Ahead of me, a huge gout of flame erupted from the broken top of one of the myriad of mountains. Further to the east, another…and another. Combined with the orange tinge to the sky from the firey inferno below, it was as if I’d entered another world; the underworld by the looks of this goddess forsaken land. Smoke and fire was all around me, making me uncomfortably hot in the heavy barding. I’d need to land soon too; Flying was becoming increasingly difficult and I was starting to tire quickly.

Checking my heading one last time, I spotted ahead of me a large black shadow on the side of a smoking mountainside. The beacon was taking me right to it. Dear sweet goddesses, I couldn’t face another of those monsters, I was still worn out from my encounter with the last one. With little choice, I swept down and landed heavily by the entrance. Folding my wings, a twinge of pain from them made me wince; I’d over-exerted myself and now my body was re-acting to it. Fortunately a small draught from my flask and a short rest beside a large rock made me feel a good deal better, despite still being numbingly tired. My genuine fear was that falling asleep here may be the last thing I ever did, especially as caves around here tended to be…occupied.

I closed my eyes and stretched before taking out a couple of Heathers oat cakes, Tarragon as usual turning her nose up in disgust. Shaking her wings out, she wandered off to look for her own dinner. About an hour had passed by my reckoning, dads watch was still stuffed into a pocket and I just couldn’t face trying to reach it under all the other gear.

I took out a rag and wiped my muzzle and neck. This bloody heat ! Wendigo’s were beings of snow and ice, not this! But now, heat or no, now I’d have to face the cave’s interior. Goddesses, I hated those oppressive places with a passion, and so far there hadn’t been anything I’d found to change my mind about them either.

I was stowing my packs, when Tarragon flapped down beside me with something sticking out of the side of her mouth. I tried not to look, but my bloody curiosity won the day. I wished it hadn’t. It was a tiny leg…

Walking into the cave, it took all my willpower to ignore the crunching and subsequent loud burp from the content micro-monster on my back. As cute as she was, the thought that one day she’d be as big as the leviathan I’d faced earlier was not comforting. Unless she was on my side of course!

Inside the cave it was like a sauna, the air hot and dry. My mane and tail were quickly soaked with sweat, not to mention my poor coat, and Tarragon’s own body heat didn’t exactly help matters either. What I found most odd though, was that on either side of the cave’s walls were…paintings? Yes! Large paintings of scenes of tree’s, lakes and green hills, things I’d never seen in my travels in the Wither world. They had a certain familiar style to them too, one which reminded me strangely of the ones in Shadow’s bedroom. What were wall paintings doing here?

“Visitors?”

A distinctly feminine voice rolled out from deeper inside the cave. My heart skipped a beat and I took a steadying breath before calling back in my politest voice,

“Please, forgive the intrusion, I was not aware anypony lived here. It was not my intention to trespass in your home”.

“Any…Pony?” the voice sounded puzzled, “What are you stranger?”

Here it comes…

“I am Fairlight, lord of four winds wendigo. A visitor from the mortal realm.”

Dragons seemed to like grand titles and although mine held about as much credence as a sieve, I hoped at least some dragon may be impressed enough to decide not to turn me into a char grilled dinner.

The voice returned, heavy with curiosity, “A wendigo? I have not seen one for many a year, most certainly not here. You must come further in, my mysterious visitor, I await you…eagerly.” And with two slices of bread probably.

Well, I’d come this far, so with a deep breath and my magic making me look as impressive as possible, I headed into the cave’s deep interior.

The cave opened out into a large central cavern, the fire licking the walls casting shadows and light in equal measure. The heat was, thankfully, slightly lessened here and there was even a slight breeze of sorts providing fresh air. Around the walls, were yet more of the landscape paintings, along with massive iron braziers and neatly placed items of what appeared to be silverware.

At the centre of it all, lying across an expanse of steaming black rock, crystal and…cushions? lay an emerald green dragon who’s scales shone in the firelight. Her great blue eyes glinted as I approached.

Maroc’s memories itched away at the back of my mind, like a housecat wanting to be in. Obligingly, I opened the door and let them through. They didn’t control me, they didn’t even say the words, they were more of a guide; a teacher and a mentor both.

I stood up straight before bowing low and respectfully, keeping my eyes downcast, “Forgive my rude intrusion great one, your kindness for allowing me to speak to you is matched only by your magnificent beauty.”

Although my words may not have been entirely sincere, she truly was an amazing creature and I couldn’t help but feel a little jealousy of such power and form.

She laughed quietly, for a dragon, “My, my! Aren’t you the flatterer!” she stretched out a hind leg before re-adjusting herself, “Tell me again, wendigo, what is your name?”

“I am lord Fairlight, my lady”

“Hmmm, yes, you appear to be the one I have heard of.” she scratched her chin thoughtfully, “Release your power sir”

“Pardon?” I said in surprise.

“Release your power, now. I want to see what lies…’beneath’”

I felt distinctly uncomfortable doing this, the wendigo form was the only chance I had of getting out of her if everything went wrong, but something about her made me feel I could trust her. She’d heard of me too, apparently. Intrigued, I wanted to learn more.

“That’s better!” she exclaimed, clapping her great front claws together.

My pony self stood before her. I felt oddly naked and vulnerable in the presence of such a powerful creature, but I didn’t make any attempt to move from where I stood. The female dragon leaned toward me, her blue eyes taking in every detail,

“You have the look of him, and…” she sniffed my coat before letting out a low rumble, her eyes narrowing, “you smell of dragonling. Why do you smell of one of my children, wendigo Fairlight. Speak quickly!”

I looked behind me, but Tarragon had vanished. Damn it, her timing was perfect!

The dragon let out a whuff of smoke and I readied myself to grab the power and, perhaps, a headlong escape. But just as I thought things couldn’t get any worse, a small flapping, squeaking Tarragon landed by my hooves, the remains of a small creature in her mouth. A few snaps and it disappeared down her throat.

The great dragon looked at the small form with one baleful blue eye, “What’s this? You have one of my…my daughters! What is she doing with you? SPEAK!”

I felt a cold shiver run down my spine at her words. The dragon’s demeanor had suddenly transformed from polite and calm to one of anger, shock and surprise. I bowed low, preparing to speak when I heard a long low chattering and squawking from above me. Tarragon had flown up to beside the head of the huge female and was…talking? It wasn’t in any language I knew or could understand, but the two seemed to have no trouble communicating. I could only stand there and wait until they’d finished. ‘Must be a female thing’, I speculated. Meadow and Tingles often wandered off to talk out of earshot of yours truly, and I seldom found out what they’d been discussing either. There were some things in this and the other world that were universal after all it seemed.

Tarragon flew down to sit by hoof, nuzzling me.

The emerald dragon raised an eyebrow as she appraised me, “My daughter speaks highly of you, lord Fairlight. It would also seem I have been quite rude to you. I am Etrida, eldest of the dragons here. You are fortunate indeed to have made it here. Alive that is. Many of my kin would have seen you as food.”

I nodded. If there was one thing I could agree with her upon, it was that point.

“My lady,” I said politely, “you appear to know me and yet I have never had the honour of meeting you before.”

She smiled, letting out a jet of steam out from her massive nostrils, “That would be because my last servant told me all about you. She was the one who’s paintings adorn my walls. Beautiful, are they not? Equestria, the mortal realm…that is my real home.”

Hope suddenly flared within me, “My lady, was…was Shadow here? Is she here?”

Etrida shook her head, “She was, but recently she left to join the monastery to the northeast. I fear she has given up on ever seeing her mate again; you, I believe?”

My heart sank and yet I felt a thrill of excitement. I was on the right track, “Yes, my lady. I have been away a lot longer than I’d hoped.”

The great dragon eyed me, showing several of her lethal battery of teeth, “You saved the life of my daughter and for that, I am grateful. Dragons do not forget their debts, Fairlight of the four winds, and I always pay my debts.”

I bowed, “Please my lady, you are too kind. I helped Tarragon as it was the right thing to do. Anypony would have done the same.”

She shook her head, laughing ironically, “No, no I don’t think so. What creature saves one that would normally prey upon them? Regardless of her size, she is still a predator. Now, what did you call her?”

“Tarragon” I replied, “I fear I don’t know her real name.”

The great dragon raised an eyebrow, “She didn’t have one. I would have named her myself if I had been there when she hatched.”

Etrida stretched out her wings and hung her head momentarily; this was new. I didn’t realise dragons had such complex emotions, was she…was she crying? A deep breath later and a gout of smoke from her nostrils, she turned back to me, “Forgive me, I quite forgot myself for a moment. As a mother, to not see your children…it pains me so.”

“Lady Etrida”, I began, “Is Tarragon your daughter? I don’t understand. She was with her father Barathel in Equestria when we met.”

Her eyes opened wide, “Barathel?! So! The old fool is still alive is he?” She rose to her feet and stretched languorously, “I thought…”

She trailed off, lost in thought, “I had believed him dead. When we were thrown into the Wither world, I lost my mate and my eggs in one blow. Can you imagine what that was like for me?”

I shook my head, “No my lady, although your children appeared fit and well when I saw them. There were a great number of them too.”

Enough to wipe out an army assault team.

She wasn’t impressed, “Hah! And that stupid lizard hasn’t even bothered to name them! Typical male…utterly useless.”

Well that was nice wasn’t it? Being Equestrian, I was used to playing second fiddle to mares, but now bloody dragons were at it too! Did Maroc get this treatment from Arathea? I resigned myself with a sigh…yes, he probably did.

“I expect you will be wanting to look for your thestral mate, Shadow, as soon as possible.” Etrida began, “However, you may stay here for the night in safety. I can smell the fatigue on you from here.”

Although excited to be off, I would most likely have crashed into a mountainside I was so blasted tired.

“Come Fairlight,” Etrida said pleasantly, “let us relax and talk together before you rest. I would know more about you and your journeys.”

Oh goddesses, here we go again!

She settled near me, which was somewhat disconcerting considering her head was about the same size as my whole body. Tarragon wandered over and nuzzled her mother, chirruping,

“Tarragon”, she murmured, “I approve of that name. You are Tarragon, daughter of Etrida.” She licked Tarragon’s head making her squeak and roll onto her back, “Why did you choose that name Fairlight? It seems an odd choice.”

I scratched the stubble on my chin, “I named her after a dragon in a foal’s book of stories, ‘Tarragon, the terror of the east’. I just liked the name I suppose, it sounded right for her.”

“And so it should, Tarragon was my mothers name”

Tarragon let out a little burp and a jet of fire whooshed out of her nose making Etrida laugh, “See Fairlight! She can make fire already!”

Oh, bollocks…’The terror of the east’, why me? WHY?!

Resigning myself to an evening of story telling, I made myself as comfortable as possible and we began. Tarragon, rather wisely, was already nodding off.

At some point, I must have fallen asleep and woke with a start to Tarragon licking my muzzle. As cute is it probably sounded, the smell of her breakfast on my nose was horrific and I jumped to my hooves furiously rubbing my face, “Gah! Tarragon!”

A deep laugh from behind me, made me turn to see a happily smiling Etrida, “She likes you Fairlight, you are honoured indeed.”

I looked down at the dragonling and smiled, rubbing her head with my hoof, “I am, and she’s saved my life already too. Etrida, in truth I’m not really sure how to look after a young dragon. Wouldn’t she have a better upbringing with her own kind?”

She clicked her tongue, “She’s not like a pony, Fairlight. At her age she can fend for herself and will grow ever stronger over time. She has a mind and will of her own and she has made her choice to stay with her friend.”

Etrida nuzzled Tarragon who chirruped happily, “And that friend would be you, Lord of the four winds.”

I cringed involuntarily, the dragon eyeing my mischievously.

“Etrida,” I asked, “why did Shadow come here, I don’t understand.”

The great dragon shrugged, “She was looking for the shallows, also known as the rift to some. It is the place further into the mountain range where the veil is thin. The poor thing was half dead when she got here and I took her in. Of course, when she revealed she was an artist, I changed my mind about eating her, so she stayed with me and painted the magnificent pictures you see on the walls of my home.”

I suppose I should have thanked her for not eating my mate, but I was just so relieved I let her continue uninterrupted.

“Shadow talked about you, about how you’d fought the Earl and returned to your world. The fact she couldn’t follow you became an obsession and she went looking for a way to reach you herself.”

“Did she reach the shallows?” I asked politely.

“Yes, I escorted her there. There are many dragons around who would not take kindly to a thestral in our lands, Fairlight. You have already met one of them.”

She flapped her wings before settling them by her sides, “The shallows are there, but a great magic blocks passage, otherwise I would have left long ago to be with my children. I explained this to Shadow, but she would not listen, insisting there was another way.”

Etrida sighed, “I knew she would leave one day, and leave she did. She said she was heading for the monastery, where lost souls gather to spend their days in prayer. None leave that place Fairlight, none at all, not even dragons will approach it.”

Very dramatic, and just a little ominous too. There was no fucking way some damned monks were going to keep me from my mare, “I will bring her home, Etrida”, I announced, “Nothing will stop me”.

Her eyes widened and she nodded, “I see now why my daughter likes you, wendigo warrior. Here…a gift for you.”

She reached behind her and rummaged about before holding out her claw with a large crystal orb in it, “Use this, should you ever need me”

I took the orb in my magic and gazed into it, “How does it work?”

“Look into it and say my name aloud. As you do, think of me in your mind…” she lowered her voice to a near whisper, “and your heart”.

“Eh?!”, I nearly choked as Etrida leaned toward me batting her eyelids and then rolled back on her haunches laughing so loud the mountain itself seemed to shake.

Bidding our host farewell, Tarragon and I flew up through the sulphurous clouds to the eternally dark sky above. Although the crystal showed the way, Etrida had explained the monastery was only a few hours flight from her home; whether that was on dragon wings or wendigo, she hadn’t been specific. My heart was pounding away like a steam engine. Shadow was so close now I could almost smell her scent on the air. Tarragon must have sensed my excitement and squawked loudly, flying around me with her little green eyes flaring brightly. Another daughter for the Fairlight family, something told me sorting out a bedchamber for the little dragon could be a bit of an issue. Well, if nothing else and despite the ominous warning of the monastery, I was in a buoyant mood. What was it now…‘nopony leaves’…ooooh! Scary!

My biggest worry was meeting another dragon on route, but so far so good. Etrida had warned me to keep above the clouds, as dragons tended to keep low when hunting to see their prey and strike before they could react. Seemed a bit back to front, but still bloody frightening, I can tell you. In any case, I was confident and refreshed from a good nights sleep in the warm cavern. Etrida had even loaned me one of her giant cushions, which I suspected Shadow had made for her. It was still a bit of a mystery what exactly had gone on there, but the two seemed to have shared some sort of bond and for that alone, I was grateful.

Wind and cloud whipped past me in streams, becoming thinner by the second until they finally gave way to unveil a spectacular view below me…the monastery.

By the goddesses, it was huge…turrets, spires, walls and battlements adorned the black rock structure that looks for all the world like a castle rather than some ecclesiastical retreat. Etrida’s warning’s suddenly lost their humorous edge. This place was one that emanated a grim finality, a warning to any approaching it, that this was the final destination for them. There would be no escape from those huge gates and here I was, trying to enter.

My first task was working out how to get in there. I sure as hell didn’t look like a thestral and I certainly didn’t know how they’d react to a wendigo suddenly appearing on their doorstep. However, if they truly were servants of the moon, then surely a wendigo fit the bill, right? It had to be worth a shot.

In a blast of freezing blue-white mist and flaring wings, I landed in the large open courtyard to be greeted with…nothing. Black sand and grit carpeted the ground which didn’t look to have been swept in years. A light breeze whispered through the silent expanse of stonework, whipping up small eddies of sand. Looking around me, there was no sign of any hoof prints to evidence anypony passing through here recently; if anything, the monastery looked completely abandoned.

I walked on cautiously through the courtyard, Tarragon sitting on my back making an odd clicking noise. I couldn’t understand her language but I could detect the inflection in the sounds she was making…she was nervous. Goddess knows, I knew how she felt. Reaching behind me, I readied my pulse gun and short sword. I wanted defence here, not full on battle if I could help it, but it paid to be prepared. Extraction of Shadow was my primary concern and I could only do it if I was in one piece.

My hoof steps echoed between the walls, adding an eerie and unsettling feel to what was already an unnerving place to begin with. Come to think of it, perhaps my presence had actually frightened the inhabitants away? I did look like a phantasm of sorts, not that I really saw myself like that of course, but to others…well, okay maybe I did look a little ‘demonic’. Not that thestrals looked that much better.

Before me lay a grand staircase of black rock, flanked by statues depicting nightmare moon in battle with dragons, ponies and even, yes, Celestia. They looked quite dramatic, if not entirely historically accurate. My magic ready to hoof, I ascended the long flight of stairs, keeping my wings folded by my sides. It was easier to get to my weaponry with them out of the way and even now I still found them a little strange. Although I hadn’t been born with them, every day that went by I was feeling more and more comfortable in my wendigo form and wings came as part of the package.

“Halt! State your business here.”

The voice reverberated around me, coming from, I suspected, somewhere up ahead. With the echoing effect of the acoustics in this place, I was finding it hard to locate the source. Time to play the game then…

“I am Lord Fairlight of the tribe of the four winds wendigo. I have travelled far to visit your monastery. Is there somepony in charge I may speak with?”

There was a delay of several moments before a different voice, older sounding, called out, “Please wait, we shall be with you momentarily.”

Up ahead, a large set of doors swung inward, revealing a passageway lit with a long row of burning torches. Dwarfed by the large doors, a pair of thestrals walked silently toward me wearing purple cloaks adorned with white crescent moons. The taller of the two, a deep blue thestral with red eyes, bowed before me, “Welcome Lord Fairlight…Welcome to the monastery of the blessed moon. The abbot had asked us to respectfully request that you follow us. He shall receive you in his chambers shortly.”

I nodded slightly, “Very well, lead the way”.

If formality and stiffness made an impression on these creatures, I’d have to play along with them. Despite being monastic, they were still a warrior race at heart. These two thestrals however, were not exactly the chatty type and walked along like they’d been struck mute. I noticed, thankfully, that Tarragon has disappeared back into my pack and was keeping quiet. In a way that worried me, she was surprisingly perceptive for such a young creature and if she was keeping low it suggested there was trouble ahead.

Walking along the austere corridor, we passed a number of statues of thestrals, minotaurs and of course, the ever present Nightmare Moon. All of them had small inscriptions describing events, deeds, names and so on. I was able to read some of them, another ability of my wendigo self I imagine, but others were in a different script altogether and totally alien to me. One of my hosts looked back, “Heroes of the great battles against the Celestian’s. All of them, honoured here for eternity in stone.”

I wondered if there would be any wendigo’s here?

We eventually stopped in a large hall, a heavy black stone table and chairs set with bowls of fruit, carafes of wine and crystal goblets. It all looked…’pre-prepared’. A side door opened and a deep scarlet thestral emerged wearing a heavy blue cloak with a single large silver crescent moon emblazoned on the back. His mane was white, like his eyes, creating a feeling of age and sending a twinge of unease along my spine. The thestrals eyes looked me up and down with an unfathomable stare.

The other two bowed, backed away several steps and then turned to walk away, leaving me with the old thestral. He nodded silently to himself, affirming something I wasn’t privy to before speaking in a low soft voice,

“Forgive my rudeness Lord Fairlight, we seldom have guests, and wendigo…well, it has been many of the goddess’s moons since one was last here. You are very welcome indeed.”

I nodded to him and accepted his offer of a chair, “May I offer you some wine? Perhaps fruit from our very own orchards? It is not much I fear, although I think you will find the berries to your taste.”

I eyed the items he indicated to on the table. Sure enough, the bowls held the same crystalline fruit of the variety I had come to know so well since my first visit to the Wither world. As thoughtful as the gesture was, alarm bells were ringing in my head ten to the dozen. There was something definitely ‘off’ with this place and, I suspected, the abbott himself. The fellow was remarkably well prepared for my visit and it set my mane to twitching like crazy.

“Thank you for your kindness abbott, but I must decline. I won’t be able to stay here very long I fear”, I explained diplomatically.

He nodded slowly, “I see my lord. May I ask the purpose of your visit? We don’t receive many visitors here as you can imagine.”

In for bit…”Abbott, I seek a friend of mine, a thestral by the name of Shadow. I understand that she is here?”

“Shadow?” he muttered, scratching his chin, “No…I don’t believe I recognise the name, however she may be one of the new initiates.” The abbott looked me in the eyes, a slow smile spreading across his face, “I will need to speak to our registrar to know for certain. Would you care to wait in our guest quarters? I shan’t keep you waiting long.”

I smiled in return, “Thank you abbott, I appreciate your understanding.”

“Yes…” he said quietly glancing toward the door before turning back to me, “Blessings of the moon’s light be with you, Lord Fairlight. Brother Danu will show you to your room.”

With a final bow, he swept from the room as a younger robed thestral appeared in his place. Silently, he held out a hoof beckoning me follow him. We trotted down one corridor after another, each just as plain and austere as the last. Whoever had built this place was big on the whole ‘dark castle’ stonework theme, it would have served well as a villain’s home in one of my foals books. Somewhere in the distance I could make out the sound of chanting, a low thrumming sound that made my chest vibrate slightly. It was probably some invocation to the goddess of the moon.

My thestral guide, brother Danu, noticed my interest, “The brothers are preparing for the commemoration of the final battle. I pray their songs will not disturb you?” he asked politely.

I shook my head, “Of course not brother Danu, I am a servant of the moon also”. He nodded silently and backed out of the room before shutting the door behind him.

The room was actually quite well appointed, if a little austere like the rest of the monastery. A bed, wash stand, cupboards, windows and so on. I was struck by how such a massive structure like this came to be in the Wither world. It was in total contrast to everything else I had ever seen here and at the complete opposite end of the spectrum when considering the tent like constructions of the thestral villages. It made me wonder who had built this place, and why?

I reached into my pack and Tarragon immediately jumped out chirruping at me in agitation, “You’re all fired up little one, whats up?”

She bounced around my hooves flapping her wings, desperately trying to tell me something but all I could pick up on was her distress. It was this place, it had to be. I didn’t like it at all and neither did Tarragon, but with any luck we wouldn’t be here much longer. The pendants crystal was now blazing brightly and even began to float up when I held it in my hoof, a sure sign my goal was within reach. I’d just taken a draught from my flask when Danu re-appeared, letting himself in after a brief knock,

“Initiate Shadow is out with friends at the moment my Lord, and shall not be back until late. I am asked to respectfully request that you rest until she has returned.” The monk bowed and left the room with as much ceremony as he had when he entered.

‘Out with friends’ eh? Bullshit. The crystal was glowing so brightly she was probably within a stones throw from here. Something stank about this whole situation…badly. There was still the chance I was over-thinking things though, so i’d play the willing host and wait as they’d requested, for now. I checked my watch, a few minutes couldn’t hurt.

Time dragged on and I could almost feel the seconds passing by. Where the hell was she ? I found myself checking my fathers old pocket watch again and again; it was late. In the absence of any sun or moon in the Withers, I worked on the assumption that the time when I awoke was probably around eight, so by my reckoning it was now late evening. One day, I’d have to find out how the locals knew.

Regardless of the time, there was still no sign of Shadow. That was it, I wouldn’t wait any longer. Rising from the chair, I checked my gear and took a quick swig of water from my flask. A knock at the door made my ears perk up. I turned just in time to see Danu walking in without bothering to wait for a reply. Politely, of course…

“The Abbott has requested you join us. Initiate Shadow is here”, his monotone drone was really grating on my ears.

“Lead the way”, I said, holding out a hoof. He turned and walked slowly back out of the room. I followed the monk as he led me down a number of twisting corridors lit with the ever present torches. They were most likely magic, I suspected by the lack of noticeable fuel for them. My horn itched slightly every time we passed one. There was something else I noticed too; the thestrals who I first met when I arrived at the monastery, and this…’Danu’ character, they had a strange manner about them. They were slow, drawling, like they were in a daze or trance of some kind. What really bother me though, was their eyes all had this odd, far away look which made my skin crawl. Thankfully, I’d had the foresight to keep my gear on and checked my sword was free in its scabbard and my magic ready to hoof, just in case.

The chanting was getting louder now and judging by the light of the crystal, Shadow must be mere yards away. Danu motioned to a large, black wooden door, “Initiate Shadow is inside, please go in and wait for her.”

The odd thestral walked away and left me standing there. Unsure whether to simply walk in or not, I knocked on the door; there was no reply. Shrugging to myself, I grasped the handle in my magic and pushed. It was heavy, but with a little effort it creaked open allowing me access to the room beyond. Stepping through, I paused. There was a large group of thestrals in here, the cloaked figures kneeling in absolute silence before a short flight of steps that led up to a stone altar. The similarly cloaked figure of the abbott stood calmly atop a dais behind a large wooden lecturn, “Come, Lord Fairlight,” he said smiling and holding out a hoof, “your friend is here. She’s waiting for you.”

I walked slowly into the room, my senses on alert and a cold shiver running down my spine. By the time I realised somepony was beside the door, it was too late. A heavy dull bang to the back of the head later, and it was lights out for Fairlight.

Darkness, throbbing pain and a sound like I was underwater panicked me into consciousness. Desperately I tried to stand, but no matter how hard I tried, my legs refused to move; they were held fast. Looking about me as best I could, I could see ropes of white sinew tied around my fetlocks. Panic rose within me and I reached for the magic, finding only a muggy mess of ‘something’ instead. I was lying flat on my back on a hard unyielding surface and felt almost drunk, my senses dulled…what had these bastards done to me?

Beside me a robed thestral appeared, his smiling face betraying a cruel inner darkness behind his burning white eyes, “Welcome lord of the wendigo’s. We are truly sorry for your…’inconvenience’, however, the goddess provides as always.”

“What…what are you doing?” I gasped past the pain and grogginess.

His emotionless smile never wavered, “Why, you are being honoured my lord. This is the commemoration of the defeat of our beloved goddess by the evil one. Every ten years, we remember her and sacrifice one of our own, in the hope she will bestow her wisdom and life upon us, her humble servants.”

He stroked my mane with his hoof, “Now, a wendigo walks into our halls on the eve of the ceremony…truly an auspicious event! You must be joyful knowing you shall be joining her soon to feast at the side of the goddess of the moon.”

He held his hooves up and called out to the assembled monks, “Be thankful for the moons embrace, praise the moon!”

“PRAISE THE MOON”, the monks chanted in reply.

I was finding it harder and harder to speak. A strange bitterness in my mouth suggested they’d drugged me with something to block my magic and dull my wits, “You’re insane…” I gasped, “the goddess still lives, she’s…in the mortal realm even…as we speak.”

The abbot smiled, “You speak of Princess Luna of course”, he closed his eyes, nodding to himself assuredly “I understand your confusion, she is not the nightmare moon she once was…but she shall be. Soon, her night will cover the land and we shall be free of this place, to stand by her side as we should once more”

He turned to the side and smiled gently as another thestral walked in wearing the now familiar black cloak. The thestral held something that gittered gold and silver in her mouth, which she then laid on the altar next to me. I struggled through the drug induced haze to reach the magic but, damn it all…it was just not there. If Maroc was still somewhere inside me, now was the time…before these fuckers…oh goddesses…

The thestral pulled its hood back to reveal a midnight coated mare, sleak and lean with eyes like red fires. The mares neat long teeth glinted in the torch light, her mane and tail as dark as the night sky. She was as terrifyingly beautiful as I remembered, yet the fire in her eyes was wrong…like this whole damned place.

“Shadow…Shadow it’s me…Fairlight”, I gasped.

She didn’t respond. Almost mechanically, she stood on her hind legs and lifted up the object from the altar. With a flick, she unsheathed the familiar looking dagger which I stared at in horrified fascination as it caught the light. I recognised it immediately, the blade glowing blue with little flickers of electricity sparking along its fuller; It was my gift from Thalio. I could have laughed at the irony of the situation. My eyes followed its path upwards, the grip held between her fore hooves as she towered over me.

The chanting of the monks rose to fever pitch, the abbott shouting in a language I’d never heard, but right then, all I could see was my beloved thestral…and the blade held motionless above her. With an unnatural scream from the abbott, the blade descended, hissing through the air in an unstoppable deadly arc. Even as it pierced my chest, I kept looking into Shadow’s eyes, smiling…she was so beautiful…