Chapter 1

The fog of the forest was almost tangible.

Thick, oppressive clouds hovered over the trees; a mist was cast upon the land by the inhabitants of a bygone age to prevent their fleeing opponents from regrouping. A war of kin, set in motion by the assassination of a once great king, led to the ultimate extinction of both siblings' armies through this veil of suffocating mist.

It had been like this for an age. Perhaps it had always been this way. Most of the sounds of the forest had long since ceased, the only noises being that of birds flying overhead or withered branches falling to the ground.

The Forest of Qarn was its name, given so long ago by its now long dead inhabitants.

A single beam of light revealed itself through the stifling fog. The breaking of twigs and the rustling of leaves could be heard against the deafness of the forest.

The creature, to whom the light belonged, halted in her stride. Her ears perked, listening for another sound to alert her to coming danger. The aura from her stave, held in her magical grasp, illuminated the area further, bathing the nearby forest in a bluish-white glow.

"I suppose this will have to do for now," she muttered, glancing round at the trees. Aspens, oaks, spruces and pines could be seen all round her, their growth stunted by this unnatural mist. "It's much the same anywhere else." Her face was marked with dirt and grime, as was her body and hooves. The mage's coat was white, but bruises, scrapes and contusions adorned her withers and legs, making it difficult to discern her true colours.

Her expression betrayed no sign of weakness, appearing stern and powerful, but beneath that she was exhausted and in need of rest. With a soft sigh her horn lit up, and with her magic she pulled a tent from her saddlebag to begin setting up for the night. She sat on her haunches and levitated the pegs over to hold her makeshift home to the forest floor. The unicorn flicked her mane out of her eyes as she worked tirelessly, her curled, violet locks filled with twigs and leaves.

She lifted her chin up and barely made out a solitary star against a dark violet sky. She grumbled irritably. "Of course. Even in here you're still watching over me." She lay down on the grass and magicked some twigs over to start a small fire. "I know what it is you ask of me, but I believe you have chosen the wrong unicorn for the job."

She levitated her saddlebags into the tent and stared into the flame. Not that there are any left but me. Oh, Rarity, how was it that you managed to survive when so many more experienced mages perished? The unicorn raised her head once more and found the star again. Uldyui, surely you cannot mean that I am the mare for such a task. Such a path is beyond my power.

Leaves rustled, catching Rarity's attention in an instant. She turned to the south and stood with her stave ready. Her stern expression returned as she took a defensive stance. "Come out, whatever you are. It is very unseemly to lurk in the shadows, intruding on a lady in such a manner."

Silence greeted her. She grimaced as she attempted to see through the fog. Rarity rolled her eyes as seconds ticked by and brought the pommel of her stave down upon the ground. Light erupted from her weapon, bathing the area in a white ethereal glow for several moments.

The unicorn's sapphire eyes flashed in surprise. They were all round her: creatures of shadow and darkness, deformed and vile terrors of the night. They were a head taller than her, standing with their grotesque claws ready. Blinded by the sudden light, they screamed and lunged forward at Rarity. She ducked underneath one and sliced two more in half with her stave.

She let out a groan of pain as one managed to swipe at her right shoulder, and another missed her left eye. Rarity cast another ray of light from her weapon and two more creatures vanished. She moved in a clockwise manner, her gaze shifting from enemy to enemy for any indication of movement.

The monsters cackled and mocked her as she staggered around her tent. There were so many of them, her defensive strategy doing nothing to halt their onslaught. Before she could react, one of the larger creatures charged forward and slashed at her cheek. Rarity fell to the ground, blood dripping from the open wounds on her face and body.

The sounds of their laughter filled the air as Rarity tried to calm her panicked mind. She closed her eyes and her horn began to glow brightly. I suppose this is the only thing left to do. A blue veil surrounded the white unicorn, easing the pain that she felt throughout her body. "Uldyui's Light, protect and watch over me!"

Rays of white light shot from her shield and encased her remaining adversaries. She heard their shouts of laughter and triumph turn quickly to pain and death. Rarity lifted herself onto her hooves and stared as her opponents dissolved into the night, her own wounds being healed within her protective magic.

Rarity allowed a sigh of relief to escape her as her magic faded. The mage was breathing heavily, having over-exerted herself with such a high level magic limit break. She trotted back over to her tent, where her stave was knocked from her grasp when she fell, and sat back on her haunches. "I hope that that is the last of them for tonight. Now where is that map?"

She brought her saddlebag over to her and pulled out a scroll of parchment. The unicorn placed the map in front of her, and with a fore hoof she traced the path she had taken thus far. "If I can get out of this forest by tomorrow, I should be able to reach where this crystal is held by the afternoon. That is, if some beast or pony hasn't already chanced by it."

The map was once again rolled up and shoved into her saddlebags. With a groan of anguish mixed with uncertainty, the mage made her way into her tent and attempted to regain her strength. Rarity made one last preliminary check for any foes in the area, before finally letting her weary eyes shut out the world for a few hours.

When Rarity awoke, she found herself wondering if she had slept for any time at all. Within this forest of fog, night seemed never ending to her; though as she tilted her head up to gaze at the stars, she found patches of light blue and white.

Without so much as a word, the unicorn packed up her belongings and ventured further into the unforgiving woodland. Watched as she was by the Unliving in the forest, Rarity managed to avoid any further conflict. It did not take away from the tension and anxiety that was swiftly building in her chest, as she looked from shadow to fallen tree branch. Each twig and dark patch seemed to her to be another enemy, waiting for her guard to falter.

As Rarity neared the end of her morning trek, she could see the density of the trees lessen and the sun's rays shimmering down upon the land beyond the forsaken wood. Her eyes shifted from side to side to make sure she wasn't walking into any traps. Rarity's stave lit up and her protective shield enveloped her as she exited the forest.

The unicorn closed her eyes as the light that seemed to have forsaken her for a fortnight beamed down upon her once more. Her perilous journey had taken her through the Grey Mountain Pass, travelling south from what was once Uldyui's White Mage guild. Since Rarity had escaped her guild's assailants, there had been no sun light to speak of.

In her grief the mage had walked along crumbled cliff edges and teleported through collapsed pathways, keeping silent and sorrowful at the loss of her teachers and friends. The trip through the mountains alone had taken nine days, for Rarity's shame at failing to defend her companions overwhelmed her constantly. Her limbs would shake as the reality of her situation renewed itself within her, and Rarity would curl into herself inside a rocky crevice and cry until her throat burned.

Rarity stifled a coming sob and took a few steps forward. The grass was warm on her hooves as she trotted forward and reopened her eyes. Before her was a small stream of water, traveling parallel to the treeline; silent and peaceful, untouched by the ravages of the lands to the north. The sight brought a small smile to her face, an expression she hadn't been able to muster up for a while. Beyond that tranquil sight stood a cavern entrance several meters ahead.

Eight feet-tall, the passage into the cave loomed over Rarity, casting a wide shadow over the stream and joining with that of the forest. "If this isn't the cave Uldyui spoke of, I don't know what is." Gulping at the intimidating appearance of the entrance, the mage's expression hardened and she made her way within.

Rarity held her stave close, illuminating the cave with an aura of light. Her breath caught in her throat as she beheld the interior. Gems gleaned as her magic broke through the darkness: topaz, rubies, sapphires, turquoise and quartz appeared all along the walls of the cavern, each jewel giving off a brilliant sparkling reflection of her light.

"My word. What a sight to behold," whispered Rarity as she strolled forward. "I'm not surprised a crystal of such high regard would be present here."

A few loose rocks tumbled from the ceiling as the unicorn neared the back of the cave. Small pools of water had formed from many years of erosion, gaps in the roof allowing water droplets through. Stalactites and stalagmites joined with one another, creating grand pillars of minerals like a palace over thousands of years; smaller formations dripping water from the ceiling as they grew. Rarity scanned her surroundings with the light from her stave and found a small passage that descended further underground.

Her eyebrows furrowed and she followed the path cautiously. Bats awoke and flew further into the cave, escaping the bright light from Rarity's magic. She stepped back, startled by the sudden activity, but exhaled in relief as the small creatures fled. "These bats don't seem to appreciate light. Perfect for me, for I have no inclination of fighting any of them in such enclosed spaces. Where is that crystal?"

Rarity's eyes widened as she reached the end of the narrow column of the cave. A splendid aura immersed each and every surface in a magnificent shade of blue. The light from her stave faded as she walked into the lighted room. At the center rested a wonderful sapphire crystal seven feet-tall at least.

The wonder and astonishment present in her eyes ebbed away as the reality of the situation dawned on the mare, and she frowned. "How am I meant to bring this with me? What must I do now?"

"…Step closer…"

"What?" Rarity staggered back, looking for whoever spoke. All that greeted her was an empty cave. More pillars of minerals supported the cave here, immersed in blue from the splendid jewel in the center. She turned back to the crystal and stuttered out a response. "Was…was that…you?"

"…Step closer…" Sure enough, the resonating voice seemed to stem from the jewel in the center of the room. The crystal's light even appeared to grow in brightness as Rarity heard the sound.

The mage swallowed as she approached the sapphire gemstone, with caution in each step. Rarity's legs were tense, ready to jump back at the sign of any sort of trickery.

"…What doth thou wish of me…?"

Rarity's mouth opened to speak an answer, but she only mouthed incoherence. She shut her mouth in silence, and willed herself to form the words. "I…I'm not sure. I was sent by Uldyui to locate a powerful crystal."

"…A mage of Uldyui…art thou able to wield my power…?"

His voice almost sounded like it came from her ears, reverberating in her skull. "Your…power?"

"…For thousands of years, many of your kind hath journeyed to this place, eager to gain my power for themselves…wicked kings and jealous princes desiring of the might required to win an unwinnable war…"

"I do not know what I desire. I wish for peace…an end to strife and death." The words suddenly came so easily to her lips. It was as though she had practiced this conversation for years, knowing it would occur.

"…Hmm. Thou art the last of thine calling…art thou not? Art thou strong enough to bring about…such a wish…?"

Rarity's eyes wrenched shut, forcing her tears away. She grimaced and made herself reply. "I am the last. I know that there were mages much more apt for this task than I, but there are no longer others to choose from. If…if a mage of Uldyui is of interest to you where no one else has been, how much longer must you wait to find someone strong enough?" Her emotions were winning again. She bit her lip and willed calmness into her breath.

"…Hmm. Thou hast strength. Thou hast courage…and compassion. Thou hast power…but it is untapped, as of yet. Thou speakest the truth, child…long hath I awaited a creature with the fortitude…to fully wield my might. Uldyui holds thee in high regard, for one so young…very well…I shall lend thee my power, to make your desires a reality…do not squander this gift I give to thee, child…"

Rarity stepped back as the cave began to rumble. The light from the crystal began to wax and wane, cracks forming in the center of the great sapphire gemstone. The mage turned around in a panic and made for the exit, but the ceiling above collapsed and blocked her way.

Her heart thundered in her chest, seeing bats flying about dodging debris as it fell from the roof. The protect spell that she had cast around her held firm as rocks fell from the cave, but Rarity knew that her magic could not last much longer. She spun back around to face the crystal, to plea for aid, but the light had nearly faded from the gem's facets.

Please…do not let it end like this. Rarity opened her mouth to speak the words aloud, but stopped. She shut her mouth and closed her eyes, picturing those that she had lost, waiting for the inevitable.

"…Do not squander this gift I give to thee…"

Rarity's eyes fluttered open after a moment. All of the noise, all of the falling rocks and bats had ceased. She was no longer in the cave. In fact, she was nowhere near where she had been seconds ago. The mage checked her saddlebags. Still there. Next, her stave. It was still in her magical grasp.

"What just…?" She left the question unfinished, gaping in terror at what she saw all round her. A village burned. Thatched roof cottages were up in flames in every direction, though Rarity saw no creatures nearby. Her ears perked at a sudden noise. Off to my right, she thought. "What is happening?"

She took off in the direction of the sound, her stave close by her side. She rounded the corner of a collapsing building and gasped at the sight on the other side. dravanzi, two of them, surrounding a yellow pegasus. She seemed to be struggling to stand.

I might have guessed. Rarity growled as she raised her stave. "No…I won't let you harm another soul. You killed all of my friends…my teachers…everyone I loved…I won't let that happen again!" She tilted her weapon at the pony and a blue shield surrounded her.

The pegasus glanced up at the unicorn, gasping as the dragonlings slashed at the protective barrier.

"Fight!" Rarity shouted as she raised her stave again, pulling free three stones and hurling them at her opponents. They hit their mark square on, earning her the attention of the dravanzi. They let out a roar, displaying rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth, and extended their wings, ready to rush at her.

She drew her stave along the ground before her as she muttered a defensive incantation. Shards of ice erupted from the cobbled pathway, preventing the dragonlings from making a full-on charge.

From the sudden noise ahead of her, the pegasus finally gathered the courage to open her eyes. She stared, awestruck, watching this complete stranger risk her life for the sole purpose of saving her. It was an act of generosity, in its purest form. It stirred something inside of her chest. The desire to fight. The will to protect.

One of the dravanzi rushed the white mage, snarling and snapping its jaw as it flung himself at the ice barrier. The creature drew back, roaring in pain as the ice crawled up its limbs. Rarity braced herself for the enemy's renewed assault, failing to notice the other adversary hissing and snarling at the unicorn. It was preparing an attack of his own, something the pegasus took notice of.

Seeing the other mage battling these deadly foes without a second thought, the butter mare had no doubt she could handle herself in a fair fight. However, these creatures didn't seem to be the type to honour such codes. If she failed to act and instead chose to flee, this mage would surely be injured and the pegasus would have no one to blame but herself. She scrambled frantically, reaching for the wand which helped channel her powers. Oh my…please don't fail me now…

The dravanzi that had stayed back was ready, the venom caught in its throat. It prepared to shoot its bile, to paralyze this white mage and make her life end for interrupting their fun. Before this assault could be made, the black mage raised her wand toward the beast. "Fire…" The whisper was low but the power was real. The air around the pegasus shifted, seeming almost to shimmer from the heat that engulfed her. The ball of flame crashed into the side of the dravanzi's head. Being a dragon it did not sear its flesh, but the spell was powerful enough to knock the creature to the ground.

It wreathed in agony at the force of the attack and Rarity saw her opportunity. Slamming one of her front legs down, she summoned the rocks once more. She swung her stave and they hit their target again. The still standing dravanzi flinched in pain at the onslaught, and Rarity's eyes focused on the miserable creature.

She remembered the other mages; their cries of pain and anguish as they were slaughtered by these cruel beings. The sole purpose of a white mage was to heal those who needed it. To protect those who could not protect themselves and these beasts had killed them all to satisfy their greedy ends.

She summoned the rocks again, then another time; a fourth time, hurling them faster as her pent up emotions found a source of release. She screamed. The second dravanzi had joined its comrade on the ground by that point, roaring in pain. It hissed and unfurled its wings, tossing aside another volley of rocks. It flapped its wings once, sending a powerful gust of wind which knocked Rarity flying. Her head collided with the side of a cottage, and everything blurred.

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! The pegasus rushed over, galloping as quickly as she could. She flew over the ice barrier and slid to a stop in front of the downed mage. All four of her legs quivered and she suddenly wished she could recall the bravery she'd found moments ago. The dravanzi were rising again and the black mage wasn't sure if it was to attack or retreat. She swallowed hard, feeling a lump in her throat and she opened her mouth to speak. Please get up…please. She willed herself to talk, to defend this injured mare, but she remained silent and took a step back in fear.

From the corner of her eye, the pegasus watched as Rarity struggled back to her feet, as she had been doing moments before. Suddenly, the spark was back. She took a deep breath to calm herself and set her jaw.

The black mage turned to face her opponents, both having flared their wings in anger. "Y-you'd better get out of here!" she shouted. She sincerely hoped that she sounded as brave as she was trying to be. "Y-you should be a-ashamed of yourselves! Attacking innocent travelers…"

The dravanzi exchanged confused looks with one another and roared in response to her comment.

"Oh no you don't!" She stomped her hoof to further establish that she would not back down, completely unaware that behind her Rarity was watching in awe. Her wand was raised in her hoof, creating several fires around her. "Get out of here, before I decide to not be so nice! There's a lot more fire where that came from!"

Her foes roared once more, baring their teeth in a fit of rage, but they exchanged concerned glances again. Neither seemed much in favour of receiving another ball of fire directly to the face. They each hissed at the ponies before retreating into the woods to the west.

Instantly, relief rushed over her in a calming wave. Fluttershy…you did it. You actually did it. She suddenly found herself exhausted, and she slumped to the ground feeling as though she might burst into tears. It was always sad, when a creature resorted to violence.

"Thank you, darling. You were absolutely wonderful! How can I ever repay you?" The gratitude was obvious in Rarity's voice. Her new friend's reaction, however, wasn't as expected.

The pegasus screeched, and jumped into the air. Her wings acted on their own, flapping to keep her airborne, and she looked down at the violet-maned pony below her. Fluttershy's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red. She'd forgotten all about her saviour and she found herself wondering how she was the one receiving thanks.

Vertigo suddenly made itself known to her, and before the pegasus could properly land, her vision faded. She fell, ten feet from the ground. Fluttershy half expected to hear bones crack from the impact before she fainted, but she passed out with no such noises entering her ears.