In the old kingdom of the Upholi, no one has heard stories about the civil war. History is either lost or those who won or lost refused to tell the truth of the story. Some say only the royal family lives in the city. The rest of the city is very empty to the point one walks through the streets they hear the screams of ghosts. Maybe it’s just a rumor no one ever has stayed long enough to see.

Written by a Historian.

I sit in my office leaning in my chair looking at the paintings of my lovely wife Cranberry. I glance over at Beezen while he writes in his book. I have been thinking for a while and there is a reason I called him in here.

“Beezen, how is a feast for this airship's entire crew and family? We are going to be on this journey for a while. Maybe it will help most of them feel relaxed. What do you think?”

Beezen sets the book down.

“It would help this community become closer as a family. It’s been only a week since we left Junk island. It's going to take at least another month to get to our destination. Maybe two months will help Ruby to feel loved. I think she feels everyone in this flying city doesn’t respect her.”

I stroke my forehead. I swear I am going to lose my temper with that adopted daughter of mine someday. I don’t blame her for feeling this way though. I glance over at Beezen. He is correct. I grab the mic to speak over the PA system.

“Mellow, can you please come to my office?’

I turn the mic off, sighing and looking out the window seeing nothing but endless water. We haven’t seen a storm in the last few days. We haven’t even seen any other boats below us. After thirty minutes Mellow flies in and lands on my desk.

“Did I do something wrong to get called by the big evil dragon?”

I glance at Mellow, seeing her amusement on her buggy features. Mellow is much easier to read than Ruby. I think it’s because Mellow trained herself to show her emotions more than Ruby. I stroke my arm.

“Mellow, how long do you think it would take to make a big feast for everyone here?”

Mellow buzzes excitedly.

“A feast?! A feast of any kind of food? We have so many supplies I could do it pretty easily. It would have to be a dinner feast though. We would have to break out the rations we have down below for breakfast and lunch.”

I smile

“Mellow you’re normally the one who sees the moral of everyone how would you say everyone is right now?”

Mellow frowns

“Ruby is not doing well,'' she yelled, causing her to cry a little. Melody told me she is at fault she is pushing Ruby too much. She just wants her to open up more. Everyone else though is calm and cool. I think being locked in here is getting to others.”

Beezen strokes his head sighing

“I was wondering why Melody was not her bubbly usual self this morning.”

Mellow nods.

“Yes, Ruby is not being very kind to her. I think the bigger issue is what Ruby said to her in Melody's words she keeps saying she is not worth being in love with. She is not worth dealing with. I do think what is upsetting Melody is the fact Ruby can’t stop belittling herself”

I sigh, stroking my head.

“Where is Ruby Mellow?”

Mellow points above us.

“The docks she is leaning on the edge watching the world go. She just looks so alone and heartbroken. I think she needs a good talking to or at least some support. Melody wants to give it but she is just closed off right now.”

I stood up and got off my chair.

“Mind helping Mellow with the feast Beezen?”

He stood up following Mellow out of the office. I look at the paintings of my wife. I close my eyes, sighing.

“Oh, Cranberry, what would you do?”

I head upstairs to the docks seeing the pink bug leaning on the edge. I stand beside her leaning over the railing and looking to the water below. She doesn’t even look at me. I just see a lost bug deep in thought.

“Are you looking to divorce Melody now?”

Ruby stares at me.

“Why the fucking hell would I even think of doing that? We just fought. It's not like I am that upset with her. She just keeps pushing me to be open about my feelings. I can’t do that.”

I smile at her

“You can’t or you don’t want to.”

Ruby buzzes angrily.

“Are you going to start, oh I don’t try hard enough? That I should be more open to the one who loves me. I can’t do that because I love her so much I just don't know the best way to show my feelings to anyone.”

I sighed, shaking my head. I remember the stories Cranberry told me Ruby used to show every bit of her feelings and what she was thinking. That determination and impulsive nature are still in her heart. She has lost herself.

“Ruby, Melody is the best thing that ever happened to you. You have said this many times yourself and here you are breaking her heart. Because you refuse to open your feelings and let out everything that is bothering you.”

Ruby buzzes even more angrily; she sounds like a bee now. I am getting to her and she knows it.

“What Ruby are you going to scream at me and try to break my heart?”

She groaned.

“Why are you treating me like this?”

I chuckle

“I am a dragon Ruby, we don't sugarcoat what we think at all.”

I stare down at her.

“I have had many fights and arguments with your mother. From what I told you broke Melody's heart on the verge of tears. Are you willing to keep doing that if you can’t open yourself up to her?”

She looks down at the water.

“How can I open up to anyone? I.

I slap Ruby across the face hard enough she falls to the wooden docks.

“If you say you’re worthless or don’t know how or woe I am sad. I am going to say this to you and you once. I will toss you off this airship and kill you myself. I am not going to be the mother of a weak little ass. Buck up you little bug or I will beat it in you.”

Ruby stood stroking her hurt cheek and her temper was getting the better of her. I could tell she was about to explode.

“Are you going to cry hmm?”

She turns around flapping her wings and staring me right into the face when she flies up.

“I am sick and tired of being bullied. I am sick and tired of being treated like this. What’s next, tell me that Melody is too good for me, is that it?!”

I chuckle now she is becoming the bug Cranberry told me about impulsive determination to prove herself. I just stare into her eyes. All I do is cross my arms while the two of us seem to be having a staring contest.

“Are you done acting like a giant baby?”

Ruby shook. I could see her wanting to just lose her temper. I watch her slowly relax looking away.

“Gem, I don't know what my mother saw in you. I see too big for her ego thinking she knows everything piece of fucking..”

I stare right into her eyes.

“Finish those words and regret it.”

She stares right into my eyes.

“Pony fucker.”

I laugh loudly.

“You are too, you know.”

She groans in anger.

“Ruby, do you want to lose the one who gave her heart to you?”

She shook her head.

“Then you need to get over yourself. I know I am putting too much pressure on you. Pressure you don’t need but you have felt sorry for yourself for too long. You keep seeing these nightmares of yours and you break down. You need to start fighting them and stop caring what they say to you. You need to beat your mental demons.”

Ruby looks back to the way into the area below.

“I don’t know where she is. She walked off crying.”

I tense up Ruby made Melody cry I want to strangle her so badly right now.

“Oh, Ruby you’re lucky I am not strangling you right now. What did you say to her to make her cry?”

Ruby looks over the side.

“I called her a brothel slut. Who forced herself on me.”

I fold my arms, staring at her.

“You didn’t complain, why are you complaining now?’

She shrugs her shoulders.

“Go find her and talk with her now. I don’t fucking care if you can’t open yourself up for her you need to apologize to her. You have given her the best six months to seven months of her life. Now you’re trying to wreck it?”

She sighs.

“Fine, I will go find her and try my best to open up.”

I watch her fly off going inside and all I can do is a smirk.

“Well, that was harsh.”

I glance over at Gizmo.

“How long have you been there, old girl?”

Gizmo laughs.

“The entire time I am not the only one who heard it either. Wicker and Oil heard it. We were up here talking about our future together.”

I smirk

“How did that go?”

Gizmo chuckles

“We are going to get married but on the way back from Dream Valley. I left Wicker and Oil to see if I could see what was up.”

I shook my head.

“Don’t worry old girl, go back to your future.”

Gizmo shifts on her turtle feet turning back to go to Wicker and Oil. She stops real quick to turn back to me.

“Would you like some advice from one who is just as old as you?”

I turn to the other ancient creatures like me.

“What?”

She smiles.

“Next time Gem I feel you need to be more gentle with her. I know you’re a dragon and you’re trying but sometimes I think you push a bit too hard and not everyone can handle it.”

I nod she is correct, not everyone can not even Ruby. But this is the only way dragons know how to handle it. I shift looking back to Gizmo smiling and saluting her with my claw. The old turtle chuckles.

“Someday you’re going to have to show those two how your shell and arm work. I am sure it has a lot of attachments.”

Gizmo didn’t understand what I meant at first. Her turtle face glows bright red after getting it.

“Gem please I am a turtle we aren’t that horny. We give love gently and slowly and that is the best way.”

I laugh loudly and she is correct. Giving love gently is the best.

“I am going to head back to my office. I am hoping Ruby finally opens up to Melody and we can have a peaceful night.”

I head back downstairs waving to Gizmo and go back to my office to relax and maybe get a few winks. I lay on my bed closing my eyes to try to get some sleep. Dreaming of the beautiful red mare and dreaming of making her smile.

____________

Ruby

I fly downstairs looking for Melody. I turn on my magic vision to search for her. I can’t seem to find anyone. My magic vision seems blocked. I fly to the gunner station to see Gunpowder.

“Oh hey, Ruby what's up?”

I buzz softly

“I am searching for Melody. Have you seen her?”

Gunpowder nods

“Yes, she is in her office. Is something wrong?”

I sigh

“I called her a brothel slut.”

Gunpowder stares at me, her surprise turns to hatred and she takes a deep breath relaxing. The features in her eyes go back to normal, a little lukewarm. I think she is trying very hard not to scream at me.

“Ruby, that may have been true in the past. But you have made her so happy. You need to at least try to make it up to her.”

I shrug

“How?”

Gunpowder smirks lifting a giant wooden crate over me.

“This is how.”

I stare in horror

“No wait, don't!!”

Smash!!

I groan hearing the medical alarm ring I hear trotting seeing gentle well done hooves I pass out from the pain. This just ain’t my day or my last few months.

I don’t know how many hours it was. I wake up in our bedroom I look around and when I turn my head I stare right into the eyes of Melody. I groan sitting up like a bug. I am in so much pain I feel like a rock hit me.

“Ruby…”

Her voice is low, sad, not hateful.

“Melody, I have been searching for you.”

She looks away sticking her nose in the air

“Hmph.”

I groan, stroking my head.

“Melody I am sorry I know I was out of line. I know I said some pretty harsh and hurtful things. I.”

I sigh deeply

“Melody, I make awful mistakes. I don't work up to admit I make those mistakes. I am too determined. My impulsion gets the better of me and I get hurt and I keep forgetting to think of how you feel.”

I turn to look at Melody again.

“Do you forgive me for being so rude and mean to you?”

Melody turns to look at me.

“Ruby, you don’t need to explain yourself to me. I know how you feel. I know you didn’t mean what you said. What upset me was not the brothel slut comment.”

I am confused.

“Then what hurt you?”

She stares into my eyes.

“You called yourself worthless. Ruby, you aren’t worthless if you were worthless and heartless I would have never given myself to you. The words may have been harsh but honestly, those words are true. I was a brothel slut.”

I sigh, groaning.

“I don’t understand you sometimes Melody. I said such hateful things to you and that didn’t phase you?”

Melody nods.

“No, it didn't, it's not the first time you lost your temper with me, it's not the first time you said hateful things to me. This is just the only time you noticed it. What got me upset was saying you’re worthless, you're a waste of space. That you’re not worth my time.”

Melody stares deeply into my eyes.

“No matter how many fights or arguments we have. You’re stuck with me but there will be times I get upset. Next time don’t have a box thrown on you to try to find me.”

I smirk weakly

“That wasn’t my idea. I asked Gunpowder the best way to find you. So she tossed that box on me.”

Melody snorts

“I figured it would be her idea. Ruby, I want you to learn and learn this well.”

I stare at her.

“I am going to slap you hard in the face.”

She takes a wing slapping me very hard in the face. I stroke my cheek with my many buggy hands thinking I deserve that.

“Then what?”

She puts her wings on my face.

“This.”

She pulls me into a deep gentle kiss and my cheeks burn bright red. To mix with the two slaps I received I relax and feel all my stress leaving me. I feel my heart finally feeling better. She breaks it slowly.

“As your wife I want you to fight those figments in your mind. It’s time you stopped allowing them to beat you. It’s time to move on from your failure and focus on the best conquest and amazing prize you won.”

I tilt my head.

“What is my conquest and prize?”

She rolls her eyes

“What do you think? She is a yellow pegasus who wears a lot of makeup and tries her best to look beautiful for her wife.”

I smirk

“Oh? Is she the most beautiful mare in this room?”

Melody smirks

“Maybe?”

Beezen gags.

We turn to look at him and he is gagging.

“Ugh, that is just too much for you two. So you know in two hours there will be a feast and Ruby you’re the main center of it. Everyone here including our newest member of this family is going to sit and make you feel welcomed.”

I smile feeling a bit overwhelmed already.

“Do I.”

He shakes his head.

“Don’t you dare say you deserve it? Ruby after the fucking hell you have been through the last few years and what you have done on this journey you deserve a lot. For most of it, you deserve to be in jail for what you did on Junk island. You deserve so much punishment for not listening. But this is what I feel you deserve friends.”

Tears fell down my face. I get out of the bed hugging Beezen tightly. I sob softly feeling so much better than I had the past few days. I think I finally needed Gem to tell me what's what. I take a deep breath after and relax.

“Ruby, please rest and enjoy your wife. I will come back for you.”

Melody gets on our bed after Beezen closes the door. All she does is hold me close. I feel safe and happy holding onto her. I think of the first figment I need to fight the robots. I kiss Melody's neck gently to get her to look at me.

“I was told by Wicker there is a way I could fight those figments who show up in my head. Like robots and so on. Is it okay if I go talk to her about it? So I can finally get over myself and I can finally be free?”

Melody smiles kissing my forehead

“I need to get back to my office anyway, Ruby. So do what you need and I will say this once. Don’t say to me you’re worthless. You’re the most worthwhile thing that ever happened in my life, Ruby. I will not hear anything else.”

I watch her leave. I just sigh, shaking my head.

“Ruby, I think you need to go do what you said. Taking it from this old door knob and keeping stuff till the last minute is never wise. Go do it as quickly as you can and then your mental mind will be clear of all evil.”

I smile weakly. He is correct.

“Alright I will go find Wicker.”

I leave the room looking around to find Wicker. I head up to the dock seeing Gizmo, Wicker, and Oil talking about their future.

“I am happy you don’t mind being with this old pirate Oh Ruby what…what happened to your face?”

I chuckle

“Gem and Melody slapped me. Melody slapped me because I said I am worthless. Anyway, I got a question for you.”

Wicker tilts her head, and Gizmo and Oil stay silent.

“What would that little bug be?’

I take a deep breath sighing

“I want to take you up on that deal of fighting those creatures in my mind. Those who keep my mind in dread and sorrow.”

Wicker smirks

“So you want to fight those demons of yours?”

I nod

“Hmm, do you mind if I give my pirate's heart to these two first?”

I tilt my head

“What the hell?”

Wicker snickers

“To a pirate love is rare and the way we focus on it. We give something very close to our hearts. So one moment.”

I notice Wicker's magic shines from her horn as she removes two of her earrings. One is pure gold with a skull on it. The other is pure silver with swords on it. She attaches one of the earrings to Gizmos' cybernetic arm. She has a bright red face. I have never seen the old turtle blush before. She puts the silver earring in the piercing hole of Oil's left ear.

“There I gave you two my heart.”

I chuckle

“It must be strange to fall in love with creatures bigger than you are?”

Wicker laughs

“Ruby you’re married to a pegasus you’re medium size compared to her. I have slept with dragons before so this is normal to me.”

I never understood Wicker. Sometimes she talks like she is still a pirate with pirate sayings and acts like she is on the high seas. Then later she is the calmest kirin I have ever met and then there is Oil, a sweet camel who I have become close friends with. Gizmo is the one who repairs almost everything I use.

“Gizmo um thank you for everything you have done for me.”

Gizmo glances at me smirking

“Ruby, you're one of my best friends. I look forward to keeping your stupid ass alive. It’s a challenge for me and keeps me on my toes.”

Wicker smirks

“Alright follow me to my room soon I will be living with these two in the core.”

I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and nodding and opening them to follow the Kirin of the sea. She leads me to her room. It's kind of in the back up the upper level near some of the water pipes. She purrs softly leaning her ear on the moving water in the pipe system.

“Hmm water and the smell of the sea and well some bowel movements”

Just then I hear a toilet flush and goddess the stench Wicker just smirks sniffing in deeply.

“Ah, the smell of the decay of the seawater on a hot day.”

I stare at her very confused. I look at the water and she has an old musket gun hanging on it with her swashbuckler sword and her pirate clothing including a hat. She hasn’t got much else. I notice some strange candles she holds in her magic making a circle of them.

“Now I warn you this is an old sea raider's way of dealing with curses and mental problems of some of our crew. If you don’t beat them in your mind they could destroy your mind or worse. So I warn you it’s like a journey but within yourself. Are you sure you want to do this?”

I sit in the middle of the candles. Wicker smiles

“Ruby, give me one of your buggy legs.”

I offer one of my legs to the kirin she holds it in her magic, taking a very sharp knife from the wall next to her weapons. She cuts deep into the leg, dripping my glowing blood all over the candles. She chants a strange spell using more magic to toss salt dust and other various powders while my blood coats the candles.

“Oh espíritus del mar. Los que dentro del casillero de los demonios. Saca a relucir los malos recuerdos y sueños de la mente de esta pequeña criatura. Que ella te agrade oh diablo que ella te agrade oh diosa.”

I gasp feeling magic filling my body hearing screams seeing what I swear are drowned ghosts grabbing me and tearing at me. Then what seems to be a devil with seaweed all over their body dripping water. Reaching into my mind and I scream.

_____________

Battle with the mind

I open my eyes looking around the darkness in the middle of the light of strange mist and smoke. Standing in front of me is a large sea demon. He stares at me. I could tell this creature is unhappy to see me.

“You haven’t made a deal with the sea. Hmmm now before you waste my time tell me what you need?”

I stare at the demon creature of the sea I gulp.

“I need to face the demons within my mind. I know I am not one of the seas but I need this and I offered my blood to you.”

The sea creature sighs

“Most know me as the devil of the sea. The devil of the deep Black Heart. My real name will be too hard for you to say. Now you said you want me to bring those in your mind to life so you can fight them?”

I take a deep breath nodding. The demon touches my head and he whistles.

“You have many problems, many creatures in your head wanting to destroy your mind. Oh, this is not going to be very easy for one like you. Are you sure you want to do this?”

I nod

“I have no choice, I need to take care of these problems before I kill someone with my inaction.”

The demon closes his eyes chanting. Each word makes my soul shiver. I feel my heart is being torn from my body. The words are so dark I don’t remember what he saids and he pulls one of the figments from my mind. I stare at my first task, Majesty herself.

“Your creator, your grandmother,'' you could say. Talk with her or defeat her. I can’t tell you how you take care of this yourself. Just do what you feel is right. I will be here to watch.”

The Alicorn stares at me. It’s how I remember her so full of herself and hateful of everything around her. I don’t know how to handle this but I remember one moment we had together. I remember I was called to the castle to talk with her. I close my eyes and head through the doors leading to the moment in my mind Majesty is whimpering and crying.

“Why does no pony love me?! I gave them all the best years of my life and they love a worthless mare who has done nothing!!”

I sat down in the middle of the floor as I did. Lowering my buggy ass to the cold floor.

“My queen, I am here as requested. My brood mother told me you needed a magic eater to talk to?”

Majesty looks at me, her gentle eyes not so full of hate when she looks at me.

“Hello, little Ruby. I see you have grown into a beautiful creature.”

I smile blushing very gently at the queen's words.

“You asked for me?”

She looks at me.

“Yes, I want you to join my army so we can put everyone and everything to heel so I can be queen again.”

I closed my eyes. I remember agreeing to join her army and I didn’t realize at the time it would lead to mind control.

“Majesty, I mean my queen. I think you need to accept the island won’t love you and prove to them you can be loved again. By being a queen of the souls of this island. Let them live and show them you’re one to be loved. I got one last thing to say.”

I walk to the former alicorn, hugging her leg.

“I forgive you.”

I look up seeing Majesty's eyes turn from her hateful emotionless look. Seeing real tears falling down her eyes she hugs me tightly.

“No matter what you do to me mother…I will always love you. I am sorry I never told you that you’re loved by me.”

In Dream valley in the castle of Dream, Castle Majesty is on her throne talking to one of the Grundles. She has been treating them better since she returned. Suddenly she hears something deep in her mind and heart. ‘I love you mother, I always will love you no matter what you have done to me.’

Majesty sobs hard enough that the grundles leave her alone to let her take care of her issues while they go clean up the castle as she asked them kindly to do.

“Oh…Ruby, I am so sorry. I am so sorry I destroyed your brood.”

Majesty freezes in my mind I tilt my head the demon forming from the water gathering around me and he chuckles

“That is unexpected and a bit easy. From the looks of it, you could have said worse to her. You could have fought her. You could have beaten her but instead, you talk to her heart rather than what you did last time insulting her.”

I did that? I don’t remember half the stuff I said to her during that time. I just remember not caring and… not hugging her and telling her to do what she wants. So I did cause her to get more and more upset.

“I didn’t know I was part of the problem which drove her insane.”

He chuckles

“It could have been anything to trigger it. Just all you need to do is work your issues out with her. It took one hug. It is a bit of a problem to be too easy and too simple but it works I guess. So one door is closed.”

I do feel a little better. I didn’t even see Majesty, she didn’t even come to me in my head. I think this was to fix my past to make sure I don’t feel the guilt of what I did.

“So the next…part is. Little one I am very sorry.”

He grabs my head again pulling out an entire coastal town. I am right near the gates of Cliffside. Tears fall down my face. No not this no…I not this

“I don’t know if there is an easy fix with this. You’re controlled during this time now there are ways to ignore mind control it’s not extremely easy just focus on your task. You know that task.”

My mind goes to the memory looking at the army behind me. I remember my thoughts while I am mind-controlled. I didn’t want to do this and I have the crown on. All I can do is what I felt I should have done.

“My friend ahead is the hero. First, though, let's see if we can do this peacefully.”

I get many strange and confused looks. I fly into the air flying to the gate. Guns aim at me and I lift my many arms into the air.

“I am here to speak to the hero, please let me speak to her.”

They look at each other. One of the zebras' nods. It seems one of them is willing to let me. I look back to the army I led.

“Please stay there until I return.”

I am led through the city into the inn. I see Star Shooter sitting with the heroes of legend. The zebra goes over to Star Shooter whispering in her ear. She turns to look at me. I see all the scars she has from when she was tortured looking at the crack in her horn. Star Shooter stands from her seat Blaze wraps her tail around the mare.

“Are you sure about this?”

Star Shooter just smiles

“No, but I got to try right?”

Star Shooter swings her head to one of the rooms. I look at all the eyes of the creatures from Cliffside. I never came in here though why am I seeing what could have been? Maybe that is how this works.

Star Shooter opens the room, closing it after I get in. I glance over into the darkness noticing Jonon in her cloak watching. The zebra is always there ready to attack.

“Talk bug.”

I take a deep buzzing breath releasing the air and making buzzing sounds.

“I am here to talk about ending all this peacefully. I have come on my own accord and I will do anything to make sure this ends peacefully with no deaths. If I can help it.”

Star Shooter stares at me.

“I am sorry I don’t believe any word you’re saying. Here I want to go home and take Blaze with me, including my friends. I am needed here even if I feel I am not. So why come to me? Why not try to convince your queen that battle death and gore are not the way?”

I let out a sighing buzz.

“You have to at least admit the legend is stupid.”

Star Shooter smirks

“Yes, it’s made by some idiot with a fever dream.”

Star shooter sighs closing her eyes

“I will try contacting the queen and we will talk to each other with respect and kindness. It may not end well but at least we got to try.”

All I could do was hug Star Shooter.

“I am so sorry for everything I did to you and your friends. Please forgive me.”

Star Shooter looks at me confused and she changes into the sea demon he sighs shaking his head.

“You know full well it would not end the way you want little creatures. You may have been forgiven by those on your island. What you don’t seem to understand is you need to forgive yourself. You don’t need to make some big deal out of it. You need to forgive yourself and that is the only simple thing,”

I gulp I have to forgive myself for what I did?

“I know it’s not going to be easy for you to forgive yourself, Ruby. It’s the only way you can move on from everything you caused and all the pain you went through. It’s the best way you can do it... You just have to allow it.”

He reaches for my head and I back away shaking

“No, I can’t face myself now. Not after everything I did.”

The sea demon crosses his arms staring down at me.

“You will be here forever in your mind if you don’t get over yourself. You need to forgive, you need to forget, and you need to accept what you did. Don’t linger on everything. Those you killed the murders and then the mind control you need to accept you did all those things even if you were mind-controlled.”

Tears fall from my eyes as they add to the water.

“But I can’t move on from all those deaths. The children that died on the island because of me. I did and saw so much horror.”

The demon's face turns from a frown of disappointment to a smile of respect and he leans down to stroke my head gently. I stare at him with my burning teary eyes.

“Little creature proves to me you can move on. Some never show this regret in their hearts. Some never want to forgive themselves because they feel if they do they will do it again. Let me say a poem from one I met years ago.”

He thinks a moment on it

“Ah, Life is not as simple as most wish to believe. Life is but a story with a god or goddess writing us into corners to mess with us and destroy us. To show us we don’t have control over our fate. When the page turns our life turns with us. When the book closes our story ends. It could mean that it is our death. The truth is it means we have finally moved on from that story to open the book to write a new story within our souls.”

I shudder after hearing those words, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

“I shall accept talking to myself If it’s what I must do. Just how do I talk to myself?”

The demon smirks

“What you must do is talk to the worst of yourself, meaning the one of yourself who always insults you. You need to allow this side of you to belittle and rip every single part of yourself apart. It's the only way.”

I inhale fake air, the only air is within my mind. At least it’s how it feels.

“I am ready.”

The demon reaches into my head I scream in pain I shiver when I see the other side of myself. The demon changes into me and I have many cuts and slices and my eyes look dark and full of anger. I stare into my soul.

“I am your damned soul within your mind. Are you here to get rid of me once and for all or to chicken out like the worthless piece of shit you are. Oh, I know you insult the one you married to become your wife. Destroy every single good grace we have little bug or you going to be who you used to be. Strong, happy, and willing to open up?”

Tears fell from my eyes seeing how angry I am. Am I that upset, am I that willing to hurt those around me because I can’t let go? It’s time to accept that I have to let go. It’s time to let go and dream. It’s time to let go and sing. I felt the music in my mind this time.

“It’s time to move on and forgive me. Maybe someday I could look back and try to fully remove every single thought of pain in my head. I see the dreams, I see the songs I see every single time we see the moon.”

The other side adds to the song.

“Is it time to remove the bloody drenched soul? Remove the blood from our buggy little hands and sing to the moon again? Determination will be our downfall someday impulsiveness will be our death. Should we go back to those days? The song is our heart, the song is our dream. Should it be?”

I grunt feeling myself forcing the pain out of me tears falling from my eyes. I keep singing loudly

“I will forgive myself for what I did on the island. I will forgive myself for the children I killed and those lives I destroyed. I…forgive myself for what I did in the Widowmaker desert. I look back and I forgive myself for the deaths and…I forgive my friends for not sticking around..I.”

I stop signing stroking my stomach feeling the eggs tears falling down my cheeks

“I forgive Sky Blue for betraying my love and impregnating me…just to remember me.”

I sob gently remembering how I felt when he told me what he was going to do. I take a deep breath blowing the air now.

“I forgive Wheel Tread and The Storm King for what they did to me,...and I forgive my friends.”

I softly sang. I watch every nick, every wound, every cut in my heart vanishing; they will still be there deep in my soul. It's all I can do. The last one I need to forgive remembering her and wishing she was here now.

“Dunewalker…Oh, Dunewalker I forgive you for betraying me.”

The other side of mine turned back into the demon when the song ended.

“There is only so much I can do for you little bug. I can’t help you fight the figments like the robots and the others in your mind. You will have to face them when the time comes. But you’re on the first steps to recovery I will say be very impulsive and go to your wife. Kiss her and don’t stop till you two feel you can move on. Good bye little bug.”

The demon vanished into the water and I woke up from my mind.

________

Back to the world

I open my eyes and the candles are all melted. I lay in a pool of them standing up and looking at the kirin who stood by my side the entire time.

“Thank you, Wicker.”

Wicker smirks

“I am sure you could take care of everything you could. You may get relapses and fall into it again. But you need to make sure you don’t allow yourself to fall into it again. I did hear one of the things you said. You forgive yourself for everything.”

I sigh, nodding.

“I may have tried to forgive myself for everything. The guilt will still linger for what I did. I feel the only way to make sure it doesn’t is to just move on. Now I need to go speak to my mother and then I need to find Melody.”

I salute the kirin flying off to Gems room going inside and stare at the dragon who is asleep and I stare into her eyes.

“Hey, dragon wake up.”

Gem opens her eyes, staring at me.

“What do you want, Ruby? Can’t you see I am tired and don’t want to deal with your bullshit?”

I chuckle

“I wanted to tell you. You were right and I asked Wicker to have me meet some sea demon to reach into the dark reaches of my mind and make me face myself Majesty and my biggest failure Cliffside. I forgive myself, I forgave everything and now I'm trying to move on.”

Gem stares at me.

“So you finally realized you let your mental mind control you and…what sea demon?”

I glance at the PA system.

“Could you tell Melody to meet me on the deck above? I just need to get something real fast.”

I flew out of the room heading to the room which is going to be our home for the next year or so. I opened a box bringing out a song I wrote for Melody recently. I wanted to sing this to her recently. I took a deep buzzing breath.

I head back to the Gems office waving to her.

“Thank you, Gem.”

I head up hearing the PA system come on.

“Could Melody Glide head up to the deck, please. If you all don’t mind I am going back to sleep to dream of Cranberry.”

I wait up on the deck watching the water go by. I notice something strange in the water though. A large metal object floating in the water. If I didn’t know any better it was a building or some underground building? Huh, kind of strange to see that.

Melody comes up and she notices me coming over tilting her head.

“Ruby?”

I grab her cheeks with my buggy hands kissing her deeply. Her eyes open wide and she puts her wings on my cheeks, closing her eyes. I break it gently staring into her eyes.

“I asked Wicker to help me get over my mental problems. I may have not gotten over the robots. But I forgave myself. I even forgave Silverwing for lying about his feelings for me. I am going to admit you were right. I feel a lot better.”

Melody smiles

“Well it’s a start, do you think you could let me help you through the rest of it? Are you brave enough to let your wife talk with you about it? I do have some therapy training. It would be the first time using it.”

I take a deep breath nodding.

“I will let you do it, Melody. I guess I was too proud and I keep forgetting we are now married. So I need to be open to you.”

Melody stares at me.

“Do you promise?”

I smile nodding

“I promise and I am not one to break promises.”

Melody sighs happily and I can see in her eyes relief.

“But sweetie I was training a new nurse for my office. What did you want other than telling me all this?”

I smirk lifting the song.

“I want to sing something to you and then we have that feast in two hours. I don’t know about you it’s best to do something before we end up in the next broken land.”

Melody tilts her head smirking

“Another song for me Ruby? Are you trying to butter me up after that fight? Heh, or are you trying to turn me on again?”

I chuckle

“What if I am trying to turn you on hmm?”

Melody smirks

“Ruby, we have had more fun in bed than many do in a lifetime. How about this during the feast you sing this song to me. Why not go help Mellow with making the food for the feast. I need to get back to my office.”

I don’t know if Mellow wanted my help. I could at least try.

“Okay Melody before you go.”

She tilts her head.

“Hmm?”

I give her a very soft kiss, giving a buzzing purr.

“I love you my yellow mare”

I smiled and I could see she was surprised how I am acting so differently. I flew off into the ship heading to Mellow's kitchen and the smell was amazing. She looks extremely busy. I didn't want to bother her but I gently tapped on the counter.

The yellow magic eater turns to look at me.

“Oh, Ruby, are you hungry? We sadly only have rations till this feast is over.”

I shook my head

“No Mellow, I want to help you.”

Mellow stops a moment looking right at me. She has a confused look on her yellow buggy face. Clicking her mandibles together.

“You’re offering to help me without Gem strong-arming you into doing it? Ruby I am flattered you want to help me but why the change you know I find it hard to respect you as my species since you belittle yourself so much.”

I smirk weakly

“No Mellow you have been right all along I have no right to be a magic eater. But would it help if I prove to you that I am one?”

Mellow smiles

“Ruby, just the fact you’re admitting I have been right is the first step in me respecting you. Now the next step is ``did you talk to your wife about how you treated her today?”

I nod.

“Yes, I did and told her I was wrong too. She did say it wasn’t calling her a brothel slut that upset her. It was me calling myself worthless and not worth being around. So yes she said I insult her all the time. It's just the first time I caught it. I guess I have a temper.”

Mellow chuckles

“Well us magic eaters do Ruby have short tempers. Now the next step and trust me this one won’t be too hard to understand.”

I nodded wondering what her next step is in respecting me.

“What is the point of this journey to you? Is it to get you fame and glory?”

I shook my head.

“I am doing this journey because it’s right and common sense. All three versions of the stars need to return. Even if it means it causes more problems we can’t just sit back and allow stuff like this to happen again. If I get fame from this he let them give me fame. If I am in the history books, later on, tell them the truth. If I need to be made into a legend by some ponies or creatures then that is up to them.”

Mellow stroking her buggy chin nodding.

“I may not fully agree with the star's idea. But you just proved to me you’re doing this for the world and not yourself. Ruby I am going to be very honest it’s going to take a while for me to fully accept you as one of my species. But you have at least done the first steps. You have impressed me enough to at least call you brood sister.”

I am surprised at this.

“BUT!! If you hurt Melody again or do anything to prove to me otherwise you go back to just being there and if I ignore you accept it?!”

I nod quickly

“Got it. Even though Melody saids that having arguments is normal.”

Mellow laughs.

“Very truly I had to beat my husband's ass now and then because he did stuff without my say when it came to my kitchen.”

I chuckle letting out a relieved sigh.

“Alright what do you need help with?”

Mellow looks at her kitchen thinking for a moment.

“Well, I need all the sandwiches made for the feast. So if you don’t mind making the bread and using the already made bread to make the sandwiches while you wait for the bread to be done.”

I nod flying behind the counter and cleaning my buggy hands noticing she has some gloves for cooking. I take the bread she already has and makes as many sandwiches as I can. Using whatever I can to make it look good.

“Okay Mellow do you have any recipes for bread making?”

Mellow nods, opening a recipe box and giving it to me and I read it all doing what it saids. It took me at least thirty minutes batch wasn’t very good but she accepted it. There were so many sandwiches.

“Okay is that enough?”

Mellow looks at the two platters of them nodding.

“Okay open my wine cask and I want you to use your magic to chill it.”

Use magic eater magic to chill non-chilled wine? Huh, the first time I have ever heard of doing such a thing. Mellow put down the way how to do it. I stare at it so I do what it says. I allow a little bit of my magic eater blood into the wine and then it reacts a bit odd to the wine and chills it?

“Huh… I didn’t know that worked.”

Mellow laughs

“I learned that the hard way myself. When I was on a trade ship. Someone wanted to try out my magic blood as a drink to see what it would have done. So they took a drop to try it in wine and it did that.”

She chuckles

“I think it only does it with cheap wine. I can’t ever find good, expensive wine. I have been looking for some for years now, still no luck.”

The two of us work hard and to make sure everyone can join this feast the ship is lowered to the sea to just let it float. Two hours later Mellow and I had gotten everything ready. It was busy work and I enjoyed it. I helped set the table and I sat in one of the chairs to relax.

Mellow sits down as well and all the food is ready and we both sigh.

“Damn Mellow I have a deeper respect for what you do now. You must enjoy being a cook.”

Mellow laughs.

“Yes, it’s a passion of mine. My brood mother was one of those brood queens who wanted her brood to do their dreams. My dream was cooking, my sister's dreams were other things, one of them was to be the leader of a merc group.”

It was time for the event to go on. Everyone who lived on the ship including the new donkey friend came and I just stayed in the chair to relax. Melody pulls me out of the chair lifting me to her back. I don; ’t get what is going on.

Gem stood at the head of the table lifting a drink.

“This is the biggest feast we have had. It means we will have to do a lot of fishing and a lot of trading at our next destination. But first. We came here to do this feast for one gal. She hasn’t been very happy the last few days. But she is willing to work things out. I want everyone to give my adoptive daughter a cheer. She has done so much for us and she has tried so hard to return it.”

They all look at me. I blush pretty deep red on Melody's back.

“Three cheers for Ruby to me no matter how much she keeps falling back into her broken thoughts I am still proud to call her daughter.”

Wicker laughs

“Aye let's cheer the bug lubber and keel over those who don’t agree. Ahem, excuse me, my old life is getting in the way again.”

Our new donkey friend cheers. She doesn’t say much. I can tell she has a lot on her mind. Gizmo drinks from the wine cheering. Rhyolite nods while sitting in a chair.

“So I heard you finally did it, Ruby. You finally went to face your demons and you feel better at least?”

I glance at Rhyolite nodding.

“Yes, I do.”

Dust quietly eats the food while drinking the wine.

“We are family so no matter how bad you get Ruby we will respect you.”

Dust adds while eating.

“I agree.”

Beezen nods.

“Even though someday I will have to fight you all. I will still consider you my family.”

Joona smiles the first time I have seen the shapeshifting bird smile since she has been here.

“I have felt happy here since I woke up. Just I hope wherever we are going next it won’t be as harsh as the place you found me in.”

Gem sighs

“Ruby, we have someone coming soon who knows you. They will be here too soon. They don’t know you’re alive. You remember Silverwing?”

I suddenly stiff Melody glances up at me. She has a worried look on her face. Gem sighs, noticing the same thing.

“I..will get some food and wait in my room till she comes. I. don’t want to face one of the ones who gave me to the Storm King to kill me”

Gem realized the mistake she made.

“Ruby you have more right to be here than she does. Did the betrayal they did to you break you that much?”

I chuckle.

“It was more the hate in their eyes. Rassie, the queen, and Silverwing gave me up to protect themselves. I heard Rassie and you talking. I was just an easy one to give up so they could be safe. I got to say, ``Do you know how that one feels?”

Melody nods

“I can tell you that would make me upset”

Wicker snorts

”We are all here now no matter what we will defend you from them and if they ask for our help we will say they need to do everything they can to make it up to you Ruby. Am I correct Gem?”

Gem smirks

“Have fun, Ruby, eat, get to know your friends more. Sing that song to us all for your wife just enjoy this meal. When they get here we will make sure they won’t do anything to you I promise you as your mother.”

I feel alot better after what Gem says. I get off Melody’s back grabbing a plate of a lot of food since I am pretty hungry. I sit back in a chair to sit beside Gizmo and Rhyolite.

“Hmm, Ruby, that is a lot of food, everything okay?”

I glance at Gizmo nodding.

“Yes, it’s just the eggs that are making me hungry. I won’t be laying them for a while. When I do though I will go into a strange trance shooting a strange sticky substance from my mouth and ass to attach the eggs to it.”

Rhyolite gags at the sound of what I just said ignoring what I said.

“Sounds like fun…Ruby ugh…”

I glance at the raptor gal.

“Um Rhyolite you're the one that went to a brothel for hours and you’re complaining about what comes naturally for my species?”

Rhyolite laughs

“Oh come on Ruby I am just playing”

She pats my head with her claws. I just laugh, smirking.

“Funny.”

Oil came up behind me giving me a tight hug.

“Please keep my dear Gizmo from getting hurt, same with my Kirin Wicker.”

I chuckle looking up at the camel

“I will do my best to protect them Oil”

Oil smiles sitting beside Gizmo while she eats some food herself. There is so much and I doubt we would be able to eat it all ourselves. Gunpowder taps my shoulder. I turn on the chair I am sitting on looking up at Gunpowder.

“Sorry about tossing a box on you, it was the only idea I had.”

I laugh stroking the back of my head.

“Eh, maybe I deserved it for how dumb I have been.”

It was a slow calm feast. I helped Mellow take care of the food we left over. It was an awful lot since we went inside. After that, we all stayed around the table and talked and visited each other. I will make sure to get that song again to sing to Melody.

“Alright everyone since I have been asked to do this. I wrote a song a while ago for Melody. I am willing to sing it with all of you around if anyone has an issue with that?”

Gizmo chuckles

“I wouldn’t mind hearing it.”

The others nod and I take a deep breath, letting out a buzzing sigh.

“Alright”

I stood at the table reading the song. The music softly plays around us. The magic music I still would love to know where this music comes from. I might find out someday but at the moment I am more focused on this.

“Oh, there is a yellow mare of wonderful beauty. A mare who has given me her heart. I no longer feel alone in my soul. When I see the beautiful mare smile it makes me know I am so lucky to have met her. Melody the wonderful mare who has won my heart. I see the beauty in her eyes and the blush on her face. Oh, such a beautiful mare, the only mare I will ever give my heart to.”

I stopped singing and bowing and they all clapped and cheered and Melody giggled helping me down from the table. I rub the back of my head smirking.

“I know it wasn’t much of a song but I did what I could.”

Melody just shakes her head.

“Ruby I don’t need songs from you to know you love me. But we all love you, Ruby. Mellow may get upset with you and we all get tired of your woe is me stuff. But at least you’re trying to now love.”

Mellow nods

“I feel ignoring you if you fall back into yourself again won’t help. I will try my best to help you through it.”

Gizmo stands from her chair.

“I agree I am here with you too as long as you can handle this old girl.”

Wicker smirks

“I am here too. To keep your ass from falling into the sea.”

Amandla the donkey sets down the cup she was drinking from.

“I may not know you that well Ruby. But from what I have seen you’re a creature of a pure heart. Oh and Gizmo could you help me with my power armor? I am extremely novice to how the systems work. So as we go on our journey will keep reading on it to get used to it.”

Gizmo looks at the Donkey.

“Wait that large box you brought in has power armor?”

Amandla nods

“Yes I made it myself from various parts I found.”

A donkey this small uses power armor? Hmm, it’s going to be helpful.

“Alright head down there Amandla I will come with you. Oil love mind coming maybe we both can work on it?”

Oil shrugs her shoulders.

“Sure why not sticking around the core too long gets on my nerves sometimes and since we aren’t flying and waiting for whoever is coming to meet with us gives me a chance to help others.”

Wicker snickers

“I will go do some fishing then. Care to join me Joona?”

The Panna turns her head to look at the Kirin and she nods smirking

“I would love to haven't gone fishing for years. The last time I went fishing was with my father before I was placed in that tube.”

Wicker nods they both head out on the deck and I just relax leaning on Melody as the others leave to do their own thing. Mellow counts all the food we have left Gunpowder salutes me and Melody and she heads back to her cannons.

The pa system comes on with some static

“Gem, there is a small flying vessel coming towards us. Are we expecting anyone?”

Beezen sighs.

“Well, here they are..”

Gem nods

“You two stay here, we will bring her to my office. I will have Beezen come to get you after we talked to her enough.”

Gem clicks a strange device on her ear.

“Yes, we are Pink Glitter. I am on my way so don’t get your magic eater wings in a twist.”

Beezen waves at Melody and me as we help Mellow with counting the food we have left over. Melody sighs.

“I think you two overdid it, this food could go bad before we can do anything with it.”

I chuckle

“I was doing what Mellow said we should do.”

Mellow smirks

“Yeah that was my fault I felt we needed a lot at least most of it got eaten up. You two can go back to your room if you want.”

I glance up at Melody and she shrugs her shoulders.

“Sure gives me more time to talk to Ruby about things.”

Mellow smirks

“Heh take care if I need help I will ask you to come back.”

Melody and I head back to our room. I get on the bed to relax and Melody lays beside me.

“What did you want to talk about?”

Melody puts her head on my chest.

“Well, when this journey is over. How do you feel like herding?”\

Herding? I have to think a bit about what herding means. I don’t remember anything about it. Could this herding thing be what Gizmo is doing with Oil and Wicker? I think harder in my head trying to understand what it means.

“Melody please forgive me but what is herding?”

Melody snickers

“I think we talked about this before. But to a species like mine love, we would find a male like a stallion and then he would herd with us.”

I chuckle softly

“Oh yes, I forgot. I thought you were pure lesbian though you want a male?”

Melody chuckles

“Sweetheart being a lesbian can only get you so far. When it comes to making a family you could adopt or find a male willing to accept my way of living. By not only being in love with a gentle magic eater but as well as being a rock for the two of us.”

A stallion of whatever species zebra or pony could be a heavy help to the two of us. I could give them everything that is bothering me at the time. Of course, I do that already with Melody. When I feel like I need to open up more I talk with her.

There is a knock on the door. Melody lifts her head off my chest. Got off to bed to open the door. I sit up and Beezen is standing there.

“Alright Gem hasn't told them that you’re here but they’re waiting for you. Melody please come just in case these Upholi suddenly try to hurt your wife.”

I close my eyes tightly, opening them after a while and nodding. Melody and I follow Beezen to the Gems office. Beezen stops me, he looks down at me kneeling for a second.

“Let me go in first.”

Beezen goes inside and I wait by the side of the room. I can listen to the voices.

“Why are you not allowing us to go find this soul you’re not saying much about? Is there something about them we don’t know?”

Beezen chuckles

“There is a good reason for that Silverwing. We know next to nothing about the situation in your home. The fact you refuse to even tell us it’s going to take us a while to allow you to meet the one who is willing to risk their lives to help your community.“

Silverwing goes silent for a moment, a deep sigh released from them I am sure.

“I know you’re the one that Ruby killed or so it looked like she killed you. I am going, to be honest with you, seeing you alive proves to me that I and the others did the right thing betraying that little bug.”

Gem growls

“My wife adopted that little bug Silver.”

I tense up. Melody can tell when I am getting angry my wings are flapping like many miles an hour. I am no longer waiting and I flew in getting face to face with Silverwing. Her eyes are wide open staring at me.

“You did the right thing betraying me? You did the right thing allowing the Storm King to shoot me and murder me?!”

I shook buzzing angrily tears stream down my face and Gem's face claws

“Ruby…”

I finally regained myself staring into the eyes of Silverwing.

“What are you regretting about what you said to me now?’

Silverwing stares at me, she doesn’t say a word and I just land back down going back to Melody who holds me close to her as I listen to them.

“Silver, this is Melody Glide, Ruby's wife. They got married recently after a bug of her species betrayed her after we told her the truth after he implanted eggs in her. So I am going to tell you, do you want us to come and help your home? I am sure you’re still proud of what you did. The only way she will help you is if you ask. This is her journey, not any of ours.”

Silverwing glances at Gem.

“No to be honest we aren’t proud of what we did to her Gem. I heard stories about a hero helping Rassie’s kingdom. They didn’t go deep into who it was. I can now see why Ruby you have every right not to trust me. But we need your friends and you. If you could please come, you will see why.”

I let out a buzzing sigh. I hate this so much deep inside but they need help and it’s all I can do to help them.

“I am not doing this because to me being a hero is now a worthless title. I am doing it because it’s the right thing to do. This world needs to heal somehow and if we keep relying on heroes we should rely on those wanting to be guardians of those who are too weak to help themselves.”

Silver stares at me looking at Beezen

“Wait, did she just insult the idea of a hero?”

Beezen nods

“I don’t blame her, sometimes the name of a hero can bring a lot of problems. Just saying this one is a hero you could see the faces of many waiting for a hero but if you wait for heroes to do what you should do yourself then do it. Get back on your ship Silver and then lead us there.”

Silver stands up from her seat looking down at me.

“Ruby, your wife is beautiful. You have good taste.”

I smirk Melody giggles Silver leaves the office. Gem sighs, grabbing the mic.

“Everyone, the next path of our journey is coming. We know next to nothing about what is going on in this land. We just know that the castle is surrounded by a wooden wall and the rest of the city is walled off for some reason. We have no idea why but when we get there we will learn more. I am on my way to the bridge. It's time for the journey.”

Gem stands up stroking my head while she walks out of the room. I look back to Beezen and then to Melody. I have no idea what to expect. Beezen goes to Gem's desk grabbing the mic to speak into it.

“Everyone get up to the deck with all your weapons and armor. It’s time to get ready for the next path of our journey. Ornithia is the next part of our journey I will wait for you all on the deck take as long as you walk to talk among yourselves.”

I look at Melody and nod to her. We head back to our room to gather all our gear. I get my armor which still has some of my weapons attached. I put it on keeping my helmet off my head for the moment to keep it attached to the suit. Melody gets her weapons and armor including her wing blades.

“Let's go, Melody, let's see what we will be doing and what this place is like.”

We head up to the deck. We are the last ones to show up. Joona is wearing heavy armor attached to her body. Her long neck has armor protecting it and on her head a helmet protecting her. Gizmo has armor made for her and a helm that protects her. It’s made from various metals. Attached to her shell are many of her weapons including her tonfas. Wicker has her pirate get up with her hat. Her sword and her musket pistol.

Rhyolite wears her bone armor, a large sword attached to her side, and on her back a large hammer with heavy spikes all over the hammer part. Beezen comes with no armor but his magic and folds his arms to wait. Amandla the medium size donkey stands beside us in giant power armor. Her helm is sitting right beside her. Dust just wears what he normally does waiting for what is to come.

“What do we know about this place?”

I glance at the donkey asking Beezen he shrugs his shoulders.

“I know nothing about it, we will know soon when we get there.”

After a few minutes of following the airship in front of us, we see a large tree. This large tree has a castle built into it and when we get even closer we see this tree and castle are surrounded by a large city all around it. There is a pretty large wall around the castle to keep whatever is in this city out. We stop right before we get to close the pa system.

“Silver is going to come to pick you all up, we will be staying out here. We will place one of our small flying ships at the dock in the castle so you can come back and forth. Now go learn what is going on here and then we can face our next journey.”

Amandla places her helm on. I do the same and we wait for the ship to come and pick us up. Silver looks at us and she sighs amazed at how many we have with us. All of us on the deck get on the ship heading to the large castle connected to the tree.

“Now to explain what happened here. A deadly civil war broke out after the end of the world. There was no winner at all. I am going to be very blunt to you Ruby. I wish I could go deeper about everything. For now, the royal family will want to know if you’re going to help. I am sorry.”

I tilt my head.

“I understand I may not care for this idea of waiting. But I will do what I must.”

Silver nods

“Yes…”

I took a deep breath looking at all my friends hoping we are ready for the journey ahead. I look back at the airship and wonder if it was wise for us to be here. We could change the story of this city. Maybe it’s for the best. We dock and wait before we are allowed to fully go in.

“Silver wait here takes a few hours.”

Silver heads in and we sit out here to wonder what is next for our journey. Wicker and Gizmo fall asleep waiting on the ship. Dust and Rhyolite talk to each other about what to expect. Amandla gets out of her armor cleaning it. Lay with Melody as we wait looking around seeing Joona and Beezen talking. I close my eyes waiting to see what is ahead.

Max level

Next Chapter: Chapter Fifity-Three Welcome to Ornithia Estimated time remaining: 13 Hours, 53 Minutes