230 BLB
Once upon a time, in the frigid lands of Northern Equus...
There existed an Empire, resting within the cold and artic winds. A sanctuary from the frost, and a haven to the travelers. It's cities dotting the land, stretching for miles, reaching the furthest shores, with splendor and majesty aplenty.
In the present, however, all was left ravaged by the wind, and sleet, and snow. The one thriving cities left frigid, some buried beneath snow and ice. Shadows cast upon the world, lurking in the places unseen. Darkening the skies, like a rolling storm, drawing ever nearer to a final bastion.
And there, in this isolated place, existed homes and structures made of crystal-materials. The burnt and cracked husks of similar buildings dotting the landscape beyond it. Consumed, and forgotten. Like isolated warnings to all who gazed upon them, to weep, and be weary.
The only denizens outside in this city, were those wearing heavy jackets and armor. Winter clothing, goggles, masks, anything to endure the ever-present blizzard. They stood watch over key areas, with lanterns on their hips that seemed to melt the snow as they passed. Armed with swords, spears, and an ever present anxiety.
The largest structure of this place, was a castle. It had lanterns hanging from it, dotting the walls, with a spire left partially crumbled at its side. Something atop it giving off a great glow, to ward back the heartless darkness.
Within, however, the air was no calmer, no warmer. Even if the wind could not reach it directly, the impact was piercing. Voices carried down the halls, of arguments, and desperate plans. Or anger and exhaustion, as guards wandered past the ponies within. Some, wincing, as they heard the shouting, louder than the rest, carried from a central source. A room deep within, a voice echoing, rough, and filled with authority.
Quieter hoof steps followed down the hall towards the source. A unicorn taking a sharp breath. Her presence noticed by several guards passing by, as they proceeded on. Flashes of anxiety on their faces.
She had a soft peach coat, with pink hair that grew darker as it went, fading into purple hues. Her golden eyes examining the open door directly ahead. Unlike the guards passing her by, she had no cutie-mark to speak of. Despite being senior to one or two of them in age, if only barely.
Her eyes glanced at the nearest window for a moment, gazing beyond it. As she did, a crack appeared in the sky, rapidly spreading, growing large enough to enshroud the entirety of the Kingdom. From it drifted shadows, intermingled with the clear mist. Coating the kingdom, mixing within the wind.
Her head began to ache observing this, everything getting blurry for a moment. The hall seeming to rise and fall into itself. Visions of her body being torn apart, shattered as stone, synchronizing with chaos, of it becoming something more. Of wings, and magic, and power. Of terrified, and hopeful faces. Of herself there in the moment, this instance, split across multiple renditions of herself.
A voice whispered to her. "Valeyard."
Then it was over, the crack absent from the sky. Everything vanished as soon as it'd come. Presence, self, and consciousness flooding back to her. Her breathing fast, and hard, body shaking, feeling the phantom pains of the things she'd seen. Pieces of what had been witnessed floating around in her mind.
A nearby guard asked. "Another vision, Princess?"
She could hear the hostility in his words, and see it within his eyes. It prompted her to more nervously turn, and wander off. In her experience, anyone asking that question never really wanted the answer. And she was far too tired to pick a fight. Following this, however, she heard fighting of some kind from the door ahead.
"And what did you all do!?" A mans voice boomed from the door ahead. "Nothing. Useless. Each and every one of you!" Something was tossed, making a crashing noise. "Now get out, your punishment is to refuel the lanterns. And you'll do it, or I'll have you hung!"
Various individuals hurried out of the room. Soldiers looking guilty and afraid, rushing past her. The wide door left open enough to get a glimpse of the stallion within. He had a similar coat to hers, with a brilliant red mane and tail. Wearing armor, lined with fur. She adjusted her own fur-lined jacket when he glanced at her, glaring.
The sight of this made her feel smaller. Some part of her desiring to retreat, and go check on others. To head back to treating the ill, refueling the lanterns, or really, anything beyond this.
"Father?" She spoke loud enough to be heard, getting a bit closer. "Are you well?" She glanced at broken bits of glass near the door. "I was...coming to check on you." She dug into her pocket, with magic. "I figured you might be hungry?"
Her father was situated on the opposing side of a large round table. It was covered in a sort of living map, magical in nature, emulating the surrounding area. The room itself bearing little other retained decorations. Though, there were four other individuals within it. The generals, all but one of whom looked annoyed and discomforted by her presence. Looking at her strangely, at least, stranger than they usually did.
The lone general who wasn't, spoke. "King Devo, permission?" He got a nod. "It may be wise to consult her. Perhaps prophecy has an answer?"
This stallion had a faint green hue to his coat, with a dark golden mane and tail. Traces of silver dotting him. Like the others, he wore crystalline armor, with a fur-liked interior.
Devo appeared to consider this. "Put the food away, girl." He ordered her, as she complied. "If I wanted it, I'd have sent for it."
"O-of course." She apologized.
"Now, Amore, don't just stand with the damned door open." He barked out. "Get in, sit down, and close it." She started to. "It numbs my mind how daft you can be."
Amore didn't bother responding to that comment, it wouldn't matter much. She did as requested, uncomfortable with the request overall. The War-Room was in even worst shape than usual. Broken chairs, bottles, bits of glass scattered around. Sitting down, she felt all eyes go to her, spiking her unease about whatever was going on, noticing a note on the table before her father.
Mustering some courage, she asked. "Is this...about Keen?" The generals in the room shifted. "He wanted to talk to me, but I haven't been able to find him."
One general, spoke. "King Devo has received word-"
Devo glared at the subordinate. "If you try and speak for me, I'll toss you to the Shadow-Wendigo." The general froze. "You'll not encounter him. They found my sons remains this morning." Her eyes widened. "It appears he failed in his attempt to retrieve the relic from the crystal caverns."
"He...but-" Amores eyes filled with confusion. "B-but it was dangerous, h-he swore he wouldn't?"
"Your brother did as he was commanded." Devo said sternly, prompting realization from her. "Unlike you, he never wavered from duty. Were that I had competent soldiers, it may have gone properly."
"The path was wrought with danger." Amore rose, frustrated. "I-I told you that-"
"What you told me was that one of your little episodes 'foresaw' and ominous shadow. As if that were to mean anything, at all." Devo then added. "The fate of the empire can't wait around on your vague prophecies. Lest you forget how often they fail child." She winced at that, getting no support. "His passing, however, means I'm left with you as the only choice remaining. Honestly, I may as well command the citizens to hang themselves now. Might save the embarrassment." She flinched. "But for now, General Briar is going to train you to fight, starting tomorrow. And you will, is that understood?"
"Are you not even going to mourn him?" Amore asked, in disbelief. "Have you even told his wife, or am I meant to do that too?" Her tone a bit more hostile now. "Do you even care?"
"Idiot girl!" Devo boomed. "We do not have the time to idle on sentiment. Lives are at peril, and I'll not waste time nor precious resources on flattering a corpse." He stated. "The threat has grown to the point that even the usual changelings are too hesitant to draw near!" He stamped. "Like it or not, none without a gods blood can activate the relic.
"If it even exists!" Amore replied. "We don't even know if it does. It's just a legend."
"Silence!" Devo roared. "What other hope do we have?"
General Briar, the friendlier one, cleared his throat. "Sire...I've heard the Goddesses of the southern kingdom were venturing this way. Perhaps we could send scouts and-"
"I will not rely on the daughters of Hydia!" Devo growled, stating. "Those plotting fiends denied our call before. I'll not indulge them now." He turned back to Amore. "Daughter. You will make yourself useful, and you will save the kingdom that remains. If you do not, I shall cast you to the shadows. Do you understand?" She didn't respond. "What...did you have something else to say?"
"I...had a vision." She replied quietly.
"Of what, an excuse?" He asked with continued hostility.
"Of a word. It's-" Amore searched for it, found it, spoke it. "Valeyard." This prompting shuffling and silence in the room. "Hmm?" Her father was quiet, looking pale. "You know what it is?"
"Get out of my war room." King Devo demanded.
"Father, whatever it is...it could save us. If you know you-" Amore tried to say.
"GET OUT!" He boomed in fury. "Go and prepare for your training tomorrow. I'll not be tied down to your nonsensical 'visions' understood?"
"Nonsensical? If you had listened to me-" She began, finding him step around the table. "Keen-"
Devo loomed before her, and hissed. "Get out of my war-room, before I drag you out."
Princess Amore hesitated, eyes angry and hurt. "I understand. Sir."
She turned, from here, and left. Horn glowing yellow as she passed the door, and slammed it shut with magic. Taking a few steps, before her pace slowed. Tears welling up in her eyes, as she struggled on. The Princess, feeling fear and heartache, compounded with frustration in each step.
King Devo meanwhile remaining in the room. Seeming to be considering something, as he made his way back around. The various generals present, exchanging looks.
The one who'd spoken before, Briar, spoke. "It's the same name, sire. It could mean something."
Devo examined the note. "Whatever it is...we're not going to give it to them." He reasoned. "It's better this 'Valeyard' is forgotten. Lest it be something that might empower these fiends further."
He gave the note a final look over. It from the scouts who had found his sons body, or what remained of it. Spelling out a message in the snow.
'Where is The Valeyard?'