The Necromancer's Apprentice

Try as they might, neither Twilight nor Grogar could recall the events that had taken place in that rundown library. They remembered why they had come there. They recalled being invited in and even remembered talking to the one that had invited them in. Unfortunately, anything beyond that regarding the meeting was a complete blank.

The only thing that remained of their mysterious rendezvous—the only that proved they hadn't just woken from some shared dream or illusion—was the knowledge they'd obtained. Even now, as the two left the dilapidated building and began making their way back to Katrina's home, Twilight could recall all the information she'd gained about Tartarus in fine detail. All the knowledge was there, like the undead filly had spent years studying and mapping the whole realm.

While both Twilight and Grogar discovered this knowledge didn't extend to the creatures currently inhabiting the realm, Twilight felt like she knew the layout and history of Tartarus better than she knew her own neighborhood back in Canterlot. Of course, looking back, that wasn't a very high bar to leap, considering the filly didn't really leave her home unless she had to.

Still, the fact remained that this level of Tartarus and many of the levels below were an open book to the two outsiders. It was a good thing, too, because there'd been no discussion of when or how Katrina was meant to take them back to her cozy little abode. That wasn't an issue now, but Twilight couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy without the witch around to guide them. They didn't need her, not anymore, but strangely, the filly was just beginning to warm up to the feline.

She hadn't realized it until now, but Twilight was starting to feel a strange kinship with Katrina. Initially, the feline had made Twilight uneasy, much like Cozy Glow had, but that had begun to change during their earlier conversation. Twilight found that Katrina had an appreciation for magic that resonated with her. She was surprisingly easy to talk to, and Twilight found herself looking forward to their next meeting.

Not to mention, they might be able to purge the lich's hunger from Twilight with the witch's help. They just had to return to Katrina's hut, but both Twilight and Grogar soon realized that might be easier said than done. It didn't often seem like it, given how few demons walked its time-worn roads, but Lýkos Valley was inhabited. As far as Twilight knew, Tirek had gathered a few of the remaining demons that managed to survive the apocalyptic events that had swallowed nearly all of Tartarus and what was once Equestria.

Evidently, quite a few demons had survived and formed small, thinly spread factions all throughout this layer of Tartarus. The faction under Tirek's command sought a way to escape Tartarus and build the demon race anew atop the ashes of the old world beyond its gates. It was an admirable goal, but that didn't mean there weren't problems to contend with. Demons were demons, after all, and never to be trusted entirely—or so that's what Twilight was told when she was alive.

She'd been told all demons had cruel and twisted personalities and that they would attempt to hurt or trick you any chance they got. Twilight hadn't exactly forgotten those words, but neither had she really thought about them, not in a long time. She'd never expected to run into an actual demon after all. She'd been reminded briefly of those words upon meeting Tirek and Cozy Glow, but they hadn't truly registered.

It was only with the sudden appearance of that masked demon with the horrible breath that Twilight fully internalized her mother's word from long ago. Most demons in town were either lazing about or helping to get Lýkos Valley into some sort of habitable shape. Tirek had mentioned there were demons out and about looking for ways to get out of Tartarus, but Twilight hadn't seen any evidence of that so far.

Until now, the few demons Twilight had seen had been content to ignore her and her caprine mentor. Perhaps that was why Twilight had once more forgotten those old warnings. But when the filly really stopped to think about it, they might've only remained unmolested because they'd been with either Tirek or Katrina. Now that the two were alone, evidently they were fair game.

"Well now," Grogar suddenly muttered loud enough for Twilight to hear, "it appears we're being followed."

His tone was both intrigued and wary, but his expression didn't change. He didn't break stride or look around and when Twilight nearly stumbled to a stop, he snapped at the filly in a hushed but firm voice, "Don't say anything. Don't look around. Just follow my lead and keep moving, child."

Twilight desperately wanted to scan the area, but did as she was told and kept walking. If there was trouble following them, she was confident her mentor could handle it if need be. She expected Grogar to leap into action to do something about their stalker, but the necromancer just continued on their path to Katrina's home. Though his destination didn't change, the filly did notice a soft glow to Grogar's red eyes, and she felt something in the air shift slightly.

Twilight recognized that a spell was being cast, but didn't know what kind. And both the casting and shift in mana had been so subtle, she likely would have missed it had she not been spiritually bound to Grogar. Twilight was still trying to puzzle out what spell Grogar just cast when she heard a high-pitched squeal of surprise coming from above one of the few intact structures nearby.

A moment later, from the shadows of a nearby alleyway, a thrashing shape came barreling toward us as if yanked right out of the air. The creature howled and cursed as its trajectory swerved and jerked unnaturally. It wasn't long before the struggling body slowed to a stop in midair before Grogar. Twilight had realized fairly quickly that Grogar had pulled the pursuer from wherever they'd been hiding, and now that they'd been caught, she could get a better look at the creature.

It was a demon, of that, Twilight was certain, but it was unlike any demons Twilight had seen so far. Most demons she'd seen wandering around were the kind of lowly fodder you'd find at the bottom rungs of the proverbial ladders of strength or intelligence, or both. Imps, ogres, goblins, and other lesser demons—lackeys basically. Frankly, Twilight was unsure of how these creatures survived the destruction, even few as they were.

The demon floating before Grogar and tightly bound in ethereal black chains, was different from the rest. Unlike the other workers and layabouts who wore little to no attire at all, this demon was fully robed. Not only that, but Twilight recognized the robes of a scholar when she saw them, even if worn by a bipedal creature like this one. They were brown and simple, but Twilight had seen their like before back in Canterlot, often worn by academics with lots of drive and ambition but very little money for fancier attire.

The demon's form was indiscernible through his loose robes, but Twilight could clearly tell from its face that it was male. He was also tall—nearly two heads taller than Katrina. His skin was a deep, dark crimson and his face was all wrinkles and angles, save for his smooth and shiny bald pate. Setting aside the red skin, pupilless black eyes, pointy ears, long twin horns jutting from the front of his forehead, and overly hooked nose, the demon could've been your typical cantankerous old stallion.

At least, that was Twilight's first impression at a mere glance. His features were, in truth, similar to that of a goblin, but in his angry, pitch-black eyes, both Twilight and Grogar could see fierce intelligence. The demon continued to struggle in vain as the filly and ram took in his appearance, baring his sharp fangs in defiance and indignation. When he finally did speak, it was with a voice Twilight hadn't expected to hear from such a gruff face.

"Unhand me this instant, necromancer!" he snapped. His voice was high-pitched, nasally, and raspy all at once, making it quite grating on the ears in Twilight's opinion.

"And why, pray tell, should I do such a thing?" Grogar replied coolly. He raised one bushy eyebrow at the thrashing demon.

"You've no idea the ramifications of what you do," the demon hissed back before raising his chin to look down on his captor, "I am Lord Ranifaen Avelio Falnus VI, last heir of House Falnus and right hand to Lord Tirek."

"House Falnus?" Twilight replied, her brows raising in shock and confusion, "you're a noble? Demons have an aristocracy?" The question was asked more as a knee-jerk reaction than anything else. The information about demon nobility was already implanted within her mind. Twilight wondered if Tirek was also a noble, but that thought was interrupted by Grogar.

"In some corners of Tartarus, yes, once upon a time," Grogar replied without taking his eyes off the self-professed noble in question, "though I imagine that, assuming this one speaks the truth, his house has long since fallen, just like every other noble house in the wake of the Voracious Nightmare," he tilted his head slightly, a grim smile crossing his face, "or am I wrong, Lord Falnus? Does the nobility yet remain?"

"So long as a single noble lives, so too will the nobility," Ranifaen replied with absolute conviction, then he sneered down at Grogar and continued, "but if you must know, necromancer, we have already confirmed the survival of at least two other members of my house."

"Is that so?" Grogar replied, though he didn't sound too interested anymore and instead changed the subject, "and you say you are Tirek's right hand? We've heard nothing of the sort. The esteemed Lord Ranifaen Alevio Falnus VI of House Falnus never once came up in our discussions."

That gave Ranifaen pause, but only for a moment. He collected himself quickly and shook his head once, "I'm sure he had more important things to discuss than me, but rest assured I am his closest confidant in all matters concerning the exodus of the demon race from Tartarus."

"So..." Twilight began thoughtfully, "you're one of the demons working with Tirek to move all the demons to Equestria?" A sudden thought occurred to the filly, and she turned to Grogar, "Father, could he be one of the demons Tirek wanted us to meet before he left?"

"Hmm..." Grogar hesitated, then gave a slow nod, "it's certainly possible, I will admit. It may very well be that he simply hadn't the time to introduce us before departing on his errand."

"More than possible," Ranifaen replied haughtily, "I'd say it's likely. Lord Tirek is a busy demon, after all. Now, that you understand, would you be so kind as to release me from these infernal chains?"

"Not quite yet," Grogar said, "first I'd like to discuss your actions. Care to tell us why you felt the need to follow us in the shadows rather than make proper introductions?"

"Had you not snatched me up like scalding salmon from the Flaming Lake, I would have!" the demon noble snapped, "I was recently made aware of your arrival while making a report to Lord Tirek and was on my way to make your acquaintance. I didn't expect to be so rudely captured like some common criminal!"

"Really now?" Grogar replied, raising his eyebrows in mock surprise, "and I suppose skulking about in an alleyway while radiating clear hostility shows proper court etiquette where you come from, Lord Falnus? Please, enlighten me, will you?"

"That's... I..." Ranifaen flinched and looked away, his expression sour, "I simply didn't want to catch the wrong kind of attention. Some of the other demons here are brutes that wouldn't give a second thought about harming a highborn such as myself."

“That's complete and utter bunk, Falnus, and you know it.”

At the sound of the familiar voice, all three turned to see none other than Katrina approaching from the direction of where Twilight and Grogar were headed. The feline witch was practically marching toward the trio at a brisk pace, her pale green eyes locked on Ranifaen's bound form and her expression full of annoyance. Twilight even thought she could make out a bit of contempt for the demon.

“Katrina,” Ranifaen groused, “how many times have I told you to address me as—”

“My guess,” Katrina began, cutting the noble off with a sneer that far surpassed anything Ranifaen could muster, “is that you heard about these two from Tirek, got jealous that they were getting such special attention, and thought you'd judge them for yourself, is that it? Thought you'd wait for the right moment to test if they were worthy of Lord Tirek's time and attention?”

“Absurd,” the demon scoffed, “what need have I to stoop to such measures? I am Ranifaen Alevio Falnus VI! Tirek chose me as his right hand because he has faith in my knowledge and expertise. I've no need for such petty tactics, and you would do well not to impugn my honor, witch!”

“Oh, come off it, Falnus! I know your game. I know you have more than enough power to defend yourself from those slobbering idiots wandering about,” Katrina snapped before turning to address Twilight and Grogar. “You want to know how I know he's lying through his teeth? Because this cretin attempted to do the exact same thing to me when Tirek first brought me here.”

“I did nothing of the sort!” the demon cried, his wizened red features the very picture of affronted, “if anything, it was your rash and violent actions that gave me cause to defend myself!”

“Only because you were trying to provoke a response!” Katrina shouted back, “I might not be the mage I long to be just yet, but that doesn't mean I can't hold my own in a battle of the arcane!” the molly snorted and gave Ranifaen her most disdainful glare, “that was far from my first duel with a mage, Falnus. That you underestimated a witch with my experience is not my fault nor is it my problem.”

Ranifaen ground his razor sharp teeth together in frustration, but it seemed the self-proclaimed noble had no response to give. From the sound of it, they'd fought one another and Twilight could only surmise that, for all his pomp and bluster, the demon noble had lost the duel. The filly found herself curious about the methods a witch would use to win a battle against a mage, and lamented the fact that she hadn't been there to see the fight.

“How long do you intend to keep me bound here like an animal?” Ranifaen growled, rounding on Grogar instead, “I've made my introduction and have other business that needs attending to, so if you would kindly release me, I'll be on my way.”

Grogar eyed the demon, his expression inscrutable as he gave the matter some thought. The ram said nothing and his features gave nothing away, but spiritually tied to Grogar as she was, Twilight could feel the roiling irritation beneath the surface. She'd been feeling it for quite some time now, in fact. And it had only been growing with each word the noble spoke.

“Very well,” Grogar finally replied after a long, tense moment, “I believe I've gained sufficient measure of your character, and I've quite had my fill of your presence. However...”

A moaning wail of agony was ripped from Ranifaen's throat as the wispy black chains around his form tightened visibly, pinning his loose robes against his frame. Grogar looked on, his eyes burning red and his expression impassive as the noble's already wrinkled form gradually grew more and more wrinkled. His deep crimson skin grew paler and paler until it shone an unhealthy greyish pink.

His eyes sunk deeper into his skull, and his already raspy voice grew raspier and fainter with each moment that passed. With a start, Twilight realized she was watching Grogar quite literally drain the life out of Lord Ranifaen Alevio Falnus VI. If this went on much longer, the demon would be nothing more than a shriveled, dried out husk. Before it got to that point, however, the black chains around Ranifaen's body suddenly vanished, and he fell to the ground in a wheezing heap.

“...know that if you attempt any such nonsense as a duel with me, I will take that as express permission to tear your soul from your corpse and use it to feed my apprentice.” The ram gave Ranifaen a wicked smile as the demon's withered flesh and sickly grey-pink pallor returned to its former state, “And rest assured, Lord Falnus, whatever your contributions to the cause, I guarantee I have much more to offer to Lord Tirek than you do.”

It took a moment for Ranifaen to recover his full strength, but even then, words failed the noble. Black eyes wide and deep red face pale with terror, all he could do was silently gape at the necromancer like a fish. He seemed to come to his senses a second later and gave each of the three creatures before him one last fearful glance before scrambling to his feet and wordlessly taking off into another nearby alleyway.

He hadn't said anything more, but the look on his face just before he ran gave Twilight the impression she wouldn't be seeing the last of him. The indignation, shame, and humiliation was clear for all to see, even beneath the fear. If the demon noble had any sense at all, he'd stay far, far away from Grogar, but Twilight had to wonder if he truly would.

“Well, that was satisfying,” Katrina exclaimed with a bright smile and a single clap of her paws, “always nice to see fools being put in their place.”

“On that point, I must agree,” Grogar replied with a casual nod.

“Do you think he'll be back?” Twilight asked, “he didn't look too happy at the end.”

“Undoubtedly,” Grogar answered with an annoyed grimace, “he will likely inform Tirek of what transpired here, and when Tirek inevitably fails to do anything to rectify the situation, Lord Falnus will likely try to take matters into his own hand in an effort to restore the honor of House Falnus.”

“And what will you do then?” Katrina asked curiously, “if he tries to come back for revenge against you?”

Grogar grinned as he continued to watch the alley where Ranifaen disappeared, and replied, “I'll do just as promised. Our goal from the beginning in coming to Tartarus was to acquire more souls, after all, and his will do just as well as any.”

“And you're sure Tirek will be okay with that?” Twilight asked somewhat nervously.

“I am almost certain, he won't mind,” Grogar said, not concerned in the least, “what I said regarding my usefulness was no bluff, and even if he does take issue, he won't act on his frustrations.”

“You sound confident of that,” Katrina pointed out skeptically.

“I am,” Grogar replied without pause or further explanation. Instead, he finally turned to face the witch and changed the subject, “now, given that we were on our way to your abode, I'm curious to know why you've chosen to meet with us on the way. Has it been so long since we entered the library?”

“Well, there is that, yes,” Katrina conceded, though her expression grew strange, “by my estimate, it's been well over three hours since I took you to the old library. I tried checking in on you two earlier, but...”

“But what?” Twilight pressed.

“When I came back, the Domain was still there, but,” Katrina paused to collect her thoughts, “but there was no response when I called out, and more than that, it was like if I tried to enter, I'd never come back out again. It was like staring into an endless abyss from which there would be no escape.” She shook her head, “Needless to say, I decided to leave you both to it, whatever 'it' might've been.”

“I see,” Grogar hummed thoughtfully, “tell me, witch, what do you know of the creature that formed this Domain?”

“Not much of anything, really. No one does, not even Tirek,” Katrina replied with a frown, “all we know is that one of the workers tried to enter the library one day, and found that someone had taken over and created a Domain. Tirek tried to investigate, but he barely managed to get anything useful out of the guy, and he wasn't fool enough to push the matter.” She shrugged, “So... we just left it at that.”

“And this creature is someone Tirek wanted us to meet?” Grogar mused aloud, “Well, I suppose we did find what we were searching for, even if both the creature and its methods elude us.”

“Elude you?” Katrina tilted her head, confused, “what do you mean?”

“We don't remember what happened or what the creature we met even looked like,” Twilight added, “we got the knowledge we needed, but the library is empty now and everything that happened after we entered and before we found ourselves in the empty library is a complete blank.”

“Really?” the witch's eyebrows rose in surprise, “so there's no one in there anymore?”

“Nope,” Twilight replied, “just some old books and a library that really, really need to be repaired. Speaking of which—”

“Later, child,” Grogar admonished, “ruminating on our mysterious librarian does us no benefit. Instead, let us discuss your proposed solution. Have you made any progress on that front while we were preoccupied, witch?”

At that, Katrina gave a proud, confident grin, showing each and every one of her sharp teeth.

“As a matter of fact, I have,” she replied, “in fact, that was the other reason I'd come to see you. All testing and preparations are complete. All that's left is for little Twilight here to partake of my latest creation.”