A drop of water slips downward, sliding toward the ground, curling around a thin tendril of stone fixated into the uneven surface of the cave. The trickle of water flows to the bottom of the tiny pillar, falling silently, softly onto the face of a boy lying next to the small column of stone.

  The boy, waking up slowly, blinks his eyes tiredly as he reaccustoms himself to his surroundings. The cavern surrounding him rests calmly, disturbed only when Astraoth stumbles to his feet, and awakens fully. Scanning the tiny cove, Astraoth quickly notices the guardian's corpse lying motionless only a few scant meters away. With unsteady steps, Astraoth walks slowly over to the beast's remains, and, as he approaches the monster's side, rests his hand quietly on the carcass, feeling its smooth skin. Glancing at its head, Astraoth moves towards it quickly, easily arriving at its most important appendage.

  Beginning to gather energy, Astraoth channels it into his hand stabs it into the beast's still corpse, plunging into its head, and begins digging around in its skull. Eventually, Astraoth grasps onto a small sphere and rips it out, finding a tiny blue crystal radiating a soft aura in gentle waves of energy. Smiling broadly, Astraoth places the crystal in his pocket, and glances around the cave, beginning to stare at the center of the cavern, immediately dashing to the small patch of discolored rock he discovered.

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  Energy converging around his hand, Astraoth places it softly onto that patch of rock and drives it into the floor. The rock cracks, and as energy fluctuates around Astraoth, a thin black pole is revealed. The totem is but half a meter tall but radiates a controlled strength and reserved power. Grasping it tightly, the miniature obelisk is pocketed, and Astraoth prepares to leave the cave, staring sternly at the ceiling of water.

  Looking back down at the floor, Astraoth smirks confidently, closes his eyes, and rests his hand on the cold ground. Energy pulses throughout Astraoth's body, and as Astraoth's eyes burst open, he skyrockets into the air, streams of crimson emanating off him.

  Piercing through the sheet of water, Astraoth races into the pool of water, and hastily swims upward into the water. With grace, Astraoth maneuvers through the water, darting upward quickly, subsequently arriving at the surface of the pool. Pulling himself out of the spring, Astraoth shakes the water out of his hair and begins to scan his surroundings, attempting to find the date through his surveillance. The survey soon yields results; Astraoth, carefully thinking through this situation, decides he had been unconscious for approximately two days. Astraoth, determining his path to his hideout, leaps into the trees, and races back to his residency, entering quickly.

  After removing his old, torn clothes and changing into fresh regalia, Astraoth prepares food and supplies, readying for his next conquest...