I skipped happily around my cave as my mother watched with a smile on her muzzle as she fed my siblings. My father had been gone hunting for the last week and should be back sometime later. I barked happily before I was tackled by my sister Willow. My identical littermate, Willow had the same black fur and piercing silver eyes, the only difference was Willow’s white star-like mark on her head. We rolled and played, running around without a care, until a shadow covered the entrance of the den. We stopped and looked expecting to see father, but instead uncle Fang was there, with blood dripping from his raven fur around his maw. He had a look in his eyes that was filled with a hunger, with a growl he took a step into the cave.

Mother barked at Willow and I, passing a message that needed no interpretation, “Run.” We ran, Fang tried to snap at us as we passed on either side of him, but we young pups easily evaded.

We ran out into the arctic cold to see a scene of horror before us, in the snow surrounded by mourning wolves was father, lying in a patch of blood-soaked snow from where his throat was ripped out. Willow yapped in my ear, breaking me from the fear induced trance I found myself in.

We heard a high pitched howl pierce the air coming from our den, with that Willow ran and I found myself following close behind. We ran, and ran, and ran. I forgot everything around me but making my paws carry me as far from there as possible.

When I stopped I looked around… at the black void that surrounded me. I turned, but found nothing. Just more void in every direction. I tried to bark, but no sound came. I whimpered and laid down, at a loss for what to do, until a light pierced the void. A blue, icy light came down onto me, I looked up to see what it came from. I couldn’t see what made the light but as I looked a voice called out.

“Little wolf, why have you entered my domain?” The voice spoke with a calm, but also icy etherealness to it that sent a chill down my body.

The light came off of me and focused in front of me. It narrowed and brightened until I could no longer look at it. When the light faded in its place was a phantom. The specter of white mist reached its spider-like ‘paws’ towards me, who was frozen in fear. As it touched my fur, the color fled. The color bleached until my entire coat was white as snow.

“Hmm, I see.” The figure intoned as it retracted its arms. “Well little one, in light of your circumstances, I will grant you favor to wander my realm. As long you are within my borders, I will have the land provide for you. I have a feeling you could be useful to me little wolf.” The figure crossed its arms as it seemed to ponder something. “Hmm, ‘little wolf’ is a little impractical, instead you shall be ‘Von’.” The specter said as it reach forward and touched one tip of its ‘paws’ to my chest. “It’s meaning is ‘ice’, fitting for my new white, little, silvered eyed, future vessel. Grow little Von, grow into one that I can use to finally escape this prison which my brothers are so keen to keep me within. I will call upon you when you are ready.” With this the specter retracted its arm as light began to shine from the figure. In a bright flash everything around me went white…

“Von. Von wake up.” I woke to something gently shaking me. My eyes were met with the sting of daylight as I opened them to find the cave entrance was clear the snow that had sealed us in the night before. I turned to see the being that had roused me from my sleeping memory, was there another term for that, hmm whatever. I looked at the arctic blue pegasus as she gave me a calm smile, she seemed to be doing better compared to the emotional wreck she was last night. I pushed myself to my feet as I stretched, releasing a few pops from my bones as I did.

“Did you sleep well?” Snowdrop asked as she rose as well.

“The memory I recalled was interesting to say the least.” I replied, to which Snowdrop let out a small laugh before covering her muzzle. “What?” I asked in confusion of her reaction.

“I’m sorry that’s just the strangest way I’ve ever heard someone say they had a nice dream.” Snowdrop replied as she controlled her giggling.

“Dream?” I replied, cocking my head at her.

Snowdrop looked like I had just slapped her with the way she stared with her jaw slack. “You’re kidding me right?” I just raised my brow, before I remembered she couldn’t actually see me, and replied in the negative. “Sweet Luna, a dream is when you’re sleeping and your mind makes up something to distract you while your body rests. Saying it’s a memory is unlikely as most dreams contain things that never happened.” Snowdrop explained.

I shrugged as I walked towards the cave mouth. “In any case, we should get moving before we waste anymore light. Tundra nights aren’t to be taken lightly.”

Snowdrop nodded before following me. Once we were outside she placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked over to her for an explanation. “Oh I’m sorry, I hope you don’t mind. Since I can’t actually see what’s around me I’ll need to use you so I don’t fall or run into something, is that alright?” Snowdrop explained with a pleading look in her eyes.

How can I say no to that!? “Of course, that’s fine. One question though, are we going to be safe from that dracolich? Can’t he sense his brother in the gem?” I ask as we begin to hike south.

“We should be fine. The gem contains all of Py’s power and doesn’t allow it to escape. The only reason he found me yesterday was because I used the amulet’s power when I fought you. As long as I don’t use the amulet neither of the siblings should be able to find us easily.” Snowdrop answered.

“Ok, makes sense.” I replied as walked on in silence. It continued like so for an hour or two until Snowdrop spoke up.

“Von can I ask you something?”

“What would that be Snowdrop?”

“What did you dream about? I felt you shaking quite a bit before I woke you up.”

“I… was remembering how I became an omega.”

Snowdrop’s grip tightened when she heard that. “You mean you’ve been alone? For how long?”

“Many moons, I was a pup when my sister and I fled our pack after our uncle usurped and killed our father.”

“That’s awful!” Snowdrop gasped, using her free hand to cover her mouth in shock.

“We’re wolves, it happens. My mother barked for us to run while she stayed and tried to protect our littermates but… I don’t think she was able to.” I said as I felt something cold and wet roll down my cheek. I dabbed at my eyes to find them leaking water. “What’s this? And why does my heart suddenly hurt?” I said before coming to a stop and falling to my knees. Snowdrop knelt beside me and used her arms to bring my head to her chest.

“Shhh, it’s ok. You’re just crying, it happens when you feel sad.” Snowdrop said as she continued to cradle my head.

We stayed like that until I regained my composure before I slowly stood and Snowdrop placed her hand on my other shoulder so that she was closer than before. For some reason I didn’t mind, it felt nice to feel her fur brush my arm as we walked further south.

After another hour Snowdrop broke the silence that had fallen yet again. “W-what happened after you ran away?” She asked meekly, as if afraid of my answer.

I thought back to when I was running away, but I couldn’t remember anything, just a fuzz of lights and sounds. “I… don’t remember. It’s fuzzy, all I remember was that I got separated from my sister Willow as I ran. I never managed to find her, I assume she probably died. It’s a miracle I didn’t, I was only a pup when I became an omega.”

“I’m sorry about your sister, though I must agree an omega pup surviving up here is nothing short of a miracle.” Snowdrop said as she stared ahead.

I stopped walking which caused Snowdrop to nearly stumble and fall.

“Why’d we stop?” She asked, as she strained her ears to try and catch something she might have missed before.

“Sorry. We’ve just come to the end of the forest. There’s nothing but flat ice ahead and a large mountain range to the east.” I explained.

“Von, what color are the tree if you don’t mind my asking.” Snowdrop asked with complete sincerity.

I looked at her questioningly before taking a good look around and replying, “They’re black, like they’ve always been. I’ve never seen a tree that wasn’t.” Snowdrop let out a chuckle at my answer when I asked she just passed it off and said, ‘you’ll understand in time’.

“Well that means we’re at the south edge of the Black Forest and in front of us is the Glacial Plains. Those mountains must be the Onxy Hills, they’re supposed to have an extensive cave network that many ponies have ended up lost in and died. Or if you go with some of the more outlandish legends they would become monsters with a need for flesh, like cannibals but more twisted.” She said with a giggle. "Though it's really just an old foal's tale to scare them into not entering the caves alone. I've never heard of anyone who's actually seen one."

“Do you know the caves? It would be better to go through those than cross the plains. Right now we still have enough light to make it to the hills before it we start having to worry about finding shelter.”

“I’m afraid not. However you might.” Snowdrop turned me to face her.

“What?” I say, utterly confused.

“You have the knowledge of a guardian. It’s very possible that he traveled through the caves before entering Zy’s domain. Just for the fact as you said ‘it would be better than crossing the plains’. Try looking through his knowledge, if it’s there we head for the hills, if not we double back and find a place to rest before trying to cross the plains tomorrow.” Snowdrop said with a confidence and understanding that I had not seen from the mare before.

I closed my eyes and did my best to recall, my thoughts fishing through the mass of information I had yet to fully reflect on and learn yet. I tried recalling what should have been just a couple days ago, my brain straining until it hit me like a rock. The memory of a map, one of the caves, Blake had one! The exit he came out from should be only a short hike from where we are now!

“I know the way. Come on I’d rather get there before it gets any later.” I say as I grabbed Snowdrop by the hand and begin to guide her across the plains towards the hills.

After about an hour of hiking we arrived at the entrance to a large cave. The ceiling over twice as high as I am tall, while the walls were a smooth, glossy black.

“Von, is something wrong?” Snowdrop asked as stood next to me.

“This doesn’t feel right. This cave isn’t natural, it was made by something, and it was big.” I replied as I took a tentative step inside.

“Well these are the Onxy Hills, there used to be a mining town just south of them that profited largely off of what they mined from these hills. Couldn’t this cave be made by them?”

“We’re at the far northwest edge of the hills, it will take us at least two days to make it through the caves to the southern part of the hills. I wouldn’t see why they would come this far and make it the large for the cause of mining. I still say we have a better chance here than out on the plains, but that doesn’t put me at ease.”

“Well then let’s just hope we make it through here quickly. On the upside since we are out of the black forest we are officially out of Zy’s domain, downside we’re now in Cy’s. Though Cy isn’t one to really worry about. Zy was the ringmaster when the brothers were unified, Cy would listen to him but without direction would keep to his domain and almost never bothers another being unless they attack him first.”

“Hmm, well that’s good I suppose. Though how do you that?”

“Just because this amulet contains Py’s power doesn’t mean it contains his influence. Whoever wears this diadem has to suffer with the incessant assault of Py’s consciousness in his attempts to corrupt the user. Even now he isn’t quiet, though I’ve learned to tune him out.” Snowdrop explains.

“Impressive, could you hear him even when you were trapped in that spire?”

“Yes, which is how I know so much about the brothers, he likes to brag a lot.” Snowdrop answered, the last part slightly offhanded.

I chuckle at the idiocy. Any predator knows if they want to tackle a prey too large for themselves you either increase your numbers, or wait until they are weak. Which from the short interaction I’ve had with this mare, she most definitely is not. On that note, “Snowdrop back at the forest edge, when you directed me in how to search the guardian’s memories, how did you know what to do?”

“Oh that? Just a trick I learned to help a friend. She often suffered from depression caused by feeling insignificant to her family. When I remembered you said you had the guardian’s memories, I thought I would see if you could access them.”

“So you gambled with the possibility that he would actually know something?”

“Yep!” Snowdrop spoke cheerfully.

I just chuckled as we continued to walk. There was barely any light from the cave mouth with how far we were inside. So the only light we had was the soft glow cast by the crest on my chest and Snowdrop’s amulet. As we continued to walk I noticed a change in the reflection cast by the onyx walls. I walked over to them to see what caused it.

Along the left side of the cave were three large claw marks. Now this normally wouldn’t worry me, except for the fact that the width of each claw started at the size of my fist. The marks went into the cave side almost half a foot, and continued along the wall into the darkness. Whatever made these marks was big, and big means strong, which means I don’t want to find whatever made these marks. I jumped slightly as I felt Snowdrop put her hand over mine on the wall.

“Oh my, are these claw marks?” She asked in a soft tone, as not to have her voice echo.

“They are. You wouldn’t happen to know what could have made these do you?” I replied in a similar soft tone.

“I don’t, but I believe we can both agree we should hope we don’t find what did.”

With that we continued on our way. We walked for what seemed like hours until Snowdrop finally let out a yawn she had been trying to fight down.

“Tired I take it?” I asked with a chuckle.

Snowdrop gave a sheepish smile. “Yeah I guess so. How about we just rest here? We can continue after we’ve gotten some rest.” She said before walking to the wall and sitting down, patting the spot next to as she did.

I sat down before I wrapped my arm around Snowdrop and pulled her closer to share our warmth. Mmm, her fur feels nice and warm. Makes me miss mine own, maybe I can find a way to shift back if I learn some of that magic stuff that Blake’s memories keep mentioning. I think as I bath in the feeling of warmth coming from Snowdrop. I felt sleep come not long after.

“---- vessel --- ---- here.”

“Why ----- ---. - have ---- sculpting --- ----- -- was - pup.”

“-- impressed, --- often -- --- find - ----- with --- ------- potential -- hold --- contracts -- ----.”

“----, his -------- -- -- par ---- ---- of -- alicorn. -- --- greater.”

“It ---- be interesting ---- -- --- hear -- ------. --- voice -- usually ---- enough.”

“---- deal with --. -- - must --- eject ---, ----.”

“Haha, ---- deal ---- ---- if -- comes -- --… --- -- prepared -- lose.”

Who is talking? I’ve heard those voices before, but I can’t place them.

“Von.”

Who’s there?

“Von!”

What do you want?

“VON!”

I awoke to being viciously shaken by my companion. Who, as my eyes adjust to the dim light, was wide eyed and thoroughly spooked by something.

“Snowdrop what’s wrong!” I sprung up to a kneeling position to scan our surrounding the best I could.

“I heard something! And I think it’s getting closer.” Snowdrop said as she began to tremble.

“What about your soul sight? Can’t you see what’s coming?” I asked, starting to get worried myself.

“There’s nothing. Whatever is coming… doesn’t have a soul.”

I soon as I had awoken I had heard what Snowdrop was talking about. A scraping sound, like claws being drug as something walked. The thing that worried me was that, there was more than one. Whatever was coming, it wasn’t alone.

“Snowdrop, I need light. I can’t fight in this dark. I need to see what’s coming.” I spoke as I shifted to a fighting stance.

“That would reveal our location to Cy! I can sense magic in you, why can’t you?” She spoke as she moved behind me.

“I don’t know how. Blake’s memories show him using magic, but I don’t know how to invoke that power.”

The scraping had grown louder as Snowdrop and I argued. Snowdrop tugged at her mane in frustration, “Fine, we’ll deal with Cy if he comes. After this I’m going to teach you to do this yourself.”

With that the sapphire in the diadem began to glow slightly brighter, until an orb of light appeared in her hand. With a toss the orb ascended to the roof of the cave and increased in brightness, illuminating the passage for about a hundred yards. What was revealed, I can’t ever forget. Snowdrop's talk of monsters apparently had some bases in truth.

Down the passage, only fifty feet away, were ponies… or what was left at least. Their coats were all drained of color, their bleach-white manes/tails were tattered and had sections missing. Their skin was pulled taut over their near skeletal bodies. Their arms hung low, as if disjointed, and their nearly foot long fingernails were black and claw-like. However the most unnerving feature was their eyes. Their eyes were completely void of any white, leaving only a soulless looking black orb, devoid of any resemblance of life.

As the light touched these creatures they opened their bloodstained maws to reveal a set of thin, pointed, black teeth, just before unleashing a soul rending shriek. Snowdrop and I covered our ears at the sound as it seemed to shake the cave itself. There were only six of these creatures, but I wondered if I could even take one. The first one charged with blinding speed, I barely had time to bring my leg up stop its advance. It ran into my leg with such force that I winced in pain, I kicked it off as it tried to swipe at my head, missing by a mere inch. By this point the other five had charged forward and it was all I could do to avoid the mass of limbs as these monsters whipped their arms at my being. Though I could move with perfect control of my body, I couldn’t avoid everything. In only a short time I had cuts along almost every part of my body, shallow though they may be. These being seemed to pick up on my fatigue and began circling, almost like a pack of wolves would before a kill. Too bad for them I know that trick. I leapt up and back, flipping over the creatures and landing so we were back in our positions before the fight. Snowdrop was behind me as I was the lone barrier between her and the monsters. All five of them… wait that isn’t right, where’s the sixth?

“AHH!” I heard Snowdrop scream and whipped around to find the sixth monster straddling her with one claw around her throat and the other about rip it out.

I felt something break inside me, like a dam had been broken and a wave unleashed. “AAAAAAHH!” I yelled as I lept at the beast. It froze before turning to face me, only to have my fist smash into its maw. The monster went flying down the passage and landed with a sickening *crack* on the cave floor, it didn’t get up. As the red fog clouding my vision began to fade I looked down to see a blue mist-like energy coming from the wounds I had sustained. I stared as I watched my wounds mend themselves, along with my clothing. After the mist disappeared I turned to the remaining monsters who had begun to shake and tremble as their faces contorted into ones of fear. I spoke one small word, just to see the result.

“Run.”

With that the ghouls scrambled and clawed, whimpering in fear as they fled as quickly as they could. I watched until they vanished from the reach of the light that was continuing to light the passageway. I looked down to Snowdrop in thought to help her off the ground, however what I saw was her looking up at me with a look that could only be described as terror.

“Snowdrop? What’s wrong? You’re safe now, the monsters are gone.” I said as I knelt down beside her. She shook her head, as if to clear it of an image.

“I-I’m fine, just a little shaken. Thank you for saving me.” Snowdrop replied, as I helped her to her hooves.

“I’m glad, those things were creepy to say the least.”

“I won’t ask you to describe them in that case. Anyway I had a pretty good idea what they were when I heard that scream.” She said with a shiver.

“What were they?”

“Creatures known as ghouls. They are made by the magic of wendigos. Judging by the touch of hooves I felt when that one straddled me those were made from ponies.” Snowdrop explained.

“Made by wendigos? For what purpose?”

“They were what would be considered ‘failed vessels’.” Snowdrop began. “It happens when the vessel containing a spirit not its own breaks because of the excess magic. This causes the vessel to expel not only the wendigo, but its original soul as well. Leaving only a living husk with only one purpose, survive. Legends told that their eyes could see the souls of their prey, and that they’d attempt to take that soul to replace the one they lost.” Snowdrop began to shake again as she finished.

I wrapped my arms around her in an attempt to comfort the distraught mare. “Shh, it’s ok. You’re safe now.” Snowdrop’s shaking slowly came to a stop before she looked up at me.

“Thank you Von, I’m ok now.” With that I released her, however she took my hand in hers and laced her fingers between mine. “Come on, I believe we’ve rested enough. We should get moving.” Snowdrop said before pulling me along as we started down the passage.

As we got to the edge of the light the orb casting said light began to wane until it extinguished itself, leaving us again in the dark. This time though the dark didn’t seem as imposing as before, and we continued down the passage hand in hand. It continued like this for hours it felt like, me guiding us through the twist and turns of the massive cave system. Stopping only to consult my mental map when a fork would appear in the passageway. We had heard the scraping of the ghouls a time or two, but we had yet to encounter them again. But never once did the claw marks disappear, at certain points there were even a matching set on the right cave side as well.

“Stop.” I gave a squeeze to Snowdrop’s hand to enforce my point.

“What’s wrong? Did you hear something?”

“Listen.”

Snowdrop complied, swiveling her ears as she strained to detect any sound other than our breathing. It took a second but she heard it, a shrill sound which could only be related as nails on a chalkboard, and it was getting louder. However this wasn’t the only sound, there was a rhythmic thumping of something walking, and from the increasing vibrations now shaking their feet, it was big.

“What is that!?” Snowdrop asked as I felt her hand began to tremble.

“I’m not sure we want to find out.” I replied.

“Can’t we just backtrack? Find another way through?”

“‘Afraid not, this is the only passage according to the map in my head that will let us into the southern section of the cave system.”

“So that means…”

“We have to face what’s coming. Or at least stay alive long enough to get past it.”

Snowdrop nodded as the scrapping had become nearly painful to the ears, and the vibrations were shaking nearly their whole being.

“I’m gonna need some light again.”

“I’m on it.” With that Snowdrop tossed another orb like before and it burst when touching the cave roof again illuminated the passageway. Whatever was coming was still out of reach of the light, but from the vibrations… not for long.

After a half a minute we could see something step into the light. Then with a second step we could truly see. What entered the light, I’m not even sure can be counted as living. What enter was a giant composed entirely of what looked to be onyx, the top of which barely cleared the ceiling. No discernible head just a large, what looked to be diamond, in the center of its torso. Its arms hung low, nearly touching the ground, and each ‘hand’ was composed of three giant shards of onyx.

Well, now we know what made those marks. I thought to myself as it continued approaching. This is gonna be one hell of a fight.

“So tired” The giant rumbled out, though it had no visible mouth. Snowdrop and I just stood dumbfounded, like we had just heard the voice of God himself.

“I-it spoke.” Snowdrop managed to get out.

“Yeah I noticed.” I replied, my voice only dripping enough sarcasm to kill a small army.

The giant came to a stop about halfway into the light, it dislodged its claw from the wall as it did so. Then it proceeded to ‘look’ between me and Snowdrop, as if trying to tell us apart.

“What’s going on… there was only to be one to stop… such, a pain.”

Snowdrop began to shake as she cowered behind me. “I-I think that thing is Cy, the middle brother.”

“Well that makes sense of the ‘form of solid darkness’ part you said when describing him.” I said as Cy continued to just stand in the middle of the cave.

This isn’t good, I might be able to get one of us past him but it’s going to be a pain to dodge him and protect Snowdrop.

“I’ll just take both of you then… then maybe Zy will let me sleep.” Cy bellowed before, with speed unfitting his size, charged us.

It was all I could do to grab Snowdrop and throw us out of Cy’s path. He came to a grinding halt, sparks flying as he did. “Snowdrop I need you to run. Keep running until I catch up with you.”

Snowdrops eyes filled with terror. “No! I can’t leave you here. You don’t stand a chance!” She protested.

“Don’t worry, I’ll catch up. I’m not stupid to think I can take him, but I do think I know how to slow him down.”

Snowdrop looked at me and then down the passage. “Alright. But you promise me you’ll return.”

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” I said on instinct.

“What?”

I shook my head. “I’m not sure, it just came out when you said promise. Must be from Blake. Now enough talk, Move!” I said pointing down the tunnel.

Snowdrop began to run down the passageway, keeping a hand on the wall to guide her. With her out of the way I stepped into the middle of the tunnel, just as Cy turned his lumbering form around.

“No, you don’t… Zy told me you aren’t allowed to leave… Said it would make him mad… I don’t want brother mad.” Cy rumbled as he prepared to charge again.

“Me specifically? Or anyone?” I asked, not expecting a response. Nor did I get one.

Cy charged again, and I was about to dodge again until everything went black. The orb had gone out. I flung myself at the cave side as I felt the wind of Cy moving past me rip at my clothes. The only light was the one from my crest, and the sparks as Cy ground to a stop.

“Winter can’t leave… This Winter’s home”

Now that doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’s always winter here… wait, what if removing one of the brothers from the Tundra will end the winter up here. If that’s the case, I need to definitely make sure Snowdrop makes it to Equestria.

“Well come on big guy, you’re welcome to try and catch me” I taunted. Just before I heard a grinding sound, like something falling into place. I strained my eyes, trying to see what Cy what doing, but it was too late.

Two sets of sparks appeared on either side of the cave as Cy drug his claws on either side while charging me. Well… guess this is it. I thought to myself, just before the world went black.

[Third person POV]

I got it this time. Cy thought to himself, until he felt a wave hit him, stopping him in his tracks.

“What am I to do with you, little brother?”

Cy dropped his hands from the wall. The voice he heard was one he hadn’t heard directly for over a millennia. He began to shake, the onyx stones of his body clacking as he did, as he felt a massive surge of power imitate from in front of him. Even though he could see the souls of creatures, the one in front of him had vanished. Only to be replace by an eye… a solitary, glowing white eye. Cy took a step back as he began repeating.

“T-this home, this home, this…”

“This is yours. It was never mine.”

Cy let out a screech that seemed to rattle the hills in their entirety. His body collapsed, leaving a mass of onyx rubble, as he took to his ethereal form and vanished into the side of the cave wall.

[Meanwhile]

Stupid mare why did you ever let him talk you into leaving. Snowdrop thought to herself as she ran down the tunnel, keeping a hand on the cave wall as she did. He might have the magic of a guardian, but from what he’s said Zy’s probably the one who killed the last one. And he can’t even consciously perform magic, he can’t… he c-can’t… Snowdrop was broken from her thoughts by a sound. It was like the world being torn asunder, it shook her to her core causing her to lose her footing and fall to the ground. Snowdrop covered her ears, trying to lessen the noise, as the earth around her shook. It subsided as quickly as it had come, after which Snowdrop faced down the way she had come.

No. “Von!” Snowdrop yelled as she leapt to her hooves as began racing back the way she had come. She had seen what Cy had looked like through her soul sight, but as she returned to where they should have been, she found no sign of the wendigo. Instead she tripped over something on the ground, and would have fallen if not for her handhold on the claw mark on the cave wall.

“What the?” Snowdrop softly spoke as she bent down to see what she had struck. Her hand met what felt like rock, she traced her hand over it to confirm. Yes, it was a piece of onyx, around the size of her head. She slowed her pace, as she touched another boulder, and another. The ground was littered with rubble, but where was Von?

“Uhhhh.” Came a groan. Snowdrop quickly navigated the rubble until she found him. There was her wolfen friend, laying on the ground perfectly safe, at least from what she could tell.

“Von!” Snowdrop moved as quickly as she could until she was kneeling beside him. She found his head and moved it so that it was resting on her lap. She then used a light touch to check if he had any injuries, but to her surprise found none.

“Uhh, did anyone get the name of the polar bear that ran me over?” Von groaned out as he opened his eyes. Only to be met with the crying face of Snowdrop as a tear rolled down and hit his cheek. “Snowdrop? What’s going on? Why are you sad?” Von asked as he tried to sit up, only to get embraced as the mare broke down completely.

“I-I’m not Von, I-I’m happy. I-I’m o-overjoyed that you’re alright.” Snowdrop replied as she nuzzled into Von’s neck.

“Then why are you crying, I thought you did that when you are sad?”

Snowdrop gave a weak chuckle, “You can cry when you’re happy too, Von. Just like now.”

Von looked around at the rubble surrounding him. “What happened? I should be a stain on the cave wall right now. The last thing I remember was Cy about to charge me with his arms out, giving me no room to dodge. Then, darkness…”

“I don’t know, maybe you unleashed some spell subconsciously before you passed out. I honestly have no clue why Cy fled, but we should get moving. Who knows how long until Cy returns to his vessel. We don’t want to face him again.” Snowdrop spoke as she finally regained her composer.

Von nodded as he slowly rose to his feet. Snowdrop got up and lace her hand like before, but laid her head on Von’s shoulder, putting her closer than before. They climbed over the rubble before resuming their trek down the passageway. Though they didn’t make it far before Von stopped them again.

“Von? What’s wrong now?” Snowdrop asked, taking her head of his shoulder to look at him then down the passage.

“I see light. Like from a torch.” He answered, with a sniff he confirmed it. The smell of burning wood, something was coming their way.

“Hello!? Is anyone down there?” Came a faint call. They had been found. Someone or pony or whatever, had found them.

Finally, Von’d had enough cave wandering for a lifetime. “Yes! We’re down here!” He called out before moving towards the light. Maybe the hard part is over. Von thought as he walked. He had survived both wendigo brothers, a pack of ghouls, and had found a companion that he managed to keep alive. What more could be asked of him? You know what, don’t answer that. I just want to enjoy the moment. Von smiled as he walked on, Snowdrop’s hand still laced with his.

Author's Note

And... Done!

Man this took a lot longer than I though it would. Guess I'm out of practice.

Well everyone here you are, chapter 2 of WLTW. I hoped you liked it, I tried my best not to rush the pacing, which I think I managed that for the most part. One comment I feel I must make just to have it out there, Snowdrop is not in love with Von... yet. Her actions of being close to him and holding hands is a sign that she trust an individual, not that she is romantically inclined to said person. I honestly hate people that seemingly force two characters together with little to no provocation. So, I'm not going to do that. As this is an OC x Snowdrop(and possibly more) fanfic it will happen, but I'm going to give her a reason to love him, and him her.

If you're having a hard time visualizing the ghouls I got the inspiration from these two sources(1 and 2). As for Cy, imagine this with no head, no flames, and a large diamond in its chest and you have Cy.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter and are looking forward to the next one.

Thanks everyone, stay awesome! Lyruil out.