Purple People Eater:

This arena was strange, no challenger immediately apparent.
I looked up into the stands above, trying to discern the meaning behind their silent stares. The entrance we came through loomed behind us, with an identical doorway ahead. An exit which began to make a noise as the door slid closed. But why didn’t anyone move forward to catch the door? I shook my mane uncomfortably, glancing at Arche. He seemed unphased, but I knew somewhere under that mask was a calculation happening. Vincent looked ready to run, but kept glancing at Unity for direction. I heard one of my companions intake a sharp breath, and turned back to the doorway as it fully closed. A dark shape now loomed ahead, as if cut from the shadows that had previously darkened the doorway. The creature looked as if it had simply blended into the wall at first. This must be it, then - a fight for our freedom. Our challenger was…
“A Courser?” Unity asked aloud, his voice loud in the silent arena.

He was right - that must be a Courser. We’d never ventured this deep before, were there others down here? This one seemed strange, though. Shadows licked at their hooves, trying to follow the creature’s movements as if they weren’t sure how to cling to the ground anymore. I leaned closer, trying to examine the creature. Its form shifted, like it wasnt real. But we had to get through this somehow.

The silent jeerers above gave me pause as I tried to make a final decision on if we needed to fight this thing to get out of here. I felt Goose slide off my back and heard them hiss at the challenger, taking a defensive stance. My companions’ familiars also readied themselves, but my companions did not. Not yet.

The shadowy courser kept circling, circling…

Unity:

Peater looked particularly uncomfortable after I asked my question. Arche, stoic as usual until it was time to fight, said nothing. But Vincent, the newest of our group, looked outright nervous. I wasn’t sure if he’d ever been in a fight, let alone this far into the dungeons. His hound trotted happily in behind him, but when the challenger had appeared, began to curl back its lips. Vincent continued looking more nervous as I felt Arnot hop off my own back.

I turned my attention to the circling Courser now, though, and pawed at the ground in warning. So far it hadn’t attacked, but I wasn’t sure what this thing was capable of. I had no doubt that the Courser was our way forward, but I didn’t want to charge before my companions were ready. 

Instead I set my mind to observing it and preparing. I matched its circle with my eyes, refusing to take my eyes off its movement. I may not have the prowess in might that Peater had, or the absolute terror-inducing secrets that Arche held. But I knew I could outmaneuver this creature if I had to. Vincent looked light on his feet too, already keeping his stance ready to move.
“Vincent, are you fast?” I asked the nervous puck. He seemed startled to hear my voice, but after a moment he nodded. He, too, was watching the Courser warily, but he glanced my way and seemed to relax at my confidence. 

I lowered my voice so only my companions could hear, and offered a plan, “Vincent and I will control where it moves. Peater, you're on heavy-hitting duty. Arche, keep 'em confused. Vincent… don’t be scared by Arche.”
“What, why?” Vincent asked a little too loudly. 

The Courser completed its circle in front of us and turned to face the party. 

I lowered my head, ready to go.

Vincent: 

Scared by Arche? What was wrong with Arche? He’d always been a little odd, but never terrifying. Though, I suspected, sleeping near anyone called “What The Moon Brings” who speaks of madness as if it is the ideal state of being was why I’d had nightmares recently. Perhaps it was true that the Courser hid a secret like he said. He seemed unusually quiet now, and blank. Peater and Unity sometimes spoke of his “mask” as if it were a literal mask, but I had assumed he’d simply been hiding something, not wearing one. His face did move normally most of the time, but now… I wasn’t so sure. It looked almost… porcelain. 

Suddenly, I became aware of his gaze on me. Embarrassed, I turned back to the shadowy Courser. 

Oh, it was facing us now. 

Wait, what had Unity said? He asked if I was fast and… yes. Control it, work with him. Don’t mind Arche. I set my mind to that task, but had a nagging feeling I wouldn’t be able to ignore Arche easily.
“On my mark,” Unity stated. The silent arena loomed in as I waited. A long breath was drawn in and slowly released from my lungs - trying to steel myself for the challenge ahead. I wasn’t sure how well Unity and I worked together in combat, but I trusted his word. He’d always been somewhat of a leader among us, and his bravery made me feel better. If he could do it, so could I. We could face this together. 

“One…” Unity finally continued.
I glanced at Peater, whose eyes shone with a fire I hadn't yet seen. They were the most experienced of us, gone further and deeper. I liked it. With them here, we could do this.
“Two…” Unity counted.

I became aware of Arche’s head falling below his withers as he gave a pained noise. His skin began to ripple with impossible shapes, and a sludge poured out of his eyes and nose. 

A shrill whinny sounded from Unity and I began to charge alongside him. 

Behind me, something massive erupted from where Arche once stood.

What the Moon Brings:
My mind was giddy with anticipation. Holding this Courser form got itchy from time to time, and this couldn’t be a better moment to stretch. The creature in front of us looked familiarly eldritch - the thought of which sent me whisperings of the Old Ones’ knowledge. Nothing, I noted, that I could particularly parse out. Either the memory was too far away, or the Old Ones had heard my inquiry and realized I was listening. It did not matter - Unity had given us a plan, and my party was ready. I could release my pent up energy on this thing, and rid myself of the whisperings for a time. 

The loud urge to consume anything unknown began to overtake me before the counting had even begun, and I prepared for the painful - but relieving - transition. I heard Unity begin to count off, lowering my head to ready myself. The sludge began to pool under me as I waited, but I didn’t have to wait long.
Unity’s shrill whinny careened the group into sudden motion. Tentacles and sludge erupted from my body onto the floor below. I began to rise, my many limbs propelling me forward behind the party. 

I never truly remember the time I spend Incomprehensible; I remember bits and pieces. I held onto the feeling of being a Courser just enough to remember the plan; keep ‘em confused. 

That, Unity, I can do.

I surged forward towards the shape, three colorful blobs ahead of me. 

Then, I succumbed to the Moon Being.