Dusk sighs as he poised to knock at the door before lowering his hand again and then raises it again. "Worth doing." He said to himself before knocking.
The quickly opens to Barb. "Hey bro. You really need to decide."
Dusk groans. "Already thought about it." He said walking in as he slouches a bit.
"Ok, I'll get the flamethrower, also we have a new guest." Barb says.
Dusk grabs her tail before she gets too far away. "I'm going to talk to her and who's the new guest?"
"The pony that the pony yesterday was preaching about." Barb says.
Dusk goes wide eyed. "Oh shit!" He yells as he rushes inside.
Barb smiles as she walks in to find Arkon bowing before Prince Artemis as he smiles at him. "I love this town." She said now sitting nearby and reading a comic.
Artemis just stared as this hooded priest hadn't moved after bowing to him for about an hour now.
Dusk just groans off to the side with his head on the desk. "Why me? Why me?" He tries to ask.
"I am please Dusk you found me a worshiper." Artemis says.
Dusk raises an arm. "No problem. Anything for the princes."
"Including yourself." Artemis says smirking.
Dusk groans and Sentire leans near his head and looks him over. "I still hate the life that is now coming in." Dusk groans louder.
"So my priest, tell me about yourself." Artemis says.
"I am unworthy Lord Artemis." Arkon says.
Artemis smiles. "Rise and you indeed worthy. Most are in my eyes. Now tell me about yourself."
"I am Arkon my lord, a lowly cleric working to bring you name and message to the ignorant masses." Arkon says.
Artemis sighs in relief. "I see and what are your plans now?"
"To continue my lord." Arkon says.
"Like he was doing before he and the village he was in were frozen in time for one thousand and five hundred years." Agilis said.
Artemis looks to him as he was being tugged around by his tail by the dog and he just sat around with his arms crossed. "Really now? Well then, you have to fear no more. I am well respected and am fairly happy with my brother in ruling over the land with him. Though it can't hurt to have more followers."
"He who all but outlawed religion including yours." Arkon reminds.
Artemis hums as he bites his thumb. "Yes, that is troubling so as to not cause extremism ideas in the land and make more chaos then there needs to be."
"I heard from a draconian female just yesterday he did it out of jealousy as he didn't have one while you had a thriving one." Arkon says.
Artemis chuckles nervously. "Yes, that is story. Though he wouldn't tell me what has happened after I was banished."
"Well if he did, he would have to tell you that he killed your followers when they refused." A female voice says.
They look to Eris who was lounging in the air while trying to tease Dusk who still had his head down and Sentire was looking at his wings. "And what do you mean by that Eris?" Artemis asks.
"Exactly what I said." Eris says.
"That is a lie, Prince Solaris would never do such a thing." Dusk says immediately.
Eris giggles as she leans in close and strokes a claw under his chin. "Oh my dear Dusk. You know that governmental officials keep certain things quiet. Even that Prince told you that."
"I…" Dusk stops.
"BROTHER!" Artemis roars in his Canterlot voice.
A magical snap sounds out in the room. "Yes brother?" Solaris asks reading a book.
"YOU MURDERED MY FOLLOWERS!" Artemis yells, nearly bursting his eardrum.
Solaris snaps the book shut. "Eris, I see you told him."
Eris giggles. "You're welcome."
"Everypony stop!" Dusk yells casting a flash spell and catches everypony's attention. "I don't want fighting in my house!"
Artemis huffs at his brother. "Very right, we shall settle this later."
"So what about the one he missed?" Eris asks pointing to the still bowing Arkon.
Solaris shrugs. "He can stay and be a citizen."
"He is under my protection and you will not and I mean will not interfere or hinder him." Artemis says threatenly.
Dusk groans as he puts his head down now. "Eris?"
"Well he does worship him so he is within his authority." Eris says.
Dusk suddenly grabs her and holds her down. "Before you even think of blurting out something like this, tell me first."
Eris giggles and tries to hold a pose as best she could. "My, my, I didn't know you like it this way."
"You will also tell anypony that persecutes my followers without my say so, I will personally throw them into Tartarus or take them to the gallows." Artemis says catching Solaris off guard.
Solaris sighs. "I see. You can do what you wish with him. I'll see about getting the paperwork done."
"Was he being serious about taking ponies to the gallows?" Dusk asks.
Eris hums as she wraps her tail around him. "Yep, just like his big brother."
Dusk wish he could say something smart to defend his teacher but couldn't as Solaris didn't even deny the accusations and even confirmed them.
Eris leans up to him. "Just let it lie. It's not worth it to even get involved unless you get hurt in it or your friends and family and so far, it hasn't. Don't do anything." She whispered in his twitching ear.
"Now Arkon, correct?" Artemis asks.
"Yes my lord." Arkon answers.
"Prove your loyalty to me and create a temple." Artemis says obviously trying to goad his brother and it succeeded.
Solaris frowns. "Brother, you know the laws."
"Yes, laws you put into place through jealousy and used them to murder. I wonder how the populace would react learning that you murdered your sibling's followers in jealousy and then lied and manipulated them to believe they were evil." Artemis asks.
Solaris sighs. "Basically put me in a bad light, but brother, you want me brandished as well? Our exact problem just reversed."
"Maybe I could be convinced not to if you rebuke all the laws and publicly apologize for it to me and my priest here." Artemis says knowing he had Solaris cold.
Solaris stares at them and sighs. "Fine, but if any problems arise, it's on your head."
"I know, I will deal with it. Now Dusk, get the mayor and help Artemis pick the best spot for the temple." Artemis says.
Dusk stares at them as Eris leans in close. "Now you may interfere." She whispered, letting him go and reclining on the table.
Dusk sighs knowing no good way out of this. "I'll get the mayor."
Eris giggles as she sighs in relief as he walks away. "Ah, chaos."
Later, after picking the spot as per order. "Thank you. You both need not help any further. I can do the rest from here." Arkon says.
Agilis groans as he looks to Caligo. "How did we get roped into this?"
Arkon then gets a shovel that Artemis provided and starts working by himself.
Caligo sighs as he and Agilis walk away. "You going to head back to this?" He asks seeing Arkon clearing the land by hand with no magic.
"You think he will build it by himself?" Agilis asks.
Caligo shrugs. "Have strong faith or belief in anything and it would make the being more powerful and able to try to succeed to it. At least that's what I heard."
"Yeah, but build it by hand and no magic?" Agilis asks.
Caligo keeps looking back to Arkon. "It's possible. It's always been that since the building of towns and all that had to go on was the belief that they would live on in the current land."
"He has been at it for two days now. Has he even slept since he started?" Sentire asks watching as Arkon kept working in the rain.
Agilis huffs. "Hardly. He never stops, just food and drinks and the occasional bathroom."
"I am surprised nopony has said anything or tried to stop him." Dusk says as Barb came in from the storm with her coat on.
Barb sighs as she takes off her coat and places it on a hook and looks to Dusk and nods. "Agilis, Caligo, want to come help make some dinner?" She calls out.
"No…I mean yes ma'am." Agilis quickly says seeing her glare.
Dusk smiles a bit as they all leave to the kitchen and leaves Sentire alone with him. "So…care to tell your story? You haven't told much." He asks.
Sentire looks to him. "I don't have a story. Just my life mission."
Dusk raises an eyebrow. "And that is?"
Sentire smiles. "To love a normal being's life. Have mates and make sure those around me is safe."
"Uh huh. And the others? What are their stories?" Dusk asks.
Sentire tilts her head. "The dragon became my servant after his dragon law. The batpony joined us after looking for a job and Arkon over there was release by us when we freed the town he was trapped in. There isn't much to tell at that point."
"Oh come on, there is so much more like who they are or what are they like." Dusk says.
Sentire sighs as she steps away from the window and walks around and looks at the books as Dusk follows. "The dragon is shy at best. Though he is great for fire problems. The batpony is good with maps. Though he hasn't done much else. Arkon is what you see there. Strong, devoted and knows a few spells."
"So you basically know nothing about them." Dusk says.
Sentire shakes her head. "No, as much as me."
"So how much longer do you think he can last out there?" Dusk asks.
Sentire sighs. "I fear he is hitting the limit of his body as most can't handle up to days of straight work. You will need to message the deity."
"The question is, will he stop though before collapsing?" Dusk asks.
Sentire now turns to him. "Those of faith, sometimes never do unless other's lives depend on it."
"Yeah, but will he if his own life is at risk?" Dusk asks.
Sentire shakes her head. "Somehow, I don't think so. Can you please send the message as both of their pride is getting in the way of their real mission?"
"Very well. Barb please come here for a moment. They won't blow up the kitchen." Dusk says.
Barb sighs as she comes out in a frilly pink apron. "Yes?"
"Send a letter to Artemis." Dusk says.
Barb nods as she takes out a scroll and a quill from her apron while leaning close to him. "I know the letter's message. Did you ask her?" She whispered to Dusk while starting to write.
"Write the guy could collapse any second." Dusk says.
Barb frowns as she writes it down before rolling it up and pokes Dusk with the quill. "Ask her not about the others. You know what to ask." She said before blowing green fries on the scroll and heads back to the kitchen.
"Good." Dusk says going to look once more and finds Arkon face down in the mud with some form looming over him from what Dusk could make out holding a pipe.
Dusk frowns. "Shit." He cursed to himself as he rushes out without a coat and Sentire follows after him before speeding past him to his shock and takes out her scythe and slices the offending attacker's legs off as she runs past him.
Attacker let out cry of pain as his now legs stumps bled as he hit the ground, the unmistakable clatter of armor was heard as the pony hit the mud.
Dusk frowns as he finally catches up and sees a guard lying there, groaning in pain from his missing legs. "What are you doing here?" He asks while having some magic being charged in his hands.
The guard didn't answer as he kept crying out in pain, making it clear he wasn't a normal guard, maybe a new recruit or a cadet.
Dusk shakes his head before seeing Sentire coming back with her scythe and points it the guard's neck. Dusk sighs and walks over to her before carefully pulling the blade away. "I want to know intentions, not blood. Besides, we have more important issues." Dusk says picking up the guard and Arkon, who was face down in the mud.
Sentire sighs as she puts the scythe away. "Fine, but the next word better be worth it."
Dusk quickly carried the two as Sentire grabbed the hooves she cut off and they head back to the library. "Barb!"
Barb frowns as she leans from the kitchen doorway. "I'm getting your pancakes done." She said before seeing the two limp bodies. "Oh my Solaris. What did you do?" She asks slightly horrified.
"Explain later, send a message to Artemis now. Tell him Arkon was attacked. I'm going to get Butterscotch as he is the best I know at practicing medicine." Dusk says.
Barb sighs as she takes out another letter. "The prince won't like this." She said quickly writing it and sends it off.
Dusk was already gone as he flew to Butterscotch's place.
Sentire sighs as she drops the cut off hooves before looking Arkon over. "Head injury. Maybe can recover." She said leaning down and looking at him without moving him much.
"Hard to tell with the mud. Can we get him cleaned up?" Barb asks.
Sentire looks up to her. "Can you get some water and towels?"
Barb does as she says and they work on Arkon till Dusk returns with a yellow coat pegasus stallion.
Butterscotch gasps at the sight of the two stallions. "Um…which one first?" She asks eyeing the dismembered hooves.
"The one on the left. That guard attempted to murder him." Dusk says.
Butterscotch quickly runs over to Arkon and shoos Barb and Sentire away. "What was he hit with?" He asks as he looks him over.
"That pipe to the back of the head." Sentire says.
Butterscotch nods and slowly holds his head up. "Hold his head, this might take a while." He said reaching for some tweezers and water.
Barb nods as she slowly holds his head and he starts cleaning him before Sentire and Dusk looks to the groaning and hissing guard. "Please don't kill him." Dusk said walking outside again.
"I won't, but should we cauterize the wound? He is losing a lot of blood." Barb says.
Only a fireball from the doorway was the answer as it collided with the guard's legs and made him yell out as it slowly burns the ends off.
"Nice." Barb says.
Sentire looks worried for a moment as Dusk left before looking back to Arkon and sees he's in good hands till the prince arrives and follows Dusk out to find him staring at the building site. "Are you okay?" She asks walking up.
Dusk sighs. "Not really. Got new friends and the first one to be attacked or hurt is the priest with a passion. This is going to make the headline news tomorrow."
Before Sentire could make a comment, somepony teleported into the room.
"What happened?!" Artemis asks in a quiet anger as he quickly looks around.
"This one without hooves attacked your priest." Dusk quickly says, not wanting to be on the receiving end.
Artemis growls in his throat as he rounds on the groaning guard. "Explain yourself and maybe I'll let you live." He said forming a blade made of shadow and points it at him.
"He is not really conscious yet." Butterscotch says continuing his treatment.
Artemis huffs. "He doesn't really have a big choice in the matter."
"Shouldn't you be more concerned about your priest?" Sentire asks.
Artemis stares at the downed guard before huffing and moves to Arkon and checks him over. "Is he okay?"
"He will survive, but I can tell you he is showing signs of extreme exhaustion." Butterscotch says.
Artemis sighs. "Perhaps I have been caught up in the idea of having my religion back that I forgot about my followers. Just how much did he do?"
"He has worked with passion nonstop. Nopony else wanted to help in the town so he has done everything himself barely stopping to eat and hydrate." Dusk says.
Artemis smiles. "Yes, that seems like a devoted follower. However, if he ever wakes up and I'm not here, tell him he doesn't have to work day and night nonstop. I do need live followers after all."
"I will relay the message…so you going to go yell at your brother about this?" Dusk asks nervously after a pause.
Artemis frowns. "May have to after this. This is his guard after all."
"Yeah, but from what I gathered from my observations, he might be just a cadet or a new guard." Dusk says.
Artemis scoffs. "Doesn't mean that you are except from talking because of one little problem."
"Shouldn't you take him to a place to properly interrogate him?" Agilis asks trying to put a thought in his head.
Artemis hums. "Proper idea. Now then." He said before grabbing the guard. "Is he done?"
"He is out of danger. We will message you if something comes up." Butterscotch says.
Artemis frowns. "Yes, but I find out myself." He said before teleporting himself and the guard out of there.
Dusk waits as he holds up the hooves that were cut off.
Artemis quickly teleports back without the guard and grabs the hooves. "Just make sure my follower is going to make it." He said before teleporting out again.
Barb then holds up a tray of moon cookies and a pitcher of lemonade.
Artemis teleport backs in and takes the tray. "Need this for the long torture." He said teleporting away with the tray and pitcher.
"Sure he does." Barb says smirking.
Dusk sighs as he tries to wipe his hands of the blood. "At least that part is over. Now we just need Arkon here to wake up. I got the spare bedroom so Barb, help Butterscotch get Arkon to bed and help out for the final sleep. As for me, I need to think for a moment." He said heading up to his room.
"You ok?" Sentire asks following him.
Dusk sighs as he gets into the book filled room and flopped down on the bed. "What do you think? I have a few visitors and this happens. Now I'm dreading the impact publicly and the reactions of others, both good and bad."
"Just think, it was probably worse back when he first started to try and repress religion." Sentire says.
Dusk groans as he sits down on the bed and looks to her in the doorway. "And that is what I'm dreading. Hidden and long held beliefs that will come back up because of this and this is an example."
"You have to respect him though, right? He sticks to what he believes, no matter of popular belief." Sentire says.
Dusk nods. "Yeah, he's still like a good friend. Never turn back your back on them."
"Yeah, he is." Sentire says smiling.
Dusk chuckles a bit before watching her carefully. "You know, I haven't asked you that much."
"Oh, does that mean you will be mine?" Sentire asks.
Dusk smiles and shakes his head. "No, though it does open the gateway for more to come if you let it be. And the way to open it is tell me about yourself. And don't say there isn't much to tell. Anything would do."
"Oh, is this a gossip party now? Is that what they call it?" Sentire asks gleefully.
Dusk waves her over and pats the bed beside him. "No, just talking. No 'gossip party'. That's Elusive department. Now how about taking a small break and just sit and talk?"
Sentire smiles lightly and sits down near him. "The reason for me not telling you is that I don't remember. I can't remember much of anything before my father took me in and lead me to this life. That is why I can't tell much to you."
"I see." Dusk says.
Sentire watches him carefully. "What do you like?" She asks suddenly.
"Ok I know a trap when I hear it and that is a trap." Dusk says.
Sentire giggles as she looks down to herself. "What do you like? About me?" She asks again.
"Nope, not falling into that trap." Dusk says walking away with Sentire following like Pepe Le Lew.
Sentire suddenly rushes him and grabs him from behind. "You don't like my body?" She asks almost hurt.
"Not falling for it. Barb pulls that on me all the time. I have an immunity to it." Dusk says.
Sentire sighs. "So don't want me then."
Dusk groans and Sentire smirked as she knew she was wearing him down day by day.
Sentire suddenly appears in front of him. "Tell me the truth. Are you at least interested?"
"Maybe." Dusk says slipping up.
Sentire smirks as Dusk stops and stares at her. "Good. Because I need to have you. You are certainly much better than the other prince deities."
Dusk groans out loud.
