//------------------------------// // Volume 29 - Epilogue // Story: The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds // by Kamahido //------------------------------// As the blast from Celestia’s horn hits Arc’s chest, he feels ever sinew of his being straining to hold itself together. Forcing himself to remain at least semi-conscious, Arc allows himself to free-fall for a few moments before gritting his teeth and opening his eyes. “N-no! It… it can’t end like this! I won’t… let it…!” Focusing with all his might, Arc reaches deep within himself. Just like during his first battle with Tempest and at the Storm King’s base, golden wings emerge from his back allowing his to glide for a time, albeit painfully. Using the last of his strength Arc is able to crash roughly on the banks of a river. Screaming out in pain, he rolls over onto his back and claws at his wounds in agony. “Ugh… why did she…?” Arc looks around. Nearby is a roaring waterfall that is fed by a lake just outside of Canterlot. Gazing upward he spots the looming towers of the castle. “I… can’t believe I fell that far. Cherry, are you there?” Hearing nothing, Arc closes his eyes and sighs. “Right. You were still… in my helmet when… that happened.” Coughing, Arc spits out blood. Grunting, he looks at his hand. “Lost my… sigil gauntlet. Great…” Arc attempts to Blink. But nothing happens. “That grenade really did a number on my magic.” He looks down at his chest. Several chunks of shrapnel and what appears to be the remains of his armor stick out of his flesh sickeningly. “…and my body. Is this… really… the end…?” A familiar voice rings out behind him. “Only if you believe it to be.” With great effort Arc is able to raise his head. He spots Wiseman walking toward him. Frowning, Arc lays his head back down in the dirt. “Great. My last visage is going to be of you?” Wiseman shrugs. “Like I said, only if that’s what you want.” Arc winces in pain. “Can I assume you’re here to help me?” “It depends how you look at it.” “Just for once… could you just… speak plainly?” Wiseman nods. “Very well. Would you like to live?” Arc nods. “Yes!” “Why?” “Because I want… to see… Dinky grow up.” “She will regardless of your continued existence. But she’s still just one filly. Are you sure there isn’t another reason?” Arc grits his teeth. “Yes. I also want… to find… Cherry. To make sure… she’s okay. Then… find Decimus and Gaston… and stop… whatever twisted plan… they’ve cooked up. ” He looks to Wiseman. “So… are you going… to help me… or… not?” Wiseman nods. “Yes, Arc. I will set you on the path to recovery.” “Great. How…?” “Look at that.” Wiseman points a gloved hand at the waterfall. A log flows down it and lands in the river with a colossal splash. Kneeling down, Wiseman puts a hand on Arc’s back. Blinking them over to it, he stands as Arc pulls his hand out of the cool river. “What the…?” “Follow the river where it leads you, Arc.” “And where… would that be…?” Wiseman sighs. “Away from Canterlot. As it stands, it isn’t safe for you there right now.” “But what will I…?” “Worry not, Arc. When times are hard and all hope seems lost, help will come if you are patient.” Wiseman vanishes as Arc groans. Reaching for his ring, Arc pulls out the guardanium knife. Plunging it into the trunk, he uses it as a makeshift handle as he pulls on his cloak and presses it against the sizable hole in his belly. Floating slowly down the river for several hours Arc looks up to see the sun going down. “Great. Now I can bleed… AND not be able to see.” Paddling as best he is able, Arc brings the log toward the shore. As he nears he pulls out the knife and flops onto the bank. Lying there on his back, Arc looks to the log for a moment before giving it an angry kick. Coughing, Arc looks skyward as the sun sinks beneath the horizon. The moon rises and the stars come out as he smiles weakly. “When times are hard, and all hope seems lost, help will come if you are patient, huh? That nut. He could’ve just taken me to a hospital… or something.” Hearing movement nearby, Arc turns his head. He spies numerous glowing yellow eyes looking at him from the foliage. Grimacing, Arc does his best to stand as he turns and holds up his knife. The beasts step out of the woods and slowly surround him. An overwhelming stench fills the air as they continue pacing. Drool flows down their fangs as they look over their injured prey. Arc frowns. “Come on, you beasts! Let’s… ugh… let’s do this!” Snarling, they lung at him as one. Arc throws himself out of the path of the first timberwolf that lunges at him. Landing, he cries out in pain as fresh blood pours forth. Quickly rolling over onto his back, Arc turns to face the next beast whom comes for him. Slashing at it with his dagger he knocks the creature away, scattering its body. “You guys aren’t so tough!” As he does so however, two more approach from either side. Arc is able to beat one away, but the other chomps down hard on his arm. Yelling out in pain he smacks the beast with the back of his fist. It too collapses, but not before ripping several sizable holes in Arc’s arm and forcing him to drop his knife. Before he can react yet another timberwolf leaps onto him from behind, knocking Arc’s face into the riverbank mud. As it claws at his backside, Arc is able to roll partially out of the way, but into a waiting pair of jaws and claws. As they resume slashing at Arc, he looks over to see the previously defeated timberwolves reassembling themselves. Gritting his teeth, Arc makes a final attempt to flee. However, one of his assailants chomps down on his leg and violently picks him up to slam his body into the side of a tree. Falling to the ground Arc’s head strikes a gnarled root. As the world dims around him he speaks in nearly a whisper. “Dinky… I’m… sorry…” As his assailants prepare to finish him off, one of them bursts into flames. The others jump back and look all around as two more of their numbers explode. As the beasts retreat, a pony clad in a black robe emerges from the forest wielding a crossbow held up by magic. Arc looks up at them for a brief moment before passing out from the pain, blood loss, and blow to the head.