BB said:
Is that a pony down there? Go up an greet them, although it would probably be best to have Moonflower lead for the sake of navigation.

Considering it best to rely on Moonflower's night vision here, you decide to ask her if you are seeing things, or if there really are ponies walking about.

Moonflower: "Huh? Oh, yeah, I see 'em! They look like ponies, but they don't sound like anything. S'kinda weird. Did you wanna try talkin' to one?"

You nod, and let the bat pony lead the way to the nearest creature. As you get close to what appears to be a mare, you notice that you can see through her body. She turns to face you, her breathy voice muffled by a crudely-drawn grinning mask covering her face.

Creature: "Yes…? Oh… you must be… from Middle Earth. Welcome… to Dark Abode… the realm of Darkness."

Seeing as the creature seems relatively friendly, you thank her for the warm welcome, and try introducing yourselves to her. Despite the unusual cadence of her speech, her body language is familiar and bespeaks interest.

Creature: "Your names are… as colourful… as you are. They call me… the Grinning One. I suppose… you have come here… with a purpose?"

You ask the Grinning One if she knows anything about a Talking Statue. Pondering the question, she taps a misty hoof on her chin thoughtfully.

The Grinning One: "Hmm… Across the Moonless Fields… to the south… are the Banished Lands. You should try… searching there. But beware…! Many dangers… lurk in the dark."

You glance over to the southern gate — at the pitch blackness beyond it. You knew it wouldn't be so easy. As you begin to think about how to prepare for a trip into the unknown, Rocket Rush senses a lull in the conversation, and tentatively raises a hoof.

Rocket Rush: "Hey, can I ask a question? Yeah? So uh, what's with the masks?"

The Grinning One: "Masks…? Oh…! Our faces… strike fear… in the hearts of others… so we use these… to hide them. I made mine… all by myself. What do you think…?"

The ghostly mare excitedly gestures to her own mask in the same fashion as a proud filly. The uncanny yet expressionless display visibly disturbs Rocket Rush, who slowly backs up to hide behind the group.

Rocket Rush: "Uh, h-heh, it's great, yeah!"

Justice steps in to take her place, putting on more of a convincing brave face.

Justice: "What about Odin's curse, if you don't mind? Do you know anything about that?"

The Grinning One: "Of course…! Odin's curse… or Odin's blessing. Both are one… and the same. It is a trade… a sacrifice. To let Darkness… into one's body… and one's mind.

Longer life… at the cost of memories. Powerful magic… at the cost of judgement. One who chooses… to accept this gift… forever becomes… another one of us."

The road north leads to the tower.
The road south leads to the south gate.


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