before leaving the room. "Be right back." I continued to stare at the painting in wonder. I couldn't stop smiling. "It's just like the day he saved me. When he saved all of us." My mom walked up to my side. "I wanted to add the fire in his eyes, but I felt like that would distract from who he is. It's also why I didn't use a lot of black for his clothes." "I still love it. I'm glad you finished it so soon." I said. My mom chuckled and looked at the back of her right hand. "I just hope it doesn't take as long to get this paint off my hands." My father returned while I still stared at the painting. "It is a most memorable day when your son finds his path and chooses his own name in life... I never once thought I'd see the day that my son would set out on my same chosen path... But now I believe you are ready. That is why it is time I finally told you the truth, Iron Heart." I curiously turned around to face my dad and my eyes widened in surprise when I saw what he was holding. It was a great sword. It's blade had a very light amber tint along it's curves and a dull dark gray center. Its hilt and guard were a cold black steel with a ring has the pummel. To say I was completely stunned would be an understatement. My father was holding a sword. His sword. I was in a mix of shock, excitement and confusion as my dad placed the sword in my hands. "Nox Aurea, the Golden Night. Passed down from my father to me... Now from me, to you, Iron Heart." "Dad... it's incredible!" I said as I held up the blade and admired the craftsmanship. It looked slightly like a ceremonial blade instead of an actual weapon, but the weight and sharpness of the sword would suggest otherwise. I was actually a little surprised that I was able to hold it upright. My mother and father seemed to be as well. I knew that my dad had belongings he wouldn't allow me to touch or see, but I would never have guessed that my father owned an actual sword. It is incredibly rare to see such a weapon. It was rare see any weapon really. So it was confusing to see that my father owned one. I looked up to my dad. "Dad... how is it that you have this sword? Why do you have it? There wouldn't have been a need for such a weapon unless you-..." My words died off as my eyes widened and realization set in. At this my father's smile faded and he looked down. "Dad, you... You were..." "A long time ago, I sacrificed the years of my youth to defend Equestria and its people from our enemies." My dad sighed and looked up. "Like my father before me, I lived by the sword." I was in complete shock. "Dad... You're a soldier?" "I was a soldier, Iron Heart." He corrected me. "Dad, that's... That's incredible! I never knew that I come from a family of warriors. This is amazing!" I was jumping a little in excitement. My dad chuckled at my reaction. "While yes, I was a soldier, much of what I did in service wasn't as awesome as you'd might think. I had spent most of those days patrolling, monitoring and constructing stone walls at the southern borders." I stopped jumping and stood still. "But that's not everything, is it?" He sighed and shook his head. "Iron... Do you remember what Talion said about why he fights?" I looked down at the sword in my hands. "To protect the innocent and fight for peace... always." I looked back to my dad. "He took an oath to always fight for peace." My dad leaned down to my level and placed a hand on my shoulder. "A long time ago, I took that same oath... and it cost me more than my blood." He looked down as he continued. "I wanted to hide this from you. I never wanted it to be known that... there is blood on my hands... I never wanted the same for you... When you were born, I had hoped and prayed that you would not go down the same path that I took. But now..." He paused and placed his other hand on the sword. "Now that I know what you are destined for, I have no doubt in my mind that you will become a greater warrior than I ever was and will truly fight for peace." I was beaming in amazement and pride. My father was a warrior and now I follow in his steps just as he did. My father smiled and stood up again. "One day soon, you will stand where I once stood and go where others have never been, but always remember why you walk this path. Remember why you fight and who you fight for... Remember your oaths. Never forsake them. Even in the face of death." I stared at him for a long moment before turning around and placing my sword on the table. "You are a great warrior, dad... And I swear to you, with God as my witness." I turned around and faced him with pride in my voice. "By my name, by my blood and by my life, if ever there is a way, a chance for peace, then I will fight for it... For this is the reason I lift up my blade. To protect the innocent and the weak. For truth and justice... Always. " My father and mother both smiled brightly and pulled me into a big hug. "I am proud of you, Iron Heart." My mother said. "As am I." My father agreed. We all held each other for a long moment in the evening silence, until the silence ended. "Honey, do you hear that?" My mom asked my dad as she looked towards a window. The glass was starting to rattle in the window frame. We all looked up and saw the wall lanterns begin shaking as various items on my mom's work table began rattling around as well. Before any of us could react, the ground itself began trembling as a deep rumbling began to vibrate through the air. It was quickly getting stronger. "Earthquake! Everypony outside, now!" My dad shouted and quickly began rushing us all outside. I quickly grabbed my sword before my father ushered me outside. At this point our entire house had begun shaking back and forth, sending shelves, furniture and many other items to the floor. Thankfully, we had managed to avoid getting hit or tripped by anything in the house and made it outside safely. But my father continued to guide us away from the house. We all looked back and saw our entire unfinished house shaking back and forth as the pulse wave vibrated through the Earth. We all could hear the rest of Ponyville's inhabitants in the short distance shouting and screaming in terror as buildings and homes collapsed under the Earth's vibrations. I could hear my younger brother crying as we all struggle to move away from our crumbling house. Just as I thought our new home would completely collapse, the Earthquake started to die down. What followed after the Earthquake was a dead silence that shortly settled upon the valley before the winds started to blow in from the west. "Stone?" My mother called in fear. We all turned towards the west and saw the most terrifying thing I've ever witnessed. My father and mother both stood still, holding each other as they watched the darkening sky in dread. The clouds blackened like smoke, lit up by red lightning. It was blacker than the darkest night sky and seemed to suck the light out from the stars above. I have never been so scared in my life. Soon the Earth began to tremble again as all fell silent and still. That is when we heard it. A powerful roar that shook the very heavens themselves and drove the winds to flee. It was a sound like a massive ocean wave crashing against the shore. More powerful than the strongest of hurricanes. But what caused us to fear the most was the dead silence that followed and the dim orange glow that lit up the western horizon. Nothing moved, no one spoke, no birds sung and no wind blew. All fell silent and still, for all knew the terrible truth of what was coming. Or rather who. My eyes started to burn with blue fire and my cutiemark had begun to shine bright. Talion. He was out there somewhere, running. Running from an ancient storm. He was running from him. "My God... What have we done?"