The storm which raged from the skies of Qo'noS on the night Worf hiked up the forrested hillside towards the Caves of No'Mat was fierce; lightning streaked through the clouds like titanic spears, and the rain nearly soaked him to the skin. Since setting out from his cousins' home three days ago, he had not eaten a single thing, and was currently fighting hunger and fatique. But he dared not give up now, when he was this close. Once he reached the caves he would be permitted a small amount of food and water a day while he meditated. It was something he had to do, for his own peace of mind.

"No'Mat DISmey ghoSlI 'Iv?" The words came from a figure squatting before a small fire beneath an overhanging of rock, a few feet from the entrance to the caves. As Worf drew closer he saw that the person who had spoken to him was an old, but powerfully built man dressed in just a simple, wool cloak and hood. "I am the guardian of the Caves of No'Mat," the aged man said to Worf. "I would know your purpose in coming to this most sacred place."

Worf wasted little time to the challenging statement. "I am Worf, son of Mogh. For three days I have fasted, and now I would undertake the Rite of MajQa, so I may gain clarity of my existence!"

The old guardian squinted up at Worf from where he sat on the rough ground, with the tempest roaring around them both in the night, assessing the youth who had come before him from out of the dark. "You may enter, son of Mogh," he said at last. "And may Kahless grant that you attain that which you seek within."

Once Worf entered the caves, the only sources of light were the small lantern which he held aloft and, as he penetrated deeper, the ruddy glow from small streams of lava. He lost track of time as he walked further and further into the tunnels, only halting once he came upon a wide ledge overlooking a great lake of lava. Worf stood and felt the intense heat all around him; already he sweated profusely. Yes, this would be a most ideal spot. Laying down his few provisions, he sat cross-legged on the warm rock, closed his eyes, and began the Rite of MajQa. For days he remained there, sweltering in the heat, striving for illumination to come to his tortured soul.

OOOOOOOO

"Worf!" The voice which spoke his name burst upon his senses like a thunderbolt, arresting him with its' sheer power and majesty. Opening his tired eyes, Worf winced against the dazzling pillar of light in front of him on the ledge, and slowly clambered to his feet as the figure of a man took shape inside the coruscant pillar. Even half-blinded by the light as he was, he instantly recognized the face of the figure now standing befored him. It was a face that all Klingons knew and revered, a face which adorned thousands of statues, murals and paintings across the entire Empire. An ancient face, that of the greatest Klingon to ever live...

"Do I...dream?" Worf gasped, his mind reeling.

"It is of little matter, son of Mogh," Kahless the Unforgettable said. "You sought my wisdom, and I have come. You have many questions, but I can give you but one message."

Worf's voice shook slightly. He felt like ash caught in the wind of a hurricane. "Tell me your message, O Kahless."

"You fear your life has no value," Kahless said. "But I tell you now, you are unique, for you will one day do something that no Klingon has ever done before...and it is in this that you will find your destiny! So take courage, Worf, and go forward!" The light surrounding Kahless flared as bright as a supernova then, and Worf felt himself hurled backwards into stupifying blackness.

OOOOOOOO

The sun was just beginning to peep tentatively over the far hills when Worf finally stumbled out of the dark caverns and breathed fresh air. To his side the old guardian turned his head and fixed his gaze upon him, but Worf needed no words to ascertain the thoughts which now took form from his appearance. Even now, he was uncertain as to whether or not the vision of Kahless had been real, or just a fever dream. But regardless of what the exact nature of that which he had recently experienced was, the words spoken unto him were fresh in his mind. In one way or another, he was unique. And as he started walking down the earthy slope in the chill light of dawn, he felt it in his bones that it would not be so very long before he knew just how unique he was.