Chapter 10: Seeds Sown by the Ancients

From the depths of the green sea, shines the light of salvation,
The Great Hope; which calls to all race and relation.
But there also comes darkness; deep as blackest night,
At the end of all things, who stands against its might?"

-"The Beginning & The End" (translated), by Skullhum the Far Seer

The Citadel of Everfree, awesome as it was viewed from the outside, saved its true beauty for those allowed inside the great tower. Since they were the ponies of the hour, Celeste and Claire took the opportunity to explore the complex a bit before their meeting with the old Master, Terraria. Entering the Citadel's core complex via a raised walkway, the two alicorns beheld the majesty of the building's interior design with open-mouthed expressions of wonder.

It had been clear even from outside that the Citadel's core structure was very tall, as it towered over even the highest trees in the wood. From inside however, this feeling was magnified a hundredfold when one was standing astride a support pillar and craning one's neck in the skyward search for the peak of the structure. The Citadel's core was hexagonal, with six main columns tapering to a peak many stories overhead. On each of the levels, ponies could be seen going about their routines, in research and in study, for each floor constituted one section of a great library; untold volumes as far as the eye could see. Each of the columns had been built to resemble leafy stems and tree trunks, extending their branches and leaves as the supporting floors. Celeste felt that it was probably the most beautiful sight that she had ever laid her eyes on.

The negative space in the center of the tower was occupied with an expansive courtyard, itself housing trees and plants, some stretching more than four stories high. In the very center was a grand statue, an exact duplicate of the one high above at the tower's peak. Three ponies, one from each of the tribes, all stood facing inwards. Each held up a single hoof, touched together at the geometrical center of the structure. Underneath the point of their convergence was a large plinth, upon which sat a great treasure. It was the first thing that Aquos had shown them after the celebration the previous night.

Celeste could just barely spy the edge of the protected parchment from this high up, shaded as it was by the various trappings of its enclosure. Still, she felt the history that it carried with it. The original Equestrian Constitution. It was the document by which ponies had governed themselves, in peace and prosperity, prior to Discord's rule, and it was the future that they hoped to restore. Every rule, every stricture, including the all-important Statute of the Triplicate Vote, was enshrined on that document, governing every action of the resistance. Aquos and Altas each held a Vote already. They only needed one pony more to complete the Triumvirate.

"A single piece of writing, upon which the hope of a nation now rests," Celeste mused. "Only true wisdom can hold such power."

"And one of us will complete the formula it outlines, to save Equestria," Claire answered beside her. Out of necessity (and perhaps a little bit of guilt), Celeste had eventually let her sister in on what the true purpose was in their studies. Claire had taken the revelation in stride, her boundless optimism refusing to back down from the challenge. But Celeste wasn't really comfortable exhibiting such confidence with the final test still before them.

"You speak as though the matter were pre-ordained, sister, though the hardest part of the journey still lies ahead."

Claire pushed herself away from the railing, letting a light laugh escape her throat. "Cautious and careful: my sister, you haven't changed one bit! But think on it for a second, and tell me honestly what you think of our chances."

Admittedly, Celeste now realized that her sister had a superb point. Both of their teachers had recognized that the two sisters were the finest alicorns either one had had the chance to work with. Her own magical skill was unmatched, and Claire's mastery of the Pegasus arts was exceptional. Indeed, how could either one of them not be the hero Equestria was waiting for?

Regarding her sister once more, Celeste answered with her own laugh, which Claire met with a wide grin. "Let's just hope this final test doesn't pit us against each other directly, then." With a sly grin she continued in a mischievous voice, "I'd hate to have to embarrass you too much in front of the Masters."

"Hey! I'd be game for that! The two titans, in a classic fight to the finish: winner gets the first crack at Discord!" Claire put her fore-legs up into a fighting posture, peering around her hooves to get a look in at her sister's stance. Celeste merely walked on towards one of the lengthy staircases that serviced the tower.

"Perhaps you'd best watch what you wish for, Claire," she replied as her sister came up beside her. "For all you know, it could be a chess tournament. Then, I daresay Discord would be feeling my wrath first."

"Hey, it doesn't matter to me, Celeste. As long as one of us gets to save Equestria, I'll be happy."

"As will I, Claire." The two of them were ascending towards the very top floor, as that was where their two teachers had told them to go. From there, they would move on to their final test, whatever it turned out to be. It seemed that now would probably be their last chance to be truly together, before fate and history spurred one of them on to greater things.

Still, Celeste found herself tongue-tied for the moment. Immersed as they were in such a novel and awe-inspiring environment, perhaps it was only to be expected. The two ascended thusly, in silence, for a time, until the elder sister felt that something simply needed to be said. Looking to the left (for the staircases ringed the structure round the outside, and ascended anti-clockwise) she beheld the maze of bookshelves upon each floor, weighed down with tomes both old and new. "Such a wealth of knowledge," she said softly, "and I might not even have the chance to read a single one of them."

"Plenty of time for that when Equestria is free again," Claire answered.

"Yes," Celeste remained looking out at the library for a moment, and then began climbing again. A new determination entered into her tone as she declared. "We shall rebuild our capital, greater and fairer than there ever was before, and I shall fill it with this knowledge and more. It shall sit on its high mountain perch, an eternal beacon of the glory of our kind."

"And Altas and I will toil in the sky to rediscover the lost arts of the Pegasi, so that we may let sunlight shine forever upon this renewed land. And all will be happy again." Claire answered her, letting her excitement match that of her elder sister. "Together, we shall remake this country, greater than it ever was."

As the two alicorns came around to the final flight, Celeste turned to her sister with a familial smile. "Good luck, Claire. And, whatever happens, thanks. Without your impulsiveness, we'd still be in Eridian right now."

Claire answered with a smile of her own. "Same to you, sister. Without your levelheadedness, neither one of us would have survived long enough to make it here anyway. I know that they'll only take one of us, so may the best alicorn win."

"Agreed," Celeste replied, and the two of them embraced each other one last time, together before the deciding of their collective destinies. From this point on, they would separate, each striving in her own way for the fulfillment of Equestria's rescue from the clutches of the tyrant Discord. But both sisters knew that no matter which of them would be the ultimate hero, they would always be one with each other, both in government and in life. And so they stepped out into the blazing sunlight of midday in unison, side by side against the trial that had been laid before them.

Altas and Aquos were already there to greet them, both dressed in very formal attire. Celeste was rather surprised to see that even the Master of Air had combed back his mane and put on his best suit. She also couldn't help but notice that each one was wearing a golden circlet with a triangular jewel shard at their centre, the traditional headpiece of the Triumvirs of Equestria. Aquos' was a diamond for the unicorns, and Altas' was a sapphire for the Pegasi. Both of the sisters were well aware that along with the Constitution of Equestria was held the third circlet, containing the red ruby of the Earth ponies: the prize that waited for one of them after their trial had been completed.

Celeste and Claire both stood at attention in front of their Masters. Aquos spoke up first. "Celeste, Claire, each of you has progressed to the satisfaction of the both of us. You have reached the point at which neither one of us can teach you any more." She paused, for a moment, studying each of their faces in detail, then, "You are ready for the final test."

On the inside, both sisters beamed. They had become accustomed to such praise, accomplished as they were in the various arts that the two Masters had endeavoured to instruct them.

Altas then stepped forward, to (as it seemed he was always doing) try to lighten up the heavy mood a little. "Aquos and I would like to let you know that we are both very proud of everything you have accomplished, and we wish you the best of luck in the trials you will face ahead. We would also like to make it clear that in the event you are not found worthy, there will be open positions in either one of our Orders for the both of you."

Neither one of the two sisters spoke, but both felt that the reassurance was perhaps a tad pessimistic. It had been a little more than a year that they had been wondering what this final test would entail. Now that they were right on the cusp of it, the anticipation was almost suffocating. Celeste even felt a few uncharacteristic butterflies scooting about in her stomach.

Finally, Aquos gave them her last benediction: "Whatever happens ahead, may Harmony stand with you." After the bright flash of a teleportation spell, the four materialized in a lush garden, illuminated by rays of sunlight streaming in through a skylight high above. Celeste couldn't see more than a few yards in either direction due to the thick foliage, but from the stillness of the air, she realized the room must be quite large. The rich soil felt slightly damp underfoot, and the atmosphere was infused with a dewy scent, reminiscent of a laden orchard on a warm summer's evening. Immediately, Aquos drew aside a low-hanging fern, opening up a clearing beyond, and motioned the two sisters through.

Both of them immediately sensed that this space held power and gravity. The clearing was roughly circular, hemmed in on all sides by impenetrable green leaves and stems. Rising up out of its centre was a great tree, tall and proud as the Citadel itself, which spread its lower branches out over the room in all directions.

Immediately in front of the mighty tree, facing away from them, a pony sat in meditation. By all appearances, this Earth pony had weathered time untold, and had the scars to prove it. Spindly fibres of a pure white mane fell from the back of her wrinkled scalp, reaching downward to the ground behind her. Her coat, which spoke of once being a verdant emerald, had now settled into a dull greenish hue. Still, even though her body appeared weak and thin, she sat straight up, unmoving as a stone carving. By all appearances, this was Terraria, oldest and greatest of the Masters.

Neither one of them dared speak first, but luckily Terraria did not feel inclined to drag out the proceedings. Without turning around to face them, the ancient Earth pony looked up to the top of the great tree. "This tree was once just a seed, sown by the ancients of this land," she said, in a voice that despite cracking occasionally was still very clear and strong. "It fell into fertile soil, and survived off the light that found the way to its leaves. Insects fed on its blossoms, and aided in fertilizing its seeds. Songbirds nested in its branches, and its seeds supported them. Over many decades, it grew to tower over the forest, a testament to the glory of nature. And when it dies, its branches will come back to the Earth, fertilizing the ground once more to enrich the soil for those that would follow it. Tell me then, what is the lesson of this?"

The question caught Celeste by surprise, and she was flustered in thinking of a possible answer. Trees grew, they died, and they grew again. What lesson did this impart? She had never thought of plants as things from which to extract wisdom. Wisdom was in writing, in free thought. A pony could plant a tree, water it, harvest some fruit, and plant a new one when it died. What lesson could possibly be found in that? That all life was cyclical? That all things were temporary? That–

"The tree serves its purpose," Claire answered with confidence. Celeste looked at her sister quizzically, rather surprised that she had decided to speak up with what sounded like such an off-the-mark answer.

"And why do you say that?" Terraria continued.

Showing a bit of nervousness now, Claire's gaze found the ground. "Truthfully, it just sort of came to me. From where I know not, Master."

"Hmm, nonetheless you are correct," Terraria stated as she climbed up to a standing posture. She turned around and faced them then, and both sisters beheld Terraria, Master of the Order of Earth. Her features were plain and simple, although the tough clarity in her aged eyes reminded Celeste very strongly of Aquos.

The Master continued to explain. "For it is, of course, the great lesson that all things teach us: we all exist to serve our purpose. From the scale of the world's breadth, to the smallest microcosm of society, all life is like a forest: each entity working to preserve the well-being of the others. Life exists to benefit life."

Terraria came forward, looking deep into the eyes of each of the sisters. Celeste returned the stare, sensing great wisdom in the Master's sharp gaze. Clearly, she had spent enough time questioning the meaning of her own existence to understand things a mere student couldn't even begin to grasp. Still, Celeste knew that her reasoning had been on the right track as far as answering that question went. With some more time, she surely would have gotten it.

Speaking to the both of them again, Terraria continued in her clear voice, "Equestria is a tree in the forest of the world, placed there to fulfill its purpose within the pages of history. You understand this." It was not a question, but both of the sisters nodded to indicate agreement.

"It is this purpose for which we strive; the ultimate achievement of that which we are tasked by life itself." Terraria was silent for just a moment, and then suddenly a smile appeared on her face. "But don't worry. Luckily for us, fate has granted us a record by which we might judge our progress towards this goal. And within it rests the key to your own destiny: the way to defeat Discord and free Equestria once more. Triumvirs!" she called out to Aquos and Altas, who were standing regally at the edges of the clearing. "Lead us now to the Chamber below. It is time."

After a short walk through the garden, Celeste and Claire soon found themselves descending even deeper into the depths of Everfree. The air became chillier as they descended, and lost the sweet, leafy aroma of the life above. Still, from the austere reverence on the faces of the three Masters, and their hushed silence, Celeste knew that what lay ahead was of utmost importance.

They came at length to a great hall, larger than any Celeste had ever seen. The ponies were dwarfed in the massive space, which carried on for many yards into a deep gloom. In the blackness, Celeste couldn't even make out the far side wall; such was the sheer enormity of the room. And yet, the floor underneath was smooth, as were the walls of the archway through which the five ponies had entered. Something had built this chamber, and taken great care in its aesthetics and maintenance.

It was Aquos who first struck up a light, a clear azure brilliance radiating out from the tip of her horn. Finally, Celeste was able to pick out the far wall and ceiling of the cavernous space. Or at least she would have been, were she not completely enraptured by the design carved into the wall by which she and Claire had been standing.

The hall was composed of parallel niches, arranged in a system of periodic archways, down one wall and up the next. Within each was a surface of flat, grey stone, unquestionably ancient and yet still smooth. Most of the niches were completely unadorned, but the engravings on this one were cast in deep shadow by the sudden illumination.

The image depicted a bright, glaring star shining forth from between two low hills. The light's rays were far-reaching, dominating the space; though they were matched by a spiral of blackness just off to their side, seeming to emanate from a small forest. The image was complemented by a scratched script on the bottom, although the text was completely incomprehensible to either of the two sisters. However, the most striking element of the image, like the room in general, was its sheer size. Each individual character of the text stood as tall as Celeste herself, to say nothing of the engraved picture, which held a certain divine mystery about it. What could have been so powerful, as to have left such an awe-inspiring legacy? Surely this was not the work even of a whole civilization of ponies.

Terraria confirmed her suspicions several moments later, when she announced regally, "The Beginning & The End, by the great dragon Oracle, Skullhum the Far Seer. The Citadel is built upon his old residence, with this hall being but one of many buried here deep beneath the forest."

The three Masters began proceeding slowly through the chamber, their steps reverberating in the empty space with faint echoes. They followed the left-most wall deeper into the chamber, passing by finished carvings. Each one was simple like the first, massive but composed mainly of straight lines, as well as a short addendum in the peculiar dragon script. As she passed each one, Celeste tried to make sense of the images, especially in light of the fact that they had apparently been drawn by an ancient Oracle, but none fit into her memory. They seemed to form a sort of sequence though, as if the dragon had been tracing out history itself.

The party stopped at the seventh mural, which seemed to depict a cloud of darkness sweeping over a green plain, covering the mountains and the forests in shadow. The cloud was marked with a strange rune, a mess of lines drawn in no particular order and obeying no unifying principle. Again Terraria gave the engraving's title: "The Coming of Chaos".

The group moved on to the next image, stopping again. Celeste stole a glance onwards and noted that all of the walls ahead appeared blank. Either the eighth mural was the last, or something else was afoot. This time, Aquos finally spoke, through the glare of her still blazing magic. "An explanation perhaps, for our two newcomers: Skullhum was a prolific seer, renowned over the continent for his prophetic visions, or at least so history tells us. But this chamber is perhaps his greatest legacy. It was discovered decades ago by daring archaeologists, and excavated. The ponies that found this prophecy vowed to eternally protect its significance, and wait for its reveal. They constructed the Citadel of Everfree and founded the Order of Earth to watch over this place."

Terraria took up the narrative. "This image is the eighth, and the final one which has been revealed thus far. For Skullhum's prophecy is like a chain: the fulfillment of one piece reveals the next. Know ye look now upon the Grand Prophecy of Skullhum the Far Seer, and its prediction of the hope for all ponies, that one day we shall be free!"

The ancient Master swept a hoof over the breadth of the wall, and Celeste took it all in with one sweep of her eyes. The peculiar rune which had signified chaos in the previous nook featured prominently again, only this time it was held high and surrounded by a wall of six lights, through which its darkness could not penetrate. Beneath, three triangles pointed upward, arranged in a row over a flat line. Two of the triangles were filled in, while one was an outline. For once, Celeste felt she could understand the symbolism. If the chaos rune represented Discord's darkness, then the three triangles were the three new Triumvirs, and the six lights would be the power they wielded to defeat him. The two filled in triangles were Altas and Aquos, while the outline yet to be filled would be the as yet unfound third Triumvir. She spared a glance over at her younger sister, who stood spellbound by the majesty of the entire moment. One of them was the final triangle.

There was one final piece of the puzzle. Beneath the triangles was another piece of text, written in the indecipherable dragon language. Terraria nodded once to Altas, who came forward then to recite the final part of the prophecy:

'Neath mottled Earth in Everfree,
Mind and Spirit in Harmony.
Let the light of order again shine free,
And Chaos' end shall find thee.

Celeste felt the words roll over each other cleanly as they reached her ears, buoyed by the clarity of the Master of Air's voice. Another fairly simple set of instructions, seemingly enough. All they needed to do was release this "light of order", and the way to defeat Discord would reveal itself. Finally, the end of all the suspense and expository build up had been made clear. Celeste felt a recognizable energy flow through her mind, the same energy she always felt when about to embark on an especially stimulating challenge. Now, with the ability to wield magic at her command, fulfilling this prophecy would be a simple test of power, and that was the kind of test Celeste really enjoyed taking.

Terraria summed it up nicely. "The trial then is simple: Discord holds the sun and moon at his command, interleaving their cycles and confusing the natural order of the world. The successful Triumvir must break his control over them, and restore the natural peace to this land. Once this has been performed, Chaos' end will find us all, and Equestria's future will be secured. For now, we shall return to the surface."

The party began its slow trek back up the path they had walked through the dim chamber. Celeste sensed the anticipation from her sister, and knew that she was already working through her own strategies of attack for the problem. In Celeste's mind, it would be a shame that her sister had worked so hard for this moment, only to be stymied by the misfortune of being outshined. Once these formalities had been cleared, it would be her chance to fulfill the destiny that both of them had dreamed of: to save Equestria for all the future to come.