Once again, Tirek found himself descending into the depths of Tartarus on a metal lift. The only difference from his descent into Greed was rather than the three-legged bell ringer, he was accompanied by the Infernal Queen Corona and her hulking duo of bodyguards. Enveloped in her hellish magic, the fiery Alicorn held the sinister black box that contained the infamous Rainbow of Darkness. Ever since he had been named champion by the council of the damned, Tirek could not tear his attention away from the dark artifact. Its power, reputed to overshadow even that of the Elements of Harmony, called out to him like a siren’s song.

“I’m sure you’re wondering where we are going.” Corona broke the silence as the chain operated lift continued its controlled descent into the basalt foundations of Pandemonium.

“I assumed to the Sixth Circle.” Tirek said distractedly. “It’s directly below the Woeful City, isn’t it?”

“True, but we are not going that deep.” The Archfiend corrected as the lift grinding to a halt before a wrought iron portcullis. “Would you two get this open?”

With a confirmatory grunt, the brutes stomped past the two and lifted the heavy gate open. Both the centaur and Alicorn shuddered as a waft of fetid air carrying the potent stench of decay blew through the now open gateway. Inside the dark halls were ossuaries and charnel pits filled to overflowing with blackened bones and putrid flesh, some of which still twitched in false life.

“These are the Fleshworks.” Corona announced as she entered the undercroft. “Ever wonder what happens to the corpses of the damned? They’re dumped here where the flesh sculptors can ply their craft.”

“Huh. I thought the demons just ate them.” The crimson warlock muttered to himself as he followed the malevolent monarch in with the bruiser brothers not far behind them.

As they delved deeper into the macabre mausoleum, the sounds of their hooves crushing scattered bones were joined by the sounds of something grunting in exertion. They rounded a corner to find an uncanny creature struggling to tear flesh away from a cadaver. Its skin was drawn too tight around its bovine skull and narrow torso yet hung like loose robes around its waist and legs. With a final pull, the flesh sculptor claimed its prize from the corpse. As it inspected the embalmed meat, it noticed the fiery Alicorn.

“Ah, Queen Corona.” One of the masters of the Fleshworks greeted in a dry voice. “Welcome back. Who’s your friend?”

“Tirek; my general and champion.” The mare said with a gesture toward the warlock. “I'm surprised you haven’t heard of him.”

“My fellow artisans and I are rather isolated down here.” The sinister surgeon said as it scanned over the centaur with maddened eyes. “Hmm, I have never worked with a centaur before…solid frame, strong back, nice beard…not sure about the nose ring.”

“It was from a rebel phase.” Tirek pushed the fiend away as it got closer than he was comfortable with.

“Heh. You mortals and your desire to be unique.” The gaunt ghoul snickered. “So, is this a social call or did you require my talents, your highness?”

“Do you remember what we discussed during my last visit?” Corona asked deviously.

"Oh, yes indeed." The demon grinned far wider than his mouth should allow. "The Titan."

Tirek’s ears perked up at this. He had heard of the mythical race of god-like beings before from Ixionan loremasters but had always written them off as just that; a myth. If one was trapped in the Pits with them, then it could a powerful boon for their cause if even half of what he knew about them was true. Then again, the centaur could not help but wonder why Blaze bothered with him and the Rainbow of Darkness if she had such a being at her disposal.

“We can finally make use of it." The Alicorn continued. "I trust that it has been prepared."

"As best as we can." The flesh sculptor nodded. "I'll take you to it."

With the now excited fiend leading the way, the nefarious group resumed their trot through the undercroft of Pandemonium. The deeper they went, the grander the chambers became. Charnel pits were replaced with stone tombs and more experienced flesh sculptors worked tirelessly in their gore-strewn workshops creating new vessels for their iniquitous patrons.

“So this is where they put Grogar back together.” Tirek murmured as he noticed a sculptor working with bits of a goat. “Hmm, I haven’t seen him since the council…”

“Here we are.” The twisted demon spread its arms wide to a barred and bolted gate with a pair of rusted levers on either side. “I’m going to need some functional muscle to get these open.”

With a gesture, Corona signaled her bodyguards to aid the fleshy fiend. Each one took up positions on either side of the gate and pulled the levers in unison. The entire undercroft shook as hidden mechanisms slowly pulled the brass bolts back, sending loose bits of stone and bone onto the heads of the hellions. The coppery scent of blood flooded the air as the doors parted. Inside was a colossal creature embedded into the far wall, hexagonal basalt formations entrapped its emaciated body up to its neck like the jaws of a great beast with only its great horn-crowned head hanging free from its stone prison. Cruel metal pipes and hooks dug into the monster’s sightless eyes and gaping mouth, holding them in a perpetual grimace as a never-ending torrent of crimson blood flowed from its grievous wounds. The sanguine vitae collected into a circular pool on the floor where it bubbled and boiled with ancient power wrought by eternal torment.

“I see now.” Tirek felt his skin crawl as he beheld the gruesome answer to his previous question. "Poor bastard is stuck in a wall...and dead."

“Say hello to Kampe.” Corona introduced the great beast to her colleagues. “Once, in ages past, the mighty warden of Tartarus. Nowadays, not so much.”

“Indeed.” The flesh sculptor concurred as they entered the chamber of the Titan. “The ruined body may be just a cage of torment for whatever spark of life remains but its blood is a different matter.”

The group approached the edge of the pool of blood. As if it sensed their presence, the crimson broil intensified as angry sparks of power danced across the surface. Tirek could tell that a single drop held enough power to rival most unicorns.

“The time has come, my champion.” Corona said with an encouraging grin. “Enter. Bathe in the ichor of the Titan and I will do the rest.”

“Why would I do that?” The centaur asked hesitantly. "I just need a small amount to recharge, not a literal bloodbath."

“If you are to wield the Rainbow of Darkness against our enemies, you need to be stronger.” The fiery mare answered with a hint of annoyance in her voice. “In your current diminished state, it could very well kill you.”

“I wish I knew that sooner.” Tirek did not want to the think of the ignominy of meeting his end by overloading. “Alright then.”

The warlock stripped off his tunic and cautiously trotted out into the boiling pool of blood, wincing slightly as the intense heat met his flesh. The Titan’s bleeding eyes seemed to follow him as he approached, judging him with every step he took. The crimson centaur stopped just as the scalding ichor reached his underbelly in the center and turned to face the Archfiend, ready for whatever was to come next.

"Right between the eyes, your Highness." The flesh wizard advised the Hierarch. "Ooh, I cannot wait to see what wonder is born."

“Celestia may be able to make a Princess out of a commoner.” Corona said as she ignited her horn. “But I can do better!”

The Infernal Alicorn braced herself and fired a bolt of infernal energy at the imprisoned Titan. The not-quite-lifeless beast let out a deafening roar of pain that could be heard across the Fifth Circle as the beam burrowed into its skull. Its ravaged jaw strained against the torturous metal embedded within and opened wide. Gouts of flame burst forth from its maw and plunged into the pool below. Just as Tirek was beginning to have second thoughts about this plan, the ichor began to glow like the surface of the sun. His mind went blank as both the familiar euphoria of stolen power and the burning agony of hellfire flooded his body. Corona watched as the centaur slowly sank into the now blazing wellspring, his yellow eyes staring unblinkingly at her. In time, the warlock slipped beneath the incandescent surface and out of sight.

“Uhh, the basin is not that deep.” The sinister surgeon pointed out as it shielded its eyes from the blinding glow. "Did you just melt him?"

“I did what I was supposed to!” Corona growled. “If anything you configured Kampe wrong! I swear if you screwed this up-!”

As if to banish their doubts, the Fleshworks shook as the blood pool exploded into an inferno. A shockwave of raw power blasted out of the core of the blaze, bowling over the flesh sculptor and even forcing the Infernal Queen and her burly minions to stumble. A figure appeared in the center of the conflagration, tall and imperious. With slow, purposeful strides, Tirek trotted through the fire and flames toward the demons, titanic energy crackling across his restored body. Gone was the withered hermit that had wandered the Everfree and in his place stood the scourge that had challenged the might of the Alicorns.

“He’s…beautiful.” The floored fiend nearly swooned at the sight of the impressive specimen.

“No argument here.” The Archfiend agreed. “How are you feeling Tirek?”

The crimson centaur did not answer immediately. He rolled his broad shoulders and popped his neck with a grunt as he became acclimated to his new yet familiar stature. A self-satisfied smile crossed his features as he flexed his arms and his restored muscles responded in kind. Tirek looked down to find that where the Infernal Queen once stood head and shoulders over him now barely came up to his chest, discounting her horn. His own horns had gone from barely noticeable stubs to an impressive rack that would make most minotaurs jealous.

“I feel…invincible!” The centaur’s booming voice echoed about the Titan’s prison as he continued to stretch and flex. “Like I could shatter mountains!”

“Excellent.” Corona grinned as she placed the black box on the ground. “But let’s make that a certainty, shall we?”

The Hierarch of Hell opened the glyph covered cube. With exceptional care, she levitated out the pulsating leather bag that held the Rainbow of Darkness itself. The fiery Alicorn bid her champion to kneel which he did after a moment of incredulous defiance. Corona secured the dark artifact around her champion’s neck with all the ceremony of awarding him a medal. No sooner had the bag left her magical grasp did Tirek almost doubled over as the relic’s accursed power shot through his body. A soul hollowing pain brought on by the refined malice of thousands of damned Crystal souls coursed through him, making the inferno he had just emerged from feel like a mild sunburn. As the Archfiend had predicted, the former hermit’s new stature was enough to properly channel the Rainbow’s malignant power but only just.

“Argh! It’s like my skin is trying to switch places with my bones!” Tirek grunted as he struggled to remain upright.

“Embrace that pain!” The Infernal Queen instructed excitedly. “And imagine inflicting it on our enemies! Celestia! Luna! Sparkle! All of them!”

The empowered centaur held up a clenched fist now crackling with dark magic and imagined crushing a certain purple Princess’ skull in it. The vindictive thought proved somewhat effective as the pain dulled but did not leave completely. The warlock straightened up as he got his new power under control.

"I think I got the hang of it." He grunted. "Won't know for sure until I put it to use."

"Soon you will, my champion." Corona assured him. "Come. Let us return to Dis. The hour of the Grand Exodus is nigh."

After being bid farewell by the flesh wizard, the Alicorn, empowered centaur and demons departed the Titan's chamber. As they traveled back through the Fleshworks toward the elevator, Tirek felt something scratch at the back of his mind. He was about to shrug it off as a by-product of taking a demonically charged bloodbath when the scratching broke through.

"...burn...maim..." A multitude of venomous whispers demanded. "...kill them all..."

"I will." The centaur fed the whispers more murderous thoughts which seemed to appease them. "Just got to get out of here."

"You say something?" Corona asked over her shoulder as they reached the elevator.

"Uh, I was just thinking that I need a new shirt." Tirek covered quickly. "I doubt that the old one fits anymore."

"We'll do you one better." The Alicorn said as her bodyguards hoisted them back up. "A set of armor befitting one of your stature."

"You really have planned this out." Tirek muttered beneath his breath. "I now have all this power yet why do I feel like a mere pawn?"

“My debt to Corona is paid.” Grogar assured himself as he navigated the halls of Dis looking for an exit. “I was to bring her Tirek and I have with interest. No part of our deal involved me joining her.”

The patchwork bell ringer had done his best to remain out of sight since the conclusion of the council with his fellow Banished. While part of him wanted to go along with Corona’s scheme now that he had a better idea what it was, he could not convince himself otherwise that it would not end in utter failure even with the power of the umbral Rainbow. Every member of the Banished, including himself, had been bested by the Alicorns or their national equivalents. Would an army of demons make that much of a difference in a world that has faced apocalyptic threats before? To say nothing of the Overlord of the Underworld who might as well be an unstoppable force of nature if Rubric’s description was anything to go by. Thus, the ram had decided to abandon ship before the Grand Exodus got underway and do what he could to save his own hide. But first, the fallen lord had to escape the capital city of Tartarus.

“I got to make it to the bridge.” The cobalt ram told himself as he neared the main entrance of Dis. “That should be far enough.”

“Grogar?” A voice called out from behind him.

The patchwork lord spun around to find not one of Corona's burly brutes like he was expecting but her lithe secretary. The demoness approached him with a neutral expression; a far cry from the teasing smirks associated with her ilk. He still did not relax his guard as he was all too familiar with what succubi could do.

"Oh, I was just getting some air." Grogar covered quickly. "The old Cerberus wounds act up if I don't move around for too long."

"You don't need to lie to me." The succubus shook her head. "You want out of Blaze's plan, don't you?"

"What? No. Why would I?" The ram kept up the front. "She is our best ticket out of here...Xi, was it?"

"Xi'vili but we both know that ticket won't be punched." Xi said seriously. "All of us, from the demon army to Tirek, are just rungs on her ladder to the surface."

"You... really think so?" Grogar perked up at the idea that he was not alone in his doubts.

"I know so." The demoness insisted as she closed the difference between them and placed her hands on his shoulders. "The moment she got what she needed out of the bard she left him for Cleo. My sisters and brothers thought we would have a place at her side but they were just payment to make that damn Rainbow!"

"Then we are more pawns than equal partners." The ram said with a sneer. "The whole damn Exodus could just be a distraction as she makes a break for the surface. Huh, I thought I was being unique with that idea."

"And we both know how that ends." Xi referred to the goat and centaur's first escape attempt.

"If not escape, then there might be only one option left to us." Grogar mused aloud as the wheels in his head began turning. "But first we need to get out of this tower."

"In that case, you're heading the wrong way." His newest companion hooked a thumb over her shoulder. "The hellevator's that way."

"You know this tower better than me." The ram gave her a small smile. "Lead on...partner."

Xi'vili returned his smile with a genuine one of her own as she headed for the exit. While Grogar did not completely trust the demonette, he did believe that their mutual dislike of Corona would stay any daggers to the back. Plus there was something about her beyond the innate demonic beauty that put the goat lord at ease. So lost in his thoughts was the patchwork ram that he nearly bumped into her when she froze in the corridor leading to the fiery hellevator. Blocking the way were Rubric and Gordon, the former giving the latter an earful.

"...thousands of tomes and documents turned to ash in the wind because of your carelessness!" The scholarly dragon jabbed a claw into the griffon's chest. "For a bird who presumes to 'civilize the unwashed savages of foreign lands' you leave a lot of fire and ruin in your wake."

"Collateral damage is an unfortunate but often unavoidable facet of my duty as an officer and a gentlegriffon." The Major-general batted the claw away indignantly. "That repository was infested with guerillas and other blighters. What the bloody hell was I supposed to do?"

"Not burning it and the surrounding village to the ground would have been a good start." Rubric growled just as he noticed they were not alone. "Grogar, settle this for us. Enemy combatants are holed up in a building containing irreplaceable relics of...where are you from again... Tambelon. What do you do?"

"I, uh, I dispatch an elite team to clear out the riff-raff and try to secure the relics." The ram answered after some thought.

"See?" The dragon turned back to Gordon with a smug smile.

"Well, I did not have that luxury." The tiger-hawk said defensively. "I did, however, have a battery of cannons. So, old chap, I see why you slipped out of the council early."

“Y-yes. Guilty as charged.” The bell ringer said as calmly as he could muster as he slapped Xi on the rear for effect. "I guess this old goat still has some charm despite the stitches and fake leg."

"What can I say?" The succubus played along as she stroked the ram's horns. "These curves light my fire."

“Ancients, I need to find a dragoness.” The drake lamented his lack of a companion with a sigh. “Speaking of demonic liaisons, are you forming your own group to carve out territory in our new world or are you going to sit in the sidelines like that bard, Zeb?"

"I had not really thought about it." Grogar said as he stole glances at the tantalizingly close exit.

"Then you'd best get on that before it's too late, old bean." Gordon advised. "And mind you don't recruit solely for combat. Logistical and rudimentary needs should be considered."

"Take the harpies for example." Rubric chimed in. "Agile skirmishers and interceptors but also covetous with an eye for value. With them, I intend to raid every depository of knowledge in the world before her Infernal Majesty reduces them all to cinders. Perhaps then I will finally uncover the elusive one truth of the universe.”

“Good luck with that.” The ram said with a subtle but impatient roll of his eyes. “Maybe you could…wait, do you hear that?”

A dull boom sounded below them followed by a tremor that shook the very tower. A wave of malevolent energy followed after that made even the dragon unsteady. A cheer erupted from the streets of Pandemonium as the demonic denizens took it as a sign to begin mobilization. The Banished stood in shocked silence for a bit before the scholarly salamander spoke again.

“Heard and felt that, Tambelonian.” Rubric said knowingly. “Either some poor soul has earned Queen Corona’s ire or Tirek has successfully taken up the mantle of the wielder of the Rainbow of Darkness. For the good of the Exodus, let’s hope it’s the latter.”

“Right.” The bell ringer said testily, now knowing that their window of opportunity was rapidly closing. “Well, it was nice catching up with you two but Xi and I really need to get going.”

“Both of you?” The dragon looked down at the ram suspiciously. “Not that I care but I doubt Corona would approve of you stealing one of her servants.”

"Literally playing with fire." Gordon concurred. "And no offense to you, Xi, but I doubt her combat abilities."

"I can take care of myself, bird." The succubus scowled.

"As you said, I'll need more than soldiers to rebuild Tambelon." The goat lord said as he squeezed past the larger Banished. "I'll meet up with the rest of you later."

The pair took two steps only for Rubric’s tail to slam down in front of them. The bell ringer turned back to find the dragon an inch from his face, tongues of flame coiling up from between his bared fangs. Grogar looked to Gordon for assistance but the griffon only narrowed his sharp eyes at him.

"Come now, Grogar." The Major-general scolded. "After what we have been through, you can trust me with the truth."

"I've been around enough liars to know one when I see one." The drake growled. "Deceive me at your peril, goat."

“Uh...” The fallen lord's mind raced for a solution but none came to mind that did not involve fleeing. “Shit.”

"We want no part in Corona's scheme." Xi answered for her partner. "It's doomed to fail and we will not follow her into oblivion."

"What?" Rubric softened slightly. "Explain the logic behind this."

"Prior experience." Grogar said while trying to look as pathetic as possible. "I have tried to escape before numerous times and every time has ended in failure. The last one was the worse. Tirek can testify to that. I fear that this time will spell the end to ol' Grogar and any hope of Tambelon being restored."

"Now, now. Keep a stiff upper lip, mate." Gordon said encouragingly. "You can't let Tartarus' abandon all hope humbug get to you. Blimey, not all of us are cut out for a war of this magnitude. You and Xi can just join Zeb as spectators."

"It is not like you can go anywhere else down here." The runic dragon pointed out. "Unless..."

The heretical drake trailed off as something occurred to him. Grogar felt the fur on the back of his neck stand on end as Rubric's expression changed from thoughtful to realization. Xi must have felt the same as she shimmied closer to the goat.

"...you were going to sell us out to Geist." The dragon growled having clearly pieced together the bell ringer's plan.

"Clever lizard." The ram muttered.

The patchwork goat ducked his head and charged the leering dragon. His horns collided with Rubric’s snout, causing his many bells to ring out a discordant noise. The combined campanic magic and Grogar's own strength proved effective as the dragon recoiled, claws clapped over his now bleeding nose. With his tail still blocking the exit, the turncoat goat and demoness fled back the way they came.

“I knew it!” Rubric snarled past his claws. “Never trust anyone from fucking Fraud!”

"Stay here and guard the exit!" Gordon ordered as he took to the air. "I'll cut them off!"

They may have had a head start but Grogar's distinctive clip-clank from his false leg made him easy to track. The Major-general caught up with them quickly and dove on the traitorous ram. The two rolled across the floor until the larger griffon pinned the goat beneath him.

"Why?!" The tiger-hawk demanded angrily. "What madness has claimed you that you would betray us?!"

"Better betray you now than let Corona betray us later!" Grogar shot back. "We are disposable to her-ack!"

"So you go to that devil Darzalas?!" Gordon shouted as he gripped the ram by the neck. "You would damn all of us just to save yourself?! By Ziz, how low can you-gah!"

The griffon's rant was cut short by Xi jumping on his back and sinking her needle-like teeth into his neck. The officer backed off of the ram as he tried to shake off the succubus. The demonette held on for a few moments before she kicked off of the griffon and sent him into a wall. The tiger-hawk stumbled back as he tried to refocus on the traitors.

"Wha...what did you..." The Major-general slurred as the soporific venom took effect. "Oh, bollocks."

Gordon sank to his knees and fell over with a heavy thud, his snores filling the air not long after. Xi spat out a mouthful of fur as she helped Grogar back to all fours. The ram gave her a thankful nod and was about to propose hiding the sleeping griffon when Rubric rounded the corner.

"Fuck!" The bell ringer pulled his partner down as the drake inhaled deeply.

The scholarly salamander unleashed a torrent of flame just as his targets hit the floor. The tongues of fire singed the fur off the goat’s back as it whooshed over him and burned into the far wall. Once the flamethrower ceased, Grogar looked up to see that Dis now had a new window. Outside he could see one of the great chains that kept the floating tower anchored to Pandemonium.

“Ha! A door closes and a window opens.” The fallen lord half laughed as he dragged up Xi and made a break for the still glowing hole.

The two lept out the breach just as Rubric charged them with teeth bared. The ram and succubus landed on the swaying links of the chain, their pursuer's jaws snapping shut just a hairsbreadth above them. The dragon discovered that the hole was too small to allow anything beyond his shoulders through. By the time he could find another exit or build up another breath of fire, the pair of traitors would disappear into the city.

"Flee while you can, Grogar!" Rubric shouted after the sure-hoofed ram and agile demonette as they traversed the chain. "Pray to the Fates that Geist grants you succor for all of Tartarus will be arrayed against you!"

"Nothing new there." The ram muttered as he and Xi continued their descent.

After a few close calls from the chain shifting or patroling hellions, the pair reached the anchor. The building-sized block of black granite stood alone in a relatively small square. With the exception of a few demon guards keeping watch over the streets, the area was quiet.

“Not my smoothest exit.” The bell ringer said as he dropped down onto the block. "I think I see the gates from here. Just need to-"

"Just a moment, Grogar." Xi interjected as she gracefully slid off the chain. "Do you really intend to parlay with Kyl'menus Pol'ydegmon?"

"I assume you're talking about the Dread Lord with that mouthful." The goat did not even try to remember how to pronounce the demons' name for the Overlord. "And yes, I do. The alternative is to remain in the Pits or follow Corona to our doom."

"No easy paths in Tartarus." The succubus sighed. "Just what do you hope to gain from him?"

"Ideally, the restoration of Tambelon." The goat lord answered brightly. "But I'll settle for clemency for my part in the Grand Exodus."

"You'll be lucky to gain either." The demonette frowned. "You heard what Rubric said. Our warden is reputed to be unyielding and unimaginably cruel."

"Of our admittedly terrible options, he's the best. Who knows? Maybe he has mellowed with time." Grogar flashed her a reassuring smile. "But we won't find out waiting here. Let's go before Corona fries me."

The bell ringer knew quite well that the Infernal Queen of Tartarus could incinerate him with a thought but he figured even her mighty powers had a limited range. She was only able to assert her hold on him once he was in Gluttony, two Circles above thus the further he got from the fiery-maned mare, the better. With the threat of immolation and the eternal damnation that would certainly follow as a motivator, the ram and his partner made their way through the cramped back alleys of Pandemonium. As most of the local and visiting demons were concentrated in the main thoroughfares preparing for the uprising, the side streets were all but empty. What few vagabonds were laying about paid the blue goat and lithe succubus no mind. That was until a pack of screeching harpies flew overhead.

“Bring the traitors' heads to Dis!” The fiends announced. “Their weight in gold as a reward!”

“Gold? That's it?" Xi huffed indignantly. "Certainly we're worth more than that."

"It would be enough to get any Greed demons to turn the city upside down looking for us." Grogar whispered. "This just got complicated."

Indeed, the once impassive denizens of the Woeful City were now actively searching for the turncoats. A few had the presence of mind to linger around the only exit out of Pandemonium for those unable to fly. The ram weighed their options as he looked for an opening.

“The one on the left is a bit slower to turn than the others.” Xi pointed out. “If I wait until he turns his back-”

“There you are!” A burly hellion rounded a corner behind the pair, shattering any hope of a stealthy exit.

“Caution to the wind then!” The fallen lord groaned as he and the demonette broke cover and galloped toward the gates.

Fortune saw fit to smile on the pair as they managed to evade the swipes, lunges and fireballs of the alerted demons. They crossed the grand threshold of the brazen gates and continued out onto the bridge with a host of hellions slavering for their bounty not far behind. The turncoats were about halfway across the expanse when the savage bellows of their pursuers were replaced with shouts of surprise and fear. The goat looked behind him to see the demons fleeing back into Pandemonium.

“Ha! Not so tough outside your city, are you?!” He taunted before he heard something very large drop down onto the bridge. “Oh, there’s something really bad behind me, isn’t there?”

"Yes." Xi answered in a trembling voice.

Grogar slowly turned back to see one of the towering guardians of the Woeful City approaching what it likely thought were escapees, its massive weapon at the ready as its heavy footfalls shook the bridge. The succubus sank to her knees and bowed her head, muttered prayers to Tartarus itself on her lips as she accepted her impending demise. The ram, nearly paralyzed in terror, fumbled to untie one of his bells from his neck. The sentinel’s shadow fell over him as he managed to free the bell and desperately shook it.

*Ring-ring*

The simple tune produced an equally simple spark but nothing more.

“Come on!” The fallen lord pleaded as he shook the tiny bit of brass as hard as he could. “Work, damn you!”

The colossal sentinel raised its weapon high, the infernal lights of the capital of Tartarus reflected in its polished blade and brought it down on the hapless pair. Grogar closed his eyes and embraced Xi as he rang his bell one last time, not knowing if its song would be the chime of salvation or their final death knell.

*RING*

A single strident peal sounded just as the sentinel’s greatsword passed between the goat’s curved horns. The sweet note was drowned out by the noise of metal cleaving stone. The gigantic guardian freed its blade from the bridge and looked down. Where the bell ringer and seducer once stood a tiny bell bounced across the stonework, still resonating with the power of its vanished master and his companion.

The brackish water of the River Acheron became dark as pitch as it flowed into the mighty River Styx. Grey glanced down into the hateful waters as the ferry continued its journey to the far shore. His mind wandered back to the long-gone halcyon days of his family's rule as he caught glimpses of unfortunate souls forever trapped in the stygian depths.

“So many oaths sworn on this river by Theoi and mortal alike.” The ancient animus reminisced. “I suspect that has fallen out of practice these days. That may be for the better.”

“You have no idea how many fools have tried to swim across after the Downfall.” The bandaged ferry grumbled in Khthonic as he continued to guide his craft. “It took decades before they realized that it was futile.”

“You did nothing to stop them?” The Hidden One asked.

“To be honest, it was amusing to watch them flounder in the depths before being dragged down by those below.” The lame daemon admitted with a dry chuckle. “They are tenacious creatures, I will give them that.”

“Speaking of tenacity…” The hooded horse switched to the mortal tongue as he noticed the shade of Shining Armor making his way across the crowded deck to join them. “Grown tired of the company of the living already, Armor?”

“Something like that.” The former captain nodded as he joined the two immortals and looked back at the mares conversing at the bow of the ship. “Chrysalis and I could hardly hold a conversation without Lulamoon adding some snide remark or vice versa. I thought I left that type of bickering behind when I got down here.”

“They had better find some common ground soon if they are to work for me.”The stygian stallion thought.

“Oil and water those two.” The animus said with a shake of his head. “What about Elytra? Has she enjoyed some quality time with her departed father?”

“Sort of. We didn’t really have much to talk about other than Chrysalis and me.” Armor said uneasily as he looked at the blue-eyed nymph playing with her less autonomous siblings. “To think, I was worried sick about becoming a parent with Cadence only to find out that I’ve already sired a bastard with the mare that almost ruined my wedding!”

“Dare I tell him that Cadenza has one of her own on the way?” The Dark Lord thought. “No. I’ll wait for him to settle in before I drop that on him.”

“It could have been worse.” The cloaked pony said casually. “Imagine if all of that had come to light while you were alive.”

A look of pure horror came across Armor’s ectoplasmic face as his mind conjured up the possibilities. His career as captain of the guard would be marred by the scandal for starters; perpetuated by the loose lips of gossiping nobles. To say nothing of how Cadenza would react if she found out.

“So I dodged a bullet by jumping in front of a death beam.” The spectral stallion shook his head. “You need to work on your pep talks, Grey.”

“While you’re working with me, you’ll get used to it.” The Lord of Shades shrugged.

“That reminds me.” Armor said seriously. “Lulamoon said, or should I say boasted, that you are a lord down here. That true?”

“It is.” Grey nodded. “Not really something I would claim while I was on the surface, for obvious reasons.”

“I don’t blame you. Lot of ponies up there that would blast you before speaking with you. Of course, you already knew that.” The shade winced slightly “So since this is the Underworld does that make you a… Necroarch or something?”

“One of my Lord’s many titles.” The ferry daemon rasped. “You would do well to respect them.”

“Earned not demanded.” Armor grunted at the daemon before he returned his attention to the Necroarch. “Listen, Grey, I greatly appreciate you helping me take down Sombra and I still consider you a friend but- “

“You’re worried that I’m just another tyrant hell-bent on world domination playing you for a sap.” The Dread Lord interrupted. “Right?”

“Not my choice of words but yeah.” The specter said testily.

“I’ll admit I value the pragmatic option over what you may call the moral one but you already know that.” The Dark Lord said plainly. “But I have no intention of taking over the world of the living. The dead make far better subjects in my honest opinion.”

“With a few notable exceptions.” The animus mentally added.

“From what I’ve seen since I got here, I’m inclined to agree.” The late Equestrian said as he looked over the diverse spectral passengers. "Celestia used to say that you need a common goal or element to unite disparate creatures. I bet she never considered death as one of those."

Before any more could be said, the echo of a distant boom caught the living and the dead’s attention. A tremor rumbled through the cavernous netherworld followed by a waft of acrid air that carried with it the scent of brimstone and blood. The Hidden One narrowed his baleful eyes at a faint hellish glow in the distance. He could feel the power now radiating from what he knew was the Infernal Prison in his tenebrous body; a familiar titanic power that conjured memories of a battle fought long ago.

“Kampe? No. Something more.” He thought darkly. “The damned are playing for keeps.”

“What the hell was that?” The late captain asked, his old soldier instincts warning him of danger.

“The reason I recruited you and the others.” The Dark One said with the slightest hint of anger before he turned to the ferry. “Double time it.”

“Right away.” The daemon nodded as he stamped a foot down twice to signal the creatures below. “Faster you slugs!”

With a muffled groan, the rowers doubled their efforts. The ferry gained a wake as it sped through the black waters. The passengers gathered near the bow as they scanned the darkness for the far shore.

“Land ho!” Elytra called out excitedly as their destination finally came into view.

In contrast to the sandy shore they had left behind, the landscape before them was a veritable grey wall of jagged stone. The one break in the rocky bulwark was a small cove where another stone dock had been constructed. Beyond the inlet, they could see a narrow passage carved out of the rock leading inland. With controlled ease, the ferry daemon guided his craft to the pier and docked with little more than a hard bump.

“Alright, all ashore who’s going ashore.” He grunted as he dropped the gangplank and started shooing shades off his boat.

“Thank you for a safe journey, Keen-Eyed One.” The Dark Lord said in the dark language of the Underworld as he made sure his new subjects disembarked without incident. “Fates willing, I have returned in time to put down the demonic uprising.”

“I certainly hope so.” The withered daemon agreed. “Otherwise I will have to scuttle my ship and drown in the Styx less they press me into their service. Fates guard you, Hidden One.”

The ancient ferry pushed off from the dock to return to the shantytown, leaving the animus alone with his new acquisitions. The spectral host looked at him expectantly as this was new territory for them.

“Where to next, Grey?” Elytra voiced the question they were all thinking.

“Through there.” The tenebrous stallion pointed toward the cleft in the rock face. “It will take us straight to Asphodel.”

“I can hardly wait.” One of the shades said expectantly as they moved toward the passageway with the shadowy stallion and his mortal companions in the lead.

There was little in ways of illumination in the narrow passage beyond Lulamoon’s still glowing amulet. A few of the more impatient shades started shoving each other in an effort to get ahead until the tunnel finally opened up to rocky fields and ashen meadows under a black sunless sky. A well-traveled road paved with pulverized bones illuminated by more caged ghost lights led to a sprawling metropolis of monochrome stone and marble structures in the style of a long-dead empire. The entryway of the city stood open to all where black banners bearing the anti-magic sigil of the Hidden One billowed in the chilly breeze.

“Welcome to the Necropolis.” The hooded horse announced to his soon-to-be citizens as he crossed the threshold of the city of the dead. “I suspect most of you will come to call it home.”

As the new arrivals traversed the osseous streets, they were greeted by the sight of shades going about their eternal afterlife. Merchants stood quietly behind humble stands with nothing to hawk but pale flowers and clay jugs of water, the art of haggling lost in a city free of wants and needs. Former friends and once bitter enemies now conversed in the quiet tongue of the dead, oblivious to their former allegiances in life. The Equestrians noticed that some of the equine shades bore neither cutie marks nor any other distinguishing features other than a powerless horn or useless wings. It was if they all existed in some lesser version of the life they once lived.

“This whole place tastes like it has been drained of emotions.” Chrysalis said with a disgusted sneer as they neared the forum of the Necropolis. “ It's all bland. What’s wrong with them?”

“Those that reside here often choose to drink from the Lethe, the River of Oblivion, to lift to the burden of guilt from their souls.” Grey answered knowingly. “In doing so, they completely erase who they were and exist in a perpetual state of blissful ignorance.”

“So they actually drown their sorrows and it works.” Armor surmised. “Not sure I want to spend much time here, Grey.”

“We won’t have to.” The shadow stallion assured him. “But they will.”

The shadowy equine gestured to the host of shades that had followed them in. The once talkative and excited crowd had grown quiet and somber. They silently formed an ordered line toward an ornate complex that dominated the center of the city. One by one, they silently entered the building where the authoritative bangs of a judge’s gavel could be heard.

“At least the three Judges are still around.” The Hidden One thought. “It would have been a challenge to replace them.”

“Is that where you have souls inspected before you consume them?” Chrysalis asked semi-jokingly.

“No.” Grey answered bluntly. “That is the Hall of Justice. It is there that the shades of the mortal dead are judged and sentenced.”

“And who holds such high authority?” Armor inquired with an edge in his voice. “You?”

“I’m more executioner than judge.” The Dark Lord thought.

“I only preside over special cases.” The Lord of Shades informed his companions. “Normally, the Judges are a pessimist, an optimist and a realist. Together, they weigh your soul against what you have done and why you did it. For example, Chrysalis here is a seducer and fraud. That will be held against her.”

“Hey!” The offended changeling matron hissed.

“But she is also a devoted mother who does such things for the good of her children.” Grey continued, earning a slight blush from the Swarm Queen. “That will also be held in consideration.”

“So what happens after that?” Elytra wondered aloud.

“The righteous are rewarded while the wicked are condemned.” Grey said simply. “The indifferent remain here in Asphodel where you can see what eventually happens to them.”

“That or they join the Undying to fill a void of purpose.” He mentally added. “Or out of a sense of penitence.”

With their accompanying shades now occupied with more judgmental matters, the original group moved on. The ghost of Armor lingered for a moment at the Hall before he followed after them. They continued through the Necropolis to its outskirts until the urban area gave way to open fields with the previously mentioned River of Oblivion running through the middle. They passed more rustic shades, likely former farmers, tending the few pale crops that managed to grow in the rocky soil of the Sunless Lands. Just ahead of them was a procession of indifferent souls led by a gray-robed figure making their way to the River Lethe. Among them was a familiar mare that the animus had gotten to know rather intimately.

"Recognize that one, Armor?" The shadowy stallion asked the late unicorn as he pointed out the shade in question.

"That's.... Mica!" Armor's eyes widened as he put a name with the spectral face of the former researcher. "Small world, eh?"

"She a friend of you two?" Elytra asked curiously.

"That's a long story." Grey said as the procession reached the banks of the river. "There will be time for it later."

Leaving the shades to their desired oblivion, the group continued down the path while the robed figure invited the first in line to imbibe from the running waters.

“There’s the willow and knoll from my dream with Luna. Learned a lot that night.” Grey recalled as he spotted the familiar landmark as did Armor. “So my home should be coming up right about…”

“By the Sun and Moon!” Lulamoon exclaimed. “Look at that!”

The magician pointed ahead of them up to an incline of dagger-like outcrops. Atop the rough hill stood a citadel of cyclopean onyx walls and looming towers. No light shone out from the imposing edifice; no sign of life stirred from within.

“And I thought Canterlot was impressive.” Chrysalis chittered lightly. “I take it that is where you live.”

“Indeed.” Grey confirmed as he started up the hill toward his palace. “Though it appears Barathrum needs some maintenance.”

"That's putting it mildly." Armor concurred.

As the hooded horse and militant unicorn shade had observed, the citadel was not as impressive upon a second glance. The imposing walls and towers were in disrepair with entire sections having crumbled into rubble. Making a mental note to get that fixed, the Dark Lord approached the ebony front gates and pushed against them. Instead of opening as he intended, the ancient wood gate broke free of it hinges and fell inward, slamming against the floor with a loud bang. The group trotted inside the gatehouse to find the interior was not faring much better than the exterior. Bits of black marble masonry had crumbled, the corpse light braziers hung cold and extinguished and an air of stillness filled the dusty structure as if it was waiting for something. Lying on the floor was a pair of large bipedal figures with stained and rotted tunics clinging to their skeletal frames, their well-used tools gathering dust on the floor.

“Aw, these must have been your workers.” The curious Elytra trotted up to one and turned it over to reveal a cycloptic skull leering back at her. “AH!”

“No sign of violence so it appears my minions worked on preserving their home until their last breath.” The hooded horse thought as the nymph backed against him in fear. “I’ll have to commend their loyalty when I bring them back.”

“The Knowledgeable and Worldly Trixie has never seen anything like these before.” The azure unicorn wondered aloud as he scanned over the alien appearance of the corpses. “What were they? A type of minotaur?”

“Cyclopes.” Grey said factually. “Finest artisans, masons and metalsmiths I could ask for. I could go on but we are pressed for time.”

Making sure not to disturb the deceased monsters, the small group reached the end of the hall and another set of ebony doors. This one opened up to an open-air courtyard filled with transplanted trees from Erebos decorated with the bleached bones of many a mortal species and a few that were purported to be immortal. Towering above the Boneyard was a cathedral-like keep of gothic spires and flying buttresses. Lulamoon and the changelings balked at the macabre sight while Grey and the more initiated Armor continued on.

“I take it you didn't entertain much.” The shade said as he stared at a leering skull to make sure it was not following his movements.

“More often than you would think.” Grey said knowingly. “Ah, there’s the welcoming committee.”

“A small one.” He mentally noted.

In the center of the Boneyard were the Hand of Death, three other more feminine daemons, and a creature enveloped in form-concealing robes. The scythe wielder looked up from his perch atop another tree. He tapped his weapon on the bark to get the other’s attention. The three sisters immediately lit up in what appeared to be almost religious ecstasy as they flew toward the group.

“By the Blood of the Sky!” The eldest of them exclaimed in Khthonic. “The Hidden One returns to us at last!”

“You all stand back until I call you forward.” Grey instructed his mortal and dead companions as he approached his old friends. “I’ll introduce you.”

“Greetings, sisters Erinyes.” The Dark Lord responded cordially in the dark tongue. “I heard you-!"

"It IS you!" The youngest shouted happily as she tackled the hooded horse to the ground in a hug that buried his face in her plunging neckline. "In equine form, no less! Ooh~"

"Hello, Tisiphone." Grey's muffled voice said evenly. "You have grown since I have seen you last."

"Much to her delight." The middle sibling said neutrally as she pulled her sister off her Lord. "Have some pride, Tisi."

"Is that jealousy I hear Megaera?" Tisi teased with a toothy grin. "You know only I can fill out this uniform."

"Of course." The middle Fury maintained her stone-faced expression. "Our armor is customed made and fitted."

"Meg, Tisi. That is enough." The eldest scolded as she offered a hand to the stygian stallion. "Welcome back, my Lord."

"Thank you, Alekto." Grey said cordially. "I heard you have been keeping a sharp eye on my realm during my absence.”

“Always, sire.” Alek presented a heavy tome to him. “As you know, the damned conspire to escape Tartarus and usurp your throne. We have cataloged every heretic that dares challenge your sovereign rule.”

“Thank you. I will read this in full later.” The Dark Lord said as he quickly scanned through a few pages, noting Infernal Queen Corona Blaze and Warlock Tirek’s names as Nightmare Moon and her phantasmal puppet had reported respectively. “Now, I have noticed we are dangerously understaffed.”

“A sad state of affairs, master.” The hitherto silent robed creature croaked like a toad. “What little Undying remain are committed to holding back the infernal tide and virtually the entire staff of Barathrum has fallen to the ages. Only four of your giganties and I remain.”

“Telkhine is right. Fortunately, it appears you had the foresight to acquire replacements.” Meg said as she looked dispassionately at the mortals. “Though I expected something more impressive.”

“The mage and shapeshifters will serve us well in the long term.” The dark horse said as he glanced back at his surface companions, unable to contribute to the Khthonic conversation beyond Lulamoon’s amateur translations. “The shade of a stallion will fulfill a military role in the army I will create to combat this ill-conceived rebellion.”

He waved the surface dwellers forward for introductions.

“This is Shining Armor, formally Prince-Regent of the Crystal Empire, Trixie Lulamoon, a talented magician, and Swarm Queen Chrysalis plus her offspring; Princess Elytra and drones one through... thirty-nine.” Grey pointed to each in kind before he switched to the living language. “You all already know the Hand of Death. These three are the Sisters Erinyes Alekto, Megaera and Tisiphone. And that is Telkhine, a master alchemist.”

"Hi." Lulamoon greeted with a friendly wave.

"Hello." The alchemist responded in kind.

"Now that introductions are out of the way, there are a few matters I wish to discuss." The Dark Lord turned back to the daemons. "This 'Silent King' I keep hearing about. Did I gain a new epithet in my absence or is there a pretender I need to kick off my throne?"

"The former, sire." Meg answered. "As a means to prevent the latter from occurring, we did our best to keep your reputation intact."

"The Hand's psychopomps sent whispers and rumors throughout the mortal world." Telkhine added. "You can imagine our shock when they actually formed cults based on that. Such was the state of the Overworld during that time, I suppose."

"Ah, good." The relieved stygian stallion said gladly. "I had almost thought you all had propped my corpse up to use as a figurehead."

"We are not so zealous, Hidden One.” The Hand of Death said with a pointed look at the alchemist. “That reminds me, are you not forgetting something?”

“What? Ah! I am three times a fool!” The toady slapped his forehead in self-deprecation. “Master, we have something that will greatly aid you in your campaign.”

“What would that be?” Grey asked.

“Follow me and you will see!” Telkhine hobbled off toward the palace excitedly. “Yes, you will see!”

The stygian stallion looked toward the daemons for a clue as to what the excentric alchemist was talking about only for them to motion for him to go on. With new and old companions in tow, the Dread Lord followed the creature into Barathrum proper. The entrance hall of the dark palace was in a similar state of disrepair as the gatehouse. Broken bits of marble and toppled columns littered the floor along with more corpses of the cyclopes. Additionally, two towering figures stood on either side of the ornate doorway at the far side of the hall that led into the throne room, propped up by their wicked looking halberds.

“Giganties.” The Hidden One thought. “Steadfast even in death.”

Grey approached the last barrier between him and the Immortal Throne only for Telkhine to defy his expectations and go down a set of stairs to the lower levels.

“Down here, master!” His voice echoed back up.

With a longing look at the doorway, the increasingly impatient Necroarch descended the stairs after the benthic creature. The sub-levels of Barathrum had been carved directly out of the bedrock the rest of the palace was built on, giving the many chambers and corridors a more organic aesthetic. It was here than the cyclops smiths had set up their forges and foundries, all of which now lay cold and dormant surrounded by the skeletal remains of those that once tended them.

“Did you just let leave the dead where they fell?” Chrysalis asked as she stepped over the corpse-littered floor.

“The wellbeing of our Lord’s realm came first. Janitorial duties fell to the wayside.” Tisi answered in Khthonic, earning a grimace from the mortal changeling matron. “Ugh. Must I use this guttural language of yours?”

“I don’t like using Equestrian either.” The Swarm Queen chittered irritably. “But it is the most common one around.”

“Hmph.” The daemon waved her off dismissively. “If are to spend any amount of time down here, you should learn at least conversational Khthonic.”

“It would make talking easier.” Elytra concurred. “If the narcissist can learn it, so can we.”

“Armor’s child is going to do well down here.” Grey mused to himself.

The group continued through the gloomy halls until they came to a part of the sub-levels that Grey did not recognize. The walls had returned to the cyclopean onyx architecture he associated with the superstructure above. An obsidian barrier with powerful warding runes etched into its glossy surface barred them from going any further. Telkhine stood before the gateway and rubbed his grubby hands together, producing sparks of alchemic power as a result.

“I do not like being led along like this.” The tenebrous stallion said testily.

“My master has been most patient.” The alchemist said as it pressed its hands against the volcanic glass. “I only ask for a few moments longer. It will be worth it.”

The creature discharged its power into the barrier. The runes glowed in response as the volcanic glass slowly melted into the floor. The group entered the cavernous chamber to find the room illuminated by the simple orange flames of black wax candles arranged in the glyph of the Hidden One. A domed cairn of black marble sat between the prongs of the Khthonic rune. Atop the stack of cyclopean blocks was a locked and sealed vault of cold iron.

“This is a tomb.” The Lord of Shades deduced with building excitement. “Could it be mine?”

Standing around the tomb were four more giganties. Unlike their kin gathering dust in the entry hall, these guardians held tower shields in addition to their polearms and silver trimmed capes hung off their broad armored shoulders. They were also very much alive.

“Tread lightly.” One of the praetorians rumbled like a slumbering dragon to the interlopers. “For this is hallowed ground.”

“Even more so now than ever.” Telkhine turned around and bowed before Grey. “Master, you stand before your final resting place.”

“You…” The animus could barely contain his excitement. “…found my body?”

“Yes, and it was not easy getting it back.” The Hand of Death said with a faint twitch of his wings. “When you did not return from the High Council, the Erinyes flew up there to look for you. They learned that some of your treasonous kin had taken your vacant vessel to their depraved mortal allies as a centerpiece of their triumph.”

“Glad I missed that.” The stygian stallion thought with a shudder.

“Naturally, we would not let this blasphemy stand.” Meg said with a hint of outrage. “My sisters and I along with the elite of the Undying launched an assault on the city where the triumph was being held. In short, we retrieved your vessel and left the city a blood-soaked ruin that echoed with the screams of its inhabitants. It was fun, really.”

“Never change, Erinyes.” Grey said earnestly as he trotted closer to his ornate sarcophagus only to pause as something crossed his mind. “Almost forgot. I have to unload a few things first.”

The animus undid the clasp holding his travel cloak together and pulled it off. After balling it up and tossing it behind him into the alert hooves of Elytra, he then shifted into his nebulous form and began to disgorge the entirety of the Black Library plus his acquisitions from Canterlot from his tenebrous body. A pile of books, scrolls, tombs, and imperial trinkets emerged from the cloud-like animus a safe distance from the burning candles. The nebulous stalker coalesced into his equine form atop the treasure trove of knowledge and knocked a few remaining baubles free with a tap to his head.

“I had more in me than I thought.”The Hidden One thought.

"Okay, what?!" A gob-smacked Chrysalis gestured to the pile.

"That's a new trick." A less surprised but still impressed Lulamoon said simply.

"He's an animus; a super-ghost." Armor headed off the impending questions. "Don't feel bad that he didn't tell you. It's quite a bit to take in upon introductions."

“Thank you, Armor.” The newly unencumbered Grey said as he climbed down his spoils and withdrew the last two items he had in him. “Telkhine, please do not lose these.”

The Dark Lord passed off the cold iron ring and the glowing Obsidian Shard to the awaiting creature. The juxtaposition of such potent magic and anti-magic made the toady dizzy.

“That looks familiar…” Armor murmured as he caught a glimpse of what was left of the corrupted Crystal Heart before it disappeared into the alchemist's pockets.

After making sure there was nothing left in him, the animus climbed the cairn to the vault. Now that he was closer, he could see that there was also a reliquary containing his relics; the bident of polished ebony wood sheathed in runic cold-iron and a plumed helm of stygian metal. He ran a hoof longingly over the crystal glass before he inspected the heavy locks of the vault itself.

“We stood vigil as you rested, my Lord.” One of the giganties said reverently. “We were not with you at the Council; our greatest failure. With your blessing, we will stand with you once more as you retake your throne.”

“Of course.” The Lord of Shades said with a nod. “Can you unlock this?”

In unison, the praetorians stood on both sides of the vault and unlocked it. The seal broke with a hiss of chilled air as the lid slid off to the side. Inside was a featureless shaft that led down into impenetrable darkness. Grey wasted no time as he dropped into the tomb and vanished from sight. The daemons and mortals shifted in mutual discomfort as they waited in the silence of the sepulcher.

“So, I was wondering…” Chrysalis broke the uneasy silence. “Is there a more…happy place down here?”

“What do you mean?” Alek asked for clarification.

“One of the reasons I’m even down here is that Grey, or whatever his real name is, promised me a bounty of love and joy my children and I can feast on.” The changeling matron explained.

“Ah, my Lord must have been referring to the paradise that is Elysium.” The daemon realized. “Yes, such a place exists and if it is positive emotions you sustain yourself on, I am sure the blessed will be willing to aid you.”

“Willing?” Elytra gasped in surprise. “We won’t have to disguise ourselves?”

“No, you will not.” The Fury shook her head, not realizing the full weight of that fact.

“Kind of takes the fun out of it for you.” Lulamoon needled.

Before the Swarm Queen could ready a witty retort, a gravely chill crept down her chitin. The candles were extinguished in sequence as a waft of nearly artic air emanated from the cairn. The unicorn’s protective amulet flickered and winked out, leaving them all in darkness as the abyssal wave washed over her and continued through the undercroft, into the palace and beyond. Every shade in the Necropolis paused and looked toward the long-dormant citadel as if someone had called for their attention.

“Anyone got a light?” Lulamoon asked as she tried to pierce the energy charged blackness.

As if to answer her, the candles reignited in an unwavering black and silver flame. The sepulchral began to rumble as a steady pattern of hollow booms sounded from beneath their feet and hooves. Fissures reached out across the floor from the cairn like claws, each one emitting beams of negative light and jets of tenebrous smoke.

“Oh, I’ve seen this before.” The shade of Armor said knowingly. “Brace yourself!”

Not a moment later, a geyser of stygian flames erupting around the vault like a volcano. The praetorians took that as their cue to get clear and join the audience. Bolts of strange energy arced out of the abyssal fissures as the entire cairn was swallowed whole by the maelstrom of Khthonic power roiling beneath. The tempest reached a crescendo and, with a burst of darkness, unleashed another wave of power as void-touched animus and immortal vessel were reunited after eons of separation. Mortal, shade and daemon alike were knocked flat as the wave flooded all of Barathrum. The empty braziers flared to life as the trapped ghost lights were rejuvenated and the long-dead corpses of the palace staff began to twitch as necromantic power rejuvenated their bodies. The spectral Armor sat up to find the familiar sight of a caliginous miasma hanging in the air but instead of a chorus of cherubic whispers, there was nothing but oppressive silence. Then there was the distinctive sound of metal striking stone followed by the steady clip-clop of hooves.

“Grey?” The late captain ventured cautiously. “Lurker?”

Out of the writhing darkness, aided by his trusty bident with the helm hanging off one of the prongs, trotted a familiar greyscale stallion. He slowly rolled his neck and shoulders, stiff from eons of stillness, and took slow, shuddering breaths as he cleared out ages worth of corpse dust. With a deft wave of his free hoof, the lingering miasma surrounded the ancient being and coalesced into a set of dark and volumetric robes that billowed like smoke. The pale horse looked over his recovering allies with sunken, unreflective grey eyes. The daemons and giganties all bent a knee and knelt before the resurrected Theoi.

“The long silence has been broken at last.” The Hand of Death said with all due respect. “Welcome back to us... Aidoneus Theoi Katakhthonios.”

While the immortals knelt in respect, the Equestrians and changelings could only gawk at the dark majesty before them. Only Elytra had the presence of mind to point a hoof at him and ask the question on all their minds. There were two words she did not need Lulamoon to translate for her.

“Theoi?” The nymph asked without even trying to conceal her fear. “Are… are you a god?”

“God-King.” The Hidden Lord of the Underworld confirmed in a cool, even tone as a ghost of a smile played across his thin lips. “Now bow.”