Evening had come. Shining Armour and Cadence were just finishing up their last appointment for the afternoon court. It had been a fairly simple few hours, though no less demanding on both their patience. Some ponies simply couldn't be satisfied.

“All in all, that could have been a lot worse,” sighed Shining Armor, watching the doors to their throne room close for the final time. Stretching out, the unicorn groaned loudly, he'd lost most of the feeling between his neck and his flank, no doubt thanks to the unyielding throne they were sat upon.

Cadence leant against her husband. She'd lost feeling in everything below the neck a little over an hour ago. “I'm surprised,” she said quietly. “I was expecting at least some of them to be calling for Bardac's expulsion from the Empire, but not a single pony said anything about him. They simply wanted the damage to their homes and properties repaired.”

“Bardac didn't have much of a choice to do what he did,” said Blast Burn, stretching from her spot next to the two seater throne. “I dunno how long his kind can hold their breath for, but I doubt it's long enough to survive that outlawed move.”

Cadence finally got off the throne and stretched out her legs one after the other. “No, he didn't,” she replied, giving Shining Armor a hoof off the throne too, his hind legs having done completely dead not a moment before. “I believe I'm starting to understand our guest, at least to a point. Though, perhaps we should have set a few ground rules before giving him free reign of the Empire.”

“That... would have been a good idea,” groaned Shining Armor, staggering just a little as his legs struggled to support him. “Come on Cadence, I think we've earned some time in the sauna.”

“Oh that sounds lovely,” said Cadence, sighing contently. “Blast Burn, you're dismissed for the evening. Go and get yourself something to eat. You've certainly earned it.”

Blast Burn saluted, watching Cadence and Shining Armor support one another as they left the room. Stretching out herself, the red unicorn left as well, making her way towards the kitchens. Passing the main hall, she ran into Bardac and Chrysalis. “Evenin' you two, back from shoppin'?” she asked, eyeing several packages floating next to Chrysalis. “Good to see you're strong enough to start usin' some magic.” She couldn't help but note a rather strong smell of cheese.

“Being without it was painful,” replied Chrysalis, her wings buzzing quietly. She then remembered something. “Blast Burn, there's... something I've been dwelling on since your story in the bath. Do you remember anything about the drone you saved? My children may look identical but they have small differences. Horn shape, hole number and spine length to name a few.”

Blast Burn blinked, of all the things Chrysalis was going to say to her. That would have never been on her list of guessing. “You know, come to think of it, he did have somethin' that made him stand out,” she murmured. “His left wing kept twitchin' when ever he said your name. Oh! He was missin' one of the forks on his tongue too.”

Chrysalis closed her eyes and focused, her horn flashing several times in quick succession. She was acutely aware of the close examination Bardac was giving her. Honestly she was surprised he was letting her perform this magic. “Ah... there he is,” she murmured, her horn flashing once more. “Joy. He is quite happy to hear you're alive and well. While he owes you no life debt anymore, they can leave a lasting impression on a changeling.”

“Ain't that grand!” said Blast Burn, a warm smile on her lips. “So that's how you communicate with your kids. Ain't got a range?”

“There is no land or sea on Equus where I can't reach my children,” replied Chrysalis proudly. A shiver went down her spine a moment later, she knew where that came from. “Bardac. I haven't told them where I am... but they are worried.”

Bardac laid his hand on Chrysalis's neck. “You are free to tell them,” he said, which surprised both Chrysalis and Blast Burn. “However, you do so knowing that if any of them were to mount a rescue effort. They would meet the same fate as Swift Wing. You know I cannot make an exception for them because they are your children.”

“I will... keep that in mind,” replied Chrysalis quietly. She had no doubt that none of her children could stand a chance against him. Even outnumbered ten, twenty... thirty to one. It would be no contest. “Being able to hear the voices of my children again brings me great comfort.”

Bardac gently patted Chrysalis's neck. “Come now, we have a lot of stuff we need to sort out before tomorrow,” he said before looking down at Blast Burn, he couldn't hide the weariness in his smile. “It was nice to see you again.”

“See you two later,” Blast Burn replied, giving them a wave as they walked off, leaving her staring down the corridor, she'd forgotten where she was going. Her stomach reminded her with a grumble.

“Is it suppose to be this colour?” asked Spike, his arms growing a little tired from constantly stirring a small pot of bright blue liquid near the smouldering fireplace.

Aela, who had her nose buried in a small list of instructions that Bardac had written for her, finally looked up. “I believe so, Bardac did most of the hard work, grinding and preparing the ingredients. Just keep stirring Spike, I'm sure he'll be back soon,” she said.

“I hope he hurries up, my arm's falling asleep,” Spike groaned.

Less than a minute later, Spike got his wish as Bardac and Chrysalis entered the room. It was an old dining hall he'd gotten permission from Cadence to brew his potions in. “That is looking perfect,” said Bardac, clapping Spike on the back as the Nord inspected the bubbling potion.

Spike beamed at the praise, but he had to ask. “What exactly have I been stirring for the last half an hour?” he asked. “It smells like... well, it doesn't really have a smell!”

Bardac took over the stirring to give the young dragon a break. “This is a potion that gives the drinker resistance against the frost and cold,” he explained, lifting the spoon to examine the liquid that ran off. “I must thank you Aela, without your idea of substituting snowberries for the locally grown crystal berries, we never would have been able to make this.”

“Seemed like the smart thing to do. Snowberries did sound an awful lot like crystal berries when you described where they grew and what they tasted like. It was worth a shot,” Aela said, tilting her head to the side.

“Is this what you're gonna use when you go up the mountain?” asked Spike, rubbing his arm lightly. “You can set yourself on fire and Chrysalis can transform, is all that for Aela?”

“You know nothing about stealth,” Chrysalis groaned, rolling her eyes as she placed the floating packages down on the table. “If we're to find something before it finds us, having one of us walking around as a beacon of flame is hardly a wise idea. Even with my limited sight I would be able to see that miles off in the expanse of white.”

“One dose should last us a couple of hours, three at the most,” explained Bardac, giving Chrysalis a small poke to the neck. “We should have enough in that little pot to last us all day, though I am hoping we will be off the mountain before the afternoon. If not, I want Aela and Chrysalis to return to the Empire without me, I will continue the search on my own.”

“Then why bring us at all?” questioned Chrysalis, rubbing her neck slightly. “Aela would be more than enough for support, would she not?”

“Three pairs of eyes are always better than one,” replied Aela, a little surprised Chrysalis actually used her name. “Your sight may not have returned completely, but what ever you were able to use to see Bardac and the rest of us when you guys first arrived would be extremely useful if the weather gets bad.” She couldn't help but eye the packages Chrysalis had brought in, but said nothing about them.

Bardac thought for a second, Chrysalis did raise a good point... however. “Besides Blast Burn and Sun Spot, I do not trust any of the local guards to treat you fairly,” he said firmly. “If you are not with me, then you are to be with Aela. She is firm but fair.”

“What'll I do while you're gone?” asked Spike, climbing up to sit on the long, slightly dusty table covered in a thick linen sheet. “I can't go outside on my own without being swarmed by crystal ponies!”

“Stay with Cadence or Shining Armor. You are used to helping out royalty, it should be second nature to you,” suggested Bardac, finally taking the potion off the fire to let it cool off on the hearth. “Even between the four of us, we could not list all the ways Twilight could inflict pain on me if she knew I took you with me to the mountain.”

Spike just laughed. He knew how protective Twilight was over him. “I'm only five or six years younger than Twilight,” he said, brushing his hand through his head spines. “I can look after myself you know.”

“Then why are you so small?” asked Chrysalis, her eyebrow raising. “A dragon of your age should be at least as tall as me.”

“Not a clue,” Spike replied, shrugging his shoulders. “I eat fish, I eat gems, all the things a dragon needs to grow naturally. I reckon Twilights magic did something to me when she hatched me.”

“It would be an interesting question to pose to Twilight when you three return to Canterlot,” said Bardac, warming his hands over the fire after taking off his gauntlets.

A strange silence rolled over the room. Spike, Aela and Chrysalis were looking at Bardac with an air of unease. “I'm probably not going to like the answer,” said Aela, “But are you not coming back with us? I thought you were going to bring Chrysalis back to Canterlot.”

“That was the original plan,” said Bardac, leaning back against the table next to Spike. “I have a few more objectives now. Find the Dremora, question it then kill it. Find the one who summoned it, question them and kill them. Find the one who forced Chrysalis to read the Elder Scroll and just kill them. Unless I can accomplish everything on that list, I cannot return to Canterlot.

“I gotta say, you're taking this pretty well Chrysalis,” said Spike, scratching his arm. “Being a prisoner and all. I would've thought you'd try and escape the first chance you got.”

“Do not think it hasn't crossed my mind, little dragon,” Chrysalis hissed quietly, “I would like to see you try and escape a place like this with a demigod breathing down your neck.”

A low chuckle rolled from Bardac's lips. “What ever gave you the idea I was a demigod, Chrysalis?” he asked innocently, looking over to her with a small smile.

“Don't play coy with me,” Chrysalis replied, her eyes narrowing. “You know exactly what gives me that idea.”

Spike and Aela were both staring up at Bardac. They knew he was powerful, but being any sort of god in Equestria was... well, that was something else entirely. That put him at a level equal to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna in many respects. “Is Chrysalis right?” asked Aela after a moment of silence.

Bardac scratched his beard but he didn't answer straight away. “Well...” he muttered, “I suppose in one way she is right, in another, she is wrong.” He wasn't entirely sure how to explain it. Of all the questions he'd been asked about his powers. That one was a first. He could count on one hand the amount of times he's even read the word demigod. “My powers were gifted to me by a god the day I was born. The Divine Dragon God of Time, Akatosh. Am I a demigod? No, both of my parents were mortal.”

“I can understand why some might think otherwise,” said Aela, glancing up at the clock above the fireplace with a small yawn. “I wouldn't be surprised if that little stunt of yours with that sun has spread all over Equus by now. I'm still waiting on an explanation and you never told us who that unicorn was draped over your shoulder.”

“I needed to find the unicorn that was able to teleport not only themselves, but groups of ponies in and out of a supposedly teleport proof empire.” explained Bardac, “I had to make them think they were about to die and have no other option but to teleport out. They tried, they failed and they are now enjoying all the comforts of a crystal cell.”

“With their ability, I wouldn't be surprised if they were put in one of the special cells,” said Aela. “We have a few of them in Canterlot that destroy the horns of unicorns if they attempt to cast a spell while inside them.”

“A little extreme, but I can understand the need,” replied Bardac, scratching at his chin. “I wonder why I was not put in one of those cells.”

Aela chuckled quietly, glancing up at the Nord. “You were,” she said, “You still blew it apart like confetti, every guard in Canterlot from the Solar and Lunar divisions had been talking about it. You've caused the Canterlot research team quite the headache.”

Chrysalis rolled her eyes before approaching the table and unwrapped the first of the six packages she'd carried in. “In case you haven't noticed,” she sniffed. “Bardac doesn't have a horn.” The first package contained a large, tattered map of the surrounding land around Mount Everhoof. “Was this really the only map the Empire had?”

“Unfortunately so,” sighed Bardac, turning and placing his hands on the table, examining the map. “It looks old but it looks accurate enough.” While he had no sense of direction what so ever, Bardac wasn't all that bad at reading maps.

Unwrapping the second package, Chrysalis pulled out a large bolt of plush wool. “What do you plan to do with this?” she asked, prodding it with her hoof curiously. She'd never felt wool before. “So soft and warm.”

Bardac looked over to the remaining three packages before glancing back at the wool. “It is to make a weather proof sack to carry all the food you insisted we buy. There is a talented tailor somewhere in the castle, I am lead to believe,” he said, chuckling quietly. “If I am not mistaken, you wanted and succeeded in buying something from nearly every vendor we passed.”

“Changeling's take every advantage we're given,” Chrysalis retorted, holding her nose high in the air. “It's not my fault that baker decided to put their freshly baked bread out just as we walked passed.”

“I suppose I should not complain,” said Bardac, stroking his beard. “That is enough food to last us around the mountain until the afternoon. Let me see... map, potions, food, we can get water before we leave. The only thing to do is to make the bag.” However, a flash of light from the fire dancing off Chrysalis's wings brought a question to his lips. “Even with the potion. Aela, Chrysalis, do your wings need protection?”

Chrysalis and Aela glanced at one another. “Mine should be fine,” replied Aela, giving her wings a light flap. “While Chrysalis's wings look delicate enough, they're probably as strong as her chitin.”

“If it can't pierce my chitin, it won't leave a scratch on my wings,” said Chrysalis proudly. “A little cold weather will be no problem at all.”

“I am pleased to hear that,” murmured Bardac, smoothing out the map before he went about the task of memorizing it. “We have supplies and we have a plan. This is perfect.” Turning to face Aela and Chrysalis, Bardac grinned. “Who is ready to hunt something that does not belong here?”

Morning came quickly for the trio. It was barely six in the morning and already the three were gathered by the edge of the shield leading out towards Mount Everhoof. The wool had been split and woven into three bags, each one magically sealed from top to bottom to fend off the cold and protect the respectable amount of food and water crammed into them. Bardac really must thank that tailor before he leaves.

“So, that's Mount Everhoof,” said Aela, staring up at the mountain in the distance. They couldn't have asked for better weather. Barely any wind, hardly a cloud in the sky and for once, the snow and ice wasn't biting at the edge of the shield. “I can see how it got its reputation as a pony killer.”

Reaching into his woollen bag, Bardac pulled out three small glass vials, each filled with barely a mouthful of the frost resistance potion they'd made the evening before. Handing one to Aela and one to Chrysalis, Bardac then held up his own. “Down in one,” he called, draining his in a single gulp. It had barely any flavour except for a slightly tangy aftertaste.

Aela and Chrysalis followed soon after, both exceptionally pleased by the potions distinct lack of taste. “It feels like I'm submerged in warm water,” cooed Chrysalis, her body shivering just a little just from the sensation.

Giving a signal to the nearby crystal guard stationed by the shield, the trio approached and passed through a growing gap created by the guard's glowing horn. “Once we start, there is no turning back,” Bardac said, looking up at the sky. “The weather is against us for staying hidden, but with us for making pace. Stay low, stay fast.” He was off without another word.

Chrysalis and Aela followed swiftly behind. They could feel the wind biting at their fur, but thanks to the potion, all they felt was the weight of the air against them. “Whether or not we find this thing first or it finds us. What're our orders?” asked Aela, keeping her wings folded close to herself.

Bardac's reply was swift and to the point. “Aela, take to the sky and keep it distracted. Chrysalis, you will back me up. We hit it hard and we hit it fast. Our aim is to immobilize.”

“Understood,” said Aela, her focus soon turning to the decorative staff on Bardac's back. “No Volendrung?”

Shrugging a shoulder to lift the staff a little, Bardac said, “This... can kill anything. Be it magical or otherwise.” With a glance behind him, Bardac exhaled, hot breath steaming out of the gaps in his helmet. “It drains your magic... then your life until you have none left to give.”

“Dare I even ask why you're in possession of such a weapon?” asked Chrysalis, “More to the point, where in tartarus did you even find it?”

“This is the Staff of Magnus. Created by Arch-Mage Magnus, the God of Magic,” said Bardac quietly. They'd passed where the grass turned to snow a few minutes ago and already he felt the snow growing deeper underfoot. “As to why and where. That is too long of a story to start now.”

“Just how many gods are in your world?” Chrysalis hissed, raising her eyebrow.

“In Skyrim alone? Fifteen the last time I counted. Though... many fear death if they are caught worshipping Talos,” Bardac sighed, shaking his head. “Again, that is a story for another time.”

Eventually the terrain started to climb. Not by much but it was noticeable when combined with the thickening snow. A few minutes later, Aela was forced to take to the wing. “I didn't expect the snow to be this deep,” she said, flecks of snow clinging to her underbelly.

While Chrysalis didn't have the same problem, she still found the snow a little more difficult to get through than she expected. It wasn't fresh and had time to compact. “Which way are we going to circle the mountain?” she asked, “If we can even get all the way around it.”

“We will head east. If I read the map correctly, there is a narrow path around the entire base of the mountain, I do not know how useful it will be. The path is probably older than that map,” replied Bardac, slowly changing course. “If it comes to it, I want both of you to fly through.”

“What about you?” asked Aela, “A narrow path isn't exactly going to be a good space to summon that dragon friend of yours. They were far too large. If it crumbles, you'll be in some serious trouble.”

“This is not my first mountain hike. Skyrim is surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges,” said Bardac, slowing for just a moment to look around carefully. He could see right up to the base of the mountain and quite a ways beyond. So far, mostly white with the occasional splattering of grey rock. Not a single speck of red or black.

“I don't like this...” muttered Aela, looking around before flying slowly beside Bardac. “We should have at least run into something native. A hare or... a fox at least. I don't even see tracks.”

Looking behind him, Bardac guessed they were about halfway between the Empire and the base of Mount Everhoof. They'd been walking for a good two, two and a half hours by now. “Dremora do not need to eat. Chrysalis, any suggestions?”

“The disappearance of predator and prey can only mean one thing,” Chrysalis replied, her brow curling into a scowl. “It means an even more dangerous predator has moved into the territory, destroying the ecosystem.”

“That makes sense,” replied Aela, flying up about fifteen feet to get a good look around. “White, white and more white. Even a hare should be leaving noticeable prints but there's not a mark besides our own.”

“All the more reason to complete our mission. If the ecosystem here is messed up, then something has happened since that Dremora was spotted,” said Bardac, drawing his staff. As he did, the orb on top pulsed softly. “We need to kick out anything that should not be here. What say you? Ready to crack a skull or two, if need be?”

Chrysalis cracked her neck, her horn flashing dangerously. “Oh I thought you'd never ask,” she all but purred. “Absolutely nothing to do with the way you've been treating me, dear Bardac, but I've been itching to cave a skull in ever since we arrived at the empire.”

“I've got your back Bardac,” called Aela from above before coming down to fly behind Bardac, keeping it single file. If she remembered the map correctly, then they were only an hour or so away from where the ancient path started. “Not far now.”

Reaching into his woollen bag, Bardac pulled out a small loaf of bread. The three of them had chosen their own supplies from the groceries they'd purchased the day before. “Eat on the move, if you can,” he advised, taking a bite after tucking his helmet under his arm. Thanks to the enchants, it was still soft and enjoyably warm.

“This is the most... normal food I've eaten in decades,” grumbled Chrysalis, chewing on an entire block of soft, creamy blue cheese. “You're responsible for what happens to me.”

“Says the one who chose nothing but mouldy cheese to bring with them,” laughed Aela, her own picking was a simple radish. She had somewhat of a preference for strong flavoured root vegetables. “I told you, pack some vegetables.”

“Those vile spawns of tartarus did unspeakable things to me!” retorted Chrysalis.

“Eating nothing but cheese will do even worse things to you,” said Bardac, glancing over his shoulder before slowly putting his helmet back on. “Try melting some over a fire roasted potato with a little bit of butter on top.”

“That! That actually doesn't sound too bad,” said Chrysalis thoughtfully, tapping her chin.

The discussion of food carried the three all the way towards the start of a small, narrow pathway carved roughly into the edge of the mountain's base. Chrysalis took to the sky, flying close behind Aela while Bardac took the first steps onto the rocky path. It felt stable enough, but every now and again, a loose rock broke free.

“I wonder if at one time, this pathway circled the entire mountain... even leading to the top,” murmured Bardac thoughtfully, taking each step as carefully as the next. “Throat of the World, the tallest peak in Tamriel. It has a journey pilgrims make from all over the continent. The Seven Thousand Steps, leading all the way to High Hrothgar. It is a trip I have made more times than I care to count.”

“Why would you make such a dangerous trip?” asked Aela, flying carefully by Bardac's side. The path was at least double his width, but anything beyond half way looked too unstable.

“High Hrothgar. It is where I trained in the way of Thu'um,” said Bardac, smiling fondly. “Those old Nords have been training up there for so long, just a whisper from them can shake mountains.” Feeling a chill start to creep up his cheeks, Bardac reached into his bag and pulled out a second dose of potion, his actions were followed quickly by Aela and Chrysalis.

“So... you're not the most powerful user of that shouting magic you use?” asked Aela, sounding somewhat dumbstruck. “But... you can level houses, entire neighbourhoods if you wanted to!”

“Every single one of the Greybeards could reduce me to a pretty red smear on the stone walls if the desire ever struck them,” Bardac said fondly. “You have already heard the name and voice of my mentor. Paarthurnax. I still have a long way to go.” Pressing his hand against the mountain face, he let his mind sink into those blissful days... until something underneath his hand made a click, pitching that particular piece of pathway and wall into the mountain, sending Bardac tumbling down a narrow, smooth chute, barely wide and tall enough for a pony to fit down.

“Huh. The mountain has traps, who knew,” commented Chrysalis, tilting her head to the side as she hovered over the spot where Bardac disappeared. “Just when I thought this trip was getting boring.” With a flash of her horn, Chrysalis grasped the section of path that'd tipped Bardac into the mountain and ripped from the rocks, exposing a narrow, smooth chute. She was amazed Bardac even fitted.

Without a second to spare, Aela flew down the chute after Bardac, soon followed by Chrysalis. “Bardac? Are you alright? Answer us!” she called into the darkness. She had no idea how long this chute was, or what laid at the bottom.

All they heard was a long, low groan and not a moment later, they came to the end of the chute, flying into a large, expansive cave. “Nice of you to join me,” groaned Bardac, sat somewhere near the exit of the chute a small ball of light bouncing in one hand and his staff in the other. Remarkably, it was undamaged.

Landing next to the Nord, Chrysalis and Aela helped him back onto his feet before looking around. “This wasn't dug out,” observed Chrysalis, her eyes glowing somewhat in the dark. “This is natural.” Reaching out with her magic, Chrysalis picked up a small, rough looking black rock. “Wait... is this obsidian?”

“Obsidian? That's impossible,” said Aela, flying over for a better look at the rock. “But that could only get here if it was brought or...”

“This entire mountain is an extinct volcano, long since drained,” finished Bardac, picking up another small rock nearby. “And we are standing in ancient magma tunnels. A good place to live in this frozen part of Equus, the traps might have belonged to long gone settlers.”

“It's cosy,” murmured Chrysalis, scraping her hoof softly against the ground. “Warm too, at least compared to outside.”

Holding up the orb of light, Bardac increased its strength until the entire cave was bathed in a soft, warm glow, though he wished he hadn't... Everywhere he looked, there were tunnels. Some barely the size of his arm, while others were tall enough that he couldn't reach the ceiling, even if he was stood on Chrysalis's back. “Damn...” he muttered.

“We could always blast our way back out,” suggested Chrysalis, “On the other hoof that might bring the entire cave system down on top of us. I'd rather not be buried alive.”

“So what're we going to do now?” asked Aela, peering up the chute they arrived down. “This is too steep for you to climb back up, way too smooth too.”

Bardac thought for a minute or two, pacing back and forth before he finally came up with a plan. “We follow the largest tunnels until we find an exit. I doubt this volcano has ever erupted, at least in the Empire's life time.”

Following Bardac down the tallest of the tunnels, Chrysalis asked, “How do you know so much about volcanos?”

“They were a fascination of mine, growing up and even to this day,” replied Bardac. “My father always wanted me to know what to do in case of any situation, which included knowing what to do if Sahqo-Strunmah ever erupted again.”

They followed the tunnel for a few minutes, keeping to the widest and tallest path despite the many smaller tunnels that intersected the one they were in. Soon, the tunnel opened out into a room three times as large as the one they'd fallen in. There was no breeze, yet the further they walked in, the more they noticed a pungent smell lingering in the air.

“What is that? Shit... it smells like rotten eggs mixed with year old compost.” groaned Aela, holding her wings in front of her nostrils.

Chrysalis wrinkled her snout, it was a smell she knew well. “Sulphur,” she said, sneezing quietly. “Even around extinct volcanos you'll still find some. You never get us-” She was abruptly dragged back into the tunnel by Bardac with Aela held under his arm. Before she could say a word, Bardac held his finger in front of her muzzle.

“Something is coming,” he whispered, putting Aela on the ground before extinguishing his light. “Chrysalis, from the left. That is all I can tell.”

Chrysalis peered around the corner and kept her eyes on the numerous tunnel entrances to the left. Only a few of them though could be travelled through. While her sight wasn't completely restored, she could see in the pitch black nearly as well as she could see up above. Minutes ticked by... but nothing arrived. “Nothing,” she muttered. “But I did hear steps.”

“Don't you have some fancy magic that can see energy? Like you did in the kitchen,” asked Aela, dusting herself off. “Why don't you use that here?”

“While it would be useful to tell us what is here, it does little to tell us how to get them. It would not show the tunnels,” explained Bardac. “Simply them. I would rather not walk into a wall trying to get to them.”

The trio set off once more, following the small orb of light Bardac had hovering around his head, still following each tunnel until they came across a larger one. “Sweet Celestia... how big can these tunnels get?” murmured Aela in awe. The current tunnel they were standing in had to be at least twenty feet in height and width.

They continued for some way down the colossal tunnel, keeping to the right hand side. The smell of sulphur growing stronger and stronger to the point that even Bardac had to put his arm in front of his helmet. “Is it me or has the air grown thicker?,” he groaned, slowing his pace just a little bit.

“Sulphur dust,” coughed Chrysalis, pinching her nostrils together with her wings, an action swiftly followed by Aela. “If we're not careful, this entire mountain could ignite.”

Looking down at the floor, Bardac said, “I had better watch my step. If any of this stone is flint, it cou-” He came to an abrupt halt as he collided with something that'd just appeared from a narrow tunnel to their right. "It seems luck is on our side."

Aela and Chrysalis peered around Bardac, their jaws dropping at the sight before them. It was the Dremora they'd been searching for! Except, instead of the air of one spoiling for a fight... this one seemed utterly terrified of what was in front of it.

“Do-do-do... Dovahkiin...” it trembled in a raspy voice, jumping back. That voice... it had haunted the Dremora for years

A deep, unsettling chuckle echoed through the tunnel. “You know me, do you?” asked Bardac. Slowly raising his arm to point his staff at a thick scar crossing the Dremora's face. “I know you. Mehrunes' Razor. Am I wrong?”

The Dremora took another step back, beads of sweat starting to appear around its face. “You cut us down like animals!” it hissed.

“Of course. I was not about to sacrifice Silus Vesuius. It might have been a nice dagger, but I have nicer weapons,” said Bardac. Underneath his helmet, he wore a smirk that all around could feel. “So. You have two choices. Please pick wisely. My green companion here has been eyeing your skull since you arrived and she has rather itchy hooves.”

Slowly leaning to the side, the Dremora locked eyes on Chrysalis, the beads of sweat started to run down its dark red flesh before making the worst choice of its long, long life. It ran. “The Dovahkiin!” it screeched through the tunnels. “The Dovahkiin is here!”

“Oh dear... I really wish they would not run,” muttered Bardac, scratching under his chin with the tip of his staff. “They only die tired.” With a harsh bark of a laugh, he set off after the Dremora. Chrysalis and Aela hot on his heels.

Chrysalis's horn flared into life, lighting the entire tunnel with a soft green glow. “You know that thing?!” she asked, her hooves pounding the rock as they sped through tunnel after tunnel, following the screams of the Dremora.

“Another long story,” growled Bardac. “That one was part of three who tried to kill me because I would not sacrifice an innocent man.”

Aela took to the sky to keep up with Chrysalis and Bardac, skidding around the walls of the tunnel as it narrowed. “Not to alarm anypony, but is it getting hotter, and I mean a lot hotter?” she called out, she could feel the temperature rising on the sensitive membranes of her wings.

Now that Aela said it out loud and the fact the Dremora was screaming at something. It didn't take long for the trio to realise just where and what they were heading for. “The magma chamber,” they said in unison.

Bardac picked up the pace, his lungs screaming for oxygen. “Talos help us if they have done what I think they have done,” he panted, his voice holding an uncertain tone. “Chrysalis, can an extinct volcano be brought back to life?”

“Only if they've found a way to restore the flow of lava,” she hissed, beads of sweat clinging to her chitin. “What in tartarus could they possible accomplish?”

“A volcano of this size could wipe out the frozen north and a good potion of Equestria!” gasped Aela. Speeding up to match their pace. “They're gonna try and blow the top off this thing!”

Bardac skidded to a halt, sending Aela and Chrysalis crashing into his back. “No... no no no...” he muttered. Finally, it had all clicked. The Dremora in the Empire, the Daedra in Canterlot. Gates... Bardac's eyes narrowed in fury as magic surged through his body like a tidal wave. “Laas yah nir.”

Picking herself up off the ground, Aela rubbed her snout with a groan. “Why'd you stop?” she asked, only to see Bardac looking around widely. Up, down, to the side and all over the place. That is until his gaze locked onto something directly below them.

Bardac didn't answer. Instead he turned his head to glance at Chrysalis. “Can you teleport?” he asked.

“Short distances and only to where I can see,” replied Chrysalis, her eyebrow raising. “What are you planning?”

Again, Bardac didn't answer. Instead he knelt down, placed his hand down against the floor and with an immense surge of power, summoned lightning from his fingertips and blew open a foot wide hole all the way down to the chamber below. “The magma chamber is below us. Filled with creatures. Shall we pay them a visit?”

There was something in Bardac's entire demeanour that told Chrysalis she'd be better off not arguing. So with a shrug of her shoulders, she approached Bardac, placed her hoof on his shoulder and, for just this once, let Aela land on her back. “Alright then...” she muttered, turning her gaze to the hole Bardac had blown out. It was about ten feet deep, leaving a clear view to the chamber below. While she couldn't see much, she could see a soft orange glow and a solid landing. With a pulse of her horn and a loud crack, the three teleported.

With another loud crack, the trio reappeared near the edge of a colossal hole. Aela was the first to look and had to guess it was large enough for even the base of Canterlot Castle to fit inside. Besides the bubbling of something below, there wasn't a sound, but the thestral was distinctly aware of many, many eyes staring in their direction. However, it wasn't herself or Chrysalis they were looking at. Every single gaze was locked on the still kneeling Bardac.

Dremora of all kinds, Daedric creatures of every shape and size were gathered in this single, immense chamber. On the other side of the circular chamber stood three towering gates of flame, each holding a violent vortex of fire swirling between the posts.

A single sound pierced the air. A rhythmic clap. Appearing between two Dremora, a strange being stood. He stood upright like those around him, but he was dressed from head to toe in a thin grey robe. “I was wondering when you'd make it here,” the being chuckled, slowly pulling down its hood. A pair of sickly yellow eyes with blood red pupils looked amusingly between the three. “A little bit early for the main event though. Would you mind waiting about, oh... ten minutes?” The being smiled a wide, snaggle-toothed smile.

Chrysalis took a step back. That voice, those eyes... terrifying her so thoroughly in her dreams that, for the briefest of moments, she had begging Princess Luna to help her. “You better have a plan for this Bardac,” she hissed silently. “We're surrounded.”

Bardac slowly rose. He looked up at Aela, still perched on Chrysalis's back, then to Chrysalis herself. A single nod was given to the pair before he turned to the one who spoke to them. Inhaling deeply, Bardac only had three words to say. “Mul qah diiv.”