In the corner of a sweltering hot stone building, Mors had regained consciousness and began utilising his sense to find out if anyone was paying him any attention.

Once he was sure he would not be noticed he slowly opened his eyes and tilted his head to the side, surveying his surroundings. Although he had a good idea, with the temperature, stink of metal and sweat as well as the metallic ringing he still wanted to make sure where he was and who was about.

-”Must be at the blacksmith's already, wonder how long I have been out?”

His eyes wandered around the room analysing every detail. Although during his last visit to the void he had made his mind up that he would gain his freedom and take his rightful place on this world's stage, he wasn't so foolish to think that he could do it with his current strength. Especially if he angered the wrong people.

-”Only the strong are free so for now I will be patient” [Mors]

As his gaze sweeps the room he notices the Pathfinders and his fellow recruits standing at the centre of the room in front of a massive black forge. Red and green runes litter its surface and are connected by glowing blue mana lines making it look more like a work of art than a tool.

Two bulky dwarfs were manning a large bellow blowing oxygen into the forge causing waves of hot air to radiate outwards making everyone feel like they were in the den of a slumbering monster.

Standing in front of the group was a shorter than normal dwarf at around 4ft 10. His black beard was singed white at the edges and his face was wrinkled by years of working in such a harsh environment. He emanated an unequalled authoritative aura in which event Verz gave deference.

-”Must be the master smith” [Mors]

Out of the corner of his eye, Mors noticed a red glint coming from one of the silver shields that were leant against the wall. Raising his head slightly to get a better look he was shocked to find that the red was the reflection from his own eyes.

His black void like eyes were completely gone and replaced with ones that could almost be considered normal, well only normal in terms of structure. His iris was a dark, blood red and his pupils were a vertical slit similar to a snakes but much more defined and imposing. He gave a slight, involuntary shudder at his own predatory gaze.

He noted that as he concentrated, his pupils constricted making them seem more predatory and tyrannical while if he relaxed and let his eyes lose focus they would expand at the centre and perhaps if one was far away and not really paying attention could be mistaken as round.

-”Looks like my draconic blood has had a bit of an awakening. This could be problematic”

While thinking about how he could disguise his new look he quickly dismissing options like feigning a migraine resulting in him having to keep his eyes closed or trying to create sunglasses as a fashion statement before finally he had a reasonable idea. He had previously used dark magic to augment his limbs when in close combat and although much more complex it was felt like it should be a vaguely similar process.

The only problem was that he could only augment his humanoid appendages into something demon or dragon like. Apparently, it had something to do with his blood’s memory but he didn't really understand it.

-”If it's about blood's memory or whatever, it should work as that's what they use to look like” [Mors]

Focusing on the memories of how his eyes used to look, Mors poured dark magic towards them. He watched as slowly dark mist began seeping out of his pupils, spreading out and covering the iris before moving onto the white sclera.

Although it didn't look exactly the same as the past, Mors was pretty confident that unless someone was really paying attention they wouldn't be able to notice. It wouldn't be a long term solution but he would have to deal with it when it happened. His first priority was to get a soul weapon to increase his strength and survivability.

-”Just need to remember not to cause a scene or make eye contact with anyone that knows me too well and I should be fine” [Mors]

Bruce was standing at the edge of people waiting his turn for his weapon to be complete when he noticed Mors stirring in the corner and stealthily moved away and towards him.

-”He should have just remained unconscious. We could have completed the trial without that waste of space. The Pathfinders have no need for someone so pathetic” [Bruce]

Stopping just short of where Mors lay, Bruce folded his arms and put on his most dainty voice.

“Morning sleepy beauty. Enjoy your nap?” [Bruce]

A slight twitch of Mors’s eyes was the only sign that he had heard Bruce's words as he gave a final check to the magic covering his eyes. He wasn't use to applying magic for long periods of time and wasn't sure what could cause it to fail.

-”At least anger doesn't seem to affect it. Something to thank Bruce for properly when I get the chance” [Mors]

Without waiting for the other to continue is obvious barrage of insults, Mors lifted his feet up into the air before swinging them down and flicking his back, gaining enough momentum to rise to his feet in one swift motion.

Without even a glance towards the smug Bruce, Mors dusted himself off before striding towards the group in the center of the room without making as much as a sound before coming to a stop just behind Captain Verz.

The head blacksmith was currently explaining how soul weapons evolve causing Mors slight regret in not waking up sooner.

“... and so your soul weapon will evolve alongside you eventually gaining its own intelligence and personality. Weapons with their own personalities are extremely powerful however be warned. If you mistreat, neglect or force your weapon to do things that is against its will as it grows, when you need it most it will fail you if not kill you outright” [Head Blacksmith]

Mors looked around and noticed that everyone apart from him and Bruce already had their weapons. Alice and Clare both had long, brown combat staffs with bright, diamond shaped jewels at the top. Alice’s jewel was rose red displaying her affinity with fire whereas Clare's emitted a vibrant dark blue glow showing her to be a water mage. The image of them in their true form made him someone amused as the snake like girls would be more suited to tridents or bows instead of waving a staff around but he pushed the thought from his mind.

Aron had an enormous long bow with both ends ending in silver blades enabling it to be used in close combat when sticky situations arose whereas Alec had two vicious looking curved daggers that were around a foot and a half in length and looked like they would render flesh and armour with an equal amount of ease.

-”One physical ranged, melee and magic dps as well as a healer. All they need is a tank and a decent support and they would have the perfect party… shame I am not the ‘support’ type and Bruce won't always be around” thought Mors as he repressed the evil grin that threatened to show. He was pretty sure that ‘accidents’ would occur, as frequently happened on Pathfinder trials and not all of the present company would be returning, perfect party line-up or not if he had any say in it.

The master blacksmith had finally stopped talking and had noticed Mors was awake before letting out a tired sigh.

“I can't be bothered to explain everything again so your have to ask one of your companions. You have already been tested while you slept and your weapon will be finished shortly after the bear lads” [Master Blacksmith]

This caused everyone to turn and look at Mors while he stared at the blacksmith trying to avoid all eye contact. No one but Bruce had noticed him waking up or even when he walked over causing them to be a little startled. Pathfinders prided themselves on their detection ability almost as much as Mors wasn't known for his stealth.

Everyone gave a quick look to their Captain and inwardly sighed in relief as it seemed that she had noticed his approach as well. If she had then they were pretty sure they would of had one of her ‘training sessions’ based on how a Pathfinder can never let their guard down or be surprised.

“Haha glad your awake pup, you caused quite the trouble while you slept like a babe. The materials for your weapon were not the standard issue and ended up costing the Captain quite the small fortune” [Rock]

“If you ever need some money to help pay off the debt, you know where to find me” said Jade as she gave him a suggestive wink.

Although at the present time Mors had no interest in talking with anyone his curiosity burned with desire, wanting to know what materials were to be used in the forging of his weapon. Noticing his reluctance to ask, Verz turned to face him with her hands on her hips and a disapproving look on her face.

-”Looks like we have entered the moody teenage stage, still it's better than his normal ‘I am going to wreck the place for being weak’ rage’” [Vers]