After Blueblood took the photo, we continued exploring the castle. I took off both the tiara and my hood. The tiara is just too wide to sit on my head properly. Instead, I put it in my saddlebags. Maybe it's Luna's, I might as well give it back to her. Also, the hood obstructs my view too much. I still don't get why it's cool to wear a hood if you're a warrior or an assassin. Yeah, it looks cool and makes the wearer mysterious, but it’s not really comfortable.

Alright, enough blabbering. We still have a lot to explore. This castle's really huge, and I'm damn sure it’s hiding something interesting, or useful, whatever.

Currently, we're walking through a rather odd hall. It has a lot of different portraits on the walls. Famous ponies, I guess. I also noticed that the feeling I got earlier — about being watched — is really strong here, as if the portraits are watching me. A really creepy feeling, that one.

And still, we haven't got ourselves into any traps, yet. We’ve avoided stepping on anything suspicious, and we’re looking out for anything else that seems out of place. Maybe there're no traps?

Oh, here's a stairway! And it...

Holy crap, it's long! It's a creepy spiral staircase, the end of which disappears into the darkness below.

"I wonder what's down there." Blueblood spoke, beginning to descend the stairs. "Maybe something important."

Yeah, or the architect of this castle wasn't thinking straight. I can't see the bottom of this staircase. It's like it goes straight to the planet's core, or hell, if the latter exists. Anyway, who would've built this? Why? Can logic even be applied here?

And the worst thing is that there's absolutely no handrail. Really? That's how you build a staircase?

Resisting the urge to facepalm, I followed Blueblood into the depths of the castle. Well, maybe there’ll be something interesting indeed, otherwise it's just a waste of building materials and space. I'm not an architect, but I sure know when things make no sense.

There's also absolutely no light. There are, of course, torches, but they're not lit. I had to reignite my horn to see. I can see in the darkness quite well, but having a light is much better and more comfortable.

***

It took us forever to get to the bottom. There is another hall, and this one is just plain creepy. There are many hooves sticking out of the walls, each holding a torch. Straight out of Silent Hill or some other creepy shit like that. Good thing that the hooves aren't made of flesh and bone, otherwise I'd already be running outta here at maximum speed. Creepy crap is creepy.

The hall's ceiling is rather low, too. If I had claustrophobia, I would die here. Also, I bet one of those hooves is a lever that opens a secret room. Or activates a trap, depends on our luck. Better not touch any of them, just in case.

It seems that Blueblood shares my thoughts. He doesn't touch anything either. Well, unless he's thinking about doing that.

"What do you think about those?" he pointed at the hooves. Perhaps he indeed does.

"Creepy." I replied. "And maybe one of them is a lever."

"Maybe try it?" he suggested.

"What if one of them activates a trap?" I shook my head. "We shouldn't do it."

"Just walking around isn't interesting." he rolled his eyes. "Time to have some fun."

He walked to the wall and tried to pull one of the hooves. It didn't do anything. He checked another — same result. He checked a third, and...

Fuck.

The whole wall rotated, and Blueblood disappeared behind it.

Good job.

*facehoof*

How do I get him back? Maybe I should pull the lever again? I used my magic to pull it from a safe distance, and the wall rotated. Blueblood isn't there.

Great. Fucking great. He just disappeared. There’s no other way than to follow him if I want to find him..

And I fucking warned him not to touch those damn hooves!

Ugh...

***

So, I’m now... who knows where. It’s another hall, completely empty: no windows, no torches, no paintings, not a thing here. And Blueblood isn't here either, judging by the thick layer of dust on the floor. There’s no trace of him here.

Where did he go? Unless he has a secret teleportation skill or the castle can eat ponies alive, I have absolutely no idea where he may be.

Yeah...

Good thing I have magic. Otherwise, I’d be completely lost without a source of light. Well, maybe my smartphone could act as a flashlight, seeing that it doesn't even need to recharge. Or maybe it constantly recharges itself, somehow. I dunno, but it is a good thing I don't need any batteries.

Anyway, I still need to find that dumbass. He better not die, it would be sad if he does.

Or maybe not. I told him not to touch those hooves!

...

Alright, enough ranting. It won't get me any closer to Blueblood.

***

I've been walking for some time. Twenty minutes, perhaps.

This castle is a fucking labyrinth! It has so many hallways, rooms, corridors, everything! How did ponies navigate here? It's impossible!

How do I find Blueblood here? If he was nearby, I would've heard already. It is so silent in this castle I swear my breath could be heard from the other side of the castle.

The only thing I managed to find is a sword with a scabbard. From what I know about swords, this one is a longsword — it has a rather long grip.

Wait, how do even ponies hold swords? With their mouth? Or their front hooves? I can understand how unicorns do it — they have magic. But others?

Ugh, it's not important right now. The good thing is, that the sword is in good condition. Now I have a weapon, which can be used against anything that might try to attack me.

Ugh... How do I find Blueblood? Maybe that tiara thing can help, somehow? It is connected to the castle in some way, I suppose. At least it was found here.

I pulled it out from my saddlebags, and put it on.

...

No effect. Maybe I need to say something?

"I need to find my friend." I said out loud.

I feel stupid. Very stupid. I don’t think it's gonna—

Oh, wait! I can see... a glowing blue line on the floor! Maybe that’s what I need?

The only way to find out is to follow the line.

Well, it seems I am lucky, after all. Who knows what would have happened if Blueblood didn't find this tiara and if I didn't keep it.

***

Ten minutes later.

Uh... the line goes straight through the wall. I need to find a hidden lever, I think. A mismatched brick, a torch, anything! Well, at least that is how secret levers are made, right?

...

Here it is! I pressed a brick and the wall opened, revealing a small room.

Hey, Blueblood is there... sleeping on an ancient couch, snoring without a care. What the actual fuck? Does he give a fuck about what happened to him?

I started shaking him so that he wakes up.

"Uhm..." he muttered, opening his eyes. Wake up, dammit! "Wha? Oh, it's you!" he stopped my hoof, and then stood up. "I, um, sorry..." he rubbed the back of his neck in shame. "Let me explain what happened after I pulled the lever. Well, I went through the wall, and then stepped on something, which opened... something. Then, I rolled and rolled until I fell on this couch. It was so comfortable and my body hurt so much that I had to stop and lie down for a bit... How did you find me?"

I tapped the tiara.

"Oh, that thing is actually useful." he remarked. "Alright, let's get out of here... My sides still hurt."

I rolled my eyes.

Anyway, maybe it is indeed time to get back home. We can explore this castle later.

I took off the tiara... Wait, too early.

"Way to the tunnel." I said, and Blueblood looked at me quizzically. Then, he looked at the tiara and understood everything. Well, duh, I told him that it helped me.

Anyway, time to go.

We exited the tunnel, and appeared under that lone tree. It was dusk, and this means we've spent a lot of time in the castle.

"Again, I'm sorry for not listening." Blueblood said to me. "I shouldn't have touched that lever... Alright, time to go home?"

I nodded. It is indeed time to get home.

***

I returned to the hostel and prepared to enter it, when Blueblood tapped my shoulder.

"Hey," he addressed me. "Wanna explore the castle next weekend? I... won't be stupid."

"Well... maybe." I replied.

"Okay, then. Until tomorrow." he said his goodbyes and went on his way.

"Bye." I said, and then entered the hostel. Time to get back to the apartment. Also, I'll show this tiara to Luna tonight. Maybe it's hers or she knows something about it. Otherwise, I'll just keep it as a trophy. Also, as a pathfinder. Maybe it can uncover the secrets of the castle?

And I've also kept the sword I picked up earlier. Might as well have a trophy, right? Owning a real sword is cool, especially while being a child. When I was young, I wanted a sword. Well, who didn't want to be a knight? I won't become one, since I don't really want to do it now, and I also don't like military all that much.

Obeying orders, other military stuff... I don't really like it. Yeah, my father's an officer, but, well, that doesn't mean I should like the military, right? Dad was almost always away when I was a child. He was rarely home... I don't want to be like that. I want to be free to be with my family, with those I love. My dad taught me a thing or two, but we rarely talked as family. He treated me more like a cadet than an actual son.

Anyway, time to get some rest.

I entered the apartment and saw Moonshine. At that moment, she was reading a book. I couldn't see the title, she put the book away as soon as I entered.

"...Hi." she greeted me, keeping her hoof on the book.

"Hi." I replied, taking off my saddlebags and the scabbard, and putting them near my bed.

"Um..." she looked at the sword. "Where were you?"

"Exploring an old castle." I replied. "Uh, Blueblood talked me into going there... Why do you ask?"

"I, um, I..." she stuttered. She’s more socially awkward than I am. "I... Well, um, can I go there with you... someday? I, um, would like to... explore it too. It is interesting there... Right?"

"I'll take you with me the next time I go back." I nodded.

"Okay." she replied, and then rolled onto her side and opened her book.

Alright, time to get some rest before the night arrives. I still have an hour or two. Since I've nothing else to do, I can just listen to music. Yeah, I think I should get more books. Maybe they have good adventure books or even some sci-fi?

I need some music that is relaxing and metal. Might as well listen to some... satanic metal. I don't really know what that genre is called. That one band, Ghost, is really into satanic lyrics. And yet they create songs that are relaxing. There's no screaming, growling, or overly heavy guitar... It's just nice. Not cliché metal, obviously. And, as far as I know, they don't go for the standard metal look. You know, long black hair, leather jackets, combat boots, some assorted spiky stuff, that sort of thing. Yeah, I'm calling Ghost original.

I love how they perform their songs. Each one is unique in its own way... I think I am yet to find a song of theirs that is not different from the others. Their albums are also unique, each having a different... theme. The their first album, Opus Eponymous, is really more... How do I describe it... monotonous. Like chanting, I suppose. Repetitive. Like a satanic ritual, I suppose.

Also, talking about this in my head is weird, but sometimes I just like to remind myself why I like what I listen to.

Where was I? Ah, the themes. Well, the first album is about the Antichrist's birth. I think when it came out, so many christians got butthurt... But that's not what’s important. I was talking about the themes, right? Nah, not talking, thinking. There's no one in my head to talk with, right?

Anyway, there're another two albums. Infestissumam, the second one, is about... I don't fully remember, but I think it’s about building a satanic empire and the actual coming of the Antichrist. The album is really good, the band improved their style. They started using keyboard more. It really added some nice sounds. If not for the lyrics, the songs would be really popular among everyone.

The third album, Meliora, is about the absence of god. The satanic empire is built, the power established, that stuff. It’s more heavy sounding than the previous one, and yet not standard-heavy. Still being original.

There are some covers, but I don't listen to them that often. I mostly like the religious stuff in the official albums.

My mother is a christian, that is true, but I never liked religion. A few times, I actually studied it, looked deeper. Christianity forbids pleasures... Why? What’s the point? Feeling good is bad? That’s when I started really hating religion. Well, among other reasons I don’t want to list now.

Also, I got in a fight once or twice when someone tried to convince me that religion isn't bad. Yes, in a fight. Don't christians say something like, turn the other cheek?

Also, got an anecdote here. I chuckle every time I remember it.

An atheist died, and went to hell. There was a familiar at the reception, who offered him a guide through the hell.

While walking, the familiar pointed his finger at a building.

"Look," he said. "There's a bar. Every drink you want, free of charge. There's also a restaurant nearby. Anything you want to eat, it’s yours, for free."

Then, he pointed his finger at another building.

"There, a brothel. You'll find the best whores known to humanity, also for free."

Atheist turned around the corner and saw many cauldrons and pots with sinners in them, boiling. There were familiars everywhere, who made sinners suffer.

Atheist asked the familiar about that place, trembling in fear.

"Oh, that? That's how catholics want it." the answer was.

So, yeah, why does christianity forbid doing things that don't hurt others but gives you pleasure? I never saw the point of that.

Of course, I have my morals, but they’re not that strict. I don't do things I, well, don't do, not because I was told to do so, but because I don't want to. And I never made anyone do what I do. You fuck ten whores a day? That's fine. At least as long as you use appropriate protection. You eat loads of food? That's fine, too. Well, unless it hurts you. Actually, some restrictions kinda make sense, but they don’t have to be as strict as they are now. There need to be some… conditions, I suppose.

Thinking about religion makes me irritated. My mom tried to make me go to church, and do some other stuff that involved different restrictions... I didn't like that at all. I wasn't given any choice either.

My mother cared for me deeply, but not enough to let me choose what's best for myself.

So, yep, I'm anti-religious. Also, there were many battles because of religion. It's like fighting whose imaginary friend is better and more powerful.

Also, saying that you have an imaginary friend will get you into a mental hospital. However, if there are many people that have the same imaginary friend, that's totally okay, no problem.

Good thing I haven’t noticed anything religious here in Equestria. It better remain that way.

Well, time to listen to music. I've been thinking about all this stuff too much. Some relaxation is in order, that’s for sure.

Author's Notes:

Well, this chapter ended really different from how it began. Yes, random thoughts are random.

Also, some of you might've not liked the anti-religious stuff I wrote. But Flame Metal is a person. As any person, he has personality. Apparently, he has an anti-religious personality. The thing is, I will write about sensitive things like religion. Each person has a different view on it, and so do I and Flame. If you're not okay with that, you better go back to medieval and burn a few woman that are evil because you get a hard-on while looking at them, and sex is a sin.

I also know that some people just don't like reading about religion, whatever the case. That is perfectly fine, but I want my character to have personality. I write things that seem irrelevant to the plot because they help to understand the character better. His motives, his personality, his tastes in music, choice of clothes, etc.

I intend to write a good character. Thus, I treat him like a real person. Wouldn't you do the same?

P.S. when I wrote "ten whores" a correction was automatically suggested - teen whores. Well, for eighteen and nineteen it might work, in my country seventeen and sixteen just as well, but anything lower than that is child porn. Also, prostitution isn't legal, but who cares?