Beatrix arose with a scream, eyes wide open and mouth gasping for air. She arched her back and jutted her abdomen, a hand clasping over her breast to settle her beating heart. A thin layer of sweat covered her pale face. The witch moved her hand to stroke through her platinum locks; the images of her hallucination still lingered.

Beatrix was trapped in a desert, scorching sand stinging her skin as she cried for anyone, only to discover silver armor scattered over a bulky skeleton, blue feathers swirling around. As the horror of who it was settled in, she started sinking into the desert. Frantically, she tried pulling herself up, only to see Cerise looming over her, angrily shouting,

‘You did this! You took him away from me!’

While Beatrix begged for forgiveness, more of her friends and family formed to torment and remind her of all her faults and sins, condemning her to disappear. And so she did, her screams muffled until the desert had consumed her entirety.

As her bloodshot violet eyes looked around, Beatrix was relieved that it was just another bad dream, though this one was instilled by that mysterious mirror mare. She scanned her surroundings to find herself in a cabin of sorts, winter winds howling outside. Candlelight flickered over wooden shelves.

Ah yes. The witch recalled someone else had arrived during her daunting battle with Shadow Scythe. If Beatrix had to guess, this was that cyan deer’s place. She shivered, hands rubbing over her shoulders, the temperature still very low inside.

The sound of slurping caught her ears as her head turned to find her tulpa, sitting on the bed stand, downing a cup of hot cocoa.

“Mini-Trix?”

The sound of her name pulled the cartoonish mare from her drink, instantly placing the mug down to jump into the witch’s arms. “Oh, thank goodness you’re awake! You looked like you were having another terrible nightmare…”

“Y-yeah,” she chuckled wryly, patting her tiny double’s head. “Whatever that mare cast on me, it was very potent. But I think I’m alright…” Beatrix cast a glance to the cup the tulpa had, faint steam waving from the rims. “Erm, where’d you get the hot cocoa?”

“I made it.”

Beatrix meeped as her head swiped towards the low voice, finding her rescuer leaning against the door frame, her own cup in her hand. She gave Beatrix a judging look while slowly sipping her chocolatey drink, bright green eyes penetrating her violet orbs.

“Ah! H-hi,” the unicorn sheepishly said as she clumsily rose. “I’m Beatrix Bel-”

“I know who you are,” the doe coldly interrupted with a tinge of bitterness in her voice. “You’re that ‘wandering’ witch Lady Ewe speaks highly of.”

“O-oh great! You know Oona. Well, maybe you cou-”

“I’ve already sent her a message. She’ll be here in a few moments. And the sooner you leave my territory, the better.”

“Yeesh! And I thought Shadow Scythe was an ice queen...” Beatrix muttered before speaking up. “May I at least have the privilege of knowing your name?”

“Iclyn,” she answered flatly.

“W-well, Iclyn. I don’t suppose you’d have any more hot cocoa, do you? I would love a-a…”

But her request was quietly rejected as the icy doe took a long, loud sip while glaring down the stumbling witch. This made her tulpa giggle as she took another swing of her own mug, causing Beatrix to pout and stomp her boot.

“You know, you’re very rude! Where I come from, a hostess should provide her guest with-”

“You are not a guest,” Iclyn corrected with a snort. “And I don’t care where you come from. You don’t belong here.”

An irritated laugh sounded from Beatrix, hands holding her shapely hips. “Well, that we can agree upon. Fine! I’ll just wait outside until my friends show up. I need to return to my mission as it is!” She walked past the cyan cervid with a huff and a flick of her mane, approaching the door.

“You're way over your head. Your daughter is in more danger than you think.”

Just as she was about to push the door open, the ice deer’s statement made Beatrix pause. She turned back to her with a bewildered expression. “H-huh? Wait, how do you know about Abby?”

Iclyn took another sip before responding, “How did you think Oona knows so much about the Child of Lightendark?”

“What?”

A sigh parted her lips as the icy deer pushed off the doorframe. “Figures she wouldn’t have mentioned me. Probably hoped you and I would never meet.” As she walked into the bedroom, Beatrix was compelled to follow back inside.

“W-wait, hold up! What's your deal with Oona? Aren’t you friends?”

Iclyn paused, slightly tilting her head down, her snout scrunching as a look of dismay cracked through her stoic mask.

“For a time, we were…but that has long passed.”

“And yet, you still helped her in learning about Abadonna,” Beatrix pressed on, raising a brow.

“I have my reasons. Most of what we know comes from that book over there.” She pointed towards the desk, where a grey leather-clad book laid under the candle’s glow. A strange crest was embedded on the front cover. Needy for answers, Beatrix opened the weighty tome to look over the pages. Mini-Trix hovered over her shoulder, perplexed by the description and words.

“I can’t read any of this!” The tulpa grumbled. “Don’t you have a picture book or something?”

“That book came from the Deighdyr monastery,” Iclyn explained, looking out a nearby window, passively watching snowfall as she drank more cocoa. “It’s an ancient relic passed down from noble to noble.”

“What’s a… Die-deer?”

“You’re looking at one.”

Both witches looked back to the icy doe, taking in her unnatural features while also gazing over her curvy thighs and slender legs. Shaking off the flustered feeling, Beatrix returned to decipher some words.

Thankfully, Oona taught her a bit about the ancient tongue to make out a few sentences. Flipping a page, she found an entry about the Deighdyr and read aloud,

“We, the Deighdyr, born from winter’s breath, reign over the northern tundra to preserve tranquility. Those who trespass the frozen domain will forever be immortalized in ice to serve as warning…”

“Huh. So you can read our language. I’m almost impressed.”

The witch ignored Iclyn’s cold sarcasm and continued with another section. “To preserve our strength and hunger, we must siphon the warmth from others, may it be food, drinks, or…animals.”

Another loud slurp made the unicorn quiver as she skimmed through a couple more pages before finding one entry that looked vaguely familiar. The golden sigils were etched with white and black depictions, swirling to form a grey figure.

“Aha! Lightendark prophecy,” Beatrix beamed, reading the page. At first, the information presented was stuff she already knew, such as how beings born from darkness and light would meet to elope the destined child. But upon looking over again, there were crucial differences; it didn’t specify that the characters were immortal, nor did the translation actually say light or darkness, but instead hope and despair.

“This isn’t what I heard before,” Beatrix commented. “The text is different.”

“Such is the nature of myths,” Iclyn stated. “Not every translation is accurate, so some philosophers had to tell them differently. What matters is the meaning. And from what I gathered, Abadonna was not meant to be born yet; thus, she resides in limbo.”

“Yeah, I know! That’s why we’re trying to find Enock’s library and figure out how to restore her physicality.”

“Are you sure that is a wise decision?”

“Huh?” The witch turned back, Iclyn now fully facing her as she loomed over Beatrix, easily a couple feet taller than her, locked in a narrowed gaze.

“If you succeed, the Child of Lightendark will need to learn how to control her extraordinary magic. And I doubt someone of your caliber is suited for the task.”

“Yes, I am!” Beatrix insisted, teeth clenched, fist balled. “I have suffered for months looking for Abby. And I did not come here just to have some stuck-up bitch tell me I shouldn’t raise my child. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Abadonna grows into a loving, happy filly! So back off!”

Tension rose within the cabin as the two said nothing more. Mini-Trix looked between her creator and the icy deer, gulping nervously before stating, “Uh… I think I better make my exit on stage right…” With that, the miniature unicorn took her to leave.

Iclyn gave an infuriated sigh, shaking her head. “Damnit, Oona.… How could you have fallen for such a pig-headed hussie?”

“Excuse me?!”

Ignoring Beatrix, the indigo deer flipped over the page to highlight another entry of the prophecy. This part of the book showed demonic-looking figures dancing in what looked to be a snowstorm, the clouds bearing an angry face.

“Once born, primordial agents will come for the Child of Lightendark,” Iclyn read. “Through her awesome might, they can fulfill the dark prophecy and bring upon the End of Days."

“W-wait, what?” Beatrix turned back to the book, reading over the entry until there was no doubt that what the deighdyr said was entirely accurate. “Abadonna…is a part of the Omega Prophecy?”

“It's as I said; translations get lost, and things become inaccurate. In this case, one legend became two. But yes…the Lightendark Prophecy and the Omega Prophecy are one and the same.”

“N-no.… How can this be!?” The witch exclaimed, panic rising as she held her head. “Why didn’t Lady Ewe tell me this? Why would she keep this information from me? W-why, Oona? Why!?”

“Probably for this exact reason,” Iclyn snorted. “Oona knew you couldn’t handle the truth, so she lied. You must see her as such a sweet, gentle person. Maybe even flawless at times. But when it comes to tense situations or having to deliver devastating news to friends? She freezes up. Oona may be wonderful, but that sheep is far too kind for her own good…”

Beatrix hid her face, trying hard not to cry in front of the stoic cervid. But everything made so much more sense. Her lover had been reluctant to fully tell her about the Burning King or why they fought the Vice Lords. The witch clamored about wanting to see her world, yet it only happened under strict circumstances. Even when Trom brought up the topic of ‘soulmates,’ the dream faun was hesitant to talk about it. It hurt to think about what else Lady Ewe wasn’t telling her.

“You talk as if you know what that's like…” Beatrix sniffled.

“Of course I do,” the deer shrugged. “It’s part of the reason why we’re no longer together.”

Rubbing away and leaking from her eyes, the witch turned back towards Iclyn, her rude demeanor becoming a lot more understandable. Only now did it dawn upon Beatrix that she had been speaking to her lover’s old flame.

“We were close friends during our youth,” Iclyn explained, folding her arms under her chest. “Our clans benefited from each other during harsh times. The deighdyr came to their aid during Grogar’s tyranny, and they would help us defend against the caribou invasion. Every spring or winter, we’d visit each other to celebrate. Oona and I often played together. And as we grew older, we became…intimate.”

Beatrix watched her body language shift, a slight curl to the deighdyr’s snout as she fondly recalled her time together. But that warmth quickly disappeared, her perpetual frown returned. “She wanted to be my Matanam, a notion our fathers supported as a way to ‘unify the clans’.”

“But then?”

“Then…she became more distant. Took offense at little things or complained how I wasn’t as ‘compassionate’ or ‘loving’ like I was before. When in truth, I always was. Just not as outwardly as Oona wanted.”

“O-oh…”

“Eventually, we broke things off, and we hardly spoke. That was until she requested my help with anything relating to the Child of Lightendark. And, after prying it out of her, I learned about you.” The ice doe’s glare deepening. “This flashy, arrogant, show magician wannabe. Not only could you traverse the universe whenever you wanted, but you also charmed everyone you met. I had every right to tell Oona no. I wasn’t going to risk bringing an apocalypse to fruition that my people-- her people, fought valiantly to prevent! Just so she could satisfy you.”

“Then why did you?” Beatrix asked, conflicted to know the answer.

“Because, unlike you, I care about her. And despite everything between us, I’d rather throw away our romantic life if it meant our friendship could be spared. So I helped her, recommended she seek her mother or the mystics to help find out where your daughter most likely resided.”

“H-hey! I do care about Oona. I love her!”

“Enough to become her Matanam?” Iclyn questioned sternly.

Whatever words she wanted to retort died in her throat. Beatrix had been struggling with this concept ever since learning about it. As much as she did love her mentor, she remained unsure if she could make that commitment, especially given what she learned about Lady Ewe.

“That’s what I thought,” the deighdyr scoffed. “I can tell your type just by looking at you. Never in one place, always looking for a new adventure, sleep with whoever catches your fancy. Utterly careless of what happens afterward. Yeah, that’s not Oona. I can only assume she’s with you just so she has someone who looks up to her-”

SMACK!

Beatrix seethed heavily with how hard her palm stung after slapping Iclyn across the face. The icy doe remained unfettered, keeping her cool gaze while slowly rubbing at her sore cheek, a nasty red mark on it.

“Perhaps I’ve said too much,” she lamented. “Judging by what you were screaming in your sleep, you’re not in anyone’s good graces. I pity you, Beatrix Belladonna.”

The witch clutched her hand, looking back towards the book on the desk. How many libraries had Beatrix visited just to find this one book about her daughter and the prophecy around her? Another reminder that her lover wasn’t fully honest with her.

“Take it if you want,” the deighdyr offered. “Though I’ll expect it back at some point.”

“No, it’s fine,” Beatrix declined. “I only have a few questions about the prophecy…”

“Go ahead.”

Collecting herself, the witch clutched around the Prima Materia that kept her cape clasped, focusing her emotions on settling so that she can move forward on her mission. No matter what happened, she wouldn’t abandon her daughter.

“What is Abadonna meant to do?” Beatrix asked, looking weary at Iclyn.

She answered, “If the demons take her, they will use her power to break the seal that locks the nuckelavee in Pathos.”

Beatrix felt her skin crawl as the gruesome image of the Burning King came to mind.

“Once free, he will scorch the physical plane. Then, using the Child’s power, they will do the same to the next realm. Then the next one... And then the next... until nothing remains but the Burning King’s will.”

“But there has to be a way to stop him, right? Everything has a weakness! A way to kill him, perhaps?”

Iclyn shook her head. “The Burning King is destruction incarnate. To kill him would be following the very chain of violence he commands. The only way to prevent the End of Days is to make sure Abadonna never comes in contact with him or the Vice Lords. But based on the appearance of that mare from earlier, they’ve already begun searching…”

Beatrix gasped. “The mare in the reflection! That was a Vice Lord!?”

The icy deer nodded. “She didn’t seem too strong, but she was able to save that maniac before I could freeze her solid.”

“That means both Shadow Scythe and Zeloph really are in league with the Burning King! Grgh! Of fucking course they are…”

“Do you now understand how out of depth you are? You and your daughter will always be on the run. The Vice Lords will not rest until their king has risen and burnt everything he touches. Are you willing to put your lives on the line until the End of Days?”

The witch hesitated to answer. Of course, she would still pursue her daughter. And even with the context of the consequences, she had come too far to turn back now.

But how could she ask her friends or lover to do that for her, especially with the stacking mistakes she made? Perhaps her adversaries were justified in stopping her...

“Beatrix? Beatrix!?”

“Lass, are ye here?”

“Bea!!”

Distant voices came from outside; Beatrix turned her head to recognize her friends and lover. The Deighdyr signed, “It’s about time your friends showed up.”

Swiftly, the witch rushed out of the cabin, the door slamming open to alert her comrades. Locking eyes, Oona ran up and threw her arms around the witch, snuggling her into her warm wool. “Oh, Ceann Oga. Thank th' spirits, ye’re safe!” She cried, doing her best to hold back sniffles. Beatrix didn’t respond for a few seconds until surrendering to her lover’s wooly embrace, sighing happily.

“We were worried we wouldn’t find you!” Midnight added, hovering above as he didn’t want to drag his armor through the snow.

“Where’s Shadow Scythe?” Dion questioned, looking around, blade in hand. “Th' next time Ah see that deranged lunatic, A’ll- ”

“I-it’s okay, Dion,” Beatrix reassured with a wry smile. “She just took me by surprise, is all. I was about to win until--”

“Until Madame Doppia showed up,” Iclyn finished, stepping out of her home while staring stoically over her visitors.

“I-Iclyn,” the dream sage stammered, releasing Beatrix to approach her former lover. “Ah can’t thank ye enough fur all yer help. Ah would have bin lost if Ah had- ”

“Spare me your sentiments, Oona,” the icy doe cuts off. “The only reason I even helped you is because of what we had once. Though it's clear to me where your true feelings lie…” Iclyn cast a glance towards Beatrix, who lowered her head.

“O-oh! This is…pretty awkward,” the pegasus gulped, landing next to Cerise, who remained silent while keeping her arms folded into her bosom.

“Are ye sure 'twas Doppia, Iclyn?” Lady Ewe asked.

“Thin body, draped in a cloak, took this hussie out with an illusion spell. Yeah, I’m pretty sure that was her.”

“Oh, stoatin! Mair things tae worry about, ” the ram warrior grumbled.

Midnight insisted, “Then we need to head to the Crystal Empire. Pronto!”

“It’s just up north from here,” Iclyn directed, pointing behind her cabin. “There’s a straight path through the forest. But after a while, it’ll be nothing but a wide, open field. Just keep going north, and you’ll find it.”

“Right. Thank ye, Iclyn,” Oona bowed her head, a pained smile clear on her snout as she quietly urged the others to move on.

Beatrix momentarily stared between the faun and the deighdyr, who said nothing and walked back into her cabin, the door shutting behind her. Exhaling, the witch followed her lover as the reformed group made their way into the snow-capped forest ahead, a squall silently brewing within the party.

All was quiet in the woods. To travel through the cold weather, Beatrix summoned winter wear from her Prima Materia, giving the party warm cloaks with hoods and fur as they kept to the trail. Yet as things kept silent, the violet unicorn grew more anxious.

Beatrix could hardly look into Cerise’s soulful eyes, knowing she was still bitter about the revelation of her intervention. But if not for it, she and Midnight would have never met and gotten married. With her lips pursed, she cautiously approached her friend.

“Look, Cerise, I’m really sorry abo-” Yet the dancer increased the tempo of her steps, avoiding conversation with the witch. Her husband wrapped an arm around her, offering Beatrix a pained smile. Hopefully, they could all put this struggle behind them.

Yet Beatrix remained troubled, snow crunching under her boot as she waded closer towards the sheep siblings. Had she irreparably damaged her relationship with Cerise? Was this the deserved outcome for all the mistakes she made? If what Shadow Scythe presumed was true, each dimension she traveled to was in flux until it was observed. And with the Prima Materia’s power, it was shaped to a certain extent by her subconscious. Perhaps this was what the Necronomicon always intended for her; that by allowing the Demiurge to devour her, Beatrix would twist reality into some horrific realm before it was inevitably consumed..?

‘No,’ she thought. ‘It’s pointless to speculate such things. I have bigger problems to worry about.’ Beatrix cast a wary glance towards her lover, who had not spoken up at all since their departure.

And Oona’s lingering silence only made the witch angrier. When would Lady Ewe decide to tell them about the Burning King? Or the End of Days? Or did she plan to keep them in the dark until it was convenient?

The low wail of the winds proved a buffer they were thankful for, as she could feel tensions between all of them rising. Mini-Trix never reappeared, but it was likely not even she could crack a smile out of them with her usual antics. Snowflakes whirled as they trended onward into a maze of trees.

Finally, they reached the end of their path, snow completely covering the vast valley, stretching far into the overcast horizon.

“Looks like we’ve still got a long way ahead of us,” said Midnight, trying to ease the mood. “At least the wind's started to die down!”

“As long as we continue tae boost north, we’ll make it, ” Dion acknowledged, though he too sported a sour expression.

The heroes trudged onward, the snow deep enough to envelop their knees, walking becoming more complex. And halfway across the field, Beatrix could no longer take the unbearable silence. She marched in front of the dream faun, blocking her path.

“So you’re just not going to say anything? After all that?” She quipped, meeting Oona’s honey-brown eyes with amethyst orbs.

“'twas ne'er mah intention fur ye tae catch up wit Iclyn like that. Ah will gladly tell ye mair once we-”

“No!”

Oona was taken aback by the brashness of her tone. Her brows furrowed.

“Ah don’t know what Iclyn said tae ye, but that is no way tae speak wit me.”

“Oh yeah? Well, you sure don’t know how to communicate either!”

“Lassie,” Dion came forth, trying to keep the situation under control. “This insae th' time tae be picking argumen-”

“Did she tell you?” Beatrix snapped at the burly ram. “Did you know that my daughter is potentially an apocalypse maiden?”

“What?” The scarred warrior turned his head towards his sister, the married couple equally perplexed by this development. “Oona, what's she talkin' about? ”

“Beatrix, Ah wis plannin' tae! Ah just needed time!"

“Like you were planning on telling the rest of them about the Burning King!?”

“Burning King?” Midnight questioned.

“You mean there’s another threat?” Cerise huffed in dismay.

“Oh, it gets better,” Beatrix laughed dryly. “He’s the reason Shadow Scythe and Zeloph are after the library. So that they can free him to unleash armageddon on the entire multiverse! Using my daughter!”

“What!?” They exclaimed in unison.

“That’s enough!” Oona shouted, hands balled into fists as she quivered in rage. “Ah was goin' tae tell them. Goin' tae tell you! Th' last thing Ah wanted was fur ye tae learn th' truth from her ov all people!!”

“How could you do this to me!?” Beatrix spat, bitter tears running down her flustered cheeks. “For so long, I’ve been manipulated and used. Blindly offering my trust to people who didn’t deserve it. I was stupid to think I could save Shadow Scythe. I was naive to believe Zeloph. But you? My mentor, who I could count on to always have my back? The one I love from the bottom of my heart?! You lied to me, Oona!!”

“Ah only wanted what's best,” the distraught sheep shaman insisted. “Had Ah told ye sooner, what was goin' tae stop ye from rushin' off on yer own? Ah love ye, Beatrix, but ye can be sae heedless at times! Th' fact ye're still smitten wit Zeloph, after everything he's done, shows how unrestrictive ye are!”

“Sister, Ah think ye’re goin' tae far wi-”

“Ye stay out ov this! ” Lady Ewe snapped, sneering at her brother. “Ye're just as bad as her! Can't go one day wit'out catchin' ye eyin' mah marefriend like a piece of meat!”

So flustered with embarrassment and frustration, Beatrix senselessly spat, “Oh ho, that’s rich considering the mommy fetish bullshit you were feeding Midnight the other nigh-” The witch immediately clasped her snout, realizing too late what she said.

Both Midnight and Cerise looked at her in shock, the latter more appalled by this discovery. Oona cautiously clutched at her chest, wounded by her lover’s words as tears flowed from her eyes. “Ye were spyin' on us..?”

“I-It was an accident, I swear!” Beatrix insisted in half-truth. Sure, she had discovered the tiny hole by chance and only intended a brief check-in but wasn’t able to look away from the heavy mating session she found.

“Wow,” Cerise growled, marching up to the violet unicorn, scorn clear on her usually innocent face. “You’re so full of shit! You wanna come out here, saying how betrayed you are when you can’t even respect our privacy? Not only that, you purposefully withheld the truth as well! You selfishly changed my husband’s fate! You’re not just a hypocrite, Bea. You’re the absolute worst!”

“It’s not like that! I-I couldn’t have known this would happen!” Beatrix said defensively, flashes of her recent nightmare coming to her mind as she started to shake all over.

“Oh, yeah! Because everything must revolve around you! Not like any of your friends’ matter, as long as the ‘lustrous’ Beatrix Belladonna gets what she wants and has a good ol’ time!” Cerise said while mockingly posing as the witch would.

“That’s not true!”

“ENOUGH!” Dion bellowed, getting between the two mares. “While we're just standin' here, bickerin' like children, our enemy grows closer towards findin' Enock befur us! Ye girls need tae get yer act together!”

“Guys, come on now!” Midnight cautiously came in, attempting to play peacekeeper. “We’ve all made mistakes here, and that’s okay! We’re all doing our best.”

“Best?” The ram turned to glare at the pegasus. “We barely made it off that mountain in one piece! Best doesn’t cut it, laddie! A’m startin' tae think takin' a whelp like ye was a terrible mistake.”

“Hey!” Cerise snarled, marching up to the ram with angry neon pink eyes. “Don’t you dare talk to him like that!”

“Th' same goes fur ye as well,” He rebuffed, pointing at her wrapped wing. “We had tae hold back just tae protect yer sorry arse, princess. How about ye pull yer weight fur once instead ov bawlin' yer eyes when things get tough on ye?”

“Back off!” Midnight yelled, grabbing the ram by his collar, his eyes dripping into vermillion as yellow veins pulsed. “No one speaks that way about my wife! Don’t forget it was you who set Grogar loose trying to fight Zeloph!”

“Take yer hands off me, ye blueberried wanker! ” Dion bellowed, shoving the soldier off, ready to brawl with the pegasus.

"Make me," he shot back, prepared to defend Cerise's honor to the death.

Unity dissolved between the group, everyone accusing blame amongst each other, calling out their faults and insecurities. As they continued to squabble, the winds steadily picked up until another flurry of snow and hail whirled around them.

Their growing strife was interrupted by eerie howls, putting everyone on high alert as they realized how heavily the sleet fell. From the grey hue, skinny figures prowled around while the group huddled together.

“Gaah! W-what are those?!” Beatrix exclaimed and pointed.

“Wendigos...” Oona whimpered, the freezing temperatures causing everyone to huddle up as the twisted monsters prowled closer.

Unlike the ethereal versions Beatrix was familiar with, these Wendigos were physical manifestations, taking a more cervid form. Sickly pale fur bristled in the frigid wind, grey skin clung over their thin, starved bodies. Large antlers branched out from their heads. Their snouts exposed their skull and teeth, hints of dry blood splattered over them. Hellish orange eyes glowed brightly, continuing to let out harrowing cries.

“Can't...m-move...” Beatrix shivered, buffeted by the storm like her comrades.

Life and heat were being sapped from them within seconds, the carnivorous fiends feeding off their ripening anger and despair. It wouldn’t be long until they all passed out, destined to be eaten. Midnight wrapped his expansive wingspan around them like a shield, trying to withstand the cold gale and sleet peppering them with his fluff.

“F-f-furfuxake,” Dion muttered. “T-this is no way f-fur a w-w-warrior tae d-d-die!”

“D-don’t talk like that. W-we aren’t dying... N-n-not today!” Midnight assured through chattering teeth as he cradled his wife.

Beatrix tried tracing a circle in the air to summon a portal out of this mess, but the blistering winds and growing frostbite made it extremely difficult to concentrate. Her ears perked to the sound of sobbing, turning to Lady Ewe.

“It’s all m-m-mah fault,” she bawled. “Ah s-should have told y-y-ye all from th' s-s-start. A’m s-s-so s-sorry! This would have ne'er happened if Ah wasn’t af-f-fraid ov lettin' ye down!”

“Oona.… It’s okay,” Beatrix sniffled, wrapping her arms around the sheep woman, her ears flattening. “I should be apologizing! I’m the one who m-m-messed with everyone's lives. I didn’t see how m-m-much pain I was c-causing. Oona...Cerise…Midnight…Dion, I-I’m sorry for everything!”

The couple clutched together tightly through freezing tears, their emotions being sucked out while the Wendigo looms closer.

“I-I'm sorry too,” sniffled Cerise, nose runny. “I shouldn't have snapped! I-I was just so mad! I don’t want to lose my wonderful husband. Not while we’re s-still young!”

“As am Ah,” Dion coughed. “I-If we get out ov this, Ah owe each of ye a beer…”

“We’re getting out of t-this!” Midnight insisted, trying desperately to remain awake, eyes blinking rapidly. “I’m n-n-not losing anyone else!” Faint memories of a family lost to him stirred. A mother he'd never been able to meet due to an invasion. A twin sister who was also supposedly lost to him.

“M-Midnight.… I love...you…” The dancer murmured, her eyes closing as her body laid against his, unable to remain unconscious with how much strength was sapped.

“Cerise! C-Cerise!!”

At this point, the abominations hunched over their prey, salivating from boney maws. No doubt that once the rest of their prey succumbed to the cold, they would tear at their flesh and devour the supple meat.

A war horn sounded in the distance, pulling the Wendigos' attention away from the group. Something thundered towards their direction, enough to cause the ground to shake. Everyone’s ears perked up at the sound of galloping, growing louder until a hulking figure descended onto the creature, a wicked battle axe loping its head off through a single swing. It let out a dying screech in a red mist as its brethren gazed up at the massive warrior, a hellish glow glimmering off bovine horns, threatening to incinerate the monsters. Screaming, they scurried off, taking a portion of the blizzard with them.

The huddled group slowly stood up once the winds died down, looking up to their bulky rescuer in disbelief. His glowing yellow eyes peered out from his helmet, a haughty snort blowing from his pierced nose. White mane and beard waved gently against the gale, a heavy iron chest plate and arm braces adorning his muscular figure. His head tilted to the side as he surveyed the dream faun.

“Oona? Is that you?” He asked.

“Tirek!” Lady Ewe exclaimed as her brother approached the massive centaur. Beatrix, Midnight and Cerise turned to each other with concern.

“Tirek!? They know one of Equestria’s biggest enemies?” The soldier cried out, clutching his half-conscious wife protectively.

“We met another version during the invasion of Cerise’s homeworld,” Beatrix defended despite her reservations. “He didn’t live long, but he greatly aided in the defeat of the Eldritch. Perhaps this Tirek is similar.”

“Dion,” Tirek laughed. “You son of a bitch!”

The two brawlers clapped their hands together in a firm handshake, gripping down tightly as they exchanged shit-eating grins.

“Aren’t ye a s-sight fur s-s-sore eyes,” the ram proclaimed happily. “We would have been g-gobbled had ye not saved our hinds!”

“Just like old times, yeah?”

“Heheh! S-some ov mah greatest battles have been by yer side.”

Dion jumped to bump chests with the centaur before Tirek addressed his sister. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you in Equestria. What brings you back?”

“We’re on an m-m-mission,” Oona explained through a shivering breath. Tirek looked towards her companions, who were still huddled up together, shuddering.

“Oh, dear! You’re practically icicles! Hey, Cozy! Get over here with that firewood!” The burly centaur bellowed in the distance.

“Cozy?” Beatrix lifted her head up in surprise.

And sure enough, struggling to pull her toboggan full of severed branches and logs, the tiny pink pegasus fluttered, wrapped in a bright purple coat, her curly arctic blue locks about her, teeth clenched in frustration.

“Geesh, Tirek! Could you warn me next time you plan on running off to fight monsters? You know I can’t carry this all by myself!” The little mare puffed, pausing to catch her breath. “What even made those noises anywa-”

Upon seeing the shivering group of ponies, she gasped before abandoning her sled to meet them. “Golly gee! Are you alright?!” She asked, noting how pale they looked.

“They were attacked by Wendigos,” Tirek explained to her, pulling the sled towards the group before igniting the chopped wood with his magic, a warm fire flickering to life.

“Heeey! I spent all day collecting that wood!” The pegasus pouted childishly.

“We can get more later!”

Everyone gathered up by the fire, thawing up any frozen limbs and rubbing their hands. Midnight kept Cerise’s sleeping form in his arms, brushing her mane, hoping she would wake soon. Thankfully, the blizzard had completely died down.

“Hmm.… You still appear to be too cold,” Tirek observed, stroking his long beard. Pondering for a bit, he straightened his back as he channelled his energy, a bright vermillion aura highlighting his physique.

A sphere of aura formed as the centaur pushed it towards the fire—the orb splits into five before phasing through each hero’s chest.

Beatrix gasped, feeling invigorated as her own archaic magic flowed from her hands. “H-holy! It's like I just woke up and had an amazing cup of coffee! What did you do?!”

“My Onoma, Atlas, allows me to share energy between things,” the centaur explained. “I gave each of you a small boost to keep you from catching your death. It’ll wear off eventually.”

“It’s how he an' I fought off marauders that pillaged this country,” Dion added with fondness.

“Guess that’s a step up from just draining magic from people,” Midnight scoffed, still suspicious of the two.

“Ahh, don’t be like that,” Cozy Glow cooed, sitting her marshmallow-soft plot onto the pegasus’ shoulder, crossing her legs over while sporting bedroom eyes. “We’ve all done things we’re ashamed of, and regaining trust has been hard. But it's worth the effort as it has benefited us with a better life!”

The surprisingly insightful words struck Beatrix as she tucked her head down. Thinking back to their nasty fight, it was unfair of her to lash out at her lover and friend. Cerise was also justified for her spitefulness. And even though they might forgive the witch, could she forgive herself?

Cozy sensually traced her finger over his chest plate, fluttering her eyelashes at Midnight with a coy smile. “If you want, I can show how much of a good girl I am~.”

Midnight's cheeks flustered before shaking his head as her backside wiggled. “Uhm, you really shouldn’t be saying stuff like that. You’re way too young to be wanting se-”

His comment earned him a harsh smack on the head, the little pegasus glaring hard, her snout scrunched up. “I am NOT a filly! I’m older than any of you three,” she yelled and puffed up. “It’s not my fault I’m cursed to live in this adolescent body!”

Midnight rubbed at his aching head, hissing, “O-owww..! S-sorry! How did that happen?”

“Cozy here has a rare genetic disorder,” Tirek said. “Ever since becoming fourteen, her body could not develop past that point. It has made adult life very hard on her, and she’s understandably sensitive about the topic.”

Beatrix casts a sympathetic look on Cozy Glow. “Gosh, I...can’t imagine how hard it’s been for you.”

The filly sized mare gave a sad smile. “It’s not so bad. It only really sucks when it comes to getting dates. No stallion wants to be caught with a filly wrapped around his arm. But it allows me the opportunity to prove people wrong when they underestimate me~!”

“Hey, now that’s forward-thinking!” Midnight beamed. “Do you have an Onoma?”

Cozy nodded. “It’s nothing special like Tirek’s, though. Mine’s called Odysseus, and it provides me with enhanced intelligence. For example, I’ve figured out about twenty-seven different ways I can apply pain to your scrotum.” The pink pegasus grinned slyly at the soldier, who cautiously covered himself and Cerise in his wings.

“Yes, fascinating,” Tirek sighed wryly, used to his partner’s pitiful revenge plots. “Now that we’re more familiar with each other, why don’t you tell us more about your mission, Lady Ewe?”

Oona hesitated to answer before feeling a hand touch her own, pulling her gaze towards Beatrix. The witch smiled encouragingly, a familiar, loving glow in her violet eyes that made her heart flutter.

“Yes, Ah…Ah have much tae tell e'eryone,” Oona nodded, smiling sadly.

Clearing her throat, Oona shared their plight to Tirek and Cozy Glow, telling them about Abadonna, the library of Enock, the requirements for the portal, and the adversaries that seek it.

Turning to her companions, she also explained the prophecy regarding the Burning King, the Omega Prophecy, and how Abadonna’s reality-defying magic was key to unleashing the dreaded nuckelavee from his realm.

“...sae that is why we must find Beatrix’s daughter. That is why we need tae head tae the Crystal Empire.”

She took a deep breath as she finished, her lover gently patting her on the back while whispering, “I love you.” Oona reciprocated by nuzzling her head to the unicorn.

“Holy cow,” Cozy said with astonishment. She turned her head towards Tirek. “Did you know about this ‘Burning King’ guy?”

“I’ve heard stories,” the centaur confirmed. “Although, they were mostly told to scare newly crowned rulers from becoming tyrants.”

“So this is…about more than just getting Abby back now,” Midnight states, taking in this harrowing information.

“Aye,” Dion nodded. “If a Vice Lord is assistin' Zeloph an' Shadow Scythe, we must reach Enock immediately!”

“Yes! Can you help us get to the Crystal Empire?” Beatrix asked the duo.

“Of course we can!” Cozy beamed. “As a matter of fact, we serve the king there!”

“Y-you do?!”

“Yes,” Tirek nodded, smiling proudly. “I’m head of the royal guard, and she’s the leading strategist. We will get you to the Crystal Empire safely.” His eyes turned to Midnight. “Here, load her on my back. It’ll make carrying her more easy,” he assured the pegasus stallion.

Despite some reservations, he lifted his wife onto the centaur’s lower body as he rose onto his beefy legs. His hand remained on hers, their rings nearly touching. After collecting their bearings and putting out the fire, Beatrix and friends followed Tirek and Cozy, leading the group over the large mound of snow that blanketed the land.

“So.… Mind if I ask who the king is?” Beatrix requested, doubtful that her father would ever accept these two into his ranks.

“King Ambros,” the burly centaur said. “Long ago, we were at war against a herd of caribou, looking to claim Equestria and convert everyone to their misogynistic way of life. He helped liberate the oppressed and restored glory back to the Crystal Empire.”

“Iclyn mentioned a caribou invasion,” the witch muttered, disheartened to learn that Shining Armor was not in charge. She and Midnight shared a troubled look with each other, concern over what their shared father’s fate was in this world. She looked to her lover, who gazed back with pursed lips.

“You know where he is, don’t you?”

With reluctance, Lady Ewe nodded. “Ah told ye; this world is much different than any Equestria ye’ve been to. A lot ov people have… changed. A’ll show ye whit Ah mean when we git thair. Ah promise.”

“That’s not really comforting, Oona…”

“Ah know, but Ah need ye tae trust me on this. Shining Armor is in th' Crystal Empire. Ah will take ye tae him…but be prepared. Ye will not like what ye see.”

The vagueness of her warning disturbed Beatrix. But she decided not to do anything rash. She didn’t want to argue after what transpired earlier. But judging by the way both Tirek and Cozy tensed up by his name, she could only imagine the implications.

After a mile's worth of walking, they finally approached the Crystal Empire’s gates. Upon first glance, Beatrix could tell things were different. The structures were made of stone, black crystals, and jewels, torches lit from topaz goblets. Guards stood at the checkpoint, saluting their commander.

“Lord Tirek! Lady Cozy Glow! Welcome back!”

“At ease, men,” Tirek huffed.

“We have urgency with his majesty,” the pink pegasus said, hovering over Beatrix, Midnight, and the sheep siblings. “By our authority, they are permitted to stay here for as long as they need. Understood?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

The guards stood aside, allowing the travellers entrance through the gates. Beatrix let out a sigh of relief, seeing that the capital itself didn’t look that different. The palace still remained erected at the center, though it had a few new adjustments added. Similar crystal ponies greeted them as they marched by. Some even approached to offer food samples or trinkets. Banners fluttered over the militaristic yet peaceful abode that brilliantly sparkled like crystalline.

Beatrix’s eyes dilated as they approached the pillaring structure, where the Crystal Heart luminously glowed over its pedestal. How were they to convince the ruler to relinquish a single shard from their power source?

“It’s a convincing decoy, right?” Cozy beamed, casually flying over to knock her knuckles against the sacred jewel.

“You mean that’s not the actual Crystal Heart?” Midnight questioned.

“Pft! As if we would leave the most valuable treasure visible for thieves to steal,” the pegasus snickered.

“It’s in a more secured location,” Tirek assured. “Only the king and queen know where to find it.”

“Queen?”

If her father was not the ruler, it was certain Cadance wasn’t in charge either. And if so, what became of Flurry Heart? Beatrix rubbed at her temples, overwhelmed by questions.

Just what happened to her family here? And if the court still stood, was it inhabited by another version of Foal-Bearer and Wet Nurse, as well? Or were they, too, casualties from this terrible war that ravaged the land? A familiar hand gently gripped her shoulder as Lady Ewe did her best to ease her lover’s woes while they ascended the castle steps.

Guards lined the halls, with butlers and maids stepping aside. Medical assistance arrived to take a look at Cerise before requesting they pull her aside, assuring Midnight that she would be in safe hands. The soldier reluctantly nodded, giving his wife one last kiss while watching them carry her away to be treated. Dion patted his back before following their friends towards the throne room as they crossed the corridors.

The exterior of the empire was only a hint of the radical changes. The interior was staggeringly rearranged, dark structures making up the room walls, lamps, and torches lit with ghoulish green flames. A massive chandelier hung over their heads, colored with many different stones and crystals that shimmered brilliantly. And standing over the staircase that led to two giant thrones was an ominous figure, his back turned to show a long blood-red cape.

“My liege,” Tirek respectfully called, kneeling on his front leg to bow his head. Cozy Glow landed on the crystalline floors and urged the others to do the same, everyone bowing before the enigmatic ruler of the Crystal Empire.

“I see you have brought visitors to my court,” King Ambros acknowledged, a deep baritone voice echoing the castle halls. Beatrix trembled under the weight and power he commanded. “For what purpose do they travel to the Crystal Empire?”

“They seek our aid, your majesty,” Cozy answered. “They are Beatrix Belladonna, Midnight Blitzer, Oona Ewe, and Dion.”

His ears perked up at their names. “Oona Ewe…and Dion, you say?”

The group gasped at the familiar sight of a dark grey stallion clad in platinum steel armor upon turning around, rubies embedded to decorate his gauntlets and breastplate. A spotted fur collar highlighted his cap, which draped over his pauldrons.

A curved horn that turned hotter in color peeked from his crown. A dark, rugged mane, curled at the ends, draped over his muscular body. And despite now sporting an impressive beard under his chin, the crimson's eyes and stern expression were unmistakable.

“Now, those are names I haven’t heard in a long time.”

“Wait…t-that’s!” Midnight trembled.

Beatrix almost couldn’t find her words, astonished by this new visage of the stallion who had helped train her.

“Sombra...!”

Author's Note

Just a heads up!

I will be taking a short break for the next few weeks to catch up on work, irl events, and artwork, including new cover art for the story. The next chapter should be published by June 14th.

Thank you to everyone who has commented and read our work! I'll see you soon~