For two days Andromalius, Celestia, Natura Stella, and Arantir marched through the snowy plains, and soon they would come to the settlement of miners. But, unfortunately, the lands of King Sombra drew closer and closer. Fear seeped into Celestia and Natura as they walked, and the latter didn't understand why.

"Andromalius," Celestia walked closer to the hell stallion. "Do you feel that?"

"King Sombra is near." he nodded. "But we are the force of four, we'll make it."

"I felt something is wrong as well." Arantir added, nodding. "Who is that Sombra?"

"An evil king of Crystal Empire. He enslaved it, and then he made the empire disappear with him when he was defeated." Celestia explained.

"That is a cruel act." Arantir frowned. "Will this Crystal Empire ever return, free from the chains of evil?"

"Only when Sombra does."

"Why wasn't he destroyed?" Arantir wondered. "Most of times, magic of a caster can be dispelled by their death, if they didn't sacrifice themselves to cast the spell first."

"This isn't our way." Celestia replied, shaking her head. "Killing is the last resort."

"Then, I have to understand your way." the necromancer nodded. "I respect your choice, and I shan't make you accept mine. If you follow the way of peace and no violence, so be it."

Celestia expected Arantir to tell her about his way and why it is better than hers. She was surprised to hear the exact opposite. She got more respect for him.

Suddenly, something appeared at the horizon. The four narrowed their eyes, looking at the black blot in the sky. It quickly closed the distance, and soon the four could clearly see it. It was a dragon made of black crystal, with glowing red eyes. It roared maliciously, flying closer.

Celestia was the first to react, and a bright yellow beam emitted from her horn, hitting the dragon in its chest. The beam reflected from the crystal surface, nearly hitting Natura.

"Spread out!" Andromalius yelled, sending an Eldritch Arrow at the dragon. Its body blocked the spell, however. "Fuck, magic-resistant one..."

A dark breath of fire came from the dragon's mouth, melting the snow where the four stood just a moment ago.

"None of you shall leave the North alive!" the voice of Sombra sounded from the dragon's maw.

"So, that is Sombra?" Arantir wondered.

"No, this is a crystal dragon under his control." Celestia quickly explained, dodging the fire that came from the dragon. "They were created by him a long time ago. I thought none existed by now."

Arantir unfolded his membrane wings and flew up. Summoning a deadly sphere of green smoke in his hoof, he aimed at the dragon. Releasing the sphere, Arantir hit the dragon, making it groan in pain as the sphere vaporized a part of its crystal armor as it went with a hiss.

"Hm, if that attack is not magical, that means my fire will do as well." Andromalius thought. Then, he shot a beam of hellfire from his horn, hitting one of the dragon's wings. The beam made a large hole in the wing, making the dragon limp in the air, roaring in pain.

Natura hid behind Andromalius, unsure of what to do. She couldn't attack the dragon that was high in the air. All she could do was praying to Elrath, the dragon-god of the Light.

Celestia was flying, trying to distract the dragon from those who could attack it. And the two human-turned-equines did a very good job at that, green spheres and hellfire beams were high in the air.

Getting hellfire and green sphere to the face simultaneously, the dragon roared, and then fell to the ground, shattering in the air. Soon, there were just shards of crystal scattered on the snowy plain, purple smoke emitting from them as they dissolved.

Arantir landed and folded his wings and said: "Huh, those wings are useful after all."

The two reached the train station in no time. The weather has become significantly warmer, and Natura Stella took off the cloak and returned it to Andromalius. He was the most "special" in appearance between the four of them, so the cloak was necessary for him.

They stopped at the train station, waiting for the train to arrive. According to the schedule, it is to arrive in ten minutes. There was no one on the platform but the four equines.

"What are we waiting for?" Arantir asked. "A carriage?"

"A train. It is a coal-powered vehicle that moves along these railroad tracks." Andromalius explained.

"Hm, like a trolley? They aren't powered by anything."

"Well, a train is much bigger and more advanced than a trolley. You'll see."

"Fascinating technology." Arantir looked at the tracks. "It can be used in Ashan as well. Why, even armies can be moved by a train! It is faster than moving on horses anyway..."

"On horses?" Celestia asked.

"I was a human, a bipedal creature." Arantir explained. "Humans use horses as mounts. We can't move fast without magic. And to your knowledge, horses aren't sapient in Ashan."

"Hm, who is sapient, then?" Celestia asked with interest.

"Humans, elves, dwarves, demons, dragons, some other creatures" Arantir listed. "Well, there are a lot of creatures that are smart but not as sapient. And I guess that you know nothing of those five races I listed. When I get to a serene place, preferably a library, I will tell you if you want, princess."

"I am looking forward to it." Celestis smiled a bit and nodded.

"Andromalius," Arantir addressed the hell stallion. "What about the technology in your world?"

"It is far more developed than what I see here." Andromalius replied. "For example, nearly all of us can communicate with each other instantaneously, no matter in what part of the worlds we are, as well as send each other images, instantaneously as well. This like a giant worldwide web that connects lots of people."

"That is fascinating!" Arantir exclaimed. "With all the knowledge that your humans possess... How many are there humans anyway?"

"Last time I checked it was about seven billions."

Arantir's mouth went agape, as well as Celestia's and Natura's. "Seven... billions? How many is that?" the necromancer asked. "I feel like it is even greater than a million, and that number alone is big enough."

"A billion is a thousand times greater than a million, actually." Andromalius explained.

"In the name of Asha..." Arantir's eyes widened.

The four stayed silent for the rest of the time before the train arrived. About twenty ponies exited it, throwing curious glances at the four equines that stood at the platform.

Andromalius, Celestia, Natura Stella, and Arantir were on their way to Canterlot. Celestia hoped to talk with her sister about the adventures, Arantir hoped to find a library and study, Natura Stella just wanted some peace after everything that happened, and Andromalius was eager to continue his journey further into the Frozen North, but he would like to see Luna first.

Luna was in her office, doing some paperwork. The days without Celestia were lonely for her, and the amount of work was astounding. The lunar alicorn thought of how could Celestia handle this alone for a thousand of years.

Suddenly, a letter came to Luna, signed by Celestia. The alicorn eagerly opened it and read:

Dear sister Luna,

That time I've spent outside was pretty much interesting. I am eager to tell you all the details!

I've met two ponies in my travel with Andromalius, and they are very interesting companions. I ask you to arrange guest rooms for them.

Andromalius is coming as well. He'd been nice to me, and I think our relationship won't be as strained as I expected it to be. I now understand him better, and I can say that he is a nice and caring person on the inside. I misjudged him at first, but now I learn how to accept those whose mindset is unlike ours.

There are also bad news about a certain unicorn of gray by the name of S.

I will tell more once I return to Canterlot.

Sincerely,
Celestia

Luna smiled as she finished reading the letter. She frowned at the mention of Sombra, but decided to leave it be until Celestia returns.

Luna was also glad to hear that Andromalius is coming. She was hoping to see him and to have a friendly chat with him.

Andromalius, Celestia, Natura Stella, and Arantir were on their way to Canterlot. The unicorn was sleep, her head on the hell stallion's shoulder. Arantir was having a chat with Celestia about traditions and customs of ponies, and Andromalius was embarrassed a little by the unicorn's behavior.

He was thinking about how the things will go. He was sure that he'll continue his way to Regnum, the ancient city of demons, but he was unsure of many other things. He didn't know what he can consider fictional and what not.

"Andromalius?" Inanna spoke in his head all of sudden.

"Yes, Inanna?"

"There are good news." she said cheerfully.

"What are they?"

"Well, you now have the artifact Amulet of Alicorn, right? It seems that it not just gives you magical power, but also a new ability. The Amulet has strengthen your connection to Hell, and now you can summon demons, up to about half a hundred at once."

"So, like the Gating ability in the Heroes five?" Andromalius asked.

"Exactly like in that game of yours." Inanna confirmed. "So, after summoning demons, your amulet would need to recharge. You can, of course, force your magic into the amulet, but that would weaken you more than if you let it recharge itself."

"That's pretty useful, I think." Andromalius replied. "But how do I summon?"

"Use your amulet, of course, and your will. Well, what about we try it later, when you get to Canterlot? You can try to summon me, for example."

"I suppose I'll try."

Finally, the four arrived at Canterlot. The city was crowded at that time of day, ponies were everywhere. They noticed the four strange equines, and only one of them was recognized — Celestia. Ponies bowed to her, allowing her and her companions to pass through the crowd without effort.

"I don't like attention." Natura Stella spoke, trying her hardest to stay calm. Her ears were flat against her head. "I like calmness of forests and lakes more than this."

"How do you fight, then?" Andromalius asked.

"Only stallions join the army." the unicorn replied. "If a mare has to fight, she will, of course. But nobody likes it much..."

"This city is... strange." Arantir spoke. "It reminds me of cities in the Griffin Empire, but this one has a lot of magic in it like in the Silver Cities where wizards live."

"The Griffin Empire?" Celestia turned her head to Arantir.

"You have a country by that name, judging by your tone." the necromancer replied.

"No, we don't, but there was the Griffin Empire about eight hundred years ago. Now, there are only divided Duchies throughout the former empire's lands. Most of them has closed their borders recently, though. Rumors are that the empire is being restored to its glory." Celestia replied.

"The Griffin Empire I know consists of Duchies as well." Arantir replied. "Who live in those lands? Griffins?"

"They do." Celestia nodded. "They are as sane as we, ponies, are."

"Hm..." Arantir went silent, deep into his thoughts.

Luna waited patiently in the dining hall of the Canterlot Castle. She arranged everything for the four she was expecting.

Andromalius, Celestia, Natura Stella, and Arantir entered the dining hall, and they were greeted by Luna.

"Hello, sister," Luna smiled. "Hello, Andromalius. Hello to others as well."

Celestia nodded to the necromancer and the unicorn, and Luna looked at those two with interest. She also noticed their body paint: red spider on Arantir's forehead and light-blue lines on Natura's body.

"I am Arantir, the High Lord of Heresh, your majesty." Arantir bowed. "Glad to meet you, princess Luna."

"I am Natura Stella, your majesty." the white unicorn bowed a little awkwardly, not used to the presence of royalty at all. "Um, nice to meet you..."

"Likewise." Luna replied. "So, let's take a seat."

Celestia took a seat at the head of the table near her sister, Andromalius sat near Luna, Arantir took his place at Celestia's side, and Natura Stella sat near the hell stallion.

"Well, sister," Luna turned to Celestia. "I guess thou hast a story to tell."

"Wow..." Luna was able to say once Celestia finished the story about her adventures. "That is one hell of an adventure, Tia."

"I know." Celestia chuckled, then took a sip of her tea she was served with. "I wouldn't believe it if I wasn't there myself. But how is it here, in Canterlot?"

"Dull." Luna sighed. "One word — paperwork."

"Ouch," Celestia winced. "I guess I shouldn't have left. There is just too much paperwork for one person."

"No, I'm fine, really." Luna shook her head. "There is something that ponies invented... I think it's called coffee. Oh, that glorious beverage! It makes me feel so good in the mornings."

"Too much caffeine is bad for the health, Luna." Celestia frowned. "How much did you drink?"

"A cup of it a morning, why?" Luna tilted her head.

"Phew, and I thought you became a caffeine addict!" Celestia laughed a bit.

"No, not at all!" Luna chuckled. "And it seems we forgot about our guests." she turned to the three other equines. "So, do you have coffee in your world?"

"I do." Andromalius nodded. "I don't like it, though."

"Coffee is known in my world as well." Arantir added. "It is very expensive as it is hard to grow the needed ingredients for it."

And so the pleasant conversation went for hours. Knowledge of simple things were shared, jokes were told. No one noticed that evening came. Once they did, all guests were provided comfortable guest rooms in the castle, and Celestia went to her bedchambers.

It was midnight. Arantir couldn't sleep, a question he wanted to ask bothered him. He tried to meditate, he tried to read books, but nothing brought him so needed relaxation.

"O Asha, the creator of all," he addressed his goddes. "I am your servant, but a question eats me from the inside. What do I need to do here? The world of Ashan needs me, the Demon Messiah will rise, and I need to be there to destroy him and end that unholy prophecy."

A lone spider crept from the dark corner of Arantir's room.

"What use do I have to you here?" the necromancer continued.

"Arantir, the High Lord of Heresh, hear my words." a whisper sounded in the room, heard only by the necromancer. "The prophecy will be complete whether you want it or not. In the end, you would be dead for certain, my loyal servant. Only the Demon Messiah himself will decide how the wheel of fate turns.

"However, there is still hope that this world, which is the world of ponies, griffins, yaks, minotaurs, changelings, and many other creatures, will not be destroyed. There is someone that would need your help in the future. And he is no other than the future Demon Lord."

"Andromalius?" Arantir tilted his head. "Is he a future Demon Lord? Is he dangerous?"

"He is Andromalius, yes. Dangerous? In a sense. He is not what he thinks, and he is not what you think he is. I need you to help him in his need. You don't need to be his guide, he is independent in mind and will not allow anyone above him."

"I must not ask questions, but how would helping him serve you, Asha?" Arantir wondered.

"I have my own motives. The great war will come upon these lands, and you will a great part in it. Ensure order and peace here, Arantir."

"Your will is my own, Asha."

Author's Notes:

And so, the next few chapters in the future of the story will mainly focus on Arantir and necromancy.
Every chapter that has Arantir in it I will post a ponified creature of Necropolis faction. Here's skeleton: