Chapter 8
Into the Dark…
An orange glow emitted from the torch in Kali's hand and the one in Pinkie's mouth. One of the guards had offered to relive her of it but she denied the gesture saying, "But it's so fun!"
The glow of the torches illuminated the groups trudge through the damp caverns. The light did little to actually guarantee their safety. Men, women and pony alike occasionally lost their footing on protruding slates of rock or the unusual dips into small holes. Never the less they carried on into the dark abyss.
Kali, being the sworn protector he is, found it absolutely necessary to keep a tight box of guards around their protectees. Tension between the Kali and the chieftain were at an all-time high. They never did see eye to eye in the past but right now... They were hated enemies. They kept a watchful eye on each other, specious of every move they made. The only the only thing that stopped them from taking any hostile action was a particularly large snake slithering close to the six brightly colored quadrupeds.
Dust shared Kali's apparent suspicions about the chieftain. He believed that he was capable of defending Twilight and her friends from him but he also assumed that no hostility would take place in his presence. A good assumption on his part. Kali and the nameless chieftain only glared at each other.
Dust let out a drawn out sigh before returning his attention to his friends.
"What's their problem?" Rainbow asked. "They've been glaring at each other ever since we got here."
Fluttershy shivered when she realized that Rainbow was right. Their stares were so intense it looked like they were trying to burn holes into each other with only their eyes.
"O-Oh...My." She said, voicing her concern.
(Don't pay them any mind Fluttershy.) Dust suggested in a deep soothing voice.
"B-But it's not g-good to fight..." She continued in a trembling voice. "I-It's not good..." She muttered, seeing her friends wide eyes on her.
(Fluttershy?) Dust Broke the awkward silence. He inched his body closer to her's offering the small light and heat it gave off. (Why do you think this way?)
After being put under Dust's spotlight of attention she hid her face behind her mane. A defense mechanism no doubt. Dust thought to himself with a chuckle. Rather cute really.
(Fluttershy?) He asked again, not letting her get away that easy.
"Fluttershy is bad with new ponies..." Twilight explained in her defense. "Or... Big snake things. If it's OK I think I know what she wan-"
Fluttershy surprised everyone with a light chuckle "It's a-alright Twilight. I can do it."
Fluttershy's friends were taken aback by their meek friend's sudden growth of a spin but reassured her with warm smiles.
The square of guards halted when the butter pegasus stopped moving. As did everyone else when they saw she was being directly faced with "The Breath of God". While Kali was interested what was going on he could not understand the gargled language she was speaking in. Knowing he would get nothing from eavesdropping, he returned his diligent attention to the chieftain.
He was furious. Fumes of exhaled wrath exited his mouth piece as he watched the meek pegasus. Seeing his god give so much attention to an inferior abomination made his skin shake in anger. His fist tightly clenched around his staff, wishing he could just kill them. Why can't he? Though Kali was strong in body and mind, his guard left much to be desired. He could easily bring them to his side with his position and words. Kali continued to stare him down from the opposite end of the cavern. Think your high and mighty now Kali? His thoughts dripped with poisonous rage. You think protecting these things is what The breath of God wants? No. He is being manipulated by them and I... His fist griped his staff tighter while the other reached for a stone dagger. Will kill them.
(I see.) Dust said nodding. (Equestria sounds like a grand place indeed.)
"It's the best!" Pinkie chirped. "-Gasp- WE SHOULD THROW YOU A 'WELCOME TO EQUESTRIA, THANKS FOR SAVING US' PARTY!"
Dust flinched at the sudden volume and high pitch of Pinkie's voice. Out of no where Pinkie pulled out a party popper and doused him in streamers. Dust, unfamiliar with the device, panicked. His body hit the floor so fast it would put Rainbow's sonic rainboom to shame.
(What was that?!) He shouted.
Twilight ruched over to Dust in an attempt to calm him down. "It's just a party popper dust," She explained. "It can't hurt anything."
(Are you sure?) He asked, unconvinced as he examined the empty device.
"Of course we are Dust!" Pinkie cheered. "I use them at all my super duper parties!"
(What are these... 'Parties'.)
When Dust asked the question the ponies faces grew grim.
"Oh no." Twilight face hoofed and let out a worried sigh.
(Oh no?) Dust asked. He looked down to just in time to see her eyes dilate. (Oh no.) He repeated fully understanding the situation.
"You don't know what a party is!?" She gasped, horrified with the concept. Her next few sentences were completely lost to Dust's ears. The way she talked a mile a minute was surprising to say the least... Or horrifying, he was not sure which it was. He also found it incredible that she did not have to pause for air like any other creature in existence. Since he did not have to worry about Pinkie seeing where his eyes were, for obvious reasons, He sneaked a few glances too the others. Too his dismay they all bore relatively neutral expressions. So this is normal... Pinkie, you scare me.
"and-then-we-have-lots-of-cake!" She finally gasped for air having said everything she wanted, which was quite a hefty amount.
(I-I see.) Dust squeaked, trying to find his voice. (I would like to take up your offer when you're all home.)
Twilight giggled lightly. "You handled that very well Dust." She smiled. "Not many ponies can stand her antics and retain their sanity."
(Um... thanks?)
Twilight giggled again. "Don't you think we should get going? Their starting to stare."
Twilight spoke the true. When he Dust turned his head not only where the ponies eyes on him, but everyone else.
(Ya we should.) He agreed with a nod.
They walked on mingling amongst themselves. Small talk of home, hobbies and personal interest where hot topics in the group. Although Dust had very little to contribute, he was able to learn much about his companions. Each one of them was so vastly different from the other that he wondered how they could be friends.
How did they maintain common ground? How could they make time for each other? Dust pondered. Applejack and Rarity have their work cut out for them with their fields of work. But aside from that they have dreams and plans that differ greatly from each other. Wouldn't that mean... He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. They'd drift away from each other.
"Dust are you OK?"
(Hun? wa-what?) Dust focused on the rainbow creature hovering in front of his face.
"I asked if you were OK." She repeated with concern. "You kinda stopped talking."
(Yes fine...) Dust spoke wearily. (Just thinking.)
"Umm... OK what ever you say." She retreated, not wanting to pry. "We were asking about these carvings."
(Carvings?)
Dust turned towards his friends and found what Rainbow was talking about. Deep groves all long the walls telling some kind of story.
"It's like the ones in the cave we were in before." Twilight pointed out. "It starts with a few bipeds in a circle that call forth a..." She paused, turning her gaze to dust. "You." Everypony gasped with surprise, despite having known that already.
(That is very interesting, but look over there.) Dust gestured towards Pinkie. They all gawked at the scripture engraved into the wall. In the wall was six quadrupeds; two with horns, two with a pair of wings and two with neither. All of witch were being led by a large snake. Dust chuckled at the display of confused ponies, but found his composure before speaking again. (What is your take on that?)
"I-I..." Twilight was at a loss of words. How can this be? How can a meeting such as this be predicted?! Twilight's thought's ran rapidly. No mater what logic she applied, it would not fit the scenario. "This is impossible..." She mumbled.
"Twi..." The apple farmer called. "Maybe there's mor'. We can piece this together."
(Applejack is correct,) Dust nodded slithering ahead. (The carvings don't end here.)
The group followed the carvings and the story they told. After the meeting of the snake and the ponies however not much else was to be found. The snake led them through a cavern and that was it. That's all the carvings told... But after that, that is when it got interesting.
(Arg!) Dust barked as a sharp pain shot through his body. He fell to the floor again but this time wiggled uncontrollably.
"Dust!" The ponies cried, rushing to his side with no hesitation.
The pain was immeasurable. Waves of skin melting heat and bone shattering chills, rippled through his every being.
"Dust! Dust!" Twilight called. "What's wrong?!"
Dust wanted to answer but every time he tried he only howled in pain. What's going on?! Another shock of agony ripped
through his body, causing him to flail.
"Dust! What's gotten' in ta' you?!"
Seeing this as the perfect opportunity, the chieftain drew his dagger. Without a shout he rushed the ponies in an effort to kill them and end his gods suffering. He reached the light yellow pegasus first and raised his deadly blade.
"Death to the abominations!"
Fluttershy screeched when she realized the peril she was in. Her fast twisted from concern for her suffering friend to absolute horror as the blade descended. Time stood slowed almost to halt. Fluttershy's friends heads not even fully turned to see her distress. The confused masked men and women, completely ignorant to the murder about to take place. Except for one man.
The blade stopped inches from Fluttershy face. Like an average Tuesday her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she passed out.
The chieftain both surprised and angry starred at his motionless hand. A black hand had caught in its mighty grip. When he looked up he found exactly what he was expecting. The broken mask of Kali. He only caught a small glimpse of it before Kali planted a strong fist into his mask, sending flying into the ground.
"Whoa!" Rainbow exclaimed before rushing over to her concussion friend.
The chieftain turned his hate filled gaze from the ponies to Kali. "What are you doing?!" He demanded, picking himself off the floor.
Kali relaxed his posture. "I could ask you the same thing."
The chieftain snorted. "I am freeing The Breath of God from these creatures!"
The other guards shifted nervously with their spears glancing from masked face to face. Both Kali and the chieftain noticed their wanning faith. To the chieftain it was pleasing while to Kali it was unsettling.
"Don't listen to him." Kali spoke calmly. "He is consumed by hate."
"And you are under their spell!" She shouted with a concealed smile. "They are manipulating you as we speak." Kali as well as his fellow guard flinched at the possibility. "And that's not all..."
I have to work quickly. Kali thought. He's gone on his rant but it won't last forever.
"Twilight what's going on?!" Rainbow whispered harshly.
"T-That one want's to kill us!" She shrilled.
Everypony gasped again, out of horror.
"But why?!" Rarity asked quickly glancing to the shouting man.
"I-I don't k-know." She stuttered with fear as she saw Kali approach.
"Well I'm not going down without a fight!" Rainbow boasted blocking Kali's path. "Put'em up!" She challenged ,raising her hooves in a boxing stance. Kali knelled down to meet twilight's eyes, completely ignoring Rainbow. "Hey I'm talking to you broken mask!"
"Twilight take your friend and escape with the others."
"W-Wha..."She starred into his eyes. What she saw where eyes of a strong urge to protect.
"What he' say Twi?" Applejack whispered.
"He... Wants us to escape with Fluttershy."
"But what about Dust!" Pinkie butted in. "He's suffering!"
Dust moaned in the background drawing their attention. His violent thrashing had subsided to twitching accompanied with pained moans.
"What about Dust?" Twilight asked, forgetting his title.
Kali raised a brow behind his mask but carried on. "He tasked me with your protection. If you stay here your lives will be in danger. The Breath of God would not want that."
"What will you do?"
Kali paused to think of an answer. "Something." He stood up once more. "Now go."
"Girls we need to get Fluttershy and go!" Twilight commanded.
"Twi... What bout' Kali an' Dust?" Applejack asked.
"..." Twilight gave both Kali and Dust a look of deep remorse. "They'll be fine."
The elements took off down the tunnel with Pinkie's torch. They all carried with them some form a regret that burrowed deep inside them.
"You better be alright... Dust... Kali" She grit her teeth.
"Be safe Twilight." Kali whispered.
"Move out of our way Kali!" The chieftain ordered. "Your men understand what must be done. Join us Kali!"
Kali shook his head. "Those are not my men. MY men would not be swayed so easily."
After hearing their former leaders words they, once again, shifted nervously.
"Enough!" He demanded. "You will step aside Kali!" To the chieftain's surprise Kali stepped aside. "O-Oh... well then, forward men!" He ordered, leading the way. "I knew you would see reaso-"
The chieftain was interrupted when Kali stepped in front of him again. He immediately gasped in pain when Kali delivered a devastating punch to his gut. He collapsed to the ground a few feet away and cursed under his breath. In a flashed he was joined by two more men that Kali knocked unconscious.
Kali assumed a defensive stance after surprising the three. "None shall pass!" He shouted, with confidence in his ability.
(You...) Dust murmured to Kali. His vision was failing and so was his consciousness… (, are so cool)