I Am Become Death... I Am Eternal...

Chapters

The over-used intro, or meeting new and terrifying people
The Hunter
The God (Part 1)

The over-used intro, or meeting new and terrifying people

I stood outside the convention center, more than a little awed at its size as well as the amount of people that milled about in various costumes. Every-so-often someone would compliment on mine, or stop to take a picture. Not a picture with me, just a picture. At the moment I was too lost in my awe. I heard thunder overhead and looked up to see dark clouds rolling in. Hmmmm, rain. Joy....

I'd saved quite a bit to come here. I always wanted to go to a con. Though it was a little daunting. Why hadn't I gone with friends again? Oh right, they all lived in other states or countries. Curse you online friend community!

I heard thunder again, and sighed. My sigh was distorted by my helm. The costume I'd decided to come here with was one I'd fabricated myself over several months. It could actually serve as legitimate armor if I needed it to.

I'd made the armor of the Lich King from Warcraft. However, I was not content with just the Lich King. No, I made the Lich King into a Terminator from 40k. And not just any Terminator, but Typhus Herald of Nurgle. More-so, I'd fabricated the armor to look like it was composed of bone (even the Helm of Domination). If that wasn't enough, I'd etched runes into the gauntlets, greaves, and chest plate, that I'd lit with internal LEDs. Said LEDs also lit the eye lenses in the Helm of Domination. Hell, I'd even made the armor to-scale, with built in servos to assist movement, and added a fan in the backpack generator so I wouldn't get hot. I wasn't just the Lich King.

I was Plague Lord Menethil of the Revenants Legion.

That thought alone filled me with Determination.

"Wow... you're a big one, aren't you?" A young girl's voice made me jump. Said voice giggled when I did.

I looked down to my right to see Tanya from The Saga of Tanya the Evil. The costume was frighteningly accurate and I was quite happy that she didn't have a gun at that moment. "Hello there little one, you scared me." I looked around. "Are your parents around somewhere?"

A smile that didn't reach her eyes, and not bearing a single positive emotion, split her face.

"Call me little one again..." She said icily, and with enough venom to make me shiver within my costume. "See what happens... I'll peel open your armor to get at the gooey bits inside."

I reflexively took a step back. My mind may have been running on instant fear-mode, but I swear the world grew darker around her.

"Tanya!" A man's voice, distorted the same way mine was by the speaker I'd put in the helm's grill, pulled my attention away from the demon-child. A Space Marine came pounding up, panting a little, from the parking lot. "Did you have to run off like tha-" His attention turned from Tanya to me. "Oh no... Hon, are you scaring people again?"

"Maybe." Tanya gave the Space Marine the creepiest faux-innocent grin I've even seen.

"Yes..." I responded almost on reflex.

"Sorry about her." The Space Marine shook his head. He was the same height as me, thanks to his armor. His was Mk7 Pattern. The main color was jet black and patterned like scales. The pauldrons were bright red and trimmed in in silver, with bronze iconography. His left pauldron bore the image of a crescent moon within a sun surrounded by an ouroboros. He'd made his right arm into a rather impressive Power Fist and He had a clearly custom-built Plasma pistol holstered at his waist. However, the most notable thing about the armor was the massive Jump Pack strapped to his back. He held out his left hand. "Impressive armor for a Heretic." His deep voice rumbled a chunkle. "Brother Astelan of the Serpents of the Eclipse."

I took his hand and shook it. "Menethil, Plague Lord of the Revenants."

"God, you two are made for each other." I heard Tanya groan. Looking down I saw she was rolling her eyes with her arms over her chest.

"Who's this? Your dau-" I got cut off.

"Don't say daughter!" Astelan interrupted me. "She is self-conscious about her appearance. This is Tanya by the way, my girlfriend."

"Wait, she's really named Tanya?" His words registered. "Wait- Girlfriend? Is that legal?"

"I'm twenty-eight and if you make a crack about my size one more time, you'll be shitting your teeth for a month." Tanya gave me that creepy smile again.

I reflexively took another step away from her. "Christ, there's tsundere, then there's this. I'm pretty sure Napoleon has a Tanya Complex."

"Yeah.... she's got a rare disease." Astelan explained with a sigh. "Almost unique in fact."

"I'm not expected to live past thirty-five." Tanya grinned.

I get it! You're creepy! You've won! You can stop anytime!

"Holy... wow..." I breathed. "How did you two..."

"We met at a con. I made the same mistake you did and she beat the shit out of me." Astelan chuckled. "She destroyed my costume."

"Guy has such low self-esteem that he asked me to coffee." Tanya giggled. "He's got a loli fetish. I roleplay terrible, terrible things for him."

I blinked. "Is this real life? Are you two fucking with me? Because this can't be real."

"It's real sunshine." Tanya leaned closer to me and I reflexively leaned away.

"We have.... a weird relationship." Astelan said a little weakly.

"No no no... you have a relationship with another guy. Name's Shit Sherlock, first name, No." I said flatly.

"Ah Ha!" Tanya barked a laugh. Astelan laughed somewhat quietly.

"So Bitch King, what're you doing out here?" Tanya asked leaning against Astelan's leg and hugging it.

"Ummm, first time to a con..." I said slowly, very wary of the small terror.

"No shit?" She giggled. "Hell of a one to start with! Well stick with us. It's no fun going alone. Also, you've survived five minutes with me without running screaming or calling the police, you are now my friend."

"Do I have a say in this?" I asked, quirking a brow within my helm.

"No. No you do not. Now gimme your phone so I can give you our contact information." Tanya held out her hand.

This was probably a bad idea, but I pulled my phone out of a belt pouch. Tanya snatched it, swiftly entered the info, snapped a picture of her, then snapped a picture of Astelan, and entered some more info, nodded, and finally tossed me my phone. Literally. She threw my phone at me. "Let's do this!" She spun on her heel and began almost prancing towards the entrance to the con.

"Wow, is she always like this?" I couldn't help but ask.

"No, she's just in a good mood." Astelan chuckles. I could hear a tint of sadness behind it however. "Not every day is like this. I prefer this abrasiveness over depression any day." He sighed. "But... she grows on you."

"Like cancer!" Both of us looked up to see Tanya grinning madly at us not six feet away. "Come on, you don't want it to rain on us do you?"

I shook my head, still feeling a bit of disbelief, and joined Astelan in following the strange small woman.

Inside, after showing our tickets, the con was packed. After what felt like hours of pictures with over excited fans of our costumes, we finally got to wander the con floor. It must have been a sight. A little girl, flanked by two giant Space Marines easily double her size if not more. We browsed various booths, checking out collectible models, replicas, clothing and other such things.

As we came to a booth selling very detailed statuettes, Astelan spoke up. "So Menethil, what inspired your armor?"

"Warcraft and 40k duh." Tanya commented blandly as she narrowed he eyes at a model of Ruby from RWBY.

"Well those yes," I chuckled, "but specifically Arthas, the Lich King, Typhus, Herald of Nurgle, and the Dragonbone Armor from Skyrim, and some Chaos Runes from 40k." I gestured to the runes on my gauntlet.

"So you're bamf Arthas, plus a Chaos Lord of Nurgle, plus a Chaos Sorcerer, plus the Dragonborn?" Tanya raised a brow. "Ever heard of overkill?"

"No such thing." Astelan chucked.

"If it's worth killing, it's worth overkilling." I pointed at her. "How can you check for a pulse if it doesn't have a heart left?"

"I like your costume." The voice made me jump.

"Gah!" I jumped. looking to my left, I saw the attendant of the booth. She just so happened to be a carbon copy of Mei from overwatch, complete with her ice-gun. "You scared the hell out of me!"

"Sorry..." Mei said looking sheepish.

D'awwww! That's cute.

Tanya on the other hand, was laughing at me. So was Astelan.

Thanks you two, real nice.

"It's okay. Your costume is amazing by the way, you look just like Mei." I gestured at all of her. Then I turned towards my two companions. "Oh, and Tanya? No, I'm not an Chaos Sorcerer, Warp powers would just give me a headache. The runes just buff the armor and make other casting easier. Also, I'm not the Dragonborn, someone else can have the Thu'um, like Astelan." I gestured at the Marine, who stopped laughing abruptly. "He would make better use of The Voice than I would."

"Oh, Ummm, I guess I would?" Astelan said quietly, yet thanks to his helmet his voice was quite audible.

"I'm sorry, but I can't help noticing, you two are missing something." Mei's voice made me turned back to the attendant. When she saw I was looking she gestured to Tanya and me.

"You're missing some weaponry." She gestured with her own gun.

"Yeah, what's the Bitch King without Frostmourne?" Tanya giggled and poked my armored leg.

"What's Tanya without a gun?" I commented dryly, looking down at her. She scowled at me.

"You win this round..." She said begrudgingly before looking at Mei. "Hey, chilly Devil incarnate, know anybody that has what we're looking for?"

"Oh yes!" Mei nodded eagerly. "There's a guy who only got permission to put up a booth like a week ago. You can't miss it, it's the one like a giant tent." She pointed further down the con. "He's that way."

"Why thank you, Mei." I nodded at her. "Sorry for not buying anything."

"Oh, that's fine." She smiled. "Enjoy the convention."

"You too." I turned towards my companions. "Shall we?" Astelan nodded and Tanya just shrugged. I led them onto the con floor proper.

It was a bit of a fight forcing my way through the sea that was the con floor, and after ten or so minutes of moving maybe six feet, I was bored. "So.... Astelan." I spoke up. Well, it was more of a yell due to the noise of the crowd. My companion perked up and looked over at me. Tanya had climbed up her giant of a boyfriend to sit in the gap between his helmet and jump pack. She looked even more bored than me. "What's the story behind your Chapter?"

"Oh... Well, It's one I've actually used in tournament play. It's a Chapter spawned from the Salamanders. They work closely with both the Ordo Malleus and the Ordo Hereticus. They're similar to the Black Templars... Only with less witch and psyker hatred. Somehow more Deus Vult though. And a snake theme. Because I like snakes." He chuckled.

"Awesome." I nodded at the Marine. I could tell he likes talking about it. It seemed that, like me, he came out of his shell when he got to talking about things he loves.

"It's okay Hon. You'll retake Jerusalem someday." Tanya said with a giggle (and the first evidence of an emotion besides snark or aggression.). She patted Astelan's leg.

I smiled inside my helmet at the cute couple. Though a thought came to mind when I looked at Tanya. "Eh hem... Tanya?"

She looked over at me, looking somewhat calm and showing the first hints of a real smile. "Yes?"

"Besides the obvious name similarity, why did you decide to go as Tanya?" I asked, honestly curious.

"Well, I was going to go as Toph from Avatar the Last Airbender." She began. "But then we binge watched The Saga of Tanya the Evil. It was like looking in an animeifying mirror."

"I can see that." I said somewhat flatly. "You creepy, creepy child." I froze the moment the words left my mouth, as did Astelan. Slowly I looked over to see that Tanya had stiffened. Her head turned towards me unnaturally, like some clockwork doll. Thank you brain, that just made this situation so much better! Her eyes bored through my helmet and into my soul as a mirthless grin split her face. She slowly, again like a clockwork doll, stood up from her spot on top of Astelan. Astelan whispered something to me.

"Run."

I turned back towards to crowds around us. I amplified the speaker in my helm. "IN THE LICH KING'S NAME, MOVE!" The crowd split like I was fucking Moses. Unfortunately, I also got more attention than I was comfortable with. However, a sense of impending doom behind me caused me to act.

I ran like a bitch.

I ran from the tiny manifestation of Fear Incarnate. I couldn't see or hear Tanya coming after me. I felt Tanya coming after me. I heard various comments from the crowd as they either watched, laughed, or shot video.

"Run Arthas!"

"-kes sense. Tanya is the only-"

"This is going on Youtube!"

I dared not looked behind me. "Nope nope nope nope nope nope." I babbled under my breath. Oh, hey there's a large black tent. Let's go in there. Maybe something will distract Tanya. I ducked inside and was surprisingly able to stand at full height. Nice.

When I actually got a good look at what was inside the TARDIS-esque tent my jaw dropped inside my helmet. Most of the tent was filled with tables set up in rows. Running along the edges of the tent walls were weapon racks. Said tables and racks were filled with more nerdy replicas of weapons, armor, and miscellaneous items than I'd ever seen before in my life.

"Don't think that hidi-... in... a..... tent....... Ooooooooo Stuff...." I heard Tanya yell before her voice faded to something resembling awe. Looking down I noticed that her face was like that of a kid in a candy story. Not that I'd ever admit that she looked like that to her face.

"Tanya don't- Ooooooooo Stuff......." And there's Astelan. The gang's all here!

I looked to the back of the tent. On a Table lay three items. A Bolter, Frostmourne, and a necklace with a teal jewel in it. Behind the table was, as I might've guessed, the Merchant in all his creepy RE4 glory. "I believe these are what you're looking for." He said in an eerie hiss.

"Wow.... He is not subtle." Tanya said blandly. "He just killed my excitement boner."

"No, he is not, and thank you for that mental image." I groaned as I strode across to the Merchant's table. I noticed the cash register behind the three items. Who'd pay in cash here?

"You'll thank me for real later." Tanya called as I heard her and Astelan start browsing.

"No, I won't." I called back as I got to the Merchant's table.

"King Arthas." He gave me a small bow. "Your sword." He gestured a sleeve-covered hand at Frostmourne.

"One, I am Lord Menethil." I put on my I am a Chaos Lord persona. "Two, I am going to browse first, as are my friends. And three, it's dangerous to go out alone, take this." I reached into a belt pouch, pulled out my wallet, pulled out the credit card held within it, and calmly set the card in front of the cash register. I then returned the wallet to its pouch and spun around. "Hey you two, pick what you want, it's on me."

"Oh.... okay then..." The Merchant sounded somewhat confused as if this wasn't going the way he'd expected.

"Woot! Swag!" Tanya cheered and began swiftly bouncing between the various tables.

"Thank you." Astelan said still appearing somewhat lost, if his body language was anything to go by.

I began to browse the merchandise. There was almost too much to take in. I glanced over at the Frostmourne on the table and my brow furrowed. I had a thought of going with Lich King / Chaos Lord thing. But something about that felt off.

Doing what was expected kinda felt... boring...

So... what if I did something different? Maybe choose things that would result in something truly unique?

This got me thinking.

"Hey Tanya, Astelan, are you two familiar with the idea of Displaced?" I asked, noticing the Merchant stiffen somewhat.

"Yeah." Astelan responded. I looked over at him and saw that he had grabbed a gold chain with a pendant shaped like a gold cobra head with a green snake eye gem in the center. He had wrapped it around his free wrist and let it dangle.

Hmmm... That would fit his serpent theme...

"Like the Creepypasta, or the..." Tanya let her question hang in the air. I noted the she'd grabbed a pair or Hand Crossbows and had somehow managed to strap them to her belt.

I groaned. "Yes.... I'm a brony, what of it?"

There was a moment of silence. I looked over at Tanya. She was giving me a half-lidded blank stare. "Are you a child molester?"

"Ha!" I barked. "No." I responded flatly as I turned back to the racks.

So I've already got the Lich King and Space Marine thing down. Who knows if the Dragonbone aspect would translate. I hummed briefly looking at the shelves and racks in front of me. Sadly, I didn't see much that I wanted... yet.

"It's okay. MLP is awesome, Fanfics are better. Mmmmm dat Project Horizons doh." Tanya cooed.

I snorted a laugh. "So you are familiar with the Displaced?" I turned and slowly wandered the radius of the tent, admiring all the intricate detail of all the replicas that probably weren't replicas. "Also, don't remind me of sad things."

"What? Like Lacunae" I felt Tanya's evil grin.

I felt a feelsy stab of pain in my chest and winced. "Yes! Like that!"

Quick! Distract yourself!

The Lich King is Ice. Ice and Death. Well... Arthas, the Lich King is...

Hmmmmm..... What if I went with Bolvar instead?

The Flame King?

Thought!

I looked around for a particular weapon.

Tanya's voice drew me out of my thoughts. "You mean those, look at me! I'm this person! Oh look, there's the Merchant with the item that I need to complete my costume! I'm going to Equestria! Yay! I have a decent plot but I'm going to fuck it up by doing ALL of the crossovers with ALL the people! Is that the Displaced you mean?" Tanya folded her arms over her chest and quirked an eyebrow at me. The Merchant wilted a little at her tirade. I glanced over at the dangerous loli and found that she'd found a bright red cloak.

Suddenly she became the most dangerous version of Little Red Riding Hood.

She's only making herself scarier!

"She really doesn't like Displaced stories. Well there are a couple she likes, but she doesn't like most of them." Astelan explained. Glancing towards him showed that he had found a wrist-mounted Storm Bolter and had strapped it to his forearm. Now he had his Power Fist, a Storm Bolter, and the necklace.

"Ha! Yes, those are what I'm talking about." I laughed, Tanya and Astelan momentarily distracting me from my search.

"Okay, just making sure. Now pretend I don't know, because I'm pretty sure you had a monologue coming and I want to hear what you're thinking." Tanya half-snapped at me as I went back to my weapon hunt.

"Well thank you." I chuckled. "So the basic idea is, a person goes to a con dressed as their favorite character. Now it doesn't always have to be a con, there are other unique ideas that people do in their writing, but traditionally it's person goes to a con as said favorite character."

"I'm with ya. Continue." Tanya responded. I passed Astelan and noticed that he had found himself a Dragonbone Greatsword and had somehow managed to sheath it in his belt. Due to his Space Marine size it honestly could be wielded like a longsword. Though come to think if it, he'd probably have to take off the Storm Bolter to wield the sword.

I think? He could just have it for ornamentation.

"Okay, continuing on." I grinned, then paused as I saw a black sword with a hole running through the center of the blade. It didn't look like metal. It was too... fluid. However, a small chain dangled at the end of the hilt. On the end of the chain was what looked like a stylized red dragon with flared wings and a long tail. (I knew that that wasn't a dragon.)

I took it and loosely held it as I continued. "While at the con, said person, now called the Protagonist of the story, finds the Merchant. I.E. him." I pointed at the Merchant, who proceeded to jump at my gesture. "Now the Protagonist is normally missing a key piece to complete their costume. That's where the Merchant comes in. At his stall, table, tent, what-have-you, he has the one item the protagonist is missing. This is no mere item however. No, once purchased, this item will transport you to a world of Friendship and Magic! A world where your actions will shape the world! A world where you can form a group relationship with the Mane Six, both Princesses, and Chrysalis and all the ladies will be fine with it because they love you because you're Faust's gift to pony-kind!" Tanya and Astelan started laughing as I hammed up the explanation. "Or, you could go the evil route and murder everything you come across. Or due to a mistake, or an intentionally evil act, a thousand plus years ago the protagonist gets turned to stone and once out decides to continue his plans from before he or she got stoned."

"Yeah, sounds about right." Tanya nodded as she grabbed a silver crossbow with a rams head protruding from the front and a large cylinder barrel of bolt underneath.

"Now I love a few Displaced stories myself, and I've read many that start absolutely fantastically and really draw me in." I chuckled happily as I continued to browse. I glanced over at Tanya. She'd found a silver ring with a bright red ruby set in the center. She was leaning against the Merchant's table holding onto her crossbow. Astelan stood next to her. He'd found a dark purple tome that appeared to have eyes on the cover. I closed my eyes and let out a slow breath. "Then comes the Crossover...." I groaned, facepalming my helmet wit ha slight whine of servos. "Oh Lord, the Crossover. I know that this whole thing started with F*** it I'm Having Fun, and I know the point of Displaced stories are to have protagonists meet other protagonists or antagonists.... But do you have to sacrifice the plot of your story just so you can have Protagonist A meet Protagonist B? Most of the time I love where a story is going, the it gets t-boned by a Crossover. Yes, the idea is cool, and yes, I bet it would be fun to do a Crossover with someone else. Just... do you have to sideline the plot of your story? If you do a Crossover don't just throw someone in, have it fit. Have it make sense within the context of the story. Like oh I'm in a really bad situation. Can someone please help me? There you go, that's why a Crossover is happening." I took a breath. Taking a minute to calm myself, I happened to look over and see a helmet mirroring mine, though there were some differences. The helm was a metal that looked like dark bronze. Secondly, the gem in the forehead was a bright orange color.

Oh... This is perfect....

Just what I'm going for!

"What about the tokens?" Astelan asked, snapping me out of my brief giddy haze. I quickly grabbed the helmet off of the rack before responding.

"Don't even get me started on the tokens!" I turned and pointed at him. "Yes, good idea, let people out there know you're there to help. But for the love of all that is Holy don't just activate one out of the blue! That's asking for trouble and plot destruction! Do some research for fuck sake! And God dammit, don't write them so you can activate them on accident, or when you're asleep, or something else stupid!" I gesticulated wildly. "Tokens should be intentional use only! Also, listen to what the Token's owner says before you use it! That way you don't get royally fucked by some OP antagonist who would kill you if not for Plot Armor!" I ranted.

I wilted, breathing heavily. "I remember the first Displaced fic I ever read. It was called Headless, not Heartless by Thadius0. It was wonderful, I had a great story and Crossovers weren't just random. They meant something. I read that years ago and ever since then I haven't found anything as good." I chuckled. "That is, until I found a fic called Monster is as Monster Does, by an author called Weapons_X. It's amazing... The protagonist Jekyll is intriguing, the world building is fantastic, the humor is spot on, Luna's adorable, Jekyll's response to the Tokens had me rolling, and finally, he made me Hate Celestia! I love Celestia! She's awesome! Yet every time she speaks in the story I wanna pop her in the mouth. I don't care if it's not okay to hit women, she fucking deserves it for what she's done!"

"Wow... I need to read this story." Tanya blinked.

"If I ever got Displaced myself, and I got Jekyll's Token, I wouldn't go immediately and fan-freakout over him. That would be rude. I'd build up a fucking army and I would only show up if he needed help in a mass battle scenario. Oh no, this battle isn't going the way he thought it would."

I chuckled darkly. "In a roar of flames, a portal appears. In moments, countless burning skeletons would charge forth. Swarms of wraiths and banshees would darken the skies. Legions of Graveknights and Grave Guard would march forth. Numbers always win in the end... The enemy would be ground to dust and ash beneath the legions. For if it's worth killing, it's worth overkilling. For me and mine would be Fire and Death..." I chuckled and shook my head. I took a deep breath and sighed. "If there was, by some miracle, a chance I personally got summoned by him as a fucking social call..... I'd tell him he's appreciated, that he's my hero for persevering through so much shit. He's a good person even with his heinous kill count. He's not a monster. He cares, whether he denies it or not. A monster wouldn't worry about others. A monster wouldn't try to save a country that has the entire world against it because of Sunny Cheek's fuck ups. It's not our successes that grow us... it's our failures. We learn from our failures." I sighed and bowed my head.

I heard a slow clap from outside the tent.

Confused I, as well as Tanya, Astelan, and the Merchant, looked outside to see a crowd of people that were now full-on applauding. Most of said crowd were holding up cell phones. Dammit, they'd recorded my monologue didn't they?"

"Holy shit Menethil...." Tanya looked to me. "You can fucking talk. Shit, talk about Leadership Charisma."

"Now the mood's killed." I groaned. "Let's get the stuff."

"So, how are we doing." I asked the Merchant, who was looking at me nervously. Tanya grabbed the necklace and slipped in around her neck. Astelan, in turn grabbed the Bolter. I however didn't pickup Frostmourne.

"So I ran your card. You're good there. You got.... more than enough stuff..... but there's a problem." He hissed awkwardly.

"And that is?" Tanya quirked a brow.

The Merchant wilted. "I'm not strong enough to send you to Equestria with all that. I mean he's a Space Marine Snake God." He pointed at Astelan. "She's the Queen of Monster Hunters." He pointed at Tanya.

Then he pointed at me and seemed to lose focus, suddenly giving me the thousand yard stare. "And you..... I don't know what you are. You're.... Death... Fire... The Abyss itself....."

I leaned away a little. "Cool?"

"You knew he was The Merchant, didn't you?" Astelan spoke up. I shuddering in my armor and looked at Astelan

"Well, not really, I thought it would be cool, but this is both a bonus and absolutely hilarious." I chuckled weakly. "So, What happens now?" I asked the clearly exasperated inter-dimensional dealer of gear.

"Well, first you take your sword then my boss can send you on your way." He groaned.

I looked down at the sword.

Frostmourne was okay.....

But......

"I don't want Frostmourne."

The Merchant blinked at me. "Wat."

"Got anything else that would fit?" I asked, thankful that my helm hide my nervous smile.

"Let... Let me see." The Merchant grabbed Frostmourne and bent over behind the table. He pulled out a different sword. A blade of bone, tattered flesh, and red light.

"Apocalypse.... Yus...." I breathed and almost tore the blade out of the Merchant's grasp. "Sorry! Just excited." I winced.

"It's.... It's fine..." The Merchant looked exhausted by this point.

"You okay?" I asked, honestlfy feeling bad for trolling the guy.

"Yeah." He sighed. "I can't remember the last time somebody pulled something like this..." He yawned. "Hopefully the next person or persons will be easier." He shrugged. "Meh. You should go see my boss, she'll send you on your way."

"Alright." I nodded. "Have a good one." I turned to leave, paused, and turned back. However before I could ask, Tanya beat me to it.

"Who dat?" Tanya chirped.

"You've met her." The Merchant sighed.

"We've met her? When did we...." I gasped as my eyes widened. "Oh Mother-"

"Hi!" Mei smiled at us with a cute wave.

"This is the best thing ever!" Tanya was rolling on the floor laughing her ass off. Astelan silpy stood behind her quietly. I, however, was grinning inside my helmet.

"Hello Mei. How are you?" I asked cheerily.

"Oh, I'm good. I loved your speech by the way." She smiled.

"Why thank you, I can get to talking sometimes. It's a habit that's probably going to get me shot someday." I chuckled.

"You never know." She shrugged.

"Oh, before we go. Can I get something?" I asked, holding up a hand.

"You want more, you psycho?" Tanya raised a brow at me.

"Yeah...." I responded weakly.

"What do you want?" Mei smiled happily.

I like her. She's chill.

Oof... Bad pun...

"Can I get that Soul of Cinder statuette?" I pointed at the statue of a black armored knight statue that was sitting next to the Ruby statue that Tanya had looked at earlier.

"Oh sure!" Mei grinned an pushed it over to me."It's free."

"Doubling down on the fire?" Astelan chuckled at me.

"Always." I nodded at him.

Astelan turned back towards Mei. "So, you're going to send us to Equestria? Really?"

"Yep!" Mei chirped happily.

"How?" Astelan rumbled.

"Like this." Mei giggled.

I got the distinct feeling of slipping on a freshly mopped floor, then hitting said floor spine first, only to have your head snap back and slam into the floor after you hit.

In short, I blacked out.

Author's Note

Yes Menethil shares my views on Displaced fics :rainbowlaugh: and yes I fangasmed over Monster is as Monster Does. :yay: I can't help it I love the story.

My Musical inspiration for this Chapter:

The Hunter

The night was unusually chill, even for autumn. There was a scent on the breeze. A mixture of chill air and dead leaves, with just a hint of decay. Though it was night, the shadows cast by the moon and stars seemed to be deeper, hiding untold horrors within. Said shadows made the large, gnarled trees seem ominous and threatening.

Dark Meadow shivered as he stood next to the gateway that lead to the small outpost watchtower that he shared with the other five guardsponies. The torchlight cast long shadows over the clearing surrounding the watchtower. He shivered again, his dark blue fur most hidden under dull grey iron army. He wasn't used to wearing such heavy armor. It was uncomfortable, slowed him down, and made flying more taxing. However, the added defense made up for any discomfort.

His magenta eyes blinked and scanned the treeline. He shook his head roughly, jostling the open-faced helm that did little to hide his long black mane. He gently readjusted it, careful not to stab himself with the spikes on the ends of his iron-shod shoes.

He blinked, trying to get the sleep out of his eyes. He hated being on night duty. He always felt tired. It didn't help that the forest felt truly hostile at night. Though that was probably from the slow encroachment of Timberwolves into pony territory. Something had been riling up the 'wolves, beasts, monsters and other forest creatures. Both the Council and the Diarchy didn't really know what or who was doing it, nor the reason why. Not that the Guard got much information out here anyway.

Meadow shuddered and rolled his neck, trying to get the soreness and stiffness out. It unfortunately did little. He turned and craned his neck. He could see the pale form of Snow Blossom through the window of the tower, illuminated by the small fire within. Her pink eyes scanning over the treetops, ever so often flicking towards, what he assumed was, the other nearby watch towers. She paused and looked down at Meadow. A smile creased her lips and she waved down at him. Somewhat stupidly he waved back, with his own awkward smile. He saw her giggle then return to scanning the forest.

He sighed and he turned back towards the trees, trying his best to make the armor less uncomfortable. Though, no matter what he did, the heavy suit maintained it's irritations.

The wind shifted. The scents of it changed. An overpowering, thick scent of rot made Meadow's eyes burn. He gagged, blinked the tears from his eyes, then swiftly his eyes scanned the trees. A pair of vile green lights suddenly bloomed within the darkness of the treeline. Followed by two more. The four more. A icy spike of fear ran down his spine. His breath caught in his throat. His heart pounded in his chest.

He stamped a hoof, snorted, and clamped down on his fear. He took a deep breath and roared. "WOLVES!"

As he did, they came.

Out from the trees, stepped wooden things. Thin legs of wood wrapped in vines and veins of fungal growth, and ending in paws like mushroom-caps that had sprouted thorns, stepped out of the treeline. Heads emerged from the shadows following the legs. A muzzle of fungal flesh, covered in scraps of wood, bearing rows thorn-like teeth. Eyes of a sick green glowed in wooden sockets. They stepped out fully. Their barrels were skeletal cages of wood. Within lay thick masses of fungal growth, from which emerged tendrils that linking the nightmarish things together. The large growth seemed to beat like some kind of heart, lit from within by a pulsing pus yellow light. A yellow-green cloud fumed from the thorny maws of the creatures.

Meadow flared his wings. He heard shouting from within the tower but he couldn't make out the words. There had to be a dozen of the fungal monstrosities.

One prowled forward, exhaling more of that sickening cloud. It seemed to inhale, sniffing the air with it's nonexistent nose. Then it's head turned and looked directly at Meadow. A unnatural shriek tore from it's mouth.

Meadow's ears pined back as his eyes narrowed. A snarl tore from his throat. His wings flared out and his iron-shod hooves pawed at the ground. "Come on." He growled. "Come on!"

A distorted barking snarl ripped from the lead wolves maw. Suddenly it dashed forward.

With a cry, Meadow charged to meet it. His hooves tore clods of grass from the ground as his wings beat. He lifted off the ground, his hooves still grazing the grass beneath him. The wolves' own paws torn ruddy chunks from the grass as a yellowish substance dripped from it's jaws.

Meadow threw his fore hooves forward and roared.

They hit.

Meadow's hooves slammed into the wolves' muzzle with a sickening snap. The wolves' head snapped to the side as its whole body shuddered and fell to the side. The light within it's eyes died as the beating it's "heart" slowed with the same dying light.

Meadow slowed his charge, skidding to a halt and panting for breath, his forelegs hurt. He shook his head then paused. He felt the blood drain from his face as realization dawned on him. He raised his head and looked around slowly.

He was surrounded. They drew him out. One guard would make for easy prey, especially since they now surrounded him.

There were cries from the tower and he snapped his head back. Ironhoof, Thunder Spark, and Midnight Snow stood within the gate, trying to keep even more wolves out of the watchtower's enclosure. Behind them, Snow Blossom's and Duke Starlight's horns were ablaze with light. Great streams of flame erupted from their horns washing over the wolves.

Meadow's head fell. Tonight, Equestria would lose another watchtower.

He snorted. A growl left his throat. If he was going to die, he die taking these things with him!

He glared around at the wolves snarling, snapped and pawing at the grass. "Well?!" He snapped as he rose onto his hind legs and flung his forelegs wide. "What are you waiting for?! Come get your dinner you monsters!"

As if that's what they were waiting for, the wolves charged.

One leaped and Meadow turned to meet it. His hooves lashed out and crushed its wooden skull in a spray of yellow. Yet as he did, something bit into his right wing. He screamed, twisted, and slammed a hoof into the offending wolf's face. It died yet it's teeth tore at his wing. Movement caught his eye and he whirled to strike another wolf, only for a lance of pain to erupt from his left leg. Swiftly followed by thorny teeth punching through his right hoof's armor like it was paper.

He roared and swung, another wolf fell. Yet for every one he slew, two more took their place. Every attack found a gap in his defense.

His heart pounded in his throat as he desperately fought to survive.

'I'm going to die...'

Suddenly, a scent filled the air. It cut through the stench of rot and decay.

Roses.

Everything seemed to stop. The wolves, no longer attacking anything seemed to sniff the air in confusion. Even the sounded of battle at the gate stopped.

Something red floated into Meadow's vision.

A rose petal.

It was followed by another. Then another.

The air was suddenly filled with rose petals.

The wolves then, suddenly and surprisingly, backed away from Meadow. He couldn't suppress a chill as, at the same time, he felt a presence behind him. Slowly and painfully he turned.

Within a slowly falling cloud of rose petals, there was a figure. It wasn't a pony. He could see that it stood on two legs ending in black boots. A bright, almost blood, red hooded cloak covered the creature. Though it was easily smaller than he was, he couldn't suppress the almost overwhelming feeling of menace this thing gave off.

A pair of forelimbs emerged from the cloak, each held what looked like a small crossbow. As they rose to either side, a thick, shadowy, mist-like substance began to roll off the creature.

Then it moved.

It's whole body seemed to shift like the shadows themselves, becoming a whirling slim pillar of black and red color. The creature appeared to grow more arms as it move, each with another crossbow.

There was a moment of silence where everything was still save for the whirling creature.

The silence died as the erupted with bolts of black "light." Meadow froze as bolts flew right past him, emerging from the whirling creature's crossbows. Cries and shrieks of wolves filled the air.

As swiftly as the volley had started, it stopped. The whirling creature returned its cloaked bipedal form, its forelimbs disappeared within the cloak. Meadow hesitantly looked around. All the wolves that had been surround him lay dead, bolts of slowly fading black "light" protruded from there bodies like some kind of obscene flowers. However the wolves near the gate were very much alive and had turned towards the creature.

A limb appeared from the cloak. It held what appeared to be a small wooden box. With a light toss the box was flung to the ground. Then it seemed to explode. A pillar of wood erupted from it and swiftly morphed into a massive ballista!

Meadow blinked the jumped as the front of the ballista rotated to the right. There was a dull hum that slowly grew in intensity. It grew to a fever pitched. A sound like a downpour of rain erupted from the ballista as it simultaneously swung around and unleashed golden streams of light. The bolts tore the remaining pack of wolves apart in mere moments. Then the ballista stopped, shrank back into a box, and disappeared.

Meadow blinked, unable to processes what had just happened. He felt light-headed. His legs felt weak.

He suddenly found himself on the ground.

He felt so tired.

He closed his eyes.

He was so cold.

He couldn't feel-

The sound of crunching grass made him open his eyes. He saw a pair of black boots.

He follow the boots up into the shadows of the cloak. Within the hood glowed a silver left eye and a blood red right eye.

"Hey dumbass."

The voice that came out of the cloak made him blink. It sounded like a filly. A filly who knew far too much. He shuddered.

"Got yourself caught out in the open hmmmmm? Drew you out pretty easily huh? All it took was one charging wolf and you went off and got yourself half-eaten... mostly eaten... Actually I'm honestly surprised that you're still conscious." The "filly" continued. Those eyes seemed to look him over. "Oh.... You're losing a lot of blood." A bright white grin of sharp teeth appeared within the hood. "Say, Guardpony, you wouldn't happen to be a virgin would you?"

Something about that grin and the way she phrased the question made even Meadow's weak and addled mind fill with fear.

"Don't worry. You're going to be just fine by the time I'm done with you."

Meadow doubted that.

Princess Aurelia Celestia, recently Ascended Alicorn of the Sun, absolutely hated emergency meetings. She'd been sleeping somewhat peacefully, even with everything going on, and a maid andguard had come to wake her up.

She blinked somewhat sleepily around the large round table. The Council of Six (Three actually. Since Hurricane was off.... somewhere, Puddinghead was...... somewhere else... and Princess Platinum couldn't be bothered to show up. Celestia was too tired to think.) sat around the table. Her Sister, Argentia Luna, sat next to her. However she seemed to be busy looking over reports and wasn't really listening.

"This is the fifth attack on our watchtowers!" Clover snapped loudly. The dark blue, violet maned mare had noticeable bags under her eyes. (Most likely from staying up studying.) "Sixth, if you count the fact that two got attacked in the same night!"

"I'm aware." Private Pansy nodded. The grey, pink maned mare looked exhausted.

"What are we going to do about it?!" Clover was clearly angry-tired.

"We're spread too thin." Smart Cookie said with a sigh. The Tan, brown maned mare shifted through various scrolls. "We built too much, too fast, with not enough guards for each post." She looked over at the Princesses. "What do you think Princess?"

Celestia blinked. "Oh? Am I allowed to have an opinion?" Celestia asked aloud, too tired to even worry about proper etiquette. "I thought I was just a figurehead for ponykind to gather around and gawk at."

The three other mares winced at Celestia's words.

"Actually... I was asking Princess Luna." Smart Cookie said weakly.

"Hmmmm?" Luna looked up in confusion. "Did you say something? Apologies Councilors, I was reading the reports."

Celestia bit back the glare she wanted to give her sister. She took a breath. 'I'm just tired.' She thought to herself.

"What are your thoughts of the situation Princess? The watchtowers, the number of guards posted?" Smart Cookie asked.

"I'm more curious as to this Red Hood creature that intervened at the north-eastern," Luna shuffled a couple scrolls. "and eastern watchtowers. Both? In one night? They're miles apart and the attacks happen within roughly half an hour of each other."

"According to the report from Snow Blossom, it took the severely wounded Dark Meadow and disappeared." Smart Cookie looked down at her scrolls. "Where we don't know." She shook her head and looked back at the scroll in her hooves. "It was bipedal, wore a bright red cloak, used a pair of crossbows that it held in its forelimbs as weapons, and wielded magics that she had never seen."

Suddenly there came a loud commotion from outside the Council Chambers. The sounds of shouting and.... orders to halt?

A filly's voice could easily be heard from the other side of the large pair doors. "When I said I was going to meet who was in charge." There was a loud bang and the doors exploded open and slammed into the walls hard enough to leave cracks in the stone. There was a boot print left near the bottom of the doors where they used to join.

A red cloaked figure carrying a Pegasus stallion almost double her size, strode into the room. "I wasn't asking."

Celestia blinked from the figure to the Pegasus. She immediately noticed that there was something wrong with the Pegasus. His fur was white, and his mane black. His red eyes seemed to stare off into the ether. He looked ragged and wore badly damage armor. Most notably, his wings were like those of a bat. Additionally, a pair of fangs protruded from his mouth and his ears were slightly more pointed (and fluffier).

The figure gently sat the stallion down. Once there he did move.

"Stay." The figure said as a group of gold armored Royal Guards made to enter the room. The figure straightened and turned to look at the guards, all of whom froze. "Fuck off!" She snapped and the guards scattered.

Celestia blinked in shock. What, was that?

The figure turned back towards the table.

Clover was the first to recover. "What is the meaning of thi-"

"Shhhh!" The figure hissed and pointed at Clover.

Instantly Clover's outrage was quelled.

The room fell silent. The figure pulled down her hood. A pale white mostly hairless (Save for the blond mane atop her head.) face greeted them. It'd have honestly look cute, were it not for the silver left eye, the red right eye, and the unnerving sharp-toothed grin that she wore.

"Ladies. You have a problem." The filly creature finally spoke up. Her tone sounded somewhere between amused, bored and irritated. "I've been around for a few weeks and from what I've seen, you've got yourselves a shit show. You've got beasties breathing down your neck, and more timberwolves than you know what to do with. The guard that's supposed to be protecting you have got shit for armor, are obviously poorly trained, if Guardpony here is any indication." She gestured to the stallion. "You've got your Royal Guard in this fancy shit that's not much better than tissue paper. None of the guards here even raised a weapon, which leads me to believe that they used to be House Guards that didn't do anything besides look intimidating." She spared a glance over her shoulder causing the few guards that were peeking in to bolt.

The creatures snorted and shook her head.

"And what do you propose we do creature?" Clover asked. "You don't appear to be much older than a filly by your appearance, why should we listen to a word you say?"

Suddenly the torches around the room flickered as a breeze suddenly filled the room, rustling the scrolls atop the table. The shadows seemed to deepen. The glow of the creature's eyes intensified.

"My name is Tanya." Any hint of mirth was gone. A chill ran down Celestia's spine. "I was dropped here alone. I kill monsters and I survive off the blood of beasts. I've witnessed what you'd called a country and I find it wanting." The air grew chill. "Here's the deal. I fix your guard and I murder your monster problem. In return, you help me find my boyfriend and the Bitch King. Oh... and as to your recent uptick in timberwolf and monster attacks..." She paused and reached into her cloak. She pulled out something and threw it onto the table. The head of a large eagle, it's eyes wide and beak agape in horror, splattered onto the table causing Clover to shriek and the other mares to recoil. Save for Luna and Celestia.

Celestia knew that kind of head.

"You've got yourself a Griffon problem." Tanya stated. "Based on what I've seen, they still have a hate boner for your Pegasi, and in turn all of Ponykind."

Every mare stared at Tanya, whose unnerving grin returned in full force. "I'll throw in getting rid of the Griffons for free. Bastards think they can just shoot at me? Please..." She somehow managed to giggle without a hint of mirth.

"So, do we have a deal?"

Author's Note

First chapter featuring Tanya. No I'm not starting off with Menethil's perspective. I have a plan, and I have a world to build.

Also, first chapter of the rewrite (Not counting the prologue). This is going to be very different fro m the original version, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.

Next Chapter: 'The God'

What I've been listening to on repeat to keep me writing.

The God (Part 1)

I have always found other races fascinating. Even when the three tribes were at war (I fear we are being influenced by outside forces.) I found races such as the Griffons and Yaks intriguing. Yes we're not on the greatest terms, but even in the middle of a three tribe war, I wanted to be an ambassador of sorts. The other Chancellors called me a fool. I simply wanted to have allies in case something worse came along while Ponykind tried to wipe itself out. (They then called me a paranoid fool.) I admit I had always wanted to meet a Griffon and a Yak in person.

Pages turned.

It was a miracle from the Earth Mother that neither of the groups I'd contacted had killed me on the spot.

The Griffon's outpost of Griffonstone was a ways to the Southeast, It was a stopgap between the lands to the west and their Empire to the East. Thankfully, they allowed me in (I had forgotten what green grass looked like.), I couldn't help but note that their archers were trained on me during the entire visit. I had to convince the Guard Captain that I was not a Pegasus spy. (No wings, obviously.) It was the knowledge that we were actively at war that did it. (I regret having to share that information, it could come back to bite us later.) Their leader, a pudgy griffon named Gellert, demanded both land and money in return for an Alliance. I did not have the authority to offer either. He did not take kindly to that, and swiftly told me to leave. I was quite surprised (Though in hindsight I shouldn't have been.) when they had asked me to pay to leave the "Protection of the Aerie." I had left with a lighter purse than I had come with. The trip home was a cold one.

I had a brief stop back home. I'd learned that in the time I'd been away the war had gotten worse. King Terra refused to back down. Worse, the Pegasi were pushing into our lands as we pushed into the Unicorn's. This war sickened me to my soul. This wasn't right. Ponies were not supposed to fight like this. This winter is getting worse. The Pegasi do nothing to stop this snow. (If they even can.)

I had to travel north into the mountains to meet with the Yaks. They lived in a high valley, at the center was a single hill on top of which was built a large longhouse. Smaller houses were built around it and the whole hill was ringed by a tall wood wall. I was surprised when they let me enter without issue. Though they quickly shut the gates behind me, as if they feared something would follow me in. It turned out that they had a name for their valley, Stormheim, due to the regular thunderstorms. (Funny, I would have expected blizzards similar to what we were experiencing.) The Yaks were a brutish and warlike people. They spoke in hushed voices about a race to the north that lived beneath the "Shimmering Eternal Night Sky" (Whatever that meant.) They refused to speak it's name. They also stubbornly refused an alliance. Sharing information was all well and good, but asking for help was a show of weakness for the Yak. I stayed for a couple more days afterwords. They were excellent craftspeople, Their Shaman carved runes into their weapons, armor, and even homes. (I'm sure a Unicorn would find this more fascinating.) I dreaded what I'd find when I returned home.

Pages turned.

It had gotten much worse since I'd left. The way home was slowed by heavy blizzards. (I swore that I could hear voices on the wind.) On reaching home I was ordered to take a full regiment of guards and scouts and head south. (I was quite thankful to have Smart Cookie accompany me.) King Terra demanded that we find a new home.

We were going to abandon our home.

What could I do but comply? I already knew an easy way south thanks to my trip to Griffonstone. It made travel much easier, especially with such a large force with me. I was more a glorified guide rather than any kind of leader.

There was a break in the mountains that I'd used to get to Griffonstone. I shared in the awe of the other ponies on seeing a land not covered in snow.
A land of trees, fresh grass, fields that would make for excellent farmland.

Unfortunately, we were not the only ones there.

A strong scent of burning filled the chill air. Sounds of battle, war cries, and cries of victory echoed faintly on the wind. The pages of a tattered journal turned, held within dirty cream-colored hooves. They were careful, making sure the pages didn't tear. Tired orange eyes scanned a page.

I didn't know what to expect when the Council had received its own ambassador. A tall, thin, bipedal snake with mottled-brown-scales, and yellow-eyed. She was a female by the name of Tin'Vaakin. (Aparently it had taken them months to trek north.) The king of Hiimdolok, Gramdrog ['May his soul find peace' was scribbled hastily above his name] had proposed an alliance between the young Nation of Equestria and the ancient Empire of Struunkiir. The king had proposed an ambassador be sent to Hiimdolok to experience all that the Vith could offer.

From just what Tin' had said of her home, I couldn't wait to go. A civilization that had been around for a thousand years at least, far longer than ponies had existed as separate tribes. It was so exciting!

More pages turned.

"You read your jour-nal. Why isss that?" A pair of slit, yellow eyes peered down at the book

"I intend to turn it into a book eventually... Hopefully. A recording of history from my perspective. That is... if we survive..." Orange eyes wearily met yellow. There was more than a hint of fear in those orange eyes.

"The Forgotten God will ssssave us. Have Faith."

"I've never really been one for Gods or faith. Though that might change." The orange eyes returned to the journal.

I arrived in Hiimdolok a little over a week ago, sent as an ambassador from Ponykind to the bipedal, serpent-like race known as the Vith. The voyage, thankfully, hadn't taken as long as I thought it would. The travel to the vast deserts south of Equestria had been easy enough with an airship.

The city had come into few as the Sun rose over the horizon.
Within a valley of red rock, great golden Ziggurats sparkled in the dawning light. Streets of marble teemed with Vith. A large, covered Market District dominated a whole corner of the city. In the center of the city was a large Ziggurat, taller than all the others. Atop the Ziggurat was a great spire. At the tip of the spire was massive glowing sapphire that crackled with electricity. A ring of gray-ish clouds swirled around the sapphire, occasionally crackling with electricity themselves.

The city itself seemed to shine. The sight took my breath away.

As it turned out, that Ziggurat with the rather grand spire was the Temple to Strun (pronounced with a long u sound), the God over all other Vith Gods, and the God of the Storm. (I find the concept of Pantheism quite fascinating.) There were many smaller temples strewn about the city, but none as great as the Great Temple. As it turned out, in ages past the Struunkiir Empire spanned quite a bit of land. Yet a civil war in the past split the Vith, leading to smaller Empires that occasionally warred with one another. (Mainly due to arguments on how to worship, who to worship, and what God to put above the others.) Over time, the smaller Empires settled down, keeping to themselves and worshiping their chosen deity. Such as those that primarilly worshiped Krein'fil, the God of the Sun, in the jungles to the north. Eventually the different empire feased contact all together.

On arrival to the city proper, I could immediately tell that there was something... off. There we groups of Vith that were protesting, denying the Gods. It appeared that the faction had popped up somewhat recently. (A year or two ago.) Seemingly, as a result of the new faction's "lack of faith," the Priest's and Cleric's "Acts of Faith" (Their form of magic. Basically fancy spells.) were either less powerful or would flat out not work.

This worried the Priesthoods of the different Temples. They were worried that something had happened to their Gods. (Others thought that the "Godless" we're angering the Gods and thus the Gods were punishing the Vith.) With their God's. Ever growing lack of response, the number of Godless grew. They had become a Movement claiming that the Vith did not need the Gods to prosper. Worse, they believed that they didn't need other races help either. (I did not like the looks I got from the Godless I'd seen.)

In spite of the worries of the Godless, my tour of the city was wonderful. The Market district always seemed to be bustling. The shopkeepers were friendly enough, though he needed Tin' to translate for me. Most Vith did not speak Equestrian. (Not that I expected them to. Tin' aparently had an "Act" cast on her to allow her to communicate.)

Their food was exotic. Most meals appeared to consist of rice (which was grown in terraces on the northern edge of the city, along a somewhat rocky, foothill-like ridge that, thankfully, had enough dirt to support plant growth). The rice was served with different kinds of sauce mixed with vegetables (Also grown in fields around the edges of the city.), or various meats (The source, I never asked about. I also politely declined.) depending on the recipe.

I had learned that they "normally" got water through clouds that their Priests and Clerics (specifically referred to as Skycallers) "called." Being a ground-bound species, they had a strange reverence and connection to the sky. Much in the same way Pegasi did. Tin' had explained that it was a feeling within most Vith, with a few exceptions. There were stories passed down by the priests tales that explained the reliefs carved into the walls of their temples. Tales spoke that the Vith could fly in ages past. I had no idea how that was possible. Vith didn't have wings. However I never voiced such thoughts. I felt that that would severely strain his relationship with his hosts.

With the "powers" of the Stormcallers waning, their normal source of water was cut off. However the city did have a backup in cases of extreme drought. It was an aqueduct that ran from the Great Temple all the way to the mountains to the north. This allowed for the various field around the cities, and the fountains within the city proper, to function.

I am very thankful that there was little political talk. Tin' stated that they wanted to see the best of their home before any plans were formed. The only downside I could see at the time was the simmering tensions between the Priesthood (Many of which were old wizened serpents, with the occasional young one.) and the Godless. (Which was almost entirely the younger generation, from teens to early thirties. Barely even adults by my standards.)

I had the honor of meeting King Gramdrog. He was an old wizened serpent or green scales, gold eyes, and rich robes of whites and violets. His palace was at the southernmost end of the city. It was a rather open complex of grand halls, with marble pillars and floors, and gold ceilings. I honestly (and shamefully) expected the king to be arrogant and haughty, like the Lords of the Griffons. Yet, Gramdrog was a quiet, kind individual who simply enjoyed the peace and prosperity of his city. He felt like a grandfather who just wanted the best for his children and his children's children. However, I could see in his eyes that he feared for his people. The unrest did not sit well with him. His advisers, High Stormcaller Stiildus'hah, Trade Prince Solgaaz and General Ruvsos, appeared to agree that things were going well despite the unrest of caused by the Godless. If there were any riots or open revolts, Ruvsos ensured that they would be quelled quickly and with as little violence as possible. For Ruvsos controlled Hiimdolok's standing army and active Guard. That did put everyone's minds at ease.

It did not take a genius to see that the Vith had hierarchy similar to a caste system. Lowest was the farmers and merchants, above them were the guards and military, then the nobility, then the Priesthood, and finally the King. The king held a reverence of the Priesthood, yet ensured that the common serpent was well taken care of. Gramdrog's love for his people warmed my heart. If only the three tribe's ancestor's could've found such peace. I couldn't help feeling a twinge of guilt. It wasn't long ago that the three tribes warred, brought destruction on themselves. (And it was happening again.) Yet, I tried to not let such thoughts sour my visit.

Something that I didn't expect, was to be staying with Tin'. As an ambassador, she had her own small estate on the northern end of the city, complete with house guards. She also owned a couple of fields which her servants worked. It turned out that Vith roomed together. They would sleep around a large brazier, tending to cuddle together for warmth on cold nights (which most were). It was a surprise the first morning to find Tin' wrapped around me, much to the her embarrassment upon waking. I had to explain that I didn't mind. Ponies used to do much of the same when they still lived in the north.

The following days would be much the same. We would sleep on opposite sides of the brazier, and wake to find ourselves quite close together. I admit, Iactually grew to enjoy waking in such a position. (Though I never said so aloud. It wouldn't be proper.)

A few days into my stay, we visited the Temple of Strun. The architecture was remarkable as was the imagery chizelled into the walls.

Of note, the Priests explained the Vith's death rituals (A burning of the corpse [or Shell as they put it] so the Soul could rise and join Strun in his home in the sky.) when we came upon an ancient etching deep in the temple. The Priests scoffed, saying that it was simply the writings of a madsnake. The etching were of a prophecy. (I rarely paid heed to any prophsies.) The Priests left when I asked Tin' to translate it.

I wanted to record it for posterity. It was the history of a potential ally, even if the Priesthood looked down on it. Tin' had to state the some of the wording did not translate into Equian, thus she would have to substitute certain words.

"When the Chosen Vith turn from their Gods..."

Flan Puddinghead jumped, nearly dropping his journal. His head snapped up at Tin', the serpent seemed lost in thought as she spoke. His orange eyes watered and his cream-colored coat was covered in ash and soot.
Flan quickly stuffed away his tattered journal into an equally tattered saddlebag, and returned to looking at his taller friend. Tin' looked exhausted. (Flan felt much the same.) Her normally pristine, white nightdress was now a more grayish-black, as was the brown scales on her arms and head.

"...and Sister turns against Sister.
The City of Gold will be stained Red."
The Chosen will remember."
The Forgotten God will Rise."
He will name himself."
And Death will Inherit the World."

Tin' finished speaking with a sigh and a small cough. She rubbed her claws over her bare arms, clearly chilled by the breeze.

"And this is the God your Priests intend to summon?" Flan asked with more than a hint of fear. He didn't know what was worse. The thought of dying by the blades of the Godless, or dying by some forgotten, and probably angry, God. 'At least Death by God would be quick.' He hoped.

Shaking himself, he looked around. He needed distraction from his darkening thoughts.

The small band of Vith, and ponies were in a ravine north of the city. Flan hoped that it was hidden enough. At its entrance, the few surviving Temple Guard gripped bronze shields and ornate, bronze, curved swords called kopesh. Their armor and weapons looked battered. Flan's personal guards weren't much better. They wore gray armor and spears. (Though the ravine made it difficult for the few pegasi to fly.) The surviving crew of the airship, including Captain Stoneheart (an ornery, gruff earth pony stallion) supported the guards with whatever weapons they could find. They'd need all the help they could get if the Godless found them.

Beyond them were the surviving civilians. Vith from all trots of life, now equal in fear and desparation. This included Tin' and Flan himself.

Beyond their cluster was the Priesthood. There could have been more than a dozen or so. They knelt before a strange building that had clearly been forgotten to time and the elements. The building was some kind of white stone. It was circular with only six main pillars, connecting walls a dome of silver metal, and a single shadowy archway inside.

It was the entrance to the building that made Flan uneasy. There was something about it that made his fur stand on end. There was something... otherwirldly about it. He did not want to know what was inside.

As the Priests had bugun praying, a fog of shadow seeped from the archway. Over the past... Flan didn't know how long. A strange and uncomfortable-sounding buzz filled the air. The scent of ozone had started to fill the air.

Flan wasn't surprised to see more and more Vith moving up to pray with the Priests. They were all desparate. Even going so far as to pray to a God that, if prophecy was true, could end the world.

A commotion made Flan jump. The guards at the ravine's entrance shouted and clustered together, locking their shields in a phalanx as shouts and cries echoed in from beyond the entance. Ponies moved up and readied spears behind them.

They had heen found.

Civilians screamed and began to back towards the Priests.

At the same time the ground began to rumble and shake. Shadows poured from the building's archway. The Priests stood, raising their claws towards the building. The buzzing turned into a painful, high-pitched whine.

Flan's heart pounded in his flattened ears. He noticed that he was shaking. Tin' huddled closer and knelt to hold him.

The war cries grew as the guards were pushed back.

Flan looked back. Godless poared into the gap in the guards. He almost vomited as he watched a Vith guard get cut down in a spray of blood by a crazed-looking Godless. Tin' dragged him back towards the crowd.

The whine became a scream.

Black fog poared from the archway.

When it touched Flan he shook and gagged. He felt frozen stiff. At the same time itbfelt like insects were crawling all over him.

This was madness. No... This was Tartarus.

A Godless knocked a young stallion's spear away. The stunned pony didn't have a chance to recover. Flan snapped his eyes shut. He didn't want to see this.

Then, everything seemed the still. The feeling of the fog was gone. The scream died.

The sounds of combat stopped. As did the prayers.

There was an unnatural calm.

Flan dared to open his eyes the fog was frozn in mid-air. Everycreature was looking around in a tense silence, even the Godless. There was... A presence that Flan couldn't quite place.

Suddenly there was a great wind. The fog was sucked back towards the archway. Vith had to hold onto each other to not be dragged towards it. When all of the fog was sucked back in everything froze once again. Only for inky black tendrils that looked like water to slowly seep from the solid darkness of the archway. They curved around the pillars and arch around it and froze.

Something was inside the building, Flan could feel it.

There was a scream. Flan's head whipped around. One of the Godless had cut down one of the guards.

An almighty bang, like a crack of thunder, made Flan jump. A streak of red orange flashed across his sight and the Godless disappeared in an explosion of flame.

There was another bang. Another Godless died.

Another bang. And another.

One-by-one the Godless died.

Until...

Silence.

Flan didn't know what was happening. A loud rumble snapped his attention back towards the archway. Something moved within.

A massive, bulky, black claw of metal erupted from the archway. On the back of the claw was a gold symbol. One part sun. One part moon. Ringed by a snake eating its tail. It slammed into the rocky ground, digging furrows into the rock as it seemed to pull.

Something began to emerge.

Beyond the massive claw was a rounded shoulder of red. It was trimmed in bright silver, and bore a bronze skull of some kind of creature. A head like a collosal, crimson-scaled, king cobra followed. Green eyes scanned the crowd. Its chest was the same black metal, and bore the same sun, moon, and snake symbol that its claw did. However there was a notable pattern of scales on it. Its left shoulder was also rounded and bore the same symbol. Its left arm, as opposed to its right was smaller and less bulky. However, a strange box was on its forearm. At its waist was a massivevsword of bone, as well as another, slightly rounded, but boxy device that glowed with a purple light. From the waist down, it was a massive black-and-gold-scaled serpent tail.

It fully emerged, towering over everycreature in the ravine. Taller even than the building itself. It seemed to take a breath. Suddenly oil-black smoke erupted from its back. It twisted and formed into a pair of massive smokey wings.

"You have called me." It rumbled in a deep, gravelly voice that vibrated the very ground beneath it.

"The Forgotten God." Somecreature spoke in fear and awe.

It seemed to notice who spoke. "My name." It began. "Is Astelan."

"He will name himself." Tin' spoke in barely a whisper.

Flan couldn't stop himself from shaking.

"And Death will Inherit the World...."

Author's Note

Another alignment of stars!

Seriously thpugh, it felt great to write this again. I originally had this planned for one chapter but decided to break it into two parts. 3000-some words is a tad draining for me. And it had a good ending I think.

Part 2 coming hopefully soon!