The Scarlet Eventide

Chapters

Flint
Yulond
Orbis
The Fabled Kingdom of Zaria
Spectral Blackfade
A Brief Respite
A Mournful Gaze and an Oath
Talons Alight

Flint

The sky is red, the wind is perilous, and the sound of two friends closer than anything ran for their lives, galloping through the Forest of Darkness. Something terrible was chasing them, something that defies peace and order, and it was gaining on them quickly.

A young mare, age eighteen, was gasping as she ran for her life. A slightly older stallion, twenty-one, ran close behind her, urging the mare to keep running.

The mare began to feel dizzy and dropped to the ground from tripping over a branch, exhausted. The stallion grabbed one of her forelegs.

"Come on!" he exclaimed, fear overtaking his voice. "Setiya, you have to keep running, come on! Get up, Setiya! Get up!"

Setiya struggled to breathe. "I...I can't, Flint," she softly said, sweating. "He's coming to destroy us... I can't go on anymore."

Flint grabbed Setiya's face and looked her straight in the eyes. "You aren't going to die here, Setiya," he asserted, forcing her off the ground. "I will not let you die here, I won't allow it! We're almost out of the forest!"

As Setiya tried to walk, the two ponies heard the clattering of armor, the dragging of a metallic object, and felt the ground shake with monstrous footsteps. Flint and Setiya felt an eerie force pass through them as they shook in fear.

There, in the darkness, a pair of blood-red eyes shot out, and the breathing of a beast filled the ponies' ears. It was only a silhouette, but that's all it needed.

A mere shadow invokes such panic and dread that any in its presence would most likely meet their end.

Setiya started weeping. "He is here!" she cried out. "Flint...I don't know what to do!"

Flint bit his lip and pulled Setiya, forcing her to run with him. As they ran, the mysterious creature's mace formchanged into a long flail. He throws his metallic weapon at the ponies, barely missing, ripping through the trees asunder with a booming crash, causing Setiya to scream in terror.

"Don't look back or slow down!" Flint shouted. "If any of us stop, we're finished!"

The creature continued his relentless assault, destroying the environment around Setiya and Flint until they finally made it out of the forest, but only to stop dead in their tracks. Despair flowed through them as they reached the end of the road.

"A cliff!" Setiya yelled in anger. "What kind of cruel fate is this?!"

"We can't fight that thing," Flint said. "We have to escape."

"Escape to where?!" Setiya cried out, looking back at the forest. "It's getting closer, Flint... What should we do?!"

Flint was perturbed, running his hoof through his mane. He looked over the cliff and saw a town off in the far distance.

Perhaps there was still hope for the both of them. Their hope lay just beyond...and the ocean is their only obstacle, and Flint believed they could make it.

"Setiya," he said, "we may be able to swim to that town, and the waters below aren't rapid or violent. This could be our only chance."

Setiya was unsure, but she trusted her friend more than anypony else. "Okay, Flint. I'm ready."

Before Setiya jumped, she heard words echoing inside her distressed mind, Can you spare a life?

Setiya then heard the creature's weapon hit something followed by a grunt. When she turned around, Setiya's eyes widened in despair. Flint was impaled with a spear through the chest by the creature's weapon, and blood flowed out, dripping on the ground and staining it red.

The weapon lit up and its physical form changed into a flail that pulled Flint, retracting back to the creature on its own by use of unknown magic, and causing immeasurable amounts of pain to Flint as he yelled out in agony.

The creature, at the very end of the forest, still just a silhouette, stood quietly. It watched as Flint struggled hopelessly. Perhaps it enjoyed his strife.

Flint coughed up blood that sprayed across Setiya's face and front hooves, and she stared at Flint as he bled. Setiya staggered and nearly retched in disbelief.

Flint fought the weapon's pull, scraping at the ground to slow its retraction.

"Set...Setiya." Flint uttered under his lips. He used magic to lift something from his pouch. "Here...I was going to give you this..."

Flint opened the pouch and gave Setiya a small box. She was too shocked to open what was inside, so Flint did it for her and revealed it to be a beautiful ring tied to a lovely black string. Flint put the necklace around Setiya's neck.

"That took all my bits," he said wincing in pain. "I was going to propose to you... but it seems I won't get the chance..."

The creature pulled Flint closer to him as Setiya latched onto him desperately, trying to save her mate.

"Flint!" Setiya cried out. "Flint, no! Stay with me! Look at me, don't close your eyes! Don't go!"

Flint started to lose consciousness. "I love you," he declared with his final words. His horn flickered as he cast a magic bubble around Setiya, moving her to the edge of the cliff.

"Flint, please don't do this! Don't leave me here alone!" she shouted.

Setiya wailed from inside the bubble, striking it, not wanting to leave Flint behind. Once she was over the water, Flint's magic gave out and he jerked toward the creature into the forest as Setiya began to fall into the ocean.

She fell into the blue waters with a loud splash. She swam to the surface and gasped for air, and then she stared at the cliff where Flint dropped her.

"I'm... so sorry," Setiya mumbled in a distraught tone. "Forgive me..."

Setiya wept for Flint before swimming towards the town in the far distance. Hours went by and Setiya almost made it to the shore of the town, but she fell unconscious due to fatigue. The last thing she saw was two silhouettes eying her from the shore.

Yulond

Setiya opened her eyes to find her world pitch black and dead silent. She looked as far as she could, but she saw nothing but darkness; Setiya began to slowly panic.

Thinking about Flint, she remembered the necklace he gave before his death and desperately held onto it for comfort, easing her heart and mind albeit with little success. She cradled the necklace and wept silently as she treads amongst a black world, hoping to find any creature.

After what felt like days, Setiya heard the faint breathing of a creature coming from her right. She looked onward and saw a set of beady eyes glowing an ominous red, glaring at her. Setiya's body was afraid; something dark and unknown stood before her and she found herself unable to move; paralyzed by fear.

Can you spare a heart? echoed in Setiya's skull as she screamed, a hand coated in black sludge lunged forward. Before it could reach her, Setiya awoke in a bedroom, springing forward and in a cold sweat, gasping for air. It was just a nightmare, but it seemed so real to her.

Setiya looked around the warm bedroom and saw books on magic and portraits of a griffin posing with a young centaur. Setiya sought to get out of bed, but she became unsteady with a painful headache.

Shortly after, a large griffin enters her room along with the centaur carrying a bucket of water. Setiya has never seen any of these creatures up close before.

"Ah, I see our guest is finally awake," the griffin said, walking up to Setiya and sitting next to her. She was soft-spoken and sounded polite.

"Janus, bring me the bucket of water and a small towel from the cupboard, would you?"

"Yes, Ms. Frendi," Janus said. The centaur gave the griffin the bucket of water and quickly retrieved a small blue towel and returned it to her."

Ms. Frendi damped the small towel and rang it out before inching over to Setiya and rubbing her forehead with the towel.

"You poor mare, you must've had a rough time when we saw you floating from the ocean," she told her. "Janus and I are delighted to see you alive."

Setiya felt safe and assured, easing her worries. "Who are you guys?" she asked.

"I am Ms. Frendi, a griffin, and the centaur over there is Janus, my helper," she explained. "What's your name, sweetie?"

Setiya clutched the necklace before speaking. "Setiya. Where am I?"

"You're in Yulond, a village near the sandy strands of the ocean," Janus replied, sitting at the end of the bed. "We don't get many ponies around this area."

Ms. Frendi nodded. "Indeed, most are in Equestria by now, so seeing one around here is quite uncommon."

"How long was I asleep?" Setiya asked.

"Three days, my little pony," Ms. Frendi answered.

Setiya was shocked. "I was unconscious for three days?" She was in a state of disbelief, rubbing the ring attached to the necklace.

"That's a beautiful ring, Setiya," Ms. Frendi announced. "Where did you come across it?"

Setiya's face turned grim. "It was from...my fiance, Flint," she whispered. "This wonderful gift is all I have of him now..."

Ms. Frendi sighed heavily. "I'm sorry about your loss, Setiya. If you don't me asking, how did he...die?"

A pattern of red and black overtook Setiya's sight and she heard the echoing sounds of the deathly weapon that took away Flint. Setiya shuddered, reminded of the evil creature. After gaining some control over her body, she slowly came to.

Janus was stunned. "What type of memory could create such trauma?"

"Flint was killed by a creature wielding a silvery weapon," Setiya whispered. "It chased us through the Forest of Darkness until we got to a cliff...and before we could jump, Flint was impaled. Before he died, he gave me this ring and sent me off the cliff to get away."

"And that's when we saw you," Ms. Frendi added. "This creature, did it have on armor by any chance?"

Setiya nodded. "I could hear the armor clattering."

Janus rose. "You were confronted by a dangerous foe," he uttered. "If you encountered him, then this just got a whole lot worse."

Setiya grew fearful. "What do you mean?"

Janus trotted over to a window and stared out. "Are you aware of the warring kingdoms taking place right now, as we speak?"

Setiya nodded. "I do, but I hardly know anything about it..." she confessed. "My village isn't affiliated with any of the kingdoms."

"Orbis, the town housed next to the Forest of Darkness," Ms. Frendi said. "Your village is one of the first to be established outside the boundary of Equestria, and it is quite peaceful."

"Tell us what happened," Janus told her.

Setiya told that her village was invaded by an array of soldiers cast in black armor. She talked about how they started attacking the civilians, wanting to claim Orbis for themselves. Many were turned into slaves and while those who tried to fight back were destroyed, however, Setiya claims that only she and Flint got away.

It wasn't long until the mysterious creature pursued Setiya and Flint, chasing them to a cliff, and only managing to eliminate Flint while Setiya got away.

"Everything happened so fast. I don't know what to do anymore," she cried, embracing the ring.

Janus looked towards Setiya and stared. "The Kingdom of Darkness or some say Darkside, has become more aggressive," he said. "It's a miracle you even got away from him."

Setiya didn't understand. "Who is he?"

Ms. Frendi looked to Janus to explain. Janus's face grew grim and his eyes were glossy.

"I want to make a clear distinction about something, so I want you to listen to my words, Setiya. Darkside has monsters, or creatures, that work for the kingdom. Some are willing and others are forced," he explained. "Not all monsters are bad, but the one you encountered...very bad."

"What is he? Setiya asked. "What type of creature is he?"

Janus shook his head. "None know what lies behind that black armor, but everyone knows that thing spits in the face of morality, operates that body," he said with a spiteful tone.

Setiya had chills run down her back. Janus kneeled to her level.

"Rumors arose that the king of Darkside personally sought out the monster in hopes to have it join his conquest. The monster had no objections to the king's plea and joined his ranks as a general."

Ms. Frendi set the towel on a desk. "Even though we like to pretend everything is okay, we are constantly forced back into reality," she said. "Sometimes I just want complete peace, but wishing for something so unobtainable is silly."

Janus comforted Ms. Frendi. "We try our best to live as all creatures would," he told Setiya, rubbing Ms. Frendi's hair. "It gets tough nowadays."

Looking to quickly change the subject, Setiya gazed toward the window. "Ms. Frendi," Setiya announced, "this is the town of Yulond, but I don't hear anything outside. Something wrong?"

"Because of the war against the two kingdoms, most of the residents of Yulond sook refuge in Equestria," Ms. Frendi explained. "Janus and I are the only ones who stayed."

"Why did you?"

"We are too attached to our home," Janus said. "And we don't belong in Equestria anyway."

Setiya was confused. "Why wouldn't you? Did something happen?"

"Before we were residents of Yulond, we lived in Darkside, where we were born and raised..." Ms. Frendi confessed.

"We were also inducted into Darkside's military and served in the war against the other kingdom, Zaria," Janus added.

Setiya was shocked. "You both were helping that horrible place?! They took Flint away from me!"

Ms. Frendi tried to calm Setiya down. "It's not like we had a choice," she said. "We served for years until the king dismissed us."

Setiya didn't understand. "Dismissed?"

"Ms. Frendi's blood runs deep in the kingdom, and the king had a soft spot towards her, so he let her go to live away from the war," Janus clarified.

"Then what about you?"

"Janus was a baby centaur I found and nurtured during my time serving, and I convinced the king to have Janus as my helper," Ms. Frendi elucidated. "Ever since we were dismissed, we hung up our gear to live out in Yulond."

"We quickly learned it isn't that simple, not in this world," Janus chimed in. "The war was no longer our concern; it was merely a job forced upon us...however."

Setiya sighed and asked Ms. Frendi and Janus to stop talking about their connection to the war. Feeling a bit better, Setiya slowly, with Janus's help, got out of bed and started walking.

Setiya turned around with a small grin. "Thanks for helping me," she said. "I guess all of us has been through a lot because of this war but is there a way to stop it?

Ms. Frendi shook her head. "Darkside and Zaria have been enemies for a long while, boiling to a point of the war," she said, adjusting her glasses before standing.

"It's a shame too, now that the new ruler of Zaria was attempting to make peace to settle the feud between the kingdoms."

Setiya stared at Ms. Frendi. "What went wrong?"

"Rumors were circulating that the king of Zaria was an attempt of assassination," Janus explained. "The supposed assailant was apprehended and executed, much to the king of Zaria's dismay, and that action set the war into motion."

Setiya groaned. "Why must there always be stuff like this?" she complained. "Now I'm more aware of what's going on, I decided something."

"What is it?" Ms. Frendi asked.

Setiya took a deep breath before speaking. "I'm going to free my village!" she exclaimed.

Ms. Frendi and Janus were in shock. How can a mare who just escaped death be willing to plunge back into it? It was ludicrous and Ms. Frendi objected to the very idea.

"I'll think of something, don't worry," Setiya said, going to the front door, however, she was stopped by Ms. Frendi.

"Setiya, I know you want to free your village, but this is a suicide," she told her. "What can you hope to accomplish? You can't do this!"

Setiya's eyes were glossy. "Flint would have done something," she let out quietly. "If he were here, he'd leave me to save the village.

Flint always knew what to do in any situation, and I always followed along. Now that he...isn't here anymore, I can't sit around and do nothing!"

Janus approached Setiya, placing his hand on her back. "I would like to lend you my aid if you will have me."

Setiya allowed Janus to join her attempt to free her village.

Ms. Frendi was at a loss for words. "Janus, what are you saying?"

"Ms. Frendi, too long have this war persisted, and too long have others suffered in the crossfire," he said. "I know you're afraid, I am too, but don't you think it's time we try to stop it and help Setiya, at least?"

"I would love to have you with me, Ms. Frendi," Setiya said.

Ms. Frendi slowly inched herself away from the door and thought about Setiya's offer. "You know they have weapons, a number advantage, and armor," she warned Setiya. "If anything remotely goes wrong, we're laying six feet underground."

"Yeah, I know," Setiya said. "If we pull this off, then we can make our way to Zaria and lend our assistance."

"To help what was once our enemy, what a twist," Janus said. "Ms. Frendi, are you prepared for this?"

Ms. Frendi nodded before heading out of the room. Setiya then heard the clattering of metal and Ms. Frendi returned, bearing armor of dark obsidian.

"I never had the heart to throw away something tied so close to us, Janus," Ms. Frendi said, handing over Janus's armor and weapon.

Janus quickly donned his armor and hoisted his weapon, a poleaxe with a mighty grunt before latching it onto his back provided by the black armor.

Ms. Frendi donned her armor as well and sheathed her dual-bladed knives against her waist. Setiya stood before two mighty warriors.

"Setiya," Ms. Frendi said, "I don't have any armor for you to protect yourself, so I advise you to hold the utmost of caution during the silent foray, understand?"

Setiya felt a different air around Ms. Frendi. It was cold, but also encouraging, as the armor she wears is associated with death, and also hope.

"I understand."

"Good," Ms. Frendi replied. "Nightfall draws near, and that is when we will strike. Be careful, I had enough of burying my friends."

Orbis

Orbis, a village developed long before Equestria fully formed, a cornerstone of history, ransacked and seized by those who live to commit cruel actions, settle in the village.

In the war between Darkside and Zaria, Orbis is one of few unaffiliated with either kingdom, serving only as a middle point for supplies and commerce to travelers.

Setiya and Flint's childhood home in the clutches of Darkside now serves as an area for slaves to work and die, and Setiya, now learning more about the war she was so ignorant of before now seeks to liberate it with the help of former Darkside soldiers, Ms. Frendi and Janus.

Night overtakes the sky and Setiya guides her new allies toward Orbis, taking a well-trodden path that leads to the village.

Hours pass and Setiya and her allies circle to the back of the village to a hidden latch that leads in. The group sneaks past Darkside soldiers and takes refuge in an empty house.

Setiya, Ms. Frendi, and Janus plan their next course of action. Setiya noticed while sneaking inside the village that only Darkside soldiers roamed about the area.

"They are most likely held inside a house operating as a prison hold," Ms. Frendi said, looking out the window.

"We must check to see where most of the Darkside soldiers are stationed to have an accurate assumption of where the prisoners are.

Janus, come with me. Setiya, you stay here until I give the signal, understand?"

Setiya agreed, but she didn't understand what Ms. Frendi was up to.

"It'll be a long shot, but Janus and I will approach the soldiers," she told her.

Janus gripped his weapon. "We were of higher rank, serving as role models for the lower-ranked soldiers, so they may tell us where the prisoners are," he said.

"And if they don't and suspect any foul play, we'll knock them unconscious," Ms. Frendi added.

"You won't kill them?" Setiya asked.

Ms. Frendi shook her head. "Janus and I prefer to not slaughter our enemies if we had a choice; this world doesn't need more bloodshed. Stay here and wait for us."

Ms. Frendi and Janus journey out of the abandoned house and confront Darkside soldiers guarding the village. Laying their eyes on Ms. Frendi and Janus, the Darkside soldiers slowly backed away in respect and regard for Janus and Ms. Frendi.

"Darkside soldiers," Ms. Frendi declared openly, "it seems you all have not forgotten who Janus and I are; I appreciate your loyalty and respect, even in retirement!"

Ms. Frendi spoke with might and power in her voice that made Setiya's heart start to beat fast.

"Due to some commotion we heard over the past few days, it seems Darkside took the liberty of making Orbis a place of operations.

However, there is a problem I can't overlook: Orbis is unaffiliated with our enemy, so why is this village being occupied by Darkside?!" she shouted.

All the Darkside soldiers stayed silent, as if not having an answer or excuse. Ms. Frendi was vexed.

Before she could say anything else, a wave of malice rushed through her and Janus as they directed their attention to the source, and what the duo saw made them cautious and fearful.

Setiya felt the pressure from the house, a feeling she knows all too well. It was the monster she fled from, the monster that took Flint away from her, stood there in armor so dark and black, it was like looking directly into a chasm.

She shook in fear as flashes of red, black, and white clouded her vision, and then she fell to the floor. She writhed in pain, memories flooding her brain. She regained her bearings and resumed watching cautiously.

Meanwhile, Ms. Frendi and Janus stood face-to-face with the monster. His obsidian-like armor was sharp and strong, the helmet was the shape of a dragon's head as he bore its ire, and the ten-foot-high fiend breathed out smoke.

The hungry eyes that stared deep were as red as blood; like a beast about to kill its prey.

The weapon resting on his back was the weapon that took Flint away so cleanly, so effortlessly. A terrifying, heavy, strong, steel-like mace with a sharp head is used for fatal thrusts and blunt strikes, however, that monster's weapon can shift and change its form to any weapon that horrid beast desired.

The monster walked up to Ms. Frendi and Janus with thunder in its footsteps, looking down on them.

"The king desires hegemony over all things, and the primacy of this fragile village has no place in his future. This townlet is under my control, Frendi," he asserted. His voice bellowed deep within the hearts of the griffin and her centaur companion.

Ms. Frendi stepped up to the monster. "And who's decision was it?" she inquired.

The monster glared. "None but my own," he declared. "The king trusts me, and allows me to go where I so choose."

"Where are the prisoners, Emmerich?!"

Setiya's ears perked up and her eyes widened. "So that's his name..." she uttered under her lips.

Answering Ms. Frendi's question, Emmerich pointed to a house currently unguarded.

"They are being kept in there, Frendi," he avowed in a dark tone. "Tell me: why do you and your servant wear that armor? You and it are no longer members of the Darkside forces."

Ms. Frendi got up in Emmerich's face. "Janus is no servant, he is my companion," she asserted with vexation. "And we are here because of the commotion."

Emmerich rubbed his helmet. "I see. You must be tired after such a long walk from Yulond," he assumed. "You must be ravenous for food, I know I am. Come with me."

Before Ms. Frendi took Emmerich's offer, she waved her tail in the direction of Setiya, giving her the go-to in freeing the prisoners. Setiya waits until Emmerich and her new friends to leave before sneaking out and heading towards the house holding the townsfolk.

Staying just out of eyesight, Setiya snuck inside and headed through a door that housed the remaining townsfolk, reduced to a measly twenty instead of over a hundred.

She was shocked to see how little the numbers were and hurriedly went up to the cell doors to locate the village elder. He was in the last cell alone with an injured young filly cradled in his arms.

"Klaus...!" Setiya quietly uttered under her breath, grabbing the bars. "It's me Setiya!"

Klaus looked distraught, barely paying any attention to Setiya.

"You shouldn't have come back," he mumbled, his voice gruff and drenched in misery. "We didn't stand a chance, Setiya. Aris, my granddaughter, didn't stand a chance. She's dead..."

The injury Aris suffered was from a deep gash on the head that cracked her skull, causing her to fall unconscious before dying shortly after.

Klaus explained she was struck by Emmerich's steel mace. Setiya fell silent. She looked at the dead body of a filly she called a friend. She then looked at Klaus with glossy eyes.

"I'm gonna get you and everypony out of here," she said, but Klaus just shook his head.

"Foolish girl," he told her. "Look around, none of us has the drive anymore. Three days and three nights of ruthlessness under the watch of that evil monster. You need to leave, Setiya."

Setiya shook her head. "No, I can't leave! Not after knowing about this!"

Klaus sighed. "I saw Flint," he said. Setiya's heart dropped. "He was being dragged off to a cart exiting the village.

When I saw him, I feared the worst for you, but now I know that you're alive...I want you to live, Setiya."

Setiya rubbed the ring on the necklace. "Klaus...please," she uttered with tears streaming down her face.

Klaus looked back at his dead granddaughter. "There's no hope for us in here," he said. "We're all waiting to die. We aren't shouting for help..."

Meanwhile, back in the house with Ms. Frendi and Janus, Emmerich kneeled to the griffin's level. There was no food in sight.

"Frendi," he announced, "I was wondering about something. You told us you heard the commotion about Orbis, didn't you?"

"I did."

Emmerich rubbed his helmet again. "How did you hear about it exactly? How could a griffin, like yourself, hear about something that happened so recently?"

"I had already said that-"

Emmerich cut her off by slamming a table. A surge of Darkside soldiers flooded around them.

"I know that only you and your servant are the last residents of Yulond," he said out in a chilling tone. "I know the only way to Yulond is either by taking a beaten path close to Orbis or by swimming from near the exit of the forest. Perhaps by leaping off a cliff?"

Ms. Frendi glared at Emmerich. "What are you implying?" she asked.

"That you're a liar, Frendi," he proclaimed, towering over her and Janus. "You would not have known unless a resident of Orbis came to you, and I think I know who it is. That mare the stallion saved."

"So what if you're right?" she asked. "I don't see why you should care."

Emmerich chuckled. "Because you wouldn't be here in Orbis. You are only here because, maybe...I don't know...she asked you?" he presumed.

Emmerich passed by Ms. Frendi and Janus and started to head out the door.

"I'm going to the prisoners for a little...check-up," he said with a dark tone.

Ms. Frendi and Janus carefully tried to stop him, but the Darkside soldiers interrupted them with threatening spears.

"What's the matter?" Emmerich inquired. "Afraid I'll find something or somepony? If you do anything funny, my soldiers will not hesitate to slay you both where you stand."

"Emmerich!" Ms. Frendi exclaimed angrily. "Why are you doing this?! What do you hope to gain from joining the Darkside forces?!"

Emmerich chuckled to himself. "You pose a good question, however, you won't get any answers from me," he said, walking out the door.

Emmerich traveled towards the house with the prisoners inside, grasping his metallic mace in hand before barging in to find Setiya attempting to free Klaus.

She turned around and saw Emmerich's shadow loom over her body, freezing her in place; she was paralyzed with fear. Her eyes reflected Emmerich's bloody gaze and her heartbeat raced faster than it ever did.

The two were silent, staring at one another. Emmerich looked at the prisoners and then back at Setiya before extending his hand forward, proceeding to conjure a blaze of jet-black flame.

"Can you spare a heart?" Emmerich said, his voice echoing within Setiya's skull.

It was all too real, the words from her nightmare earlier. She fell to the floor and envisioned the colors of red, black, and white again. She began to writhe in Emmerich's delight.

"The stigma of anguish is a blessing to appreciate, little one," Emmerich uttered under his helmet, placing his hand with the black flame on one of the prison bars and slowly, with thunder in his steps, ambling around the room while gazing at Setiya's suffering.

"Time for a little conflagration," Emmerich chortled as the room began to ignite.

Setiya recovered from her body convulsing to find herself surrounded in the black fire with Emmerich just glaring at her. Regaining some senses, Setiya hastily moved to Klaus's cell and urged him to help her set him and the others free, but the old horse kept silent.

"His and all the others have had their spirits broken, little one," Emmerich declared, heading to the door. "You will die if you stay in here, so if you value your life, then come outside."

Setiya looked at Klaus who ignored her calls and stared blankly at his dead granddaughter. Without the strength to set them free and with time running out, Setiya had no choice but to leave Klaus and the remaining citizens of Orbis to their doom.

Making it out, she gazed at the house outside as it burned to the ground. Setiya contemplated at the fire and kneeled to the ground in sorrow. Setiya caressed the ring and held the necklace close to her heart while she wept in silence for being unable to save anypony she cared about.

Setiya then looked towards Emmerich with a leer of sadness. "How could you do this?" she cried, her voice shattered and quiet. "Why would you go this far?"

Emmerich stayed silent as Setiya, shaken and disturbed, sulkily crawled to him, distraught with grief. She struggled to scabble her forelegs around his armored footwear.

Emmerich reached out with his hand to clutch Setiya's mane, pulling her off the ground as she wailed in pain, and forcing her to see his glaring blood-red eyes.

"I find enjoyment in it," he said, whispering to Setiya. "Broken hearts, shattered hopes, defeated souls, and overarching misery... it's all a song and it sings to me, little one.

This war is just a stepping stone, and I'm moving up."

Setiya touches Emmerich's black helm gently, fighting through the pain. "You aren't lying," she uttered quietly. "There is no regret behind your voice, no guilt or innocence... there's only evil."

Emmerich chuckled. "This world is going to be shrouded by darkness, and I want you to witness it firsthand, little one," he whispered, jabbing his finger against Setiya's chest as a stream of blackness flowed into her.

Setiya felt a burning cold as she struggled to fight back, but it did not work. She yelled in agony as the stream of blackness surged through her chest and clenched her heart tightly.

Before Emmerich could finish his vile act, he was interrupted by a spear that struck him in the back, causing him the throw Setiya to the ground.

The spear, a traditional weapon wielded by Darkside soldiers, was thrown by Janus as he and Ms. Frendi shot out of the house. Emmerich shattered the spear like a twig.

"Amazing," he announced, "you managed to take out my soldiers, and without a speck of blood staining your armor. I wouldn't expect anything less from you two."

Ms. Frendi charged at Emmerich, but he used some sort of magic and disappeared in a veil of shadows. Janus and Ms. Frendi ran over to Setiya.

"Are you okay, Setiya?" Ms. Frendi asked, helping her off the ground. "Did Emmerich hurt you?"

Setiya didn't even look at Ms. Frendi, she only held her chest and frantically stroked her ring, quivering in misery.

Ms. Frendi and Janus beheld something glowing faintly under Setiya's coat. When Ms. Frendi investigated, she and Janus were bewildered.

"What is that?" Janus asked. "Her chest has an etching of a black cross... but what does it mean?"

"I don't know," Ms. Frendi said. "I didn't know Emmerich possessed magic. Setiya... look at me, honey."

Ms. Frendi lightly shook Setiya's body and she responded with only whimpers, and then she immediately lost consciousness. Janus directed his feathered comrade to the burned-down house and Ms. Frendi understood.

Ms. Frendi stroked Setiya's face gently. "It's not your fault," she whispered. "We need to go. Janus, I need your help."

Ms. Frendi asked Janus to carry Setiya back to Yulond so she could rest. Setiya was currently in a state of despair, and she could not physically move or think. Without hesitation, the trio fled to Yulond.

As time passed, Setiya awoke to find herself back in Ms. Frendi's house in Yulond with Janus looking after her.

She felt cold and sluggish, and she had a headache. "Janus, how long was I asleep?"

"Five days," he replied. "You were in a state of despair and needed to recover. Don't move too much."

Setiya used her hoof to feel around her chest and felt a part of her coat, where her heart is, stiff.

"What... is this I feel?" she asked. "What did he do to me?"

Janus shook his head. "We don't know," he responded. "Ms. Frendi has been looking through an archive of books ever since we came back to Yulond. She's been held up in her study."

Setiya attempted to get out of bed, but Janus carefully stopped her.

"Setiya... you aren't well right now. Emmerich used magic we aren't familiar with, so until Ms. Frendi finds an answer, stay in bed."

"Please...tell me about Orbis, Janus."

Janus let out a heavy sigh. "The Darkside soldiers have left the village, but the village itself burned days after we left.

Emmerich finished the job. Orbis wasn't a place of operations, instead, it was a playground for him."

Setiya's hooves were visibly shaking, trembling at the weight of knowing her home and the citizens living within no longer exists shook her to the core.

Shortly after learning the fate of her home, Ms. Frendi rushes into the room. "We need to go to Zaria!" Ms. Frendi shouted. "We must have an audience with the king!"

"What do you mean? You think he'll have some answers?" Janus asked.

Ms. Frendi nodded. "The king of Zaria has ways to help cure ailments. We have to leave quickly."

Setiya stared at the sweet griffin. "Thank you, Ms. Frendi," Setiya said, seeing how dedicated her feathered ally is. "If the king can truly do anything about this mark and fix it, what will we do then?"

Ms. Frendi looked at Janus and then back at Setiya. "End the war, once and for all," she declared. "I've been following the news in Zaria for a while and I deduced the king will announce something shortly to his forces.

If we are quick enough, we can still join his army."

Janus wasn't too convinced. "Are you sure about going against the king of Darkside?" he asked. "I know you and him have a close connection."

Ms. Frendi gazed out the window. "If he is letting Emmerich run rampant, then I'll go knock some sense in that thick skull of his the hard way," Ms. Frendi asserted. "I can't imagine him not knowing about what Emmerich is doing!"

Ms. Frendi looked back at Setiya with a warm smile. "I'll have Janus cook you up something nice. We leave tomorrow morning."

"The road to Zaria isn't long from Yulond, we are right next to it, technically," Janus added.

"How can we get there quickly?" Setiya asked.

"Easy," Ms. Frendi quickly answered, giggling at Setiya. "I hope you aren't afraid of flying."

The Fabled Kingdom of Zaria

A day has passed and Setiya went outside to see Ms. Frendi and Janus without their armor, but they carried their weapons. They were chatting to one another as Setiya joined them, greeting her new friends.

Janus stepped up to her and bowed, saying, "Setiya, good to see you up. How are you feeling?"

She stretched and breathed in the fresh air. "Better," she said. "I still...have thoughts on what had happened, but I feel a little bit better."

Ms. Frendi embraced the uneasy mare, brushing her mane. "Despite what had happened, you are pretty tough. Come on, we leave immediately. Get on my back."

Setiya was reluctant, her face described her feelings; a look of hesitancy, asking, "Oh...you did say we're flying there?"

Ms. Frendi nodded, stretching her wings. "Correct. The faster we figure out what that brand is on your chest, the sooner we can do to get rid of it. And you don't have to worry about Janus. Those legs of his will be able to keep up with me," she said.

"I'll be right behind you two."

Setiya sighed heavily, staring at the shadowy cross etched deep within her coat. "Do you think Zaria has an answer for this?"

The cheerful griffin chuckled, saying, "Of course I do, honey. Nowhere but Zaria could have an answer to your brand. Let's hurry up and get flying."

The three venture out to the Kingdom of Zaria. Ms. Frendi soared through the sky with Janus galloping close behind her.

As they flew, the reluctance Setiya felt slowly drifted away. Being in the clouds with nothing but the wind flowing through her mane, Setiya had found solace, moments of peace, and the reprieve from thinking about the misfortune that befell her in just over a week.

Setiya liked being in the sky, smelling the brisk wind, and having the warmth of the sun on her back. She then held the ring close to her chest, embracing the piece of love Flint left her. It was enough to keep her mind from breaking and going insane. As long as Setiya held the ring, she would always pull through.

As she thought about her childhood friend, Ms. Frendi called out to Setiya, telling her they were about to land near the gates leading into the kingdom of Zaria. The flight took nearly two hours, yet Setiya felt the time had passed only twenty minutes.

Ms. Frendi alighted near the large gates of Zaria to rest her wings as Janus trailed close behind her before approaching the soldiers guarding the gates. There they presented themselves as the guards permitted entry, opening the gates as the group ventured inside.

Setiya was amazed at the lively streets of ponies and other creatures. She saw them laugh, play, and work. It was everywhere, and it was almost too much to take in. At least she cracked a small grin.

Ms. Frendi started to guide Setiya to the castle. "Keep close. That large building off to the distance is the castle. I hope to meet the king with very little delay," Ms. Frendi urged.

The group kept to a well-trodden path that led to the castle, and they did reach their destination quickly. They've arrived at the very doors of the castle with walk-ins to meet the king were open, another factor Ms. Frendi probably took into account.

Setiya was getting weird looks from the populace. "Ms. Frendi, why are ponies avoiding us?"

"They are most likely wary of Janus," she replied. "He's more of a stalwart and quiet character, and that can be quite imposing for most ponies here. Every creature is a little jittery because of the war, y'know."

Setiya tightened her grip around the ring, whispering, "All the more reason to help end it."

Ms. Frendi agreed. As the three venture through the halls, they were met by a regal-looking unicorn accompanied by two earth ponies acting as retainers in tough-looking silver and white armor.

Setiya gazed at her as the mare's eyes glimmered a deep sapphire, her golden mane glistened faintly in the light, her beautiful white frock laced with golden jewels and yellow gems, and her gleaming white crown demanded loyalty and trust.

Her demeanor was motherly and calm, and her cutie mark is a vermeil crown, decorated by an ornated arrow with a gilded tip.

Everything about her was royalty and power. She didn't flaunt it, it was simply present at all times. Her strength could be felt, but it wasn't hostile or hurtful, yet warm and comforting.

The way she laughed while speaking with her retainers gave her a homely feel and the way she looked at Setiya and her friends with such investment and curiosity, a hunger to make herself known to them was evident. They didn't have to wait long before she sauntered over.

Setiya didn't know why, but she felt something emanating strongly from the mare; an invisible aura that expressed the amount of strength she exhausted. Only she could feel it, and she didn't know why.

There was no question. One cannot simply ignore her if one wanted to. She's that radiant and important. Respect was mandatory, and any volition or will against her is heavily considered the worst possible action an individual could do.

"Welcome to the castle of Zaria," The mare announced, her voice kind and sweet. "I never thought to see a young centaur and griffin friends with such a beautiful young lady."

Setiya blushed as Janus and Ms. Frendi thanked the regal mare for her kind words, bowing in her presence as she reciprocated the gesture.

"What are your names so that I never forget them?" the mare asked.

Ms. Frendi told her who they were.

The mare smiled with such gleaming beauty, saying, "I am Ninis, the queen of Zaria. My retainers and I were on a walk around the castle meeting civilians who came for the walk-ins."

"Your Majesty, my friends, and I were wondering about the king of Zaria," Ms. Frendi said. "We have news regarding Setiya and recent events related to the war."

Queen Ninis looked at Setiya. "The war..." she paused. "What is your connection during such horrid times?"

Setiya stepped up to Queen Ninis in a respectful manner, saying, "Darkside invaded my village, enslaved the townsfolk, and destroyed it. My village was Orbis," she explained.

Queen Ninis was shocked. "That peaceful village isn't even part of the war. This has gotten worse. Come with me and I'll show you to my husband."

Queen Ninis guided Setiya and her friends through the castle. The opulent decor was littered throughout the castle and brimming with history that was meticulously tended to with the purpose to preserve the past in the most wonderful way imaginable, and although this is a time of crisis, it was calming to see something that wasn't covered in blood or littered in destruction.

Setiya thought about this and figured out that the reason the civilians can freely roam the castle on certain days is to ease their worries of the horror they find themselves in.

The rulers of Zaria are, in all words, truly see their civilians as their most valuable possessions. At least, that's what Setiya believed.

As they pranced through the castle, Setiya and her friends laid their eyes upon a large garden overflowed with the verdure of a beautiful forest.

"This place is a cornerstone of Zaria. It is believed that this garden was the foundation of Zaria, hence the kingdom's ever-prospering land, and one of the main reasons Darkside wants it.

Every soldier, my king, and I would die to ensure this piece of life is never squandered or tainted by evil hands."

Setiya gazed at the garden lovingly in solace. She then spotted a colt and filly playing together, laughing with one another.

"My children, Nils and Mari"-putting her hoof around her heart-"are precious treasures," Queen Ninis said. "You all are welcome to step into the garden."

Ms. Frendi and Janus politely declined the queen's gracious suggestion, but Setiya silently entered the garden, staring at the two youths before she sat under a tree.

Queen Ninis was intrigued, calling out to her. Setiya did not answer, her eyes fixated on the children.

Nils skipped over to Setiya, saying, "I'm Nils. What's your name?" he asked, his voice was happy and his face bright.

"Setiya," she replied, rubbing the ring.

Mari jumped up and down. "That's a beautiful name!" she exclaimed, making Setiya chuckle quietly. "My name is Mari!"

"Thank you. I love your name, too."

Nils looked at the ring Setiya rubbed. "Ooooh..." -he reached out with his front hooves- "Can I hold it?"

Mari became annoyed. "Don't be rude, Nils!"

Setiya calmed Mari down. "It's okay, he's just excited," she whispered. "I'll show both of you, but I want you two to know that this ring is the most important item I'll ever have."

Nils and Mari understood, sitting in front of Setiya as she revealed to them her ring tied to a wonderful black necklace. The ring was silver and dark with a scarlet gem embedded in the middle, and when Setiya shifted it towards the light, the ring lit up faintly in a blood-red glow, entrancing Nils and Mari who loved the ring.

Setiya gazed at the ring with love. "This ring was from my fiance, Flint, my childhood friend. I know for a fact Flint spent years trying to get this necklace, and how he knew how happy it would make me."

Mari was permitted to touch the ring, and when she did, it was warm. When Nils touched it after his sister, he felt love.

Queen Ninis saw the ring from afar and was quite surprised. "That is a very expensive ring," she uttered to Ms. Frendi and Janus. "I've seen only one similar to it and it rests around my neck."

Queen Ninis showed Ms. Frendi and Janus her ring given to her by her husband, the king of Zaria. Queen Ninis's ring was of pure gold and the gem was a verdant emerald that represented Mother Nature. It was tied around by a white fleece necklace.

Setiya giggled, reminiscing about her past, saying, "You two remind me of us when we were your age. That's why I stepped into the garden because seeing you both makes me happy, and a little sad."

Mari didn't understand. "Why would you be sad?"

Nils chimed in, asking, "Did something happen between you?"

Setiya slowly nodded. "He was... taken away from me. And it made me very sad."

Nils and Mari saw Setiya's tears flowing in her eyes and hugged her with such love. Queen Ninis's heart was strung deeply.

Queen Ninis watched with a look of elation. "I never saw Nils and Mari act so sweet and kind to anypony but me and their father. The war has been very cruel to her especially, and all the more reason to end it."

Queen Ninis ordered her retainers to stay with Ms. Frendi and Janus as she stepped into the garden. She went over to Setiya and sat next to her while Nils and Mari went to play some more.

Queen Ninis showed Setiya her ring and asked about who Flint is, or was.

"Flint was a hard worker, an honest and fair stallion. He would come home days after he left. He's a sweetheart and he always looked out for me, for anypony in our village," she explained.

Queen Ninis smiled faintly. "That ring isn't easy to come by," she said. "You said he would be gone for days in his line of work, so what job did he have?"

Setiya explained that Flint was a transporter, carrying supplies that could go from Equestria or distant parts of the world, accompanied by a large organization that operates everything in his job. It made sense because of what Orbis was known for.

Setiya continued to explain that Flint hardly went inside Equestria because of the unfamiliarity with the country and that he would get lost, coupled with the fact that locations inside Equestria itself would take several days to get to.

"The organization paid good bits, and Flint constantly went into overtime every chance he got," she told the queen. "He never really told me why he would go to such lengths until he gave me this ring."

Queen Ninis chuckled softly. "Flint seemed to be quite the character," she said, rising from the ground. "My husband and I have a similar story much like yours, but that's for another time. Let's go see him, he would like to hear about your troubles."

Setiya and Queen Ninis rejoined with everypony else as they made their way to the throne room to have an audience with the King of Zaria. There, Setiya laid her eyes on a kingly figure speaking with his advisors.

His dark red mane and his white coat shimmered in the light faintly, as if blessed by some otherworldly magic.

His eyes were blue, his pupils were shaped like stars, his golden crown demanded respect and reverence, and an unseen force exuberated from his body, altering the cold atmosphere into a warm aura that bathed itself to anypony near him, granting control and repose.

His cutie mark was a pillar of white light with a golden star resting on top, emulating his crown.

Queen Ninis announced herself to her husband. The King dismissed his advisors.

"Dear, this is Ms. Frendi, Janus, and Setiya. They are here to seek an audience with you."

"My name is King Enoch of the Zaria kingdom." His voice was exultant and friendly. "Please say your piece."

Ms. Frendi bowed before speaking. "King Enoch, we are here today with a problem regarding our friend, Setiya.

Darkside attacked and enslaved her village, Orbis, and when Setiya, Janus, and I went to free it, Orbis was destroyed.

However, in the end, Setiya's chest was violated by the general, and a mark appeared over her heart. I believed it to be some kind of malady ailing my friend."

King Enoch was alarmed that Darkside did such a bold move. "Before we go any further, were there any survivors other than you, Setiya?" he asked.

Setiya shook her head. "No, Your Majesty."

King Enoch sighed under his breath. "I see. What about this mark?"

Setiya revealed to the king and queen a black cross etched on her chest. King Enoch and Queen Ninis were wordless, unable to conjure a single sentence from looking at the black cross.

The throne room became eerily quiet with King Enoch hastily shut the doors of the throne room and grimacing at Setiya with concern.

"Setiya isn't sick," the king said. "That mark is related to an old tale. It symbolizes death and faithlessness. That stigma is a horrible brand of evil, a destructive tool that begets an end to all things."

His Highness's words worried Setiya.

Queen Ninis stepped forth. "How did you acquire that brand?"

The worried mare explained that the general, Emmerich, was etching the horrible mark on her chest, but before he could finish, Emmerich was interrupted by Setiya's friends.

King Enoch's hoof shook with uneasiness as if lamenting, whispering, "This war has been taking a toll on my mind, dear child."

In an instant, King Enoch grew dull and tired, slumping over in a weakened state, lifted by his loving wife. Setiya looked at him as questions shot through her mind.

Can we ever win against Darkside? What should we do to end the conflict? How do we stop all of this?

Despite the frailty the King expressed, he perked right back up, high in spirits. "There is a pony" -he raced towards the doors- "that may be able to assist you.

She's a good comrade of mine and a purveyor in certain practices. Follow me, friends, our ally lies at the top of the castle."

King Enoch quickly guided everypony through the castle halls towards a spiral staircase leading to the loftiest room the castle had to offer.

Setiya felt the burning cold-like pain around her chest, and it amplified the closer she got up the stairs. Janus hoisted Setiya with his hand for support.

When the King opened the door and revealed what lay inside, he was shocked to see a dark figure looming over a body with a mysterious gray flame in his hand.

It was Emmerich in all his dark glory, standing strong. Setiya's mark ignited and resonated with Emmerich, causing her great pain as she fell to the ground. She trembled and gasped for air.

King Enoch became furious. "Foul beast, what have you done to her?!"

Emmerich let out a black chortle, saying, "The soul is a finicky thing, but it isn't strong. I took it from her. She lay still, little king, and I won't be giving it back."

Emmerich's words enraged King Enoch as he collapsed the gray soul with his hand, purging the flame with delight. Every creature stood still, cautious of his strength.

"Little mare," he pointed at Setiya, "you seem to be in pain." Emmerich laughed "Come here, I'll make it all stop."

Ms. Frendi, Janus, King Enoch, and even Queen Ninis stood in front of Setiya and charged at Emmerich. With a swipe of his magic, he shot a wave of magical energy that separated everyone from Setiya and froze them in time.

Setiya looked in horror as everyone was still, frozen before her eyes. Emmerich marched up to the shivering mare with his black helm and blood-red eyes, placing his dark gauntlet over Setiya's face and pulling her away. Emmerich opened a portal and tossed her through before going in himself.

As the portal closed, Setiya's friends, the king, and queen were no longer frozen, dropping to the floor. They looked around and didn't see Setiya or Emmerich.

"Setiya..." Ms. Frendi softly whispered, calling out the mare's name. Queen Ninis comforted her, assuring Setiya will be okay.

Shortly after, a rumble shook the castle, alerting King Enoch to look outside to see Zaria was being invaded.

His Highness couldn't believe his eyes.

"What?! How?!" he shouted, running down the stairs. "Ninis, make sure our children are okay! I'm heading to the center of town! Be prudent, the enemies might have entered the castle!"

Queen Ninis understood, and with the help of Ms. Frendi and Janus, they went to check on Nils and Mari.

Spectral Blackfade

Setiya found herself in a blank land, where she was thrown from the portal, of darkness with the surface she laid upon damp and reflective. She peered around constantly, but everywhere she saw was black, much like her nightmare which the mare had wished to never return to.

Now back to a location mirroring her nightmare, Setiya was on edge; paranoid as her fears began to take hold.

The mare mustered what little courage she had and stood up before trekking the blackened abyss. Nothing but the sounds of her breath and wet hooves rippling the abyss's dank waters.

Setiya kept walking until her brand began to irritate her chest; a burning cold feeling the mare desperately tried to appease but to no avail. This pain gradually became stronger and Setiya could no longer bring herself to walk any further; she was forced to stop and rest.

Her anxiety flared up when she heard the sloshing footsteps of Emmerich. Setiya imagined his blood-red eyes piercing through the darkness, his voice ringing deep within her skull, and the metal mace he carries skidding across the black waters with an intent to slaughter.

Setiya's heart quivered and her body trembled to know that Emmerich's skulking crept near. For fear of being assaulted by the one who killed Flint, Setiya forced her body to inch up off the ground in a pitiful attempt to escape assured destruction.

And there he was, blending into the ever-encroaching blackness, staring her down. She couldn't move; her body was afraid, and as Emmerich chortled, Setiya coward into despair.

It was the end for her. She lost her fiance, her village of friends, and now she's about to lose her life. Setiya didn't want to die; there was so much she had to do, what needed to be done, and then she prayed as a last resort.

Emmerich chuckled to himself. "I can smell your fear; it's intoxicating."

Emmerich's hand gripped and pulled Setiya's mane, raising her into the air as she shrieked in pain, and slamming her against the watery surface with a resounding splat.

He submerged Setiya's head into the mysterious liquid. She kicked and screamed trying to break away, but Emmerich wouldn't relent.

"Take it all in."

The water was dark and tasted metallic, Setiya struggled to breathe as she continued to flail in horror. Emmerich chuckled, pushing the ailing mare further into the murky depths until she stopped moving.

"Oh...done already?"

Emmerich yanked Setiya out of the black water. Her body shook as she convulsed and vomited the black substance. He thrashed the weakened mare against the surface and laughed.

"You are a gift to relish," he said in a dark tone. "I enjoyed making your life a living nightmare; the misery you responded with was extraordinary. Our time together has been special."

Setiya gathered what little energy she had to crawl away. Her eyes were stained with tears, her mouth slightly agape in shock, and her body fought against her every action; exhausted from trying, and then she just stopped.

She inhaled through her nose, drawing in heavy breaths, her eyes gazed forward in a daze. The black substance seeped from her mouth and made the ailing mare retch in pain.

In her mind, Setiya thought of her new friends, the king, queen, and their children. She imagined Flint's distant body and stared at his warm smile. He was so happy, and Setiya emulated him, although looking quite pitiful.

She wasn't anything like Flint: brave, courageous, smart, or charismatic. She was a weakling, a quitter, and an idiot.

How foolish, she thought.

Emmerich stood over her body and clutched her mane once again as the mare reeled back. The soulless wretch lowered his head as painful grunts escaped Setiya's weakened lips.

"You are going to die," he uttered in her ears. "It's a shame...that an object for pain such as yourself won't be around anymore."

Perhaps this was for the best if she died. It'd be better if Setiya stopped trying. Of course, she would think that, how couldn't she? All Setiya has ever done up to this point was try and fail, nearly die, and weep when she couldn't do anything to help others. Perhaps this was her cruel fate; she was always destined to fail.

Setiya then contemplated something else: if Flint was in my place, would he keep trying? Of course, he would, he's Flint. He never truly gave up, even at the end of his life, he made sure I got away from Emmerich.

The mare wept not because of her impending death, but for wasting the last act of kindness of Flint's good graces. Setiya had to do something. Anything. Would she try and fail? Maybe...but it was better to try and fail than to not try at all.

That cold-hearted blackguard has taken too much from everyone, Setiya thought to herself. I can't let him win! I have to do this!

Setiya got angry, and thought to herself once again, You have to get up and respect Flint's good graces. Flint wouldn't take this laying down, he'd fight or run. He never gave up. Get up, Setiya. Get up and honor Flint!

Emmerich raised his metal mace above his head, glaring at Setiya's withering body. He drops his mace unto the mare, but Setiya leaped forward and dodged his attack. She then fell back on the ground and began to crawl away, fighting through the pain.

Emmerich laughed. "Look who's awake. A desperate bid to escape my clutches? Good. I love it when they struggle."

Emmerich stomped over to Setiya, slamming his mace to smash her body, but the mare attempted to evade his every strike.

"You can't get away, little pony," he let out in a euphoric tone, kicking Setiya in the stomach.

The mare yowled as blood spat out from her mouth, yet she kept crawling away. Emmerich kicked her again, enjoying her shouting in distress.

"I will never tire of this little game," he chuckled, "however, all things must end."

Emmerich pinned Setiya down by stomping on her back. A screech of agony escaped Setiya's lips.

Emmerich gripped her mane and rose his metal mace once more to smash Setiya. She turned with all her strength to look at Emmerich's bloody-red eyes with a gaze of defiance. She breathed heavily with a fuming rage, pulling against Emmerich's power with all her might, making an effort to escape. She attempted to ignore the pain her head felt with Emmerich yanking her mane.

Emmerich chortled in a gargled tone. "Yes, that's it. That's the face the poor stallion made that day," he said, referring to Flint. "The fool continued to put up a fight despite his situation. I guess he edified you a few things before he perished."

"He...is no...fool!" Setiya shouted vehemently.

She could no longer run away, no matter how hard she struggled. Setiya had finally decided to stand against Emmerich in an attempt to escape his murderous grip.

Something deep inside Setiya reacted to her act of resistance. Her brand began to glow an eerie purple and black as it burned her chest.

Emmerich slammed his mace onto Setiya, but in an effulgent purple flash, his mace collided with something else. Emmerich witnessed a black tentacle clenching his mace.

"Ah...anonymity within you," Emmerich uttered. "The incomplete brand I etched upon your chest...you activated it. How did you...?"

The black tentacle forced Emmerich away from Setiya as another one lifted her on her hooves gently. Setiya's coat was a dark purple, her mane was black, and her face was obscured in a shadowy vortex.

An echoing sound of integral incoherence came from Setiya; it was scattered and distant, and it directed anger and animosity toward Emmerich.

He chortled. "Lost all sense, have you? Resorted to beastly impulses? Very well, I shall entertain you for a short while."

Setiya, without a single word, lunges at Emmerich in an attempt to swat him with her black tentacles. The black-armored menace rushes at her as well and they collide in a heavy smash that rippled the watery surface beneath them.

Setiya's tentacles and Emmerich's mace struck one another in a fast-paced brawl, neither side letting up until Setiya showed a moment of weakness as the black menace's mace strikes her body.

Setiya was flung in the air with a mighty blow before crashing across the surface and skidded to a grinding halt.

"Your heart beats evermore; faster...with no signs of slowing down," he said. "To fight, to struggle against certain doom...it's a beautiful song."

The black tentacles gently put Setiya on her hooves once again. She screamed in a senseless manner, calling out Emmerich's name in a distorted voice.

Emmerich tittered at her. "Then come at me and I'll demonstrate where you truly stand."

They fought and collided again, with Setiya losing every interaction, however, she never relented her assault. She got faster and stronger, more resilient, and eventually, she managed to gain a hit on Emmerich's helmet, knocking the mace out of his hand.

Emmerich was forced to step back and regain his footing, but Setiya slammed her body against him with a monstrous impact and caused Emmerich to crash on the watery surface with a loud boom.

Setiya mounted atop of Emmerich and repeatedly smashed his helmet in a vicious and violent display of wrath. She screamed and hollered before one final slam onto his black helm.

Raspy breathed, Setiya slid off of Emmerich and fell to the surface in exhaustion. Just before she could rest and compose herself, Emmerich arose, grabbing Setiya and punching her face with a heavy impact, sending the mare sprawled out atop the reflective surface.

His helm didn't have a single dent.

"That was a paltry display of power," Emmerich said, taunting Setiya's newfound strength. "Did you think it would be so easy? Foolish child."

Setiya couldn't recover from the surface; she had completely depleted her energy and laid there as her new form vanish in a puff of dark smoke. She was powerless and unconscious; she was at the mercy of Emmerich.

Emmerich sauntered to her and grabbed his metal mace. He glared at Setiya's face, her eyes had lost their color and feigned death. Emmerich raised his mace to pummel Setiya into a paste, however, he ceased his assault and lowered his mighty weapon.

Emmerich chortled. "Not yet," he uttered under his lips. "I will let you live, let you oppose me again. I crave more of your pitiful struggle. In the end, however, that heart will be mine."

Emmerich snatched Setiya by the mane and summoned a dark portal, throwing her in. Setiya's body appeared in the middle of Zaria with Emmerich following after her.

The invasion had almost finished and it seems that the kingdom of Zaria still stood tall. Emmerich stared at Setiya before giving the order for the Darkside soldiers to retreat to the Kingdom of Darkness.

"As one gives a gift to another, allow me to bestow upon you my gift in return," Emmerich said. "However, I am a dastardly wretch..."

Emmerich shifted his mace's physical form into a knife as he held Setiya's mane to cut off a few strands. He snatched a generous sliver of her mane before conjuring a jet-black flame just like in Orbis, engulfing the strands in a blistering blaze.

After being incredibly greedy, Emmerich summoned the gray soul he effortlessly crushed earlier and sent it hovering next to Setiya as he left the unconscious mare. The Darkside army has retreated, and Ms. Frendi, Janus, along with King Enoch, ran towards their friend after spotting Emmerich vanishing in a veil of dark shadows from Setiya's body.

"Setiya! Setiya!" Ms. Frendi cried out, holding her unconscious friend. "Setiya! Are you okay?! Please, say something!"

Janus put his hand on Ms. Frendi's back. "She's not dead," he said, trying to de-stress his feathered friend. "She's only passed out. She needs to rest."

King Enoch agreed before he retrieved the gray soul.

"Come. While my soldiers secure the perimeters around the kingdom, we can put Setiya in my royal chambers," he told them. "She will be looked after. Let us return."

A Brief Respite

Setiya opened her eyes and found herself on a white sandy beach with the sky a cherry red. The brisk wind blew softly, and the sounds of the ocean's crashing waves filled the mare's ears as she gazed out on a distant horizon. For the moment, Setiya felt at ease; all of her pain and sorrow began to gradually disappear like the sand being swept away by the ocean's retreating tide.

Setiya trotted carefully amongst a fantasy world. She sighed silently, wondering how she got here. The mare clutched the ring as usual before she heard whistling coming from up ahead. It was catchy and vibrant, the tune made Setiya smile, and then she remembered: the tune she heard was commonly tweeted by Flint.

It was an original melody he would utter in their younger days. Setiya galloped as fast as she could until she glimpsed a figure, a stallion, who sat near the shore of the ocean. His brown coat and even darker brown mane shimmered in the light's pleasant rays, and he wore a black bandanna around his neck.

Setiya rushed over to him, embracing Flint as tears of happiness shed from her eyes. She buried her face within Flint's chest in euphoria and squeezed him tightly.

"Flint!" Setiya cried out. "Flint! It's you! It's you! I'm so happy!"

Flint chuckled. "Setiya, please, you'll stain my coat with your tears," he teased. "I'm happy to see you as well. How have you been?"

"Terrible!" she shouted in response. "After I lost you, I thought...I thought it was surely over. How are you alive?"

"You tell me," he said. "Didn't you bring me here?"

Setiya didn't understand. "What do you mean? I... I just woke up not too long ago."

"Are you awake?"

The mare nodded. "Of course... I am, silly."

"Then how am I here?"

Setiya stepped back as her head began to thump in pain. Her mane and coat darkened as three black tentacles erected out of her back. Setiya screamed in horror, her mouth seeping the black substance as she retched. "Argh... What's happening?!"

The world around Setiya flickered and blackened, then her vision was blurred. She kneeled to the white sand, but that became distorted, and blood phased in.

"Wha-what's going on?! Flint?!"

Setiya's vision returned to witness Flint's body covered in blood with his guts hanging out. His eyes were black, his bones were showing, and far behind him was the black dragon helm that Emmerich bears.

Setiya held her head in despair. "No, not now! Not this time!" she wailed. "Let me have this, please!"

"Setiya... my dear Setiya..." the living corpse of Flint uttered.

Before she could say anything else, Setiya watched Flint get snatched away by a gauntlet covered in black sludge.

Setiya's heart raced, an ear-piercing pitch rang in her head, and she was hyperventilating. Her eyes pulsed and sweat covered her body. The black cross ignited and coated Setiya in a dark dome. The dome then shattered, and the troubled mare screeched out in pain, her distant wailing echoed into the shattering sky.

Setiya yelled and sprang forward in a cold sweat. She was in bed. She veered constantly as she retched, falling out of the bed before near vomiting. The mare tried desperately to catch her breath.

"It was... a dream. It was a dream," she told herself.

Soon after she awoke, Setiya blurrily saw Queen Ninis rush in and help her off the floor, followed by Janus, and a mysterious pony cloaked in a white and gold robe wearing a mask of teal, grasping an old wooden cane.

"Thank Heavens you're finally awake," Queen Ninis said, embracing Setiya lovingly. "We were afraid that we truly lost you."

"I... I don't... What happened?"

Janus put Setiya back into bed gently. "You were unconscious for over a week with the most horrible nightmares."

"You weren't making any progress; there were no signs of you ever waking up," Queen Ninis softly spoke to her, stroking Setiya's mane.

Setiya's ears perked up and worried. "Emmerich was here...that means he had Darkside soldiers! Are Nils and Mari safe?!"

Queen Ninis assured the troubled mare that the children were fine. Letting out a sigh of relief, Setiya tried to relax.

"You had us rightfully scared," Janus said. "Believe it or not, you died four times in your sleep, however, you always came back at the last minute. We are glad to see you finally awake."

Setiya was at a loss for words. She gazed at her shaken hooves and gasped in silence. "I don't understand," she finally uttered. I should be dead, but I'm not."

The mysterious pony stepped forward. Setiya's gaze was fixated on the pony. "You would have if absent of that brand. It's magical, however, it has a mind of its own. If you survived against that beast, then it's because of the black cross," she explained.

"Who are you?" Setiya asked.

"I am (unintelligible utterances), a sorcerous in service to the dutiful king and queen," she replied.

Queen Ninis giggled. "She said 'Ina-Sona-Lapon.' Address her as Ina."

"What language was that?"

"An archaic form of Old Ponish," Ina stated. "It was abandoned in favor of a newer, more understandable vernacular. Old Ponish is used for writing, while mine is for communicating. Inside of Equestria, it's nothing more to them than a dialect contrived of garbled speech and nonsense. It's too obsolete for most, however, Queen Ninis is the only one that can attempt to understand the language and serves as one of the reasons I live here."

"Ina is also quite proficient in the ways of elder mysticism, or ancient magic," Queen Ninis told the earth pony. "Ina may be able to figure out how to remove your brand."

Setiya's ears perked up. "Truly?"

Ina nodded, trotting up and brushing her hoof on Setiya's chest. "You were struck by dark magic, ancient mysticism abandoned due to its tendency to corrupt," she explained.

"However," Queen Ninis chimed in, "Ina may think it's also something else."

The odd mare agreed. "I used my magic and identified another form of mysticism while you slept: black magic."

Janus tensed up. "That sounds... odd."

"You're correct. Black magic is intrinsically destructive and potentially lethal to living creatures, so I have a theory."

"Tell me," Setiya asserted. "I need to know."

Ina-Sona-Lapon tapped the floor with her wooded cane as magic shot from it and formed into a large screen. The screen depicted a pony, (Setiya), Emmerich (a hulking monster), and the two magic: dark (purple) and black (jet-black).

Ina observed to the rest that Emmerich surged the dark magic into Setiya's chest by etching a black cross. Setiya confirmed. Then Ina presumed that Emmerich at one point implanted black magic through various means or that Setiya ingested an ample amount.

Ina theorized that the interaction of both dark and black magic united, and in a joint of consolidation, somehow got Setiya to survive Emmerich's assault.

Setiya stopped Ina, asking, "Ingestion?"

Ina nodded. "Looking at you now, there seems to be no other mark or stigma than the black cross. So, it is more likely you swallowed black magic."

"How could one swallow magic?"

"Magic comes in a variety of forms," Ina stated. "Magic can be consumed like food in certain species, however, black magic is only in the form of the usual and the physical; taking on the form of black liquid."

Setiya closed her eyes and attempted to recant the event, a thumping headache formed as she struggled. In her mind, Setiya witnessed flashes of Emmerich's cruelty and her torment. Setiya was sweating, her breathing was raspy, and her body shivered. Despite the toil, she recalled the harrowing ordeal.

"I remember being in a dark world, and Emmerich was there. He snatched my face and attempted to drown me in... this water," Setiya recounted in a dry tone. "It tasted... like bl-" Setiya coughed and retched in disgust.

Ina sighed. "If one would taste black magic, it would taste metallic, like blood. Do you remember how much you had been forced to consume?"

"Enough to make me vomit," Setiya responded.

Ina was fazed. "That is... an exorbitant amount. If that's the case, then I wonder what would happen if I did this..."

Ina tapped her cane again as it conjured four golden ethereal daggers and directed them at Setiya. Surprised, Setiya braced herself until a purple portal appeared on her back, then four black tentacles erupted from her and grabbed the magical knives, shattering them. Shadowy tendrils in appearance gave off a fading black smoke. Queen Ninis, Janus, and Setiya were awestruck. Ina adjusted her mask before nodding.

"Why do I have tentacles bursting from my back?!" Setiya yelled in confusion. "What should I do about these things?!"

Ina shook her head. "Please, compose yourself. It sensed you were in danger and sprang into action. Once it has decided you aren't in danger, it will recede into your body."

The purple portal churned as the black appendages burrowed into Setiya's back. Underneath her skin, the tentacles pulsated, protruding and bulging in a slimy, unsettling plash before settling in, vanishing. Setiya was immediately disturbed.

Queen Ninis was at a loss for words. "What just happened?"

"The amalgamation of dark and black magic inside Setiya manifested into black tendrils," Ina answered. "The oddity seems to operate as a protector of sorts. Doubtless, to say, this is not everything your newfound power can achieve."

"Power?!" Setiya shouted. "I have icky, black tentacles that come out my back! When it digs itself beneath my skin, I should not feel the urge to smile and laugh!"

A black tentacle sprouted behind Setiya, slapping the back of her head before disappearing. Setiya snipped at the situation, rubbing her head in vexation.

Ina giggled quietly. "It is also sentient as it took offense to your cruel words," she quipped.

"Cruel?!"

"It did keep you from staying dead, so at the least, you should try and sound a bit more grateful."

"I can't believe this," Setiya shook her head. "Can you get rid of it?"

Ina sighed. "That may not be possible."

"What?! Why?!"

"Because it is not dark or black magic, it is both, and it has a will of its own, so trying to remove this... oddity from your person seems out of the question for now."

"Do you have any good news?"

"I am a bit envious of your position if that helps."

"I said 'good news.'"

Queen Ninis embraced Setiya. "I need to check up on things with my husband and deliver the news of your awakening, and your... development," she said. "If you have any more questions, please direct them to Ina and she will gladly answer them."

"Okay," Setiya uttered.

Queen Ninis left the royal chambers. Janus began to follow her out.

"I'll relay the information to Ms. Frendi," Janus said.

Setiya rubbed her mane and then her precious ring. "Is she alright?"

"She will be when she knows that you're awake. She was afraid that she'd lose you, we all were," he confessed. "Now we can ease our worries, at least for now. Stay in bed."

Setiya agreed as Janus left the royal chambers. The extravagant room was filled with silence as Ina pondered. Looking to a conversation, Setiya asked Ina about the mask she wore.

"There is nothing worth seeing," she mumbled.

"What do you mean? Don't you have a... face?"

"Yes, I do, but it is not why I wear this mask."

"Can I see it?"

Ina declined, however, Setiya inquiries became incessant.

Ina sighed. "You truly want to know?"

"Of course, I do. Who wouldn't?"

"I don this mask to conceal my face from anypony that gazes at me. Without it, I feel... or become a whiny, fearful filly," she muttered.

Setiya stifled a giggle. "You become shy?"

"I prefer the term 'uneasy'."

"Okay, what about your cane? You're a unicorn, but I see you only do magic with it."

"That's because the cane acts as a catalyst for my magic. Without it, I am as powerless as a unicorn could be," she elucidated. "If you want to know more about it, withhold your questions for later."

Setiya nodded. "Anyway, do you think I'll be okay?"

Ina brushed Setiya's chest in assurance. "Of course. If you weren't, you'd be dead. I know it's a shock, but at least try to form a relationship with your new... companion, because it is not going away anytime soon."

"Fine," she said. "I can't stay in bed all day. Emmerich was here, right? He can show up at any moment."

Ina shook her head. "Relax. I was told that thing and the Darkside soldiers retreated to The Kingdom of Darkness, and there hasn't been word of them appearing anywhere else."

"What you're saying is...that we are safe?"

"For the time being. We've been granted a brief respite from the war. That is why you need to learn about your new power so you can defend yourself. I was told that you, the centaur, and the griffin ally that you three came here to help end the conflict," Ina said.

"Yeah," Setiya mumbled.

"That's quite brave of you considering the series of unfortunate events you had the displeasure of experiencing."

"You know about me?"

"Only what Janus and Ms. Frendi were able to disclose. You're very lucky to be alive."

"Sometimes I just..." her voice began to trail off. "I contemplated it. I kept on thinking about it since he died."

Ina stared at Setiya clutching the ring with adoration. "It's a wonder," she whispered, Ina's voice was low and sweet. "Through your strife, you continue to move forward. It's tiring, isn't it? Sometimes... you want to lie down and die."

Setiya rubbed the ring before placing it over her heart. She thought about Ina's words and kept quiet. Setiya was tired. Setiya was scared. Setiya is hurting. And Setiya had the idea to give up and stop trying, even after her defiance toward Emmerich. Even when she wanted to honor Flint... the thought in her mind continued to persist. The dark thoughts skitter through her mind; it was a vexing itch the mare had since Flint's death. She still doubted herself.

"It's painful... this war," Ina said, letting out a deep sigh. "Princess Celestia won't interfere because she fears for her citizens' safety. Not a single creature came to assist us; we were alone against a force that's steadily gaining ground. It's so much to take in... let alone hope to prevail."

"Then why fight at all?" Setiya asked, her voice starting to break. "I know this war has been going on for quite some time... but maybe it is the time to give up." Setiya gazed at the ring. "But we won't, none of us will. Not after everything that's happened."

The atmosphere was heavy. Looking to make light of the situation, Ina asks, "What was your favorite thing to do with Flint? Tell me what you loved doing most with him."

Setiya didn't meet Ina's mask, instead, her attention was glued to the wonderful ring, and then she cracked a weak grin, her cheeks were red. "Sneaking out of the village at night," she answered. "Flint would... hold my hoof with excitement, gently pulling me to a small clearing near the village. In Orbis, the stars were always visible, but Flint... he took me to that place where the stars shined the most."

"Anything else?"

Setiya nodded. "We'd watch the stars, laying on the grass. He would crack jokes that made me laugh, and even snort," she giggled. "He'd take me out there when I was sad or angry... just to see my face beam with joy. Flint tried everything, and I mean everything to keep me happy; he even put on a dress and makeup one time, just to make me smile," she sniffled. "I owed him so much... and when he was ripped away from me, future memories of going out to watch the stars and have a good time died with him."

"I mean it when I say that I'm sorry for your loss," Ina said.

Setiya chuckles, saying, "Thanks, Ina. When I stood up to Emmerich, I was still afraid... but I had to do something."

Ina looked up to the ceiling. "I would have done the same thing," she confessed, turning her concealed gaze at Setiya. She leaned forward. "Since you cheated death, I guess I could show you my face as a reward for escaping perilousness on a near-daily basis."

Setiya was a little excited. Ina sat on the edge of the bed and stretched out her limps before setting her cane against the wall. She sighed and began to take off her mask. Setiya saw steam blowing out of the mask and gears turning with multiple unlocking clicks. Then it slipped off into Ina's hoof and Setiya gazed at the face of perfection; it was beauty incarnate. Her gorgeous silver countenance expressed frailty, yet also intense focus from her crystal blue eyes.

If Princess Celestia was gorgeous, then Ina would make her jealous, she thought.

Setiya was blown away. "I... you look, uh... wow."

Ina stared at Setiya and she immediately cowered, hiding her face in a panic. Her mask fell on the bed. She let out a cute squeal before crying. "Why did I show you?! Oh... (uttering in the archaic vernacular)."

Setiya was snapped out of her stupor from Ina's terror. "Wait! Calm down, Ina!" she exclaimed. "Here. Close your eyes and hold still."

Ina shut her eyes as Setiya put the mask back on her face. It latched perfectly into place, and Setiya heard the gears grind, and the various locks click and buckle as the steam blew once again.

Ina took a big whiff of air and exhaled, regaining her composure. "And that's why the mask stays on."

Setiya agreed. "Have you shown anypony else?"

"Only the king and queen," she muttered. "In any case, tomorrow shall be the day we get to see what your new companion is capable of."

"Tomorrow?" Setiya asked.

Ina nodded. "The training grounds are located just behind the castle."

Setiya laid down and stared at the opulent ceiling with a light grimace. "Who could instruct me? I have tentacles that come out of my back, y'know."

"Come now, let's be prudent. It just so happens that I'm available," Ina chuckled. "Because of the invasion, there will be no soldiers occupying the training grounds. We can begin the edification of your new power in the afternoon.

"You'd help me, truly?"

"As long as you don't kill me by accident while training," she quipped.

Setiya rolled her eyes. "That's not funny." She then cracked another grin.

Ina giggled before grabbing her wooden cane. "I'll see you tomorrow." Ina-Sona-Lapon bid Setiya a brief farewell.

A Mournful Gaze and an Oath

It was past the break of dawn, the sun shined through the window and graced Setiya's face. Setiya awakened from her bed in a lazy daze. She leaned forward silently and looked to her left and saw a stallion sitting next to her bed. He didn't utter a word... in fact, his body was blurry, shrouded in a white mist.

Setiya seemed to pay him no mind, shifting her legs and lightly set them on the chilly floor. She quietly eased herself off the bed and headed to another room through the stallion, making him dissipate into nothingness. Her head hung in a droopy state.

She arrived at the bathroom and saw the stallion eying her beside the shower. Setiya turned her glossy gaze in the mirror and saw her mane was a mess and that she had a few strands of hair missing. Emmerich came to mind and her body shuddered, quickly dismissing the idea, and trotted towards the shower in a groggy stride.

Setiya lazily turned the shower on and sat on the floor waiting for it to heat up. She wanted the steam to shroud the bathroom in a misty haze. She looked to her right and saw the stallion just sitting there. Despite the odd feeling that crept under her skin, she didn't mind the stallion's eerie, ghostly presence.

Another daze and thirty minutes flew by. Snapping out of her stupor, Setiya moved the shower curtains and stepped into the shower before closing them completely. The water pelted her face like a cascade of glass was to a rock; she could barely feel the warmth of the heated water. Perhaps that was fine to her, that her mind could linger through different thoughts laced inside her head.

"Why am I so tired?" she thought aloud. "I was just fine yesterday. I can't seem to focus... what's wrong with me? Flint... I should be over this by now, but I'm not." Setiya sniffled, staring at the showerhead in another trance. "Does it hurt that much? Yes... yes, it does."

As her body was being drenched in warm water, Setiya glanced at the shower curtain and saw the silhouette of the stallion behind it. She chuckled pitifully and began to cleanse herself.

"I should have died, yet here I am," the earth pony softly groaned. "How did I ever get this far?"

Twenty minutes passed her by and Setiya stepped out of the shower. She peered towards a large towel sitting atop the toilet seat and snatched it, drying herself off before wrapping the towel around her mane. The stallion was still there, watching Setiya's every move without so much as uttering a single word.

Setiya wondered why she saw him, why he stood there in silence, but once again, she attempted to dismiss him and trotted out of the bathroom. She passes the bed and stops at a large window overlooking a part of the kingdom. She sighed and pressed her body against the glass in a sorrowful slump.

Setiya felt the stallion's presence and looked to her left and saw him standing close to her, staring at the earth pony. Setiya glanced at her ring and caressed it with love before turning to meet the stallion's gaze, but of course, she could see nothing.

"You aren't here, but it feels so real," she whispered, inching herself closer to the stallion. "I want to do this, but I'm scared. Please... hold still." Setiya gripped the ring and puckered her lips out to the stallion to touch his, to feel him, but her attempt failed; she passed through the stallion and fell to the floor. She was dismal; her tears flowed from her eyes, yet a small grin somehow made itself across her face. Setiya let out another pitiful chuckle before averting her eyes, embarrassed; she suddenly felt awash with shame, but none was looking at her miserable display other than the stallion.

"Figures," she lamented, wiping away her tears. "My head's all messed up; I should've known that I am going insane. Flying feather..." a labored and shaken sigh escaped Setiya's lips. After a while, she lifted herself from the floor. Her mane had finished drying and Setiya cast the large towel on the bed.

It was time to head outside and greet her friends. When she turned around to look at the door, she saw the stallion sitting by it. He was waiting. Setiya trotted up to the door, placing her hoof on the knob with a weak twist to crack it open. Another sigh came from the earth pony, meeting the stallion's scrutinizing cloudy gaze.

"How long will you be here?" she mumbled in a light tone. Setiya was still tired, and her demeanor was depressive. "I know who you are, and I don't know why you chose to be here, but if you are going to watch me, then so be it."

The stallion's head tilted to the side. Setiya's face was glum and fatigued. "I'll be careful," she solemnly said, but her voice rattled with gloom. "Watch me today. Watch me. Then you'll understand."

The stallion didn't respond, only gazing at Setiya with a murky stare. The earth pony opened the door completely and headed down the opulent, hollow halls of the castle. She looked forward and saw the stallion sitting beside Ms. Frendi and Janus, but the two friends seem to not notice the stallion amongst them.

Setiya's eyes darkened, and she was shivering. She didn't want to lie, but she felt as if she had no choice. Too far has the journey brought the mare. She had to bear it. It was foolish, but what's a mare supposed to do?

Try and smile. If you can't, then fake it. Make excuses. You were lost in thought. Ease their worries. You're fine. Nothing is wrong. You are just tired, Setiya thought to herself.

Setiya trotted up to her friends and greeted them with a weak smile. Ms. Frendi embraced the earth pony with love as Janus chuckled. They were glad to see their pony friend up and about; it was such a relief.

"I'm going to meet Ina for training soon," the earth pony mumbled quietly. She rubbed her mane before caressing the ring again. "I need to figure out how to use these tendrils if I am to be of use in King Enoch's army."

"Although I would be honored to be your teacher in the art of combat, Ina is far more qualified," Ms. Frendi told Setiya, stroking the mare's mane. "What you have inside is magic in nature, and who better to teach you than her?"

"I agree," Janus added. "Before that, we must feast!"

Ms. Frendi laughed. "Come to the dining hall, Setiya. You haven't eaten much since we met."

Setiya drowned out Ms. Frendi's words, staring at the stallion as it emulated her. Setiya's smile gradually waned, and her eyes became glossy. A headache reared its ugly face at the back of her skull, she heard faint, high-pitched ringing in her ears, and the area around her began to darken. Before anything got worse, Ms. Frendi shook Setiya out of her gloomy stupor.

"Are you okay?" the feathery griffin implored. "If you aren't hungry..."

Setiya raised her hoof. "I am," she muttered. "I was just... lost in thought. I'm quite hungry, so let's hurry and eat before I have to train."

Ms. Frendi wasn't convinced. "Setiya," she placed a claw on the pony's face, "if there is anything that's bothering you, tell us. Please."

Setiya pulled away from Ms. Frendi's soft caress and faked a smile. "I told you that I'm fine. I'm just a little tired."

Ms. Frendi sighed and nodded. "Okay," she said. "If you are certain. Let's go eat."

"Yes, let's," Janus said, walking down the hall with Ms. Frendi beside him.

Setiya trailed behind her friends, however, she would slow every time the stallion appeared in the hallway. Setiya could hardly focus with him around, but she didn't mind.

Setiya caught Ms. Frendi's attention with a soft tug on her fur. "Does King Enoch know you and Janus were Darkside soldiers?"

Ms. Frendi nodded, wearing a kind expression. "We told him everything when you were recovering," she replied. "He's quite understanding. Queen Ninis was also informed. They are glad to have us on their side, and I and Janus couldn't be happier."

Janus stayed silent, but he emulated Ms. Frendi's contentment.

"That's good," Setiya uttered. "Time to eat."

The trio got to the dining hall and saw King Enoch and Queen Ninis conversing with one another. A large array of food littered across the elongated table. The delectable, sweet aroma of food filled Setiya's nostrils, and she couldn't wait to dig in, but then she saw the stallion looming over a chair and Setiya suddenly lost her appetite.

The King and Queen of Zaria gestured to their new allies, urging them to sit and feast. The trio settled into the chairs, Setiya took the one the stallion loomed over while Janus and Ms. Frendi sat together across from her.

"Greetings, my allies!" King Enoch exclaimed happily. "How do we fare this wonderful morning?"

"Janus and I are quite well-rested," Ms. Frendi answered, bowing to the king. "We are eager to be of assistance to you, sir."

"We've been working with the soldiers since the invasion, edifying them strong techniques and the like," Janus merrily explained to the king. "Your soldiers are well taught, and their eagerness to perform and defend the kingdom is quite infectious!"

King Enoch laughed loudly, filling his gullet with food. Queen Ninis rolled her eyes at her husband's lack of table manners and profusely apologized for his behavior. "He hasn't been eating lately..." she uttered. "My husband has had his hooves full of this war, but that doesn't excuse him for his uncouth manner, especially in the presence of guests."

King Enoch's ears drooped to the side as he was met with his wife's eyes shooting daggers. He promptly cowered and asked for forgiveness from the triad of companions, and of course, they did.

King Enoch shifted his eyes to Setiya. "How are you feeling?" he polled. "I was informed yesterday about your... quirk."

Setiya stared at the stallion behind her, not hearing or answering the king's inquiry. She didn't even touch her food. It wasn't too long after that Ms. Frendi hovered over to the earth pony and shook Setiya, once again, out of her daze.

"What?!" she yelled, veering her head before calming down. Everypony stared at the earth pony. Ms. Frendi's eyes narrowed, she had a right to be concerned.

"Setiya, the king asked how you were doing," the feathered friend hissed, flying back to her seat. "Go ahead and answer him."

Setiya held her ring in embarrassment. "Oh... I am fine, Your Majesty," she bowed in apology.

King Enoch raised his brow in bewilderment. "So, you say. Ina told me you were going to train under her guidance, yes?"

Setiya confirmed his query. "That's correct, Your Majesty. I want to be of use to you, so with this new... 'power', I hope to get a grasp on it."

King Enoch chuckled with glee. "That's good, but be careful to not strain yourself," he warned before taking another bite out of his food. "I ordered Ina to take it easy if that's alright with you."

Setiya began to drown out the king's words, but she snapped herself out of it. "That's perfectly fine, Your Majesty."

"Setiya," King Enoch addressed in a firm, yet sincere manner, "if you truly aren't feeling well, then you can turn in today. Don't force yourself and your body. It won't do any of us good if you aren't... all there."

Setiya shook her head and forced a smile. "I'm fine, sire," she persists in a serious tone, but she knew it was fake. "I don't have a home anymore. I lost my friends in this war, and I want to help you end it."

King Enoch sighed. "I appreciate the notion and your determination," he said, taking a sip from his glass. "Be prudent; keep your wits about you."

Setiya nodded. "I will."

"Good," he muttered. "Now please, eat. You'll be needing the energy soon."

Everyone resumed eating, laughing, and joking with one another, except Setiya. She stayed mostly quiet. A fun time, it was. To see smiles across faces, hearing laughter fill the room was a good change from the usual blood-curdling agony. It was a time Setiya did feel at peace, and she relished it the best she could. It was warm and comforting, however, Setiya felt a chill down her back; the stallion loomed over her in daunting silence, and although the mare did not want to worry her friends, she did, occasionally, look over her chair and stared at the ghostly stallion.

After a few hours of chatting, Janus and Ms. Frendi decided to coach some of the soldiers around the perimeter of Zaria, and King Enoch and his wife, Queen Ninis, decided to guide Setiya to the training grounds.

Everyone left the table. Setiya bid Janus and Ms. Frendi a brief farewell as she and the Zarian king and queen made their way to the training grounds.

Outside, Setiya was led to a large, square, barren patch of land littered with weapons and armor. Setiya saw Ina-Sona-Lapon etching sigils on each of the four corners. It was that elder mysticism or old magic she utilized.

As the Zarian royalty stepped into the training grounds, so did Setiya, and she witnessed the stallion looking at her with his back against the castle wall. With a hurried trot, she marches up to the stallion with a bleak gaze.

King Enoch and Queen Ninis were dumbfounded. What was Setiya looking at? Why was she constantly distracted? Even Ina glimpsed toward Setiya's direction and saw nothing.

"Setiya!" Ina called out, waving her wooden cane in the air playfully. "Come here, I need to talk to you about your training!"

It took some yelling to grab Setiya's attention. The earth pony sauntered over to the masked beauty and attempted an enervated expression; the weakened smile quickly went away... but Setiya forced herself to grin and greeted Ina.

"So... what're we learning today?" Setiya inquired. Before Ina said anything, she put her hoof on Setiya and rubbed her chest, just like yesterday.

"Defending yourself," she announced with gusto, pumping her hoof in toward the sky. "I'll attack you constantly and your tentacles will protect you, however, it'll be up to you to evade my strikes where your tentacles fail; they can't stop everything thrown your way."

Setiya understood, but as Ina kept explaining, Setiya drew her attention to the stallion, who was now standing next to her. She sighed and dismissed the stallion and turned her attention back at Ina.

"I need you to pay attention," Ina scolded. "If you aren't feeling well..."

Setiya lightly slapped Ina's hoof from her chest. "I'm fine," Setiya grumbled in a slightly vexed tone. "I'm just a bit tired is all."

"It seems your irritation is not unfounded; I presume you've encountered the same question."

Setiya confirmed Ina's thoughts. "Ms. Frendi and King Enoch asked me that question."

"Well, it is for good reason," Ina uttered, turning away to finish her inscriptions. "After what's happened to you, they have every right and reason to worry about your wellbeing."

Setiya's ears drooped as she rubbed her ring. "What are you doing?" she pleaded, looking to change the conversation. Ina obliges.

"Engraving magic around the area. I'm making a barrier," she stated. "Doing this will allow you to train with little to no hindrances; you'll be able to fight and train to your heart's content. Plus, the barrier will be pink. I like pink."

Ina-Sona-Lapon directed Setiya to stand on the side of the area near the exit with a gesture. Ina took to the other end. Done with the inscribing, Ina tapped her wooden cane on the ground and a large pink barrier surrounded her and Setiya in a faint glow.

With everything in order, King Enoch and Queen Ninis left the training grounds to let Ina work.

"We will commence your training now," Ina declared, tapping her cane on the ground to summon four golden ethereal knives over her body. "Stay calm and be prudent. We can stop at any time, so do not hesitate to speak up. Today is merely self-defense, nothing more. Is this understood?"

Setiya gulped and shook in place. She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. She knew the stallion was staring at her, but she had to force herself to ignore him; she has come to train, and she was going to train. "I'm ready," she said verily, getting into a battle position.

Ina nodded and directed her wooden cane in Setiya's direction, sending the knives propelling towards the mare. Just like yesterday, the black tendrils bore their way out of Setiya's back at the sense she's in danger.

The tentacles swatted and crushed the mystical knives with ease. Ina wasn't impressed; this was how it was going to be. She summoned eight golden knives and directed them towards Setiya. Once again, each of the tentacles attempted to shatter each knife in its reach, but there was a catch this time. Ina flicks her hoof downward and three of the knives shifted and evade the tendrils' retaliation.

Setiya gasped and attempted to dodge. She narrowly evades two of the knives, but the third pierced through her left foreleg as the earth pony yelped. It was a stinging, lingering pain, and blood was drawn when Setiya inspected her leg. She then directed her attention at Ina.

"Get used to seeing that if you are too slow," she jeered. "Don't always rely on your power, because half of the time it won't save you from being buried six feet under the earth; that cut proves the power's flaw," she continues to clarify. "Remember this. Let's continue."

Minutes roll by. Hours passed. The sounds of explosions, lowly rumbling, screaming & yelling, and laughter filled the training grounds. Setiya was sweating with cuts all over her body. She gasped for air as the endless relentlessness of Ina's magical attacks stopped, at long last and the barrier disappeared. The tentacles burrowed themselves within Setiya's back and vanished as the earth pony sighed heavily before falling on her flank; exhausted.

Ina stretched and trotted over to Setiya and kneeled before her. "Good job today," she praised, touching Setiya's chest with a delicate stroke. "We'll start again tomorrow around the same time."

Setiya, still trying to catch her breath, pulled Ina's hoof away from her chest. "Why do you always do that?" she interrogated, shielding her chest from her instructor. "It feels weird."

Ina mused at Setiya's question for a few seconds, then she shrugged and laughed. "Does it alleviate any pressure?" she inquired.

"Oddly, it does," Setiya confessed wearily, struggling to lift herself from the ground. "I don't know why, but I start to feel... relieved. Like the tension rising within begins to simmer rather than erupt in a case of anxiety..." Setiya rubbed her ring.

Ina hummed to herself, cheerily skipping over to the exit of the training grounds. She gestured Setiya with a beckoning hoof. "It's getting dark," she proclaimed, smelling Setiya before reeling back slightly, "and you need a shower. Clean those cuts thoroughly."

Setiya chuckled and followed the masked mare. Before she left the area, Setiya veered around the training grounds and saw no glimpse of the stallion. She sighed and joined Ina and headed back inside the castle. Setiya met up with Janus and Ms. Frendi as Ina bid her a good night. After a small conversation, Setiya left her friends and trotted back to her room.

She enters and closes the door with a resounding click. It was dark and quiet, only the light of the moon crept through the window. Setiya stepped silently to the bathroom and ran the shower again. She let the steamy haze fill the room as she wandered into another daze.

Twenty minutes pass before Setiya broke her trance and stepped into the shower and washes for another twenty minutes. Stepping out, Setiya was met by the stallion casting his gaze upon the mare. She moves through him, causing him to once again disappear, and heads towards her bed. Setiya laid atop of it and shifted her head to the right and saw the stallion looming over her.

"Where did you go?" she asked. "You weren't around after I finished my training."

The stallion tilted its head. Setiya sighed and looked forward with a tired gaze. She knew she wouldn't get an answer from the stallion. Still, she wondered why he left then and why he appears now. Perhaps he doesn't show up if she is preoccupied, when she is distracted by something else. Maybe if she didn't think about him, he doesn't show up anywhere. Or maybe it didn't matter at all.

"You can't stay here and watch over me forever..." the mare sniffled as the stallion lowered its head against Setiya's, but she felt nothing. She cradled the ring harder than ever. "Don't worry... don't be scared. I won't let it go. I won't fall, not like this. Please... don't worry."

Setiya's soft, raspy words didn't fall on deaf ears; the stallion vanished in a shimmer of sparkling brown dust. Alone, for real this time, Setiya stared at a wall for hours. And stared. And stared some more until a soft knock from the front door drew the mare out of her stupor.

"Come in," Setiya shouted, shifting her weary eyes to the door. It creaked open and Ina revealed herself. She enters the room and closes the door silently. "Ina? I thought you were sleeping. Something the matter?"

Ina stayed quiet, sauntering towards Setiya's bed and placing her hoof on the mare's chest. She felt her smooth caress against her chest and sighed with relief. It was so warm and comforting, feeling Ina's smooth, almost motherly, touch.

"I came to check up on you," she whispered. Ina set her cane against the wall and leaned close to Setiya, unrelenting her soft massage. "You've been distracted and troubled today."

Setiya was reluctant to answer, but she caved in. "Yeah," she replied, her ears drooped. "I have."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Setiya nodded. "It's about Flint. You must be tired of this by now."

Ina chuckled and shook her head in disagreement. "From what you divulged; Flint was your everything. So, he's the reason you were so unfocused."

Setiya smiled, but it was shameful and pathetic. "There was a stallion no pony could see but me. He was there when I awoke and followed me throughout the day," she admitted, kissing the ring lovingly. "He was... shrouded by this bizarre haze. He didn't say a word. He only stared at me."

"You are mentally unwell," Ina stated. "To be frank, it should come as no surprise given your circumstances. Do you believe he was here?"

Setiya affirmed Ina's query, looking ahead at a wall. "It felt so real, even if I imagined him. I ignored him at first, but quickly I was drawn towards his presence. I couldn't see him completely, but I knew it was Flint," she remarked with a dreary sigh. "This ring... is all I have of him. I'm obsessed with it. I can't focus fully anymore. What should I do?"

Ina stood and pondered Setiya's question. After a minute of silence, Ina took her mask off and set it aside her wooden cane, stripping herself of her robe until she was completely bare. She trotted to the window in a slow but majestic stride and stared out to the ethereal night. Ina seldom averted her gaze, trying her best to not panic.

Setiya knew Ina was beautiful, but now the mare could see her entire body. Her silver coat shimmered faintly in the darkness, her mane and tail were a blue silver, she had black symbols on her back and legs, and she had black earrings on both her ears. Her cutie mark depicted a cauldron spewing out magic and her eyes, although Setiya remembers, were a crystal blue that shined like the humble moon's beautiful glow.

Ina beckoned Setiya over with her hoof and the earth pony obliged, gently setting her hooves on the floor and trotting over to her ally. Setiya saw Ina basking in the moon's warming light; its embrace brought a wonderful smile across her face. With a deep breath of courage, Ina slowly tilted her head in the direction of Setiya with a look of grace and beauty; her twinkling eyes only emulated her delicate visage.

"I'm a witch," Ina confessed, her voice as angelic as before; no longer hidden behind a hushed mask; it was as clear as day and as lucid as a transparent lake. "There isn't another one of me out in this world. We were hunted down and executed; my friends, my family, all that I held dear were slaughtered before my eyes. The war had just started, and the Kingdom of Darkside showed no quarter; no forgiveness or mercy; they served death and bore destruction and subjugated everywhere they desired.

"I ran away from every encounter, may it be Zaria or Darkside, for I knew that the war involved them, that all my pain and suffering came from their conflict. I hated them. I wished death upon them. I craved their destruction. I was consumed by hatred and sadness. Depression and darkness surrounded me.

"One day, I was captured by Darkside soldiers and tortured mercilessly. They knew I was a witch and they sought to use me for their voracious gains. I was chained for months in some miserable cell... wailing in agony. The black fetters were tight and rusted, the dungeon devoid of light, lit only by burning torches when it was time to be punished.

"I cried. I cried so hard I begged for death; I beseeched them. I struggled against my chains; I banged my head against the wall with reckless abandonment; I wanted it to end. All my troubles, all my pain. I couldn't take it any longer. I didn't want to help those I despised, so I attempted to kill myself over and over again, but I would blackout before I could get the horrid deed done. I was so alone."

Setiya quivered and held her ring. Her eyes widened and her heart thumped fast. She stood before a victim who was emulous in her position, but the dread she felt was monstrous. Setiya gulped and stepped close to Ina. "Then what happened? Tell me..." she entreated tentatively.

Another smile was strewn across Ina's face. It was so beautiful and so fragile; it could shatter at any moment from the slightest misfortune. "King Enoch came," she whispered gaily. "He, with an army of his soldiers, attacked a stronghold, driving the Darkside soldiers out. It went on for hours. Then I heard the sounds of hurried hoofsteps. It was him and a handful of his soldiers. His smile was so warm and kind. He released me from my prison and took me back to Zaria."

"And then you decided to aid him in the war against Darkside," Setiya mumbled.

Ina nodded. "I made an oath of loyalty; in his Highness's reverence, I vowed to use my magic in any way he ordered," she asserted. Setiya saw in Ina's eyes a look of conviction. "My life was his and my mission from then on was to protect his family and see the war through as his faithful servant."

"I'm sorry about what happened to you, Ina. You've been through so much more than I have," Setiya said, sitting on the floor. "But why are you telling me all of this?"

Ina crouched to Setiya's level and placed her hoof on the mare's chest. Like many times before, she caressed it with care. "You are hurting. You lost everything but despite your misfortunes, you have found allies and a cause," she stated with a grin, gesturing her hoof at Setiya's ring. "Flint is gone. He'll never come back. But this display of love and affection will be all you need of him. Mourn him as much as you like, but you know that Flint wouldn't let you beat yourself up like this."

Setiya was silent. Her eyes watered as she not only held her ring but Ina's hoof. "You have cried, but you haven't let it all out. Let it out," Ina crooned. Setiya didn't hold back and wailed, crying out for Flint. Ina held her friend with love and care as Setiya continued bawling. "That's it, let it out."

Sometime later, Setiya had calmed down and wiped away her tears. Ina led her friend to bed. She gently laid Setiya's head against the pillows as the mare drifted into a black, dreamless slumber. Ina gazed at Setiya's peaceful, smiling face. She will mourn Flint; however, Ina believes that Setiya will no longer become distracted. She'll focus on the here and now. She hopes.

"You'll be fine," she whispered, stroking Setiya's chest. "I am here and so are your friends. We will help you."

The stallion appears behind Ina and stares at Setiya's body, his face forever cloudy. Ina didn't know why, but she could feel a presence that exhumed sadness. She didn't turn around, her attention to Setiya was far more important, but she didn't neglect what she felt and answered him.

"She's suffering, but she's alive," Ina muttered. "Your love will always be there. Now please, for Setiya's sake, and yours, go and have your rest. We will look after her. I've been through this before with those I loved. Trust us and be well."

The stallion's head drooped as he disappears in a brown sparkle. With the stallion gone, Ina let out a heavy sigh, climbing into Setiya's bed and laying her head down next to her friend before drifting off to sleep.

Talons Alight

Black and White

A dove flittered across a sanctuary where she perches on a cold, arid surface. With a hardened gaze, she breathed in heavily and exhaled, glaring at a silhouette with emissive red eyes ahead; stalking in the shadows. It was shrouded by darkness; enveloped in a murky, obnubilated haze: It was the bloodthirsty, red-eyed raven.

He was waiting for the dove in dreadful silence, where the opportunity finally arose to snatch away what she had deep inside: Her delicate heart. The source of everything he wanted, wrapped in flesh, hidden beneath the skin; he wants to rip it out and savor the suffering the dove had endured for months.

"Your friable future; fragile, and pathetic. Shattered; you are weak. I'll take you, gnaw your bones, crush your limbs, and devour your heart: Our end draws ever nearer. Are we ready?"

Eight months have passed since the invasion wrought by Darkside. With their failed siege attempt on the castle, the Darkside forces had retreated with naught a single word of activities, allowing Zaria to recoup in a reprieve one would describe as a godsend. During this time, Setiya has been training with her friend, Ina-Sona-Lapon, to figure out how to control and use her new power unceremoniously bestowed by Emmerich.

Today, King Enoch requested Setiya, Ina, Janus, and Ms. Frendi to meet in the throne room to discuss their plan of attack. It was time for the two kingdoms to put an end to the bloodshed. Everyone entered the throne room, seeing King Enoch in white and blue-colored armor overlooking his kingdom with a stern yet affectionate countenance. They met his kind gaze and even kinder smile. His wife, Queen Ninis, stood by his side.

"Everyone, listen up," he announced, trotting to his throne in a mighty stride before turning to face his allies. "The Zarian Army will depart soon to take the fight to Darkside's front door. They have been silent for five whole months, an eerie judgment that granted us a moment to ready ourselves. And we are prepared.

"As you all are aware, I have decided to appoint Ms. Frendi and Janus as generals of my troops five weeks prior. I will lead the charge as their commander; I was born a warrior and I'll be a diamond dog if I leave my stallions and mares out in the field alone. I'd rather attempt to negotiate a peace treaty with Darkside, but in recent events, that dream has been put to the wayside; we must no longer defend and take small scraps when we can, but take the fight to our enemy.

"With Ms. Frendi and Janus's expertise in warfare, my troops have made progress one would describe as extraordinary. I can not help but to thank these seasoned warriors' work and edification to Zaria. They are all ready and willing to put their lives on the line to end this struggle, and I am proud to witness such determination.

"Now, the path to Darkside is a ten-day trek. Once we leave, the pathway to Darkside is through a vast plain and a large mass of water. We will be met with retaliation once we cross the bridge, but if we can persevere through the battle, we'll be in Darkside's homeland.

"The kingdom is a massive city protected by stone walls, however, if we can break the walls, we'll cut through the city; it's a straight line to the castle from then on. Once we smash through the gates and up the stream upstairs, Emmerich will most likely meet us, and the king of Darkside, Mordred, in the throne room.

"We have to take down Emmerich and Mordred, if not convince the latter of his folly igniting this war that has brought pain and suffering across this land. We cannot let this opportunity pass us by, for I fear if we waited any longer, the Darkside forces would be upon us in another invasion.

"You all know that I detest fighting, opting for it as a last resort. With Zaria's back no longer against the wall, we need to make this work, because if we fail in this attempt, then everything every single creature has done in this war would be for naught. Now, I have to relay this conversation to the troops outside. Before we head out in three hours, I would like for each of you to prepare yourselves for the trails ahead. That is all. Dismissed."

Everyone does not delay and prepare themselves for what lies ahead. Ms. Frendi and Janus head into their bed chambers inside the castle. The two friends gear up for the journey. Ms. Frendi takes the time to recollect the centaur she raised.

"Janus," Ms. Frendi uttered, flittering towards a window, "do you remember the time you found yourself in my armor?" she giggled as Janus began to groan, holding his face in embarrassment. "You had such a goofy grin when you said, 'Mommy, look at me! I'm a warrior just like you! Rawr!'"

Janus sighed. "First off: I didn't say 'Rawr!', thank you very much. Second: could you blame me?" he asks. "You were the best of the best; every respectful recruit strived to be you or meet your standards. I admired your strength and wisdom even at a young age, which inspired me to become a soldier."

"You always tried your best to help me with anything," the feathered griffin said, polishing her weapons. In her mind, Ms. Frendi recounted the beginning of the war and when she found Janus. For a reason, Ms. Frendi sighed heavily, staring at her twin blades with a look of sorrow. "Janus... I want to say that I'm sorry."

Janus stopped everything and hurriedly went to Ms. Frendi's side with a worried look on his face. "Is something wrong?" his voice was quiet and comforting. "Tell me what's the matter."

Ms. Frendi chuckled, shaking her head. "There's nothing wrong... it's just that... I should have asked to be dismissed the moment I took you under my wing," she whispered with a heavy sigh escaping her beak. "You shouldn't have experienced warfare, my dear, and I feel guilty about it. I had this at the back of my head for a while, but I never had the opportunity to truly tell you. Until now. When there's a chance either of us could truly lose our lives; I'm afraid. I'm sorry."

Janus embraced Ms. Frendi, his mother; the one who nurtured him. "Do not ever feel guilty or regret over your decisions with me," he scolded calmly. "Because of you, I am here and alive. Because of you, I can live alongside you and help you every single step of the way. Cast away those thoughts that plague you; they have no reason to reside in a beautiful creature such as yourself. You are my mother and my best friend, and I love you. Do you understand?"

Ms. Frendi laughed, holding Janus's hand lovingly with her claw. "You've been more vocal lately, I like it."

Janus huffed joyfully. "With everything that's happened, I guess I have. Anyway," he says, stretching and gazing out the window, "you think Setiya will be prepared for Emmerich? He has caused her so much distress; the beast."

Ms. Frendi stared at the ceiling. "She'll be ready," she says in a low voice. "She has to. With that power of hers, she'll probably be the only one who can stand up to Emmerich. Let's make sure she gets to that point."

"Yeah, we will," he answered. "Let us continue getting ready."

Setiya entered her room in silence, with Ina trailing close behind. It was warm, the light of the sun beaming through the glass window, and Setiya, in her silence, sat in front of the window. She inhaled and exhaled slowly, as if to calm her nerves, clutching her ring with the utmost care.

Ever since Ina was able to get Setiya to fully mourn the loss of Flint, the earth pony was eating and drinking more, her auburn coat regained its shine, and her brown mane was strong and healthy: She was even sleeping more. Everything that came after that day has been nothing but beneficial for the mare. Setiya was more determined to train, she had nearly mastered her new power; she can freely control it.

Despite everything good that came, there was still something lingering in the air around Setiya: She became less verbal, speaking only when she felt like she should. She normally spent her days, even after training, gazing out the window. The look in her eyes always seemed distant, yet she began to value companionship; she and Ina became nearly inseparable. The witch didn't have an issue with the sudden change in Setiya, but she would be lying if she didn't worry about her friend.

With a heavy sigh, Ina approached Setiya and sat beside her, staring out the window. She has done this many times, trying to figure out what Setiya was looking at, but Ina felt like she could never find it. So she began to figure out what Setiya was feeling, but she had failed in this endeavor as well.

Ina wondered why Setiya unexpectedly changed her behavior. She thought about her attitude before, but it was gravely overshadowed by Setiya's grief and pain, so Ina never truly knew what personality Setiya had before their meeting more than half a year ago: Even with the story she told about Flint making her happy when they snuck outside their village, Ina doesn't know about her friend's original demeanor.

Has she always been like this before the tragedy? Was she always this quiet and aloof? Maybe after losing her friends and family, and fully accepting the loss of Flint her feelings and manners changed completely. It's not scary, but slightly jarring, Ina thought to herself.

Ina scootched closer to her friend and placed her hoof on Setiya's chest. Like many times before, the smooth caress of Ina's hoof always seemed to calm Setiya down and abate her fears and worries; It was an odd gesture long ago, but now it's nothing but a welcome one.

Setiya let out a sigh of relief, turning her gaze to Ina who hid behind her mask. It was nice to not see turmoil in Setiya's golden brown eyes; no fear or sadness, but Ina always thought they sort of drifted: The eyes hid something deep within, but no matter how long she stared into those eyes, Ina could not discern what lay beneath.

"Is there something wrong, Setiya?" Ina asked in a low voice, her mask turning to the window. "You've been quiet for quite some time now. What's on your mind?"

Setiya gazed back at the window as her smile faded away. "My mind has been racked with uneasiness, and my body has been feeling... off; I feel like I'm being pressured," she answered, shifting her eyes to her ring.

"Pressured? From what?"

Setiya shrugged. "That I have to fight and defeat Emmerich. Any time we met, I nearly got away with my life while others died around me. I don't feel sad or scared. I feel pressured and a little mad."

Ina tapped on her mask in amused notion. "Because it's personal."

Setiya didn't open her mouth; her silence gave Ina an answer.

"Do you hate Emmerich?" Ina asked with a sense of prudence. "Do you desire revenge? Surely you want to kill Emmerich for everything he has done. Can you say that there is a lust for vengeance looming inside you?"

Setiya kept her mouth shut, but this wasn't what Ina wanted to hear. "Answer me, Setiya. Your quietness won't provide an answer for you this time. Tell me what you feel. Do you hate him?"

After a lull of silence, Setiya shook her head. "I don't," she confessed verily. "I don't hate Emmerich. I don't have a lust for revenge. I don't hold any anger towards him at all. He's an evil monster who does bad things."

"Then tell me what you do feel towards the horrid aberration?"

"Emmerich is a genuine force of evil. He loves what he does, and he wants nothing more than to spread his depravity," she answered quietly. "I looked into those blood-red eyes and saw no ounce of innocence or guilt. What I feel towards Emmerich is just pity, nothing else. He needs to die."

Ina sighed and looked towards the ceiling. "Even after everything you've gone through, you give mercy towards your tormentor; such clemency. I can't say I feel the same, but I understand. You've certainly grown."

Setiya chuckled. "It's still me, just a little more complicated. We should get ready."

Ina rose from the floor with Setiya and hugged her. "No matter what Emmerich does, I and your friends will be there to help."

Setiya tightened the embrace. "Thanks, Ina."

The time had come for the group to head out to confront the Kingdom of Darkness. King Enoch left his wife and his children to look after Zaria. Leading his army, with Janus and Ms. Frendi by his side, they travel across a mass plain.

The wind howled, the sky was gray, a chill swayed past coats and manes, through armor and masks alike, and only the sound of thundering hoofsteps of metal filled the air as the army trudges on in silence. Seven days have passed since Setiya and her allies embarked on this quest; this final destination that will change the war for the better or the worst.

A war she ignored that has shattered her life. A war that has beaten, battered and scarred her forever. A war she can not defy any longer. This war has taken her happiness and her love away in one fell swoop, and although she has obtained pieces of what was once her life, they are nothing more than mere remnants displaced and arranged into a new place; a new life.

She has met allies and friends that are her only family. She has also met her enemy: Emmerich. He has appeared in her dreams as a nightmare, as words echoing in her mind, and as the one who took everything away. He's the one who forced Setiya into the war by coming to her village and destroying it with naught but satisfaction and euphoria.

The more Setiya thought about it, the more she began to question her true feelings for him. In general, he's a monster that needs to be put down. That's simple. When Ina asked Setiya what she felt... the earth pony said what was expected, or so she thought.

As the army kept going, Setiya was beginning to get lost in thought like she always has. Then she began to get angry, an emotion generally foreign to the mare; Setiya has always been a pushover, a little doormat. All those months ago in that dark place was the first time she felt hatred and anger towards anything.

Was she lying when Ina asked her what she felt about Emmerich? No. It was the truth, yet is it right? Yes... no. She was lying to herself. Is it because of her delicate nature? Yes. Did she feel guilty for feeling this way? Yes. But it feels right. Did she want the feeling to go away? Yes. Was anger swelling inside her? Yes. Is this what she wants? No, but I crave it now. Is this necessary? No, but I want it. Would she kill him because of her suffering? I don't know...

A mental battle waged on in Setiya's innermost thoughts as emotions tugged at her body. She was thinking about something horrible she wanted. She felt terrible, yet the idea was so inviting. The battle went on and her thoughts were winning.

Is it personal? Yes. It is personal. Why? He took everything from me. Does she hate him, truthfully? Yes, I do. How much did she hate him? Deeply. I want him gone. Does she honestly want him dead? Yes... I want him dead. Did she desire retribution? Yes.

Setiya felt wrong and selfish... and dirty, but she couldn't suppress what she wanted. Depressed, Setiya felt her heart and shook herself from her dark thoughts, looking around the sea of soldiers. They all want to end the war so that they can be happy again. They want peace. Setiya delved back into her thoughts, yet she continued to have her hoof across her heart.

Did Setiya want peace? Yes. Was she fighting just for herself? Not anymore. What did she want? To stop him from hurting anypony else. To achieve this wish, would she strike down Emmerich? I... yes, I would.

Her heart has won the battle but her dark thoughts stalked near the corners of her skull, scratching and nibbling in her brain, yet her mind was made up.

Before anything got worse, King Enoch ordered his army to halt. Setiya didn't realize, but they had already crossed the plains and met the ocean. Squinting, Setiya could barely make out the land on the other side. Once she crossed that, she'll be no more than a few days from Emmerich.

Ms. Frendi, Janus, Ina, and Setiya joined at King Enoch's side.

"What will we do now?" Ms
Frendi asked.

King Enoch chuckled. "Worry not, I shall summon a bridge that will connect this side and the other. Stand back, my friends!"

Everyone stood clear of King Enoch's horn beaming out magic. It was golden, and it dug into the ocean and began to spread to immeasurable distances as the magic grew and grew. Setiya has never seen such raw magical power being poured from a unicorn. The magic shifted and flashed brightly as a droning sound filled everyone's ears. Setiya saw the magic begin to rise and form a bridge out of King Enoch's golden magic. After a few minutes, he stopped his magic as the spell persisted before the army.

"Everyone," King Enoch howled, "once we cross the bridge, we'll officially be in Darkside territory. We will confront the soldiers on the other side until we head to the kingdom where the bulk of the opposing army will be. If you can abstain from killing, then knock them out. If you have no choice, commit the deed and never look back.

"Some of us have killed others before, and harbor the horrible memories that come with them. Please, do not kill if you can help it, for your own sake and your friends and families. Now, let us put an end to this war!"

The army of soldiers cried out in unison, shouting to the top of their lungs with King Enoch as he began the march on the celestial bridge. Ms. Frendi, Janus, and Ina, along with Setiya, stuck together as they trekked behind King Enoch.

"Setiya," Ms. Frendi called out, placing her claw on the earth pony gingerly, "are you okay? You seem... uncomfortable."

Ms. Frendi's concerns drew the attention of Janus and Ina. The masked mare hid a calculated, skeptical look at her quiet companion.

Although Setiya would love nothing more than to stay silent with her thoughts, she didn't want Ms. Frendi to worry about her. Setiya began to speak but then she hesitated, wondering if she should tell them about what was on her mind, especially Ina. Setiya didn't lie about what she told her masked friend because what she said was true, but Setiya had her mind changed completely. And the earth pony knew that look Ina gave, even if it was behind her mask, Setiya knew that calculated expression. So she gave up.

"I hate Emmerich," she confessed with her words drenched in venom. "I want to kill him so badly. I want to tear off his head and smash it into the ground and watch the bloodstains taint the soil beneath my hooves. I want him to feel the pain and suffering so much that it makes me feel... excited and justified for doing so, but then I step back and reign those disgusting thoughts spreading amongst my skull, and I maul my chest with my hoof and feel my aching heart: I feel it oppose my... bloodlust.

"Everypony is gone; they're all dead: My friends... my family... my husband-to-be snatched from me so cleanly, so effortlessly; and all I could do is scream, cry, and watch. I've seen it. When they invaded my village, I saw so much blood, and I heard the wails and cries of the ponies I grew up knowing. I saw them run and fight; They all died. Flint whisked me away into the Forest of Darkness when that... that... bastard pursued us like it was nothing but a game. He tore through the trees and shattered the ground with each rumble. And when we got to that fateful cliff, I thought we had a chance to swim to that town and escape, even if it was just the two of us.

"I saw and heard the words, 'Can you spare a heart?' followed by a grunt of pain. It was Flint, impaled by a spear, being dragged away like some... mutt. Do you know what it's like witnessing that? To see somepony you love vomit blood on your face as you stood there in shock, unable to believe what had happened? It's haunting; with the dreams... perverted into insidious nightmares; where it was the only place I could hope to mentally escape from; all tainted. I kept seeing his dead body in my nightmares...

"My rancor-filled thoughts led me to want murder: The carnage was surfacing; the vengeance was overpowering. Despite all of that, my tattered heart; my last bastion of purity, pulled me away for one second, and all that bloodlust was swept away. I... feel horrible and dirty for thinking that way. I made the decision: Emmerich will die by my hooves, yet I will not do it out of bloodlust and hatred, but for peace to reign.

"I've been going through these thoughts for a little while, and Ina, although I had told you what I felt back at the castle, I want you to know that at the time it was true. It was when I started to seriously contemplate everything that has happened that my mind changed. I feel so wrong. Please... forgive me."

Ina trotted up to Setiya as she began to whimper and weep. The masked mare hugged Setiya so tightly, she picked Setiya off her hooves. Janus and Ms. Frendi joined in, and after a moment of silence between the group, they broke the embrace.

"We will get you to Emmerich one way or another," Ms. Frendi said with ardent conviction. Janus shared the griffin's sediments.

Ina briefly took off her mask for only Setiya to see, saying, "I vow to ensure that you get into that throne room and confront that monster; on my word!" She then slipped the mask back on.

Setiya was shocked at the sheer bravery plastered on her friend's faces and strung a smile across her face. Taking a deep breath and looking forward from beyond the bridge, Setiya swears to herself that before she dies, she will make sure to take down Emmerich and usher in peace.

After fully deciding, the Zarian Army nearly crossed the ethereal bridge, but only to stop when a large army of Darkside soldiers confronted them. The only roadblock that obstructs the path to peace stood unmoving. If the Zarian Army could get through this, provided with little damage, then nothing stands in their way to the Kingdom of Darkness.

King Enoch's form was stoic and inexorable; his unabating visage showed no fear or worry, nor ire or malice. "Remember what I said: 'If you can abstain from killing, then knock them out. If you have no choice, commit the deed and never look back.' This going to have a lot of fighting, and I know blood will be shed. Be prudent and wary, I do not want any of you buried too soon."

King Enoch shot magic into the air and shouted to his army, "Charge!" and the fight commenced with raised roars from both sides, rushing at one another. In war, there are only those who stand and others that lay limp amongst the earthly soil in silence. In this confrontation, everything matters from here on.

The armies collided with one another and began fighting for victory. Pained shouts and wails followed by screeches and screams. The sounds of metal against metal and weapons clang, the flesh and bone being torn, staining the earth covered in thick red liquid as bodies fall and slump every other second. The horror.

Ms. Frendi flew through a cascade of enemy soldiers like they were nothing, overpowering the fools with her twin blades, occasionally felling her enemies as their heads rolled. She found herself surrounded.

"I remember your faces; I never forget," she uttered softly. "As your former general and friend, please forgive me!"

Somewhere on the battlefield, Janus was burying his foes in the dirt with his hands, bucking others with his strong hind legs, and even felling some with his polearm. He tore and rived their flesh with such brutality, although he regretted every dead body he brought down.

"Close your heart to their screaming, control your breathing, and focus," he thought aloud as he continued with the oncoming onslaught. "It will be over soon. It will be over soon."

As the fight rages on for ten minutes, Setiya was smashing bodies into the ground while her tentacles were picking up and chucking unfortunate Darkside soldiers. She rushed past spears and swords effortlessly, like she was dancing and striking her opponents, but she made sure not to kill them; that honor was for Emmerich alone.

Ina was providing support, knocking out enemies while Setiya and her tentacles were preoccupied. She began to inscribe runes in the air and create ice and wind magic, along with her ethereal golden knives, and hurled her arsenal without any signs of slowing down or showing fatigue.

King Enoch danced around the soldiers like the plague, knocking them out with a single strike with the hilt of his sword. His magic pierced through an array of Darkside soldiers like they were butter, incapacitating them without breaking a sweat.

The fight went on and on, but eventually, the Darkside Army was wiped out. Some were dead, most were injured and immobilized. Although the Zarian Army had come out on top, there was a fair share of dead soldiers strewn about the battlefield like rag dolls. The Zarian Army rounded up their enemies before Ina wove a spell in the air that constrained them. With the fallen Zarian troops, they were given prayers and quick burials before the Zarian Army continued forth to Darkside.

Three days passed and the Zarian Army stood at the forefront of Darkside, the kingdom shrouded in shadows, off in the distance; just an hour away. The trek was with little hardship, except at the end; it was mostly quiet. There was a lot of time to think for not only Setiya but for everyone else.

It all came so fast, almost too quickly, as most of the ten-day trek was a blur. Perhaps that's a boon for Darkside: you start to contemplate. It worked on Setiya, maybe it worked on some of the soldiers. Regardless, her and their minds are made up, for better or worse.

Setiya gazed at Darkside with a look of indifference, yet the guise hid a deep, troubling disdain for who waited behind its walls. The distant black clouds churned above the kingdom in a never-ending cycle, casting naught but perpetual darkness. Just looking at the stalwart kingdom made Setiya's stomach churn something sinister, and she repulsed, turning her eyes away from the kingdom. Her breathing was becoming rapid, but she calmed her nerves, and then she sat on the ground.

King Enoch was gathering his soldiers to go over their plan of attack while Ms. Frendi and Janus stood beside him in silence. Ina was quiet also, however, she broke away from the group and joined Setiya, sitting on the ground. As always, the masked beauty rubbed Setiya's chest gingerly. The earth pony's chest was hot and her breathing was slightly labored. Ina shook her head and sighed.

"You're doing a good job in calming yourself, but you could use some more work," Ina said, jeering. A chuckle escaped Setiya's lips, yet it was dark and matched her wry grin. "Control yourself. Let those thoughts simmer until you face him. You'll need that wrath very soon."

Setiya clutched her ring with one hoof and caressed Ina's with the other tightly. "It's not just that I'm feeling... I'm scared. I'm afraid of what I'll find in that throne room. Emmerich will have something twisted waiting for me." Setiya couldn't stop the fear from rising in her chest, but she tried to steel herself multiple times. "I have this... bad feeling and I can't shake it off."

"Then we will deal with it when the time comes. You can't let it stop you, no matter how horrible it may be. For now, let's join the others."

Setiya sighed and nodded, joining King Enoch's side with Ina in tow. The dutiful king had gathered everyone's attention and began to go over the plan.

"Once we get to the gates, the Darkside Army will meet us with all that they have and more. We will fight and use the unicorns to start whittling down the stone walls with their magic while a unit of earth ponies keeps them safe. I will oversee that stage of the plan while Ms. Frendi fights on the edges of the battlefield to keep any unsuspecting enemies from flanking our mages, a unit of pegasi will accompany her. Janus will be on the other side with a squad of earth ponies doing the same.

"Once the stone walls are weakened, Ina will shatter them with her powerful magic. This will cause morale to drop for the enemies and cause confusion and distress as slabs of stone litter the battlefield. When the walls come down, Setiya and Ina, along with Ms. Frendi and Janus will act as a small squad and storm through the streets of the kingdom and towards the castle. We'll pick up the slack and follow in shortly behind them, trying to keep any pursuers off their flanks.

"I will not lie to any of you. The last battle was met with few casualties, but in this final confrontation, there will be thrice the amount of death, on both sides. Rest for now, because soon we'll charge the at the kingdom."

This was it, the endgame was in sight; there was no turning back at this point. It's either do or die. Will Setiya and the Zarian Army, or will they fail and perish under the boot of Emmerich and the Kingdom of Darkside?