((Sorry for double posting, just want to get this out of the way)) ---- A little more than two hours after the appearance of the Nightmare, Xerihan and Ricket had reached a small clearing in the forest. Roughly thirty meters in front of them lay a group of ten deer. Xerihan and Ricket observed the group, looking for any signs of weakness. “Any of them look sick?” Xerihan asked. “Can’t say. Too dark too make out their complexion,” replied Ricket. “Any injuries? I don’t see any of them limping.” “Nope. They all look to be in decent health to me.” “Damn. Looks like we’ll need to take the youngest, then.” Ricket nodded in agreement as they both righted themselves. “Alright. But let’s do this quickly. We’ve wasted enough time here as it is.” As silently as they could, the two gryphons climbed up the tree. They avoided the leaves as best they could, and made riskier movement only when a breeze rustled through the air. At the top of their hiding spot, they silently leaped and glided to the next tree. They repeated this until they were within fifteen meters of the deer. Some of the deer had heard movement, but they had yet to notice the gryphons. Ricket drew his bow as Xerihan crouched down and removed his gloves. “How do you want to do this?” whispered Ricket, taking aim with his bow. “Aim for the leg of one of the smaller deer. That should slow it down enough for me to tackle and kill it. Less risk that way.” Xerihan answered coolly. “Ready?” Ricket nodded. The soldier took aim, and he breathed in. Below them, the deer were looking in their general direction. They were motionless, waiting for something to happen. He breathed out. An arrow loosed itself toward one of the closest deer, and slid through its head with ease.The deer collapsed in a heap as the rest of the herd stampeded off into the woods. Xerihan floated down to the fallen doe and inspected it. It was dead, it’s breathing stopped permanently. He sighed. “That could have gone horribly wrong, Ricket. Why didn’t you just hit the leg like I asked?” His friend glided down beside him, sheathing his bow. “Because I had the shot,” he answered simply. “Why waste time killing the poor thing?” Ricket asked rhetorically. The assassin shook his head. He grabbed the arrow and pulled it out carefully before handing it back to Ricket. “No matter. Let’s skin it and be on our way.” Ricket wiped the blood off of the arrow. After inspecting it for deformities, he returned it to his quiver. “Agreed. You can have the pleasure. I’ll keep watch.” Minutes passed in silence, broken by the rasp of metal on skin. Gradually, the hide of the deer was removed. Xerihan cleaned his claws and the hide before tucking the offering into his bag. “Alright, we’re ready to move,” Xerihan said, eager to leave the clearing. “Gotcha, let’s-” Ricket responded before his eyes glinted with alarm. Leaving his statement unfinished, he drew his bow and loosed an arrow. It flew and struck a Giggling Ghost, which had been watching them for an undetermined amount of time. As the specter dissolved into nothingness, Xerihan immediately dug into the deer’s carcass. Digging into the body with his claws, he managed to grab the heart and put it into his bag. “Run!” he yelled, having made sure the body was not wasted. The two gryphons hurriedly left the clearing, knowing the Cult would be following them. They caught a glimpse of a ghostly rabbit, ethereal and entirely unnatural. “There!” Ricket cried, as they followed the rabbit to where the Goddess of Hunting would surely be. ---- A few kilometers away, Snap Freeze waited for the ghosts to return. One by one, they flew by, whispering to him what they had discovered. He gazed at the bodies of the caravan below him dispassionately while he learned where his quarry had went. “They left the road, and went into the forest…” he pondered softly, nudging the body of an older stallion. “What could they be planning…?” As the revelers and jesters under his command gathered the bodies of the family they had found, Snap Freeze ordered them to stop. “Xerihan and Ricket were here. They likely killed the lookout. Keep the bodies fresh for now, but don’t turn them yet. They may yet be of use.” Looking back at the giggling ghosts that flew about, he ordered, “Trail the gryphons further. Stay out of sight, and alert me to any changes in the situation.” The ghosts all bobbed in midair, their macabre smiles and alert eyes sparking in comprehension. Away they flew, to trail the gryphons that had betrayed the Cult. Snap Freeze looked at the tree line, watching his subordinates go about their tasks. [i]What are you two traitors doing…[/i] ---- Only a few minutes had passed since the sentinel hopped off towards the nearby city, and Theá, disguised as a doe, found herself just staring at the miniature empire. She let out a sigh and shuffled for a more comfortable position. [i]I hope she has become a little more humble in the past three months… she wasn’t always like this.[/i] It had been three months since they had landed on Equestria and, if the city was of any indication, then she hadn’t changed much. She sighed and was about to try and get a little sleep when she sensed a prickle in the back of her mind. She stood up and turned around, beady eyes staring intently at the tree line not even a hundred strides away from her. [i]Gryphons?[/i] she thought when a pair of such creatures bolted out from the trees. [i]What’re they doing here?[/i] She decided to keep playing the role of a deer rather than alicorn for the time being. There was a chance they’d say, or do, something in the presence of a “mindless animal” that they would in intelligent company. Xerihan and Ricket jumped through one last piece of brush as they followed the spectral rabbit, coming out to the edge of the forest. When the rabbit stopped, they expected to see an alicorn of some kind. Instead, another deer was simply lying in the grass. Xerihan glanced around, looking for some evidence of an alicorn. His breathing was hitched, and Ricket simply panted heavily when he saw there was nothing there. “What the hell… we followed the rabbit, didn’t we?” Xerihan snarled. Ricket simply shrugged as he continued to pant. “I don’t know, Xeri. Gah… that was a hell of a run…” Xerihan, frustrated, plodded over to the rabbit, which was just sitting calmly in the open. “You! You’re supposed to lead us to Theá, aren’t you!? Where is she? Argh, the Cult’s going to catch up, and you’re just sitting there! All that’s here is some damn doe!” Ricket simply stared at Xerihan as he ranted, then looked at the motionless deer. [i]Funny[/i], he thought. [i]It’s not moving at all, and we could just reach out and touch it…[/i] “Xeri,” he called out. Said gryphon turned around with a scowl. “What is it?” he growled. “That deer. It’s not moving. Might have something to do with the goddess.” The cloaked assassin glanced at the deer and noted how it wasn’t moving. In fact, now that he thought about it, the doe hadn’t bolted when they first came running into the clearing. “Huh…” he muttered, some of his frustration gone. “Maybe the rabbit did something. Think I should try talking to the deer?” Ricket shrugged. “I don’t know, Xeri. Look, if we don’t get moving soon or find Theá, the Cult will catch up. Talk to it if you want, but we can’t stay here for long.” While the two bickered over what they should do, two giggling ghosts slowly approached the clearing. One was overhead, in the trees, while the other watched from the side behind some bushes. [i]They were looking for me.[/i] She glanced briefly between the two, noting how they both bore signs of travel, and not a leisurely one but a quick and rushed travel. [i]As if they were fleeing from something.[/i] She shook her head briefly, trying to keep it as deer-like as possible. [i]Of course they were. They mentioned-[/i] her head snapped to a place above the two gryphons, eyes no longer docile but sharp and focused. “The Cult,” she snarled, loud enough for the gryphons to hear her even through their own bickering. Grasping only a tiny fraction of her power, Theá - the doe - formed two blue arrows of pure energy. They hovered beside her for a second and, as she shed her disguise, shot towards the two giggling ghosts, impaling both and destroying them before they had the time to blink or even realise that they were being attacked. Before the gryphons stood no longer a docile deer, but an aqua green alicorn with a nutty brown mane and tail, both tied up in a braid. Her wings were spread out in a display of raw power and intimidation, their massive span a testament to the power contained within her body. She snorted briefly before her gaze snapped to the two gryphons. She said nothing, just looked. The gryphons winced and ducked as they heard the arrows form and fire. “What in Tartarus…” Xerihan muttered as the arrows struck their targets. Turning around, the gryphons saw something that could only be described as majestic and terrifying. The doe that had been laying so calmly had transformed into a massive alicorn. [i]Guess the rabbit was right after all…[/i] Xerihan reflected, stunned by the sudden appearance of the goddess. He found that he couldn’t move. He was torn between running away from the alicorn and simply chucking the hide in hopes of averting her wrath. Before he could decide, Ricket spoke up. “Theá Erímo, Goddess of the Hunt!” proclaimed Ricket, his face stoic but voice reverent if shaky, “we have come seeking your favor, and we would be humbled to offer you a gift!” The gryphon bowed, then motioned frantically at Xerihan. The assassin realized he was still just standing in shock. With haste he withdrew the deer’s hide from his bag and held it in front of him. “For you,” he said softly, bowing lightly in the presence of the god. [i]I really hope this wasn’t a bad idea…[/i] Xerihan thought queasily. Seeing that the danger - or annoyance in this case - was over, Theá calmed down a bit and folded her wings at her sides. Her eyes softened significantly but remained stern. She eyed the hide. “You come seeking my favour? Why?” The back of Xerihan’s throat dried up. “Because… because we desire to become better hunters, and we would be humbled to follow the Goddess of the Hunt,” he said, his voice cracking. Ricket decided to add on. “We came across one of your followers, not so long ago. A Nightmare. He suggested we find you, and that’s what he have done for the past few hours.” She stepped closer, looking down at them. “I sense only half-truths spoken, the full truth hidden.” She shook her head. “No matter. You bear an offering, I see. A proof of your worth, I take it?” The hide was surrounded and lifted off of the ground in an emerald glow. It slowly turned around to let Theá inspect it. “A fine trophy,” she conceded, letting the hide down in front of the gryphons again. “But answer me this, mortals, why were those creatures following you?” She briefly waved a wing at where the Giggling Ghosts had been just moments prior. “The cult does not follow individuals without due course.” At this question, Xerihan stumbled. He did not wish to reveal his true origins, though straight up lying would likely fail. At this point, he regretted not creating up a backstory beforehand, though it was understandable considering he had been on the run almost constantly since he arrived back at Trottingham. For all his thought, all he could say was, “Um…” “Because we betrayed the Cult,” Ricket stated with emotionless conviction. Xerihan gawked at Ricket in horror. “[i]Ricket![/i]” he hissed, half in fury and half in terror. Of all the possible answers that Theá could have gotten, this was certainly not one she expected. One eyebrow had been raised as if by its own volition, betraying her surprise at the reply. “You betrayed the Cult?” [i]They were a part of the cult, but aren’t anymore. They abandoned their vile ways and sought me out, likely the most hated enemy of the cult at this point in time, in an attempt to gain my favour.[/i] Her eyes swept over them repeatedly, seemingly searching for something. [i]What to do with them? They no longer count as my prey per se, so killing them would violate my own rules.[/i] She sighed and glanced behind the two, stretching her mind just a little further to try and sense anything or anyone hiding in the trees. She found nothing. “Tell me your story. You mentioned a Nightmare that lead you to me. What happened before you met him?” Xerihan sighed. In many ways, he felt defeated, and his urge to run diminished, if only slightly. “We were walking the roads at night, trying to reach Muddy Hooves from Trottingham. He found us and advised us to seek you out. That’s all.” Ricket glanced at his friend. “Xeri, don’t even bother. Just tell her,” he said wearily. Xerihan would have slapped his friend if they were not in the presence of a being that could squash them instantaneously. Curbing that urge, he snorted angrily. “Fine! We robbed a family that was on their way to Trottingham, and when one of them saw us I killed him in panic. We ran after that, and that’s when the Nightmare accosted us. Are you satisfied, Ricket?” Said gryphon simply nodded as continued to bow. “I’m just trying to keep you honest, Xeri.” Xerihan scoffed. “Then you’re picking a really bad time to do that.” Theá nodded once. As they were at the moment, she doubted that she’d get much more out of them without forcing it out. Sure, she could intimidate them into giving her a detailed description of what had happened before they met the Nightmare, but that wasn’t important. “Meelo,” she called. A shadow seemingly rose from the earth beside the gryphon whose face was not obscured by a mask. “Yes, Theá?” “This family they speak of, if the cult is chasing them there is a chance that they may have fallen victim to the cult. Regardless of whether or not that is the case, return to where you last saw them, find the one this gryphon killed and burn the body. Do the same with the others if the cult found and killed them. If, however, they are already turned, then you know what to do.” “Aye, aye, Mistress!” He raised a forehoof in salute and sped off, darting through the shadows of the forest as if they were parts of himself. The goddess shook her head, a ghost of a smile playing at the corners of her lips. [i]He never ceases to amuse me.[/i] To the gryphons she said. “I will not applaud you for killing an innocent, but that is a minor complaint in the face of what you two have done. Not many have the courage to defy the Cult and join their enemy the same way you two have.” A pause. “Will you two accept my Blessing?” Xerihan sighed. [i]Finally. At least she won’t kill us, so that’s something more than what most others would do.[/i] Partially looking up, Xerihan nodded and said, “Yes.” Ricket looked up to Theá fully and replied, “It would be an honor.” She half unfurled her wings, holding them in a position that made it seem like she was about the embrace the two gryphons. A ball of something resembling a mix of light and liquid hovered at the tip of each wing, no larger than a golf ball. “Your names?” She asked. “Xerihan.” “Ricket.” Nodding once, Theá moved her wings forward until the small orbs were almost touching their chests. “You have proven yourself capable hunters, showed courage to boot. You have defied my enemy and turned to me instead. Commendable in its own right, to be sure, but I know you are capable of more. Doubly so with this.” She touched the tips of her wings to their chests, the orb passing into them and quickly spreading, covering their entire bodies in an emerald glow before dying down just a few seconds later. The two gryphons shivered as the magic flowed and entered their bodies. Xerihan couldn’t help but shake a sense of both dread and hope. Dread, because he had bound himself to yet another host. Hope, because he would actually have a chance of surviving the latest chapter of his life. Eventually, curiosity overcame him. “If I may ask, what did you just do to us? Or rather, give to us?” asked the assassin. “A piece of my essence, or soul as you mortals call it.” Her wings folded back at her sides and she sat down on the grass in front of them. “The boon I granted you will allow you to better hide in the wilderness. Let’s compare it to a foal’s game; Hide and Seek. Where you would normally be found second to last, with this blessing there’s a significant chance that you will be the last one to be found and, as such, the winner of the game.” “In other words, merely wanted to hide when you are surrounded by the wild will allow you to hide. Do note, however, that you can still be found, and just standing beside a tree will not be enough; invisibility is not within my domain.” Xerihan nodded. “And if we desire to contact you? I assume I would need to talk to one of your thralls?” “They are not thralls, but creatures summoned and created by me. They are sentinels, messengers and scouts. Alternatively they can be a combat force. But that is unimportant. What’s important is that, yes, you can use them to contact me. They are capable of carrying short verbal messages, so give them a message and inform them that it is for me and they will come to me.” She stood up again and stretched her wings before settling them back at her sides. “Do not think that my boon comes for free. You have proven yourself worthy, yes, but there is yet a price to pay. Being a part of my followers means that I expect you to gather information and deliver it to me, either through my sentinels or in person. My goal is to find Elder Sister Celestia and Elder Sister Luna, as well as bring back a balance to the world.” “Of course,” Xerihan replied. “If that is all, Huntress, I would take my leave.” Ricket nodded, silently asking the same question. Theá returned their nod. “If you wish. I advise caution, however. Even with my boon the cult may still find you.” She turned around and returned the her previous spot, eyes locked on the city in the distance. Taking the warning into consideration, Xerihan wordlessly trudged back into the forest, followed by Ricket. Their direction was roughly where Muddy Hooves would be. As they left and the rustle of leaves faded down, Theá was left alone at the edge of the forest. ---- Snap Freeze walked through the forest, leading his band of Cultists. They had left most of the physical items of the family back at the carriages, though their bodies were now being hauled with the troupe. A single ghost came barreling through the forest, stopping in front of the grim Jester. It whispered to him, and he nodded in thanks. [i]They allied themselves with the Goddess of the Hunt. Unexpected. Which means I shouldn’t attempt to locate them directly for now.[/i] Stopping the caravan momentarily, Snap Freeze pulled out a map, looking for where his targets might be. He noted the roads and where the forest stopped. [i]Unless they wish to strain themselves by walking the plains, in open sight with no water, they would have to either take one of the rivers or continue to Muddy Hooves. [/i] Snap Freeze looked at the point that was named, ‘Greyfeathers Encampment’. [i]He is still antagonistic to the the gryphons. That would likely be a death wish for him, to head back north.[/i] Concluding that Xerihan likely wouldn’t travel there, he looked at the next dot, ‘Greenway’. [i]Much too far to travel on foot. Xerihan would likely stay near the rivers, and doing that means travelling at least in proximity to Muddy Hooves.[/i] He knew his target. Calling over two groups of ghosts, he ordered one of the groups to stay in position near the gryphon encampment, and the other to stay in Greenway. Xerihan and Ricket likely wouldn’t be there, but Snap Freeze would prefer to keep in the know if he deviated from expectations. “Troupe! We will continue on to Muddy Hooves through the night, and we will make camp outside the town wall. We’ll wait for the traitor there, and corner him when he lets his guard down. Now move! Double time!” [i]We’ll arrive before he does, and set a trap. Hopefully we can end this farce and make him see the truth for his mistake. Nobody disappoints the Laughing Mare.[/i]