The baking, summer sun was high in the crystal clear blue sky as seven cloaked figures loitered at a small crossroads close to the exit of the dense Flatner forest. Crickets could be heard merrily chirping and was occasionally broken by the shrill cry of majestic eagles circling overhead.

Five of the figures were sitting lazily in the sun with large travel packs and canteens making it evident to any that passed, that they were going on a long journey. The other two were leaning against a sturdy signpost at the edge of the cobbled road with crossed arms and a look of impatience on their faces.

“It's already midday, where in the 7 hells are they?” huffed Jade impatiently while taking note of the sun's position. “I highly doubt the demon hunters discovered them without anyone being alerted. Even if they did they wouldn't stand a chance against the Captain.”

Rock was gazing off into the distance and didn't seem to have heard Jade’s complaints causing her further irritation. “HEY! Didn't you he…”

“SHHHHHHHHHHHHH… there is a serious fight between two people occurring in the east and they are rapidly approaching us. Both seem to be around the 3 star Marquess level.” Rock interrupted in an extremely low and solemn voice. “At our levels I am not sure how many casualties we may sustain if we get caught up in it.”

Jade looked nervously at the adepts noticing that both elves had suddenly turned towards the east with frowns on their faces. “Trouble seems to be approaching fast. Be ready to retreat at a moment's notice.”

The Pathfinders drew their weapons and grouped together. Jade and Rock took the lead and were closest to the direction of the battle while the adepts got into a reverse v formation behind them.

“Why the hell did we agree to let the other two return early?” cursed Rock as he strained his elemental senses. -”Thank god they are fighting amongst themselves. We could probably hold off one Marquess but two would be impossible for me and Jade alone.”

After a couple of minutes of tense silence, a few large explosions could be heard in the distance and birds could be seen flying in the opposite direction to escape the approaching battle.

“Make that five stars” muttered Rock as his complexion suddenly paled. “Looks like they have stepped it up a notch since noticing us.”

Aron and Alic both took a slight step back and prepared themselves to escape. Elves were known for their extraordinary sensory skills and even at this distance, they could tell that even a rogue attack would be enough to seriously injure or kill them.

“Why are two people fighting all the way out here? Could it be the captain?” asked Alice nervously while inching towards Bruce.

“... The captain is a 5 star Marquess however with her skills and experience, she could easily stand her ground against a mid-level Duke without many problems so I don't think so,” replied Jade with a frown.

The explosions had gradually been getting louder and now the sound of crashing of trees and the cold ring of metal had mixed into the frightening noise.

“Looks like they won't be going around us. Rock prepare to intercept any stray attacks. Adepts flee in the opposite direction once they come past. I highly doubt they will bother chasing you.” commanded Jade as she prepared her battle staff. -”I hope they aren't concerned about witnesses.”

Rock heaved his huge bastard sword off his shoulder and took a defensive stance using its bulk as a temporary shield.

“Hahahaha, last chance little de..”

Jades eyes suddenly went wide as a distinctive laugh rang out across the forest, “IT'S THE CAPTAIN!”

Two black streaks exploded out into the clearing, quickly followed by chunks of smashed wood and dirt as well as a few incomplete trees. The first attempted to stop but was smashed heavily into the dense forest on the opposite side completely bypassing the Pathfinders.

“IT'S NOT OVER!” Roared a terrifying voice emanating from the second shadow.

The location where the two had emerged from was a scene of pure devastation. A straight line as far as the eye could see had been cut deep into the forest. The trees that had not been utterly crushed into splinters were strewn around in a haphazard fashion, smashed aside as if they were nothing but paper.

The feminine laugh once again echoed from the forest. “I didn't know you were such a sore loser… l-i-t-t-l-e d-e-m-o-n.”

-“MORS?!?” thought both Jade and Rock simultaneously however they could not believe that an adept, especially one they thought they knew could be this powerful.

“GOD DAMN IT!” bellowed the terrifying voice full of frustration.

“HIT THE DIRT.” yelled Rock as he threw the twins and Bruce to the floor as Jade did the same with the elves.

Once again a black silhouette shot from the underbrush and was quickly followed by an arching black blur. Ten feet away from the group now laying on the floor the figure abruptly stopped.

Captain Verz stood in front of them as if she had just taken a leisurely stroll. Her sword rapidly smashed into the black blur, embedding it into the floor revealing it to be a spike at the end of the long, black chain.

“Come on now you lost. I tell you what since you put up such a good fight and delayed me by over two hours how about we postpone the deal until you return from the trials,” said Verz in an enchantingly musical voice that did not suit the vicious combat that they had just heard and witnessed.

A radiating smile was plastered all over their captain's face along with hints of pride and joy. -”I was right… he has really been holding back. If it wasn't for the fact he agreed not to use fire as we are in a forest and it wasn't a friendly 1v1, rendering most of his demonic abilities ineffective, he might have actually drawn blood.” happily mused Verz as she eyed the light bruise on the back of her hand and the few superficial scratches on her armour.

The black chain jerked backwards and towards the figure that stepped into the clearing heavily panting with a slight limp.

“Mors!” exclaimed the other adepts in deep shock, however, the next words he spoke completely stupefied them.

“Urrgg are you trying to kill me from embarrassment. I will not go back on my word and putting it off to later will only cause me more suffering… Mother” spat Mors in an unamused tone which was in stark contrast to his vibrant almost joy filled, red dragon's like eyes.

He had never really been able to let loose in fear of revealing too much or it causing trouble for him which had resulted in it unknowingly jading him. No matter what he threw at Verz, she batted it away as if it was nothing while suggesting ways that he could improve it, letting him fully release and test his strength.

This exhilarating competition between them had got his blood boiling and for the first time, he actually felt some semblance of happiness. -”That was sooo much fun! It's a shame I have to do this trial thing as just in the last four hours I feel I have improved drastically.”

Jade and Rock had got to their feet and were dusting themselves off while sporting knowing smiles while looking at their captain. Jade was the first to recover her wits and tentatively asked the question that they were dying to ask. “Looks like you really have decided to adopt him?”

Verz who was a little taken back by Mors willingness to call her mother already was revealing a toothy grin. “I will be wanting words with you later, lieutenants Eldwin and Spayter.”

Both Jade and Rock flinched at the formal use of their ranks. Verz was a battle fanatic and put little stock in words allowing them some leniency especially for a few ‘in’ jokes however once she found out she was the butt of them, it never ended well.

“Rock… mind if you and this… pup spars for a bit when I return.” echoed Mors in an equally haunting voice as he cracked his knuckles menacingly causing Jade to stifle a laugh -”Looks like the last two horses finally cross the finish line. Not even a night and they already have the same intimidating tone of authority.”

“Haha… surely you can give me some leniency? It was Jade after all that got the idea stuck in my head.” responded Rock in a friendly manner while throwing Jade under the waggon.

As the third strongest in the Pathfinders, Rock naturally loved to spar however after using his elemental affinity to gauge the strength Mors as he approached he wasn't too keen to accept Mors’ request.

Jade and Rock finally took a good look at Mors and sucked in a deep breath almost immediately. -"Dragon's eyes!"

Verz noticed there sudden change in behaviour and flashed Mors a smile. "Mask your eyes before you cause them to have a heart attack."

Almost immediately Mors's vibrant eyes were covered in a black mist that almost perfectly conformed to how his eyes originally looked before looking at his fellow adepts and noticing that not one had their mouth closed.

“If you worms are done taking your nap how about you get up and we start the trials.” shouted Verz as she icily looked at the adepts laying on the floor and her normal demeanour returned.