//------------------------------// // 22 - Thal's Respite // Story: Twilight Over Thanalan // by tom117z //------------------------------// The blazing heat of the sun beat down from on high, bathing the weary travellers wandering in and out of Camp Drybone in scorching warmth. The air above the tarps and in the distance rippled and shimmered with rising heatwaves, lending an ephemeral atmosphere to everything beyond the settlement. As such, the town was a welcome sight to anyone traversing the borderlands between Thanalan and the Black Shroud. It mattered little whether they were traders, marching soldiers, or staunch adventurers. Its presence was a reprieve to many, and no less so for the miqo’te and alicorn approaching from the west, drenched in sweat and eager to refill their water. The road was notably busy as the duo made their way in, with a heavily loaded down wagon just up ahead, sagging under the weight of the various goods and pulled by a single yellow feathered chocobo who seemed more than ready for a trough of water and perhaps a gyshal green or two. It felt much the same as the last time Twilight passed through. It felt like that had been ages ago, now, as they had made their way to Gridania, a suspicious Y’shtola walking at her side alongside the oblivious Yda and the always-indignant Papalymo. The alicorn wasn’t certain how one’s first steps in an alien world could be considered ‘simpler times’, but recent events had certainly made it seem that way… “Take some time and catch your breath, but we shan’t be staying overlong,” Y’shtola noted as they made their descent into the pit containing the beating heart of the settlement, sparing her false carbuncle a sympathetic glance. “T’was a long road, but the local Flame Commander should be able to direct us to our spy, and then we must away again.” “Don’t worry, I’m fine,” Twilight lied in spite of her aching limbs. “I just want to find out what happened to our friends.” “All the same, I would not have you collapsing. Rest while I speak with them. A carbuncle would be hard-pressed to feel the fatigue of travel, a construct of aether as they are, but your veneer does not imbue you with the same vitality.” “I’m not that unfit! Rainbow Dash puts me through my aerial paces far too much for that!” Twilight protested. “Besides, aren’t ‘you’ tired?” Y’shtola nodded. “I am. And I shall be catching my breath as well, worry you not.” Twilight harrumphed but had to concede the point. Working herself to the point of exhaustion wouldn’t help their cause. With that thought, the pony’s gaze shifted to a break in the road that curved back upwards and a little to the north. A signpost indicated it as a route to the lichyard… Y’shtola saw where Twilight’s eyes wandered. A grim look crossed her features as she paused to cross her arms. “You wish to investigate?” she asked. “We were told the dead were interred there…” Twilight noted under her breath. “Maybe they can tell us who brought the bodies. It might be one of the Scions…” “It is certainly an option, but I would entertain my contact foremost. The priests there are kindly souls, and I would not invite potential danger to their doorstep if another option is yet open. Besides, there will be time to visit and mourn the dead later. When we know who lay resting there, and with the living once more standing at our side.” “Right…” Twilight couldn’t help but feel uneasy, standing so close to the remains of those Scions who fell to imperial steel and yet choosing to walk by without even paying her respects. She didn’t even know if any of the dead were those she personally knew. But even if they weren’t, they all deserved someone to remember them… Later, if they were able. She would have to visit them later. With the mood brought low once more, the pair pressed on for the final minutes of their journey. Their persistence was rewarded as the vast crystal that was the local aetheryte came into view, and around it, the general hustle and bustle of active trade, guard patrols, and the everyday activity of the local population. The softer shades and hues provided by the colourful fabrics overhead afforded Twilight’s dry, aching eyes some relief, and helped her to relax in the newfound shade. “I will go and speak to the Flames. If my contact is not present here then we’ll proceed to the foothills across the bridge, unless he is located elsewhere,” Y’shtola instructed Twilight. “I would ask you to remain out here.” Twilight frowned. “What, is there a no carbuncle rule or something?” she asked, keeping her voice down so as not to draw attention. “No. But I would have you listen to the chatter of those around us. The common people will pay little mind to a lowly familiar, and will speak freely. Perhaps there is information to be gleaned regarding recent events.” Twilight’s muzzle scrunched up in offence. “Lowly? Is that a crack at my height? It’s not my fault you’re all bipedal! And tall!” “It was no such thing, I assure you. In fact, your stature will likely assist in your endeavours.” “Okay, now that was a crack at my height.” “I merely speak fact, little one,” Y’shtola smirked at the odd moment of levity. “But I must away. Do not wander far, I shall return.” And so she did just that. Y’shtola walked away as Twilight remained rooted to the spot, watching the miqo’te vanish into the crowd with a puff of irritation until she was entirely alone amongst strangers. “Right…” Twilight quietly mused to herself, shaking away any flustering she might have felt and focusing on the task at hoof. “Where to first…?” She spent a few moments examining the people around her, taking in the chaotic din and loud murmurs of the gathering before wincing and tilting her ears away from the onslaught. A lot of chatter, and who knew how much of it would even be useful… She’d need to find someone important or knowledgeable looking… or maybe- “Woah! Coooool!” …That was not something she was expecting to hear. Twilight turned her head to see that, a short distance away, a small cat-eared girl was staring at her with sparkling eyes of abject amazement. The little thing’s fists were held up to the underside of her chin, her lips parting into an amazed grin. “Are you a kitty? A fox? You’re cute!” the child announced as she gawked at Twilight’s shimmering carbuncle form. “Kitty? You’re one to talk…” she muttered under her breath, giving the child a small sigh before turning back to the crowd. As cute as the child was, Twilight doubted she’d have anything valuable to tell her. “Aw, are you sad, Ms Kitty? Here! I make it better!” “What is she- ACK!” Twilight didn’t have to ponder long before the child unceremoniously picked the disguised alicorn up in spite of the fact that she was actually a little bit smaller than the pony. Whatever cuteness induced ungodly strength this child possessed, she put everything into the ultimate squash of suffocation that she called a hug, shaking Twilight from side to side with giggling glee. “There we go, Ms Kitty! All better now!” Twilight’s eye twitched, spinning around in her head as she realized there were certain aspects of the tale she wasn’t going to be telling the ponies back in Equestria… Nonplussed and thoroughly tired of being smothered, she began to squirm until the girl got the hint and released Twilight from her grasp. Once she was back on all fours, Twilight silently shot the child a glare, biting her tongue for any equally biting remarks as she committed to her disguise’s quirks. “B-but… Ms Kitty…” The child sniffed, lip quivering. Twilight’s heart sank as those vast, slitted eyes shone with tears. Her own twitched again as she slumped in resignation. “Dammit.”  Putting on her best cat-like purr, Twilight trudged forwards and begrudgingly nuzzled the miqo’te’s leg. And just like that, the waterworks were brought to an immediate end, and the child’s grin returned. “D’awww! I love you too, Ms. Kitty!” This would never be uttered to anyone. Not. A. Soul. “L’eilenn? Ah, there you are. What have you found there?” came a new voice, and Twilight saw an older miqo’te woman approaching the child with another male member of the species at her side. Parents, if she had to make an educated guess. “Oh! Mama! Look what I found!” L’eilann exclaimed, backing up a step and pointing at Twilight with a few happy bounces. “Oh? A carbuncle? Where did…?” “Now, L’eilenn,” the father spoke. “You didn’t take it from its owner now, did you?” “Nuh-uh, I found her!” The mother blinked. “It’s a her?” “She’s super pretty! So of course she’s a girl!” Twilight would take the compliment… “Well, I’m sure she has an owner who will be back at any moment, so come on, we’ve got to get home. You know it’s not too safe out here right now,” the father said, his expression revealing some subtly covered anxiety. “Aw, but why?” L’eilenn pouted. “It doesn’t matter. Come on, it’s time to go,” he responded. “Actually, did you hear any more from your coworkers?” the mother asked her husband. “About those burials over in the lichyard?” “Apparently victims of an imperial attack. There was another of those garlean bastards in the lichyard not so long ago. Apparently, they attacked one of the adventurers helping out there. A young man with an axe and spiky armour. Stupid tin man didn’t stand a chance from what I hear.” Now that got Twilight’s attention. If that was who she thought it was, that was the best news she’d heard all week! “Really? What is the world coming to where imperials can have the run of the place?” the mother asked, her eyes lowering as she made some manner of symbol over her heart with her hand. “If you ask me, the Flames aren’t doing their jobs. It’s always adventurers who end up picking up the slack, like that lad I mentioned. But he’s run off now too, apparently with one of the priests at the Lichyard. Marques, I think his name was. White-haired fellow, beard, good with a hammer. Some kid too, from what I heard, an elezen lad with all the pomp and arrogance of a noble. Gods know what the likes of them are up to.” Twilight frowned. She wasn’t too sure about those other two… maybe Y’shtola would know? But that first one had to be a certain too-stubborn-to-die adventurer they knew! He wasn’t dead! If he had survived, then maybe some of the others had too… With the sudden surge of relief and happiness she felt at the news, her carbuncle form’s shimmer practically doubled. “What’re you talking about?” L’eilenn asked her parents curiously. “Oh! Uh, never mind that. Say goodbye to your new friend, we’re going,” her father urged. “Aw, okay…” She turned around, giving Twilight a bright smile and a quick scratch behind the ear. “Goodbye, Ms Kitty! I’ll always remember you!” “You knew me for five minutes… at least the scratching is nice…” The child gave her one final enthusiastic wave before her parents pulled her away and back into the crowd, leaving Twilight alone once again. The alicorn let out a breath. “Well, not the most orthodox way of getting information. I don’t think it’d make it into the next Daring Do, but it worked,” she groaned to herself before puffing up, imagining Thancred approving of her success. She could already imagine what he’d say. “Well done, Twilight! Why, I could hardly have done any better myself. Just stand nearby and look charming. Eventually, all the best people with the juiciest secrets will come right to you. Then it’s just a matter of the right smile and a well-timed wink, and they’ll be putty in your hands.” Now to tell Y’sthola without unveiling just how she came about the information. Needless to say, Y’shtola was perplexed by Twilight’s story when the two of them met up under the blue glow of the Aetheryte. However, her incredulity aside, she did not doubt the tale and displayed just as much relief as Twilight felt upon hearing that the warrior yet lived.  And as it so happened, luck appeared to be on their side this day, for Y’shtola’s efforts had also borne fruit.  “Our contact has sequestered himself away in Thal’s Respite, a shrine for devotees to the Traders. It is a remote location, nestled in the foothills just before the ridge that divides the shroud from Thanalan,” the miqo’te explained as the pair walked across Highbridge. A brisk wind washed over them as they passed, carrying with it dust particles that forced Twilight to keep her head down, and for Y’shtola to keep a hand over one side of her face to protect her eyes.  “Why so remote if it’s a place of worship?” Twilight asked, glancing briefly down over the bridge and once again spotting the impressive statue that jutted out of the cliff face far below. If she understood her Eorzean lore right, then that statue was itself a depiction of the keeper of the realm of the dead, Thal. “It is a test of faith,” Y’shtola remarked. “Under the teachings of the Traders, those who wish to bring their material wealth into the Heaven of Fire once they have passed must prove they are worthy of possessing it in such a realm. Coming to Thal’s Respite is one such way for the men and women of Ul’Dah to demonstrate their worthiness. Fasting and praying to the Traders for guidance.” Twilight hummed thoughtfully, returning her eyes to the bridge ahead of them. She had a fair few thoughts on such a practice, but she kept them to herself. There was still so much she did not know about the religion of this land, and she had no interest in letting that ignorance get her in trouble. So instead, she asked a different question. “Is it safe?” “It is remote,” Y’shtola replied as they came to the far edge of the bridge and back onto the firm, sandy dirt. “And lightly guarded. It is tended by a trio of priests of the Order, and I believe it may have a handful of Brass Blades assigned to its defence. Beyond that, however, the protection it provides comes from how out of the way it is, and the lack of strategic value in the location. There are not enough resources for a hostile force to gather or exploit, and the shrine is built into a shallow cave that affords them no meaningful access to other regions. Couple that with the small size of the cave and the heat of the desert, and it is not worth going there unless you are on pilgrimage… or need to hide.” Twilight nodded in understanding, then fell silent as the duo began their ascent up the slowly inclining slopes that lead up toward the Black Shroud. However, they did not follow the road all the way. After another hour of walking, Y’shtola guided them down a worn path in the dirt that was almost invisible and would have gone unnoticed by anyone who did not know to look for it. The ground became uneven and unpleasant to walk on, leaving Twilight’s hooves sore and aching, and the heat of the desert beating down on her left her panting for breath. But, at long last, the duo crested a small hill. Up ahead, they saw a wall of reddened stone that snaked to the north and south for leagues. Set into a natural recession in the stone was a small cave entrance, lit by ever-burning torches. To the right of the cave, a simple sandstone structure was built into a protrusion from the cave wall that almost looked like one of the various stone spires she had seen in the Shroud but made to suit the harsh climate of Thanalan. Y’shtola relaxed on seeing the nondescript landmark. “We are here,” she announced before beginning her descent down the slopes. Twilight was close at her heels, raising her glamour once again. There were lights on in the structure and even this far away from civilization she was in no mood to leave clues as to her whereabouts for the empire to track her. As they drew near, a lalafell man dressed in sandy white robes emerged from the structure. He eyed the approaching miqo’te with curiosity, then bowed his head once they were within speaking range. “Greetings, traveller. What brings you to this holy place?” he asked pleasantly. Y’shtola smiled. “I am told that a friend of mine has taken refuge here. Ala Mhigan, dark skin, and burly muscle. I have come to speak with him and have a wild rose as a gift. Is he available?” The priest blinked at the mention of a wild rose, then smiled and nodded his head. “Ah, of course. Your friend is safe here, Scion, and has been for some time, now. He is within the shrine right now… he says the darkness and low roof of the cave make him feel safe.” Y’shtola’s expression darkened, but she nodded all the same. “I see. Thank you kindly. I will let you return to your work,” she said politely before beckoning for Twilight to follow her and marching for the cave. Twilight dutifully kept pace, but she couldn’t help but glance curiously at the priest. How had he known Y’shtola was a Scion? As if sensing her question, Y’shtola whispered to her once they were out of earshot. “It is the code word of the Scions,” she said. “Wild Rose. A covert means of communicating our allegiance with our allies across Eorzea, to be used sparingly.” Twilight nodded. “Oooh. That’s clever. Nondescript and common enough that no one would bat an eye if they overhead it, but specific enough to be picked up by someone who knows to listen to it. Nice,” she said, gaining a whole new layer of respect for the Scions. Y’shtola smirked at the compliment, then turned her eyes back into the cave. They rounded a bend and came to a larger chamber. At the far end of the space stood a statue of Thal upon a raised sandstone pedestal. An offering altar was set into the base of the pedestal, where a single incense burner lit the room and filled it with a soothing scent. To the left and right, eroded sandstone pillars supported the jagged roof, each one having a slot where a normal candle burned. Ropes were strung between the pillars, and ornamental talismans hung from the ropes at regular intervals. Kneeling before the statue was a hyur man, his head bowed. The air faintly reverberated with the ineligible mumblings of his prayers. Y’shtola place a hand on her hip and called out. “Einar!” The man stiffened and swiftly rose to his feet. He spun to face them, a hand flying to his side where a heavy and vicious-looking battle axe was sheathed. Upon spotting who it was that approached him, he relaxed. “Y-you… You’re a Scion!” he exclaimed, his hand drooping to his side. “Oh, thank the Twelve!” Y’shtola nodded. “Aye. It is good to see you unharmed. Sadly, I am afraid we come to you under unpleasant circumstances.” Einar grunted, throwing his hands up and shaking his head. His long, thick black hair waved around his head with the motion. “You come to me under unpleasant circumstances?! Seven Hells, woman, we’re all under unpleasant circumstances!” he exclaimed before lowering his arms and marching for one of the nearby pillars. “That said, I reckon I know what it is you want from me. So out with it.” Twilight flinched from the harsh tone in the man’s voice, but she felt that it came less from genuine hostility and more from a flood of emotions that needed to be let out. She looked up at Y’shtola and nodded before taking a step back and surrendering the floor to her partner. Y’shtola approached Einar. “You’ve heard of what happened to the Scions?” she asked hesitantly. Einar nodded. “Aye. Word spread like wildfire that the empire hit some private home in Vesper Bay, and then suddenly our reports to you lot weren’t getting replies… Then the imperials came down on us. Must’ve found our reports among your antecedent’s papers and found out they had even more spies in their ranks than Hummingway.” Y’shtola’s expression dimmed. “I see… I am sorry for your loss.” Einar scoffed, looking away. “Yeah, well, it’ll be the last. I’ll tell ya what I know, but then I’m done. I was the only one to get out of that Castrum with my life, and I ain’t about to let those imperial bastards take it from me. I owe it to my brothers to keep going…” “Then tell me what you know,” Y’shtola pressed gently. Einar took a deep breath, then nodded. “Right. Well. As is, my lads and I were infiltrating imperial ranks here in Eorzea. Trying to find a weak spot for the resistance back home to exploit, ya know? My friends and I got stationed in Castrum Centri, of all places. Worked there for a while. Saw some really crazy bollocks - not that I understood a whit of it. But then, few days back, the tin men march back in with a whole convoy of prisoners. Scions, by my reckoning. There was a skinny hyur lass, blonde. Two lalafell, one a bloke with a monocle and a staff, the other some lass with a big hat. Finally, there was this really tall bastard wearing a potato sack of a robe and talkin’ in riddles.” Twilight frowned, recognizing the descriptions. Minfillia, Papalymo, Tataru, and Urianger. But no mention of Thancred. Did that mean he was…? She quickly shook her head, dispelling the notion. They hadn’t found a body. If they hadn’t found a body, and Thancred wasn’t imprisoned with the others, then he must have managed to avoid the attack, somehow. That said, she could only imagine how badly the man would take it when he realized what had happened. He was already so hard on himself after the conflict with Ifrit… “Were they kept there?” Y’shtola pressed. “Or where they moved elsewhere?” “Last I heard, they were still being kept at Centri,” Einar said with a shrug. “Not that I got to hear much. Barely had an hour after that convoy turned up that the bastards brought all us spies out for an ‘inspection.’ Torgul figured it was probably a trap, so he asked me to stay behind in case that’s what it was and just make the excuse I had a uniform malfunction… Then I heard the gunshots and made a break for it.” Y’shtola nodded softly. “I see… was there any indication as to who was in charge of the prisoners?” “One of Gaius’ Tribunes, I think. That bitch in the white armour. Livia, I think was her name.” Y’shtola lowered her head, a hand rising to tap against her cheek in thought. “I see… and you saw no sign of a man in a dark shirt with white hair?” she asked, thinking of Thancred as well. Einar shook his head. “Nope.” “Troubling… Thank you, Einar,” Y’shtola said with a respectful bow of her head. “This has been exceptionally helpful.” Einar snorted and crossed his burly arms over his chest. “Well, don’t expect any more from me. As I said. I’m done. I’m going back to Gyr Abania and I’m picking a sword back up. All this spy bullshit’s not the way for me.” Y’shtola stepped aside as Einar brushed past her, heading for the door. “Of course. Go in peace, Einar. I wish you well.” “Long as a single Garlean bastard’s still walking around in my homeland,” Einar scowled, pausing briefly at the cave’s entrance. “Then nothing’s gonna be well. Not for Ala Mhigo. Not for me. And not for you.” With that, Einar departed, his heavy footfalls echoing down the passage as he disappeared into the distance. Twilight watched him go, her heart going out to the man. She wished there was something she could do to help him, but right now her hooves were tied. The feeling of powerlessness ate away at her, and she couldn’t stop herself from scraping her hoof along the floor in agitation. “So, they are housed in Castrum Centri,” Y’shtola said aloud as she came back to the alicorn. “That will pose an issue…” Twilight nodded, frowning. “Where is that?” “Mor Dhona, one of the most inhospitable regions in Eorzea,” Y’shtola explained. “Once, it was a lush and verdant land. But during one of the Empire’s forays into Eorzea, they were met with fierce resistance by a horde of dragons led by the Great Wyrm Midgardosrmr. They clashed over Silvertear Lake and the devastation wrought by that conflict was enough to render the entire region a barren wasteland, thick with drifting clouds of poisonous aether. It is marked with corrupted crystals, the research value of which is one of the only reasons to brave the region.” Twilight bit her lip, her tail flicking behind her in rising agitation. “And an imperial castrum is not an easy place to infiltrate…” she predicted. “If they were easy to repel,” Y’shtola confirmed as they started for the exit. “Then you may be certain the leaders of the city-states would not have tolerated their presence for so long.” Twilight grunted, focusing her attention forward. “Well, at least we know our friends are alive,” she said with a small spark of optimism. “And we know where they are. We’re better than we were a minute ago. Now, all we need is a plan.” Y’shtola nodded, smiling with the first hints of genuine hope in this conflict she had felt in quite some time as they emerged back into the light of the sun. “Aye. Come. Let us return to Vesper Bay and appraise Yda of the situation. She will want to be part of whatever plans we make.” Twilight nodded, a small spring coming to her step. Thancred was still unaccounted for, but the knowledge that so many of the Scions' leaders had survived filled her with hope. She imagined it would be hell to get them back, but they could get them back. And that alone was enough to spur her on. “Just hang on guys,” she thought. “We’re coming to get you.” “Look at them. Strolling in and out of a temple like there ain’t a bloody care in the world. Did they find religion in these trying times? Gah,” Y’sanna fumed from her position on the cliffside, watching with a bitter, scornful scowl as Y’shtola and Twilight exited the shrine and began the trek for Camp Drybone. “All their friends are as good as dead and still they keep wriggling like snakes that don’t know their heads are mulch. Or maybe cockroaches.” When her irritated mutterings received no answer, she glanced back toward the black-robed ascian standing silently not far away. He watched the same scene with an unreadable expression, not helped by the mask hiding everything but his jaw. He scarcely seemed to notice the miqo’te imperial as he tracked the duo’s movements, particularly focused on the carbuncle he knew all too well was but a poorly placed veneer.  Y’sanna, on her part, growled at being ignored. Her crimson carbuncle mirrored these thoughts, turning to offer a hostile snarl at the uncaring paragon. “Are we going to do something, or are you going to brood more?” Y’sanna demanded impatiently, standing up to her full height and crossing her arms over her chest. Scarmiglione did not rise to the provocative tone in her voice. “Had you spent more time doing your job and less time revelling in illusory superiority, then our targets would have fallen with the rest of the Scions. Now they roam free, alive and aware of your intentions. You let slip a perfect opportunity, Y’sanna. I recall Scaeva being moderately unimpressed with your… contributions.” Y’sanna grit her teeth, a nerve well and truly struck. “Oh, so it’s all my fault that it all went tits up?! And what, pray tell, was your big contribution?! You weren’t any help at all! Couldn’t even be bothered to get your own hands dirty beyond that trick you pulled to get her there! Where were you!?” “I was content to allow you a moment of prestige while I remained in the shadows. You were so desperate for glory, and I saw no reason to deprive you of that satisfaction. Had I known you would flaunt your power so uselessly, however, I might have intervened sooner. Alas, with our enemy ready as they are, your power is grossly insufficient on its own.”  Y’sanna took a step forward, her tail bristling with barely contained rage. “You wanna take off that tacky mask and say that to my face?!” Scarmiglione did not respond for several long seconds. He folded his hands behind his back and turned to affix Y’sanna with a cold, petrifying look. Under the blackened slits of his mask’s eyes, she felt a tremoring chill creep down her spine, and she suddenly felt rooted to the spot. She swallowed heavily.  Scarmiglione smiled. “And so it is high time I made certain of your success.” Y’sanna blinked. “What!?” “You will be pleased to know that your Tribunus has made progress on the Element. Progress which, I believe, will be of great interest to you given your recent blunders,” the ascian explained. “But before that progress will mean anything, the pony must be acquired. I will take her myself.” “Ugh, well, I’m glad you’re finally going to do something for yourself. But if you think I’m going to lose out on all the credit then you’re sorely mistaken. Unlocking her secrets will be my contribution to the Empire!” Y’sanna spat, planting her fists on her hips. Scarmiglione did not seem impressed. “Will it? Hm. The Scion remains a problem. Her power is not insignificant. It is nothing when placed next to the might of one of the Convocation. Regrettably, however, I am not one of their number…”  Y’sanna’s ear twitched, picking up the whispered addition Scarmiglione added a second later. “Yet.” Y’sanna’s tilted her head curiously. “Excuse me?” Scarmiglione’s head slowly turned towards her, a dark smirk scratched into his features. “A joint effort, then. The Equestrian shall be dealt with. Given your history, I’ll leave the Scion to your skills. Eliminate her, and I will lay the ‘prestige’ for victory at your feet. I have no use for your kind’s hollow accolades. Do as you will with them.” “I can’t say I care for you, ascian,” Y’sanna sneered back. “But fine. We’ll do it your way. But if you fail as I did, you can bet Lord Gaius will hear of what a poor excuse for a paragon you truly are.” “I care not. Your Legatus is as frail as the rest. Broken, shattered. Fleeting…” He started to laugh to himself, maddeningly, humorlessly, with even Y’sanna finding unsettled chills running down her spine as he stepped forward and hungrily regarding the rapidly disappearing alicorn as she walked into the distance. “I swear it shall be healed! By my hand, I will mend a broken world and bring you all back to the light, by shadow as I must. By your power of friendship, Sparkle, shall the world’s rebirth be forged in blood.”