Nazgul stepped carefully through the narrow corridor, her hooves echoing against the uneven stone floor. The walls were close, pressing in on her, and the heat from the Earthen Furnace ahead made the air heavy and stifling. Khamûl drifted beside her, his ghostly form barely visible in the dim light, his hand moving in the occasional gesture as he scanned the area with watchful caution.

Suddenly, Nazgul's hoof pressed down on a loose cobblestone, and before she could pull back, a loud grinding noise filled the air. Stone slabs along the corridor walls and floor slid back, revealing iron vents beneath. In an instant, blasts of flame erupted from them, shooting in a deadly, unpredictable pattern that illuminated the corridor in brilliant flashes of red and orange. Nazgul leapt back with a startled snort, her eyes narrowing as she took in the trap. "What now?" she said through gritted teeth, the plumes of fire glowing in her eyes.

Khamûl gestured swiftly, his hand forming signs in the flickering light.

Watch. It's a pattern.

Nazgul nodded, watching the rhythm of the flames. Each burst followed a sequence, a brief pause before another wave shot up. She waited, studying the pattern, her body coiled and ready to move. The intervals were short, barely enough time for a creature of her size to clear each section safely.

Khamûl’s fingers moved again, signing with precision.

One at a time. I’ll guide you.

Hovering in place, Khamûl glided toward the nearest flame vent, hovering just above it to study the timing. When the flames sputtered and died for a brief moment, he waved her forward. Nazgul took a deep breath and darted into the narrow space, her hooves pounding against the stone. The air was blistering hot, and she could feel the residual heat from the last flame burst radiating up from the vent.

Just as she cleared the first vent, the flames shot up behind her. Khamûl hovered ahead, his hand raised and poised to signal. As soon as the next vent sputtered, he gestured for her to move again. Nazgul surged forward, darting past another blast of fire that shot up the moment her hooves left the vent.

They moved like this, Khamûl gliding ahead to guide her, each motion of his ghostly fingers an urgent signal to advance or wait. At one point, the rhythm faltered, and flames erupted ahead of her unexpectedly, forcing her to skid to a stop as the heat flared close enough to singe the edges of her leather armour. "Khamûl!" She yelled, her voice barely loud enough to hear over the roaring flames, and she stamped one hoof in agitation, muscles tense, but Khamûl’s hand held steady, reassuring her to wait.

Finally, with one last burst of speed, Nazgul dashed across the final vent, her hooves hitting solid ground on the other side just as the flames shot up behind her in a final, furious burst. She exhaled heavily, shaking her head to dispel the lingering heat.

Khamûl drifted up beside her, his hand signing slowly, almost as if in relief.

Safe. Good work.

Nazgul snorted, her eyes casting one last look at the treacherous vents behind them. "For now," she muttered, before giving her head a defiant toss, satisfied at having conquered yet another of the dungeon’s relentless traps. With Khamûl’s guidance, she knew they’d make it through, one dangerous step at a time.