Firekeeper

Loreane and Trixie sat together with a foal in each of their laps. Babs sat with Trixie and Silver Spoon sat on Loreane’s lap. The little grey filly was looking around in the darkness while the group made their way through the darkness into the depths of the Unicorn Range. Deep in the depths lay their destination, Blighttown.

The sounds of hooves clopping along the dirt and stone echoed around them. The wheels of the wagons creaked and the clanking of metal armor resonated like a unsteady chorus as they traveled deeper and deeper into the darkness. Loreane closed her eyes and focused on the world around her. Where others saw darkness she saw a world of the unseen. It is impossible to describe but for her it was like seeing the thoughts and feelings of the things in the world talking to her, and telling her they were there without having to physically see them.

She could sense the spiders lurking about but they kept their distance. Something about the knights drove fear into them. Skiddish and downright afraid was the ‘feeling’ Loreane got from the eight legged creatures. She shifted her mental focus on the knights around her and their horses. There was pride at the front. As expected, knights were often prideful. In a lot of ways they reminded her of Trixie. Proud of themselves and their art of chivalry, but deeper beneath the layers of metal discipline and ego was a human being.

The driver of their wagon was afraid of the spiders and of Blighttown.

Two knights that flanked them were nervous scanning around them as they held up their torches.

The little jackalope was deathly afraid but had a sense of comfort coming from him as Babs Seed held him in her arms. The three ponies were scared, as expected. Their world was turned upside down in a matter of hours. Loreane couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. Silver Spoon was still as cheerful as ever but there was an underlying darkness in her heart Loreane could sense. Babs too was deeply affected by the events of the past few days. Trixie however seemed to be the least affected. Perhaps what she lived through traveling so much numbed her to the cruelty of the world, whereas the fillies were shoved into a cruel unforgiving world without and warning?

In either case she pitied them and tried her best to mentally prepare them for what may come. She then shifted her focus on Sir Alonne. She focused hard on him expecting him to be a hard read, but there was nothing. It was like there was a void in the world when she tried to ‘sense’ him. Opening her eyes she stared at the leader of the Knights of Alonne as he lead the band through narrow passages and tunnels.

As she did Trixie looked up as a single spider loomed over them small group. It tilted its head side to side before scurrying off into the darkness as if thwarted by the torch light. Sir Alonne suddenly stopped and dismounted his horse and stood beside it. He looked up casually above them and back down a few times like a seesaw.

After he finished scanning the area he made a overly dramatic gesture with his head and everyone departed from their stallions. Loreane, Trixie, Silver Spoon, and Babs joined up with the dozen of alonne knights as they gathered around Sir Alonne near a large dark stone stairwell.

“Stay close.”

Sir Alonne drew a short katana and held up his torch in the other hand. Down he descended leading the way into the dark abyss below, his his dozen troops behind him and the ponies behind them with Loreane covering the back.

Down and down they went the sounds of the alonne knights armored feet clanked loudly in the silence. The sound of hooves clopping against the stone stairs resonated as well as they descended deeper and deeper.

For what seemed like an eternity the group descended the stairwell opened up to a seemingly endless expanses of darkness. The path came to an abrupt end and the group found themselves facing a vertical face of a cliff that was surrounded by darkness. The air was stale and the stench of rot and decay was everywhere making Trixie, Silver, and Babs gag and cover their noses. Trixie waved her hoof over her nose in a vain attempt to disperse the smell but was completely overpowered by it.

Sir Alonne looked over the ledge to see a single shaky wooden ladder built into Trixie moved through the knights to look down as well. Trixie took a small piece of rock and threw it over the cliff. When she did dhs elevated over and listened honing her ears for the slightest sound.

Nothing.

Loreane looked over with her down into the dark abyss kneeling beside her.

“It seems to go on forever.”

“Indeed,” Trixie agreed.

“We need to keep moving.”

Sir Alonne moved past the two and slowly turned around and slid his body down to the ladder. He took a moment to gain his footing, once he did he slowly began his decent down.

“Watch your step,’ He said to the group, not slowing. “It’s a long way down.”

The group started to file down with him. Trixie and Loreane were the first to follow him then the knights. Silver Spoon however hesitate looking over the cliff she gulped hard seeing nothing but darkness. She nervously worked her way to the edge and Babs walked up beside her.

“What’s up, Silver?” She asked the grey filly.

“I’m scared, Babs. I don’t want to go down there.”

Giveing her a confident smirk, Babs playfully elbowed Silver in her arm. “Don’t worry I’ll keep you safe. Plus we have a whole group with us! We got this.”

Despite her upbeat attitude Silver Spoon was still weary about proceeding, but as the torch light dies down she felt she had little choice but to proceed.

Silver gulped looking over the ledge once more as the last knight started climbing down and followed him with Babs going last. The descent was long, dark, and dank. The air quickly became damp and the smell of rot was replaced with the scent of a aged old swamp. When the group reached the bottom of the ladder the ponies were green faced and ready to pass out, Loreane was even affected by the smell to a degree.

They came off onto a large wooden platform that stood on large wooden pillars that descended even further down into the darkness below. The platform went lengthwise away from the wall into a series of narrow wooden walkways. Wooden planks were laid across them to connect one platform to another.

Trixie stepped forward and used a powerful illumination spell lighting the entire area around her for twenty feet with a intense light. Sir Alonne nodded approvingly at the unicorn as he took the lead.

“It’s a ways to the main chamber from here. Stay close everyone,” He said drawing his sword again.

He ordered his group to split into two units. One group of six would stay behind him to cover the front the last six of his knights took the rear while Loreane and the ponies stayed between them. Trixie felt like a child being escorted by parents in this position and was going to voice this disapproval. As if she knew what was coming, Loreane reached down and ran her hand through Trixie’s mane rubbing her ears softly as she did. Trixie felt her body relax at the tender touch of her human companion.

“Thanks.”

“Don’t worry Trixie. I have you covered. There’s no need to fear.”

Trixie chuckled as they pressed on.

“Trixie isn’t worried,” The unicorn said with bravado. “But, Trixie’s worried about the little ones. Sir Alonne said this place was filled with demons and horrid beasts of darkness and despair.”

“That’s just the way these warrior types are,” Loreane said reassuringly. “They tend to exaggerate what they see to glorify their trials.”

As the group walked over a large makeshift bridge that looked like it was about to collapse, Babs ran up to Loreane and tugged at her skirt getting her attention.

“What do you mean by, ‘glorify their trials’?” The filly asked.

Reaching the end of the bridge Sir Alonne sent two of his warriors to scout ahead. They nodded silently running as quickly as they could and disappeared into the darkness not illuminated by Trixie’s candlelight spell.

Sir Alonne waited crossing his arms over his long sword, resting the tip of the blade on the ground. Babs and Silver Spoon walked up to Loreane’s side. Silver Spoon reached for the Firekeeper’s robe and used part of it to partially cover herself.

“Don’t worry Silver Spoon,” Loreane whispered to the grey filly ruffling her mane. “Stick with us and remember your training and everything will be alright.”

Babs strutted beside Sir Alonne along with Trixie.

“What is this place?” Babs asked.

Sir Alonne looked out into the darkness as his two scouts returned signaling it was clear and said, “This my friend is the start of our perilous journey. The upper levels to the Undead Parish.”

As he spoke the words, ‘undead perish’ Silver Spoon, Babs, and Trixie each gulped hard. Silver Spoon hid behind Loreane’s star cape shivering.

“Un-undd-d-dead? As in zombie ponies?” She stuttered.

Sir Alonne nodded walking onwards.

“Oh, yes. Undead, zombies, spiders, goblins and many other creatures and horrors. Most have perished by our blades, but we should stay vigilant. Watch for any traps. This place is littered with them.”

After his warning the group followed the wooden paths across the unsteady wooden platforms. Their legs descending into absolute darkness for who knew how deep. Silver Spoon glanced over the edge wondering just how far they went before the bottom. After they crossed a series of makeshift bridges the group came upon and old bonfire. It was still burning but was in deplorable shape. The coiled sword was all but gone, the stones were missing, and the wood was almost nothing but ash. In truth there were but embers keeping the flame alive.

Loreane quickly stepped forward and knelt beside the dying embers of the bonfire. She cupped her hands over the embers feeling the warmth they emanated from their ashen grave. She closed her eyes and focused on the heat from the embers. When she had them she “pulled” the embers from the bonfire letting it die altogether. Trixie remembered when Loreane explained how these things worked and quickly blew the ashes away.

Trixie then went around and gathered several planks of wood, there was plenty around, and piled then neatly in the center of the old bonfire. She also managed to find a few stones around that held planks of wood and created a boundary for the newly refurbished bonfire, but it wasn’t yet complete.

Trixie stepped beside Loreane and knelt by her side. Trixie touched her hooves to her hands and closed her eyes. As they focused on the embers in Loreane’s hands there was a tiny hint of a spark. That spark flickered over and over, like a little pulsing heartbeat. The embers flickered until the reignited into a tiny heart shaped flame. Everyone including the Alonne Knights watched as the Fire Keeper and Trixie worked their magic. Silver was captivated by the intimate pyromancy and Babs was thinking dirty thoughts at the time.

Together Trixie and Loreane placed the flame back onto the bonfire rekindling it. The flame burst as it made contact with the wood shooting up in a tiny inferno that blazed for only a few seconds before settling down into a nice steady crackling flame.

Once they had completed their task Trixie and Loreane opened their eyes to see they were surrounded by the others while holding their hooves and hands together. They both blushed and quickly separated getting up and dusting themselves off.

“Nice work, Trixie,” Loreane compliment her friend. “You did well.”

“Thanks,” Trixie replied nuzzling Loreane’s cheek.

The two shared in this tender moment as Silver Spoon and Babs shied away from the scene. Silver Spoon had a sweet ‘d'aww’ from her mouth while Babs pretended to gag, sticking her tongue out making Silver Spoon frown at her and the knights laugh.

Both Trixie and Loreane huffed crossing their arms but made no attempt to separate anymore than they had. Just then a loud screech was heard that echoed from all around th egroup. Each pony and person drew their weapons and prepared for battle.

Sir Alonne remained still, his blade resting with no aggressive posture. Loreane drew her dagger and prepared a fireball, Trixie did the same, while Babs pulled off her warhammer, and SIlver Spoon got her chimie out from under her belt. Trixie, Loreane, and Silver Spoon gather together while Babs and the knights surrounded them leaving Sir Alonne by himself nearby.

Once they prepared Sir Alonne stabbed his sword into the ground and drew his onislayer greatbow bow. He slipped out an arrow and drew the bow string back with a overly exaggerated movement. He held the arrow in place and aimed into the darkness directly above th egroup. Everyone looked up and waited for him to act.

Ten seconds passed and nothing happened.

Then fifteen seconds.

Then twenty.

Finally after almost thirty seconds of waiting he released the arrow and sent it flying to the darkness above. The arrows feathered end whistled as it flew disappearing in the darkness. Seconds after the arrow disappeared a loud bloodcurdling scream rang throughout the darkness as a body fell from above and landed on the ground near the group.

It was a spider human hybrid of some sort. It had the whole lower body of a spider and where the head of the spider is, was the upper body of a woman. Her skin was flawless and dark with tone muscles, small breasts, and short spikey blonde hair.

It squirmed crying in pain clutching its left side where the arrow Sir Alonne shot it had pierced through. Using her eight legs the creature tried to crawl away, but she was stopped by Sir Alonne who kicked her back towards the group and got a sword from one of the knights that pierced her thorax.

She cried out in pain clawing at the floor with her hands trying to escape. One knight stepped around her body and looked down at her. For a moment the creature looked up at him with tear strained eyes, pleadingly she looked up at him into his cold stone visor. The knight showed no remorse and steadily readied his blade to strike her down.

Loreane watched the events unfold with no intention of interfering. Trixie had an uneasy look as did Babs, but Silver Spoon was trembling. She saw the look in the creature's eyes. It wasn’t the eyes of some mindless monster. It was a sentient living thing with feelings and thoughts. Maybe even hopes and dreams.

After this last thought Silver Spoon decided to act. Her life flashed before her eyes as she mindlessly darted forwards. She thought back to her time in Ponyville with Diamond Tiara, all the things they did together, both the good and the bad. She remembered the day the Cutie Mark Crusaders got their cutie marks and help her Daimond become a better pony. Then she remembered the day the Abyss Watchers invaded Ponyville, and the carnage that resulted from that. Her friend…

For the first time in her life she truly felt her life was about to fall apart after losing her friend. Perhaps her family was alive, did this creature have a family? She wondered.

Silver Spoon didn’t hear Loreane calling to her. She pulled her chime to her chest and said a short prayer and jumped, still holding the chime to her chest. After she was over the creature she held the chime forwards and emitted a radiant force that deflected the knights katana just off to the side severing one of the creature's legs, but not killing it, and shoved the knight back a few paces.

Everyone stared in shock at the fillies interference. A mixture of shock and anger filled the group as they tried to comprehend what the filly was doing. Silver Spoon then leaned over the creature ignoring the voices around her, tuning them out one by one, she looked into the eyes of the creature. And the creature looked back into her eyes. The moment they did there was a connection, and understanding. Silver Spoon knew from her heart the creature didn’t want to die, and the creatures in turn knew Silver Spoon meant no harm to it. Silver Spoon once more held her chime to her chest saying a short prayer focusing her energy into her chime. While prying Silver Spoon yanked the arrow from the creature's side making her clench her teeth.

Once the arrow had been removed Silver Spoon applied the chime to the wound as a powerful radiant light surrounded her and the female spider hybrid. The deep arrow wound healed partially and sealed the open bleeding wound from the severed leg.

Everyone watched as this unfolded before them. Trixie and Babs smiled at Silver Spoon as she healed the creature while the knights murmured amongst themselves clearly not happy with the fillies choice. They didn’t make any attempt to stop her however, but the one knight was still standing ready to strike if the creature made any sudden movements.

Once Silver Spoons healing spell had completed the hybrid look itself over. Seeing it’s wounds had closed it smiled weakly at Silver Spoon and reached out with her human hands and held her hoof with it.

“Thank you,” she said, standing up.

Silver Spoon silently nodded to her and looked around at her allies staring at her and the creature. The first knight who still had his blade ready reached overhead poising his katana to strike. Silver SPoon had just enough time to scream and hold up her arms jumping in front of the hybrid as the katana came whistling down at her.

*CLANG!*

The sound of reverberating metal rang in her ears as she clenched her eyes shut and turned her head away. Not feeling the cold steel or the pain of death she dared to open her eyes and saw Sir Alonne had his blade up holding back the shorter katana from his knight. He forced it back with his unbridled strength and knocked his knight back saying, “That’s enough.”

He turned to Silver Spoon and nodded to her. The grey filly nodded dumbly back as the hybrid scurried away into the darkness again. Silver Spoon tried to run after her but was held back by Babs. Sir Alonne allowed the creature to go free and halted his knights saying they had to move forward.

The knights grumbled but obeyed their leader. Once they recollected themselves the group started to move out again. Silver Spoon lagged behind with Loreane Babs, and Trixie who looked up into the darkness above once more before continuing on. From above hidden away the hybrid looked down at the group and watched as the grey filly who saved her life turned a corner into a wooden building where the light orm their torches and magic disappeared from her sight. Seeing no more light she scurried away crawling on the walls and ceilings keeping a safe distance from them, but still trailing them as the descended deeper into the Undead Parish.