"Alright, use your bow, cover us from atop the tower. Sunset, flank them. I see a door over there and it might lead to a vantage point." Trail says, Anvil nods and being a pegasus, flies to the top of the tower. Sunset just gives a quick "Right." and enters the building, leaving Trail figuratively alone. Raising his battered shield, he advances downstairs, where the three spear wielding Hollows awaited. A bolt lets loose from the top of the tower, where a Hollowed crossbowstallion was held up. But just as quick as the bolt flew downwards, its head came falling down. He is dead. The bolt, off its target from frantic aim, knocks into the shoulder of one Hollow, who screams in anger and looks in Trails direction. He lets loose a terrible battle cry and rushes Trail, but it anger proved folly and Trail quickly finished it off with a slash across the unarmored stomach. Replacing the bolts was an arrow, from Anvils roguish bow, is loose in the air, but misses and chips into the nearby stone. Trails glances up at the tower and huffs before returning his attention to the hollows. The creatures were slow when they weren't angered. Opting to hide behind their shields and slowly advance.'Where the hell is Sunset?' Trail thought, blocking a jab, followed by another jab, and another. Trail decided to reply with his own jab sequence, reaching under his shield with his sword and jabbing at the recipient.

Barely any blood spurted from its wound.

A crash is heard, Trail looks in its direction as does the other Hollows. Sunset just crushed a Hollow with her armored hooves. She engages the second Hollow, who decides to reply with his own assault. Trail uses this confusion to his advantage and strikes out at the distracted hollow in front of him. But before the blade even nicks the bloody skin that is the Hollow, an arrow finds its home in the eye of said Hollow. It slumps to the ground with a thud, Trail glares at Anvil. Wondering why he decides to kill it now. Looking back over, Trail sees that Sunset finished her battle unscathed, say for the blood on her faceplate, but chances are high that its not hers. Anvil flies down to meet with them, but as he lands, they continued on without him. Continues up the stairs towards the tower. Anvil sighs a weary sigh and follows up. As Trail begins to ascend the stairs, a flaming barrel is kicked towards him, rolling down the stairs at an alarming speed. Sunset grabs him and pulls him back.

"I really need to stop saving you and let your ass get burned." She sighs. As the barrel rolls over the railing. A Hollow charges them, prompting Anvil to end it with an arrow between the eyes. Then up the tower they advance. Trail goes first, leaving Sunset to cover the rear.

"Damn, clumsy fool..." Sunset mutters.

They entered the tower, a locked door opposite them and a set of stairs. Trail, deciding that getting to the bell was more important than some exploration. He climbs up the stairs, followed by his comrades. they come to a foggy gate. Similar to what was in the Undead Asylum. Trail starts for it, but is quickly stopped by Anvil.

"What are you doing? Do you not know what lies behind fog doors?" He asks. Trail shakes his head for a solid "No". "Hijo de puta, behind that door lies one of the toughest creatures to reside in Lordran. You should only fight these things when your ready, hermano."

"Yes, I have tangled with creatures like these, they are not to be trifled with unless you are ready. They're called Beasts of Might." Sunset chimes in. Trail looked to the doorway. Deciding that if that's where they got to go, then that's where they
ll go. "Maldición, esto va a ser malo." Anvil mutters before entering the fog gate alongside Trail, Sunset follows up. When Trail comes out the other side, he sees nothing. Nothing but battlements. Anvil comes out behind him, but immiediatly looks and takes flight. Landing atop the tower, muttering something about vantage points. Leaving Trail and Sunset to walk alone. Sunset flips her faceplate up as she walks along, Trail follows suit..

"I don't know why there was a fog gate, I don't see anything up here." She says.

"Yes, maybe somepony was here before us eh?" Trail said, walking alongside her. She stops and looks out at the horizon, causing Trail to stop and look at her.

"Not likely." She replied, staring at the horizon and lowering her stance. She felt calm, and that was good for all of them. Trail on the other hand, looked to her with a cocked brow and a frown.

"You really can't take a joke, can ya?" He asks.

"If you have been through all I have, jokes would mean nothing to you as well."

"Bloody broad." Trail mutters before continuing on, but Sunset looks to him and opens her mouth.

"You ever seen something this beautiful, Trail?" She asked, stopping Trail in his tracks. He cocks his brow once more, turning to meet her.

"What?" He replies.

"The light, the sun itself... Its a beacon in a dismal world..." She said. "Its gives an undead hope, and its warmth in the days keeps many of us going." She daydreamed. Trail smiled, moving to her side and gazing out with her.

"In the short time I've known you, Sunset, you never struck me as a mare with an eye for beauty, more of a badass actually.... that being said, this does look great.... but why are you creaming your spinach over this?" He asked. She looked to him, bit of a frown crossing her cheeks.

"It gives me hope that one day, the world will heal itself." She says, gazing out at the sun. He notices a tuft of red mane poking out from under her helmet. She looked back at him. Her eyes said sorry. "Its moments like these, Trail, the makes the world not seem so bad." She says, before continuing onwards. Lowering her faceplate. Trail follows...

The mare was complicated in his eyes. She was a badass. She could've slit his throat earlier no problem and still seems as if she wants to kill Anvil. She has no sympathy or pity for the hollowed. But she does have a soft side. A penchant for beautiful things, such as the sunset.

Its best to tread lightly. To his knowledge, she could be emotionally fragile.

As they encroached on the other tower, a noise is heard.. A loud thumping noise.. Its a speedy noise, and its getting louder. Closer.

*CRASH*

Sunset backed away, covering her eyes as the dust kicked up towards her. Trail, on the other hand, drew his sword. He was ready for such an event. And the dust did not matter. The beast looked down upon them with a gigantic axe in hand, horns on its head, glowing red eyes, a sadistic grin on its face, a hairy body and scaly tail and its anger filling the air... It was a Bull Demon.

And it was out for blood...

"Shit!" Trail yelled as he backed away. The demon roared and reared up with its axe, ready to cleave Sunset in two, whom had her flamberge out, wielding it by her magic. She was not going to survive the blow, not even with her plate. Trail jumps at her and pushes out of the way, landing on top of her. The ordeal caused her to lose her grip on the flamberge, as the demon smashed where she once was, the flamberge reacts to the force and flies off the ledge, and into the abyss below.

"Run for it!" He yelled at her, and without acknowledging it, she gets up and gallops for the tower. Trail followed, he could see Anvil, waving his forelegs frantically and pointing at a ladder nearby.

They arrived at the ladder, Trail is breathless, while Sunset is not... She is used to this. Of course, she has been in Lordran longer, and is the prey of some kind of evil. She has been running for a long time, Trail has not.

But then again, Trail is just recently undead. Its also possible he was not used to it all.

Being the chivalrous pony he was, Sunset climbed up first, her armored hooves clanking on the wooden ladder, its a wonder how it doesn't collapse from that. 'Oh shit, its coming back!" Trails thoughts screamed, he dared a glance back... There it was, coming straight for him. Trail froze, fear overtaking him. This was nothing like the Asylum Demon, that demon was weak and stupid. This one if different. Its smart... And larger.

But something stopped it, something jumped on his head, a pony..... It was Sunset! She plunged her shortsword into the skull of the demon, but it didnt seem to kill it, as it reached for her, she jumped off, and fled the other direction. It followed.... "No!" Trail yelled as stuck the grip of his sword into his mouth, drew his shield, and charged. He wasn't sure what effect his charge would do, but it could keep it off her. This kind of bravery is what got him Chief Officer rank. He ran as fast as his legs would carry him, and, with his shield raised, he ran straight into the demons leg. It got his attention as he turned, with is axe reared up for a chop. Anvil came around with dagger, flying in front of the beast and taking an eye out. It screamed in agony as one of its eyes was taken from his very body, but it could still see unfortunately.

It swiped at Anvil, who was still in air, the demons eye impaled on his dagger. He nocked another arrow and let it loose, with the demon raising his hand to block the arrow. It still impaled its skin. It looked back at Trail and Sunset, one with a shortsword in magical grip, the other with a broadsword in mouth and shield in hoof. It roared and charged at them, but they held their ground. There was no where really to go... Nothing seemed to be hurting the beast. Plus Anvils arrows really isn't having any effect. Besides pissing the thing off... It reared up, axe at the ready. And now it doesn't seem anything will prevent this. Trail is going to have to experience death. The horrible... Horrible cold feeling... But something fast zipped by Trail, and he felt a hard shove that sent him to the floor, Sunset too. Then a loud bang occurred, with a flash that made Anvil cover his eyes and almost knocked him out of the air. Trail dared a look up at the demon, when last he was standing, its axe was coming down on them, but now its axe is back by its side, his free hand covering his eyes... It was blinded!

"What are you doing? Finish it off!" A mysterious cloaked figure yelled at Sunset, who nodded and charged the demon down, with a heavy force her armor allowed, which was significant. It fell down with a heavy thump, Trail looked at the demon as it rolled over, reaching for its axe, which fell off the nearby ledge. The demon followed shortly after another loud bang and flash. It sent it off the ledge, roaring in terror the whole way. It was dead. Trail looked up at the figure who saved him and Sunset from a death. It was still wrapped in a tan cloak. A morning star sheathed with the loop attached to the cloak. It turned and looked at Trail...

"What the..." Trail murmured...

It looked at Trail with emerald eyes with slit pupils, a dark purple coat.......fangs..... Its mouth curled in a smile.. It was a bat pony... It kept its eyes focused on Trail, its smile not faltering. Then it spoke.. "You don't look harmed, guess I made it in time." She said, her voice showed it was a mare. Bat ponies always freaked Trail out, so he didn't feel easy when she spoke, he stood up. She turned her gaze over to Sunset who was watching her as well.

"I assume you didn't hurt yourself either." She asked... Sunset paused for a minute before answering. "No." She said. She then looked at Anvil, who was rubbing his eyes. Her smile faltered slightly."Heh, sorry about that." She called up to him, realizing she blinded him temporarily. "Its.... Alright... Ill be... fine." He called back, still rubbing his eyes.... She looked back at Trail, noticing his uneasy stance around her. She smirked at it.

"Hey, relax... If I wanted you dead, you would already be dead." She said.... Trail made a gesture that gave off that what she said didn't put him at ease... Sunset came up behind her.

"Who are you? And where did you come from?" She said, the bat turning her head.

"My name, hah. That's usually not the first question I get." She said, chuckling.

"¿Por qué? What is the first question you usually get?" Anvil asks, his eyesight must be returning, as he looks down at the bat pony. His eyes a blood red.

""Are you going to drink my blood?" Is the first question. Its a refreshing change not to hear to it for once, hehehehe." She said, imitating a frightened doofy sounding stallions voice. Looking back at Sunset, she replies to the original questions. "My name is Midnight Wish. As for my reasoning of being here, i'm on pilgrimage to the Bells of Awakening. I was just passing by when I noticed your friend up there having trouble with the demon. Decided to lend a hoof." Midnight said, pointing at Anvil. She looks over at Trail. "You know my name, lets hear yours." She says, her eyes looking into Trails... A sign of respect, or challenge. "My name is Trail Breeze... As for my armored.... friend...here, her name is Glimmering Sunset, up there, our Pegasus friend, well, he's Anvil." Trail answers, his nervousness very apparent. This causes Midnight to chuckle. She stops and looks over to the bridge across the way. Then looks back at Trail.

"Are you the leader of this fellowship?" She asks.

"Uhhhh, lets go with yes." He says, raising an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Are you heading towards the Bell of Awakening?" She asks.

"Thats.... where I am heading. They are just tagging along." Trail replies.

"As if I have anything better to do." Anvil mutters. Midnight looks up to Anvil, giving him a subtle hint that she heard him. Then looks back at Trail, smiling, fangs showing. "Looks like our paths have intersected then. Let me join you, at least until we reach the bell.. Then you wont have be scared of me anymore." She says, chuckling even more. "Oh, you didn't think I knew? I can sense it... Your fear.. You don't have to be afraid, i'm not going to hurt you." She said. "Sunset and Anvil seems to be fine with me."

"I wouldn't say "fine". I have never heard of a bat pony cleric." Sunset says, lifting her faceplate and gesturing to Midnights talisman. "Well, most of us prefer the dark caves where we can live in peace, but some of us have a.......... adventurous spirit... Hehehehe." She chuckles.

"Bat ponies always put me on edge... I'm just frightened is all.... I think its the fangs." Trail pipes us. Midnight looks at. "Yeah, well, Ill try not to freak you out for the short time i'm with you." She replied. Her mouth still curled in a smile. "Yeah, well, your not doing good so far." Trail said.

Anvil lands, his eyes still red, and enters the tower, the one from which the demon jumped from. Trail follows, along with Sunset and Midnight, Trail trying to keep away from Midnight. Trail picks up his pace to match with Anvil, he had words to say. "How do you feel about this? A Bat pony following us?" He asked.

"Eh , que da miedo. But it would be bueno to have a cleric with us... For a short time." Anvil replied as he descended down some stairs."Uhhhh, cleric?" Trail asked, the word confusing him.

"Really? A Clérigo, cleric, is a healer. They use holy magic to heal their friends and themselves, their spells are called miracles. But they are not limited to healing, what you saw her use earlier was a miracle called Wrath of the Gods. A very powerful Miracle indeed." Anvil said, keeping his voice down so Midnight wouldn't hear him. "Holy magic? I thought alicorns and unicorns were only capable of magic." Trail said.

"You have not spent much time in Lordran, have you? Things are different here, for miracles, if you have a lot of faith in the gods, then they grant you the power to cast Miracles, if your smart, sourceries. And if your tenacious, pyromancries." Anvil explains...

"Yeah, your going to have to explain this some more to me later.... I don't like this." Trail says as they exit the tower, looking down the bridge... Its filled with scorched corpses, and Heavy Armored Hollows... "I will watch the bridge, just... see if there is anyways around..." Anvil said, taking flight. Trail watches as Midnight takes out her talisman and kneels, holding the talisman to her face and mumbling something inaudible... Trail looks over at the balcony that was to their right when they left the tower, the sun is super bright, but seems to be setting. It would be dark in a few hours.

Trail walks over to the balcony, followed by Sunset, her eyes glowing in the sunlight. He looks down to see a figure, clad in armor, standing further down the balcony, staring up at the sun... The structure of the figures body showed it was a stallion. Hopping the barrier, he lands further down on the balcony, pass the stairs leading down, the sudden noise caused the stallion to turn his head in Trails direction, the speed of which his head turned startled Trail, causing him to reel back.

"Don't be shy now. I wont bite." He said. Trail, calming, approached the figure, who returned his gaze towards the sun... "Hello?" Trail cautiously announced.

"Well, hello there. You don't look hollow, far from it actually since you retain your skin." He said, not looking back at Trail. "I am Solaire of Astora, an adherent to princess of the sun. I have come to this land, willingly becoming Undead, to seek my own sun." He said, cheerfully. Trail narrows his eyes and looks at him. This was strange even to him. 'The hell does he mean 'His own sun?' He thought.

"Do you think that's strange? Well you should. Ahahahahaha. No need to worry though, as I get that look all the time.. Ahahahha" He laughed as Sunset joined them. "Who is this, Trail?" She asked.

"Ah, so are not alone. Well good then, how long have your worlds been intact?" Solaire asked. Turning his head in Sunsets direction, Trail could see yellow eyes peeking out from behind the slits in his helmet. "Our worlds? They have been intact since we have met. I believe they are stuck together." She replied.

"Well then, that must mean your destinies are one of the same, or if not the same, then they both depend on one another, although its not my place to say. For I have no idea." Solaire said, as if this is supposed to make sense. "Hold on! What do you mean "Worlds intact"?" Trail interrupted.

"Oh, forgive me. You must be new to Lordran." He apologized. "Time in Lordran is convoluted, with heroes centuries old phasing in and out.
The very fabric wavers, and relations shift and obscure. Worlds though, are centered around every pony, you have your own world, and I my own. Worlds can intersect should your destiny be on of the same with another, or if both destinies depend on one another to unfold. But who could say? But yours and mine, well I don't feel as though our destinies depend on each other, so there is no telling how much longer your world and mine will remain intact." He explained. "But, use this this." He said, handing Trail a white stone. "To summon one another as spirits, cross the gaps between the worlds, and engage in jolly co-operation! Of course, we are not the only one engaged in this. But I am a warrior of the sun! Spot my summon signature easily by its brilliant aura. If you miss it, you must be blind! Ahahahaha" He finished.

"What is this?" Trail asked.

"A White Sign Soapstone, with it on your person, you can see other signs. Touch these signs, and you will summon the spirit of another pony to your world for a limited time. During this time, they can assist you in combat, and keep you safe from the Darkwraiths who prowl the lands. And should you feel charitable, mark your unique sign on the ground, and then wait. Ponies in other worlds could pass by and accept the assistance. But should you ever pass an orange sign, always summon that instead of your regular white, for orange marks the sign of a spirit of a Sunlight Warrior. They are much better than your standard spirit. Ahahaha..... Mine is orange..." He said as Midnight approached.

"Ah, another. You have many friends, Trail. That is a good thing to have in this land. Hang on to them.... Now I bid you farewell. I shall remain behind, to stare at the sun... The sun is a wondrous body. Like a magnificent father!" He said. Sunset smiled at this.

"If only I could be so grossly incandescent..." He finished.

"Who is this?" Midnight asks, Solaire doesn't respond, nor does he look back."This is Solaire, he is...... a friend... Now." Trail answered.

"We should go, there is no path to the bell going this way." Midnight said, gazing over the balcony... Keeping her eyes from looking into the light. She turns to leave, and Sunset follows... Trail moves to leave, but stops himself and looks over to Solaire..... Or at least, to where he was. He is gone now...

"Where did he...." Trail muttered, but stopped himself. 'Time in Lordran is convoluted, with heroes centuries old phasing in and out. The very fabric wavers, and relations shift and obscure.' Echoes in his mind.

'There is no telling how much longer your world and mine will remain intact.' Echoes.

<><><>

After attempting to open the door opposite to the tower they came from, and after asking Midnight what she doing earlier, with the response being "Prayers for the Dead". Was a bat pony really being religious here? Trail looked over the bridge, the corpses remained long after death. Were these undead, or pure blood ponies? Well, the answer is long forgotten, died with them. What remained was the question of how they died.... They were charred, bloody, and, well, simply unrecognizable. Pyromancries, was it? Fire? Did a Darkwraith get them with fire magic?

Trail started across the bridge, Anvil followed suit, although cautiously. Midnight remained behind, continuing her prayers, saying she will catch up, Sunset remained with her to keep her protected. Trail, with his sword grip in his mouth, and his battered shield in his left hoof, he advanced along the bridge towards the Hollows. Anvil with his shortbow ready. Were the Hollows responsible for these deaths? No, cant be. Hollows are stupid, they cant know Pyromancries. Heavy wafting breaks the sound barriers. But no known source is responsible. Anvil looks up, terror on his face. Trail refuses to look up though, his eyes focused on the Hollows in front of him... He is watching them, and they, watching him. Outnumbered until Sunset and Midnight catch up... More wafting fills the air, a shadow passes over Trail...

"De los dioses! Dragon! Run!" Anvil yells, fear apparent in his voice. He turns tail and runs, back in the direction they came. Trail, motionless, stares a the dragon.... Its staring back, evil red eyes filled with anger. Anger because Trail and his friends are intruding on his home.... "Fuck!" Trail screams, sheathing his sword and running as fast as his legs and shield would allow.... The dragon takes a deep breathe, and exhales a river of fire, it spreading over the bridge faster than Trail can run....

"Come on! Run! You can make it!" Anvil is screaming, his head peeking out from behind a wall. Sunset and Midnight is nowhere to be seen. Trail picks up his pace, hoping to outrun the fire.... His tail starts to burn, then his flank..... He was not fast enough, the fire engulfs him, his screams filling the air. Should he have been a pure blood, his face would've melted into a pony gumbo stew. Should he have been a pure blood, he would've died outright. He collapses, his face burned, his whole body burned, but still he retains his lifeforce... The dragon has not claimed him yet. The last thing he sees before falling unconscious is Midnight coming around the corner, running to help him.

<><><>

"So, Trail.... You have made new friends? Including a child of the night?" Luna asked... Trails dreamworld always was bleak, dark, the only light is himself, and Luna of course. He got up, he feels fine now. What seemed like an eternity to him in the real world, the pain has gone, time is now normal again... He can feel is mane, his red and white streaked mane, its still intact. Not burned, not falling out from Hollowing. No he was very much alive. Not pure blood, but not quit undead either... Or at least in the dreamworld.

"Child of the night? The bat mare? She yours?" Trail asked, rubbing at his coat.... Feels clean.

"No, she is not an agent. She is very much a wandering soul of her own." Luna says, almost sounding like the cryptic she is.

"Well, hmph, I guess that's reassuring," Trail said. Silence reigns in the dreamworld... After a good few minutes, Luna breaks the silence.

"Do you know of your destination?" Luna asks.

"Yes. The Bell of Awakening in the Undead Church. The discover the fate of the undead." Trail replied. Luna shook her head.

"Its not as simple as that, my knight. Your journey is going to be rigorous. Its going to take you farther than the Bells of Awakening. You are going to meet others, and your allegiance is going to change more than once.." Luna says.

"Why are you telling me this?" Trail asks.

"Because, you need to be ready. When you encounter these factions, these ponies, everything.... You are going to need guidance.... Now I suppose you have questions... I am here to answer." Luna said.

"Yes.... The Gods.. What.... Who are they? I thought you, your sister, Cadence and Twilight were the only holy beings in the world.." Trail said.

"The gods... That's what they are called, in Lordran, many have lost faith in me, my equals... My sister... And I don't blame them.... What benevolent being would allow what happens in Lordran to happen? Ponies, Griffons, Zebras, Changelings, Deer, Diamond Dogs, all of them, lost faith, or at least the believers did. When they lost their faith, well to keep themselves from Hollowing, they created their own beliefs, and with it, gods... " She said, gesturing Trail to follow, and so he did. The dark dreamworld transformed into a hallway, with colorful windows like you would see in a Celestial Church. Each window pane with a god or goddess pictured in it.

"Gods such as Velka, the Goddess of Justice, Sin is her domain, and she dispenses justice as she sees fit... Fina.... The treacherous goddess of beauty. Her followers are devoted to the mare, to the point of zealotry." She said as she pointed at Finas' pane. Then directing him to a smashed pane, whats left depicting a pony with a sword, and armor with sunlight behind said pony... "This was the Nameless Firstborn, brother to Prince Blueblood. Nephew to Princess Celestia.... He came to Lordran with her many years ago, but his love for war caused him to be left behind on the trek through Lost Izalith. He was never seen again. Princess Celestia, abhorred by the Firstborns nature, had his name expunged from the roster of her expedition, had a runner send word back to the world outside to remove all traces of his existence... He was forgotten, and in time, his own name was forgotten among the ranks and survivors of the expedition." She explained...

"And the worst part.... These false gods have come to fruition. They exist. Heavy belief rendered them real... But they seem.... Bound to this plane, this land, Lordran. So they cant challenge the true goddesses of this world." Luna finalized. Trail looked back up at the panes, he had more questions to ask, and less answers he would get,

"Well, I guess, it goes deeper than that." Trail replies.

"Indeed, it does. But even with my deity status, I know little of this world. Lordran... But there are many books you can find..... Scattered about... Whenever you find one, keep it, and read it on your spare time.." She said, the hallway dissipating. "Now, one final thing, your waking up, so I have little time to explain.... These factions... Covenants.... There are plenty of these here in Lordran. Many with good goals in mind, but with their own agendas.... My advice, find a covenant and stick with it... Because, having a group backing you up will help you in the months to come....." She said.

"Like what? Which one should I join?" Trail asks.

"That is for you to decide... But be warned... Leaving a covenant is betrayal, and then Velka will dispense justice as she sees fit.... This dream is coming to an end, and my connection to you is weakening as you get further from Firelink, do not expect me to contact you again for a while. Do the right thing.... My knight.." She said, her voice becoming an echo as she disperses from the dream.

He is alive.

<><><>

"Come on, come on. Wake up..." Sunset says. When the flames scorched the bridge, Trail didn't get off in time. The results were Trails body fully being scorched. Burned... Nothing a few miracles and Estus couldn't fix though. But all in all, Trail is lucky to not have died. Midnight has been trying to keep him from death, as he is on the brink... She has casted many healing miracles and right now is in the process of casting another. Anvil himself is watching the dragon, making sure the only part of him visible is his head.

"There, he is waking up!" Sunset says, Anvil turns his head, but only for a second before looking back. Keeping his eye on the beast. Midnight pauses her prayer and looks up at Trail, her emerald eyes peeking out from under her hood. Trail attempts to rise, but she stops him. "No, no. Stay down, the burns you suffer will induce great pain should you move, its gonna take a few gulps of this to get rid of them" She said, holding up an Estus Flask. Trail looks at her, any fear he had of bat ponies was gone at this moment. For him to live, he needed to cooperate. "A...alright.... How....how l-long was I out?" He choked.

"Uh, about 30 minutes, hombre. I assumed you were going to die... Your a lucky SOB." Anvil said. Not taking his eyes off the beast that was the dragon. Trail opened his mouth to say something, but held his tongue with a groan as pain began to wrack his body. "The good news is that the fire killed the Hollows, bad news? There is a dragon on the bridge." He added.

"Alright, open wide. Due to the extent of your wounds, it will take an hour or two to fully heal.. Considering you have been roasted inside and out, i'd say your lucky to have survived Trail.." Midnight said, pouring Estus into Trails mouth, slowly. He offers little resistance as the Estus slowly flows down his throat.... The feeling was goooood. The bottle was empty before he realized it.

"Alright, someone is going to have to carry him, he cant move on his own... Not yet anyways." Midnight said, looking at Anvil.

"Fuck that, i'm the one carrying the bow and daggers. Gonna be hard to nock an arrow when i'm carrying a stallion." Anvil said. Midnight sighed. "Looks like i'm doing it then, we need Sunset to defend us." She said. She grabs Trails right foreleg, and put it over her shoulders and around her neck, holding it with her right foreleg and balancing herself with her left, Trail leaning on her isn't making it easier.

Trail, in his gloomy state, keeps his eyes to the floor. But as Midnight stands there, talking to Anvil, he notices an orange glow on the ground. WIth unintelligible words scrawled in it. He nudges Midnight with his free foreleg to get her attention, then points at it.

"A message..." She said, she touched the words, then they became understandable. "Beware of drake. Try dashing." She read... She then looked at Anvil, who read her mind..

They were gonna have to run for it.

<><><>

Sunset, who held Trails shield in her magical grip, was in front of the group, Anvil was back with Midnight, holding Trail up. They began dashing across the bridge, the dragon watching them. "Keep moving! Don't stop!" Sunset yelled, shield raised at the dragon, the block any fireballs it might spew at them. But it didn't.... Just watched instead... As they got closer to the dragon, Sunset noticed a small stairway leading down into the ramparts of the bridge.... The dragon took in a deep breath, it was about to spew forth hell.

"Duck down there! Go!" She yelled, turning towards the stairs and almost tripping as she ran down, Midnight and Anvil followed, with Trail in their arms. Heat began to fill the room they were in, it was hot. Super hot. But after a few seconds, it was over. The fire on the bridge has gone. When they took their eyes off the roof, they looked over and saw they were not alone... There was a mangled skinless pony in there with them, he looked Hollowed, but didn't attack them, despite knowing they were there.... His mouth, or what was left of it, started to open. He was gonna say something.

"Well now, what do we have here? 4 ponies, one badly burned? Ahehehehe... At least your all sane... And if your sane, your welcome to buy." He said, despite looking Hollowed, his voice sounded as if there was nothing wrong with him... Not a gravelly voice you would expect. Midnight and Sunset looked at each other. "You..... sell things?" Sunset asked.

"Yes, trinkets, odds and ends... That sort of thing. All from the corpses above... Neehehehehehe!!!" He said.. "And when you lose your heads, ill sell it all again.. Nehehehehe AHahahaha!" He laughed. That settled it, he was on the verge of insanity.

"Alright, against my better judgement.... Ill look over your wares. You guys go on ahead. Ill catch up." Sunset said, pulling a sack off from her belt.

"I hope you brought plenty of souls." He said. Trails face went quizzical from this, but he was too exhausted to question it. Souls as currency? What?

"Alright just don't..... kill him... He might be insane, but-" Midnight said, before being interrupted by the Undead Merchant. "Insane? Don't use such terms... Yulia here is keeping my quiet happy, and sane! Nehehehhe!" He laughed, patting the grip to a katana in its scabbard.

"Yulia? You....you mean the sword?" Anvil asked.

"Don't call her a sword... You'll hurt her feelings, and she does NOT like her feelings being hurt." He said. With this, Anvil takes his daggers out and takes point, exiting to the underside of the bridge. Midnight follows, Trail passed out, leaning on her. The left Sunset to fend for herself should this insane stallion go nuts and attempt to cut her up with "Yulia". The came out under the bridge, the dragons tail visible from where they were... They advance towards a small ledge, the only way to advance is to move across it. And for ponies, its extremely dangerous. Especially if one is carrying a sleeping pony. Anvil, sheathing his daggers, takes Trail by his shoulders, Midnight, his legs. The pass over the ledges almost without incident, but once they got to the other side, an armored Hollow awaited them. But, being stupid and frail that they were, it was easy for Anvil to grab and throw him over the ledge to end him. Midnight picks Trail back up.

Anvil looked over at the dragons tail.... An idea sparks in his mind. Taking out one of his daggers, he flings it at the dragons tail. "What are you doing?" Midnight asks.

"I'm trying something, a rumor I heard." Anvil said, taking out his bow. He nocked an arrow and let is loose, and, like a dart shot to its mark, it hit its target, the knife embedded in the dragons tail. It cuts through, and the tail lumps off... The dragon lets loose a terrible scream, then flies off. The tail caught on a spike protruding out of the wall.

"Ill be right back, tend to Trail." He said, taking flight. Midnight lies the unconscious Trail down, and then she sat down with her back against a wall, laying his head on her hind legs. She takes out her Estus Flask, very few drops left. But even a drop can save a life. She opens his mouth, and pours every last bit in... 'Dammit, no more... Really hope I don't end up needing it.' Her thoughts echoed... She looked at his armor, a dusty and tarnished golden barding. With 2 diamonds on both his shoulders. It looked bad, at one point, it could have been a tough piece of equipment, able to withstand a flaming quarrel. Maybe even a thump from a club. But now, it looks like trash. Looks.....feels....like ash... Her hooves scanned it, it doesn't feel like cloth at all. Nor metal... But it does feel like ash... For whatever reason he is wearing this, it is no wonder he keeps getting wounded. Grabbing the barding by its collar, and with how weak it is, she rips it in half, an ashy mist filling the air. She breaks into a coughing fit, her gut begins to rumble in pain as the coughing gets worse. She turns her head until the mist dissipated.. She tore what was left off of his body, he might not have protection now, but its not like he had any before.

What was left was a white coated stallion, with a red mane and white streaks. She took the diamonds out of the ash pile and put those in her pouch. 'He might want those later.' She thought. She looked up in time to see Anvil return, a bloody and gory looking sword in hoof.

"Where did you go? Whats that?" Midnight asked.

"A Drake Sword, I heard a rumor that you can carve weapons out of dragon tails, I carved a sword out of it. Figured I give it to Trail when he comes to.... Speaking of which, where did his barding go?" He asked.

"I tore it off, it was ash practically." She said, gesturing to the pile of ash next to her. "Its no wonder he was in bad shape when we met. Its no wonder that he nearly burned to death.." She finished, getting up. "The dragons gone, we can head topside." She said, as she started to carry Trail again. "Yeah, your right, chica. Lets go." Anvil said, turning back the direction they came. Doing the same routine they did on the way in. They enter the room with that insane merchant, Sunset is talking to him.

"And you see, it is a bottomless box!" The merchant said, gleefully.

"What do you mean? It has no bottom?" She asked.

"Well, it does if you flip it upside down, but when you open it, it is like an endless chasm to put your stuff! Take.... uhhh... take this sack for instance! Watch!" He says putting the bag into the box..... It disappears completely. "See? Bottomless."

"Fine, ill take that and the Soapstone." Sunset says.

"That'll be 1500 Souls, up front. No tabs." He says, Sunset tossing him the whole pouch. That was all her money. She lifts her purchased items into her pack, but stops herself with the Soapstone... She has the perfect idea on how to first use it. Anvil walks in, his leather coat stained in blood. Both the merchant and Sunset look at him.

"Anvil, what happened? I heard the dragon roar and assumed you had something to do with it. Now your covered in blood." She said.

"If you were worried about me, why didn't you come check up on us?" He asked.

"I didn't say I was worried about you, i'm just curious as to what happened." She admitted, Anvil gave her a foul look.

"I carved this sword out of the dragons tail. The dragon is gone, so we were gonna head topside." Anvil said, as Midnight trudged in with an armorless Trail. "Where is his armor?" Sunset asks.

"Ash pile." She said, Sunset nodded and turned to leave alongside Anvil and Midnight, she stopped herself and looked back at the merchant, he was busy petting the grip of "Yulia". She takes the Soapstone out and scribbles on the ground, then quickly packs up the stone and quickens her pace.

"Be wary of Hollow." It read.

<><><>

The bonfires flame bursted forth, born from the air, and it started with the flick of a hoof. Sunset retracted it, and looked over at the unconscious Trail. Midnight left him laying on the ground, a torn sack acting as a blanket, and another acting as a pillow. His condition seemed to have been improving, the burns he suffered visibly seemed to have healed thanks to a combination of miracle heals and Estus. The sun had set and, not soon after, Midnight lowered the hood on her cloak. Revealing her ears and the tufts at the tips. She didn't gaze at the fire, like Anvil did... Which was weird... Any undead, and more often than you think, could get lost in flames just by gazing at them. It was home for them. But for Midnight, it was not... Odd behavior, but what is normal? Instead of gazing into the flames, she just, looks at a diamond she is holding in hoof. "What are those?" Sunset asked.

"Trails diamonds, he had them on his barding and I guess they had sentimental value since he had them embroidered into the barding, armor, whatever it was before it became ash. Just decided to hold onto them for him. I.... i'm hoping that this would set him at ease around me, I can sense his nervousness and it puts me off." She said, daring a glance at his sleeping form.

"Yeah, one can hope." Sunset said, getting up and walking over to the gateway arch. A lever sits next to it, and one can assume it controls the gate itself... 'Better leave this closed for now, safer that way.' She thought. She turned and decided to check out the balcony nearby. "Ill be back, watch over them." She said to Anvil, who just nodded "Uhuh" as a response. She walked over, and out of nowhere, a Hollow swung its sword at her. Acting on instinct, she threw a jab of her hoof at it, its jello flesh squishing from her touch, bones cracked, and it fell over. A blood spray covering her chestplate. She looked around, two more Hollows, they both can see her, but neither looks too interested in her. One seems to be praying, another..... dry humping the wall. She gives a grunt of disgust before walking up a short flight of stairs. A destroyed statue lay at the top. From whats left, its a pony holding a sword, and standing on a rock... A warrior? General? King? Who could say, for it was long destroyed.

A sense of greatness begins to take over, she touches the statue, it felt alive... But also not... A voice piped up behind her.

"Ah, hello there. Your the mare from earlier? Aren't you?" The stallions voice said, this caused Sunset to jump, shortsword in magical grip... Midnight comes running in, responding to the noise. "No, calm down... Its me.. Solaire." He said, backing up into Midnight, he turns quickly and meets her gaze. Luckily he was wearing a helmet, or she would've seen his blush. After all, he did back up into her.

"Whats going on here?" She asked.

"Don't worry, I was just coming around the corner to pray, and she was standing at the statue. I'm guessing our worlds are linked again.... How goes Trail?" He asked. Midnight shook her head and frowned, then walked away.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Dragon cooked him up, he was lucky to have survived." Sunset explained. "Damn... Extend my regards." Solaire retorted.

"You said you came around to pray?" Sunset asked, attempting to escape the awkward feeling of the conversation. He nods.

"Yes, as a Warrior of the Sun, I come every.... I think, week, to pray.... Offer the medals I earn during the hours I pray.... Are.... are you considering a covenant with us?" He asked. A covenant? Sunset was a dame for the..... well, that was in the past... She is a dame of nothing now. The Warriors of the Sun? Really?

"What are the Warriors of the Sun?" She asks. Solaire perked up when she said this, her guess was that he loved knowing more than others.

"We are devout soldiers to the divine Celestia... We drive to assist other undead in their quests.... In their worlds. Per victory over a creature of might, like the goat demon down below, we are awarded a Sunlight Medal from a spirit of the sun. Then, we offer it to the altar, in return, we get souls for assisting those who need it." He explained. Sounds fun, being a good mare for once.... Really sounds fun. Different.

"How does one join?" She asked.

"Just pray to the altar, the spirit will decide if your good enough for us... If you have a soul of pure good." He said.... She cringed.... That was not going to be easy.... But she rather not disappoint the pony. He seemed eager to have a new friend... "Ok... Ill try." She said, turning back towards the statue, she then knelt. Closing here eyes and lifting her faceplate... She could feel it. Another entity judging her.... She could feel the presence of the entity, it was deciding whether or not she was pure.... Then, out of nowhere, it was gone.... The presence, the judgment, all gone... It was all replaced with a glowing orb, and a scrap of paper lying at the foot of the statue.... It had judged her worthy.

"Congratulations! Your now a Warrior of the Sun! I am happy to call you a comrade!" He said as Sunset picked up the miracle... It was a Sunlight Spear... She doesn't have faith in the gods anymore, maybe Midnight would have more use for this... She looked back at Solaire. "So now what?"

"That is for you to decide. For me though, I must pray... Our worlds wont be linked for long, so when next I see you... I expect you to have a medal... Ahahahaha!" He said, passing Sunset and kneeling to the statue. She turned to leave, but stopped herself and looked back... He was still there.... Unfocused on her and focused on praying. She turned and left... For now she was Sunlight Warrior... For whatever good that was for.

She saw Midnight sleeping, her head on a sack and the cloak wrapped around her as a blanket. Her flank is exposed. A shooting star decorates it. 'So thats her cutie mark, eh?' She thought before turning to Anvil, he had broken his gaze at the fire, and now he was cleaning his dagger. It was rusty with blood. She said nothing as he glanced at her and smiled before turning back to his charge. She sat down in front of the flames... She had not gotten sleep since, well, days ago.... Since the Darkwraiths started ambushing her in her sleep. She felt no safety within this group, one is a bat pony cleric, no fighting skills there... One is unconscious and unarmored, and the other is an idiot. Feeling safe within this group would render her stupid.... She has no idea why she joined up with them, at first she nearly killed Trail, held him hostage, then Anvil showed up and almost slit her throat.... Then, after a discussion, let her go and she sticks with them... As if nothing had happened. They had no objections with her staying. None at all.

They just accepted her.... Despite her threats of bloodshed.

Maybe they thought of her as a friend at this point, but she does not prefer this, she prefers "Forced Acquaintances". But there is no way this is forced... Maybe she realized she had nowhere to go, and was tired of being lonely... Maybe she does feel safe... Who knows for sure, not even she does... Her eyelids are heavy, and sleep sounds very inviting...

"Listen chica, you look as though you are deprived of sleep... Why don't you get some? Ill take watch for the night." He said, smiling at her... She smiled back. First time she smiled genuinely for weeks.

"Ok." She said, before lowering her faceplate and slumping to her side. Maybe he wasn't that bad after all. Still an idiot. Anvil smiling expression turned back towards the bridge, the dragon showed no sign of returning, and there were no Hollows, if it wasn't for the threat of invaders, maybe, just, he would take a walk, scout around a bit. Or maybe even sleep, but, sadly, it wasn't to be. He could always feel Sunsets disposition towards him, despite it being a small time they have been together, and one thing could be for certain. She does not like him. He figured giving her this night off would dispel some of the dislike. Metallic hooves clanked on the stone ground, causing Anvil to turn to the source, his bow drawn and an arrow nocked. It was some stallion with a sun painted on his tunic...

"Greetings, I am Solaire of Astora. You must be...." He said, leading Anvil on to finish his sentence.

"Anvil... Who are you? Where did you come from?" He asked, keeping the arrow trained on "Solaires" helmet..

"A friend of your group, I hope. And from where, I came from my world, which has collided with yours, uhhh, twice now..... Please, allow me to join you on nightwatch." He asked.

"Ay, cabron. How did you hear abo-" Anvil was interrupted. "I overheard, I wasn't far." Solaire said, walking over to the bonfire, he looked up at the dry fountain in front of it... Then looked away. Anvil lowered his bow, something told him he could trust this "Solaire", but not by much. He sat down in front of the fire. Solaire did the same, sitting opposite to Anvil. He didn't remove his helmet, but that was ok in Anvils eyes. Solaire turned his head towards the sleeping form of Trail... "Hope he gets well... Being roasted doesn't sound so fun." Solaire said, looking back at Anvil... "Sunset told me." He explained when he saw Anvils facial expression. A mix of concern and surprise. Knowledge of Sunsets speaking to him didn't put him at ease, because, despite him looking like he could kill a pony with that sword of his, he also looks insane, what with a painted sun on both his tunic and shield. Poorly.

Anvil slid his bow back into his pack, and drew out his daggers and whetstone... If he is gonna be a on watch, might as well keep himself busy. Solaire noticed the Drake Sword poking out of his pack, and looked up at him. "Were you the one who scared that accursed drake from the bridge?"

"Uhh, why do you ask?" Anvil replied, not taking his eyes of his handiwork.

"You have a sword made from that looks as though it came from a drake, Did you or did you not scare it off?" He asked, with a more annoyed tone.

"Uhhh, si, I scared it off. Why?" Anvil said, offering a sheepish smile. "Glory for the victor" was never Anvils style.

"Well, impressive I should say. Of every pony I have met, they never ever tried to intimidate the drake, rather, they try to avoid it." Solaire said.

"Seems like the smarter idea if you don't know what your doing.... What did you do?" He asked, still keeping his eyes down. The whetstone sure does its job.

"I killed it." Solaire cheerily said, then looks back down at the flames... Anvil looked up at him. Surprise haunting his face. The room was silent for a good few minutes, silent except for the snoring of Midnight. Other than that, it was silent... Minute after minute passed, second after second, Anvil just staring at Solaire... He had killed the dragon...drake....the fuck ever it was. After what seemed like an eternity, he spoke up.

"You....you killed it?" Anvil stuttered. This certainly came as surprise. He had never known a stallion or mare who killed a dragon, nor had he known a diamond dog, griffon, zebra or changeling to have done it. This was surprising.

"Yes, I did... T'was easy, should you have a lightning spear... Hahahaha." Solaire said, before returning his gaze to the flames. This answer stunned Anvil. So he just returned to his work, not saying a word.

<><><>

The night passed quickly, Solaire left at dawn, disappearing as he stepped onto the bridge... The sunlights rays began to shine through cracks in the ceiling, one of which lands on Midnight. She awakes, hissing in searing pain. Her coat burning in the direct light of the sun, the smell of burning flesh filling the air, it wasn't a pleasant smell. She scrambles away from the light, putting on her cloak and hood. Anvil chuckles at this.

"What? Whats so funny?" She snaps, giving an angry glare at Anvil.

"Lo siento lo siento, I have never seen someone scared of the light... Its funny.. hehehehehe." He said, still chuckling. Her glare got worse... He turned his head and started laughing into his hoof, he stopped after he felt something hard hit him in the back of his head, he turned around and looked down. Lo and behold, it was a small vase, shattered into pieces... He looked over at Midnight, rubbing the back of his head... He now has a really bad headache. Midnight was smiling at him. A smile that said "Fuck you.". She turned her head over to Trails body, he was still sleeping, but was no longer scorched. His mane, while it did not look as well kept as it did when they first met, rather bedraggled, and dirty... greasy... it still looked better than Anvils. While cropped, it is still easy to tell when bathing was not on the priority list for the pony. But for now, bathing is not important... But rather, breakfast is. She looked around for Sunset, who was nowhere to be seen... She looked back at Anvil, whom seemed to be focused on fixing the vase... Piece by piece.

"What are you doing?" Midnight asked... Any anger still in her voice was replaced by curiosity.

"Bored, why the hell did you throw this at me?" He demanded.

"Because you were laughing at my..... problem." She said. Being a bat pony, she could not be in direct sunlight. This would conflict with her pilgrimage... Should she remain in direct sunlight without a hood and cloak, or any cover at all, she would burn and die.... And though fruit bat ponies didn't suffer as much as vampires, they still suffered.

"Yeah, well, now my head hurts.. Gracias." He said, glaring at her.

"Stop whining.... Have you seen Sunset?" She asked.

"Yeah, she woke up not long before you.. She went over there, don't know what she is doing, don't care." He said, pointing at the doorway from where Solaire came from last night. Midnight started towards it, but stopped herself and dared one more glance at Trail. Still unconscious. Maybe its a better idea to get breakfast started first before anything else. He would need to regain his strength. She trotted back to her saddlebags, which was laying up against the statutes base. She began to rummage through them, looking for the apples she had picked days ago. 'Nope, not in the right one... Maybe the left?' She thought, changing bags. After a few more seconds of searching, she found them.. Still fresh looking, no bruises or anything. Surprise surprise. She then took out her mini pan. She had always used this to cook over the bonfires... They cooked relatively fast, and gave them restorative properties..... They even made apples taste better than normal.

"You really gonna cook something up?" Anvil asked, looking at her skeptically. Eyeing the apples.

"Yes, baked apples... Do me a favor and get my knife from my bag, left one." She said, taking the pan in her mouth, and placing it over the fire. The apples went on it afterwards. Anvil, grumbling the while, grabs his sharpened dagger and slides it to her.

"You forget, I have knives. Idiota." He says, boasting a smirk.

"Yes, you have daggers, I would rather not cut food with daggers.... I'm sorry, knives, that have been coated in blood." She said, the aroma of apples baking over a fire fills the air, the juices that were near the skin sizzle, boiling. the sweet sound is music to Anvils ears. Its what motivates him to get up after dispersing the pieces of the vase away. Pieces sliding in every direction but the bonfire. And the gate.

"Ahhh fine, your no fun." He said, sporting a small genuine smile. Grabbing her cooking knife, he slides it to her. After placing the knife next to the flames, she takes the pan out of the fire, the apples are fully cooked, and its smell, its aura of deliciousness, it fills the air. Its juices, which remains further from the surface of its now cooked skin, emit its own smell, its faint to regular ponies, but to bat ponies, it aroma is great. Sweet. Mouth watering. In short, its to die for.... A nice treat in the dismal world. But a sweet tart would've been better. She places it on a sack she had nearby, Anvil looks at her when he gets up and starts for the doorway, she turns and looks at him.

"Don't touch them, they need to cool." She said, Anvil nodded and looked away. Midnight did the same and put on her cloak, then she walked through the doorway. The smell of baked apples not apparent out here, instead the smell of death reigns supreme, there are three dead Hollowed ponies. One next to the doorway, one laying up against a wall, decapitated..... And the other laying behind crates.... Midnight dare not a gander, should she lose her appetite. She ignored the smell and bodies and spotted Sunset, she is kneeling in front of an a destroyed statue. Mumbling unintelligible words. Midnight approaches, which earns Sunset a glance...

"What are you doing?" Midnight asks.

"Praying to Sunlight spirit. Solaire contacted me last night, and I joined his covenant." She said, looking up at the destroyed alter. "And i'm praying for the spirit to grant me strength." She said.

"Right.... Uhhh..." Midnight started... She stopped herself before she finished.... This was awkward.... She never expected Sunset to join a covenant, let alone a religious covenant. She had only known her for a short time, but she could already tell she wasn't much for sappy things, like romance, joking, and religion. She was all business. Maybe she is changing? Who knows.

"Uhhh, yeah.... Well, breakfast is ready. I thought I should come get you so you can eat." She said. Looking down at her kneeling form.

"Yeah.....yeah... Thanks, I... uhhhh, ill be there in a minute." Sunset stumbled her words.... Food? When was the last time she had eaten? Anvil pokes his head through the doorway. "Hey, chicas! Trail is waking up over here!" He said, excitement in his voice. Midnight smiled... The miracles did their job alright. She rushed down the stairs and through the doorway, Sunset followed suit. When Midnight looked at him, genuine happiness coursed through her. She had saved him from a death... It doesn't seem like such a big problem, dying in Lordran.... But every time you die, you risk Hollowing immediately, while with every death, the chance of Hollowing upon death increases, death by Darkwraith will Hollow you immediately, but that is irrelevant at the current moment. She had saved him from this cycle. But it has not ended.

Trail is sitting in front of the bonfire, eyeing the apples. But the sudden movement in the room caused him to break his gaze and look in the direction of where Midnight and Sunset came. He smiled at them, and only Midnight smiled back. Sunset had more of a proud smirk. What she was proud for, she did not know. Her guess? She was proud for being happy. Happy that Trail is alive. Happy he did not Hollow.... Or die.

"How long.... how long was I out?" He asked. His voice hoarse. Midnight walked over to her pack to grab a canteen.

"A full day, hombre. Pensé que eras parroquia. But you proved me wrong." Anvil said. Midnight had a canteen in hoof, she handed it over to Trail. He began gulping it, every last bit. It was all gone before he knew it.

"Y---yeah I don't understand Spanish... Speak a language I understand." Trail said wiping his mouth and smirking.. His tone making him sound like a genuine ass. "Oh? Well understand this: Jódete." Anvil said, returning Trails ribbing with a jab of his own.

"Hey, are you going to be alright." Midnight asked, concern filling his voice.

"Aside from being sore, i'm fine.... Your really concerned about my health aren't you?" Trail said, raising an eyebrow to suggest. Midnight blushed. "I----I----I just... just care is all." She stammered.

"Relax, i'm fucking with you." He said, Midnight flushed even redder.

"You seem..... happy.... despite your condition." Sunset noted, removing her helmet and placing it next to Midnights saddlebags. Her red mane falling and covering her left eye completely. Trail stopped himself before he got lost in a gaze.

"Yeah, well. I'm happy I didn't have to suffer death again... The first time was awful. I'm happy you guys saved me, i'm assuming Midnight did most the work? Am I correct?" Trail asked.

"Well it more was of coin toss, you were lucky to not have died outright from the flames. But yeah, Midnight did most of it. The healing and what not." Sunset said. Midnight had her blush still going on, but it was fading. Trail looked up at her. "Alright, well then. You have my thanks... You, uhh, should know ill feel more at ease around you." He said, sporting his most convincing smile. Bat ponies still frightened him, but she was alright. She just smiled.

"Well, lets eat... Breakfast is ready." Midnight said, grabbing her knife. She begins slicing the apples.

"Hey, where is my armor?" Trail said, his voice was still hoarse, but not as bad as before. Midnight looked at him. Dropping the knife on the pan and taking out his diamonds. She hands them to him.

"It was ash, it wouldn't protect you. So I scrapped it and saved the diamonds... Here." She said.

"Thanks..." He said, taking the diamonds and looking at them. "But now, I don't have pockets... Why don't you hold on to them?" Trail said, handing them back. She looked at them, before taking them and placing them in her saddlebags. He had trusted her to keep these for him.

"Are those.... baked apples?" Sunset asked, looked at the dish. She seemed happy.

"Yeah... Why?" Midnight said, taking the knife and continuing her slicing. "Alright! Lets have them then." She said, sitting down in next to her.

"Alright, let me just cut these real quick and ill-"

"LETS HAVE THEM!" She said, raising her voicing.

"I----Hold on dammit." Midnight responded.

"Lets have them!" Sunset repeated. Anvil and Trail just looked at each other. They found her favorite dish.

Midnight finishes cutting the apples into slices, and distributed evenly amongst them. Midnight took hers, biting into it with her fangs and sucking the juices for sustenance.

Doesn't work... 'It isn't the same.' She thought.

<><><>

Anvil nocks an arrow and lets it fly. It hit its mark with a bulls eye. His remained in the air as the boar charged his comrade. When they had finished their apples, they had packed up and opened the gate, which led to this courtyard full of Hollowed soldiers and a fucking giant armored boar.

"Fucking boar." Trail muttered when he stood up, the boar just bucked him. Sunset was busy taking care of some archers, and Midnight was busy trying out her new miracle, the Sunlight Spear, on the boar. Which seems to work greatly, the downside, Trail is the bait. Midnight waited at the gate with the spear ready to lob, all Trail has to do and lure the boar to the gate, easier said than down when the boar is faster, deadly, and armored.. SOOOO, self defense wont work. It also doesn't help that a attempt on the boars life has been going on for a good 30 minutes.

*ZAP*

The Lightning Spear soared through the air, and impaled the boar, lightning coursed through its body, electrifying its organs, its limbs, even its soul if it had one. It still wasn't enough to take it down though. Midnight slipped around the corner to stay out of sight. The boar turned and looked at Trail before charging.

"OH COME ON, WHAT THE FUCK?!" Trail screamed... 'Where the fuck was Anvil? He was supposed to give me ranged support!' Trails thoughts screamed. Trail turned tail and ran, finding his way up some stairs to where Sunset was hiding at. "S---Sunset, what....what the hell......are you doing......up here?" Trail stammered, breathless. She looked at him.

"Not dying... Where is Anvil?" She said. Trails eye lit up with anger.

"Not dying? I just fucking survived burning to death on the damn bridge! You guys have a fucking bat pony save me! Then you guys make me bait for this shit! I just got bucked, my jaw feels like its broken! That damn beast charged me and knocked me back when we first showed up here!" He ranted in anger. Sunset remained unfazed. "The only reason i'm still alive is because of my Estus Flask! So will you please explain to me.... Why in the hell..... AM I THE BAIT?!" Trail bellowed.... Sunset was still unfazed.

"Because your faster than me." She said, gesturing to her armor. Trail grunted in anger before a whoosh sent wind through his bedraggled mane. They both looked at the source, it was Midnight. "I heard screaming... Whats going on?" Midnight said, her talisman in hoof.

"I'm pissed you guys made me the bait! That's whats going on. And now look, all three of us trapped up here...." Trail began, he looked down over the railing. The boar was pacing back and forth between the archway and the gate that leads to the church. "With a damn armored boar waiting to kill us, and Anvil deserted us." The stallion finished.

"If you recall, Trail, I voted against you being the bait, your still sore from the burns." Midnight said.

"Aaaaaand, your faster than I am." Sunset said, gesturing once again to her armor. "But that's true.... You are faster." A loud noise keeps Trail from forming an answer. The source? The gate. Its opening. "Maybe this day can be salvaged yet.... Who opened the gate?" Trail said. Midnight shrugged, and Sunset did nothing but stare. The gate opened slowly, ever so slowly... creaking and rattling. Soon though, it was up. And Anvil was standing there, waving at Trail.... His eyes went huge when he saw the boar charge towards him.... But it was soon stopped by a lighting bolt... a Lightning Spear. It fell back and watched Anvil. It must believe that Anvil can conjure this shit with his mind.... 'That's a funny thought.' Trail thought.

"Run!" Sunset yelled, galloping towards the gate. Anvil has his hooves on the lever. Ready to smash the gate down, and keep the boar away from them. Midnight followed. Leaving Trail to decide if it was worth the danger, the boar was advancing, and it would remember Trail. Remembering him being weak. 'Fuck it. If I die. I die.' He thought as he jumped down. He looked at the boar, it looked at him. Their eyes locked.... Soon it roared and charged, and Trail yelped and ran.... He could hear his heart beating, heavier and louder than ever. Fear coursed through is body. Its steps were getting louder, which signaled that its getting closer. Soon, though, he reached the gate. Once he was clear, Anvil sent the full force of his body down on the lever. The gate came crashing down, with the boar right underneath. The cane bolts of the gate come down full force, and impale the boar... It dies on impact with the gate, dissipating into thin air.

"Well, that's one way of killing a boar." Trail remarked before looking at Anvil. "If you ever recommend me for bait again... I'm going to kill you.... Slowly." Trail said, spite in his voice.

"Ahhh, relax hermano. I have been waiting for a good chance to give you this, but now seems better... Ahehehe." Anvil said, revealing the Drake Sword.

"Fuckin-What the fuck is that?" Trail said, anger still in his voice.

"A sword, carved from the tail of the dragon that burned you. I thought I would give it to you when you felt better, but now seems better." Anvil said, passing it on to Trail. He holds the sword in his hoof, it feels powerful... Trail chucks his broadsword.

"Well.... thank you, I guess. I'm still pissed at you, but, yeah. Thanks." Trail said, keeping his eyes on the blade. Anvil smiled. "I knew you would feel better."

"Hey, guys. Lets move! The Bell isn't gonna ring itself." Midnight called out. She was already at the church doorway, along with Sunset. It doesn't matter if Trail nearly died again. Anvil started towards them.

""Hey Trail, we are sorry. Wont happen again."... Hey guys, no problem. Apology accepted." Trail said, imitating Midnight's voice. He then gallops to catch up with them. They all enter the church, Trail slouching from his sores. All that running didn't help either. Sunset backs up, a Hollow made an attempt on her life. A large pony in armor and armed with a rapier. When facing a rapier, you must always mind the tip, as is can pierce the heaviest of armor. She drew her shortsword and pierced its neck. Ending it, but another Hollow wearing the same kind of armor rushes Sunset, catching her off guard. She stumbled after the Hollow swung its sword at her head. The only thing saving her was her helmet.

Being in close quarters, Trail and Midnight couldn't do much to help, Trail fumbled with his sword, trying to take it out of its scabbard. And Midnight, despite having a morning star, she preferred to stay out of melee conflict. Sunset turned to face the Hollow, but before she could finish it off, an arrow pierced its eye. It fell to the ground, bleeding. They all look at Anvil, who was at the way back. "Damn man, you have good aim." Trail remarked.

"Eh, took years of practice." He replied.

After making sure Sunset was ok, they continued on after Sunset returned his shield. Realizing he can find more use of it that she could. Shields weren't her thing. They entered the main room of the church, pews remained there. Surprising in great condition, none cracked, none broken, none chipped... As if someone has been tending them forever. They all halted, for what before them stood a giant pony, half the size of the statues, eight times larger than Trail. It was clad in dark armor, wielding a giant mace and shield... Luckily it was facing away from the group, but it stood in the direction of where they were going. Trail winced.

"What? Is this church home to all giants?" Midnight asked, fear in her voice.

"Hold on, maybe there is a way around. I don't feel like fighting this thing." Anvil said, getting ready to take flight. Sunset stops him.

"Hold a moment, don't you realize who than is?" She asked, Anvil shook his head for a negative.

"Its a knight of Berenike, they are mighty warriors, but slow. I've faced them before, and that's their great weakness." Sunset said.

"Good, so we know its weakness. But how are we going to exploit it without being squashed?" Trail asked, keeping his eyes on the Hollowed Knight. Sunset opened her mouth, but held her tongue. She had no plan. Trail facehoofed.

"Well, I got an idea." Midnight piped up. They all look at her.

"Well, what is it?" Anvil asks.

"We could try having the knight fall, like tripping him somehow or something. Then Sunset or Trail finishes it off." Midnight suggests, right now, its the best option they have. Its guarding the way they need to go, and the way back wont provide fruit. "Alright, no better ideas?" Sunset asks, looking around. No one answers.

"Alright Midnight, we'll do it your way." She says, unsheathing her shortsword. "Trail, I understand your reluctance to fight this thing, but we have no choice... Why don't stay back, keep Midnight safe? Anvil, got any fire arrows?" She asks.

"No, but I do have charcoal resin. Why, whats your plan?" Anvil said.

"Just a backup plan I need to think on more... In the meantime, Anvil try to keep that thing from overpowering me, Ill attempt to make it trip on itself." Sunset finished, Anvil nodded. And off they went. "Have a Lightning Spear ready, we might need it." Trail said, looking back at Midnight and unsheathing his sword. She nodded and took her talisman out and prepping the miracle. A loud slam is heard and and they both look to the source. The knight is fighting back against the combined effort of Anvil and Sunset. A loud bam is heard, and a blue orb flies at Anvil, striking him in the flank.

"Fuck, we got a sorcerer up there." Midnight remarked.

"Yeah.... that's gonna cause some problems." Trail said. He paused, as if he was thinking. "Hey, I got an idea. We are practically not doing anything, yes? Lets find a way up there and take him out, I don't think Anvil is ready to deal with two things at once." Trail announced his idea, Midnight looked at him quizzically.

"Are you sure? Your wou-" She began.

"If you guys actually cared about my wounds and sores, you wouldn't have made me bait earlier. Lets go, stick to the walls." Trail said, starting for a flight of stairs. Midnight followed, avoid the battle between Anvil, Sunset and the Knight. It didn't seem anything was affecting the Knight, but one thing was true... it was fucking slow. They ascended up the stairs, Trail with his sword and shield at the ready, Midnight staying behind him. They arrived at the top of the stairs after dispatching a Hollowed Knight. They could spy the sorcerer, it had a helmet with six eye holes.... and a trident.... What? It cast another spell. And a slam is heard downstairs.... Have they not won yet?

"Alright, keep me alive, i'm going to rush the thing." Trail said, placing the grip of his sword in his mouth. Tastes like copper. The metallic taste will make this partially hard. Ugh. Trail dashes into the room with the sorcerer, but freezes as he reaches the doorway.... What he saw almost made him shit himself.... 20 Hollows awaited him, looking at him with their piercing red eyes. They started shambling towards him.

"Aww shfit." Trail said, the grip of his sword still in his mouth. A blue bolt sails past him, missing his face by inches. He backs up from the sudden movement and takes his shield out. "Gat yur mirvakle ready!" He stammered as the first Hollow slams its sword against his shield. Its bones were like jelly, so there was really no strength behind it. But it was still strong enough to cause damage against anybodies hide. Especially if there is 20 of them attacking you at once.

"What miracle?" She said, the Hollows are bumrushing Trails shield, slamming their swords and hooves down on it... How he stood his ground Midnight did not know.

"Wath uv da Gads! Sumting with... Agh! with powah!" He said, the grip of his sword was still in his mouth. It distorted what he said. "Ok, ok uhh... Here! Move!" She said, powering his talisman. Trail falls back to her, shield at the ready to keep the Hollows from getting to her. They started rushing towards them again...

*BAM*

She casted the miracle, and, while some Hollows exploded from the force, many simply fell down. The sorcerer cast another bolt, this time directed at the fight going on down below... A huge tumble is heard. Trail took the sword of his mouth and lowered his shield.. He walked over the blood and gore stained floor, stepping over ribs and intestines to reach the Hollows lying on the ground, struggling to get up... Many had broken legs. Trail thrust his sword into the closet Hollows skull, the rest were chomping at him... Were they really being zombies now? Trail ended the next one with a thrust in the skull, he repeated this for the next few... Until they were all dead... he could feel himself absorbing something, but decided to save his questions for later. Midnight puked.

Trail looked at her as she wiped her mouth... "I.... Never seen so much gore before.... Ill be fine." She stammered, gagging at the end. The sound of silence from downstairs signaled Anvil and Sunset had done the job. About time. Trails thoughts went back to the sorcerer, and he rushed back into the main room and charged down the sorcerer. He knocked it down as he caught it unawares. It slid off the ledge and plummeted to the floor of the main room... Breaking its spine on impact with the ground. Sunset and Anvil come running up, weapons at the ready. They both looked at Trail, who was covered in blood.

"What.... By Lloyd, what happened to you? Whats with all the blood in the hallway?" Sunset asked, pure surprise in her voice.

"Midnight killed a bunch of Hollows with her miracle, and some exploded." He briefed. Anvil sighed.

"Damn, that must've been disgusting."

"It was..." Midnight said.

"Come on ponies, we are almost there. The Bell is right above us." Trail said, walking towards some ladders, they follow him, but Midnight and Anvil takes flight instead of climbing the ladders. When Sunset and Trail climbs up the last ladder, they are greeted with a fog gate... A Beast of Might awaited beyond. Trail started for it, but a glow on the ground... An orange glow, similar to the messages that appear occasionally, but with lesser unintelligible writing. Trails hoof landed on it, and it disappeared. In its stead rose a ghostly orange figure, the figure of Knight Solaire. It looked at Trail and nodded its head.

"Its a phantom." Sunset said, admiring it.

"What?" Trail asked, confused... What, is it an enemy? Doesn't seem to be attacking.

"A phantom, one can only summon when in possession of a White Sign Soapstone, same goes for being summoned, you just summoned Solaire." Sunset explained. "So, he is here? Physically?" Trail asked.

"No, just his spirit, there is no telling how old this sign is though. Could be fresh, could be from two years ago." She said. Trail looked at Solaire, who entered the fog gate.

"Guess he wants us to follow." Anvil said, following Solaire into the fog, Midnight, Trail and Sunset enter one at a time. Where they came out? The roof of the church. They spread out, looking for signs of a Beast of Might. Nothing, the roof was clear. The Bell was atop a tower opposite where they came from.

"Guys look! The Bell. Lets go!" Anvil said, galloping towards the tower... Trail followed, leaving Solaire, Sunset and Midnight behind, whom looked at one another... What stopped Anvil from entering the tower was a fog gate, one he could not penetrate... Trail stopped in his tracks.

"What?" Anvil whined, poked at the fog.... It was thick, so thick he could not go through... A loud noise was heard, a crumbly noise.... A small stone fragment fell on Anvils head, causing him to look up... Trail did the same. Something was up there....

It was a gargoyle.... It was moving, breaking free of its frozen state.....

It was coming to life.

Author's Note

I am extremely proud of this chapter.... I earned myself an Ice Cream Sundae.

With extra chocolate syrup...

And maybe sprinkles.....

But no cherries... Fuck those things....

Yummy.