Chapter 16: A Pale Face

My finger traced along the large, unraveled map on the ground. I looked it over as I lay on my side, a blanket between me and the cold ground as a fire ate away at some hefty logs nearby. Zecora slept in her own spot opposite to me on the other side of the firepit, turned away and bundled under her own makeshift sleeping bag. The heat from the flames was more than enough to stave off the cold, and Zecora had long since fallen into the clutches of her dreams.

My eyes followed the path we’d travelled, and plan to travel, on the parchment. Though, I seemed to have trouble focusing on the many landmarks as my thoughts couldn't help but wander back to our recent conversation.

Sighing, I rubbed my face and rolled up the map. Tucking it under my blanket, I lay onto my back and stared into the starry sky.

An hour earlier

"So... you don't remember?" Zecora asked softly from her spot next to the fire, laying on her belly as she regarded me. "It's all gone?"

Nodding slowly, I looked down at the fire for a second. "I can remember... moments. If that makes sense." I paused to meet her gaze as I shrugged. "They're real, I can feel they were real. Even still, I do not always recognize them..."

Pausing, I squinted a bit trying to recall the whispers of fragmented memories plaguing my mind.

"Old faces... voices... names..." I shook my head and breathed out a sigh. "It's like it's all being held behind glass, you know?"

Zecora looked back at me with sympathetic eyes. "What’s the first thing you remembered?"

"My name." I stated abruptly, waiting several seconds before turning to look at the nearby zebra's expression.

She was listening with bated breath, no other emotion readily evident on her face.

"And... my rebirth." I added, taking in her thoughtful gaze. "I was... brought back, Zecora. Do you... understand what I mean?" I asked, getting a hesitant nod from the striped pony.

"So you're a... um...-" She sheepishly avoided my eyes as she either searched for the correct term, or hesitated saying what was on her tongue.

"Undead." I enunciated with an undertone of disgust, the word causing my stomach to twist uncomfortably. "Yes. That is what I am."

I could almost see her eyes shift slightly, as if she was looking at me from a new angle.

“But you eat, you drink! I’ve seen you sleep and rise from nightmares.” She rattled off with a tilt of her head.

“I'm an oddity,” I replied, “-usually we don’t.”

This is where I expected the conversation to take a turn, however her words remained kind.

"What did this to you?" She asked in a sorrowful tone.

I could almost feel my hair stand up as the image of that monster flashed to the front of my mind, his blue eyes regarding me with no more respect than the bodies I lay upon.

Swallowing, I cleared my dry throat. "A Lich, a man who took a very dark path and harnessed terrible power. He meant to use us as an army, forced us to do many terrible deeds. But, in the end we were freed from his influence."

"Influence?" Zecora cut in, tilting her head a bit. "So you were under his control?"

A wave of dread fell over me as her question shook my thoughts. Not because I didn't know the answer.

But because I did.

'No...'
"…yes."

"We all were." I added, "It is not a time... I like to look back to." Zecora nodded slowly as she rubbed her two front hooves together.

“And, before that… you never found out? Anything?” She asked.

Shaking my head, I huffed. “It was… a long time until we were even considered ‘citizens’. Most still don’t.” I punctuated my explanation with a shrug. “I’ve no idea where I might have come from before I was a Death Knight. Before I was worgen. I’ve tried learning about the early worgen sightings… figure out where I got the curse but-“ I cut myself off with an annoyed grunt, “-even information is given sparsely to… the likes of me.”

There was a short silence as I watched the fire eat away at the dwindling pile of wood scraps.

I shrugged. “So I turned to books, became a bit of a hermit I guess… but not much had yet been written on recent events and what had been was not something I could easily obtain. So I gave up.” I finished, finally looking up to Zecora.

She hadn’t moved from her spot and it doesn’t even look like she’d blinked. As her gaze locked with mine she fluttered her eyes and shook her head.

“Gave up? But… what if you had old friends, a family?” She asked, electing a sigh from me.

“Maybe. Maybe not. Not like it really matters anymore.” I answered in an uncaring tone.

“Well…” Zecora started, laying down a bit more and looking up towards the sky. “-Dal, if you ever find a way home… I’ll help you search.”

Chuckling to myself, I shook my head a bit. “I appreciate it, Zecora.” There was a long stretch of quiet, until I spoke up again. “So, from where did you come from?” I asked glancing her way to see her ears ever so slightly droop.

She looked to be thinking about something. “Oh, well… that was a long time ago, and a long story Dal…” She paused before shuffling a bit in place, “-maybe another night, I am quite tired after today.”

She punctuated her excuse with a small smile, which I hesitantly returned.

“Try to sleep yourself, okay?” She asked before slowly rolling over and pulling her own blanket up.

I didn’t answer and elected for throwing a couple very large logs on the fire to burn through the night.

“How much further, do you think?” I asked from my spot on the carriage as it steadily made its way along the path.

“Well, those are the Crystal Mountains… there,” She paused with a motion ahead as I squinted to get a look. “There should be a town on the south-west…ish side of one of those mountains coming up.”

Sure enough, I could see what looked like the peaks of blue mountains on the horizon, however they were barely visible over the many white clouds surrounding them and stretching on above us. It was that exact moment where a single snowflake caught my eyes as it gently fell some ways down the trail.

A part of me wanted to armor back up being this far out of town, but I was beginning to grow fond of the freedom afforded to the cloak I currently wore. Pulling my hood back, my hair swung free as the chilly breeze gently tugged at each strand.

Zecora took one glance back at me and gave a violent shiver.

“Equestrian winters are always so bucking cold! I almost envy your resistance…” Zecora muttered at the end.

I looked at the shaking zebra and got an idea as I jumped off the carriage and followed alongside her.

“I’ll admit, sometimes always being cold does come in handy.” I said as I plucked a single leaded vial from my pouch.

“Is… that was it’s like?” She asked, looking my way and scanning me with her eyes.

Nodding a bit, I set the vial in the heater as I walked. “More or less, yeah.” I answered back as I browsed my available herbs.

As I grabbed the two I was looking for, I swore under my breath and shook my head as my eyes glanced over my other stock.

Apparently not quietly enough as Zecora quickly glanced my way. “What's the matter?” She asked as she buried her muzzle into her scarf, wrapped tightly inside her cloak’s hood.

As I dropped the prepared reagents into the vial, Goldthorn and Wintersbite, I spared her a quick look before focusing on the potion.

“We’re almost out of Goldclover. Until we return to Ponyville, that is.” I answered as I stamped and swirled the vial.

“How many are left?” She asked as I inspected the forming potion in my hands.

“Three.”

Not a moment after I finished the potion did the falling snow seem to thicken. It accumulated on the ground quickly as our steps lightly *crunched* on the thin white layer.

“What's that for?” Zecora asked through slightly chittering teeth.

“For you.” I replied, stretching it outwards in my grasp.

She stopped walking and locked eyes with the vial, light blue like the sky with swirling streaks of white. Her hesitation was barely a passing thought as she took the potion and uncorked it before throwing it all back.

I could see the immense wave of relief on her features as her body stopped shaking and her eyes widened.

With a smirk, I motioned to the vial. “Frost protection potion. Should absorb the cold for a few hours at least.”

She looked down at the empty potion and chuckled. “Seems like you have a potion for everything.”

Nodding, I shrugged. “More or less, yeah. Its just a matter of materials,” I began as I pat my storage pouch, “-and wisdom.” I finished with a tap on my right temple.

The hours passed and the snow was accumulating extremely fast, enough that each step was starting to sink into the snow. Zecora had begun shivering again, and I was starting to get worried about this village being all the way out here in this hellish snow.

It wouldn’t stop, and only seemed to worsen as we got towards our perceived destination. Part of me was almost beginning to think that whatever was causing this snowfall was magical in origin. Looking to Zecora next to me, I could see her squinting through the icy bombardment blinding her as she trekked forward.

Shaking my head, I sighed. “Enough!” I yelled over the whistling wind as she turned to me and cracked an eye open. “Get inside! I’ll pull from here.”

“But you said-“ She began, before getting cut off as I shouted over her.

“Forget what I said! I’ll figure it out!”

She stared at me for a moment, before making her way to the carriage’s side door. I followed her in, closing off the harsh wind blasting into my back behind me. The howl of the storm pounded on the oaken walls of the vehicle as I made my way around Zecora and over to my piled up armor. I elected for suiting up, the snow starting to weigh me down as it stuck to the fibers of my clothes. I hoped the slick metal would help keep the snow from sticking. I finished tightening my chest piece before pulling my helmet down over my head. With one last readying breath, I opened the door to a torrent of icy wind.

My metal boots crunched through the fresh powder, large flakes of snow pelting off my armor. Returning to the front and looking down at the harness, I unlatched it from the chains it was bound to and threw it into the front seat. Reaching down, I wrapped the two chains a few times around my right hand before turning away and draping it over my shoulder.

I heaved the carriage as I stared towards my destination. The road was nothing but the slightest indent, our only reassurance we were moving the right way.

The weight of the carriage, at first, was barely a burden. However, as minutes turned to an hour it rapidly began sapping me of energy. This wasn’t going to work.

At least, not without some help.

I dug back into my bag, retrieving two more kinds of herbs and another leaded vial.

With a bit of difficulty because of the relentless weather, I managed to process the herbs as I stared at the greenish potion with the likeness of slime.

I popped the cork back off and downed it as I felt my throat tighten. I hacked back a cough as I nearly dropped the vial, the fire flowing through my veins igniting my muscles as it passed. The pain faded as I bent down and picked the chains back up.

The cart felt light as a feather now, like I was holding a balloon.

“What was that?” Zecora asked from behind me.

Looking back, I could see her watching me from a small sliding window just behind the front seat. It was made of what appeared to be multiple interconnected pieces of wood in an accordion like style, forming one long window that folded as you slid it open.

“Elixir… Ogre’s strength,” I spoke over the wind. “-how much further!?”

“There should be a marker any time now!” She yelled back as I refocused ahead. “I don’t know why the Pegasi are letting the storm get so bad!” She added a moment later, grabbing my curiosity instantly.

“What... what do you mean!?” I blurted back, confused. “Like, the Pegasi control the snow!?”

“Of course!” She yelled back, awarding a bewildered expression from myself. “Ponies control all of the weather!”

‘What the fuck?'

Shaking my head, I tried not to think about how much work controlling the weather of this planet would be, or how at all they could manage it… suppressing myself from asking anymore questions on the matter.

Tonight after we find an inn, I’m cracking open a damn book!

“There!” Zecora suddenly sounded from behind me.

I looked ahead and saw what looked like a large curved rock. It sat almost as if perched on two legs, its hollow center causing a low howling sound as the wind rushed through it.

“He said turn left at whistling rock and you should find the town!” Zecora yelled over the torrent of wind with a bunched up muzzle. “Okay, good luck!” She added, closing the hatch as I turned the cart into the wind.

I walked on, trying to stay as ‘straight’ as I could after the turn. Either we were walking off-road, or the snow build up had gotten so bad I couldn't even tell. My eyes squint into the harsh blizzard as the winds sporadically changed direction, until a strange shape in the white void caused me to stop.

I scanned the vast emptiness to my right for the figure I had seen, but the harder I tried to look the more it seemed the snow obscured it. I shook my head and re-settled the chain over my shoulder before moving to continue my walk.

I got a few more steps, before I once again saw the silhouette in my right peripheral. My head snapped to it, locking onto the rogue shape in the storm.

“HELLO?!” I shouted towards what I hoped was a pony.

I was instantly met with a familiar sensation. The sensation of being watched. The pony shaped figure must have been looking at me, however… one thing had immediately put me on edge. Or perhaps, the lack of something.

Unlike any time before when I was being watched, the two icicles boring into me from the perpetrators vision; I shuddered at the unfamiliar feeling, the feeling of a single intense beam of cold burning into me.

This thing only had one eye.

My breath hitched, and I stood completely still as I met the things stare.

Then, it took a step.

It’s shadowed figure straightened out as it fully faced me. My breathing was tense as I slowly loosened my grip on the chains in my hand, letting them down carefully into the snow.

It hadn’t reacted, like it was waiting for my next move. Suddenly the wind direction changed, and I was assaulted with a burst of cold to my face.

Carrying with it the pungent scent of decay.

I barely even had a moment to register what it was, before Zecora opened the coach window again.

“Dal?! Whats-“ She started, but was cut off as the nearby figure let out a gurgling shriek.

Both our eyes snapped to the figure as it broke into a hobbled sprint towards the caravan. I blinked once, the surprise of what I was seeing momentarily dazing me. I snapped back quickly however as the sound of Zecora’s sudden scream kicked my instincts back into gear.

The thing sprint full speed towards us, leaping into the carriage’s side causing it to rock over onto two wheels for a moment. It was definitely a pony, emphasis on ‘was’. The right side of it's face has seemingly been ripped off, and much of it’s once brown body frozen blue in various spots... patches of missing fur dotted everywhere along it's flesh. One of it’s wings were bent at an awkward angle and the other was gone completely, only a protruding bone where it once was.

Though, most disturbing of all it’s features had to be it’s single eye that lazily rolled around it’s unbalanced head… the other having been ripped out sometime recently.

The ghoulish pony let out a gurgled cry as it lurched off the carriage and careened towards me with snapping teeth. I took one step back, bracing myself, and avoided it's maw whilst sliding my hands around it's midsection. Straining my whole body, I swung the thing around and onto the ground as it rolled a couple times.

I didn't give it a chance to reorient itself as I hurriedly strode up to it and stomped my armored foot down upon it's neck. I was rewarded with a squelching sound as the pony twitched a couple times, before finally falling still.

"Dal!" Zecora screamed as she slammed the window shut and opened the carriage door a moment later. "What are you doing!"

"Stay inside!" I shouted back, waving my hand towards her.

She didn't listen however, and quickly made her way towards me.

"You killed him!" She shouted, "Dal, why would you-"

"Shut up!" I screamed back, holding her mouth shut with my own hands. "Don't... yell." I whispered close to her face, before carefully scanning the area around us.

She tried to shake me off at first, however as she finally took in the visage of the rotting pony her ears instinctively folded down. I held her for a moment longer as I looked into the blizzard around us, before meeting eyes with Zecora again and gently releasing her muzzle.

"W-what... happened to him." She asked, hesitantly glancing to the mangled pony.

"..." I stayed quiet as I stared down at the thing.

It had to be a ghoul, there was no mistaking it. You don't forget that scent... the scent of disease and rot cursed unto flesh.

My upper lip curled in disgust as I turned away from the corpse and surveyed the area.

'How?' I thought to myself as I scanned the blizzard. 'Am I not the only thing that made it through the veil?'

"I have a hunch." I began, pointing back to the carriage. "Get back inside. We have to go."

We both looked at each other again, and I could see the worry in her eyes. However, it was complimented with something else...

"Zecora, we cant." I began, making my way to the carriage. "This is not something we can handle, trust me."

She simply shook her head. "But, the town. They should be close, we should warn-"

"They're probably already dead, Z." I stated coldly, getting her to look at me in surprise. "And we'll be too if we don't leave, now."

She processed my words for a moment, before shaking her head. "How could you possibly know that."

I motioned to the dead pony. "It came from somewhere. If I had to guess... nearest town." Bending down, I picked the chains back up and glanced at Zecora. "And there's never only one."

That's when a pained scream rang out nearby, followed immedietly by a gurgling screech.

We both looked to our left and saw two ponies wrestling in the snow. I dropped the chains in my hand and ran towards them as fast as I could. I could see the one underneath frantically trying to remove the other pony who was gnashing at their neck.

I barely missed a beat as I plunged my hand into the pouch and retrieved my sword. I aimed for my targets side, the blade still wrapped in linen and obscuring it's true splendor.

It didn't impede it's sharpness, however, as it pierced the ghoul's ribs like butter.

The pony, who's lips had been ripped away showing it's nasty teeth, opened it's eyes in shock and let go of the mare below. I heft the impaled pony up by the hilt of my sword and spun around, causing it to violently rip out and toss the ghoul away.

The linen was gone, my sword glowing as the blue runes etched upon it's surface were freed for all to see. With my Runeblade in hand, even my ghostly blue eyes had returned while in human form.

I looked down at the pony, who was just barely managing to look up at me in fear as she choked on her breathing and frantically covered her face with her forehooves.

She kicked her hind legs under her, trying to push away from me.

"No... p-please-" She begged, shaking her head as the sound of the nearby ghoul once again demanded my attention.

I turned towards it as it hobbled my way, not a drop of blood coming from the fresh wound through it's side. I faced it fully, pulling my sword to the side and reaching forward with my empty hand.

The ghoul's body reacted instantly as cold chains bound it, reeling it down into the snow as it groaned in anger. Bringing my sword up with both hands, I took a breath and cleaved downwards. My determination to see this thing dead resonated with my weapon as it left a faintly visible red trail behind it.

It’s head came off cleanly as the corpse fell, unmoving once more.

I barely regarded the dead ghoul, before turning around with my head on a swivel. I looked all around, making sure no others would appear from the snowy visage before regarding the gasping mare. Her eyes shrunk to pinpricks as I moved her way.

Frantically rolling over, she tried to crawl away whilst mumbling incoherently.

“Hey.” I began, coming up beside her as she went still.

A few more seconds went by, until she hesitantly looked up at me with unbridled fear.

“Death claims me… sweet Celestia this is it…” She whimpered to herself as she continued to try and get away.

“Relax, pony. I’m not here to harm you.” I stated firmly, getting the pony to look back up to me.

Stashing my blade on my back I bent low, getting close to the small earth mare’s face. She instinctively flinched, closing her eyes and refusing to look my way.

I could feel Zecora’s eyes on my back as I faced the pony, but I ignored her presence and focused entirely on the shivering mare.

“Look at me.” I stated, coaxing her eyes open slowly. “Have you seen others like me. Human.”

Her gaze flicked between my two eyes, before shakily nodding. “Y-You look… j-just like it…” She mumbled, covering her face with her hooves. “Blue eyes, silver sword…” She paused, turning towards the dead ghoul with a choked sob.

My stomach felt like lead, the sound of the rushing wind drowned out by my thoughts.

Another Death Knight was in Equestria, and they were spreading a plague of undeath.

I hardened my gaze, causing the pony's shivering to intensify. That’s when I noticed the state she was in. Her ribs visible under the red fur, her eyes sunken from lack of sleep. She was already nearly freezing, there was no way she was gonna make it to the next town before dropping dead.

I picked her up with my right arm, causing her to struggle vainly as I walked past my silent companion. We all re-entered the carriage as I pulled the door shut, the sound of the storm suddenly growing much quieter. The pony had slowly stopped struggling after realizing I wasn’t going to hurt her, at least I hoped.

I lay her down on a long fold out bench against the wall, her eyes locked straight and unmoving.

Turning to Zecora, I saw she was standing on the end of the same bench with the sliding window slightly cracked open. She peered out, looking for any signs of movement.

“Anything?” I asked.

She shook her head quickly in response. “No.” Looking one last time before sliding the window shut, she turned towards me. “Dal, what the hay was… that.”

“… I don't know the word in your tongue, but in common we call it 'ghoul.'” I said, electing a look of confusion from her. "The flesh cursed into undeath."

Her face contorted into horror as she shook her head. "Raising the dead? But... who would commit something so abhorrent!"

“Something like me.” I stated coldly, standing up and pulling my sword off my back. “Zecora, I'm gonna be honest with you. That town is probably done for,” I paused with my back to her, before letting out a sigh. “We should leave and alert the princesses.”

“No!” The pony on the bench suddenly burst into the conversation, electing both our attentions. “Y-you're strong, right? You can get them out of there, Please!” She pleaded, suddenly getting off the bench and making her way over to Zecora.

Wrapping her arms around the Zebra, she immediately broke down.

“P-Please…” She hiccupped between words as Zecora tried to console her, “-my daughter… she’s still there, please, you have to!” She sobbed, taking a glance in my direction before wiping her eyes. “We were out of food! S-She was getting sick and I-I said... I said I’d try and make it through the storm and... get help.”

My hand squeezed the hilt of my sword, thinking hard. “How many days ago did this start.” I said seriously, electing a small squeak from the pony.

“Almost a w-week ago… ponies started disappearing.” She admitted with intermittent hiccups, electing a shake of my head. “But the monsters… they just started a couple days ago, on the eve of the storm.”

“The place is probably overrun now. We’re not going.” I said with finality.

Her eyes cast downwards, and I could see the final string holding her psyche in place break as her eyes glassed over. She sat on her haunches, covering her face with her forehooves and mumbling to herself.

“I'm so sorry baby… I shouldn’t have left- oh Celestia why…” Her words came out in a quiet monotone at first, until she finally started to break down again and sob.

Zecora consoled the mare before glancing to me with distaste.

I glared back, trying to make it clear just how impossible it would be for one man to enter a scourge infested town.

“Z, one is nothing. But there could be dozens… hundreds of those things at once.” I warned, causing her hard look to soften as she finally began to process the odds.

“…” She didn’t say anything for a while, before glancing to the pony still crying in her arms. “Do what you have to, Dal. I trust you’ll make the right decision.”

I broke eye contact with her and quickly left, the carriage door closing behind me as I entered the nearly knee deep snow. Staring into the white abyss, I rubbed my face with my free hand as my nerves tingled in annoyance.

‘Fffuuck…’ I flipped my sword by the hilt, twisting it in my hand as I round' the carriage.

‘Fuck!’ I shook my head, glaring at the two ghouls almost entirely covered with fresh snow.

‘…fuck.’ I sighed, realizing my mind had already been made up ages ago.

Giving one last look into the unrelenting blizzard, I turned to Jump onto the carriage and knock on the window. I waited but a moment until it slid open and Zecora looked back at me in earnest.

“Get her up here. I'm gonna need directions.” I stated without looking towards the Zebra.

I could see her smile in my peripheral before disappearing inside. A moment later, the other mare popped her head out, followed next by Zecora as the long window slid open fully.

The mare’s hoof stuck out the window, near the direction I’d killed the ghoul attacking her. “Fillyfjell is that way, you have to hurry! Things were getting bad when I left…” She begged with desperation evident in her voice.

I turned towards the direction she was pointing, before looking down at my satchel and pondering what to prepare. Reaching inside, I grabbed the remaining three goldclover and all the other herbs I needed for my plan.

I mixed the herbs together, creating three runic healing potions which shone brightly as I stuffed them back into my pouch. Along with one other… the ‘Indestructible potion’ as it was so famously dubbed.

While it didn’t last close to as long as other durability potions, it was nearly ten times as potent. It was my ace in the sleeve incase things got rough.

“What is he doing? Please you need to go now!” The mare pleaded from the carriage, and promptly consoled by Zecora.

“Trust me.” She said, tapping her on the shoulder. “Just… let him do his thing.”

I glanced back at Zecora, and she responded with a confident nod.

Turning towards the direction she described, I let out a calming breath.

'No time for morals… I cannot hold back.’ My thoughts whispered as I looked down to my right hand, and the Runeblade resting in it’s grasp.

Like many times before, the mist enveloped me before being whisked away by the torrent of winds and revealing my worgen form. I ignored the fearful sounds made by the other pony behind me, and picked the chain up with my left hand to begin my march.

I moved with purpose, pulling the carriage at a steady pace and darting my eyes all over the landscape. Every now and then I swear I could barely see the silhouette of a pony in the distance and turned quickly to avoid them. The blizzard seemingly worked in my favor, the ghoul’s poor eyesight exaggerated by the harsh conditions.

At least, I hoped as much.

It was mid day when we had entered this snowstorm, but the storm was so thick it already looked like dusk. Before I knew it, the looming shadow of a home began to appear not 15 feet ahead of me. I stopped suddenly, looking back at the ponies as they nervously glanced around.

I brought a single claw to my mouth in a ‘Shhh’ gesture while looking to the mare for direction. She pointed to the left of the house, so I obliged. Pulling the cart, I looked around the edge of the building before walking around it and into the town. Homes with darkened windows lined the empty streets, not a single soul anywhere to be seen.

Tracks littered the freshly fallen snow all around, the evidence of many wandering dangers still undetected.

A light tapping from the coach caught my attention as I glanced behind me. The terrified pony point towards something that looked like an old library with two big doors. The building was situated just across a small open area surrounding a lone statue of a pegasus mid dive. Slowly, I trudged through the snow towards my target.

I only got about halfway across, when a sudden noise caused me to stop.

A low, throaty groan rang out from the right as a hulking monstrosity come out from behind a nearby house. It was a very large pony, larger even than that red pony I met at the orchard. It’s head was bent at an awkward angle as it dragged one hoof behind itself. It wasn’t alone, as ghouls of all sizes seemingly materialized from the blizzard. I readied my sword as the pony in the carriage whimpered and started to panic, but as three turned to ten, then to fifteen… I knew this was quickly becoming unwinnable.

At first, they stumbled out in a confused daze... until one after another they all began to take notice of us.

“Fuck… shit! Zecora, no good!” I said as the large one suddenly broke into a sprint. “Fuck, run!” I yelled back at the two frozen ponies, pointing at the library doors.

I ran towards the massive ghoul, stopping his charge with a slice to his leg as I passed. It dropped but didn’t give up as it grasped for my feet. Like a switch, the rest of the horde gave chase, all having selected me as their target. Pulling all of them to the right side of the clearing, away from the carriage, I turned and saw the absolute horde tailing me.

Preparing a familiar spell, death and decay, I threw it into the ground under me as I ran on two legs. Running on all fours was a no go, the deep snow making it an impossibility.

The spell worked it's magic as the ground bubbled where it had landed, ethereal hands slowing down some of the mob. A few even got devoured completely, rapidly decomposing as they lay within the spell’s boundary.

My eyes locked onto Zecora as they left the carriage and trudged through the deep snow towards the library.

One particularly fast ghoul got too close for comfort as it’s forehoof barely slipped off the back of my armor, electing a wide slash from me as I ran. The decapitated ghoul was instantly trampled as the horde trailed just behind, gnashing their maws furiously in an attempt to devour me.

The two ponies made it to the doors, slamming on them as soon as they could reach. “Open the doors! Hurry!” I could hear the mare shout as she pound on the solid obstacle.

Some ghouls had started to take notice, electing a few choice words under my breath. I kept my distance to hopefully keep more from breaking off, and grasped at one with my empty hand that was just a few feet from Zecora.

The ghoul launched my way, however before it could reach me my balance was thrown off as a ghoul jumped onto my back and bit down. My spaulder absorbed the bite, the large pony's mouth getting good coverage as the armor groaned.

I could feel the row of serrated metal pressing into my shoulder as I winced. I punched the pony a few times in the snout, finally getting it loose after the last swing made a sickening *crunch.*

It tumbled behind me and into the horde, knocking many of them over this time. My legs burned as I ran, approaching the two ponies that were furiously pounding on the library doors. Two ghouls had them flanked, but they never got the chance to close the distance as I made it to them first.

I stabbed my sword right through the back of the left pony’s head, causing it to fall limp as I pulled it out and swung right to decapitate the other. They both lay dead as I huffed, looking at the two ponies staring back at me in fear. Looking behind me, I could see the horde stumbling over eachother as they neared.

I turned to the door and slammed my fist on it, hard. The sound reverberated through the whole building.

“Open the door! Now!” I yelled, turning to the nearing horde and shaking my head. “Fuck, fuckfuckfuck.”

I reached into my pouch, fumbling with my potions as I grabbed the inky black vial I’d just made.

Downing it, the tar flowed down my throat and it felt like my limbs themselves turned into iron. I ran ahead of the two ponies and held my sword in both hands.

The attack hit like a tsunami. It took all my will just to remain upright as I cleaved through anything I could, dodging downright impossible as limbs scratched at every piece of my body. I aimed for any pony that managed to climb above chest level, my muscles burning as I heaved the sword through their bodies and killing a few for every dozen strikes to my armor. The ghouls literally piled over each other to try and reach me... I knew if I fell down the fight would be over in seconds.

I tried summoning a shield of bones from the ghouls I killed, the spinning shrapnel tearing apart a few of them as they relentlessly struck, bit and rammed me.

But no matter what I did, it wasn’t enough.

“Dal!” Zecora shouted suddenly, grabbing my attention as I just barely saw her through the doors closing between us.

Using all the strength I could muster, I charged through the barrier of bodies and ran. Even through the potion, my whole body ached. Dents littered my armor, pushing down against my flesh painfully. Any spots where there had been chainmail was torn away, my bleeding skin visible just underneath.

I made it to the door, slamming into it as it refused to budge. I could hear a commotion on the other side, but I didn't have time to process the words as I spun around to face the horde again. Many had fallen backwards over each other or the bodies they stepped over when I broke free, but the confusion didn't last nearly long enough.

My mind reeled as I looked all over for an out, until the bodies of the two ghouls I disposed of earlier that attacked Zecora caught my attention. The mob was just a couple feet from walking over them, and then barely a spitting distance from me. In the split second, I made the decision I knew I'd probably regret.

Dropping my sword, I grasped forward with both of my clawed hands towards the dead ghouls. A moment went by, then an explosion rang through the air as I tried to cover my face. I felt dozens of shards impact my right side as I looked away, the blast throwing me into the doors and electing a loud ringing in my ears.

I shook my head to try and re-orient myself, but the high pitched feedback refused to fade as I sat my back against the doors. I looked around clumsily from my spot on the ground, my eyes making out the shape of my sword as I groaned and picked it up with my right hand. My worgen form had seemingly dispelled, the massive blast nearly knocking me unconscious. The horde infront of me was in a state of discord, the two explosions having scattered them while painting the once brilliant snow a hideous shade of red.

Even so, many of them had survived the attack… having been merely dazed and peppered with shrapnel. I tried to lift my blade, the armor covering my arm punctured with bone shards as my muscles burned with effort. I pulled off my helmet and let it fall into the snow, trying to clear my worsening vision. Before I could prepare for the next wave, the doors behind me suddenly opened.

I fell back and felt someone grab around my arms. I couldn't see their face, the dark interior and blurry vision making it impossible.

"Close it!" I heard them yell, his voice booming over my ringing ears.

The last bit of light went out with a thunderous *bang* as I stared towards the ceiling. Hoof-steps echoed all around me as the sounds of debris piled against the doors.

A few moments after the ruckus settled down, a pony spoke up. “That should hold, for now…” They grumbled out as I tried to prop myself up on my left hand.

My heart thumped in my ears as I fumbled with my pouch for a healing potion, before remembering all the shrapnel still stuck in my flesh. Before I could even ponder how fucked I was, a mare’s voice suddenly yelled out nearby.

“It’s taking something out!” She screamed as I suddenly noticed the stares currently burning my way.

My breathing was rough as I tried to look between the small group of ponies all regarding me with varying looks. I could see Zecora among them, her white and black stripes helping her stand out easily as she looked on in worry.

“Don’t move, monster!” A larger grey pony, the one who dragged me in here, said as he approached me from the right.

He was holding a large piece of lumber against the groove between his shoulder and neck, hefting it along with each step of his left leg. He was ready to swing the thing, easily, down on my head as he looked at me through his black bangs in disgust.

“Don’t!” Zecora yelled from inside the group of five other ponies, two of which held her in place. “He’s not one of them, he’s with me!”

“Shut up!” He yelled back, looking at Zecora for a second before locking eyes with me again. “You’re the one that caused all this, you brought those monsters!”

“No…” I said with a wince, shaking my head.

“Lies!” He yelled, reaching over and grabbing the piece of wood with his right hoof.

“It’s not him!” Another pony yelled, the one I saved out in the blizzard. “It can’t be. He saved me Blitz.” She added, pulling closer another pony I hadn’t noticed the first time… a small filly which cowered at my gaze.

Blitz looked between us, thinking hard as he slowly let the wooden beam rest on his shoulder again.

Shaking his head, he squint his eyes as he examined me. “You’re… not the demon? But, you look-“

“I am one, but not like that.” I cut in, getting a look from him. “I… I’m not one of his slaves. Not anymore.” I spoke this time with a drop of malice.

There was a long silence, until he looked back to the two ponies holding Zecora. They promptly let go of her as she ran over to me and slid to a stop on the stone floor. She quickly looked me over as I fell back. She pulled one of the potions from my pouch, but I rapidly shook my head electing a look of confusion from her.

“Remove… the shrapnel first.” I spoke in a tired tone, reaching under my left shoulder plate and unlatching it.

Zecora helped me remove my armor, though the process of taking the arm and chest piece off was an extremely painful procedure. The chest was littered with holes, completely unusable. The same went for over half of the armor as we peeled the rest off, whether it be from the shrapnel or caused by the horde.

Plenty of shards ripped out with the armor, plenty did not.

“They all need to be… removed.” I said through grit teeth as I looked down my right arm. “Quickly. If you can.” I added as Zecora started pulling at the first piece.

I clenched my teeth as she pulled them out. She tried to hide the disgust on her face after she realized what it was made of, and failed. Progress was slow, but it was taking too long and I could feel my concentration slipping.

“Not… fast enough.” I groaned, looking towards the group of ponies nearby and locking on to one in specific. “Come, you.”

The pony hesitated, but slowly walked over. She was a light green unicorn, just what I needed.

“Use your magic… pull them all out.” I began, waiting for her to make her move. “Do it!” I added angrily, electing a slight whimper from her.

She lit up her magic, along with a few of the protruding spikes.

“No!” I said, getting her to jump. “All of them! At once!”

She looked at me in horror, before lighting her horn up even brighter. A moment later it felt like hundreds of serrated needles were torn out, coating the floor just beside me in a crimson hue. I rolled slightly, groaning in pain as I fought to stay awake.

Zecora pulled me back over and frantically hoofed the potion towards me, which I clumsily accepted. The potion did it’s work, as much as it could, as the pain hastily flowed away and I sighed in relief. I lay my head back onto the stone floor for a moment, breathing deeply and trying to focus.

After a bit longer, I propped myself up and scoot back towards a nearby bookshelf to sit against. Zecora went to speak, but I held my hand up before the words left her mouth.

“Just… hold on.” I said in a winded tone, reaching into my pouch and retrieving another runic healing potion.

I took a readying breath before downing the second one, feeling it reignite the previous potion’s efforts. I took a few more seconds to compose myself as I looked at the rest of the room. The large pony from before was anxiously watching the doors, two large bookshelves leaned against them. The red mare I'd helped was consoling a frightened child that matched her color but sported wings of it’s own.

The two ponies that had been holding Zecora in place looked male, both also with wings on their side. One was teal with a silver mane, while the other was all white with a short blue cut. And lastly the green colored unicorn who helped me sat on her haunches nearby, silent.

That made six ponies in this town. If these were the remaining survivors, that is.

I shook my head as I stood, looking around for my sword before spotting it lying where I’d been dragged to. The large grey pony stood next to it, staring down at it with a stoic look on his face. He could hear me approaching from the side as he lift his head slowly towards me. His face didn’t change as we both locked eyes for a moment.

Reaching down, I grasped my Runeblade.

I couldn’t hide the flash of blue mist that ignited in my eyes, as his gaze flashed back to the sword that stuck itself to my back.

“So…” He began, looking at me with suspicion. “You’re not one of theirs, you said.”

“I wouldn’t be talking to you if I was.” I stated back, looking to the front doors. “This town is lost. You must flee.”

“No!” He yelled back. “My whole family lives here, my brother… I-“

“They’re dead.” I cut in, electing a surprised look from him that quickly turned sour. “I saw your spitting image out there, at least… your brother already is.”

“You son of a-“ He began, taking a few hard steps forward until a red blur moved in-front of him. “Get out of my way, Ruby!” He yelled at the mare, electing a stern shake of her head.

“Blitz… I'm so sorry.” She started, shaking her head. “I saw him too…”

He processed her admission, his face playing through an array of emotions as he pulled away.

“N-no… he-“

Though, the moment was cut short as a new voice cleaved the atmosphere.

“So, this is where you’ve all been hiding…” The unknown voice pierced the room, immediately grabbing everyone’s attention as we looked to the doors.

All of the ponies looked on in confusion, not knowing what they just heard.

But I did, clear as day… for it was spoken in perfect Common.

A small series of light knocks rattled on the doors, getting all the ponies inside to flinch in fear.

“It’s here… oh Sisters it knows! We’re doomed!” The white pegasus began as he frantically looked around for a way out.

Panic set in instantly, all of the ponies huddling closer and slowly backing away from the doors.

“If you don’t open these doors… I’m gonna have to do it myself~.” The voice cooed in a tone that dripped with threat.

I could feel the presence on the other side growing impatient as it tried pulling and pushing at different spots on the door. Now the ponies really started to panic, letting out intermittent cries of fear as they all scrambled to hide behind eachother.

Zecora looked at me for some kind of plan, but I felt my mind blanking.

“You have something of ours…” The voice suddenly chirped, halting my breathing for a moment. “I can smell it… now why would you have a thing like that?”

I could feel cold sweat cover my body, she must have been talking about me.

“Dal,” Zecora cut in, getting my attention. “What is she talking about.”

Suddenly I remembered Zecora actually could understand some common. I shook my head, looking at the two doors one last time before spinning around.

‘I can’t go back… I can’t’

“We have to leave.” I said sternly, walking to the other side of the library and looking all over for an alternative exit. “Any who refuse, will be left behind.”

The ponies were all shocked at my sudden declaration, “But, can’t you… kill it?” The other teal pegasus hesitantly asked, electing a rapid shake of my head.

“No.” I stated, peering out the barricaded glass windows.

One by one they all joined me in looking for a way out. Even the large pony, Blitz, relented and dropped the weapon he was holding to walk over to the back of the room.

Grabbing onto another large bookcase, he heft it over as the books fell away and revealed another door. “Cellar has a way out, we can leave through there.”

All the ponies stopped where they were, before quickly running over to the door by Blitz. I followed, reaching the wall as a thunderous crack shook the building. Looking back, we watched as splinters exploded from the barricade. The tip of a silver sword shone through the wooden panel, before pulling out and striking again.

The door tore away like tissue paper as pony limbs reached into broken pieces and helped pull apart the structure. The group of ponies all cried in panic as they pulled at the door, fighting over it until I stepped ahead and grasped the handle myself. It wouldn’t budge, so I gave it a hard charge with my shoulder.

The thing folded like rotted wood as I nearly stumbled down the stairs just beyond. I motioned ahead, no hesitation from any of the ponies as they all raced down the stairs. I followed behind Zecora, the last pony to enter, as the sounds of splintering wood grew quiet behind us.

The cellar was dark, no light leaking into the damp structure until the one unicorn of the group ignited her horn. The room was bathed in a soft purple as we scurried through the storage room. It wasn’t long until we reached a set of stairs and hesitantly pushed open the doors sealing the cellar shut.

I pushed up slightly as the weight of the snow held the door flaps down. With a bit of effort, I managed to push the two doors open and bathe myself lightly in snow as it fell down on me. We didn’t waste any time as we hurriedly entered the blizzard once more.

The ponies were all very skittish, looking around on a swivel as they stuck close to each other.

“Lets go, quick.” I said low, motioning into the storm.

“But Dal, our cart.” Zecora asked, electing a shake of my head.

“Forget it, Z.” I stated simply, turning and marching into the snow. “Move, now.”

The ponies didn’t hesitate, following after me and sticking close. Zecora galloped a bit to catch up, walking side by side with me as the others elected to stay together.

Ruby had her kid sitting on her back as she held onto her mother’s mane to keep steady. The snow was far too deep for her to walk in, I suppose.

The town was already gone, faded away in the torrent of snow. We walked, and walked, until the snow level finally began to drop. The muscles in my legs cried in relief as the knee deep snow had reduced itself to just above the ankles.

The moment of ease, however, ended quite abruptly.

“So…” A voice echoed out ahead, causing the whole group and myself to stop in their tracks. “It was a traitor’s scent I could smell…”

A slim figure, donned in gruesome Saronite armor, strode calmly into view ahead. Her long white hair glistened like the snow falling around her, her face perfectly preserved like she was still alive. Though her pale skin betrayed that hoax, her ghostly blue eyes burning into my form.

She tsked, lifting her right arm and pointing her Runeblade towards me. “The master wishes to have a word.”

My body froze as I processed her words.

‘He couldn’t be here. He can’t!’

My adrenaline surged, my eyes darting around as the ponies all started to whimper. Dozens of figures began to appear around us from the blizzard. We were surrounded.

Zecora looked at me nervously and said something. Her mouth moved, but I didn’t hear the words. I couldn’t even think, panic overtaking me as I looked at the grinning Deathknight.

“Fetch.” She commanded, the horde surrounding us breaking into a frenzy.

Time slowed down, and I could see the fear growing on Zecora’s face as the inevitable rapidly approached.

‘No…’ I looked at Blitz as he reeled back and prepared to fight.

‘I… I can’t go back…’ My eyes flicked to Ruby as she desperately cradled her daughter.

”I’m sorry…” I whispered, turning away and refusing to meet her pleading eyes.

The mist overtook me, shifting my body into worgen form as I grabbed Zecora with my right arm. She yelped in surprise as I tore off towards the line of undead just ahead, running on three legs while holding her close.

Zecora tried to yell. “D-Dal, What-!?"

“I can’t! I’m sorry, she’s too strong!” I yelled back, leaping over the single line of ghouls blocking my way and tearing off into the blizzard.

“No! Coward!” I could hear the human shout behind me as I fled.

As much as I tried to drown it out, the next few moments came in perfectly clear to my heightened senses. A chorus of screams ripped through the storm, the sickening images of the atrocities transpiring behind me playing in my mind.

There was a short pause, one last desperate scream… then silence.

I didn’t stop running, not when Zecora yelled into my ear… not even when she started hitting my shoulder.

Not until the snow began to ease, and the fatigue hit me like a brick wall did I snap from my trance. My left hand slipped, and I rolled into a crash as I dropped Zecora. I heaved, breathing so heavy I swear I’d vomit if I was able.

I pushed the feeling down, slowly sitting up and looking for my traveling companion. I saw her immedietly, her striped coat standing out among the surrounding whiteness. She sat on her haunches, silently looking back in the direction I just ran from.

I sighed, not that she could hear it, and rubbed my face with my clawed hand. I let the visage fall, my human form once again returning as I slowly stood.

“I-“ I started, but hesitated on my words. “...we need to move. They could be following our trail.”

She didn’t react, staring out into the storm like she was focused on someone in the distance. I turned, looking the other way towards where I hoped the mountains were. When I turned back, I took a few tentative steps towards her.

“I’m sorry, Z. It was the wrong call.” I began, taking another couple steps and coming up next to her as I looked straight ahead. “I… should have just gone with my gut and left…”

No answer. I glanced down and could see her eyes were closed as she sat unmoving in the snow. I took a moment to think, before sitting down next to her and crossing my legs.

Finally, her eyes slowly cracked open. “I was praying. For the souls we lost tonight.” She said solemnly, before turning to look at me. “Do your people pray to gods?”

I shrugged, leaning back and looking into the storm. “I don’t… but plenty do in Azeroth, yes.”

“I’m sure they can hear us from here.” She said with a soft nod, before looking back to the direction we came. “I know you had to do what you did. But… did you really have no chance of winning?”

I nodded, hunching forward a bit. “Yeah, she was… on a whole other level. Even just armor alone.” I said with a shake of my head. “The ghouls I could take, but if even a single one had struck you-”

“But you were, what does it matter if one attacked me?” She asked, electing a huff from myself.

“The Plague of Undeath.” I said in disgust. “Being both worgen and Deathknight has made me… resilient. He would have to infect me directly.“ I paused, before looking at Zecora again. “But you, or any other pony… one bite, hell even a single scratch is enough to spread it. And after it’s taken hold, no Azerothian potion will save you.”

She didn’t reply, so I continued. “This changes things. For everyone, Z. Celestia needs to know about this.”

She waited, then nodded in agreement. “Well, we should only be one more day’s travel from the Empire…”

“Then we move.” I stated, standing in place and taking a couple of steps away. “The sooner this problem is dealt with, the better.”

Zecora stared out into the storm for a minute longer, before sniffling a bit and moving to follow me.

The hours passed agonizingly slow. In just a short time we had went from having everything we needed, to trudging through the snow with just the clothes on our back. We’d lost everything. The cart, our food, all of Zecora’s clothes. The only solace we got was the easing of the storm, which made spotting our direction of travel much easier as the nearby mountains loomed over us.

We'd managed to find the road again, the snowing quickly coming to an end as we walked further north. Zecora remained silent, until we passed through two mountains that hung over the path like guardians.

"We should look for some place to camp for the night." She suddenly cut in, electing a quick glance and single nod from myself.

The sun had rapidly begun it's descent as we searched, so we settled for a crevice in the nearby mountains that went just deep enough to protect us from the harsh winds. I collected dead tree limbs and branches as I came across them, tossing them all into a pile near our makeshift camp.

Reaching into my pouch, I scoured the herbs until I found the one I wanted. Pulling it out by it's long black stem, the end ignited into a red inferno as it exited the pouch.

Zecora's eyes locked onto the Flame Cap as I bent down towards the firepit. Throwing the flower onto it, the flame at the end eagerly engulfed the whole flower along with the kindling beneath it. With the fire lit, I threw in the single large piece of wood I'd managed to find and sat nearby.

Zecora used her own cloak to cover herself, laying by the fire as she sighed and stared into it.

I decided to let Zecora sleep as I kept watch. After that previous encounter, my nerves hadn't stopped twitching. I sat in place, my sword nearby within arms reach as I scanned the lonely valley. It stretched on for a while, seemingly surrounded by mountains at it's edge.

I could faintly see a sparkle in the distance, however I simply disregarded it as a particularly bright star.

I still hadn't fully come to terms with what had happened today, the faces of those ponies flashing to the front of my mind. The sickening grin from that Deathknight...

After an hour long staring match with the horizon, a nearby rustling sound pulled me from my stupor. I glanced over and saw Zecora rolled over, shifting in place and trying to get comfortable.

I raised a brow at her. "You're not asleep yet?"

She didn't turn to me, and waited a second before answering. "...the nightmares are frequent tonight." She finally responded.

'Ah...'

"Right. Sorry I should have realized." I replied with what genuineness I could.

"Luna must be busy this night." Zecora added, again shuffling slightly in place.

'Luna?' I thought to myself, 'Must be some kind of god of dreams...' I pondered the idea of what it could look like, before suddenly remembering something that could help.

I dug into my pouch in earnest, plucking an imbued vial from the remaining, and shrinking, pile. That left me with... five left of that tier. I ignored the issue of future stock, and focused on the potion in mind. Then I retrieved two herbs, both of which were polar opposites of each other. The first herb, 'Dreaming Glory', donned sunflower like petals that glowed a calming white; while the 'Nightmare Vine' couldn't look any more different, long red spines covered in green spikes making up this hideous plant.

I mixed them together, creating the watery green potion now resting in my hands.

"Hey." I prodded, getting the zebra to roll over after a moment to look my way. "Here." I added, offering the vial.

She looked at the potion in my hand, before sitting up and reaching for it.

Taking it in her hoof, she looked at it closely. "...what is it?"

"Potion of dreamless sleep." I recited calmly, getting a look of intrigue from the zebra. "It's used for a wide variety of things. Including nightmares."

She pondered the greenish liquid for a moment, before uncorking it.

"Uh." I interrupted, getting her to pause. "It um, acts fast. So..." I trailed off.

She looked at it again, before nodding and holding it in her two hooves. "Thanks..." She added with a smirk, before turning over and covering herself back up.

I elected for turning back to the open field, staring out into the sparkling stars far in the distance. Minutes went by, until I noticed the soft sound of Zecora sleeping nearby. I took in a deep breath, steadying my thoughts as I pushed the recent events to the back of my mind.

Reaching into my pouch, I pulled out the one thing I probably should have read AGES ago. I glanced over the cover of ' The ABC's to Equestrian history VOL. 1' and cracked open the cover. Reading whatever seemed interesting, I tried to take in as much as I could... but my mind, hard as I tried, was still preoccupied with what the immediate future now held.

No matter where the road takes us from here, death follows.

Author's Note

I'd like to know if these chapter sizes (Above 10k) are something you all prefer to the shorter (4-6k) word chapters. Let me know how you feel about sticking to this