Sol had a plan, and it was one that worried her siblings. Yet all the same, they trusted in her strategy, even if they both feared that the cost might be high. But Sol knew this was the easiest way to their foe, and the fastest, sharpest way to achieve victory over her, whoever and whatever she was.
Sol picked twenty of the Baron's soldiers, while Morgan and Titan modified shackles and manacles and chains: these were placed upon the uneasy ponies, who would play the role of prisoners until the time was right. Next, these soldiers were loaded into two carriages to be pulled by Morgan and Titan, while Sol took the lead, covering her armor and body with a heavy cloak. She could do little to hide her size, but her face and mane she concealed with a cloth mask and veil.
Once everyone was ready, Sol led them to the meeting place that the Baron had indicated, and found one of the strange undead they had encountered on the road waiting for her there. She noticed that this skeleton was slightly different, however: not only was it a unicorn, it had gemstones grafted to its rune-covered bones: perhaps to enhance its power, perhaps as marks of status.
It demanded to inspect the cargo, and Sol agreed, neither bowing nor resisting. She was unsurprised when other skeletons emerged from where they'd hidden themselves, while this lead creature came up to her, studying her intently.
But it made no move to unmask her: and once its minions were done counting the soldiers, the creature stepped away and told her to follow. So Sol followed, undaunted, knowing that they were headed into a trap, but determined to spring her own before her foes could take the advantage.
They were led to the remains of an old temple, where more skeletons awaited them. None of these held much interest for Sol, however: they were nothing but pawns and soldiers of a greater evil. And soon enough, the ruler of this black citadel made itself known: a Lich, a sorceress of vile and terrible powers who had used her magic to give herself an eternal unlife.
She greeted them cordially, and introduced herself as the commander of these undead, which she called 'Velites.' Sol studied her, fearless: she paid little heed to the threats and mockery of the Lich as the hordes of undead moved in around them. Instead, she analyzed how the Lich acted and spoke, and she quickly came to realize that while this Lich was a powerful enemy, she was not the true threat, or the leader of these Velites. Instead, she was likely a lieutenant of some greater evil.
Having learned what she came here for, Sol didn't hesitate to interrupt the Lich with a powerful spell, beginning a sudden and ferocious battle. Both Titan and Morgan leapt immediately into the fray, while the soldiers quickly broke free of their restraints: the manacles and chains had been modified in such a way that they snapped easily apart when pulled in the right direction, and left the soldiers with makeshift whips of chain and weighted bracers around their limbs. These iron implements were crude, but served well against the Velites, smashing their brittle bones with ease.
The Lich was powerful, but no match for Sol alone: with the strength of Titan and Morgan's fearlessness added to the raw magic of Sol, they made short work of the sorceress. She was left broken and beaten, but even as the last of her soldiers were destroyed or driven away, she was fearless: her evil spirit would return to her mistress in death, the Goddess of Cursed Shades, Veliuona
But Sol was unsurprised and undaunted, and she only gave the Lich a message for her mistress: that she would come for this self-proclaimed goddess and destroy her. And then, ruthless and merciless, she crushed the life out of the Lich with one hoof before checking on her soldiers.
Only a few had been killed: all-in-all, she considered it a great success. Morgan and Titan both seemed uncertain of Sol's actions, but all the same, they knew that the best they could do was trust in their sister and her plans for the future, and do what they could to conserve the lives of any unfortunate ponies caught in path of their sister's plans to destroy this unknown evil.
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