//------------------------------//
// The Evil Horror That Lies Within 
// Story: PonyHammer 40,000: Magic of War 
// by Dragon Heart 
//------------------------------//

	After a terrible struggle between Pony and Eldeer, the Pony Marines had managed to destroy the Avatar and capture the monument. Pegalos and Unidor confront Farseer Antla. The Key laid on an altar in a dug up portion of the monument, pulsing with an ancient evil power that could not be explained.

Cyndree's apparition appeared next to Unidor. "It lies within reach now." He whispered. "You sense its power, do you not? Still think you have the strength to use it against me? All that stands in your way is that Farseer."

"Kill me, obliterate my body and cast my name to the wind, but you must heed me." Antla pleaded. "Bury that which lies beneath my hooves. It will undo us all. I may be your enemy in this, but we both have a greater foe."

"Do not listen, Michael." said Unidor. "We must destroy this 'animal'."

"She knows much," said Pegalos, "much we need to learn."

"What could she offer but lies?! Do not trust her, Michael!"

"The Key!" Antla exclaimed. In the pit, Cyndree stood, holding the Key in his dark magical grip. With a swing of his staff, he disappeared in a bolt of evil energy.

"NO! Damn you!" Antla screamed.

"Who was that, animal?" Pegalos asked. "What did he steal!?"

"A key." Antla said grimly, "The last step along a bloody path."

"A key to what?"

"The undoing of us all."

"Stop speaking in riddles!" Pegalos said, his patience was wearing thin.

"He stole a key," Antla explained, "a key to the shadows of this world, to the evil horror that lies within."

Pegalos's patience ran out. "Tell me what this key does!"

"You do not know?" Antla asked, sounding somewhat surprised. "Your Inquisitor keeps you on a short leash. She knows. Ask her."

"How dare you speak ill of the Empress's loyal subject?" said Pegalos angrily.

"She has known since she arrived," said the Farseer, "or should I say, she never left. Do you not think it convenient she appeared from nowhere and landed on the cusp of a warp storm? Or that I know her already? Pony, you are caught in events beyond your reckoning. But we can help one another and stop the forces of Discord from succeeding."

"You fought well, animal," Pegalos complimented, "and while we share common goals, I cannot risk your betrayal in this matter. You have squandered enough of my attentions..."

At that moment, the strange Eldeer squad appeared behind Antla, ready to shoot down the Captain and Unicorn. But Antla ceased their fire. "No! For better or worse, we are locked in our course now, him and I." She trotted away, but stopped and turned to give Pegalos directions. "Your enemies have taken position in the Ganaan city-sector. They will not remain there long. We are too weak to fight them. You have seen to that." And she and the other Eldeer warriors ran off to recover from the bloody conflict.