The daylight outside arrived and faded as my thirst for knowledge ceased to abate. My strange curiosity at first had transformed into a fervor of delight as I read with an unblinking gaze. And such a fervor only grew further as I continued to pour through Star Swirl's tome. Each new page brought new and untold information that could serve my cause. The first of such, if indeed correct, was that it appears that I was nowhere near the first in what he called the "Death Branded". It seems there were many that had come and gone throughout the war between Discord and the princesses. Even after Discord had been sealed away they still showed themselves.

The reason for their appearance I already knew. The balance of life and death had been disrupted and it needed to be rectified. But what I did not know was the second point of note. The Death Branded only appeared one at a time. Star Swirl stated that he had poured through report after report and it seemed strange even to him. He even questioned that one would think, given the grandness of their and now my task, that they would require help. However it was always the same. When one falls another eventually takes their place and only one. The fact of such did not give me ease as the poem at the start of the tome spoke of another like me, or even perhaps my successor.

But the idea of my possible demise was the least of my worries. Because as I flipped to the next page it began describe the bizarre mental state that many of the Death Branded possessed. For some unknown reason the majority of them were driven mad by something. It appears they all seemed to turn psychotic and murderous with little solid explanation as to why. He goes on to state it may relate to how they are formed, somepony who should have perished but was "recruited" instead. Perhaps, as he hinted at, even that the loss of identity coupled with their mission became too much for them.

The loss of identity comment had rung a displeasing tone in my mind as I lowered the tome. I then took a deep sigh as looked at one of my forelegs. The jet black fur that had covered it and my obsidian colored hoof surely was a bitter reminder. But just as I began to brood I had felt a small discomfort that had brought a smile to my face. As I lifted a forehoof to my stomach it let out some protesting gurgles in reply. It appears that I was hungry. Admittedly I had not fed in days so it seemed I still possessed some of my old self. And while I did wish to read more, my fading focus made nourishment a greater priority.

In turn my stomach protested further as I stood up. And while it was still a growing discomfort it truly seemed to fuel my, dear I say, sanguine mood. It even continued as began humming to myself while I hid my new tome underneath the blanket Luna had given me. Perhaps it was the small measure of normalcy in such basic needs that had lifted my spirit. But regardless, I merely grinned as I walked out of my cave with the firm purpose of gaining a full stomach.

Upon exiting my cave I breathed deeply the chill air of the mountain. While oddly comforting, I still had my mission in my mind. However I did not leave my cave fully until one minor act had been completed. For as long I knew it was always good practice to be better to be safe than sorry. So I turned around and viewed the cave entrance. I then scratched a small enchantment into the archway. It was something I had used so often it had been burned forever in memory. A small illusion spell to be exact. Most unicorn soldiers were trained in its working to cover up openings such as this.

But then as I began to pour my magic into it something went wrong. The runes turned black and instead of glowing, they seemed to consume the ambient light surrounding them. The illusion, instead of covering the cave, made the opening seem even larger than it was. Anypony around me could have easily spotted it with little difficulty. In a panic I shutdown the spell and took several deep breaths before I looked around me. I had little clue what had happened. And while I desired an explanation, I did not have the time to fight with such things as my hunger grew worse.

And so I cursed and grumbled to myself as I walked away from my cave hoping nopony would find it. Well I should say walked until I almost fell off a steep cliff that is. At which point reflex took over as I frantically stumbled backwards while breathing heavily. Then after the adrenaline wore off I became incredibly confused. "How in Equestria did I manage to get up here in the first place?" I said to myself. However it did not take long before my eyes half narrowed as I replied "Oh yes...portal magic..."

I cursed some more as I stared at the rocky base of the mountain. There was no way in Tartarus that I would survive a fall such as this. So I paced back and forth before I snarled out "By the stars and moon why oh why did it have to be portal magic?! Why could it not have been a grueling slog up hundreds of stairs?! Or better yet a tight ledge where each breath could lead to a screaming demise?! No no noooo! It haaaaad to be one my grandest ill-rational fears!" and continued in barely coherent random angry syllables.

But after pacing for several more minutes, with my hunger growing further, did I finally come to terms. Well more like I yelled "FINE! FUCK IT ALL TO TARTARUS!" and became irritated enough to attempt said horrid magic. In turn I sat down and focused on how I summoned the black portal back at the palace hospital. It seemed to have appeared when I had a great need for it. I had required an escape and it in turn gave one to me. So I started from there, I reached inside of myself and focused on my hunger and my need to get down the mountain.

Then just like that a black portal formed a few paces to my right. I had flinched when it appeared, but it remained swirling there. But as I reached for it, my mind went into a panic and the portal slammed shut on me. This happened two more times before I started to become angry. It did not take long before I came to the conclusion that if I was going to get down, I was going to have to force myself. So I focused my thoughts again and imagined the portal was directly under me.

To my surprise and horror the portal did as I had intended shortly before I fell shrinking like a filly through it. Then after only a second I fell out of the other end of the portal and crashed into the mountain base below. To which then I rolled several times and slammed hard into the most delightfully solid boulder on my way down. The thunderous crash echoed as I was brought to an abrupt stop. And there I laid for several minutes contemplating the wonderful meaning of pain before I popped my left shoulder back into place. But regardless I had managed to get myself down at least. Even if such acts caused my mood to sour further. Finally, I brushed myself off before I made my way to the nearest cluster of trees.

Now I had been into many forests in my time. I had seen the trees change to various colors and hues only to renew themselves season after season. The animals were often the usual sort. Although I have spotted some rarities like a wolf pack and even a wild cat. But something this time was, for lack of a better word, off. The forests had usually welcomed me as a child of the night, but this time I had felt it was frightened of me. All types of eyes that I had noticed, stared at me out of fear instead of curiosity. Even the trees seemed to want to move away from me as well. At some point I whispered, "Do not worry. I mean no harm save but a meal," to my surroundings, but it did little.

While it did pain me I did not want to scare my fellow children of the night further. I had figured I had better find a meal and leave as soon as possible. So after a moment of looking around I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. My ears then perked up as I was flooded with sounds of heartbeats. And eventually I found a strong one that was not far off. So with its rhythm in my ears I slipped quietly around trees and stones as I zeroed in on it.

Within minutes I had located the source of such a beat. It was reasonable sized doe from what I could tell in the darkness. The wondrous sight had made my mouth begin to salivate. My tongue had even begun to rub over the points of my fangs with desire. However, I reined back my impulses and lowered myself to the ground. Step by step I crept closer to the creature. But as I tracked its movements it seemed to have gotten uneasy. Its hind legs flexed as if to run at any second. I was normally good at stealth due to decades of practice which was confusing as to how it felt me near. Then at the last moment its head turned and it glared at me with eyes filled to the brim with terror. This was not any fear that I had ever witnessed before. I could not handle the sight so I lunged at it with all my strength and pinned it to the ground.

It fought hard to free itself shrieking in a manner I never heard before. But thinking quickly I drove a forehoof into its skull knocking it unconscious. Silence blanketed me once more, but it did little ease my nerves. However needs as they were I could not delay longer. So I lowered myself to the ground and opened my mouth before sinking my fangs into its neck.

Blood flowed forth into my mouth in an exquisite flavor I had never experienced before. My eyes had fluttered closed as I wrapped my forelegs around the creature. Each gulp, each swallow had only made me desire more for the next. And as I did so it felt as if a part of me was getting drawn into it as well. My will had left me and I lost myself to the pleasurable experience even as my stomach had become full.

Then just as the odd feeling had come, it disappeared abruptly. I opened my eyes confused to find a shriveled corpse of the poor noble creature I had just drained. I had wanted to scream, but something else took over. An awful dark craving drove me at the nearest living thing, a small tree. I had then grasped it and sunk my fangs into the bark and withered it until it crumbled. But it was not enough, something terrible inside me wanted to get out and it howled for release.

Black tears streamed down my face as I fought against it. Then without warning a large animal jumped from the trees and attacked me. With what little senses I had I saw it to be a wolf before it bit down on my right foreleg. Blinding pain flared as I yelped in agony. Although it appeared I was the lucky one. Only seconds after it bit me the wolf let go and started to violently cough. It then wheezed one last time before it collapsed lifeless.

More tears streaked down my face at such a loss. But just I had begun to mourn my body fought for control once more. Then when it all appeared hopeless I heard a strange soothing soft voice coming from everywhere and nowhere. "Shhhh...don't despair little one. I'll aid you in your struggle...but first..." it stated before some odd looking roots sprang from the ground, bound around me, and then lifted me into the air.

I could not think clearly but I managed to plead out, "Please...whoever you are...I...I cannot control myself. I...do not want...to harm you."

The voice just returned with a small laugh before it said, "Don't worry...I know exactly what you are, little advocate. I've seen many of your kind. But please...I ask you to hold still for a moment while I fix what you've done."

A presence of some sort moved away from me and condensed around the fallen tree. Several new saplings sprouted before the presence moved again. This time it condensed around the fallen wolf. After a few moments the creature sucked in a few deep breaths and stood up. The presence then brushed some dirt off of it before moving to the shriveled deer. It then rejuvenated the body, but the deer remained still.

Then in an almost amused and yet scolding tone the presence said, "Alright...you have what you wanted. Perhaps that'll teach you to find your own meal next time." At first I was confused for whom they were addressing until I realized it was the wolf. The creature seemed to look, I dare say, embarrassed somehow. Then a moment later it skulked in shame over to the fallen deer before dragging it off into the forest somewhere.

In my all my years I have never seen a wolf act in such a manner. Yes, I have often given the other children of the night their share, but they never responded to spoken words. At any other time I probably would have been more intrigued. However, my body felt like it was going to burst at the seams. And the foaming at the mouth probably was not a good sign either.

As my mind begin slipping further away the presence floated in front of me and said "Try and hold on little one...if you can still control your body please open your mouth."

As I did as they asked, one of larger roots surrounding me moved in front of my face before the presence said, "Now bite down".

With little hesitation I sunk my fangs into the soft flesh of the root. Sap and water dripped from the sides of my mouth as my body became awash with pleasure like before. My body soon relaxed as the overwhelming feeling of relief for an ache that was foreign to me. Then after a few minutes of this I was lowered to the ground and released.

It seemed that when my body had returned to normal I had regained enough control to pull my fangs from the thick root and sit down. My head was spinning and I felt tired and weak. But in an urge to state my gratitude I said, "I thank you for your kindness. I am...better now."

The presence just gave a small chuckle before stating, "Ahh a polite one. What a refreshing change from the last few." They then acted as if clearing their throat and added, "You are very welcome, little one."

Awkward silence soon slipped in for a few moments so I feinted a cough and said "My apologizes for being so bold, but who...what are you? And what did you do to me?"

"He didn't...oh yes he'd said he was going to try a ' hooves off approach' on you. Heh heh he really does need to learn to calibrate his actions better. Although admittedly he's really going out of his forte with you and the others," The presence said in an amused tone.

This however only served to bewilder me. For you see if I did not have Death's voice in my mind but a few days previous I probably would have thought I had gone mad. Of course considering what I had been through lately, madness would not surprise me at this point. But regardless whoever this presence was they must have picked up on my mood. In response they started to laugh a bit more before stating, "Oooh dear I forgot. Floating disembodied voices often 'weirds' you ponies out. One moment and I'll answer your questions."

The presence hummed to themselves as I felt their strange aura touch the ground. Roots, moss and various other small insects combined together to form a vague body of a mare. They then grumbled to themselves and kept looking back and forth at my hooves and theirs. Afterwards they hopped in place a few times and then sat down. "There, I always have trouble with the hooves for some reason. But anyway where were we again? Oh yes, your questions. First, what I am is the polar opposite of the one who bestowed you your current abilities. In other words, I'm the guiding force that balances the other half of this grand living design. For who I am I'd suppose you'd call me Life"

"Hmm well that explains a few things, but please, what did you do to me?" I inquired and tilted my head.

Life pursed what I suppose was her lips and said, "Ooooh that...yes...how do I properly explain this hmmmm? Ahh I got it. First, to be blunt you 'run' on the opposite energy that most living beings do. Instead of life force I guess you'd call it death energy or anti-life force. However this is where the problem arises. To even 'live' as you do you need a steady supply of death energy." Life tapped her right forehoof on her mossy cheek for a moment before continuing, "If you didn't replenish it, the very environment around you would negate it and you'd die. So you're in essence, directly linked to the world's force of death, my counterpart. You've become a well of death energy, but your physical body can only store so much. You've already seen what happens when you don't expel a buildup. I just removed that overflow from you."

It was a grand amount of information to take in all at once. I groaned in response and rubbed my face with my forehooves. "I am going to assume that this 'buildup' can happen again, correct?" I questioned.

"Only if you don't find a way to remove some from time to time. Your one predecessor, to my great displeasure, once destroyed a nice group of old oak trees because of that. I really liked those trees. I really liked them a lot. But I don't have to worry about that from you as you'll eventually have an...Ooop!" Life said but slammed her forehooves over her mouth at the end of her statements and started looking nervous.

I narrowed in my eyes in confusion. "What was that? I will have a what?" I inquired.

She shook her head a few times rapidly and blurted out, "Nothing! I said nothing! Ooooh would you look at the time, yes time, somuchtodosolittletimegottogodothingsyesthings hahahahahaha," and her presence zipped away from me in an instant. The only evidence that she was even there was the now small pile of roots and moss.

It was quite clear that she almost slipped and told me something I was not supposed to hear. It must have had something to do my new little "issue", but in what way? I thought and thought on this as I returned to my cave in a near as fantastic screaming terror as before. But at least this time I had a full stomach and brushed it off easier. However, my mind was still troubled as I returned to my reading of Star Swirl's tome. In turn it was my greatest hope that all this would begin to make sense.

In a strange way I had a lot of fun with this chapter. Perhaps I read too many vampire books and it really shows. Either way it was entertaining to write, enjoy.