When will it end?

Artorias climbed out of the dark hall, his muscles slightly sore from the fight. "How did you survive that?" Asked Rainbow. She was sitting at the top of the hole, along with Twilight. They watched as Artorias stood up and cracked his back.

"I wouldn't have survived that without your warning. Thank you." He responded.

"No problem. What was that thing anyway?"

"It was a Syphon. They are beasts that feed off of the very essence of others. I'm guessing this one was staying here for many years. Adventures, merchants, and creatures of the forest were ensnared by its speed. I'm just glad I could help them move on."

"Weren't they already dead?" Asked Twilight.

"No. It captures their souls as well, leaving them forever visualizing the consumption of others."

"... That's horrible."

"Yes, it is."

"Are there more of those things?" Asked Rainbow.

"Probably, but I wouldn't worry. It takes many years for them to get to half that size. This one probably grew that fast because of where it was staying. I can sense a strong magical presence within this structure."

"Really?" Asked Twilight.

"Yes. It might be worth looking into. Lets head into the ruins." On that note Artorias dropped into the ruins, picking up the torch that he left on the floor. Twilight was picked up by Rainbow, who brought them to the ground. They walked slowly to the opening in the wall, cautiously stepping over pieces of blob. As the looked into the opening, they saw a pair of steps descending into the dark. They nodded to each other, and went down. There only light source was the torch in Artorias' hand, and a soft glow from Twilight's horn. They entered an abandoned hall. Artorias went to the walls on each side, lighting torches that were hanging against the wall. As the room lit up, Twilight could see that this once was a dining hall. There were remnants of wood from a table, and the occasional goblet laying on the ground. As Twilight and Artorias explored the artifacts on the floor, Rainbow saw a carving on the wall. She brushed away the dust covering it, and gasped. What she saw was a giant M, curved and grand. It appeared to be on a box, with strange pillars coming out of the box. She shrugged, and went to Twilight and Artorias, who were looking at a goblet, with dolphins dancing around the rim. They set it on the ground. They walked into another hall in the back, continuing further.

      They entered a circular hall, with doors spiraling around the wall. As they walked in, the door shut behind them. They braced themselves as they felt the floor spiral. "What's happening?" Rainbow asked. With a slight jolt, the room stopped.

"The positioning of the rooms has changed," responded Artorias. He turned around, and opened the door behind them. An assortment of brooms, buckets, and pans fell out. Artorias shifted through the pile, picking up what appeared to be a strange talisman, with a white orb in the center. He shoved the cleaning supplies back in, and closed the door. He then pulled out an orange stone, and scratched in an X.

"Why'd you do that?" Asked Twilight. No sooner had the words left her mouth that the rooms shifted again, this time with a spinning symbol going around as well. "Oh." Artorias walked up to the next door, and pulled it open. Inside was a chair, with chains wrapped around it. He closed the door and scratched another X in. Once the rooms stopped shifting, Rainbow opened the next door. She saw a long hall, and at the end, a chest. "Ahhhh yeah!" She shot into the room, streaming towards the chest. Artorias, in a state of panic, rushed after her. Just as she was about to open the chest, Artorias tackled her to the ground. "HEY, WHAT GIVES?!" Artorias pointed to the chest. Fear struck her eyes as she saw it slightly yawn, barely revealing rows of sharp teeth. They quietly backed out of the room. Artorias closed the door, and crossed it twice. (XX) "W–what was that?"

"That was a mimic. They are creatures disguised as chests, that feed off of anyone who dare touch them. Next time be more cautious."

"O–kay." stuttered Rainbow. She was clearly shaken. Twilight got ready, and opened the next door. Inside was the way they came. Artorias came up, and put a check mark on the door. As the walls stopped shifting, they saw that there was only one door left. Artorias came forward, and opened it. Inside was something they didn't expect.

       It opened into a large room that had lit torches along the walls, with a pedestal in the center. Standing atop the pedestal were two beings. One was a Pegasus, who had a black mane and a tan coat. She also had a compass rose on her flank. The other was a large catlike being who was blue, had a humanoid way of movement, golden accessories decorating his body, and a hand at the tip of his tail. In-between them was a strange artifact, a red statue of the sun crashing into the ground. With a maniacal laugh the cat being smacked the pegasus off the pedestal, sending her crashing into the wall. Her helmet rolled off, and blood started to run down her forehead. She didn't get up. Artorias ran in to help her, but Rainbow Dash was quicker. She scooped up the pegasus, and flew her back to Artorias. The cat man scooped up the statue and, with an insane laugh, ran out of the room. Rainbow made to chase, but Artorias blocked her way. The structure started to crumble, rocks falling from the ceiling. Artorias shoved the fallen mare into Rainbow, shoving her towards the new hole in the roof, from which the sky was visible. Rainbow nodded, and took off. Artorias then turned to Twilight. "Can you teleport?"

"Yes, but I'm not leaving you."

"You must, or you might perish. Go now."

"No Artorias, I'm not leaving you!"

"I said go, now!" The floor started to break up, exposing lava. Artorias grabbed Twilight, and jumped across the open floor. As more of the floor opened up, he had to take riskier jumps. The ceiling caved in a bit, exposing the way out. Artorias jumped, and slipped as he landed. He grasped onto the pillar, and looked down. The lava was rising, and there were no other places to stand. He gripped Twilight around the stomach, drew her back, and threw. She looked down, and saw Artorias climb on top of the pillar. He jumped, reaching for the rim. Her eyes filled with dread as she saw his fingers miss the rim. She landed with a crash and slowly got up, her body aching from the crash. She ran towards the edge, but not before the lava erupted outwards from the pit. Rainbow joined her, with the mare across her back, Rainbow's wings acting as a makeshift bed. Together, they rushed towards the edge. They looked into the hole, where they saw a welcome sight. Artorias was just a few feet from the edge, his sword embedded into the wall. He raised a hand, which Twilight grasped onto. She pulled him out of the hole, and he laid onto the ground, breathing heavily. He slowly sat up, and popped his back...again. As he examined his surroundings, he caught a glimpse of a light in the distance. "Over there is a light. Lets go." They set off once more, but this time with a wounded mare on Rainbow's back.