"Princess Celestia? A-Are you alright?"
"Wh-What? Oh, y-yes! Your report, Lieutenant Starshine."
Celestia managed to pry her gaze away from the destruction all over her city and back to the unicorn she had stationed in charge.
"Ahem, well then. As you expected, Gilgamesh arrived to retrieve the weapon earlier today. He asked for entrance into the museum and we refused. He then cast some kind of spell that caused us and several of the citizens to fall asleep. I don't know what happened exactly after that, but the next thing I know we had awoken and the Elements of Harmony were being held hostage by some kind of giant octopus."
"'Ultros', if I remember correctly," Celestia muttered. "And he enacted no physical violence upon you or anypony else?"
"No, your majesty. In fact, he was, well, rather courteous when he requested that we stand aside. He asked twice, in fact, before casting that spell."
"I see... Continue, please."
"Well, after we were woken, Gilgamesh commanded the earth pony guards to evacuate the citizens and set up a blockade while having the pegasi and unicorns surround the two of them. It turned out he wanted us to be on hoof to grab the Elements and pull them to safety and away from the fight. Any time he inflicted enough trauma on the creature that it dropped a hostage we either levitated them or carried them away. Only after they were freed did he end the fight and launched the creature away."
"Although I'm thankful for how things turned out, I must ask why you obeyed him."
"Well, your majesty, I admit there was some initial hesitation, but he exuded this... aura of command about him. It wasn't like simply obeying somepony of a higher rank, it was like I wanted to follow his orders. The only times I ever experienced such a feeling was when working under Capt- er, Prince Shining Armor, or you and your sister, your majesty. If I had to guess, I'd say he’s had experience commanding others before."
Maybe it was when he defended Ponyville in that other dimension, she thought.
“I understand there is more. Please continue,” she requested.
“Almost immediately after the battle had concluded Twilight Sparkle attacked him, and then proceeded to turn her aggression on us. Within moments she had the other Elements and the twenty total unicorn and pegasi Guards within her grasp. When the others arrived she attempted to kill the dragon Spike and the thirty earth pony members of the Guard, before Gilgamesh intervened and saved us. He then revealed that Twilight was being possessed and controlled by a being named ‘Melusine.’ From what I could glean from the conversation this being had been residing inside Twilight Sparkle for some time, waiting for a chance to strike at Gilgamesh, and that your student was chosen both for her magical prowess and being the Element of Magic. She attempted to use the Elements of Harmony against him, only to fail due to not having the cooperation of the other Elements. After that, Melusine used Twilight Sparkle to attack, even pulling at her life energy to power her spells.”
Celestia was shocked at these reports. “Then, the damage here in Manehattan?”
“Mostly caused by the possessed Twilight’s spells, yes.”
“I-I see. Continue.”
“Gilgamesh battled with the possessed Twilight, using… rather unconventional methods. It seemed his plan was to annoy and frustrate his opponent into making rash decisions. Every move he made was to convey his superiority, and the attacks he struck your student’s body with, however painful looking, were all non-lethal. After his plan succeeded and Melusine released her hold, the being attempted to kill Twilight Sparkle. Gilgamesh rescued her before, rather quickly and thoroughly, destroying Melusine. And afterwards, a portal appeared behind him and he was sucked in. And, um, that’s about everything, your majesty.”
By Harmony itself. These… beings were worse than I could have ever thought. Possessing other ponies, using their life energy wantonly, even attempting to use the Elements of Harmony, perhaps the ultimate power of goodness, for evil deeds. And to lie in wait for such a long time to strike proves they were clearly intelligent and, more importantly, patient. It seems Luna was right, we really have no idea what we’re dealing with.
"And what is the damage report?" she asked.
"The damage to property is still being evaluated. As for physical injuries, the worst I can report is a dislocated foreleg, and that's already been reset. Even Twilight Sparkle hasn't suffered much. As for psychological however..."
The two turned to see Luna, Spike, and the rest of the Elements huddled around a stretcher and the still unconscious purple mare lying on top of it.
"I think your sister would be better suited to answering that question."
"I do believe you are correct. Thank you, Lieutenant, that will be all for now. Please return to your duties."
The stallion saluted before trotting off as Celestia approached her student.
“How is she?”
“She’ll be bruised, and she suffered some minor burns, but aside from that not much else in terms of physical damage. However-”
“N-No… P-please, stop,” the unicorn muttered, squirming for a moment before becoming still once more.
“It seems that her heart still suffers,” Luna finished.
“But you can do something, right Luna?” Spike asked, obviously worried.
“There is a chance I can enter her mind through her dreams, but even nightmares must be overcome on their own. Though I can help, this torturous experience must be overcome with her own strength.”
“Please, Luna. Do what you can,” Celestia pleaded.
Luna smiled softly. “You didn’t even need to ask.”
She closed her eyes as magic began to radiate from her horn.
No! Please stop this!
Twilight could only watch as her own magic held Spike in front of her.
Please! I’m begging you! Stop!
I wonder how much she’ll scream as she watches herself kill the poor little dragon that’s been like son a and a brother to her?
PLEASE! DON’T DO THIS!
The dark force in Twilight made her pick up a spear before leveling it at Spike’s head.
STOP! STOP IT NOW!
The spear shot forward at his eye and-
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The image was gone and now she held Rarity up by her throat with her magic.
Oh Celestia, not her too! Stop, please, make it stop!
“Stop?” But Rarity, we’re having so much fun! Or, at least, I am.
No no, please, no! No more!
Her magical grip tightened around the unicorn until a sickening crack-
STOOOOOOOOOOOP!
Twilight. Can you hear me?
Wh-What? Who’s-?
In image of Rainbow Dash appeared before her. The darkness inside her caused her to use her magic to hold the pegasus down.
You’re so proud of those wings, aren’t you?
N-No! Please, just stop! Stop hurting-!
Twilight, listen to me. This is not happening.
What? But how-?
Let’s see how you like life without them, then!
Her magic began to pull at the joints of Rainbow’s wings, pulling until the skin began to tear from-
PLEASE, NO!
Twilight Sparkle! You must regain control! This is not happening, nor did it come to be!
A new image came before her, this time of Applejack, being held upside-down by her hind legs.
You treasure these legs so much, don’t you? They help you-
Twilight, focus. These events never transpired. They were saved. You were saved.
-protect your friends and support your family.
I was? They were?
Yes, Twilight. Focus on that. Remember how they were saved, how the darkness was banished from you.
Her magic began to tighten around Applejack’s joints, she could hear the bones begin to crack and strain under the-
How… they were saved…
Suddenly a bright light appeared in front of her. Applejack was gone, and Twilight saw tendrils of darkness sprout from her body like vines. But, more importantly, the source of the light; a titanic figure that towered above her. The vines of darkness squirmed, seemingly in pain, due to the figure’s mere presence. They reached out to attack it, but it flashed even brighter, causing them to recede. The figure reached out and grabbed Twilight around her midsection in one of it’s hands and clenched the other around the dark tendrils before beginning to pull. Twilight screamed in pain, causing the figure to halt its actions.
No! Don’t stop! I don’t care how much it hurts! Get rid of it! Don’t let it hurt anypony! DESTROY IT, NO MATTER WHAT! I CAN TAKE IT!
The figure resumed its actions and pulled with even more strength. Twilight screamed, not only in pain but determination. With one final tug the darkness was ripped from her, ending her misery. She saw the being crush the black monstrosity in its fist, causing it to dissipate, and then turned its attention to her, gently cradling her weakened body in its hands. It was then she knew who it was.
Gilgamesh… You… I’m so-
Quiet. He interrupted, his voice firm yet gentle. Rest now.
She relaxed, her vision fading, uttering only two words before falling into a dreamless sleep.
“Thank you,” the lavender unicorn uttered with a smile before lying still.
"L-Luna? Is she going to be alright?" Fluttershy asked.
The Princess of the Night smiled. "Like any wound, it will take time to heal. However, she will pull through, especially with the help of those so close to her."
The others sighed in relief, except for Rainbow Dash, who turned away from the group. "Pssh. Of course she will. She might be an egghead, but she's tough. I wasn't worried for a second."
"Rainbow, please try to-" Rarity began in a somewhat annoyed tone, only to stop when she noticed the pegasus quivering.
"N-Nuh-Uh. Not sc-cared for even a s-second. Not m-me," she insisted, struggling to hold back her sobs.
Pinkie approached her and smiled gently. That was all it took before Dash hugged the pink mare, burying her face into her barrel as she wept.
Celestia smiled sadly. Nopony should have to experience something like this, but at least they have each other.
"I'll have a chariot sent to take you all home when you’re ready," she said. All of them nodded in response before she and her sister trotted off to the side. "How was it, Luna? Will she really be alright?"
"She's much stronger than you give her credit for, Tia. They all are. They're rattled, but far from broken."
"And did you gain any information from her dreams?"
"In fact I did," she replied with a smile. "I already knew she trusted him, but now she sees him as a savior. She has a great amount of faith in him, possibly as much as she has in you or I."
Celestia looked shocked at that.
"Sister, surely this is enough."
"I... I'll... I'll give the order... to have the Guard cooperate with him on matters of protecting the citizens against those things."
"Sister!"
"I know, Luna! I know!" Celestia sighed. "I know I have little, if any, logical reason to distrust him anymore, but... Please, just a little more time."
Luna opened her mouth to object but stopped and sighed. "Very well, sister. But recognize that we never know when one of those beings will attack again, nor how long it will take Discord to complete this barrier around our world."
Celestia watched her sister fly off to Canterlot before turning to see the girls and Spike load up into a chariot to head back to Ponyville. She then gazed over the destruction of the city that construction workers were already clearing.
I guess I am just stubborn, aren't I?
The Next Morning
Luna yawned as she reviewed the last few forms she needed to sign. As much as she enjoyed being back to help rule Equestria, some things just never stopped being boring. Having finished the last one, and noticing the time, she used her magic to call for the Guard on duty. A minute later a thestral stallion opened the door.
"Finally time to turn in, Princess?" he asked.
"Indeed. Celestia and I will need to swap the skies soon. If you could take these, Sergeant Night Fury."
"Of course, your majesty," he replied before placing the forms inside a saddlebag. "And if I may say, I'm delighted you remembered my name."
"Why wouldn't I? It's only proper to remember the names and faces of my own trusted guardsponies. In fact, isn't Corporal Storm Shadow supposed to be attending to me tonight? Why are you here?"
"Well, maybe somepony bribed him with part of his paycheck so he could have his shift instead," he replied with a smirk.
"And why might somepony do that?" Luna asked coyly, walking out the door and into the hall as he held it open.
"Maybe he just wanted to spend more time with you?"
Luna stopped dead after hearing that. "Wh-What?" she asked, turning to see the stallion's confident smirk.
"Princess Luna, I happen to know you're schedule is pretty open next week. Barring something unexpected, would you perhaps be available to head to Donut Joe's next Friday?"
Luna stopped to think for a moment. She couldn't recall the last time she had even been asked out, much less had a coltfriend. Her initial instinct was to reject such a thing, she did have duties to attend to, but it did sound nice the more she thought about it. Even Celestia had managed to make time for such things more than once over the millennia, such as the ancestor of Prince Blueblood, her own personal guard Valor (oh how the mighty have fallen).
"I'll... consider it, Sergeant," she finally replied.
His smirk widened to a full smile. "Believe me, your highness, that's more than I hoped for. Good morning, Princess Luna," he said before bowing.
"Good morning, Sergeant Night Fury," she replied, bowing back before parting ways and heading to her room.
Since it was difficult to find each other in the palace, and teleporting was a bit wasteful, the sisters had decided that they would meet at the room of whomever was doing the setting. Luna decided to lie down on her bed before Celestia came for dawn, but was surprised to find somepony already inside. Or, rather, someone.
"Gilgamesh?"
The warrior rose off her bed before taking off his helmet, revealing his rugged features, before stepping forwards and gently grasping her muzzle with his hand. Their eyes met, his gaze unnaturally serious.
“Princess Luna, I love you.”
Luna’s mind short circuited for a moment, her eyes widening, before she shook her head. “Wh-What?”
“I’ve loved you since I first laid eyes on you. I was entranced with your beauty, and awed with your strength. But I never said anything about it because we were on opposing sides, even if mine only consisted of myself. But, now, things are changing; and, though it may just be foolishness, I dare to think they could change in a way that we might be together.”
He placed his other hand behind her head, stroking her mane softly.
“Though I feel we’ve gotten to know each other a great deal through battle, the time since my imprisonment has shown me that there is much more I don’t know, and cannot learn though that same method. I want to see all of you, Luna, all of your emotions and desires. I want a chance to be with you, to stay by your side, whatever it takes. I could fight and protect Equestria alongside you as a knight, or even lay down my arms and stand besides you as your prince if that is what it takes. You of all ponies should know what it means for me to say that. But, to be honest, you’d do me a great honor just by considering my request, much less accepting it. However, before that can even happen, more pressing matters must be attended to. I will be heading to Cloudsdale to retrieve the weapon there, and then I’ll see about getting my final weapons from across the oceans.”
He released her from his grasp before extending his hand in front of her. It shone for a moment before a medallion came to existence in it.
“Since I will likely be away for quite some time as I retrieve them, I give you this. With it, you can call me if one of those monsters shows up. It shouldn’t take me too long to come running.”
Luna took the medallion with a levitation spell, not even thinking about it, until she turned to observe it more closely. It was a simple brown with a red insignia on it, the same one as on his shield and his scarf.
“And, I know this might be too forward, but...” he trailed off.
Luna turned back towards him only for her eyes to shoot open in complete shock as his lips met hers. The kiss wasn’t long, nor forceful, but gentle, and held just long enough to get his point across. He broke the connection and, when what had just happened dawned on her, Luna’s face flushed beet red.
He somehow summoned his helmet to his hand before placing it on his head.
“I’m off, then. I bid you good day, Luna,” he said simply before cutting open a hole in reality and jumping through it, leaving Luna stunned and still trying to process everything that had just happened.
“Ah, Luna! Just in time.”
Luna saw her sister approach and, without thinking, threw the medallion at her bed, thankfully managing to land in between some of its many pillows.
“S-Sister! Yes, it is time to change the sky, isn’t it?” she replied nervously.
“Indeed, but I also have something else I wish to mention. But let us attend to our duties first."
The two sisters headed towards the balcony that they controlled the sky from. After performing the switch Celestia turned to her sister. "I slept on it, and… I’ve decided you’re right. Though I may not like him, the fact remains that since he’s made his promise to you, Gilgamesh has done nothing that should make us believe he will bring harm to our ponies… although he has skirted the line a few times.”
“Tia? Do you mean-?”
“Yes, Luna. I’ve sent out the order to have all military and law enforcement to cooperate with him. I’ve also arranged for some of our best troops to head to Cloudsdale where his next weapon is in case one of those beings should show up. I intend to go as well, and I was wondering if you could stay awake long enough to accompany me.”
Luna just stalled for a moment, trying to process everything, before finally nodding.
“Yes. Yes, I believe you are quite right. It would also likely help ease the concerns of our subjects if we were both there to make it official. Just give me a moment and-”
“Princess Celestia! Princess Luna!”
The two alicorns attention was drawn to a unicorn guard galloping towards them. He stopped in front of them, panting heavily as he bowed. “A thousand pardons, your majesties.”
“Lieutenant Starshine? What’s wrong? Why aren’t you with the rest of the troops on the airship?” Celestia asked.
“The airship has been boarded and stolen!"
"WHAT!?"
Ok, let's see if I can pull this off.
I stood under Cloudsdale, closing my eyes to focus on my magic. When I felt my headache growing in pain I cast the spell.
"Float!"
Like I hoped, I was now levitating a good five feet above the ground, and it had nothing to do with my shifting abilities or forcing wind underneath me.
Now let's hope it does what I actually want it to.
I crouched down and launched myself at the floating city, ignoring the fact I was pushing off of air. Once I was above it I shifted my gravity slightly so I could land on the fluffy base... and I thankfully didn't fall through. I hopped up and down a couple of times to check and found the cloudy ground only gave slightly like a pillow or a mattress. As I hoped, the Float spell acted like the cloud walking spell Twilight used back in Sonic Rainboom.
I looked up from my feet and saw all the pegasi staring at me, some in fascination, others in fear.
I cleared my throat. "Citizens of Cloudsdale! As you've no doubt guessed, I am Gilgamesh! I mean you no harm and am simply here to retrieve something that belongs to me! Please go about your daily business!"
Some looked on in fascination, others flew or galloped away and hid, but thankfully none of them screamed in terror. I guess I was making some progress with them after all. I opened up Prosperity’s Guide and followed the path it set for me, hopping from cloud to cloud when needed. The direction it led me to was the weather factory, and by then I had a squad of pegasi guards following me. They eyed me warily but stayed away and, thankfully, out of my way. It seemed like I’d finally managed to gain Celestia’s trust. I followed the compass, staying out of the way of the workers, and it led me to where they made the rainbows. The weapon appeared to coming from the top so I launched myself up to the top, the guardsponies following, before I finally reached my destination. Prosperity’s Guide indicated it was right under me, so I punched the tower below me, instantly feeling the object of my desire before pulling it out.
The katana gleamed in the morning light, giving of a brilliant shine and bringing a smile to my face. The other guardsponies seemed surprised that it was simply hidden in the clouds themselves.
“And with Mutsu-no Kami in my possession, my second form is unlocked,” I declared silently to myself as the blade disappeared in a flash of light. I could practically feel myself bursting with power as I turned to face the pegasi guards. “Mares and gentlescolts, I appreciate you not impeding me in my quest. Give Princess Celestia and Princess Luna my best regards, and send my condolences to the Elements of Harmony and especially Twilight… what’s that?”
I pointed behind them and they all turned, facing the large object heading towards Cloudsdale.
"Is that an airship?" one of the Guards asked aloud.
“Oh, hey, I didn’t know you had those!” I said.
“Weren’t the Princesses supposed to arrive today?” another one asked her companions.
“Yeah, but that’s not supposed to be for another few hours.”
“It’s getting awfully close.”
I took a closer look at the rapidly approaching vehicle, which seemed to now be heading less towards Cloudsdale and more towards us, and saw-
“Oh no fucking way!”
“MUSCLE-HEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!”
The pegasi guards scattered and I jumped down off the tower to the ground as it smashed into the cloudy tower, actually suffering some damage and causing the building to shake as at continued on through. I turned up to face the octopus in the pilot’s seat.
“WHY WON’T YOU LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!?” I shouted in frustration.
“THIS IS THE END, MUSCLE-HEAD! WE’RE GONNA SETTLE THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL!” he shouted as he jumped down at me, the airship continuing on and heading towards the ground. He shouted in anger until he reached the floor… and fell through, screaming as he did.
I just stood there for a moment, as did the other pegasi workers.
“Huh. Well, that solved itself rather-”
I cut myself off as I saw tentacle shoot up and grab the cloudy floor. It was soon followed by others as Ultros groaned, straining to pull himself up and panting as he finally made it.
Goddamnit, he learned the Float spell too.
“I’ve… ha… got you… ha… now,” he panted.
“Ok, look, we both know how this is going to end, so why don’t you just leave, huh? I mean I haven’t even needed to transform to-”
I was cut off by a Blizzaga spell sending me backwards, freezing some of the clouds as well and causing us both to fall to earth. I quickly cast Penetrating Beam, melting the ice around me and turning the cloud into water before adjusting my gravity upwards and landing back on the clouds.
“Ok then. Fine. You want to play a game? I, Gilgamesh, Combat incarnate, mightiest warrior in all of Equis, will show you a game.” I pulled out my naginata as my eyes shone with power. “ONE ORDER OF ASS-WHOOPED FRIED CALAMARI, COMING RIGHT UP!” I shouted before hitting him with a Penetrating Beam, sending him flying away from the factory and into the residential areas. I jumped after him, ready to give him a royal beatdown when a familiar fire-colored pegasus mare flew in front of me.
"And just what do you think you're doing!?"
“Stand aside, Spitfire. I’m gonna take down this piece of-”
I stopped when I noticed Ultros casting a Firaga spell at me, grabbing Spitfire and rolling to the side to avoid it, only to realize that the cloudy ground and the building behind me had evaporated.
“How did… oh shit.”
“That’s what I’m talking about!” Spitfire shouted. “You keep using those magic attacks and all of Cloudsdale’s gonna be destroyed!”
I looked at the cephalopod, who was too enraged to even realize what he was doing, and fired a Thundaga spell. I jumped up to dodge the attack, which hit a building and electrocuted all the ponies that were unlucky enough not to be in the air. Thankfully, they didn’t appear to heavily damaged, but that did bring me to a more distressing realization.
Ice attacks make the clouds freeze and drop, fire will make them evaporate, electricity will course through the clouds and hurt anything it touches, and wind will disperse them. This is the absolute worst possible place I could fight this guy!
I landed and let Spitfire go before taking a battle stance. “I’ll do what I can to get him out with as little damage as possible, but I need your help. Get every pegasus in the air so I don’t have to worry about shocking them.”
“What? But-!”
“DO IT!” I shouted before dashing towards Ultros, who cast a Protect spell on himself.
I thrust my palm forwards for one of my lesser used attacks.
"1000 Needles!"
The attack shot from my hand and bypassed his defenses, causing him to flinch in pain and give me the chance to strike him with my naginata. He soared skyward for a moment before seeming to halt in the air. I then noticed one of his arms wrapped around my weapon, stretched taught.
"Oh no."
Like a massive rubber band he snapped back and his whole body slammed into my head, sending us both tumbling. As we stopped and recovered, I managed to shake myself out of the daze first and prepared to counter attack.
"Whah? What happ-?" was all he managed to say before I decked him in the face with my fist, sending him flying backwards. He instinctively grabbed onto the edge of the cloud before he fell off, noticing his arms stretching before smirking and shooting towards me.
"ULTROS CANNO-!"
I cut him off with a double dropkick to the face, sending him crashing into a nearby cloudy building.
"Gilgamesh!"
I looked up to see Spitfire along with Soaring and Fleetfoot, as well as the squad of pegasi guards and, what I would assume, was all of the citizens of Cloudsdale in the air. I nodded before jumping up and clipping my weapon back and unleashing a torrent of electric blasts on the building. The currents flowed through the cloudy structure, shocking the helpless cephalopod who had no place to go. I stopped and landed, watching him twitch as the last of the attacks fizzled out.
He groaned before shaking his head. "Heh. I guess you got me. But," he smirked. "You still haven't met my wonderful friend!"
"Friend?" What kind of friend could this-OH NO, OH DEAR GOD NO NOT HERE!
"MISTER TYPHON, COME ON DOWN!" he shouted, raising one tentacle to the sky.
High above a portal of darkness appeared. A being with a large mouth and several teeth poked its head out, looking around, before turning around to reveal another face with an even bigger mouth and more teeth, before stretching its two short clawed arms and roaring.
"FUNGAAAAAAAAH!"
The pegasi scattered as the monster floated down to the one who summoned him and faced me. I was sure I could beat him, but that wasn’t the problem. All I could think of was that this guy had wind powers. Wind powers that were known for blasting its enemies miles away. Wind powers that were going to be used in Cloudsdale.
“He’s not so great with words, but his strength will blow you away!” Ultros declared.
Typhon stopped and just stared at the octopus with a “seriously?” look on his face.
“What? It’s a good line!”
Typhon just rolled his eyes.
“Don’t you make fun of me! I’m the one who does the talking here!”
The two faced behemoth began moving one of his talons in a “blah, blah” motion.
“That’s it!” Ultros shouted before jumping on top of him and punching him in the faces, the larger creature growling and returning the favor.
I simply stared for a moment, wondering if I’d somehow stumbled onto a slapstick comedy routine, before realizing this might be my chance to end it immediately. I inhaled deeply and used Aqua Breath, thankfully a technique that wouldn’t destroy the fluffy structures and was his elemental weakness.
Unfortunately, I forgot Typhon had two faces and he stopped fighting with Ultros long enough to blow my attack away with his breath. I followed up with a strike of my weapon, only for him to turn and catch it before hurling me through the air.
Damn! I knew he was strong, but not this strong!
“GET HIM! HIT HIM NOW!” Ultros shouted, still clinging to his partner’s head. Typhon responded by inhaling deeply.
OH FUCK NOT “SNORT!” NOT HERE!
I used my shifter powers to right myself before swinging my naginata as hard as I could, unleashing a burst of wind and hoping to send him away from the city. Unfortunately, he unleashed his attack before mine struck him and the two bursts of wind met before erupting in a gale force explosion. Not only did the blast send the pegasi tumbling backwards and cause considerable damage to the cloudy city, but it also forced me and the duo in opposite directions, sailing over the horizon.
So this is what he felt like.
Unable to use any of my powers due to the force I was being hurled I finally crashed into water minutes later, bouncing across the surface of a lake before striking the shore and sliding to a halt. I pulled my head above the water and gasped before wincing in pain.
“MY EYE! WHY IS IT ALWAYS THE FUCKING EYE!?”
I pulled out the object that had managed to get lodged into my face to look at it.
“An hourglass?”
As I examined the trinket a portal opened up in front of me and I felt myself being pulled in.
“OH NO, NOT AGAI-!” was all I managed to say before being sucked in.