What it Takes
Act 1: Chapter 1: The Bloody Bell
By: N30N-THUND3R
It was a quiet day for Princess Celestia. There were quite a few reasons for the peace that surrounded the alabaster-coated Alicorn, the main ones being that none of her loyal subjects had come to her any sort of requests or complaints or trivial matters, and that her faithful student Twilight Sparkle had no reason to contact her, be it about a lesson on friendship or anything Twilight thought that the Princess should know.
Due to the peace and quiet the day was offering, Princess Celestia had decided to take a stroll through the castle's statue gardens. It was an odd sensation for Celestia, having nothing to worry about at the time. She stopped for a moment, having felt a prickling sensation in the back of her mind.
It was a sensation that meant worlds to Celestia while meaning only one small thing. What the sensation meant was composed of three 'somes'. Somehow, somewhere, somepony (This being due to the fact that only dragons were the only other species that had sufficient magic, but the only two registered dragons in Equestria were incapable of magic usage of that level at the time: one being magically inept, the other being a baby) was using an extreme amount of magic, the strength of that magic being higher than what was present during Twilight's magical outburst when she was younger. It was alarming, to say the least. Nopony in Equestria, save for Twilight and the two Princesses, should be able to use such high amounts of magic. This worried Princess Celestia greatly. For her, it could only have meant one of three forseeable things.
One: Twilight was using her magic on an extremely powerful spell that required all of her energy at once, which would kill Twilight instantly.
Two: An artifact of strength akin to the Alicorn Amulet was being used to enhance a unicorns magic ability.
Last, and worst: An unregistered dragon was in Equestria and using extreme amounts of magic with or without any consideration.
None of these guesses could be further from the truth.
-(N)-
Three human beings were standing in front of a wrought iron gate that stood a good ten feet high. The tallest human, which was the one standing in the center, stood only a foot above the iron crossbar that marked the half-height of the gate, his sandy-brown hair barely achieving that extra height. The human standing to his left was only an inch shorter in height, the color of his hair, which was a crisp golden color just like his eyes, was intensified by the noonday sun.
One human was pale and thinly built, alluding to extreme amounts of time spent indoors, and in the case of the brown-haired Nathanius Aquus, studying ancient tomes with his bright blue eyes. In extreme contrast, the second human was muscular and tan. He was tan to the point that his skin was nearly the same color as the demon-sand, which was a shade darker unpolished oak.
Formalendale Bishop took great pride in his athleticism and loved being outside any time the sun was shining.
The third human, who was standing to the right of Nathanius, was roughly the same height as Formalendale. His skin was not as tan as Formalendale's, but it was still a much darker shade than Nathanius'. He was the most unique out of the three. Not because of his green hair, which was pretty eccentric considering the social norms, or even his status as an outcast.
It was because of the ink-chains that coated his forearms and calves.
The chains weren't simiply ink left under the skin. They were a form of speed and strength training called demon-chains. The idea for the training came from the unbreakable Binding-chains that were used to bind the stronger demons and were of extreme weight. Unlike normal ink, which was weightless, each 'link' -of which there were many- weighed approximately twenty pounds. Each individual 'link' was able to be removed or added through force of will, meaning that Tourmalyte only had to 'will' the links to disappear. Due to Tourmalyte's thin frame, the musculature from the training was hidden fairly well.
Nathanius was wearing a dark grey trenchcoat that reached his ankles. The blurite -otherwise known as blue-steel- buttons were stamped with what resembled a royal insignia. Underneath his trenchcoat was a blue cotton shirt that was laced with a blue metal wire. His pants were made of angelic leather -Commonly called Aethic: It is made from the hide of the Gretian Albino Sprite. It is one of the only types of lightweigt material that is naturally arcanized- that was still as white as the day he obtained it. From the belt of his pants hung a small brown pouch and the scabbard of a dagger, the hilt of which being made from Aethic leather.
Formalendale was wear a light brown tunic that had leather strings lacing the front of it. Underneath the tunic was a red poly-fiber shirt that was cut off at the shoulders, evident by the frayed strands showing from the shoulders of the tunic. His shorts were made from a tan-colored version of the same material as his shirt. From his belt hung a red pouch with gold thread lining the pouch's rim.
Tourmalyte was wearing an ensemble similar to Formalendale's in the fact that they both had a tunic overlaying a shirt as well as wearing shorts. That was where the similarities of clothing ended. The color of his tunic and shirt were a lighter green that what his hair was dyed to. His shorts were a bright white, the very same white that his belt-pouch was colored. The demon-chains stretched from his ankles an wrists all the way to his knees and elbows. The scabbard on his left side was a mottled green with a self-same colored material composing the hilt of the sword in the scabbard.
The gate opened silently, and without any assistance from any of the humans standing nearby. Nathanius took the initiative and immediately began walking to the castle-like structure beyond the gate.
"I have a very bad feeling about this. Something just doesn't seem right about what we're doing." Tourmalyte said, walking directly behind Nathanius. Formalendale was walking next to Tormalyte as they walked up the stone walkway towards the castle-like structure.
"I understand completely, Tourma. I have that feeling as well." Formalendale said, using the nickname that Tourmalyte went by in lieu of his full name. The three were nearing the tall wooden doors that made up the entryway of the building.
"There's nothing to worry about, guys. Father told me that we have no need to worry about the stone-ghasts or the sprites. And besides, if anything demonic attacks us, we can use our powers to deal with it." Nathanius said to quell the uneasiness the other two were feeling.
"Who cares what Lord Aquus said about the pathetic stone-ghasts and sprites? What we should be worried about are the demons that are rumored to stay around here. Lord Pyrus said that if we see anyt-" Formalendale was cut off by Tourmalyte coughing loudly.
"What do you expect me to see?" Tourmalyte questioned, his voice full of disappointment, probably due to the fact that Formalendale forgot, however breifly, that he was blind.
"Sorry about that, Tourma. It's just that-" Formalendale apologized, once again being interrupted, this time by a thunderous roar, "-What was that?" He exclaimed, widening his stance in preparation for a fight, while pulling a small, thin box from his coat pocket.
"Tantaric Demon. They only stay around areas of high arcane energy. It must have sensed us." Nathanius responded, reaching for the dagger at his belt. His fingers grabbed the Aethic leather that made up the hilt of the dagger. The dagger came free from the small scabbard readily, revealing a blade that seemed to be made from a sapphire.
"Nate, you've read about every demon in existence, what are its weaknesses?" Tourmalyte asked with a small bit of a compliment, using his nickname for Nathanius. Tourmalyte crouched low to the ground and held his right hand above the ground by an inch. His left hand pulled his short sword from his belt slightly. The revealed part of the blade of the short sword seemed to glow with a white energy as he pulled it from its scabbard.
"Tantaric Demons are sensitive to arcane energy, and are weak to magic." Nathanius answered as the doors bursted outwards. The creature that stood were the doors once were was seven feet in height. Its black leathery skin was free of any blemish except for the six barbed tentacles that sprouted from its back and reached in front of it. The Tantaric Demon's long snout sniffed the air as if smelling the arcane energy stored within the three humans standing in front of it, ready to fight.
"Pin it, Tourma!" Formalendale shouted while pulling a match from the box in his hand. Tourmalyte's right hand fell the inch between it and the ground, suddenly making contact. Tourmalyte's hand glowed a green color as several pillars of stone and earth erupted around the demon, pinning it briefly. Formalendale struck the match against the box, causing it to spark up in flames. His hand glowed with a red energy similar to the glow on Tourmalyte's hand as a horizontal pillar of fire erupted from the match, hitting the demon square in the face.
The demon roared in pain as the flames licked its face. Nathanius charged at the demon as the flames started to die down, brandishing his sapphire dagger. The dagger glowed a bright blue along with its wielder's hand as Nathanius plunged the now magically coated blade into the demon's skull.
As soon as Nathanius removed the dagger from the demon's cranium, the demon's black blood started to gush forth, coating the Sapphire blade in the dark ichor. The demon's legs collapsed under the demon's own weight.
"And that is how you deal with a demon!" Nathanius shouted with a hint of relief creeping into his voice. "Let's get inside now." He ordered, walking through the empty archway that had contained the two doors only moments previously. Tourmalyte and Formalendale followed after Nathanius through the empty doorway.
Inside the building, the decor gave off the impression that it used to be a chapel of sorts. In the middle of the main room, where a priest would normally stand, was what appeared to be a summoning circle. Something just felt off about the runic inscriptions on the outer edge of the circle.
"What do the runes say?" Formalendale questioned while staring at the summoning runes.
"It says, Auxilium vocat ad daemones." Nathanius answered without hesitation, having translated the runes upon seeing them. He crouched down and began to trace the straight and angular runes.
"Miserere animarum pauperum! A demon circle?" Tourmalyte spoke with shock and awe. Shock and awe at the fact that someone drew the circle.
"Dixit vero Deus suscitavit non erit daemonia ab homine custodia Angelorum. Where is the statue that is supposed to be here?" Nathanius spoke in a calm tone, quoting the ancient texts that held copies of the laws of old. He looked around a bit until he noticed a small pedestal. Upon said pedestal were the pieces of the wings of an angelic statue along with small weathered chunks of stone. "Well that answers that question. Without the angel statue, any sort of demon could be summoned
"What's through here?" Formalendale asked, pointing his extended finger at the only other door in the room.
"I don't know, but I think it might be what we came here for." Nathanius spoke with surity, walking over to the door. He grabbed the doorknob and gave it a firm twist. The door swung inwards.
-(C)-
Celetia was in walking through the Everfree Forest with her horn shining with a golden light, going to where the extreme amount of magic was being used. Seemingly unknown to Celestia, she was being followed by two dark figures who were darting back and forth between trees as to avoid being seen. But it was all in vain.
"I know you are following me. Come out of the shadows now." Celestia commanded in a caring yet authoritative voice. The two figures walked out of the shadows provided by the canopy and onto the sunlit path Celestia was on. The two ponies removed the grey cloaks they were wearing. "Luna! Twilight! What are you two doing?" Celestia said, the shock of seeing these specific ponies fully presenting itself in her voice.
"We were worried about the magical outpouring just like you are. If we face it together, nothing bad will happen to us." Twilight reasoned.
"There is strength in numbers. But remember, we must be very cautious. We don't know how strong this magical outpouring could get." Celestia said, ending the conversation. They continued walking along the marked path until they came upon a clearing on the edge of a ravine. Spanning the ravine was a rope bridge, the path on the other side leading to a derelict castle. The castle was the location that the magic was being used at.
Luna cast a sideways glance at Celestia, who looked back and nodded gravely.
"Princess, you don't think it could be Nightmare Moon, do you?" Twilight asked frightfully.
"I don't know anymore, Twilight. Each of my theories have been either disproved or are extremely unlikely." Celestia answered with a dull finality. They continued walking up to the castle in silence, too worried or scared to talk. They walked through the rotting double doors and into the main hall of the ancient castle.
"That's new. It wasn't here last time I was." Twilight said, extending her hoof towards a circle in the middle of the room, sitting right in front of the statue that once held the Elements of Harmony. Twilight turned to face Celestia and Luna, noticing a mix of emotions on their faces. Most noticable were fear, relief, joy, and, in the case of Luna, love. It was clear from the royal sisters' expressions that they had encountered this circle, or something like it, once before.
"Darius..." Luna whispere to herself longingly. Tears started forming in her teal eyes. Luna was not aware of the tears forming as she made no moves to wipe them away.
"Luna, do you think..." Celestia said, letting her sentence end softly. Luna nodded her head. Then, all of a sudden, a silver light appeared in the middle of the circle. The light grew until it reached the edges of the circle. A sweet jumble of musical notes started to come into existence as the light grew brighter, shifting in color from silver to white. Three figures were starting to appear in the bright light as the notes kept growing louder and louder. The light and notes disappeared as quickly as they had appeared. Laying down in the middle of the circle, clearly unconscious, were three humans.
-(N)-
Through the open door was a long flight of stairs.
The climb up the flight stairs was quiet and quick. Tourmalyte, however, didn't use the stairs to get up at all. He used a special form of parkour to wall-jump all of the way up the tower. He was waiting in the only room in the tower, which was at the top, for Formalendale and Nathanius.
The room was bare of any sort of decoration except or a bell-shaped mould and two pieces of paper, which were in different stages of age decay. Nathanius picked up one of the pieces of paper and read it intently, absorbing each detail explained in the ancient writing.
Note these instructions carefully. There are three things you must do to accomplish what this chapel was built for.
1. The Demon Bell requires a sacrifice of blood from each participant in the transporation to be made. In order to remove it, the mould must be tapped thrice.
2. The Demon Bell must be rung once for and from every participant using a bit of angel-stone.
3. The Demon Bell is to be placed in the center of the circle immediately after ringing it.
Nathanius re-read the paper once again to make sure he didn't mis-translate the paper. He picked up the second paper, which was written in a hastily written, ancient form of current English. Nathanius analyzed the text and put it to around the time of the Uprising, which was around 3000 years previously.
Keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times.
~ Darius Marina Tarqus
Nathanius chuckled a bit at the humor of this Darius Tarqus. Nathanius then cleared his throat to get the attention of Tourmalyte and Formalendale.
"We have to put some of our blood into the mould if we want to do what we came for." Nathanius said, pulling his dagger and placing the blade in his palm. He drug the dagger across his palm, drawing blood immediately. He held his hand over the mould and allowed a few drops to fall into it. The mould immediately turned a silver color as the blood made contact with the bottom of the mould. Tourmalyte and Formalendale both repeated the process without any hesitation, allowing their blood to drop down into the mould. Nathanius tapped the side of the mould three times and removed a silver bell from the mould.
After a few moments of walking down the stairs, the three reached the main hall. They stepped inside the circle after taking one of the stone wings from the pedestal.
"Each of us needs to ring the bell using the stone wing once. I will go last, because I have to place the bell in the center of the circle after I ring it." Nathanius explained as he handed the stone wing and the bell to Formalendale. He tapped the bell with the stone wing once. The bell seemed to glow with a soft, silver light as a soft, solitary note rang through the hall. The note echoed off the walls, the note shifting every time it reverberated off of the walls. Soon the hall was filled with a haunting, unending melody that continuously shifted with each reverberation. Tourmalyte did the same as Formalendale, making the halls haunting melody sound even more vicious and haunting than before.
Nathanius took the Demon Bell as he struck it and immediately placed it in the center of the circle. The melody grew even fiercer and more chaotic as the bell's third chiming echoed throughout the hall. The soft light that once emenated from the bell now seemed to stretch across the entirety of the circle. The notes all shifted once more into perfect harmony. The light that covered the circle seemed to open up. The three humans fell through the opening portal and into the tunnel of white light below. Lord Aquus's warning rang through Nathanius's mind before he lost consciousness.
"Now remember the following three things, Nathanius my son." Nathanius's father's voice rang through his mind.
"Beware the Chaotic One, because he will always lead you astray."
"Put your total faith in Harmony, Day, and Night, because they will help you find your way."
"And lastly, stay away from the land in which the grass does not grow, because the queen of those who change their faces lurks and plots alone. The voice ended in Nathanius's mind. Then Nathanius, along with Tourmalyte and Formalendale, lost themselves to the blackness that was unconsciousness.