//------------------------------//
// 5 
// Story: Savior of Eternity 
// by Secrets and Lies 
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(5)






The scorch of the mid-morning sun baked Twilight upon the soft sands of a distant shore. She was still coming too, though her strength was drastically diminished. The alicorn’s stomach was filled with salt water and sand coated her wet form. Her limbs felt lifeless, though still they clung to the washed up piece of hull. Her eyes remained shut—her body needed rest and recovery. As her consciousness was nearing slumber again, her ears picked up the sound of hooves trudging through the sand coming towards her. She hadn’t the might to fight the weariness upon her and fell into an unconscious state once more.
        When she came to again she was no longer in the sun, but in a cool atmosphere. She was on top of a soft mound, feeling  as if she lay on a cloud itself. She opened her eyes slowly, realizing that she was alone and in the dark. As her vision adjusted, her surroundings became known to her; she appeared to be in a one-room building of some sort with crude, yet homely and oversized furniture. She was atop a tall bed herself, staring up at a thatched roof made of woven materials and wooden beams.
        She uncovered herself and eased her weak body off of the bed, feeling that she had enough strength to walk. Her hooves met the stone floor as she wobbled about, holding herself up on furniture as the blood rushed back into her sleepy legs. She stumbled towards the entry where a thick and heavy veil blocked out the sun and insects from the outdoors. It took great effort, but Twilight managed to part the large and cumbersome fabric before her and quickly blunder out of the hut. Her eyes tensed as she held a foreleg in front of her face, blocking out the painful sunlight. Before her she could see no one, though she found herself among other houses and buildings. They were outdated compared to the architecture of modern Equestria, though they appeared more advance than the early equine society. Below her was a stone path that twisted around the buildings and tree lines, she hoped that by following this route that she would come across somebody who could explain to her what was going on.
        As she took her first few steps beyond the hut she exited, a friendly and low voice inquired, “May I help you?” She swiftly pivoted around and was astounded by the appearance of a tall and well-built stallion before her. He would be giant among her kind, taller than even Celestia herself. His umber mane was much shorter and less carefree than a pony’s, and it fell over his head and neck. His coat was bronze and his eyes—though dark—gleamed like the evening sun on wet sand. His muzzle was much longer than a pony’s and eyes smaller; his form was wider, though hooves smaller than average. Lastly she realized he had no cutie mark, that he was a blank flank. It all made sense to her now as to why the furniture and buildings were over-sized. She swallowed her fright and approached the relatively friendly kin of hers, who questionably looked over her alien appearance.
        “H-hello there,” Twilight faltered.” I w-was wondering if, if maybe you could tell me where I was?” He warmly smiled before her with charm in his expression.
        “Ah, what polite manners you have. We found you on our shores a day ago after that nasty squall had hit our home, Houyhaven. You must be dreadfully confused on a number of questions; hopefully I will be able to answer them.” He pointed a hoof at himself and introduced, “My name is Neighthël son of Neighoof, and you are in the realm of Houyhaven and among its equine, the Houyhnhnms.”
        Neighthël’s well-mannered and welcoming speech brought Twilight Sparkle out of her discomfort as she raised a hoof towards him for a shake saying, “My name is Twilight Sparkle. I am a pony from the land of Equestria. Have you heard of it?”
        His pale eyes lit with marvel as he repeated, “Equestria? That is but a myth among our kind!” Neighthël’s excitement could not be contained as he went on, “Oh the stories that have been told and written among my kind. Even I, a physician longing for adventure, have written tales of my own, inspired by the fantasy of Equestria.” Twilight was delighted to hear this stallion’s enthusiasm and was surprised that he was both a doctor and a writer. Neighthël seemed much more than just an islander, and her worry of savages and dangers upon siphoning to this archipelago seemed to wash away. Then the thought came to her that she wasn’t on Gallopfrey, but on an island named Houyhaven instead. 
        She held her thought, but asked another, “But how do you know about Equestria? I know a lot about the history of my land, but never have I read or seen any of your kind until today.” She added as a last remark, “And does Houyhaven also go by the name Gallopfrey?”
        He answered promptly but with less enthusiasm, “I don’t believe any of my kind has ventured far from the islands of Houyheaven, our watercraft are not strong enough to cross the violent sea. We once had a ship worthy to cross, with which we would use to trade with the Cervians, though that was long ago and the ship was taken under by a vicious hurricane. Now we no longer build vessels of that magnitude and none visit our island. However, a pony of your kind came to us and he was regarded by legend as Starswirl the Bearded. This was the same pony who gave Houyhaven the title of Gallopfrey, he noted that that name reminded him of—”.
        “Yes! I know him!” she interjected with unhindered vigor. “He was an astounding unicorn in our history books. An inventor of many spells and helped our land prosper in many ways.” There was a sudden clamor of voices beyond the houses and trees as both looked towards the origin of the noise.
        Neighthël indicated, “Ah yes, the mariners have returned from their fishing expedition. The town has gathered in the square.” His dark eyes like polished copper gazed briefly into hers as he ushered, “Come. Let me take you to the longhouse.”
The two trotted together into the hub of the township where the streets were of gray cobblestone. The courtyard stretched wide between the houses that surrounded it, and towards the front overlooked a small port where the mariners could be seen hauling carts of fish towards them. Many other houyhnhnms exited the side routes of the village and into the square to meet the mariners who brought in the early morning catch. The square acted as both a gathering place and market as shops that had already been set up were beginning to open for business. The horses began to crowd the streets, though through the multitude, Neighthël guided the small pony across the giants by hoof. None of them seemed to even notice the pony, for she was even smaller than the colts and fillies of their kind.
Twilight and Neighthël took a right through the village plaza, heading east. They followed the gentle path that lead up around a wide mount where the longhouse was located. Passersby gave Twilight odd looks, though she wasn’t discomposed by their wondering eyes. She had noticed that none of the houyhnhnms she came across were pegasi or unicorn, they all were the same race, though differed in color and figure. The manor they approached was long in width rather than length, though in height it towered, growing taller towards the center of the longhouse. It was five floors, though the fifth was a lookout point where one could see over the village.
Two guards were stationed near the front of the entrance as they climbed the stone stairs onto the veranda. They were adorned in flexible, iron plates that wrapped around their barrel and neck. Their helms were embellished in an iron cast that encompassed the back and side of their skull, and above the helmet they sported colorful, exotic red feathers. They held no weaponry, however thin and curved blades were strapped to their hooves and knees, and over their hooves were thick, metal boots. The soldiers gave no emotion, no acknowledgment to the pony, but acknowledged Neighthël.
One spoke saying, “So I see you brought the small one here. About time she awoke.” He looked down at her and tilted his head slightly, studying the alicorn.
“May we enter?” asked Neighthël.
The guards pressed back on the large, arching doors as one answered, “Proceed.” As they entered, Twilight looked about with wonder in her eyes at the craftsmanship of the Houyhnhnm.
The main hall itself was large and spacious, its ceiling was lofty and consisted of many balconies connected by overhanging bridges. The manor was bright and warm; a very homely setting was drawn forth from Twilight and she felt protected and soothed in the confines of the building. Working horses and servants trotted about, performing their daily duties and tending to the needs of the royal family. Between the many open entryways to plentiful chambers were intricate carvings of their history. The art was astounding to her, she hadn’t seen anything quite like this from her own lands. Swirls and lines of shading were burned and carved into great pillars and encompassing walls, all from single pieces of massive timber. The two followed down a carpeted path, followed by the two sentries that were once present at the door. At the end of the pathway were two thrones designed for equines to sit in, and they too were masterpieces of wood and art that captivated her sight. The longhouse was nothing like the ivory palace of Canterlot Castle, but in its own way it had a beauty nothing in Canterlot could reproduce by craft or magic.
The high throne was seated by the supposed king of the land, while the other was occupied by the Queen, and both Neighthël and Twilight bowed before their presence. The King was of a dark red coat, eyes velvet like the jewels that adorned his oaken and iron crown. The Queen was fair and of white coat, eyes like sapphires and her blonde mane was embellished with a crown of jade and polished iron.
The King promptly stood when the two bowed, heartily greeting them, “Welcome, fair pony of Equestria! I am the Lord of the Longhouse! It has been too long since our kind has been in contact with one another. And thank you, Neighthël, for tending to the mare and finding her on the coastline.”
        He stepped down from the platform and onto equal ground, where the stallion bent down and embraced the small mare with a tight squeeze. Twilight could feel her spine pop, but she held her breath and did not make her discomfort known. The ruler grasped her for a long moment before the queen gently coughed, signaling her spouse to let go of the poor pony. He did so and Twilight gasped for air, but was smiling and grateful for the king’s friendliness.
        The queen sweetly addressed the alicorn, “Welcome to Houyhaven, my mare. I am Queen Silvairia. I see our son has tended to your injuries quite well.”
Twilight looked over at Neighthël and remarked, “You didn’t tell me you were a prince?” He smiled and chuckled under his breath.
        “Aye,” spoke Neighoof, Lord of the Longhouse, “He is. May we ask what might your name be, and why you have traveled here to our archipelago country?”
“Oh, excuse me, yes! My name is Twilight Sparkle-err, Protégé of Princess Celestia.” Though she figured that they knew nothing about her, she thought she would make her name known to them. “And I am on a quest to Cervidas, to seek out a mighty hero.”
The king rubbed his chin, “A hero you seek? Is there trouble in your land? I did not know the deer folk were warriors.”
Silvairia commented, “From what knowledge my line has passed down, it is said they go to war in times of need. When strife that will affect their kind becomes known, they will journey out and face the armies.”
Lord Neighoof pointed towards Twilight with an eyebrow raised, “Is there a war on the horizon? Should we be worried?”
“I can’t answer that at the moment,” Twilight hesitated. “I only know so little of my task. I was on a ship and it crashed, my memory is weak, however I know I must go to Cervidas, for the answer I seek is there.” She was lying, but only so to prevent a long-winded explanation of the hero she sought and revealing that she didn’t exactly know why Celestia needed Zachary.
Queen Silvairia empathized with grief, “Oh, you poor thing! You may stay as a royal guest until you are feeling better, my dear?”
“Oh!” Twilight uttered, not expecting that response from the Queen. “Why thank you,” she went on, “but I cannot delay.”
The Lord of the Longhouse postulated, “I’m sure our kind is not going to war anytime soon. The equines haven’t been to war in ages! In this day and age, anyone who would dare try to enact war upon us would be mad!” She too couldn’t comprehend a foe that would test the strength of the ever growing Equestrian realms; but the more Neighoof and Silvaria talked of war, the more Twilight thought on the possibilities of a war that Celestia had yet to inform her.
“In the mean time,” the King spoke up, breaking Twilight’s current thought, “we shall have a feast for you, my dear! We would love to hear about our elder realm! It has been far too long since we have heard any news from it, even longer since a pony has visited Houyhaven.” It seemed that her arrival was highly praised, and though she didn’t need the attention she was soon to receive, there would be no way around it and accepted it. She needed to rest her mind for the next siphon, she had rushed her last teleportation and was lucky to be alive.


__________


Word spread quickly through the small island realm of Houyhaven and many villages partook in the sudden merrymaking. All about the capital town where Twilight had found herself in, known as Haythinian, was suddenly alive with joy and good tidings. As the other villages accumulated into Haythinian, Neighthël brought Twilight into his own small abode, for he wished to live away from the Longhouse and its royalties and guards. The stallion showed Twilight Sparkle his makeshift lab where he would work with multiple remedies and conjure elixirs for curing ills and to prolong health. Neighthël was as quick as a whip, but he was so devoted to his passion that soon Twilight learned that he had no need nor effort to pursue relationships outside of his own family. He was aloof, but only because he held higher the endless rewards of discovery in sacrifice than for social affinity.
She soon learned that there was no threat the houyhnhnms were faced with, and peace had been established for much longer in the island realms than in Equestria. Their isolation was a blessing and a curse, for many longed to go out and see the unknown world, though they could not build vessels that could break free too far from land. The Sea of Eternity churned constantly, filling its waters with hurricanes and maelstroms. Many accepted this reality long ago and put their desires aside along with their foalhood affections for adventure. Houyhaven, to Twilight, was a paradise; she couldn’t see why any equine would leave the confines of this tropic.
The time was nigh and the sun was far tilted in the western horizon. The sky was embellished in a pink cloak, and its hems of golden rays gleamed through the palms that swayed by the motion of the coastal winds. Torches were set on every corner as the streets were packed with equines, adorned in robes and garments of the rainbow. Drums and flutes filled the air, as well as shouts of laughter and festivity. In the longhouse, Twilight Sparkle was seated at the front of a long table that was built for the much taller houyhnhnms. A stool was set on the seat below her that propped her up to equal level, and this made her happy.
In no time, the dishes were unveiled before the royals and esteemed guests. Before her lay courses of dishes; seafood, salads, fruits, vegetables, shellfish, and other indistinguishable food that she did not know the name of was sprawled out before them all. Though she abstained from meat, she felt her hoof was forced into taking in the delights of the sea, and she did not regret this after her first bite.
Without thought, she used her magic to levitate a single fruit through the air, and the houyhnhnms were amazed that she had such a power. Long had it been since they had witnessed such magic and they praised her even more for performing such a feat. She soon learned that they too had magic of their own, but that magic was only in tongue—all houyhnhnm could speak and understand all sentient languages. Many prompted her to use her magic after the feast and she did so for the foals in the streets where she and the Royals trotted towards after dinner.
The sun now hugged the horizon, embracing the calm sea with burning affection. Twilight Sparkle had situated herself high above the other equine as she performed various spells. Magical fireworks and twirling spirals of light zipped above the crowd as they cheered and stared with awe. She teleported from roof to roof and levitated certain foals above her, almost juggling them with her magic. As a final act, she spread her alicorn wings and took towards the skies; and though she could not perform anything as wild and daring as Rainbow Dash, she soared about and embraced the praise, thinking that this was what her friend always felt.
The festival drew long into the night as the stars dotted the heavens. The great arm of her local galaxy was painted overhead like a faint and unmoving cloud of red and yellow dust. A silver crescent hung to the east in a cloudless loft, arising from the black ocean. Twilight had broken away from the houyhnhnms and towards the dark beach. She wanted to get away, if just for a little while; she never enjoyed constant attention and preferred solitude over unending admiration.
She truly wanted to visit the beach however, to look over the endless waters and to imagine what was beyond. The waves harmonized with one another as they rolled over the soft sands, swashing around her hooves. In all her life, she had only been to the beach a few times, but never had she been on an island. She had seen so little of the world and it weighed on her that most of her life was spent in the confines of Equestria. From what she had read, the world is so much bigger than she could imagine, but never had she acquired the drive to go beyond the edges of the map. A deep and foal-like yearning arose up in her when she siphoned for the first time out of Equestria, that longing was for adventure. Twilight never imagined herself as one who would admire the life and dangers of the road, but she now sought to make up for that time of isolation and to go far beyond her means and comforts to fulfill that desire.
Her ears picked up a sound coming from behind her and she turned to be greeted by Neighthël. She simpered as her eyes met with his, knowing that out of all of the islanders, that he would be the one to seek her out. He stopped when her gaze fell over him and found himself at a loss for words.
He mustered up the power to say the words, “Many are wondering where you went off to, or if maybe you had left the island altogether.” He stopped for a moment and breathed lightly, “But I see that is not the case.”
Twilight looked out over the moonlit sea and spoke as if talking to herself, “I just needed to be alone.”
“Oh, I see.”
Neighthël began to turn away before Twilight spoke out, “Please, Neighthël, stay with me.”
The two lie apart from one another in the sand, overlooking the tide and the silver crowns atop the wavering waves. For a long moment they did not speak, but enjoyed the quiet of the night and the song of the sea. Taking in the salty air, Twilight Sparkle was the first to speak, speaking softly as if to a dear friend. She went on to explain to him about Equestria, for she knew that he wanted to know more about it. Twilight explained how the mountains, valleys and forests were still amazing to her after so long. She told him of Ponyville, her friends, Celestia and Luna, the Elements of Harmony, and even some of the many dangers she and her friends have faced over the years. He was so entranced by her stories and pictures that they seem to almost magically form in his mind by her words alone. A greater sense of adventure was sparked in his heart as well; it was as if she had gifted her ambition of adventure to him, and she now had a sudden longing for home.
        Without thinking, she told him of her quest in detail and went on to tell him of Zachary. As if it were yesterday, she told him of the tales that Zack had told her and that Celestia had imparted to her through her mind. She avoided telling him of her final hour, about how Zack was corrupted by the god of chaos. An epical envisionment of the human was painted in Neighthël’s mind, and now desperately he sought to leave the island.
        The night drew on as the moon sailed through the sky. The festival died down as houyhnhnm began to become weary, seeking slumber. Neighthël was not tired however, nor was Twilight, though her voice was. She had lost track of time, but knew it was the early morning. Twilight could see in Neighthël that he was inspired, a bit taken back by the world that was out there that he could have never imagined.
        With eyes affixed upon the enchanting waters he had seen all his life, he spoke soothingly, but with great fervor, “If there was a way to leave this place, I would go immediately. I would live out the rest of my days in Equestria, and the way you described it only makes my heart ache in longing.” He turned and looked towards her saying, “I wish to come with you on your journey to Cervidas, then to Equestria.”
        Twilight sighed, “You know you can’t. I’m not able to teleport others to such far away places. I would if I could.” She knew her words would not aid him and she felt his pain through his expression. She would love to help him, but what he asked for was too much for her to preform.
        With disappointment, the alicorn comforted, “Maybe in the near future I will come and find you again. And perhaps then I’ll take you to see Equestria.”
        “I understand,” he broke in coldly. Neighthël looked up towards the stars and was beginning to fill with sudden enlightenment.
“I want to see mountains, Twilight! Not these hills or streams on Houyhaven, but mountains in stories that are said to stretch towards the sky like the great clouds upon the horizon. I want to see fantastic beasts and ancient citadels, to delve in caverns and lay by the bank of a sunny river.” Twilight looked towards him, feeling great emotion towards the hapless stallion.
“All my life I’ve been stuck on this island, and though I love my kin and kind, I wish to leave. I feel that we all have a longing to escape, to see what’s behind the veil of mystery, beyond the mists of doubt...” He stopped for a moment and turned his gaze towards Twilight. His eyes met with hers, and their hearts pattered in sync with one another. He suddenly asked the odd question to the mare, “Is this what love feels like?” Her eyes would not stray from Neighthël’s as she hesitated her answer, searching for the right words to say.
“Perhaps..." Twilight wondered under her breath. "I wouldn’t...” The two were entranced, minds and hearts racing for a time neither of them knew not of. A sudden light broke over the waters and pierced them. The red beams of a new sun could be seen emerging as if from the water itself. A sudden flash of insight was made known to Twilight, and she knew that she was delaying her quest to seek out Zachary.
“I’ve wasted too much time here, Neighthël.” She returned her sight towards him, “I must seek out Zachary. Who knows what troubles Equestria could be facing? For my country and kind, I must do this.” Neighthël was speechless, frozen as he lie on the beach. She arose and walked towards the ocean, looking out over the sea and stretching her mind to find a point to siphon towards.
It was in that moment that his eyes widened and a sudden rush overcame him in the secret of his own mind. The trickling sunlight upon her mane and tail, the pacifying purple coat she bore, he now saw something more in her. Her eyes gleaming, flawless like an amethyst. Form alluring, mind attracting, grace appealing; all of which was beauty in his eyes. How he had not seen this upon first sight was beyond him, but now—truly—his eyes were opened.
Twilight as well felt the same before he came to realize his own longing for her, though she tried to push the distractions out of her head to properly siphon towards the continent beyond her gaze. For a moment, the world around her faded away as her mind spread out over the foggy world beyond. Like tracing her hoof across an unreadable map, she used her memory of the map that Roren and Hearth showed her and pinpointed a very similar location that her mind made known to her. There, she anchored her mind, tethering it to a sea of forests. Once she knew where to siphon to, her position was locked and she could open her eyes.
The sound of the ocean and gulls crept back into her ears as the morning light shone brightly in her eyes. She turned back towards the island and before the stallion, who was now standing behind her. Neighthël’s eyes were affixed on the pony, he stepped a few inches closer to the enchanting Alicorn.
“Will you return?” he asked, his tone sounding as if he was begging for her to stay.
Her vision was pressed towards her sandy hooves, “I don’t know...” She returned her sight upwards into his alluring eyes, she could no longer hold back the magical impulse that she had set in motion.
“I’m sorry, Neighthël. I truly am. I won’t forget you.” She could not hold it back as the magic unleashed from her alicorn horn. Neighthël reeled backwards as she transformed into the crystallized vapor and took flight in a cloudy form. Into the crimson sky she soared and out of his range of vision. Neighthël was alone as he wondered if what had happened was nothing more than a beautiful dream.