From the darkness, Tilphusios watched. For all the glow of fire and flame in this part of the Buried Kingdom, Tilphusios had always been good at finding the shadow. He did not need to dwell there all the time. There was interest in the light. Things to learn, to observe, even interact, when he wished it. 

Tilphusios was not afraid of the light… but perhaps this Courser should be.

In the low light of a nearby pool of molten rock, their mane that should have been white and bright hung limply. It curled around her ears in a haphazard pattern, frizzed and sticking up at the edges. Her hide shone with sweat, a lather from the heat of the dungeon and whatever she had been fleeing from. Tilphusios knew because her sides heaved, as she gasped for air, and occasionally, she would turn back over her shoulder to search behind her.

He tried not to make a sound, as he followed after her, stepping from shadow to shadow. Not wanting her to liken the sound of his hooves to whatever she was trying to avoid.

Nothing pursued her now… Well, except him, of course.

It became evident that she was lost when her breaths hitched into something more desperate. Her cloudy green eyes frantic searching for something familiar. Zenith, curled around his neck, tried to raise, but Tilphusios shushed her. The pygmy drake was so soft hearted.

The Courser collapsed on the other side of a geyser field, her legs folding underneath her at an angle that would soon be uncomfortable, too exhausted for her to move them without proper motivation.

He could help her. He knew the way.

Hours later, Tilphusios and the Courser had not moved.

Minutes later, helped arrived. The shining golden hide of Phoebe sparkled as she knelt by the exhausted Courser. Bright-eyed, soft-worded, helpful.

The two were leaving when Phoebe turned, golden gaze unerringly seeking him out in the shadow. She tilted her head, he inclined his, and Phoebe helped the Courser back to when she had come.