Distant sounds of hooves could be heard further down the narrow corridor. Shadow hadn’t thought that others would be down here, he rarely saw others when he made his way into the dungeons. Maybe everyone had just decided that today would be an adventure day, not that he cared. 

Ears flicked forward as he took his next step, the subtle click beneath his hoof warranting a confused head tilt. His confusion didn’t last long though as the WOOSH of flames shot up in front of him. Shadow didn’t want to turn around for the fact that he could hear the flames behind him as well. Gods, how was he going to get out of this?

Minutes had flown past and he hadn’t moved an inch, though the wheels in his head were turning. After watching the flames he had noticed that there was a break in between each flamethrower, and though he wasn’t sure if there was enough time for him to walk through, he might just manage if he sprinted through like his life depended on it.

Which it did, in case you haven’t noticed yet. He would’ve become horse jerky if he hadn’t decided to stay put. 

His eyes continued to scan the wall as he waited for the fire in front of him to stop. A slight click could be heard and then the flames stopped for a moment. The stallion flung himself through the passage, his heart pounding in his chest. He could hear the ticking of the flamethrowers as they got ready to hurdle more fire at him. 

Shadow tried to focus on anything else, anything that would keep him from freaking out before the onslaught of heat hit him. He looked up to see that there was a wall that he was closing in on and his heart sank at the idea that he came this way for nothing.

He skidded to a halt and turned around to see the flames getting closer to him, but before he could do anything about it a pair of hooves pulled him into a hidden corridor. Looking around and squinting into the darkness, he couldn’t really make anything out. Until a match struck the ground and a torch was lit in front of him.

“Make sure next time you pay attention to where you’re stepping AND where the end of your journey is. You would’ve been burnt to a crisp if I hadn’t noticed you sitting there.” He had nothing to say to that, as much as he wanted to snap back. She had saved him after all and he really did need to pay attention more.

“Name’s Dusk, what about you stranger?” 

“Shadow. Thanks for saving me.” He huffed, looking back out at where they had just come from. “Also I had looked, it had seemed like there was more down this way when I originally started coming down here.”

The blue roan dipped her head to grab the torch. “There is, but not the way you thought.” The light from the torch illuminated some of the rocks closest to them and he realized they weren’t just rocks, but gemstones. Their glittery surfaces caught his eye and he stared at them in utter awe.

“Enough gawking, looks like you’re stuck with me for the rest of this journey.” Shadow shook his head and regained focus on the mare.

“I’m only coming with you because I don’t know where I’m going. Otherwise I’d leave you in the dust.” She cocked an eyebrow at him and let out the loudest laugh he had heard. 

“Whatever you say charcoal.”