Chapter 2: Awakening

Anon came back to consciousness after what felt like an hour. His lungs longed for air as he inhaled what he could. Everything that happened before was crawling back into his memory as he struggled to get up. He stumbled and used the nearest item to prop himself up. He felt dizzy and nauseous when he got up on his own two booted feet. The weight of his armor couldn't bother him since it became part of him , but something about his surroundings felt different.

After breathing heavily , Anon looked around and noticed the castle walls were gone. The Forrest surrounded him once more and the fog has disappeared. Instead of dead trees , everything showed signs of life. The hard dry ground now had plentiful plant life and the sounds of numerous animals would occasionally fill what used to be silence. He didn't know if he should be frustrated to have been taken off path of his quest or to be happy knowing that everything seemed peaceful.

Anon observed the environment around him and went in the direction he believed was west. Many long hours passed as he traveled through the many trees. He could have sworn they were glaring at him. He grew tense and slightly paranoid as eyes peered at him behind the bushes. 'This forest must must have some sort of paranoia curse!' Anon thought to himself. This still didn't stop the feeling of being watched. Anon looked up and saw sunlight beam through the thick leaf covered branches. 'I must hurry if I want to get out of here before the night comes!' Anon thought nervously.

Anon went through the forrest as fast as he could. The taunting sounds of howling stopped him as he reached a small clearing. Anon held up his claymore with his right hand and held up his shield with the other. He scanned the area before spotting a large pack of timber wolves come out if the bushes. They growled as sappy liquid came out of their mouthes. Anon has had many encounters with timber wolves before and wasn't afraid to make himself higher on the food chain.

"Attack if you dare!" Anon shouted as if the timberwolves could understand him.

The timberwolves wasted no time in charging at their prey. Anon waited for them to get into perfect distance. A timber wolf attempted to pounce onto the knight but was met with a claymore going into its mouth and through it's hard wooden skull. Anon bashed a second one in the jaws with his shield and pulled the sword out if the first one's skull. He swiftly cut the second wolf's head in a downward motion. A third wolf tackled him to the ground with a strong force. Anon snapped its neck and threw the body at another upcoming wolf. He stood up and  grabbed his sword and shield. One wolf the size of a horse charged at him head on with accelerating speed. Anon raised his claymore into the air and arched it back before throwing it at the behemoth. The claymore impaired through it's forehead , killing it instantly.

The other wolves fled from combat as soon as they noticed that their leader was vanquished. Anon slung his shield back onto his back and took his claymore from the wolf's head. He sheathed it before kneeling down onto the ground and put his hands together. "Yet again , I thank you lord for giving me the strength and will to go on living. I would like to thank the for good that is in the world and for all of those who try to make the world a better place. Amen.".

Anon got up from his usual prayer and went on through the forrest. He was once again interrupted by another noise. This one seemed different. After getting closer to the source. It was the sound of humming! It belonged to a beautiful feminine voice. Anon pearled through the bushes and saw a yellow pegasus with pink hair humming a tune while taking care of small wildlife. ' A sentient pegasus?! What in the name of heaven is going in here? Maybe that orb was a rift between realms like the others I've seen.' Anon thought to himself.

Anon fell over a root that was poking out of the ground and landed on the ground of the meadow. He heard a worried gasp coming from what he assumed was the pegasus. He looked up and saw the pegasus coming over to his aid. He pulled himself onto his feet with the help of the kind pegasus. She looked him over for any injuries.

"Are you okay there big guy?" She asked as if she didn't know he was intelligent.

"I am fine madam." Anon said in a reassuring tone." I'm perfectly fine but I thank you for your concern."

"Y-you can talk?" She asked while slightly cowering in fear.

"Last time I have checked." Anon answered jokingly." I don't recall pegasia having a mind of their own but I am willing to get used to it. If you don't mind me asking , what is your name?"

"I'm Fluttershy." Fluttershy answered." If you don't mind me asking , what's your name?"

"I don't know." Anon said while half pondering what his name was before he changed it.

An hour or two was spent in Fluttershy's cottage. The time was spent asking and answering questions about each other and   information of this land. Apparently it was named Equestria which explained why ponies were the main sentient creatures.  Anon was told many things such as magic ,  Ponyville , the elements of harmony , and the bearers of them. Anon and Fluttershy were going to go meet her friends but it began to pour rain. Hours passed by as Anon helped Fluttershy around inside after telling her that he would like to thank her for her hospitality.

"It's almost time for bed , sir Anon." Fluttershy said using the knight version of his name. " I have a bed I. The guest room if you would like to sleep in there."

" I don't sleep." Anon explained. " I can only sit and rest due to my curse. Would you mind if I use your fireplace?"

"Not at all." Fluttershy said while smiling. " I understand if you would like a night light."

Anon ignored the comment about having to need a night light , but he didn't explain that he could only rest at bonfires. Anon ignited the fire wood and sat down and stared at the flames as they danced around. He always felt comfort when around fire and was content with the fact that this realm was less dangerous than his own. He spent the rest of the night staring at the fire while Fluttershy was sound asleep upstairs in her bed. He could tell that life was going to be a bit easier.

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