Friendship Letters
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on January 19, 2022
Within the Castle Universe lays a separate world. Separated from the current reality of all living beings in the Lands of Equestria. A mirror world. One that is plagued, infected, abused, overrun with the limitless powers of Arcane. A world only rumored in stories. Spoke in riddles. Told in bedtime tales. A world that nopony can visit or escape from. Except for the King of Darkness himself.
The King was already uneased by his surroundings. Uneased by the unnatural quiet that seemed to be filling the air. He wondered as to why he was even doing this. Curiosity? Wonder? Motivation? Exploration? What was driving him to visit this world once more? The grass below his hooves feeling soft and inviting. The clouds in the sky seeming alive and prosperous. The wind flowing through his mane appearing to be free and courageous. Yet all of this? All of this wasn't what made this land appealing to the King. The air. The air around him. He could feel it. Smell it. Taste it. Air rich and thick. The taste of Arcane coming out of every breath taken. The magic in the air corrupting the sky. Putting it in unending darkness. It was....amazing. It was...fantastic. It was simply addicting. He could only stand there for moments upon moments, taking in the air. The delicious air. This power. This Arcane. Flowing through his body, as if his biology was a mere sponge with the Arcane being the water. He was....in bliss.
"It's of no wonder as to why Nightmare enjoys his expedition trips here. A shame he isn't here to give me a layout." The King spoke with a hint of disappointment. The King had been to this world only a minimal number of times. His first time in this world? A memory he'd rather forget. However, this never stopped his Nightmare Spirit from visiting. Nightmare had always taken time to map out this darkened world. He enjoyed the wonders. The excitement in discovery. The thrill of capturing and absorbing new Arcane from creatures present. Yet...he wasn't to show up this time. In his place? The King stepped up to quench his curiosity.
The first set of notes Nightmare had informed Artemis of before his travel into this world was the mention of the moon. Artemis was no stranger to the identity of this moon as well as it's function. It's one of the biggest mysteries both were trying to solve. Every Full Moon in the real world would cause this Dark World's moon to pour unto the land more Arcane magic. More darkness. In this magic comes a routine set of things according to Nightmare. There is always a flood of magic that hits the land. What follows after is the arrival of new creatures. Creatures that vary on appearance, according to the words of his Nightmare Spirit. Some creatures resembled ponies. Earth, Unicorn, Pegasi, and even Alicorn. Some creatures were dragons of various sizes, from various regions by appearance. Some creatures were griffons. Some were dogs. Some were even Hydras. Some even going so far as to be monstrous sea creatures. The list went on. Creatures in this land reflected those in The King's reality. Yet...that was only talking in what was familiar. There were handfuls of creatures that even Nightmare hadn't been able to recognize. Creatures that resembled known creatures, but altered. Dragons with feathers instead of scales. Griffons with snakes as tails. Two-headed Cattle. A multiple of unknown things as reported by Nightmare to the King. What was causing this? Who were these creatures? Why did this moon create them? Or.....was it not creation..., but instead transportation? So many questions. Left with no answers for a single one. And this biggest question that plagued the mind? Why was it connect to the King's moon?
"It appears I've find my first path." The King had been trotting in a random direction for the past minute or so, mulling over the ideas and speculations surrounding the Moon above. This land was indeed a wonder. Only a stallion like him could survive it alongside these creatures. The creatures of these lands were infected and exposed to heavy Arcane. The King? He was born with Arcane in his blood. He inherited an Arcane Spirit from his Father. In a way? He was no different from the creatures. Except....he could leave this land whenever he wanted. And according to Nightmare? It was as if the Land was allowing him to leave. "The Land allowing myself to leave. The hell does that even mean? Put like that? Sounds of if the land is a Prison and the Warden all in one package...." The King's speculation continued as he, too, continued. The stone path before him leading towards unknown area. The trees around him seemed drained of life, yet alive still. The grass not green, but spreading. The Moon...guiding his path.
"You look the type that isn't aware of where he is. Nor is he aware of where he was going."
A sudden voice seemed to halt the King in his tracks. A voice? Nightmare had never mentioned hearing voices. If so...then why was he hearing the voice? He could only find out if he turned around. Turning around to witness a strange sight. Laying idle on top of a stone, a giant creature of sorts seemed to be starring at him. A giant bat perhaps is the best way to describe what he was seeing. It's wings folded towards it's sides. It's ears stick up huge, almost the about the length the King's wingspan. It's fang out and notably sharp. It's eyes glowing in the night air. It's fur....puffy, yet dirty, showing that this was an animal. An Animal that was speaking towards the King.
"D-Did you just talk?" The King spoke with slight hesitation. The giant bat seemed to only stare for a moment, tilting it's head as if it's only hearing noises.
"Well I don't believe any other creature is in the area. All there is here? Myself and yourself. So that'd point evidence towards myself. I, indeed did speak. And I'm continuing to do so. What be your second question?"
Shocked. Why was he shocked though. Animals talking aren't rare. It's common. Perhaps that's not his shock. Perhaps it's a shock that THESE creatures in THIS world could talk. "Forgive my abrupt question. Looking back? It seemed rather rude. Wasn't expecting another to be out here is all." The King spoke, keeping his guard about him towards the new stranger.
"Mmmm....now those words? That's quite strange to hear isn't it?" Spoke the creature as it descended from the stone, landing in front of the King. "Why would one out here? Why would one out here in this land not expect to run into another. After all....you always run into others. Greetings, Goodbyes, or...Prey. All this is known to all that inhabit this land. Even new comers birthed from the moon. Yet....you seem to assume different. And assuming different means you are different. And being different in this world means you aren't of this world." The bat continued to talk, moving closer and closer to the King. "So if you aren't from this world? Where. Did. You. Come. From."
To be continued.....
Post in: Lore
