Interlude: The Heart of Eternity

Perspective: Celestia {Over the Equestrian Ocean}

The muscles in my back burned with each flap, the sound of wind rushing past me as I soared over the water. Luna and I had been flying for the better part of the last two days, only resting intermittently to relax our tired wings. I cast a look to my left and saw Luna keeping pace with me, looking much less exhausted than I but still rather strained.

We both let out audible sighs of relief at the large island finally appearing in the distance, massive waves crashing into it's shattered shores.

The island itself was uncharted and it's existence was a closely held crown secret. Even if it were to be discovered, it proved far too dangerous to explore due to the miles of razor sharp rocks which jutted out from the waters like spears. Violent winds tore around it's shores and would throw all but the most experienced fliers into a tailspin, before meeting a violent end under the foamy white waters below.

Finally having arrived at the end of our long journey, we both cast each other a single look before nodding and setting our horns alight. They glowed brightly with magic as the world was suddenly bathed in a soft orange glow, the sun delicately descending over the horizon... before the moon slowly took it's place and cast a ghostly light across the water.

With great effort we made it to the coast and collapsed onto the rocky sand. I ignored the sharp stones digging into my legs and instead focused on controlling my breathing, I hadn't had a workout like this in a long time!

"Maybe you should do some cardio sister, you seem a tad winded." Luna's voice quipped from my right. "One too many royal deserts it seems?"

Turning to my sister I saw her looking at me from the sand, a bit winded but otherwise completely fine. Meanwhile I was sweating up a storm and every muscle was practically screaming for a massage… but I wouldn't admit that to her.

I gave an annoyed snort, lifting a hoof to my breast. "Actually, I've been doing wonderfully at sticking to my diet." I stated matter-o-factly.

"Obviously. Anyways, shall we continue?" She asked with a tilt of her head, before standing and trotting inland.

I followed her closely as the ground changed from it's mix of sand and rocks to a twisting mess of dirt and vines. The jungle was dense, the large trees towered up into the sky as it's roots covered almost everything in a layer of vegetation. There wasn't a single sign that another pony had been here recently... or even at all.

'Perhaps we need not worry after all...'

We both stuck close, Luna's horn aglow as the light level slowly decreased the deeper into the towering spires we ventured. Eventually the jungle receded in favor of strange rock formations and sheer mountainous cliffs. Hundreds of cave entrances littered the walls, however one stood out particularly well. Any passerby may had simply ignored the cave as nothing seemed out of the ordinary. However, to an Alicorn, it's a different story.

Tendrils of white light billowed out of a cave roughly a hundred feet up, a small distance compared to the massive height of the wall it was nestled in. The strands of light leaked from the hole and dissolved into the air, a feeling of static causing me to shudder as we flew towards the entrance. Touching down in it's maw, we wasted no time in following it's twisting and jagged corridor deeper into the pitch darkness.

The cave descended sharply down into the depths of the island, Luna's horn casting a blue shine over the moist walls. Every step I took echoed through the cavern, followed by the occasional sound of dripping water.

"Are you sure he was from beyond the veil, sister?" Luna asked suddenly, craning her head around to meet me.

Nodding, I sighed. "Without a doubt. As I said before, his aura was unwavering. I just pray the heart is still safe."

Luna just nodded and continued on, inching a bit closer to me as the walls tightened. One of the bands of energy which flowed up and out of the cave broke apart like mist as I walked through it, a feeling of pins and needles washing over my leg. Small pieces of rock jutted out from the wall, occasionally scratching and marking my pristine coat. I didn't let my annoyance show on my face as we both descended into the depths of the cave, until the narrow passage suddenly opened into a large cavern with a massive pool of crystal clear water in the center.

The ceiling of the cavern was so high I could barely see it, with the exception of intermittent sparkles from water as it dripped from scattered stalactites. The very center of the room contained the object we traveled so far to see, floating just an inch off the water.

Hovering just above the liquid was a massive stone sphere, slowly spinning in place as runes etched all over it pulsed with a brilliant light. Wisps of bright energy poured from cracks in the stone and delicately bounced off the water before dispersing around the cavern.

"Something is wrong." I said low, stopping just before the water. "Can you feel it?" I asked as Luna came up next to me.

"Yes... it's lost a lot more power this time." Luna stated with a nod.

With a small flash of her glowing horn, she took a tentative step onto the water. Her hoof stopped on the still liquid with a small click, before the rest followed suit. I felt a tingle in my hooves as she flashed me a look, eliciting a smirk from me.

"Show off." I replied with an eye roll. "You were reading through some of Starswirl's old scrolls again weren't you?" I tsked in mock disapproval.

She nodded and smiled proudly. "Of course. Not using his life's work would be a waste of his knowledge, as he always told us,-"

"[i]'The spark of magic lies in us all, we need only seek it's wisdom.'[/i] I know, Luna." I cut in with a small chuckle.

She didn't say anything, and elected for sticking her tongue at me for a moment. I just shook my head before hesitantly following her onto the water. Just like Luna's, my hoof stopped on contact as if it was solid ground. With each step a barely noticeable ripple emanated out and across the pool, slightly disturbing it's tranquil stillness.

I gingerly followed behind Luna, slowly advancing on the imposing object floating ahead. With every inch closer I could feel my coat stand on end as the feeling of static slowly filled the air once again. There was no doubt about it now, something had weakened the heart.

Stopping just a couple feet away I carefully scanned the various runes on it's surface as I had many times before, having to crane my neck to read them all due to it's height towering over me at an impressive eight feet. I raised my hoof and carefully set it on the cold stone surface and closed my eyes. I could feel the hum of power inside along with a faint beating sensation, from which the anomaly was presumably named after.

"It's always lost power, albeit slowly." Luna began, slowly walking around the heart. "But something must be wrong, I can feel it's magical reservoir has been drained substantially. Sister," Luna paused for a moment from the other side of the heart. "With what power it has left… losing the veil is now a very real possibility. No... It's an inevitability!"

I didn't want to believe her words, but there was no other conclusion I could reach myself. Something had drained the heart of much of it's magic, and now all of Equestria… no all of Equis was in danger.

"We could try recharging it again?" I asked hopefully.

"We both know it won't work. We tried that the first time we found out the heart was losing it's magic." She answered as she appeared from around the large orb once more, eliciting an annoyed stomp from me and causing a small splash... momentarily forgetting about the water.

"Do you remember the prophecy mother and father left us?" She asked suddenly.

I nodded slowly, casting my gaze into the water. "Yes… I do. 'When shadow consumes the light during your darkest hour, salvation will come in the guise of Death's Servant.' Still sounds like more of a warning than a prophecy to me."

The 'Prophecy' left behind by our parents was straightforward yet vague. Our 'Savior' would be a 'Servant of Death?' None of it made sense nor inspired hope in me for the future, however it was all the information we had.

Luna nodded sorrowfully, arriving back at my side and sighing as she also placed her hoof on the large floating orb.

"It seems our time is running out faster than we imagined, we must find this 'Servant of death' before it is too late." I nodded in agreement, but before I could reply she turned to me with a wild look. "Tia, somethings happening!" She yelled suddenly, getting me to jump and splash a bit of water.

Before I could touch the stone myself, it suddenly stopped rotating.

Never, in all the many times and countless years I've visited and tested this artifact, had I ever seen it do anything other than float in place. I took a step back, as did Luna, while it slowly began to rise higher into the air. We both backed up, eyes glued to the large orb as the runes tattooed all over it began to brighten.

"Luna!" I yelled to my sister, who appeared by my side in an instant as my horn engulfed in magic.

A golden barrier projected around us, and we both watched as the light emanating from the heart increase in severity, until it became nearly blinding. I could feel a warmth through the shield as it washed over me, however it had a pleasant feel to it… almost soothing. Then in an instant, it all stopped. The cavern plunged into darkness as the heart's light went out completely for a moment, before a violent burst of light exploded from the floating orb and rocketed towards us.

It happened so fast I didn't even have time to react as my shield washed away like it was nothing, melting before my eyes against the endless current of white glow. I was bathed in the light completely for a moment, and I thought for sure any second the painful heat would begin to scorch my coat… however no such feeling ever arrived.

Instead a presence wrapped around my neck and draped a warmness over my back, causing my breath to hitch from the sensation. My mind told me it was impossible, whatever I was feeling right now was a fluke, or a trick from the spell... however the warmth I felt in it's embrace felt so familiar. The moment transpired in the blink of an eye, but for me it felt like an eternity as my body attempted to embrace the presence back. Before I could move however the moment ended, and so did the spell holding me above the water at the same time.

Freezing water rushed to meet me as I plunged down into it's depths. I splashed around in surprise for a moment, before quickly righting myself and breaking through the waters surface. I kept myself afloat there as I scanned the water, before plucking Luna out with my magic and bringing her to the edge with me. Setting her down on the stone ground I climbed out nearby and quickly moved to check her over.

"Thanks." Luna grumbled as she lit her own horn, pushing the water off herself as it quickly turned to steam.

I did the same and felt the coldness evaporate off me in seconds, my coat and wing feathers quickly drying off. Turning back to the heart I stared across the now disturbed water and took in it's new appearance.

"What happened?" I asked, examining the floating orb and noting it's substantially weaker glow.

I could feel an intensity in the air that was absent before, a powerful spell had just been cast… that was for certain. Magic was scattered about the cavern in various forms, from wisps of light darting around to the vegetation of the cave walls quickly producing glowing spores. If the residual magic alone was enough to do all this... just how powerful a spell had been cast?

Then like a light switch, my focus sharpened. I squinted towards the dulling orb, before spinning on my hooves and marching towards the way we came in.

"We haven't much time sister." I began, looking back to Luna as her own gaze tore away from the heart. "We must find this 'Salvation' the prophecy spoke of. Perhaps this Dalandor is related somehow, his presence is far too much a coincidence to let it slide."

Luna nodded quickly, trotting up to my side as we ascended the cave. "Agreed. This creature appeared so suddenly, and now the heart is in danger. He must be connected, perhaps I could try a dream walk..." She trailed off as we continued up the winding path.

We both exited the cave and breathed a sigh of relief upon reaching the opening. I took in a deep breath and held it for a moment, before looking up to the open sky.

"Sister, I'm afraid of what the future holds." I finally admitted, tearing my gaze down to the scattered rocks and grass below. "I'm afraid for all my ponies. I fear... the last thousand years I've been living in a dream world, and have grown soft."

I didn't take my gaze away from the ground, and waited anxiously for some kind of response.

Ever since that day I met Dalandor, I hadn't been able to stop thinking this. It was a sobering experience, speaking with a being so powerful yet so scarred. It woke me from the fantasy I'd built around myself here in Equestria, where everything was perfect and all problems could be solved with friendship.

Equestria had it's own fair share of past conflict, however none of it ever amounted to much combat... let alone bloodshed. Almost all wars of the past had ended diplomatically and had never seen a reason to deviate from a system that worked so perfectly.

With the realization the veil will inevitably fall, the crashing reality that my ponies will be subjected to horrors my parents had warned me about so many years ago weighed heavily on my heart. I had so much time to prepare when they left, and yet all these years later I had nothing to show for it.

"Do not blame yourself." Luna's voice suddenly broke me from my thoughts, as her wing draped across my back. "We still have time. We'll search for this 'Savior' and I'll rework the guard's regime." As I started to object she lifted a hoof to my mouth, silencing me. "No objections. We both know which of us is the more talented Swordsmare."

I furrowed my eyebrows and gave her an annoyed grin, before shaking my head and letting out a small chuckle. "As you wish, sister. Although Prince Armor may object to you altering his training drills." I added, eliciting a short laugh from Luna.

"Ha! Please. Cadence would give that stallion an earful if he said anything." She waved off, before sighing and dropping her smile. "No... it must be done. I'd wanted to tell you for a while now sister but, the Equestrian military is but a shadow of it's former self."

I groaned as she said it, having noticed it myself as well. "I know. Let's talk of this more later, I'm eager to get this flight over with." I stated, getting a quick nod from Luna.

With a mighty flap we both took off into the dark sky once more, starting our return journey to Canterlot. While the visit to the heart had not provided us with many answers, it had given us a new direction. It was clear now more than ever that Equestria can no longer play the pacifist role. The veil will fall, and the enemies of old, the Burning Legion… will one day return to finish what they started over ten thousand years ago.

Just as our parents had warned us.

For but a moment, the veil around the entire planet wavered… revealing the breathtaking world in all it's glory. As this shroud of magic flickered, a terribly powerful spell broke the atmosphere and ascended into the dark void of space at such astonishing speed that not a single being could have noticed.

Beyond Equestria, beyond the waning veil and across the great cosmos… the magical energy rocketed forth towards it's destination.

Just a spell, a simple one at that... but with tremendous power. What was tremendous about it?

The spell itself was just a light nudge, however were it to reach it's target in it's current form it would surely be a devastating strike. But it didn't have to be that powerful, only accurate. As the energy streaked past the stars it's power quickly waned, growing ever weaker so when it finally arrived at it's destination it could fulfill it's purpose...

A lone champion of light and a terrible king…

Just a nudge… the power to change history forever.

That, was tremendous power.

Atop Icecrown Citadel - Stairs to the Throne

My grip tightened around my weapon, a burning light radiating from it's divine steel. My gaze was locked with the target of all my ire and rage atop the frozen staircase as he slowly descended towards me.

Icecrown… we'd lost many valiant champions on our brutal march through this nightmarish Citadel. At last we stood before our final challenge…

The frozen throne of a monster, a false king and betrayer, lay before us.

"So... the Light's vaunted justice has finally arrived." His gravely voice vibrated through the frozen air as he regarded his blade. "Shall I lay down Frostmourne and throw myself at your mercy, Fordring?"

The rush of anger I felt quickly receded as the comforting warmth of the light reinforced my will, and my gaze hardened as I stared the monster down.

"We will grant you a swift death, Arthas." I began, raising my own blade towards him. "More than can be said for the thousands you've tortured and slain."

"You will learn of that first hand." He replied, lifting his empty hand as a cold mist rolled off it. "When my work is complete, you will beg for mercy - and I will deny you. Your anguished cries will be testament to my unbridled power."

As he reached the bottom of the steps he froze, Frostmourne in hand. We both stared at each other for what felt like forever, my eyes darting between his own and the blade in his grasp.

"So be it." I spoke with finality, before raising Ashbringer in both hands. "Champions, attack!"

Everything descended into chaos in an instant as a chorus of roars erupted around me. The champions I'd brought with me and who'd already risked their lives for the betterment of Azeroth time and time again… had followed me into this hell without question. I was proud to fight and die alongside them, for even the slim chance of victory.

I charged with all my might towards him, my sword gleaming with power in anticipation for the upcoming battle. However, before I made it across the icy landscape I found myself frozen in place, unable to act. Then I saw it, his hand lifted towards me and still rolling with dark energies… a shadow of a smile on his face.

"I'll keep you alive to witness the end, Fordring. I would not want the Light's greatest champion to miss seeing this wretched world remade in my image." With a flourish he sent out waves of dark power, and many ghoulish monstrosities began emerging from all directions.

I was forced to watch as each champion I'd gathered and trained myself were relentlessly attacked by all manner of undead. One by one they began to fall, however it seemed they were much stronger than he'd anticipated. They fought on, and I watched in horror as a nearby mage attempted to dispel my prison only to be twisted into a monster by some underlying curse.

The battle raged, and one by one the champions began to succumb to the never ending onslaught… until a well placed strike provided a moment of weakness. The King stumbled back, before raising his sword high above his head. In an instant everything froze, before an unstoppable force ripped through the air and decimated everything that was standing only moments prior.

'I've failed…' I thought to myself as I watched helplessly from my icy prison as each one of my peers fell to the ground, lifeless. 'I was a… fool for thinking I could beat him' Dark thoughts began to cloud my mind as I surveyed the scene… it was over.

"No questions remain unanswered. No doubts linger. You are Azeroth's greatest champions! You overcame every challenge I laid before you." He paused for a moment as he slowly looked around at the surrounding corpses.

I fought as hard as I could against the icy prison I found myself in, but the harder I struggled the more it seemed to drain me of my energy.

'No! I must break free!' Ashbringer began to glow a bit brighter in my hands as I locked eyes with Arthas ahead of me. 'I am the light's champion! I will defeat him, no matter the cost!'

He began to speak again, this time in a lower more thoughtful tone. "My mightiest servants have fallen before your relentless onslaught, your unbridled fury..." There was a deafening pause as I struggled against the spell binding me, feeling it slowly beginning to give way. "Is it truly righteousness that drives you? I wonder."

Slowly, he approached me. Each step he took echoed through the now quiet battleground and shook the ice which held me in it's cold grip. Stopping just short, he peered into the ice directly into me.

"You trained them well, Fordring." He spoke slowly, a rising feeling of dread washing over me in an instant. "You delivered the greatest fighting force this world has ever known... right into my hands - exactly as I intended." With a flourish of his cape he spun on his heels, before moving back to the center of the room and regarding the scattered bodies littering the ground. "You shall be rewarded for your unwitting sacrifice."

Stopping in the center of the room, he slowly raised his sword as a torrent of dark power washed forth like a relentless storm. Tendrils inched forth, before slowly cocooning each fallen champion and glowing with energy.

"Watch now as I raise them from the dead to become masters of the Scourge. They will shroud this world in chaos and destruction. Azeroth's fall will come at their hands-" He stopped his speech, turning to cast a glance towards me one last time. "-and you… will be the first to die."

Then he laughed, it's sickening sound penetrating the ice and ringing in my ears. Until he finished with a sigh and a terrifying smirk.

"I delight in the irony."

I watched helplessly as the bodies of the champions who had trusted me with their lives, slowly began to morph into horrible creatures of undeath. The sight sickened me, and fueled my will to see this monster ended, once and for all. The ice tried to hold me back, sapping my power and stamina the more I struggled. In one last desperate plea, I reached out to the last thing I could count on… the Light.

My muscles burned with the effort as the ice slowly shifted, my sword rising through the ice like thick molasses.

"Light, grant me one final blessing!" I bellowed, a familiar warmth igniting within me in an instant. "Give me the strength… to shatter… THESE BONDS!"

With one final roar, the ice shattered into a brilliant explosion before dissolving into blue mist. I dropped to the ground, and didn't miss a beat as I broke into a sprint towards my target, not wasting my last opportunity. Everything moved in slow motion as I neared him, each armored footfall impacting the ice and cracking it as I went.

I could see him turning to meet my charge with his eyes, and for the first time I saw… fear.

With a flex of my legs I leapt into the air, hoisting Ashbringer over my head before swinging down with all my might. I could feel the light guiding my strike, aiding me in ending the fight in a single blow. This was it, the culmination of the past few years led up to this final moment…

Today, the Lich King falls.

Then it happened, a barely noticeable change in momentum. My sword, halfway towards it's destination, suddenly veered ever so slightly off course. My eyes widened at the sudden change, and watched in horror as It barely glanced off Frostmourne… creating a mighty explosion which sent me rocketing away.

I landed with a hard crash, rolling across the ground a few times before skidding to a stop. Quickly righting myself back up, I turned to Arthas, who now kneeled partially collapsed as he regarded his blade with a look of pure rage. I could see a sizeable crack running through it's steel as it leaked with power.

We both stood slowly, our eyes locked on each other as a long silence ensued. I watched as his eyes surveyed the area, before flicking back down to his damaged sword.

"Time and time again you surprise me Fordring. When the day comes and you succumb to my overwhelming power, I will relish every moment." He paused, until a portal of purple suddenly erected behind him. "You have proven yourself a mighty foe, I'll admit. I hoped to not leave so soon, but heed my word. I will return, and when I do my armies of dead will march through this pathetic land… and the all-powerful chosen of the Light will beg me for death."

Raising his damaged weapon one last time, he growled in pure hatred as he pointed it straight at me. "Enjoy your short lived peace while it lasts... Tirion."

"No!" I shouted quickly, charging him as fast as my legs would carry me.

I rocketed across the battle scarred landscape in vain as he slowly backed into the twisting nexus of energy and disappeared from sight. A moment later my sword cleaved through the portal as it split around it like mist, dissolving before my eyes.

I stood there frozen, breathing ragged breaths as I watched the mist slowly dissipate into the air.

We lost, he escaped. It was all for nothing...

'No…' I gripped Ashbringer tighter, and looked up to the stars. 'He's wounded… I'll track him down and end him before he can regain his strength'

I slowly surveyed the area and the corpses littering it, the ones I'd failed. The ones that trusted me with their lives. Spinning around, I marched towards the staircase and ascended to the top as my mind raced. Where did he go? As far as I was aware, Arthas had burned the last of his bridges before holding up in his Citadel.

My train of thought came to a end as I reached the apex of the staircase and finally beheld the most daunting landmark in this entire Citadel... the Frozen Throne.

Currently, said throne was occupied by someone I never thought I'd see again... and couldn't help but gawk at his twisted form.

"Hello, Tirion." A haunting voice echoed as burning eyes bored into me.

Though he bore no resemblance to the man he once was, his armor was unmistakable. The proud Bolvar Fordragon sat before me, although a scorched shadow of his former self.

"We thought you dead brother!" I exclaimed in surprise as I moved towards him.

He raised a single hand and halted my advance, before motioning to his burnt figure. "I'm as close to crossing that line as one can be, friend. Arthas and his minions tried everything they could to... break me, make me submit... but I never gave in." He paused for a moment as he looked down at his clenched fists, before giving out a tired sigh. "For now, however, pleasantries can wait… more daunting tasks await us yet." He spoke solemnly as I nodded in agreement.

"He's gone, to where I cannot say." I admitted, slowly lifting my sword and peering at myself in the reflective steel. "I… don't understand. I was sure I had him, that strike was true."

"Indeed." Bolvar interjected, electing a confused look from me. "Your attack was guided by the light itself, and yet it missed. Odd, don't you think?"

Sheathing my sword, I turned and gazed down at the site of our battle as I remembered the strange feeling I had during my attack. "Something aided him… but why?"

"I cannot answer that, but it's something we'll have to figure out. For now…" He slowly stood from the throne, before passing me and descending the stairs. "Let us tend to these heroes. They fought bravely, and deserve to be removed from this cursed place for their final rest."

I watched him slowly near the bottom, before casting my own gaze across the top of the Citadel.

'Why?' I thought again to myself, clenching my fists in anger.

I wanted something to happen, anything at all to help me understand.

'Who would aid such a monster, just as he was about to be brought to justice?'

I shook my head and steeled my nerves, no matter where Arthas had decided to hide... I'd be there to drag him out and deliver him the Light's judgment.

No one in this entire realm will stop me in my quest.

No one.

Back in Equestria, night was upon the land once more.

A torrent of wind howled through a star lit landscape of snow, stretching for miles unmarred by even a single blemish. The occasional tree was visible in the white abyss, albeit cocooned in a thick shell of ice. The snow glittered in the starlight, and if not for the howling wind one could almost say you could hear it twinkling... if you listened closely enough.

Suddenly an invading noise pierce the area, and the air itself split in two with a pulse of violet light. The tear widened and not a moment later a figure emerged, carrying a freighting sword with eyes cold as death.

Arthas dropped to the ground with a grunt, before righting himself back up as three more figures spilled through the portal as well. He watched them land in the snow and waited for the next to come through, however after a few moments the portal suddenly shifted and dissolved... much to his annoyance.

Casting his eyes back down to the three figures, they cowered under his icy gaze.

"This is all that remains?" He growled as he scanned the three figures. "Two Geists and a lone Death Knight?"

The aforementioned Knight dropped to one knee, piercing her Runeblade into the snowy landscape and bowing her head.

"My King, I'm afraid the Champions of light left our forces... decimated. And when your grip lifted from our minds... many fled." She admitted, as the other two geists dared not move.

"Pathetic." He stated coldly, a heavy silence drowned out by the howl of wind.

Slowly lifting her head, she dared look him in the eyes. "I am Knight Therra… and we remain loyal, master. We heeded your call even after the haze lifted."

The king regarded his blade, and recalled the same situation which had happened at Light's Hope Chapel, when the Light's presence had freed many of his forces from his control.

Inside of this… 'Veil' he felt isolated. It had forcibly severed his control over the minds of his loyal servants, allowing their free will to flood forth once more. Once that control is relinquished, it proved much more difficult to reinstate. He would truly have to start rebuilding his army from scratch, however… Frostmourne must first be returned to it's former glory.

He looked over the few who had still followed him through the Death Gate, at least some had remained loyal even without his influence gripping at their minds.

"So it seems. You will be rewarded for your loyalty my servants of the damned... in time." He ran a hand over Frostmourne and the blemish it now held, before looking up at the unfamiliar sky. "First we must repair Frostmourne. I sensed a great well of power in this world when what they call the 'Veil' flinched."

Looking back down at the Knight, he aims his sword behind her. "Travel forth, return only when you find signs of life. We must replenish our forces with haste." The three figures quickly nodded, before scrambling away and beginning their journey.

"Use the cover of night, you cannot be seen." He added, his voice carrying a chilling warning. "We cannot risk being found just yet, there are powerful users of magic within this realm."

The three trekked through the barren, snowy landscape… scouring the area for any signs of civilization but heeding the warning their master had given them. All night they walked, their stamina never faltering as they trudged on through the knee deep snow. After hours of brisk travel, a small orange glow in the distance caught the attention of the party.

Lifting her free hand, the Knight pointed towards the horizon where the glow had been coming from. The two geists needed only a moment to process the command, before they bounded off towards the aforementioned light. The three arrived on the outskirts of a settlement, containing small homes with a few chimneys currently emitting gentle stacks of smoke.

One geist cleared his throat, the disgusting sound of bubbling bile escaping it's maw. "Should we take some back? *Cough* Master would be pleased to have more… able bodies."

"Only if the chance presents itself. Do not seek out conflict just yet, remember our orders." The Knight warned as they all crept towards the town.

The streets were silent, and not a single soul even knew the horrors which crept just outside their walls. Somehow it felt as if a different kind of chill had seeped into the area. Only as the sun rose over the horizon and bathed the town in it's warmth did the strange feeling vanish. With it, however, a few other things had gone missing as well as the cries of search parties fruitlessly scoured the town in vain.

Some ponies, it seems, never made it home last night.