Chapter 8: The trial of frozen Tundra

((3 years later))

Melissa was doing her simple training as normal, all of a sudden she felt a rush of chilled air coming through. The strangest think one she was the only person to feel the air, so she went to ask the master about the events. The gem master can tell if someone is about to go meditate, it's one of the ways the students are tested by the great trials. He came up close to her as she was rubbing her arms, she was freezing this was quite odd for this time of year. It was summer it doesn't get cold in the cave until winter, putting his hand on her arm he smiled at her graciously.

?: "Ah my student I think it's time for your trial, go deep inside the cave until you find the blue topaz crystals. Be warned the shadows will test your faith in that area, so I'll remind you to be brave inside the caverns. Your close to your battle form you can feel it in the air, all you need to do is to find it though meditation. Once you do that prepare for your test young one, the shadows are quite merciless when it come to the chosen few. Go down the path until you find the blue topaz crystals, only then will you be able to begin your test." Taking the advice from the gem master, Melissa headed deep inside the caverns.

Meanwhile the other two students where training heavily, Matthew he was outside looking at the night sky. He had so many questions that he wanted answered, yet he didn't know if they were meaningful to the gem master. Yet what he didn't know was he was right beside him, he normally doesn't come outside often when he's with his students. He knew something was bothering Matthew, he just needed to find out what was on his mind.

?: "Matthew this isn't like you tonight your not training. So tell me about it, what's been bothering you lately?" Matthew looked back at him with a soft glare, the he returned looking at the stars.

Matthew: "I don't know master something been bothering me, I have all these question I really want to answer. But every time I try to solve one it gets block, then another question takes it place. I cant decide if I'm coming to a new place or going, it's like something keeps fogging up my path. All I ask for is your great knowledge master, if you give me just one advice could help me out a lot." The master put his hand on his head softly, he was lost not only in self but also in mind.

?: "Oh my young student your lost in your own thoughts, your trying to answer too many questions at once in your mind. Doing so could not only make you mind so foggy, yet it can also lose faith in yourself. Sometimes the stars don't always during the night sky, yet we still feel their presence with us.

I know when I look into the sky I can see the land of Chrysalis, but does that mean the goddess doesn't watch over us each night? No she always watches even when you are asleep, don't lose faith in yourself something good will come to you. Melissa had the same problems like you did when she first trained, she didn't think anything good was coming to her. I told her the same thing I'm telling you today, and now she close to getting her battle form ready for combat-" the master turned his head to see who was coming up. It was Melissa she was in her battle for, she finally got favor from the shadows that guard the crystals.

Melissa: "Thank you master for giving me good advice, finally I found my confidence to achieve my battle form at last. It took four years for me to get this far, I suppose you want me to head for the ice goddesses domain." The master nodded yet he also told her some more information.

?: "Her name is Akahana however she doesn't hold just one element, she is also the goddess of the water gems. Cadence will join you once she does the trial of Sapphires, she is coming along really well despite her tough training. You should head their right now to begin your advanced training, your attacks are good but you still need more strength. Head north she should be there in her ice caverns, get a move on she is expecting new warriors near her domain." heading off that left three people left in the caverns.

Reiko: "Sorry if I disturbed you however there is something I must tell you, Isis has found the replacement for the goddess of the night gems. Her name is Etsuko she deals with not only shadow types, but also mystic types like alexandrite and citrine. I don't know how Dark Sentinel is going to handle that, let hope she doesn't come to the gem sanctuaries." What happens next we would know for sure, perhaps next time one of the queens might have the answers.