//------------------------------// // - XXII - // Story: Solem Perditum // by PropMaster //------------------------------// - XXII - Celestia walked at a fast pace, with Light Stride trailing slightly behind her. Her gaze was focused on the hoofprints that stretched towards a series of plateau-like rock formations. “Your Highness?” called Light Stride. “What’d I say about formality, Light Stride?” chided Celestia. “Sorry.” “What is it?” she asked, looking over her shoulder at the chestnut unicorn. “I’m just wondering what the plan is, Celestia,” he queried. Celestia slowed her pace, allowing Light Stride to walk next to her with greater ease. “My intention is to follow these hoofprints.” “To what end? Wouldn’t you be playing right into Sombra’s plans, by following where he wants you to go?” said Light Stride, looking concerned. Celestia smiled at Light Stride. “Perhaps, yes. However, I’m banking on this illusory trap that we find ourselves in working slightly differently.” “How are you hoping it works?” he asked. Celestia gestured to the hoofprints. “Well, it seems to me that this trap is...imperfect. I’ve discovered a helpful construct or two during my time here: things that have helped me communicate with my sister outside of dreams. This trap seems to react to my subconscious, focusing on my fears... but it uses my mind to come up with new ways to try and break me. So, I have a modicum of control over what we encounter.” Looking towards the distant plateaus, Celestia’s gentle smile became fiercer. “Those formations do not exist on the real moon, but I have made them real by manipulating my own recollection of the lunar surface. The illusion is strong, but not particularly intelligent. It simply draws on my subconscious expectations of what the moon should look like... and if I can manipulate the landscape, then I can do more complex things. However, I also need to play along with the illusion. It won’t allow me to simply change things at will. I need to follow its lead, while subtly manipulating the spell and slowly forcing it to give me advantages.” “Advantages?” Light Stride asked, looking excited. “Indeed. It might take some time, but I believe that eventually I’ll be able to put us in a situation that the illusion, despite its power, will not be able to properly process. In essence, it will tear itself apart trying to do something beyond its ability,” replied Celestia. Light Stride grinned, nodding to Celestia. “I knew you’d think of something.” Celestia winked. “You actually gave me the idea.” Light Stride laughed. “How’d I manage that?” “I was thinking how impossible it was that you were here, when I found you. I couldn’t believe it, to be honest. I’d been very lonely, and things had been very difficult, but then you appeared, and you gave me a new purpose and new drive.” Celestia put a hoof gently on Light Stride’s shoulder. “I gave you purpose?” He shook his head, looking surprised. “I don’t really understand how.” Celestia sat down in front of Light Stride, still smiling. “It’s simple, really. You are mortal. I am not.” “Why is that important?” Light Stride questioned, frowning slightly. “It means everything, to me. You see, Light Stride, I would have been content to wait quietly while Luna and Twilight and Cadance worked on a solution, while exploring this illusion and delving into the mysteries it presented me with, unraveling it piece by piece until I could simply escape at will, or until my sister came to my rescue.” Celestia’s smile faded, becoming more solemn. “I no longer have that luxury.” Light Stride’s eyes widened as the implication hit him. “You...you mean?” “I do not have to eat, or sleep, and I do not age. My body does not work the same as yours does. Depending on the type of spell this is, we may be in a sort of stasis, in which case you are very much safe... however, if it does not work that way...” Light Stride shivered. “I’ll die of dehydration or starvation in a matter of days.” Celestia gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze, before she stood, walking towards the plateaus once more. Her voice was full of conviction and strength as she spoke. “I will not let you die, Light Stride.” Light Stride followed Celestia towards the distant plateaus.