Trying to ignore the otherworldly sleeping talking emanating from Mors, Rock handed Bruce a stone. “Once you complete the mission send a wave transmission via this stone. You will be given three months to return afterwards before you will be considered absent without leave and branded as traitors. The time limit is one year. Any questions?”

The adepts stood around in silence keeping the many complaints to themselves. It wouldn't bring any benefit to voice them as they knew that they had to do it or give up on becoming a Pathfinder altogether.

“Good… not as stupid as you all look,” muttered Rock before turning around and walking the short distance to where Jade and Verz stood. “Briefing complete Captain. All yours.”

“Bruce as always you will be party leader, make sure you do your best to complete the mission and get everyone home safe,” instructed Verz. “You have 10 minutes to prep and ask any questions before we leave and your trial officially starts.”

Bruce gave a quick nod to his Captain before turning around and stomping towards Mors. -”How the hell can he get away with this behaviour! Being picked as party leader shows I am leagues better than that demon filth. This is a chance to impress the others by showing that I can keep him in check.”

Reaching down, Bruce grabbed the shoulder strap of the bag that Mors was using as a pillow and yanked it away. Mors' head hit the sun-baked ground with a dull thud and he released an intimidating hiss of annoyance.

Upon hearing the hiss both Claire and Alice's pupils constricted and they immediately retreated a few steps. Reptiles, like the beastkin, had pretty good innate instincts when it came to powerful creatures that could harm them and they knew from experience that waking Mors abruptly was never a good idea.

“Wakey wakey princess.” said Bruce in a condescending tone.

Mors blinked a few times clearing the daze in his eyes before heaving himself off the floor and dusting himself. Everyone including Verz looked at him surprise causing him to frown in confusion. “What?”

Everyone present was accustomed to Mors’ trigger like temperament and at a bare minimum expected a torrent of abuse and complaints to spew from his mouth.

This carefree attitude only further enraged Bruce. Leaning towards Mors, Bruce roughly poked his chest with a single finger in a threatening manner. “You better buck up your ideas demon. Until this mission is over, you are under my command and have to do as I say!”

“Oh captain, my captain.” mocked Mors as he gave a half-hearted salute finding the others attempt to intimidate him extremely funny resulting in Bruce’s face turning a deep shade of red as he tried to suppress the raging anger that was welling up.

Ignoring the taunts and distinct colour change, Mors casually walked over to Rock as he if he didn't have a concern in the world. “So what did I miss?”

“How dare he mock me!” muttered Bruce in a barely audible voice that only the other adepts could hear. Realising that he wasn't getting the usual backup from the others, he turned his head towards the twins only to see them watching Mors intently.

After Mors had finished talking with Rock and collected his new clothes from Jade, he wandered off to the side and started stretching. -”Having a nap after all that exercise was a bad idea… my muscles are killing me.”

While he stretched the twins had approached and were now idling around waiting for him to acknowledge their presence. Once it became apparent that he wasn't paying them any attention, Alice started to get impatient.

**Cough**

“Umm Mors...” Realising her sister was about to abuse Mors, Claire quickly interrupted knowing that he would just ignore them if they angered him and they had questions they really wanted him to answer. “I have been thinking it for a while now but… are you a reptilian half-breed?”

Finished stretching Mors started stripping away his old clothes so he could equip the Astorneth embroidered ones Jade had made from the materials he had received from the master smith. Once they realised what he was doing, both of the girls to blushed and turned away, trying focusing on Verz’s group that were deep in discussion to avoid the embarrassing situation they found themselves in.

“I still say you can't favour the pup so much. The other adepts will give him a hard time because of it,” grumbled Rock.

Jade nodded her head. “I agree. Also, we are still a military unit and there needs to be order and respect even if he will be your adopted son.”

Verz looked impassively at the two trying to berate her. “You think I am favouring him too much? Take a look and tell me if you want me to treat your mentees in the same way!”

Rock and Jade turned to the half naked Mors along with the twins who had been eavesdropping on the conversation. Mors had just fastened his belt and stood with his back towards them. Snow white scars, some of them still in the process of healing and a multitude of deep purple bruises littered his pale skin.

“I thought he instantly healed superficial wounds?” gasped Jade in shock. She had only seen such a sight at the Rokalin slave markets.

“Let's just say he put a spare shirt on before walking into the clearing earlier, as the last one was a bit...tattered after the journey here,” said Vers with a hint of pride leaking into her voice. “MORS! How many bones did you break during our friendly competition this morning.”

Mors turned around and displayed an extremely annoyed expression. “How many bones did I break?... None! You, however, broke my right arm twice, fractured most of my ribs, dislocated my shoulder, backhanded me into a jagged cliff face that shredded my back and knocked 4 teeth out and impaled me on a branch while telling me to… ‘stick around’. I fail to see what part of this morning was 'friendly'.”

To emphasise the point Mors reached into the pocket of his old, discarded trousers and pulled out four vicious looking teeth before opening his mouth, showing where they use to belong. “Do you know how painful it is to grow teeth back… next time do me a favour and keep to bones… or better yet, don't break anything.”

“Ahhh stop being such a baby, they will grow back in a day or so. Also, you conveniently forgot to mention that I only backhanded you because you tried to bite me.” retorted Verz obviously pleased at her handiwork while displaying the bruise on the back of her hand in.

Deciding it was pointless to argue Mors quickly finished dressing in his new black shirt and wrapped the chain Morrigan around him before donning his cloak and pulling up the hood. -"I am not sure if she just likes teasing me or if she really is a sadist."

“Awww is the l-i-t-t-l-e d-e-m-o-n getting embarrassed.” chuckled Verz as her figure flickered and appeared next to Mors, slapping him hard on the back, which if it wasn't for the force used, could've been seen as affectionate. “Have fun and don't die.”

Without saying another word Verz turned into a black streak and disappeared into the forest with Rock following closely behind. “Good luck young-ens!”

Letting out a loud sigh, jade gave a light salute. -”Those two have never been good with goodbyes.”

“Be safe and remember, there are many paths in life, even if you can't complete the trial and become a Pathfinder. Don't risk your life needlessly.” Kicking up a little dust, Jade followed the other two and soon disappeared leaving the adepts alone in the clearing.

"Right we better get going," said Bruce in a domineering voice as the adepts shouldered their bags and started walking along the road leading North-east with Mors trailing at the back. -"... new situation or not, I am going to end up killing him, I just know it."