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Sam was deeply disappointed after his adventure in the Cave. He'd really thought he was strong enough to make it through! Especially with help! And though he'd come so close to the end, he still hadn't quite made it. It was very upsetting. Sam knew he was ready to take on the ritual. he was strong and clever. There was no reason he shouldn't be able to succeed, except for how unpredictable it supposedly was... It made Sam nervous. he decided that one more solo adventure wouldn't do him any harm. Though ideally he would take on Gaili's on Eowyn, he simply doubted he'd be able to breach those scales when they were in their own element. Just another very disappointing thing. Instead, he decided he'd venture to Aisko. It was the exact opposite climate that he'd undergo his ritual in, since he was choosing to seek out the Firani Drakeinian to guide him. So maybe that would help him in its own way. Taking on Aisko's frozen climate in preparation for his ritual seemed like a good idea.

Plus, he hadn't yet had the opportunity to explore Aisko. maybe there would be something there that would speak to him and give him strength. There was just one problem... The Drakein who had challenged the Cave alongside him had stalked him home, and was now becoming very buddy-buddy with his son. Sam was loathe to leave the two of them alone. Even worse was that his young keindred seemed to like this interloper, that Sam had made the mistake of calling 'friend.' Though he didn't like the growing attachment between them, at least he had a babysitter while he ran his last few errands before he made his attempt. "I'll be back before nightfall." Sam informed the two of them as he prepared to set off on his hopefully last hunt before becoming a Drakeinian. If this went well, it most definitely would be. "Take care of my son." He instructed the Diabi sternly as he fanned his wings and flew from his cave.

What started out as a warm, sunny flight turning into frigid cold and snowstorms as Sam approached the frozen continent. 'Holy dragons!' He'd never been so freezing in his entire life. The harsh wind from the snowstorm forced him to land sooner than he would've liked. But even his steadfast wings could not combat such harsh weather. Sam wasn't on the ground long before he was questioning his decision... He could be snugged in his cave, resting up for his big day, but instead, he was out here in this frigid weather, forced to plod along on all fours painstakingly. He wondered if even Aiskala's would brave this weather...

At least until something large crashed into his side, wrapping its fangs around his shoulder and biting down. Sam howled and shrieked, ripping to-and-frow in his attempts to free himself. When he wasn't released, he summoned a spear of earth to come jetting up through the ice, impaling his attacker. Sam could hardly see the treasure it dropped through the snowstorm, but it was only then that he realized he'd just felled a dragon, not some strange Aiskalan animal. Well, it was, but...

A roar sounded. Sam could hear it even over the howling wind. That grief-stricken sound was one that even a Drakein could understand... He'd killed some beast's mate. The only peace he could offer it was in its own death. he had come here to test himself, after all. he was prepared this time, diving to the side to avoid a strike. His earth magic in this place wasn't the strongest, so he decided to take a page from Levi, his more graceful companion and dodge this dragon to death. The icy spires it shot at him were no match for his thick scales, and Sam was soon able to defeat it by smashing his tail into its head, sending it to the ground so he could pounce and finish it.

That was one more Orb for him, and just a slightly smaller chance for success. Knowing that he could brave Aisko, Sam decided to head home and ready himself mentally for what lie ahead.