Smiting Flames

Chapters

Prologue
Collateral Damage
Aftermath
Potion Shop
Genesis Meeting
Calling for a Hunter
The Hound is Loose

Prologue

A dweller of the void walked through the halls silently as he surveyed the humans going about their business. He wasn't interested in any of the patients he passed, or the staff tending to them. No his target was in a corner room at the end of the hall. He simply phase walked through the door. His gaze was met by two large walls of glass that looked out over the city below. The remaining two walls were a soft grey while colors were splashed everywhere with pinks, white, blues, and beige.

The soft beep of machines was the only sign of life as his target laid in the hospital bed asleep. After a moment he ignored the human to look over towards a stand with various pictures on it. The first was a small human happily sitting cross legged with a soccer ball in their lap. A newspaper clip sat beside the frame. The main story was of a deadly crash where a parent passed but a small child lost their legs due to the crash. Its picture was a car smashed front to front with a semi, the front end was in the front seat and it could easily explain how lucky the little child was.

A frown crossed the beings eyes as his eyes darted to the sleeping form, quickly it turned back to the pictures as the next was of the same child. They were sitting atop a rock wall as they had won a contest using just their arms. It was a joyous smile upon their face as they looked down towards the ground.

Finally he saw the last picture of a banner across the room he was in, the childing flexing their muscles as they tried to show they were a fighter. Cards of various kinds were scattered amongst the pictures.

After a few more moments he turned to look over the child of his interest. They laid in the bed, breathing shallowly. One look at the child and you could tell they were about to die. Their chest barely moved, rising just a hair as the wheeze of their lungs straining to take in air was so low even Lasgro in his immense power could barely hear. This child was on the doorstop of death when they had barely lived their life. Yet in their time they showed great pride in their own ability and never backed down. That was to be respected so now he stood there, reaching a purple hand up to stroke the mass of tentacles that were his beard. He sat down in the chair beside the bed as he set his cane against the wall. After a moment he pulled what seemed like a smart phone out of thin air and began looking through it.

He scrolled through his apps, ignoring the usual past times of angry birds, candy crush, and how he wished he could Snapchat at the moment. Lasgro had a job to do. A smile cross his lips as he pressed on an app named The Multiverse. Suddenly the world around him exploded into being as millions of Equestrias filled the room as tiny motes of light. He began whistling a light tune as he filtered through the worlds. Some choices peaked his interest but eventually he moved on, searching for the right fit.

In a half hour all that happened was Lasgro becoming annoyed with the lack of a good fit. In a fit of frustration he even blocked a few Equestrias from his app. Finally he simply put the phone aside as his gaze drifted to the child sleeping beside him. ‘Why should I choose when their soul can do it for me.. Lasgro gave a snap of his fingers before soft blue lines began to crawl and extend from the child’s soul. The tendrils wiggled about and left after images in the air, and with another snap the tendrils began combing through the motes of light.

It was a beautiful dance, the tendrils weaving or wrapping around motes. Soon the entire room was filled with a mix of blue and gold light, the tendrils drew the Equestrias close to their origin soul. All that remained close to the child was a group of six worlds. Lasgro smiled wide as he looked over the six and saw only a few minor differences between them. He stroked his tentacle beard as he thought of a way to pick one before he shrugged and did the best way to decide. “Einy, miny, minie, moe!” He pointed at the largest mote before the rest began to fade away.

Soon the tendrils retracted as he flicked the mote into the vast void around them. It began to expand as Lasgro and the child floated in the stars above the world. They were no longer in the hospital room, but the emptiness of the void as he examined the child.

He couldn’t send them to Equestria without legs or a new form, so with a hand Lasgro reached deep into the soul of the child to pull out past lives. A long line of warriors emerged, each skilled and prideful of their prowess.

It gave him an idea, so he quickly went back to the hospital room. Lasgro again began stroking his beard as he looked through the child’s favorite things. A brow raised in confusion as he noticed a full complete set of Dungeons & Dragons books resting under the table, and with a growing smile he started looking over the various character sheets.

A few minutes was all it took before he warped back to the child and began reshaping their form to fit with their imagination. Soon a purple Tiefling of about four feet floated before him. Twin spiraling horns from from the temples to rest in a sort of crown at the back of the head, deep red hair flowed under it and down to the small of the back. A long tail with a heart shaped tip flicked about as the legs formed below. These legs bent at odd angles like an animal’s, ending in cloven feet. The arms were the same, save color and nails as they sharpened to points.

Finally with the body complete Lasgro say down and pulled a character sheet out. Slowly he began filling it out and started making objects appear for the child to use in the world below. Half an hour of solid book looking and power checking he finished the sheet before pushing it into the being’s soul. It was quickly absorbed with a flash of bright light.

Lasgro smiles upon his creation and gave it a final check over before nodding to himself. Now came the final step as Lasgro began to grow in size till the being seemed the size of a volleyball.

Soon a pair of booty shorts and a tank top appeared on Lasgro, being a light purple and pink gradient. He snapped his fingers as an orb of power formed around the being. Now was the time for the fun to begin, he started tossing the ball up lightly before giving it a good push upwards. Lasgro hopped up into the air as an arm raised above his head.

Smack!

The ball of energy went speeding towards the planet below after a well timed spike front Lasgro. Applause filled the void as tiny versions of himself clapped and cheered at his display of skill.

Collateral Damage

Lasgro looked towards the sphere he had launched, a smile on his face as he wondered where he had sent it. Idly stroking his beard he began the walk towards the planet. Though he slipped through a small rift and appeared directly at the landing site. His eyebrows raised a bit at the location. It was a massive stone building with gothic details strewn about. Large white marble pillars held the ceiling above his head as white banners with the symbol of a gold sun rated in the middle. Rows of pews lined the space in the middle with a rich red silk rug running down the center aisle. Only a few souls were in sight, all of them wearing white robes with the same symbol of the sun embroidered on the chest and back. A few guards in armor milled about as well, wearing half plate mail and wielding a small selection of weapons among themselves.

The populace was bipedal in form but had hooves for feet and fur over their whole bodies, along with digigrade legs. Some had horns poking from atop their heads, others were slightly larger and better built, while finally a few had wings stretching out from their backs. Lasgro stroked his beard as he walked down the aisle towards the podium. It was made out of solid white granite with the grain perfectly going up and down, strips of gold inlaid upon the sides and top to reflect the sun towards the pews before it. Lasgro whistled as whoever spoke there took great pride in addressing the masses from that high perch. Lasgro walked towards the side, running a hand across a pew before sitting down in the choir section as he looked towards the glass dome far above in the ceiling.

The city was lively outside as there was a public market going on as merchants from all over the land had gathered to sell their wares to the nobility. It was a joyous day with lots of fun, games, and merriment. That was until someone looked towards the sky as a group of Pegasus did tricks and saw a large streak of red in the sky. They gasped and pointed towards the heavens. “Fallen angel! Fallen angel!” The cry shook the populace as everyone began turning their gaze skyward to the ball of fire rocketing towards the city. Everypony began to panic and run around, running into each other as they tried to leave the area or escape to their homes. Guards rushed to and fro as a messenger was sent towards the castle to warn the nobles.

A few moments later the sphere crashed with a thunderous boom, slamming into the roof of the church and continuing down to create a giant crater in the center of the Cathedral. Lasgro whistled slowly at the damage caused by his spike, thankfully no innocents were directly harmed by him. The building though was another story as bits of flaming rock showers across the pews and caught the pillows atop them alight. Lasgro watched as the sphere he created slowly dissolved and deposited the being in the bottom of the crater. Now the fun truly began as he saw the Holy Paladins of the Celestial Order begin forming a large circle around the entire room. Hammers rested against shoulders, swords were held point towards the sky, and spear tips pointed towards the crater as they began slowly advancing through the pews and rubble.

A tree of a stallion strode down the red carpet itself as he leaned a great hammer against his armor. This armor was ornate in design but still functioned in battle, symbols along the entire thing began to glow with a soft golden light, as he held a Sun amulet in an outstretches hand. “Careful warriors for the taint of chaos and evil extends from that hole. By Celestia’s golden light we shall vanquish the creature within.” The rest of the paladins nodded as they began a soft hum. Each and every being focusing their power into the Sun amulet they carried, a strong precense of holy power began blanketing the air.

Lasgro yawned at the display before sending a spark of energy towards his chosen being.

[First Person Pov]
I groaned as my eyes started to open, it felt like I had just crashed face first into solid rock. My entire body ached as I began testing like I was taught by the nurses and doctors. First, I started with my fingers, welp there was ten there. Next, my forearms seemed attached as the elbows bent when I told them to. Finally, an odd sensation came from down where my legs were, it almost felt like.

I bolted upright and looked down towards my legs before gasping. The tail flicking side to side between my leather clad pants didn’t even phase me. All that mattered was that I had a set of complete legs. I didn’t care about my feet being a pair of hooves. Tears rushed down my cheeks.

Slowly I pulled my legs close, wrapping both arms around my knees. It almost felt like a dream as my hands rubbed the pants leg down toward the hooves. Absolutely nothing could ruin this moment as my body was returned to me fully. Even if it was purple, furry in strange places, and a different gender.

“Abomination come out from the pit and face Justice.” An eyebrow twitched as I heard those words, looking up I saw a ring of what looked like a mix between horse and human in heavy armor and wielding weapons of all sorts. Slowly I stood up and felt the weight and difference of my body as I stood for the first time in years.

“Have I missed this feeling!” I ignored the looks of scorn and disgust as I stretched my limbs and began properly looking over my body. My legs seemed to bend at odd angles but I could deal with that as it felt sort of natural. The tail kept flickering in and out of view like it was teasing me before I snatched it out of the air. I giggled at the feeling before letting it go. I noticed the clink of metal at my hip, and felt a weight on the right calf under the pants leg. Seems I was given a way to fight.

The paladins soon lost patience as the largest shouted towards me. “Foul demon! Do not ignore your fate.”

I frowned as my gaze turned up towards the man. “Fuck off! It’s been years since I’ve had legs and you aren’t ruining this moment for me.” She gave him a one finger salute before looking down at her hooves again.

The ring of paladins began to murmur amongst themselves at the creatures behavior before Sacred Faith silenced them with a glare. “Demon I care not for your happiness. You have declared war on the Holy Paladins of the Celestial Order. It is our duty to retaliate by burning you with the power granted to us by our patron.” He raised his hammer into the air as it began to glow with a golden light. The other paladins took their cue as their weapons soon began to join their leader in the air.

I just looked up at the blowhard and shook my head. This light show didn’t scare me, no way they could possibly harm me. A child.... wait I looked down a bit and noticed the bit of chest I had and swore as they saw me as an adult. Quickly I began looking for a way out, eyes darting towards the ring of warriors. Fuuuck there were no gaps at all. My heart started to race, the edges of my vision becoming blacked out as I saw a large tendrils of the light gathering into a large orb above me. My eyes darted here and there as I noticed the shadows start to form claws and faces, deep sunken eyes and wide fang filled maws, breathing started to become harder as a hand immediately went to my chest, clutching my heart as I fell to a knee.

My eyes squeezed tight as I took a deep breath, remembering what my grandpa had taught me about being afraid. ‘Fear can only affect you if you give in. But giving in is surrending and our family has never surrender.’ Slowly I felt my muscles begin to loosen as the claws around my heart seemed to phase through it as my body acted on its own. I opened my eyes to find myself standing, a long sword held in both hands, tight to my chest. My body turned sideways and knees bent, chest forwards. I didn’t know what was happening but my muscles felt like liquid as they flowed through my body and seemed to form into different tonality and firmness on my legs and arms. A tranquility came over me as I narrowed my eyes and focused on the leader.

He stood there saying some kind of chant. I didn’t give a fuck now and tensed before springing up towards him, my body seemed to act on instinct. It even felt like there was someone else controlling it.

Sacred Faith was solely focused on the spell they were preparing he didn’t notice a thing. “For Celestia is the one who holds us close to her bosom so we may prosper. Now seating flames of our passion and power I ask thee to smite and burn away the taint that has-“ His words were cut off as he felt a sting in the left side of his face, a copper smell and taste filled his senses as he screamed. A gauntlet went to held the wound closed as he could only look out a single eye.

I looked back for a moment and blinked as I went over what happened in my mind. My body had launched itself towards him, bringing the sword in a circle as I spun. The edge of it alight right into the left side of his face as it destroyed the eye and ear almost completely. His blood dropped off the blade as Inrealized what happened. He had been saying something before and something tingled in my blade as I looked towards the orb.

“Halt all those who oppose me!” It was all I could think of as I focused on the orb knocking out the other armored figures. Nothing prepared me for the call dropping to chest level on the figures who began turning towards me. It didn’t take a genius to see the murder in their eyes for what I’d done. Nothing prepared any of us for the shockwave the ball erupted into as it knocked the soldiers back away from the crater. Though I guess I didn’t get out of the effective blast radius as it sent my little ass flying back.

I heard a loud crack from something as I crashed into it. I couldn’t pay it much attention as I reached out to grab my sword. Not even glancing towards the crater I began running towards the back doors, quickly slipping through the hallways and out into the open air. My eyes darted around before grabbing a white robe off a hanging line.

With my disguise on I quickly made my way out into the streets and began heading towards those giant walls surrounding the city.

Aftermath

Lasgro rubbed his beard of tentacles after the dust finally settled. He watched as clerics and priests hurried from their hiding places to tend the wounded guards. The grand paladin was tended to rapidly but he could overhear them talking.

“We can easily heal the damage. But something is affecting our ability to return his sight.” A unicorn cleric said as she knelt before Sacred Faith. Her horn, hands, and a small sun bracelet flowed in a soft golden light as the flesh mended itself shut. The Grand Cleric looked on with a frown before turning away with a sweep of their robe.

Lasgro nodded at the mercy shown before he stood up and walked towards the front doors. He had places to be and things to see, so he would leave the chosen one to do as they saw fit. His mistake had set them on the path of the hunted, it was up to them to fix the mess or go down the path of living up to the title. Lasgro waved a hand as the doorway shimmered before becoming a rift into the void for him to walk through.

A few moments after Lasgro’s departure Sacred Faith bolted upright, making the priestess tending to him fall back. He raised a hand up to his face, looking over the gauntlet as both eyes seemed to move. His dark green one easily followed the lines of his hands as the left was left with a milky white pupil. In anger he balled his fist before slamming it down into the floor. “Damn that fallen angel. I swear upon the fire within my soul I shall destroy them.” Quickly he glanced around before tearing a necklace off himself to hold to the priestess. “Choir mistress, take this and bring me a hunter from the catacombs.”

The room was silent for a few moments as the clerics began to fidget and grow nervous at the orders. His healer didn’t even hesitate as she bowed her head and snatched the key from his hand. She moved with a purpose towards the back of the church and out towards a small yard beyond.

Not a moment after she left the front doors were blasted open as a unicorn wrapped in golden armor strode into the room. A soft silken cape billowed behind them as did a golden mane and tail. “No need to fear holy beings. Prince Purple Heart is here to save you!” A claymore rested in their hands as they held it skyward. Guards in matching golden armor rushed in after him, shields and long swords cast dazzling reflections across the room.

Sacred Faith groaned as he slowly began to stand, using his hammer as a staff. If there was anything he despised besides demons or evil doers it was a prideful stallion. “Great Prince we have the situation under control.”

Purple Heart looked at the Grand Paladin for all of a single second before he started laughing heartily. “As I can see mighty Faith for you are the only one left alive after the fallen angel left.” Sacred Faith took all of a moment to realize what he had said before the guards acted.

Purple Heart had stride towards the crater, claymore held at the ready as his guards had sealed all doors and windows with both magic and physical means. Then they all proceeded to surround the clergy. Before Sacred Faith realized what happened swords and spears pierced the bodies of his brothers and sisters. Yet he stood there with no way to avenge them.

Purple Heart seemed to have a sick smile upon his face as he stabbed down repeatedly into a corpse of a paladin. “Oh Faith how fun will it be to avenge your brethren. The council will be saddened by this news. But alas even the mightiest Sacred Faith was injured by the fallen angel so none of the less powerful fighters had a chance. Though I wonder how severe your wounds really are?” Sacred Faith grabbed his hammer with both hands and held it in place just before Purple’s claymore struck down, sliding against the metal of the handle before crashing into a specialized grip Sacred had built in to protect his hands.

After a brief moment of contest Sacred Faith shoved the sword away. “May the light of Celestia give me strength!” He quickly retreated from the captain before swinging his hammer towards the stallion. A loud thud filled the air as Sacred Faith saw his hammer impact a guards shield, the warrior had rushed forward to protect his commander. Though his shield had taken the impact, even in his weakened from Sacred Faith has dented the shield outward and clearly broken the arm holding it. The shield hung loosely at his side as the guard tried to raise it back up.

Purple Heart saw the guard struggling a bit and raised his sword a bit. “Here allow me to help you.” Sacred Faith saw what was coming but couldn’t call out fast enough before the captain gave the guard his severance package. His head rolled towards Sacred as the body crumpled to the floor, a pool of blood starting to from.

Sacred Faith growled as he readied his hammer, though before anything could happen a ring echoed around the cathedral. All eyes turned towards the source to find an elderly unicorn mare standing there with a gold tipped cane. She began walking forward slowly, tapping her cane hard against the ground with each step. She wore simple clothes, a set of plain leather pants that hugged her hips and thighs, a soft cotton shirt with a leather jerkin pulled right to her. Soft white fur covered her body as a blond mane and tail trailed behind her. “Well then, seems there is no fallen angel to be seen, but instead a dog that forgot which hand holds the leash.”

Purple Heart gulped audibly and knelt down, bowing his head before starting to grovel. “Sorry I-“

He was interrupted by a smack of the cane across his face, sending him sprawling as the woman spat in his direction. “Dogs that turn need to be put down. You shall be dealt with later filth.”

Purple Heart looked towards the ground as his cheek started to swell. “But mother...”

“I have no children, I am the Grand Councillor of the unicorn race. My people are my children.”

Sacred Faith watched solemnly before coughing into his hand. “Councillor Golden Dawn. I thank you for reigning in the mongrel. But if you excuse me I must organize the church for a mass funeral, a sermon, and then a hunt for a fallen angel.” He held his arm to his chest as he bowed before turning on his heels to walk away.

Golden Dawn turned around to face her son as the guards began to from in a circle around him. They striped him of his weapon and were doing the same with his armour. She stood with both hands resting atop the top of her cane. “Seems you went wild before the time was right. A single fallen angel is not a legion of demons under our command to conquer the realms my son.” With those words she began walking towards the entrance, the guards following behind with a chained Purple Heart.

Potion Shop

She walked through the streets with her head down, eyes darting side to side. The robe was soft to the touch but it stood out as a white speck among the dull brown and dirty surroundings of the back alleys. The feeling of being watched followed her as she darted between buildings. The feeling of the cobblestone below her hooves brought a hidden joy as her muscles flexed and moved under her commands. How she wanted to scream in joy at the top of her lungs, but for now she needed somewhere to hide.

A small sign hung above the middle of the alley she choose, it didn’t say anything but had a picture of a purple bottle with a long neck and green fumes coming out the top. If anything she’d guess it was a potion shop. So after looking around to see no one watching she dipped inside and hide away. The contrast from outside to in was almost non exists any as the space was cluttered and small. Hundreds of vials with different color liquid rested on shelves as regents dried from the rafters. It smelled like something had died and was already at the part where the corpse mummified itself.

Dust filtered in the small light given off from lanterns set about the shop. Their smoke making it a bit hazy to see through everything. The girl sighed softly before turning to look at the door and saw a bar beside it, metal rungs on the door itself to lock up. After a quick argument with herself she set the bar up and secured the door before starting to sneak around the shop, holding her robe close.

In the back of the shop, hidden behind a secret bookshelf was a small figure sitting inside of a chalk circle. Their eyes were closed but a soft green glow emitted from them, the same could be said for the antlers atop their head. They weren’t anything special, just a small set of four points pointing straight up. Hands swirled in the air as symbols of pure black floated after their waving, forming a circle across from them on the floor. It was building itself from those black letters, expanding lines and strengthening the seals. Slowly their hands came to a final stop before them and formed fists.

The circle of black letters flowed eerily as green slime began to bubble and ooze from the floor. It kept growing into a large pile before starting to form limbs and a body. Finally with a sickening squeal a head popped out of the torso before the slime began changing color to black. Spikes and scales formed along the top surfaces as organs could be seen arranging themselves inside the torso before skin muscles and skin covered them.

Finally the smoke settled as the demon sat there looking around, thought with it being all of three feet tall it was more cute than intimidating. The summonses couldn’t help but giggle a bit as she looked over her creation. “Seems I need to adjust the size ratio next time.”

A high pitched voice answered. “What do you mean?” The demon hadn’t taken the chance to look over itself but a brow did raise as it sized up its summoner. “Wait are you a kid?”

“No I’m actually fully grown, you’re just the size of a child. But enough of that. I summoned you to ask a single question demon.”

“Wait you made me fucking child size?” They began to look over and feel up their body. It gave out an ear piercing scream as it pulled at the block locks of hair atop its head. “Nooo! You stupid girl! Now when I return to the realm below I will retain this from.”

The summoner couldn’t help but giggle at the demon, shaking her head as she pulled her hood back. “Well I guess you’ll just have to deal with it now. I summoned you to make a deal for the soul of a willing creature.” With a wave of her hand a small glow of her antlers she unveiled a cage, letting the pony inside see the scene before it.

The demon looked over the unicorn, there was barely anything there at all as anyone could see the outline of the skeleton easily and it just gave off a stench of death. “What? The pony that’s barely alive and hanging on by a thread? What do you take me for a fool?”

“I’ll have you know that mind is completely shattered, there will be no resistance to you.” That got the demon to immediately shut up and look towards the woman with big begging eyes, a quivering lower lip, and adding a soft whine to finish the whole ensemble off.

She laughed and snapped her fingers before the circle the demon stood in glowed a harsh black light. There was a flash of light and suddenly the demon’s spirit flew from the small goo doll and into the caged pony’s maw. After a moment the smoke settled and it began coughing and hacking as if something was caught in its throat. Finally with a final lurch a large blob of black ichor came out onto the floor. The pony’s body began suddenly morphing and gaining muscles mass and weight easily. In the span of a few seconds the near death from now was back to perfect health.

“What’s your name deer?”

“Reldena.”

“I owe you one.” The demon easily broke out of the cage before smiling and teleporting away.

“Another satisfied customer.” She waved a hand towards the circles before the black writing flew back into her body. After the last line absorbed itself she walked into the front of her store.

Standing there with a small statue of a jackal with an orb in its mouth was some strange creature wearing the robe of the cathedral. Both females looked at one another before a skeleton walked in from a side door. It wore a pair of glasses and the outfit of a butler. “Mistress, I believe we have rat men and thrives trying to dig into the basement. Shall I deal with them?” He looked around for a moment before nodding his head. “Sorry I did not know you had a guest. I shall go ahead and deal with the rat men.”

The butler snapped his fingers to make the outfit fade away, his bones visible for all to see before the surface of them began to bubble and pop. More and more bone mass came out of the bones before starting to solidify into armor plates along the body. He raised both hands to his head and imitated brushing back hair but instead formed a helm that kept his face free. Next he clapped his hands together only to pull them away with a rapier forming in each. With his form complete he began walking towards the basement and out of sight.

Reldena looked at the girl holding her shop’s merchandise and blinked for a few more moments. “Can I help you miss...”

The girl seemed stuck for a moment before setting the statue down and looking herself over for a moment. “Well you might as well call me by a virtue. So Umbra will do.” Umbra smiled before picking up the statue again before sitting down. Her legs folded back then forward as she settled comfortably with the statue in her lap, sword scabbard and robe pillowed out on the floor behind her.

Reldena looked at the girl now and got a proper look at her before raising a brow. “What the hell are you? I know you ain’t a pony.”

“I’m a Tiefling.”

“A what?”

Umbra sighed as she set the statue down. “I am a Tiefling, a being created of human and devil. But this isn’t my original from, no I was reincarnated as this. Though I think the church believe me to be a fallen angel cast out by heaven for a sin against Celestia and Luna.”

Reldena blinked for a moment and raised a finger while opening her mouth before shutting it again. “Huh... okay and why would the church be after you or know of you?”

“Oh that’s because when I was reincarnated I crash landed in the middle of the cathedral.”

“Oh is that all.” Reldena moved to pick up a bit off trash from a table before looking at the stranger. “Bullshit.”

“You can believe me or you can not. I don’t care either way.” She began working something out of the statues maw, using a small knife to wiggle and scrape excess stone away to let the orb slip out. She didn’t really notice Reldena picking up a small dagger she kept hidden for unruly customers. Umbra kept trying before she helped as a the knife slipped.

She managed to fumble and slice her hand, smearing blood all over the seed and statue. “Fucking damn it!”

“You stupid bitch, you got blood all over my merchandise!” Reldena held the knife high as she stalked towards the girl.

Both were stopped, one knife held in the air while the other was preparing to throw a dagger. A loud crash came from the door like someone trying to kick it in. The bar and iron held fast though and stopped the intruder in their tracks.

The next words angered both women. “By order of The Royal Guard open this door! By order twelve dash two of the council of ponies no mongrel door shall be locked during the day.”

Reldena growled as she moved her dagger to a different grip and grabbed a staff in her other hand. “Oh that arrogant.”

There was a crash against the door that sounded metallic followed by a loud grunt. This was repeated a few more times over the coming minutes.

“How the fuck do they get off talking like that?” Umbra started searching through her bag and ripped off a piece of cloth to wrap around her hand. Then she drew her sword and stood with Reldena beside her.

“That’s how it's always been since the time of endless night faded away. Ponies have looked down upon the other races of the world. They claim we should serve them for the raising and lowering of both the sun and the moon.”

“What about the princesses?”

“Pha those pathetic excuses for life disappeared at the same time and haven’t been seen since. Most ponies don’t believe they were ever alive and are just stories to embody the sun and moon.” Reldena tapped her staff on the floor as black rings from around her, the dagger she held in the other aimed itself at the door.

“Well that explains the racism and the whole religion thing. But what are we gonna do now?” Umbra watched as the door buckled and the bolts holding the locking bar came out from the walls a few inches.

“Well I’m going to make these idiots wish they never destroyed my front door.” Reldena started chanting softly as lines drew themselves on the floor. Umbra watched in curiosity.

Both women didn’t notice the statue from before drop the orb in its mouth and it slipped down to the floor and began softly growing. The blood fusing itself with the seed as roots took hold of the floor.

“I summon theee oh hound of flame and brimstone. I command you to destroy those that dare oppose me!” With a final call Reldena slammed her staff down before her as the door burst open into splinters. A gout of flame erupted from the floor and out into the alley as a dog cane out the floorboards. It was no steroid in appearance and from.

A beast of pure black flesh and fur standing easily five feet at the shoulder, an orange glow blighting it’s chest and maw as wisps of smoke escaped out its nostrils. Standing there was a hell hound, razor claws digging into the floorboards as the muscles tensed before it lunges forward. The guard who rushed in was tackled backwards into the alley, smoke obscuring the scene outside.

Umbra whistled softly before looking at Reldena. “Soo now what?”

“It kills them then we run.”

“But what if it loses?”

“That is a hellhound, the guard can’t beat it and any paladin will be a while before getting here.”

There was a flash of golden light outside as they heard the hound bay in pay and then growl in anger. The smoke cleared for a moment to reveal a holy paladin with their sword holt deep in its shoulder. The hounds jaws locked onto the shoulders before inhaling. It took the paladin a second to realize what was happening but it was already too late. A gout of infernal flame erupted from the beasts stomach and into the holy warrior, it seemed out around it’s teeth and began melting flesh, bone, and metal alike. The stallions screams filled the alley and the shop as he was melted alive.

“You were saying?” Umbra yelled over the screaming as the sound of boots came down the alley. “We need someone safe now!”

“I don’t know what to do! That was my best shot. It’s not like we could teleport to the Everfree or something!”

Little did they know that something else was listening to their conversation. An entity that was weeding its way into all the wood of the shop itself. So when it heard they wished for someone safe it focused what magic it had already absorbed from a few artifacts that were fading away.

In a flash of black and red light the whole building disappeared.

Genesis Meeting

Author's Note

Crossover with one of DisplacedWriter’s characters.

Genesis Meeting

Both women fell to their knees in shock after the flash happened. Reldena was the first to recover as she started looking around at the remains of her shop. Wands, scrolls, various potions littered the ground as she tried to take it all in.

“Just what did you fucking do to my shop?”

Umbra was groggy from the sudden instant movement and couldn’t feel her body as she tried standing up, only to end up face planting with a groan. “I didn’t do shit! I just wanted to get out of that disaster. I mean we had the guards coming for us and your so called fail safe. Failed!”

Reldena looked down at her with a glare before feeling something brush the back of her neck. She swung around dagger gliding in the air to thud against a tree trunk. Her hand vibrated with the impact as she yelped in pain and dropped her weapon. “Why is there a god damn tree.”

Umbra looked up from the ground, enjoying the grass for a moment. Before them both stood a ten foot tall bleach white tree, red lines ran along its lengths. Small leaves were slowly forming and sprouting, they were pure
Black in color and the flowers blossoming were scarlet hue.

“Huh guess that’s what the statue meant. I was confused when I heard something about planting a seed. But it’s bloomed now so I guess...” umbra stood up and brushed herself off, walking forward before placing a hand against the trunk. “Vahn and friend. I have done as you asked now show yourselves to me.”

“Idiot what are you doing that’s not going to make anything happen.” Reldena began working on collecting most of her goods.

The tree took on a gentle serene glow as its light washed over Reldena and Umbra. As the light cleared, there stood in front was a man with blue spiky hair. The man wore simple leather boots leading up to plain cloth pants and shirts. A vest adorned his from with a flame stitched on the back. No fur covered his soft pink skin but a red gauntlet covered his right arm up to the shoulder.

His gauntlet caught their eyes as it was like a demon had manifested with hard angles and a deep red purple color. A soft tan spike jutted out the front a short ways behind the middle finger. While a soft blue eye it seemed like rested in the center of his forearm.

Umbra was the first to react as she was close to the tree, it took her a single moment of blinking to clear her vision. She saw the being standing before her but could barely believe her eyes. Then she moved. “Human!” The teen lunges forward in an attempt to hug the stranger. She didn’t look like one herself. Umbra had purple skin, long red hair, a set of horns that curved from her temples back like a crown, cloven feet, claw like red nails, and a heart flared tail.

Reldena meanwhile just watched in fascination as she witnessed what may be a disaster waiting to happen or something different. “Another fucking stranger!”

The human known as Vahn had no choice but to catch the overly excited teenager. Vahn’s face had a look of confusion on his face at the suddenly affection. “...Was I summoned at the wrong time?” He asked.

Umbra looked at the human and smiled widely, small fangs poking out the corners as she stepped back and began looking him all over. “Oh my god. I summoned a human. I am soo awesome!” She looked towards Reldena who was collecting various ingredients for potions and packing them in jars. “I used to be one of these ya know!”

“Sure and I’m a fucking alicorn.” Reldena stood up, stretching her back a bit as she looked over. She stood easily six foot, her antlers added a good foot on that as she was a four point. They flowed for a moment as did her eyes as she surveyed the human. Her black robe covering most of her from save the arms and digitigrade legs. “Is it some kind of demon?”

“No, just a human with a Ra-Seru.” Vahn said as he raised a blue eyebrow at the question.

Reldena looked them both over for a moment. “So what is a human? I’ve never heard of it and I’ve traveled a lot.”

“Basically humans are pink ape like creatures that evolved to use tools. We don’t have fur everywhere and we can’t do magic normally or like at all.”

“Not unless you end up Displaced, then you can pretty much use whatever you end up with.” Vahn explained as he turned around to look upon the tree. He blinks as he notices it looks different than what it should look.

Umbra saw where he looked and followed suit. “Oh that. It grew out of a seed I found in a statues mouth.” She looked around before picking up the jackal statue. “This thing held it. Also displaced, what’s that?”

“It means where you end up somewhere else in a different body and sometimes forced to use a name that isn’t your own..” Vahn said as he reached out with his gauntlet arm. It glowed a gentle orange.. “...So it's fine, Meta?” Vahn asked as the gauntlet glowed in response to his words.

Umbra rubbed her chin for a moment before raising an eyebrow. “Wait you mean like if I was stuck in a hospital bed with cancer and no legs about to die and then suddenly found myself destroying the holy sanctum of a religion in a new body?”

“Uh.. Well, each Displaced tends to experience it differently though. I ended up in this body when I brought Meta at a flea market.” Vahn said as he turned to look at Umbra.

“I basically just told you my story. I woke up like this.”

“Sounds like someone took pity on you, although why that form, I can’t really say.” Vahn said as he rubbed the back of his hair.

“Well I played a lot of dungeons and dragons with a lot of the other patients. When I was a player my favorite race was the Tiefling. Kinda loved the exotic look of them.” Umbra moved away to sit down, just bending down like a horse would with how her legs bent.

“At least your kind of prepared mentally,” Vahn said as he looked around the forest. “You already know who I am, but do you understand about Meta?” he asked as he raised his arm that had the gauntlet armor.

Umbra looked at the gauntlet for a moment before shaking her head. “Not at all. Am I supposed to?” Reldena during this whole time was still organizing her scattered store and checking her things, but an ear flicked to show she was still paying attention to it all.

“Don’t be alarmed.” Vahn warned as a gentle warmth enter their minds.

“He was talking about me.” A soft voice spoke.

Umbra looked around eyes wide. “Okay who is that?”

Reldena was not as kind. “No, get the fuck out.”

The glow from the gauntlet faded away. “There was a reason she was quiet. Not many react well to her telepathy.” Vahn said. The two would feel like something was watching them, but the moment they glanced over, they would notice the green gem was shining.

Reldena waked over, going right up to Vahn and then looking at the gauntlet as she leaned down to poke a finger on it. “Talk to Umbra mentally only. I personally have too many true names for people to poke around in mine.”

Umbra rolled her eyes and pulled the woman back a bit. “Sorry she seems a bit hot headed and quick to anger. Reldena be nice to them.”

“I would go any further than that, Reldena. Only if you were threat trying to use secrecy and deception.” Meta said, her voice remaining gentle.

“She means well, honestly.” Vahn said as he pulled his arm away. “We’re attached afterall, if I die, she would die as well.”

Reldena glared at the gauntlet before stepping away as she walked off to start getting a few things in order. Umbra sighed as she looked at the pair. “I’m sorry about that, I only just met her and we escaped from the Royal Guard before meeting you.”

“Over a misunderstanding, xenophobia, or…” Vahn allowed the question to hang incase Umbra would answer.

Umbra twiddled her thumbs for a moment. “Well they treat non ponies like a lower class of being. Demand they show respect and serve because they move the sun and moon. Plus wellll I sorta kinda.... crashed into the Grand cathedral of Celestia.... and destroyed it...” There was a small mental tipping laugh coming from somewhere at the end of the explanation.

“Ah, so they’re overreacting then.” Vahn said as he shook his head. “Compared to other worlds i’ve been in, it's not the worst thing i’ve heard.”

“What do you mean? Also did either of you two laugh?”

“I thought that was you?” Vahn asked with concern.

“I sense that something has went wrong when I sent the Genesis Seed across the void..” Meta said telepathic.

Umbra looked around and squeaked as she felt the statue in her lap wriggled a bit. She dropped it as they all heard someone say ow.

“How did a Dark Seru get inside of that?” Meta said as her gem eye looking down at the statue.

The statue wriggled and shook on the ground as a voice finally started talking. “I was made to protect the seed.”

Vahn placed a hand onto his chin as he thought about it.He looked over at Umbra “My guess is that this world reacted to the seed and the reason it changed, ” he said.

“Is your form permanent?” Meta asked the statue.

“The elements of harmony did this to me. Some white horse bitch decided that I needed locked away because I was overly protective of the seed to the point of tormenting those who tried to take it.” Umbra sat there blinking softly as she tried to follow the conversation.

“Did harmony also change the seed?” Vahn asked in curiosity.

“No that was the girl who held me and the deer that did that. She summoned a demon using dark magic when the seed was growing so it absorbed some. That was after this girl bleed on the seed which caused it to change first.”

“Even though it’s changed, I sense that the inside has been touched.” Meta said, she sounded relief, almost it's hard to tell because of her calm voice. “Despite your current form, I know you’re not helpless, Puera. Umbra, have you been having any dreams lately?” she asked.

Umbra shook her head as she looked towards the gauntlet. “No. I just found him earlier today. Maybe Reldena has thought. Hey!”

Reldena was already walking over as she looked at the group, a tea set in her hands. “What? Any dreams I’ve had where something else has been in them? I mean yeah I have had a few of those but I haven’t seen a jackal in them just a weird clown. My neighbors and some customers complain about nightmares though.”

“That would be Puera. My guess is Harmony was doing more than just stone him, they were trying to force him into a form that was not natural to him.” Vahn said what made the most sense to him.

Umbra took a cup of tea and sipped at it easily as she watched the events a little. Reldena offered a cup to Vahn as she took her own. “Well makes the most sense then. Harmony doesn’t like odd things that don’t conform to its model. I mean look at Discord the god of Chaos.”

“Is there a way to return him to normal?” Meta asked as her gem eye gazed.

Reldena thought for a moment as she looked over the statue. “What gave you the ability to speak to us and wriggle more freely now of all times?”

“Blood of a dark pact.”

“Were you forced?” Vahn asked as he wanted to learn more about this.

Umbra was sitting quietly for a lament before she gasped. “He means my blood. Tiefling are the union of a devil and a human so he means my blood. It’s what spilled on him and the see earlier.”

“That takes care of one problem, but what about the other? His current stoned form.” Vahn asked as he placed his gauntlet hand onto him. Meta start sensing around in a attempt to see if there was a way without harmony trying to affecting her as well.

Puera struggles a bit against his bounds as he tried extending a small sliver of power out of a crack to let Meta have a bit more room to work with. Umbra was watching the statue wiggle before unwrapping her hand a bit. “Vahn, Metas. What kind of magic do you two know? Anything dark?”

“Well, Meta can summon Serus of all sorts, she allows me to control the element of fire, short ranged warping, barriers. That’s about it as far as Meta has shown me.” Vahn explained, until an idea came to mind. “Meta could try absorbing him out of the statue then re-summon him in a new form, but i’m not sure how much Harmony will interfere.”

Umbra hummed a moment as she looked at the statue. “What would that do to Puera’s personality and abilities?”

“Nothing. It is only if I absorb him completely,” Meta said as her eye looked up at Umbra. “He is made of void energy and thus, I can shape him if needed, but as Vahn said earlier.”

Puera wriggled a bit more before settling down. “When I first got here I was made into the from of this jackal. I would like to keep it. I got used to it but if you can free me go ahead. I wanna have some fun again.”

Vahn extends his out, causing Puera’s statue form to shimmer softly. Whatever was reaching out from the crack slowly faded away, causing the statue to become a lifeless husk. Vahn raises his hand up to the sky as Meta’s gem eye lets out a bright glaring light. A giant card suddenly appears beside him before flipping to allow the Jackal clown out in its new form.

Puera happily jumped out of his card, forming a body similar to a jackals as he stood on legs similar to Umbra and Reldena. He stood about two and a half feet tall. He cracked his neck and back before rushing off and up the Genesis tree before dropping back down with one of its flowers. “Thanks Vahn and I guess mom?” he scratched his head as he sat down between Umbra and Reldena.

“I suppose that works,” Vahn said before chuckling. “Honestly don’t know how Serus work or if they can reproduce without being changed, but hey. Whatever works, works.”

Umbra looked everyone over for a moment before looking towards the sky. “Well now that he’s settled down. I wanna know more about this whole displaced deal. Like how did I manage to summon you here, and would I be able to the same for myself?”

“My token was the Genesis Seed that Meta sent across the Void, but it’s changed when it got here. Were you alone when you prayed to it or were there others?” Vahn asked.

“I guess it was Reldena and myself.”

“We both hoped for a way out of the situation we were in.” Reldena sipped her tea as she looked at the seru sitting between them.

Vahn sat down indiana style as he decided to try out the sea. “It was enough to help it grow, at least,” he said as he took a sip.

Umbra looked towards the tree again. “I am thankful it rescued us but now I’m curious Vahn. What are Meta and Puera?”

“Meta is a Ra-seru, Puera is a Seru. It’s a bit of a long story though if I had to explain everything.” Vahn said. “And probably the whole plot of the game they came from.”

Reldena rolled her eyes for a moment before speaking up. “My only question is what are they capable of?”

“They come in seven different elements, two to four kinds for each element. They can be summoned, or you can take care of them as a pet or ally. They can control one element along with a few other abilities. They can turn into an armor piece and bind themselves to you to make you faster, stronger and control an element they use along with the other things. For Puera, he can enter dreams or pull others into said dream, even the dreams to life. Like Most Pueras, they’re also into mischief when it comes to a Deadly Game of cards.” Vahn explained.

Puera grew a smug smile as he heard the talk about himself, wriggling himself a bit as he looked around. “Yeah I know I’m awesome Vahn. No need to explain all my greatness.” He didn’t notice Umbra reach and start to scratch him behind the ears, or the fact his leg began to kick of its own accord.

“So they can be captured or let roam free and do as they wish. I kinda never liked captured Pokémon I always pictured myself as the type who would just keep them in their pokeballs to heal.” Umbra was slowly maneuvering Puera into her lap as the jackal man squirmed and wagged his tail happily.

“Ha, that’s one way of looking at it. Meta is the pokeball and the Serus are the pokemon,” Vahn said, meta however did not find it amusing to be compared to a capture ball. “Er… or maybe Meta is the trainer since she controls them.” he corrected himself.

Both women giggled as they watched Vahn try to fill back in his own grave. Puera was the one who finally broke their laughter. “I’d rather think she’s just the parent trying to reign in unruly children.”

“By the way, there’s something I’m concerned about. Since Puera will be with you and how this world is, you should be careful about who sees him again.” Vahn said with a straight face.

Umbra nodded as she held the jackal close. “I understand but I’m not sure that will be a problem. Celestia and Luna have been gone for almost five hundred years from what Reldena says. I believe Celestia locked herself away with Nightmare Moon. Again it’s just my theory.”

Puera sighed as he looked towards the sky. “I am fine being armor when in public. That is half my purpose though when I get freedom don’t be alarmed if people find stuff missing in towns or taverns.”

“Oh, a thief?” Vahn asked as he looked down at Puera. “Or just you being kleptomania?”

Puera shrugged. “I like having lots of shiny things.”

“Keep an eye on him, Umbra.” Vahn warned

Umbra looked down at Puera for a moment and glared at him. “I will be sure to make sure the little troubled maker stays out of trouble.” She tried mentally talking to him though and mentioned that she would let him steal all the money and weapons he could take.

“Do you have any other questions?” Vahn asked.

Reldena shook her head as she enjoyed her tea a bit more. Umbra was biting her lip a little as she looked over at Vahn and Meta. “Well since I don’t know how to use Puera is there any way you could teach me how it all works?”

“Puera will do most of that by lending his power to you, the rest should come naturally, like some kind of instinct that just woke up and it needs some time,” Vahn explained as he rubbed the top of his head. “Or at least that’s how it was with me and Meta.”

Umbra looked at the seru in her lap for a moment before Puera started to move and adjust a bit as he grew into a small bracelet around her wrist as she twisted her wrist side to side. “Well okay then. I guess that makes sense. Though with a bit of practice I could probably get used to how he works.”

“He will grow bigger along your arm with time until he’s full armor over it. The two of you can become some sort of hybrid, but that’s a long ways in the future.” Vahn explained while giving them a thumbs up.

Umbra looked at her bracelet for a second before starting to look towards the tree providing them shade. Reldena poured herself a bit more tea before noticing the look on her companion’s face. “Vahn how were we able to summon you here? Not that it isn’t pleasant and all but how does the entire process work?”

“It’s simple, just do what you did before. Place your hand on the tree and call me, Meta will tell me and afterwards we’ll head on over here within seconds.” Vahn explained as he placed the tea cup down.

Umbra tilted her head before looking towards Vahn and Meta. “Would it be possible for me to go to your world?” Puera slipped off her wrist and hopped away towards the various debris scattered around the tree from Reldena’s shop.

“To go to my world, I would need a token you’ve created.” Vahn explained as he took a moment to gather his thoughts. “Between the multiverse is exist a large gap known as the void, a dangerous place of paradoxical chaos. By creating a token, you can be summoned safely across.”

“How do I create a token?”

“There are two ways. You can either take an existing item and fill it with your energy, or you can create it from scratch made but nothing but your energy.” Vahn explained.

Umbra hummed for a moment before looking around herself, a hand brushing hair behind an ear but under her horn. After a moment she gasped and brightened up with an idea. “Puera find me a horn of some shape.” She turned towards Vahn and looked him dead in the face. “Can I give special conditions like you did?” The seru called instantly began digging through several piles of things to find the quest item.

“Yep, it is your energy afterall. You can make it do whichever, but the more complicated it is, the more energy it will need.” Vahn said as he watched the jackal shuffle through.

Puera took a moment before popping his small angled head out of a pile of metal to hold up an ornate horn. It had a single loop through the middle of it and was about the same size as he was. The seru began walking over while trying not to fall over. Umbra took the horn in her grasp as Reldena took out a small notebook and wrote something down.

“Another item charged to you.”

Umbra stuck out her tongue before turning back to Vahn. “Could you walk me through the process?” She had taken out a small serrated dagger and had started cutting the end of the horn.

“You put your energy into it and think of a message it should say when another Displaced picks it up, also include a method of how that Displaced can summon you.” Vahn explained.

Umbra nodded as she finished cutting the end off to make a real horn. She held it up for a moment before eyeing the other two she was with. “You wanna help me?”

Reldena sighed as she held out a hand and found the end of the horn placed in it. “If you insist.”

“Don’t count me out.” Puera hopped up so he was easily balanced on the horn as the two held it.

All three began focusing energy, tendrils of magic leaked from their skin to connect with the horn as it began to glow. Red, black, and orange colors bled from the three into the horn before they started talking.

“I was given new life. So I wanna experience everything I can.”

“I wanna make sure she lives to pay me back, but will aide you for a small fee of course.”

Puera was the last to talk. “If you need mischief as well then simply sound the horn into the air and the chaos tri shall come to your side.” With that the light show faded away before Umbra handed over the horn to Vahn, it shrinking down to a more pocket size. It seemed to flash before Umbra felt copies be flung to the corners of the void.

Vahn took the horn and held onto it. “It’ll be a while as my world is a little dangerous at the moment due to the mist being everywhere. Puera would go mad as they can’t handle it.”

Puera thumped his chest and puffed it out as he showed a little bit of fang from his maw. “I’m not afraid of no mist. I’ve been infused with harmony over the past forever. I’m more equestrian than seru at this point.”

“If you’re sure.” Vahn said with a shrug of his arms.

Umbra giggled as she scratched the jackal behind an ear, his leg shaking broke the whole badass look the pipsqueak was trying to put on.

Reldena finally put forth a concern that weighted on her mind. “How does one get back home from another place?”

“Oh, only the holder of your token can do that,” Vahn said as he rubbed the back of his head in minor embarrassment. “I forgot to mention that.”

“Oh so Umbra controls whether you return home or remain with us?”

“Yes, pretty much.” Vahn said as he looked at Reldena.

Reldena giggled a bit. “So how would Umbra send you home exactly? Magic words or a certain wave of her hands?”

“All she needs to do is say ‘Your contract is complete’ and i’ll be well on my way.” Vahn said.

Reldena looked towards the young girl before clearing her throat. “Umbra, any more questions for the man before you send him home? I know you wish to chat the day away but we have more pressing matters. We need shelter, food, organizing my things, and figuring out what to do next. The guard or church won’t be idle for too long.”

Umbra bit her lower lip before looking towards Puera then Vahn. “Not really, he explained most of what I need to know and the rest will just come with practice and experience. But do you need anything from us Vahn before you go?”

“None I can think of, no. I don’t know much about you guys so it will be a while before I need anything.” Vahn said as he slowly got up off the ground.

Umbra nodded before standing, the others joining her before she smiled softly. “Vahn and Meta it was lovely meeting you.”

“A pleasure yes, maybe next time you’ll buy something when you visit.”

Vahn looked at Reldana. “I doubt I would due to the difference in currency our worlds hold.” he said with a shake of his head.

Reldena shrugged as she walked off with Puera who waved goodbye to Meta more than Vahn. Umbra was the last one left. “Well Vahn thank you for everything. Your contract is complete. Safe travels.” With those words spoken, the Genesis Tree, Vahn and meta were both bathed in a radiant light glow. Slowly, a halo surrounded Vahn before he vanished in a gentle flash of light.

Umbra sighed softly as she watched the light fade away. She felt better knowing that there were others out there and she wasn’t alone. A hand pressed against the tree as she leaned her forehead against it for her moment of peace.

“Umbra! Stop slacking and start collecting! This mess is your fault too.”

The teen sighed as she heard the call, reminded her of how a mother would scold a child on TV. That made her giggle to herself as she started picking up bits and pieces to help organize the junk. “Yes mom.”

Reldena glared at her as she brandished a wooden spoon. “Don’t was me or so help me this spoon is gonna smack you soo hard.” Both girls laughed for a moment before getting hard at work. Puera joining in the clean up efforts.

Calling for a Hunter

Author's Note

Warning gore contained within.

Calling for a Hunter

The choir mistress had rushed to carry out her duties, passing through the back of the cathedral till she finally arrived at a sunlit courtyard. There was bothering in it save cobblestones and a life sized white marble statue of Celestia in full plate. Her claymore rested between her legs as both hands held the pommel. Swiftly the woman walked up to kneel before the statue, head bent down as both hands folded over the symbol she held. “Oh glorious mother of the sun, blessed be your light that radiates upon us. Grant me protection from the shadows below as we call upon their service to destroy a bane of the light. May your flames righteously smite those who oppose you. By your name I ask you grant me access to the catacombs.”

After a few moments the statue began to move, slowly at first as the hands lifted the claymore up to a shoulder. Soon it held the blade with one hand while descending to the ground from its pedestal. When it finally tested both feet upon the ground it turned towards the marble stand it called home. With the free hand it pressed against it. Stone rubbed against stone to create a loud screeching noise as the statue began pushing the pedestal back to reveal stairs leading down into the earth. After the pedestal rested back the statue began descending the stairs, careful of the claymore it carried.

“May your light guide me in the darkness.” A ball of fire erupted into life, swirling and forming into a small sun the size of a eyeball. It hovered in the air before following after the statue as the priestess began her descent behind the guardian.

The stairway kept going straight down, the stones being burned free of all foreign contaminants as the statue went down. Every few steps there was a hissing noise as mold or something was burnt into nothingness. Nothing adorned the stone walls save symbols of the sun.

She walked for what felt like hours into the darkness, the only sounds were the heavy thuds the guardian before her, the crackle of her fire orb, and her own breathing. The stone overhead was giving her a sense of weight and entrapment, so much so that she longed for the open air above and the sun upon her bare fur.

Finally the stairs turned into a hallway that lead forward, it widened out to give plenty of room to swing a claymore if the needs should arise. A second statue lingered by the stairway, this one depicted Luna in a suit of leather armor and holding her bow at the ready. The priestess didn’t know how to activate that statue, so she ignored it for now before following the Celestia one.

It lead her towards what seemed like a doorway, but the center was nothing but a mural. It showed fields with two armies approaching one another upon them. After a moment the picture began to move, the armies marching towards one another. The battle began as the forces met, she could even hear the clash of swords, stampede of hooves, the twang of bowstrings. What made her queasy was the screams of the dead, the cries for mothers, lovers, and children to be seen one last time. Then the darkness befell the landscape as the sun set and the moon rose. Shadows lingered at the edges of the battle along one side before rushing forward, leaving black contrails of smoke as the forms seemed to go towards the enemy back lines. That’s when the true screams of agony, despair, and pure fear echoed into the chamber. The mural zoomed in on the beings as it showed them ripping throats out, nail like claws glistening in the moonlight. Sharp fangs tore flesh from bone as blood splattered everywhere. These monsters didn’t simply kill, no they destroyed their enemy. Then when the dust was settling they went about feasting upon the entrails of the fallen, drinking blood and eating the flesh.

She couldn’t take it anymore as she watched, looking away she buckled at the knees as her breakfast came out onto the stone floor. The mural display faded away as the priestess cried and emptied her stomach. These things were allowed to exist and even be used by the church chilled her to the bone and curdled her stomach. Her eyes cast down the hallway where even more doors awaited her to see what lingered inside. A glance back at the first doorway and to the top she read the name of the creatures aloud. “Umbrian.”

Setting her jaw she stood up, pushing her robs behind her was she walked down to stand before the next doorway. The heavy thud of the statue’s steps following behind her.

It started simple with a woman standing in the center of a small market square, children ran and played all around the town as women shopped at the stalls. Men practiced their crafts while hunters brought meat in from the forest. Farmers tended their livestock and fields. It was a pleasant village, that was until the mural changed to show a mob ridiculing and pelting a caribou for being different. The caribou cast a curse upon some as it was run out of town. After the caribou ran off screen the mural changed to a group of ponies out during the night and gathering in the center of the village. The full moon began to rise upon the horizon as black fog rolled over the village. When the fog touched a pony a change began, she could hear their screams of torment as she saw flesh ripple and tear.

Pegasus has their wing bones break and shift, the feathers falling off with their fur as the skin shriveled up and turned black. A single claw formed at the middle of the wing, sharp and curved just like a hook. Their heads morphed and changed as their nostrils grew in size till it was the prominent feature of their face, two fangs poking out their mouths, and beady red eyes were just above the snout. Ears sharpened to a fine point that needed five inches above their heads, growing widen and forming a sort of funnel with hair growing out of the center. Hands once used to care for young or work tools broke themselves as the nails sharpened to claws just like the wings, soon they began tearing at their own flesh, it coming off in chunks as the skin was left behind to grow black as night. A single ring of fur was left around the neck before they screeched and took flight into the air.

Earth ponies had it a bit tougher as their skin began rolling and bubbling like boiling water. Bubbles formed before finally they began popping. Bones bursts through the skin and held themselves loosely together as muscles and other tissue began slithering back over them. The priestess watched as the mellow colors of the fur darkened to blacks, silvers, and browns. All of it thickening and becoming unkept and shaggy looking. Hands turned to claws as they tore at the flesh of their faces. Bone jutted out as their old jaw was smashed and broken upon the ground. The new one was a good eight inches long with rows of sharp teeth emerged from the jawline, bursting out as blood leaked down to the ground. Their eyes grew to that red color as they leaned forward and began walking towards homes.

She had seen enough and turned away, stalking down the hall a bit to stand between the doorways. Deep calming breaths we’re all she could manage to rid herself of the images that filled her mind of what was going to happen. After a few minutes she straightened up, brushing off her robes before looking back towards the doorways she’d already seen. Her task was bring a single Hunter, so she went back towards the first door she’d witnessed.

The mural didn’t show the same scene as before, no now it showed a vast city filled with dark beings. It was a perpetual twilight in the sky. The beings moved around and interacted with one another like the ponies did well above her. No gruesome deaths seemed to be caused by these beings anymore.

The tranquility was destroyed as a golden light appeared in the sky, crashing down into the world and brushing away the shadows. A large force began assembling around the light before it erupted to show her goddess in full armor and splendor. The battle began as Celestia began slaughtering and decimating the Umbrian forces like they were mere children. Finally she raised a hand towards the sky as six gems upon her armor began to glow in a rainbow of light. A magical blast shot towards the heavens before cascading back down in a meteor storm of color. Each beam that struck an Umbrian, whether it be man, woman, or child, turned them to stone before the rock began to slowly pull towards each other. Finally there stood nothing of the city or its people save Celestia standing before a stone door.

The choir mistress looked at the door as it melted back to a plain sheet of stone, having told its stories. Finally she held a hand up, amulet grasped firmly in her palm, then pressed it against the door. “The light of days calls upon the foul Hunter that resides within. Answer my call and serve.” She’d read the summoning pray many times and practiced it by herself in a mirror.

Slowly from where the amulet touched the stone began to turn to a black liquid, rippling waves echoed across the surface before the entire doorway was filled. A hand began reaching out, stretching the film upon the doorway. Sharp claws extended from the fingers in vain attempts to break the seal, a face soon following after as fangs could be seen pressed against the liquid. Sharp features dominated the face and body, no round soft curves could be found as nose, chin, and ears all ended in sharp points. Finally the chest began pressing forward as the form stepped forward. A tear echoed down the hallway as an Umbrian fell forward onto its hands and knees before the priestess. Shadows quickly surrounded the being as long flowing robes formed. The robes were of the blackest the choir mistress had ever seen, silver trim ran along all the edges of the outfit, and soft white dots scattered themselves across the entire ensemble.

After a moment the creature took in a sharp breath, gasping for air before looking around. Slowly the gaze turned upward as slitted red puppies eyes stared up at her. “Veltra at your service madam.” The voice had a masculine tone to it, and the broad shoulders helped add to the thought it was male.

“Rise Veltra there is much to be done.” She turned and began leading the way back towards the stairs, not paying attention to the creature or statue as she started her journey up towards the surface again.

She couldn’t see the smile spread across Veltra’s face as he watched her begin her ascent. “Hmm seems this is her first summoning. Oh how will I play on this hunt.” He stood up, casting a gaze towards the statue of Celestia as it stood stoically beside him. “She forgot to bind me to her will, for once sun touches my skin I am free of any binding curse set upon me.” With a fang filled grin he eagerly followed after the choir mistress.

The Hound is Loose

The choir mistress seemed to be taking the steps two or three at a time to escape the depths below the ground. As she rose into the sun, soft tears fell down her face as she remembered the images of those poor cursed souls down below. Her heart wasn't built for this but she knew her task was that of the church as she waited for the Hunter to arrive beyond her.

Veltra took his time walking up the steps, the statue keeping it's silent watch over him as they walked. He rather enjoyed the fear and sorrow he could smell coming off the pony that ran up ahead of him. Oh how he would truly enjoy this hunt. He didn't have to do their bidding, but it made it more fun when he ate and massed a small force of thralls while he stalked whatever they wanted him to. Simply being free from that accursed prison was well enough for him. The statue of his mistress of the night and how she was shown as their secondary champion had almost made his blood boil, though for now he planned how he would sink his fangs into that delicate neck of the choir mistress.

It took a few minutes for the choir mistress to hear the solid thuds of the statue of her glorious savior as it proceeded behind the abomination of a pony. She shivered again at simply looking at his blood red eyes before he started to walk up, stopping just before the light before sighing. After the first step she saw as his skin and fur started to shift and change. No longer was he pale and thin as a stick. His body filled itself as she now eyed the rather tall black coated earth stallion standing before her. His robes changed into those of breeches, and a jerkin of a traveler. Long strands of pure white hair flowed down his head, easily collecting itself into a ponytail as a black band of shadows wrapped itself around the base to form a ponytail. If she did not know his true nature, see the blood red eyes he had, and noticed the glint of his fang in the smile he gave her she would say he was the most handsome stallion she had ever seen.

"Ah the light graces your form miss, may the light of it always protect you." His voice was smooth and deep, making her body almost react instinctively to the comfort it gave her heart. Truly he was a monster as she stepped back, scared at how easily his allure to her was.

"B-back monster, your serve the church. Now behave!" She almost shouted as she stood firm, watching the statue drag the pedestal back into place to hide away the stairs and catacombs.

Veltra simply laughed a little before moving to admire the garden around them, noticing how there was no sign of Luna anywhere. The fact that the Mistress of the Night, Queen of Dreams, and Shepherd of the Stars had no representation in even a single symbol among the golden symbols of the bitch known as Celestia. "Well miss, why don't you lead me to your master for you are simply a dog sent to fetch a toy. We both know you are not high enough to cast a vote on things such as this. So take me to thy master wench."

The choir mistress glared at him for a moment, casting her eyes towards the sky as she tried to retain her composure. "You truly are a vile creature without a soul. My name is Holy Harmonics not wench, now behave or else we'll entrap you again and simply call forth another Hunter." Her glare was harsh as she turned away from him, hearing the statue mount the pedestal before returning to it's guarding position.

Veltra almost purred as he watched Holy walk away, his eyes were drawn to her form as a forked tongue flickered across his fangs before falling in step behind her. "Apologies, but I come from a time where mare's place was not standing but upon their knees where they truly belong."

Holy seethed at the comment, watching the other clerics and sisters ward themselves in the symbol of the sun when they passed or got too close. It burned her inside that such a barbarian was bound to her will by the ancient magics gifted by Celestia. Slowly she wandered the halls of the church before arriving at a rather ornate double doors, easily large enough to allow the largest of stallions entry in full armor. This was the Sanctum O Fire, the headquarters for the Holy Paladins of the Celestial Order. Normally two recruits stood guard at the doors, constantly reciting prayers of battle. A chill ran down her spine as she noticed that the pair she expected were gone from their post. Slowly she pushed the door open, having a bit of trouble with the heavy mahogany, enchanted, steel inner lined door.

Veltra rolled his eyes before reaching up a hand to press the door open, though once his hand touched the door he cried out in pain. The sun symbol upon the door had suddenly blazed to life, the flame quickly assaulting his arm before her shoved the door open. It swung easily open, the fire still blazing upon his arm as he looked for the closet shadow. It was rather hard, given almost every surface. There under a bench was the answer as he dove to the ground, quickly shoving his arm under before the flames could consume his bones. He groaned as the flames were engulfed by the shadows, quickly cutting off the air to it. He sighed in relief before pulling his arm back and standing up, looking towards the room as he glared at the door.

Holy looked back at his arm as the bone was black with soot, the muscle, tendons, and skin burned down to the elbow as the bones seemed connected by magic. She watched as his face seemed to focus in on his elbow, watching as the blood that was seeping from the wound started to rush out. It soon coated his whole hand, forming a shape similar to the hand before starting to swirl and bend itself as the tendons started to form, muscles coming soon after. She saw the muscles flex as he curled his fingers as skin began forming over the flesh. It was disgusting as she almost lost her breakfast the second time that day.

Heavy footsteps alerted Holy of someone coming behind her as she turned to see Sacred Faith standing there, his armor scuffed a little as she noticed the dried blood resting upon his pauldrons and down the side of his armor where he lost his eyes. Her throat sealed itself shut as she reached out a hand to softly brush his cheek and see the scar running along his face and through the white milky eye. "Oh my guardian, you are marred by the demon that descended. I pray for you." She closed her eyes for a moment as tears leaked from her eyes before she felt a rough hand upon her cheek, a thumb wiping the tears away.

"My beautiful jewel, your guardian shall always protect you from the world and ensure your safety." Sacred Faith smiled as he leaned in to softly kiss Holy's forehead before standing tall as he stepped past her to view the Hunter. "Ah an Umbrian, you may be just what we need for this prey. Your task in simple, the prey is a fallen angel. One who desecrated this holy church, and slew most of the Holy Paladins of the Celestial Order. Find them and return them to the cathedral, alive, Hunter."

Veltra stared at the stallion before him, knowing that in the state he was and the time of day he stood no match for such a warrior. Even if he were at full strength leading a large force he still doubted being able to win against such a force of nature. Most couldn't see the magic beings gave off, but this man was an angry geyser of magic, so pure was the light from him that Veltra felt weak simply being in his presence. The umbrian simply bowed his head low, touching it to the ground before slinking back from the stern gaze of Sacred Faith. He could feel the burning feeling of the fire on his back as he turned and began walking down the hallways. It was unnerving for a hunter of the night, one who feasted on the blood and the entrails of their enemy. This mighty hunter was simply dominating in his own right, though the one who wounded him must have power equal or even overwhelming compared to him.

Veltra emerged into the streets, feeling the blazing down beat down upon him as the streets were cleared out as the residents had panicked. He could taste the fear and uncertainty on the air, a smile crossed his lips as a long forked tongue flicked over his fangs before they sunk back and turned into normal teeth. His body still the full earth stallion shape, but his eyes slowly turned from red towards a soft blue as he began walking through the streets. He could smell the blood on the air, walking down the back streets as he followed the disgusting taste of a holy man's energy. Veltra still felt a bit of smug satisfaction at the fact that the paladin was injured, though he will savor the taste of that choir mistress. He'll even ensure the paladin surrenders before that comes, and with him powerless he will feast upon the mare.

Veltra stopped at the end of an alley, looking down to see a large group of guards and a few paladins standing around a crater on one side of the street. His eyes flicked a bit as they quickly grew to slits, the auras of everyone standing out brightly in the alley. He noticed that there was a dark red aura in the alley, the trails evaporating at this point but coming from a point in the crater. Veltra smirked a bit as he realized that there was a hell hound here at one point, so who ever he was after had the ability to command fiends and abominations. His eyes blinked as the lids slide from left to right to meet in the middle before his eyes normalized to the light baby blue. He decided to stand by the alley, seeming to shiver and sink down as a homeless beggar. His clothes becoming disheveled as rips appeared in his clothes, his hair becoming tangled and stiff. Finally the odor of his body become putrid, a rat crawling up towards him even seem to scrunch it's face before running back away.

Veltra waited, knowing that a cat who waits patiently shall catch the mouse trying to sneak around. So he sat there, using his ears to focus on the alley for a few moments as bits and pieces of conversation were coming down to him. The usual jokes and arguments of the guards that usually did such. It was interesting to hear a few of them were single, though no quite feminine voices were heard down the alley. It made him frown as it told him that he wouldn't have a bit of fun on his next meal unless he went through the city that had guards on high alert. He even noticed the soft voices of a few paladins and clerics from down there.

"Did you hear, the grand order has only Sacred Faith left." One guard commented under his breath to another as they walked towards the end of the alley.

"Sssh! Glinting Steel, you need to keep your gossip to yourself. I don't want to be caught up in some sort of gossip you heard from eavesdropping on someone of higher rank." The guard seemed to shoulder check his companion before marching off down the street, heading towards the barracks.

Veltra smiled as he watched the guard known as Glinting Steel start to make his way towards the market, seeming to begin a patrol. Neither of them seeming to notice the bum as they walked past, which made his smirk grew even wider before he started to stand up, shape forming into the guard that had walked towards the barracks. He cracked his neck as the new wings seemed to flutter for a moment before he started to walk down the street towards the walls and gate. It was a sad sight seeing no one out and about, a city like this should be awake with life, not doors shut and windows barred from the inside. His eyes even with the normal glare of sun and drain of his power from it could tell all hearts in the area were aflutter with fear and terror. The scent of fear was almost toxic to him and his kind loved indulging in the scent of it from their prey, but when it was this thick and crushing it made his stomach nausea.

A shiver went down his spine as he saw a group of initiates run past towards the site, several of them with several reagents and a few trinkets for a few of the stronger spells a cleric could cast. Veltra could just feel the holy aura coming from all of those trinkets and it just made him fear this hunt a bit more when they had to resort to all of those. It meant this fallen angel was all that more powerful, having taken out almost all the Holy Order and left their leader alive.

Veltra slowly made his way towards the wall, a mighty forty foot tall stone structure made out of solid granite stones easily five feet tall and five wide. Each one easily weighing twenty full men, requiring several strong earth stallions, and a dozen unicorns with the heaviest lifting ability. He moved up the steps carved into the side before he sighed out towards the forest. His nostrils flared as he caught the fresh forest scent, his wings spread wide as they gave a soft flap.

"So the hunt begins, now let's see where the journey will take me." Veltra spread his wings nice and wide, walking towards the edge before stepping onto the battlements. He took a nice deep breath before leaning forward, eventually falling as his wings caught the wind and he started out towards the forest up above the treetops. His form shifting to his original black wide shouldered stallion, his wings a deep blue as his eyes shifted to observe the forest. A smirk crossed his face as he spied a smoke trail several miles out, a dip of his wings started him towards the south from the city.