Dark hooves clopped on the ground in a steady rhythm, echoing down the strips of open space at a level much to loud for Tenebrae's taste. The shadow-like horse kept their brown eyes narrowed and locked on the distance, ears perked, head raised. They never quite had a moment to calm down, did they?

When Tenebrae wasn't diving deep into the dungeons with the only thought on their mind being that of death, they usually roamed the caverns in search of things to cure their boredom. Granted, they were trapped there and had seen more than their fair share of brick walls and stalactites, but the dungeon was always shifting, in a way. There was always something new to discover... if they knew how to look.

The only issue was that, oftentimes, that 'something new' just so happened to be another creature to defeat. Another target to exterminate. It exhausted Tenebrae, as much as they hated to admit it. Their hunts for the unfamiliar often led to what they'd been so desperate to escape in the first place. It only brought them back to that pulsating urge that never quite left their chest, that bloodthirst they pushed deep down whenever they could.

They didn't want to be what they were. They just wanted... peace.

Tenebrae took a few cautious strides, centering themselves. It was unwise to let their imagination run wild in a place such as this one, and they were well aware of it. Sometimes they just couldn't help themselves.

Step, step, step... pause.

Something stood before them now. Tenebrae's throat reverberated with a low snarl as they assessed the situation.

It was a strange... creature? Tall, sturdy looking, creaking and oscillating to an imperceptible breeze, almost as if priming for an attack. Claw-like limbs curled into the stone as the beast lurched with threatening moans. Tenebrae had seen many things in the dungeon, but never... this.

A few breathless moments passed. None moved towards the other, safe for the adversary's rhythmic sways. Oddly enough, it felt... comforting. Something deep within them churned, almost with some foreboding sense of familiarity. They knew what this was-- or, rather, they'd once known. Tenebrae couldn't quite place their hoof on it, but against their better judgement... they knew this wasn't a threat. They could feel it.

The equine carefully moved towards the figure before them, eyes wide and limbs trembling with anticipation. Finally, they reached it. Now closer than ever, Tenebrae could see every ridge and asymmetrical curl of its strange exoskeleton, feeling ragged under their hoof as they gently pressed it against the surface. Their muscles relaxed as their pressing turned into brushing, and the creature did not respond. They dropped their gaze to its roots, noting that they were completely and utterly still. Trapped.

Any other horse in their position could've doubted whether this critter was even alive, but Tenebrae had this unrecognizable feeling that it was alive, in the same way they were, even. Cursed to forever exist in the same environment, having to make the best of what little they were given. Their chest bloomed with sympathy.

They were one and the same.

Uncharacteristically dropping any and all caution, Tenebrae slowly let their body rest on the ground next to the life form, leaning their flank on its creased exterior. It was rough at first, scratchy, but the sensation eventually faded to the back of their mind.

Under any other circumstances, Tenebrae would've rather faced a hundred enemies than rest in a place as dangerous as this... but this was different. They were at peace here... safe. They'd be a fool not to take advantage of such a beautiful opportunity.

And so, with thoughts of serenity clouding their mind in a haze, Tenebrae closed their eyes and drifted to sleep...