“And here is the pathway to the second layer”, Phoebe said, nodding towards a stairway that was giving off notable heat. 

Tapio made a curious sound, carefully coming closer.

“Do you think it’s safe to go there for my first time? Are there dangers?” he asked.

Phoebe swished her tail and giggled. 

“There are dangers in every part of the Dungeon. They get moderately more severe the farther you go, but the treasure also gets better. Or that’s what they tell me. I’m not one for treasure, really. But I can show you around!”

The thought of treasure made Tapio’s eyes shine. He was gathering a dowry to ask for his girlfriend’s hoof in marriage, and this would really make it happen faster. He didn’t know how much longer she would wait for him, with how poor he was.

“Yes, please. I would love to at least take a look. And if it seems too dangerous - well! I’ll just come back later!”

He really hoped he didn’t need to come back, and that he’d find what he needed on this journey. Becoming a dungeoneer who was away from home for weeks while treasure hunting also seemed like a sure way of being dumped. 

The two coursers headed down the stairs, Phoebe leading the way confidently. Her ears perked a bit, but she didn’t say anything. Tapio didn’t hear a thing, so it must not have been anything.

Before they quite reached the bottom, Phoebe stopped. 

“How are you with dogs?” she asked. Tapio looked around, confused.

“We… have hounds at the farm. One is about to have puppies soon. Why are you asking?” he answered slowly. 

Phoebe turned around and looked at him with a wild look in her eyes.

“There’s a pack of hellhounds coming our way. We can try to dodge them to not get noticed, and we can head back up. How do you feel we should proceed?” 

Tapio’s eyes boggled and he let out a small shriek. 

“HELLHOUNDS?? Oh no, oh god, I can’t die here! I have a- a soon-to-be-wife on the surface!” he shouted, turning to scramble up the stairs.

Now he could hear the barking and howling too, and seemed to be growing louder by the second. Phoebe made a frustrated sound and shoved Tapio to climb up faster.

“They didn’t notice us before you started yelling bloody murder! Run, you idiot!”