A day has passed and Setiya went outside to see Ms. Frendi and Janus without their armor, but they carried their weapons. They were chatting to one another as Setiya joined them, greeting her new friends.
Janus stepped up to her and bowed, saying, "Setiya, good to see you up. How are you feeling?"
She stretched and breathed in the fresh air. "Better," she said. "I still...have thoughts on what had happened, but I feel a little bit better."
Ms. Frendi embraced the uneasy mare, brushing her mane. "Despite what had happened, you are pretty tough. Come on, we leave immediately. Get on my back."
Setiya was reluctant, her face described her feelings; a look of hesitancy, asking, "Oh...you did say we're flying there?"
Ms. Frendi nodded, stretching her wings. "Correct. The faster we figure out what that brand is on your chest, the sooner we can do to get rid of it. And you don't have to worry about Janus. Those legs of his will be able to keep up with me," she said.
"I'll be right behind you two."
Setiya sighed heavily, staring at the shadowy cross etched deep within her coat. "Do you think Zaria has an answer for this?"
The cheerful griffin chuckled, saying, "Of course I do, honey. Nowhere but Zaria could have an answer to your brand. Let's hurry up and get flying."
The three venture out to the Kingdom of Zaria. Ms. Frendi soared through the sky with Janus galloping close behind her.
As they flew, the reluctance Setiya felt slowly drifted away. Being in the clouds with nothing but the wind flowing through her mane, Setiya had found solace, moments of peace, and the reprieve from thinking about the misfortune that befell her in just over a week.
Setiya liked being in the sky, smelling the brisk wind, and having the warmth of the sun on her back. She then held the ring close to her chest, embracing the piece of love Flint left her. It was enough to keep her mind from breaking and going insane. As long as Setiya held the ring, she would always pull through.
As she thought about her childhood friend, Ms. Frendi called out to Setiya, telling her they were about to land near the gates leading into the kingdom of Zaria. The flight took nearly two hours, yet Setiya felt the time had passed only twenty minutes.
Ms. Frendi alighted near the large gates of Zaria to rest her wings as Janus trailed close behind her before approaching the soldiers guarding the gates. There they presented themselves as the guards permitted entry, opening the gates as the group ventured inside.
Setiya was amazed at the lively streets of ponies and other creatures. She saw them laugh, play, and work. It was everywhere, and it was almost too much to take in. At least she cracked a small grin.
Ms. Frendi started to guide Setiya to the castle. "Keep close. That large building off to the distance is the castle. I hope to meet the king with very little delay," Ms. Frendi urged.
The group kept to a well-trodden path that led to the castle, and they did reach their destination quickly. They've arrived at the very doors of the castle with walk-ins to meet the king were open, another factor Ms. Frendi probably took into account.
Setiya was getting weird looks from the populace. "Ms. Frendi, why are ponies avoiding us?"
"They are most likely wary of Janus," she replied. "He's more of a stalwart and quiet character, and that can be quite imposing for most ponies here. Every creature is a little jittery because of the war, y'know."
Setiya tightened her grip around the ring, whispering, "All the more reason to help end it."
Ms. Frendi agreed. As the three venture through the halls, they were met by a regal-looking unicorn accompanied by two earth ponies acting as retainers in tough-looking silver and white armor.
Setiya gazed at her as the mare's eyes glimmered a deep sapphire, her golden mane glistened faintly in the light, her beautiful white frock laced with golden jewels and yellow gems, and her gleaming white crown demanded loyalty and trust.
Her demeanor was motherly and calm, and her cutie mark is a vermeil crown, decorated by an ornated arrow with a gilded tip.
Everything about her was royalty and power. She didn't flaunt it, it was simply present at all times. Her strength could be felt, but it wasn't hostile or hurtful, yet warm and comforting.
The way she laughed while speaking with her retainers gave her a homely feel and the way she looked at Setiya and her friends with such investment and curiosity, a hunger to make herself known to them was evident. They didn't have to wait long before she sauntered over.
Setiya didn't know why, but she felt something emanating strongly from the mare; an invisible aura that expressed the amount of strength she exhausted. Only she could feel it, and she didn't know why.
There was no question. One cannot simply ignore her if one wanted to. She's that radiant and important. Respect was mandatory, and any volition or will against her is heavily considered the worst possible action an individual could do.
"Welcome to the castle of Zaria," The mare announced, her voice kind and sweet. "I never thought to see a young centaur and griffin friends with such a beautiful young lady."
Setiya blushed as Janus and Ms. Frendi thanked the regal mare for her kind words, bowing in her presence as she reciprocated the gesture.
"What are your names so that I never forget them?" the mare asked.
Ms. Frendi told her who they were.
The mare smiled with such gleaming beauty, saying, "I am Ninis, the queen of Zaria. My retainers and I were on a walk around the castle meeting civilians who came for the walk-ins."
"Your Majesty, my friends, and I were wondering about the king of Zaria," Ms. Frendi said. "We have news regarding Setiya and recent events related to the war."
Queen Ninis looked at Setiya. "The war..." she paused. "What is your connection during such horrid times?"
Setiya stepped up to Queen Ninis in a respectful manner, saying, "Darkside invaded my village, enslaved the townsfolk, and destroyed it. My village was Orbis," she explained.
Queen Ninis was shocked. "That peaceful village isn't even part of the war. This has gotten worse. Come with me and I'll show you to my husband."
Queen Ninis guided Setiya and her friends through the castle. The opulent decor was littered throughout the castle and brimming with history that was meticulously tended to with the purpose to preserve the past in the most wonderful way imaginable, and although this is a time of crisis, it was calming to see something that wasn't covered in blood or littered in destruction.
Setiya thought about this and figured out that the reason the civilians can freely roam the castle on certain days is to ease their worries of the horror they find themselves in.
The rulers of Zaria are, in all words, truly see their civilians as their most valuable possessions. At least, that's what Setiya believed.
As they pranced through the castle, Setiya and her friends laid their eyes upon a large garden overflowed with the verdure of a beautiful forest.
"This place is a cornerstone of Zaria. It is believed that this garden was the foundation of Zaria, hence the kingdom's ever-prospering land, and one of the main reasons Darkside wants it.
Every soldier, my king, and I would die to ensure this piece of life is never squandered or tainted by evil hands."
Setiya gazed at the garden lovingly in solace. She then spotted a colt and filly playing together, laughing with one another.
"My children, Nils and Mari"-putting her hoof around her heart-"are precious treasures," Queen Ninis said. "You all are welcome to step into the garden."
Ms. Frendi and Janus politely declined the queen's gracious suggestion, but Setiya silently entered the garden, staring at the two youths before she sat under a tree.
Queen Ninis was intrigued, calling out to her. Setiya did not answer, her eyes fixated on the children.
Nils skipped over to Setiya, saying, "I'm Nils. What's your name?" he asked, his voice was happy and his face bright.
"Setiya," she replied, rubbing the ring.
Mari jumped up and down. "That's a beautiful name!" she exclaimed, making Setiya chuckle quietly. "My name is Mari!"
"Thank you. I love your name, too."
Nils looked at the ring Setiya rubbed. "Ooooh..." -he reached out with his front hooves- "Can I hold it?"
Mari became annoyed. "Don't be rude, Nils!"
Setiya calmed Mari down. "It's okay, he's just excited," she whispered. "I'll show both of you, but I want you two to know that this ring is the most important item I'll ever have."
Nils and Mari understood, sitting in front of Setiya as she revealed to them her ring tied to a wonderful black necklace. The ring was silver and dark with a scarlet gem embedded in the middle, and when Setiya shifted it towards the light, the ring lit up faintly in a blood-red glow, entrancing Nils and Mari who loved the ring.
Setiya gazed at the ring with love. "This ring was from my fiance, Flint, my childhood friend. I know for a fact Flint spent years trying to get this necklace, and how he knew how happy it would make me."
Mari was permitted to touch the ring, and when she did, it was warm. When Nils touched it after his sister, he felt love.
Queen Ninis saw the ring from afar and was quite surprised. "That is a very expensive ring," she uttered to Ms. Frendi and Janus. "I've seen only one similar to it and it rests around my neck."
Queen Ninis showed Ms. Frendi and Janus her ring given to her by her husband, the king of Zaria. Queen Ninis's ring was of pure gold and the gem was a verdant emerald that represented Mother Nature. It was tied around by a white fleece necklace.
Setiya giggled, reminiscing about her past, saying, "You two remind me of us when we were your age. That's why I stepped into the garden because seeing you both makes me happy, and a little sad."
Mari didn't understand. "Why would you be sad?"
Nils chimed in, asking, "Did something happen between you?"
Setiya slowly nodded. "He was... taken away from me. And it made me very sad."
Nils and Mari saw Setiya's tears flowing in her eyes and hugged her with such love. Queen Ninis's heart was strung deeply.
Queen Ninis watched with a look of elation. "I never saw Nils and Mari act so sweet and kind to anypony but me and their father. The war has been very cruel to her especially, and all the more reason to end it."
Queen Ninis ordered her retainers to stay with Ms. Frendi and Janus as she stepped into the garden. She went over to Setiya and sat next to her while Nils and Mari went to play some more.
Queen Ninis showed Setiya her ring and asked about who Flint is, or was.
"Flint was a hard worker, an honest and fair stallion. He would come home days after he left. He's a sweetheart and he always looked out for me, for anypony in our village," she explained.
Queen Ninis smiled faintly. "That ring isn't easy to come by," she said. "You said he would be gone for days in his line of work, so what job did he have?"
Setiya explained that Flint was a transporter, carrying supplies that could go from Equestria or distant parts of the world, accompanied by a large organization that operates everything in his job. It made sense because of what Orbis was known for.
Setiya continued to explain that Flint hardly went inside Equestria because of the unfamiliarity with the country and that he would get lost, coupled with the fact that locations inside Equestria itself would take several days to get to.
"The organization paid good bits, and Flint constantly went into overtime every chance he got," she told the queen. "He never really told me why he would go to such lengths until he gave me this ring."
Queen Ninis chuckled softly. "Flint seemed to be quite the character," she said, rising from the ground. "My husband and I have a similar story much like yours, but that's for another time. Let's go see him, he would like to hear about your troubles."
Setiya and Queen Ninis rejoined with everypony else as they made their way to the throne room to have an audience with the King of Zaria. There, Setiya laid her eyes on a kingly figure speaking with his advisors.
His dark red mane and his white coat shimmered in the light faintly, as if blessed by some otherworldly magic.
His eyes were blue, his pupils were shaped like stars, his golden crown demanded respect and reverence, and an unseen force exuberated from his body, altering the cold atmosphere into a warm aura that bathed itself to anypony near him, granting control and repose.
His cutie mark was a pillar of white light with a golden star resting on top, emulating his crown.
Queen Ninis announced herself to her husband. The King dismissed his advisors.
"Dear, this is Ms. Frendi, Janus, and Setiya. They are here to seek an audience with you."
"My name is King Enoch of the Zaria kingdom." His voice was exultant and friendly. "Please say your piece."
Ms. Frendi bowed before speaking. "King Enoch, we are here today with a problem regarding our friend, Setiya.
Darkside attacked and enslaved her village, Orbis, and when Setiya, Janus, and I went to free it, Orbis was destroyed.
However, in the end, Setiya's chest was violated by the general, and a mark appeared over her heart. I believed it to be some kind of malady ailing my friend."
King Enoch was alarmed that Darkside did such a bold move. "Before we go any further, were there any survivors other than you, Setiya?" he asked.
Setiya shook her head. "No, Your Majesty."
King Enoch sighed under his breath. "I see. What about this mark?"
Setiya revealed to the king and queen a black cross etched on her chest. King Enoch and Queen Ninis were wordless, unable to conjure a single sentence from looking at the black cross.
The throne room became eerily quiet with King Enoch hastily shut the doors of the throne room and grimacing at Setiya with concern.
"Setiya isn't sick," the king said. "That mark is related to an old tale. It symbolizes death and faithlessness. That stigma is a horrible brand of evil, a destructive tool that begets an end to all things."
His Highness's words worried Setiya.
Queen Ninis stepped forth. "How did you acquire that brand?"
The worried mare explained that the general, Emmerich, was etching the horrible mark on her chest, but before he could finish, Emmerich was interrupted by Setiya's friends.
King Enoch's hoof shook with uneasiness as if lamenting, whispering, "This war has been taking a toll on my mind, dear child."
In an instant, King Enoch grew dull and tired, slumping over in a weakened state, lifted by his loving wife. Setiya looked at him as questions shot through her mind.
Can we ever win against Darkside? What should we do to end the conflict? How do we stop all of this?
Despite the frailty the King expressed, he perked right back up, high in spirits. "There is a pony" -he raced towards the doors- "that may be able to assist you.
She's a good comrade of mine and a purveyor in certain practices. Follow me, friends, our ally lies at the top of the castle."
King Enoch quickly guided everypony through the castle halls towards a spiral staircase leading to the loftiest room the castle had to offer.
Setiya felt the burning cold-like pain around her chest, and it amplified the closer she got up the stairs. Janus hoisted Setiya with his hand for support.
When the King opened the door and revealed what lay inside, he was shocked to see a dark figure looming over a body with a mysterious gray flame in his hand.
It was Emmerich in all his dark glory, standing strong. Setiya's mark ignited and resonated with Emmerich, causing her great pain as she fell to the ground. She trembled and gasped for air.
King Enoch became furious. "Foul beast, what have you done to her?!"
Emmerich let out a black chortle, saying, "The soul is a finicky thing, but it isn't strong. I took it from her. She lay still, little king, and I won't be giving it back."
Emmerich's words enraged King Enoch as he collapsed the gray soul with his hand, purging the flame with delight. Every creature stood still, cautious of his strength.
"Little mare," he pointed at Setiya, "you seem to be in pain." Emmerich laughed "Come here, I'll make it all stop."
Ms. Frendi, Janus, King Enoch, and even Queen Ninis stood in front of Setiya and charged at Emmerich. With a swipe of his magic, he shot a wave of magical energy that separated everyone from Setiya and froze them in time.
Setiya looked in horror as everyone was still, frozen before her eyes. Emmerich marched up to the shivering mare with his black helm and blood-red eyes, placing his dark gauntlet over Setiya's face and pulling her away. Emmerich opened a portal and tossed her through before going in himself.
As the portal closed, Setiya's friends, the king, and queen were no longer frozen, dropping to the floor. They looked around and didn't see Setiya or Emmerich.
"Setiya..." Ms. Frendi softly whispered, calling out the mare's name. Queen Ninis comforted her, assuring Setiya will be okay.
Shortly after, a rumble shook the castle, alerting King Enoch to look outside to see Zaria was being invaded.
His Highness couldn't believe his eyes.
"What?! How?!" he shouted, running down the stairs. "Ninis, make sure our children are okay! I'm heading to the center of town! Be prudent, the enemies might have entered the castle!"
Queen Ninis understood, and with the help of Ms. Frendi and Janus, they went to check on Nils and Mari.