Leaving behind nothing but a blurry afterimage I instantly closed the gap to my enemy. With one swing of my scythe and giving it no chance to retaliate I immediately sent it flying. As the creatures eyes widened in shock I couldn't help but laugh. Rather pleased with both, my speed and my strength I appeared right next to where it landed.
"Foalish pony! You think you can withstand eons* of hatred?" the creature hissed in contempt. "Well, guess again..."
At that moment the air around the creature began to change. While it still looked like the same beat-up oozy mess I could feel that its presence started to grow more cold and sinister for every moment that passed. However, that wasn't something that could scare me. The thing that really peaked my curiosity was that the creature's recovery speed significantly increased. In the blink of an eye it managed to undo all the damage I had previously done to it. Huh...and just when I thought I had finally beaten it. Well, too bad...
"Behold! The extent of our true power!" it said and attacked me with its halberd.
Even though I managed to block the attack just in time, I was still pushed away by the force of the impact. At that moment the smile on my face grew even wider. Oh, I couldn't even fathom how many of its weaker parts it had to sacrifice in order to mach me in strength. Ten? Twenty? Maybe even a hundred? Ah well...it's not if the number actually mattered. At the end of the day I'd make sure that it died at least a thousand times. Yeah...a thousand little deaths...**
"Is that all you've got?" I asked disappointed. "Pathetic..."
So, besides a little boost in strength and recovery speed nothing else had changed. Meh...and after all its talk I thought this thing would actually pose a threat now. Hmm...well if that was the case there was only one thing left...
Moving at insane speed I appeared right next to the creature and tried to rip it apart in one swing. However, much to my surprise it easily blocked my attack. Hmm...so even though its movement speed was inferior to mine it could still keep up with me in battle. Interesting...
Aiming with the blade at its faint I suddenly changed my attack and tried to hit the creature's head with the other side of my weapon but once again it seemed to know exactly what I was doing and blocked me with as little effort as possible. The smile I had previously dropped reappeared on my face once again. This was indeed interesting...
Using a quick motion I used the scythe to aim at the creature's chest. Of course it immediately managed to deflect my attack. However, this time my attack was merely a decoy. My real goal was to distract my opponent with a flashy move while I used my control over ice to conjure some frozen projectiles that aimed for its eyes. Unfortunately it managed to pull away its head at the last moment.
Letting out a sigh in frustration I let my icy powers wander down my weapon, creating a second blade on the other side. This way my chances to deal a blow would increase at least a little bit. Striking at the creature again and again I became more and more infuriated. Why was that thing suddenly so strong? And why the hay was it only defending? Was it trying to show me that I was inferior to it in every single way?
"Enough!" I said and jumped back a few yards.
"Seems like you've finally realized it; The outcome of our battle had already been determined the very moment we decided to go all out against you." the creature said in a mocking tone.
As I heard those words I couldn't help but feel the flames of rage consuming my heart. However, the target of my anger wasn't my enemy; it was myself. Once again I had failed due to my own shortcoming in power...once again I had failed to be strong enough to take what was supposed to be mine. Once again I...
Than the feeling of fury faded and was slowly replaced with something else; understanding. So what if I was inferior to that thing in power? My mind and my spirit were still a lot stronger than the creature's. Then all of a sudden a laugh escaped my mouth...
Giving me a puzzled look the creature was about to let out another one of its haughty remarks but just before it could decide which words it should throw at me it gave me an evil glare and closed its mouth again. Only now did it realize that instead of helplessness I once again radiated confidence. Giving him the most twisted smile I could muster I pressed forth the words that would finally shake it to the core...
"Yeah...I've finally realized." I said and drove my weapon into the floor. "I've realized...that this place...is MY domain."
Cracks appeared on the surface of the floor and before I knew it they grew into fissures. Stones of pristine white started to to sprout wherever the obsidian floor had shown even the slightest bit of weakness and soon after the world around us turned into something new.
When the endless black space had finally collapsed, some giant structures began to erect themselves in the distance around us. However, even though our battle field had suddenly become a confined space...it was still a very vast area. Concentrating on the strange structures that were encircling us, my eyes couldn't help but widen in surprise when I realized what they actually were; grand stands. So...the whole place had transformed into a giant...amphitheater? How interesting...
Wait...interesting? The scenery suddenly changed and the only thing I could think about was...that it was interesting? What the hay? Wasn't the more appropriate reaction at a time like that to be...worried? So why was I feeling so calm and at ease? It nearly seemed as if that place was specifically tailored to accommodate my needs. "Maybe...it was" I could hear the other part of me whisper in my head. As for how she came to that conclusion; I had no clue. However,the moment those thoughts flashed through my mind I immediately knew that they had to be the truth.
"What is this? What have you done? Answer me, cursed pony!" the creatures slightly panicked voice resonated through the air.
"Why...setting the stage of course..." I replied with a confident smirk.
Well, it wasn't like the change of scenery happened on purpose but why would I ever tell the enemy. Wasn't it far better to let the creature freak out and bait it into making a mistake?
"So you are responsible for this? Well...it matters little." the creature commented on the situation as if it was merely talking about the weather. However, beneath its calm facade the creature was shaken to the core. I could nearly feel the sheer terror emanating from my enemy's body as it was trying to make sense of what had just happened ...
Giving the creature no time to cope with its situation I did the only thing that came to my mind; I acted on instinct.
Raising my weapon to the sky icy gales started to rush down on me, forming a protective layer of ice all around my body. If somebody had seen me at that moment they'd probably would have thought that I wasn't an earth but a crystal pony. When the icy winds finally started to calm down I realized that they still weren't done with me. As I watched them brush gently against my crystallized coat I could see something form on top of my body; a long gown and a circlet of purest white.
No longer focusing on myself I let my eyes wander to my opponent just to be surprised once more. I thought that I would catch the creature with a dumbfounded expression, instead it was looking at me with eyes filled with terror. Quivering with fear it suddenly started to whisper...
"No...this can't be. The empress...it really is the empress..." it spouted like a madmare.
"DISPERSE! Abandon the plan!" a voice suddenly shouted.
That voice obviously belonged to one the souls that just left the body of my enemy. Which one...I could not determine because those who decided to leave the sinking ship were just too many. Among their voices wasn't a single one that wasn't full of despair and hopelessness...
"Please forgive us..."
"I yield..."
"My empress...."
"If we knew it was you...we'd never..."
"Spare us your grace..."
"This misguided foal pays his respect to you, your highness..."
"Please...oh empress...please..."
"The hive's memories run deep. I'd be an honor to offer them to you..."
"This old dragon knows when he is outmatched..."
"My wisdom is yours, milady."
"I'd gladly join you on the battlefield once more, my liege."
"I bow down to the empress."
"Blessed are we who witnessed the return of our empress..."
"I'd never dare resist you...oh great empress."
"We can still be useful to you, milady."
"Empress...this lowly servant awaits your command..."
Even though there were all sorts of apologies and/or greetings thrown at me, it didn't take a genius to figure out that they only did so cause they were driven by fear. Driven by fear of this ominous empress...who was supposedly...none other than me.
Well, it wasn't as if I didn't enjoy the fact that I managed to strike fear in their hearts but to be honest I'd rather I was feared due to my own power. This kind of victory wasn't satisfying at all...
Just when those thoughts crossed my mind the great soul exodus had finally ended. While those who had given up on fighting let themselves being consumed by my weapon, the rest of them were still holding on to their fused form. Even though the creature looked very volatile I was far too curious to attack it in its weakened state. The thought of it, exploding and showering everything in blood and gore was just too exciting to pass up. After all...it shouldn't be hard to finish it off now that it lost nearly half its strength. Therefore I simply decided to wait how it would play itself out...
In the end it turned out that waiting was a waste of my time. Not only did the creature not explode...it even ended up losing a lot of its former glory. Reduced to the size of a normal pony the creature, who had finally managed to stabilize itself, was now merely a shadow of its former self. Panting and sweating it raised its weapon as if it still felt capable of taking me on. Hmm...what a joke...
"Idiots...every single one of you! There is no way that this weak mare..." the creature yelled and pointed in my direction. "...is the empress. Just think about it; the real empress would have obliterated us the moment she had set her eyes on us. Besides the empress was a unicorn...not a mere earth pony and..." the creature ranted on.
"Oh my...could it be that you've finally decided to change your approach? Do you want to bore me to death now?" I mocked the creature.
"Cocky imposter! I'll tear you to shreds..." it hissed and immediately charged at me.
"Too slow..." I said, evading its attack with ease.
"You might use a similar magic and you might wear the same attire as her but you are definitely not...the...empress."
Catching its weapon with my bare hoof and shattering it the same moment I touched it a grin began to spread across my face and I replied in an amused tone: "You are correct. I'm certainly not this empress you've been babbling about. Hay...I've never even heard of her. However, in order to deal with small fry like you, I'm pretty sure that this ominous empress won't be needed." ...and with those words I sent it flying.
If you truly desire to break a pony...you don't aim for the head or the vitals. Doing that would mean letting them off easily. No, in order to truly destroy them you have to shatter either their spirit or their pride. That way they'll lose all their motivation to go on...
Caught up in my vindictive thoughts...I could feel a soft throbbing within my head. Already aware of the unpredictable nature of this place I concentrated on the strange feeling. Much too my surprise I came to a very disturbing conclusion; something was trying to break into my mind. Looking at the pathetic state of my opponent I deducted that it certainly wasn't the source of my pain. But...if it wasn't my enemy...then who would dare to...
My eyes narrowed as I came to the only other conclusion; my weaker self. However, it made no sense. Even if the other me was strong enough to take back control, she would never do that. No...not as long as the creature was still taking breath. Cold and calculating as we both are she should know that she stands no chance against the creature if she solely relies on her own power. So...who is....ah...
Pain suddenly flushed all over me and I felt as if my body was literally on fire. Whoever did this...I'd make sure to make the culprit suffer...
"Octavia...stop it." I could hear a familiar voice in my head.
"Lucid?" I replied in confusion.
"Listen to me, Octavia. You have to stop going beyond your limits. If you keep up whatever it is you are doing...I'm pretty sure your body won't last much longer. Actually the fact that you are still alive boarders on a miracle..."
"And how...pray tell...should I do that? Roll down and die so that my body becomes a vessel for the amalgamation of stupid, incompetent and disappointing demon-wannabes? Yeah...no. I'd rather sacrifice my own body before I let that happen. So, unless you stop being all vague and mysterious...and give me some actual info for once...you better shut the buck up and let me finish this quickly..." I mentally hissed back at Lucid.
"Hmm...truly fascinating. So, the real Octavia couldn't take it anymore and her subconsciousness paired with the prematurely formed, complementary, chaotic mind fragment filled in for her." I heard Lucid's thoughts resonating within my mind. "If my analysis is correct there is only one thing left for me to do..."
"And what would that be?"
"Pulling the pluck..." Lucid said in an overly amused tone.
"What do you...arrrrgh...my head. What have you done you buc-..."
Pain filled every fiber of my being but before I could try anything to stop it the world around me was already fading to black. Just when I thought the darkness around me would be the last I'd ever see, my vision finally returned. However, something felt different. It was as if everything that had happened just now felt so distant as if it was merely a dream; as I myself wasn't really there...
"Welcome back Octavia. I hope you enjoyed your little nap..."
"Lucid...what did you..."
"No time for lengthy explanations. Just take down the rest of those pesky little souls. I promise that I'll answer all your questions once you are back to the real world..." Lucid said and waited for a few moments before she added. "It shouldn't take very long, now that you've already gotten the gist of how to control this space..."
Gotten the gist of...oh right. I did change the scenery somehow. However, instead of concerning myself with it any further I started a one sided slaughter. My eyes immediately flashed in the direction of the creature. As soon as our eyes met it flinched and backed away a few steps. However, even though the creature was in such a sorry state I felt absolutely nothing. No pain, no hatred...no nothing...
Ughh...Lucid really owes me a lot of answers...
Well...she already promised me some answers so I should just focus on that thing for now. However, the sudden lack of emotions on my face probably caused the creature to try and get some distance between us. Not that it mattered for what I was doing next...
Raising the scythe to the sky I whispered one little word that soon resonated throughout the entire place: "Requiem".
Even though it seemed like nothing more than a simple word...it was so much more. If I had to describe it I'd probably say that it was no longer an abstract description of the word's true concept...but rather the concept itself. To put it even simpler: A word is nothing more than the shortest possible description of something far too difficult to comprehend; the profound truth*** behind said word.
So when that word left my lips, I immediately knew that it was nothing less than the true power of a words raw concept. Every fiber of my being was brimming with awe while my heart was filled with joy and pain. A truly strange sensation...****
However, it wasn't only me who felt that power...the whole environment did. Snow started to fall and a terribly sad and glorious melody filled my heart with a deep longing for all the things I had lost in my life; even those I had long forgotten about. Whether it'd be the grandmother I lost just recently, or if it was something else I had cherished in the past...it was no longer different. The loss of my favorite marble at the age of five, the slow gradual loss of my idealism, the death of my grandmother...at that moment it all weighed the same.
My eyes went all teary and as I began to cry some of the icy gales took form. However, those ponies made from icy winds did not attack me, instead they let out timber-wolf like howls and accompanied me in my mourning. As the melody approached the end the feeling of joy slowly started to outweigh the pain of my losses and I felt a certain kind of happiness that I had at least the chance to get to know all of what I had before I lost it. That feeling was truly cathartic...
As the song came finally to its end all the icy specters around me faded and turned back again into their natural state. It was only now that I realized that those creatures looked strikingly similar to the illustrations of the dreaded windigos. However, unlike the windigos from the hearth-warming pageant those creatures didn't seem to have any malicious intentions...
Speaking of malicious...
My eyes immediately flashed into the direction of a small dot in the distance. Even though it wasn't much time that had passed, the creature still managed to get quite the distance between us. Unfortunately it was to no avail...
Raising the scythe once more the intensity of the snow and wind increased and it didn't take more than a few seconds and the whole theater was engulfed in a terrible blizzard. As the retreat came slowly to an halt, the icy apparitions took form once more. However, they didn't close in on it. Instead they were simply circling above it...just like buzzards.
Huh...so they already knew. Well, I guess in the end it was pretty obvious. After all the purpose of a requiem is to send off and/or honor the dead. How would the true meaning of a requiem ever be met with nopony dying...
Without giving it anymore thought I simply watched as thick black chains suddenly erupted from the floor and began to wrap around the creatures limbs. At first it still tried to struggle but the chains remained relentless.
"No...it can't end like this. We've waited too long for..." the creature yelled with all its might.
That moment its form finally broke and it turned back into its components. However, it was already too late. More and more chains started to erupt from the floor, wrapping themselves around every last one of them. As the chains pulled all of them down, the windigo-like creatures let out a victorious howl and followed them in the depths...
"Be it god or demon...in the end everyone is bound by the chains of fate..." I softly whispered before I shook my head in confusion. Where the hay did that come from? Hmm...not that it really mattered. There were certainly a lot of better places to reflect on my philosophical standpoints. Maybe at home with Vinyl and a cup of pure black happiness...
With that thought in my mind and a wide grin plastered all over my face I finally opened my eyes in the real world...*****