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Chapter 18-Secrets
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The sun had risen above the mountains as its light fell upon the kingdom, rays of gold stretched along the halls and rooms of the castle. Birds were beginning to wake, terns and inland jaegers spreading their wings to hunt in the nearby sea. Ponies tolled to set up shop, sweeping the floors and displaying their goods. Mares hung up laundry and other articles to dry between the rooftops as the bells of the medical wing rang.
As the day marched onwards, more of the empire’s citizens came out to go about their daily work, whether it be to spend or to sell, to tear down and rebuild. But soon the natural order would be shaken up. Soon the news of a newborn prince would spread, and celebration would be in order. Merriment and dancing in the streets, songs and the roar of many laughter. But for now it was quiet, save for the ponies in the streets, and the terns and jaegers in the air.
Then the sun rose high, ringing in the noon. Ponies scattered about as they heard the good news, hastily working to set up ornaments and music. Celebrations were soon to commence, the kingdom uplifting with songs on every street corner. All across the city it was about, save for the castle, which was left quiet and off to its own, the sun’s light falling against the crystal walls and rising towers, hospital and library.
The light fell upon the Crystal Library tables and shelves as Novis sat and listened to Nyx recite the words on the old pages, struggling to pronounce the old text. But Nyx was determined to learn what these old books had to say, and the knowledge they possess. It was an absolute thrill for the little filly, and trying to decipher the language of her teacher’s people was like discovering a trove of golden treasure. She was certainly getting good at it too, though she stumbled at times.
“Cha ca, Kito mo sabo?” Nyx asked, her voice echoing throughout the library, ponies moving about searching for their appropriate reading.
“No, its pronounced like this. Cha-Ca, kino mu sabu.” Novis corrected, justering with his hoof as he enunciated.
“Cha-Ca, kino mu sabu, ninmu mi finwa. Baywana nel tol?” she repeated, doing her best to
“Good. and what does it mean?” Novis asked.
“The heart is hardened and lives in the dark. But in the light it cannot dwell. Verily I say, only the light must remain.”
“Well, that’s close enough. But do you know what it means?” he asked.
This was where Nyx became stuck, moaning as she tried to understand what was being said. She rolled her eyes back and forth about the words written on the old page, pondering on each word spoken.
“It means...if you light a candle it won’t be dark anymore?” she asked, taking a stab in the dark.
“Well, no that’s not what means.” Novis smiled, giving a light chuckle at her expense.
“Could you tell me what it's saying?” Nyx asked, giving up.
“No.”
“What?!” Nyx squeaked, her eyes growing wide.
“I can teach you about spells and history, languages and mythology. But when it comes to philosophy, and discovering who you're meant to be, you’ll have to figure that out yourself.” Novis said as he stared off into space, leaving Nyx rather confused and frustrated.
“BUT!” Novis suddenly said with a shout, standing up from his chair with a bound, startling the filly, “Its noon, and I think it's a good time to get something to eat, wouldn’t you agree?”
Nyx nodded as her stomach gave a loud growl, gnawing at her for her neglect. Neither of them had eaten since supper the previous evening, and they were both too eager to satisfy their hunger. Nyx sat happy chewing on a lattice and hey sandwich with apple slices, chewing loudly as Novis poured salt and vinaigrette on a cranberry salad. Novis watched Nyx as he chewed lost to his own thoughts, passing over subjects he might have to go over with the filly, others more personal matters. He thought of Twilight and what she would be doing today
“So Nyx, what can you tell me about Cadance and her husband Shining?” Novis asked, taking a bite from his salad.
“Uncle Shining is silly.” Nyx giggled, talking with a half-chewed piece of food still in her mouth, “We used to not get along, but now he’s really nice, always saying funny things. And Auntie Cadance!” Nyx swallowed, immediately taking another bite, her cheeks slightly puffy, “Cadance is cool too. I don’t really know what she does, but whatever it is she’s good at it. Definitely.”
“Well, its good to hear that they have each other to confide in ruling this kingdom.” Novis smiled, dipping his fork into the lettuce and a bit of onion.
“Do you have a very special somepony?” Nyx asked, looking up curiously.
“Huh?” Novis asked, tilting his head, chewing and caught a little off guard.
“You know, everyone has someone they love very much, don’t they?” She said as if what she was saying was a universal fact, “Don’t you have someone too?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. Well actually, I have a wife.”
“You’re married?! That’s so cool!” Nyx sprang up, standing on the table.
“Yes, for a long time too. We’ve spent many centuries together, so many wonderful years,” he said, smiling fondly as he stared upwards, thinking back to those fond memories.
“Really? You must really love each other.” Nyx smiled, looking at him before she fell back into thought, a question rising in her mind, “But, where is she?”
Novis’ smile, still staring outward, slowly faded, memories pooling about in some mad storm. He looked at her almost confused, trying to answer, but couldn’t find himself to say the words.
“She…”
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything?”
Looking up, they both saw Luna, laying on the top of a bookcase staring down at them, a faint smile on her face at the sight of Nyx. Her tail flicked passively against the bindings, crystal reflecting her starry hair. She then glanced at Novis, her eye focusing as she gave a moan, getting herself comfortable.
“Luna? OH! No, not at all, I was just helping Nyx with her studies.” he smiled,
Luna shrugged, levitating the book on top of the stack next Nyx in her magic, beginning to read through the passages, “Proverbs and Prophecies of Old. I seem unfamiliar with the title.” she said, squinting at the transcript on the cover.
“It's from my personal collection,” Novis stated matter-of-factly, quickly taking back the book to
baby it and check for damage, “One of Twilight’s rare copies.”
“I see.” Luna paused, looking down at the filly with a blank expression, “Nyx, could you excuse us for a moment? I’d like to speak to Novis in private.”
“Sure!” Nyx said as she gathered her things, happily walking out of the section to give them their privacy.
As soon as she left, Luna moved down to the floor, her mane running down onto the floor like water as she stood, moving forwards as she started passively reading, feigning interest in the material written. She seemed tired, most likely from the long work night she had had, yet unusually focused considering.
“So, want can I do for you?” Novis asked kicking back into the chair, luna preferring to remain standing.
“I just want to talk, that’s all,” she said, putting the book down, giving a sideways glance at Nyx as she picked up a book by the door, before finally leaving.
“Fine, talking’s good. It's really good.” Novis said, itching his beard as he gazed at her, noting her natural beauty “What do you want to talk about?”
“What do you have planned for Nyx.” she asked, giving him her full attention.
Novis stammered a bit, a little set-off guard by the out of nowhere question, but quickly got back his track of mind, “Nyx? Oh, I just want her to have everything she’ll need later in life. Is that really not so simple? Better she learns how the world works now when she’s young.”
“Hmm. You talk sweet, and you know how to say things that want to be heard. But I’m not so convinced.” she added, confusing Novis, “I’ve lived a long life, and in it, I’ve made many mistakes. I don’t wish to make any more, that’s a wise choice, don’t you think?”
“Well, yes, I suppose it is. I’m afraid I don’t understand why you're telling me this?” he said, raising an eyebrow.
“I say it because I would ask...would you do what needs to be done for your subjects, even if the few might not like it?” Luna stared at him, becoming tenser, “Because I see everything.”
“Yes?”
“Last night I looked into your dreams, and what I saw...disturbs me,” she said, staring at him with all her reason and power, but also, in the small glimmer in her eye, fear.
“You...you did what?”
“Is it true? Is what I have seen what truly came to pass?” Luna said, staring angry and firm.
“You...you had no right!” Novis spat.
“Is it TRUE?” Luna said, almost desperate. Novis stared at her, silently turning his head in shame, telling Luna what she needed to know.
“You lied. You’ve deliberately lied to Twilight, her friends, all of us. Do you realize the danger this presents?” Luna asked, almost hoping for him to feel any sense of guilt.
“You, you do not lecture ME about this. Not this!” he shouted, gritting his teeth, steaming.
“I will do what I wish when the lives of my subjects are at stake!” Luna quickly drew a sound bubble around them, as they’re argument was drawing too much-unwanted attention, “I know it must be painful, Novis. Such pain is not unfamiliar to me.”
“What?”
“I understand-”
“You understand nothing!” Novis became angry, raising from his seat and pointing at her, fire in his eye, “You think your life’s been so hard, so tragic, and boo hoo. Well, it isn’t. It's SAD. Upset that you were unrecognized for you tapestry of night, grow up! You had a duty, and instead you spat on it for your own vain interest!” he said, making Luna recoil.
“How dare you speak to me that-”
“No, how dare YOU!” he said, stepping ever closer to her, each word like a predatory growl, “Even now you're still not learning from your mistakes, invading other's dreams as if they're your playthings? Who are you to think that is for you to venture what is in one’s mind?”
“DO NOT PRETEND TO KNOW WHAT IS LIKE TO GOVERN THE DREAM REALM!” Luna shouted angrily, speaking in the royal Canterlot voice shutting him up, “My duty is to protect the realm of dreams, and I refuse to be lectured by the likes of you.”
“Whether it be me, or some other, you will regret this.” he threatened, looking at her with heated malice.
“Well, I guess that doesn’t really matter anymore. However, I will give you a choice.” she said, calming down, compassion and pity returning to her reason, “I urge you to tell the truth before any wound can be made. Tell my sister, tell Twilight, before its too late. Because if you don’t, I’ll do it for you.”
Luna turned, turning off the bubble as her cold exterior made the ponies who had been watching to cower away, pretending as if they had all been minding their own business. What was done was done, and the two were both left feeling as if anything they would look upon would burst into flames. Such a secret, such a terrible secret that could ruin everything he hoped to have. Friends that would soon hate him. What was he to do? Such a secret, could telling the truth really make it any better? No, not even if it was kept for another nine thousand years.
Novis let out an angry growl, the crystal table he stood by cracking down the middle, before he silently left alone, left to ponder over his own thoughts.
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Twilight waiting outside the castle doors, eagerly awaiting the arrival of her parents. She looked up at the castle clock, now a quarter past noon. They were late, she muttered, nervously tapping her hoof. Where could they be? She supposed the incident the night before could have delayed further engines, but they should have been here hours ago. Twilight groaned, darting her eyes towards every street corner for some sign, any sign that they were coming.
It was already past noon, and the sun was moved faster up her in the north and would set in the next hour or two. She didn’t want to have to tell Shining or Cadance that they weren’t coming. They’d understand of course, but they’d truly be disappointed. Why did Chrysalis have to rear her ugly head now of all times? For once, just once, could they have a moment’s peace for something so special as this?
“I’m sure they’ll be here soon.” a particular orange guard said, surprising Twilight as he had snuck up on her.
“Flash!” Twilight elated, happy to see him alright, but soon stepped back feeling embarrassed, remembering the night before, feeling rather ashamed of herself.
“I just got the report. Tracks are out naturally, so they’ll be coming through the airships.” Flash continued, not showing any recognition of the awkwardness between the two.
“Oh, thank you.” she said, avoiding eye contact, “If that’s all you wanted to tell me, I’ll give you your space.”
“Actually,” Flash said as he turned his head to her, giving her pause in her step, “I wanted to ask you something personal.”
Twilight tensed, feeling the inevitable chastization coming.
“I wanted to ask, would you like to join me at the theatre tonight?” he asked, a kind smile on his face taking her completely off guard.
“W-What?” she said, taken aback by such an invitation, and even more confused by how nice he was being, considering the circumstances.
“I thought we could talk, get to know each other better, try and relax a little, after all, last night was a bit stressful, for many reasons of course.” he said, making her look down in shame, which he caught on pretty well, “Be good for the both of us to know about each other if we’d want to be friends.”
“Friends?” Twilight asked, looking at him surprised.
“If you’d like to make it up, that is.”
Twilight smiled, happy for the opportunity to make a new friend, “Sure.”
“Good.” he gave a grin, turning in to go inside the castle, “Oh, by the way, you might wanna tidy up your mane, they're here.”
Twilight jumped, turning her head to see her parents coming in through the streetway, quickly licking her hoof and running it through her hair, glossing it up to get it straight before they could see her. Her parents were in an equal hurry, a quick lively spark in their steps as they came face to face with their daughter, setting down bags and souvenirs.
“Sweetheart!” Night Light said with a beaming smile, holding onto Twilight as he gave her a nuggy, generating a high pitched squeak from the princess.
“Dad!” Twilight whined, giggling as she straightened her hair out again. Night Light just shrugged, happy to see his children again.
“Now dear, leave her be.” Velvet said, coming in next to Twilight for a long hug, smiling for their reunion, before holding onto her face taking a good look at her, “My my Twilight, your looking a bit peckish. Have you been doing alright? Eating enough?”
“Yes, mom I’m fine. Just tired, that’s all.” Twilight said with a huff, glad to see that her parents were still up to their old habits.
“Oh, the Crystal Empire, so lovely and...crystal.” Velvet said, spinning to take it all in, looking upward at the towering pillars of the castle contrast against a sapphire sky.
“Well come on, get in get in, we can talk inside. I want to see the happy couple, don’t want to keep them waiting.” Night Light said, shooing both mares into the direction of the doors.
Twilight smiled but paused, staying behind for a moment to look out into the streets, feeling as though something was watching, staring right at her, but to what end she did not know. She looked out into the streets, the alleyways and the shadows, observing and taking note all that she saw. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, save for those shadows, distant almost, like a dream, moving almost living. She felt pain in her forehead and winced, holding the bridge of her nose to ease the headache, before looking out again, only to see the town as normal as it could be, and the living shadows gone.
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