Millennia halted unexpectedly in her tracks, making Carnage bump into her as she stopped. “What’s wrong, love?” He asked, before looking ahead, barely making a soft ‘oh’ sound. He looked back at Tenebrae and Fetch, seeing their equally shocked faces. “How should we proceed?” He asked, keeping his tone low as his brows furrowed. “We definitely need to be quiet but…”

As the stale breeze of the dungeons wafted through the halls, Tenebrae kept her head held high as she trekked forwards, dark hooves clopping on the rough rock beneath her. She wasn’t exactly sure why she agreed to join this group of ragtag adventurers, but they’d somehow managed to convince her… Her best guess was simple enough; she was lonely. The mere thought of it made her shudder. Emotions were so odd.

Regardless, they were here now, surrounded by unfamiliar horses, in a place far too familiar. The horse behind them, Fetch, kept nagging them with seemingly random questions about anything and everything, but mostly about their past. Tenebrae was sure they’d have an aneurysm if she didn’t stop talking soon.

Conversing was already hard enough, but talking about a past they themselves didn’t even remember? It was a stride too far, wasn’t it? Still, Tenebrae tried their best to entertain Fetch’s queries, mostly by bouncing them back to her. Granted, it only made the mare ramble even more, but it was better than having to talk about themselves.

As the blanched equine eccentrically chattered her way through the dungeon. Tenebrae’s attention shifted to the two horses that took the lead; Millennia and Carnage. Both as sickeningly sweet as they were energetic, the blue roan just couldn't understand how they never got tired of each other’s cooing and nudging. It almost brought a sneer to their maw.

Love was an emotion that Tenebrae never had the luxury to experience– or, rather, they thought they didn't. Their past was a blur to them, a mix of flashes and burned photographs that never quite fit the bigger picture, but in none of them did Tenebrae fall in love, much less have someone to call their own. It was a strange concept, really… Someone that ‘belonged’ to you. Tenebrae scoffed. No one belonged to anyone, much less the person who was meant to look out for them. Love… Love was the weirdest emotion of all.

Suddenly, the pair of lovebirds froze, bumping into each other awkwardly in a swarm of hooves and legs. Tenebrae slowed, blinking. What had Millennia seen?

Peering past the small ledge that obstructed their view told them just enough to know that this next part would be dangerous. That thing had been lurking around these parts for quite a while, and Tenebrae was well aware of it. They weren’t sure why they didn’t warn the others prior to arriving. Perhaps they just wanted to see what would happen.

“It will only attack if threatened, and since it looks to be asleep, this should be easier than usual,” they began in a hushed tone, a velvety voice rumbling in their throat like a purring cat, yet somehow far more intimidating than its comparison. “As long as we keep our chins down and our guards up, we should be able to pass unharmed.” Tenebrae made sure to emphasize one word more than the others… should. Amusement budded in their chest as an imperceptible smirk tugged at their lips.

Carnage nodded warily as the black Stallion peeked back at Tenebrae before looking back ahead at the hairless beast. He took a deep breath, deciding to take point through their challenge ahead. Not that Millennia would stray far behind at this point. 

Her hooves clacked softly against the rough stone, quiet yet audible as she lowered her head, careful not to slip on some loose rubble as they maneuver around the farthest most path from the beast, making sure to always keep an eye on it as they ventured further. Millennia slowly looked behind her, making sure Tenebrae and Fetch were following behind as they advanced slowly. Carnage slowed down a bit as they got to a tighter spot, passing almost right by the beast’s maw. The slow, hot breath of its exhale brought a shudder through the equine as he advanced. 

Yet with a small misstep happened the unavoidable. Millennia had stepped on a sharp stone, not watching her path fully as the danger of the beast still loomed over them. The sudden pain of the sharp stone embedded in her sole made her whimper in surprise, holding her hoof in the air for a moment as she froze.

The small noise had caused the beast to stir, shifting and stretching but ultimately laying back down, a loud snore indicating it was still asleep. Carnage stopped in his tracks as he heard his partner’s noise, looking back worriedly as he saw her holding up her hoof. 

Carefully he maneuvered back beside her, making sure to steer clear of the beast’s body before carefully leaning down and picking the stone from the soft part of her hoof.

Millennia barely managed a relieved breath, gently nudging Carnage’s head before gently starting her venture again, Carnage following behind her this time, making sure to keep an eye on the beast so Millennia could watch the path, making sure to clear small obstructions such as small boulders or rubble blocking their path.

Millennia was the first to reach the small hole in the wall on the other side of the beast, carefully squeezing through the small opening to the other side, sighing in relief as she stepped aside.

Carnage waited patiently at the end of the path, standing next to the hole as he kept an eye on the beast, waiting for Tenebrae and Fetch to go through first, motioning to the hole in the wall as they slowly approached the end of their path around the Beast. He made sure to stand watch, ensuring the other two got through safely.

Fetch’s odd past, though not something that was easily explained to strangers, brought them great pride. Whenever someone needed a guide for the dungeon, she was the one they contacted… Granted, many only reached out for her skills and not for her company, but she appreciated the experience she’d acquired during these adventures nonetheless, no matter how chaotic it got!

And, to their great surprise, when Fetch was contacted for yet another trip into the caverns, the group was fairly sympathetic! Carnage, though adorning a rather morbid name, was incredibly kind, and Fetch could tell that he didn’t want anything bad to happen to any of his party members. Then came Millenia, just as much of a sweetheart as her partner, and twice as clever. The blanche mare admired how observant she was, noticing every little detail before anyone else in the group… How did she have such a sharp eye? Finally, there was Tenebrae… Fetch was so incredibly thankful to have someone who finally let them ramble away about anything and everything! And best of all, dar was listening, and that brought a flutter to her heart.

These horses… they took Fetch’s expectations and greatly surpassed them, overwhelming her with the oddest of feelings… acceptance. She practically trembled at the thought. Her whole life was spent in a divide; Fetch was different, and everyone around her told her exactly that. She was never meant to be anything more than a guide, someone disposable to be thrown away after the party was satisfied. Fetch knew that was her job, but something about it felt strange. Continuity was never something they were a fan of, but they still sometimes wished that their traveling companions would… well… stick around.

And, somehow, this group felt like they would. Fetch smiled. At the very least, she would try to stick around, and that was enough to comfort her.

Suddenly, everyone around her froze. Fetch paused as she suddenly realized that there was something else with them. She blinked in uncertainty as she noticed Tenebrae peeking over the jagged rocks and trembling. If something could make a horse as big as the blue roan so much as flinch, that was enough to make Fetch shake

Fetch listened attentively to Tenebrae’s words, nodding vigorously at every bit of important information. When the group fell into silence, Fetch took that as a sign that it was time to go.

She watched as Carnage and Millennia took the lead, and though she was tempted to let Tenebrae go after, the other wouldn't budge; they wanted Fetch to go first so that she could be protected if things went wrong. Fetch ignored the small smile that tugged at her lips… Not the moment!!

Eventually, the pair snuck by the beast and made it to the other side, though not before Tenebrae almost stepped on its claws. Close one.

Carnage squeezed through after Tenebrae, sighing in relief as they all got through safely. They hadn’t always gotten out this lucky, a reason for the swipe of claws decorating his shoulder. It had scarred over, but as long as Millennia still thought him to be handsome, he had no trouble showing off the scars proudly. 

His hooves clacked gently against the stone as he approached Millennia again, gently nuzzling his head against hers in an attempt to soothe her a bit, knowing she was still a bit spooked from the encounter. “We’re alright, my dear. We got through that safely and now we can push on further.”, Carnage reassured her softly, smiling gently as she leaned against him a bit, seeming to calm down from the adventure.

Millennia sighed and nodded. “I know…I’m just glad we got past that beast unharmed,” she uttered under her breath, smiling up at Carnage before looking out at the cavern before them. It was big and open, a small, lush garden of moss having grown at the bottom where water had collected over the years, dripstones decorating the ceiling around the pair. She looked back at their companions who seemed to be in their own little conversation before turning back to the front.

After a minute or two, she sighed and shook off any residual unease. She informed Tenebrae and Fetch that she and Carnage would explore the open cavern for a moment and that they are free to call for them once they’re ready to move on to the next cavern.

Carnage took the lead down to the small spot of lush moss, making sure to be careful not to slip down the somewhat steep rocks, his way rather clumsy and a bit funny. He grumbled softly as he heard Millennia giggle behind him at his uncertain steps. “Not everyone can be as graceful as you, my love.” Carnage uttered, only earning another soft laugh from his partner before he reached the bottom.

He looked up, waiting for Millennia, who was making an utterly graceful way down the small incline, to reach the small bit of water as well. Once she made it, they walked over to the spot of moss, deciding to rest up for a moment. 

Carnage carefully tested the water, sighing as he noticed it was indeed clean, drinkable water. He happily drank some of it, feeling refreshed from the sip of cold, clean water to freshen up.

Millennia was not far behind, gladly drinking some of the water as well, even going as far as to step into the small pool of water to cool off a bit, relaxing as the cold water soaked her legs. She even closed her eyes for a moment, just enjoying the general atmosphere of this cavern. It was a calm, cool and almost mellow feeling compared to the dread they had encountered in the room before.She decided to join Carnage on the mossy patch for now, nestling against him as she looked over the reflective water, seeing their friends up further, still deep in conversation as they all recuperated together from the small shock they had overcome.