Time for another one of those Exam things.

That morning Wolfe had woken up and made his way to his office to look over some of the personnel files. As he did he found that one of the members was up for an exam to rank up. Wolfe proceeded to read over their file for a few before he sent to have a letter dropped off to them to meet him at the Wakusei Portals. It was here that Wolfe would be conducting the exam.

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I know this is short, just trying to get you going. after your reply i will get you going on the 1/2 part.

Like every other morning, Poom was repeating the forms of the staff Masters Ponk and Burt had taught him. He did it as often as he could as the practice always soothed his mind, which was a significant thing to have, to repress all the darkness and shadows the Fallen God Slayer magic brought to it.

This morning was slightly different, as his exercise was cut short by a boy delivering a letter.
"I am sorry to disturb you young sir, but I have a letter for you. It is from Master Wolfe, sir." the boy said.
Taking the latter, Poom was surprised, as it was sealed with guild seal. but he still looked puzzled as he did not know any Wolfe that was part of their guild.
"Wolfe? Oh yes, there was an Ace of the guild that returned. But if he is summoning me with a letter this must be an official guild matter." Poom spoke to the air, but still enough so the boy was able to hear him.
Poom opened the letter and skimmed its contents, trying to find a rendezvous point.
Giving a few Jewels to the boy, as a sign of gratitude, Poom took all his stuff and set out to  Wakusei Portals, where he was to meet the Ace of the guild Wolfe.
The journey to the Portals was long and hard, and as a result gave Poom an interesting discovery, he got motion sickness, and no amount of self-control, meditation or clear mind could help him. When he got there, among many people that were waiting, one stood out.
The man was much taller than Poom, his white spiky hair, slim build, and attitude gave Poom the impression that he was a man you don't want to mess with, surely an Ace of Infinity Hydra.
"Hi! Sorry. Wolfie right? I am Poom. Got your letter." Poom said showing the letter he got, now slightly crumpled from the pocket.

Wolfe was waiting when Poom made his way over to Wolfe and introduced himself to Wolfe. Wolfe gave a smile and a nod as he reached out his hand for a handshake ”Hello, yes I am Wolfe, and I am sorry I made that a little formal like that with the letter. I had to show up early to prepare your exam for you. Now if you will follow me through this portal right over here I will explain the first part of your exam.” Wolfe then walked over to a portal and walked through it.

Once on the other side and rejoined by Poom he will turned and began ”Ok, so are in Nazo, this is an interesting world and you will see that as you explore it. So the first part is fairly simple, this area here is the middle of the jungle part of this world. It is fairly large, but not too large for this. I have found 3 creatures here and attached to them one third of a broken lacrima to them by a collar. You are to find each of them and retrieve the lacrima. It is up to you how you deal with the beasts. You can fight them and knock them out, or you can try and tame them. The choice is yours. Once you have done this, bring the lacrima pieces back to me and I will give you the next part of your exam. While you work on this part there is one more small aspect, I have a riddle for you, I want you to think long and hard about it as you search and have an answer when you return. If you do, then I will have something extra for you to help in the next part. Here it goes “Only one color, but not one size. Stuck at the bottom, yet I easily fly. Present in sun, but not in rain. Doing no harm, and feeling no pain. What Am I?” Now go and find the pieces.” Wolfe waved towards the jungle with a smirk.

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1500 Word Count needed.

Here are the beast:

Beast 1:

Beast 2:

Beast 3:

They passed through the portal and into a new land. It looked very strange, almost like parts of it opposed natural laws, and Poom was eager to explore it. The sun was strong and was making lots of shadows so Poom's magic was gonna work properly.
As Wolfe was giving instructions, Poom was trying to remember everything that was said so he repeated it in his head.
..3 creatures... attached one third of a broken lacrima to them by a collar... retrieve the lacrima... 'Only one color, but not one size. Stuck at the bottom, yet I easily fly. Present in sun, but not in rain. Doing no harm, and feeling no pain. What Am I?' Poom repeated this couple of times while thinking of what to do. He was trying not ask any questions to Wolfe as that might give an impression that Poom can't do anything on his own. So after some time of thinking and repeating the instructions for the task at hand in his head, Poom stood up with a smirk.
"As you said that you put the lacrimas by yourself, that must mean that you left your smell on them. And I can track that." said Poom as he opened his arms and two dark shadow wolves appeared from his shadow. "Wolfe, these are my shadow hounds and they will help me track your smell." Poom placed his opened hand on the wolves and absorbed them into his body.
Poom's sense of smell almost doubled and he could now smell every nuance of Wolfe's smell in the air. With his newly boosted senses, Poom entered the jungle.

Wolfie's smell was not hard to track, but the thing that did make the hunt difficult was the weird trees and animals around them. Poom could sense where he had to go but could not realise how the smell could come from that place. This was all new and excited to Poom so he never thought of it as impossible.
Standing on a tree whose roots were growing up instead of down, Poom spotted and gigantic bison-like creature. It had a flat manatee-like tail, brown eyes, shaggy white fur, and a brown arrow that runs along its back from tail-tip to forehead. It had six legs, and the thing that impressed Poom the most it could fly. There was a collar around its neck with a third of a lacrima attached, just like Wolfe said.
Poom did not want to hurt the creature as it looked very peaceful and like it was playing, so he approached it very slowly.
"Hi! I just want to get that thing around your neck and I will go. Please!" Poom spoke while still slowly approaching the bison. Poom could not hear or sense any evil from this creature. It was pure of heart and that made Poom even more caring.
The bison flew down and looked at Poom, who was not a meter next to its head. It gave him a strange look, which made Poom careful, and without any warning licked Poom with its huge tongue. The force of the lick was enough to throw a man, but Poom's slayer body was able to withstand it. The creature then grabbed Poom with its front legs and continued to lick him. It was just playing. As much as Poom enjoyed playing with the flying bison he knew that he was being examined, so he retorted with a belly rub. The creature fell on its back and started grunting in enjoyment. Slowly moving towards the collar Poom continued rubbing and scratching until the lacrima was in his hand range. He grabbed it quickly and jumped from the flying bison, that gave Poom cute eyes wanting more. "Sorry buddy maybe next time. I now need to go." Poom said and quickly ran away from the creature with the lacrima in his hand.

Still following the smell, Poom found the second creature. It looked more normal than a flying bison but was special in its own way. Poom was looking at 20 feet tall tiger, with a lacrima collar around its neck. The tiger was in no way a pleasant creature, and Poom could hear its evil thought. Poom was sure that this time he would need to fight.
Approaching slowly Poom was very careful of the sudden attacks the tiger might do. The tiger noticed Poom and started his expected attack.
The speed at which the tiger moved was not enough to catch Poom and he dodged it easily. The tiger swiped again with its claw and missed. The attacks on Poom lasted for some time and he was desperately trying not to hurt the creature, and only dodged the attacks.
"Stop attacking I am not here to hurt you. I just want to get the lacrima." Poom shouted toward the angry tiger. The dance of tiger attacking and Poom dodging was leading nowhere.
As tiger swiped towards Poom, he moved back and jump on to the tiger's claw. Running up his leg and onto its back, Poom had a good grip on the situation and due to his physical capabilities, he was able to hold a balance. The tiger was trying to shake Poom of his back, but with no result, as he was holding tight to its fur. Again they were at the stalemate, the tiger was not able to shake Poom off his back and Poom could not move while the tiger was trying to shake him off.
Bored with it, Poom decided that beating the tiger was the only way. of getting the lacrima.  He jumped of tigers back on on the rock nearby. As the tiger attacked again, using his speed Poom slid underneath it, and gave it a punch to the belly. The tiger screamed in pain, but Poom moved again this time getting a higher ground in the nearby trees. The ferocious tiger tried climbing and Poom jumped down towards it. As Poom was flying towards the tiger's face he prepared his God Clash spell. His dark fist stroke between the tiger's eyes, and with vast force knocked the tiger out. Poom was again on top of the tiger, but this time the tiger was not conscious. Poom took the second part of the lacrima and put it right next to the first one, there was one more to go.

Finding the final part proved the most difficult as the smell had gotten weaker and was all over the place. Poom searched and searched and when he was about to give up, he was stuck with a stroke of luck and kick from the creature he was trying to find. The creature looked like a mix of a bat and a wolf. It had long grey fur and big bat like ears. It had wings for flight, but also a tail for balance. There was the third part of the lacrima around its neck. It was even more strange than the flying bison.
Poom didn't want to lose time so he attacked straight away,  but this time it was him who was missing as the creatures speed far excited Poom's. It was a strange feeling for him. The creature was slightly taunting Poom, with its movement, but anything Poom did the creature evaded without any problem. It was fast when it was running and when it was flying. It manoeuvred with the same grace in the air and on the ground. They were playing the cat and mouse game, and Poom was losing. He was no match for it.
Poom cast Dark Drive to increase his speed, as the chase continued. Now their speeds matched, but Poom was still not able to get to the creature, and the game continued. They ran for hours and when Poom was finally tired, he sat on the ground panting. The creature joined soon after. Sitting on the ground Poom could hear some of the creature's thoughts "Come on two legs. Play. Don't just stop. Play." The wolf-bat, just like the flying bison, only wanted to play, but the fact that Poom could hear its thought meant that it was not so pure of heart, but Poom was ready to forgive. Sitting lasted minutes as the wolf-bat moved in circles around Poom, trying to make him chase it. Poom searched desperately for the solution to the problem, and that is when he noticed that in a moment, while the creature is circling him, their shadows were near enough for him to connect them.
When the creature was in position Poom quickly moved his hand making his shadow bind with the creature's shadow. At first he did not restrict the creature's movement, but after he stood up and made himself look like he was ready for more running, the creture found out that it was already caught. He approached it while giving it a head scratch took the lacrimal off its neck.

Poom now had all three parts and was standing next to Wolfe."I got them all. I have no idea how you managed to put them all on their necks." Wolfe had a smile but looked like he was expecting something more. Poom remembered the riddle "'Only one color, but not one size. Stuck at the bottom, yet I easily fly. Present in sun, but not in rain. Doing no harm, and feeling no pain. What Am I?' That is easy, it is the shadow. Always black at your feet in the sun. But I would advise you to not underestimate the shadow as it may look harmless, but it can harm you. So what is next"
Adn with that Poom's first part of the exam was over.

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WC:1617

((OOC: i am sooo sorry for the wait. i was in the hospital.))

Wolfe waited patiently as Poom did the first part of his exam. It didn’t take too long, but while he was waiting Wolfe found a nice spot on a large rock and took a seat and passed out for a little nap. Upon returning from the firsy part of his exam Wolfe was woken up by the stirring of the electricity in the air and woke up just moments before Poom arrived.

Wolfe welcomed Poom back with a smile and couldn’t help but give a light chuckle at the comment about how me managed to put the collars on the beast’s necks. Wolfe took the three pieces of broken lacimra and upon hearing the correct answer to his riddle Wolfe put the pieces together and channeled some magic into the lacrima and fused it back together. He then handed to the lacrima back to Poom ”Here you go, this will be useful in the next part of your exam. When you use it, it will create darkness. Now follow me if you would to the final part of your exam.” Wolfe then started walking away from the forest and over to an isolated area near the base of a canyon.

As the two of them got closer it was obvious that a bright light was coming from the valley. Upon reaching the edge of the valley it became clear why there was light coming from it. The whole valley was made from a bright crystal type rocks that covered and made up every inch of the valley. As they entered the valley light reflected off every inch of every surface, and with all the light there was not  shadow in the entire valley. Wolfe led Poom to a large open area in the valley and stopped and turned to Poom ”This is the Valley of Light, and as you can see because every inch of this valley reflects light and because of this, there is no darkness, not even shadows. Your opponent is that man over there. Defeat him and you have passed your exam” Wolfe motioned over to man tht emerged from behind one of the rocks and took a battle ready stance across the from them on the open area. He was a samurai that wore pure white armor and was wielding a white katana. He also had two other blades at his side that were obviously a wakizashi and tanto sword. He took defensive stance and was ready for Poom when he was ready. Wolfe then nodded at Poom and took a few steps back and jumped on top of a large boulder a little bit back from the battle area and was ready to watch.


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Post requirement is 1000 words
The lacrima once used will let you create minor shadows in the area, but no more than 3 at  time, and they are minor shadows.
The Samurai is a strong B rank, he uses very little magic, but can use a long distance light slash and is a master swordsman and master of defense. He also has the full set of Samurai swords and will pull and use them as is needed.
Good Luck!

Poom stood looking at the all white valley in awe, holding the now fixed lacrima.
"Come on, there must be shadows. Shadows are everywhere. I mean, light makes shadows."
He was reluctant to go, the light was intense and there was a chance that there indeed was no darkness. He walked slowly trying to assess the situation.  
He nodded to the samurai and started walking towards him. The samurai took a defensive stance like none Poom saw before.
Good day... Poom said as the rest of his sentence was cut by samurai's blade slicing towards his face. Another slice went towards him, and he dodged, this time ready to counter attack.
GOD CLASH
Poom filled his hand with dark energy and punched the samurai with all strength he had. The samurai startled and Poom proceeded to cast another spell.
DARK ERUPTION
Nothing happened. Poom was ready to cast one more spell when he realised there indeed was no shadows, and that was the reason the spell did not work. This was not a game anymore, he was almost powerless without them. The only darkness that was here was his internal one, but would it be enough he was not sure.
There were no dark thoughts in samurai's mind, he was pure. The samurai spoke. "The darkness you have inside. It will eat you. It will destroy you. I must stop the darkness from spreading." He swung his sword again, and Poom dodged again. His speed was the only thing he knew he had here.
"You have not seen my darkness." Poom said closing his eyes.
DARK DRIVE
Black smoke started coming out of Poom's body. This was one the technics Poom learned to let out his suppressed darkness. He was much faster in this state.
"AAAA... Dark Spear come help me!" Poom shouted as black energy gathered in his hand. A long black two sided spear appeared, surging with power and moving like it was a living thing. He was in great pain, but he felt he needed it to win here.
"This! This is my darkness. And I must pass this test. FOR JUSTICE!" Poom shouted at the top of his lounges.
This time Poom started his attack.  The spear was his weapon and he was trained with it. He raised the spear over his head and with a quick sweep downwards attacked samurai. The samurai tried evading but the length of the spear was enough to cause his damage.
With a block of his sword, the samurai evaded damage.
"You may be fast, but I am skilful." samurai took out the second sword from his belt. "Let's see how you escape two blades."
The attacks were now much more coordinated. Every blade Poom evaded was followed by another hitting him. Even his counter attacks were countered, he was taking damage. Poom used to train fighting with swords, it was not for him so he switched to spear, but he could still recognise the attacks.
The first few attacks needed some getting used to. The dance of sword and spear began between the samurai and the mage.  
Samurai's WOLF'S BITE, Poom countered with CRASHING WHIP. WASP STING with RISING MOUNTAIN. CHOPPING WOOD crashed with NORTH WIND. FALCON STOP blocked GUILLOTINE.
But the sword started getting exotic, and the spear started to get slower, and couldn't follow.  
"You had a good teacher, but you should have trained more." said the samurai and processed to attack. All the attacks were new to Poom and he had no idea how to block them, so he continued evading, occasionally getting hit.
The fight was not looking good for Poom, as he was getting hit his dark spear was expanding itself over his body, trying to eat him. The Dark Spear was living weapon and an hate-filled one at best. It was made out of souls and shadows and was an ally to Poom's shadow, his Dark Ego, that also had a deep hatred for its master. Fighting two fights, one to get the spear in control, and the other in the physical world with the light samurai, was very straining, but Poom was determined to win.
Poom ran towards the samurai placing the index and middle finger on his forhead.
DARK MOMENT
The samurai was ready to attack again, but Poom moved his hand quickly and the darkness appeared and started to spread. It was like the newly created darkness ate all the light the crystals reflected. It did not least long, but it gave Poom enough time surprise attack the samurai. This valley was really the worst place for Poom to fight. The samurai retreated and with a quick slash sent a light through the darkness completely dispelling it.
"Maybe the lacrima can indeed help me." Poom thought grasping the lacrima tightly in his free hand. The dark glow the lacrima made when he inserted his magic in it, made a small magical shadow underneath Poom's feet.
"If I can not win alone, I will call for help! Poom shouted at the white samurai, as the small shadow moved.
SHADOW HOUNDS
Two dark shadow wolves appeared from the newly created shadow. The bouncing light of the Valley of Light made their shadow forms weaker, but they were still present. The samurai changed his stance and was ready for the attack.
Poom and two hounds charged the samurai, they attacked him from three sides, trying to damage him as much as posible. In a half spin samurai stabed at wolves direction, impaling them both. The sacrifice of the wolves gave Poom time to stab the samurai with the tip of his spear. The act of stabbing excited the spear, it grew and tried to take as much blood as posible from the samurai. Poom retreated trying not to kill him.
Samurai's white kimono was now cut and blood was coloring what was left of it. He still stood, but his hands were visibly shaking. Poom's victory was close.
"I will kill you and I do not care that you are Wolfie's guild mate. I will get revenge of the wound you just gave me!" Poom could now hear samurai's thoughts for the first time. It sounded nothing like the samurai's controlled voice, more like he was getting insane.
Poom grasped the lacrima the second time, now inserting more magic than before. This time two shadows were created one under samurai's feet, and the other under Poom's. Poom wanted to use both shadows and acted quickly.
SHADOW NEEDLES
Poom used his shadow and made them into a bunch of small shadow needles, shooting them towards the samurai. With his quick sword movement samurai block almost all of them, being struck by only one. Continuing his attack Poom cast another spell.
DARK ERUPTION
The shadow under samurai's feet now vibrated. The vibrations starting getting stronger until the shadows burst and made a kind of a dark eruption, throwing the samurai into the air.
As the samurai fell he laid there motionless, it was Poom's victory. He could still feel the darkness in the samurai, so he got closer and realised that it was his magic that had done that, so he pulled it out and ate it. He was getting stronger.
The samurai was conscious again, so Poom turned towards Wolfe and waved. He was not sure if he passed the test.

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WC:1227

Wolfe watched from afar as Poom engaged the white samurai and proceeded to give a valiant fight. In The end Poom was able to best the samurai and Poom emerged victorious. Wolfe walked up to Poom as he turned to face him and waved. Wolfe called out to the samurai that he had done a good job and as he did the samurai jumped to his feet as if nothing had happened and bowed to Wolfe then to Poom and then took his spot standing there again as if he was guarding the area as an eternal guardian. Wolfe then spoke to Poom ”Very well done, you have passed and are now upgraded in your rank. I shall note it in the guild’s info. As for the samurai, don’t worry about him, he is actually way more powerful than even me, and by a long shot too. He is able to gauge the power of his opponent and fight them as a perfect challenge for them, and he can never die, or be truly hurt. I don’t much else about him, but he is truly a pillar meant to challenge and defend any who would fight him, or try to harm this place. Remember that as you continue to grow and as a member of Infinity Hydra as we strife to strike the darkness of evil from Fiore, and defend the peace, and those who can’t defend themselves. However, a job well done, now lets go home and get a good meal.” and with that Wolfe turned to lead the way back home so the two of them could return back to the guild and have a nice meal.


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((OOC: congratz, you passed. job well done.))