//------------------------------//
// The Fourth 
// Story: A Dragonborn, Destiny, and Very Small Horses 
// by DarrParrot 
//------------------------------//

A Dragonborn, Destiny, And Very Small Horses 4
The Inferno, The Crater, The Prison, and The Piercing 
(Note from Darr-Ei: You are no doubt still reading this. I have very little to say about this chapter, dear citizens. My actions speak for themselves. So does my narrative. If there is something you must ask a question about, you can direct it to whomever may take that question. I may not. Perhaps you are considering not reading this due to my somewhat gentle throttling of Miss Fluttershy. You know what? I will apologize. I will forsake my rule of no regrets. I do not regret breaking this rule. I am so sorry Fluttershy. I am a violent creature. My nature is never to be subdued. I cannot control myself. That is all. Onward.)

"O beauteous white horse, I Darr-Ei, have arrived. Now let me tell you what happened. That entire fire was my damn fault. I don't need to hear your mouth on it though. Leave me to take care of it or so help me I will leave and let it burn this forest to the ground. Are we clear? " I calmly threatened. Or perhaps I stated this. No matter. 
The white horse's eyes widened in surprise, and her brows quickly furrowed in anger. I looked at the other small horses, and Mina-Ka by her side. Fluttershy was hiding behind the white one, shivering slightly. Mina-Ka was looking at her, expression unreadable. Zecora was eyeing me suspiciously. I coughed.  The alabaster one, opened her mouth to speak as I turned away from her and got ready to sprint. My legs lifted off from the ground as I heard her begin to speak. I sped off before I could actually hear what she said. 
My boots kicked up dust and my arms pumped alongside me to provide momentum. The clanging of my armor echoed around me as I entered the deeper part of the forest. Frightened calls of forest creatures enveloped me as the fire spread. I continued my fast pace until I got to the main body of fire. The embers of flame provided an eerie red glow that contrasted with the drab green of the swamp. It was an interesting contrast to say the least. I continued running deeper into the forest to try and find the center of the inferno. I would have to find it if I was to take care of this fire properly. 
I slowed down, when I saw a large wall of fire blocking any further movement. I looked to my left and right and noticed that those paths were also blocked by the pyre I had started myself. The heat started to become more pronounced and I noticed it spreading faster through the trees beyond. I looked skyward and noticed that the smoke was starting to drown out whatever sunlight the swamp may normally get. Things were slightly more serious than I had imagined. 
This is about when I realized that I had no idea how I would fix this. I began to panic slightly, which was rather uncharacteristic of me at the time. Suffice to say, my entire day so far had been... uncharacteristic. During this inner turmoil, I began to hear a creaking sound and the slowly growing rustle of branches. I turned toward my left and that is when I saw a very large tree start to tip over. The bark was ashen and I could tell that it was on its last legs, so to speak. It must've been 40 feet tall. I laughed internally at my failure to notice the environmental hazards around me, other than the fire. The laughing ceased when the tree began its earthward descent. I jumped backwards as the entire mass of the damn tree hit the ground. The earth shook and I stumbled slightly. This is where my luck started to drain ever so slightly. 
The fallen tree hit another tree on its way down and both trees blocked my left path and backward paths. I turned to head toward my right when at least two trees were knocked off balance by the impacts of both of the other trees and fell. I was trapped in a circle of trees and fire. The flames traveled along the tree-trunks and encircled me. I did not feel like jumping through the flames, on account of the fact that they burn. I hypothesized that the flames might burn harder, due to their magical nature.  I forgot my fire resistant gear. I realized that solving this would require immense concentration and ingenuity. Or something like that anyway. I tried to think. What would destroy trees and clear the fire? Preferably all of it. I wanted to solve all of my problems. I thought to myself, Rain can clear out fire. So can ice, snow, earth, and many others. I tried to think of a shout that might work. Storm call might work, however, the lightning might hurt an innocent creature, which I really did not want to deal with. I've had enough of that. It seemed like none of my Shouts could do what I wanted. 
The flames burned brighter and moved closer towards my circle. I could feel the metal of my armor almost drawing heat in, despite whatever natural resistance daedric metal has against fire. My life was in danger, and I ran the risk of dying in an unspectacular way. Which is when I had an idea. I normally only use three Words in my Shouts. They always worked just fine that way. However, I felt that something awakened inside of me. It awakened when those images flooded my mind. I could hear new Words, and I felt the call of a being greater than me. I realized that I could become him... or perhaps it. It was something ancient and powerful. I retrieved the knowledge from deep within my very soul and I resolved to try something
I would try and string together a Sentence in Draconic.
(Although, now I'd rather it be called a Verse.)
***
The flames sparked my adrenaline. My mind began to work faster as I remembered Words.  I would have to make something powerful, and all encompassing. And it must clear out the fire of course. The Words came to me. This is how I remember it. I opened my mouth
"Evenaar Daar Yol Zind Graan Gut Iiz Wuld Viik Yol"
I took a breath before the effects could be felt
"Uznahgaar Suleyk Su'um Rahgol Rein"
My body began to grow hot. My entire body began to glow, and I felt immense pain. The Sentence was going to tear me apart with its power. My body might not be able to handle the pure destructive force of this...Verse. I had to try one more thing if I was to survive. 
"Mahfaeraak Mul Thu'um Kopraan" 
I felt the power condense into a small, singular part deep within my body. I had controlled it; however, I felt I could not control it for too much longer. I threw my head back, and struck an even pose. I would need to control myself. I opened my mouth and loosened my vocal cords.
The Thu'um came shooting out of my throat with a deafening rumble. Time slowed to a crawl. The power encircled me, extinguishing the flames in a cold, crackling, blue shockwave. The shockwave slammed the trees backwards, dirt being flung upward with the force of the trees being uprooted. The shockwave expanded into a dome of pure force, ice, and magic, that continued to expand, and seemingly, would continue to expand outward. I wished to look further, and marvel at my handiwork, when I blacked out from the incredible expenditure of force I used. My body hit the ground. I felt the area around me grow colder, and more silent than I had heard anything else before. 
I awoke in a crater deep within the ground. The ground around me was a stony blue grey. It crackled with power, and seemed to shine ever so slightly. The entire forest was like this. Except for the trees. They were dead black, knocked backwards, tipped over from my Draconic Verse. I tried to get up, but was stopped by my legs giving out from under me. I fell to my knees. My armor seemed heavier. But slightly. I wasn't necessarily encumbered. There was definitely something new regarding my gear but I could just not explain it.
I took off my helmet. A look of surprise may or may not have caressed my face. The daedric helmet was cobalt, with spirals covering the entire base. The horns were pearl white and crackled with energy. I took off my cuirass. It was the same. Cobalt covered in spirals. I grinned and put it back on. I got up on my feet, found them to be steady, and looked around me. The sky was smoky gray, either from my Verse or the fire. An unintended side effect to say the least. The forest was silent. Or at least it was until I heard something behind me, only to find it was nothing. It sounded like the blowing of air, but only on an isolated point. Like a small draft overhead.
I instinctively took out the Onyx Skull Crusher. It was the same, except for the fact that the head of the hammer had protruding white crystals all over it. I took out Luna. It was the same as the O.S.C. I swung it through the air, seeing if it had any new effects. It didn't. It was the same old sword except for the new aesthetics. I threw it, annoyed, at the nearest tree and it turned white hot in mid-air. It spun through the air and sawed through the tree. I was dumbstruck. 
However my magicka was instantly depleted, and Luna appeared back in my hand. I was cheesing. (Cheesing for those who don't know, is smiling very, very hard. It's an Argonian thing.)  I was prepared to Shout in joy. "FUS R-" and then I coughed up some blood. My throat was on fire from the smoke and the Verse. Honestly, I was worried. What if I could never Shout anymore, as ludicrous as that may seem? It would be a definite disadvantage, to say the least. I tried to sigh and I realized that I could not use my vocal cords at all. They may've been shattered. I realized that now would be the time to use a healing potion if I had one. Which of course I didn't. What a damn shame. I realized that I would have to find a doctor or a healer. Or something like that. I looked around me and saw the path to Zecora's house. I wiped the blood from my lips, and walked through the blue grey forest. 
***
I reached the outskirts of the marsh only to find that the cobalt ground ended right on the edge of the forest. Outside of the border was just "normal" ground. I arrived at the entrance to Zecora's house, but I saw no one outside to welcome me back. I saw no one inside either. I figured that I wouldn't intrude on Zecora. I probably wouldn't be welcome anyway. I surmised that I would make my way to civilization on my own. I decided to head north because, WHY NOT? 
I took off running in the direction I thought was north. Now, I shall not bore you with the details of running through a large forest for a long period of time. I'm really not going to tell you all of the specifics. I was running, I took some breaks. That's how it was. I saw some birds and whatnot. Pretty odd. Or at least I thought they were birds. Seemed kind of large for actual birds. And they were flying in the direction of the blue gray forest-crater. I only state this as odd now. I didn't find it weird at all, at the time. Other than this there was not much else to be said. Actually I do have something interesting to say that I just now remembered. I was resting by my bonfire, and I heard this weird noise. It would phase in and out, and seemed to echo. I saw a bright flash off to my left and then it was gone. I chalked this phenomenon to simply being sleep addled and I lay down, prepared to sleep. For whatever reason, I could not sleep. 
I continued on killing things, eating them, and hiding the bodies. And then after a day or two, I finally arrived at the border of the forest. The forest's dark canopy shrouded what lay ahead. I took the Onyx Soul Crusher out and walked outside. I was momentarily blinded by the appearance of the sun, which did not allow me to react quickly to what happened next. The white winged horse stood before me, at least 10 feet away, surrounded by at least 15 other smaller, armored horses. 
I also noticed 6 peculiar horses standing in front of her. One of the six, I noticed, was Fluttershy, but she was wearing a necklace with an odd jewel within it. I also saw a rainbow-maned, cyan horse, an orange blonde-maned one, a white purple-maned equine, a pink, rather happy horse, considering the circumstances, and finally a purple horse. They all wore necklaces, except for the purple horse. She wore a rather elaborate crown. I deduced at the time that she was the leader of this little entourage. I stared at them, and I brandished my hammer. I swung it over head and, just for theatrics, I swung the hammer at the ground in front of me as hard as I could. 
What I was not ready for, was the hammer hitting the ground and creating a small, sparkling, blue shockwave directly where it landed. The ground vibrated strong enough for everyone to notice. I prepared to try it again for a larger effect but I noticed the large white horse eyeing me, and stopped. I set my Soul Crusher to my side and judged the situation.
The guards looked at me in my imposing regalia and I could see the visible worry in their faces. I simply stood there stoically as the six looked at me. They all seemed very surprised. Except for Fluttershy, who was still terrified. The rainbow-maned one looked toward her questioningly and said, in a somewhat masculine voice, tinged with effeminacy, "Fluttershy, calm down! We'll protect you from him!". The rainbow one looked back at me and snorted defiantly and pawed at the ground, an expression of rage plastered upon her face. I realized that someone must of told the rest of this group about what I did to Fluttershy. They appeared to be looking for vengeance, which is something I completely understand. The large alabaster horse cleared her throat and asked "Darr-Ei, your transgression against our kingdom and the hearts of its denizens has not been overlooked. You are a creature of anger and things that we do not believe in Equestria. I am sorry. You will awaken when you are ready. " 
I coughed and gestured toward my throat. I shrugged and shook my head. I was not sure they understood what I meant. So I just put my hands behind my back, and tried to whistle. I began to cough. Some of the horses looked confused and the large white one almost looked concerned. "Do it." said the large white one. The purple one's eyes began to glow and the other 5 began to rise into the air. They appeared to be channeling some form of beam. I couldn't even muster the strength to move. To be honest, at this point, I didn't even care. I wanted to see what these new creatures could do. I regretted too much. I deserved it. I broke my own rules, and their hearts. I held my arms out and gestured for them to do what they wish. 
A huge orb of light gathered between them, and it slowly grew larger. It was the size of my house. The orb flew towards me and enveloped me. 
***
The feeling of being enveloped by that orb is very difficult to describe. It was...amazing. I felt at peace. Tranquil. Serene. It was just incredible. Whatever dark thoughts I had were completely eradicated. I lost track of all time in this infinite bliss. I wish I could've stayed in this state for, well, ever.  This must've gone on for a while. However, this ended when I heard a voice deep within my mind. I can still recall it. 
"They hath subdued thee. They thought to keep thy heart live, but thy true heart dead. Cease their machinations. Break their hearts. Be with me in the deepest cold. To the Tahlvedimaa"
And I awoke. I could not see. I could not move. I could hear faint sounds outside. Wherever I was, it was not secluded.  I wasn't very positive that I would enjoy being stuck here. I prepared my Voice. 
"Bex Kren!" My prison shattered. Light came in from outside and I was temporarily blinded. I fell to the ground, unsure of the stability of my own legs, and I surveyed my surroundings. I was within a labyrinthine garden. Statues littered the area around me. All of more horses. And other oddities besides horses. Things I could not find names for. Weird patchwork creatures, and just very whimsical things. I continued onward, looking around, surveying my surroundings. I saw very little that was truly noteworthy. I kept walking until I reached the end of the path. I was facing a large steel door. On each side of the door was a banner with two horses encircling each other. In the middle of each was a sun and moon. 'Twas rather weird. 
I grabbed the door handle and pulled. It was locked. The metal creaked under the pressure of my pulling. I realized that I had a lot of excess energy from my stay in the prison. I started hitting the door with my fists as fast and as hard as I could. The metal deformed under the force of my blows. I started hitting harder and harder as I saw the metal breaking and bending. I noticed cracks forming in the brick above the door. I walked backwards and I unsheathed my hammer. 
I pulled it back and swing with what I hoped was the might of a mammoth charging. Alright, at this point, I admit, this was not a rational decision, especially after what I said before I was put into the prison of stone. The voices in my head probably had something to do with it. What happens next though, changes that probably into a definite yes. These creatures simply subdued a visitor. Positively shameful. I kind of wanted to punish some of them. I rationalized it as, the voice in my head told me to. The hammer smashed through the door; however, the crystal gave it the extra power to create a shockwave that permeated the entire structure. 
The voice called once more from within my mind, "Show them your truest strength. Break their bones with thy power. Grind their flesh and show them their folly. Back to Tahlvedimaa they must go. They hath forsaken their creator and truest mentor. My disciple, hand me the souls of the weaker ones." This is about when I lost my head. I felt whatever this thing was saying. It's pure rage and insanity. It fueled my darker side and I completely lost whatever I felt I had learned. The bliss I felt in the orb's embrace was lost. Unchained and unbound I would wreak havoc. 

The hammer's impact broke through the entire doorway. Not just the door, the doorway. It shattered most of the outside wall. The amount of debris and dust obscured my vision terribly. I walked onward swinging my hammer to and fro breaking through whatever may be in my way. I heard screaming and the shouting of many creatures. My blood-lust started rising. I ignored them entirely, however, knowing they would be no match, and I continued my movement onward. I came out of the cloud of dust. A guard saw me and charged me with a sword in his mouth. Right at this moment I stopped caring about equals, and matches.  I grabbed him mid-air by the throat, and the sword flew out of his mouth. His fur was rather soft. Anyway, I put my other hand on the back of his neck. I raised my arms in the air and I jumped as high as I can. I wanted momentum for this next trick. I slammed him down on the marble floor as hard as possible. The marble cracked beneath him and... he went to sleep. He got knocked unconscious. Not dead. Nope. I'm actually sure he is not dead. 
I looked at his unconscious face lying on the cracked marble floor and I began to sing a song I once heard. 
" Beware, Beware, the Dragonborn comes. 
For the darkness has passed and the legend yet grows. 
You'll know, You'll know, the Dragonborn's come. "
And I faltered on the last note when I saw what was in front of me. A dark blue horse with wings and a horn. She was slightly similar in appearance to the white one. She looked directly at me. Her countenance was enveloped in fury. She yelled at me, "THOUST ARE A WRETCH AMONG SCUM, THOU ART!!" her voice hitting me with the force of a dragon's Shout. It tossed me backwards and I hit the wall. The wind was knocked out of me. I got to my feet and faced her. It would seem like this one would like have a shouting match I said to myself. I cleared my throat, "YOUR NAME?". She replied, rather loudly,  "Luna, princess of Equestria, and thou art not welcome, beast!" Her name triggered something deep within my mind. She and I were connected. In ways I could not explain.
I shouted back at her, "I am Darr-Ei, I am a devil, I am a beast, I am what I wish, and I wish to break you! THE MENTOR CRIES FOR HIS CHILDREN! TAHLVEDIMAA!!!" I was slightly taken aback at what I said. I had no idea how those words even came up. I felt a similar feeling seep into my mind. The feeling of insanity. 
"I KNOW NOT OF WHAT YOU SPEAK! NO MATTER! HAVE AT THEE!" the odd blue horse said. Well, after that brief respite in my stone prison, my Voice was aching to be set upon something. The voice in my mind was also aching to be set upon something. Both of these Voices would not be denied.
This would be an interesting showdown.

***
(Authors note: Yeah gentlemen. I felt obligated to create this chapter in a short amount of time. Anyway, the plot thickens. Gimme dose glaring grammar mistakes.)