Full Moon Fever: A MoonLight Prompt Collab

by TheLastBrunnenG

92 Regret by Knight of Lycaeus

Regret
by Knight of Lycaeus

---

The concept of tracing magical signatures was not new; it was often counted on as a reliable means of finding a magical artifact or being. However as Twilight learned through testing was that as distinctive as Nightmare’s magic was it was also impossible to trace even if the magic was standing right next to her. This led to the hypothesis that Nightmare’s magic repelled attempts to find it magically and this was the crux of the issue.

Instead of continuing what seemed to be a fruitless endeavor Twilight had decided that visiting a few key locations that were important in old worship of Nightmare could help her find something else for the scanning spells to trace. The Grand Library of the Lunaris Sanctuarium proved useful in this regard despite the limited number of written works and even fewer that were written in a tongue that she could read.

"An unusual place you have taken us although I believe you have not stated where exactly we are. Yet something of this lonely place is familiar albeit akin to a faded memory," commented Nightmare.

"I thought it might be," Twilight said as she led the way through the winding pathways, "what little I have been able to decipher from the books in the Grand Library of Lunaris Sanctuarium is that this place was once one of the important centers for worship. Although I have to admit none of the books I’ve translated mention what exactly this place is."

Nightmare nodded as she glanced over the walls and ceilings for even the slightest hint of what this place once was, "I do admit to also feeling a sense of frustration however that stems from not knowing why this place feels so familiar for me.”

The two continued down the winding pathway to find a large stone archway. The arch itself was carved of seemingly plain dark stone. It wasn’t until they were closer that they could see the intricate detailing etched carefully into the stone.

Twilight formed a small ball of light with her magic to better allow her to examine the fine detail work.

"It's here; these are the same style of carvings that was in the other place I found you at. Between these two places I think these must have been a language that was used by worshipers," Twilight said as she moved her hoof over the carved symbols.

Suddenly there was an audible thump and she turned to find Nightmare collapsed over the threshold of the archway. Twilight quickly made her way to the fallen Alicorn and from a quick examination Nightmare seemed to be fine.

"Leave her," spoke an unknown voice behind her.

Twilight who had been ready to cast some diagnostic spells now turned to the source of the voice, her horn lit with a spell ready to drive off the intruder if necessary; only to find herself looking at nothing, but the stony walls.

"Where are you?" Twilight asked as she quickly formed a shield before readying herself with another spell. While there were some things that she had expected to find in this abandoned place another being was not among those.

"Here I am," boomed the voice as it stepped into the light of Twilight's spell.

The unknown voice turned out to be a Pony with a darker grey colouration who was tall and lean with fangs and silted eyes. Across the Pony’s back was a shimmering cloak held together by a brooch of silver fashioned into the shape of the Moon.

"A Lunar Pony? Here?" Twilight asked as she glanced over the intruder and noted there were three long sharp claws protruding from each hoof. "I thought all of you had long abandoned this place."

The Pony shook its head, "Though I resemble one, I am no Lunar. Now peace young one, I mean thee no harm for my concern is for my Goddess."

The term Goddess was not used to refer to Nightmare in most instances except by some of her most devout followers. So hearing the Pony use the term Twilight reluctantly dimmed her spell as the unknown Pony bent down and laid a hoof on Nightmare and as its hoof lowered it softly began glowing with magic. Not long after Nightmare began to stir and Twilight bent down to help Nightmare rise to her hooves.

Once she was standing up properly the unknown Pony backed away slowly before lowering himself into a deep bow.

“My Goddess,” the Pony said slowly.

Nightmare looked over the bowing Pony, “Keeper, you still live.”

“Your name is Keeper?” Twilight asked, “That name…. You’re one of the ones from lore of the Lunars, one of the First Servants.”

Keeper rose from its bow and turned its head to Twilight, “I am although a name I do not have, it is merely what the Lunars have called me in years long past.”

“I must admit that finding you still alive is unusual. I had thought that you and your brethren had long perished or vanished from this world,” Nightmare said.

Keeper sighed and lowered into another deep bow, “There is a tale there. Please forgive my failures my Goddess.”

“Explain,” Nightmare said flatly.

Keeper remained in a deep bow as it carefully began to speak, “When my brethren and I realized that you had disappeared from this plane we argued amongst ourselves and the result of our argument scattered us to the four winds and I know not where they are now. However in doing so we made a grave error, your disappearance diminished our powers and separating weakened us even further. My continuing duties then weaken me even more; I bound myself to the magic of this place to save myself. In doing so I could do little when my followers were persecuted by those who despised Lunars.”

“Your followers, do you mean the Lunars who resemble yourself, the Caligo Ponies?” Twilight asked.

“Indeed. In days long past there were my followers and those who granted me the address I now use.”

“What you speak of is troubling,” said Nightmare as she walked over to loom over the bowed Pony.

“Yet, you did well in maintaining the Dreaming Realms,” Nightmare said as she helped Keeper stand. “You are forgiven for your failures.

“I thought Luna guarded the Dreaming Realms,” Twilight said. “I have heard stories from some of the Ponies in Ponyville that Luna had visited and helped them in their dreams and I do recall one time that Luna did visit me in my dreams.

“The young Equestrian Princess has done well in proving herself as an adequate guardian yet the Dreaming Realms itself is under my purview,” Keeper said.

Keeper turned back to face Nightmare and raised a hoof.

Nightmare nodded and placed her hoof over the Keeper’s.

Both began to chant in an ancient tongue, an almost primal sound rose from their chanting and gradually Keeper began to fade from the world becoming more transparent. Nightmare on the other hoof seemed to stand straighter and taller.

“My Goddess,” Keeper said, “before I leave I must impart one last thing. Please remain quiet for this and keep this with you.”

Closing its eyes, “The future is unclear yet I can see that your return was not unexpected for I had anticipated your return. However your return marks the beginning of something bigger.”

Keeper opened its eyes, “Ancients are stirring once more, both of thee prepare thyself for what is to come.”

Comments

[Exaxxion]

this is nice