A few moments ago
Moonlit pov

''Something's not right.'' my mind warned me once more since I had been following the new tracks from yesterday, I couldn't ignore it. The more time I spent following my quest the worse it became, I couldn’t take it anymore and immediately checked at full detail my surroundings noticing that things were not in its place; the guardians were gone and I was the only one who remained there.

I was perfectly aware of the situation however I opted to ignore this small problem and continue with my quest because the tracks which I found were fresh, but since there was some disturbance and I needed to find the source as quick as possible. However the fate had other plans for me when I felt the force of the wind pass next my head forcing me to pullback so I could scan my surroundings and then notice Ia steel arrow deeply buried on the tree. The natural instincts appeared, the burning fire deep within me grew ready to be delivered to my assailants.

The arrow came from the east where my eyes meet a small contingent of Gryphons, the numbers of feather-brains could be counted with the due time but things were perfectly clear at mere sight, I was vastly outnumbered. They stared at me with their eyes filled with malice and wicked amusement, their grins only proved my point right; they were going to kill me if I didn’t fight back.

''Well well, look at this lads.'' I could hear the venomous voice coming from their leader’s beak ''Looks like we caught ourselves a pony.''

The wind passed through my sharp teeth, they can tear flesh with ease and feather wouldn’t be much of a problem except that they may get stuck between them.. ''Leave this place, your are not welcomed here over-sized bird.''

The Gryphons laughed off my warning as if it was a mere joke, the leader however looked at me and signaled the others to shut their beaks. ''My my such hate, specially coming from a pony.” I could see the mock, his confidence everything he was radiating. Everything about him warned me deeply;I should have left when I could. “Tell me pony, where did you find the courage to give us orders?”

They looked down at me, but I knew it could be an advantage if things went south. The element of surprise is essential in battle. “The forest knows, and the guardians are nowhere to be found your mere presence is an offense.”

“I see…” No matter what he did, I knew everything was an act to mock me. “There is a problem...stupid pony.”

“WE WILL LEAVE WHEN WE WANT, AIN'T THAT RIGHT BOYZ?!''

''RIGHT LION-HEART!!!'' The group of birds shouted in unison showing their loyalty to their leader, if the guardians were near that action would have signed their death sentence.

''You hear that pony, nobody ain't leaving.'' His tone of voice was fueling my rage. ''Can you guess why?''

''No I can't guess why since I'm not a stupid bird.'' I hissed at him once more, who didn't seem to be affected of my insults.

“You should show some respect or bad things might come to your way.'' The leader replied me with his cold eyes, I felt how could they were that a shiver ran on my spine. Then both wings flared open creating a weak wave of wind that made all the scattered leaves fly away. That was the signal, his squad unsheathed their weapons and started to circle me, there were no exceptions; all of them wanted me dead. ''However before we begin allow me to enlighten you, one my boyz went of a small scout mission and never came back, we searched for him then and found him gone of this world.''

''You think I had something to do with that body, don't you?''

He nodded with no further expression. ''Yes for a pony you figure out things, rather quickly but then again you are not a pony, you are a Kirin.'' It didn’t matter to them if I was a pony or a Kirin, there were no exceptions in their hunt list.

There was no point to argue against them yet I did.''I had nothing to do with your missing bird.'' I spat at him showing my utter disgust at his accusation, yet on the inside my hopes to remain alive became less and less, the amount of enemies I was going to face were unfair; it was an impossible feat.

''There I beg to differ Kirin, Erik was not mauled nor ripped to shreds, instead he was burned alive meaning, not only that you see; some scouts saw you near the place where he died, everything points that you are the responsible.'' I didn’t kill him, but his deduction pointed me and anybody would think the same in his situation.

I didn’t like anything about the present, many hunters were around me; leaving me nowhere to run and with unsheathed weapons ready to pierce me if I did a bad move.

''I was only passing through, is just an unfortunate coincidence that your comrade’s corpse was near. '' It was worth a shot, despite knowing how stubborn that race can get.

However I was surprised when the over-sized bird folded both wings were they belonged and looked at me, then he gave a cocky smirk. ''If you were innocent then you wouldn’t have adopted such an hostile stance to begin with, you are a threat.'' The sharp sound of a blade unsheathing send me shivers to my spine.“Any last request?”

The hostility of the environment was too much to bear, my instincts wanted me to run away at the minimal chance but that chance was slim to zero. After all I was only delaying the inevitable. ''Yes just one...'' I made up my mind and concentrated the flame within me, I felt the flame rising to my throat then to my mouth getting ready to unleash tartarus against the fools who closed distance. ''Burn!!!!!''

The torrents of flames unleashed upon them was quick; the ones who didn’t react in time were engulfed by them. What tried to come from the sea of fire was quickly silenced, nothing could make it out alive once it reaches you. The emanating sound was cracking and the smell only enraged the fellow hunters more as their natural bloodlust increased while the need for avenge burned as much a the flames the kirin made.

Despite I got the advantage at the beginning it didn’t last much, breath fire is exhausting and requires a lot of concentration; thing that I couldn’t miss now. Very few were caught by my attack meaning that more were still able to fight. But there was something that I completely forgot, I did fire. n other words I burned bodies and a few things of my surroundings creating a wall of smoke which limited my vision and my smell range. The wall of smoke could was a double edged sword, it could be very useful just as it could be deadly.

Perhaps I was just too hasty with trying to incinerate them at once.

The wind was vivid, and the constant flapping of wings told me that they weren’t going to land any time soon. The gap of disadvantage became wider, trying to land a blow on them was a futile dream the only thing I could do was to wait for them to do a dive attack; I perfectly knew about breathing fire again but in that position they could easily dodge it and if I were to use my bow they would charge at me without a second thought.

But the smoke revealed itself giving me the solution to my problems.

I ran where the fire was still ablaze and breathed more, increasing the volume. It might go out of control and create a forest fire of great scale but my survival is all what mattered to me. Being a Kirin allowed me to endure fire for a while, but if I were to over exceed that I will get burned.

Moments later it was very difficult me for breath at all, my nose had been rendered useless for the fight. My vision had very little help for it too but at least I had my ears to help me.

The time became critic as I was in the middle of Tartarus, and I feared the worst that they would have decided to leave me there and die for the lack of air.

“FORMATION 3!!” Or that was I thought.

A Griffin might not have the same wing power of a normal Pegasus but they can still do what they do. Amd o them was to simulate a small tornado powerful enough to disperse the entire cloud of protection leaving me there open to any attack.

Then I was there stunned unmoving with my jaw hanging around.

“Quite interesting plan you did there but we cannot accept that.” The leader looked with what I could deduce was a smirk of mockery. “Three take the front and one the back.” The coldness was clear, what he just said was the plan to bring me down and knowing that he said it aloud proved that they hadn't considered much of a threat despite what I did moments before.

I didn’t have time to change my stance and they were already on me, three birds in front and one trying to go behind; but easily avoidable by giving constant step to the side. ‘Where are they?’ Everfree folk they should be here by now'' I was becoming more and more desperate as the time passed, my mind held tight on the possibility that I was going to be saved somehow but other part of me told me that the escape or salvation was a complete fantasy out of my reach.

I didn’t want to show it but I really wanted to cry.

It was just unfair, I only wanted to search for my parents.

Am I a bad Kirin?

Please help.

Somebody.

I don’t want to die.

Alkeyore's perspective

Nature was never kind to me and it didn’t have exceptions, time was essential and every second decreased the chances of survival of the owner. Being sore was an understatement but my will maintained my legs in movement, at least my clothes provided some kind of protection but not for free; every branch I passed or a bush of thorns a small piece of it stayed behind; at the end maybe I will be dressed in rags but thankfully I had some spare clothes in storage in my pocket dimension. The farther I went the stronger my necromancy became, event which only occurs when death has arrived.

Not a good sign, not in the slightest.

Luna was behind me I was totally aware of her presence, I was in the dire need to use my dark arts but by doing so Luna might feel it and probably panic, trying to counter as response but there were little options left to achieve our goal. It was difficult but not impossible to cast a spell in my current position but hiding it was another story; but feeling the souls of the fallen nearing to me gave me no other option.

The flare of the stigma ignited once more as my lips pronounced the corrects words and language, asking for a trade; souls for support.

The answer was immediately, I could no longer feel the weight of my body; it was like I had become one with the wind and as an unstoppable breeze I advanced toward my objective. All my surroundings became blurry to my vision and my others senses became void to my brain, the only thing I was aware of is advance, advance, advance.

“Alkeyore!”

And I was back.

The newly acquired strength vanished leaving me behind, but this time not alone.

Beside me was the princess of the night who left me astonished that she kept up with my pace and also that she didn’t seem to notice what kind of magic I casted moments before I was halted. But I was aware of her condition, I couldn’t be left in the doubt especially if she was just right beside me struggling to give an appropriate breath.

I felt the presence souls of the fallen aimlessly wandering across the woods, dancing with the wind. Perhaps I was too late to rescue the unfortunate being, but I was not late to help the alicorn who exhausted her body till the very end to show her true intentions.

She was there laying on the ground, her hair gracefully spread all over her form. Her chest rose and fell sometimes in a moderate rhythm but other times erratic. The little rest she had was not even close to restore her a fraction of her energy, I would have helped her but hearing the scream cleansed created on my mind and I went to aid the owner.

There was no need to think twice on my decision,

I knelled next to her and my hand pressed lightly on her forehead, my lips pronounced the necessary and a circle was formed around her while an aura of light engulfed her exhausted form.

You learn for the sake of knowledge.

Others search for weakness.

And I was the latter.

But some spells from their library are very useful in dire situations, Luna will be on her feet...hooves in no time.

With her out of the reach of danger, I decided to continue with my main objective even if I have already failed in that assignment, because at end I am just helping a stranger there is no reason to mourn for him or her if death had already fallen.

''Alkeyore...'' Her calm voice had stopped me twice, but only momentarily after all I had other matters to attend to.

“Luna I will not lie to you, death has already been claimed lives and with my presence more will be claimed” There was no need to turn back and watch her face, the face of an innocent being who has never experienced the death before never change no matter the race or age.

“I understand…”

It was time to leave…

“But promise me that you will not let the worse of you come out!”

Mere words were stopping me...

The tension on my muscles felt like my flesh become rock as a weight on my shoulder had been placed. I…

It was my decision after all, not hers.

“No promises…” And my feet began made their way to the woods, leaving her behind.

Only to be halted by a powerful flash of light which blocked my way and tried to blind my vision.

“There is always another way.” The spark of fury burned once more within me at hearing her say the words of the one I loathe.

“Are those your words or your sister’s?”

She was rendered speechless immediately staring at me with wide eyes which clearly showed the sentiment of being hurt, but as I stated before I had other things to attend.

“So be it, I shall no longer question your belief but please give the meaning of mercy a chance.”

Without looking moving my gaze I walked past her. “Perhaps I will.”

But not this day.

Nothing between us needed to be say, she had her own ideals and beliefs as I had my own. Yet the moment I gave the first step forward I felt her also moving, without a second though I silently casted the restrictions spells I knew that will not harm her.

She would have been a disturbance and weakness.

The more I went further the louder the harmony of battle sounded on my ears, metal clashing against metal combined with the war cries as with the cries of pain. That morbid melody was proof enough that I still had time to rescue the endangered life or lives that were on the verge of death.

But then it stopped.

That was not a good hint.

But I still moved with caution.

Finally I was within reach of them and my eyes witnessed the abomination of the battle. But my stigma was released when I saw with my very eyes the reason of why the symphony of the battle stopped its tune.

I leaped from my hiding place with a spell ready to be casted by hand my hand which thirsted for fresh blood, ancient battle-cry of my clan was used after so long. ''THE RAVEN FLY ONCE AGAIN!!!!!''

Moonlit's perceptive

All around me was different of what I recall.

The forest changed.

I changed.

And I’m tired.

So tired.

I really wanted a nap, a well deserved one.

But…

I just couldn’t

I couldn’t die being clueless about my origins and the real me, or what I was supposed to be.

No matter if I was going beyond my limits, I needed to show my stance against certain death.

My body needed a moment to relax my sore muscles, but the air constantly nagged me since it always brought dust upon my fresh injuries on my body. They weren’t mortal wounds thankfully, but the warm feeling enveloping me clearly told me that they needed to be take care of as soon as possible.

But then I was laying on the ground.

‘How?’

I thought I was determined to remain stand and keep fighting, so why I ended up on the ground?

Much to my dismay the grass was too comfortable, did I say that I wanted to have a nap?

But where did the pain go?

I remembered that my whole body was filled with superficial wounds and every time a breeze passed it hurted me; but then on the ground nothing could be felt.

Everything was blurry, I couldn’t tell the difference between...things anymore.

My will slowly but steadily started to leave me behind,

“It seems that Kirin aren’t that weak, eh?”

My vision returned to me at the instant that damned voice made itself present, the rage mixed hate ignited fueled my body to try to get up and deliver another blow to those bastards but all was meet with a blunt strike on my ribs.

“But the weak should know their respective place.’’

Their numbers had been reduced but they were still a lot of them around, but they didn’t seem to care for their fallen despite they dragged me into this mess for a fallen comrade; how hypocrite they can be? The exhaustion was beginning to drag me away to the comfort of the darkness but I didn’t want to go for the sake of my quest, yet at looking at them I was hesitating.... Perhaps I can leave unnoticed, I had little rest which might be enough to crawl away.

But something swift and fast passed through my hind leg and suddenly I couldn’t feel nothing more than more warmth bathing me; however it didn’t last that numb sensation was replaced by pure agonizing pain. I was silent on the outside but on the inside the wails of agony echoed.

“You are a little rascal, aren’t you? What a dishonorable action trying to escape after being defeated.” Such words coming from his disgusting mouth fueled the rage within me but being helpless to react or to do something just turn it down. “What’s the problem with you boys?”

''Sorry, we were discussing on what to do with the pony.'' One of them with grey wings spoke up.

''You have permission to do whatever you want, a lowly life like her doesn’t concern me at all.”

The same bird chuckled as his head turned to me showing me a face filled with ill intentions, then it leaned closer to his leader’s ears.

His face didn’t contort to anything, he looked at me with disdain. ''If that is what they want…”

''Yes it is, we just want our payback on her, and it will help us to sleep some us much better.”

''Tsch…so be it then.....do as you please.'' The leader turned with a look of disgust and walked away. “I will see if there is something salvageable from those idiots.”

The grey gryphon looked uneasy at hearing the words of his leader but it quickly vanished when he set his stare on me.

“We have permission!” He shouted and every bird around cheered in sick joy, it disgusted me.

Then I felt my tail being pulled, dragging me to be close to him. “We are going to have lots of fun pony.”

That word immediately destroyed any kind of trance I was in, my eyes were mere pinpricks and the despicable strength I gathered I hit his chin with my tail as hard as I could, or the what was possible to be considered painful.

I didn’t want that.

This wasn’t happening.

It must be a dream.

A horrible but horrible dream.

Somehow I was crawling away no destination in particular came to my mind; but anywhere was better than being near those bastards. My claws grabbed the grass as my life depend on it, and then using that grip I pulled myself to keep going yet i never managed to move a miserable meter before he recovered from the hit.

''Don’t make this harder!,'' After he yelled his anger towards me I felt my head being lifted up by my hair and then smashing it on the ground, I was able to hear the impact and my focus became even more difficult to hold. But I knew that I needed to get away.

The disgusting bird placed his claw without care around my throat trying to choke me but the other was near my range and without any hesitation I bite it and began to chew it without any remorse.

The blood and the scream mixed very well, giving me a moment of self satisfaction but it wouldn’t change my situation; perhaps I just worsened it.

What came next was numb but I knew that the pain was there, right at the back of my head but at least I knew that somehow the ground was serving as a cushion but being smashed against it so many times until my teeth released his claw it really didn’t bring me any comfort at all.

“HELP ME TO GET THIS CUNT!”

I could only lick my lips savoring his blood as a refreshing drink, even if I didn’t find liking in that.

Again I felt my legs being pulled as they dragged me to them, this time I was surrounded before I could react the binding of my tail and my hind legs; I tried to bite but then a talon was already on my neck bringing me down to the ground with force, the my forelegs were the only limbs which were free of their bind but they were useless.

Being trapped filled with utter terror and despair, I didn’t care what they said in the slightest m first and primary concern was to get out somehow as soon as possible; struggling hoping to get away was hopeless and fighting my was neither an option, my whole body was beyond its limits.

‘Where are the guardians?’

I didn’t want to cry, I didn't want to give them the satisfaction.

“We need to make sure that she can’t fight back any longer.”

A blade pierced my skin and drew lines on my hind legs hitting my nerves which only intensified the agony that I was feeling again.

‘I thought Grimmnjor cared for me.’

They kept moving the blade around opening more wounds.

‘Why did you abandoned me?’

“I think that will be enough, we should hurry or she might die of bleed out.”

“Just heat a metal and use it to close the wounds.”

“Alright.”

They wouldn’t....

'''Hiss-AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH'' I screamed.

And screamed

And screamed

“Add some salt too!”

Finally I couldn’t hold any longer, I openly wept on the ground; I was only a kid trying to act as an adult or a warrior.

A foolish kid with a foolish dream.

''Do ya like that Kirin?'' Mocked one of the bastards; they were just too many and my head felt like it was ready to explode; the constant hit also made my focus difficult; however I knew that it wasn’t that grey bird whose claw I destroyed.

''This is how we felt when ya burnt some of us alive, it's only fitting for ya to feel the same.'' And again without mercy they poured more salt on one of my many wounds, the burning sensation was unbearable which only added more tears staining my face.

However it didn’t end there, I felt their disgusting claws trace around my body as they laughed; I felt how slowly their claws found my rear. In that moment I panicked again, I wasn’t going to allow that to happen while I’m still alive; I might had lost the battle but I still had my spirit with me, I felt pressure in my binned parts trying to hold me but the more I fought the weaker the got. But again that momentum didn’t last; they hit me one the back of my head.

In that exact moment I felt everything go black and white. I couldn’t understand why but then I found myself on the ground laying on my back with the exception that I my limbs were strongly tied with something that I couldn’t tell, if it was rope I could have broke free again.

''I will start, that bitch must be put in her place.”

Then a figure was over me, I didn’t know who was and couldn’t see nothing but a silhouette over me; yet I was aware of what was going to happen to me. “No...please…”And that was my last breath.

The only response I got was a cruel laugh from them. “Like we are going to listen to you!”

He leaned closer.

And closer.

And closer.

'THE RAVEN FLIES ONCE AGAIN!!!!!

Everything went black.

Alkeyore’s P.o.V

My clan’s battle cry was the beginning of a battle or better said my battle, I never expected to war arrive upon me soon but the need to satisfy that pleasure was always present in me.

It was time for my vision to change and see everything as it should be,when everything around you finally explodes everybody on the battlefield begins to yell, cry, and attack you can only use one simple thing.

The reasoning.

Then I only needed to close my eyes and the moment I open them the bastards in front of me became nothing more than mere targets, before I can leave the battlefield all targets must be down.

That might turn me into a monster…

But if I follow Luna’s pleads and see the bastards as a human being then I wouldn’t be able to dispatch any of them.

War never changes, it will found you if you haven’t found it yet.

It was time to satisfy that feeling of mine.

They never stood a chance, my battle cry left some of them still in stupor state leaving many opening which I used and claimed another life, eating his life force boosting my power. The indirect signal was made and one by one they charged against me to embrace the cold touch of death, they never realized that the shadows were my current weapon. The shadows materialized in the form of spikes coming from the ground impaling anybody who was close enough. Death by impaling is painful but when I’m the one who is impaling you then pray for your god because the agony cannot be described with mere screams. The spikes didn’t had any kind of self consciousness but only obeyed of what I told them when they caught a victim, play with the unfortunate until the last drop of blood fell from the body. Impaling was too easy, but the second phase was different, like a desperate rat it will try to find ways to exit the body there was not predetermined location, it always changed; sometimes it existed through an eye or legs. Watching them screaming in pain as my weapon searched it exist created a demoralizing atmosphere showing how helpless they were against me. However the torture didn’t end there, because from the inside they would meet their so desired demises, I patiently watched as the performance reached its final stage; the victim was right there above hanging without a hint of life on his eyes so he could become a beautiful rose decorated with thorns, it was quick but effective; a body filled with so many spikes that couldn’t be called natural. Every thorn dripped with blood, and as I said before they will not stop until the last drop was spilled, all the things retracted to their original place only to return with force and repeat the process several times. For the ones below who only watched in horror knew that water is not the only thing that can rain.

Claiming a life shouldn’t be taken as a pleasurable act, but as a message.

One that they never got, even if they were beyond of terrified the kept their battle stance.“I need to end this quickly,'' I wanted to finish as soon as possible not because they posed a threat to me, but the one who I came to save was in terrible condition and the more time passed the less time I had to heal her, reducing her chances to survive the ordeal.

“FORMATION 1 AND 3 NOW!” A new voice appeared on the scene, judging by how he shouted and all those worthless things obeyed in an instant showed that he was the leader.

What remained of the targets formed in common lines of defense and offense while other were searching ways to flank me. They would have never been able to do that.

While the formation is a old and very reliable tactic for the battlefield is not very effective against one opponent, it was meant to fight another armed group. Even more that I am the one who they are fighting.....it amuses me, and remind me back in my homeland; when I fought in wars. But I didn’t have time to keep thinking in the old days, since they weren’t giving me time for that; after all they tried to shoot me an arrow from a distance, but I was able to see the responses. They were scared, better said they were beyond terrified causing their aim to become a joke; and the melee combatants watching that their ranged weapon weren’t going to do them any good decided to go for another direct attack. My shadows throw them the bodies of their deceased right at them destroying the momentum of their charge; turning it into a stupid run for their lives. The slower of the group was soon found within my magic range; he never had a chance to scream.

His life was already gone from his eyes leaving only an empty thin body, feathers slowly fell from the body showing that under that layer was only a skeletal figure covered in dried skin. Thanks to his life my perimeter increased in size giving me more range to attack and kill; and then I felt how my instincts yelled at me to keep draining them for their life and souls, those two might not have a real taste but at draining them and practically eating them gave me a pleasurable sensation to my body which felt highly intoxicating to me but then at destroying their bodies forcing the sky to rain blood also gave me morbid satisfaction. Their emotions just made it better for me, every time one of them dropped dead on the ground only increased the pool of despair and utter fear, which I constantly consumed for my own gain.

But I can’t go overboard, I had an objective before I started a massacre in the forest.

The last idiot who charged at me received one of the worst punishment created by the men, being cut in half but not that type where you can see your legs away from your body, the one which starts to separate your body from the pelvis and goes upward literally ripping you in half, the moment I started he pleaded, cried, yelled but I didn’t care for his words at all. So I proceeded without hesitation; the joints that connects his legs with his pelvis started ted to crack, I clearly heard them despite he screamed so loud in pain; it didn’t take long before the the flesh and skin started to give in and being teared apart, blood flowing like a small fountain as his screams turned into desperate wails. More force applied and his bones from that part cracked and gave more room to more space to be teared apart like a piece of paper, this punishment is given for criminals of any kind it didn’t matter the intensity of the crime, because it didn’t mattered how you died because at the end you are dead.

In matter of seconds after the first bone broke he was already splinted in two parts, each part hanging in a different place, all his internal organs falling to the ground as well as his blood falling like buckets, only more death weight to add to the now turned red grass of below.

The only living things left in the battlefield was the bleeding mare, the squad leader and myself. The last gryphon was breathing hard as his eyes looked frantically any kind of escape however his face showed no emotion or at least that was supposed to show. Moments later he ran at the direction of the one who I came to save and placed his sword near her neck, the victim was still unconscious and unaware of what was happening at the moment. Even if he tried to show confidence his eyes were enough to me to tell that he was also scared, who wouldn’t?

''I don’t care for her life but you seem to care, now move.'' Such act of cowardice made my blood boil, even if he was going to obey me the death was going to be slow and I would enjoy every second of it.

''Let her go coward.” my cold darkening voice whispered like a sleeping dragon ''Obey and your end shall come quick, Gryphon'' It was a lie but he didn’t need to know that.

''My end will not be this day.'' scoffed the coward, ''You came for this Kirin and my blade is on her throat, one wrong movement and she will join her kin in the Edar. I will take my leave while you remain there.''

I laughed, I just laughed. ''No, it seems that you are unaware of your current situation.” A dark smile slowly creeped on my lips, as I felt getting another color; i couldn’t tell which color but it had a clear effect on him.

''Don't you dare laugh at me, I am the one in charge!!!! The Gryphon finally lost his composure after being against a wall.

''Are you truly?'' My arm stretched, and my hand was wide making sure that he was directly watching at the palm of my hand. The shadows around me started to morph around my hand taking the form of an amorphous object. The image wasn’t clear but when I started to squeeze said imitation his eyes widened in realization, and the form became clear to his eyes. ''Do you REALLY believe that you have power over others?''

He said nothing in return, yet his breath rhythm quickened to point that he was forcing his breaths. Then he screamed his utter disbelief, frustration and impotence all in one single but long scream.

That feeling of power, that feeling in which you decided who lives and who dies….

Is...

“Grasp Heart.”

Refreshing.

Another weight to the ground painted in red was added, more food for the insects of this place and any other animal.

It was over.

But it was already over the moment I stepped in, it was time to do for what I came for.

With a simple glance on her form, I was able to tell that any of the wounds were not really life threatening however the amount of them put her life in danger to dying by bleed out, a quick healing spell stopped the bleeding at least for a while, so I had time for search a safer place where her wounds could be treated.

But for the dead around me, they brought me amusement; I dare to say that I went easy on them, they deserved worse because what they were about to commit was unforgivable.

Luna's pov

''Horse-apples!'' I mentally screamed as I continue to struggle with Alkeyore's conjectured chains, every dispel I knew had no effect on them ''Curse that human for leavening me here bound by these chains!'' Despite of our mutual agreement I knew that I needed to go with him to help to understand that death never bring a solution, even if he made me hesitate I knew that what I said were my words not my sister’s. However the moment I tried to go many chains erupted from the ground trapping me there and then I saw a shield form around me. I was upset, that was understatement because he was treating me like I was some fragile filly with no knowledge of the world. I fought monsters like Sombra and also older gods; Discord is a perfect example. I knew that I could handle a fight and win without the need to draw blood. ''Are you sure of that?'' that infernal voice in my head made itself present once again with its poisonous words ''Every single battle which you took part had a sole thing in common; your sister. You were always at her side like a lost puppy, maybe Alkeyore learned the truth about you after hearing the words of your sister coming from your mouth and decided to leave you here all alone and defenseless against any kind of threat.”

''No, I trust him that he will come back for me.”

''How can you be so sure? you don't really know about him and is foolish to believe that the powerful would care for the weak, even less seek companionship from the likes of you." I couldn’t let this poison get the best of me.

''Your ignorance amuses me, now begone!'' That cursed voice always pestered me to no end, but as long as I believe and have hope I will prevail. Yet its words marked me because they held true I didn’t really know nothing about my fellow god, but perhaps it was an exaggeration so I needed to recall the past events that I spent with him outside of comforting me; standing up to Celestia; meeting and explaining me about his familiar, Aroo; the confrontation about him being a monster and of course the scream. It was true…. there wasn't much to go on him, accepting that was painful that voice had a small victory against me.

‘His titles... I remember now...’

I have many names given to me in my years I am Alkeyore Blood-raven, Hexing beast, Alkeyore the Shadow Devil to the Tahuians, The Lord of the realm hidden in shadows, Last of the Lords of Magic''

The titles, how could I have forgotten about his titles?

If I remember correctly his titles served mostly as warnings to his enemies, Hexing beast came from a curse he cast on a noble.

Shadow Devil to the 'Tahuians'... what had he done to earn that name?

The Lord of the realm hidden in shadows.....is he some sort of leader or ruler of some kind?

Then there's The Last of the Lords of Magic what did he meant by that? It raised many question that I couldn’t hope to answer and the only one with the answer was him and nobody else. But that was concerned with his past and for that to happen he needs to speak to me and tell me about himself and his problems just I did with him, having a shoulder to rest and seek comfort after so long was really...nice. Not even my sister could ever hope to give me that sensation, I needed to get ahold of myself first because having a real friend after so long was everything that I needed.

I was told that I was beautiful, but that can be said by anypony and the words doesn’t really hold any true at all, but when my friend told me that I couldn’t help but feel embarrassment overwhelm me but at the same time happiness, true happiness.

However still I am still furious with him from his actions, though I had partial fault but that didn’t excuse his actions, the moment he arrives I will give him a piece of my mind. In the meantime I was only able to wait and try to search a comfortable position on the grass below me, there was no point in further struggling. But I didn’t had any time to close my eyes when my ears perked up at the sound of agonizing screams of despair, it was horrible and terrifying. But at the same time it brought sadness and dread upon me at knowing that Alkeyore didn’t take my words into consideration and did what he thought was the right thing. I wished that I could move my hooves so I could somehow try to avoid the reality but as more screams came I knew that I couldn’t escape. It was just sounds, perhaps Alkeyore didn’t want me to see him doing those acts, perhaps he really cared for me and my well being. He was justified somehow, but chaining me at the ground really hurted me and I was sure that he didn’t have an excuse for that, my opinion was going to be heard no matter what.

Then there was silence.

But not for long.

My ears perked up at the sound of leaves being crushed beneath something, and the way each sound came i only expected Alkeyore was the owner of those hoofsteps, despite I wasn’t sure of how I should express my anger towards him I was going to do it regardless.

I felt the magic chains fade away releasing me from their prison, ''Alke-'' I start only to stop in the middle of my speech I couldn't help to stare at my friend's form with wide eyes his robes were stain with blood the stench of death and burnt flesh was heavy in the air around him, an entire arm was drench with red but really made my heartache was the young sleeping Kirin filly he was carrying in his arms. The Kirin herself was equally drenched in blood and I couldn’t contain my shock the moment my eyes revealed to me her wounds....

I couldn’t think that there was somebody who could do this to a young filly, it was beyond cruel; no rational being would do this yet she is the proof of that I didn’t know how to properly react. Alkeyore however just stood there staring at me, and his eyes told me many things; from coldness, and hate to care and concern.

''Alkeyore'' I said softly trotting next to the Dark wizard being very careful in my approach so the injured filly didn’t wake up, it was better if she rested. ''what happened to her?'' The answer was obvious but I really needed to hear it with my own ears to truly believe it.

''Gryphons...'' he said without looking up to me while his soft amber eyes watched the Kirin’s chest rise and low for every breath that she gave. ''They attacked her, Luna we don't have much time, we really need to find a safe place.” His hand glowed and the filly was enveloped by a purple aura for a brief period of time. “I have to constantly cast to keep her from bleeding to death, but this is only a temporary solution. She needs to be healed immediately..''

Many places came to my mind at that moment, but as I started to discard each and every single one of them, because they were inside Equestria borders. But when I glanced around me I remembered that there was only one place in the forest where we could be relatively safe from harm, but it also was a place in Avalon which I never wanted to see again even less return. "The castle of the two royal pony sisters"

The very same wrenched place where not only I became Nightmare moon, but also the place where I was forced to become the unwanted daughter of Sleipnir. But the life of one of my subjects was more important than old griefs and painful memories. ''I know of a place''

''Then do it, anywhere might be better than none at all.'' he sighed in some kind of relief as he stared at me with serious eyes.'”She only has hours.''

I nod lighting up my horn I cast the spell sending us to my old home with an pop

Everfree Castle
Nightmare's pov

My small hooves echoed through the long and empty crumbling passageway, from the memories I was given by Luna I remember that the room I just left used to be Sleipnir's and Faust's old bedroom which happened to have the last bed in the entire ruin castle which I could actually sleep somewhat comfortable because every time I went to sleep there the putrid smell of lust always remained there even if happened many years to count. usually sleep at when I could stomach the the lingering scent of the Alicornian king's lust.... I could only shudder at the mere thought of the countless vile acts that happened on that bed; I could never hope to feel clean after sleeping there. For my luck I knew the location of a small pond in which I always bathed doing my best to remove the filth of my body, it was impossible to remove all the filth from my body but least I could feel somewhat clean. I didn’t have the luxuries of lotions or special equipment that could help me in my cleaning but a small but rough brick worked perfectly. After my very much needed bath I headed to the principal room of the whole castle which used to be a glorious throne room where the rulers sat and received many guests, and just like them I sat right there, where a throne should be, so I could be comfortable while I watched the city of Canterlot in the distance waiting....hoping for one day in which mother will come for me and take me away from this place, while I have wings, they weren’t fully developed meaning that I couldn't fly yet. For mortal ponies they could fly only a few weeks after being born while for us Alicorns it was different, since we are immortal we age slowly and it will take at least eighteen years before I could give my first experimental flights, but I had waited and waited to the point that maybe in another five or six years I could start to touch the sky. But before that time come I will wait here as I admire the sky hoping that mother will come to the castle seeking old memories.

Yet I knew better, I was aware that I was only being a fool for believing that she will come back, I knew she would never come back to this place because she hated everything about this castle, especially the memories. Probably if the truth about my existence reach her ears then she would personally come and destroy this place along with me.

My eyes began to water at the thought, the strange eyes of a pathetic predator who was too weak and scared to leave a faint illusion of protection

''Why?'' I asked myself ''Why I am so hated....I have done nothing wrong, yet my own mother would end me if she saw me.'' More fresh tears fall touching the floor beneath me. I shouldn’t cry yet I always do over things that I had already accepted over time but everyday seems that I haven’t accepted the reality yet, my draconian eyes slowly closed attempting to put an end to never ending tears that fell as I let a cold breeze brush my coat. Moments later I failed to prevent a sob leave me, the memories that I shared of this place were overwhelming, four ancient thrones stood or better said their remains, the first one was a faded rose color with a great eye craving,it was Faust’s throne; the second was the biggest it was a golden throne with two hammers cross showing dominance and power, it was Sleipnir's throne: the third one was next to Sleipnir's it was supposed to be a white throne but over the years the stains became permanent and the sun engraved on it deteriorated; Celestia’s throne, the final throne was close to Faust's even if it was in crumbles the original color mantained over the years but that must be since the color is a black blue throne this time there was no symbol but I knew that it was mother’s old throne.

''What am I'' I whispered aloud.

What am I?

What am I?

What am I?

Moments later the echoes mended with the nothingness of the room, recieving no response showed how alone I really was. ''I-I-I don't know I truly don't..... Am I a pony or some sort of spell given life?'' But the question behind that if I really existed, or I only existed for another unknown reason at least that would give me some meaning rather than roam aimlessly hoping for an impossibility. My mane was ghostly and could move by my will, but the only use I found for it was to embrace me trying to comfort myself, it always calmed me down.

''Does it matter Nightmare?'' my baby sister Tantabus sweetly asked me. She too was another cast off of Luna.

''Yes it does, how am I to know if I am real?'' My reply was so faint that there was no echoes this time just me.

''Dose it now eh.....”

“..Do you breath the air..........”

“Do you feel the pain that all things feel?''

''Yes? “ Those question were out of the ordinary, but I knew that I could do all of that, yet why she asked me such things?

''Then you are real Nightmare, you feel pain.... you bleed...you have hopes and dreams if all of these are real then so are you.'' The wisdom in her words was true, it was the necessary reassurance to keep dreaming and hoping, to keep living.

This time the tears that fell on the floor weren’t from sadness but from happiness accompanied by small smile on my small muzzle ''Thank you sister.''

'......'

But there was no response.

''Tantabus?'' The panic and fearing for the worst burst inside of me, not once in all these years she'd failed to respond back.

''Nightmare I feel her.....”

“..the maker is coming....”

“....Luna is coming here..''

''Really?'' I couldn’t believe it, my mother was really coming back that thought alone filled me with joy but at the same time dread invaded my being; I felt joy of a lost child returning to the mother but the utter fear if she was going to bring harm upon me.

''Yes I know that magic from anywhere Nightmare, Luna is com........”

“...wait........something is with her....”

“.no......oh no.....''

The fear that her words held, made me uneasy.''What w-''

''.....NIGHTMARE HIDE.......'' Tantabus hissed, ''You must hide....Luna has a god of darkness at her side.....I feel his power and such suffering...........hide my dear sister hide!''

Tantabus has never lied to me, I was beyond scared because this god that was with my mother is extremely powerful, my mind ran wild recalling the names of the living Alicorns desperately trying to remember one who possessed the dark arts but with no avail, because I am the only one who has access to this kind of magic.

My situation turned for the worst when I realized that the only available places to hide were behind the thrones themselves.......I was glad that my coat was a very dark color so I could mend with the shadows and the color of my mother’s throne, I hoped that I was invisible to the common eye.

My ears flickered at the sign of teleporting, at that moment my heart rhythm increased exponentially, as I started to sweat when I hear voices; the first voice was easily recognizable because it was my mother’s but the second one was completely unknown; the only thing I could tell was that the owner was a male and his accent was very different, those facts increased my sense of curiosity making me to try to take a small peak on what was happening near my position, I prayed that I was remaining unseen.

The first thing I saw was my mother's dark blue, however there were some difference from the last time I saw her; because her she not only grew in size but also beauty however her ethereal mane had come in unlike her normal lighter blue it's was like the night sky with light of little stars that formed small constellations. Seeing my mother after so long and craved for her presence and love almost made me leave my spot and ran straight to her but I couldn’t; I really couldn’t. I had to force myself to look to another direction.....

My hoof quickly suppressed the gasp that I was going give just in time, because just past my beloved mother was a young Kirin that was bleeding to the point her coat had red spots all over it, and a-a--a Human looming over them both. I knew he was a human a very dangerous foe and realizing that he is the user of the dark arts terrified me, but just for a glimpse I saw his eyes connect with mine. At that moment I saw how his eyes changed with color while my face turned pale of shock, he knew that I was hiding, he knew where I was and the smile that he gave to me made my heart race. The knot on my throat was so tight that it was hard to breath, I was beyond scared and I really didn’t know what to do but pray that maybe just maybe the human didn’t have malevolent intents.

An moment ago
Alkeyore's pov

I was rather surprised that Luna was able to teleport us since she seemed exhausted but there was no time to waste, I immediately acted to save the life of the wounded 'Kirin' starting by gently placing her on the floor. Even if the floor was dirty there wasn’t any other place at the moment which I could think of and my hands were covered with blood but her blood. Without a second thought I began to draw the necessary circles and runes, I had performed this kind of spell before so I was quite adept to it, but at seeing that I was on the final touches of the required drawings I sighed in relief knowing that she was going to be fine. That boost of my magic even if it was gotten through ill means it was going to do something good. However after being so focused on drawing I didn’t notice that Luna was close to me watching with genuine curiosity at work no doubt wanting to know or understand what I was doing yet not daring to voice her curiosity. Perhaps she feared that she would interrupt me or that I would get mad, I was going to ease her worries after I finish the spell. Soon I finished the last needed circle and smiled, it was time to 'enlighten' her about what to come.

''You want to know what I am doing don't you?'' I asked my eyes leaving the young mare for the first time. She jumps at my question not expecting me to speak during my work.

''Yes I would like to know what you have planned for one of my subjects,'' she replied as she sat next to me showing her concern.

I point at the three circles that were next to my curious companion. ''They are called the healing circles, they are an advanced style of dark magic that have many uses if you know how to guide them, however but these three unlike their 'cousins' are meant for healing purposes, they increase the strength of any healing spell used no matter the lore; either be dark or light arts, they will help me to heal this unlucky soul.” But I knew better, there is no success without the sense of loss. “However, she will not heal right away it will take its due time, yet some wounds maybe will not completely heal and the process will be painful for the host.”

''Is there anything you could do to make it painless for her?'' Luna worried for the youngling, ''I know some healing spells myself perhaps I could aid her as well.'' I didn’t take that into consideration since I mostly did this alone but it might work.

But before I could give her an answer my flares erupted in high alert, they sensed a presence in the room which we were, doing it's best to remain hidden from our sight. I quickly let my magical senses scan the whole room for anything that my eyes could have missed, then I finally was able to sense the source, it was another user of dark magic whose fear could be seen within the air which created a trail.

That trail leaded me directly to her position, that was behind a ruined object, what I saw was a small head head looking at me with curiosity and her eyes showed innocence; it was very nice to see after what happened moments ago; besides it was great news at finding another user of the dark arts after such a long time. However that made me wonder how was possible for her to survive in this place alone, I know that we have a natural ability to search for our fellow brothers and sisters, that ability is called the 'song of the dark kin'. Those who work with the darkness always watch out for the others, it is how we survive and fought against the countless enemies that destroyed us for what we were. I could only smile at this new and welcomed discovery but I needed to know who was her.

Using my magic I amplified my vision, however she slowly returned to her former place behind her cover; thankfully I was able to see her face. But that relief quickly turned into surprise when I saw cyan draconian eyes; then black coat; followed by vampire fangs and a ghostly mane....

I recalled the moments I talked with Luna, specially when she talked to me about her dark counterpart called Nightmare Moon.

What magic is this?

There is no magic that could create life, not even the light users who were more related to that aspect yet…

‘The Elements!'

That magic could have done it somehow but before I could start to give answers or theorize I should do a proper research first.

But the real problem at hand was Luna, she suffered a lot thanks to her and judging her she might be the type who doesn’t forgive; and I fear that if she sees her then she will attack with the intention to destroy her out of rage, since according to her, she was the one who had stolen a thousand years from her.

I noticed how distracted and my situation worsened from that point, because the princess noticed that I stopped talking or acting for a while.

''Alkeyore?'' Luna leaned closer to me but before she could get closer I turned to face her. ''is something wrong?''

''No'' Lying to her was for the best, right now I have a problem to solve first. ''Luna, I am not entirely sure but what you said might work, and probably together we can accelerate the healing process.''

With Nightmare alive things became more complicated than should be, as 'The Lord of the realm hidden in shadows' Nightmare is under my protection and authority. Even if Luna is my ally she have no jurisdiction over her, yet again this were political problems and had little importance and relevance for the matter at hand. Probably I just wasted precious time in over thinking and talking rather than focusing my magic on finish her healing. With no further interruption the spell started to work and all her injuries began to close, however I could see the silent pain that she was going through and that was the signal for Luna to come with her own magic, her horn started to glow and the Kirin’s body was enveloped by a calm aura that returned the peace of her sleep.

We didn’t exchanged words and I started to grow uncomfortable by it, for my luck she was the one to break the imaginary barrier of silence.

''Alkeyore c.......can I ask you something?'' Her tone of voice was uncertain, however her eyes and other facial expression were different from what I expected.

''Of course, simply ask and I shall give an answer.'' Our focus on keeping the spell stable didn’t falter as we spoke.

''Who are you Alkeyore?''

My eyes sparked the flames at the question.

It was surprising that she asked me that question since it was odd, ''Who am I you asked?” She nodded in approval. “ I am your friend Luna that's who I am.'' It was true, or at least partially true.

I expected her to drop the subject yet she didn’t, ''No that is not what I meant....”

“I know little to nothing about you, all I know is your name and your titles so I ask again, who are you really Alkeyore?'' By the tone she used this time showed that she was determined to find out who I really was, something I couldn’t tell or freely tell to anybody.

All emotion left my being through a humble sigh. ''Luna all that you need to know is this my past is not one should speak of, there are many things about me that should never see the light of day. But I will tell you this, there was a time when I was called hero and saw the consequences for it, forget this notion for now I will tell you my story one day but this is not the day.''

''Alk-'' Luna wanted to keep pressuring the subject despite what I told her so I placed my free hand on her shoulder or the equivalent of a shoulder.

''I know it seems to be unfair to you after all you told me, but trust me that I have my reasons why I refuse to speak about this topic freely. Right now all that matters is to finish what we started with this Kirin.''

Finally she let it go but the crestfallen look that she gave me made me feel guilt. ''You're right, but I still want to know more about you.''

Author's Notes:

Edited by xluferx