//------------------------------// // 11 - Imperial Will // Story: Twilight Over Thanalan // by tom117z //------------------------------// “Okay, here goes,” Twilight said under her breath, her eyes narrowed in concentration. Her new arcanism spellbook floated in the air beside her, opened to the ‘Summon Carbuncle’ page. Y’shtola and Y’mhitra were watching quietly from a respectful distance away, the former with her arms crossed and the latter with her eyes practically glowing with anticipation. They were in Y’mhitra’s room in the Carline Canopy, the curtains drawn shut to keep out the illuminating rays of morning sunlight. It had been a few days since Twilight was first handed the spellbook, and she felt she had a firm enough grasp of the basic concepts to try and bring out what was to be, in effect, her conjured copycat. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She ran through the numbers and the calculations in her head. Arcanism was a form of spellcraft rooted in logic and critical thought; picking apart the foundational rules of the aetherial world and exploiting them for magical effects. Finally, the number clicked into place in her mind. Twilight opened her eyes and began to channel power into the book from her horn. Her magenta aura flowed into the pages, which glowed emerald in response. A ball of swirling green magic rose from the pages, rippling like the surface of a pool of water. “Easy… easy…” Y’mhitra whispered, her hands balling up into fists. Twilight tuned her out, focusing on the sphere. Then, with a small grunt, she faced the book away from her, and the emerald ball of light shot out to strike the ground with a flash of light and a gust of wind. Twilight squinted against the light, wincing in surprise from the bright flash. “Did it work?” A moment passed, and the light faded. Twilight blinked away the stars floating in her vision and looked to the sight of her attempt. “Expertly done,”  Y’shtola complimented from the side with a small smile tugging at her lips. For there, standing in front of Twilight and dutifully staring back at her, was a carbuncle. But where Twilight’s glamour was coloured a pale lavender, this one was a striking shade of cyan… and was perhaps a bit smaller than when Twilight transformed. “I did it…!” Twilight breathed, her wings ruffling excitedly at her sides. She turned back to the others with a giddy squeal, clapping her hooves together in front of her chest. “I did it!” Y’shtola merely offered an impressed nod, while Y’mhitra jumped in the air.  “Very impressive for your first try! And the best part is she looks stable and obedient! I don’t think you’ll have any issues moving forward!” Y’mhitra exclaimed, grinning. “Issues? What issues?” Twilight asked, suddenly wondering whether she should have read a few more pages ahead. Why would they put the warnings at the back of the book!? “Oh, nothing… I don’t think we need to worry about it,” Y’mhitra deflected. “That said, I would advise you to work on your summoning time,” Y’shtola pointed out a bit more critically. “For as stable as your new familiar is, it will avail you nought if you struggle to bring it out in a timely fashion in dangerous circumstances.” Twilight winced, then nodded. “R-right… I will, don’t worry.” “I’d also avoid using it unless you have to. Practice your new magical focus in private settings,” the second miqo’te suggested. “A carbuncle summoning another carbuncle might make those in passing a little too curious.” “Also noted.” “You know, Shtola, I’d love for her to stay a while longer while we really get into the nitty-gritty of her studies. It’d accelerate her adjustment to our aether while giving me a unique insight into the magical practices of another star!” “Not because you’d wish your sister remain, then?” Y’shtola asked in turn with a raised eyebrow. “Ulp! I mean, you’d also be completely welcome!” She took on a wry smile at that. “‘Tis but a jest, sister. Alas, I fear we cannot remain. I have left things too long in Vylbrand. The Sahagin continue their raids and, more pressingly, the Admiral has expressed concern about the kobolds of late.” “You don’t think-” “I cannot say for certain, but you must understand my urgency should the Lord of Crags be raised from the aetherial sea once more.” Twilight frowned at that. Lord of Crags? If she was a betting mare, that sounded like another grandiose title for one of the false ‘Gods’ of this world. As if sensing the question, Y’shtola raised a hand to Twilight to prevent its asking. “All in due time. For now, suffice to say your thoughts are almost certainly on the correct path. Be that as it may, the Maelstrom would be hard-pressed to withstand an assault while also suffering Sahagin raids. The area has always been amongst the most volatile, Twelve forbid should both Crag and Whorl come into the fray simultaneously.” Y’mhitra nodded. “I… see your point. But you won’t even consider leaving her here?” “I’m right here you know…” Twilight muttered. “I’m afraid I still cannot let her leave my sight,” Y’shtola continued unabated. “As I’ve already said, I might add. I need not repeat my reasoning.” “Alright, fair enough! Scared and adorable equine is a time bomb, gotcha!” “Okay, so, somebody needs to remember I’m in the room before this ‘time bomb’ gets fidgety,” Twilight deadpanned. Y’shtola turned to the alicorn. “Ah, my apologies. But truly, it is high time we departed. Between mine own concerns and yours, there is only so long we can remain in one place without risking much.” “Yeah, I know,” Twilight conceded, turning then to the sister of her apparent foalsitter. “Thanks for all your help, Y’mhitra! All this arcanism and summoning is just so… fascinating! I promise I’ll take extra care of this tome, and write an essay on the integration and differences of our magics the moment I fully understand it!” “Not so fast, I’m co-authoring that paper,” she declared in turn. “Can’t have you taking all the credit when it reaches the stiffs in Sharlayan, can I?” “It’s a deal!” With that, Twilight made sure to re-engage her glamour, replacing the alicorn with the lavender carbuncle once again. Her own created carbuncle tilted its head at her in response, plodding forward to sniff at its summoner before sitting down with a confused whine. “Right, this is very weird,” the pony conceded. “I’ll summon you later, okay?” The carbuncle panted happily at that. Twilight nodded, ceasing the spell with a flash of her concealed horn, the carbuncle returning to pure aether that was rapidly channelled back through the book and then into Twilight herself. She then passed the book over to Y’shtola for safekeeping. “You know, I’d almost think it was a real dog or something, the way it acts,” she noted to the woman. “Merely an advanced simulation of one, meant to better foster one’s connection with the construct, or so I am to understand,” Y’shtola concurred. “Not that there aren’t ones advanced enough to arguably gain a true spark of life, but that’s a whole other thing,” Y’mhitra added. Now, that brought up a whole host of moral questions Twilight didn’t want to think about right now. “You be safe, got it?” Y’mhitra said to Y’shtola, giving her sister quite the glare, to ensure she got the message across. “If you do something so reckless that it gets you killed, I’ll never forgive you and might be inclined to ensure it sticks!” Y’shtola gave her a small smile. “You mistake my approach to situations for Yda’s, but yes, I shall endeavour to be careful. Be well, Mhitra.” “Right. And you, Twilight, look after her for me too, yeah?” Twilight blinked. “Me?” “You seem capable. Do it for me?” “Um, yes! Definitely!” “Good. Now, you two go off and save the world or some such. I’ll be here if you need me.” “Thank you, sister,” Y’shtola said conclusively. “And be well.” After saying their farewells, Twilight and Y’shtola briefly stopped in at one of Gridania’s markets to restock on supplies for the road ahead, and then set off. According to Y’shtola, the intent was to return to Vesper Bay, and from there take a ferry to the city-state of Limsa Lominsa. Naturally, Twilight had a fair few questions about their destination, and Y’shtola was happy enough to give her at least a basic idea of what to expect. It was a port city on the southwestern tip of the island of Vylbrand, and bore a staggeringly powerful reputation as a city of pirates and cutthroats. A description that was, according to Y’shtola, simultaneously accurate as inaccurate. A paradox that Twilight wanted to dig deeper into, but Y’shtola insisted that such questions wait until they were closer to the city. There were dangers to be had on the way, and it would be wise to keep their wits about them until they were on a boat bound for Limsa. Twilight was aggravated by this, but she ultimately gave in.  They followed the same route as they did to arrive in the Shroud in the first place, winding their way through gradually thinning trees and warming climes for several days, only stopping for rest as needed. Y’shtola was clearly eager to get back to where she was needed, and Twilight couldn’t blame her. Her mind began to wander once more to her friends back home. How were they taking her absence? She must have pondered such things a million times by now, but how could she not? They must have been worried sick about her. She could only imagine that they had tried to make use of Spike to get in touch, only for their messages to blow back into their faces. And what about Celestia? Cadance? Shining Armor? Her parents? So many ponies who had no idea where she was, or if she was even alive. It was enough to make her stomach churn every time she thought about it, but she just couldn’t help it… She was suddenly drawn from her ruminations when Y’shtola placed a hand on her head, bringing them both to a stop. Twilight blinked, looking around. They were right at the border of the Black Shroud. The land sloped down and away from them, and she could just make out Highbridge in the distance, perhaps another few hours travel away. She could also see the now-familiar landmark of the burning wall looming threateningly to her left in the distance. It was getting on towards evening. Were they supposed to stop for the night? Confused, she turned to Y’shtola. “What’s wrong?” “Something is amiss…” Y’shtola said quietly, taking her hand off of Twilight’s head and withdrawing her wand. “Listen…” Twilight frowned, but did as she was told, perking up her ears and listening for anything out of the ordinary. At first, all she could hear were the distant calls of wildlife in the forest behind her, and the dry wind rustling the branches of the smaller trees that lay peppered around the fringes of the Twelveswood.  But then she heard it. The sound of steel sliding free from a scabbard. Twilight cried out as Y’shtola suddenly stepped in front of her and threw her arms wide, erecting a dome of pale blue magic light. And not a moment too soon, a deafening bang sounding from nearby, making Twilight jump and squeak in alarm. Something struck against the barrier with the sound of cracking glass, and Twilight gasped as she saw a small ball of red-hot steel fall to the dirt with a sizzling thud. And then there was a flurry of movement. Twilight took a fearful step back as a team of men and women of all races, clad in black and red armour, surged from nearby positions of cover. Some held swords, while others wielded magical implements such as staffs or wands. One of them, a man who stood tall and slender like an elezen, wielded a sword that was markedly different from the others. A barrel ran along the base of the blade, and it was emitting smoke. “Imperials? Here?!” Y’shtola snarled with strain. She quickly let one hand fly to her hip and tossed Twilight’s book over to her. “Ready yourself!” Twilight barely caught the book in her magic, her mind racing with confusion. Her eyes darted about in a frantic haze as the imperials swiftly moved to surround them. Who were these people?! And what in the world could they be after?! The soldiers with the smoking blade, the leader, Twilight presumed, pointed his blade at Y’shtola. “Surrender the creature. Now!” he spat in a condescending snarl. Y’shtola scowled. “I think not. I do not answer to you nor your masters.” “You are surrounded,” the soldier pointed out threateningly, his subordinates closing in a few steps for emphasis. “And severely outnumbered. You’ve no chance of victory, savage.” As the verbal barbs continued to sail back and forth, Twilight quickly opened her spellbook and flipped for the page to summon her carbuncle. Sweat was building on her brow, fear ensnaring her heart in a vice grip. She hadn’t been expecting to need to defend herself again so soon, especially not like this. A few moments passed before she found the page and began to concentrate. And then she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Glancing up, Twilight spotted, to her surprise, a… carbuncle? But unlike her glamour nor her familiar, this one was crimson, like a walking pool of blood… and fangs jutted from its upper lip. “What the…?” Twilight choked out. The carbuncle suddenly bared its fangs and lunged. The gem embedded in its forehead pulsed a frightening shade of red, and all at once, a hole was blown open in the side of Y’shtola’s barrier. Twilight barely even had a chance to scream as the savage little thing fell upon her. She scrambled back, colliding with Yshtola’s hind legs, and barely holding the beast back with her hooves. It snapped and snarled viciously at her like a rabid dog, the high-pitched chitters and growls coming from its maw sending a chill of terror down Twilight’s spine. The force of the thing’s wild flailing and Twilight’s own attempts to keep it at bay was too much for the fragile glamour to bear. In a moment. the magic shattered, and Twilight’s own true form was revealed to all. “What?!” Y’shtola exclaimed, staggering from Twilight’s impact and turning to look at the struggle on the ground. Her eyes landed on the hole in her barrier and flew wide as the rest of it began to shatter like a broken window. “Now! FIRE!” the imperial commander shouted. But Twilight couldn’t see what was happening through the fangs in her face. She struggled against the carbuncle for several seconds, grunting and screaming with effort. She tried to focus on her magic and her spells, but she couldn’t concentrate! All she could do was struggle as the sound of gunshots vaguely filled her ears, and likewise the thrums of magics deflecting them. But whatever was happening there, this thing had her pinned. Desperate, she tried to punch it in the face, only for the beast to respond by sinking its sharp teeth deep into Twilight’s hoof. A small spray of blood slapped across Twilight’s face, and white-hot pain filled her hoof as the carbuncle began to throw its head from side to side. Twilight screamed, her vision going white. Everything else faded away, raw instinct taking over. With a guttural shout, she finally managed to get her hind legs positioned against the carbuncles belly and kicked up with all the force she could muster. The carbuncle flailed back onto the ground with a snarling growl of rage, quickly moving to right itself and kicking up dust with its movements. Twilight rose back to her hooves in response, grimacing with pain as weight was placed on her injured hoof. She reached for her book with her magic, but she was too slow. The carbuncle was already upright and lunging for her yet again. Only for a spike of rock to emerge from the ground and slam into the carbuncles belly, throwing it into the air with the sound of cracking bones. Twilight blinked in surprise, pulled her book to her side, and turned back to see that Y’shtola’s wand was aglow with magic.  She wasn’t sure how Y’shtola had managed it, but several of the imperials were on the ground a ways back, looking to have been thrown off their feet somehow. Judging by the look of strain on Y’shtola’s face, she could only assume that it had been her doing. “Summon your carbuncle!” Y’shtola commanded, glaring at where the crimson one had landed. “And fight back!” Twilight nodded shakily before quickly focusing on the pages. In short order, she funnelled magic into the pages and fired off the green sphere of light. With a pulse of energy, her own carbuncle appeared at her side, already lowering its chest into an aggressive stance. “Gah! Don’t just lay there you fools!” the imperial commander bellowed as he hauled himself back to his feet. “KILL HER! Take the creature!” That sent a chill down Twilight’s spine and a thrill of adrenaline through her veins. She hadn’t really connected it a second ago, but these people were after her. Her. She didn’t know why, and that terrified her more than anything else right now. That was until she saw the scarlet carbuncle charging her again. She gave off a squeak of panic before her own carbuncle sprang into action. Twilight watched as hers bound forward before a sphere of greenish energy erupted from the ruby in its head. The crimson one didn't even have time to react before it was struck by the spell, and a powerful gust of wind sent it rocketing back and into a nearby tree. Twilight didn’t wish to give the construct a chance to right itself, her book springing open as she channelled her magic into it. She didn’t exactly know what she was doing, all she knew was that she wanted to stop it from hurting her again. Her horn thusly grew brighter, almost as if her standard bolt was building at its tip, before that magic seemed to redirect through the book as if to act as a focus for her struggling mana. And then it was unleashed from the pages, a wave of lavender magic consuming the feral carbuncle in a ball of destructive energy, before dissipating with the creature nowhere to be found. Twilight stared at the charred spot, before sparing a look at the page her book had flipped itself open to. Ruin. As they’d all hoped, so long as she had the tome, her magic had something to focus on and manifest in the correct manner, at least until she’d adjusted fully! But bereft as she was of her usual strength, it would certainly do in the interim. Twilight brought her gaze around to the scene continuing around her. Another of the attacking soldiers was down on the ground, cradling a wound while three more bared down on Y’shtola with their leader a short way behind them. He levelled his weapon, a mix between a firearm and a blade at Y’shtola, and Twilight realized he was about to launch another of those metallic projectiles at her. Twilight’s eyes flew wide, and she quickly focused on her book, trying to cast ruin again. Bang. The shot rang out clear, but to Twilight’s surprise, the bullet did not hit Y’shtola. Instead, the shot redirected around her outstretched hand and directly into the throat of one of the oncoming soldiers. Another spray of blood flew from him as he slumped to the ground with a gurgle of agony. Twilight’s eyes widened in shock before her cast of ruin finally completed. The sphere of magic flew free from her tome and arced toward the second of Y’shtola’s attackers. The bolt of energy struck him in the gut, sending the man to the ground with a cry of pain. The third hesitated briefly, and Twilight could see the fear in his posture. Her heart twisted in her chest out of pity for the man. He may have been trying to kill them, but he had nonetheless just watched one of his friends die. Without another word, the soldier threw his weapon to the ground. “To hells with this!” he exclaimed in fear, turning to flee. Bang. Twilight’s skin went ashen as another shot rang out, and the fleeing soldier toppled forward to the ground, a gushing red hole having appeared between his shoulder blades. Y’shtola and Twilight both turned horrified eyes on the imperial commander. The barrel of his gun was smoking, his hand steady. He turned back to his opponents with a scoff. “Tch. Bloody, savage conscripts… Cowardice shall not be tolerated in my troop,” he stated in a cold, clinical tone. Y’shtola’s tail bristled with rage. With a barely restrained cry of rage, the miqo’te raised her wand, sending a powerful burst of wind flying for the soldier. He weathered the blast, digging his feet into the ground and bracing against it. The moment the winds ended, he lunged forward, his blade slicing for Y’shtola. She grunted with effort, forming a barrier with her hand at the last second, catching the blade mere inches from her chest. The soldier grimaced… then pulled the trigger. Another bang sounded from his blade, a flash of flame erupting from the barrel. Though the bullet flew harmlessly into the air, the flash of the muzzle so close to Y’shtola’s face was still enough to send the woman staggering back with a cry of alarm, a hand flying up to cover her eyes. The imperial commander capitalized on this before either of his opponents could react, driving his armoured boot into Y’shtola’s knee. Twilight tensed involuntary, anticipating a crunch of bone. Thankfully, the blow did not break Y’shtola’s leg, but it still carried with it sufficient force to knock the miqo’te to the ground with a cry of pain. “NO!” Twilight exclaimed, channelling more power into her tome. At the same time, her carbuncle bounded forward and hurled itself against the soldier’s chest with a metallic clang. The imperial staggered back with a grunt. He began to reach for Twilight’s carbuncle, but didn’t get the chance to do anything. Twilight’s spell went off, a pulse of lavender light rocketing from her tome to strike his helmet. The sound of shattering metal was heard, and shrapnel from the demolished helmet was sent scattering into the air. The soldier screamed. It was a horrible, gurgling sound that gave Twilight pause. The soldier fell to his knees, clawing at his face and his helmet, trying to pry the once protective covering off, but to no avail. And in his flailing, Twilight realized there was now blood running freely down his face and between his fingers, and the brief glimpse she saw of his face under his helmet let her see more than enough of the damage her spell had caused. “Merciful Celestia…” she choked out, mortified. The soldier squirmed in agony for a moment longer before finally crumpling to the ground and falling still. Silence befell the fresh battlefield, the bodies of their attackers littering the road around them. The scant few remaining alive, if injured, started to hobble and crawl away with soul-wrenching whimpers and croaks of fear. A fear of her. Of what she just did. A book clattered to the ground, followed by the alicorn who found she could no longer stand. Her entire body was trembling, and her breaths were coming faster and faster. Her stomach churned and twisted with revulsion and horror, and were she not so transfixed by the gruesome scene before her, she might have feared she’d lose her lunch. Her gaze remained on the commander, and what remained of his head after it was torn by the shattered remains of his helmet. It… it wasn’t meant to be like that! She just wanted to knock him down, not… that. There was so much blood… “Pray, still your heart, Twilight…” she heard Y’shtola softly utter. “You saved me from serious harm, if not worse. You have my thanks.” She didn’t reply. The miqo’te glanced at the scene around her, her eyes too lingering on the imperial commander, grimacing at the sight. She then turned back to the alicorn, kneeling down next to the despondent mare. “I trust that his was the first? The first life you have taken.” “I…” Of course, she’d seen death before. Not much, but when King Sombra had perished, she’d at least been vaguely involved in those events. But nothing like this… “I’m sorry,” Y’shtola said sincerely. “But it was a fate they invited, and no fault of your own. You have every right to feel as you do, but know you are not alone in this. You but defended yourself from harm, there are none who can blame you for that… All I ask is that you don’t either.” Twilight slowly looked towards the woman who, for the first time since she’d met her, didn’t seem all that intimidating. In fact, there was something almost… warm about her. “Take a moment to collect your thoughts, but we must not delay. There may yet be more of them.” “Who…?” “Hm?” “Who was he…?” Twilight asked solemnly. Y’shtola stared at the corpse before them, eyes lingering on the telltale armour adorning what was left of the man. “I do not know. Just that he was a Commander of the Garlean Empire. They’re despotic conquerors who have made repeated attempts to claim Eorzea for their own. That they’re here now bodes ill for the realm as a whole.” Twilight just hummed, idly absorbing that information as she continued to stare at her victim. Did he have a family? A life beyond what little she glimpsed? He’d been so callous, cold. He’d killed his own man simply for being scared… But did he deserve that? That? What would Celestia say to her if she knew… Y’shtola sighed, realizing there was little she could say for the moment to ease the little pony’s mind. She stood up again, giving her a moment as she recovered the discarded tome and examined the landscape around them. She could see no sign of further imperials amidst the thinning trees surrounding them. It appeared at a glance that their attackers had all been slain. And yet… She looked towards the charred mark where that crimson carbuncle had fallen, eyes narrowing in thought. Their assailants had been standard conscripts by and large, no one with the skills to summon such a unique construct. So, where was the arcanist responsible? Answering her own question, her eyes trailed to a nearby rise in the terrain, following it up to the cliffside until they reached the top but a short distance up. Another pair of catlike eyes met her own, eyes belonging to a grinning miqo’te with red hair. She stood there in armour signifying a not-so-insignificant rank for a non-garlean, that very same crimson carbuncle once again by her side and snarling in a manner that could almost be mistaken for laughter. “Who… who is she!?” Twilight asked, seemingly knocked from her musings as she too spotted the one watching them. “I’m… not certain…” Y’shtola responded, and yet something about her seemed oddly familiar to the woman… “At least, I do not believe so.” Almost seeming to grin wider at that, the woman turned from the pair and merely walked away. Her ravenous pet stared a few moments more, eye brimming with a gleeful hunger that no mere mindless construct could hold, before it too turned away and followed its master. “Whoever she is, she is powerful indeed to summon such a creature,” Y’shtola noted, urgently turning back to Twilight. “We must away, quickly.” Twilight didn’t respond, head turning back to the silent corpse. “Twilight…” “I know,” she replied. “Okay, lead the way.” Y’shtola nodded, her eyes pitying the alicorn. But that would have to come later, for she knew they would do well not to remain idle for the web of the Empire to catch them again… Y’sanna rem Extorris left the victorious pair behind, wholly unperturbed by their victory. Instead, she made for the host of imperial soldiers waiting a short distance away, all tense and seemingly prepared for a fight. “How delicious…” she mused, coming up to her men and offering them the same grin she’d worn since the fight. “It appears our quarry has repelled the vanguard, as expected.” “Expected?” the commander of the squad asked. “Ma’am, you knew they’d fail?” “They faced a Scion and an unknown being, but their deaths proved a suitable test for their capabilities, do not agree?” “I… yes, quite right…” “Indeed, I thought as much,” she noted evenly, then turning back to where the scene distantly stood and crossed her arms in contemplation. “Hm, not a potent display from the equine. Though from the words of the Tribunus, she would be struggling of late. So, the tome is a focus for that untapped aether, and given what happened to the poor commander… Oh, if that is but a sliver of the potential in you, my dear, I wonder just what you can do without the crutch…” “Primus…?” “Oh, forgive me. But the idea of what lies beneath the unskilled exterior has me salivating at the prospects. Imagine the power of an eikon without the drawbacks. Not to mention all the tests I could run and discoveries there are to be made, I’d be the envy of the old fools in Sharlyan.” “I fail to see why you’d need the approval of savages.” “Do the ears give a clue?” she purred at the suddenly uncomfortable soldier. “But true enough, my purpose is far greater than they ever had in mind for me. So, if Scaeva and his new paragon friend want a pretty purple pony, I’ll give them a pretty purple pony.” Her grin fell, a serious grimace replacing it as she turned on her men with a glare that demanded total obedience. “That overachieving harpy will take our prize with her to Limsa Lominsa, and we shall meet them there. And next time, the Empire will claim it. For the glory of Garlemald!” “For the glory of Garlemald!” the chorus responded to her. A fire burned in the woman’s eyes, matching the brutal ferocity of her dutiful carbuncle exactly. Ambition swirled within the two orbs like an unstoppable torrent, a promise of a future of imperial rule, where she would serve at the side of the Emperor himself! All she had to do was deliver the secrets of one creature, and that future would be hers to reap. She’d show them all what she could do, and she’d show her...