The pathway down started off as a circular set of stone stairs, but gradually transformed into a rough gravel path as it steepened. This wouldn't have been so bad if it weren't for the darkness around us, causing me to stumble on more than a few occasions. Quadrupeds didn't seem to have as much of a problem as humans with this sort of thing. As Galaxy and I descended, the air, if it wasn't cold already, grew yet more frigid. Eventually, after a few minor slopes and hills, we found ourselves in a narrow ravine. As I prepared to go through, a monstrous roar shook the air and caused me to leap out of my skin. I had been so focused on my feet and not tripping that I did not notice the murderous red eyes glowing in front of us, nor the giant figure who possessed them. I watched in horror as the monster, which I recognized as a minotaur stomped toward us growling.
"Hey Iron Will. You don't happen to think this is Fluttershy I have with me here do you?" shouted Galaxy, "Remember, the one who stood up to you and overpowered you in verbal combat back in Equestria? Well, it's not so you might as well leave us alone."
Upon hearing Fluttershy's name, the minotaur's anger grew to epic proportions. His slow saunter turned into an attempted sprint toward us, with the desire to kill us both. Unfortunately for him, he was rather clumsy and before getting too far, he tripped and knocked his head against the ground.
"Quick" said Galaxy, "let's go." The words had barely left her mouth when she was past Iron Will and rapidly galloping away. I sprinted after her, careful lest I too should fall and knock myself out. We ran until we were out of the ravine. I did not even realize I lost sight of Galaxy until I was too tired to run any longer. Stopping, to take a breather, I realized that since this was a ravine, she could only be ahead and that finding her shouldn't be too much of a problem.
I started walking again. Even in the cold, sweat ran down my body and soaked my clothes. I wanted to wait to cool down a bit before starting up again. In the frigid environment, it shouldn't take too long.
It was then that I realized the air was no longer frigid. In fact, it was now uncomfortably hot like noon on a summer day. The unexpected change unnerved me and I quickened my pace to find Galaxy. It wasn't long before I found her again waiting for me.
We walked out of the ravine together. Over a hill, I could see a faint glimmer of red light which we walked toward. As I peered down the other side, I saw it led to the banks of what appeared to be a lava flow.
"This is a river of blood, where suffer those who were violent toward their neighbors." said Galaxy as we walked down. As we got closer, I noticed several armored figures on the banks. Their armor glowed a dark midnight blue.
"Hey, who goes there? And to what level of punishment are you heading towards?" shouted one of the figure, "Speak or I will shoot."
"Stay your rage" called Galaxy, "We will speak with you leader, Flash Sentry first."
We continued forward as the figures watched us warily, unsure how to act. As we walked, Galaxy whispered to me, "These are the guards of Luna who sided with her and fought against Celestia during the Great Alicorn Battle. They are consigned to work here eternally, watching over the prisoners in the river, who were violent to their neighbors." I squinted my eyes and was able to see the souls galaxy had spoken of earlier who were stuck in the river. "The depth to which they are submerged is proportional to the magnitude of their sin" Galaxy continued, "And if one rises too high, he is shot at by the guards. The guards themselves have grown restless over the many centuries and have become rowdy. That's why Flash was sent down to remain order. He rotates with several other commanders in the royal guard."
Suddenly, I shrieked as an arrow flew within an inch of my neck. I hastily looked over to its source and saw an Earth pony with golden armor and a blue crest on his helmet pointing a second arrow at me.
"That was an intentional miss" he said, "If I had wanted to hit you, I would have. Now, why are you, a living human, wandering around in the hell of Equestria?"
"Greetings Flash", said Galaxy, "This man is here by the orders of Celestia himself. It is part of his journey toward reform. Therefore, it is by her decree that we pass through safely."
Flash Sentry lowered his bow. "Well, if you want to pass through here safely, you'd best take a guide. The rest of this circle is dangerous for those who are not familiar with it's terrain." Turning his head, he shouted, "Pah, come here. I need you to guide these two to the next section of the circle."
The guard who had first spoken to us trotted up to us and said, "Follow me."
He led us down the bank of the river. As I walked, I maintained a certain distance from it because the heat was scorching. Along the way, I realized the river forked, split, turned, and merged again upon itself many times over the landscape. As Pah walked, he pointed out many ponies of note who were trapped in the region.
"That's Princes Primrose right there" he said, "Always fighting with the other princesses for rule over Ponyland. The G1 Princesses has so many feuds with each other … See, There's Princess Starburst and Princess Tiffany way down yonder for the same reason, chest deep in blood. Sheesh, thank goodness Celestia and Luna eventually came along. Ponyland was probably even worse than Earth is right now, what with all the fighting and warring."
"You know about Earth?" I asked him, suddenly ashamed of all our modern wars.
"I've heard rumors" he said, "we all have."
As we continued walking, the river grew more and more shallow. Soon, it barely reached beyond the hooves of the ponies condemned within it.
"We're almost there" said Pah, "But don't think this is the end of the river. I'll have you know it deepens quite quickly if you keep going. You'll find Queen Bumble, who tried to destroy Flutter Valley there. Oh,
and Princes Porcina as well, who tried to turn everypony into glass. Boy was she insane. I'm glad I don't go down there too often."
Pah turned to the right and we continued forward together until we came to a forest. "Well, here we are" he said, "Good luck." Leaving us there, he turned and went back.
