Equestria Undead

It was hours after I had gotten back. Shortly after I got up, everyone else started heading to bed. Everyone save for Rivet, who was sitting outside the front door of the barn keeping watch. I had volunteered, but Rivet insisted that he should do it. So instead, I just sat up in the hayloft looking up at the stairs, like Dusk and I used to do in our own hayloft s long ago...

I sighed as I looked up at the night sky. Nearly everything had changed. The world changed. The ponies changed. The landscape changed. But the stars Hadn’t changed. The same stars that I had looked up at since I was a little girl. The same constellations.

"I'm....Not really sure what I'm doing here..." I said to the sky. "I've never really prayed before, and I'm not really sure who I should be praying to...Just that this is what ponies do when they need to talk, I guess.  So, whoever might be listening, Celestia, Luna, some kind of god, dad..." I sighed. "I just need to speak, ok?

"I thought I had made the right choice by going and getting those guns, you know? But now that I'm back, they're treating me differently. Since I woke up, they're treating me like I did something wrong. I've done a long list of things in my life that I would love to take back...but this isn't one of those things. But see, my friends are treating it like it is. Maybe it was dumb of me to go up to the third floor of the building, or to leave them out of the plan and do it myself, but it wasn't a mistake. I did what I had to. I always have."

"But now...I don't know what I'm doing. It's like they don't trust me anymore. There not letting me go with them to the EUP building, there not letting me take shifts on watch, they won't let me sweep the perimeter. It's like they think the second I'm out of there sight I'll take of again. Was...Did I make a mistake? Should I not of went to the guard station. Before I knew it had to be done. We needed better weapons then sharpened twigs and cheap bows. Now I feel like I let everypony down, even though I didn't do anything wrong. Rivets hardly spoken with me since I woke up, and Rose keeps giving me that "lost puppy" look. I just...I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Yesterday everything was so clear. Get the guns, go through town, head for Filly. Now, I don't know. I keep asking what the plan is, but none of them will talk about it. I just wish I knew what I did."

I laughed a little bit. "Sorry, I got a little emotional there. You're some kind of god or immortal superpower or something, the last thing you need is some mare bitching to you about her little problems. The worlds hell enough as it is without having to deal with those."

"If there really is someone up there, who ever you are, thanks for listening. I just needed to get my thoughts straight, you know. I used to have this book I would write in, but Dusk and I ended up having to use it to get a fire going."

I stood up and sighed. "You know, maybe I'll just sleep up here in the hay."

I made my way out of the loft early the next morning.  Since I slept all day the day before, I only slept for a few hours. Still, I felt pretty good. The acheyness from my little adventure was pretty much gone, and my horn seemed to be regenerating some what. I still had a bit of a headache though.

The sun had barely touched the sky yet, so my friends where all still snoring in their bedrolls. All save for Rose, who must have been on watch. I took a swig from my flask before going outside to chat with her.

"Hey." I said as I walked outside. She was sitting outside the door, reading some kind of book.

"Morning." She said smiling at me.

"Mind if I sit?" I asked.

"Not at all." She said, patting the grass beside her. I sat down and rested my back against the barn. I missed being in the country. Even if living in town was pretty much the same, it didn't feel the same.

"Are you feeling ok?" She asked.

I sighed. I was starting to get really tired of that question, even if they meant well. "Yea, I'm fine. Bit of a headache, but I'll live."

"From when you hit your horn?" She asked.

"Yea, probably." I replied.

"So you did hit it then. You really should had brought that up sooner." She said.

"I didn't think it was that big of a deal. I know you all noticed me not using my magic, but really, it's not a big deal. I'm fine without it."

"Have you tried using it yet?" She looked from my eyes to my horn and back.

"No, I havn't tried my magic since I teleported."

"Try it now. If you only hit it, you should be fine know that it's started healing. Just don't overuse it and don't do anything to major."

"I'll try it later." I said. I didn't feel comfortable trying my magic again. She raised an eyebrow.

"Why not now? Silver, if there's something I should know you have to tell me. I can't help you otherwise. We've been friends for months Silv, you know you can talk to me."

"I...Alright, but you can't tell anyone. Especially Dusk. I don't want her to worry."

"Come on, you know me better than that." She said.

"Well...When the grenade went off I hit my horn off the stairs. When I tried to levitate something after, I..."

"Yes."

"I...Um..."

"You can tell me Silver."

"I had a seizure. I don't know how long it lasted, but...It felt like days. It was the scariest feeling of my life. Like my body wasn't my own anymore. Now I'm afraid to try casting any spells in case it happens again."

I shut my eyes in and hung my head in shame. I was to weak to even try to use a little magic. How would she be able to deal with me? I felt tears running down my checks. How could I face her now that she knew how much of a filly I was?

I expected her to leave, or yell, or...something. Instead, I felt her hooves wrap around me. I opened my eyes and looked over at her. "Why,,,?"

"That's nothing to be ashamed about." She said. "It's natural for you to feel hesitant to try magic again after such a traumatic experience. You should have just told us in the first place, we all would have understood. We care about you Silver."

"Could you...Not tell the others?" I asked. "Please?"

"I would never tell them anything you didn't want me to hun."

"Thanks. For all of this." I pulled out of the huge.

"No problem. That's what friends are for, right?"

"Yea...I'm starting to get that. I should probably wake the others. We have work to do."

"So, what's the plan?" I asked Rivet as he cleaned the guns I had found.

"We go into town, kill the thing, search the building, and leave. Then we come back here and get you."

"Why can't I go?" I asked. "I can fight."

"Because last time you went off on your own you nearly died, and havn't used magic since. I get if you don't want to tell me what happened, but you could have at least said something. Until your magics back it's too dangerous for you to come with us."

"You don't have magic." I said.

"I don't need magic to fight." He said.

"Neither do I. I can shot fine without it. I'm getting better with mouth grips and I would be fine with one of the assault rifles in a battle saddle."

Rivet sighed. "This means you need to do as your told."

"I know."

"No running off, or making decisions without talking with us."

"I know."

"Your sure?"

"I got this. You build me the saddle and dial it in, and I'll mow down some corpses no problem."

"Alright. Then I guess I can tell you what the plan it. I'll just tell you right now, it's very Rivet."

"OoooOOOooo." I said. "I like Rivet plans. They're always a blast."

Later that day, we were all making our way towards Applewood. Rivet had set me up with a battle saddle and firing bit out of old parts from the barn, so I was pretty much set to go. After a few tips, I could fire with some accuracy. It was no high powered sniper, but it had one hell of a fire rate. Not that it helped when your enemy could turn lead into poodles.

Gambit and I were up front. The others were all spread out behind us. This time Rivet had overwatch to look out for any herds that were too big to take out. Of course, we had to be quiet, so I didn't get to use my gun.

The plan was simple. We go into the sewer where I came out of and make our way to the guard center. Once we get in, we get to the third floor, and kick some ass. Easy. If things went well, the moon would be up shortly before we got into the building, so my sister and I would be supercharged.

"So, when the thing chased you-" Gambit started

"It's a Nova." I stated firmly, cutting him off.

"What?"

"The arch type. I'm calling it a Nova. You know, as in hot."

He rolled his eyes. "Allright, when the Nova gave chace, how fast was it?"

I thought for a moment. "Maybe...not quite as as fast as me, but pretty close."

"Two thirds?"

"Yea, around there maybe. And...I think it was limping a little."

"Alright, good." He said.

"Why do you need to know how fast it can move?" I asked.

"I've heard stories of zombies faster than the eye can see from men with the scars to prove it. I like to have all the details prior."

"You must have some interesting stories before you got to town." I said.

He chuckled. "From what I hear, I'm not the only one. Listen, I want you to know something." He said, suddenly serious

"What is it? Is there something in my teeth?" I asked.

"No Silver, you're fine. I just want you to know that, what you did to get these guns wasn't a mistake."

"You think I did the right thing?" I asked.

"I think you did something stupid, ignorant, and selfish. And yet, without those guns or knowing about the tunnel, we would all have starved. At the same time if you had of spoken to us, we could have worked out a better plan. But you made a call, and you stood by it. Even when no one else did, you knew what you did was right. You could be a great leader Silver, if you just let your stubborn pride boil away a bit."

"I'm...Not sure if that's a compliment."

"Take it." He said, smiling.

"A sewer?" Morning asked, appalled. "Can't I just fly over to the building and have you guys let me in?"

"Too much risk." Rivet said. "If the herds in the town are as big as Silver claims, they could breach the doors. We don't need the extra challenge."

"Not yet, anyway." I said.

"Umm..."Dusk said.

"You can teleport back here at any time and wait for us up in those trees over there." I told her, pointing to some trees off the road. "No one will blame you."

"Alright..." She said. "Just...stay with me, ok?" She asked.

"Definitely. You keep your horn bright, and I'll be with you every step of the way."

"...Alright. Anytime?"

"Anytime you feel unsafe."

"I...Don't think I'll do that. Then all of you would be down there with no way out."

"Everyone set?" Rivet asked. We all nodded.

"Right then." Gambit said. "Let's kill us a Nova."

“Silver, how long until we reach the manhole to the building?” Gambit asked from ahead. The tunnel was wide enough for all of us to walk two abreast, save for Morning. Gambit and Violet were in front, followed by Rivet and I, then Morning bringing up the rear. Dusk was laying on my back trying to block everything out.

“Well...Not to long now. And it’s not a manhole. It’s a maintenance door. It’ll take us into the sub basement.”

“Great. Can’t wait to get out of this tunnel. Smells like Silver down here.” Morning muttered.

“Yea...It is a little creepy.” Violet said. Hey!” She pointed up ahead. “Is that it?”

As a matter of fact it was. Less than a minute later, we were in the sub basement drying off. Dusk was a little better in there. She got off my book and starting looking around.

The sub basement was an old bomb shelter somepony had converted to a storage room. Sadly it was mostly spare parts and cleaning agents, not very much we could use.

Rivet smiled as he went shelf to shelf, pulling off chemicals, pipes, and computer parts. Instantly I smiled. “Rivet plan?”

“You never know when you might need something blown up.”

“In this world, it’s every other day.” Violet said with a roll of her eyes.”

Dusk climbed off my back and sighed. “Guess I’ll take creepy, used to be a bomb shelter, subbasement over dark, wet, little sewer. Now what?”

“Dusk, can you put up some mage lights around for us to see by?” I asked.

“Yea, no prob.” Her horn flashed once, and nearly a dozen orbs of light appeared all around the storage room. Rose let the light of her horn die.

“Well...that’s some spell.” Morning said.

“I set up most of the mage lanterns in town, or showed those who did how.” Dusk beamed with pride.

“Ok, you guys get your little plan together, I’ll go scout ahead and-”

“Not happening.” Rivet said.

“But I-”

“Rivets right.” Rose cut in. “You can’t defend yourself.”

“But I can-”

“Your at the back, Silver.” Gambit said. “We can’t have-”

“Sh.” Morning cut us off. She pointed to a door across the room. If my memory was right, it went into the main basement. “Theres something back there.”

“zombs?” Violet asked with a smirk.

Morning nodded. “Guess we’ll be getting some action early.”

“No no no, that can’t be right.” I said. “This place was locked down when I went through here. Theres no where they could have gotten in.”

“Well, you must have fucked up.” Violet shrugged. “Or a ghost opened the doors and let them through.’

“Or,” Dusk cut in. “The thing upstairs did it knowing we’d come back in this way.”

“Yes, because a corps would think that far ahead.”

“Yes, it would, if it can do magic, set traps, and speak.” Dusk said. “This thing is smart.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Rose asked.

“Rose, you stay back over there,” I pointed at the far wall, behind some shelves. “You guys all stand around the door. I’ll open it, then we can take them out as they funnel in.”

“And who put you in charge, sparks?” Morning asked. I subconsciously glanced towards my horn.

“No, she’s right.” Gambit said. “It’s a good idea. but you can’t be a part of it.”

“What!” I snapped.

“You and Rose stay here. We’ll come back when the top floor is clear.”

“I’m not sitting out.” I said. “You can’t make me.”

“Your right Silver, I can’t.” He said, stepping in front of me.. “Just nudge me aside with your magic, and you can lead.”

My ears went back as I looked down at the ground. “I...I can’t.”

Rivet walked over and put his hoof on my back. “Don’t worry about us. Just chill here and cover Rose, we’ll be back before you know it.”

“I….Fine.” I said sitting down. I know I wanted to go with them, but at the same time...they were right. I couldn’t do anything. I could fire the rifle I had alright without magic, but even that wasn’t much in a building. I wasn’t all that used to shooting while moving.

I sat down beside Rose and watched idly as they let the walkers filter into the room, just to be killed by ours. No one wanted the arch type to know that we were in the building, so they used a combination of melee, magic, and Vi’s bow. I hardly payed attention as I figured out what I would do.

Rivet had planned out them going through a rear stairwell to lessen the chances of detection, so I could go through the main ones like before. Get past the traps, get up stairs, then figure things out from there. I bet Rivet had already cut the power to the third floor.

“Hey, Rose?”

She looked over and smiled at me. “Yes?”

“What do you think of going on a little adventure.

Ok, so, it wasn’t my best plan ever. We managed to get to the main floor without anyone taking notice, but it was only because our friends were so far ahead. Rose could not do stealth. On the way up, my vision had shifted into the silver nighttime spectrum I had become so used to.

“Silver. Your eyes...there kind of...um…”

“They glow at night, ok?” I asked. “Don’t worry, no one will see them anyway.”

We continued through the first floor, easily spotting the places where our friends had been. Bodies of the living dead were thrown across the floor in careless heaps.

“I still don’t think this is a good idea.” Rose said.

“We’re just going to flank it for them. It’s a good plan, trust me.”

“Alright...I trust you. Just, cover me, ok?”

“Of course.” I nodded.

“And I’ll patch you up if anything happens.” She smiled at me warmly

I nodded. “Yea, thanks.”

Then there I was again. Same place as last time. The stairwell that had nearly killed me. I knew it’s traps wouldn’t touch me this time. I knew what I was doing. What I was looking for. I just had to be careful`.

“These stairs are rigged.” I told Rose. “Stay behind me, and stay close. Do whatever I tell you to. Alright?”

“O-ok. Are you sure this is safe?” She asked.

“Theres no such thing as safe Rose. Just trust me, I’ll get us up.”

“Alright. I’ll be brave.”

“Good. Lets go.”

This time going up was a lot less eventful. We didn’t set off any of the traps. There were a few close calls with some new ones that had been put it, but I either noticed before we triggered them or found a way for us to avoid  them. I pulled Rose to the floor to keep us both from getting shot by a rigged shotgun, and Rose tossed away a grenade cluster before it blew our heads off.

Finally, after about 10 minutes, we got to the top floor. I was glad that we had made such good time. Rose was looking a little freaked though. She must not have been handling the, “you could die without even knowing what happend” thing to well. It takes a little getting used to at first.

“Rose, you ok?”

“Huh?”

“Are you alright?”

“Y-Yea. I can do this.”

“You can wait here if you want.”

“I’m going with you.”

“You don’t-”

“Someone needs to keep you out of trouble.”

“...Alright. Lets go.”

Someone had replaced the door that had been melted, and the holes in the wall were boarded up. I peaked through the window in the door. Just as I had thought. The power was off. So at the very least, that part of the plan was going well.

“I’m going to go up and open one of the doors. When you hear three hoof taps, get to it and get inside as fast and quietly as you can. Ok?”

She nodded. “What...are you going to do?”

I took a breath, shrouding myself in a blanket of  shadows. “I’m going for a little walk. I’ll follow you into the room.”

“You...wow.”

“Yea, it’s quite the sight. Or lack of. Don’t get used to it though. It’s way harder without the full moon.”

“We loss that tomorrow.”

I opened the door and slipped out. there was still no one in the hallway. No gunfire either. I wasn’t sure if that was a good sign or a bad one. I guessed I’d see.

I made my way down the hall, to the first door on the left. Inside, was a kitchen. Empty. Next door, storage. That could work. I tapped my hoof three times. After a moment, Rose stepped out and trotted into the storage closet, glancing around nervously as she did so.

Once Rose was inside, I stepped in and shut the door behind us. I let my spell drop. “Alright, I’m going to find the armory. If you hear anything-”

“I’m not staying here while you risk yourself out there.” She cut me off. I eyebrows shot up. She cut me off. And she was being brave. What was up with her…

“I can turn invisible. You’ll be safe here. You can’t fight Rose, you're a medic.”

“Without your magic, you're a sitting duck. Please, let me come. If you get hurt….”

I sighed. I could let her stay hidden, where it’s safe. Or let her come with me. She might not be a good fighter, but she had magic.

“...Alright. You can come. But stay behind me and-” I gasped as she threw her hooves around me.

“Thank you! You wont regret this.”

Once I recuperated I pushed her off me. “Try not to make me.” I said. “Just stay behind me, and be quiet”

We made our way through the halls, Rose staying hidden behind my shoulder, in case the creature decided to exit through one of the doors ahead. We turned down another dull hallway.

Rose jumped. Gunfire erupted nearby. It echoed easily through the hallways towards us. Before she could even react farther, I was running. She screamed and tore after me, but I didn’t waver.

I went around around the next corner and there it was. Down the next corridor, stood the nova. .It snarled towards the gunfire. It was clear that my friends were firing at it, but none were getting through. It snarled in their direction. I leveled the barrel of my saddle mounted rifle at it.

It was clear that it was having trouble seeing. It had it’s eyes half open, trying to penetrate the darkness better. They still had that eerie glow.

I let out a breath, and fired. The crack of the rifle toor through the hall. The creature let out a feral scream and staggered as the round tore through it’s side. I fired again. Then again. By then, my friends rounds were making it through as well. I knew it wouldn’t last much longer. I fired again, ripping a hole right through it’s skull.

I breathed heavily as I kept my scope centered on the beast. I heard Violet whooping in glee at our victory. Rose sighed with relief.

Then the wounds started to glow. Started to mend.

Rivet appeared around the corner, yelling at the others to follow. He scowled at me as he ran. “Run Silver!” He shouted to me. “Last door on the left! Go!”

And I went. I went to the last door and barreled through it. My friends weren't short behind. I counted as each of them entered the room. Rivet, Rose, Gambit, Violet, Dusk, Morning. That’s everyone.

I slammed the door shut, only to have Rivet come up behind me and type on the keypad beside it. A moment later, a purple sigil appears on the door, glowing brightly.

“There…” He said, breathing heavily. “That should hold em.”

“How’d you-”

“A bunch of the safety doors are rigged up with these runes. They absorb energy, a little like Mithril, but they can’t take nearly as much. It won’t last long until that thing overloads it.”

“How's it powered right now?” I asked. I really hoped he hadn’t messed up his job somehow.

“All security measures are made with a energy backup, just in case.”

“Cool. So...where are we trapped?” I looked around the room. Behind me was a massive silver looking door, with a desk and terminal off to the side. Lockers sat on either side of the room.

My friends didn’t look to bad. Other than some ruffled feathers and some bumps and bruises, everyone seemed fine.

I heard something banging on the other side of the door, but it sounded empty and far off. I guess that’s what it was like if you beat against a magical barrier.

“What are you doing up here Silver?” Rivet asked me in a low voice.

“I thought you’d need my help. And I was right.”

“Yea, well now we know that that thing regenerates, and we still have no idea how to kill it.” He said. “Silver, if you had just listened once in your life-”

“Rivet?” Gambit asked. We both looked over. He was looking at the vault door. Everyone was looking at the vault door. “Can you get this armory open?” He asked.

Rivet looked to the terminal. “I can give it a shot” He said walking towards the computer. He sat down at it and got to work.

Dusk closed her eyes and ran a hoof over it, smiling slightly. “Wow,” She whispered quietly.

Violet walked over to her. “Sup?” She asked, looking at the door.

“The energy...It’s amazing.” She said. “Powerful...but so calm...still...It’s like-”

“The stars?” I asked. She looked back at me and nodded, smiling. I smiled back. I had to admit, something about the door did seem...calming somehow.

Violet narrowed her eyes at us. “Right...I’m just going to rest on that side of the room...you two just keep your crazy magic voodoo away, alright?”

“I don’t feel a thing.” Rose said, gazing at the door. “Just seems like metal to me.” My sister and I shrugged.

The sigil on the door dimmed for a moment, before brightening back up again

“Rivet, door?” I asked.

“I tried every password I know. Nothing works. It’ll take nearly five hours for me to generate it, and there's only enough power in the computer to run for three.”

The sigil dimmed before returning to normal again. The creature shrieked at us in its dead language. Screaming as loud as it could. Even through the barrier, it was loud.

“We don’t have that kind of time Riv, even if you had power.” I said.

“She’s right.” Gambit said. We need a plan.”

“Morning, what are you doing?” She looked over at me from outside one of the lockers, which she opened.

“I’m trying to find something helpful. Why?”

“No, it’s a good idea. Everyone look through the lockers. Morning, take the ones that’ve been cleared and place them against the door.”

“Yea...yea, ok, sure.” She said, nodding. Everyone got to work clearing the lockers. Soon we had a pile of supplies in the center of the room, and a decent sized barricade over the door. Wouldn’t be hard to melt though, but it was something.

“So, now what?” Violet asked me.

“Well...Dusk, do you know anything about sigils or casting runes?”

She shook her head. “That’s more zebra magic. I never made it that far.”

“Ok….Rivet, can you force the door? Bypass the computer?”

He groaned at the computer he was still working on. “I...No...Maybe. Just, give me some time to get something together, I’ll get back to you.”

I nodded. “Dusk, Rose?” They both looked to me. “Between the three of us, do we have enough juice to get everyone out of here?”

Dusk nodded. “Easily.It shouldn’t be a problem at all.”

Rose turned towards the door and grabbed it in her magic. “Open...You….stupid…mean…door! She groaned as she strained against the door. Her glow around the door seemed to brighten as the glows around her horn began to fade. She cried out as her magic faulted. She fell to the floor. Her eyes dimmed

“What happened?” Gabit asked, rushing over.”

“I-I-I don’t know.” I stammered.

“Alright, calm down Sis.” Dusk said. “She’s fine. The door just took some of her energy. Give her some of your magic potion the zebra gave you.”

I did as she said. About a minute later, she stirred and opened her eyes. “Why...am I on the floor?”

“Because for once I’m not the only one who hurt myself.” I said.

“Oh...ok.” She replied.

“FUCK!” Everyone turned to Rivet. who was sitting over the computer still. “It locked me out.” He said. “The computers useless.”

“Can’t you bypass it?” Gambit asked. “Trick the system to think the computer sent the command?”

“No. The computer is programed to send it energy that will resonate with the door. The only people who know how to recreate the right magic are The engineers  and Luna herself.”

We all winced as the Sigil dimmed. This time it didn’t spike back up. The spell was starting to fail. The basic spell matrix couldn’t take the abuse.

“Dusk…” I asked. “Can you get them all out of here alone?”

“I...Maybe…” She said. “Why? What are you doing?”

“What I always do.” I smiled at her. Something stupid.”

“Silver, if you die, can I have your sword thing?” Morning asked

“Can it fang!” Rose snapped. The room went silent for a second. Everyone was stunned. Rose had never spoken out against anyone. But to start with Morning? Shit.

Morning was just as stunned. She didn’t even have a comment.

“Right…” I said, breaking the tension. “Here we go.”

I reached out with my magic and grabbed the door. Immediately I felt my energy being siphoned from me, pulled away. It felt like my very soul was being torn from my body. The pain in my horn was nothing next next to the soul sucking feeling of being torn away from my body.

I was there, near the door. But I was also floating. Drifting through space. I could feel it. Everyone who had touched it. I could feel them. The bits of them it had taken. Like a hivemind. Unrelenting. Unwavering.

Then I felt all that power in me. There emotions, there knowledge, there power. For a few short second, I felt, I knew, everything they did. From the moment of their berths, to there deaths. The good, and the bad.

Every part of my body, every fiber of my being, felt the raw power of all of those people. it pulsed through me like a tidal wave.

I directed all of it towards the door. All of our power. All of our emotions. Everything we were was forced into pulling the door open. Bending it to our will. We felt no pain in channeling our magic through it. We didn’t feel much of anything.

I felt light headed as I returned to myself. My friends were looking down at me in astonishment. My horn and head burned. I heard the rhythmic banging of the zombie outside the door. My breath caught in my throat.

“Dear Celestia…” Dusk breathed. “How…”

Everyone jumped as the sigil on the door dimmed, the sound of the thing hitting the door echoing through the room. That spell wasn’t going to last much longer.

“Inside…” I breathed. *G-go” I felt Rivet put a hoof around me as we made our way inside the armory. My horn flickered every two seconds, trying to contain all the energy that had been forced into me.

Once we were in the armory, Rivet ran to a panel near the door and started tapping on it. Immediately Gambit jumped in to hold be up. I felt light headed. Fuzzy. Yet, everything was so clear. I could feel my skin almost vibrating.

The door began to close, thanks to Rivet knowing how to work the door panel. Just as it slide shut, we heard the creature burst into the room beyond, breaking through the door defence. It was a good thing there was no way it could move the mithril.

I had figured everyone to be ogling over whatever weapons were in the armory. That was, after all, why we were there. Instead, they were all fixated on me. I took a step away from Gambit, and slumped to the floor.

“Silver,” Rivet sat down beside me and put a wing around me. “How-”

“L-later.” I breathed. “We need to find a way out of this mess.”