Most of the students were confused as to why they were in such a remote area of the extensive House Path estate. Very few went out this far and it was still one of the areas that was not developed, a situation which wasn’t that odd considering how much of the estate was devoted to and set aside for the sapient deer population.

Each student had been instructed on how to get to their destination, and they parted a few bushes to find the concealed entryway, climbing down a ladder into the near total darkness, and then following a small winding path inside the natural hidden cave. Only the path was dimly lit by what some of them recognized as bioluminescent moss. Of the students that were in the main class, there were only four who made it down the path until they saw four other forms ahead. They came to the first meeting chamber and Lord Long Path cleared his throat, the sound echoing around the large cavern.

“You are here because you have been nominated for greater things. Brimstone – you were nominated by Warmaster Blue Streak. Lucida nominated you, Vectored Facet, Luna nominated you, Mirum Lunaris, and Shining Armor nominated Iron Bulwark. You four have already passed the class with flying colors, but this test is for something extra.” Path motioned to the other three waiting with him, and they stepped into the glow of the moss one by one. The first of them was Luna.

“This test is by far the most difficult of them all,” the alicorn mare said. “When designing this test, we had to get the authorization of the Security Council to wield the magic contained in this cavern. We cannot tell you the details of the magic as that will be explained by the next two proctors, nor can we tell you about the test itself as it is different for every person that enters.”

Path resumed the talk. “Like I said before, you have already graduated with perfect marks and you do not have to take this test. If you leave now, there will be no consequences whatsoever. However, if you should fail the test, I can only tell you what I have heard happened to those before me. Depending on how badly you fail, you could come back a shard of what you once were, missing gaps in time, or radically altered mental state. This test is designed to be your version of the hardest test you will ever encounter in your lives whether it be mental or physical. The Old Warmaster had a saying: ‘The sharpest blades are tempered in the fires of Tartarus.’ In a way, he is right, but while a proper blade can be forged, any imperfections are also magnified and can cause it to shatter.” Path paused to let that sink in before continuing. “But there are also great benefits, and they are different for each that experiences it. When my daughter Lucida passed the test, she gained a level of resolve that dwarfs even my own. When Lady Gisela passed it, she gained foresight beyond anything anyone could have expected. Blue Streak went through a similar trial with the dragons, and it hardened him enough to become a vessel for creation itself.”

Path looked keenly at the four students and slowly started to smile as none of them decided to leave. He nodded in satisfaction and looked to his left as another of his companions entered their view. This one was a medium height yellow changeling. She didn’t have the same body language as others of her hive though. While they were normally quite open, she was guarded and serious of demeanor.

“You do not know me, but my name is Tirenthum. My training is specialized so that if you fail the test, I can work quickly to mend your broken psyche.”

The third one stepped forward then, right next to Path. He one of the very rare deer shamans, and he was covered in his tribal markings. His large antlers were adorned with opals and gems that none of the students could identify. Eventually, he started to speak in the cervine language which Path translated for the students. “I am here to authorize your use of the Pool of Infinity and to ensure that you realize what you are getting into.” Path paused for a moment to the deer to continue speaking. “This pool ties this world to all others, one grain of sand on an infinite beach.” The deer started to change as his voice slowly began to alter. Multiple layers began to add to his voice, all slightly out of synch with the other until there was just a droning hum of multiple harmonics. The room dimmed as those tribal markings made him glow, the charms on his antlers shining like stars in the void.The pool began to change color and form, the water turning into what resembled mercury. However, when the students leaned over to see their reflection, they found that they were looking instead into other worlds and other possibilities.

“Wait! You mean there are other races that can jump around in time? It’s not just Prince Destined?” Vectored asked.

The deer just smirked. He started to talk while Path translated for them again. “There are five races that have the ability to traverse the infinite – alicorns, zebras, dragons, and deer.”

Path blinked a few times and looked to the deer. “That’s only four.” They talked to each other for a few moments in the cervine language before Path's eye went wide. “A lost hive?! Okay... we are having a chat once the test is over. Speaking of the test...”Path looked back to the group. “I can tell you what happened to me when I underwent this test. I was cast out to some place and some time. I don't remember much about it as your actions fade when you find your way back. The test will put you against your greatest fault, and for me, I was sent to a place where I had become a tyrant, Nightmare Path. I had to rally the remaining forces to launch one last assault against my antithesis.”

Brimstone finally found his voice. “So how amazing was it when you defeated him?”

Path sighed. “I didn't. The combined forces of Equus were just barely enough. Ultimately, it came down to a one on one fight between myself and my doppelganger, and I lost. I don't really remember a lot about how I lost or what happened next, just that all of a sudden I felt wet and I was pulled out of the pool by my deer friend here. A few months after that, the Temporal Wars started, so I had to focus on other more pressing issues. So, knowing all of this, do you still want to take the test?”

There was a long pause and Brimstone started to back away.

“I do not blame you for ref–”

Path was cut off as the griffon yelled, “CANNONBALL!” He jumped into the air, flapping his wings a few times before he folded them up and plunged into the water. They expected a monumental splash but the pool barely moved as it subsumed the griffon with barely a ripple being made.

“While I don't share my classmate’s... unprofessionalism, I am ready for the challenge at hand.” Iron Bulwark slowly moved into the pool, taking a few steps as the cool metallic liquid crawled up his form. “This isn’t acting like wat–” The crystal pony suddenly sunk into the pool, gone without a trace.

Mirum and Vectored looked at each other before they took a step toward the edge of the pool. “What is life but a series of tests?” Mirum said as she stepped to the edge, went up onto her hind legs, and belly-flopped into the pool, disappearing much like Brimstone did.

Vectored looked over to Path. “Is that really made of mercury?”

Path chuckled. “Oh, no. It’s made out of something much rarer than mercury!”

Vectored rolled her eyes and walked into the pool, deciding to lay down in it before she was pulled under the surface.

The deer stopped his channeling and the pool reverted back to its normal liquid state.

Path looked over and smiled at him. “Do you think they will do better than I did?”

The shaman looked back gravely. “I will know when they come out of the pool, or if I have to pull them out like I did for you.”

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