Willow huffed and puffed as she glared at the ponies before her. Her piercing gaze could burn through lead, her body hunched over in an offensive stance.

"Willow, please," Noctus warned, "Think about what you say, else you might regret it."

"Calm down," Azure begged, "Let us explain!"

"Stay your tongue, filly!" Minela ordered, "Remember who you are speaking to. If you do not calm yourself, I'll send you somewhere where you may have all the time you need to relax."

She didn't know what to do. The information Azure just relayed to her had rocked her world. If she was supposedly an Heir, then what was her past? Who, or what, was she Heir to?

"I just wanna know who the hell I am," Willow sighed, relaxing her body, "Things have been happening so fast. All these revelations about me keep popping up like daisies. I want somepony to tell me: what am I?"

The Councilors all shared a look of trepidation, silently asking the other what course of action they should take next. Minela stood from her seat first.

"Listen, Willow, please come have a seat," she nodded to the open chair. "If you'd let us explain, you will understand everything." Reluctantly, the young mare slowly walked over to the open seat next to Noctus, Azure standing next to her Mentor as Willow took a seat on the wooden chair. "Now, whatever Azure here told you," she gestured the blue mare, who stood there at the table with a look of guilt on her face. "I'm sure it is severely abridged. We will answer some of your questions, but the rest you will have to answer for yourself."

"Well what can you tell me now?" Willow asked, worry evident in her voice.

"Firstly, how have you been feeling since the operation?" Sanguinaire interjected, "There are side effects to having dramatic blood ministration performed. There are some that are subtle, but there are some that are..." she gestured to Willow's mane, "Not so subtle. However, the blood you have inside you once belonged to a legendary Huntress. Can you tell me if there have been any other side effects?"

She bit her lip in thought. "Well," Willow began, "My cutie mark is different from before. Azure told me that the mark I have meant 'Heir' or something like that. That's how she told me about the... thing."

"Anything else you may have experienced?"

Willow had to stop and think for a few moments. A thought struck her: while she had been asleep after the blood ministration, she had seen things. At first, she did not know what they meant. She didn't know if they were dreams, but now was the perfect time to ask. "When I passed out during the operation I... saw things."

Sanguinaire stopped and spared a look at Minela and Powder Keg. "What things? What did you see?"

"I dunno," Willow shook her head, "It's a blur to me now. I can only just remember the images."

"What did you see?" Sanguinaire repeated, "Who did you see?"

"I... I saw a mare," Willow closed her eyes in an effort to remember, "I saw two mares. A stallion. And another stallion. I saw a lot of red. Darkness. There was the sound of a huge battle or something. I heard ponies speaking. They were talking about somepony or some other thing. Whatever it was, they didn't sound too happy."

The three Councilors listened intently, Powder Keg puffing away at his pipe.

"The next thing I heard, the sound of swords clashing. The sound of ponies running away from something. And then it all faded to black. I woke up right after that. I've never had dreams like that before, why now?"

Sanguinaire crossed her hooves and hummed. "In the past, there have been cases where ponies had dreams and visions after receiving blood ministration. Usually, they were of things that have already taken place. The previous medical officer theorized that Hunter blood holds more than just genetics. It holds memories. It holds the very essence of the Hunter that came before. Perhaps that is the reason why you were having those dreams; as I told you once before, the blood that runs through your veins is powerful indeed."

"Yes, it is," Powder Keg agreed, "Throughout the Order's history, Heirs have always been proven to be superior to their peers in every single way. Lady Artemis herself was a legendary Huntress, possessing unique powers and abilities she passed down to her kin. Willow, as you progress through your training, you will eventually come to discover and develop those powers."

"That is an Heir’s purpose," Minela stated, "Heirs are known to be powerful Hunters. They always have proven themselves to be so. You will have to do the same. The blood of legendary Hunters runs through your veins. However, it will be up to you whether or not you'll be strong enough to live up to your heritage."

"And if I can't?" Willow asked, "Then what?"

Minela looked away from her, eyes narrowed. "Then, you will be of no use to us," she said in a half whisper, "Though, if fate smiles upon us, you will rise to the challenge."

"What happens next then?" the young mare asked, "What's gonna happen with me?"

The Councilors shared yet another look.

"Well," Powder Keg cleared his throat, "I suppose now is a good a time as any. Your training is to begin soon. Promptly tomorrow. Noctus is to be your Mentor."

Willow raised both eyebrows in surprise. "Really?" she gasped, "That's uh... great?"

Noctus scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Yes, thrilling isn't it?"

"He will teach you everything, Willow," Keg continued, "He is young, but very experienced. Additionally, you will also have the pleasure of learning from my own apprentice as well." Azure stared at him wide-eyed. "She is young, but I feel this would be a good opportunity for her to learn what it would feel like to be a teacher. Of course, she will not be the one that is responsible for you. That duty falls upon Noctus."

"Oh...kay?" Willow raised a brow, "Then, my training begins tomorrow you said? Do I get my own room or something?"

"Well," Powder Keg chuckled, "Something needs to take place beforehoof. Minela?"

"Yes, Powder Keg," Minela cleared her throat, "As of today, Willow, I grant you the rank of Acolyte. It is the rank below Initiate which identifies you as a trainee. You will be given a room of your own and, of course, you will be given your regulation clothing and taught the proper manestyle for mares of the Order. Uniformity is something that keeps the Order together, something you will learn during your training."

"And what exactly will I be doing for my training?" Willow asked.

"That will be entirely up to Noctus," Powder Keg answered, puffing out some smoke. "However, I do expect that he will teach you all the proper protocols and rules of the Order."

"Additionally, you will be given free access to all of the Sanctuary except for the Archives and the Council Chambers unless summoned. Are we clear, Acolyte?" Willow felt strange being called that, but nodded nonetheless. "Very well, Councilors, I think that we should take our leave."

"Wait," Willow interrupted, "What do I do until then?"

"For now, I would like for you to visit Iron Side and get outfitted with your uniform," Minela answered, "And you should also prepare yourself for tomorrow. The path to becoming a true Hunter isn't an easy one, and I assure you that Noctus will not make things any easier on you."

She spared a glance at Noctus, who was still wearing his usual stony expression. "Thank you, Councilor."

"A steward will arrive shortly to show you your new room," Sanguinaire added, "Until then, good day."

Minela and Sanguinaire waited at the door, while Azure used her magic to push Powder Keg's wheelchair. The three of them exited and closed the door behind them, leaving the dormitory section of the Sanctuary behind and entering the main hallway.

"Do you think it was the correct decision to assign Noctus as Willow's Mentor?" Minela asked, "I know the boy has experience, but he is still learning himself. Perhaps we should have assigned one of our older Mentors- Mentor Stonecold would have been an excellent instructor for her."

Powder Keg shook his head. "No, no," he said, "This is the correct move. Noctus is young, but his youth is more often than not connected to his recklessness, not to mention his antisocial behaviors with and among the other members. I feel that this will teach him some responsibility. Perhaps, interacting with Willow might even break him out of his shell."

"Mmm," Sanguinaire hummed in agreement, "Ever since his father died, he's been... different."

"Indeed," Powder Keg added, "Arctos was a great Hunter. Though he may not show it, his father's unfortunate death shook him deeply, and his heart still suffers the aftershocks."

They continued down the main hallway, passing by several Hunters who hailed their Councilors as they walked past.

"Do you think that Willow is capable of following the path of a Hunter?" Sanguinaire asked.

"For the sake of the Order," Minela sighed, "I hope so."

"Placing the fate of the Order in the hooves of a mare we thought an outsider naught days ago," Powder Keg chuckled, "How ironic. don't you think, Azy?"

Azure giggled and shook her head. "Indeed it is, but let us hope she can help us."

"Are you serious?" Willow asked in disbelief, "I have to have my mane like this?" Noctus stood next to her with a look of silent impatience on his face. "That's so... unbecoming, ya know."

The barber in front of her known as Shears stood in front of her, holding up a sketch of the uniform haircut required for female Acolytes. Before she was to go and acquire her uniform, she was to receive the regulation haircut for Hunter mares. They were in a salon that was next to the bath house of the Sanctuary. As of now, it was mostly empty. However, the word salon was rather subjective. The walls were cobblestone, much like the rest of the castle, which only added to the dull and colorless environment. If one could use a word to describe the place, then it would not be depressing. Depressing could do it no justice.

"Sorry, my dear," Shears laughed, "Whatever manestyles you're used to on the outside, you can go ahead and forget them."

Willow was somewhat disgusted at the manestyle. The sketch displayed a mare with her mane cut above the middle of her neck, tied into a tight bun. A sketch beside it showed the right side of the mare which had a thin braid running down below the right ear.

"This is the manestyle required for Acolyte mares," Noctus stated, "That braid signifies that you've begun your journey down the path of the Hunt. The true path to becoming one with the night begins with removing who you were in the past."

She stared back at him suspiciously. "That sounds like a bunch of hooey," she scoffed, "But fine, let's just get this over with."

Shears motioned for her get on the barber chair. In front of the chair was a vanity mirror with candles sitting below it. The barber picked up a set of scissors, giving them a few test snips.

"You have quite the long mane, dear," the elderly stallion chuckled, "Although, it is a very lovely shade of red. How long has it been since your last cut?"

"I honestly have no idea," Willow replied as Shears began inspecting her long mane. "Ya know I... I can't remember. It's so weird that I can't remember. Nocty?" The young stallion visibly flinched upon hearing the name. "Why is that I'm having a hard time remembering stuff from the past?"

Upon hearing the question, Noctus exhaled deeply. "Sanguinaire once told me that the blood that runs in our veins holds special properties," he began, then shook his head "However, that will be a lesson for later. For now, let us get this out of the way. Shears, could you please move it along?"

"Right away, Noctus," the old unicorn laughed as he began snipping away at Willow's mane. Willow, for her part, sat quietly in the chair, watching sadly as each fiery red strand of hair was sheared from her mane, drifting gently to the floor. Her once voluminous and lengthy mane, which had flowed down to her shoulders like a waterfall of flame, now settled close to the nape of her neck.

Shears placed his shears down onto the table and cleared his throat. "Alright, dear, I'm going to fix up your mane now," there was a slight ringing noise as he used his magic, twisting Willow's mane several times in different directions. Pulling out a rubber band from a pocket on his belt, he held Willow's mane in a tightly wound bun that with size that was reminiscent of a rather small onion and tied it up with the black elastic band. "Now, time for the braid."

Picking out a few strands on the right side of her cranium, he gathered a lengthy bit of her hair and began skillfully weaving the strands into a tight braid. He then pulled out a sort of bead, using his magic to pull it through a small opening in the center of it. Finally, he tied the end of the braid up, preventing it from sliding out of the bead.

"There we are, all done!" Shears chirped, "As for the braid, dear, do be careful with it. You'll learn how to tie the bun eventually, but if the braid ever comes undone, just come pay me a visit, alright?"

Willow inspected her new hairdo, marveling at the sharpness of it. She looked like a new mare. The only thing that remained of her original self was her beige coat. Those fiery red gems she had for eyes stared back at her in the mirror. It felt strange to her having a pair of eyes that were not hers to begin with; it almost felt unnatural to her.

Nevertheless, the changes in her physical appearance were to be the least of her worries. Right now, she would have more pressing matters to attend to.

Rising up from the chair, she turned over to Noctus, who held an approving expression. "Very good, Acolyte," he joked, "Keep up the good work and you'll be ready to take on even the ugliest of beasties."

Willow trotted past him and swatted his side with her tail. "Very funny, wise guy," she scoffed, "What do we have to do next?"

The young Hunter turned to the elderly barber. "Thanks for the work, Shears," he nodded his head in acknowledgement. Shears laughed and bowed his head respectfully, and Willow and Noctus exited the salon and trotted out into a sort of atrium within the castle. The halls of the atrium were empty, spare a few Hunters wandering around going from one place to another. A thought hit Willow.

"Noctus, why is it that there seems to be hardly anypony here?" she asked as they began traversing a stairway that led to a different corridor. "I mean, how many Hunters are there?"

He seemed to ignore her question, keeping his gaze forward as they walked.

“Simple, they’re all out in the field,” he answered, “As for how many of us there are, well, I could tell you of the time where there were once thousands of us. A time where the Hunters were much more powerful. I feel these days, that power has begun to wane...” His voice took on a somber tone, his face locked in a grimace as he turned his head away from her.

“Noctus?” she asked, “Are you alright?” His ears twitched as he suddenly realized that he had stayed quiet for a little too long.

“Um, yes I’m fine,” he coughed and cleared his throat. She felt the need to press the subject a little more, find out what made him look so upset. However, that would come another time. Right now, they had other matters to attend to. “Here, this way.”

The two of them turned down a different corridor that led to a different section of the castle. It was an open area, almost like the atrium that they had just left, occupied by a large number of earth ponies with a smattering of unicorns. They were all standing at work benches, using an array of tools to fix up pieces of what looked like leather armor and lacing them together to form tunics.

On the other half, there were ponies tending to weapon racks that held weapons of similar fashion to what Noctus used in the forest, except there seemed to be a larger disparity of them. Large saw cleavers stood on racks, while the workers tended to them and polished or sharpened their blades. Additionally, there were other racks that held more normal-looking weapons like broadswords and spears, as well as some smaller dagger displays that sat on tables along the walls.

Further down, there more racks that displayed firearms of varying sizes, from the small pistol, to the lengthy blunderbuss, to the enormous cannon. Willow stopped to stare at the enormous weapon that sat on a table, eyes wide with surprise and curiosity.

“What in the world is this?” Willow gasped in awe.

“That’s a saddle cannon,” Noctus explained, “Only the strongest Hunters could ever wield such a weapon. One could punch a hole through even the biggest beast with that, provided they have the necessary ammunition and strength to handle the recoil. Now, come. We have to meet with Master Iron Side.”

“Hello, Noctus,” an earth pony stallion came trotting from down the hall, a neutral expression on his face.

His coat was a bright copper, and both his mane and tail were lighter brown, with dark brown
eyes. He wore a slightly different uniform, this one almost looking like some sort of utility vest. On his nose rested a pair of spectacles.

“Crosshair,” Noctus greeted, “What brings you here today?”

“One of my rifles was acting up again,” he explained, pursing his lips, “It was beyond me, so I came to Iron Side and he was going to make some adjustments to it. Said some of the parts in the action were old. Hopefully new parts will make it fire better.”

“I pray the Huntress allows it to happen,” Noctus nodded respectfully before glancing at Willow.

“Indeed,” Crosshair chortled before he glanced over to Willow. “I say, my dear girl, who are you? From what I can see, you are an Acolyte, but… you seem to be a bit older than most Acolytes of the Order.” He tilted his head in confusion.

Noctus gestured to her. “This is Willow,” he explained, “She is indeed an Acolyte; however, she is a special case. A sheep that wandered away from the herd. I’ve been tasked with training her in the ways of the Hunt.”

“Hmm,” Crosshair smirked at him, “Moving up in the world are we? You, a Mentor and after only experiencing three nights?”

The young Hunter seemed to shift uncomfortably. “Erm, no, I’m not necessarily a full-fledged Mentor,” he said nervously, “More like a Mentor out of necessity. The Council entrusted me to teach her everything she needed to know.”

“Very good, Noctus,” the Mentor smiled and nodded, “Be sure to listen to him, young Acolyte.” Willow smiled at the elder stallion. “ I’m sure he has many things to teach you. The night is long and we must be ready to bring the day. Good day to you Noctus, I must be off. A class of Acolytes is due for a session at the gun range.”

“Very well,” Noctus sighed, “I’ll be seeing you, then. Take care.” They watched him leave, then continued down the wide atrium-like sector of the castle until they reached a doorway at the end of the passage.

“What’s behind this door?” Willow asked.

“Master Iron Side’s… ‘office’,”

He pushed open the door and inside was a large room, or rather, a small facility. In front of them was Master Iron Side sitting behind what looked like a cage with a counter rising from the floor. a small slot, most likely for making trades protruded from the center of it. To their right was a sort of shooting range, probably for testing out small arms fire. Behind Iron Side was a whole cavalcade of workers; the walls were lined with what looked like giant ovens, blacksmiths pulling out red hot pieces of metal and pounded at them with heavy forging hammers to shape the unformed iron and steel into sharp blades.

The sound of hissing water, metal striking metal, and the humming of saws could he heard behind the elderly weapons master as he sat at his desk, inspecting a long hammer action rifle that most likely belonged to Crosshair.

“What’s with the cage?” Willow asked silently.

“It’s for security reasons,” Noctus replied. Iron Side, upon looking up and noticing the two, gave them an amiable smile.

“Noctus, m’lad!” he greeted in his usual chipper tone. He was dressed in what looked like Noctus’ uniform, but was colored black; over that he wore a blacksmith’s apron and a pair of goggles rested atop his head. “How are ye? Anythin’ ye need fer today?”

“Yes, indeed we do,” Noctus nodded, “Willow is in need of a proper set of clothing. Would you care to help us out?”

Iron Side casually leaned on one hoof, smirking slyly over at Willow. “Oh? Ol’ Minny’s finally given ye the rank o’ Acolyte, eh?” he laughed, scratching at the stubble on his chin. “Good t’see that. Noctus, m’lad, I also hear that you’ve been assigned to be her Mentor? Quite interestin’. I’m surprised Minny didn’t assign somepony else to teach her.”

Willow turned to Noctus with an inquisitive stare. “Councilor Minela thought it best to assign someone she trusts.”

“I trust you?” Willow scoffed.

“I pulled you from Death’s door,” he deadpanned, “I would assume you did.”

“Yeah? Doesn’t mean I have to trust you!” Willow argued indignantly.

Noctus sighed and shook his head, not wanting to continue the argument any longer. “Master, do you think you could acquire an Acolyte’s uniform for us?”

“We’ve got just the thing,” he chuckled, “Oi, you lot! I’ll be needin’ a feckin’ Acky uniferm!” he took glance at willow before cupping his hooves over his mouth, angling his neck back towards the workers. “Medium size!”

“Gotcha, boss!”

“On it!”

“We’ll geddit for ya!”

They saw a couple of the workers shifting towards the back, most likely where the uniforms were held.

“So, you just keep all the uniforms here?” Willow inquired.

“Ayep!” Iron Side laughed, “The Tailors make ’em off in another section of the castle and send ‘em over to us when they’re finished. Makes it easier that way.”

“And, how do you know they’d fit me?” she pried, “I mean, don’t I need to be measured?”

“The uniforms we make here are usually one size fits most and are adjustable anyhow,” Iron Side explained, “Although, if your uniform is too tight or too loose, just go to the Tailors and they’ll fix it up fer ya.”

One of Iron Side’s workers walked up behind him, a folded object on his back. He turned and flopped it onto the desk. “Here ya are, boss.”

“Great, now get back to work ya slobbery git,” Iron Side chuckled and the worker surprisingly laughed as well, shaking his head as he walked back to his station. Willow was slightly taken aback at the manner Iron Side spoke to his workers, but considered the fact that it’s probably the way they have their friendly banter or work with each other.

Iron Side pushed the uniform through the little slot on top of the desk he was working at. Noctus nodded at Willow to grab it so she reached out with her magic and floated it towards her face. Inspecting it closely, she noticed that it seemed to be a different color than Noctus’. The vest was almost a leathery purple color, the shirt a dark gray. She glanced from the uniform to Noctus.

“So, why is it a different color from yours?” she asked.

“That there’s an Acolyte uniform, m’lass,” Iron Side answered, “Once yer all good an’ trained up, maybe you’ll be ready to wear a different uniform someday. Anything else you’ll be needin’ Noctus?”

“No,” he shook his head, “That’s all we’ll be needing for today. Thank you, Master.”

“Not a problem, m’lad!” he waved goodbye at them as they walked out of his office. Willow placed the uniform on her back as they exited the armory section of the castle. A few turns later, they found themselves walking down the main corridor of the Sanctuary. It seemed a little more deserted this time around. More than likely the others were out hunting, eating in the dining hall, or sleeping.

They passed by the Dining Hall, seeing that it held a few occupants that were catching an early dinner.

“I assume you’ll be sleeping in your own room tonight,” Noctus said, “That is, unless you feel more comfortable sleeping on the floor of my bedchamber?”

“Why would I sleep on the floor?” Willow snorted, “You’re the gentlecolt, why don’t you sleep on the floor?”

“It is my room, why would I have to?” Noctus replied.

“Whatever, Minela already gave me my own room,” she sighed, “I gotta admit, for an ancient castle that doesn’t exist to the outside world, it’s pretty homely. But, I just can’t shake this feeling of guilt.”

“Why?” Noctus inquired.

“Well, my cottage is all alone out there in the outside world,” she began, “I wonder if it’s okay. I put in a lot of time and money to make it my home.”

He stopped her in the middle of the hallway. “Don’t worry,” he gave her a ghost of a smile, “You’ll return to it in the morning. If it ever comes.”

Harsh reality soon set in for Willow at that moment. Now that she was involved with the Hunters, she was in it for life. The thought of inevitably returning to this place every year to fight against the terrifying beasts in a never ending war unsettled her.

A chill ran up Willow’s spine as she realized exactly what she got herself into.

“Are you alright?” Noctus asked worriedly, “You’re not going to have another breakdown are you? If so, let us make haste to your dorm room.”

“R-Right,” Willow nodded and they made their towards the hall that lead to the dormitory section.

Upon reaching the long corridor, the walls lined with doors to numerous rooms. They turned right down another familiar hallway where Noctus’ room was located. Further down and the left, was Willow’s room. They stopped at the door, Noctus turning back to look at her, the same stoney expression he always wears adorned his face.

“Make sure you get some rest, Willow,” he advised, “Your training begins tomorrow and you have to learn a lifetime’s worth of material in a much shorter timespan. It won’t be easy, I assure you; in fact, it will in all likeliness be the hardest thing you will ever experience. Are you ready for that?”

Willow swallowed the lump in her throat, nodding.

“Good,” he opened the door to his and stepped inside, stopping to glance back at his new student, of sorts. “Good night, Willow. Sleep well.”

Not another word was said as he slowly closed the door on her. She stood outside in the hallway for several moments, debating whether or not to knock on the door. Deep down, she was scared to go to sleep in her own room, a sense of intense loneliness welling up inside her chest. She felt like a filly being left at school for the first time on her own. Though she was grown up, she couldn’t shake the feeling.

I didn’t ask for any of this, she sighed heavily, Yet here I am.

Her ears flattened against her head, she felt deflated as she started in the direction towards her own dorm room. After walking a fair distance, she stopped at her door, about to use her magic to grasp the handle.

“Oh, what do we have here?” A smooth-sounding voice came from her left. Ears perking up, she whirled towards the voice, curious about who it belonged to.

In front of her was a mare, or seemed like a mare at least. The leathery wings she had furled at her sides gave a clear indication that she was not a normal pegasus mare. On her ears rested large tufts of fur, underneath her top lip was a pair of sharp fangs. The mare’s coat was a light shade of gray, her curly mane and tail a bright purple, and her eyes yellow like a full moon. On her flank rested the same mark that every Hunter seemed to have.

“A mare? A mare that I’ve never seen before in this place?”

Her voice bore an audible accent, however, there was a certain pleasantness about it. It reminded Willow of a silky smooth blanket.

“W-Who are you?” Willow asked.

“Hmm,” the mare pressed a hoof against her chin, giving Willow an inspecting glare. “Oh, an Acolyte braid? A grown mare with this hairstyle?Neveroyatno.”

Willow stood there frozen, not knowing what to say next.

“Do you have a voice?” the strange mare asked, arching a brow at her. “What is your name, sweet girl?”

“W-Willow,” she stammered out.

“Willow?” the mare tilted her head curiously. “Strange, I’ve never heard of you before. I wonder where you came from, little bird.”

“I.. I’m not really from around here.”

“Hah! Anypony with eyes can see that!” she laughed, strutting towards Willow. “So, my dear little filly, how does a sweet flower like yourself end up in this cold, hard place?” She circled around the young mare, brushing her tail under her chin in a seductive manner.

“I.. I…I uh…” Willow couldn’t find the words, the mare’s libido simply overpowered her ability to think. Not that she saw mares that way, she thought quickly, it was just that she was too stunned by the current turn of events to marshal words into proper sentences. “Who are you again?”

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! My apologies,” suddenly, the mare appeared in front of Willow in a flash, seemingly out of nowhere causing her to flinch. “Mirnova, Mirnova of clan Nightshade, at your service.” The mare gave a polite curtsy.

“I’ve never seen a pony like you before,” Willow finally formed a sentence.

“I am from a clan of thestrals in the north near Stalliongrad,” she explained, giving Willow a small wink.

Well that explains the accent

“From inspecting your little flank, I saw that your mark is… peculiar.”

“Mind telling me why you’re looking at my butt?” Willow asked, snout wrinkling just so in obvious displeasure at the idea.

“Oh no, I mean no offense, konfetka,” she giggled, a confident smirk on her face, “I’m merely… inspecting the new Acolyte. Ty ponyala?”

“Uh, what?” Willow asked confusedly.

Mirnova giggled and sighed. “Bozhe moy. Going back to your mark, odnaka, it seems like something out of a story book. I remember reading it during my studies. Could it be that another Heir is walking our halls?” She placed a hoof on her lips to stifle a giggle.

Willow backed up a few steps from the intrusive mare. “Look, uh, I’m a little tired and my training with Noctus starts tomorrow so…”

Suddenly, the thestral mares slitted eyes brightened. “O moy, moy,” she giggled, “You have Noctus as your Mentor I presume? You are a very fortunate little flower.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, nothing, milashka,” she shook her head, “It’s just, I can’t help but feel a little jealous you’ll get to spend so much time with that dashing stallion. If only I were so grossly incandescent that I could catch his eye.”

A feeling of slight fear crept up from Willow’s stomach. “Okay, well, I’m just gonna… go now.”

“Da, dorogoy,” she smirked at her, “Go ahead and get some sleep. I’m sure you’re going to need it. Dobroy nochi~.” Mirnova gave Willow one last wink before she slipped into her own room beside Willow’s.

It took Willow a moment to recover and realize that her knees were shaking.

Ugh, sweet Celestia, above!

Letting out a deep sigh, Willow used her magic to open her door and stepped into the spacious bedchamber. Upon entering, one could see that her cottage paled in comparison to these quarters. It was around the same size as Noctus’; however, it possessed obviously different adornments.

Above the fireplace hung a white banner with the same insignia that rested upon Willow’s flank. Turning to the bed, she noted that it was a large four poster with white curtains. Made up with white bedsheets and comforter. The pillows lay stacked at the head of the bed, stuffed with the fluffiest feathers. Simply looking at it made Willow want to flop down on it and sleep til the end of the world. Which, if the Hunters were to be believed, was pretty much right now.

The fireplace crackled silently in the large room, casting a dim orange glow over the space. Willow made her way to the table, which was barren of amenities like food or drink, and sat down on the wooden chair beside it, leaning forward on her fore legs. A downtrodden look made its way over her muzzle, from one end to the other.

For a while, she thought about how her life had taken such a different and dramatic turn. Whether or not it was for better or worse was up for debate. Tired of sitting on her rump, she got up and laid out her uniform across her bedspread. She took the vest and inspected its seemingly leather material, but found out that it was smooth like cotton. The shirt was no different.

Pursing her lips, she unbuttoned the loose-looking shirt and slipped one hoof in after the other. The hem of the shirt hugged her barrel and fit like a glove after she buttoned it up. Picking up the vest, she slipped it on laced up the three buttons. The uniform fit almost perfectly. It was looser in some areas, tighter in others. However, she felt she could move freely in this clothing and that was enough.

“Huh, not bad,” At the moment, she wished she had a mirror so she could check herself out. “Alright, I think it’s time for bed…”

Willow slipped off the articles of clothing and folded them back up, nice and neat, before floating them back over to the table and laying them against one of the chairs. Yawning gently, she pulled back the covers of the bed, climbing up onto the mattress and settled herself in.

She snuggled into the soft, cool sheets, sighing as the drowsiness began overtaking her. Giving one final deep yawn, she closed her eyes, allowing the soft, gentle embrace of slumber take her away.

In the dim light of the fire, a strong breeze blew in from the window, ruffling the silk curtains. The fire danced as the wind blew in, threatening to extinguish the embers. A particularly strong gust flew in and the fire suddenly went out, covering the room in a blanket of darkness.

The young mare, protected by a cocoon of bedsheets, twisted and turned in her sleep, groaning as another dream overtook her…

Heavy breathing echoed in the dark confines of the Everfree Forest. A shadowy figure limped through the darkness, stumbling over errant roots and creeping vines. She stops for a moment, taking a breath as she leans on a tree covered in rotting vines. Her trench coat is tattered and with wide tears in several places. Dark spots of blood covered her whole body, her lemon coat spotted with dark red sanguine. On her back rested her dual-bladed sword, it’s blade stained with dried blood.

“Curse these damn wounds,” she panted, clutching at a wound near her neck, just above her shoulder. “I have to make it…”

Taking a deep breath, she got off the tree she leaned on and continued forth. The night was dark and silent, the blood moon’s crimson rays fading as it slowly setted, signaling that the Longest Night was coming to a close. She spared a glance at the sky, gazing at the bright moon’s dying light.

It’s almost over. Almost. I have to reach the castle before it’s too late.

Up ahead, she could spot a clearing, the moon’s rays illuminating it.

There! Almost there!

As she limped, her ear twitched upon hearing a rustling off in the distance. Stopping in her tracks, she quickly used her magic to draw her sword and dropped into a combat stance, although her wounds hampered her movements. After listening for a few seconds, she raised her nose in the air and sniffed a few times.

Something… something’s around here.

Silence filled the area around her, except for the ambience of the strange forest that echoed in the night. Despite the fact that there probably was something following her, she couldn’t waste anymore time. She had to keep moving.

The mare continued on, making her way to the clearing. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally reached the end, coming into a wide clearing that revealed a large structure. It seemed to be a ruined castle, but it was massive. It was the Castle of the Two Sisters, a once glorious establishment, but now reduced to a former shell of itself.The stone pillars of the entrance were crumbling, some still able to stand tall and hold the castle up though they were slowly collapsing from age. She breathed a sigh of relief, closing her eyes as a small smile appeared on her lips.

Finally. Thank you, Mother Artemis, for giving me strength.

Before she could take another step towards the decrepit castle, her ear twitched again as she heard something zip from out of the forest. Her Hunter reflexes kicked in as she found the strength to backflip into the air, landing on her four legs, though her wounds protested greatly. Lodged into the ground where she previously stood was a group of sharp blades, numbered about three or four. Upon noticing them, she immediately knew who her opponents were to be.

“Hmph, more of Ravus’ little birds?” she called out into the night. “Show yourselves, I know you’re there!” In the blink of an eye, a shadowy blur shot out from the forest, zipping past her. She drew her sword again, dropping to a defensive stance. Suddenly, there, in front of the main stairway to the entrance of the castle, stood a lone Raven. Lifting a gloved hoof, they ripped off their bird-like mask and tossed it to the ground.

The face of a young slate blue stallion was uncovered, golden eyes full of hate and rage as he stared at the mare before him.

“You…” he began, teeth clenched and words dripping with venom. “You. Damn. Traitor!”

“Yet another blind follower of the Order,” she rolled her eyes at him in frustration, “Zeron, please, you have to believe me. I was only doing what was right.”

“Shut your damn face, Magnolia,” Zeron growled ferociously, “You betrayed the Order when you allowed your daughter to breed with that outsider. You willingly defied the orders of the Council and went against everything we believe in!”

Magnolia shook her head in defeat, looking down at the ground with closed eyes.

“Zeron, I have already had this conversation with your Master,” she argued defiantly, “Obviously, we disagreed. We all know the Order has been slowly falling apart, and I will not stand by as it collapses around me!”

“Shut. Up!” he demanded, pushing back his feathery cloak as shiny blades the glimmered at the tips of his wings were revealed. “I will make sure you pay for killing Master Ravus!”

“He forced me to kill him,” she rebuked, “He could have simply walked away and lived, but, of course, his obstinance was his downfall, as your obstinance will be yours”

“Liar! You murdered him!” he whistled a sharp bird call, and from out of the dark forest appeared several more masked Ravens. They surrounded Magnolia on all sides, revealing their wingblades, ready to attack at any moment. “I would ask you to surrender, but I think the Council wouldn’t mind if I brought them your head.”

“Hmph, you’re not the first who has wanted my head,” she winced as she took a bad step, burning pain erupted from the wounds on her body. “And you certainly won’t be the last!”

A sly sneer replaced the look of anger on Zeron’s muzzle. “You shouldn’t even try to resist,” he chortled, “Your wounds look quite debilitating. You’re a wreck. You should surrender, and at least die honorably.”

Magnolia split her blade in two, a metallic ringing resounded as she did so. “Oh, Zeron,” she cracked a confident smirk at him. “Don’t you know? True Hunters make their own fate.” Fusing the two blades once again, she closes her eyes and held her sword in front of her, as if she was meditating. She relaxes her body, standing straight up on all fours.

Zeron develops a dumbstruck expression before snapping to his senses.

“What are you fools waiting for?!” he shouted, “Kill her!”

The four Ravens surrounding her dashed toward Magnolia as she stood still with her blade, wingblades extended as they struck with intent to kill. However, before their blows could land, a fiery explosion erupted from Magnolia’s body, her body glowing in a luminous golden light. The Ravens caught in the blast were instantly ignited by the violent combustion, screaming as they fell to the ground in a vain effort to extinguish the flames that were consuming them. Within moments they lay still, having been blackened by the golden flames.

Zeron stood there with his two remaining cohorts, eyes wide with shock and fear.

“You… what the hell are you? What power is this?!”

Magnolia’s eyes opened to reveal a pair of glowing golden orbs of flame, a smile on her face. Her blades were soon infused with the golden flame, she split them in half again and flourished them; the tips of the blades leaving glowing tracers.

”The Blood of Artemis burns brightly in my veins,” she spoke in a two-tone goddess-like voice that rang out in the dark night. The surrounding area was illuminated by her divine fire. ”You will never extinguish my flame.”

Zeron’s legs shook with fear but he nevertheless persisted. “No matter! I’ll kill you myself!”

He and the other Ravens charged forward, their blades at the ready. The rightmost Raven attempted to flank her, sliding as she moved to strike hard, but Magnolia was onto them the whole time; she whirled around with a newfound vigor and grace. Using her magic, she blocked the blow with the longer side of the blade and jabbed at the Raven with the dagger side with a fury unknown to most.

The Raven screamed as the blade pierced her armor and Magnolia sunk it deeper into their flesh, leaving them to suffer as they fumbled to dislodged the knife. Magnolia spun as she sensed another strike coming from her rear. Leaning forward onto her forelegs, she kicked her back legs high and delivered a powerful buck to her attacker, a sickening crack filling the air as the second Raven fell to the ground in a heap. Zeron attempted to strike but was foiled as Magnolia blocked the blow with relative ease.

He recoiled from the heat of her flame and she took the opportunity to whirl around to deliver a sweeping kick with her right back leg, causing his hooves to come out from underneath him. He fell to the ground with a grunt and struggled to get back on his hooves. Magnolia took the attack of opportunity to finish off the wounded Raven with a downward slash across their chest that drew blood, droplets of it watered the ground. She then reared back for a lunge, plunging the flaming blade deep into the chest cavity of the dying Raven.

”Your power was far too dull to match mine. Know that you died failing to extinguish my flame.”

A dying gasp came from the Raven as blood poured out from underneath the bird mask, just before Magnolia swiftly pulled the blade out, it’s flames searing the flesh it had just cut. The Raven’s mask fell from their face, revealing a mare with a light purple coat, blonde mane, and violet eyes.

Cloudkicker… how unfortunate.

Now that his reinforcements were gone, Zeron stood a few feet away from Magnolia, not knowing what to do next.

”Hmm, what happened to your fellow flyers, I wonder,” Magnolia mocked, twirling her twin blades. ”Last chance, Zeron: surrender, and I’ll spare your life.”

“Damn you!” he drew a long dagger with his mouth from a hidden sheath under his wing, gripping it tightly in between his teeth. The two Hunters clashed, Zeron on the offensive as he tried to go for the kill. Although, in this state, he was no match for Magnolia. She was faster, stronger, and quicker than he was. To her, this was mere child’s play. He lunged forward to stab her, but she simply sidestepped his attack, a mocking smile on her face.

”Is this all that Zeron, the apprentice of Ravus, the Silver Blade, has to offer? Oh what a shame.”

“Shut up, you conniving bitch!” he tried to slash at her once again, but she disappeared from his field of view. A stuck out hoof tripped him up and he face planted hard, blood dripping from his nose as he struggled up from the ground. Before he could get to all fours, he felt the tingly sensation of magic encasing his body as he was lifted into the air. He was turned around and the luminous eyes of Magnolia stared into his.

A strong sensation of fear boiled in his chest.

“L-Let me go!” he begged, struggling in his magical bonds. Magnolia only gave him a gentle smile that concealed a mischievous demeanor. “Let go of me, I say!”

”You poor foal,” she said in a mocking coo. ”You should have surrendered like a good boy instead of defying your Heir.”

“You’re no Heir,” he spat, “Heirs are supposed to be paragons of the Order. You are the furthest thing from it. You’re an insult to the title of Hunter. I hope the Council erases your memory from our history.”

”It’s too late for that, Zeron,” she explained, ”There are far greater things at work than you could possibly imagine. A chain of events has been set in motion, and there is little you can do to stop it. However, I promise that, in the end, the Long Night shall cease to exist.”

“You and your damn promises,” Zeron laughed and shook his head, “Try as we might, the Nights will continue to come. They always have, always will. We’re cursed with the duty to relent the Night. Thus is the life of a Hunter.”

”No truer words have been spoken.” she sighed.

A moment of silence passed, Magnolia stood there with her eyes close while Zeron floated in the air, encased in the strong grip of her magic. The flames that coated Magnolia’s body didn’t seem to be hurting her. In fact, she seemed to be the source of it. Finally, Zeron spoke up.

“If you’re going to kill me, then get it over with,” he looked away in shame, “Kill me like you did Master Ravus.” He suddenly found the tip of Magnolia’s blade pointed at his throat. He swallowed hard as she nearly cut him, razor edge against his flesh. “Well? What are you waiting for?!”

She glared at him for a few moments, a contemplative look marking her features. Deep down in her chest, she felt sorrow and pity for the poor stallion. He could not even bear to look her in the eyes as she held a blade to his throat. His eyes possessed the dim light of shame: the shame of defeat. She had killed his master and defeated him in battle. He had sworn revenge on her and failed. Though, she still felt he needed to learn a lesson.

”No,” she lowered her blade. ”The inevitable future of every Hunter is death. But your death does not come now. I’m sure Mother Artemis has other plans for you. Try not to disappoint.” Her magical grasp dissipated and Zeron fell to the ground in a heap, but not before she stripped him of his wingblades.

“You won’t even grant me the mercy of death? How evil could you possibly be?”

”There is much more for you to learn, Zeron. It would be a crime for me to keep you from such lessons.”

“As if I’d want to learn anything from you!” he shouted indignantly.

“I have nothing to teach you,” she countered, “That is for Mother Artemis to decide. You will learn in time.”

“So, you’re letting me go then?”

“Do not make me regret my decision,” she warned, “Now go. And as I told you, do not disappoint me.”

He shook himself off and snorted loudly. “As you wish, Heir of Artemis,” he spat the last few words as he spread his wings before he kicked off from the ground and took off into the night sky.

Magnolia watched him fly away before looking off to the east, the bright light of the coming dawn shining across the horizon. As the sun rose, her power had begun to set. The flames that inundated her body were extinguished, leaving her in a smokey mess. Her coat and armor were reduced to mere tatters that hung loosely from her body. During the battle, she had lost her Hunter’s cap as well and her mane flowed down her back.

“Finally… It’s over- Augh!” she groaned in pain as her body let her know that she had reached her limit. “Ungh… urgh…”

She moaned from the deep burning pain of her wounds as she trudged over to the stairs of the castles, trying in vain to carefully and slowly tread upwards. As she reached the top, her back leg tripped and she fell forwards into the grimey stone-tiled floor of the castle entrance.

“I must… keep going.”

Her weak limbs protested as she lifted herself up again, tears creeping their way out from her eyes. The pain was unimaginable. Every muscle group in her body felt like they were on fire. With every step, her legs shook. With every breath, her body quaked. She made it through the cracked and ancient iron doors of the castle, stopping to lean on one and catch her breath for a moment.

With a quick inhale, she staggered into the cavernous throne room of Celestia and Luna’s former castle. The sounds of her labored breathing and hoof beats bounced off the walls of the grand room. Banners, riddled with moth holes, lay discarded below the walls they were once proudly displayed from. Fallen pillars decorated the surrounding area and the floor coated in rubble and dust. Cobwebs formed in the upper corners of the throne room. Light from the rising sun shone through the cracks in the ceiling. Even today, the castle seemed to be crumbling around her.

“I’m almost… there- Agh!” Magnolia tripped on her fatigued hooves and fell to the ground in a bloodied heap. It was there, at that moment, she had finally reached her outer limits. She tried crawling along the ground to her reach her destination, but to no avail. Her legs would not listen to her. Deep within the confines of her chest lied a heart that was sputtering in an attempt to keep the blood flowing. Her lungs felt as if they were burned to a crisp, and her throat was dry and parched. Her vision began to fail her as the world seemed to spin and blur. “D-Dammit all to hell…”

Magnolia was on Death’s door. All that was left for him to open it to see her pitiful corpse on his porch. However, in the final moments, her ear twitched as she heard someone approaching.

“Mistress? Are you…” the familiar voice of a mare registered in her head, “Magnolia! No!”

A young mare dressed in a black hooded cloak appeared from an adjacent hallway, worry apparent on her expression. Her coat was dark orange, bright red mane and tail, and her eyes were as blue as the night sky.

“Wild… Wildfire…” Magnolia breathed out, “Is that… you?”

“Yes!” she ran over to Magnolia and crouched over her former teacher, “I’m here, Mistress.”

“Good… I’m glad you’re here.”

“I got Juniper and Oakleaf to safety, just as you asked,” she said, holding her teacher in her hooves, “After that I came her meet you but… you weren’t here. I waited for hours.”

“I know… I’m sorry, I was.. Delayed.”

“What happened to you?” she asked, “Will you be okay?”

Magnolia’s breath sputtered as she struggled to get her words out. “Wildfire... listen closely to what I am about to tell you.”

The young mare pulled back her hood and leaned closer to Magnolia. “What is it, Mistress?” Using the last bit of her strength, Magnolia used her magic to unsheathe her sword. Slowly, she floated over to Wildfire and placed it in her hooves.

“Take it.” she whispered to her, “Take it and conceal it. You know where, yes?”

“Of course,” Wildfire used her magic and strapped it to her back.

“Good, you must remember… only a true Heir can be able to find it…”

Wildfire nodded in compliance. “I know, Mistress, but… will you be alright?”

“I’m afraid… I was a fool and decided to use Daybreak… at an inopportune, yet necessary situation,” she explained, “My body… feels like it’s on fire. I can’t breathe…”

“Mistress…” Wildfire gasped, “You can’t. You can’t! I’ll administer some blood. Just hold on-”

“Ugh, no…”

“But you’ll die!” she argued.

Magnolia lifted a hoof and grasped the face of her dear student. “I’m sorry, my former apprentice, but nothing… *cough* can stop that now.” She broke into a coughing fit, blood pouring out from her mouth.

“No! Don’t talk like that!” she demanded, pulling out several blood vials and a jar of wound solvent. “Here, I’ll get you fixed up!”

“Wildfire, please…” she begged, “It is far too late… Mother beckons, and I must answer her call.”

“But… Magnolia…” she sniffled, tears forming in her eyes. “You can’t. You can’t leave me. I…”

The elder mare simply smiled and used a hoof to wipe away her charge’s tears.

“Oh, dear child,” she cooed, “I will always be with you. You know where you can find me.”

Wildfire sniffed as more tears threatened to break through. “M-Mistress…”

“Now, now… little one… *cough*,” she inhaled once more. “Don’t you know… Huntresses… don’t… shed… tears...” Right then and there, Magnolia drew her last breath, exhaling deeply as the light left her bright red eyes. Her heart ceased its rhythmic song of life, and her life force was fully extinguished.

Magnolia, Heir of Artemis, had become one with the Night.

Tears fell upon the lifeless face of Magnolia, as Wildfire grieved over her former teacher and friend. She bowed her head, pressing the tip of horn against Magnolia’s.

“O cara mater nocte,” she closed Magnolia’s eyes with a gentle hoof. “Anima in caelesti
beatitudine guide est Aeternus Somnium. Sit memoria vivet in ea ingeri Nostro refusus pectori.”

After finishing her prayer, Wildfire wiped her muzzle clean and gently placed Magnolia’s head upon the ground and stripped off her cloak, covering up her lifeless body.

“I’ll be back soon,” she said, “I promise.”

With that, she took Hinoken, the sword of Heirs, and walked slowly over to the where the thrones stood. Closing her eyes, her horn lit up and encased a section of the stairs that lead up to the two thrones and it was absorbed into the stone, revealing a secret passageway that seemed to lead to another section of the castle.

Unsheathing Hinoken, she lifted the blade close to her face. “One day, you’ll be found again by the one worthy enough to wield you O blade of fire. But for now, you will have to hide for a time.” With not another second to waste, she descended into the dark passage, the stone staircase moving back into its original spot.

Once again, reality began to distort and darkness soon overtook the light.

Willow’s nose tickled as she stirred in her deep sleep. She sleepily lifted her hoof to scratch her the tip of her nose before sinking back into the safety of the soft silk bed sheets. Groaning in her slumber, she turned over to her to her right, facing the nightstand. If one didn’t know her, they would think she wasn’t a heavy sleeper.

Suddenly and without warning, her door was kicked open and in walked Noctus with a look hard determination on his face.

“Up, Acolyte!” he ordered but received no reply. His eyes narrowed as he spotted Willow laying back on her pillow, snoring with her mouth wide open. “Dammit…”

He growled in frustration as he stamped to her bedside and puffed his chest out. “I said, up!” he yelled in her face, to no avail as Willow snoozed the morning away. She tossed to her left, snuggling with a pillow.

“That’s it,” with no other option, he had to resort to a desperate act.

He gripped the underside of the mattress with his hooves and, with a mighty hoist, he flipped the mattress up and off the box it rested upon.

“Wha- Ah!” Willow yelped as she suddenly found her world turned literally upside down. “What in the name of all the-” she fought the mighty bedsheets to the death as she struggled to find her way out of her silky prison. “Where am I?! Let me out!”

Fighting through the sheets, she was finally able to feebly crawl out from under the overturned mattress. “What the heck was that for?!” she shook herself off as she was now fully awake. “What’s your problem?!” Willow whirled around to see Noctus with an unapproving glare.

“I asked you politely to get up,” he replied, “You didn’t answer, so I decided to force the issue.”

“Well you could have at least… I dunno…”

“I do not want to hear it,” he affirmed, “Listen now, get to the bath house and wash up. Then, after that, come back and get dressed quickly. We have a long day ahead.”

“Why? What are we doing today?” Willow demanded.

“Did you forget already?” Noctus asked with frustration audible in his voice. “Your training begins today! I won’t tolerate you being so absent-minded. If you can’t even listen to the simplest instructions, how can I expect you to fight off beasts?!”

What the… Why is he being so assertive today?

“Now, listen to what I say and get moving,” he pushed past her and walked out the door. “I expect you in the Dining Hall for breakfast in fifteen minutes. Do. Not. Be late. Understood?”

“I guess…”

“Answer correctly,” he ordered.

“Yes… Mentor?”

“Very well, Acolyte,” he nodded as he turned tail and closed her door.

Drawing a heavy sigh, Willow walked over to her fallen mattress and used her magic to lift it back onto the box. Not bothering to make her now messy bed, she turned to her folder uniform and picked it up, placing the articles of clothing on her back. She then began walking to the door, about to exit her room…

That is…

Until a thought hit her.

She pushed open her door and stuck her head out into the hallway.

“Wait! Where even is the bath house?!”

End Chapter 5

Author's Note

Ey dere, you readers. Uploaded another chapter for Night of the Hunt for those of you legends that are reading it. Enjoy! It took me quite some time to finish it, so I hope you do.

Thanks to Camolot the Creator for putting in the time and effort to fix up this chapter.

Most of all, thanks to you guys for giving me the time of day. Enjoy and let us know if we missed anything. The transition from Gdoc to Fimfic can be choppy at times.

Peace out, and have a good week :)