Fiery waves – The ups and downs of Summer Pride

Chapter 4: Regnum Elementum



As I look back to the path where I came from, I must realize, this was the longest time I've spent in one place. This was our time. The Reign of the Elements.

According to tradition, my oldest brother, Landslide should have been crowned King. But he wasn't fit to rule. And he knew that. Despite his name, he was a gentle, spiritual soul, who lived a humble life. He did not care about material wealth or power. He spent most of his time in the open fields, living like a hermit. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't a parang buriko who you would like to anger. His senses were so in tune with the earth, he could easily create massive earthquakes and bulkan eruptions at will. He was the first earth parang buriko who had the spark of magic. But, as I go on further, you'll see that he was admittedly the first, but not the last at all. As I said, my brother knew he was not fit to be the unicorn King.

So he divided his power between us and we had to choose a territory to rule over and protect as governors of the King. He, Landslide chose the Lowlands, an endless plain, as far as the eye could see. Nomads and several shepherd tribes inhabited this place. Forever Wind chose Aulon, a highland near the deadly Sharp Horn sierra. It's famous for its great wines... Mmm, the thought of that pure crimson liquid makes me click my tongue in satisfaction... they don't make such quality anymore. Oh, but I'm sure Celestia still has a bottle or two down in the royal cellar.

What were you saying? Yes, you're guess is right about Aulon. It is the same place where the First Pegasus Commonwealth was founded many years later. We'll get to that part soon enough... So as I was saying, my sister, Whirling Abyss chose the coastline so she could be near the water, while I remained in the kastilyo of First Magic for I've always liked the warm climate of Central Unicornia.

Under our supervision, the Kingdom flourished, the economy was booming, and our subjects were happy. Gain was plentiful and the soil was full of treasures. We began trading with the Terran Republic and aided them to establish new settlements beyond our borders. Let me tell you, we were no match for the terran's farming skills. I've never tasted such delicious dayami and such juicy fruits those earth ponies grew. We needed food, they needed gems, and other rough materials. We taught them how to reinforce their cities in case of an attack. Yes, we learned from the past and we weren't intending to make the same mistake twice.

This idyllic peace lasted for a very long time. 57 years to be exact. We left the horrors of war behind us and was looking ahead for a bright future. Little did we know, soon another enemy will emerge... and this time from within.

I thought I knew my family. We have been through so many ordeals together and I thought nothing could break this steely bond between us. But I was wrong... so terribly wrong. At that time, I've also heard some disturbing news from the Northeast. My concerns grew even bigger when Forever Wind didn't ipakita up on our regular meetings in the Castle, where we decided our susunod ilipat and planned the future for our kingdom. So I decided if the molehill weren't come to me, I'll go to the molehill. I askked Landslide and Abyss to sumali me, but unfortunately a sudden viral breakout kept them busy. I had to go alone to pay my brother a visit in the Whispering Wind fortress.

“Ah, Summer, what a pleasant surprise!” he exclaimed with a wide smile when he saw me trotting on the drawbridge and came pasulong to greet me. “Didn't expect to see you here.”

When we met, I hugged him and felt a strange tingling in my horn. I did not know what it meant. But I cut straight to the point. I don't like false-politeness and formalities but if needed, I'm good at it.

“Well we were expecting YOU at the Castle, brother.” I replied with the same fake grin.

“Yes, I know, but something came up. I couldn't go. I'm sorry.” he sinabi and his features darkened sa pamamagitan ng the mere mention of the Castle. “Anyways, come inside, you must have had a long and exhausting journey.”

I nodded my head and followed him inside the fortress. He welcomed me with a spectacular feast; the mesa was slumping with all the goods you can imagine. But, behind the mask of pretended happiness and the light chat, a feeling grew inside me... a feeling that something was wrong. Over the years I've developed a keen eye for tiny details, but this skill wasn't as good as it is today. It was merely an inner instinct at that time, yet I couldn't help to feel my brother is not happy to see me at all. During my stay in Whisper Wind, he avoided me, always making up some excuse why we didn't have the time to talk. When I did manage to speak with him for a short while, I was madami and madami certain he was hiding something, yet I could not reveal what it was, no matter how tricky words and methods I used. I eventually gave up and left the fortress with doubt and anxiety in my heart. If only I knew my lack of persistence will affect the life of thousands, including my own...

Forever Wind always loved the mares. Yes, he was a handsome stallion and he could be a real charmer if he wanted to. He kept several concubines at the fortress beside his wife. Wind was... polygamous sa pamamagitan ng nature. But I didn't like what I saw there. Not one bit. The endless revels, the anarchy... he consumed too much wine and enjoyed the company of obscure mares way beyond the healthy measures.

What is that look again? Oh, I get it. You think I'm a rigid, cold and calculating being just because you saw a frown of disgust pass through my face. Well, it couldn't be further from the truth. I'm the Element of Fire, my dear and my passion burns with great desire. I've always enjoyed love, every form of it, but I have my standards. And what I saw there was not healthy at all. The only reason I'm telling you this, is because that way you might understand the events that followed.

It seemed he had superior genes, therefore the winged ponies were spawning in Whisper Wind. Somewhere along the way, my brother forgot who he was... He sealed himself in his impregnable stone fortress and we haven't heard from him for about a taon or so. We looked passed his behavior and thought he was just being scatterbrained. And in doing so, we let the control slip out our hooves.

One day, a threat was made against Unicornia, sa pamamagitan ng a griffon named Loki. He was one of the descendants of the warlord Odin, who was killed in the kastilyo of First Magic. We had absolutely no information about that part of the world, the Griffon Kingdom separated itself from every other nation and was preparing to war in the years of peace. Our old enemy has resurfaced once again. Behind the walls of Ragnarok, they have become strong once again and began to harass our towns near sa pamamagitan ng the border. We have sent troops from our outposts of course, but they were decimated sa pamamagitan ng those beasts. This persistent menace eventually got our attention and we called our subjects in arms. The segundo Griffon War broke out in the valley of Nayasca... but you probably know that place sa pamamagitan ng another name... the Valley of the Corpses. It earned its pamagat for a reason. The griffons used a new and effective tactic we've never encountered before. We were about to lose the battle, when something darkened the sky. The noise of hundreds of wings filled our ears as Forever Wind and his offspring came to our aid in the air.

I am proud to be born as a unicorn, but I have to admit, those winged ponies were much greater warriors than we ever were. They have fought with great passion, strength and skill and thanks to their valuable flying abilities, the superior numbers of the griffon army were rendered worthless. With the help of the pegasi, we repelled the first assault.

“You're a sight for sore eyes!” I called out to my brother.

“Are you kidding?” Wind smiled. “I thought I was going to drown in boredom in the fortress! Besides, my children need this little exercise.”

I raised a brow, unable to understand what he meant sa pamamagitan ng that. But there was no time to think about it, we had to vanquish our enemies. We have fought for three years, until we managed to push the griffons back, but the battle has become a stalemate. The beasts seemed to have become cleverer. They attacked with small forces and if the confrontation was turning to our favor, they immediately retreated. They wanted to exhaust us. And they were succeeding. The moral decreased sa pamamagitan ng every day, and Forever Wind wasn't helping to restore it. When he wasn't fighting, he continued his hedonistic plays, which was getting madami and madami annoying. We were frightened sa pamamagitan ng his children, who were indeed great warriors, but if you looked into their eyes, you only saw a dark, empty void.

However, we needed their help, so we looked the other way. I only wish I could see the signs, but the heat of the battle numbed my acute senses. One day, the pegasi flew back to our camp and brought back their wounded comrades. I realized with shock, that one of them was my brother, Forever Wind. He was badly injured, his face unrecognizable. Ive summoned upon the most powerful healing spells I know, but I could not heal all the scars of his body, but madami importantly, I was unable to heal the scars of his soul. He survived, but became somber and awfully quiet. He refused the wine and even the mares, that's when I knew for absolutely sure, that something was wrong with him. I tried to find out the reason of his sinister behavior, but he didn't want to talk to me, or anypony else.

Two months later, he joined the battle once again. When he returned, there was blood all over his body and his eyes were relentless. He even brought back about a dozen of prisoners. After he interrogated them, he butchered them on the parade ground before we could intervene.

“What's your problem, Summer?” he exclaimed, foaming with rage. “This is a war! We have to ipakita these bastards what we're made of!”

“This is not how we do things!” I countered vehemently, as he managed to arouse my anger as well. “What's gotten into you?! You've changed!”

“Oh, here goes the same old song again!” Wind snorted and a grimace of despise distorted his scarred face. “If you don't like it, I'll leave!”

“That's not my point!”

"Geez, you sound like Father!"

"Good. At least somepony remembers him!"

“You know what?!” he shouted in my face after a brief moment of silence. “I'm sick and tired of you ponies treating me and my children like dirt! All we do is save your flanks again and again, and what do we get in return?! Criticisms!”

“Wind... I know something's wrong...” I sinabi with begging eyes. “Please talk to me, I'm your sister! Whatever is troubling you, we can fix it together!”

“Forget it, Summer!” he whisked angrily and turned his back on me.

I just stood there and for the first time in a long time, I didn't know what to do. Four months later, the war was over. Loki surrendered and we have signed a peace treaty for the susunod 100 years with the griffons. We all went home, weary of battle. Few days later I've received a scroll from Forever Wind. My jaw dropped in surprise and shock as I read his short letter. I still remember his exact words...

My dear family!

I here sa pamamagitan ng declare Aulon's separation from Unicornia and the founding of the Pegasus Commonwealth. Please do not make this any harder than it has to be.

F. W.