Brioche gave a light chuckle as Banjo and Banshee made their way out of the corridor, stumbling as they did.

“No one is hurt?” She asked, looking over them all. It was likely her biggest worry about being in the dungeons. She had heard so many stories of other campaigns failing due to one member hiding a major injury.

Cupcake gave Brioche a bright smile.

“General an’ I all good,” she confirmed, using her muzzle to move the speckled goose around. Brioche gave a nod, satisfied with Cupcake’s fast response. The spotted mare remained seated, catching her breath, and watching as Cupcake explored where they had ended up.

It was beautiful. There was a gap in the ceiling, allowing for light to leak in and hit the ground. There was a small pond with a creak feeding into it from the walls, something they had not seen before. Soft moss edged the pond, with golden flowers and blackened vines snaking around the edges of the walls.

It truly was a breathtaking scene before them. The General had hopped into the small pond with ease, enjoying the break in all the chaos that was exploring dungeons.

Brioche was looking around and noticed that there were only two paths they could follow. She got up and looked down the first she saw. The path was covered in dust and looked like it had not been traversed in a long time. She made her way to the other, which was much darker, only allowing her to see a small way down it.

A pair of eyes looked towards her, reflecting what little light made its way down the path. A gentle ‘boof’ reached her ears, causing Brioche to tilt her head a bit. She was surprised to see a dog in the dungeons, but she had heard about more wild things happening. The eyes came closer, and as the dog reached the light, Brioche could see the fluffy tail wagging happily at having company. The golden coat and blue eyes caught her attention.

Cupcake nudged past Brioche to look at the dog.

“Cute!!” She exclaimed. “You ‘otta keep ‘im, m’lady!”

“Maybe,” Brioche placated. She didn’t know if the young dog would even be able to make it out of the dungeon with them.

Banjo looked over at himself and Banshee before responding, “We are all good here. Well, except for Banshee's rear end being too big.”

“You say it’s a bad thing!” Banshee huffed, “I say Lapis enjoys this big rear.” She flicked her tail at the black-coated stallion.

“Whatever you say,” Banjo rolled his eyes. Hearing the sound of a tiny squeak come from higher up. He looked up to see his little bat companion, flying over to him. He smiled, “Batty! There you are, you made it safely. That’s good.” He tended to his small friend, making sure he didn’t receive any damage.

Banshee looked at the area the group had found themselves in. First, seeing the small pond where a creek was flowing from the wall to supply the pond with fresh water. Then Banshee’s pale eyes glance up to see the gap in the ceiling, allowing light to pass through into the cave, giving a breath of fresh air to the space. The golden flowers and blackened vines that lined the edge of the wall. Taking a step closer to the pond, seeing the moss that lined the edge of the pond. Letting her head lower down to sniff the water before The General splashed into the water. Letting out a grumble to shake out the water.

Banjo had made his way towards Brioche and Cupcake. Seeing the fluffy golden dog wag its tail excitedly as it stared up at the palomino mare. “Definitely seems to gravitate towards you, Brioche.”

Banshee made her way over once she was finished investigating the pond. She looked at the dog, but something else sparked in the dark tunnel where the golden pup stepped out from. Banshee squinted her eyes, trying to see what was in the distance. Seeing a blue orb float out from the darkness. It was a decent-sized sphere, a little smaller than her face. It hovered and floated around Banshee, giving off a soft glow. The mare blew softly at it to watch it waver a bit in the air but still stick close to her. “Strange,” Banshee commented while tilting her head, “This little thing exists now.”

“Huh, it’s almost as big as your ego.” Banjo teased which earned him a snort from his friend.

“Thank, Banjo,” Banshee replied with an eye roll as the orb stuck close to her now.

Brioche gave the puppy a gentle bop on the head.

“I dub thee, Garlic Butter,” she said, smiling. If she were to be honest, she had been somewhat jealous of Banjo and Cupcake having companions to travel with them, so it would be nice to have her own.

Cupcake giggled at the name but was distracted by the two paths.

“We need to pick a path now,” she mused. “Nice to see more t’an one.”

Brioche nodded in agreement.

“As much as I would love to stay in this beautiful alcove, we need to continue on our journey so we can head home with our heads held high,” Brioche said, looking at her three companions.

“Dark path, or dusty path?” Cupcake commented, walking over to the more dusty path. She dropped her head and snorted, the dust barely moving. “This one is untouched.”

As Brioche turned to go and look at what Cupcake meant, Garlic was growling, eyes focused on something in the darkness of the tunnel he and the wisp had emerged from only moments before. Brioche turned to look down the pathway, squinting.

Red eyes peered back at her, causing Brioche to flinch back a bit. She looked to the other three, hoping they had seen it as well.

Banjo watched as Cupcake huffed to see almost no dust be kicked up from the breath of air, “Dang, that is a thick layer of dust.”

Banshee noticed the growling from Brioche’s new pet, Garlic Butter. She watched the other mare turn towards the darkened tunnel. From the corner of her eyes, the small blue orb floated behind her, almost as if it was afraid. Confused about how the creature was demonstrating such emotion. Letting her new tag-along friend hide behind her. Banshee’s pale eyes look back to the tunnel to also see the red eyes glowing and looking in their direction. Banshee kicked a leg just gentle enough toward Banjo to get his attention, “Hey!”

“Ow!” Banjo fake cried as Banshee caught his leg with her hoof, “What is it now?”

“I think we have visitors. And not friendly ones either.” Banshee commented as she gestured to the tunnel.

The stallion peered into the long, dark space, needing to narrow his eyes. Seeing what both Brioche and Banshee are seeing. He stopped back for a moment, “Uh... If we are seeing that. Might I suggest the dusty path then? Since, ya’ know, there aren't red eyes down that one?”

Brioche nodded in agreement with Banjo, not daring to utter a word. If she was seeing things correctly, whatever those eyes belonged to was getting closer. They were holding low to the ground, almost like a wolf stalking it’s prey.

“We should move, now,” she said, backing up. General honked and flew up from the water, his wings splashing it everywhere.

The beast, or whatever it really was, let out a haunting whinny that sounded almost closer to a growl.

“MOVE!” Brioche called, before grabbing the scruff of her newly acquired pup. Garlic let out a yelp, his growling being cut off at the action. The General flew and landed on Cupcake’s back, the noise and his movement causing her to start down the new path, not fully understanding why the others had taken it, but trusting their judgment from the worry and fear in their voices. Once again, taking the lead as they made their way down the dusty path.

On their way down, she was able to take note of how sparse the flowers became as they went down it.

She heard an echoing howl down the path and turned her head to look behind everyone, catching a glimpse of a ghostly almost Courser-like visage. The red eyes stared them down but did not dare to follow any further than the beginning of the dust-covered pathway.

Cupcake slowed her pace after noticing it was not following them. Brioched passed her, a brow raised, but slowed as well to look back as well. She set Garlic Butter down on the ground gently, the dust settling from being kicked up from their panic.

“Why isn’t it following?” She asked. Cupcake looked around again.

“I don’ think it can go where there ain’ no vines and flowers?” She offered up. Brioche looked around now as well, noticing the lack of vines and flowers that seemed so prevalent in the alcove they had been in only moments ago.

“Maybe,” she agreed.

Letting the other two mares take the lead when they ran. Banjo moved to push Banshee, “Go!” His eyes looked back towards the red eyes, seeing how it almost was at height to be a predator stalking its prey… marking them as its prey. Hearing the haunting sound of a whinny mixed with a growl. He ushered the mare again, “Move it!”

“I’m going!” Banshee hissed at him as she moved her legs. Seeing her floating friend follow her as well. Now feeling a connection with the wispy orb of light. Now making her little companion. She ran behind the first two mares, getting away from the current enemy.

Soon all of them made their way down the dusty tunnel to get away from the red-eyed creature. Banshee and Banjo came to a slower pace to stop to catch their breath. Shaking their manes slightly, trying to shake off the dust but only collecting more from the floating particles in the air.

Banjo looked down to see the Courser-like ghostly figure not going any further than the entrance of the grimy tunnel. His brown eyes searched the area around them. Seeing no vines or flowers present. Taking consideration of their guess on why the creature won’t follow them due to the no presence of vegetation. He hoped that was the reason why.

Banshee huffed, “Or maybe that there is something worse lurking here.”

“Oh, now you’re going to jinx us, Banshee!” Banjo narrowed his eyes at his friend.

Brioche glared at Banshee as she mentioned something about something worse lurking. Cupcake tilted her head and looked at Banshee.

“Maybe it’s something worse, or maybe whatever is letting that thing roam doesn’t extend down here,” she pointed out. The General gave a honk of agreement as he settled himself onto her back. Garlic Butter gave a small yap at the beast lurking at the entrance, drawing Brioche’s eyes back to it. It was stalking the entrance.

“Either way, we only can move forward now,” she noted. She took a deep breath in and began to lead the way forward.

Banshee stared at the entity that now stalked the entrance. She let out a huff, kicking up some of the dust. Following behind Brioche’s lead, letting Cupcake fall not too far behind, even though the other mare tried to push past her a few times to get closer to Brioche. Banjo made up the behind of their group. Letting himself keep an eye behind them all, making sure that ghostly figure stayed behind them. Not wanting the creature to get a surprise attack on them.

Eventually, as they made their way down the tunnel began to get wider and opened up to a vast chamber. The four Coursers now are in this dark and dusty room. Banjo glanced down to the floor and tilted his head. On the floor, which has been full of a thick layer of dust this entire walk. But, as they came into the chamber, the stallion noticed there was a suspicious clear path leading towards the center of the room. Which sat on a stone pedestal in the middle of the room. Banjo spoke in a sarcastic tone, “This is totally not a trap.”

Banshee stepped around the room, “Ominous vibes, for sure.” Her eyes looked around, seeing their hooves didn’t even leave a trail behind on the dirty flooring. Which she found incredibly odd. Her wisp friend floated around her, casting a faint blue glow before going towards the pedestal, lighting up the undusted path.

The General had landed on Cupcake's back, facing towards the entrance of their path, watching the beast as they walked. He let out a soft coo as everyone walked the path, drawing Cupcake's attention back to see that whatever the beast was, had finally left.

Cupcake settled into the pack next to Banshee after the pale mare wouldn't let her pass to be by Brioche. Brioche glanced back at them with a soft smile.

As they entered the new room, Brioche side-stepped the clear path, deciding to stay on the more dusty parts of the floor. Garlic Butter sticking close to her. Cupcake also took the chance to follow after Brioche, bumping the taller with her muzzle.

"Watch your step, Cup," Brioche warned, knowing the younger's tendency to forget to watch where she put her hooves. Cupcake nodded, thankful that General had decided to take up residence on her back. Garlic Butter was sticking close, practically walking underneath Brioche.

Brioche was assured of her decision to keep to the more dusty areas upon seeing that the path was clear, thanks to Banshee's wisp.

"Totally a trap," Cupcake agreed with Banjo, pausing in her walking to look around.

Banjo stayed close to the dusted areas as he looked around the room. He groaned, “No obvious signs of an exit besides the doorway we just came through.”

Banshee stepped onto the cleared-off path without noticing. Her legs moved forward without thinking. She let out a breath, but her silver eyes caught something. She let out another deep breath, now seeing her breath. She spoke in a questioning tone, “The temperature dropped?”

Banjo tilted his head, ears flicking over to the sound of Banshee’s voice, “What? It feels normal over he-” As he turned his head to look towards his friend, his eyes widened. From the dust, spectral hands rise from it. Large enough to grapple a Courser in its grasp. The blue aura the wisp gave out made them glow an ominous color that gave Banjo the chills. He yelled out, “Banshee!”

The ether female was too late to react to the stallion’s words before the chilling grasp touched her coat. She yelped as she was grabbed by the ghostly hands. Slowly lifting her off the ground.

"We may need to solve a puzzle to move forward?" Brioche offered in response to Banjo's comment about the lack of an exit. "It'd make sense."

The appaloosa mare took to walking further, watching her steps carefully.

Cupcake was watching Banshee closely as the mare was the only one to walk on the clearest parts of the floor. Her ears perked up at seeing Banshee's breath.

She was startled when Banjo yelled, not seeing anything to cause it, till she looked closer at Banshee. Cupcake shook her head, causing The General to honk in displeasure at the sudden movement.

"I don't really see anything?" She said, squinting. Something had definitely grabbed Banshee, but it was hard for her to make it out.

"How are we going to get her down?" Brioche asked, wanting to run to the mare, but unsure if stepping on the dustless path would cause them to get grabbed as well. Garlic was barking at the hands, ready to attack.

Banjo stepped on the edge of the dusted path that met the oddly clear one. He looked up to Banshee, seeing the mare squirm in whatever was holding her up. He didn’t want to step too close in case he would also end up in the same situation as Banshee.

“You can’t see them?!” Banshee cried out as she flailed her limbs. Only to feel something freezing grab her limbs. The ether-coated female could see the weird ghostly hands grabbing her. A pair held her back legs and front legs, while another grabbed her body and held her up. “Get me down!!” She yelled. Her wispy friend flew over above her head, making Banshee’s face glow a slight blue hue.

Banjo groaned, “I don’t know. How does one get rid of an apparition?” He surveyed the space around them to find any clues to get the Courser down, “Maybe something is at the pedestal? Could be our best bet to look before something else happens to Banshee or us.”