(In an unknown section of the Badlands, Third POV)

The dry, desolate land was peaceful, save for a few tumbleweed and the occasional sand devil and taztel worm. Such peace was disturbed by a bright flash of light that left a small crater and an oddly burned and scarred person holding a gnarly looking blade. The bright flash caught the attention of a handful of Peryite’s Afflicted that lived in the area. “Inform Lord Peryite, we have an outsider in our lands!” One of the Afflicted shouted. Another Afflicted ran of to Peryite’s temple in the center of the settlement. Peryite was lounging in a bath of glowing green slime. “My Lord!” The Afflicted man said gaining the Daedric Dragon’s attention. “What is it?” Peryite said groggily as he woke up from his slumber. “There’s an outsider in the settlement, he just appeared in a flash of light with a strange weapon and he looks severely burned.” He said kneeling as Peryite rose from his bath. He was about to speak when he heard the sound of screaming, and metal meeting flesh. “I’ll deal with this.” Peryite said grimly. As he saw the outsider was preoccupied Peryite took this opportunity to subdue the man. Using his toxic breath on the outsider’s weapon causing it to melt. “You have some nerve to attack my worshipers, give me a good reason to not destroy you where you stand.” Peryite said with a growl. “Not us!...Pain!...GRAHH!!!” The outsider shouted in a gravelly voice and made to punch Peryite, which he simply side stepped. Peryite could only watch as the man fell to the ground convulsing in pain. “I may be the Lord of Pestilence, but this hurts just to watch. I’ll give you my shield, Spellbreaker to protect you on your voyage to Kynareth, but before i give you my shield let me sever you from the creature that binds you to it’s will.” Peryite said as the outsider began to glow a bright green. The screams of pain the outsider was uttering started quieting down until the man no longer glowed and was unconscious again. However, instead of a pained and angry expression on his face, it was now of some comfort and calm. “When he awakens, give him this.” Peryite said to an Afflicted as he conjured up Spellbreaker and placing it in her hands. She nodded as her Lord returned to his temple to rest.

(Roughly 3 days later, Asha POV)

It’s been three days since the Outsider appeared in the settlement, and now he’s beginning to awaken from his slumber. “Urgh, I…” *cough, cough* “W-water.” The Outsider said in a gravelly voice. I handed him a goblet of water. “Here, drink up.” I said, as he drank up the water furiously. “Th-thank you. The Sc-scorched plague did quite a number on me.” He said, handing back the goblet. “You’re welcome. I’m Asha.” I said extending a hand. “I’ve forgotten my name in the year or so of my time with the plague, but regardless, it’s nice to meet you.” He said, shaking my hand. “So, you one of those late Vault Dwellers, or one of the Responders?” He asked. “I’m sorry, I have no idea what you’re talking about. If it helps, I am a Red Guard, and this place is called the Badlands, Lord Peryite found it would be wise to keep us safely hidden away in a place that fools would dare to enter.” I said. The outsider’s face showed confusion. “How did I get from West Virginia to Southern Utah?” He asked himself out loud. “Have the Scorched Beasts started taking the Plague to other parts of the country!? Shit!” He sat up quickly, but winced in pain. “Easy. The monsters that controlled you won’t be a problem since it was only you that appeared. Lord Peryite instructed me to give you this.” I said as I presented Spellbreaker to him. “This shield will protect you on your journey to Lady Kynareth in the Everfree Forest.” I said. “W-what are you...you know what, Fuck it, I’ll just play along. I’ve had to deal with plenty from those Mothman conspiracy theorist cult wackjobs before the Plague and the bombs, so this should be nothing.” He said taking the shield. “Any supplies that you are willing to part with...also, where’s my machete?” He asked. “Lord Peryite destroyed your weapon to prevent you from harming more of us. I own the general store here so, help yourself…within reason, of course.” I replied with a smile.

(Everfree Forest, One Week Later, Scorched POV)

Well, I finally apparently have no room for doubt. Whatever happened, I’m no longer in West Virginia, or on Earth, for that matter. Somehow, I was transported to some magical land that, while whimsical looking, is just as dangerous as any other land. I mean, I had to put down some giant worm thing roughly only an hour out of the Badland Settlement. Thank Peryite for Asha and her letting me take some equipment, like that rough iron sword. Not the best weapon I’ve had to work with, but not the worst either.

Things only got worse when I entered the Everfree Forest that Asha was kind enough to mark on my map. As soon as I entered the forest, I ended up getting hounded by several wooden wolf things and radscorpion tailed lion things for the while that I have been there. At the current moment, I was stuck in a tree, surrounded my more of those wooden wolves. “This is just FREAKING great!” I exclaim loudly. Then there was a blur of motion from a new figure that was beating the hell out of the wolves. Once the wolves were defeated, I saw my savior, it was a zebra, a zebra that was standing on her hind legs, she had hands, and perhaps a sizable pair of jugs. “Are you alright?” The zebra asked in an African accent. “As fine as I can be, considering that I’m practically a walking tumor...growth...scar...whatever the Scorched Plague could be considered!” I shouted at the top of my burnt lungs. “Calm yourself my friend, I’ll take you somewhere to rest your head.” The zebra said. I climbed down the tree and began to follow her.

A few minutes later, we arrived at a dwelling that seemed to mix of a mangrove tree with a cottage. “Welcome to my home. My housemate will be along shortly.” She said. “You act as if I know who that is and that you know who I’m looking for.” I answered, sheathing my sword and strapping the shield I was given onto my back. “You are diseased, and only my housemate, Kynareth can help you. My name is Zecora by the way.” Zecora said with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you, but the...hivemind portion of the Scorched Plague pretty much erased my name and most of my identity from me.” I explained with a strained smile. “It’s alright, once you’re cured you’ll have your whole life ahead of you. Ah here she comes now, and trust me she knows exactly what to do.” Zecora said as a light breeze came through the cottage/tree. “Zecora, I’m home.” A voice said. Said voice belonged to a beautiful woman who had elfen ears, fair skin and medium length light brown hair. She also wore a simple white gown that billowed in the wind. “Ah Kynareth, it is most lucky for you to arrive, for this poor soul wishes to thrive.” Zecora said pointing to me. Kynareth took one look at me and immediately rushed over, her beautiful emerald eyes now right in front of me. “Oh you poor child. What monstrosity has done this to you?” She asked like a mother to her injured child.

“Child? I’m 32 years old, last I checked.” I said to her. “I’m well over a couple million years old.” Kynareth replied. “How’s that possible?! You don’t look a day over 20!” I exclaimed in surprise. “Simple, I’m the goddess of Nature, and let’s see here, hmm…” She muttered at the last bit. “Okay, don’t know what to believe anymore...and to answer your earlier question, these things called Scorched Beasts spread the disease, showing what you now see. And I’m lucky I haven’t ended up like the others, petrified and burnt out so much that bumping into them cause them to collapse into a pile of charcoal and ultracite.” I said as she kept examining me. “Ah! I know what to do!” She said as she finished her examination. “Wow, you work fast.” I complimented. “Thanks, curing diseases is a specialty of mine. Anyway, you need to go to the local apothecary in Ponyville and purchase four pinches of fire salts, a Daedra heart, some wheat, and blisterwort. Here’s all the money you’ll need.” She said, handing me a sack of gold coins. “Huh, proper currency. A lot better than bottle caps.” I commented, examining the inside of the sack. “Now, which way is this Punnyville and is there a way to not get attacked by the local wildlife, you being a goddess of Nature and all?” I asked, securing the gold on my belt. “Oh follow me.” Kynareth said. I followed her to the door. “See that path?” She asked. I nod in response. “That path leads to Ponyville, the path is enchanted by yours truly and a very good friend of mine, even if he is a Daedric Prince now.” She said, muttering the last part under breath. “Thank you.” I said, starting down the path.

The walk to this Ponyville (seriously, how the inhabitants don’t see the pun is beyond me...but considering I’ve only seen a handful of people, I don’t have much to judge with.)....anyway, the walk lasted only about ten minutes. Leaving the forest and entering the town, I could see that there were more horse-like bipeds, as well as a few humanoid people, and even a couple cat and lizard bipeds. “Ponyville, my burnt asscheeks.” I muttered to myself over the melting-pot of a town as I walked further in.

(Ponyville, Sara POV)

I was just slithering through town just enjoying my day. Gallus was just enjoying his day with his friends, but soon I saw him running as if he saw a Draugr Deathlord rampaging through town. “Gallus, what’s the matter?” I asked him. “There’s a draugr in the town! It needs to die!” He said frantically. “Now, now calm down! I’m sure it’s nothing to be afraid of.” I said reassuringly. Suddenly, a loud male scream was heard, followed by the sound of metal, arrows, and magic hitting their respective defences. “Goodness! What’s going on here?!” I shouted breaking up a fight between several ponies and a seemingly mutilated man (not mutilated by the ponies, as far as I could tell). “Gallus was yelling about a Draugr and we found it. We were just taking care of it.” One of the ponies explained, keeping her rolling pin bludgeon ready to strike at the man. “Stop!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. “Did you guys forget that Draugr have glowing white eyes, look more like skin and bones, and speak in the Dragon’s tongue?!” I asked as I slithered to the man’s defense. My question soon got the crowd to look down in shame. “And you.” I said pointing at Gallus. “You know better than to spread rumors about strangers.” I said with a frown on my face. “I’m sorry! I forgot, I was just scared, his appearance just looked so similar to a draugr.” He explained as he began to tear up. “Whoa, hold up!” The man said, as he shakily stood up. “Don’t be too hard on him and them. Mistakes were made about me that I can understand. If anyone back home saw me like this, it’s shoot on site. No ‘ands, ifs, or buts’ about it. Can’t risk an unknown disease to spread, which probably won’t spread now, thanks to Peryite. I can forgive you on those grounds.” The man explained, giving a few nods in forgiveness to the mob and to Gallus. “Alright, go back to whatever it was you were doing.” I said to the crowd who were now dispersing. “Gallus head on home.” I said to the griffon, who nodded in acceptance.

The man strapped the shield he was holding to his back. “Thanks for back there. I personally had to hold myself back to keep myself from killing out of self-defence, and with how much more peaceful this place is, I didn’t want to taint it any more than it probably already is or was.” He said. “Heh, Equestria is still very peaceful. Now I see you have some supplies from the local apothecary. Getting a cure from Kynareth are we?” I asked. “You know Kynareth?” He asked. “Yeah I gave some of my venom for her to experiment with.” I said flashing him my fangs. “The way you say that, she could probably do the same with my ultracite growths.” He said with a chuckle, followed by a racking cough, sending him to his knees. “Okay, let’s get you to Kynareth.” I said picking him up. “Heh, reverse damsel in distress. Who would’ve thought?” He joked as I carried him. I giggled at him. “I know right.” I said after my giggle fit.

A quick trip through the Everfree and we were at Zecora’s hut. I set the man down and knocked on the door. “Oh Sara, back with more venom to donate?” Kynareth asked as she answered the door. “Oh what happened to him?” Kynareth asked. “Oh he was mistaken for a Draugr and he was scuffed up by the locals, but now I believe that you’re making a cure for him.” I said. “Yes, but first I need to harvest those crystals from him.” Kynareth said as I placed him on to the bed nearby. “After what Sara said about her venom, I thought you would have an interest in my ultracite growths. Take as much or a little as you’d like.” He said chuckle-coughing again. “Try not to strain yourself.” Kynareth replied. “If that advice was followed to the letter, nothing would get done.” The man said with another chuckle-cough. Kynareth quickly whipped up a pleasant smelling concoction and poured it into a bottle after she got as much ultracite as she wanted. “Drink every drop of this, and you’ll be as right as rain.” The goddess said with a smile.

The man nodded and drank it up. After a few seconds, he hunched over, seemingly in pain. “Bucket!” He yelled. Sara came to his side with a bucket and handed it to the man. “Try to swallow it. I know it seems like an ill-advised idea, but this just means the cure is working.” The lamia said reassuringly. “I don’t think that’s what wants to come out.” He responded before barfing up a black bile with some specks of ultracite in it. After taking a deep breath or two, he turned to Kynareth. “Thank you. I feel a lot better and I think your potion also cleared out my lungs from all the coal dust I accumulated in my time working as a miner before I became a Responder.” The man told her. “I’m just helping somebody who needed me. Now before you go, I think you need a name. How about Scorch, Wayne Scorch?” Kynareth said with a slight shrug of her shoulders. “Wayne Scorch, huh? I like it. Very fitting. Now, I hope you don’t mind taking a student in healing or whatever. Since I’m sure I can’t return to Appalachia after whatever the Hell happened, I might as well help however and whoever I can. Healing people is within my knowledge and if a sickness or injury is out of my league, I can send them to you or Peryite.” Wayne said. “I’d love to take you on as my disciple, but I don’t recommend you send people to Peryite, since he does create disease for his own amusement, or to possibly control the laws of nature.” Kynareth said with a gentle smile. “But I can’t fault you for thinking the way you did, because he took pity on you, but he was mainly looking out for his Afflicted.” Kynareth explained. “Oh! Look at the time I need to head home, I’ve got some tests to grade see you guys later!” Sara said as she quickly slithered out of Zecora’s hut. “I definitely can’t fault you for disliking him, but he did have a part, admittedly small part, in saving my life and mind. Out of ten people that I wouldn’t be able to cure, he at least should be owed one.” Wayne argued. “I understand. I’ll allow it just this once, but only people who are beyond even my skill to heal.” Kynareth said holding up a finger. “Very well, a ‘Disciple with a hint of Demon,’ at your service.” He bowed and before standing at attention. Kynareth giggled. “Alright, let’s get you a place to sleep, you’ll start training in Alchemy with me in the morning.” She said smiling.

(One week later, Wayne’s P.O.V)

After a short crash course in the healing arts, I ended up meeting a Kirin that had a very fast acting cancer that spread too fast for Kynareth’s healing magics and potions to work effectively on. “Where are we going?” The young Kirin boy asked. “To a place where there are others like you. Those who can’t be cured by normal or divine means, but still desire to live.” I explained just as we came to the top of a dune near Peryite’s land. “Welcome to the Haven.” I said, extending my arm towards the village and Peryite’s temple. “Well, well look who’s back.” A familiar Red Guard woman said with her hands on her hips. “Nice to see you too Asha. Were you waiting for me?” Wayne joked. “Haha, no, I wasn’t I didn’t even think you’d return here after Kynareth cured you, so who’s this little cutie?” Asha asked. “Uh, I need an adult.” The kirin said. “We are adults.” Wayne said, with a little chuckle. He turned to the Red Guard. “His name is Star Gazer and he needs a little help from Peryite to keep a cancer from killing him.” He told her. “I see, if my Lord can’t heal him, he’s more than welcome to live here.” Asha said as she began to lead us towards Peryite’s cathedral. “That’s all I ask for him. As for me, an audience after he helps Star will be enough...and I hope you don’t mind that I called the place The Haven.” I said. “Not at all, after all that’s what this place is to the diseased and unwanted.” Asha replied. As we continued to walk into the cathedral, Star Gazer had a small coughing fit. “We have to hurry!” I said picking the young boy up in my arms. “Lord Peryite is up these stairs!” Asha replied.

When we crested the stairs, I saw Peryite lying in the sun, basking in its warm light. “Peryite! I need your help!” I shouted rousing the emerald colored dragon from his slumber. “Who dares to… Oh it’s you, well this is unexpected.” He said with a surprised expression on his face. “Anyway, I see the boy is on the verge of departing this world, and I assume you want me to save him?” He asked, to which I nodded. “Very well, just gently set him into the pool over there, the water may look unsanitary, but it actually can cure any disease I myself did not create.” Peryite said as he pointed a claw to the emerald colored water in a giant fountain. I carefully picked up the boy and placed him into the water. “How long will it take?” I asked in concern. “It should take a few moments, just let the water do its job.” Peryite said placing a claw on my shoulder. “So, I see Kynareth has helped you, and I can smell her scent on you, are you studying the healing arts with her?” He asked. “That I am. If there is someone I can’t heal, I bring the patient to her. If she can’t, I bring the patient to you. Consider the agreement of that as thanks for helping save my life.” I told him with a nod of my head in respect.

“I accept, by the way, our little guest seems to be doing just fine. Asha go get the lad some dry clothes please.” Peryite said seeing Star Gazer climbing out of the fountain completely healthy. As she went to gather the clothes, Star ran up to Peryite and hugged his reptilian neck. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you…” The young kirin repeated while crying in gratitude. “It’s nothing young one.” Peryite said with a chuckle as he just accepted the hug. “I’ll make sure my family and friends know how good you are.” The kirin said. Asha then arrived with the dry clothing and Star changed (behind a stone pillar in the room). “He is right you know, you could’ve just let him suffer, but instead you allowed him to live a better life.” I said. “I’m not heartless. He’s a child, someone who hasn’t had a chance to accomplish anything worthwhile. He deserves to live a long full life.” Peryite replied as Star Gazer emerged from behind the pillar wearing his new set of clothes. A simple brown tunic, pants and sandals. “Thanks. Now I gotta get him home.” I said as I walked over to Star Gazer. “I’ll either be back later with another person or two, or they’ll be here being escorted by someone I’ll trust to bring them. Let’s get the show on the road, Star.” I said, ushering the kirin out of the cathedral. As we left, I turned towards Peryite and gave a respectful nod.

(Roughly one hour train ride and a half hour hike later)

We arrived at the Village and we were greeted by a handful of Kirins, Star Gazer’s mother at the head of the group. Star wasted no time in running to his mother and embracing her in a hug. “Thank you so much!” Star’s mother said with a smile and tears of joy streaming down her face. “I’m not really the one you should be thanking.” I replied. “If it wasn’t for you, my baby boy would be suffering. Sure this Peryite fellow provided the cure, but you brought my son to him, so you are the one I should be thanking.” Star’s mother said. “Alright, but no parties or payments. Just a place to sleep for the night and maybe a simple meal or two will be enough.” I said.

(3rd person POV, Elsewhere)

It had taken her a few weeks, but she had managed to snare another knight and made another Black Prior. When she (the Prior) had asked for her orders, Apollyon thought for a moment. “I need you to go to this world.” She said as she displayed an earth-like planet with her magic. “There is a warrior there that harnesses immense power, and I think he needs a challenge.” Apollyon said. “Very well,” the Prior said. Apollyon then opened a sickly yellow portal and the Prior stepped through. “This war will be glorious.” Apollyon said as she went back to creating her army of Black Priors.

(Odessen, Eternal Alliance Base, Inkaizo’s P.O.V)

It has been five years since I took over the Eternal Empire. I finally defeated Valkorian/Vitiate once and for all. With the help of my friends and my wife Vette. I was just relaxing in my meditation chamber ruminating on a disturbance I felt in the Force when one of the acolytes came to me looking like she just lost a fight to a wild Nexu. “Commander! There’s something out there! I tried to fight it, but it caught me by surprise!” She wailed in sadness. “It’s not your fault.” I replied as I stood up and began to walk towards the elevator that led to the base entrance. As I passed Lana Beniko, one of my companions, she nodded and went to tend to the injured acolyte.

I was now witnessing some a battle of the strange trespasser and some troopers, and the troopers were torn to shreds. I took my lightsaber from my belt, ignited it and threw it at the intruder. The intruder ducked just as it got close to her, causing the blade to shred up part of her hood and slice a trooper in half. The intruder then moved to the side, allowing my lightsaber to come back to me. “Close, but not close enough,” the intruder said with a murderous voice, a yellow glow in her eyes. “If you came here to cause trouble, then you certainly have.” I replied as I settled into a dueling stance. “I have, and I must say that girl who escaped is a poor excuse for a warrior.” The intruder commented, while settling in a defensive stance. “She is only a student, I’m a veteran.” I said as we began to pace around each other trying to get the advantage over the other. I took initiative and thrusted my blade forward only to have it batted away by her shield. She tried to counter with an overhead chop, but I blocked it. I tried to swipe her legs with my blade, but she jumped over it and suplexed me into the ground. I was about to get up, when I saw Vette at the other end of the courtyard with her trusty blasters aimed at my opponent. She fired two shots one hit my opponent in the back staggering her the other grazed her sword arm. I took this chance and chopped the intruder’s legs off. “Give up. You’ve lost.” I said pointing my blade in her face. “A true warrior never gives up.” She replied. “So be it.” I said plunging my blade through her heart, ending her life. “Prep the fleet, we have a war to win.” I said before taking a small datapad from the corpse of the intruder.

Author's Note

I finally get to update this story! Sorry for the delay, but my schoolwork has been keeping me from writing. Now as you may have noticed, we have a Star Wars: The Old Republic character entering the fray. As it was stated in chapter one, Apollyon is the Goddess of War, so that means she will have a war that spans across worlds and possibly dimensions!
Also be sure to like, comment, and fave! Huge shout out to Wayward Shadow for his work be sure to check his work out.
See you guys next time!