Carter watched and listened to those around him discuss their fate as if the fact they had stumbled into a hellish dimension was another day of the life. As if wandering into the fog to face whatever monster waited there, was nothing to be worried about, and that scared him. How could anyone become so used to this place? So far this place was simply filled with fear and pain and Carter was ready to wake up at any moment but it seemed that moment of awakening was never going to come. This was his new reality now.<br/><br/>"<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0080ff">I'm in.</span>" The other new guy's words pulled Carter from his train of thought with a quickness. "<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffa64d">Wait, what?</span>" He spoke quickly, his voice showing just the slightest quiver of fear for the man. His eyes staring at his handsome features with a sense of overall confusion and bewilderment. But before he could even think about stepping back and backing away Nea turned her attention to him. "<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff9999">Look, new guy, I can tell you're having a moment, but you're gonna wanna snap out of it asap.</span>" She crossed her arms, stepping a bit closer. "<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ffff">Come on Nea, give him a break, he's not used to this place like us.</span>" Said the younger girl Carter knew as Claudette. "<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff9999">No, he needs to realize this isn't a nightmare- well it is, but it is very real. You're coming with us seeing as no one else clearly wants to volunteer anyways. Plus, we all have to go in eventually, there is no avoiding it. Plus with me and Jake.. you stand the best chance of survival.</span>"<br/><br/>Carter looked back to the fire and Claudette as if weighing his options. It wasn't as if he could run away, and it was clear no one was stepping up to take his place. Even the Claudette had backed down a bit, giving Carter and Empathic look. He sighed lightly as he looked back at the rough looking girl as he nodded slightly. "<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffa64d">Whatever, might as well learn what the fuck I'm going to be doing for the next... forever..</span>" The final word barely whispered, which caused Nea to chuckle lightly, slowly pulling a dirty looking cloak that she had tucked into the back of her pants. "<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff9999">While we're probably sure to get sacrificed with you two <i>noobs</i>, this will help. Jake you got one for you and Eli?</span>"<br/><br/>Carter took the shroud looking object in his hands, wondering what the heck use this piece of long fabric would do to help them to which Nea answered his unspoken question. "<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff9999">They're called Shrouds of Union. Don't ask me how they work but if we both hold one end of it and walk into the fog we'll be at the same place at the beginning of the trial. You'll find weird things like this all the time while exploring around the campfire.</span>" And without even giving Carter a second to ask a second of his million questions she tugged the cloth forward as she moved towards the forest's edge. "<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff9999">Just hold tight and don't let go, as we go deeper the fog will grow so thick that you can't see. Just keep moving until it clears. Once it does, you'll find yourself in any number of places. That's when the fun begins.</span>"<br/><br/>And before Carter could even mouth a single word, the fog around the trees seemed to swarm around them, completely blinding him. Till he was walking alone on what seemed like an endless path into insanity, only a dingy yellow cloth held tightly in his grasp.