The two of them held each other's gaze, Yira looking between the two. But before either could make a sound, there was a slight coughing, before a small, raspy female voice spoke out. "Q-Quelaag? Sister?" They all turned and looked behind them. The girl in the spider had opened her eyes, which were milky white, and was seeming to grope out at the air gently, almost despairingly. The Undead quickly sheathed his blade and ran over to her, with Chrysalis and Yira watching quietly. He tightened his white glove, then gently took her hand in his. She smiled instantly and looked towards him. "Quelaag...dear sister...how are you?"

"I-I'm fine, my dear. I missed you. How are your eggs?" He said painfully, swallowing and patting her hand. She grimaced gently, closing her eyes in pain.

"They still hurt...but...I'll be okay...as long as I have you..." He nodded and grasped her hands a little tighter. She looked at him and smiled gently. "I'll be okay sister...just make sure to take care of yourself..."

"I-I will. Now, you go back to sleep now, alright? I'll ease your pain for you while you do." She nodded slowly and held her hands together again, closing her eyes. He slowly knelt down in front of her, and placed his hand on his chest. Chrysalis and Yira felt energy gathering their slowly, before he raised his arm upwards. They watched as the energy flew from his hand to her's, creating a small glow as it was absorbed. They heard a small sigh of relief, before everything went quiet. In the dim light of the fire, Yira saw a small tear slip out from his helmet, trailing down the side before eventually dripping onto the ground.

The bonfire crackled gently, it's flames licking harmlessly at the blade imbedded in the white ash at the bottom. Upon closer inspection, Chrysalis realized that it was bones that surrounded its base. Yira had just finished explaining to her everything she had learned, and now the two of them sat next to each other, watching the Undead. He hadn't moved the entire time, just gazing into the fire lifelessly. Chrysalis darted her tongue out gently, the thick taste of guilt gracing her tastebuds. She cleared her throat gently, receiving no response. She cleared it again a little louder, but still didn't get a reaction. She huffed and used her magic to knock on his helm gently, to which he raised his head slightly towards her. "So, undead, do you have a name?"

"...it's Damien..." He looked back into the fire, watching the flames curl and twist in the air. Chrysalis nodded, and pointed to herself.

"I am Que- Chrysalis, ruler of the changelings. I govern them, provide for them, and literally their mother. Next to me is Yira." She gestured towards her, and Yira nodded her head gently. "She is different from the average worker in that she is a Seer, thus how I knew to look for you and her. I sensed earlier when she had another vision, due to the fact I have a small telepathic link to each of my children." Chrysalis tapped her horn gently. "And each of her visions has come true in some degree. So...i only have one real question." Chrysalis smirked as he raised his head towards her again.

"I don't care about your personal problems Damien, and I know that you could probably easily slaughter my hive. I have no doubt of that. I just wish to know; what does being Undead mean in Lordran?" Damien looked back at the fire, thinking slowly. He then reached up and grabbed his helm, and began lifting it off of his head. Yira and Chrysalis' eyes widened slowly as the smell of rotten flesh permeated the air. They watched in slight disgust, and Yira with fear, as he set his helmet down. His head was a sickly magenta, and in several places some of the flesh having peeled away. His cheeks were sunken in, wrinkles spanning most of his face. He slowly turned to face them, the two changelings chitin somehow paling at the sight. His eyes were a milky white, and his nose was sunken in. His face resembled that of a dead pig, only flatter.

He looked away and grasped his helmet, it creaking gently as he lifted it up and set it back where it belonged. "That...Chrysalis...is what an Undead is...we are immortal...but with each death, and with every breath...we Hollow and lose a little more of our sanity...however, we can restore our human forms with humanity. I refrain from doing so, however, because she needs it more than me." He nodded gently at the witch, who was fast asleep.

"Damien...does she have a name?" Yira asked hesitantly, looking from her to him. Damien looked back at the fire, breathing deeply.

"...Quelaana..." He said softly, the two changelings tasting the affection and guilt from his words. Chrysalis looked him over, then gently rested her hoof on his hand. He flinched gently, then looked at her suspiciously. She smirked and took her hoof away.

"No need to be so cautious. There were several times we could've attacked you. However, I think you should know, you're not alone." He lifted his head in slight confusion, and she chuckled, some of her past malevolent tones coming through accidentally. She coughed gently and waved her hoof. "Sorry. Old habits. What I mean is that other beings from Lordran are here in Equestria." He started gently, then looked back at the fire. Chrysalis smirked as she felt some of his protective spirit return. "Yira saw one of them in a vision, and he was spoke of more arriving as well."

"B-but my Queen, I never told you that." Yira said confused. Chrysalis chuckled again.

"Did you really think I wouldn't use my magic to see your visions myself?" She smirked as Yira blushed embarrassed, then turned back to Damien. "Should we fear all creatures from Lordran Damien?" He scratched his leg gently, and she could almost here his cogs turning.

"...If they are any of the beasts I know...or some of its warriors...then I can say only one thing..." He turned to her as she swallowed, the seriousness of his words crushing her joking demeanor. "Be ready for hell."

*****

Back at the Crystal Empire, Cadence was pacing around her room, following the marks left behind from all the past times she had done so. Ornstein sat in the corner, watching her from his peripherals. Shining was standing by the door, his eyes darting between them anxiously. Cadence's mind was running rapidly, processing everything she had just heard. He's here...more are coming...but where? Only the Crystal Empire? We can't be sure...but why two here? Coincidence? She began pacing a little faster, chewing her lip anxiously. A faint magical link connected to her horn, making her look up. A small burst of magic poofed into the room, revealing a scroll. However, it was instantly impaled on the end of Ornstein's spear on reflex. They turned and looked at him strangely, his head darting between them. He coughed awkwardly and pulled it off gently, then held it out for Cadence. She grabbed it with her magic and cast a quick mend spell, then unraveled it and looked it over.

"Dear Princess Cadence. It is I, Princess Celestia. Recently, a strange monster, with two large swords and the head of a goat, attacked Canterlot. Two of our newest guards were, surprisingly, able to...kill, it, as it would not respond to us and...already killed several civilians. The nobles are, as you can assume, going rampant, panicking and demanding protection which we cannot provide. The main reason for this letter however is to make sure that you and Sir Shining Armor are alright. Please respond as soon as you are able, for I fear that this was only the beginning. Also, we realized...from its corpse...that it came from some a foreign source of magic to Equestria, via the residual traces from when it was first brought here. Please, as soon as you can, respond back to this letter. Tell us anything you may know. Stay safe."

Signed,

Princess Celestia.

Cadence swallowed nervously and rolled up the letter neatly, floating it over to her husband. So it is happening in other places...then we have no time to lose. She levitated over her own quill and paper and wrote a quick response to Celestia, telling her she was okay. She wrote about Ornstein, the fact he was an ally, and that they were already getting ready. After sending it away with a small burst of magic, she turned to her husband. "Shining, I think we need to act fast." He looked up from Celestia's letter grimly and nodded.

"What should we do?" He walked over to her and nuzzled gently. She nuzzled back and sighed.

"You need to gather the guards, and prepare them for battle. At any moment, more demons like that one could appear, and you need to make sure that everyone will be safe."

"You've got it Cady." He pulled away and smiled weakly. "See you soon." He turned and galloped out of the room, sending a signal from his horn to all guards, telling them to gather in the armory. Cadence watched him leave, then turned to Ornstein.

"Sir Ornstein...I'm not sure what to do with you..." He watched her walk to the window, looking out at the tragedy outside. "I don't know if I should keep you here with us...or send you out to help others..." He grunted as he slowly stood up, his armor creaking gently. He grabbed his spear and walked over, looking out at the dead demon.

"Princess...dost thou know that they can handle demons such as that?" They looked at the carcass, covered up by several sheets of leather. She sighed and watched as guards began leaving the palace, armed with spears, swords, and armor. He looked down at her and gently touched her shoulder, making her look up. "Perhaps the better question is; can other places do the same?" She looked back out at the ground, and sighed wearily.

"...no, they cannot. They need someone like you. Someone who can kill without hesitation. Someone that kills as a part of their everyday life." He nodded and gripped his spear firmly, turning towards the door. "Wait! I can do one last thing." He looked at her as she trotted to her desk. For her drawer she pulled out a map, a medal, and a small metallic object. She cast a quick spell over the map, then levitated them over to him and smiled. "A map of our land, enchanted to your language, a medal that deems you as one of my soldiers, giving you access to anywhere you need to go, and a way to send messages to me. Simply ignite your message in the flame, and I shall receive it." He grabbed a nearby coat, which was about the size of a handkerchief to him, and bundled up the map and object into a bag, tying it around a chink in his armor. He took the medal and pinned it to his chest, then bowed to her one last time, before walking out of the room. Cadence turned back to the window, watching Shining order their guards to new posts. A storm is coming...and I don't know if we'll be ready.

With a clatter, the carriage landed, and the two siblings hopped onto the ground. Several yards away lay the city of Manehatten, smoke rising over the tops of the buildings. The brother shifted his great sword on his back, and looked to his sister. She nodded at him, adjusting her daggers, before they set off for the city.

Author's Note

Aaand the next chapter. I'm thinking the next one will be more action oriented, and darker. Pleeeeeeeeeeease leave comments! You have no idea how much they help! And I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.