It had be raining for hours and it had gotten so cold and windy, I decided it would be best to continue my journey from the dark realm, but being there required focus and a fully conscious mind, lest I slip into the ground and materialize, losing my legs in the process.

I returned my focus to the horizon where I spotted a small town but I really didn’t wanna get involved with anyone and so I walked past the handful of towns people who went about their daily lives even in the middle of a storm.

My eyes narrowed as I reached the northern part of the town.

Stranding in front of me was a wide stone bridge which went over a rather deep rift in the ground.

The rift was so deep, anyone who fell would most likely instantly die.

That being said, I spotted something down there.

It looked like a small cabin.

“Mmm-“

“Maybe we should rest down there until the storm subsides.” Ower suggested, interrupting my thoughtful drone.

I sighed before making my way down the sheer side of the rift.

Apart from the fact that I was almost weightless in the dark world, my hooves allows me to travel downwards rather easily.

I eventually reached the bottom of the rift and It’s here that I saw that the cabin was a few meters off the ground. Supporting it were several steel frames and support beams that held in on the side of the rift.

This made sense since flowing along the rift’s floor was all the water from the rain.

I made my way up to the cabin and saw that it was rather well maintained.

The door was closed and the interior was hidden behind curtains.

I sighed before emerging from the dark world and I promptly sat on the porch as Ower and Ncil surfaced.

I sat on the edge of the porch and looked out into the darkness of the rift with eyes that were half open.

Ower sat by my side and Ncil sat next to him and were sat as the air was filled with the sounds of falling rain.

“Ooh.” I weakly whimpered. My lips dry and my body cold.

My vision darkened as my eyelids fell and unable to fight it any longer, I fell asleep. Although I could’ve sworn Ower held me in his arms as my body lost its strength.

.

..

“Sir!” I heard Ower call just before I sunk into unconsciousness.

I opened my eyes to find that although the sun was beginning to rise, it was still raining heavily.

“Someone’s coming-“ Ower stopped just as a figure clad in a dark cloak climbed down from the northern side of the rift.

We all stood with arms and weapons raised as the tall figure walked up to the cabin.

The figure stopped about ten meters from us and raised its head revealing that it was a woman who had golden eyes, yes, but her pupils were incredibly dark. So much so, it seemed like they were actively absorbing the Golden light from her irises. The woman also held a small bag in her hands but my eyes remained locked onto hers.

“What’s this? Two Rendaro and a strange goatman? And they dare point their weapons at me even as they trespass on my little home?” The woman asked as she removed her cloak’s hood, revealing a rather weary, but nonetheless beautiful face that was covered in golden lines. She had short white hair, an equally pale face, smooth skin and a low brow that made it look like she was always frowning.

I was tired.

So much so that I’d most likely die if we fought.

I lowered my hands.

“We were just taking shelter from the rain. We didn’t mean to intrude. At least, not for long.” I said as the woman walked up to us.

Her every step was one filled with confidence and a smirk adorned her face.

Her three meter tall self then looked down at each of us individually.

Her eyes narrowed and she nodded to herself before crossing her arms.

“I’m not sure whether I should believe you, Katsíki, leader of the Dark Expanse.”

My eyes trembled as she walked past me.

She then unlocked her door and opened it.

“But come on in. I’d really like to learn more about the one who challenged the sun.” She said as she removed her dark cloak revealing a pale grey dress that got darker near her wrists and feet.

She then placed her cloak on a nearby rack and gestured that we follow her inside.

I glanced at Ower and Ncil.

“Hold her hand.” I instructed and the Kommáti complied.

We followed the woman into her cabin where she created several orbs of light that hung dimly near the roof.

“Your clothes are soaking. Take them off, lest you make a mess.” She said as she walked into a cosy looking living room area which only had one couch.

She promptly sat down as Ower, Ncil and I removed our gear.

“You’re not resisting? Are you that confident that you can kill me?” She giggle as she sat.

“No. I’d rather we didn’t fight at all. That being said, if you try to kill us, we won’t die without killing you as well.” I said as I walked up to her.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Ha! Is that the attitude you had all throughout the Kindling War?” She asked while resting her head on her hand. Her eyes looked me over and they focused mostly on my more goat-like parts.

Ower and Ncil stood by my side and my eyes narrowed as the air grew increasingly warmer.

“Sit.” The woman instructed and we sat on the rug that covered a part of the floor.

Distant thunder filled the air and the woman sighed before suddenly gasping.

“Oh- where are my manners? My name is Evílios. I’ve also been called the Ashen Witch, but I’d rather you just called me Ev.”

I frowned at this.

“What’s with the face? Are my names familiar to you- but of course they are. You are the leader of the Dark Expanse, after all, no?” She asked with a smirk.

I bit my teeth before sighing in a desperate attempt to compose myself.

“Apart from talking, what do you want. I find it hard to believe that someone as high up as you is content with inconsequential banter.”

“Oh, but I am!” Ev said with widened, brightened eyes.

“The Horde is nothing but a league of murderers, rapists and drunks. They don’t make for much pleasant conversation, if you understand what I mean- ah, but how could you? Up until just recently, you were living it up in that dark city of yours. My men told me all sorts of things about Coh and almost none of them were negative. Tell me, how does it feel to wake up?” She asked as she grabbed a leather pouch from beneath the table next to her.

“W-what do you mean?” I asked as she playfully tossed the pouch between her hands.

“I mean, now the comfort you’ve always known is gone, how do you feel?” She asked with narrowed eyes.

I wondered what was in the pouch but I shook aside my curiosity and thought about Ev’s question.

I didn’t really know how to answer it.

Not because the question was too complex or anything… I just didn’t want to.

I didn’t want to think about everything we’d lost.

“Will you be satisfied if I simply say I feel like shit?” I yawned.

“A little. But I’m still curious- oh yeah! What the fuck are you anyway? I know you’re part Rendaro… but that’s just about it.” Ev said as she grabbed what looked like a pill from the pouch.

She placed the pill onto her tongue and after leaning back, Ev let out a white smoke infused sigh.

“Well?” She asked as her eyes glowed dimly green.

“I am a Rendaro, yes, but I am also… so much more.” I said softly.

“Go on!” Ev said excitedly.

I rolled my eyes before summarizing my life story. I left out a lot of things but I decided it would be better to sate Ev’s curiosity than rouse any of her anger.

“Hoh! Amazing! So now what? You’re going to go north and die? That sounds anticlimactic, if I may be honest.” Ev said after swelling another two strange pills.

The room was filled with the smell of death, like the smoke from a flame only it stung a little more but ignored it.

“I don’t care what you think. I’m going north and that’s it.” I said.

Ev nodded before offering me a pill.

I winced before accepting it.

Katsíki had done some digging and he learnt that people in Lanceberg often used what were called Athánato tablets to numb their minds using Cavumium infused with death to replicate the sensation of slowly dying. Fortunately, the tablets were balanced with an equal amount of life infused Cavumium but there was no way I was going to-

“Take it or I’ll kill and flay your friends in front of you with dull knife.” Ev threatened with dull eyes.

I bit my teeth and tossed the pill in my mouth.

“Go on.” She said with a smile.

I groaned before swallowing and my eyes widened instantly as my tired heard raced. This race turned into a slow crawl as white smoke rose from my stomach as the pill was dissolved.

I coughed as the strangely sharp smoke tore its way out of my body and Ev laughed at my discomfort. But, strangely enough, the discomfort brought with it… peace. All other thoughts disappeared, my vision darkened and my breaths grew slower and slower.

“Haha! There you go. Sit back and relax. This storm will be long and I am not your enemy. At least… not yet.” She said as she reached for the bag she’d brought. She returned three cobs of roasted corn and offered us two.

I handed one to Ncil, but before I could offer the other to Ower, he raised his hand.

“I’ll be fine. Eat up.” He said.

I nodded before turning to Ev who greedily and messily chewed away at the corn.

I joined her in eating the salted snack but something was bothering me.

Why wasn’t she attacking us or… when was she planning on doing so?

“Err-”

“I’m not going to fucking kill you, sheesh.” Ev snapped, stopping me before I could even speak.

We eventually finished our snacks and after joining Ev in swallowing another pill, along with Ncil and Ower, who she had forced into it, Ev dimmed the lights above.

“Go on. Rest. I’m sure the path ahead is arduous and I will not rob you of the sleep you so obviously need.”

I nodded before glancing at Ncil who was already dosing off.

Ev tossed a pillow at Ower who sat wide awake and the Kommáti placed it on the carpet before guiding Ncil’s head to sleep.

I sighed before laying down alongside Ower and we locked eyes all while Ev filled the room with wisps of white smoke.

I looked at Ower’s strong facial features. He’s sharp nose, heavy brow and sturdy jaw.

He really was a handsome man.

My younger self would have loved to have him as a concubine but… the me in this moment wanted nothing but for him to hold me in his big strong arm.

Unfortunately, we were in the presence of a possibly Primair ranked golden knight and so I shelved all thoughts of cuddling with Ower for later.

I then closed my eyes and once again tried to sleep.

.

..

[KILL HIM!!!!]

I awoke with a sharp gasp.

Ower shot me a concerned look but I shook my head to ease his mind.

“Can’t sleep?” Ev asked in the darkness brought about by the complete absence of her orbs of light.

I remained silent as the rain continued to fall, albeit slightly lighter than before.

“Its doubly worse for us knights, ya know. Unable to properly sleep, we are locked in a stage of perpetual consciousness. Locked in with our thoughts. How long do you think it takes for one to go mad after being augmented?” She asked and again, I remained silent.

“The truth is, it varies, but for the weak it can be anywhere between a months to a measly few days. These bodies are heavy, numb and if you’re not a light, life or heat magician, they’re cold. That’s why we crave it. Feeling. Stimuli. No matter where it comes from, we hunt it. Everyone has their own vices but we knights are a properly depraved sort. Hehe. One doesn’t even need to wonder what Red Death’s vice was.”

A low rumbled shook the entire world.

“Ooh… did I dance to wildly around the beast? I heard my fair share about the being you share a body with. The Black Prince. I wonder what one has do to gain such a moniker. What about you, Katsíki? What was your vice before you walked the path of vengeance?”

[Sloth.]

“Sloth.” We said without thought.

“Oh? And what did you do- or neglect to do for such a sin to brand your soul?” Ev asked, but I didn’t speak.

The rumble in the world subsided and I assumed a comfortable position in an attempt to sleep again.

“Aww… and here I thought we were getting along. Wanna hear about my sin?” Ev asked.

“Mine sin, in the eyes of sun, was treason. The Dóratafotós legion wasn’t the most talked about of the fifty, but our work was paramount during and after the Great War. We made sure that the absolute order of Summus and, by extension, the prince's order was never broken. We watched over the knights, citizens and even the High Lords during the kingdom’s many dark hours. My comrades and I served the kingdom faithfully and do you know how they repaid us for our efforts during the closing days of the Moonless War? By branding us as traitors to mask their own incompetence!” Ev hissed.

“After failing to kill or capture any of the Yilon, they turned to us, an unremarkable, but key legion and they branded us as heretics and witches simply for the fact that we were skilled death magicians, A SKILL THAT THEY GAVE US! THEY SAID THAT WE USED OUR CONNECTIONS TO ALLOW THE YILON’S ESCAPE EVEN THOUGH ALL WE HAD EVER DONE WAS SERVE THEM!” Ev yelled nearly waking Ncil, but the Black Blade remained soundly asleep.

Ev sighed before creating an orb of light above her, revealing her large frame and weary face as she sat on the couch.

“I watched as they burnt my sisters and brothers one by one. It was actually Gulanimphen who saved me when I thought my time came. He gave me a home in his lair and although he used me for his many perverted desires, I never once hated him because he never lied.”

Ev then turned to me.

Her eyes glowing brightly gold.

“I am not you enemy and I will not try to stop you. If anything, I foresee the coming of a new age. One where, hopefully, a woman and her friends can live freely without a golden sword hanging above their necks. So go to sleep, Katsíki. You’ll need the strength.”

I nodded before resting my head on my arms and closing my eyes.

My racing heart eventually returned to its normal pace and I fell asleep.