Kel's main realm, Samma, wasn't like what I had thought it would be. It was more like what I had envisioned of Usui's realm. All around us was untamed forest, albeit not as thick as the Deep Forest was. There was no one in sight nor any buildings.

“Everyone asks me why my realm is so clean and orderly and not natural,” Usui spread his arms out as if sensing my thoughts, “This is why. If I had my realm like this, it would remind me of Kel and thinking about him makes me depressed. There is beauty in things made by hand so it was not a hard decision to choose what I have now over this.”

He sighed. “Follow me. It's not far.”

There were no trails of any kind and I saw and heard no animals. It was just us and the trees. I would get lost easily if I got separated from Usui. I considered “getting lost” but even I could feel the loneliness here. I didn't want to see if I could get used to it by staying.

We didn't have to walk long. Usui had placed us close to Kel, and we entered a clearing in the forest. In the center sat a man much like Usui. Not only did his hair shine like Usui's but his aura was slightly brighter and his clothes glowed. He was floating in the air and looked like Helnion during math class, his eyes focused on nothing, unaware of his surroundings.

“We have come to fulfill your request for help,” Usui said after we had stopped next to him.

I felt a power touch my mind ever so slightly and heard a soft distant voice in my head. My brother Usui. I did not expect it to be you to answer my call.

“I had not planned on it Kel, but these girls here did not want to become part of my collection so I gave them the option of helping you or staying with me.”

You would send small children, girls at that, to Koron? Surely you do not think they can survive? Is refusing your offer sufficient to send them to their deaths?

The voice paused and Kel focused his eyes on us for the first time. Tell me, Child of Terra, why would you choose a fate like this. Is not serving a Deity and having a life of luxury not better than this? I sense you have a strong mind and intellect, surely you must realize the folly of your choice, even with the great sword you possess.

I realized my folly, but I still had my desire. So I told him my answer, following his link to my mind. I don't care for that kind of life. Sitting around and being pretty all day for a thousand years sounds boring and I would rather have a short eventful life.

Kel's eyes unfocused for a moment before he continued. If that is your wish, I will not stop you. I just hope you do not meet me again soon.

Kel shifted and looked at Helnion. Daughter of Flaern, why would you choose a fate like this? He repeated what he had asked me.

Helnion smiled at him, “I go since Salis is.” Was her simple and expected reply.

You have such loyalty to your friend. Is following her worth dying for?

“I trust Salis. She usually thinks of good ways to avoid getting caught.” I could have sworn Kel almost laughed when he heard Helnion say that, but I saw no change in his expression so I was probably just imagining it.

The Child of Terra is indeed much older than she appears. Perhaps the knowledge of Terra will help you avoid death.

Kel finally turned to Perrinu. Oh, unfortunate Child of Avan, I have seen many of your cursed kind pass through in recent times. Can your kind not escape your sin even with the help of Deity?

Perrinu looked shocked. “The sin of my people? Please tell me, my parents would not tell me. I must know what my people did to receive the Animal Kin's wrath.”

You do not know? I heard the slight sadness in Kel's “voice.” It is unfortunate that the sins of the parents must be carried out on their children also. To not even know why your kin are killed is not cruel but kind. It is best to let the knowledge of the sin stay from you.

“I do not care if knowing seals my fate. I want to know if there is any way that the Animal Kin could ever forgive us. I cannot atone for a sin that I do not know about. I must atone before my people are gone.” Perrinu was crying.

This was ridiculous. I could understand these Animal Kin punishing those who had done whatever this sin was, but taking it out on those that didn't even know about it? This was why I hated dealing with people, doing things like this.

I am sorry I cannot help you Child of Avan, but it is not my place to tell. You will find out someday, whether in the afterlife or alive I could not say; however, I now understand why you refused Usui's offer and I will respect that. As for the other two. He looked at Helnion and me. The first may be foolish, but her will to be free is admirable. The other is also foolish to blindly follow, but that is her choice.

I have spent too much time. Kel didn't seem to be in any hurry, so I doubted this. So I will be brief. I am in need of you three to go to Korron and interact with those there. I cannot leave this place for long, lest the spirits of the dead lose their way and become lost so I need you to go in my stead. Unfortunately, Usui just told me this is a test and does not want me to tell what I need.

Curse that Usui. He was telling Kel some annoying things. Korron wouldn't be a fun place even if we knew what we were doing. Not knowing would make it worse. On a good note, I knew a little about Korron. It is said that those who have taken their own lives were sent there.

I didn't know what happened to them when they got there, but they stayed until Kel deemed them worthy to be placed back into the cycle of rebirth. I also didn't want to know what it would be like being around those that had killed themselves and had to do whatever for who knows how long with that knowledge.

Kel continued. I hope that I do not see the two of you soon. He said to Helnion and Perrinu. But I will probably never see you again Child of Terra, for even I do not know where your souls go after death.

So even Kel didn't know where the souls of those brought here from Earth went? If they didn't come here, then they probably went back to wherever they go when you're on Earth. At least I hoped they did. Even being stuck in the cycle of rebirth on Calorin was far better than your soul disappearing.

It is time. Kel said before we vanished from his sight.

Usui never even said goodbye. I was happy about that.

At least I was happy until my eyes focused on the surrounding landscape. There was absolutely nothing here aside from a powdery black sand and a few rock outcroppings. The air was thin, very hazy and slightly cold. None of us had packed anything warm, so I hoped it didn't get any colder. I also noticed that I felt lighter.

The most surprising thing was none of these. It was the sun above. The large red star above us covered much of the western sky, if that was west. Even with half of it beyond the horizon it was a sight to behold. I couldn't wait to see what it was like during the day.

“I am sorry,” Perrinu spoke to me. “If it was not for me, Usui would not have sent you here. I would have preferred not to involve others.”

Ah, she was the type to take everything on herself. If she had been thinking right, she would have realized that it was my fault as much as hers. Usui would never have sent her alone without us and, well… maybe he would have sent me and Helnion without her even if we lacked what we needed like he had said. I just wonder how many more pranks we would have had to pull before he stopped finding it amusing.

I hadn't replied to her so she spoke again, “I knew you were mad at me. If there is anything I can do…”

My silence had just made things worse. I didn't want her to keep whining so I would have to say something that would convince her I had forgiven her.

“I'm not mad,” I said to her.

“You must be. I have never seen you smile, and you have avoided talking to me.”

It wasn't enough to say that I wasn't mad. I didn't want to continue this.

“Salis is always like this,” Helnion came to the rescue.

“Always like what?” Perrinu asked.

“She does not like to talk, and she never smiles even when something good happens.”

“She never smiles?” Perrinu turned from Helnion to me, “If you do not mind me asking. Did something happen?”

I loved giving this answer whenever people asked me why I never smiled. “What happened? I came to Calorin.”

“Do you hate it so much here?”

I was in the middle of regretting reply when I saw him. It was a man. He looked terrible. There was blood all over him and it looked as if his bones were broken. Yet here he came on twisted legs.

I grabbed my bow and an arrow. I didn't know if he was dangerous or not, but I would not risk it. I didn't know what happened to those on Korron when they were shot with an arrow, but I would soon find out.

My movement had alerted Helnion and Perrinu to the man's presence. Perrinu only had time to gasp before I loosed the arrow. I wasn't the best shot out there but the arrow hit its mark and he fell on his back. He grasped frantically at the arrow sticking out of his chest and then suddenly he turned to dust. Black dust.

“Why did you kill him,” Perrinu said, almost yelling, “He was injured and we could have helped him.”

“He's already dead,” I told her, “It won't hurt him to die again. Besides, he might have just as easily killed you. If you want, I can let you find out if they want to kill you or not by yourself.” I obviously wouldn't just stand and watch her get killed, but I needed to make a point.

She sighed and her anger went away only a little, “Can you at least try to talk to them before you shoot them? At least give them a chance?”

“All right, I'll give them a chance to talk, but if they don't talk or they look up to something, then I'm not even going to care what you think.”

Perrinu still didn't look happy, but she nodded. “If you must. I still do not like it but until we know what to expect we should be cautious.”

So she knew the reason when she saw it. This would make dealing with her much easier. I also saw why Usui sent her with us. Unlike me, she thought about things like diplomacy. Without her, Helnion and I would get nothing other than shooting the inhabitants of this place since neither of us liked to talk. It also gave me an idea of what our task might be.

Usui had said that Helnion and I lacked what we needed to finish this test. Perrinu was gentle, didn't enjoy fighting, and was willing to talk to a potential enemy. So this meant our test required one of these qualities if not all of them. We would have to move on and find out somewhere along the way.

There were other more important things to do now. “We should find shelter. The sun looks like it will go down soon.” I told Perrinu and Helnion.

Perrinu nodded.