Anthology, Part III. (Feat. Almanac Banty)

Old Kingdom and Codex Note: The prologue of this series will be told through various characters, Almanac, Wolfbane's Biological father will be applied to this insert. As previously stated, only an informative storytelling blog. Months had passed, the seasons briskly going in the time of your last arrival. And whilst your desires to find closure were more potent then ever, it seemed times you would take conference in meeting- The stallion, Wolfbane was nowhere to be seen. Afterall, it was never difficult to spot a barreling white coated stallion with a pompadour-esque mane. But your spirit deemed to be unwavering. So time and time again you come over to check, until one fateful day. You notice something minor that was out of place. And that was the tall mahogany polished entrance door to Wolfbane's study hall seemed tampered with. Fried edges of the door were singed and even the metal latches were damaged beyond repair as if they were bitten open. But whom could have such power to gnaw away at a metal lock, and with such ease given by the study of the lock? It looked as though it was peeled and chewed in just a few bites. You had the decision to inform guards of a breaking and entry. Stubborn enough you entered, oh so willingly in your complacency. "Hello? Wolf?" You called out in the unusual darkness of the halls, shelves dismantled a few of books. Odd, to think Wolfbane was such a messy fellow. But in exploration, you stopped for a moment. Quickly hiding behind an ivory pillar column to avoid being spotted, peering your head slightly you watched in the act of the robbery. A tall beige Unicorn stallion. Beholding a slightly curved horn, permanently scarred lip exposed the substantial amount of the internal anatomy of his teeth and gums. And the massive sky blue coat shielding his godly size, lashing his forehooves pulling and ransacking heed a roar of frustration. "DAMNIT where is that BOOK!! No one would kn-. . . . ." It would only take a single blink that a blood-curdling roar would shake your nerves instantly to recoil away from the pillar. The gutting vibration remains tickling your chest cavity which made you brace yourself for the shock, with a growing urgency to leave the facility. The Unknown assailant was a hoof ahead lurking his body only several steps away due to your lack of focus. Little did you realize by the time you had turned away, the use of his magical prowess of his spectral galaxy whip to land directly behind you, "Looky here, aren't we a nosy cub. DON'T YOU RUN AWAY FROM ME, C'MERE.." It was likely he wasn't taking to a friendly welcome, expressing his dominance to swat you with a backhoof to propel you back into the pillar at which you found protection in was now apart of your demise. As a hoof would do just enough to muffle your vocals by pressing forcefully against your throat. "Shh, Shh. You don't wish to upset a descendant of the Feral Huntsman, Clandestino. A Terrible fate will await you and will look mighty bad for my son. You don't want that, do you?" Nnffffghhh... "You being here, means you are acquainted with the young steed. Perhaps you can help me... Find something important." M-Mmm!? ------------------------------------------------------- Caught in a series of bewilderment, this Unicorn took no time in restraining you with the use of his magic as a constricting vice. Exchanging in a discussion of what he was determined to know, left him at an overpass; sighing in defeat with a hoof massaging to the side of his temple. "So let me get this straight, you don't know of this book... In the slightest. Well, damn. That went up in a smoke pile." disappointed to leave empty hoof, surely he wasn't planning on letting you leave till every nook and cranny has been thoroughly searched. And even then would be under severe consequences due to your meddling. "Perhaps, I should tell you WHY it's vitally important I need this 'artifact'. I am The Old Kingdom's archivist and explorer, Almanac Banty. The biological father of Wolfbane. Not that he needs to know that, not now anyway. The last thing I want is for emotions to blur the bigger picture." What didn't make much sense was the statement of the Old Kingdom. At this time you were freed from the grip of his choke in halting any form of communication. Exclaiming that it was stated to be the Old World, Almanac snickered a chuckled finding himself to sit on his hind haunches. He found a lack of ignorance on your part or more so the lack of Wolfbane's explanation was novice at best. Seemed his son had A LOT to learn in regards to 'educating'. "Oh, Aha! Wolf only got as far as explaining the Old World? Well Luckily for you, The Eden's famous archivist is here to explain it in the simplest of formats. Some of you, erm... Equestrians can be a bit oblivious at times. And easily distracted. Yes, after the conflict of the Huntsman (Which I'm sure he explained, Clandestino was the victor in that war) To which under his lineage would rule for THOUSANDS of years from offspring to the next. In the early system of the land, Clandestino would adopt the islands to gather in the representation of emperors of the now floating isles. But in regards to these countries, none would have a universal law to follow. Instead, the fellow rulers would 'GIVE' their laws (Stamps) to their allied Providences, and will ultimately be voted by the emperor's Stewards. And last, the citizens having final verdict to finalize as law. If vast majority disapprove, would the Grand Emperor of Eden(Clandestino) make the law of that said Providence, on the spot. This was the form of the Old Kingdom, before the crowning of the Princesses, Luna and Celestia." To be so absentminded, Almanac returned in his search of the shelves; maintaining his powerful hold of his magical grip upon you. Stroking his upwards beard, the deadpan expression stared for a time against the relics of documents. "Thing is, this format of diplomacy worked for a time, through the span of 27 Grand Emperors/Empresses. Simply cause of Clandestino's gentle hoof and honor-bound duty to lift the region out of the primitive chaos that he and his friend caused. Could be the emperor felt a sense of guilt and the suffering of lives lost in his failure to protect them. This was a principle he taught to his populace and his children, the sole reason of its nearly millennia of success. Course this law could be easily manipulated.." Your expression softened, bowing your head slightly to what seemed to be a "rags to riches" story. You felt that this turn of events of the past would be the reasoning of why Wolfbane existed, at all. So you asked, uncertain you asked why on Earth was this relevant to a book at all. "Well, the Last Emperor was the day Clandestino died. Yes he lived for a VERY long time and whilst he was no longer at a vital age to rule, his offspring would carry that torch as he would be supportive of a Steward. And there was... Explosive change. The island of Evisica, Their emperor send a stamp to their allied island, Eden. It suggested an Open Throne seating. Meaning one could take the grand throne, but could only be a descendant of the Feral Huntsman. Rather that be a Barbatos or a Clandestino. All the island's Stewards gathered for a conference of this law which lasted weeks before coming to an agreement, ultimately given the citizens the final say. The thing was the oddity of this request, was the surplus of Evisica residences moving over the span of years to live on Eden. Ponies migrated in hordes and when the time came to cast vote, The open throne seating was finalized. And it seemed the ones who had migrated were either descendants of Barbatos and followers of his beliefs would be the ones to swing the votes." Punctilious in the search, he felt there was no longer a service for you to be held, thus releasing you slowly. After that loud roar that he belted, it would be no time till the original owner of the building would return. Possibly enraged in the state the space was currently in. Galloping from row after another, there was no luck in seeking the document. "It was that law, that much of the Kingdom went downhill during Barbatos's lineage ruling til this day. Even the catalyst of what is happening now. And all of the known world could be in grave danger if I don't finish the rest of my discoveries in that book." Discoveries? "I take you are aware of the Leylines. Since Wolfbane told you of the aftermath of the Huntsman's war? Let's just say this energy can manifest into several different things, and the collection of everything being perfect to manipulate this entity? Would mean other kingdoms, that have lasted for thousands of years could fall into oblivion, in a matter of days, hours even." Cutting off quickly, the sound of a lion-esque roar would be heard in the distance; Almanac's ears in a quick swivel. His time was up, to confront the fellow Quilladon would be to battle his son- as a Unicorn wouldn't stand a chance to the explosive power of an Earth Pony. As well, the state of his body would result in critical condition if a single bite or strike of a hoof. "Tch, so much for my search. And apologies for you being my scapegoat. You can hate me later." You will be held at the prime distraction of the event. And with this power manifesting of an aura glow of his magic, The colors vibrant of a soft purple gradient into a sky-blue glow, and small spectral of lights glinting within. His magic looked like space, a galaxy within, but to that discovery; you were struck with a painful slice of energy plowing through your abdomen cavity that whipped quickly like a screeching whistle. The pain was incredible. Indescribable. Like a blistering, popping boil of fire inside. Evening in that sensation would follow a shock into every vein of your being. That alone shrieked you in a groan of agony, giving him plenty of time to escape and preventing you to play the role of 'hero'. And so your body flew into a floating arch in mid-air. The force of his magic manifested in a form of a physical punch, sending you tumbling in a rolling skid; knocking into the entrance of the atrium's doors. And the numbing limpness of your body hung along the steps, as though death would soon greet you. Remember Almanac wasn't here to kill, slowly walking as the emotionless gaze he looked towards your groveling body. Popping what seems to be a capsule betwixt his maw, would he activate a healing accelerator with a simple bite. Leaning in to plant an assaulting kiss on your muzzle. "Apologies, but Quilladon antidotes on non-ferals need live saliva from a quilladon to activate. This is not a date, that you were hoping nor expecting. Do not tell him of this, nor my relation to him. I will know, and you will be sure to see me again, and.. NOT. On good terms. I am glad I could educate you~ don't die.. Yet."