As the chill set inside her bones, and the darkness closed in around her, Saorise knew without a doubt that she was once again inside that cave. She turned, and again the boy with amber eyes, the Wendolan Prince, stood beside her.

He was older this time, perhaps by two of three years. He held the torch in his hand more firmly, but his eyes were still fearful. Still unsure.

"Back again?"

The voice echoed through the cave, and Saorise turned to find it's source. But just like last time, there was nothing to see as the cave slowly lit. Nothing but that platform with the sword encased in the crystalline rock.

Beside her, the prince drew a deep breath, then stepped forward with determination. He approached the rock, his stride confident and full, like those princely ways had started to truly ingrain themselves into his being. He shifted the torch to his side, reaching out to touch the rock with his other hand.

Saorise felt the chilling ripple of power pass through her body. She had never felt such fear within her before. Never felt such cruelty and bloodlust around her, directed at her. The amber-eyed Prince flew back as if thrown like a sack of flour, crashing to the floor just before Saorise. He sat up slowly, shivering as a layer of ice formed from his hand where he had touched the rock, his skin turning pale, then red, then a chilling blue at the burning cold.

The voice laughed.

"Again, you seek that which is not yours. You are weak, little Prince, and you will always be weak".

The young Peter gritted his teeth against the cold and pushed himself to his feet, pointing towards the sword in the rock with his partly frozen hand.

"My state is not constant like yours. I may be unworthy now, but one day I will not be," Peter declared, "On that day, even you with tremble at my power".

"Oh, little prince," said the voice, almost pitying the young Peter as it spoke, "You are not the only one who seeks power".

Peter lowered his challenging hand, picking up the flickering torch and turning to leave the cave. He disappeared into the darkness as Saorise remained in the cave, unable to move from it.

"Now, what do we have here?"

Saorise froze, renewed terror whipping through her as she turned to see a man emerge from the shadows.

He had dark features, his skin like the earth and his hair black as night as he walked before her. He had on simple leather armour, a sword at his side. He was neither large nor small, but his charcoal eyes were so intimidating that Saorise could feel her heart stutter.

"Little one, you do not belong in this darkness," he said. His voice was softer, though just as chilling, "You have been here before. Many like you visit the past unintentionally when learning to traverse the in-between, but you came back. You came back when the others cowered. That was not wise, wholly unlike the Great Mother".

Saorise felt a sense of calm wash over her at the term. She felt connected to it. Like simply hearing the name of her Patron Goddess gave her the courage she needed.

"Why do you test him so? Why push him into darkness under the pretence of finding the light?" asked Saorise.

The man chuckled, an amused smile dawning on his face, "You mean you have not worked it out yet? Surely Leisha knows to pick a sharper candidate than this. Little one, you are not so stupid as to ask questions. Your job is to solves them, so, why do I test him? Why push him into the darkness?"

Saorise's eyes narrowed, and after a moment of tense silence, she replied, "Because you are Excavor, the God of War and Victories…and victory always comes at a cost".

The God straightened, his eyes appearing somewhat impressed, "Perhaps you are worthy of your newly awakened blood after all…"

He turned and walked back to the shadows.

"Do not return here, little one. This is not your test. You may not help him in this. He must do it himself".

Then the God disappeared into the shadows.

Soarise took in a deep breath as she sat upright, the blood rushing to her head so fast it made her dizzy.

"Whoa, careful there, little Huntress, you'll cause yourself a headache".

Saorise turned to the voice beside her as familiar hands touched her back and shoulders reassuringly. Her eyes fell upon her father's face. A little older and more weathered, but it was her father. The same green eyes and warm smile.

"Father," Saorise sucked in a breath. She shifted, flinging her arms around his shoulders and sinking into his lap where he sat on a chair beside her bed. He huffed at her weight, but gratefully hugged her back, patting her lightly, "I'm glad you're okay".

"I'm glad you're okay as well. You did a marvellous job, little huntress," praised Nathan Caramort as he embraced his daughter for the first time in three years.

"You still got captured," Saorise grumbled.

Nathan chuckled, "Ah, but I'm back now, aren't I?"

Saorise leaned back, appraising her father more closely to check his health.

"Are you really okay? And Isaac, is he-"

"Your brother is washing up. A bath was nice after all that time spent tied up," said Nathan, "Peter, sorry, our King has made me aware of the Accords you arranged, I'm grateful to you for making sure they were so agreeable to our people despite the pressure on your shoulders".

Saorise huffed, "Yes well, I'm grateful to have you back. And now that we don't have to fight a war, I might finally be able to take a break and not be bombarded by requests and trivial matters".

Nathan gave a small smile, "Keep it up a little longer, Saorise. We may have been made aware of the Accords, but we were also told that we need to elect a Representative. As someone who arranged for that to be in the Accords, I think it is only fitting that you help us choose this candidate as well".

Saorise stood with a sigh, "If I must, father".

"Thank you, little Huntress, now tell me," Nathan started, his tone turning a little more serious, "Since when have you been having dreams that make you so panicked?"