/ Chp 1 / Story: Blight of The War Horse / by TheGunslinger12 /-/
Amidst the tumultuous chaos of the icy night, a tempestuous display unfolded. Lightning crackled across the darkened heavens, illuminating the battleground of Equus with an eerie brilliance. The full moon cast its radiant glow upon the scene, lending an ethereal aura to the violence that consumed the land.
Mighty roars of anger echoed through the air, reverberating with an unyielding force that seemed to shake the very foundation of the earth. Explosions erupted like devastating fireworks, scattering massive barrages of dirt and debris across the war-torn landscape. The ground, once serene and untouched, now bore witness to the gruesome aftermath of countless lives lost. Corpses, both friend and foe, lay strewn across the scarred terrain, their lifeless forms a haunting testament to the price paid in this relentless struggle.
Beneath the moon's pale glow, a massive figure reared up, wielding a great sword in its jaws. With a swift motion, it brought the weapon crashing down upon a smaller blade, creating a resounding clash of steel. And like a hot knife through butter, the almost toy-like sword broke instantly, leaving its owners, a pegasus wearing tribal armor, left and right sides parting ways lengthwise. Blood gushed from the now-dead savage when the sword passed his abdomen, coating the towering figure in the crimson substance. The figure left the end of the blade embedded in the dirt, their tired, hardened blue eyes closed with a sigh escaping the figure's throat.
Over several years, the three tribes of Equestria serendipitously crossed paths, marking the beginning of a significant chapter in their collective history. As time progressed, their interactions and mutual exploration led to the establishment of stable and harmonious relations.
Among the three tribes, the unicorns stand apart as a race endowed with remarkable intelligence, surpassing their counterparts. Renowned for their rapid learning abilities, they possess a unique affinity for manipulating mana, harnessing its power with finesse. Preferring to dwell in the vast expanses of plains and lush forests, the unicorns have cultivated a reputation for embodying peace and tranquility- though, their demeanor may occasionally appear snobbish.
The pegasi, distinguished by their ability to take flight, possess a unique advantage among the three races. While they may be considered physically weaker in comparison, their speed, when properly honed, can prove invaluable in various practical endeavors such as hunting or scavenging. Their domain has traditionally resided high in the clouds, away from the reach of others, leading other creatures to perceive them as aloof and even arrogant.
Earth ponies possess a formidable combination of monstrous strength and unwavering stamina, making them well-suited for arduous tasks and formidable foes. Whether toiling in the fields or bravely facing off against wild beasts, the hardworking and resilient race embraced a life of labor and battle. However, their tireless existence has earned them the label of annoyance in the eyes of some unicorns, who view their way of life with disdain. Similarly, the pegasi, with their more "civilized" outlook, often find the earth ponies' tenacity to be an act of savagery. Despite these prejudices, earth ponies thrive amidst rugged environments such as mountains, finding peace and harmony in their challenging surroundings.
However, everything truly came apart when the Wendigos arrived.
Before then, at the time, the three races began forming these areas called 'countries' for each of themselves, expansive plots of land bordered by imaginary lines over fields, rivers, and rock. And when the desire for ownership over something as grand as land comes along, greed and destruction follow suit. Fights broke out over these borders on a massive scale, usually leaving entire fields and grassy plains soaked in blood in the aftermath. Settlements were burned, innocents slaughtered, livestock raided, and territories laid to ruin. Tensions grew high, and discrimination and prejudice spread like an infectious disease, leaving a path of corpses who were made because of their race.
When the Windigos, ancient creatures told in legend, reacted to the horrible bloodshed, they descended from the heavens.
Covering everything living and not in blankets of thick ice and snow with their great power, it killed populations of animals, ruined entire crop fields- all not suited for the unforgiving cold. The accompanying hunger and food shortages only added to the figurative inferno of hate every race felt toward one another, especially for earth ponies for their nature-related magic, causing battles to increase and populations to dwindle.
As for the figure, a middle-aged mare -her life has known nothing except the hellish cold and endless war since birth. The atrocities committed by her tribe's enemies, the unicorn and pegasi, will remain forever a scar on their race as a whole. They took away her village in the mountains, her friends, and her home; nothing was spared the agonizing fate of death that day except a hoof-full of survivors. But, unlike other colts and fillies her age, who were affected by the attack, there was always that primal urge in the mare, clawing and fighting its way to the surface.
The urge to end one's life in the most painful way possible.
Unbridled rage.
By looking at the battle-hardened mare's massive body, it was clear as a sunny spring day that they trained relentlessly for this single purpose- her muscles looking like they were almost ready to burst out from under the black fur. And covering the mare's muscular frame is a worn, battered suit of impossibly heavy iron armor covering the chest, head, and flank, with as many scars plaguing the surface as the flesh underneath. The great sword held in their mouth was also in a similar condition. And as the figure plucked its tip from the blood-soaked ground, moonlight shined off the blade, showing its bloody yet polished surface.
The mare spun around, hearing an additional battlecry and quickened wing flapping from behind, her sword following as it swiftly decapitated a pegasus flying at her. She stepped to the side, letting the corpse rocket past and land in the dirt. Getting bored of defending the backline from flanking pegasi, she looked to where the heart of the battle was taking place, smiling madly as her eyes landed on the sea of brutality near the entrance of a stone castle. Grunting as she hoisted the cumbersome great sword onto her shoulder, the mare bolted for the extensive fight, iron gauntlet-covered hooves stomping across the earth with thundering booms. It wasn't long before she arrived, only being delayed by a few pegasi along the way, a gleeful, gravelly cackle coming from her as she leaped away from a bloody trail of delays and into the massive crowd.
Additional screams soon joined the flood of noise as the mare hacked and slashed at the enemy; many were stabbed, ran through, cut, and mercilessly slaughtered until their numbers began to dwindle.
Unknown to the earth ponies, a bloody and injured pegasus flew away from the raging war zone and to the castle wall's door controls in a watch tower behind the wall. Pulling a wooden lever, the gates slowly opened with a loud, ear-piercing screech, allowing the pegasi to retreat into the castle. The injured pegasus was about to pull the lever again to block the earth ponies from following before an arrow pierced the young soldier in his left eye, killing him.
As the main doors remained open even after fully retracting, the Pegasi army lost their organization in their panicked realization and rushed inside the castle in disarray. The Earth ponies, who dressed similarly to the mare, trespassed onto the castle's grounds and stormed the palace, momentarily painting its walls red as the fight went on.
Undeterred by the commotion that surrounded her, the imposing mare charged forward with a powerful gallop towards the magnificent and intricate staircase that stood proudly at the heart of the castle's main entrance. Anypony who dared get in the mare's way had been met with a swift swing of her great sword or was ruthlessly trampled beneath her hooves as she reached the staircase. The mare, a quarter of the way up the stairs, was suddenly confronted by a trio of pegasi. Two of them were soaring through the air, while the third stood firmly on the steps, appearing to be the most confident-looking. Each pegasus brandished a sword or spear, and approached the individual with a fierce determination.
Unfortunately for them, the large earth pony, biting down on her blade's handle, grunted before chucking the weapon at the trio like a throwing knife. Shocked by the display, the frontmost pegasi's instinctual reaction to avoid death caused them to stumble backward. Loosing their footing entirely by the force of the sword piercing through the stone steps, the pegasi was unable to react, falling prey to the mare's vicious attack.
With a flashy spin, the mare delivered a powerful kick to the delicate face of the pegasi soldier, causing a sickening sound of bones breaking and the cessation of their life.
Enraged by the gruesome demise of their comrade, the remaining pair of pegasi soared through the air, their feathers bristling with fury. With fierce determination etched across their faces, they closed in on the mare, brandishing their gleaming spears, poised to strike her down.
The two pegasi unleashed a synchronized assault, thrusting their pointed spears forward as they closed the remaining distance. However, their attempt was unsuccessful as the hulking mare displayed unexpected agility, slithering her body between their deadly weapons. But as the mare evaded the pegasi's thrusts, she forgot about the lifeless body at her hooves, the skull brutally crushed from her attack. In that moment of distraction, her footing faltered, and she lost her balance, slipping forward on the narrow stairs with her back turned. Using her sudden misstep, the two spears aimed at her back plunged deeply into her flesh with a sickening thud. Despite the intense pain coursing through her body, the mare let out a hiss of anguish.
She turned her head back, catching sight of the grinning pegasi at their supposed victory. Their smug expressions ignited a fresh surge of anger within her; with a fierce gaze and a trembling body, she began standing up.
As the two pegasi finally caught sight of the mare's still-breathing from rising, their grins swiftly faded into expressions of surprise and unease. A low growl rumbled deep within the mare's throat, emanating a menacing undertone that echoed through her throat. With a her powerful surge of anger, the mare rose onto her hind legs, towering over the startled soldiers. In a mix of terror and surprise, they let out startled yelps, their voices echoing through the tense atmosphere, stumbling back.
The spears they had wielded were now firmly lodged in the taut flesh of the mare's backside. "Τολμάς να έχεις τα κότσια να χαμογελάσεις στο πρόσωπο του εχθρού σου?! (You dare have the guts to grin in the face of your enemy?!)" The mare roared, setting her front hooves down and turning around just as the soldier's stood up.
Without hesitation, the mare swiftly retrieved her sword from the stone stairs. With a single forceful thrust, the great sword impaled the first soldier's chest, exiting through his back. Wide-eyed and gasping for air, the pegasus choked on his own blood as his lifeless body was lifted and hoisted over the stairs' railing. Left as the sole survivor, the second pegasus trembled, raising her hooves in a desperate gesture of surrender, fear etched deeply into her features.
"Χαρίστε μου τη ζωή, σας ικετεύω! (S-Spare mine life, I beg of you!)" She said, those being her final words preluding to the great sword running through her neck.
Expressing her disappointment with an audible snort, the mare turned away from the gruesome scene she had created. Without casting a second glance at the bloodied aftermath, she swiftly resumed her ascent up the stairs, all while she reached behind and removed the spears lodged in her back.
A month prior, the Pegasi had launched a successful assault, seizing control of a castle that the earth ponies had constructed for storage and shelter. Despite numerous attempts by the earth ponies to reclaim their bastion, each endeavor failed, with escalating casualties each attempt. It was an ironic twist of fate that the castle's well-crafted defenses had become impenetrable, granting the Pegasi an advantageous position. The mare, able to freely erase her enemies today, owed it to a simple truth ingrained in their tribe's way of life: Resources were finite. The understanding that resources could not last forever led to a gradual decline in the numbers of the naturally overconfident pegasi, leaving them vulnerable to the current attack.
But uncaring for the exact circumstances of the battle, the mare continued ascending the stairs until finally reaching the apex and arriving at a broad, well-lit hallway. The ambient silence enveloped the space, amplifying each footstep echoing against the stone walls. An air of anticipation hung in the corridor as the mare walked through the hall, surveying her surroundings for any sign of life. The torches lining the walls flickered and cast dancing shadows, mocking the absence of guards or soldiers.
No doubt they fled to the main chamber of the castle once her fellow earth ponies broke in, or they might've been the pegasi she killed.
Nevertheless, there was only one destination the mare needed to go to, unmistakable by the imposing double doors at the end of the hallway. Arriving at the double doors, the mare took a deep breath. The mare pushed past the pain in her legs and back, mustering her strength; thrusting a fierce buck against the doors, they burst open with a resounding crash, the lock flying into the room.
Surprisingly, the battered lock was halted mid-flight by a unicorn perched upon a magnificent throne of gold ahead of the titanic mare. Bathed in an ethereal glow of immaculate white, the battered lock floated mere inches from the regal unicorn stallion, his lustrous mane flowing like liquid silver. With a coat as white as freshly fallen snow, it seemed to emit a gentle, otherworldly luminescence that illuminated the room. "Ποιος τολμά να με απειλήσει? (Who dare's to threaten me?)" He said, piercing, sapphire eyes burning with annoyance as he dropped the lock at the throne's front, an air of power and authority surrounding him.
"Why is there a Unicorn here?" The mare thought, scowling as she shifted into an offensive stance, pointing her sword at the unicorn. "Δεν έχω καμία πρόθεση να απονείμω τον τίτλο μου, αηδιαστικό παράσιτο! (I've no intention of bestowing my title, you disgusting vermin!)" She spat, letting out a roar before charging at the unicorn. However, without warning, a bolt of searing white magic struck her chest, hurling her with tremendous force back into the hallway, where she slammed into the wall with a sickening thud.
As she struggled to regain her bearings, a spasm of coughing wracked her body, and she tasted the metallic tang of blood in her mouth. Despite her wobbly legs, the mare managed to stay on her hooves, bracing herself against the wall to steady her balance.
"Εσείς τα βρώμικα πόνι της λάσπης δεν αποφασίζετε πότε θα τελειώσει η ζωή των ανωτέρων σας. (You dirty mud ponies don't decide when your superiors' lives end.)" The Unciorn scolded, leaving the throne and casting another bolt that hit the mare in the chest a second time. "Έχω ήδη μειώσει τη δουλειά μου με τα δοξασμένα περιστέρια. Δεν χρειάζομαι κάποιον κατώτερο για να μου αντιταχθεί. (I have already lowered myself into working with the glorified doves. I don't need another inferior to oppose me.)" He continued, casting bolt after bolt as he approached the downed warrior. The hall shook violently with every explosion from the bolts, rubble breaking and falling over the mare before eventually ceasing.
As the dust settled and the debris of shattered stone filled the air, a profound stillness hung in the aftermath. The majestic unicorn, having halted a few meters away from the motionless mare, surveyed the scene with a mixture of curiosity and impatience. A cloud of dust enveloped the area, veiling any signs of life from the fallen warrior. Growing increasingly exasperated by the lack of movement, the unicorn scoffed in annoyance, his eyes narrowing in frustration.
But Just as he began to turn away, dismissing the mare as dead, the crushed rocks over her supposed corpse shifted and stirred.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the mare started to rise.
Startled by the unexpected resurgence of life, the unicorn spun around, his eyes widening in disbelief. Before he could react, a massive greatsword hurtled through the air, aimed unerringly at his head. Reacting with lightning speed, the unicorn narrowly deflected the lethal weapon with a bolt, the sword somersaulting through the air before landing with a resounding thud to his left. A mixture of shock and horror washed over the unicorn as the veil of dust began to dissipate.
Emerging from the midst of the swirling particles, the mare's visage contorted into a triumphant yet crazed grin, followed by her body coming into full view- the sight of which made the unicorn's eyes widen and jaw drop in astonishment.
In the very spot where the unicorn's magic had struck, the warriors once-protective armor had melted away under the scorching heat, leaving behind a grotesque sight. A raw expanse of flesh now covered her chest, seared and blistered. With patches of charred skin marring its surface, the devastating impact of the magical assault had inflicted deep wounds, exposing the vulnerable anatomy beneath. Through the jagged gaps, the unicorn's gaze caught glimpses of the mares rib cage.
"Αυτό πόνεσε, μπάσταρδε με τα καρφιά! (That hurt, you spike head bastard!)" The mare casually taunted as she kicked off the ground, baring her angered grin.
With a renewed focus, the unicorn regained his composure as his horn ignited with a radiant, incandescent white glow. Anticipating the mare's next move, he braced himself as she lunged forward, extending her forelegs in an aggressive maneuver. The unicorn summoned a large shield of shimmering light, which materialized just in time to block the mare's attack and forcefully pushed her back, momentarily halting the assault.
The mare swiftly adapted to the situation, reacting with remarkable agility as she swiftly evaded an ensuing barrage of magical bolts from the unicorn. Each bolt of energy sizzled through the air, narrowly missing its mark as the burnt mare deftly sidestepped, her hooves thundering across the ground.
And with a graceful leap over the shield-covered unicorn, she landed behind him. As the mare spotted and drew nearer to her lone sword, her hooves thudded against the stone ground. Despite the relentless barrage of magical bolts, she skillfully evaded each projectile with a combination of agility and luck. In a daring feat of acrobatics, the figure adjusted their stance, propelling themselves forward in a headlong charge directly at the bewildered unicorn. With a powerful leap, the mare soared through the air momentarily before crashing heavily onto the ground. Luckily, the mare's nimble reflexes allowed her to swiftly roll onto their belly, utilizing her momentum. A stifled grunt of agony escaped her lips as her body made contact with the unforgiving earth. Despite the pain coursing through their being, she targeted the great sword that laid within reach.
However, the mare's triumph was abruptly shattered as a bolt of magic struck the right side of their face, blinding one eye and disorienting her. Unaware of the imminent danger lurking in the newfound blind spot, the mare failed to perceive a sword wrought from the unicorn's magic materializing before them. With a swift and devastating strike, the magical weapon pierced the base of her neck. The mare's desperate attempt to remove the weapon was met with three more swords impaling her back and stomach, sinking deep into her flesh.
An arrogant laugh came from the unicorn, visibly exhausted from his magic use. "Παραδέχομαι ότι είσαι τρομερός αντίπαλος για ένα γήινο πόνυ. Αλλά η προσπάθειά σου ξεπεράστηκε από τη στιγμή που επέλεξες να με πολεμήσεις, λασπόαιμα. (I admit you're a formidable opponent for an earth pony. But your effort was overcome the moment you chose to fight me, mudblood.)" The unicorn taunted, creating another light sword that floated centimeters away from the mare's skull. "Κάποια τελευταία κουβέντα? (Any final words?)" He asked.
In a determined act of defiance, the wounded mare disregarded the unicorn's irate question, swiftly leaning to the side and narrowly avoiding the sword, receiving a cut above the eyebrow- the wound being inflicted upon the burnt side of her face. The mare then lunged towards her great sword, her movement leaving behind a trail of crimson droplets that marked a path. Upon landing, a pained grimace etched across her face, she clenched her teeth around the handle of the sword, a grip fueled by pain and anger.
Bouncing back from the impact, the mare wasted no time launching itself at the unicorn, swinging the sword with unmatched strength. However, her strike was met with the formidable barrier of a light conjured by the unicorn. The clash of steel and mana reverberated through the air as the mare's great sword struck and slashed repeatedly at the shield with unyielding ferocity. The unicorn, realizing the intensity of the enemy's determination, lowered the barrier with narrowed eyes in a look of concentration. In a split second, a sword materialized in his magical grasp, poised in an attempt to deflect the mare's weapon.
As their blades collided, a quick shower of sparks erupted, illuminating the space around them. Locked in a fierce duel, the mare and the unicorn fought with every ounce of strength. Yet, the tide of the battle began to turn against the unicorn, the mares' unwavering resolve and relentless assault gradually overpowering him, pushing the stallion back further step by step.
Under the weight of the injured mare's relentless assault, the unicorn's panic set in, causing him to frantically attempt to escape from his assailant. However, his desperate leap away only served to seal his fate as the mare swiftly retaliated, plunging her weapon into his shoulder.
Agonizing pain shot through the stallion's body as he braced himself for the fatal blow, his eyes tightly shut in anticipation of cold metal piercing his heart. And as time seemed to stretch into eternity, seconds blending into what felt like hours, the unicorn's mind prepared for the inevitable. Yet, when he mustered the courage to crack open his eyes, a sight both unexpected and bewildering greeted him.
Above him, the warrior panted heavily, beads of sweat trickling down her brow, mingling with the flow of blood. Using the halberd of her sword as support, she remained standing resolute.
As the unicorn's resistance faltered, an uncertain and wavering grin emerged on his muzzle. He directed his gaze towards the overshadowing warrior, her eyes devoid of focus, clouded with exhaustion and pain. The wounds she had endured drained every drop of energy left, leaving the mare weak and vulnerable. Curiosity mingled with concern, the stallion tentatively extended a hoof, reaching out to touch the mare's hoof. The contact revealed a chilling truth—the flesh was cold to the touch. With a smug grin, the unicorn channeled his ivory magic, creating a protective aura around his left hoof, fortifying it with a shimmering coating. In an a show of magical talent, he unleashed a powerful punch upon the greatsword lodged in his shoulder, effortlessly shattering the blade.
As the weapon splintered, the mare tumbled onto her side, immersed in a pool of blood as the stallion stood tall over her dying body. And with her remaining eye strained to peer up at the victorious unicorn, her vision was clouded by encroaching darkness, and a sinister grin curled upon the unicorn's lips. The unicorn released a maniacal laugh that echoed through the air, his horn's magic trapping her body in light as she was levitated off the ground.
"Κανείς σαν εσένα δεν έχει καταφέρει να με κρατήσει καθηλωμένο με τέτοιο τρόπο στο παρελθόν. Νομίζω ότι θα κρατήσω το πτώμα σου ως τρόπαιο, θεώρησέ το ως καλοσ. (No one like you has ever been able to keep me riveted like this before. I think I'll keep your corpse as a trophy, consider it a kindness.)" He mused before the consciousness of the mare slipped away into darkness. The unicorn mused with a twisted satisfaction, relishing in the fallen mare's last moments.
As her grip on reality weakened, only a soft hum filled her ears as she finally faded.
Or so she thought…