Hello once again, Elusith here.
It's been like what... 4 weeks? Really hope this would reward your wait.
Anyways, I would just like to inform you that this chapter is supposed to be longer, but I had decided that I should cut some parts out or else you guys would die of boredom. Of course, those parts would be used in the next one!
Meaning that the next chapter would be coming out slightly ahead of schedule XD.
Nevertheless, I present to you Present 3, and I hope you enjoy it!
Happy Reading!
Present 3
Perspectives
For the first time in Crimson Fall's life, she knew what her lord embodied.
She knew the deepest of despairs.
The brightest of hope.
The comfort of shadows.
The glare of the light.
Yet she also knows them the other way around.
She realized that the despair came from neither light nor dark. That both could offer the similar feeling of comfort and scrutiny.
She knew at long last, the secrets that had held Equestria back.
She could see these events of the past, for where the light could never shine, the shadows would whisper.
She knew the pain of losing loved ones, even when regaining them, of the happiness of slaying a hated foe, or the regret that followed it.
Little by little, the memories of the two races flowed into her, even as they proceeded to depart from her.
It was a horrendous experience.
However, Crimson Fall would not scream, for she owed somepony far too much, and she knew…
She knew that this….
"Her initiation progresses smoothly, so you would not have anything to worry about."
That was what the archbishop of the origin cult had stated, however, inside of Lueur's heart, there was still a sliver of dou…
'No!' Lueur shook his head to clear the gathered thoughts, 'I have to focus! It is the most important moment, the most crucial point of my plans! I have to concentrate!'
Lueur's gaze led him to the contents within the great hall of his citadel. For held within the dark and clear crystals were a multitude of beings.
Thestrals, whose eyes glow in the shadows of the chandeliers within the hall. Gryphons, avian eyes darting about, wary of the others around them, Minotaurs, the greatest of them who had his horn nearly touching a chandelier. And Ponies, who had forsaken their own kingdom, standing unwaveringly before the other clearly superior beings, in magical, mental or physical might.
Some had been recruited by Lueur himself, others had found their ways in through different methods. However, no matter how vast their differences were, no matter how much they distrust each other, all that were present belonged.
As friends, family, even as enemies, they all belong to the Cult of Origin.
Steeling himself for what he must do, Lueur, took a breath mentally.
"My friends," Lueur began, his voice echoing itself through the air, drawing the attention of all those present as he greeted them in the tradition of the cult. "My family, my enemies, it has begun. Even now, the Equestrian army rally to gather itself at our doorsteps, they who wield the light known as magic sought to erase our darkness…"
"Fools!" A voice shouted, with many others echoing similar insults. However, the dissent soon died down, giving the hall its silence, and waiting for Lueur to break it.
"Indeed they are," Chuckled Lueur confidently, "however, they now stand before the gates of this city, seeking to end our plans, to ruin our preparations, and so, what I had said to the triarch of Equestria two months ago, I shall say to you now..."
Years ago, he had never thought he would say it.
Months ago, many of those present had not even heard of his name.
Weeks ago, they dismissed him as a foolish being.
Days ago, they call him mad, a lunatic who would undo all they sought to create.
Now, they believed in him, and though most followed him out of their own self-interests, they acknowledged the being known as Lueur as one of those who brought the full Cult of Origins together.
"I told them the same words an ancient being bestowed upon me," Continued Lueur, " all deeds carry light and darkness within them. However one refined their actions for the greater good, it would always bring another pain and suffering. Light and darkness, good and bad belong not to different sides of a coin, for they are all on the same side. There's light within darkness, and shadow within brilliance. Hope within despair and pain within happiness. All of these coexists as one, and so the greatest sin would be to feign ignorance and claim defiance of one aspect while accepting the other and forcing that belief upon others!"
" Thus lies the sin of the Triarch!" Boomed Lueur, his voice echoing a dozen times as it shook the room, "They forced their ideals upon the citizens of Equestria, they banished the teachings of the old and took away our right to choose by stripping us of power! They caused untold suffering and stood by, not brining aid! Whether their actions be willingly or not, they acted upon their ideals and forced us to adopt it!"
"OUR POWER IS OUR OWN! OUR CHOICE IS OUR OWN! OUR IDEALS ARE OUR OWN! WE WOULD NOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE STRIPPED HELPLESS, MADE WEAK BY ANOTHER'S CHOOSING!"
Voices of assent rose into a roar, the clamor reaching a fever pitch as they agreed with what Lueur had said.
Lueur knew what had to be said next.
Because of those who had passed, he can say it.
Because of those who were passing, he will say it.
Because of those who shall pass, he must say it.
"OUR TIME HAS ARRIVED! ON BEHALF OF THE CULT OF ORIGIN, I DECLARE THE BEGINNING! THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR ON OUR HOMELAND! A WAR TO REFORM EQUESTRIA!"
At this very moment, two figures marched across the frozen plains of the north. At first glance, it was obvious that they were ponies, however, when you look closer, one could tell that they were anything but ordinary.
Both were wrapped up in cloaks, protecting them from the chilling touch in the northern wind. Their hoofsteps quickly disappearing in their wake as snow filled the holes. Yet, even as the chilling gust whipped up a snowstorm, the two beings did not flinch. They continued walking upright, walking in the darkness of the Frozen North as though it was their home.
Crimson Fall walked aimlessly in the light. Though the light was bright, it does not burn her eyes. There was no space for shadows, not even in her heart, mind or soul. She knows not where she walked, but confidence brimmed in her thoughts. She fears not where she stride, for courage flowed in her heart. She knew she moves towards truth, for now, her will was unbreakable.
"You are loyal,"boomed a voice, from where it came from, Crimson Fall could not tell.
"You are loyal," it repeated, "you are honest, and hence why you could walk without pain in my realm. Light seeks, light brings truth. We bring hope and clarity, and above all, retribution is our cause."
Crimson Fall watched as the space itself contorted. Watched as logic defied itself when light curved and wavered. Watched as another beautiful light burst forth within the already brilliant radiance.
She witness this without doubt and hesitation that the old her would. Confidence that spurred her to stay led her to see the light within the light take the form of a winged beast.
Form too distorted to be described clearly, the only word that would fit the description of the being before her would be that of a condor? Eagle? Phoenix, even?
"Do you feel the doubt within now? The darkness within you that surges at the sight of me? There were none that could feel worthy when they see me. For I am the Father, the purest embodiment of truth and clarity. The greatest adjudicator that cast shadows even within light. And so, now I ask you, do you feel loyal anymore?"
Satisfaction flooded Sinistra as he viewed his companion from the shadows. His recent climb to power has been most fruitful indeed. Ever since Rabia's pet rebelled, the other Umbral's fall from grace had been Sinistra's opportunity to put forward his own schemes and gain support for it.
Hanging from an alcove in the hall of crystals, Sinistra surveyed the scene below. The dark green form, nay, the illusion of Lueur was conveying Lueur's own thoughts from as the actual body stayed in the safety of the Chamber of Origins. He watched as the battle plan was not only being slowly revealed, but also improved upon.
'It helps too,'noted the Umbral, 'the fact that this one thinks. Sombra was too self-depreciating and lonesome. It was logical that he would turn. Not to mention that Lueur was more humble in his case.(Perhaps a trait of Stellals?) Sombra, on the other hoof, would not listen to the opinions of others and hence lose out on the chance to use his armies in the most efficient way.'
"What manner of devious thoughts are you thinking now, Umbral scum?" Sang a musical voice from beside him.
Swinging his view around to rest on a orb of light that swam in the shadow of the wall, Sinistra replied.
"Ssstellal, It issss bassssic etiquette to greet othersss before you ssspeak."
As much as Sinistra was fond of Lueur, the same cannot be said of his 'sister'. Like the generic Stellals, she despised anything to do with the shadow and viewed themselves as the superior 'originals', also to proud to acknowledge anything but another of her own race.
"I have no reason to treat you as an equal, you lower life form."
"The feeling issss mutual."
Silence descended in the shadows of the wall as they regarded each other warily. It was not the first time the two had argued with each other. Most of these conversations had occurred behind Lueur's back, and even though it was clear that the Overlord knew of their disdain for one another, he had never intervened with their quarrels.
"Watch your back, Umbral, and be careful of any further schemes you might hatch. I am always watching."
"Relax, I alwaysssss keep a lookout."
The ball of concentrated light began floating away, and once Sinistra was sure it was far enough, he returned to the task at hand.
"Unfortunately, thossse who watch my back have a tendency to die…"
Crimson Fall was now steeped in a plane of darkness, nothing could be seen within what could be called the unending night. Fear crept alongside her every step. Doubt gnawed at the back of her mind. And deep down, as much as she tried to suppress it, a pool of despair began to form. In here, she felt like a young filly stripped of her senses.
'You fear,'spoke a voice that was more of a hiss. 'You fear for yourself.'
'You fear for others.'
'You fear for those gone.'
'And you fear for those dear to you.'
Almost as soon as the last word was spoken, a shadow, a far deeper shape of black than the darkness which surrounds her, descended before Crimson's eyes. Slowly contorting before her, the mass of shadow took the form of a serpent.
Upon seeing the being on a picture book, one would think that anypony who sees it would scream and run at the very first chance.
But that's only through ones assumption and imagination, for Crimson Fall definitely felt nothing of the sort.
She felt relief that she was not blind.
She was happy that she was not alone.
Above all, she was filled with hope at the new being's presence, and warmth flooded her as a soothing voice spoke.
"Know that darkness carries not only the greatest of despair, for we too can give the slightest of hope. We are the shadow that hides, and the lies that many felt compelled to say. As much as lies cut ones heart, lies could heal even the most grievous of wounds. I am the Mother, she who comforts the fallen, the one who guides the lost. Follow me my child, and I would show you the light within the dark, the hope within despair."
Sinistra swam within the shadows of the former Crystal Kingdom. From every corner where darkness envelops, he could see the converted ponies preparing for war.
Every mutter.
Every whisper.
Every word.
Every action.
Sinistra could see and hear it all.
"Lord…. A moment if you will?" Called out a voice from within the darkness.
Sinistra paid the voice no mind at first, before it struck him that he recognized it. Sweeping his gaze about, he could see the figure walking in his darkness.
Yes, IN his domain, and only a few were capable of it. Sweeping his gaze across the realm granted to him by the great Mother, his eyes rested on the intruder.
It was an Umbral, yet not one like him. Though one would expect all members of the Umbral race to be similar, they would be sorely mistaken.
The Umbral were embodiments of the shadow, beings of fear and despair. Hence, when the Mother birthed the Umbral race, she had taken measures to make sure that each of her firstborn were different, and as time passed, their numbers multiplied, resulting in the different types of Umbral today.
The one before him was an abomination, literally. In fact, it looked like a terrifying beast of legend. Shifting grey flesh flowed endlessly, a decaying face beamed endlessly through its lipless mouth in a grotesque mockery of a pony's smile. Tattered pixie wings spread from its back, as though trying to lift the being aloft.
"Rabia….." Hissed Sinistra, "I am busssy, sssso thissss had better be important."
The Umbral known as Rabia was a shadow of her former self. Once the being seated at the right of the Mother herself, the tremendous power she wields could topple nations.
Until it was stopped by the very Kingdom Sinistra stood within.
Sealed within the frozen North, Rabia had been the one to orchestrate the rise of King Sombra, planning to use him to free herself and her brood, and then take over Equestria while rallying the entire Umbral race before resurrecting the great Mother. After the King's first failure, Rabia was the one who manipulated the deceased King's loved one, Radiant Hope, into resurrecting him. However, when victory had been won, none had expected the pawn to turn against his masters.
Being struck by the Crystal Heart's power, Rabia's brood fell in a single swoop and Rabia herself was stripped of the majority of her power. Ever since, Rabia's position had been inherited by Sinistra and she had been the target of much ridicule and scorn.
However, despite what Sinistra himself think of her, he had recruited her into his ranks, promising the recreation of her brood in exchange for her services. A deal Rabia took up.
Nevertheless, that does not change the fact that Sinistra despised his former superior.
"I'd not bother you if it was nothing important, my lord." Replied Rabia, her guttural croak a far cry from Sinistra's hiss.
"I had been surveying the Frozen North's, my lord, my former domain, out of nostalgia, when I felt something weird."
"What issss it?" Sinistra's interest spiked…
"I felt something off, but which could be best described as a shadow within a shadow."
…. Only to fall again….
"If you had nothing better to do than ssssurvey your losssst domain, Rabia, I ssssuggesssst that you go and ssssee Lord Lueur'ssss current needsssss."
"My lord, I assure you! This could only be of great importance! Why would there be a shadow within a shadow? It could only be-"
"DO YOU HAVE NO MIND TO THINK?" Roared Sinistra, the force of his voice alone almost blowing Rabia away. "ONLY AN UMBRAL COULD MOVE WITHIN THE SHADOWS, ONLY AN UMBRAL COULD HIDE FROM AN UMBRAL!"
As he saw realization dawned upon Rabia, Sinistra could only sigh and continue, in his normal hiss.
"You have dissssgraced usssss enough already, or need I sssssshow you your pet'ssss dying cry again?"
"My lord, please," Begged Rabia as she crept cowering, "I wish to never hear that hated voice again."
"Indeed, after all, that cry, as hisss presssence within the void vanisssshed, wasssss the very sssignal the Mother needed to relieve you of your duty." Reminded Sinistra, "Ssso if you wissshed to never hear that voice again, I would sssssay that it would be in your bessssst interesssst to sssee what Lord Lueur needsssss."
"I hear and obey." Bowed Rabia.
"Then go," Replied Sinistra as he faded away, "and do not bother me with newssss of sssshadowssss within sssshadowssss again."
Once Sinistra was gone, Rabia hesitantly lifted her bowed head, as if to confirm his departure.
What her lord had said was correct. Only an Umbral can hide from another Umbral, however, she had many other questions she really wish to know the answers to, but were very likely to be seen as superficial arguments.
Why would an Umbral hide from us? However, considering the deceit among the Umbrals, it was a very common act. Furthermore, an Umbral would never betray another of its kind, with the exception of Sombra. Hence that question could be easily solved.
There were many questions like the above, yet all of them had possible answers considering the Umbral race. However, there was one question that Rabia could never find the answer to.
She had found that presence familiar, in fact, she was fairly certain she had sensed that presence among her brood. However, considering that her brood had been annihilated from the realm of shadows, the equivalent of death to an Umbral, the possibility that there was one still alive could not even be considered.
Hence, her question was: Who could it be?
Whew. Finally done.
I really hope this was worth YOUR wait! Anyways, any guess on mysterious figure? No prizes for getting it right though!
P.S. I'd be working on another fanfic soon, non-mlp related. However, I would like you to keep your hats on, as I assure you that this next project of mine would not affect the rate at which I publish Chrome the path he walked. And well.. it's sorta my first game project too, so if you're interested, I'd appreciate it if you check it out!