The passage was narrow and claustrophobic. The passage was narrow and claustrophobic, and as the party moved forward in the dark, they could feel warmth in their hooves. The tricky dungeons caused four strangers to team up after getting lost.

Vaayu couldn't help but feel shy; these horses were legends among legends, and while it wasn't uncommon to see them traveling the lower levels (after all, exploring was their job), teaming up was far more unusual, especially with a newcomer like him. 

"C'mon pipsqueak, can't you move faster?" 

"Leave him alone, Mortiz, he is still a youngling”

The voices of the two leaders jolted him out of his trance, and he couldn't help but feel anxious about the situation. Crispin had been gentle with him from the start, although Mortiz was upset that they were traveling with such an inexperienced stallion. Phoebe, like always, remained silent and watchful, refusing to engage in pointless debates. 

"I-I'm sorry, boss," Vaayu murmured, his voice betraying him with a stutter, as he urged his legs to move faster, matching Phoebe's peace and getting in the middle of the group. The tunnel felt much smaller, and he felt suffocated.

“Look at him, Crispin, he can't even properly walk, he looks like a newborn foal”

“Mortiz, that enou-!”

A light interrupted both horses' conversation (which Vaayu appreciated as they were talking as if he wasn't present). The tunnel eventually reached another exit, and all of the coursers were quick to keep the peace. Only to be disappointed when it led nowhere. The mare of the group, however, was eager to point out that it was not only that, but a crypt. 

A sarcophagus sat in the center of the circular chamber, with ancient words that Vaayu couldn't read marking the gold casket. Now that the flames provided a weak light, he could see that the warmth he felt in the hooves was caused by a dark liquid that appeared to emanate from the center. And it felt so... appealing. He took a step forward, his body moving on its own, as if possessed. And he noticed that the others were doing the same. Was it a trap?