Later.
Much later...
Perpetual twilight hung over the mostly-empty city. Nebulaic stars glinted off the metallic shells of the spires upon spires.
A large majority of the Winter Children had receded—seemingly—disappearing into hidden, silken alcoves situated below the upper platforms. Whatever few arachnid representatives who remained lingered in lofty spaces like vigilant sentries. The Herald—in the meantime—had taken the opportunity to get some rest, and many of them congregated quietly beside the wagon. Much of the caravan's contents had been unloaded and several members of the brigade had taken the opportunity to eat, catch a breath, and murmur amongst each other concerning the situation at hoof.
Seated far away from them—on her lonesome—was Rainbow Dash. She sat a safe distance from the chaos metals located within the wagon itself. Before her was a healthy assortment of gathered fungus: edible morsels acquired throughout the lengthy trip.
She hadn't bitten into a single one.
Instead, she slumped on her belly, staring numbly ahead. Tired eyes traced tired circles across distant platforms, occasionally stumbling upon a spider or two and then gazing even further. A sigh rolled through Rainbow's body, and she continued her lethargic spell.
Claws and paws clicked across the metal bridge behind her... at last scuffling to a stop. Feathers ruffled in a cold wind as a steely gaze peered over Rainbow's figure, observing the uneaten samples lying before the pegasus. At last, Seraphimus spoke: "Logan has stated that the scraps of troll flesh that they've cooked and sampled is particularly succulent. Perhaps it would nourish you far more than—"
"Not only would you be completely disgusting me with an offering of vomit-inducing meat," Rainbow Dash droned. "But you would be killing me." Her tail flicked savagely while she frowned ahead. "Chaos beings, remember?"
"Hrmmm..." Seraphimus nodded. A beat, and then she suggested: "Perhaps if you only ate the skin."
Rainbow shot up and spun about with a frown. "Sera, what are you still doing here?!?"
Seraphimus gave her a cool, calm look. "Preparing to be rebuked, it would seem."
"You were totally willing to skip town Goddess-knows how many hours ago! But now you've gone full-buzzard! I mean—for crying out loud!" Rainbow's teeth gnashed. "What's the friggin' counter at, anyways? Fifteen? Sixteen?!"
Seraphimus raised an eyecrest. "What 'counter?'"
"Rnnnngh..." Rainbow face-hoofed. "I dunno. Who knows. I just... don't get it..."
Seraphimus took a deep breath. "I take it that there are a lot of things you don't understand."
Rainbow fumed in tense silence until ultimately shuddering. "Yes, Sera. There're a ton of things I still don't get. Even after all of my millions of miles of east-farting." She pulled at her face muscles, sighing again. "I admit. I can't promise you all of the answers. Even at my most awesomest—I just don't have everything figured out."
Seraphimus nodded. "My inability to fully grasp the Grace and Wisdom of Verlaxion was actually one of my greatest driving strengths. It sustained me more times than I can pretend to admit."
"... ... ..." Rainbow lowered her hooves in time to give the griffin a tired squint. "Do I hear you talking in the past tense?"
Seraphimus didn't comment on that. Instead, she lowered down on bent legs until she was nearly even with the pegasus' tired expression. "I heard something about a creature named 'Ilrifa.' Nobody in your group will even pretend to elaborate for me. Not even Logan."
"They're probably just as freaked out about you hanging around as I am..."
"Nevertheless..." Seraphimus cocked her feathered head to the side. "What do you know about this 'Ilrifa' so far?"
Rainbow shuddered. Despite her own mood, she agreed to mutter forth an answer: "Only that—in some way or another—she may very well have been responsible for what's summoned the Austraeoh." A gulp. "She's probably the very reason for why I'm... me."
"I see." Seraphimus nodded. "So... you have reason to suspect that all of your travels and hardships could very well be encapsulated in a plan concocted by such an ancient force?"
"Sera, what are you even getting at?" Rainbow looked sincerely at her for once. Her muzzle hung agape. "The journey of the Austraeoh is something that's been written and sketched out in stone long before I performed my first sonic rainboom as a lil' squirt in Equestria. I've been trying to tell you that a million times before now..."
"What's... a 'sonic rainboom?'"
Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Are you finally coming around? I mean—what is this?"
Seraphimus navigated a thoughtful breath before saying: "There was a time when I knew... where I understood the destiny that Verlaxion had laid out before me. I thought I had all the answers. And yet... my world was to be shattered over and over again. There was no escaping this, as I would find out."
"... ... ..."
"The horizon has broken multiple times for you," Seraphimus declared. "If you were to somehow return to your place of foaling, would it even look the same?"
Rainbow's ears folded back. "I... can't even remember what it looked like the first time I kicked off the earth..."
Seraphimus nodded. She examined her talons. "I understand that you are to be summoned by this... Abaddon soon."
Rainbow gulped, looking off. "Yeah. Anytime now. She's supposed to be 'waking up,' whatever that means."
"I was wondering if I could make a request..."
Rainbow twitched upon hearing that. Her ruby eyes darted towards Seraphimus. "... ... ...name it."
Seraphimus returned a hard, steely gaze. "I was wondering if I could join you for such a conference..."
From one ancient believer to another.
Dang, Sera's gettin cozy.
SeraDash.
Hey sera, your character development is showing.
This ought to be interesting
Yas!
Oh dis gon' b gud.
Hum...what are the odds that she's recognized that there are forces at play for which Rainbow is just a pawn - and now her murderous rage has been shifted onto whatever forces propelled Rainbow - in this case, Ilrifa and by extension Abbadon?
Maybe I'm jumping at shadows, but the last books are supposed to be the darkest, right? I'll be preparing for tragedy - either I'm right or pleasantly surprised.
Best case: "I have a burning desire to learn the secrets of my world."
Worst case: "My Goddess is dead! All Gods will follow her into oblivion!"
I think that's the first time she hasn't responded with "Don't call me Sera."
Heeh
Hmm.. I think Sera is looking to get answers of her own.
If nothing else, perhaps Abaddon can vouch for the truth behind Dash's words about Verlax.
-Through the path long forgotten, into the darkness long begotten. Ofolrodi.
Oh hoh hoh, somebirdy's finally coming around. I knew it was only a matter of time.
Hmm, murderbirb coming with east-farter to see le spoders?
Progress!
The optimistic side of me wants to be very happy to see these two actually communicating, and without any clear or obvious threats of violence to boot! Heck, I might even say it seems like Seraphimus was even empathizing with Dash somewhat here.
...Then again the paranoid chicken in my head is looking at Seraphimus' request and is wondering if she's not planning to try pulling something nefarious.
Sera...
i.imgur.com/AHWepl8.jpg
My brain chicken is watching you.
And speaking of the count, lemme double check real quick...
Seraphimus Solo Quest Chapter Count: 22
At this point its counting more for her being mentally and emotionally solo than physically. She may be "with" the group, but she's totally not with the group yet. The count will likely only end when she herself acknowledges that she's part of the team, although it's probably just my optimism that hopes for official induction into the Herald.
Brain chicken? Better than Mr Beans head turkey. Well, it is the season.
Talking about season, why, given MDK chicken and possibly God Spider, why am I getting images of Frozen Turducken of Iceberg class?
8589029
Wouldn't that be pointless? Ilrifa is out of range for now and killing Abaddon is not really worth it. Once Abaddon has awoken and sang her song to Rainbow Dash, she will most likely die anyways, given her current state. The only (suicidal) thing that Seraphimus could possibly accomplish is to attack the spider before she has told Rainbow Dash what she wants to know.
No, Sera. Anyone who hears the full thing is doomed to die for the plot, so the Night Shard can drink their soul with cheese and crackers to find all about Rainbow and related stuff, for tension later in the story.
I bet Rainbow would be happy to, but I doubt it is entirely up to her. I also have some suspicions as to why, and REALLY hope I am wrong this time. That aside, Seraphimus missed one key aspect when she said this
An ancient force may have set things out for her (or maybe not, who knows (besides IC) what happened regarding the elements of harmony), but in the end Rainbow CHOSE to make the journey, instead of dying surrounded by her remaining friends. Just like for many years Seraphimus chose not to involve herself with the deeper problems of her nation, letting it unravel. Choice of the individual, even if what would happen afterwards was predetermined, made all the difference, not the whims of a higher power. I think she is still afraid to admit that.
8588992
Yas!
8589557
Cheese and crackers? Naw, I'm thinking fava beans and a nice Chianti.
Hmm, Seraphimus might want to get information about the progenitor of Verlaxion. There may be answers there, or just more questions.
You folks keep on mistrusting Sera, I'm still not on board with the spiders over here.
It seems she’s actually willing to learn more...
8589042
??? Case: "Why do I smell grilled cheese?"
On one hand, it has been quite a while since RD unleashed a nightime lightshow.
On the other hand, the last alternate universe she did this it caught the attention of multiple baddies.
Rainboom!
"... it was worth a try. "
8589301
IC hears all.
8592845
Just so I'm clear...the "counter" is the number of chapters since Sera declared she was "going solo", right?
Answers to questions. Questions to answers.
I suspected that Seraphimus would get to join in the audience! I love how she's starting to finally believe...
8658468
I feel like It's less that she's starting to believe and more that she's starting to as the right questions.
8590005
Zaid is the Spider God. Neat.
My first thought upon reading this: “It’s a trap!”
After finishing the chapter, I realized it was something far more terrifying... Seraphimus is exhibiting empathy.
Mind. Blown.
Plot twist: Sera has given up on killing Rainbow Dash. Instead, she will sabotage her quest. Killing Abaddon would really throw a massive wrench in RD's plans.
Either Seraphimus has miraculously developed a consience and is experiencing...shiver...empathy.
Or she's evolved beyond simply killing RD and instead killing her quest, which is arguably the worst. Thing. Ever!
Ok so it seems people think Sera is going to try to kill Abaddon. I find that very hard to believe.
It seems like to me that Sera is coming around to the truth.
Sera seems to be trying to put her faith in something, or rather someone, else it would seem. Hope Rainbow can measure up to what is being put in front of her.
11/16/2019
02:34 UTC
Well well. @thatguyvex, you’ve been acknowledged.
Well, that’s...a pleasant surprise.
I did not expect her to start indulging in stuff so soon...
Then again, she could either be opening herself to new answers and knowledge or she’s could be preparing for something sinister.
Odd are at this point in my book an 80/20 between the two options.
It does seem like Sera might be finally coming around to the truth. (And admitting it to herself, at that.) Granted, who'd turn down the opportunity to converse with one of the founding members of all current civilization? I certainly wouldn't.
Oh oh! Comment reference!
:O
WE DID IT EVERYONE! SERA WANTS TO HANG OUT WITH US!