As you traverse a dimly lit path, a sudden rumble shakes the ground, and a flood of murky water rushes toward you from an unseen source. You can see objects bobbing on the surface—some are old bones, while others are glinting treasures.

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

The research group, bonded through their previous adventures, grew closer than ever.

While R’yaženka and Hiraeth were very close, which was… well, visible at every step, now they were getting more relaxed and friendly in Aelin’s and - especially - Phainon’s presence.

The day they returned from their first group expedition, they spent the evening laughing, washing their manes out of the sticky slime residue that was still plaguing their hair. Hiraeth cleaned and polished their weapons, Aelin was focused on assessing what riches and treasures they’ve brought back from the dungeon, the various trinkets that have filled their bags up to the brink. R’yaženka was laying comfortably on the blanket, reading through the notes she made on the clockwork mechanism they saw, cleaned up her sketches and lined them with her fountain pen, added a few words in a few free spaces on the page of her notebook.

…Even Phainon didn’t feel uncomfortable, even if they were away from their comrades at the Temple of The Cataclysm, they joked around and laughed, sharing their own stories with their new friends. They knew it would be a valuable experience to bring back to their own place that they called home. 

The group laughed about Phainon slipping, and how it made all of their coats and manes a complete mess, about how they had to choose a door to go through, with weird rocks that had faces carved on them. No one that evening felt as if the Courser next to them was a stranger.

It was no surprise that after taking a few days to rest, they descended deep within the dungeon once more.

R’yaženka was calmly walking through the dimly lit path, Hiraeth by her one side, Phainon by the other, as Aelin led the way. It was… eerily quiet, other than the rhythmic noises of their hooves clicking against the stone floor as they walked, traversing the new, undiscovered by them yet paths, in search of valuables that will make their research even more meaningful.

“That clockwork mechanism was really something…” The white mare said softly, her mind still on the mechanism that they’ve managed to reset with their skills… Still, it wasn’t like anything she has ever seen before. It was intriguing, and maybe one day she would be able to replicate it on her own.

“I’ve seen various traps and mechanisms in the past, where I come from, but this was also new to me.” Phainon commented, looking around them as the research group continued their expedition.

It seemed like Aelin wanted to add her own three coins, but was suddenly interrupted by a sudden rumble that shook the ground, making the party shake on their legs, fighting to stay upright.

“Careful!” Hiraeth yelled, but the current was quicker than mere Coursers - the first wave hit them, completely soaking them from ears to the tip of their hooves, making the party gasp for air as they moved their heads out, above the water surface. The flood of murky water appeared out of nowhere, attacking the party on sight as if it was a sentient being by itself. Well, at least it was better than being soaked in slime, like before…

“Hiraeth… Grab my tail!” R’yaženka breathed heavily, coughing as some of the water got into her nose, leaving behind a burning, uncomfortable feeling. “Phainon, do the same with Aelin!” The white mare added, the sudden danger making her quiet demeanor disappear for a while, making her more determined and confident. Maybe that’s the personality she keeps hidden all this time?

The party did as they were old, both Heraldic mares groaning and grunting as the water hit their faces, yet they continued their fight against the current. Some of the treasures like necklaces or earrings caught onto their manes, tangled in the locks… Well, at least they’ll have some treasure from this incident too, right? Though, as a moist bone smacked Aelin across her muzzle, the thoughts and fantasies of riches were quickly forgotten, focused on getting out of here alive instead, to escape the rising tide.