//------------------------------// // Consume // Story: Thunderous Wrath // by SweetPeachTea //------------------------------// Silence. I panted, my gaze shifting as I attempted to find a source to this blessed halt. Exhaustion left me weary, my mind unable to form thoughts as I mumbled out words that lacked sense. The world no longer spun and rage swelled from within me, frustration gnawing away at my patience as I realized, once again, that I was lost. “Speak! I demand you to speak, demon! Your lewdness and disorderly drivel has led me to nothing! Left me with nothing!” I shrieked. I was offered no response, my teeth gnashing together as my head continued to throb, my mane tangled and my pelt covered in both dirt and grime. Sweat slipped down from brow, stinging my eyes with its abundance. My muscles screamed and my lungs burned as I attempted to regain breath. I glance at the sky, the sun high above me. I have ran and stumbled and flew since the mornings arrival. My jaw grew slack, and so did my body a moment later. Limp upon the ground, my eyes fluttered shut, and I allowed myself a moment of peace. An hour passed, and still nothing whispered in my ear or urged me to continue. Perhaps I have gone mad? Perhaps my mind was addled, this form granting nothing more than madness, and this world offering only grief. I opened my eyes and stared at the body parts visible to me. I stared at the scene above, the sky clear and the sun serving as its centerpiece. Hunger caused my belly to rumble and whine. Thirst tore away at my throat. "I have prayed it not true. But you have gone mad, Raiden. Your visions, they are nothing. Delusions of an addled mind."' I remembered. It was for a short while. But I remembered those words that clung to mind, and nothing else. A twinge of hurt touched my heart, my mind attempting to process such feeling. I pushed those searing words to the corner of my mind and thought of them no longer. I stared ahead, my expression blank, my eyes dull. I sought sleep, but it remained out of reach. No matter how long I shut my eyes and thought of nothing, I could not obtain something so blissful. “....” My eyes snapped open, greeted with the sight of a glowing green gaze that held naught more than malice. I became still, a growl rumbling from the throat of what appeared to be hallowed timber as a large figure crept from the thick foliage of a bush. Its fangs were crafted from wood, bared and coated with a familiar crimson that appeared fresh and dripping. It eyed me for a short moment, its eyes taking in the sight of the filthy filly that reeked of sweat but not fear. I did not speak, for its eyes lacked an intelligent glint. It was a mere beast too powerful to overcome and too feral to reason with. Death would come shortly as it crouched, prepared to spring and snap its fangs so that my end would come quickly. I shut my eyes and breathed deeply, accepting defeat and preparing for my inevitable end. … A yelp pierced the following silence, the sound fading into nothingness as its source fled. I remained unharmed. “Damn Timberwolves,” a raspy female voice hissed. “You alright, squirt?” I blinked open my eyes, hesitant to answer as I was greeted by what appeared to be a mixture of feline and bird. “The silent treatment, eh?” She said, her lips curving to form a smirk. “That’s alright. You lost?” I shook my head. After a short pause and uncomfortable silence, I bowed my head. “Thank you. I would have surely died.” “Why didn’t you run, kid?” She asked, perplexed. “Did you wanna end up being dog food? “I can’t move. Not well, at least. Exhaustion,” I explained. My vision began to blur. My senses imperfect. I would not last. But I continued my struggle to maintain consciousness. “Kid, you alright?” The little food in my stomach began to flow out of my mouth as I retched. Misery. Yes, this was misery in its purest form. “Sick! Hey, kid, stay with me!” Something sharp tapped against my forehead, attempting to rouse me. “...” Darkness. Finally, darkness! Take me. And give me peace! --- I awoke to the crackling of a flame, and a welcomed heat that brushed against my pelt. My body felt numb, the thousand pinpricks welcomed as I forced myself into a seated position. I noticed a scent, one that caused my mouth to water. Flesh! Cooked by fire, with blood trickling from its butchered shape. I have never felt such hunger and longing before. I reached out, a whimper slipping past my lips. “Kid? Finally, you’re awake! I thought you kicked the bucket.” The griffin reappeared, visible from the other side of the flames. I had not noticed her before, captivated by the mere sight of sustenance. I blinked, pulling my gaze away from the food. She offered a reassuring smile, a hint of nervousness entering her gaze as I remained silent. “Er, thirsty, right?” I nodded my head. “Had a feeling you might be,” she said. “Can you walk?” I tested my limbs and shook my head. “Do you mind if I carry ya, then?” I shook my head. “Great, c’mon!” She placed me upon her back, my head resting against her angled shoulders. I shut my eyes, feeling her muscles as they flexed and worked underneath her tough layer of skin. I heard a familiar drumming from above, and soon realized that an aging structure built from stone surrounded us from all sides. “Is it... raining?” I rasped. “Yeah,” she replied. “Started storming after I got us some grub. Totally lame. Pegasi must’ve been in the mood some thunder ‘n rain. We're in some ruins, now. Old castle, I think. Pretty cool, right?” “Mm... Why are you helping me?” I asked. “What? And leave you for dead? Heh, I may be a jerk at times, but I ain’t completely sadistic. And I had nothing else better to do. It gets boring around here real quick. After the storm’s over I’ll drop you off at the castle and be done with it. Well, the other castle, I mean. That’s where you’re from, right?” I was placed in front of water. There was a small dip in the floor; a depression that caused the droplets of water to gather into a shallow pool. I glanced upward, eyeing a ceiling that leaked and groaned but remained in place. “No,” I said as I began to lap at the water. The griffin appeared bewildered, her presumption having been debunked by that one word. “Huh? What do ya mean? You’re one of them... al-e-corns, right? Wings! And a horn.” “I am. But I do not belong in any castle,” I said, raising my head once I had slaked my thirst. “I do not belong to anyone.” “Whoa... Well, where do you come from, then?” “Nowhere. I prefer that we do not speak of such things. It is cold here,” I replied. The griffin offered her claw, but I rejected the offer, shaking my head and forcing myself to walk. My muscles were sore, but they began to recover, obeying my mind as they pushed, pulled, and worked. --- I devoured the offered piece of meat. It was hot, and warm, and my stomach eagerly accepted the food that left my mouth greasy. I lapped at the bits of heated fat before gobbling them up as well. The griffin stared at me in awe as I continued to consume. She had originally offered me grass and flowers, but that was left untouched as I requested a portion of her meal instead. She accepted reluctantly, originally incredulous as she observed my first bite and then second. “Look at those fangs! Wicked!” She whispered. “Totally cool!” I sucked the marrow from bone, licking my lips as I savored what I had eaten. I still was not full, and asked for more. “Sure,” she replied. “There’s a bit left.” “Where has the meat come from?” I asked. “Deer. A doe. Kinda old. Seriously small. So she was easy to take out,” she smugly replied. I licked a hoof absentmindedly, mulling in the silence that followed as she prepared the remainder of the meal. I soon discovered the griffin’s name was Gilda. She was an arrogant sort, cocky and eager to share stories of her own accomplishments. I listened, silent and polite as I slipped in the occasional question or response to her tales of glamour and glory. I learned little of this world through her words, and, in the end, I decided she was an unreliable source of information. I required literature; printed text upon a page. “So. What’s your story? What’s your name?” Gilda asked. “I am Raiden... and I have nothing to share. Not at the moment. I... remember little,” I explained. “Ah,” she said, a touch of annoyance settling upon her facial features. “Got knocked in the head, eh? Well, that doesn’t help. Where were you headed?” I shrugged, wiping small bits of meat and blood from my face. Raw flesh sated my hunger as well, I discovered. Gilda sighed, shaking her head. “Whatever.” Thunder rumbled. The earth trembled in response to such force. “So, what are you gonna do, then?” “I do not know,” I said. “Well, don’t worry about it, kid. Go to sleep. We’ll figure it out in the morning. I’m beat!” She sighed, resting upon her side. I copied the motion after several minutes of listening to the rain and rumble of thunder, shutting my eyes. Sleep came with ease and I dreamed unpleasant dreams within the shadows of these ruins. --- Tendrils of darkness formed and writhed within the castle’s structure, forming and reaching out toward the dwindling flame and those who occupied its space. They slithered toward the exposed alicorn, their motions hurried and impatient as they attempted to wrap around her tiny shape and engulf her. The mare simply fidgeted, unaffected and untouched by the menace that stalked and crept within the night’s embrace. There was a hiss, one that signified anger and frustration, that echoed throughout the halls. Eventually, they reached toward a lesser creature, seeping into her mind and invading what made her whole and complete. She, too, proved resilient to their power. Persistent, they penetrated her dreams, and whispered promises that were oh so tempting.