Princess of Darkness

The dark corridors… She would never get used to them. But as long as He desired her to come here, she would. But it could not be said of the little girl. She had never been in a place like this, and she looked so small now. Marks of tears were showing on her face. The girl was so scared, she could actually feel it trough the air. When she had seen the eyeless guards at the entrance… Câlin didn’t even want to come in at first. She had to remind the girl that it had been her own wish to see her father to make her come along.

Of course Câlin had been surprised when she had realized they were headed for the Old Friendship Lands. Apparently Twinkle Star had taught her… well, it was to be expected. Despite of that, or maybe because of that, Câlin had been very curious and she had actually been a bit disappointed when she had explained they would only see the mountains, and the caves. She had wanted to know if it was pretty still… She had told the girl she shouldn’t count on it.

But when they had led the girl to the cave entrance, to the large doors… and then the dark and difficult steps that led them deeper into the mountain, the girl had lost her excitement. She had not expected this… Had she thought her father would be as beautiful as her mother once was? No, her Father had been banished into darkness. But Câlin was the one who had made it possible that he would soon enter the outside world once again.

They were almost there now. She could smell it already… the air was filled with the fumes of death. Would it be different soon? They walked along silently, all of them lost in their own thoughts. The other one was with them still. He had desired that she came along, too. His plans for her… would they finally be revealed? It was not her place to wonder these things. She shouldn’t. She was His subject, and she should not question his motives and ways.  

When they arrived at the door she noticed Câlin took a few steps backwards. Of course the guards here scared her. They were larger than the ones outside and hidden in darkness. They couldn’t see… but they smelled Câlin. She smelled too pure to their taste, she knew. She had smelled it too, and she knew it would lead to problems.
“Who is the new one?” One of them roared.
“Do not question me. He desires her. Now let us in.”
She was a bit surprised these could speak her language, and that they listened to her at once. Most of these creatures… It seemed like they weren’t really from this world. He never wanted them to learn the normal language… But these knew.

They opened the doors after she told them the password, and she stepped inside. All was dark, but her eyes soon adjusted. Câlin had more problems with it as she immideately tripped over something that was lying on the floor. The smell was still very intriguing, and it only got worse when they entered. Decay and Death… His smell. It was familiar to her, but she would never get used to it. But she would face it, because it was her duty to do so. She noticed the other was pushing Câlin forward. The girl was gagging now. Of course, she wasn’t used to this… But she was the one who wanted to meet her father. When they had all entered, the doors slammed shut behind them.

“My Lord.” She bowed as deep as she could and the other followed her example. Little Câlin hesitated, and then bowed, too.
“You’re back.” He stated. She took this as a sign to get closer. She stepped deeper into the darkness. She heard the sounds of the hoofs of the other and the little girl following her. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been here with others. Yet somehow, it wasn’t comforting at all.
“I am, my Lord. The mission has succeeded.”

“So I have noticed.” His voice was oddly calm. He wasn’t roaring like usual. It was disturbing, somehow… So unusual. It made her even wonder whether her Lord was feeling okay.  
“Both things… right.” It wasn’t even a question.
“Yes, my Lord.” She could feel his attention shift now. She didn’t know how she knew. It was just darkness, in front of her.

His focus landed on the girl. Câlin noticed it too. She took a few steps backward, but the other stopped her. He was inspecting her in ways she couldn’t even imagine. Câlin was shivering, now. The way he was inspecting her… He was simply entering her mind to see if she was who she claimed she was. Well, He had to be sure it was indeed his daughter.
“Câlin…” He whispered. So, it was her. It was not something she had doubted even for a single moment.

“Are you… my father?”
 The girl’s voice sounded so scared, so alone. But it was her own choice.
“Yes… I guess I am. And you have finally come to me. Your mother has kept you away from me for so long. Don’t think I haven’t looked for you, all those years. I’ve always been close, Câlin. But now, you are here.”
“Why did you take her away from me?”
The girls voice had a new tone, strengthened by the memory of her mother. She was sure He was going to punish Câlin now so she instantly ducked, but He did not react. He didn’t get angry, nor did she hear the whish of his whip.

“Your mother… She stood in my way. You will soon understand, little Câlin. But I had to take what she had made. It was her choice to defend it with her life.”
Câlin did not respond, or at least not as once. Well, Câlin would know it was true soon enough. She had expected Him to say more, but He kept silent. He knew everything was going to change now. He had waited forever for this moment.

“Why did you want to see me?” Little Câlin asked.
“Because, you are my daughter. And I wanted you to be here when I get… healed.”
“So you’re really sick, then?”
Had the girl doubted her words?
“Yes… but you came here to heal me. You brought me the crown, so it can be done.” She could feel His desire now that he talked about the crown. She didn’t really understand why He was delaying this any longer. But He would have a good reason.

“Can I see you?”
The words shocked her. Had Câlin no respect at all? She would surely be punished for this. No one had ever seen Him, and He would remain in the shadows. Instead, He just laughed. It was odd, and frightening in a way. She knew now, everything was definitely going to change… She had never heard him laugh before.

“Little Câlin… Not yet. I am afraid I cannot live in light yet, and you cannot see in darkness. But very soon now, after you have handed me the crown you brought, you will be able to see me.”
“Rain has it.” Câlin answered Him. She could feel the tension rise in the dark room. But she wouldn’t bring Him anything unless he asked. She had learned that much by now. But He didn’t ask, at least not yet.

“When can I go back to Twinkle Star?” Câlin asked with a little voice.
She craved something, someone that would make her feel safe. She shouldn’t think of Twinkle Star now; it only made her weaker.
“Very soon, Câlin.” He replied.
“But first, you must help me achieve some goals.” So, Câlin had another role to play in the future. She had expected as much.

“Why me?” The girl asked a lot of questions, but He didn’t seem to be too bothered. But then again, Câlin was special… The only child he would ever have. Because now that Illuvia was gone… There was no chance left.
“Because, you are my daughter, Câlin. It is your destiny. You are my daughter, and soon you will be my princess, and you will stand next to me.”
Silence fell. Câlin didn’t know what to reply. Did she want to be a princess? It was every girl’s dream, right? And with Twinkle Star… she would never be regarded as a real princess.

“Bring me the crown.” He commanded.
He wasn’t talking to Câlin now, but to her. She bowed slightly, and then took the crown out of the bag that she was carrying around her neck. She walked deeper into the darkness, but the others weren’t following her. Well, this was her job. She walked closer to where He was, even though she couldn’t see Him, or anything else for that matter. She almost tripped several times over things that were scattered on the floor, and she was sure they were just bones or skulls. The smell got even stronger as she got closer.

At some point she wondered if she wasn’t close enough yet, but he didn’t say anything, so she kept on walking. Was the room really this big? She had never been this far in before. Suddenly her hair was blown back by a soft breeze that smelled even fouler than the rest of the place. A few moments later, another breeze hit her and she realized this wasn’t a breeze, it was breathing. His breathing. Was she really that close to him?

“Has the other one seen it? The crown?”
It wasn’t more than a whisper, and she knew Câlin and the other one couldn’t hear it.
“No, my Lord. She has not. It has been in this bag the entire journey.”
 He didn’t answer, but she could feel his approval. She had done well, even tough He would never say so.  She was unsure of what to do, but His order came soon enough.

“Put the crown on the floor and go back to the others.”
She quickly unwrapped the crown and put it on the ground. She looked up one more time before she went back to the others. Was she seeing something? Something large, but it didn’t seem to have a shape. Only two blood red eyes… But the next moment it was gone. Had she imagined it? She quickly turned around and walked back to the others. Câlins’ heavy breathing quickly gave them away.

For a few moments, nothing happened. There was only silence, disturbed by Câlin’s breathing that somehow felt so unnatural here. Then, a flash of light blinded them. It was the crown, she was sure of it, but she couldn’t look at it. A strange feeling was taking over her heart. It was all changing now. Her eyes hurt even when she squeezed her eyes shut, but before they could adjust to the light, it was over. Darkness took over once again. She didn’t know what to expect, but nothing was happening.

Had it failed? No, it couldn’t have. It was the right crown. Regina had confirmed it, and there was no reason to doubt it. Then, out of the darkness, she heard the sound of a pony approaching. Was someone else there? They got closer, until she was sure whoever it was was standing right in front of her.
“Karash!” He yelled. “Open the doors!”
 It was His voice. She was sure. But it was different, somehow. More down to earth, but more heavenly, also.

She heard the doors crack open behind her. The faint glow of the torches was entering the room, but it was enough. She saw now. For the first time, she looked in the eyes of her master. She heard Câlin and the other gasp at the same time, and she didn’t even know if she was gasping, too.

In front of her stood a pony so black the darkness was almost sucking you in. His eyes were dark red, looking furious at the world around him. His mane was a shade lighter than his body, but she wouldn’t even call them grey. But what stood out most were the humongous black wings on his back. The seemed feathered, but were as dark as his body, but almost twice as large. On his face a small smile appeared when he saw the creature named Karash bow deeply.
 “I’m back.” He said, and for the first time in her life, she felt a shadow of fear in her heart.