While this tunnel was a little close and dim, it was hardly dark or fiery or stifling or anything else one might consider ominous. It certainly didn't fit the blood-red ruby chrysalis nestled in a tangled, misshapen wall between two of the small dens--a growth that seemed to have disrupted them like a boil.

It most definitely wasn't a tunnel that throbbed as though with violence, or darkness, but the thing stirring within would have gladly assimilated all of those concepts into its identity. His name was Abaddon--he knew this as soon as he first stirred--and he wanted out.

Cloven hooves kicked at the thinning stone--a rock where, in places, it was already fractured and leaking.

Crack. Crack.

Legs emerged: wet, tangled with fluid, black-furred and over-long. Then, they flailed.

This went on for some time.

When at last the final shards were thrust away, the calf that toppled out--and then tried, and failed, to stumble upright--was left gasping for air. Ruby eyes blinked open, a soft glow to them; and then the little bull opened its mouth to give its first bellow. Its first declaration that it was alive, and would stubbornly remain so.

Given his age, it was rather high-pitched: "BLAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The little calf turned, crimson eyes regarding his shattered gemstone. With a snort he lowered his head--featuring only the tiniest nubs of horn--and charged, aiming to smash the offending stone with his skull.

Why it had angered him wasn't clear. It had trapped him--that much was true--but it had also cradled him and kept him safe. But it was there, and Abaddon at once decided that he'd have to establish his dominance over these shards of motionless rock.

The calf tripped, in his clumsy youth, stumbling over the stone. His head came up and he looked around as he caught his feet, another baby's bleating of protest escaping him. He found nothing else providing threat--only the rocks, which had foiled him but at least weren't fighting back.

Problem solved, then, apparently; for now the calf turned, trotting out of the tunnel on wobbly legs in the first direction that he'd looked: Pegasus.

exit Abaddon