Iclyn was pacing back and forth near the door to the medical station, her heart racing and her body tense, tear stains visible under her tired eyes. She couldn't find a place for herself ever since Sirius' lifeless body was hastily brought to the hospital. A giant hole in his chest left little hope for his survival.

Princess Luna refused to discuss anything and retired to her chambers. The only thing she had said was that she didn't blame Sirius. She took away the artifact and swore to keep it hidden. The nightly alicorn promised that she would do everything in her power to try to bring Sirius back.

The pegasus filly had a good look on Luna right after the duel. Her muzzle was in bruises, her usually ethereal starlit mane was flat and uninteresting, and blood was coming out of her nostrils. There was a long open wound on her foreleg as well, a bandage hanging loosely around it.

Truth be told, Iclyn was impressed that Sirius was strong enough to defeat Luna. At the same time, she feared he would've killed her there and then, and who knew what he would've done next with the amulet influencing him. How far would he go, thinking that what he was doing was right? Would anyone be able to stop him? Even her words didn't stop him from doing the unthinkable.

She knew that amulet was evil but she didn't expect Sirius to use it. She had hoped he would never have to but something tipped him off. But what? What could've possibly caused him to use it?

With Luna gone, Iclyn could only guess. However, it wasn't on her mind too much, she was more concerned about Sirius' wellbeing. She loved him with all her heart, and it pained her to see him in such great suffering.

She sat down on one of the benches and covered her eyes. She couldn't believe it was happening. Just a few hours ago everything was going so well, he and herself were happy, and life looked like it was turning for the better.

She whispered his name and sobbed. Images of him putting a sword through his chest flashed before her eyes, making her want to hide in a dark and gentle place, curl up into a ball and cry until she fell asleep. It had to be a nightmare, it just had to. Sirius wasn't dead or dying and Iclyn would wake up soon and discover him by her side, sleeping peacefully and hugging her.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the case.

Luna was in her chambers as he treated her wounds. She coughed out the remains of water that got into her lungs and used magic to heal her head and muzzle. It was uncomfortable due to annoying pain in her horn but she had to do it. The fight drained her almost completely but some strength still remained, allowing her to use it for healing.

She thought about Sirius. She didn't blame him for what he had done to her but it puzzled her why would he come fighting her in the first place. Was it indeed that letter? It could very well be.

The princess had seen just how much Iclyn cared for Sirius, and she could immediately see love between the two. Princess Cadance had told her about it before but she wasn't sure until she saw it with her own eyes. Sirius would do anything for Iclyn, she understood it clearly.

Her idea worked but all of it crumbled when a single, smallest brick was removed. She shouldn't have sent that letter. It didn't add much but it made the events of this day happen. She didn't know whether Sirius would heal from that and live happily with Iclyn or let alone survive. His chances were dim. It could be possible that he had died all the way back at the lake. No one can survive without a heart.

Luna wasn't sure about telling Iclyn the reason of Sirius' attack. She didn't know what the reaction to that would be.

She sighed deeply. Maybe if she were more considerate none of this would've happened. She wasn't putting the blame on herself but it was her who had sent the letter in the first place. As she found out, it might've not been necessary at all.

Her frown deepened. It looked like she was trapped, unable to go anywhere without causing something negative. Nothing she could do would be helpful.

An image of Sirius flashed before her, his eyes glowing crimson as the Alicorn Amulet worked its magic, twisting and warping his mind, using his negative emotions to feed on and amplify them. In those eyes, Luna saw unleashed anger and hatred. There was no place for anything else at that moment.

"No one controls me!" his voice boomed inside her head.

He fought fiercely, he fought desperately, he fought... to be free.

Luna's eyes widened as she realized what he had been fighting for. He thought that she was controlling him and his life and also forced Iclyn to become close to him. Seeing all the injustice Sirius had suffered, it was no surprise he assumed the worst. He would've been reasoned with if not the amulet he put on to ensure his victory. It was a battle to death from the very beginning.

Finally, a doctor exited the medical station, and Iclyn immediately sprung from her seat.

"How is he?" she asked warily.

"He will live." the doctor replied, wiping the sweat away from his forehead. "One of his lungs collapsed, there was a lot of internal bleeding, but his heart is intact. He has lost a lot of blood as well."

"Can I be of help?" the filly inclined, nervously tilting from side to side.

"There is nothing else any of us can do. He just needs time to recover."

"Can I see him?"

"I'm afraid not yet, miss." the doctor shook his head. "He needs rest. He is still unconscious, probably in coma. However, I am positive he will wake up in a week at most."

Iclyn sighed shakily and sat down. Her ears were slightly drooped, her wings loose as tension released throughout her body.

He was alive, that was all that mattered to her.

Sirius was all alone in the black void. It was no longer a place he liked. He didn't feel peaceful or at ease. There was no warmth, no comfort, nothing. It was hollow, cold, and empty. Everywhere he looked there was that unwelcoming, unnerving black.

Had he died? He was sure he had. There was neither heaven or hell, no more afterlife. It was the end, complete and utter end. Nothing could be done.

It was all his fault. He wasn't good for anything. His love was fake, his friends were fake, and his whole life was fake. He wished he had never woken up to embrace the new world he almost started to call home. He wished he had never fallen in love with Iclyn. She deserved much more than a wretched, shattered, and useless soul.

She must've felt like she was being raped when Sirius thought he was making love to her. She couldn't possibly enjoy it with him. No one would love him the way he did. He loved desperately, he gave everything he had to love. But was it love others would accept?

There was no home for the wicked. A murderer and rapist didn't deserve a home. He didn't deserve to be loved or cared for. All he knew was misery, all he caused was misery, and all he deserved was misery.

Out from the blackness, a chain appeared. It shot to Sirius and went right through his side, making him yell in pain. It securely lodged itself under his spinal cord, holding his shuddering body in place.

Another chain flew out of the void, and another, and yet another, all of them piercing his body. They secured him and lifted him up in the air, making him scream in agonizing pain as blood streamed along the cold metal and dripped onto the black floor. Tears of pain streamed down his eyes as the chains rubbed against his flesh and bones, tearing bloody chunks out of his weak body.

Finally, the chains stopped. He was dangling above the ground. He gasped for air and sobbed, his legs helplessly and weakly flailing. There was no escape.

He must suffer for what he was.

https://youtu.be/72J4-y2bBZI

Author's Notes:

It is not the end of Sirius' story. The sequel is available by clicking here.