RSiE: Chapter 4 The story of a soldier

Everyone had gathered back at the blockhouse, Robert placed in his bed as the moonlight washed over him. Everyone was gathered downstairs as Anon and Trotsky made tea. “Sergeant how much do you know about the immortal soldier?” Richard asked. Looking over the counter Anon ran his fingers through his hair, “Only what command told us along with some drunken tales. Apparently he appeared around the ten hundreds working as a mercenary for the Spanish. He got involved in the crusades and fought alongside the British during the hundred years war. Then there’s the tales of him learning medicine with the ottomans, and going on the first few ships to the New World. Other than that there is his fame in battle about successfully defending forts that are outnumbered and decimating raiding parties he was hired to take out. He rarely came up to Russia, but when he did he got personal meetings with the Tsar or with the generals.” “There was a book containing some of his strategies,” noted Trotsky. “They seemed unlikely to work but he put in great detail how both sides should act if there is any difference that counters his ideas.”

The tea started being handed out as Richards being to think again, taking a sip before speaking. “That barely scratches the surface, even I don’t know much of his story and I’ m his uncle.” He reclined before continuing, “He started off as a Commander for the country of Silverwill. He was also the favorite of Lord Byron Silverwill who had ruled since the country was created.” “So he’s like Princess Celestia?” asked Twilight. “Yes but he’s known more for his cruelty towards anyone outside of the country, but kind to his own. Eventually Robert got tired of the wars they waged and one day he just left. He went underground for a while to my understanding trying to study magic. I found him a few years later working at a Library in the Imperial Capital. He said he was there to study the magic of air and life magic, which the Empire was known to frequently use. Talking to his colleges he apparently was seen staying up late practicing magic on dummies or at the church helping with medical problems.” “He sounds like he was trying to save as many people he could rather than kill them like in the past,” commented Trotsky who was now looking out the window. “Most likely but like before he got bored and travelled through the Devil Mountains to study magic from the Mountain Clans.” “Who are these clans?” asked Twilight. “They are an empire of Dwarves and giants, masters of runic magic and skilled engineers. They welcomed him to study their ways while he helped them design new constructs and buildings. A few months in he volunteered with an expedition for a new clanhold, but the company he went with never came back. That’s the last I actually heard from him.”

“So do you know how he got that demon thing?” Rainbow asked. Richards sat there thinking for a bit. The mane 6 were enthralled by the story of their new friend but everyone but Anon had gone to bed, Anon merely looking out the window where Trotsky was before. “I only heard stories about him after that but I don’t know how accurate they are. First off his company was attacked by the Legions of the Damned and he fled as his comrades died fighting.” “That there sound mighty cowardly to me” AJ said. “When it comes to the Legion it’s best to run if don’t think you can win.” Richard said partly glaring at Applejack. “He became lost after that and eventually came upon one of the legion’s towns. It was deserted for the most part except for a small group of cultists. They’re weak so Robert most likely slew them rather quick. He grabbed their spell tomes and had decided to learn the arts of fire from them allowing him to have control of now air, fire, and water magic. “Wait, where did he learn water?” “That magic was already in his blood, since he was born an Aquarius, giving him a natural control of water. Those tomes also gave him information on their commander Demostine.” “The demon from before” Anon stated. “Exactly, he found out his location but he knew he couldn’t face him alone, he had a large infernal army backing him so he called both the Empire and the Mountain Clans for aid. Both responded to the call and the Inferno wars started lasting for nearly a year. The Empire had hired me and my men to help in the fight but I never saw Robert, not until the final days of the war. By then he was already fighting Demostine, fighting him with both metal and magic. When we eventually slew him, Robert managed to capture his soul and power within him. That’s when it went downhill from there.”

“What do mean, did he take over his body?” Anon asked, now sitting back down. “No but he knew the affects of having a demon inside a person. ‘Upon their death, the demon would take over the host’s body and their power his or her own’.” A startled look came from the party, with only Anon and Twilight already coming to that conclusion. “So upon his death, Demostine would steal his knowledge and power for his own” Anon stated coldly. “Indeed and he left the night after in search of a way to keep him sealed, which lead him down a dangerous road.” “How dangerous are we talking about here?” Applejack asked. “Remember those undead soldiers he summoned during the battle?” They all nodded, “Those are the minions of Mortis, master of the undead hordes. He went to their land to learn how to become immortal.” “And they let him?” “Oh heaven no, he was human to them, so they went in waves to kill him and each wave was crushed by his magic. Eventually the ‘Listener’ of Mortis came out to talk, and Robert explained all that had happen to him. A deal was struck between them, he served Mortis as a commander of her armies and he got the knowledge he requested.” “How long did that partnership last?” asked anon, getting a bit fidgety as the story continued. “Several months actually, he studied necromancy and other dark arts before readying himself for the subject of immortality. After he learned what he needed, he used his minions to gather what was necessary for the ritual.” “What was the ritual?” “I’m not quite sure but during it Robert ‘killed’ himself, but raised a day later much to the displeasure of Mortis, who wanted his body to join her armies. They had a falling out and Robert disappeared from the world, eventually hitting Europe.”  

The room was quite after the story Anon finally leaving for bed and Richards settling into his chair, leaving the six to their thoughts. Twilight stood up first leaving to check on Robert. When she entered the light from the moon had cast a glow over his body lights dancing between the gaps of his clothing and on the bed. Twilight dragged a chair over to the bed and sat beside him, tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m sorry” she said, bowing her head onto the bed next to his head. ‘Twilight why do you cry?’ a voice asked in her head. “It’s my fault you’re here.” ‘Nonsense twilight,’ the voice shifted turning to become Robert’s voice ‘I’m here because I’m very foolish’ Twilight looked up seeing a smile on Robert’s face and slightly shifted his head in her direction. ‘Take my hand Twilight the world can wait.’ His hand tilted a bit to allow her to grab hold. She hesitated, but slowly put her hoof in his hand.

A purple glow erupted from the floor; symbols of different factions of the world came forth. Languages twilight has never seen buzzed around her and Robert and a low hum came from the circle. ‘Close your eyes, everything will be alright’ Twilight did so and felt her mind shift inside her, the restraints of her body leaving her.

Her body floated in darkness until landing in a small room, the floor carpeted by a red and gold tint outline, the walls covered in an old wood looking aged but not rotten. On the opposite side of her stood a single door, blending into the wall with a rustic doorknob jetting out of it. Twilight approached the door, slightly opening it to see a similar room but with a large mahogany desk sitting there. Robert sat at the desk writing with his feathered pen but looking bored. He glanced up as Twilight stepped into the room. “Hello Twilight please take a seat” a chair popping out of the ground beside him. She slowly walked over as Robert started putting away his papers and pen. She sat there watching as he finally put everything away in the many drawers of his desk. He turned and looked at her with gentle eyes a small smile creeping across his face. Twilight was on the verge of tears again as she spoke, “I’m sorry” bowing her head away from him. He reached his hand below her chin and wiped away the tears with his other, “You have no need to apologies, it was my fault.” “NO! I’m the one who cast the spell, made that demon and” She was cut off as Robert placed a finger on her lips. “Who was it that allowed you to cast the spell? Who originally used his own body to capture a demon? All of this is on my head Twilight you’ve done nothing then what I expected.” “What do you mean?” She asked now with a look of confusion. “It’s a bit hard to explain but usually after a free ballin incident, what you did is minor in comparison to some other times.” “But I made you lose control of your emotions!” “At least you didn’t have me lose control of my entire body, being paralyzed isn’t as fun as it seems.” Now twilight had widened eyes, “Someone froze you?!?” “More like a group of people, rape is interesting to read about but to actually be the victim of it is less interesting.” Robert said while laughing a bit. “Why are you laughing? This is terrible.” “Naw it’s cool that happened… weeks ago? I can’t remember no worries as soon as they took off the paralyzation I bolted out of there. Turns out when I’m paralyzed my penis is useless.” He said shrugging at the concept.

***

“What do we do? What do we do? WHAT DO WE DO?” Rarity said pacing back and forth in the hallway. “Nothing can be done.” Richards said watching the glyph glow around Robert’s entire room, Twilight now lying beside Robert in bed. “Only another being of magic can enter into this and currently the only person who can is you.” He said pointing back at Rarity. “What if we got the princess or one of your people?” Rainbow said now out in the living room with the Russians, all awakened by the hum. “I have no clue how to contact this princess of yours and my guys aren’t qualified for this stuff.” “What if I popped in there?” Pinkie asked while popping her head out from upstairs. “Do you have magic?” “I have my own special kind of magic.” She said smiling as wide as she could. “You can try but I doubt it will work,” Richards left to sit back down. Pinkie walked into the room the glyph slightly disfiguring itself around her presence. Looking over to see Twilight holding Robert’s hand, Pinkie took his other. The glyph grew brighter as pinkie felt her mind leave her body.

***

“A third person has arrived” Robert said concentrating on the door. “Who is it?” Twilight asked. “It’s… Pinkie?” “HELLO!” Pinkie called from the other room, “Is their anyone here?” “In here Pinkie.” Twilight responded. Pinkie hopped into the room, humming as she sat down on the third chair that appeared. “So…” Robert said now feeling awkward about the mental intrusion. “Twi there’s really big magical thing in his room and you got caught and now are lying beside him but we had no idea what to do and Rarity was too scared so I came in and touched his hand and felt really weird and then I wound up here.” Pinkie said in one breath. Robert closed his eyes as they started Pinkie and Twilight started talking. “So why are you in here Pinkie?” “To get you silly, everyone is worried.” “But I’m fine. Nothing is wrong; I was just apologizing to Robert for my actions.” “But you have questions don’t you?” Robert asked keeping his eyes closed.

“Well yes we heard your story from Richards but he didn’t have much information.” “And what do you want to know?” “Everything.” Robert smiled, “Follow me then, Pinkie you may come along if you wish or I can send you back out.” “Twilight is fine so I’ll go tell them.” Pinkie’s body glowed and disappeared with a small bang leaving confetti where she stood. Robert stood at a wall laying his hand upon it. The wood warped as it became another door, stepping through it as twilight followed behind. Now they were walking on top of a walkway, images and videos streamed by some containing Robert while others had pictures of Demostine. “These are my thoughts, rarely do I keep my mind on the same thing for long so it’s always shifting and changing.” Images of the battle earlier passed by seeing from Robert’s point of view as his battle raged on. “Where’s Demostine?” “Over there,” Robert point at a large care floating in between the pictures. Covered in darkness the only hint of the demon’s presence are the yellow eyes glaring out of the cage. “Don’t worry just like how I have to rest so does he.”

After walking a few more minutes they came upon two doors one red and the other blue. “Twilight my memories may scare you and question everything you have ever known. If you are willing to take that risk then take the red door and see how far this rabbit hole goes. Or take the blue door and stay oblivious to what the world offers and live safe within it.” Twilight looked to Robert but he had disappeared, leaving her with the doors. “Robert, where are you?” Twilight called but no response came, left with only the sound of music playing behind the red door. She paced in front of the doors, sounds echoing out both doors now, music playing in the red while the sound of nature arose from the blue. Twilight sat and thought about Robert’s words before heading to the red door. Touching the door, it slowly opened a red glow arching out of the gaps and pulled Twilight in.

Twilight now found herself in a white area with Robert sitting on a chair, waving his hands to a tune, notes floating around his hands as the tune began to form. “Well done, for a minute I thought you wouldn’t have come,” said Robert his hands stopping the shift of music. “Everything I know is now available.” Suddenly large shelves of various books stormed around charging the area into a large library with Robert and Twilight in the middle of it. “Just ask what you want to read. If you have any questions I’ll be through there,” pointing at a door with a music note on it labeled ‘iPod room’. And Robert left her to herself and all his knowledge.

“Um, Robert?” A book flew from the shelves and floated in front of her titled ‘Robert Shepard’. Twilight sat on the chair and a desk that appeared, sized to hold several books at once. Opening up the book, it had a simple sign with Robert’s face on it, below saying ‘ask me idiot, I’m not good at hiding secrets’.

Twilight was taking aback by this comment and headed towards the room Robert went into. Before she could though she was crushed by the intrusion of her friends. “Girls what are you doing?” Twilight yelled as her friends got off her. Rainbow spoke first, “After Pinkie got in and out and told us you were fine, that Richards guy tried to get in but he got blasted back. So we went in to see if you were really safe.” Rarity spoke next, “We did what Pinkie did and grabbed a hold of the demon which I must say his skin was very smooth.” “He’s no demon” Twilight objected, “He’s human… whatever that is.” “You guys know I can hear you?” Robert said leaning against the door as the music played.

>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvNetUXAfyg

“Seven visitors in one day, man am I popular” Robert said with a small grin. “Robert the book on you called me an idiot!” Twilight said a look of determination on her face. “Aye that’s because it’s easier to ask since I’m sure Richards filled you in on a part of my history.”

“Sir?” “Yeah?” Robert responded to a shadow nearby. “You’ve gotten a boner.” Robert turned red, “what? How?” “Someone is sitting on top of you sir, and you’ve been smelling her hair.” The shadow said before dissipating. Turning towards the ponies he locked onto Rainbow as her friends were staring at her except Twilight. “Rainbow?” “What, they took up everywhere else so I sat on top of you so I could get in.” He sighed, relying on his willpower to bring it down. “So you want to know the truth of me?”

Twilight nodded furiously as her friends’ veined interest, having only an audience of Twilight, Applejack and Fluttershy. The other three wondered throughout the library of memories, picking up books of interest. “Where do you want me to begin?” “After leaving Silverwill please.”

“Alright, after I left the kingdom I found a portal on the border. Going through it I ended up traveling to few areas one being Tatarus, which is basically the religious view of hell.” “What do you mean religious view?” “My version of heaven and hell is different then what religion apparently tells, rather then being all peaceful in heaven and blazing in hell. Both are in an all out war with each other trying to wrestle control.” “Isn’t that a rather violent afterlife?” “Perfect for a soldier eh? Anyway getting off topic, Tatarus was nice to see got exposed to a bit of magic there thanks to the Shades of Hades, who rules the underworld. Always liked Hades as a god, though my initial knowledge of him came from Age of Mythology which posed him as a badass.” “Age of Mythology?” “It’s a game I played when I was younger. From there I ended up in Navarra which eventually led to the Empire and their god, The Highfather. At the time they were going through a war of succession, as their Emperor was murdered by his son who was possessed by Bethrazen.” “That demon king of Demostine?” “Exactly, but the boy was slain by the combination of the Empire and Mountain clans. A shame I heard in his last moments he became free of Bethrazen as he saw the sword plunge into his chest. Anyway I arrived when they were nearly establishing control for this general who seemed most powerful out of the three that were running for king.  Thanks to that brief encounter with magic I got access to their libraries to study life and air magic. I never fought for a few years during my time there. Didn’t get any friends there but got admirers from my devotion to the study of magic and my frequent outings to the churches to get care for the sick and wounded.”

“Your uncle told us you got bored and left for someplace called ‘The devil’s mountain’” “Bored no but I liked to travel so I went through there for the experience, I accidently found the Mountain clans and exchange of helping their engineers, I got to study Dwarven runes.” “Then you got ambushed and attacked by demons right?” “Yes but I heard people saying the entire company got killed, it didn’t. When I ran I took as many friends I still had left which at that point were two; An Alchemist named Yogger and a member of the King’s guard Grondeer. We escaped and found a Dwarven outpost after a few days of travel, driven by anger I went back to avenge my fallen comrades while the others went to report what happened. But I got lost and ended up at a cultist’s sanctum, in which I murdered them and stole their spell books so I could learn their magic. I read up on their leader Demostine who was the former Emperor of Navarra.” “The one who was murdered?” “Yep they turned him demonic which led me to call on the Empire and Clans, the Empire for to allow their king to rest and the Clans for vengeance.”

“Hey!” Rainbow called as she landed, “What’s this level 5 nonsense?” Robert turned to her “Everyone here has a level 5 access to allow them to look at the books; YOU have level 3 access because you gave me a boner so if you want to read you must have a level 5 or higher near you to allow access.” “Buck that, can I go in your music room instead?’ “Yeah sure.” She trotted passed and closed the door.

“Anyway, the armies of the Empire and Clans clashed against The Legion’s army. I was too deep in enemy territory to help out in the larger battles. Instead I went further in to find Demostine, which I did after a couple of weeks.” “Your uncle said that war lasted a year but you found him in the first month?” “A year? Heavens no that conquest took like four months, Richards must have been exaggerating. My battle with Demostine took a week to finish, he’s a very stubborn demon but eventually I did slay him but not before I stole his power and made it my own. Casting that spell to take his power hurt though and I ended up taking his soul in the process. I didn’t want to but his soul came with the power I wanted. After it was done I had to leave I couldn’t celebrate, Demostine told what would happen if I lost control of myself, so instead I looked for a way to insure he could never come back either through slaying his soul or sealing it.”  “Which led you to the undead?” “Not right away had to do some studying and learned about the story between Mortis and Wotan, god of the Mountain clans. I figured someone who could raise and control the dead could have the knowledge I need. Thing is she doesn’t like humans that much or demons which at the time I looked like both. So she sent her armies at me, which were pretty weak when they came I had already taken some out with magic. Her army was easily destroyed and I found their capital where the ‘listener’ was there ready to talk. I told him what happened and he mentioned a ceremony that could make me immortal thus sealing the demon, thing is to get it ready I’d have to work for Mortis which I didn’t mind being a merc was easy after all that time.

“So what was this ritual you had to perform?”

“It’s probably easier if I just showed ya.” Robert got up as the rows of shelves lowered to the ground. Pinkie was just hopping around while Rarity was still reading one of the tomes. Going over to look he spotted Rarity looking at a red scaled dress. “Damn I haven’t seen that dress in a while.” “It looks marvelous, I bet I could make it better than anypony else.” “I’m sure you could miss Rarity. I apologize but could you move to where your friends are I want to show them something. “Of course darling.” Pinkie had already seated herself so Robert went into his iPod room and pulled dash out.

“Hey.” “Need this room go sit down.” Robert said simply passing her by. He brought one of the songs down and brought it with him. The room turned dark as an image of an old building appeared. Getting closer to the structure Robert turned to let the music play.

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctwZfJWrm3I

AS they got into the room the sign of undead was obvious. Skeletons danced to the unholy music as the ghosts and shades chanted their hymns. Green fire was seen on ever torch. In the middle of the room was a large alter, a top Robert stood in black robes and two liches concentrated on a dagger glowing behind his back. Green mist circled the alter as two dracoliches sprayed their poisonous breath as mist turned faster. AS they hymns picked up the mist now circled the alter being absorbed into the dagger. Turning, Robert clutched the dagger into his hands and plunged it into himself sending the green mist into him. His skin, hair and muscle were erased from his body as his skeleton felled to the ground still connected.

The room turned back to its natural whiteness, Now the six sat their awestruck. “And that’s how I became immortal. Had a falling out with Mortis and then ended up in Europe.” “Then what happened?” Twilight asked.

“Then nothing, I’m tired talking about myself. We can talk more about me later.” Twilight stood up, “Why?” “Because its morning I can feel the sun coming up so I’m kicking you all out. Besides I’ve been sleeping but you girls were drawn in here so you’ll come out of this super tired so go home and rest.”

“Finally I can get out of here.” Rainbow said as she got up to leave. “Actually how do I leave?” “Say you want to leave and don’t move for fifteen seconds. Standard online style,”

They all left except Twilight, “Umm, can I stay a bit longer?” “Twi I’m about to go to one of the horrifying sections of my head to check on an intruder who somehow snuck in without my knowledge. Can you handle that?” She nodded,” Then let’s go.” Walking through a red door they walked along a black corridor stopping door ‘5’. Robert opened it as the sound of pain came out. Twilight gasped at what she saw, small fluffy creatures moaning in pain. Some with limbs missing others having spikes inside their hooves or being spun over fires. In the middle of the room sat a alicorn on a chair made of theses creatures.    Robert        let   out a short        laugh. “You actually     made a chair out of these idiots. HA that’s ingenious.” “Thank   you    I had to sew them together.”

Twilight still flabbergasted             by the room looked at the alicorn “Nightmare moon!” “Twilight how wonderful to see     you again. None of your friends around to help you this time.” Nightmare approached Twilight but Robert spoke first. “You are the mare in the moon?” Both looked at him. “Y-you know of me?” “Aye you might not of meet them          Twilight but     travelers have been in equestrian before and we know your stories, so      I also know of the infamous Discord.” “What do you mean travelers?” “The travelers union, that’s what   I’m a member of these days after I quit being a merc leader. We go to worlds and travel around sometimes we      stay sometimes we go. We work      hand in hand with the Traders guild who funds our equipment. They’re the trade sense and were the muscle. It’s nothing as fancy as they claim though I    just call it the largest mercenary guild sense it’s run by the top ten guild leaders.” “But you said you       were a mercenary leader.” “It’s called lying Twilight, don’t worry you’ll get youst to it. Now why is  the mare of the moon in my head.”

Nightmare smirked, “I’m using your magic as a vessel while my power returns to me, so I may once again regan my body.” “Oh okay as long as you don’t make a ruckus I don’t care.” “Robert! She’s evil.” “So, according to some people I am as well. Now that that’s settled.” Turning to Twilight, “I’m kicking you out we can talk about these later.” “But-“ “KICKING!”

***

Richards helped Twilight up after Robert literally kicked her out of his bed. “Sorry he’s a handful. More like several actually.” “When will he wake up?” Twilight asked. “Probably tonight.“ “Okay good day then and I’ll come by later.” He escorted her out as she walked home. Returning back to Robert he merely looked over him.