The Final Battle: Light Horse, Dark Horse, #4

Dedication

To King Jesus

Thank You

Map of Equus

Map of the Western Region

Prologue

In the glorious Celestial Realm, all was quiet. Hovering in the golden sky were all the masses of the Winged Horses, while below, on emerald-green grass, were the shimmering souls of every horse, zebra, pony, and donkey of the Soter Herd. All were gathered around a massive lake of the purest water, summoned by The Great Horse.

At once, the Creator of all Himself appeared in a glorious light, His rainbow wings shimmering brightly, yet also seemed flicker between golden and silver— golden of the Light Horse and silver of the Cloud Horse.

At His appearance, everyone bowed low. Hail, Divine One of all! they called.

The Great Horse smiled briefly at the crowds around Him and spoke. My sons and daughters... I summon you all here for an important event.

The souls of the equines glanced at each other in surprise but said nothing. The Winged Horses became solemn.

The Great Horse unfurled his powerful wings. The pool of water at the center rippled as the edges glowed brightly. An image of the planet Equus appeared in the reflection of the water, surrounded by stars. Then the image changed into what appeared to be herds of donkeys gathered before a high hill. Atop of the hill was a mysterious white horse.

As everyone in the Celestial Realm watched, the white stallion was talking to an old donkey standing next to him on the hill. The stallion then lowered his head towards the donkey... and silver rays poured out from his eyes to the old donkey’s eyes. The stallion turned towards the herds, and the rays fell on them. For one moment, all the donkeys were staring blankly. Then the rays faded, and all fell quiet.

Suddenly, the old donkey shouted: All hail King Eclipse!

All the donkeys began to bow to the mysterious horse, chanting: Hail King Eclipse! Hail King Eclipse!

The equine souls murmured and nickered in surprise. One small pony mare spoke. Who is that horse, Great One?

What did he do to those donkeys? a horse stallion asked.

What you see, the Great Horse explained, is what your mortal eyes would see. Now... behold the truth. He lifted a hoof, pointing it at the mysterious white horse.

As everyone gazed at the white horse, their faces fell in surprise.

"It’s... him!" someone said in dismay.

The Great Horse nodded.

For a moment, no one said a word.

A violet Winged Horse with white mane, tail, and wings stepped forward. This is Hillel, one of the three Princes of the Winged Horses.

Your Majesty... Hillel said, "If he is now among the mortals... are your remaining followers aware of his presence?"

The Great Horse shook his head. Not yet. But they will be aware. Soon.

Another moment of silence passed.

It has begun, said a red Winged Horse with orange mane, tail, and wings and a sword of on his head. Jehoash, Prince of the Warrior Winged Horses.

The Great Horse nodded.

A horse asked: What has begun?

The Great Horse closed his eyes as he spoke in a low voice that sounded like a rumble of thunder. The end.

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Chapter 1 - Hope

One spring afternoon in the Mustang region of Great Plains, all was quiet with the slight smell of rain in the air. Aurora, a dun-pinto Mustang mare, stood alone near the Plains River, her head bowed and her eyes closed. Hearing sounds of hooves, she turned her head to her mate Midnight, a handsome, black-and-white Paint, walking towards her.

How are you, love? he nickered gently.

She looked away slightly. I... don’t really know. Still... grieving.

Midnight gently nuzzled her. I understand.

Two weeks ago, Lightning, Aurora’s adopted older brother, had died from illness during a fierce winter storm. Aurora and Midnight, along with their two foals and zebra friend Kumani, had just arrived a week later (three days ago) when they learned the sad news from River, Lightning’s deputy. No one was more heartbroken than Aurora.

It feels like... Aurora started, sniffling, just yesterday we said goodbye... before Lightning and the herd returned here... five years ago.

Midnight nodded gently.

It was hard... Aurora continued. Especially after... when Mother and Father went to the Celestial Realm...

Midnight nodded again, remembering Shadow and Sierra.  

Aurora grew quiet, thinking back on Lightning.

He had been one of Soter’s Seven Messengers, along with his twin brother Thunder, Stone, Sunspot (who were also brothers), Cobalt, and Apache.  Six years ago, Soter the Light Horse, Aurora’s half-brother, had charged them to share His light with all other equines across Equus. After receiving a gift and Seal of the Light Horse from the Cloud Horse— the third Divine One— Soter’s Messengers began their mission.  

But Stone and the others were eventually executed. Only Lightning survived and reunited with Aurora’s family herd, who were exiled from Great Plains and ended up in Appalachia Highland (Midnight’s home) in the far western region of Equus. Aurora’s parents were then taken to The Celestial Realm, and Lightning inherited Shadow’s herd.

After a few months living in Appalachia Highland, Lightning decided to return to Great Plains. Aurora, who had grown old enough to leave the herd, chose to stay with Midnight as his mate. There were quite a few tears spent, but Aurora had promised to one day visit Lightning. Little did she know that the day she said goodbye was the last she would see him alive.

I should be happy, Aurora said finally, that Lightning’s in the Celestial Realm... with Thunder, Stone, and the others... and Mother and Father... She stopped, tears falling again.

She never understood why Lightning had to die, when he had just entered the prime of his life at eleven years of age. Yet, it happened.

Midnight laid his neck across hers and nuzzled her shoulder. I know you miss him. But... you’ll see him again. One day.

It was then Aurora thought back to the day five years ago, when Soter appeared to personally escort Shadow and Sierra to the Celestial Realm.

Do not be sad forever, Aurora, he had said to her, One day, we will all be together again.

Aurora allowed a small smile, taking comfort in those words. She took a deep breath, then touched Midnight’s nose with her own. Thank you, Midnight.

She turned her head behind her. Just nearby was Lightning’s herd of Mustangs. It had once belonged to her grandfather, Strider— Sierra’s father— before it later became Shadow’s all those years ago. Now, they are led by Lightning’s former deputy River, a dark palomino stallion.

Aurora then spied Kumani standing near the herd. It wasn’t difficult to spot the only zebra among horses, hailing from the Isles of Savannah in the eastern region.

Standing beside Kumani were Aurora and Midnight’s twin six-month-old foals, Sol and Luna. Luna (the perkiest of the two) was white with black patches on her body, while Sol (the quiet one) was palomino with white patches.

After studying her foals for a moment, Aurora took a deep breath and strolled towards them, and Midnight followed close by. At their parents’ approach, the twins immediately trotted forward to nuzzle their mother.

Are you okay, Mommy? Luna nickered, gazing at Aurora with her hazel eyes.

Aurora smiled gently. Yes, sweetie. I’ll be fine. She turned to the zebra mare. Thanks for watching over the foals for me.

Despite being half-deaf, Kumani nodded with a smile. You’re welcome.

Like Aurora, she, too, was severely heartbroken over Lightning’s death. After all, she wouldn’t have become a member of the Soter Herd if Lightning hadn’t miraculously shown up in the Isles of Savannah when she was a filly.

Can we go play in the river, Mommy? Luna asked. Auntie Kumi said we have to wait and ask you...

Aurora smiled all the wider. Of course, you can.

Both foals trotted off.

At that moment, River’s mate Dove, a white mare, came near. She had been one Soter’s closest followers alongside Lightning and the others, before she eventually met and fell in love with River. During the time when Lightning was leading the herd, Dove became like a second mother to Aurora, even for a short while.

You have lovely foals, Aurora dear, Dove said gently.

Aurora smiled as she watched her son and daughter splash in the river. Thank you, Dove. If only Lightning was alive to see them. He would love them... 

The twins had never met their uncle Lightning, and Aurora had planned to introduce them. But now, they may never have the chance. At least not in Equus.

Dove had a strange, faraway look on her face, but it disappeared when she smiled. "Come. Let’s let