Lost in Life, Found after Death.

by RandomCommentor

Endings and Beginnings

Focus: Cyvern

Cyvern is currently standing on a hill overlooking a destroyed, unnamed village. He never knew his parents names, or the neighbors, or the other foals that were in town.
He was alone. But this time, he was strong enough to deal with that. He didnt know what he was now -some half spirit, half pony creature?- but he knew he was powerful now. Powerful enough to make an alicorn scared, which he didn't know if that was a good thing.

Those ponies… why did they do this? Why did they hurt everyone? We didnt do anything to them! growing in anger at his situation, Cyvern begins to go over the events in his head once more.

Everything happened so fast, I was having breakfast when those three attacked, the house was on fire, then I got lost in the forest, found a friend, friend runs away, alicorn nearly finds me, friend dies and… says something about sparks? Then everything gets bright and now im this. This thing.

Cyvern looks over himself, taking in his new form. Where before he was a short earth pony colt, now he seems to have grown to a stallion.

However, age isn't the only thing that changed, as he now has wooden antlers on his head that are able to cast… not spells, some other kind of magic. There are also little pointed stones floating between the horn-like protrusions. Cyvern also notes that his fur has been replaced by a mosslike covering, but it doesn't feel any different. His hooves look like they were replaced by rock as well.

He also can feel all the living things on and in the ground around him and can “see” how they function, but doing that makes him dizzy.

As Cyvern walks around his former home, he discovers a toy he liked to play with. A smile crawls across his face as he picks it up in his hoof, and inspects it for damage.
huh. This all happened in one day, but it feels like I haven't touched this thing in… a very long time…

That age thing must have done something else to my memories, I feel much more… adult? Im assuming. I dont feel as playful or immature, but I dont think thats a bad thing. Not to mention what I… did to those… bad ponies… not wanting to think about That, he drops the toy and moves onto more important things.

“Now,” Someone from behind him speaks. “Who the hell are you and what happened here?” Turning around, Cyvern’s eyes widen. Its not a pony! Its a… fox with several tails?

“Answer me, or face the wrath of the Kitsune!” The creature, now made known to Cyvern as a kitsune, snarls, face contorted in anger.

“Oh- Oh! Um. Well, I-“ Cyvern stutters, not knowing how to explain the situation.

The fox rolls its- hers?- eyes, face becoming neutral, and speaks once more, “Alright, just tell me who you are and what happened to this village.”

Cyvern hesitates, but responds after a moment of thinking. “So, I was having breakfast and then there was a noise- an explosion I think? But Ive never seen or heard one before so I dont know how I know, and then my parents disappeared and I saw an alicorn k-“ he gulps, and continues to summarize the events, all the while the Kitsune sits patiently listening.

Then the story gets to the forest spirit, and the Kitsune interrupts. “Hold on, a ‘Big nature thingy?’ Do you mean a Greater Nature Spirit?” She asks, eyes filled with intrigue.

“Um, yea, thats what he said he was.” Cyvern recalls, nervousness rising.

“Hmm…” the fox narrows her eyes. “Continue.” Cyvern does so, reciting his point of view of the events that transpired.

As Cyvern gets to the part where he fell onto the unicorn, the kitsune nods in approval. “Interesting strategy, and smart too. The pegasus would likely have flown upwards and made you fall and an alicorn is simply too strong to fight. Attacking the unicorn was the correct choice as it was the weakest link from what you’ve explained.” She says, a smile growing across her face.

Although, said smile quickly turns to a frown. “You do not have to continue the story, as I can guess what occurred next. This Nature Spirit was killed and it decided to fuse with you. I suppose-“

Cyvern didn't hear what else she said, as he doubled over in pain.

“ARRGGH!!” Images, painful sounds and images suddenly went through his head. A waterfall he's never seen before, a cave with a white light, and a unicorn firing a powerful spell. All these images cease and the pain begins to stop as well.

“Haaah… owwww, What was that?” Cyvern whines as he lay on the ground, the pain still simmering but not as bad.

“Fusion Recoil. I thought so. Your mortal body simply isn't used to spirit magic, so it is attempting to adapt. Several things may occur, some of them good for you.” The kitsune looks down at the former pony as he lay on his side.

“Urrrgh, whazzat?” Cyvern mumbles as he attempts to get up, only managing to sit up on his hind legs. He looks at the still-unnamed fox.

“Well,” the kitsune begins. “For one, when your bodies and souls were merged, I'm assuming the Greater’s body disappeared?” She asks, getting a nod from Cyvern. “And was there a great, blinding light?” A nod again.

“Alright then, that means your body has absorbed all of the physical energy as well as its magical essence and your mind simply cannot comprehend it.” She explains. “If you do not allow your magic to naturally flow, then your body will reject the fusion.”

Cyvern’s eyes widen. “Wait, does that mean I’ll turn back?”

The kitsune shakes her head, “Its not that simple, pony. If this rejection happens, you will explode.”

Cyverns eyes open wider, mouth widening in shock. EXPLODE?! WHAT DOES SHE MEAN ILL EXPLODE?! Then a fly flew in his open mouth. He quickly spat it out while shaking his head in disgust.

Continuing, the kitsune moves towards Cyvern until she gets uncomfortably close.

“The second thing that may happen, is if your body accepts the energies in its entirety, your body and mind will continue to change until you don't recognize yourself.”

Cyvern’s expression becomes serious as he replies, “I already don't recognize myself. I was an earth pony colt more than six hours ago.” Wait, how do I know that?

The kitsune nods, backing away. “I assumed as much, but I meant that no matter what form you get used to, your body and mind will change, and you will never stay the same. Also, your memorie-“ the Kitsune suddenly cuts off, eyes widening.

“Wait… do you not have any memories from the Greater?” The kitsune asks carefully.

Cyvern tilts his head to the side in slight confusion. “No? I don't think so…” he drifts off in thought.

“I see… that is new. Usually memories of both participants of a fusion also muddle together, sometimes creating a new person. But you say you dont have-” the kitsune suddenly jerks her head toward another burnt-down house.

“What?” Cyvern asks.

The kitsune lowers down to the ground a bit, and says “If you wish to hear more, you may follow me. But be silent, I heard something over there.”

The kitsune then stalks off towards the source of whatever noise was made.

Okay, what is going on?! The moment I have some peace and quiet, this… ‘kitsune’ shows up? Aren't you supposed to introduce yourself when you meet someone new? Wait… why didn't I? Something stopped me… Im sure its nothing.

Walking towards the only other person nearby, he begins to hear the kitsune speaking to someone.

“Okay. Its going to be alright, just give me a moment and I shall heal you.” She seems to be looking at someone under a beam of burnt wood.

Walking in a semicircle around the ruin so he can get a better angle to see, he discovers another unknown creature that seems to be ponylike in shape, but its all black, and instead of a mane it has something else he has never seen before.

Changeling…

Cyvern jumps a bit at the voice, looking around to see where it came from. What was that?! I think it said ‘Changeling?’ Is that what that not-pony is?

After a moment, he realized that the voice sounded like Titan. That was also the moment that the kitsune started to lift the beam that was trapping the changeling.

It got up slowly while the kitsune started to… cast a spell, but it was coming from her tails? Cyvern has never seen that before, but it makes sense since foxes don't have horns. He giggles a bit at the thought of random animals having horns.

“Who is that?” The changeling, now fully healed, asked the kitsune.

“Ah, this pony has recently fused with a spirit. I believe he is from this very village.” The kitsune replied, walking towards Cyvern.

“Oh!” Cyvern remembers something, “So, what are your names?”

The changeling looks at the kitsune, while the kitsune bursts out laughing.

“AHAHA, OHOHO! Okay… that is adorable!” She suddenly stops laughing and goes deadpan. “There is a rule among spirits and half-spirits; Never Give Your True Name. This rule functions for us, as well as against. Even if you remained a pony, I would never tell. But, for sake of conversation, you may call me Almori.”

Cyvern tilts his head in confusion, eyebrows furrowed. “Huh? Okay… but why?”

The kitsune closes her eyes for a moment, takes a deep breath, and opens them again. “If any spirit or half-spirit gives out their name to someone else, that person has full control over the actions of that spirit. This is because the Identity of the spirit is bound to its mind, making the name of said spirit have a Geas-like controlling effect on the one who's name is being used.”

Cyvern remains confused, but tries to make logic of it. “So… you don't give your name because other people make you do things you don't want to with it?”

“Yes.”

“Oh. Okay.”

The three of them stand there in silence. The changeling speaks up. “The True Name magic doesn't work on changelings by the way, because of our type of magic. My name is Petonia. I like being called Petal, or Rose as I like the smell of roses.”

“Oh thats neat. Wait I think I know you! Were you the unicorn with a box of roses on her porch?”

“Yeah… too bad they're gone now. Those things are hard to grow sometimes.”

“Anyways.” Almori speaks up. “I believe I was explaining something to… hmm… what shall you be called? I will not take advantage of your lack of knowledge, so what may we call you, former pony?”

Cyvern perks up a bit, the horn-stones wobbling a bit. “Oh. Um… I don't know? I don't really have any ideas for a fake name. Do I really need one?” He asks.

Almori face-paws. “If you wish to keep your free will intact, then yes.”

“Oh. I cant think of one right now, can I choose from a list?” Cyvern, still barely grasping the idea of having to use a fake name, decides to ask the obvious expert in fake names, the kitsune.

Said fox-spirit just sighs and replies, “Fine, I will think of one. Hmmm…” and after a few moments of tilting her head back and forth, she stares back at Cyvern.

“We shall call you Everfree. As you are now unchained from the toils of mortal life, free to walk the world forever. You may find yourself naming a forest after this new name, however. Its common for new nature spirits to do so. But not all.” She shrugs as she finishes her sentence.

“Cool.” Cyvern, now called Everfree, smiles back at Almori.

“So…” the changeling, Rose, starts. “Can we go report this to my queen now?”

Author's Note:

This story will probably be less updated than Alicorn Kings and Better Things, and will have lots of time skips, so thou hath been warned. It may not even be in chronological order!

Kitsune are naturally born half-spirits, and are very rare to see outside of their empire as they tend to keep to themselves.
Also, they are very patient and dislike deception, especially if said deception is to gain their True Name.

Pronounciation: Almori: all-more-ee

Any feedback is appreciated.

Comments

[RandomCommentor]

🤷 tried to do a thing. Might go somewhere with it.

[Lost_Data]

As Cyvern gets to the part where fell onto the unicorn, the kitsune nods in approval. “Interesting strategy, and smart too. The pegasus would likely have flown upwards and made you fall and an alicorn is simply too strong to fight. Attacking the unicorn was the correct choice as it was the weakest link from what you’ve explained.” She says, a smile growing across her face.

I think you need a 'he' contained in here.

[Lost_Data]

Cyvern’s eyes widen. “Wait, does that mean ill turn back?”

I'll*

[RandomCommentor]

11691721
Corrected.

[RandomCommentor]

11691723
Donezo.

[Lost_Data]

Cheers! I'll be will to see more of this from now on. Whenever it does get added on.

[RandomCommentor]

11691734

I just wanna say, that if you haven't been so helpful, i feel that my stories wouldn't have increased in … I’m reluctant to say “quality” but you've certainly helped!

[Lost_Data]

11691739
Your welcome!