//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: A Knight's Aria 
// by chillbook1 
//------------------------------//

The tall grass slashed at the colt’s legs as he galloped at full speed to his home. He was in an even bigger rush to get home on this day, as he was excited to see his father return. Of course, he’d never actually see him. The blind colt rushed through the grasses of his village, darting between his neighbor’s homes, and knocked on his house door.
“Mother! I’m home!” he called. A short second of clattering later, and the door opened. In the frame was a smiling orange mare who ushered the colt indoors. She guided him to the kitchen, where she was preparing food for the Festival of Vocal.
“Did you get home alright?” she asked. “You say that you don’t need Bari’s help, but…”
“I’m fine, Mother.” said the colt. “Did Father arrive yet?”
“I’m afraid not. He won’t be home until supper.” she said. Catching the look of disappointment on her son’s face, she attempted to cheer him up. “That gives you time to work on your song.”
“Where is Chora? And Ryth?” he asked.
“Your brothers are working the fields. They will be in shortly.”
“How come I never have to work with them?”
“It’s… No reason.” she lied.
“Is it because of my visual impairment? I suppose that makes sense. Without my sight, I’d be useless in the fields.”
“You mustn’t think of yourself as useless. Everypony exists for a reason, and we all have an impact on the world around us.” she said.
“Yes. Lady Vocal wouldn’t create me without purpose.” said the colt. “I understand, Mother.”
“Did you know your father once thought himself useless?” said the mother. “Look at him now. Lady Vocal’s personal guard.”
“Do you think the festival will please her?” asked the colt. “I hope she enjoys our song.”
“How could she not? My handsome little stallion is singing it.”
“Mother, what do I look like? I’ve never seen myself.”
“Your coat is the brightest white and-” began the mother.
“What is white?”
“It’s a color. It’s bright and empty and ever-expanding. Your coat is that color, with thin, black lines running across you horizontally. Black is what you see all the time. The opposite of white, it is dark and dense and encompassing. Your eyes are a sort of soft brown, like chocolate.”
“I knew brown.” said the colt. “At least, it feels familiar. It feels like a forgotten memory.”
“How can that be?” asked the mother.
“I’m not sure, but I can feel it. Sometimes, when I sing or hear singing, I can feel the same things I feel when I’m around objects. When I sing the Anthem of Muussa, I feel the same as when I’m near daisies or out in the bright sun. What does that mean?”
“Yellow. You normally feel proud when you sing our anthem, correct? Proud and happy?”
“Yes.”
“Yellow is a color that does something similar, but instead of hearing it, you see it with your eyes.” said the mother. She looked out of her kitchen window and caught glimpse of the sun, which was dropping steadily. “Your father should be getting home soon. I’ll go fetch your brothers.”
“Mother?” asked the colt. “When will the war end?”
“I’m not sure. Nopony is.”
“Will Father have to go back and fight?”
“Of course not. The war is between the Octav clan and the Decib clan, and our village has members of neither. That’s why your father moved us out here. So we wouldn’t get caught in the middle of the fighting.”
“But couldn’t Father help? Before we moved, his Ballad saved hundreds of lives, even Lady Vocal herself.” said the colt.
“Don’t worry. Your father is just trying to protect us.” said the mother. “Go get ready. Lady Vocal will be here soon”
The colt trotted upstairs and into his room. He hummed a soft little song, high and proud, perfecting his pitch. The song had to be flawless, as it would be heard not just by the entire village, but by Lady Vocal the All-Maker herself. She deserved nothing but the best, and the blind colt was determined to supply her with just that. He pulled his drums from under his bed and began to beat against them softly. He started to vocalize, singing in words ancient and unknown, even to the Muusists. His song vibrated throughout the house, creating a soft buzzing.
“That sounds wonderful.” said a tall, thin mare, entering the colt’s bedroom. Her coat was a glowing, crystalline blue and her mane was a bright flowing emerald green. Her eyes burned yellow, bright as the sun. As soon as he heard the voice, the blind colt dropped to a bow.
“Lady Vocal!” he exclaimed. “Forgive me. I was not aware you arrived already.”
“That is quite alright. I simply came to say hello, and to deliver you to your father.” said Vocal.
“My father is back?”
“Yes. As much as I enjoy having him around, Treble does like to see his family.” she said kindly. “And I’ve been wanting to have a word with you.”
“With me?” asked the colt. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Of course not. I just wanted to apologize for my error. When I was creating you, my magic went awry, which is why you cannot see. I’m terribly sorry and I hope that I may fix it one day.”
“Thank you, milady. I am most gracious for your offer.” said the colt. “May I go see me father?”
“By all means. Go right on ahead.” said Vocal, stepping aside. The colt galloped down the stairs and into the kitchen. He grasped his father in a tight hug, happy he was back.
“There’s my little warrior!” said Treble, hugging his son. “How are you?”
“I’m good, Father. Happy to see you.” said the colt. “Well, not see you, but rather to hear you.”
“I’m glad to be back home, although I’m afraid I cannot stay for longer than a week.”
“Why not?”
“Lady Vocal has given me an assignment. I’d like to talk to you about it, but I have to go. The festival is about to start. Go meet with your brothers, so that you will be ready for the song. I’ll come get you later.” said the father, rustling the colt’s mane. The blind colt nodded and followed his father’s instructions, meeting his brothers outside. They trotted through the villages, past tents and vendors selling their wares. There would be time to take a look at everything later. They walked swiftly to the center of their village, where a huge platform had been erected not ten minutes earlier. Atop of this platform was three seats, one for the chief of the village, one for Treble, the head guard, and a huge, intricate throne which was occupied by Vocal. In front of the platform was a swarm of ponies, craning their necks to get a glimpse at their beloved Lady. A short second later and the extra two seats were taken by their owners. The colt felt a dash of pride, nearly glowing at the fact that his father was trusted and important enough to be seated next to Lady Vocal.
“Greetings!” called Treble, rising to his hooves. The chatter of the crowd died near instantaneously. “Greetings to all! We are gathered here today to celebrate! Celebrate our creation, our country, and our Lady. It was on this day, many years ago, before time had a name, that the All-Maker took this land as her own! Whether it be by a vision or goodwill or just unbearable boredom, the All-Maker created the first of our kind, one to whom our land is now named! Today is a celebration of the birth of Muussa! Today is a celebration of our lives and our good fortune, which we all owe to the All-Maker! Please, bow before her, a mare who needs no introduction: Lady Vocal, the All-Maker!”
As Vocal rose to her hooves, her subjects dropped their heads into a bow. She smiled and stepped forward, clearing her throat for her speech.
“Thank you! Thank you all for welcoming me to your village, which is as beautiful as ever, and thank you for this wonderful celebration!” she said. “I am truly honored to be here. Before we commence the festivities, I would just like to say that I love you all. Every face I see in this crowd makes me smile wider than the Bas Chasm! In that same breath, I must voice my displeasure.” 
The entire crowd collectively gasped, afraid and ashamed that they had offended their Lady. Right away, some begged for forgiveness and offered themselves to receive the punishment.
“Not with you, but instead with your brothers. This war makes the land weep and saddens it’s music. Your brothers are fighting against one another and it pains me to no end. So, if you see a brother on the battlefield, please, ask them to stop. There are better ways than fighting to work out a squabble. But I’m droning on, so, with the Song of the Foals, let the Festival commence!”
The colt heard his cue and trotted to the stage, joined shortly by his brothers. Although he couldn’t see her, he knew his best friend was watching him and glowing with pride. She would’ve been up there too, had it not been for her terrible cold. The blind colt began to hum, soft and deep at first, then growing louder and higher. Chora joined in, humming a little deeper than his brother, followed by Ryth, humming deeper than them both. Their horns were shrouded in a blue light and their drums faded into view before them. 
THOOM!
THOOM!
They beat on their drums twice each, then opened their mouths. Before they could begin to sing, another song floated into the village, a whispered song that brought fear to Treble and Vocal. The crowd of Muussists below were panicking and shouting, yet remaining completely motionless.
“Lady Vocal.” said Treble. “We must get you out of here.”
“I fear it is too late.” she said. “I cannot move.”
“What is happening?” asked the colt. “Why can’t I move?”
“This song is dangerous. It is called the Opera of Ash and it is a lethal war song.” said Treble. “First, it paralyzes all who hears it. Then it… what it does isn’t important. What is important, very important, is that you know I love you. I just wish your mother could be here with me to hear it.”
“I’m sure she knows.” said Lady Vocal, tears flowing from her face. “I will be the first to go. This song activates for the oldest listener first, then goes younger and younger. It is a terrible song, designed for genocide and terrorism.”
“I have failed you, Lady Vocal. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be, Treble. You’ve done more than enough for me. My last order is this: Let go.” said Vocal, smiling nervously. She was bathed in red light which engulfed her completely, shining sinisterly. Everypony released an outwards gasp, shocked and terrified. Lady Vocal glowed brighter and brighter, thin cracks and fissures growing in her skin. A fine, grey powder began to pour from the cracks, the ash piling around her unmoving hooves. She gave Treble, the blind colt, Ryth and Chora one last smile before erupting into a cloud of ash, settling on the floor. Treble screamed in rage and sorrow, louder than the rest of the crowd by far.
“I can’t stop it! There’s no counter-song!” shouted Treble. Just then, an idea came to him. “I can’t stop it, but I can speed it up. Is there anypony against me ending our misery?”
The entire crowd remained silent. Nopony saw much point in fighting, especially now that the All-Maker herself has been vanquished. Treble opened his mouth and a soft song floated out of his mouth. It was less than a whisper, softer than the Opera. He sang a single word, repeated over and over again.
“Goodbye.” he whispered. Red light surrounded everypony and Treble’s song was activated. With tears flowing from his eyes, he, the crowd, the chief, the entire village, burst into flaming ash. The blind colt cried out in his final seconds, a soft buzzing flowing through his body.
“Lady Vocal, please forgive us.” he said, bursting into ash and smoldering on the ground.

A blood red stallion stepped through the ashes of the former village. His job was simple to the point of dullness, but he couldn’t complain. It was either this or scouting, and Vocal knew how much he hated scouting. He picked through the ashes, looking for survivors he knew weren’t there. He poked at the ash with his sword, whistling as he went. He got to what used the be the center of the village, coughing at the concentration of airborne ash and dust. He whistled a little song to create a barrier, something to keep the dust away. It was a simple song, but very similar to another song. There was a difference of one note and the stallion was never good at remembering which note was which. He whistled his tune and was suddenly blinded by a flash of red. Out of the light stepped a white colt, no older than 9 years old, with black lines running across his body. He stumbled forward blindly, confused and scared.
“Well, I’ll be… It’s a survivor!” said the stallion.
“Who are you? Where is my father? Bari? Where is Lady Vocal?” asked the colt. The stallion touched his shoulder and the blind colt instantly felt uneasy. A strong vibration flew through his body, telling him that this stallion was not a friend. The colt grabbed the blade that was hovering in front of the stallion and brandished it in his mouth. He jumped forward and slashed, cutting his savior’s throat. The stallion fell to the ground, coughing and gurgling on his own blood. The colt was surrounded in red light again and faded slowly from view.

“Come this way, sister.” said the blue unicorn, rushing across the meadow. Her older sister followed close behind, catching a glimpse of everything around her. She grabbed her sister’s bright blue mane authoritatively and dragged her back a few yards.
“Don’t be foolish! This was a Muussist village. Who knows what sort of traps are around?” said the older sister. The younger sister wrestled free and yanked on her sister’s pale pink mane in retaliation.
“You’re the one being foolish! This civilization has been gone for over a thousand years. Nothing they set up could last that long!” said the younger sister. A small bird flew past and landed on her shoulder, whistling a soft tune. There was a flash of red light and a small colt stumbled out of it, crying on the floor. The sisters galloped to his aid, trying to piece together the situation.
“Lady Vocal! Is she alright?” he asked panickedly. “My father! Brothers! Bari! Mother! Lady Vocal! Are they okay?”
“Vocal? As in the goddess?” asked the younger sister.
“Is the All-Maker safe?”
“She has been gone for over a thousand years. Who are you?” asked the elder sister.
“She can’t be gone! No! Who did it?! Who are you?!”
“I am Celestia, and this is my sister Luna.” said the older sister. “Come along, foal. We can help you.”