With a groan Umbrae wakes up and finds himself with a splitting headache, opening his eyes his vision is filled with blue scales causing his breath to hitch in his throat, 'What happened last night? Who's this?'

Glacious gives him a peck on the lips, "Last night was amazing. If you didn't tell me otherwise I would've thought you had a lot of experience."

All at once the previous night pours into his mind worsening his headache.

Pinching the bridge of his nose he groans, "And I didn't know you could use your element to cool off your cloaca, or that it'd feel good."

"Says the one who used yours to change the shape and size of your-" her words turn into a groan, "By the ancestors I'm hungover."

"I did that?" then another thought works its way into his mind, "What now? We've been found out."

"I really don't want to go to my city, but I may not have a choice."

"You have a city?"

"Yes, a major trading city called Handelshafen. Handelshafen serves as a connection between the Repubblica del Commercio and the Draconic Empire. It used to be independent but my mother, Meretrix, gave it to me."

"That seems out of character on her part. I mean all the wealth flowing through such a trade hub is yours and she hates you showing her up."

"Not when she takes it all and I am little more than a figurehead to show how 'kind' she is," hisses Glacious.

"Ah I see," he is silent for a moment before an idea strikes him, "If we can't go to Handelshafen then how about we go to where I live? It's a decently large monastery just southwest of Warfang."

"You don't strike me as a monk," comments Glacious.

"It's a monastery for the Order of the Guardians."

"We should get going, it's a thirty two hour flight, if we don't stop."

"More like five minutes with my short cut," corrects Umbrae.

Leading her through the magical cave, the stomach churning associated with the teleport causes bile to escape his mouth, exiting the cave Umbrae motions to the valley with a wide sweep of an arm, "Welcome to my home."

"How?" Asks Glacious.

"No idea, but we should enter from my room," he points to the residential wing, "It's on the first floor third from the left."

Sneaking in through the balcony door Umbrae finds no evidence of anyone being present, "It's clear."

"Wow," breaths Glacious taking in the mostly empty room "You may not look or act like a monk but you certainly live like one."

"It isn't my fault I was brought here by the ancestors with just the scales on my back, not that I had much to begin with," he points to the chest, "Put your robes in the chest," asks Umbrae.

As he starts to take his off he is interrupted by a book being tossed in front of him followed by a voice, "Where'd you get that?"

He jumps at the sound of Senex's voice and his hungover mind immediately resorts to the only answer it can come up with, "Where'd I get what?"

"The book I just threw at your feet," her eyes drift to Glacious who was attempting to slink away, "Don't you go anywhere."

"Oh that, sorry about that my hungover brain no think good. I stole it."

"From?" Prompts Senex.

"A fear dragon that's the head of the school for dark magic under Concurrent Skies that Glacious and I have been investigating for the last month," answers Umbrae, "Not practicing, just investigating."

A look of shock crosses her face, "Was your infiltration discovered?"

"That's why we're here," nods Umbrae.

"When?"

"I'd say about ten or eleven last night."

"Good, we have time. Come with me!"

"Glacious you can go home."

"The cultists will probably be there soon. It's probably safer here."

Minutes later Umbrae, Glacious, Veneneer, and Płomień, the latter two seeming curious about the newcomer, are lined up next to a cave that seems to radiate negativity.

"The crystal gathering ceremony is an ancient ritual that usually isn't done so early in one's training, but due to Umbrae's lack of carefulness I have to do it early," starts Master Senex, "This cave can take you anywhere from your lowest point to your greatest triumph. It may tear you down and force you to relieve your worst memory. Whatever happens you will be tested and pushed to your limit. What you experience will be entirely unknown to all but yourself unless you choose to share it," she slowly draws a rather familiar sword from its scabbard. Once the fear gem set at the midpoint is revealed the icy cold grip of fear fills his veins rooting him in place despite an intense desire to run, fly, or just do anything to get away. One glimpse toward the others confirms that they feel the same way.

Senex points to the scarlet gem, "This is a crystalized form of the element of fear that was found in that very same cave. What you find in that cave will also be a crystalized element, assuming you pass the test. However you will have no way to know what it is until you attune it," she resheaths the sword and the feeling of intense fear immediately disappears, "Now enter the cave and find your destiny."

Upon entering between Veneneer and Glacious a strange prickling sensation washes over Umbrae's scales. Looking around Umbrae finds that the entrance has sealed itself and the others are nowhere to be found. Despite the sealing off of the only light source the cave seems to still be glowing with an eerie, if dim, blue light.

Continuing down the path Umbrae comes to a fork in the tunnel as he is debating which one to take. What sounds like a dog's whimper shatters the silence. After a moment of listening he is able to hear it again coming from one of the forks. Choosing that path he comes across a familiar dog.

Recognizing the tan fur, white underbelly, and curled tail he calls out, "Yoda! When I couldn't find your body I assumed you were dead! How'd you get here?"

As Umbrae approaches him he barks and starts to sprint further down the tunnel. After a brief chase the tunnel turns into a dark, nighttime forest where Yoda is sitting beside a drainage ditch chewing on a stick.

"It's been five years!" calls Umbrae, "And now I've found you again. I can't believe this is where you've been."

As he reaches for his dog he vanishes leaving his hands to close on empty air.

Looking around Umbrae recognizes the area as the woods nearby to his apartment before the war. Almost by habit he finds his way home. However as he opens the front door he is only met by an inferno.

Looking back where he came from he notices the entire complex is now in flames.

Slowly inching his way around the corner he braces himself for what he knows will be on the sidewalk.

As he comes around he sees them, his mother, brother, and sister lined up on the sidewalk each one executed by cruel heartless Amazon brand Atlas units.

As he is looking over the grizzly scene a familiar voice speaks, "This is entirely your fault."

Whirling around Umbrae sees Senex, "What do you mean?"

"If you hadn't been at that protest your family would still be alive."

"They were alive weeks after the protest! They didn't die until-"

"You got a bunch of rednecks together and raided that military base," finishes Senex, "Just think if you had been more careful while using the internet to coordinate the attack they may still be alive."

"How do you know about that?"

"I despise murderers," spits Senex, "I ought to kill you but it wouldn't be any fun if you don't fight back."

"But I-I'm not a murderer," stammers Umbrae.

"Maybe not directly but you are responsible for their deaths," She points to the smoldering ruins of his room, "Go get one of your swords and fight!"

"No!" calls Umbrae full of defiance, "I will not fight you."

"Sucks to be you then," drones Senex as she draws her sword. Just like before Umbrae is rooted in place and unable to do anything about the impact of her tail as it launches him into a charred support beam that shatters with a resounding crack.

"Fight me!" screams Senex.

"I'd rather do this!" calls Umbrae as he reaches down to access his element only to find it missing. Curiously he looks at his chest and arms only to find that he is once again human, "Well that's not fair."

"What's wrong? Just found out you are a weak human?" Mocks Senex.

Before he can answer she slashes downward with her sword catching him in a glancing blow on the shoulder as he rolls away. Sucking in air through his teeth he quickly stands.

"Look at you. So pathetic without your element. How did you ever live as a human?"

Dodging to avoid the sword that was thrust towards his midsection he is caught by a set of talons knocking him into the next room and leaving deep lacerations. As he is backing away from the angry dragon he trips over a fallen beam and unceremoniously thuds to the ground.

As he is attempting to replace the air that was just forced from his lungs an ear piercing shriek laced with fear paralyzes him. As Senex is raising her blade to finish him off Umbrae feels cold hard metal under his hand. With great effort he wraps his fingers around the item and uses it to block the attack mere inches from cleaving him in two. While blade locked Umbrae sees that the life saving debris is his Karabela, its scabbard long burned away

With a great heave Umbrae pushes Senex's blade away and strikes her across the snout with the back-side of the blade.

"Oh so you do fight back," comments Senex, "Things just got more fun."

"I don't want to fight you!" calls Umbrae as he jumps to his feet, blade at the ready.

She doesn't reply as she swings her sword and once again fear fills his veins. However instead of waiting for her strike Umbrae overpowers the fear and parries the blow. Recalling his training with that very same Karabela he manages to keep his wound from affecting his fighting until he manages to land a solid hit directly on the elemental crystal. As if all of the elemental power has released itself the crystal explodes pushing the combatants apart and snapping Senex's blade.

"You may have destroyed my weapon but I still have claws!" cries Senex as she charges. On reflex he raises his Karabela and with a sickening squish it buries itself into Senex's chest and its hilt presses against a brick wall.

Unimpeded by such an injury Senex pulls herself along the blade and raises a claw, "I don't tolerate murderers," Is all she gasps before going limp.

Suddenly Umbrae is in a small cavern with the only sound being his own rapid breathing the image of Senex pulling herself down his blade burned into his retinas.

"Did you pass?" Asks a voice.