The Mirror of Souls

The first thing Yira could register was the crash and cracking of stone and wood. She mumbled and sat up slowly in bed as several sounds bombarded her senses until finally, she was able to somewhat focus. Once she did time seemed to slow as the sight in front of her kickstarted her awake. A massive boar covered in metal plating had smashed through the stone wall of the chapel, and barreled into Damien. He was currently being impaled on the right tusk a good several inches into his side as he struggled to draw his blade, the red-hot eyes of the boar burning with rage. The boar was shaking back and forth as the tusk continued to burrow deeper into him, blood spurting and dripping onto the floor. Before Yira could even react the boar lowered its head and charged, slamming through the wooden door to the room and carrying Damien away. As she made to move the frame shook and crumbled, several stones collapsing that blocked the door.

Damien’s hands were getting tossed around with each shake of the boar’s head, and he couldn’t manage to get a good grip on the metal plating or the tusk in his side, which he was pretty sure punctured his liver. As its head lowered and it charged he could feel his spine take a hit as he was carried into and through the weak door to the room. He couldn’t hear as he focused all of his senses on slaying the beast in front of him. He gasped and coughed up blood as the boar carried him into the wall on the opposite side, slamming him hard into the stone and impaling him further. He growled and reached down with his hand and exploded the flames outward, burning into the boar’s eyes. It let out a hoarse guttural roar before shaking its head hard and eventually dislodging him. He went flying into the crowd of sleeping ponies, crashing into several and breaking several bones across his body. As he struggled to pick himself up he felt more blood pour out of his side onto the stonework as he coughed some into his helmet, feeling his left arm go limp. Several ponies had woken up by now and had started to scream out in fear. Damien’s ears could barely register the sound of a slam against the wooden doors to the chapel before the boar charged again. He mustered his strength and rolled away, ignoring the intense pain in his side as the boar missed him, instead crashing into several ponies and causing more screams and yells. Damien was panting and breathing hard into his helmet as he reached for his Estus. His eyes widened as he looked at the emerald flask to see it completely empty. Shit...Did I forget to refill it? He slipped it away as his eyes flicked back to the boar.

It had risen to its feet as several ponies were trying to scramble away, some crawling across the ground due to broken limbs. It snorted and focused its eyes on Damien as he slowly reached his hand back, grasping and drawing his scythe as he bled more onto the stone ground. By now all of the ponies had awoken and backed against the walls, watching this display. The boar began to drag its front left hoof against the ground before it burst forward into a charge. Damien once again rolled out of the way, groaning through grit teeth as his side tore open further from the exertion. The boar had to skid to a stop, giving Damien time to react. He ran forward with his scythe at the ready and swung in from the side. The boar turned and he cursed as the blade scraped against its side, ripping off several of the steel plates. It faced him and charged again, this time catching his right side as he moved out of the way. Leather and gore went flying as the sharp tusk tore right through his flesh. He grunted and steadied himself before swinging again, his scythe arcing downwards. He dug it into the metal plates, but it slipped off once again. His eyes narrowed in determination as he saw a single drop of blood slide down the boar’s side. It roared and charged once again, Damien sidestepping. The ponies gathered could only watch as this man from another world tangoed with this horrific beast, easily some of the smaller ponies size as well as five times as thick and burly. As the boar’s tusks continued to occasionally nick and rip through his sides, Damien continued to slash his scythe at the boar, tearing several metal plates off again and again with each slice. Several puddles of blood had gathered around the battlefield, a good amount smeared around the floor. Damien was breathing hard and shaking, barely standing on his feet. Those who looked close could even see blood dripping out of the edges of his helmet. Inside the helm, his eyes were struggling to stay open as his consciousness was tugged at again and again. He forced himself to open his eyes wider as the boar charged once more. He harnessed his strength and roared as he swung his scythe downwards at the boar, unable to dodge. The blade came down and pierced into one of the cracks in the boars plating. As it charged towards Damien, a massive amount of blood exploded out of every nick in the boar’s armor, spraying everything nearby as its legs crumpled and it slid past him, dead. His hand went limp and left his scythe embedded in the boar as he dropped to his knees. As he slowly raised his head to look at the dead boar, the splintering of wood came from his right. He tried to turn his head as he watched several pieces of debris fly past before everything went dark.

As all the ponies stood gathered, they watched as The Stranger slashed his scythe down and finished the beast. Everyone watched in suspense as he fell to his knees breathing hard. Then the wooden doors to the chapel burst open, wooden shrapnel exploding everywhere. Their eyes all snapped to watch as a second metallic boar came charging in from outside, rushing past all of them and straight into Damien. Its tusks pierced straight through his back and lifted him up as it roared into the chapel. It began to shake its head back and forth in the air, his body swinging around limply before finally slipping off and flying into the far back wall, crumpling into a heap. Everyone was silent as they looked from his body to the heavily breathing boar in the center of the Chapel, the sunlight streaming in through the windows and busted door, dust swirling about in the air. As the boar began to turn towards the rest of the ponies a small boyish scream rang out. The young earth pony from the day before ran out of the hands that tried to stop him and swiped at the boar. His blade harmlessly bounced off its metallic hide, sending him backward and stumbling. The boar’s eyes narrowed and it turned to swipe at him before another cry rang out. One of the Earth Ponies tackled the boar, using his innate strength to shift it just enough to confuse it. Instead, it swiped at him, its tusk goring his stomach a bit as he was sent flying backward. Its eyes widened as it felt another impact on its back. It turned to see the young colt with scared eyes and shaking hands, stabbing at its back in futility. It roared out in anger before an arcane bolt hit it in the side of the head and made it reel. It turned to see one of the unicorns stepping out a bit from the crowd and channeling his magic through his catalyst, also with fear in his eyes. The boar roared and charged the mage, but a pain in its back made it stumble and crash into the wall as ponies screamed and ran out of the way.

The female earth pony pulled the young colt out of the way and breathed deeply as she settled her nerves, loading another bolt into the large crossbow she held. It was truly large in its make, and only someone with extreme strength, like herself, could actually fire it. She swallowed and crouched down as the boar turned slowly to watch her, the bolt from before sticking out as blood began to speckle the still untouched parts of the floor. The boar began to drag its hoof against the ground as she lined up the shot. She had never quite used something like this, but she was good with a slingshot in her younger days. The boar burst at her, and she took the shot. The bolt catapulted out of the crossbow and sped towards the speeding boar. It slipped past the tusks and straight into one of the burning red embers of its eyes. The howl of agony that rang out scared them all as it tripped in the pain and began to skid across the floor, a metallic ton of pain. The earth pony’s eyes widened and she turned and grabbed the young colt, throwing him over her. He soared over her head and watched as the boar crashed into her, making her cry out in pain as they both collided with the wall. He rolled across the floor and came to a stop safely, quickly getting up. Everyone watched the boar and felt dread billow back up from within them as the boar slowly got back on its hooves and turned towards them all. Black ichor was spilling from the bolt in its eye socket, but the other eye only seemed to burn with more hatred. It charged towards the group of ponies who all began to push past each other in pure terror. Before it got close several arcane bolts slammed into its side. The unicorns from around the room who had obtained catalysts were all channeling and sending bolts at the boar. As it was being pelted it roared and charged at the closest unicorn, before it felt its legs give out. An earth pony with a spear had stepped in and used the shaft to clothesline the beast’s legs making it slip and slide forward again.

As it came to a stop all the ponies with weapons nodded to each other and yelled as they charged in. They all began to hack and slash at the boar as it slowly started climbing to its feet. It roared and began to toss its head back and forth goring some of the surrounding ponies with its tusks. As they fell away others came up and took their weapons, a mob unity of survival rising within all of them. The boar roared as the scores of blades began to pull its armor plating away, beginning to scratch at the tough hide underneath. “Go for the neck!” One shouted out and suddenly the boar collapsed under the weight of the strikes. It roared again and gored several more ponies before the pain and blood loss began to sink in. One of the Earth ponies came up and planted a hoof on the boar's tusks, lowering its head to the ground. As it looked up its rage-filled eyes came upon the massive axe of the pony above. It began to struggle as the earth pony grunted and hefted up the axe, all the other ponies scrambling away. The hefty blade came down and slammed into the plating around the boar’s neck. It roared in pain as the plates crumpled and helped to cut into its neck. The earth pony hefted the axe again and gave a roar of his own before slamming the axe down again, cutting deeper into the thick hide of the boar. It roared again in pain as blood began to pool around it on the floor. The other ponies watched as the axe came down again and again, slowly cutting deeper and deeper into the boar before finally with a thud the axe hit the stone floor beneath, completely severing the boar’s head from its body. The pony was breathing heavily and left the axe in the ground before stumbling away and breathing hard. As they all looked at the scene in front of them and their own hands, a good chunk of the gathered ponies turned away and vomited adding to the already horrific floors.

Once they all came back to their senses, actions were being taken. Two volunteers stood outside the doors to the chapel as guards, watching for any more beasts or Undead. Several of the earth ponies who could stomach it took some clothes and shrapnel to fashion makeshift mops and began to swab all of the bile and gore out of the chapel. The cleanest corner was turned into a temporary medical wing, where everyone with any form of medical experience or treating wounds began to look at everyone who had been injured by the boar’s tusks. This included the local butcher as well as mothers and any nurses. After several minutes the young colt called out from over by the collapsed door. As the pony with the axe came over, he could hear the desperate shouts from Yira inside. He immediately took action and called over the few uninjured Earth Ponies and even a Unicorn came to help. Together they began to heave and lift at the stones and wood blocking the door. After a few more minutes they finally cleared enough of a space to see Yira, who was distraught with worry. They looked past her to see the other side of the room caved in as well, where the first boar had come from. They eventually worked out enough of a space so she could slip through, her robes slightly tattered and ripped in places. She profusely thanked everyone there, several accepting her thanks whereas others simply look away or brush her off.

Yira quickly made her way around the room, looking at the carnage and the two boar bodies, suppressing the urge to vomit as she looked at the severed head. She turned to the earth pony with the axe, who was acting as the go-to leader at the moment. “W-where is Damien?” The earth pony’s face darkened a little and indicated one of the covered bodies of the ones who didn’t make it in the back left corner of the chapel. Yira rushed over and knelt down, carefully peeling away the cloth. As Damien’s form came into view she had to swallow her dread as she looked at the myriad of wounds and gaping holes across his body. They had left all his armor on surprisingly, but otherwise, he had been placed alongside the other bodies. Yira closed her eyes and breathed, and began using her magic to search for emotions or any sign of life. She didn’t find any. As she finally finished up her search she felt a thwack on the back of her head, making her reel in pain as she cried out and bent over. “Gah!” She turned around quickly to see that same Noble pony, a semi-crazy look in his eyes as he watched her.

“S-see!? See everyone!?” He turned to all the other ponies who were watching him. He was barely recognizable now, almost completely undead and his eyes barely retaining a hint of sanity. “SHe was jUst FEEDING off of him! LIke their kinD doEs! We need To FINISH HEr once and for all! OTherwISe, We will never be safe!” He turned back to Yira who had a horrified look in her eyes and was starting to back away as he moved closer. He made to swing with the wooden club but was grappled from behind by the axe wielder.

“Calm down! She can’t even feed off a dead body!”

“Y-YoU don’t KNOW that! We Don’t know ANYTHING about them!” He spat out the last word and wrenched free, several other ponies rushing forward. They all began to grab and tug at him, trying to control him as he grew crazier and crazier until finally he broke free and lunged for Yira with the club. As she gasped and threw her arms out a sickening squelch reached her ears. She slowly opened her eyes to see a large bolt sticking out of the noble’s head, the bolt tip coming out of his temple. He eyes slowly rolled back before he collapsed to the ground as ponies backed away, looking towards where the bolt originated from. Five shadowy figures stood in the doorway before Equinox walked in carrying a darkly coated pony in black leathers on his shoulder.

“...Dear Celestia, what happened here?”

Earlier that morning, before the Dawn

Equinox, Reverend, and Oak Brace(the pony with the great shield, now holding one of sturdier make with an eagle on the front) left the chapel and said goodbye to the few ponies still awake, before setting off on separate paths. Equinox’s plan was to search the parts of the city he still hadn’t, now that he was better equipped. Reverend and Oak were going to ring the bell again, deciding it should be done at least every other day. As they split up Equinox began to jog, looking at the eternal sunset that never faded from the horizon.

I hope the Princesses are alright. These eternal days worry me. He shook his head and stayed determined as he began making his way through the alleys and streets, ignoring the rubble and charred wood. He eventually made his way to the southern side of the city where most of the Undead were lurking. As he slowly peeked around the corners with his greatsword in hand, his eyes widened a little when he saw that not only were most of them gone, but those that had still remained were already lying dead on the ground. He kept his blade at the ready as he slowly made his way forward into the square he’d found himself in, his eyes peering into the shadows of the buildings and windows, listening for any sounds. He slowly knelt by one of the bodies, looking it over once he was sure it was safe.

Let’s see… it looks like several quick stab wounds over a multitude of vital areas...I recognize these! His head snapped up and he quickly resumed surveying the area. As he looked at the bodies, he quickly recognized that most of them were heading towards a specific side street. He got up and quickly jogged over, his armor clinking together. He entered the street and saw more bodies, all lying dead around an open set of wooden doors on the ground, with a staircase leading underground.

Looks like a basement. Or probably a storage area. As he quickly began making his way over, one of the bodies made him stop in his tracks, a shiver of dread running down his back. What in the world..? It was armored unlike the others and cut completely in half. The two halves were laying right next to each other, so he almost missed it, until he stepped in the blood that was pooling around. The cut was so clean, it was like whatever had sliced through was akin to a molten edge through ice. He looked down the dark steps as his ears twitched, straining his senses to hear even the slightest noise. He stood for several minutes, slowing his breathing to nary a wisp as he closed his eyes. Then, out of the darkness, he barely heard a feminine cry of pain, muffled and distant. His eyes snapped open and he quickly began bolting down the steps, greatsword pointed behind him so it didn’t catch on the roof. The basement area was surprisingly roomy, the ceiling still a couple hooves above him. There were shelves and boxes that were lining the walls, but most of them had been smashed. He could barely see in the dark, the lights having been snuffed out probably days ago. He swallowed and strained his eyes as he cautiously walked forward, stepping over the pieces of wood laying scattered over the floor. He heard a shuffle from his left and instantly turned to face the noise. It had come from behind one of the intact shelves, and he began to slowly make his way over. He paused and quickly turned, thinking he had seen a blur of movement behind him but saw nothing in the darkness. He swallowed nervously and quickly made his way over to the back corner, where he saw a sight that filled him with both joy and anger. Blaze was tied up and gagged in the corner, wearing black leather armor. Her daggers were gone, and her eyes were darting about in fear. Equinox let his emotions get the best of him as he quickly dashed over, starting to relax his greatsword. Blaze saw him and quickly began shaking her head, her eyes flicking from his to somewhere behind him.

“What’re you…?” In his haste he stumbled over a piece of wood, almost falling over. His eyes widened as he felt a gust of wind over him before the shelf beside him was shattered into pieces. He quickly turned around, swiping a little clumsily behind him. He watched as an obscured, transparent figure backed away, a massive weapon in its hands he couldn’t quite make out. He quickly backed up closer to Blaze, beads of sweat starting to form. His eyes were flicking back and forth, unable to see anything in the dark basement. His eyes flicked down to watch the floor, and he saw a new footstep appear a few feet in front of him. He quickly stabbed forward, a deep grunt sounding out as the figure rolled away, but not without a little blood dripping onto the ground. He quickly turned and grabbed Blaze, ignoring the sounds of urgency she was making. He hoisted her over his shoulder and jumped over the remains of the shelf. Another whoosh and an intense feeling of pain in his left leg followed him as he cried out through clenched teeth, powering through and focusing on getting out of the basement as he staggered with each step. He looked down at his leg and grimaced before he let some of his magic out, before focusing again. He heard the sound of footsteps behind him as he bolted up the stairs. He reached the top and felt Blaze struggling on his back as she reached out and shut the door closest. He winced as he felt more pain in his leg as he began running towards the square. He fell to his knees and Blaze rolled off him as the pain in his leg grew too great.

Blaze quickly grabbed his claymore and cut her bindings on the blade, ripping off her gag afterward. “Equinox! You damned idiot! What’re you doing here?!”

“Apparently saving your ungrateful ass sister, but now is not the time!” He looked towards the alley they came from, her gaze following his. They both watched as the distinct sound of footsteps made its way over to them. They strained their eyes as they watched the transparent figure make its way towards them, slowly bringing its hands together. The air turned distorted for a second before a white mist seemed to slide away from the figure, revealing him properly. He had a deep blue hood on with golden trim, the shadows within hiding his face. He wore no chest armor except for some leather straps, which were strained tightly against the well-defined muscles of his chest. He had gloves made of the same silky fabric as his hood, a deep blue with gold trim. He had firm leather pants and boots, dusty from years of use. He was slowly sliding a ring off his fingers, a gold band with a milky white pearl. The one replacing it was an emblemed ring bearing some kind of symbol. That wasn’t what they were paying attention to, however. Their eyes had quickly snapped to the man’s back, where 4 giant black weapons were affixed. They gleamed brightly in the eternal twilight, the blood staining the blades glowing almost sickly. He was slowly walking towards them as he reached a hand behind him, before grabbing one of them. He casually brought it around, wielding what was most likely the smallest of them, a black sword that was around the same size as Equinox’s Claymore, with a thicker blade. He undid a clasp and 2 of the other weapons fell off him, disappearing behind his back into nothingness. One of the weapons, a large black battle-axe, remained across his back. Blaze finally came to her senses and began trying to help Equinox to his feet.

“Get up, get up, get up! We need to run!” She kept trying to lift him to his feet until eventually, they both collapsed again. “For Celestia’s sake why won’t you…” Her voice stuttered off as she saw Equinox was barely conscious. She looked at his leg and swallowed down rising nausea when she saw that it was mostly gone, cut almost completely off and draining blood. The last of Equinox’s residual magic faded away from his leg, probably how he had even been able to walk in the first place. Blaze swallowed and rose to her feet, gripping Equinox’s sword in her hands. It was a bit heavier than she was used to, but she raised it with determination as she looked at the figure.

“You are going to pay for every second you had me down there!” The figure paused as she spoke, raising his head slightly, stopping just a few feet away. Blaze wasn’t hollow like Equinox was after he died. She was still in a pure form, except for cuts and scratches. The figure said something to her in a language she didn’t understand, his voice deep and hoarse. “I don’t know or care what you just said, you’ll pay!” With that she ran forward at the figure, slashing awkwardly with the blade. He reacted quickly, raising his blade up to intercept hers. Her pupils shrunk to pinpricks when his arm didn’t even move during the collision, and neither did his blade. She began to breath faster before growling and swinging the blade from the other side. He didn’t even move his body, simply blocking the blade again without any effort. She continued to awkwardly swing the sword at him until finally, he swung in return. She raised the sword to block and felt it fly from her hands, the pure force behind his swing enough to send it clacking across the area. She looked back at him with fear in her eyes, then down at her brother. She swallowed and snapped her arms to her side, opening her hands as she focused on her dormant magical power.

The magic of Equestria lies in each and every creature that lives on the planet, it just isn’t seen as often outside of specifically arcane races. Pegasi magic made them lighter, able to manipulate and touch clouds, as well as light control of the wind. Earth ponies were able to increase their physical strength, connect more with the earth and plant life. Unicorns were able to express their magic directly outwards into different shapes and forces. Then the cutie mark comes into play. A pony’s cutie mark is not only a symbol representing their special talent but also a focus for channeling the inherent magic within a pony into a more direct form. Usually, a pony’s cutie mark gives them their own type of unique magic that only they can utilize. Blaze began to do just that, and the warrior watched as she began to give off a faint glow from underneath her armor. The glow was replaced by a shadow that seemed to stretch outward, snaking around her form and outwards. He took a step backward and readied his blade as the area around him seemed to darken just a little, the shadows reaching out. She stepped away from him, and he watched as the shadows of the buildings seemed to reach out and caress her form before she disappeared.

She is gone...no...I can’t let my guard down. He slowly took a step more towards the center of the square, his eyes darting around underneath his hood between the dark patches around him. He heard a soft thump behind him and quickly turned and swung, his blade slicing through the air. It encountered nothing as he watched one of the corpses shift, its sword being pulled into the darkness by a shadowy hand. He breathed deeply and relaxed, looking around once again. He heard another sound from his right and turned in time to block Blaze’s strike, pushing her away. She quickly faded away into the darkness, before he heard another tap of her foot and turned to intercept a punch from behind, blocking that with his blade as well. He had just enough time to see her growl in suppressed rage before fading away again. He stepped backward before he felt a slice at his calf as he jumped away, watching as her arm came out of the shadow beneath him. He landed too close to one of the walls and had to quickly turn and swipe Blaze away as she slipped out of the shadow at him. He tried to get back to the light but was stopped as he had to intercept another of her strikes as she rose out of the ground in front of him, swinging with a cry of hate. He tried to retaliate and stabbed downwards at her, to which she dodged to the side and the blade sunk into the shadows next to her. He pulled it away as she disappeared again.

He was surprisingly fast with his blade, she noticed. For each of her strikes against him, he managed to either fully block or deflect the blow, despite the complete unpredictableness of her shadow step. She grimaced and looked to Equinox. I need to get him out of here. She looked back to the warrior and paused in her assault as she saw him reaching behind his back. He was fumbling with a pouch, slipping his hand inside it before pulling out a brown orb tied with twine. He turned and tossed the ball, and Blaze watched as it exploded into a small fire, lighting up some of the wooden rubble. He stabbed his blade into the stonework and began tossing the orbs all around, lighting most of the square up in flames. Blaze looked around, before deciding on a point. She slowly slinked into the shadows again, readying the blade.

The figure tossed one last firebomb against the walls, then sealed up his pouch. The flames were dancing over the wood, light arcing and stabbing across the shade from the buildings around him. Let her come… He breathed in deep the stale air, watching and waiting as he listened to the crackle of the fire. His gaze narrowed as he heard the shift of rubble behind him. He quickly moved to the side, turning with his arm outstretched. Blaze’s face was one of shock as he proceeded to grab her arm with both hands and push in opposite directions. She cried out in pain as he broke it, and the illusion was dispelled. The shadows disappeared from around him and he turned to see her over by Equinox again, standing and breathing heavily as she cradled her arm.

How...how did he do that? She swallowed in fear and gripped her broken sword from the hollow tighter, moving closer to Equinox. She got between him and the demon of a man, who pulled his blade out of the ground. He began to walk over again, and Blaze had one thought running through her mind. I must protect Equinox. With that, she yelled as she ran at him and swung. The man knocked her blade away with his bare hand. Her eyes widened as he gripped her throat with his left. As she began to claw at his arm he dropped his blade and readied his fist, before slamming it into her gut. She gasped in pain as he drew his fist back before slamming it into her again, her eyes watering as she proceeded to dry heave over his arm as he let her go. He lifted his elbow before coming down hard on her head, knocking her to the ground unconscious. The figure breathed deeply as he looked at the two of them.

Equinox slowly came to his senses, groaning in pain. He rubbed his head as he slowly tried sitting up before his memories came rushing back to him. He quickly snapped his head up to look around and went even paler when he saw Blaze unconscious next to him, and the figure watching them both. Equinox swallowed and reached for his sword, only to find it missing. The figure grunted and pointed to Equinox’s right, where it was resting against a wall. Equinox looked back at the figure and began slowly moving towards his sword, inching his arm closer. The male simply watched, unmoving. Equinox quickly grasped the hilt and brought his blade close, pointing it at the figure who was watching him like a hawk. The figure said something to him that he couldn’t understand, but he did recognize the words somewhat. The same way Damien talked. Equinox looked at his sister and moved closer to her, holding his other hand up in front of them both. “Please...let us go. We are just trying to survive. Please.” He said desperately, his heart beating in his chest like a drum. After a few seconds, he began walking towards Equinox slowly, one foot in front of the other. Equinox tried to scoot away as he raised his greatsword, the winced as his eyes looked at his leg. It had been poorly bandaged together, and the fact he couldn’t feel the lower half or his foot told him enough.

“Here.” He said as he watched the hollow equine snap back up to look at him. He slowly reached behind himself and reached into his bottomless box, before pulling out a piece of humanity. The black wisp almost seemed to dance and quiver in the air, licking and rubbing itself against his fingers. The soldier in front of him slowly reached out with his hand, his eyes filling with that familiar sight of longing he saw too often. As their hands met, he let the humanity fall into the other’s hand and quickly made him crush it.

“Gah!” His entire body locked and surged for a bit as Equinox felt the black wisp shoot inside him. He could feel every inch and centimeter it coursed through his veins until finally, it reached the black hole inside of him. The dark empty void of hunger. It stuck to the rim and nestled deep, filling up the void that had been with him ever since this all started. Not a lot, but a significant amount. As he finished gasping he felt a white mist hiss of his body, and he looked down to see his leg completely healed. All his wounds were. He looked at the figure above him and back at himself, before bowing his head and clasping his hands together. “Thank you.” The figure simply turned and walked towards the stairs out, which lead Equinox to look around. They were both down in the cellar from earlier. The man in the hood simply watched him, his eyes piercing into him despite the fact he couldn’t see them. Nox quickly got to his feet and sheathed his greatsword before lifting up Blaze in his arms. He made his way over and watched as the figure gestured for him to go first. He nodded and quickly headed back up the stairs, his mind set on meeting up with Reverend.

They quickly made their way out into the rest of the city, Equinox leading the way. This new stranger followed closely behind and stopped Equinox whenever any hollows appeared. He would then proceed to quickly move forward and swiftly slay them all in only a few seconds, using his sword from earlier before sheathing it and making his way back to Equinox. They continued like this, pausing only when Blaze stirred from her sleep. As she began to yell and scramble at the figure, Equinox had to hold her back as he explained everything. Once she had settled down he put her arm across his shoulders and supported her as they continued walking. As they reached near the church the bell began to ring loudly, its harmonious chime falling across their ears. They waited patiently until Reverend and Oak Brace made their way out of the Chapel and greeted them, the Reverend pleased to see Blaze and this new fighter. As they began heading back Reverend watched the man with intrigue. “So he is like Damien you say? From this other world?”

“Yes. He speaks the same language from what I understand, so hopefully the change-...Yira can be of help.” He looked forwards towards the distant Chapel as they slowly walked, Oak and Blaze being mostly silent.

“I see...is that black blade his only weapon?” Asked Reverend as he reached out for it in curiosity, the figure smacking his hand away.

“No actually...he has four of those types of weapons, each more threatening than the last. I have seen them work. It is… quite horrifying. I am glad that he is friendly as well.” Reverend nodded slowly as he looked forward, squinting his eyes.

“Equinox…”

“Yes, Reverend?”

“...The doors to the Chapel are gone.” Equinox’s head snapped forward and looked towards the front of the building, confirming what Reverend said to see wooden shrapnel scattered everywhere. He quickly turned to Reverend and nodded.

“Let’s hurry.” They picked up the pace, Blaze protesting a little as she was still sore from the blows. They quickly made their way to the door, seeing the sight of the noble going crazy. Before anyone could move the man grabbed a heavy crossbow from a resting mare’s arms, quickly and easily loading a bolt into it before firing, the bolt piercing straight through the back of the mad pony’s head. As the body slumped to the ground Equinox walked in, looking around at the aftermath of the carnage inside the Chapel. “...What in Celestia happened here?”
Yira dusted herself off and began walking forward, but the earth pony with the axe came forward first. “Sir, we...it all started this morning, a short while after you and Reverend left.” He turned and his eyes passed over Yira, a pang of sadness crossing his face as he pointed to the back and the boars. “One of these boars burst out of the room Yira and the stranger-”

“Damien is his name.” Said Yira with a smoldering glare, making him swallow.

“-Damien were staying in.” He corrected himself before gesturing around and at the still red floor. “He had been grievously hurt, and we all were too paralyzed to do much of anything. He managed to finish of his boar, but…” He turned back around to face Equinox as he gestured behind them all. “A second one burst through the doors, and impaled Damien, killing him. Thanks to this young stallion here-” The earth pony grabbed the colt and dragged him forward, who was flustered and scared. “We all got our courage back and managed to kill the second one, but not without casualties and injuries.”

Equinox nodded slowly as he looked around, Blaze doing the same on his shoulder as they both replayed the fight best they could from the details others began to shout out from the sides of the room. Eventually, Yira walked up, the two of them looking at her, Equinox kindly while Blaze did so with interest. “Normally Damien would’ve come back by now but...the fire is dead.” The two of them looked back at the end of the room, where the bonfire that was usually smoldering was dead.

“That’s interesting...do you know why?” Equinox asked as he began slowly walking forward, Blaze finally pulling away from Equinox a little so she could look at all the ponies around her. Yira shook her head, leading him towards where Damien was resting.

“No...this is a first time I’ve seen it like this...oh Damien…” He looked down at Yira as she bit her lip in worry, her ears pressed against her head. What they didn’t notice was the man walking forward to examine the boars on the ground. He knelt down by the decapitated one, nodding slowly as he examined the metal on the body and the gaping neck wound. Then he moved to the other one and began examining its bloodstained armor and burnt face. He slowly stood up and nodded, drawing another of his black weapons. This one was a massive greatsword, dwarfing the one that he had used for most of the day. Equinox looked over and raised an eyebrow as he moved closer, watching him.

“What are you…” He trailed off as the man raised the blade high over the boar, then brought it down hard and crushed the massive slab of metal into the boar's side, cutting through the armor easily as it dug deep into the boar. A pained squeal echoed throughout the building as the boar's eyes snapped open, blood pooling out of its mouth as it began to convulse on the ground. He huffed and lifted the blade again and brought it down once more, cutting straight through most of the boar. The squeal slowly died out as the boar once again collapsed, the fires of its eyes dying out. All ponies gathered watched the man, most breathing hard and some covering their ears, eyes, or both.

“...Dear Luna, it was playing dead.” Said one of them as they all began to whisper in fear, considering how close they had come to death. With a yelp from one of them, the fire burst back into life, flames rising up to caress the twisted blade. Yira’s eyes twinkled with hope as she grabbed Damien and began trying to drag and carry him as safely as possible to the fire. The man sheathed his blade after cleaning it, then walked towards her. Yira paled (which was really more of her skin growing darker in spots due to the blood being drawn from her face) when she looked up and saw the hulking brute of brawn. He knelt down and looked at Damien, slowly nodding to himself. Then he scooped Damien into his arms and laid him down by the fire, before sitting down himself. Equinox and Reverend began to converse with the injured ponies as Yira simply watched Damien and this new person.

“So...what is your name?” She asked, looking at Damien, then looking at the hunched figure. He didn’t respond, so instead, she opted to remain silent. She watched instead as the flames reached out from the fire and began to gently wrap and infuse themselves into Damien, stitching shut his wounds, evaporating the blood stains on his close, some snaking their way into his flask. There was a brief moment where everyone’s minds became clouded before everything cleared up and they all paused. Yira shook her head then looked back down, gasping ecstatically as she saw Damien grumble before starting to sit up. She helped him rise up into a proper position before tackling him in a hug, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Oh thank Chrysalis you’re okay. I was so scared I would be alone.” He froze up as he looked at Yira, then gently patted her back, not used to comforting others.

“What happened Yira? I can’t remember.” He said as he looked towards the Chapel, the ponies, and destruction as well as the corpses. “I killed the boar yes? I see... a second one then?” Yira nodded and let go of him, rubbing her eyes as she sat next to him.

“Yes. A second one came rushing in. Apparently, the ponies were able to kill it. As for the first one...it was actually still alive. Just playing dead. He realized this and finished it off.” Yira nodded to the man across the fire, whose hood was drawn lower as he gazed at the fire. Damien looked at the man for several seconds, before something seemed to click and he gasped.

“Defidus? Is that you?” Yira blinked and looked at Damien, but was quiet as Defidus spoke up.

“Indeed Damien. I certainly didn’t expect to see you here. Then again, I don’t believe either of us intended to be here.” His head rose slightly, bright purple eyes shining underneath the hood to look at Damien.

“Certainly not. Yet here we are, and this world is beginning to suffer from the undead curse. Any ideas?” Said, Damien, as he adjusted himself, propping his arm on his right knee.

“No. You know I cared little about the world and its fate. All I cared about was the forest. Unfortunately...it has gone silent.” Defidus held up his right hand, whereupon it sat a ring. Damien looked close at it, the gold band ending in two cat claws holding a large white opal. Normally, when one was reaching out for the forest, it would reach back and the opal would glow and pulse with light, before pulling the wearer to defend the forest. However, the opal Damien saw now was dead and almost seemed lackluster. “I have no idea how they fare. They can handle themselves just fine, yet I yearn for the hunt once again.” Defidus huffed and let his hand fall, scratching at the stonework. “And what of ye, Damien? Your arachnid maiden.”

“She came with me surprisingly. She fares no better, but she is still safe, and that is what matters. She is currently at this one's homeland.” He indicated Yira who was being quiet and watching them both, as was everyone else in the Chapel.

“What is she? I have seen no creature like her in Lordran. Although I have suspected that we are no longer in Lordran, are we?” Damien shook his head as Defidus sighed and pulled out his repairbox, starting to fix his black behemoths of weaponry.

“She is known as a Changeling. A creature who can shift her shape, although she hasn’t done much of it since their form changed.”

Defidus paused and looked up from his work. “Changed?”

Damien nodded and clarified. “Yes. They used to be quadrupeds. Walking on four legs. Now they, and the ponies as they are called, have formed more like us.” Damien gestured to all gathered as Defidus nodded in understanding.

“I see. It sounds like you’re doing what you usually do, and gathering info. I assume you have a plan?” Damien slowly nodded as he began repairing his torn armor, pulling it off and revealing his own chest in its hollow and shrunken form, Yira wincing as she looked away a little, Defidus ignoring it completely.

“I indeed do. I was going to spend mayhaps another day or two here, but it is time we left. These boars appearing are a sign we are gathering attention. I have been informed that there are Princesses in this world who hold power, one of which lives in a town known as Ponyville.”

Defidus looked up incredulously. “Serious?”

Damien nodded. “I know. Regardless, the princess might have some knowledge about what we should do, both in helping this world and getting back to our own.” Defidus sighed and nodded, slipping everything back and his weapons onto his back.

“Very well. I have literally nothing better to do with my time. Unless you are up for a rematch?” Damien finished repairing his coat and slipped it back on as well as the rest of the padding.

“Not at the moment. We currently have bigger problems with us. Starting with the fact that, as you’ve noticed, none of them can understand us. Except for Yira, who understands the witches language.” Defidus looked up at the changeling, she swallowed and waved nervously.

“So you expect me to wear that useless band of metal instead of something more helpful? No chance. You can just translate for me.” Damien looked stricken as he slumped in annoyance, sighing.

“You really want it to be like that? It would easier if you just wore the ring…”

“No can do. I need to be always prepared for combat.”

“Fantastic… well, then I guess I’d better start explaining to everyone about, well, everything.” Damien huffed as he got to his feet, Defidus chuckling and waving a hand.

“You do that. I will be here.” Defidus waved from the fire as he laid back in relaxation, Yira getting up to follow Damien.

“Is everything alright Damien?” She asked in concern, following him as he walked towards Equinox.

“Yes yes, it is all okay. I just need you to translate for me alright?” She nodded as Damien got Equinox and Reverend together, and began explaining everything. As well as mentioning that Defidus was another warrior from Lordran he had often crossed paths with. An exceptional combatant who could use just about any weapon, he was a guardian of the Darkroot Garden and would be an invaluable asset. He also explained the plan to move to Ponyville, to which Equinox held up a hand.

“What do you expect us to do with all these civilians? Leave them here?” He said sternly, looking at all those gathered.

“Yes.” Equinox looked from Yira, who was shocked, to Damien, who was as unreadable as ever. “This problem is most likely affecting the entire world, and you expect me to care about them while things could get worse?” Equinox’s began to simmer in rage as Damien held up a hand. “Not to mention, but I believe I am what drove those boars here. And so are you.” This caused everyone to pause as they looked at Damien.

“You think you are responsible? But how?” Asked Reverend as a lot of the ponies began to sit up.

“Souls of course. When I was repairing and handing out clothes and equipment, it probably attracted the boars from the sheer amount being used. So, if those with the highest soul content were to leave, it would probably become a much safer haven.” Damien nodded and began to point to each of them. “It would be me, Yira, Equinox, her-” he said as he pointed to Blaze, who was watching him suspiciously. “Defidus, and...that should be enough. The rest can stay, repair, survive, and have a much easier time doing so. Especially now that they are better equipped.” He finished off looking at Equinox, who was conflicted and trying to think up reasons. Reverend put his hand on Equinox’s shoulder and smiled.

“We will be fine. Don’t worry. For now, get some rest. When you all wake, you will have a big day ahead of you.” Reverend turned to Damien and held out a hand. “Thank you so much for your help. It is greatly appreciated and we now should be fine on our own.” Damien nodded as Yira translated and reached out, shaking his hand.

“You...are weelcoome.” He said in Equine, the words slipping off his tongue like lard. Reverend nodded and turned back to the injured as Equinox went with Blaz to inform her of everything. Yira and Damien went to one of the more reclusive corners by the fire, sitting down. Yira looked at Damien in worry.

“You truly think they’ll be okay?” He nodded as he looked into the fire.

“If they deserve to live, they shall be fine.” She looked shocked as he turned towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “That is how life works Yira. I am sorry. They seem to be capable fighters, and it is true us leaving should stop attracting attention, but there will still be fights ahead of them. Now get some sleep. We leave once you awake.” He turned back to the fire and Yira sighed, getting as comfortable as she could next to him as she closed her eyes.

Oh, Chrysalis… I fear that things will only continue to get worse...