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Organised by
RogerDodger
Word limit
400–750
The Letter
The words come slowly. My teeth take an entire minute rolling the scroll. I’ve decided to leave this place today. Right this instant. But first, I must deliver this letter. For some reason, it feels as if that's all I’ve been trying to do for years, longer than that even.
There was something about this letter that I was supposed to remember...Funny enough, that's all I can recall.
I'm nopony important, a former favorite of His. But that life is all over and done with now. We are under siege, and the sense of dread that's been hanging over me for as long as I can remember has now become too overpowering to ignore.
This letter is meant for my family. I want to tell them how sorry I am for leaving, for having ever agreed to go to the castle in the first place. I was weak. Not strong like them. I couldn’t bear a life of burdens, covered in chains. At the time, I figured if belonging to Him meant I wouldn’t have to, then good. How foolish I was. I hope they can forgive me for it one day. More so, I hope they are wise enough to heed my warning and escape this place as well.
There's no point in warning the others. They stopped listening to anything I had to say long ago, for good reason. Still, I feel nothing but regret racing through the chaotic streets, alone.
I’m running late...How do I know that?
I’d wager that if my attention had been aimed toward the exploding sky, and not into propelling myself toward the nearest postal, that I’d spy two princesses. They've come to free us all as they are wont to do. I hope they win, too. All because He deserves to lose. He deserves every bad thing that’s coming to Him.
A gigantic chunk of quartz tears away from what used to be the home of Ms. Alloy, the baker. It lands directly into my path, shaking me to the bone, and sending me flying. I hit something soft, and I hit it hard. The pain cuts into my side, and halves my courage. Instantly, I find the lost portion replaced with terror. Turning about, my eyes meet those of a mare I don't recognize. She looks as desperate as I feel. I don't know what to say at first. What does one say when the world is ending?
“S…stay with me! Please!” is all I manage. She nods her head, and we are off.
I should have guessed that the postal would be packed with those attempting to get their letters out before disaster struck. I tell my companion to flee, and say that I will find her when we are both safe. We both know this is a sweet delusion.
Unsurprisingly, fighting and cursing does little to help abate the postage problems of fifty or so terrified ponies. Tossing my letter into an enormous pile made by much smarter patrons, I pray that someday it will reach its intended recipients.
Please forgive me, mother, father.
The empire's border is now within sight, and miraculously, so is my companion. She stands just beyond it, waving me on. I cannot look back, not when I’m this close to freedom. The dark King's magic drains from my bones as I near that shining barrier, and as the explosions cease, there is a deafening scream in a tone that I recognize...that I despise.
As my fur's sheen dulls, my spirit shines. For only a moment, I look back at the crystalline city, my home, and see its unsullied beauty for the first time. My hooves slow down at the wonder of it all. In that moment, I see a blinding rush of light escape His castle. It will reach me before I could ever reach the border.
I turn to see my companion's face fading away into nothingness, her expression stretched in horror. Now I remember what I had forgotten about my letter: I should have never attempted to deliver it in the first place.
The words come slowly. My teeth take an entire minute rolling the scroll. I’ve decided to leave this place today. Right this instant. But first, I must deliver this letter. For some reason, it feels as if that's all I’ve been trying to do for years, longer than that even.
There was something about this letter that I was supposed to remember...Funny enough, that's all I can recall.
There was something about this letter that I was supposed to remember...Funny enough, that's all I can recall.
I'm nopony important, a former favorite of His. But that life is all over and done with now. We are under siege, and the sense of dread that's been hanging over me for as long as I can remember has now become too overpowering to ignore.
This letter is meant for my family. I want to tell them how sorry I am for leaving, for having ever agreed to go to the castle in the first place. I was weak. Not strong like them. I couldn’t bear a life of burdens, covered in chains. At the time, I figured if belonging to Him meant I wouldn’t have to, then good. How foolish I was. I hope they can forgive me for it one day. More so, I hope they are wise enough to heed my warning and escape this place as well.
There's no point in warning the others. They stopped listening to anything I had to say long ago, for good reason. Still, I feel nothing but regret racing through the chaotic streets, alone.
I’m running late...How do I know that?
I’d wager that if my attention had been aimed toward the exploding sky, and not into propelling myself toward the nearest postal, that I’d spy two princesses. They've come to free us all as they are wont to do. I hope they win, too. All because He deserves to lose. He deserves every bad thing that’s coming to Him.
A gigantic chunk of quartz tears away from what used to be the home of Ms. Alloy, the baker. It lands directly into my path, shaking me to the bone, and sending me flying. I hit something soft, and I hit it hard. The pain cuts into my side, and halves my courage. Instantly, I find the lost portion replaced with terror. Turning about, my eyes meet those of a mare I don't recognize. She looks as desperate as I feel. I don't know what to say at first. What does one say when the world is ending?
“S…stay with me! Please!” is all I manage. She nods her head, and we are off.
I should have guessed that the postal would be packed with those attempting to get their letters out before disaster struck. I tell my companion to flee, and say that I will find her when we are both safe. We both know this is a sweet delusion.
Unsurprisingly, fighting and cursing does little to help abate the postage problems of fifty or so terrified ponies. Tossing my letter into an enormous pile made by much smarter patrons, I pray that someday it will reach its intended recipients.
Please forgive me, mother, father.
The empire's border is now within sight, and miraculously, so is my companion. She stands just beyond it, waving me on. I cannot look back, not when I’m this close to freedom. The dark King's magic drains from my bones as I near that shining barrier, and as the explosions cease, there is a deafening scream in a tone that I recognize...that I despise.
As my fur's sheen dulls, my spirit shines. For only a moment, I look back at the crystalline city, my home, and see its unsullied beauty for the first time. My hooves slow down at the wonder of it all. In that moment, I see a blinding rush of light escape His castle. It will reach me before I could ever reach the border.
I turn to see my companion's face fading away into nothingness, her expression stretched in horror. Now I remember what I had forgotten about my letter: I should have never attempted to deliver it in the first place.
The words come slowly. My teeth take an entire minute rolling the scroll. I’ve decided to leave this place today. Right this instant. But first, I must deliver this letter. For some reason, it feels as if that's all I’ve been trying to do for years, longer than that even.
There was something about this letter that I was supposed to remember...Funny enough, that's all I can recall.