"My name is Nuvolosa, but you can call me Nuvo!"
"You want me to call you...New? Why not just...Cloudy?" Camille asked, tilting her head towards the small zebra before her. Nuvolosa - Cloudy - hummed while rubbing her chin.
"Oh, I didn't realize Nuvolosa translated to Cloudy... How sweet! I am still learning so much about all of this stuff it's a lot to take in. Anyways! I'm happy you could join us in the Central Sanctum."
It had only been about an hour since they'd found their way to the sanctum. Camille leaving the two fillies with a caretaker in the most protected portion of the sanctum. She had spent the rest of the time between collecting goods and valuables, purchasing ingredients to create a few concoctions and potions. A few extra weapons she'd not normally use.
"So, you invited me in, which I appreciate the kindness, but you have yet to tell me anything that's been happening." Camille commented, stepping around a stone cartography table in the center. The map of the city drawn out on it with crafted figurines to show important positions. Water and food sources, where they get necessary ingredients, and the paths in and out. A large portion of it was currently glowing red with tiny, enchanted lantern models. She sighed, realizing what was going on.
"War?"
Cloudy nodded slowly, her ears lowering a bit. "I'm sorry to ask, but...will you please help us? We are almost out of resources and they are pinning us back. B-before you answer! I know you're the daughter of the Pink Knight, so you can easily do this!"
"I am not the same as my mother, Cloudy. She would cull them and end it, but I don't kill. So, unless you're ready to deal with prisoners, feeding them and caring for them even though they are hurting you, then I can't provide assistance."
"No! I mean, yes! We can handle it, we just need you to push them back! Once we have resources, we can full restock the city and care for even the enemy," Cloudy begged, stomping a hoof on the table. "Even if I want them dead for killing ours..."
Camille sighed, slowly stepping closer to the table and looking it over. "Fine, I'll do this. Give me some time to prepare, and I'll set out at dusk. I must warn you, my main goal is those fillies. If my list gets called, I must take care of my duties. But, until that happens, I will do what I can. Just know, something happens to them, I will destroy everything to find the culprit."
Cloudy looked worried at this, but shook her head after a moment, then nodded. "Deal, Camille. All resources here are at your disposal."
"I only need a few."
Camille prepared. Using bandages to wrap her legs and body up. She wasn't injured, but would use them for protection. Sure, it sounds weak, but these bandages were dipped in a special brew she had made. Harmony Tonic is potent when applied to bandages, able to apply instant - but slow - healing to afflicted areas. She dawned her cloak, pulling it in tight. Then, finally, she wrapped a few bandages over her one blue eye.
It was time to hunt.
Night
Night had fallen not long ago. Camille made her way through the streets with her head low. The first lantern was ahead, glowing low red indicating the presence of...something. Cloudy had been forthcoming with everything except for what Camille was up against. She would just go pale and shake until Camille comforted her with a hoof. What Camille was about to find would make her question reality in its whole. She'd fought so many creatures, wild animals to the abominations conjured by wannabe gods. What she encountered here brought a whole new meaning to .
"What the fuck?"
A shambling group of undead, ghoulish figures turned in tandem to face her. She reared up, stepping back at this. She stopped, realizing at first they weren't moving very quickly. That was until one of them screamed. Every single one of them took off towards her like a herd of hungry wolves. She instantly knew that this wasn't the same. Everything had a soul, plants, animals, ponies, zebras, all of it. But these creatures...were soulless. They would stop at nothing to destroy. To kill. Even eat. What the hell were they?
As the first one came close enough to attempt bighting down on her leg, she knew there was only one answer. So, she readied her gauntlets and began pumbling her way through each one. The hits, though, weren't as she expected. Her hoof blasted through the first one, and it shocked her to see it fall. They'd say "lifeless" to most, but as the first one collapsed, her heart felt like it was going to stop. Breathing became difficult and her eyes stared on in shock. As the second jumped onto her, she flailed out, bucking the undead off and sending it through a nearby window. Ichor splashed across the shattered glass.
Camille backed away slowly, realizing she'd just..."killed." But, was it killing? These things had no minds, just instinct. Wasn't instinct enough? As she stepped backwards, she could see the bodies of zebras around her, many having passed days ago, some recently. A husband having died over his husband's decaying body.
"No...remorse..." Camille mumbled, anger flaring in her body. She turned towards the oncoming herd and bolted towards them. The pain remained in her chest, but she . One by one, flipping over and rolling by, planting hits that would break bones normally. All of which turning parts to mist and sending the rest flopping over.
"No...Remorse!" Camille cried out, jumping over one and grappling onto its head, flipping over and launching the head off its body into a group of others. Strike!
"NO REMORSE!" the Godhunter screamed.
"DAWN SHALL BEQUEATH YOUR END. MARRY IT." The Godhunter bellowed, destroying monster after monster... The lantern turned bright white, flooding the area with a light that resonated within her.
Calm filled Camille as she stopped beside it, panting heavily and staring into the light.
Back at the Sanctum, Cloudy watched as the lantern changed color, hope filled her heart at the sight, but the flame beside it, the signature of Camille, burned with something that filled her with new fear.
Thestral
