//------------------------------// // Intermission // Story: The Equestrian Gourmet // by Gamel_Lightshow //------------------------------// Several weeks have passed by since Canterlot became nothing more than a stain in Liloth's sight. She hardly ever thinks of that city of stone anymore outside of passing thoughts. She never felt... right there underneath those ever-watchful prying eyes of Celestia. Of course, those eyes haven't omitted her just yet. Because of what happened between her and one belligerent Richard, Celestia's eyes seemed to get more... intense. They seemed to have multiplied as well in the form of spies disguised as guards and civilians. They probably assume that she's too occupied keeping up with the portals to discern, but she sees many things. She does not fear what they may or may not see, but fears something that has gotten in her way too many times now. It is simply referred to as the System. It has prevented her from becoming a genuine beauty of death and halted her attempt at that bastard Richard's life. A few days after, she tested it out on herself and found the System will stop a Champion from killing themselves. Even further after that, she attempted to resume her practices in other arcanal magic and alchemy only to find that System prevents her from doing things outside of her class. She previously strived to study archery and swordplay only to undergo punishment for her effort. Thus her question for why Richard would never wield a weapon was answered with those painful results. In her attempts to over the System, she has found that anything rotating death becomes easier to deal with. When passing by a grave, she found she could count each body underneath her and know what sort of state they were in. She also discovered that despite not being able to wield a sword or dagger properly, she can fight with a shovel or scythe without System butting in. She loathes the idea of it, so she opts not to use either. She's had no real reason to resort to melee in her somewhat short career as a "hero" and hopes it will never come to it. More so in her current state than in the past. She has obtained an essential asset that will, willingly or not, empower her to maintain her long and mid-range of death simply known as, Borrus. Borrus is quite the catch for someone like her. He manages to keep a steady pace of death and defense. He won't disclose his class to her, but she feels as if he might be some sort of monk or fighter based on the way he moves. His clothing also gives it away as well, but there are too many secrets around him to know for sure. Borrus is a lion morph who walks upon his hind paws and seems more animalistic than human in comparison to herself and Armon. Despite being a lion morph, he doesn't resemble a lion as one might imagine. For starters, half of his mane, which is a deep shade of blue, seems to be missing from his scruff while his body, which is a deep shade of gray almost, is covered in numerous runic markings. Most of those markings are covered up by the Gi he wears at a near always state. She only knows of them by catching Borrus off guard by a river one morning. Aside from his odd coloration and style, he seems as bloodthirsty as any other lion she knows. Maybe even more so as he simply barrels and tears his way through mountains of void creatures. She makes sure to put in her fair share as well to protect her investment. After all, good minions are hard to come across. Liloth stops as she reaches her goal. The cave before her overlooks a small xenophobic pony village. It has been reported that void monsters have been exiting from it to attack them and their cow slaves. So she headed out right away to grow stronger, examine, and eventually close the portal that's letting the creatures into their world. She dumps the pack from her back and reaches inside with a particular item in mind. From the bag, she takes a small ornate, silver bell with the images of lions, the animal, roaring into the sky. This item was given to her upon the first-ever meeting of her and Borrus. She rings the bells, which produces no noise, and waits a moment as Borrus reveals himself from behind one of the boulders nearby. He seems to be climbing up out of the space behind it and knows if she were to check, nothing would be there. It pisses her off to no end that he won't reveal how he does it. He grunts as a way of greeting as he approaches the cat morph. "Wrong way. Turn around and head into the cave first. Apparently, they're coming from within and need to be taken care of." Borrus gives a slight inclination of his head before turning and making his way towards the cave mouth with Liloth close behind. As they get to the cave mouth, System provides them with a system message asking if they are ready for the dungeon. Liloth laughs at the audacity of System caring about them and slams her yes button. Borrus presses his own before they continue on and disappear into the darkness of the cave. The popping of fire fills the night air. Colorless smoke rises from the burning pit of warmth. The lumber below the flame previously belonged to specific residents of the forest acknowledged as Timberwolves. Now, they bring warmth to those they deemed weak. Several figures find themselves within the amber glow's power of comfort this night. Each figure range from exhausted to somber, yet all wear wounds of war. One more so than others. At what is assumed the head of the fire, Armon is leaning against his tower shield to rest. His eyes seem unfocused and distant as he stares into the center of the flame. He's grown over the past several weeks since putter Canterlot behind. He has faced several interesting individuals and events that still play through his mind over and over again. He has yet to lose sleep over some of the actions against him and others, but he worries sometimes. He has seen things he would not have liked to. Across from him a peculiar creature unlike any other the world has ever seen. A miniature human with four wings extended from its rather robust form lays upon the back of one of the pony guards with them. The human calls himself a Hoplix and is quite capable of hunting, enchanting, and performing with the best of them. This one, in particular, seems to be apter at the hunting part of his description as he's been able to their very life force while inside the forest. Or at least that was what was explained to the party. When further examined, they found that Hoplixes aren't supposed to be as adept in hunting as he is. His account of arriving into this world varies differently than the others. While Armon and Liloth have death reasons for appearing and Richard has his... mysterious transcendence, it seems this specific Hoplix was chosen by a god. He regaled the party with the story of how he managed to gain the attention of one of his gods. He had become a big shot hunter and wound up hunting one of the many monstrous beasts that hunted his race. He managed to corner and slay the beast. He planned to return to his village, but just as he exited the cave of the last fight, he was approached by a creature of pure light. It offered him a chance to hunt even bigger game. The thought was enticing, so he took it without a second thought. And here he was. He has yet to reveal his name to the party and simply asks everyone to call him the race of his people. There might be another story to tell there, but he doesn't seem keen on talking about it. Everyone seems to respect that, but there only seems to be more mysteries around him. The only other oddball to the party seems to be a wolf made of wood. The story of how it became part of the party goes with how they obtained the firewood. It doesn't seem affected by it's burning brothers and sister. It reclines upon one of the many nameless ponies around the flame and gives the appearance of resting. And as the flames continue to burn and the night sky continues to shine, the world remained to turn.