“You better have a good reason for entering without permission.”

A defensive warning, feminine and bold bellowed from across dancing vibrant flames. Lobes fell to her ink flushed crown, fading into the hot black fibers that veiled her cheeks. Luna realizing she possibly had trespassed into an occupied domain, instantly felt an surge of regret having left the unicorn mare in the shade of the Threshold. For all Luna knew she could be attacked at any moment, and she was in no shape to fight in this heat, not after her travels. In a better circumstance she would have just turned nose and left, but now wasn't the time to be cheeky. To much was at risk. "Please." Her voice like a smooth thunder from the reach of the bridge; "I mean no harm." Through the haze of flickering flames her eyes squint trying to determine what she was up against. Two mares it seemed, an Equine and a Pegasus. The first of either Luna had seen in Helovia. Seeing an Equine such as herself brought a little sigh of relief; surely she wouldn't be hostile to one of her own kind.

Words like whispers in the distance were indistinguishable between the duo. Luna, doing her best to remain calm, took a few steps back from the bridge. Still amused with how the pair had crossed through the heat of the flames. There were no screams of anguish, no look of pain on their faces. It was if by magic, it was magic.

"AHHH!"

A voice boomed a short distance behind her. Already on the defensive, Luna spun around crystal pools frantically searching for the source of the angry scream. 'Sikeax?' The moon maiden expressing mixed emotions such as concern, relief perhaps even a smudge of fear. Chest heaving with frantic breaths as she relaxes her tensed muscles, hoping her heart would come out of her throat and back into her chest. Amused, Luna let her gaze pry from the upset unicorn and to her mischievous companion. Had it been following her this whole time? Observing the scuffle between the two was rather entertaining and Luna was doing her best to keep a smile off her lips giving away her amusement. Lobes once again return their place against the moon maidens crown as the unicorn abandons the creature on the sandy floor, advancing in her direction.

"Luna."

The tone and expression that was given was one felt of disappointment. Embarrassed of her actions, even to the unicorn, she felt somewhat apologetic as the mare continued. This was the Dragons Throat, so she had managed to not get lost. Impressed with herself for a brief moment she simply smiled at the champagne vixen. Luna should have waited, but there wasn't any fun in always being shown the right direction. Sikeax bellows again, this time a name. Essetia. Cold eyes met with the irritated unicorn as she motioned to walk over the bridge. The bridge of fire.

Luna was baffled, how stupid did this mare think she was?  'Yes mare, walk into the flames of death.' Nostrils flare with a dip of her head, snorting in disapproval. It didn't feel right to just walk into a fire, magical or not. But suddenly as Sikeax had stepped upon the bridge, the temperature fell and the flames embraced her limbs. Just as the mares before her, no screams of anguish, no obvious pain. What kind of hell-hole did she stumble upon?

Hesitantly, forcefully she followed suit with caution. Limbs testing the waters so to speak, before lunging forth upon the invisible surface. Hooves clicking against the hard clay. What had been a boiler just moments ago, held the same vibrant flickers with less intensity. Head turned slightly as the sound of her companion scuttled across the sands behind them. A weary smile curved the crease of her soft black maw. And to think, all she needed to get across the bridge was to hold mommies hand.