Author's Note: This chapter is dedicated to my devoted reader and friend. Gambling_Sam It was through reading his story that I was inspired to write many of the scenes in this chapter.

Real Time. Island Peak of Fear.

The sky above this island is densely covered with clouds, but this behavior of nature was a response to a possible threat. Only this will not stop the plans of those who have their own goal. Equus...

And so four of our heroes, being in the hut of Autumn Blaze, tried to understand and listen to the revelations Heart Path... But none of them even thought about what fate was prepared on their difficult path. After all, Discord is the most unpredictable and most mysterious character in this company. His actions may seem naive only at first glance, but there is something more hidden behind this whole moment.

According to Discord's plan, Chrysalis and Heart Path were to help him get into the Source of Chaos. But he still did not have time to fully talk about what might await them on this difficult path. Discord was the only one who clearly understood the signs of fate. And the fact that he began to lose the magic of chaos from his essence is not a joke, because it has consequences. And Discord understood this perfectly. Namely, that sign from the "Keepers of the World" that he received.

Discord's whole problem with the loss of magic due to his love for Fluttershy was just an excuse. The reason for the fact that Discord would come to the great battle, and, if possible, took friends with him. Your fighters. And this is correct, because what Discord will face, which now, moreover, does not have full-fledged powers, will not be able to cope alone.

One thing that cannot be doubted is that Discord loves this world. Therefore, he did not want to involve any of the highly significant ponies in such a mission. Elements of Harmony ... This time they may be powerless. Celestia and Luna ... maybe, but what if something terrible happens to them!? The ponies will not forgive him or believe him. The balance of the world will be severely upset with the loss of one of the princesses. And what will be faced on this land ... on this island, where the Kirin village is located can be dangerous.

Discord understood the signs of fate, as well as the fact that his loss of Chaos magic would badly affect Equus' protective layer. For many millennia, as conceived by the creators of this world, all the magic of chaos was obliged to be kept by one living creature. Chosen by the "Keepers of the World" themselves to carry their mission for this world. One thing you can be completely sure of, namely that Discord loves and will protect this world!

The Lord of Chaos, receiving signs and instructions from the "Keepers of the World" about where the possible invasion of the land of Equus will take place, transferred himself and his two friends to this inconspicuous island. It is the land of the Kirins that stands in the way of these unknown invaders.

Only Discord realized that with two friends it would actually be very difficult for him to fight those creatures whose invasion had been warned by the "Keepers of the World". But he hoped that on this island he would meet someone who is simply obliged to help him, because this is also his fate and his duty to Equus! But the very moment Discord passed out, at a holiday party in Canterlot, he was given a lot of leads ... and they all posed a threat to Equus. But on his way he will meet another friend - a lonely mare from the Kirin tribe. Who has devoted many years of her life to studying combat skills and the element of fire.

Autumn Blaze. A mare who has been banished from her village to accept her fate. This is exactly what her father taught her. The very leader of this tribe, named Raine Schein, saw in a dream an instruction from the "Keepers of the World" that she would have to expel this mare under any pretext, but not in order to punish! But precisely, in order to strengthen her spirit, and in order that when the cherished hour comes, she was able to meet the guests. Guests who, except Discord, think their mission is much easier than it seems at first glance.

And only two on this island know the truth about what is about to happen, something important that will be responsible for the fate of the whole world. One of them is Discord. But who is the second? But the answer to this question will be received in due course.

Discord felt that something was approaching, but with all his appearance he tried to remain calm and not sow panic in his friends. Let them find out the whole truth, but only when there is time for it. In the end, Discord did not lie about going to the source of Chaos and he really is on this island in the cave of fear! But it's very difficult to get there, especially if you are a magical creature ... And the guards of this cave will simply devour all the magic and the one who tries to directly get to its entrance. But here, in the sleeve of Discord, a trump card was hidden. Heart Path.

Heart Path is not a magical creature. And besides, the "Keepers of the World" brought him into this world for a reason. There are a lot of plans for this man in the future. And now they are smoothly preparing him, and grant him dreams, memories of a past life. From them he must learn a lot and gain experience.

Discord, being a spirit of Chaos, walled up in a stone statue for a thousand years, has always watched this world. Including the actions of this stallion, who always amused him with his company of friends. But Discord is sure of one thing: he respects a stallion named Heart Path for what he ended up doing ... but what exactly remains a mystery. Yes, Discord knows a lot, including how a stallion named Heart Path ended his life. But now this soul has returned in a new body. Discord even knows that these were visions of Celestia, in a dream by the "Keepers of the World", who had in their plans to bring a new creature into this world! And all this on a cheap pretext to entertain a little boring times. Well, this is partly true. Beware of your desires...

But Discord liked the idea itself, and the "Keepers of the World" were behind all this intrigue and plans. But who is he to argue with them? In addition, Discord was able to see a friend in Heart Path, and it was true! And all due to the fact that Discord, having lived for some time in this world of colored ponies, still could not find a decent, male company. A friend who will accept his actions and his jokes, and even possibly be a participant. Fluttershy is clearly not on that list. And many stallions, or Spike, are also boring at times. In such a company, Discord, to put it mildly, was bored. Therefore, he happily fulfilled his mission and brought into this world a creature that really liked at first sight not only the princesses ... but also Discord.

Discord was particularly amused by the words Heart Path as they stood in the throne room in front of Celestia and Luna. Heh. Heart Path promised to arrange punishment for Celestia, and this was expressed in the fact that would fuck her on her own throne! Discord clearly felt at that moment that many ponies could hardly restrain themselves from laughing. At that moment, Discord already understood a lot for himself ... Heart Path will be his best friend!

Good luck, friends, on your hard way, Discord, Autumn Blaze, Chrysalis and Heart Path!

Heart Path POV.

I sat at the same table with Discord and Autumn Blaze, who was in a good mood after my brief revelation. My heart was restless and I, propping my head on my hand, watched Chrysalis walk here and there and at the same time was afraid to look into my eyes and grumbled something quietly. But I did not hear what exactly, because Discord decided that our mood should not be shaken by the fact that I accidentally, or maybe not accidentally, saw in a dream the mother of that changeling mare that I fell in love with. And Chrysalis knows this.

But I was already tired of this and I decided to get the attention of Chrysalis. I got up from the table and quietly walked over to her, to which she again averted her gaze from me. "Chrissy..." I sat down and hugged her from the back and began to put my love into these touches, as I learned a little how to do it right from my dream.

At first, she tried to escape from my embrace and even hit me with her wing on my cheek and began to beat my hands with her hoof. But I endured this pain, although it was really felt. Chrysalis calmed down a little and again a pleasant trembling began to run through her body and I heard her sobbing her head down in shame and not wanting to show her tears to no one.

Discord just shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest, and then looked at me. "Perhaps it is not easy for you to know such a revelation? In fact, you, or rather your soul, finally met your daughter, many centuries later." Discord said and grinned, stretched out his paws to Autumn and put her on his lap, which made her suddenly cry out. "Isn't it a very nice meeting, Autumn? Your story is just as impressionable! You lived in the village for a long time and did not know that your father was there all the time!" Discord started stroking Autumn's head, but this time she didn't like it very much, so she just sat on Discord's lap with a blank expression. "And that I like your company! I will even say more ... I consider you the chosen ones! After all, fate brought us all together, or rather something higher, and this is definitely not just that." Discord said and screwed up a wide smile.

"Discord let me go. I need to wash the dishes and I would very much like to tell my story for Heart Path, but as I understand it, this is not the right time for that!" Autumn said and jumped off Discord's lap.

But Discord just grinned and snapped his fingers. After that, all the dirty dishes ended up in a wooden trough next to several buckets of water that stood in the corner of this modest hut. "You won't mind if I help you a little? In the end, I am immensely grateful to you for taking us in!" Discord said in a cheerful voice and snapped his fingers again, after which he wore a maid outfit.

Discord, of course, amused me and Chrysalis a little with their behavior, and I hugged Chrysalis even tighter, and after that I whispered in her ear: “I love you no matter what! But from this whole story, I understood for myself one undoubted revelation, after which I am simply obliged to love you even more. This is not my idea. But what I'm absolutely sure of is that this stallion was not mistaken when he saved your mother from the manticore, and then voluntarily fed her with his love.. He fell in love with her and in response, she showed passion ... and you are direct proof that the changeling is not really a curse, this is a gift! You became a gift for your parents! I still do not know the whole revelation completely ... but I know that where in this world you have a sister, only her father is my friend... Valiant..." But I did not manage to finish, as Chrysalis turned to my whole body still enjoying the embrace of my loving arms.

Chrysalis looked into my eyes, and then her lips pressed against mine. And of course, without taking my eyes off Chrysalis's wet eyes, I accepted this kiss ... and again mysterious magic began to run through her body. She began to glow slightly and I heard the sound of flesh showing signs. The holes in her legs began to tighten again, forming a single flesh. Chrysalis closed her eyes and her lips asked permission for something more. I smiled and opened my mouth, and then her tongue met my tongue. Our kiss began to ignite passion in our hearts ... but at that moment I opened my eyes and something distracted me.

I saw Discord and Autumn sit on some backed chairs. Around the neck of a smiling Autumn is a black and white striped object that usually appears in front of the camera and clicks to indicate the frame number and frame number. Discord himself was sitting in dark glasses and grinning and next to him was a movie camera!

I smoothly broke away from the kiss with Chrysalis, to her displeasure, but she understood where I was looking at this moment, freed herself from my embrace and turned with her whole body to see our friends.

Chrysalis pouted her lips and squatted, hooves crossed over her chest. “Discord! You will keep looking at us with this every time..." Chrysalis pointed her hoof at the movie camera. “With this incomprehensible thing! And what is this anyway?" Chrysalis said indignantly, but it amused me!

In general, the company of idiots in full collection!

But suddenly for myself, or maybe according to someone's idea, I plunged into my mind, and before my eyes were my friends who were talking about something, but I did not hear them! And what is this going on?

"Was it a good idea, my friend, to tell her everything?" A familiar voice in my head asked me, which undoubtedly caused a happy mood in me.

"So this is true ... but I was already beginning to think that this was just a joke of the magical world I got into! Valiant! I'm glad that you decided to talk to me! But ... it just so happened that at this moment I do not hear anything in my environment, except for your voice..." I said in my thoughts.

"I know. But I have an idea and at the same time a request! It seems from your world you brought some unusual things that are highly technological and for a long time will not be understood by all your friends. These are some kind of glasses and gloves that resemble Praetorian armor, but only partly. Put them on and under any pretext go out into the street!" Valiant said, and after that I again began to hear the world around me.

“Well, don't be offended, Chrysalis! After all, you two always look really cute. And besides, you know I'm kidding!" Discord spoke with a smirk on his face and parried the blows of Chrysalis's hooves. "Hey! Stop hitting me with your hooves! By the way, it is doubly cute when, after exchanging love, you start to glow, and your legs stop being full of holes!"

But Autumn jumped up from her chair and walked over to the window, near the table and put her hooves on the windowsill. I didn’t see her face, but the way she anxiously began to wave her tail, and the voice in which Valiant told me all these instructions, made me react faster. In the hut, it began to noticeably darken, and outside the window, where there was nothing but trees, clear weather, suddenly began to cover all this landscape with darkness.

I decided to attract the attention of my friends and quickly walked to the table where my equipment lay, and then hurried to put it on. "Sorry, but I need to go outside at the call of nature before it rains! Autumn tell me how often does this happen to the weather here?" I turned to Autumn and hurried to the door.

Autumn Blaze slowly looked in my direction and at that moment a flash from lightning illuminated her face. "Actually, it can be quite normal, except that these clouds somehow quickly and suddenly covered the sky! Something is wrong here! Although yesterday, when you arrived on this island, there was the same sudden weather. It was because of the sudden weather that I saw in the sky from the shore that it caught my attention a little and made me run to the shore. This is how I met you..."

Thunder rang out and lightning flashed again, but no rain was heard.

But during all this moment I remembered something. "By the way! How did I end up in your hut? I remember falling asleep in that grotto." I said and looked inquiringly at my friends.

But at that moment, Chrysalis stopped playfully hitting Discord and looked at me modestly, and sparks appeared in her eyes. Discord decided to be the first to break the silence and put his arms around Chrysalis's neck and looked at me with a smile.

"In fact, your beloved queen was so kind to you that she decided to show truly loving care! Chrysalis voluntarily carried you on her back! And she did not even let me do it. It was very romantic, so..." But before Discord could finish, thunder and lightning sounded again, only this time it seemed like it was close.

I looked lovingly into Chrysalis's eyes and a mental conversation ensued between us, in which I promised her a lot of gratitude and love for her shown concern for me. But I haven't forgotten about Autumn Blaze either, but that will wait a bit for now. I need to do it urgently, as Valiant asks me. So I turned on my glasses and put them on my eye, which surprised my friends a little.

"HEY! Are you going to piss after wearing your magic glasses and gloves?" Chrysalis asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes!" I answered briefly and finally opened this door ...

When I left this hut, not paying attention to what Discord was saying to me in a joking tone, I was amazed at the landscape that opened up in front of me ...

The hut itself is located in a small clearing, not far from some cliff, since from here one could even see the sea. But wherever I looked, there was a forest everywhere. And only a small path led in an unknown direction in the opposite direction from the direction of the coast. But what really struck me was that the sky above us was really covered with thunderclouds, and in the clouds there were slightly reddish and bright white lightning flashing, which directed their ends somewhere in the middle of this forest. But the thunder was so strong that I almost got shit, and my ears started ringing! Somewhere in the distance, I saw the rapid formation of a tornado, mixed with these lightning. The clouds began to circle in a spiral and opened up ... night sky! But only ten minutes ago it was light!!! What's going on here?

I moved a little away from this hut and turned on the thermal imager with my glasses, and then I gave the command to scan ... unfortunately, the signal from Night Fog is still out of reach. But that was to be expected.

But all of a sudden, my friend's voice came from my earpiece, which openly frightened me.

"Sorry if I scared you, my friend. But it was necessary. Now you can hear me and at the same time the sounds of the surrounding world." Valiant said in a calm voice. But what happened next made my heart squeeze with fear even more from what I saw on the screen of my glasses.

In the right lens, in the upper corner, next to the charge level of the glasses, a small screen appeared in which I saw the smiling face of my friend. "Valiant! How are you doing this? I ... can see you?! Or is it hallucinations?" I asked in a low and at the same time shocked voice.

Valiant sighed and shook his head. "Heart Path, forgive me, but I don't have time to explain to you. I will be brief. I was able to get into your equipment and I will help you with all I can! It's a bit wild even for me, but "Keepers of the World" also sometimes know how to joke about their ideas. Now get ready and look ahead! Turn off your thermal imager for a minute."

It struck me to the depths of my consciousness, which was surprisingly still sane, but I did as my friend asked me to.

There, in the sky, under flashes of reddish white lightning, some black dots descended at fast speed. And if my visual memory was able to correctly discern the outlines of these objects, then I realized ... that perhaps these so-called parachutists have limbs and ... they landed somewhere close to our position. Several lightning bolts struck the forest again, and I could see the horizon above the treetops take on a shimmering glow. It looked like a fire had started in the forest.

My heart started pounding wildly in my chest and warn me of the danger. I began to slowly back away, but still continued to observe in the direction of this unusual phenomenon.

"What the hell is this?" I asked and looked at the corner of my glasses screen.

"Sorry, I can't tell you. I really don't know. But I had to take you out into the street, so that you could see what started me as a spirit, greatly disturb me. Now you'd better come back and warn your friends. Better yet, run away from here! Remember how we ran with you and our friends in that forest! Do the same and run without looking back!" Valiant spoke, his voice growing with growing dismay.

"I think that's a really smart idea brother!" I said, but after that I saw that there was no more image of my friend on the screen.

But what I saw after that shocked me no less! And I am already beginning to perceive such phenomena as something normal. The sky, in which just before my eyes some terrible phenomenon with lightning, thunder and some unknown creatures was happening ... The clouds dispersed as soon as I had time to take another breath of air into my chest. The sky became clear again, as if nothing was happening!

"Damnation on our heads!" I swore as I ran to the door, but finally turned towards the forest. And what I saw made me watch fascinatingly.

Several creatures came out of the forest, into this clearing, which I can hardly compare with anyone else. But in my memory there was a name for them. They were centaurs, but their appearance was more demonic. And there was also one girl among them ... well, it would be wrong to call her a human-girl. Yes, she had human features, but she herself was naked and moved like a human, on two legs. Only these legs had hooves, but the hands were more like human hands ... only the fingers were long and fire burned in them, and the hair was fiery red. Two crooked horns protruded from her forehead, and on her chest there was a semblance of a lava bra! And in her eyes there was full lust and desire to torture my body with sex 24 hours a day! Exactly! I remembered what these demonic creatures are called! Succubus...

These demonic creatures caused fear, which made it harder for me to breathe, and a lump rolled up to my throat. "What the hell is going on here?" I said in a loud voice while continuing to look at this "Sweet" girl, and at the same time I groped the door handle with my right hand and opened it.

I gave the command to combat mode, and my gloves sounded the familiar drone of electric shock readiness.

I decided to attract the attention of my friends, who quietly watched as I entered this hut, while continuing to watch outside. "Hey! Someone can tell me who these ... guys ... and what do they want?" Said I with growing panic in my voice, and stopped turning my head to look at Discord and Chrysalis, who at that moment were sitting at the table and, as if nothing had happened, drinking tea with Autumn Blaze!

Chrysalis made a questioning face and jumped off her chair and ran up to me to look at the street, and then Discord, while Autumn Blaze was already showing fear on her face, looking at the street between us.

"So..." Chrysalis didn't have time to finish.

The succubus with graceful body movements and with a twinkle in her eyes turned to one of the centaurs. "Kill them!" The succubus girl said in a hissing voice that made my body tremble again. Then she looked into my eyes with a sinister smile. "And I will personally devour your heart! And I will suck your whole life out of you!"

My eye twitched nervously. "What? ..." I would like to say something else to these demons. For example, a few Russian swear words that have now filled my mind!

The centaurs turned on the spot, and from their tails fireballs flew towards our hut. Chrysalis jumped at me, thereby pushing me away from the door, while Discord managed to grab the Autumn and press it to his chest, hiding behind a wall.

Two fireballs flew into the hut and, crashing into the wall, began to burn through its fragile structure and knocked out the window. The hut itself began to shake.

Chrysalis was lying on me, and in time she managed to push my body over the wall and I hurried to close this door, pushing it with my foot. After that, I looked inquiringly at the shaking Autumn Blaze in the arms of Discord, whose eyes were filled with determination at that moment.

I decided to get my friend's attention. "Autumn!" I said in a loud voice.

Autumn Blaze removed her hooves from her eyes and looked at me. "What?"

"Have you ever taken out a bank loan for which you could not pay off?" I asked and all my friends looked at me like an idiot!

"What are you talking about?" Autumn asked in a trembling voice, and at that moment the door shattered to pieces from the explosion.

Smoke started, but I saw that part of the opposite wall formed a passage towards the forest.

"Faster! Let's get out of here!" I shouted helping Chrysalis to stand on his hooves and several jumps climbed into the formed passage while coughing from the smoke all the time.

And thank God, this smoke was able to hide our position, for a while, and from the street again heard the familiar sound of magic shots in our direction.

"This is the right decision, Heart Path!" Discord shouted in response and crossed Autumn Blaze, shocked by all these events, over his shoulder and began to make his way to the resulting exit.

Chrysalis, screaming curses at all living things, including me, ran after us. Having run out into the street in time, we heard how this hut began to fall apart from the explosions and fire.

Chrysalis and I ran ahead of everyone along some kind of path, and Discord flew behind us on the wings and held Autumn in his paw.

Discord decided to get our attention. "Faster we run into the depths of the forest! It looks like they will follow us!" Discord shouted in a completely serious voice and pointed with one paw in the direction of the burned-out hut.

The succubus, having wings, rose into the sky to see how we run along this path and shouted some commands to centaurs, and then flew in our direction. But we already ran into the depths of the forest, maneuvering between trees and bushes all the time. Discord dropped to his feet and put Autumn on the ground, after which they both ran as hard as they could, but it was clear that Discord was tired of running, as his tongue fell out of his mouth, so he began to lag behind.

I was running, but suddenly my friend's voice was heard in my earpiece. "They will not leave you behind! This Succubus must be destroyed, as she is constantly conducting aerial reconnaissance and showing the centaurs where to run."

I decided to stop smoothly and hid behind a tree with my back to it. Chrysalis saw me stop, did the same, then swore.

"Why the hell are you all falling behind?" Chrysalis hissed and began to peer into the sky between the treetops.

I looked at the screen of my glasses and tried to catch my breath, since I had not had such a run for a long time, and what I saw a few minutes ago made my heart pound madly in my chest. "Valiant! What do you suggest?" I asked with a grimace on my face, and at that moment Discord and Autumn Blaze, having run a little further, also hid behind the bushes, because apparently they also understood that such a run would simply exhaust our strength, and in the end these demons will just catch up with us!

But Valiant was not long in coming, and appeared in the image on the screen of my glasses. "Emerald and I consulted here and decided to make you a gift. Or rather, we literally begged the Keepers of the World to let us do this! They agreed. Raise your left hand to chest level! Just do not ask questions, but do as I tell you!" Valiant said in a determined voice.

I did as my friend said, and thereby attracted the attention of my friends who look at me like an idiot.

"You idiot, Heart Path! We need to keep running, and you decided to go crazy at this crucial ... moment ... What's going on?" Chrysalis spoke, and at that moment her eyes, like all my friends, began to widen in surprise. Only Discord started laughing slyly and shaking his paw in a victorious gesture.

A magical aura began to run through my body, expressing a bright golden hue, and a flash occurred in my eyes, which blinded me for a short time, which made me close my eyes. But when this magical effect passed and I opened my eyes...

My tattered suit was gone, and instead I was wearing light scaly armor, just like in that dream! The feet were also clad in rewound sandals and there were protective bronze plates in front of the knees, which still gave a shine from magic. In my left hand was the same battle bow, a gladius hung on the belt, and on the right side a full quiver of arrows ... I was wearing the same blue skirt with the image of the emblem of the 1st Marine Corps Legion. My legs were bare and it confused me a little, but I was not going to complain at this moment, since I was still in my gloves and glasses! On my head was a legionnaire's helmet ... And it made me thrill at the memory of that very memorable moment.

With my right hand, I took off my helmet and pulled my goggles over my forehead. But when I saw two familiar feathers on the sides of this helmet ... I could not resist ... one tear fell from my eyes, right on this helmet. Tears of gratitude. It was the same helmet with Celestia's feathers.

I didn't want to show my face, but images from a past life appeared in my thoughts again. "Thank you Valiant... This is truly the best gift..." I said in a low voice as I continued to stare at Celestia's feathers.

"Yes ... I know that she loved you so much and still loves you! So do not forget one more lesson from your dream ... call out to Celestia with your heartfelt prayer and ask her for help, with the belief that she will help you in difficult times! And that suit that you wore before, everything was exactly shabby and dirty, so now you look more dignified. Now go and kill this flying creature, I will help you aim!" Valiant said, and at that moment I heard the familiar Demonic screech from this Succubus.

I hurried to put on my glasses and helmet and looked resolutely towards my friends, whose emotions on their faces corresponded to the miracle saw in front of them. A person who does not possess magical abilities, transformed into an ancient legionary archer.

"Hey! Run, I have to do something! I promise I'll catch up with you! Faster!" I shouted in an orderly tone and took out two arrows from the quiver, one of them I clamped in my teeth.

A few seconds later, several small fireballs flew from the sky over our position and, falling into trees and bushes, began to set them on fire. My friends looked at each other and looked at me with indignation.

Chrysalis was the first to break down and quickly ran out of the bushes, which attracted the Succubus. "No! I won't leave you! And don't you dare order the Queen!" Chrysalis said in a determined voice and ran from tree to tree.

Discord, realizing Chrysalis's plan, whispered something in Autumn's ear, and after that they also ran out of the bushes and began to run from tree to tree. The succubus hovered in the sky above us at a height of about eighty meters and began to randomly hurl fireballs at us, but due to the fact that her targets began to run in different directions, she was unable to concentrate properly. She fired first at Chrysalis, and then at Discord and Autumn Blaze.

Several centaurs roared and stomped in the forest. I ran to the next tree and hiding behind it I looked out and a second later I removed my head again, while I tried to concentrate. The silhouettes of six centaurs appeared between the trees, walking in an extended line.

"At that time you had hooves and telekinesis magic, but now you have hands, so go for it my friend! Remember what you said in the tavern? One shot - one kill!" Valiant said into my earpiece.

I took a deep breath and released the air through my nostrils, as I was holding the arrow with my teeth, on which my saliva was already beginning to accumulate. I began to listen to the sounds of walking centaurs, while the Succubus noticed me behind this tree.

Can't wait any longer!

I pulled on the string of my combat bow, and the gloves at that moment, unexpectedly for me, sent electrical energy into the arrow. Time slowed down for me and, having run out from behind the tree, I immediately aimed at the flying Succubus.

"Open fire!" Valiant commanded, and at that moment I relaxed the fingers of my right hand.

The arrow with a dull whistle and the sound of electricity at the tip flew towards the Succubus, who tried to dodge such a sudden attack and, with a cry of rage, threw a fireball at me.

Miss ... Damn it! I need to concentrate better, but the centaurs a hundred meters away were clearly distracting. And of course I needed help! The feathers on my helmet emitted a familiar magic sound, and the fireball that the succubus shot at me flew into small sparks in the air five meters away. Due to this effect, it was clearly visible as a protective dome formed around me, which radiated the radiance of Celestia's magical aura!

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the centaurs turn again to shoot fireballs into my position, but I quickly dashed to the right and, still hiding behind the trees, I continued to keep in sight the Succubus, which began to make maneuverable flights. "DIE, BITCH!" I shouted as I loaded the arrow that I had previously held in my teeth.

And again a miss ... Damn it, this flying bitch was starting to piss me off! Especially her heartbreaking squeal that literally goes through my body and causes my ears to hurt.

"My friend! Do not fire a shot after I tell you to open fire, but as soon as you hear my voice! In this case, the probability of hitting will be higher! And one more thing ... your helmet does not give you complete invulnerability. As soon as it absorbs the enemy's missile attack, it will recharge its magical effect for about 30 seconds! So keep that in mind!" Valiant shouted into my earpiece.

I again took out two arrows from the quiver and quickly scanned the sky and this forest ... I realized that my friends were lost from my sight ... It seems I was left alone ...

"Heart Path!" Chrysalis screamed and suddenly kicked out of the bushes, where several fireballs immediately flew in and set fire to dry branches.

Smoke began, which caused me to cough, and in my eyes there was a sharp pain from which I was forced to squint.

Chrysalis shook me with her hooves and looked seriously into my tortured face. "Listen to me carefully! I will help you! Now I will fly into the sky and try to shoot this creature with my magic. If I hit the Succubus, then it will be covered with mucus and form a cocoon on it! But I'm not sure if this can work, but in any case, it will slow it down and you will have about 2 seconds to aim and shoot from your battle bow..." Chrysalis spoke in a loud voice and immediately two more fireballs flew into our tree, from the direction of the centaurs.

In the forest, a frightening roar and the clatter of hooves of centaurs running in our direction was heard. But at that moment, from the other side, Autumn Blaze ran in our direction, her face full of determination to help her friends. Her eyes emitted a fiery glow of a red-blue hue, and a black mare with a burning mane and tail was already running in our direction.

This transformed Autumn Blaze picked up fast speed and began to set fire to bushes and dry foliage, as well as trees that she managed to touch with her flaming mane! In this part of the forest began what the ponies used to call it: Tartarus!

Smoke began to fill up everything and the glow of the fire flickered and created a reflection in my glasses. Autumn Blaze decided to distract the Centaurs a little on herself and with a fiery rage on her face, she ran towards the line of Centaurs. The centaurs themselves, seeing such a sight, only began to grin, but Autumn Blaze's plan worked and these bastards distracted from me and Chrysalis to run after Autumn Blaze.

Autumn Blaze, with a dexterity that probably only a ninja can have, climbed trees and jumped from branch to branch, continuing to set fire to everything in its path.

"It seems Autumn is giving us a little time, so we need to act! Get ready to fire!" Chrysalis said and quickly kissed me on the lips, spread her wings.

I was breathing heavily and again looked quickly out of my hiding place, into the sky, between the treetops.

"Chrysalis is a smart girl. Use her help! Prepare your battle bow, now!" Valiant said into my earpiece, at the moment when I ran to another tree and decided to attract the attention of this Succubus.

Chrysalis soared into the sky and began to accelerate to whirl this demon, only her mane and tail fluttered strongly in the wind, and a familiar, greenish, magical glow appeared in the horn. The succubus was also not a fool and decided to arrange a race for Chrysalis, all the while shooting fireballs at her in advance. But Chrysalis was not a fool either, so turning her head to look at this Succubus with hatred, she fired a shot with her magic. The succubus began to fall down with a squeal, as her body was covered in thick slime and her wings stuck together.

I aimed my battle bow at the falling Succubus, but at that moment she was able to shake off the green slime, rejecting her limbs, but it seems that for some time she went blind. Succubus hovered in the air and tried to wipe her face with her demonic hands, and all the time frantically flapping her wings, which caused her body to move from side to side. Chrysalis did not keep herself waiting long and again fired her magic at her.

"Fire!" Valiant shouted into my earpiece, and the fingers of my right hand let go of the taut string of this wonderful combat bow.

"VIA-AAUAA!" Succubus screamed and her body began to burn with a bright blue flame after my arrow hit her. After that, her charred body, continuing to burn, began to fall down and it was clear that she would no longer be able to cause us trouble.

Chrysalis flew in my direction, and I did not forget that Autumn Blaze was still distracting the Centaurs. But where is Discord? And why doesn't he want to help us?

"I don't know much about demons, but one thing I can say for sure: all demons have a vulnerability to electricity, but increased resistance to fire! So run faster to help your friend!" Valiant said into my earpiece.

"Damn it! Valiant, I don't see where she is now because of this smoke, but I can only hear the howling of centaurs somewhere in that direction! ... here I am an idiot..." I said and turned on my thermal imager on the run, focusing on the sounds of this chaos, I turned my gaze in that direction.

"Sometimes you admit that you are an idiot in time. But this is a good plan ... there is only one thing left to do, and that is to kill the centaurs. But I'm not sure if one or even two arrows can produce the desired effect!" Valiant spoke as I ran swiftly in the direction of the sounds of a possible battle.

Through the thermal imager, I was able to make out many fires and the outlines of five centaurs in an open formation, which slowly walked and turned their heads in different directions. But what I could see surprised me a little and made me proud of Autumn Blaze. The sixth centaur lay and did not move, while he was pressed by a burning tree, which most likely hit him hard on the head. He showed no signs of life, but I will need to verify this personally.

When I got close enough to these centaurs, behind their backs, they quickly turned in my direction, as they heard the crunch of branches. But I, hiding behind a tree, could not hold back the pain in my throat, as this smoke began to penetrate into my lungs.

When I cleared my throat, I didn't wait long, because I'm sure the centaurs understood where I was. Therefore, having gained strength, I was able to quickly roll over, and at the same time several arrows fell out of my quiver! And I wonder how I didn't break my neck, in all this light armor. But this was the advantage of light armor, as it did not reduce my dexterity. Three seconds later, two fireballs fell into this tree and next to me, which, hitting the ground, lifted pieces of earth into the air and began to set fire to everything in this area.

On the run, I took out an arrow and immediately loaded it into the bow, and then stopped. When I turned around and aimed at one of the centaurs running after me, I saw a green magic beam flying from the sky. One of the centaurs became covered with thick slime and stumbled, which caused confusion among the other centaurs.

I did not think for a long time ... The shot ... and again the dull whistle of a flying electrified arrow complemented the sounds of the ongoing chaos in this forest.

"AAAAAAA!!!" The Centaur roared with an arrow in its chest and began convulsively shaking off the flame from itself and took the arrow from its chest. But he was still alive.

And again the remaining centaurs ran after me. My eyes widened with terror and my legs refused to move quickly. Therefore, my life now depended on the speed of my hands and ... and perhaps some kind of miracle.

I pulled the string of my battle bow and aimed at one of the centaurs, running in my direction ... quietly I began to pray to Celestia ...

"Help me Celestia ... My love ... Please help me!" I said in a low, convulsive voice, and the rhythm in my heart quickened.

A shot ... and again the howl of one of the centaurs, who stopped for a while and began to take this electrified arrow from his shoulder. My legs still refused to run, and I was retreating already pressed against a tree and again took out an arrow. The centaurs were already three dozen meters away from me ... From the sky, right in front of my eyes, about a dozen meters away from me, lightning struck, and for a short time blinded me. Instinctively, I decided to hide behind a tree, still aiming at the enemy, but when the fog in my eyes cleared, I saw ...

All the centaurs began to spin in the air due to the formed tornado, and below on the ground there was some kind of gray Kirin stallion, looking like an old man, since there was gray hair in its mane and tail. The stallion itself was wearing some kind of shabby black vest and his mane began to flutter in the wind, and electric arcs passed through his body! The wind from this tornado finally made my legs move, and the temporary fright was gone. I did not keep myself waiting long and decided to run away as far as possible, constantly shifting my gaze either to this stallion, or to the centaurs circling in this tornado, and also tried to spy out Chrysalis in the sky.

The wind began to gain momentum, and the smoke in this forest gradually dissipated while the lingering trees began to shed their foliage, revealing the true picture of the scene taking place. This old man was all glowing with electric arcs and at the same time shouted some kind of spell. Lightning began to run over this tornado, and only screams from the epicenter of the tornado spoke of the fact that all the centaurs had become victims of this mysterious old man.

Ten seconds later, the wind began to subside, the tornado disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared, and the charred and smoking remains of five centaurs fell to the ground. This sight made me experience many emotions, but there were many questions in my head and it seems at that moment our fight was over. I ran out from behind the cover and ran towards this stallion, which slowly began to turn its body in my direction. But I could still see the sparks of lightning in his eyes, as well as on his unusual horn. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed how all my friends also ran in this direction. Even Discord slid down one of the trees and assumed a stoic expression. Autumn Blaze turned into herself again, and Chrysalis down from the sky and landed next to me.

I exchanged glances at Chrissy and did not remain in debt. "Thank you, Chrissy. You really helped me with this Succubus." I said in a low voice.

We slowly approached this stallion, but Autumn Blaze immediately surprised us all. She ran up to this mysterious stallion and lovingly hugged him, and began to kiss on the cheek, to which the stallion himself began to laugh good-naturedly and hug Autumn with his hoof. The lightning in his eyes stopped and I saw that on the face of this stallion there were good emotions and features of the learned wisdom.

"Dad! I ... I missed you so much! All these months ... Thank you so much for helping us! But how did you know where I am now?" Talked Autumn Blaze when she freed this good-natured stallion from her loving embrace.

The stallion sighed and closed his eyes. "I am a bad father. But who will I be if I let something happen to my daughter?" The old stallion said in a calm voice and looked at all of us with a smile.

"So you are the very father of our friend! Well this is a really unexpected meeting for all of us. But I want to thank you for helping us ... it was really on time!" Chrysalis said and walked closer to this stallion, then squatted down. "My name is Chrysalis! I am the queen of changelings! And now, recently, I am a friend to Autumn Blaze. And I will also be glad to meet you."

But the old man surprised us all. He moved closer to Chrysalis and began to examine her body! After that, he came up to me with a raised eyebrow and walked around me in the same way.

But I wanted to start a conversation, but I was still under-impressions. "I ... um ... My name is ..." But before I could finish, this crazy stallion turned away from me and quickly ran to Discord, who was watching the scene with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Discord! Did you bring only two fighters with you?" This stallion asked his question in a calm voice, but at the same time he was outraged.

But Discord just rubbed his forehead and looked at the stallion with a grin. "Yes. And as you can see, they still know how to work as a team! So ... don't look at me like I stole your candy, Raiden!" Discord said and walked in my direction, and after that he hugged my shoulder with his paw. "This is my friend and his name Heart Path! I believe that the Keepers of the World cannot be wrong in their choice. So you should not worry."

So this stallion's name is Raiden. Well, I'll remember him, but what he said only increased the number of questions in my head.

"Maybe someone will already be able to explain to me what's going on here? And why me and Chrysalis are the fighters of Discord? I don't remember at all what was being said about some kind of battle when we arrived on this island!" I said and looked inquiringly into Discord's embarrassed face.

"Yes! It's interesting to me too, Discord! We actually almost died a few minutes ago, but what I saw today are those demonic creatures that I only heard and read books about. And I will not lie ... I am very was scared, and not only for myself, but also for my friends! So I would like to get answers, at least briefly!" Chrysalis spoke with growing anger in her voice as she walked slowly towards Discord.

Autumn Blaze calmly walked over to Chrysalis and tried to calm her down. “Please, Chrysalis, calm down ... we all have the same problems and I got scared too! But Discord is right ... we were able to deal with this problem, acting as one team ... and of course, my father helped us in the end.” Autumn said in a soothing voice and hugged Chrysalis lightly, who did not resist, but only lowered head so as not to look Discord in the eye. "Until this day, I did not know that my father's name was Raiden..." Autumn whispered and slowly turned her head towards Raiden.

Again, a cluster of dark thunderclouds and several lightning bolts began to appear in the sky. It was suddenly dark and the ground began to shake at the bottom, which caused panic in everyone except Discord and Raiden.

"I think this is not the best place to get answers to your questions. You have come across only with the vanguard of demons, but soon they will begin their massive invasion! And in this case, only the Creator will help our souls ... Now I ask everyone to follow me for There is a secret entrance to the cave nearby. Through it we will get to the old temple of the First Righteous Dragon! Hurry after me!" Raiden spoke and, without waiting for an answer, ran into the depths of the forest.

But we did not keep ourselves waiting long and ran after this stallion. I held on to the influx of adrenalin and only miraculously did not collapse from fatigue. However, I ran next to the slowly flying Discord, and there were still many unresolved issues in my head.

Ten minutes later, our whole company was at the entrance to the cave overgrown with ferns and other bushes. Near the cave itself there were some ancient monuments, which were partially destroyed over time. On one of the monuments I saw ... a small statue of Discord next to some kind of dragon, who were standing in a victorious pose. In the chaotic hands were two different types of swords, and the dragon held in both hands a combat staff that looked like a lightning. Discord stopped and walked over to this statue, and then bowed his head and put a trembling hand to the foot of this statue.

“It was so long ago that I’m already starting to forget my first battle...” Discord said and, unable to resist his emotions, covered his face with his hands.

And while we all decided that five minutes would not harm our rest, I decided that now is the time to get at least a few answers to my questions. Chrysalis looked at me expectantly and nodded her head towards the weeping Discord. Autumn Blaise approached the statue with the same curiosity.

But Raiden, seeing our curious expressions on our faces, decided to bring some clarity. "This statute depicts two brothers. Two chosen defenders of Equus. This is, as you already understood Discord, and this is the same Righteous Dragon and the founding father of the Kirins and his name..." But this stallion did not have time to finish.

"My brother's name ... Raiden." Discord said what made everyone sigh in surprise at the realization of what was said.

"But how?" Autumn asked, worried.

I began to peer more closely at Raiden and Discord, who were facing each other with blank expressions on their faces. "You want to say...."

"Yes. I am Discord's brother! Only I have to live with new reincarnations every time, while my brother is truly immortal! I even had to live the life of a minotaur, griffin, hippogriff and other intelligent creatures that inhabit this planet. But always on my shoulders there was a responsible mission ... I, like Discord, must be called upon to fight the invading hordes of demons! And this sometimes happens, but few people know about it, because as a rule, Discord and I manage to repel this invasion. I'm Raiden ... Lord of the elements and protector of Equus for more than two thousand years, just like Discord. But Discord carries a special mission and no less important. He is forced to keep in his essence the magic of chaos and not allow it to escaped from his body. If this happens, Equus protective layer becomes weaker and becomes a tasty morsel for enemies from the outside world! Discord is not guilty of his fate, because this is his payment for immortality, which he received as a reward for his first victory at the invading demons. I fought alongside Discord, you can say shoulder to shoulder like his brother, born of mother nature, but I rejected immortality, and instead I asked for the opportunity to have love as a reward ... and all because I, being a dragon, fell in love with a beautiful unicorn mare. The Keepers of the World appreciated my zeal and rewarded me with a wonderful gift! They gave us the opportunity to have children in which the unicorn and dragon gene will be contained at the same time. So over time, the Kirins appeared and I am their founding father. But with each new century, Discord absorbed more and more natural chaos into its essence ... as a result, its appearance began to change until it became what you see it now. So this monument was made much later than the battle itself, but before Discord was the same as me ... he was a dragon. But he always loved to indulge in all sorts of hooligans just like a child, so magic was given to him in the wrong order as it was conceived by the nature of Equus, namely the magic of chaos. And then the Keepers of the World decided to offer Discord a special mission, because of which he will be a very important creature on this planet. Once in a certain period, he must release this chaos magic from his essence, which leads to some cataclysms and other consequences..." Raiden said, but Discord covered his mouth with a chaotic hand, which caused a slight indignation on the face of this stallion.

"I think that's enough. Just look at the faces of my friends!" Discord said and smiled kindly, and then suddenly for everyone he raised this stallion in his arms and hugged him tightly! "My beloved brother! I'm so glad to finally see you again! I'm sorry I didn't come to you, I ... um ... got a lot of worries in Equestria. Now I'm good for ponies and all that. You know, because you have a charming daughter! I'm proud of you..." Discord spoke in a completely sincere voice, and then put this stallion on the ground.

Chrysalis leaned into my ear as I sat quietly and watched the entire scene. "Is this really our Discord? This is the first time I see such sincere emotions in him." Chrysalis whispered.

But I was sitting with a grin on my face and still digesting all this information that was overwhelming for my brain. I looked away from Autumn, who had been sitting with her mouth open all this time and was looking more closely at the features of these two brothers. But I decided to get attention.

"Discord! Did you know that all this time you were doing erotic massage to your niece?" I decided to joke, and at that moment Discord snapped his fingers and several stones flew in my direction, from which I barely had time to dodge.

"AAAH!" Chrysalis screamed and looked indignantly at the grinning Discord as several stones hit her! "Well, you are assholes!" Chrysalis grumbled.

But Discord just laughed and, making innocent eyes, looked at me and Chrysalis. "No ... I didn't know about it, just like you that Chrysalis is the daughter of your last reincarnation! Oh by the way, Raiden, Heart Path, when he was a unicorn stallion..."

But Raiden just chuckled, which surprised us a little. "Yes ... I know about this. The Keepers of the World have already warned me that an alien intelligent creature will appear on Equus, and I am sure that this is your doing, Discord. But I am not complaining about this..." Raiden said and finally came up to me, and I stood in front of him. "I am glad to meet you, Heart Path! Do you remember one wonderful mare named Flicker?" Raiden asked in a completely calm voice and looked at me expectantly with a smile on his face.

But his words made me close my eyes and relive the moments that I saw in my dream ... "Yes! I remember this mare very well." I opened my eyes. "But ... how do you know about this?" I asked, but something in my brain began to spin and I began to guess.

Raiden tilted his head slightly to one side and began to examine my features more closely. "Come with me, there is a magic stream not far from here. Wait here, we'll be back soon." Raiden said, addressing my friends, and, without waiting for an answer, went somewhere in the direction of the forest.

But I exchanged glances with my friends and followed Raiden with a shrug. I decided to put on my helmet, since wearing it really gives me a good mood and lifts my spirit, from memories of a past life.

Two minutes later, Raiden and I were standing by a small stream in a ravine. "Look at this stream." Raiden said in a mysterious voice. "Do not be afraid..."

I nodded and sat down on one knee and put my hands on the ground and slowly moved my face to see the reflection in this magical water.

But what I saw made my eyes wet and a few tears rolled down my cheek ... A unicorn stallion with a long black mane and a light-violet color looked at me from the water. He was wearing the same helmet. I tried to smile and this stallion, Heart Path, did the same. At that moment, I felt a whirlwind of energy in my soul, as I had sensations of increased warmth in my chest, from the fact that something mysterious was happening. I raised my right hand and brought it up to the reflection in the water and naturally I saw a hoof. Then I decided to play a little with this opportunity, I pulled out my gladius and held it out to the reflection of the water to see how this stallion does the same thing, only with a hoof. And only at that moment I noticed a real Miracle, which I have not paid attention to until now! On the hilt of my gladius was a shock of yellow and white hair from Flicker's mane!

I got to my feet, continuing to look at the hilt of my gladius and slowly turned my gaze to Raiden, who sat quietly and watched me. But he decided it was time to give me an answer.

"Flicker ... that was my mother's name. At that time I was supposed to be reborn in a new incarnation and the Keepers of the World decided that I would have to be born from this mare ... and as you could guess, I was your foal ... But I cannot tell you more, because you yourself will have to go your own way and uncover many veils of secrets of this world. You are the same as me and Discord. You carry a special mission in this world. But the funniest thing about this whole situation is that Heart Path is, first of all, consolation for a rebellious soul and strengthening of spirit and faith in yourself (and first of all this applies to mares, whom you begin to love from the first minutes of your acquaintance), and of course the spread of love... So, after you've learned a little about your past and looked into this stream of truth, it's time for us to go!" Raiden said and again, without waiting for an answer, went towards the cave.

Of course, this mysterious stallion leaves no less questions. But I once again looked at the hilt of the sword, or rather at the shock of hair from Flicker's mane, and after that I kissed my sword and put it in its sheath. A sharp change in the weather began again in the sky, and although it was already evening, it was noticeably darker. When I followed Raiden, all the time I looked at my new clothes ...

"Heck!" I swore when several branches scratched my bare knee. I love this and all, but in this blue tunic, I started to feel a little chill. And the thing is that my legs were bare and only the edge of this tunic was above the knees. Although I really am now experiencing the most unusual sensations from wearing this armor.

While we were returning to our temporary parking lot, I decided to talk a little with my friend, and put on my glasses. "Valiant ... I want to thank you again for all this. But how did it happen that Emerald is with you too? Are you both looking after me like invisible spirits? If so, then why does Emerald not want to talk to me?" I asked in a low voice as Raiden walked in front of me and hummed a song softly, probably in an ancient language.

A picture of my friend appeared on the screen. "That you finally managed to find a little time to talk to me? Okay ... Indeed, Emerald knows about everything as well as I. But ... she is not yet allowed to talk to you ... and I think it's just can cause a storm of emotions in you. I worry about you, as well as she. But she does not want you to succumb to feelings and memories, turn your attention from Chrysalis to her. She asks that you do not leave her, and loved the same way and maybe even more! But in fact, I already saw that you were able to prove it and it was truly wonderful! And the fact that Chrysalis temporarily becomes different (taking on a lighter shade and all her damned holes disappear , and her face radiates love), says a lot. You should be with her as often as possible and we all believe that you can heal her with the help of the aura of love over time! And you will not need to resort to a more radical method ... but I got a little carried away in this topic. And, of course, our gift for you is the least gratitude for what you gave me and the Emerald that day. But I will not tell you the details, as it is against the rules. You yourself will find out everything over time, in your dreams ... However, I have the right to intrigue you! And to be honest, it amuses me! Emerald, at the moment is a guardian angel for one very familiar mare! And to be honest, of all the mares who had a loving relationship with you, it was she who took the most decisive step in her life. She is the only one who has not forgotten about you all this time. And it is she who keeps loyalty to your heart all this time. I think you should think a little yourself in order to understand who this wonderful mare is, who fell in love with you to the depths of her soul and all this time has been patiently waiting for your return ... I always have tears in my eyes when I remember this mare, or rather, from the fact that it was she, and no one else, fell in love with you so much that she decided to make a sacrifice ... but do not ask me any more, soon you yourself will know everything and see her. Emerald will look after her and bring her to you." Valiant was speaking, but I could distinctly hear his voice trembling slightly with the overwhelmed emotion. Hmm ... so the spirits are also subject to emotion? Or is it just Valiant?

Panic seized me, and I hastened to pull out my gladius, and the glove on my right hand immediately sent blue and red electric arcs into the blade of my sword ... it will probably take some getting used to. "Valiant? Are you doing this with my gloves?" I asked and all the time looking around, and anxiety began again in my heart.

"Yes, brother. As I told you before, I was able to penetrate your equipment and influence it ... all for your sake and your protection! And even more so what you had to face on your not easy path; these demons from the outside peace, a much worse problem than what we experienced with you during the war seven hundred years ago! Although I will not lie. And then it was also scary! Apparently that is why the "Keepers of the World" sent you this dream so that you could remember a little experience. But after the fight that took place in the forest about an hour ago, it says that you need at least a little practice! Practice using this weapon. And one more thing ... don't worry about the arrows, I'll refill your quiver every five hours or so ... so bear that in mind! Please take my words seriously! Of course, you were able to shoot from a bow, but what happened to the centaurs ... is not good enough, because you could die! And although I have no right to blame you on this, I want you to learn what will help you in the future. Yes, I heard you pray to Celestia at this critical moment, but Celestia did not come to your aid, namely Raiden! But I can tell you with confidence that your prayer was really answered at that moment. In general, I advise you, as your best friend, to always keep the image of Celestia in front of your eyes and try to talk to her as often as possible! Because what is happening now in this part of Equus can be safely considered the gateway to your worst nightmares. But your beloved Celestia told you that she would be looking for you! She does not give up even now, but your words are very important to her so that she could understand where you are now. Heh ... never would not have thought that Heart Path would return to Equus in new body and it will have to be taught something anew! But you were a good archer, not the best, but nevertheless a good one. Stop ... Heart Path..." Valiant spoke, but at that moment his image disappeared from my screen and I did not hear until the end of what he wanted to say.

A strong wind blew over my face, and I noticed how Raiden's mane began to move in the current of this strong wind. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed how some kind of distortion of the real image flickered at the entrance to the cave, and after that it was lost in its darkness. Something is wrong here! Still holding the gladius with my right hand, trembling with fear, I ran to Raiden as close as possible and began to peer more closely into the darkness of the cave entrance. Raiden began to look around, but did not have time to answer ... Discord, Autumn and Chrysalis ran out of the forest and ran past us to the entrance to the cave.

"Faster! We need to get out!" Autumn said with panic in her voice as she ran up to her father. "While you were walking towards the stream of truth, we decided to conduct a reconnaissance. The screams of demons were heard in the forest, and I am still surprised that I still retain my sanity!"

Thunder rang out in the sky again, and somewhere in the middle of the forest, several lightning bolts struck with their ends, and after that I watched the same thing as an hour ago when I left the Autumn hut. But what was remarkable was the color of the sky! It turned red, and again I saw how several dozen points with lightning-like effect descended to the ground, about a few kilometers from our position. It looks like it has already begun. Celestia help us!

"Yes ... the invasion begins! Follow me faster!" Raiden shouted, and then he ran into the passage of the cave and we did not keep ourselves waiting long.

When we were in the cave itself, Raiden stopped and turned around. His horn glowed with magic and electric arcs ran through his body again. He shot at the ceiling of the wall above the entrance itself, and from this, the cave began to shake violently, and the entrance itself was blocked.

Raiden stopped glowing with magic and calmly approached us. "Now we can go to the Temple of the Righteous Dragon. One of these tunnels will lead us where we need to. All the Kirins have already gathered there. The Temple itself was built in such a way that it could be used as a refuge. In general, you will see everything for yourself."

After that, I put my gladius back into its sheath and we all followed Raiden. When it got dark in the tunnels, Raiden and Autumn used their magic, from which their manes and horns were covered with fire, thus they illuminated our path. Discord was brooding all this time and hardly spoke ... and that was not a good sign. Chrysalis tried all this time to stay closer to me and sometimes we exchanged glances with each other, and I lovingly stroked her back and neck, from which she pressed against me even more.

Chrissy ... I've only known her for a couple of days, but we behaved with each other as if we were bound by eternity itself and other secrets of this world. A month ago, I would not have believed in what I see now, that it is possible ... That's just what I see and feel, only confirms that such things are quite real. My closeness with the Chrysalis warms up my feelings and I show my concern for her. But sometimes I play and slap the changeling queen on the ass and then run away from her. And all this time while we walked along these corridors, our friends only laughed at us.

But Raiden had his own questions. "I'm actually wondering how the changeling queen and an alien from another world could get close?" Raiden asked in a completely calm voice.

These words did not catch me by surprise, but Chrysalis was the first. "Yes! And I, as the queen of changelings, can declare that the feelings Heart Path towards me are completely sincere." Chrysalis spoke, and then looked at me as we walked along this corridor. "And it seems to me that I ... I'm starting to feel a little something special in my heart, which I have never experienced before! This can be called the first steps ... or the sprout of a flower."

"I met Chrysalis only yesterday morning, but during these few hours I began to understand for myself that, perhaps, on this planet, it is she who is closest to me. And my recent dream speaks even more about this! One of the reasons why I returned to this world again. And you Raiden, know what I'm talking about." I answered the question about this stallion. But can I call him a friend? Definitely yes!

"I need you... feed your queen more often, because there is love in your words! I really appreciate it. As well as our unusual acquaintance with you." Whispered Chrysalis, but did not look into my eyes, but only rubbed her side against my hips, and her dragonfly wings rose up.

These words made my heart beat faster. But I was very happy and embarrassed at the same time by the Chrysalis. Although it was only a fleeting sensation ... So we continued to walk along this cave for a long time and my legs were already starting to hurt a little, but my friends all the time started some kind of conversation and this distracted us a little from the problems.

We walked for so long that a natural question began to arise in my mind. "Raiden? How long do we have to go to this hideout?" I asked in a tired voice, because I felt that a little more and I would just fall off my feet.

And there is certainly a reason for this. Over the past two days, I have been eating poorly for my human body. And every time I began to show my fangs and glance at my battle bow, as well as at the Chrysalis ass! And it certainly did not escape her attention ...

Raiden turned his head towards me as he continued walking. "That the biped, is already tired? And how are you going to fight?" Raiden asked with a slight grin. But when I looked into his eyes and smiled, he realized something for himself. "So you are omnivorous! Well ... I have no right to judge you for that. And that is why I can promise you fried fish when we get to the shelter. In fact, I understand you perfectly, since I myself have gone through many reincarnations! Hahah!" Raiden said in a completely calm voice, but at the end ... he laughed madly, from which Discord immediately succumbed to this mood.

Well, me and Chrysalis were in the same boat now, because our stomachs made sounds of hunger, hunting instincts intensified with each passing hour. It was so noticeable that I felt ashamed! I started looking at some dubious glowing mushrooms as food! It seems that this is really not good ... maybe I'm still going a little crazy. And hunger mixed with fatigue, undoubtedly remind me that I must do something, otherwise it will be BAD ...

It took about ten more minutes of our wandering through these tunnels and I wonder how Ryden knows the way well. It was a little creepy here, there was a spider web the size of Discord on the walls! Something I don't like it... Chrysalis and I were the last in our group, but I constantly looked around, because sometimes I heard someone's footsteps and rattling on the damp rocky floor and ceiling. My heart began to accelerate its rhythm again and I hastened to turn on the thermal imager with my glasses. Valiant is not communicating with me anymore and it's a little strange.

"Hey! Raiden? Is there someone or something in this cave that we should fear? I ask this in case I need to be prepared to face danger." I asked Raiden in a slightly trembling voice. And it looks like Chrysalis sensed fear in my emotions.

Raiden turned his head to keep walking. "Yes ... the so-called guardians of the cave can be found in these tunnels. Spiders are indeed found here and can be dangerous, but they are very afraid of fire! So bear that in mind." Raiden answered in the same calm voice, as if it wasn't a problem for him.

But Discord stopped and looked into my face with a grin. "What, scared of a couple of spiders? Oh, I'm sure that these creatures will scatter in fear if they see me, because although I have lost some of my magical abilities, I still pose a danger!" Discord answered.

But these words angered me and Chrysalis a little.

"Then why didn't you help us fight the demons in that forest?" Chrysalis asked, and looked expectantly at Discord.

But Discord only shook his head and chuckled slightly. "If I did all this work, then you would not be able to gain valuable experience for yourself! And in the end, I would not let you die, and of course I was already going to chop these Centaurs into small pieces, but ... but mine my brother got a little ahead of me! And by the way, I helped you, and dumped a burning tree on one of the lagging centaurs who were chasing Autumn!" Discord answered and made a proud expression.

"And I thought it was Autumn who threw this centaur! But ... in general, your words make sense, I just hope that you will live up to your promise and intervene in time to help us ..." I said, but Discord decided to interrupt me in the end.

"You know, I was going to tell you everything, but for some reason we didn't have time for this. You have a great suit! I even see Celestia's feathers on your helmet ... just like in your dream, really? And what do I like!" Discord said and unceremoniously took off my helmet and began to carefully examine and sniff two of Celestia's feathers. "Mmm ... Celestia's magic! It looks like she put her love and care for you into those two feathers."

"Heh ... Hey!" I chuckled, but then I was indignant and with a quick movement of my hands tore my helmet back. "Put it back in place! This is a very important gift..."

Chrysalis decided to get our attention. "Well, maybe now you will tell what is happening? And why did you change so suddenly in that forest? After all, as far as I understand, you are not a magical creature." Chrysalis spoke, but her words also caught the attention of all our friends.

We stopped in some kind of "spacious room" that connected four more tunnels and we could hear water flowing somewhere nearby. Apparently this is an underground current, which at the end should go to some kind of river or waterfall.

Raiden came up to me and again began to carefully examine me from all sides. "Do you mind if I help you a little, Heart Path? I will give short answers to calm the curiosity of our friends ... I see in this magical phenomenon that you are talking about (transformation Heart Path) higher powers are involved and ... right now you have an invisible friend who is very familiar to you from your past reincarnation. He is your guardian angel and helps you..." But Raiden did not have time to finish, as we all heard several stones fall from the ceiling of this tunnel.

Autumn Blaze decided to instantly transform into a flaming black mare. "I have a bad feeling! It's like someone is watching us right now!" Autumn said with a slight panic in her voice and began to concentrate her magic, from which a small fireball began to appear on the tip of her horn and then began to fly around her head, waiting for the command of her mistress.

Discord began to look around, and after his eyes flashed with magical fury. "We have guests!" Discord shouted and quickly pushed me into a nearby tunnel, from which I fell back on these stones, and it hurt.

After a couple of seconds, something like a green liquid flew to where I was standing, hissing on the ground, and then light smoke. Acid! Chrysalis managed to jump back just in time, and her horn lit up with a magical aura. Something crawled along the ceiling with a quick step ... I looked at this invisible creature through the thermal imager and saw what made me experience adrenalin again. They were creatures that looked like large lizards, with long necks and long toes on their limbs. Their height was about the same as mine, and this undoubtedly made them dangerous. I could only see two ... but who knows how many of these critters actually are in this cave? Perhaps this is just one of those creatures that, with their distorted transparent appearance, caused me to doubt and ran along the course of this cave.

"Damn it!" Raiden shouted and shot at the ceiling at the place where this invisible creature was crawling. But I could not see much, as I actually ended up in another tunnel.

The cave began to shake violently and I ran to my friends, drawing my sword from its scabbard, but ... the passage began to fill up with stones, and Celestia's magical aura lit up again on my helmet.

"Back!" Valiant shouted into my earpiece and I hurried to jump back, just in time, because stones began to fall from the ceiling and fill up the passage into this tunnel!

My heart was beating wildly, and from here I could hear the many screams of my friends who fought these invisible creatures and used magic. I waited until this collapse ended and only by a miracle did I not get hit on the head by one of these stones! I Doubt Celestia's aura can save my ass forever from such surprises.

I was seized by a strong trembling and panic! I started looking around but it was dark, so I switched the function of my glasses to night vision. This tunnel was even wider and larger than the one in which we just walked. The same cobweb hung from the ceiling, only in even greater quantities.

"Valiant! Thank you for saving me from danger in time, but it looks like I have problems! I was left alone and I do not know where this tunnel leads ..." I spoke in a panicked voice and began to throw back these stones to clear a passage for myself. .. but it was almost useless.

I still heard how my friends were fighting, but in this rubble I could see a small window, to which I hurried to climb to try to see at least someone through it. Raiden noticed this and ran to the window, firing electric shocks at someone who was apparently the enemy along the way. Again, the cave began to shake, and then several small stones fell on my helmet.

"Listen to me attentively Heart Path! This tunnel in which you now find yourself must lead you to the river! Do not be afraid and do not panic, follow this tunnel and when you get out of the cave turn left and walk all the time along one inconspicuous path along this mountain! After about a kilometer, you will go to the Temple of the Righteous Dragon, there you will see several patrols of Kirin or perhaps we will meet you ourselves ... unless of course we have such surprises again. They were reptilian mercenaries in the demonic army. And one more thing ... be careful Heart Path, you are not in the best tunnel! There may be spiders in there, but I think with all these weapons you have, it won't be much of a problem! In addition, you have a guardian angel. Remember, spiders are afraid of fire and bright light! Good luck my friend, and see you at the temple!" Raiden screamed and after that his face disappeared.

Then a familiar hoof was stuck through this window, which I hastened to grasp with my trembling hand. "Don't worry Heart Path, I think Raiden gave you clear directions, now go ... and remember, you have to try to survive in order to continue to feed your queen with love!" Chrysalis said trying to cheer me up, and then pulled her hoof out of this hole.

"I ... I will try to survive! But good luck to all of you too! I promise that when all this Tartarus is over, I will feed you with my love until one of us passes out!" I said in a determined voice.

"I will remember these words!" Chrysalis screamed ... but after that I heard all my friends running down their tunnel.

I slid off this rubble and decided to look around again. "Well, it looks like I was temporarily alone."

"You are not alone, I am with you all the time, so do not forget about it." Valiant said.

"Yes, I don't forget about you, Valiant." I answered and took out my gladius, which again began to glow from several electric arcs from my gloves, and then ran along this tunnel, since I did not need surprises in the sight of spiders.

I ran along this branch tunnel for about five minutes, and finally I was able to get out into some wide part, and I saw that a stream of water was flowing here, and from the ceiling, in which there was a small gap, I could see the evening light. I was glad to finally see the light, but it distracted me a little ...

I heard something scratching and hissing on the walls in the dark part of this tunnel. I hurried to turn around and with the help of my night vision noticed what Raiden had warned me about ... My heart was pounding wildly in my chest ...

"And these are the very Spiders? Yes, these are some kind of mutants! How can you be a spider of this size?" I was indignantly talking to myself and hastened to look around. From all corners of the walls, spiders began to crawl, the sizes of which were very impressionable! These products of the Chernobyl catastrophe certainly caused fear...

"Calm down my friend ... it's just a dozen pony-sized spiders ... it's okay ... WHAT ARE YOU STANDING LIKE AN IDIOT!? Get out of here!!!" Valiant shouted into my earpiece.

And as soon as I could see the passage through this tunnel and ran in its direction, a stream of cobwebs shot out at my feet, in which I immediately got entangled. The spiders continued to slowly approach me, but I'm not going to give them my body as food or a toy!

"It looks like you can't leave here without a fight, my friend, but then be prepared for the fact that you will have to fight!" Valiant said and I immediately cut this web on my feet.

I got to my feet and quickly turned around the entire time, keeping my sword at the ready. A few seconds later, one of the spiders jumped in my direction, but since its size was large, it was not dexterous enough, so I managed to bend down and cut the torso of this spider with the tip of my gladius.

The creature fell and began to quickly twitch its legs, and a green liquid splashed out of its body, which immediately became tanned, since my sword was under the influence of electricity. "VIIIAA!!!" A spider screeched.

Without hesitation, I concentrated and the glove on my left hand began to emit a familiar sound and glow. "Get what you deserve, nature's mistakes!" I yelled out in a rage and started shooting electric arcs at every spider that was in this room.

While my left hand held another spider in sight, my right hand worked with a sword. But one of the spiders managed to jump on my back, and he knocked me down.

"AAY! Bitches!" I screamed as I fell to the ground, and at the same time I managed to turn and thrust my sword into the spider's body.

The spider got tanned and I hastened to push his massive body ... But a stream of cobwebs flew into my face and another bastard jumped on my body. The spider prepared its sting for a blow, but I simply put my left hand on his torso and struck with a shock of electricity. The nasty smell of toasted mutants rose in the air ... I hurried to get to my feet and wipe this vile spider-like mucus from my face, and then quickly looked around. In this part of the tunnel lay several spiders whose bodies were burning and exuding a stench. But where did the rest of the spiders go?

The adrenaline in my blood spurred me on and made me act for sure, so I looked around all the time and kept the gladius ready. "Valiant! Where did the rest of the spiders go? Otherwise, I got a taste of something, I really feel that this is my calling! Heh ... Hey! Come out bastards! Otherwise, I'm in a good mood today and just a wonderful day of another vacation!"

"It was good enough my friend! You were able to kill four spiders, the rest probably realized that it is better not to mess with you ... Keep on your way and do not hesitate!" Valiant spoke into my earpiece ... but what I heard later ...

Piiiu...

"Damn it! Valiant! The charge level of my equipment has dried up! Now we will communicate the same as the first time..." I said in a fit of anger and kicked one of the spiders, and after that I looked at my gloves, which were now useless and besides, they began to add weight, which made me very uncomfortable.

After all, the principle of operation of these gloves is still not clear to me, but when the charge level allows them to be used, then wearing them does not become a problem. I guess I need to fix it somehow ... Maybe I'll turn to Discord or Raiden for help. All my gear has gone out! Now I was on my own with only a combat bow, a gladius and my natural instinct for survival ...

I walked at a brisk pace and on the way took off my now useless glasses, so that my eyes would begin to get used to this dimly lit tunnel in the cave. And thank God, there were rare cracks in the rocky ceiling through which a faint light made its way. Probably on the street, it will gradually get dark soon! I have to hurry if I don't want to make my way to the Kirins hideout in the dark. I hope they will not see an enemy in me ... Okay ... I think that today I already had a lot of troubles and a few Kirins unfamiliar to me will not become a problem.

"Calm Down, Heart Path. I won't leave you in trouble, but you better speed up the pace. To be honest ... I already hate these caves!" Valiant said in my head and I didn't make myself wait long.

After about ten minutes of running through the tunnel, I finally saw a way out. When I came out of this cave, I saw a wooded area and a small river. The stars had already begun to appear in the sky, but occasionally lightning flashed ... the invasion of demons continued and I hurried to find a path along which I immediately ran in the indicated direction.

"What ass did I get in?" I asked myself.

"Actually, it's not that bad, Heart Path! It's a small price to pay for being in this world. Raiden didn't have time to tell you much. But I'm allowed to do this ... When Discord created an air portal to another world, this is how he slightly weakened Equus protective layer. Discord knew about the possible consequences, so do not be surprised that it is you who are now in the company of Lord Chaos and will help him to overcome these consequences. But I'm not saying this to blame you! I am sincerely glad that you are finally back! Even if now you are not a pony and you have a new body! Remember you still have to keep the promise you gave me 700 years ago..."

I decided that a little respite would not be a problem for me, besides, in the distance I saw what looked like a massive gate with two huge obelisks at the entrance to the cave. It seems this is the very Temple of the Righteous Dragon.

My friend reminded me of something that made me laugh and I really appreciate that Valiant is trying to cheer me up. "Hey! I remember my promise ... but now there is clearly no time for this. Although I will try to follow your advice and keep the image of Celestia in my mind as often as possible. Oh yes! My sweetie, I will tear all the critters, help Discord and come back. And after that I will fuck you on your throne for several hours! Are you satisfied with, Valiant?" I said with a grin in my voice and did not notice how my foot stepped on something ...

"What's going on?!" I yelled as my body quickly flew upward and I hung upside down, and my leg was bound with ropes.

My glasses fell down like a bow. The arrows fell from the quiver, only the gladius remained in the scabbard.

"What kind of joke is this..." I said in a fit of panic and wanted to utter a few Russian curses, but did not have time.

Three Kirins came out from behind the trees and approached me.

A brown mare with a greenish mane, and the same sweet face as Autumn Blaze, gazed into my eyes. "Hmm ... you don't look like a demon. But who are you? We heard you talking." Kirin mare said. I could understand that they were mares.

"Maybe for a start you let me go, otherwise talking in this position is not the most pleasant experience! I am not your enemy, I am your friend!" I said in a calm voice and began to feel a stream of blood rushing to my head, and my leg hurt badly from the pressure of these ropes.

Kirins looked at each other and nodded, and after that one of the mares ran behind the tree and slowly untied the rope. My body descended smoothly to the ground, but these mares were wary.

"Now answer!" The brown mare commanded and jumped on my body, so that her hooves began to press on my shoulders. "And if I feel that there is a lie in your words..." The mare spoke in a threatening, but at the same moment in a gentle, feminine voice, and then I noticed how her tail sparkled slightly with magic fire and began stroking my crotch. "As far as I understand, you are a male, so I will fry your eggs if you tell me not the truth!"

I swallowed a lump that rolled up to my throat from the realization of this threat, but nevertheless I continued to look into those eyes and a smile appeared on my face. "My friends ... Autumn Blaze, Raiden, Chrysalis and Discord, they had to leave the cave of this mountain and come to the temple of the Righteous Dragon. It so happened that we split up and I was temporarily left alone on my way. I had to come to this refuge and will meet my friends..." I spoke in a calm voice, but in the end I decided to flirt a little. "Maybe it's enough to tickle me between my legs with your tail, beauty?"

This mare smiled and began to sniff my face, and after that ... she licked my cheek. "You are telling the truth ... my name is Fern Leaf. What is your name, male?" Fern Leaf said and carefully slid off my body.

I hurried to get to my feet and pick up all my equipment and arrows that fell to the ground, and then I looked at these mares with a smile on my face. "My name is Heart Path. I am human and have recently arrived in this world..."

Author's Note

This is how this chapter turned out. And of course the plot continues to evolve in this world. But I was planning to finish this chapter at this very moment. So the continuation will be in the next chapter. Heart Path will finally get to know the rest of the Kirins and possibly experience some incredible new experiences, given that these Kirins have so few stallions! Heh😃

Thank you all for your attention and I say goodbye to you until the next chapter!