Shion marveled at the intricate carvings and occasional glimmers of precious minerals embedded in the rock as the trio trotted along, their reflections dancing in the light of the lanterns. The temperature had risen slightly, and beads of sweat now trickled down their brows and necks. However, the conversation now flowed more freely, with Shion's earlier tension following her and Moritz's close encounters giving way to a budding optimism and even cheerfulness fueled by Terrence’s charismatic presence. 

Terrence’s guidance and the banter between them were a lifeline amidst the encroaching shadows, making the cavernous expanse seem a bit less daunting. Shion hummed happily as the group made a good pace, venturing deeper into the tunnels than the mare had ever gone before.

Moritz had begrudgingly accepted Terrence’s presence. The smirk that often played on the mercenary’s lips irked them, but Moritz couldn’t deny the value of his skills. They remained a silent sentinel close to the rear, their golden eyes constantly scanning the darkness for any signs of trouble. Shion attempted to include him in the conversation now and then, but the chestnut appeared to be pouting, the very idea bringing a bit of a smile to her lips which she did her best to conceal.

Terrence, with his larger-than-life personality, had effortlessly assumed the role of leader, surely the main source of Moritz's continued annoyance. The dark stallion's voice, brimming with exaggerated tales of past glories and bold predictions, filled the tunnels with a sense of exaggerated heroism. He thrived on the attention, his steps light and assured as he navigated the treacherous paths. As he regaled Shion with tales of his daring feats, his red eyes gleamed with a mix of mischief and sincerity, their glow reflecting the fiery light of the lava that Terrence promised lay ahead. However, occasionally genuine warmth appeared to pierce through his bravado, a side of the stallion that Shion decided she preferred even more.

In the midst of their conversation, Terrence’s expression suddenly shifted from playful to one of astonishment as a lightbulb of recognition went off. “Wait, you’re Theron’s girl, aren't you?”

The sudden mention of Shion’s father caught her off guard. Theron, once a legendary adventurer, had retired into isolation after the disappearance of her mother, leaving behind a legacy that cast a long shadow. She hadn’t seen her father in months following a heated argument about the dangers of dungeon exploration—a disagreement that had ended with her storming out in anger. Terrence’s respect for her father stirred a knot that tightened in Shion's chest, making the memory of the tension of their last encounter feel even more palpable.

“Yes, that’s me,” Shion replied, her voice a bit shaky. “My father... Theron, you knew him?”

Terrence's eyes softened slightly, the bravado momentarily replaced by a flicker of respect. “Well, I knew of him. Great adventurer, that one. 'The White Wolf'.”

Shion’s cheeks flushed, a mix of pride and awkwardness washing over her upon hearing her father's alias. The admiration in Terrence’s voice, so unusual in itself, was stark against her own perception of her father. The combination made her feel a strange, indiscernible mixture of emotions. She nodded, her gaze dropping to the uneven ground.

Before Shion could respond again, the temperature in the tunnel surged, a searing heat engulfing them as they approached the Earthen Furnace. Terrence explained that they were nearing a perilous level of the dungeon known for its molten lava and volcanic rock—territory Shion had only heard about. The heat was suffocating, and the air shimmered with an almost tangible intensity as the tunnel widened to reveal a breathtaking and hazardous expanse.

Shion’s eyes widened in both awe and terror. The all-consuming fiery glow cast an eerie, otherworldly light across the enormous cavern, illuminating jagged rock formations and bubbling lava flows. The beauty of the place was undeniable, but so was the danger. Before them was a narrow bridge spanning a thick river of molten lava.

"Ladies first?" Terrence smirked, turning from the views to look at Shion expectantly.

Having seen the Earthen Furnace before, the dark stallion seemed to be enjoying the reactions of his companions. Moritz did their best to appear unfazed, but even they were a bit shaken by the view, having spent most of their time in the dungeons stalking the shadows of the overgrown caves they had just left behind.

Shion gulped and hesitated, evaluating the fairly makeshift and rickety bridge, a precarious span of rough-hewn stone and weathered planks. The lava churned and seethed, sending occasional plumes of steam up toward them.

"We can turn around," Moritz offered into her ear, their voice unusually gentle, having moved to stand protectively at her side. 

Terrence scoffed. "Aww, don't tell me you're scared of a little heat, Moritz."

Ignoring the mockery, Shion was grateful for the chestnut's gesture and flashed Moritz a reassuring smile. "It's okay. We didn't come this far just to come this far, right?"

"Right," Moritz agreed, although their voice sounded a bit dreamy as their gaze was fixed far off in the distance, taking in all the new possible dangers. Their floating eyeball companion, rarely seen, came into view, hovering protectively around their master. Moritz and Mina exchanged a glance of understanding and Mina flew off again ahead, fulfilling their role as the party's scout.

With her heart pounding like a drum, Shion approached the bridge with cautious steps. She placed her first hoof on the narrow structure which groaned ominously under her weight. "Why the hell is a bridge over lava made of wood?" Shion asked aloud, mostly talking to herself. She could feel the heat radiating up from the molten lava below, making the air ripple with an almost surreal ferocity. The bridge swayed slightly with every movement, as though it too was unsure about the journey ahead.

Shion took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves, not wanting to look too afraid in front of Terrence, then continued creeping forward, every careful step feeling like a moment closer to the edge of disaster. When Shion finally had all four hooves on the bridge, she felt a small surge of relief. The bridge creaked but held steady, and she glanced back at her companions with a flicker of triumph. "Well? Come on then," she flashed them a smile, suddenly feeling more confident after having not been met with immediate disaster.

Terrence's laughter, rich and vibrant, echoed through the cavern. “That’s the spirit!” he said, pushing past Moritz to follow. Reluctantly once more Moritz took up the rear, the open space still making them uneasy.

As the trio carefully made their way across, the bridge groaned under their combined weight, but Terrence assured them that it would hold. The sound of their footsteps was muffled by the roar of the lava beneath them, the fiery river creating a constant, low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the seemingly infinite cave.

Shion’s eyes were fixed ahead, her focus narrowed to the distant end of the bridge, where a tunnel emerged from the fiery abyss. The sight of the tunnel’s dark entrance offered a glimmer of hope, that there was in fact an end to this perilous stretch. The sweltering heat and roar of the lava was increasingly unbearable, creating a hypnotic feeling as they continued, one careful hoof in front of the other.

It was then that the tremor struck.

The bridge shuddered violently, a deep, resonant groan echoing through the cavern. Shion’s stomach twisted as the entire structure seemed to lurch beneath them, as if the bridge itself was protesting against their passage.

The tremor caused a cascade of small rocks and debris to tumble into the lava below, sending up a shower of sparks and steam. Shion’s eyes widened in alarm as she watched helplessly, only hoping to not lose her own footing. Her small pouch of herbal medicine, which had been precariously balanced in her pack, slipped free and fell from her possession. It tumbled through the air, its contents spilling out in a tragic arc before being swallowed instantly by the seething lava below with an unceremonial hiss.

The loss was immediate and devastating. Shion’s breath caught in her throat as she watched the pouch disappear into the molten river, the heat from the lava creating a shimmering distortion that made it difficult to see. Her face flushed with frustration and disappointment, but she forced herself to stay focused. Almost as quickly as it begun, the tremors ended, seeming satisfied by the prize it had claimed from the adventurers.

Terrence’s earlier amusement vanished, replaced by genuine concern. “Hey, are you alright?” he called out, his voice now edged with urgency and reassurance.

Shion, feeling the intense heat and the weight of the loss, managed to nod as she found her footing again, her breath coming in short, shaky gasps. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she replied, her voice trembling slightly as she fought to maintain her composure and secure the rest of her supplies. Her eyes fixed on the tumultuous molten rock below, a bitter pang of frustration welling up inside her. The loss of the medicine was a blow, but she was grateful it wasn’t her mother’s lantern instead.

Moritz, having witnessed the entire incident as well, stepped closer, their usual stern expression softened with genuine concern. Their golden eyes met Shion’s with a note of sympathy. “Are you sure?” 

Shion met Moritz’s gaze, her resolve hardening as she forced a smile. “I’ll manage. Let’s just keep moving.” She was determined not to let the loss of the herbs slow them down, especially not in this perilous environment. It was her fault for not making sure they were secure, after all.

“Alright then, let’s keep pushing forward. We’re just getting to the good part.” Terrence's eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and determination as he took over leading the way, eager to press on into the heart of the dungeon’s new dangerous level.