Sunset Shimmer: The Age of Fire

by StardustSprinkle

Rating: teen
Tags: Death, Sad, Mystery, Sunset Shimmer (Demon), Dark Souls, Adventure, Equestria Girls, Violence, Crossover, Sunset Shimmer
Length: 4963

After the battle with Midnight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer is sent to a strange world.

The Age of Fire comes to an end as the First Flame weakens. However, an unexpected guest from another world: Sunset Shimmer, brought hope of light and life.

Published 2021-07-17 23:10:00 UTC
Last updated 2021-09-12 18:26:22 UTC

Prologue: Ashen One

"Hello? Hi!" Gerirat tosses a rock at the guard: "I'm hungry!"

The guard did not respond.

"Another one turned hollow..." Gerirat lies down on the ground. It has been a long time since he last saw the light of day. He's a theft, a petty theft. Ages ago, Gerirat was caught by a guard while stealing from a king and was locked up ever since. At first, the guards gave him food and water. As time goes by, the guards lost their humanity and became zombie-like creatures. They no longer respond to his speeches and no longer provide him food. It is ok, Gerirat thinks: I'm undead as well. I cannot die! Yet, if I just stay here and do nothing, it will be a matter of time before becoming one of them. I can't become like that! I need to see Loretta, my dear Loretta! Just wait for me, and I will get out in no time!

The sound of explosives almost sent the scheming theft through the roof as his cell is now filled by smoke. The zombie guards start to gather, and they are fighting an intruder! Who could that be, though? Gerirat tries to keep calm: Patches? That lad owes him a favor, but...

The sounds of footsteps approach as the last of hollow soldiers fall. The air is now filled with strange sparks that a person would see next to a bonfire. As smoke fades, a young woman inserts a key and unlocks the door.

"Are you still human?" the lady asks with a warm tone.

"You are no jailer, are you?" Gerirat studied the lady in front of him: "No, you are from far away!"

"How do you know that?" the lady asks: "I'm Sunset Shimmer, by the way."

"Sunset! Yes, I've seen a lot of people in my time! You are surely a nice person!" Gerirat complements.

"There are no humans left, so you'd better find somewhere else to stay," Sunset turns around.

"I have a favor to ask of you!" Gerirat begs while holding a ring with a beautiful sapphire on it: "Please, this ring belongs to an old woman named Loretta, and she lives in the Undead Settlement. If you do me this favor, I will forever be in your debt!"

"Look," Sunset gets down on one keen, bring herself to the same height as the theft: "I can help, but you won't be in my debt, ok?"

"But..." Gerirat doesn't know what to reply. This Sunset just walks around and helps people? Without asking anything for return? It doesn't make any sense! No, she's hiding something! She must be!

"Are you ok?" Sunset asks with a concerned look: "You are zoning out a bit."

"Ah, yes! My apologies, I- I am not asking for charity. In fa- in fact, if you do this for me... I'll be sure to repay you in kind. I-I may be a petty thief, but I've more wits than most royalty. What do you say, then?" Gerirat offers.

"Look," Sunset sighs, knowing that the man in front of her is not used to such kindness: "If that puts your mind at ease, then so be it, but there's no need to push yourself."

"Very well. I humbly place my faith in you. I am Greirat of the Undead Settlement, and I promise to assist you. Give this ring to old Loretta at the base of the High Wall. Do your part, and I'll do mine." Greirat says before vanishing.

"Wait!" Sunset shouts, but the theft is already gone: "Where am I going to meet you?"

So this is where she lives! Greirat thinks as he enters a giant building with five thrones and a bonfire in the middle.

"Greetings," a woman with long silver hair and a beautiful sliver blinder asks after giving the theft a slight bow: "Are you here in serves of the Ashen One?"

"Ashen One, yes!" Gerirat lied: "Indeed, may I have a place in this house?"

"Of course," the woman says.

Years of hiding in the dark then compelled the short man to find a dark corner where light cannot shine. There, he waited. So that Sunset is blessed with the power of fire! Gerirat thinks: I don't know what an 'Ashen One' is, but they are individuals blessed by the First Flame with a new life, correct? How curious.

"Gerirat?" Sunset calls for the man from afar: "The Fire Keeper told me that you are in here!"

"Indeed!" Gerirat tries to keep his voice down, another habit he accumulated after years of sneaking around.

"Look," Sunset approaches the theft before kneeling and hand Gerirat a piece of bone: "I'm sorry, that's all that is left of Loretta."

"Ah...ah...so she's already dead..." Gerirat takes the bone, his hands shaking as his voice starts to crack: "Well, I'm not surprised! Thank you for the favor. The ring, you can keep it!"

"Gerirat," Sunset gives the man a worried look.

"No worries, you did me a favor!" The old man tries to cover the grief in his voice as his face is covered in a blue mask.

"You need this more than I," Sunset gently lay the ring in front of the theft before putting a bag of coins next to it: "You are an old man, take this. It should last you a while."

"Thank you..." Gerirat curls into a ball. His body jerks as the theft uncontrollably weeps. This is the first time in years since someone shows him kindness.

"I...will be back soon," Sunset stands up, somehow feeling guilty for falling the stranger before her eyes: "Sorry." She says before turning around and leave.

"Be safe!" the old man shouts: "Goodbye!"

"Ashen One," the Fire Keeper greets as Sunset enters the Throne Room.

"Say, Fire Keeper," Sunset wipes the tears off of the corner of her eye: "Is there...anything I can do for you?"

"Please, stay safe," the Fire Keeper says: "That is all I ask for."

"Do you have loved ones?" Sunset asks as the cry of Gerirat echoes in her brain.

"That is unnecessary for the linking of fire," the Fire Keeper says in a polite tone.

"I see," Sunset sighs: "Sorry, just asking. I figured it would be nice if I can help those who need it."

"You are very gentle," the Fire Keeper replies.

"By the way, have you seen an old man with a turtle shell on his back?" Sunset asks: "His name is Yoel, and I just want to make sure that everything is alright."

"Of course," Fire Keeper points towards a cave: "He should be inside."

"Thank you!" Sunset runs off to greet yet another stranger.

"Be careful," Fire Keeper mumbles as Sunset's footstep grows distant.

"She sure is something!" a dwarf on one of the thrones says: "She's the nicest lady I've ever met!"

"And her kindness will be her undoing," the Fire Keeper says with a cold tone.

Fire and Chaos

"How peculiar," The dwarf slightly adjusts his position on the throne: "Another?"

"Indeed," The Fire Keeper replies: "And a Pyromancer too."

"This ash sure is special," The dwarf chuckles: "People of all manner claiming to be in her service to repay a debt."

"She rescued them," The Fire Keeper answers: "May they assist the Ashen One in her journey."

"Do you think she will succeed?" The dwarf asks: "Or fail like the countless ashes before her?"

"Only time will tell," The Fire Keeper says as the bonfire, with a sword inserted in the middle, emits a fog.

"Welcome home, Ashen One," The Fire Keeper bows as Sunset emerges from the dust.

"What is up?" Sunset replies as sparkles of fire flee from her body.

"Ashen One, I cannot see," The Fire Keeper says politely: "Is something on the roof bothering you?"

"That's not what I mean," Sunset chuckles nervously: "It's a common form of greeting used among my people. Never mind that, is the old man with a blindfold here yet?"

"He is waiting for you," The Fire Keeper replies.

"Ok, thank you," Sunset leaves hastily.

"She's not alright," The dwarf comments as Sunset disappears from his eyesight: "She was sweating profusely, and the sparks of flame grew strong."

"Lord Ludleth, if I may," The Fire Keeper asks: "What does that entail?"

"Hard to say," The dwarf shrugs: "Undead like herself should not be sweating at all."

"Is she well?" The Fire Keeper asks.

"Only time will tell," Ludleth says, his mind wandering off.

"Ah, there you are! Sunset of Canterlot," An old man with blindfolds greets Sunset: "I wish to express my gratitude."

"Cornyx!" Sunset forces a smile on her face as droplets of sweat drip down her face: "I've brought a tome for you, can you teach me?"

"Of course," Cornyx takes the book: "Are you unwell? You seem to be sweating quite a bit!"

"I'm fine," Sunset pants for air: "Really!"

"If you say so," Cornyx opens the tome, yet still paying attention to Sunset: "This tome contains the Pyromancy of the Great Swamp, and it will serve as a foundation to all other Pyromancies you will learn."

"Un-huh," Sunset nods in agreement, taking a seat in front of her newfound teacher while wiping her face.

"To learn Pyromancy, however, you will need a flame of your own," Cornyx puts the book aside as a tiny tone of flame emerges from his right hand: "Now, show me your right hand."

"Sure," Sunset lifts her right hand; her chest feels tight, as if there's something is going to burst out.

"Very well," Cornyx comments as his hand touches Sunset's, and the flame starts to duplicate: "It will burn a little."

"Ok," Sunset replies as a slight burning sensation shoots up from her hand and reaches down to her heart. All feeling of discomfort vanished as the mysterious energy within her now sings in unison with the flame. Then, she had a vision: a lady in hoods holding a spark of flame.

"What is the name of Gwyn..." Cornyx's jaw drops as he sees the flame in Sunset's palm: it is not the usual fire used by a Pyromancy. It's denser, darker, and yet burns more intensely.

"Wow!" Sunset's eyes open wide in amazement.

The pair stared at the flame for a bit before Cornyx shifts his full attention to Sunset and saw a pair of pupils belonging only to a demon. There's no question to it; the newly born flame has somehow mutated into a flame of chaos, the one wielded by only the demons and the witches of chaos. Is his student somehow a witch of chaos? If so, why is she learning from him, a common Pyromancy whose power originates from her? Is this a test? Has she somehow lost her memory over the years of excel? There's no way. No one, not even the witches, can survive the blade of time itself. That only brings the question: Who is Sunset of Canterlot?

"Lady Sunset," Cornyx withdraws his hand and takes on a more cautious and polite tone: "Have you any sisters?"

"I don't," Fascinate by her experience, Sunset's eyes are still focused on the flame in her hands: "By the way, do you happen to know a lady Pyromancer with hoods?"

"Indeed," Cornyx replies: "That is the Witch of Izalith, Godmother of Pyromancy, and mother to the witches of chaos."

"That's cool!" Sunset says, eyes still focused on the dancing flame: "Can we get started now?"

"Of course, my lady," Cornyx slowly stands up; his mind goes into overdrive to process the situation: "The first trick is to toss a fireball."

"Right," Sunset gets back on her feet: "Is there a specific way to do it?"

"Concentrate on the flame," Cornyx makes a fist, swings his hand forward, and tosses a small fireball at a piece of a brick wall, leaving a burnt mark: "And imagine a sphere being formed within your palm."

"Ok," Once Princess Celestia's prized student and a powerful unicorn, casting a simple spell such as this one should be easy for Sunset. Yet, instead of a small fireball, Sunset created a giant orb of chaos flame, which leaves a residue of lava on the wall.

"Oh, my," Cornyx looks at the wall in disbelief: "How very strange."

"Bluh!" Before hearing a compliment from her teacher, Sunset suddenly felt a splitting headache and vomits on the ground.

"Oh my..." Now attention on his new student, Cornyx could only watch as lava pours out of Sunset's mouth.

"Help me..." Sunset murmurs as claws start to form on the tip of her fingers.

"There!" Cornyx takes a ring out of his pocket and puts it on Sunset's finger swiftly as the girl's skin slowly turns red.

"Thank you," Sunset says, trying to catch her breath.

"This is a Ring of Great Swamp," Cornyx explains, helping his student to sit down: "Your power is out of control! It would be wise to refrain from using Pyromancy in battle."

"Truly," Sunset coughs: "What happened?"

"The history of Pyromancy is the history of Izalith," Cornyx continues: "When the First Flame weakens, the Witch of Izalith sought to create her own. The result is a flame so power, and so unstable that the Witch was turned into a tree, a bed of chaos, and the demonkind was born."

"Is there a way to get this flame under control?" Sunset looks at her hand.

"Seek the abandoned city of Izalith, buried deep with the tomb of Lord Wolnir," Cornyx says: "There you can find the witch's ring and staff; before that, you must not use the power of the flame."

"Lest I become a demon myself," Sunset messages her temples: "I'll keep that in mind."

"The witch's relics may keep your flame under control," Cornyx says: "And will help you to channel its' strength."

"Wait, it's not to restrain my power?" Sunset asks.

"No," Cornyx smiles: "Uncontrollable it may be, your flame is less powerful than the most. However, with proper training, you may be the first Pyromancer to use the flame of chaos."

"Can I master it?" Once a master magician herself, Sunset consider the possibility.

"What is wrong with me..." Sunset looks at her hands while leaving.

Unbeknown to Sunset, her experience as a unicorn and transformation as a demon mutated the flame in a world where magic exists. With proper training, Sunset may harness enough strength to tame the flame that once killed the great witch. However, the way ahead is long.

A Long Way Ahead

"Who are you?" The giant asks, struggling to see the tiny human next to his foot.

"My name is Sunset of Canterlot!" Sunset shouts: "I come here in peace!"

"Any time." The giant bends down, reaches his hand out to Sunset while three fingers bend together.

"Oh," Puzzled by this gesture, Sunset scratches her head: "So..."

"Friends," The giant says: "I help, anytime."

"Oh!" Sunset replies, but still puzzled by the giant's hand gesture: "Of course!"

"I help anytime," The giant repeats, hand still in that gesture.

"Oh! Oh, yes!" Finally seeing something buried between the giant's fingers, Sunset reached her hand out and pulled out a tree branch.

The giant then gets back on his feet and shift his attention away from Sunset to the world below the watchtower.

A symbol of friendship, huh? Sunset thinks to herself before carefully putting the branch away into her backpack. In this desolated world, friendship is something to be treasured with. Sunset walks down the stairs, arrives at an empty room before resting her foot on a button. The floor moves downward as strings and contractions, together serving as a prototype elevator, are activated by the button.

"Celestia..." Sunset prays to the name of her old mentor as the words of Cornyx echo in her brain: the flames of chaos are only wielded by witches and demons. Am I a demon? Sunset's mind drifts as her eyes focused on the ring Cornyx gifted her. I was once a demon, but I'm changed. Right? I love my friend, and I fought for them! That makes me a good pony, right? Or perhaps, demons are not evil. Correct? I'm a changed pony, right?

The elevator slows down. With so much on her mind, Sunset takes a step forward without thinking. Unfortunately, the elevator has yet to reach the ground.

"AHHHH! Oof!" Sunset screams on top of her lunges until a wooden plank stopped her fall.

"Hmmm..." As she struggles to get up, a familiar voice crosses her ears.

"Sigeward?" Sunset squeezes her eyes: "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, ho!" The knight with onion-like armor replies, sitting on the edge of a roof: "Sunset of Canterlot, right!"

"Yeah!' Sunset stands up and dusts herself off: "And what are you doing here again?"

"You see that beast there?" Sigeward points at a giant beast with stone-like skin and an ax in its' hands: "I'm no coward; I've got a steady hand! But that thing makes my skin crawl! What to do..."

"It that a demon?" Sunset looks through her binoculars.

"Indeed!" Sigeward agrees.

"I've got an idea," Sunset then jumps off of the roof and dashes off: "Wait for me!"

"No! You should have waited!"

Sigeward's voice muffles as Sunset gets closer and closer to the beast.

"Hi!" Sunset calls out to the demon, knows that the beast will not reply, and yet expects something other than a strike. I was once a demon, but not anymore! Right? If I am one, then...Maybe, just maybe, the demons in this world are friendly? If not, then why am I still a demon? Why...

The beast lets out a howl before lifting its' weapon and strikes down.

"NO!" Unable to see through the dust stirred up, Sigeward thought Sunset is dead: "You fiend!"

"I'm fine!" Sunset rolls out of the dust as sparkles of flame flies through the air.

"I, Sigeward of Catarina, fight by your side! AHHHH!" The knight charges at the beast before landing a heavy belle with his heavy sword.

Instead of joining her friend, Sunset's entire body freezes. She was once a demon and may still be one. However, if all hate demons in this world, then what does that means for Sunset? How many people in this world are willing to even see to her if they find out?

"Are you alright?" Sigeward shouts, withdrew from the battlefield as the beast spits out several balls of lava.

"Right!" There's a lot in Sunset's mind, but its' no time to get lost in her mind. The beast looms over as Sunset Drews her swords. Demon or not, Sunset is determined to fight by the side of her friend.

The duel fought valiantly, dogging powerful blows from the demon and strike when there's an opening. The fight lasted forever. Finally, as Sunset buries her sword into its' chest, the beast fall vanishes into dust after letting one last howling.

"Sigeward!" Sunset pants: "Are you ok?"

"That was quite the performance!" The knight sits down on the ground, taking two sealed wooden mugs and hands Sunset one: "To your valour, my sword, and our victory together. Long may the Sun shine!"

"Long may the Sun shine!" Stunned a little by such a sudden act of hospitality, Sunset hastily removes the lid and joins the knight in celebration.

"Ah!" Sigeward lets out a sigh of satisfaction after chugging the entire content of the mug down in a split second: "What a toast!"

"Yeah!" Sunset agrees but only takes a slip of the liquid inside.

"Well, I'm going to have myself a little nap," Sigeward says before dozing off: "The only thing to do, really, after a nice toast."

A smile emerges on Sunset's face as Sigeward snores. Celestia's once-priced student carefully stand up and tip-toed around her friend.

"I need to go..." Sunset says through gritted teeth as her heart pumps ever so slowly and yet heavily. The truth is, Sunset's heart was engulfed by a burning feeling the moment she plunged her sword into the heart of the beast. Her entire body shakes out of agony.

"Fiend!"

"Fiend!"

"Fiend!"

"Guys," Sunset lets out a few coughs as tiny drips of lava run down her jaws: "I don't want to fight."

However, the three beast-like masked dwarfs with war pick in their hands decide otherwise and strike first.

"Stop!" Sunset groans as ice-cold blades shred her skin: "I don't want to fight!"

The three dwarfs didn't listen.

"This is on you!" No longer able to hold back due to fatigue, injuries, and anger, Sunset's eyes start to glow while a pair of wings bursts out of her back. The rest is history as travelers will tell a tale of a winged demon comes and go like the wind.

A Path to Izalith

"Gah, my ears!" Sunset puts her sword away after fighting her way through a forest plagued by an other-worldly monster that unleashes ungodly screams once disturbed.

"Oh, hello there," A man greets Sunset with a gentle voice as she enters an abandoned courtyard: "How do you do?"

"I'm doing ok," Sunset rubs her ears: "Have been better."

"The Corvians are noisy indeed," The man chuckles: "They are mixtures of humans and birds."

"Corvians, huh?" Sunset takes a seat on a piece of stone: "My name is Sunset of Canterlot."

"Where are my manners?" The man apologizes: "I'm Anri of Astoria. "

"And is that your friend?" Sunset asks.

"Ah, yes, Horace," Anri looks at the man beside him, who gives Sunset a nod: "He's not very talkie; he's an upstanding, kind-hearted knight; a fine partner for this grueling journey."

"It's always good to have a friend by your side," Sunset smiles: "If it's not too much trouble, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course," Anri says: "Ask away."

"Do you know how to get to Izalith?" Sunset asks.

"Ah, yes, the abandoned city," Anri says: "Below us is the Crucifixion Woods. Beyond the flooded woods lies Farron Keep, home of the Undead Legion. There you will find the tomb of High Lord Wolnir, and the abandoned city of Izalith lies deep within."

"I see," Sunset nods: "Thank you!"

"Of course," Anri says, nodding back.

"Also," Sunset looks away: "What do you think of demons?"

"What a peculiar question," Anri replies: "Demons are vail creatures, full of hate, and unleashes it on living creatures of all manners."

"Is that so," Sunset sighs: "Say, if a demon wants to befriend you, what then?"

"If the creature truly means it," Anri says with all seriousness, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the question: "Then I will be honored."

"Is that so," Sunset smirks: "How kind of you."

"Kindness goes a long way," Anri exhales: "We may go our separate ways now. But the next time we meet, one may find the other in a time of need."

"You're right," Sunset shrugs: "You know, it's pretty hard to come across someone wise as you are."

"I dare not to take the title," Anri laughs: "After all, you are the one seeking the wisdom of the witches."

"If I find anything, that is," Sunset covers her mouth before letting out a few coughs.

"Are you alright?" Anri asks.

"Yeah, sorry," Sunset peeks into her palm, seeing a few drops of lava: "Of course!"

"Is that so," Anri studies Sunset's posture: "Are you unwell?"

"Just something in my throat!" Sunset hides her hand: "Sorry, but I've really got to go!"

"Well then," Anri says: "May the flame guide your way."

"Say," Before departing, Sunset asks one final question: "Where are you going now?"

"We will cross path," Anri replies: "For now, we will head to the catacombs."

"Well, guess I will see you then," Sunset waves the man goodbye.

"Horace, did you see the droplets in her palm?" Anri asks as Sunset disappears from his sight.

The knight nods.

"Of course," Anri thinks for a moment before continuing: "Could it be that she's a Witch of Chaos?"

Horace shakes his head.

"Indeed, how foolish of me," Anri sighs: "The witches passed eons age, then what are those droplets?"

Horace shrugs.

"You are right, Horace," Anri sighs: "There is no need to work out unsolvable problems. Perhaps she will assist us in the future."

Horace nods.

"If she survives," Anri looks into the treacherous forest below as crabs size of boulders roam the waters: "She seemed unwell, shall we assist her?"

Horace shrugs.

"The choice may be ours," Anri sighs: "And we have our duties to fulfill."

Horace nods in agreement.

"Then may the flame guide her way."

"Oi! Who goes there?" A man with an iron mask and a giant club shouts out to Sunset.

"I'm Sunset of Canterlot!" Sunset shouts back: "I seek the abandoned city of Izalith!"

"Turn back!" The man commands: "There's nothing for you to take!"

"Please!" Sunset begs: "Let me through! I will not cause any trouble!"

"Turn back!" Another man, wielding a deformed great sword, steps out of shadow: "No one must pass this gate!"

"Sorry, gentlemen, but I will pass!" Sunset says before drawing her sword.

"You want a go?" One man says before charging at Sunset.

"Don't go alone!' The other joins his twin.

Instead of confronting two at the same time, Sunset retreats into the woods.

"Come back!"

"Come back!" The two shout in unison. Before pursuing into the woods

"Sorry," Comes out from behind a tree: "I really don't want to fight you guys."

Don't, or can't? While it is true that Sunset prefers not to harm any human, fatigues, and injuries of battles may cause her to lose control and transform again. I'm different; Sunset thinks: I can control myself.

"Where did she go?" They are back! Sunset quickly walks past the gate and sees a ladder with a lantern next to it. No time to think! Sunset slides down the ladder as the twins return.

"WATCH OUT!" And with a loud thud, something falls into the tunnel. Sunset looks back: It's the man with a giant club. His body disintegrates into dust, leaving only the weapon behind.

"YOU FIEND!" The man cries out in agony as Sunset lands and rolls back.

"YOU KILLED MY BROTHER!" The man slides down.

"I didn't do anything!" Sunset argues back, drawing her sword: "He fell off!"

"SILENCE!" Blinded by grief, the man sought to destroy Sunset.

"Stop it!" Sunset says as the man charges towards her.

"YOU WITCH!" The man swings his deformed sword and lands a blow on Sunset's shield.

"Enough!" Sunset repels his attack: "I'm sorry for your brother, but I didn't do anything! He fell!"

Surprised by Sunset's strength, the man regained his stance: "So this is how it is, huh? A duel? Then so be it!"

"I don't want to fight you!" Sunset holds her shield up, and the man lands multiple strikes.

"You are finished!" With enough force, the man knocks Sunset's shield apart, lands a blow on her body, cutting deep into her ribs.

"Sorry you have to see this," Sunset tosses her shield aside as lava leaks out of her wound.

"What?" The man looks in disbelief.

"If it's a duel you want, then you got it!" Sunset points her sword at the man as lava melts the ground.

"A witch of chaos, eh? " The man observes Sunset: "Miss home?"

"Turn back, please," Sunset pleas.

"In your dream!" The man charges again, and the two clash. It is a battle to the death.

Cinder and Chaos

"How peculiar," Anri scratches his helmet: "I thought this gate is guarded."

Horace looks around, still holding his halbert for any potential threat.

"Let's take a look." Anri says, entering the gate with his friend followed closely behind: "Seems like there's no one."

Horace puts his halbert away and points at a ladder.

"Ah, yes," Anri said: "We should go down there."

The pair slowly descended the ladder. Instead of an ancient, paved and mossy stone floor, they are confronted by melted rocks and pieces of obsidian covering the ground.

"Who goes there?" A man calls out.

"Oh my," Anri shift his attention to the source of the voice and sees a wound man with the handle of a Greatsword in his hand: "Whatever happened to you?"

"There's nothing for you to take," The man gasps for air: "Turn back."

"We will not," Anri says as Horace points his halbert to the man: "My apologies."

"Then go on your own risk," The man throws Anri the handle: "Look."

"It's melted?" Anri studies the handle.

"My brother died," The man coughs: "And I'm wounded."

"You don't seem to be bleeding," Anri tosses the handle aside.

"She's a Witch of Chaos," The man says, removing part of his clothing which reveals a cauterized wound: "She commands fire."

"Did she kill your brother?" Anri asks.

"No," The man groans: "He...chased after her and fell off of the ladder."

"We must go," Anri says, frowning under his helmet, exit the building with Horace following closely behind.

"What do you make of this situation?" Anri asks as the pair traverse the poisonous swamp.

Horace says nothing.

The pair then stumbled upon a stone gate, and beyond the open doors lies a road with countless swords of all manners resting on the side.

"How peculiar," Anri says, swords on his hand: "It's too quiet."

Horace looks at the giant claw marks on the ground and shrugs.

"What could have caused this?" Anri stops and examines the bodies of Corvians on the ground.

Horace looks around and sees Corvians and wraiths, who, instead of fighting each other, quivers in fear.

"We should go," Anri says, griping tightly onto his sword and shield.