Princess Celestia could only stare in amusement at the scene that was unfolding in front of her. There was Twilight, who was freaking out about the creature in front of her. There was Mr. Quill, who was trying to calm her down. And there was the creature in question, who was watching the scene unfold as well, just like she was.
“Ms. Sparkle, please calm down,” Mr. Quill said, sweat dripping down his forehead as he held his hooves up as way to calm her down.
“I am calm!” Twilight retorted, her eyes darting around the storage room. “But it’s kind of weird; finding one of your oldest friend—no offense—talking to a creature that is over twice his size and carries a humongous blade!”
Mr. Quill let out a nervous chuckle, looking back at Gehrman, who was watching him, curiosity filling his eyes. Turning back to Twilight, Mr. Quill cleared his throat. “Mr. Gehrman and I were just talking about Equestrian magic. He entered my shop and asked a few questions, after that; I went to show him my storage.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow at him, looking closely at him.
Mr. Quill blinked twice.
“Aha!” Twilight said, pointing her hoof at Mr. Quill accusingly. “You’re lying! I know because you told me how to see through ponies’ lies. By looking at their eyes. And you just lied to me!” She said. Turning to her mentor, Twilight’s eyes widened a bit when she saw her mentor walking passed her, her gaze fixed upon the creature that sat behind Mr. Quill.
“Hello,” Celestia smiled, bowing her head respectfully at the creature. “Mr. Gehrman, was it?”
As a reply, Gehrman slowly pushed himself off the floor. His back ached and his bones cracked, but he ignored it. Pain was something he did not care about, for he had been living in pain, ever since the day he became the host of that accursed Hunter’s Dream. Grabbing hold of the hilt of his Burial Blade, Gehrman now stood at his full height. Walking over towards Celestia, with the occasional limping because of his peg leg, Gehrman looked down at her.
“Just Gehrman will do,” Gehrman replied. Even though Princess Celestia was the tallest pony in all of Equestria, Gehrman still towered over her, her horn only reaching the base of his neck. “What is your name?” he asked.
“I am Princess Celestia, co-ruler of Equestria,” Celestia replied, looking up at Gehrman. “Pardon my blunt question, but what are you, if I may ask? I have never seen anything like you, and I know of every race that lives in Equestria.”
Gehrman blinked in confusion, bringing his hand to his mouth, he coughed before replying. “My race is knows as humans,” he replied. “Your highness, I would bow before you, if I wanted. But I simply do not bow for anyone, anymore.” Gehrman said.
These blunt, yet honest words surprised her. But nonetheless, Celestia respected his words. “That is… understandable, I think,” she replied, taking a quick glance at Mr. Quill. “Mr. Quill, would you be as kind as to tell us how Gehrman ended up in your shop?”
Mr. Quill nodded. “Well in all honesty Princess, he just appeared here. He wasn’t in here when I checked the storage minutes before I opened the store. He couldn’t have entered through the windows,” he said, turning his head sideways and looking at one of the windows in question. “Because he would not have been able to fit through them.”
“So you’re saying he just ‘appeared’ in your storage, without you noticing him?” Celestia asked, kind of stating the obvious.
Mr. Quill nodded. “Indeed he did,” he replied, looking up at Gehrman. “I was scared—no, frightened at first. But then we actually started talking about Equestria’s magic,” he said, looking at the book Gehrman had grabbed from one of the bookshelves in his storage; a few hours ago. “And it turns out I judged him because of the way he looks. Because in all honesty, Mr. Gehrman is a very nice man.”
“Man?” Twilight asked, giving Mr. Quill a look of confusion.
“That’s what he said to me,” Mr. Quill said, turning his head to Twilight. “As I recall, Mr. Gehrman told me he was a very ‘reasonable man’.”
Celestia returned her gaze to Gehrman, to inspect every aspect of his features. There was no fur on him whatsoever, except for a white colored mane that was partially covered by a top hat. He had wrinkles all over his face, and his eyes were a bit off. They were quite small, compared to a ponies’ eyes. But the fact that he was even taller than she was, made her feel a bit uneasy, standing in front of something she had never heard of.
“Is something the matter, your highness?” Gehrman asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
Celestia shook her head. “I’m fine,” she smiled at him. “So, where are your from, Gehrman?”
“Yharnam, your highness,” Gehrman replied.
“Yharnam?” Celestia repeated, looking at Gehrman with a skeptical look. “I have never heard of that kingdom before.”
Gehrman, in return, gave Celestia a look of confusion. “Surely you must have heard of Yharnam? Home of blood ministration, and the Healing Church.”
“I have never heard of said kingdom, Gehrman,” Celestia replied, glancing down at her student. “Have you, Twilight?”
Twilight shook her head. “There are no books in the library stating that there is a kingdom called Yharnam in Equestria.” Twilight looked at Mr. Quill. “Have you ever heard of this ‘Yharnam’, Mr. Quill?”
“Can’t say I have,” Mr. Quill replied, closing his eyes and letting out a sigh. “Listen I would love to stay here and chit chat a little longer, but I am very tired and--.”
“We will take our leave, immediately,” Celestia cut him off. “Gehrman, would you like to go to Canterlot castle with us? I have a few questions I want to ask you.”
“Of course, your highness,” Gehrman replied. Kneeling before her, Gehrman turned around to face Mr. Quill. “I thank you for you hospitality, I am in you debt. If you ever need help, feel free to contact me.” Gehrman said as he bowed his head.
Mr. Quill nodded his head, a small smile making its way up to his lips. “Thank you, Mr. Gehrman, and I apologize for my rude behavior from before.”
“There is no need to apologize,” Gehrman said as he stood at his full height again. “I will gladly accompany you to your castle, Princess.” He said, turning to Celestia.
Princess Celestia nodded her head in appreciation. Turning to Mr. Quill, she spoke four words that made him one of the happiest unicorns in all of Equestria. “Your bookshop is safe,” she smiled at him. Taking quick glances at her student and Gehrman, Celestia closed her eyes and concentrated her thoughts on the place she wanted to go to. Within the blink of an eye Twilight, Celestia, and Gehrman were gone. Leaving Mr. Quill to himself.
“Gehrman,” Mr. Quill said, chuckling slightly. “To think I thought ill of you, when in truth; you were… a friend.”
Princess Celestia, Twilight, and Gehrman all appeared in Canterlot’s throne room, startling two pegasi guards who were guarding the entrance from inside the throne room. The guards, noticing their Princess, bowed their heads respectfully.
“Your majesty,” one of them said, looking up at her. “We did not expect you to return so early,” his eyes were now fixed upon Gehrman. “You brought company, your majesty?”
Princess Celestia nodded her head. “Indeed I did,” she replied, turning her head to Gehrman. “Would you two kindly tell my sister; that her sister requests her presence in the throne room.”
The two guards saluted and turned around, leaving the throne room and closing the doors behind them.
Celestia watched in slight amusement as she saw how Gehrman was observing every aspect of her throne room. “Gehrman?” Celestia asked, getting his attention.
“Yes, your highness?” Gehrman said, turning his head to her. “What is it?” he asked politely.
“My sister will be joining us soon, and I think that my young student,” Celestia said as she looked down at Twilight. “And I have some questions for you.”
“I will be happy to answer them, your highness,”” Gehrman replied, smiling at the Sun Princess. Gehrman looked down at his peg leg. His peg leg did a good job resembling his missing foot. But it was nothing compared to the real deal. He wiggled his peg leg a bit, unintentionally getting the attention of Celestia.
“Does it hurt? Would you like to sit down?” Celestia asked in her usual soothing voice. “Please,” she said, walking over to Gehrman and draping her wing around his shoulder. “You can take a seat on my throne. It’s not something I let everypony do, but for you, I will make an exception.”
“I cannot do that. The throne is meant for royalty and nobles, and I am no noble. Far from it.” Gehrman replied, shaking his head dismissively. “It would be a disgrace, letting a person like me sit on your throne.”
“And why would it be a disgrace?” Celestia asked, confusion clearly present in her voice. “From what I’ve heard and seen so far, you seem like a very kind and honest man.”
“Words and looks can be deceiving, your highness,” Gehrman retorted, tightening his grip around his Burial Blade. ‘It was all our fault, Laurence. That damned excursion into the old labyrinths should have never happened.’
Celestia raised an eyebrow at his statement. Words and looks can be deceiving? Was he implying that he had been lying to her? To Mr. Quill? Deciding not to go deeper into the subject, Celestia asked him another question.
“Do you know where you are, exactly?”
Gehrman shook his head. “I do not. I have never seen or heard of talking equines before, nor have I ever heard of this ‘Canterlot’ you speak of.” He replied, looking down at his Burial Blade. ‘Should I ask her? Should I?’
“Gehrman, if there is something you wish to tell me. Now would be the time,” Celestia said, looking at Gehrman with a stern expression. Celestia treated everyone with kindness. If they needed help, she would do her best to give said help. But there are a few things she dislikes. And one of those things; was lying.
“Your highness, if you have never heard of Yharnam, then there is nothing to be told,” Gehrman retorted. “Where am I, your highness? Where has the moon sent me to? Has the dream not come to an end?” he asked, his eyes filled with fear.
“You are in Equestria. A magical land that is inhabited by many different kinds of species, but mostly ponies. I do not know where this Yharnam you speak of is located. Wherever you thought you were, is not where you are.” Princess Celestia replied.
“I… do not understand. The hunt is over. The night has come to an end. Does that mean he succeeded into doing the impossible?” Gehrman said to himself, sheathing his Burial Blade into its sheath.
“Who is ‘he’ and what ‘hunt’ are you talking about?” Celestia asked, slowly backing away from him.
“I am free,” Gehrman whispered to himself.
“He’s clearly out of his mind, Princess,” Twilight said, taking a quick glance at Gehrman. “He doesn’t know where he is. He’s talking about some kind of hunt. And he claims to be from a place called Yharnam—which I might add, is nowhere to be found on any maps and--.” Twilight froze mid-sentence, her eyes widening as realization finally hit her. “No way,” she said, looking up at Gehrman. “No way. This can’t be. You don’t exist, only in comic books.”
“Twilight, what are you talking about?” Celestia asked.
“Don’t you get it, Princess? He doesn’t know where he is because he isn’t form Equestria. He isn’t from our planet. He’s an--.”
“Alien.”
Both ponies and human turned their heads towards the source of the voice they just heard. A familiar dark blue Alicorn entered the throne room, her regal yet stern voice echoing through the throne room.
Princess Luna walked towards her sister. Using her magic to close the doors behind her, she turned her head and her gaze fixed upon her sister. “I see,” she said, standing in front of her sister. “So this is why you summoned us,” Luna said, looking at Gehrman.
“Sister, meet Gehrman,” Celestia said.
“Greetings visitor from the stars,” Luna said, bowing her head respectfully. “We are Princess Luna. Princes of the Night and Moon.”
As a reply, Gehrman un-sheathed his Burial Blade and held the tip of his blade to Luna’s neck.
“Spawn of the moon, state your business in this royal castle.” Gehrman said, his eyes burning with rage.
“Uhm, we art… sorry?” Luna asked, sweat dripping down her forehead.