The caverns were humid and murky, the walls and ceilings dripping with a constant but delicate rhythm. Each little pool danced upon a drop's touch, replenishing the moss bordering its surface. Sometimes these pools, rather than dance, would splash and sputter for some other reason. Perhaps their residents were feeling ornery in that moment, or some new little crevice had opened up to release a mysterious gas.

   The delicate rhythm was broken again, this time by something much bigger. A hoof, worn by time yet equally solid and sound stepped out of the shadows, accompanied by a crackling grunt. The Courser lifted his head with a heavy sigh and turned, surveying the caverns. Shape and shadow were one with his mighty frame, which was robust and sleek despite the conditions in which he lived.

Normally he would spend his day the same as all others; wander, eat, drink, stand, sleep. However, something was different today. A new feeling had sprouted, unusual yet intriguing. For once, he wanted to venture deeper into the caverns, to see what secrets lay hidden within the abyssal shadows.

The faint echo of creatures sounded in the distance, catching his attention as he gazed into the deep mist. Things were changing around here, and it was starting to pull him in like quicksand.

   Chernobogg broke away from the shadows at a sluggish pace, his cape of a tail dragging behind like a snake as he tromped on forth. Familiar became different - the moss, murk and glittering pools sustained, but there was a new aire about the cavern, one that would send most fresh divers into unease as he grew further and further from "home".

   Eventually the steady clunking of hooves slowed to a pause as a peculiar crevice in the earth came into view up ahead, seething faintly with mist. His ears perked and he leaned forward with a raised head, taking a sniff. There wasn't anything of concern so far. Yet it was still prickling, his jet black gaze locked on as if a beast might leap out at any moment. Silence.

He cleared the shivers with a breath and crept up to the hole with a steady step. He peered in, but saw nothing - it could be endless, for all he knew - but curiosity continued to gnaw away at him. Finally, Chernobogg gave in to the pressure and stepped into the rocky slope. Immediately the earth gave way and disintegrated beneath his weight with a boom, the shroud of darkness taking him back once more in an instant.