//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Attention // Story: Kurai the Forsaken : Rise of The Abyss // by Seth Typofather //------------------------------// “So are you saying that Gwynevere, was nothing but an illusion my captain was protecting…?” A deep mournful voice echoed in the castle of the two sisters. “That is what has happened I’m afraid. Just so happens I have two very trusted figures to prove it for me.” Gough tilted his head, feeling a warm glow on his skin. “What is it?” “Soul of Gwyn and soul of Gwyndolin,” The darkness replied, allowing the souls to flow around him and the room. “I never knew it before, but you can apparently communicate with souls as powerful as those.” “What?!” The giant immediately bowed down on his arms and his head against the ground to respect the two souls who were hovering right in front of him, they slunk low as if bowing courteously in response. “So it was you who put The Great Lord out of his misery?” Asked Gough, raising his head slightly. “I am afraid so. Gwynevere was nothing but an insult to The Age of Fire, abandoning her father in his time of need. Ornstein has been protecting an illusion of an abandoner, I would hate to see his reaction.” The soul of Gwyn sparked in reply, a low and very upset sparkle at that. “Excuse me, I need to find a spell of communication. Lovely library this place has, full of ancient spells to which even I am boggled by.” Getting up resonant footsteps were heard fading into the distance with the tossing of books and flicking of pages. “No… no… AH! Here is is!” Running back to the starting point the two souls floated in a spot the darkness pointed to, raising a catalyst in his right hand. “Alright, hopefully this will work better than that resurrection spell.” “Resurrection?” “Best we avoid talking about it.” Replied the darkness, the souls sparked in agreement. Apparently there has to be some sort of story behind this. “Now where was I? Oh yes!” Clearing his throat the darkness waved the catalyst as it began to streak with an aura, pointing it at the two souls. “Astral Intensifier!” A bright light circled the two souls as they rose, both gaining fragments of body parts which reconnected themselves around the souls like a glass casing. “This is only temporary, and the spell only works once every twenty-four hours for about one hour.” The first to receive a full astral replica of their body was Gwyndolin, who floated daintily to the ground. Once his feet touched the ground he bowed. “I thank thee.” The darkness scowled at him. “I think we should start by having a talk about that illusion you made Ornstien and Smough protect.” The son of Gwyn slightly shook, his astral skin crawling with fear. “That is something I too wish to understand.” A booming voice replied, if it were any louder the castle would crumble. Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight landed, his magnificent beard hanging like a scarf. “Rise, Hawkeye Gough. I am no longer worthy to be bowed to as a monarch, for I have failed my kingdom…” The darkness placed a reassuring hand on Gwyn’s shoulder, he felt like smooth glass in his astral form. Of course, a body of steel but a heart and soul of glass. “You did what you could, that is what matters.” Turning to Gwyndolin. “And as for you, please explain why you had an illusion of Gwynevere.” Sitting on a pillow and removing his crown, the Dark Sun of Anor Londo stared at the floor as two pairs of eyes and three pairs of ears were paying attention. “After Gwynevere had abandoned us, I could not bear to see father in such pain. His heart was broken and his soul grew weak, so I had conjured an image of my sister to appease my father in his final momemts before he sacrificed himself to the fire. Fearing that someone might reveal the truth I fabricated the story to the captain of The Four Knights of Gwyn and his company, executioner Smough to ‘protect’ her. This was also the reason why I branded those people 'heretics' and began my covenant. Forgive me father for I have sinned…” Placing his head in his hands Gwyndolin was now the next image of misery as he sat in shame. “You would go so far just to make your foolish father happy?” Gwyn questioned, kneeling down and wrapping an arm around his sons shoulders. “I forgive you, son.” Bringing him into a fatherly embrace, something Gwyndolin had not felt in millennia. “Lord Gwyn?” “Hm? Oh yes, we should alert my captain of The Four Knights. Any idea where he might be?” Enquired Gwyn, standing to face the one who partially revived his being. “Sadly no clue, however we do have one who might know. Until he arrives that is.” —————— Wading through the frozen tundra, he grips the shattered remains of an armoured arm. He did not question how he is alive up to this point, all that he has on his mind now is to find shelter from the blizzard ravaging his beat and weary body. Staring upwards his heavy eyes witnessed a life saving vision, light. Whatever it was it was bright and appeared welcoming, setting his sights on the light ahead he pushed onward all the while ignoring his body experiencing otherwise fatal frostbite. Upon getting within eyeshot of the light source he could not believe it, a city made entirely of crystal. Surely a light tap of a foot would shatter the mighty towers and homes that lined the streets, yet here it stood. Wading even closer he felt something press against him slightly, a giant barrier seemed to have been placed around the city. Powerful enough to keep out snow at least, pushing harder he slid through the barrier with ease. The warmth of the place hit him like a falling citadel, the pain of frostbite meeting warmth was excruciating. Screaming in pain for the first time in years Artorias the Abysswalker’s howl echoed through the otherwise empty streets of The Crystal Empire before collapsing in a heap. “Did you hear that honey?” Princess Cadence whispered to her husband, Shining Armour who was previously snoring in bed next to her. “Yeah, is it me or did it sound… wolf like?” Replied her husband, getting out of the bed. “Guards!” A group of crystal bodied guards burst in the room, thankfully they were on night shift. “Yes sire?” “Get a group of your finest men and find the source of that scream and bring it to the palace at once.” Shining Armour commanded while Cadence prepared some hot chocolate nearby if it was somepony, or someone in need. —————— “What do you think it is?” Cadence asked the palace nurse, bringing in a tray of hot chocolate for the being that lay on the bed. “I don’t know, but it’s left appendage is in critical condition, I honestly do not know how this creature survived this long.” Replied Seamless Quartz, flaring her horn up for a medical spell. “Here goes.” Tapping her horn on the left appendage it did nothing. “Odd, usually it works on the first try.” Trying once more the spell did not even affect the creature. “Well, best we use practical medicine for once.” Cadence nodded in agreement, levitating a first aid kit from a nearby table. “Thank you, Princess.” —————— Groaning in pain to himself Artorias opened his eyes, his body felt…bare. Upon coming to a realisation his eyes shot up, his armour had been removed. “What kind of beast would dare-“ He began, stopping once he saw his armour on a stand nearby his bed. Apparently someone took the time to clean and repair it. “Hm… I must remind mineself to give my thanks to the one responsible for this…” Artorias grunted, getting up and off the bed. Staring down at his broken arm it had a cast around it, sighing with relief he fell back on the bed to get a few extra breaths of rest. Hearing voices approaching Artorias shut his eyes and pretended to still be slumbering. “After further inspection the creature is male and an omnivore.” Seamless Quartz read from a chart. “I suppose this would be a good time to test the artificial meat, see if he likes it.” “Bad idea, just feed him the usual hospital food until he’s not near death.” Replied Doctor Alexandrite, adjusting his glasses. “Princess Cadence has alerted Canterlot about him, so until we get a visit from Celestia and Luna we will keep him in good health.” “Understood, sir.” Once the doctor was within reach Artorias shot up and attempted to grab the doctor, thinking it was an assailant. Instead the Abysswalker gripped his left shoulder in pain from the sudden movement, the doctor flinched, backing up into Seamless she dropped the chart. “O-Oh… I see you’re awake.” Alexandrite composed himself, readjusting his glasses. “I apologise if I have disturbed your sleep.” Getting a good look at the creature that he attempted to attack he was flabbergasted, instead of being met with an undead or hollow about to kill him it was simply a short equine wearing… glasses. Holding up a hand Artorias took a second to numb the pain with heavy breaths, staring the doctor in the eye. “No, I apologise for attempting mine attack upon thee. I do however request to wear my armour once more.” He quietly murmured, just now accepting the fact that this was the dominant inhabitant of this crazy world he ended up in. Doctor Alexandrite shook his head slowly, disheartening Artorias. “No, not until you get some food down you first.” He explained, Seamless Quartz pulling up a hospital bed food tray with mushy peas, strawberry jelly and a loaf of fresh bread with a glass of orange juice. Perking up at the thought of wearing his armour again the Abysswalker dug in like a ravenous beast, desperation for his armour or hunger was anypony’s guess. Both the nurse and doctor stared in astonishment as their patient gulped the orange juice with a single swig and the loaf never stood a chance against his mighty jaws. All that was left from the tray was a few crumbs and a red substance from the jelly, gently pushing it away he stood as his carers stared on with their shocked expressions still plastered on their faces. A knock on the door followed by a couple of hoofsteps broke then out of their trance. “Hello? We have the Princesses waiting in the lobby as we speak.” The voice behind the knock called out, the hoofsteps leaving in the direction of the crystal palace lobby. "Well that was fast..." Seamless Quartz commented. “Royalty?” A fully armoured Artorias asked, his armoured left arm slung by the cloth he placed back around his shoulder. Though he was loyal only to Gwyn and Ornstein as well as his duties, he was a sucker for royalty and would be as courteous as possible. “Take me to them immediately, where ist thine ‘lobby’?” “This way, sir.” Gestured Alexandrite, leading Artorias through the crystalline hallways of the palace. The place was clean, shining even. Though it did make him feel uneasy, the palace itself reminded him of a certain dragon’s library if it was completely encased. Two doors swung open to reveal quite a large lobby with the main entrance just a fifty meter sprint away from the stairway that took up half the room to the other wings of the palace. Standing at the main entrance were two larger ponies, Celestia and Luna. “Is this him?” Celestia nudged her younger sister with a whisper who nodded frantically. “He’s a lot more intimidating in person than I imagined…” “YOU didn’t see him fight…” Luna hissed back, unaware he was standing right in front of them and could hear every word they were saying. Both yelping in surprise they hopped back like foals, he was taller than expected too. In their crouched position from the jump he towered over him, one question shot through them. How did Kurai defeat this beast? “H-Hello” Stuttered Celestia, bowing respectfully by lowering her head. Luna still stunned by his height and build needed her older sister’s white wing pushing her head down in the same bow to snap her out of it. Bowing in return Artorias could not help but notice their Cutie Marks, a sun and a moon. “Art thou goddesses?” He asked, standing to his full height. “Well, in a sense.” Celestia replied. “What made you guess that?” “Where I hail from, I serve Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight and his son Dark Sun Gwyndolin.” Arching their eyebrows the two sisters stared at each other before turning back to Artorias. “I…see…” A grumble was heard from the Abysswalker’s stomach, he had only ate a few minutes ago yet his appetite could put a food eating champion to shame. Celestia chuckled slightly. “I see you are still starving, how about we have a talk over some tea?” “You’re obsessed with tea, dear sister!” The blue coated alicorn groaned. “Why not just ask for a snack of pancakes and syrup?” She added with spite. All Artorias could do was watch as they bickered, goddesses or not, they had the mindset of a child. This is going to be a long night.