Deliberate and confident steps struck the cold stone below the fiery-coated courser. Dungeoneering was a natural choice of employment for the decorated General. Mars had fought in countless battles above ground, leading her battalion into the fray of combat and ultimately to victory more times than not. With peace finally established in her homeland, Mars had come here seeking adventure, glory and curiosities that only the deep places of the Earth could provide.

The Overgrown Cavern was her first destination, the lush greenery of the surface world surviving even in the dank darkness of the Sunken Kingdom. She hadn't been below ground for more than an hour before a metallic clattering sounded from somewhere near her flank. A graceful leap took Mars sideways, turning so she could face the unexpected noise. The movement sent her companion, the red kite Quintus, into the air on skillful wings. He circled the chamber before landing atop Mars' shoulders once more, bright keen eyes trained on the source of the commotion.

At first glance it appeared to be a chanfron, discarded by some other subterranean explorer. But how could it have come from the roof? She didn’t need to voice her question as it was answered immediately. Segmented legs erupted from beneath the metal plating, scrabbling against the rough stones in an attempt to escape. 

"Oh, some kind of crab? Like the hermit crabs we've seen at the seaside." She spoke to the raptor, glancing at the bird who's head bobbed with the instincts of a hunter. Mars gave a chuckle, tossing her luminous gold mane from one side of her neck to the other. "I won't stand between you and an exotic meal, but I doubt you'll be able to break through a metal shell."

Quintus calmed, eyes blinking slowly as he turned to acknowledge the logic in Mars' words. Reconsidering he turned from the armored crustacean, content to wait for easier prey.