If he heard her say his true name, he didn't show it, his advance held no hesitation. He urged her to respond, 'Come on Faira, draw your blade!' he thought as he made off towards her. He knew she had a guardian, he could sense his blood. To truly evade Sanguenon's senses required powerful obscuring magics, or for one to have no blood. He kept at her, as if he did not suspect the assassin, hoping she would at least act before Rhys had a chance. He was left disappointed. His anger for her was real, it appalled him that she was so weak, so unfit to protect her own self. He could feel the potential inside her, it was unlike anything he'd ever sensed. The demon within' recoiled at her very presence, if she only knew. He suspected her realization of his true identity was the cause for such inaction, but it was no excuse.<br/><br/>He jerked his left shoulder back and twisted out to his right, spinning about in order to dodge the blade of Rhys as he descended with furious intent. Time seemed to slow, he looked Rhys directly in the eyes as he came around from his evasion, still deathly close to both the assassin and the Empress. His blade gleamed in the darkness, the gem at the center of its hilt calling for blood. He lashed out with two strikes, it seemed it was all Rhys could do to bring his sword up in time to defend. He only managed to parry one strike, the other passing by him in a gleaming streak. He had felt nothing, and assumed he had forced the miss, though he wasn't sure how. This dark elf was good, real good, he had to change tactics. A quick back flip sent his legs one after the other lashing out in a harsh uppercut, simultaneously holstering his daggers and having his bow pulled from his back and an arrow knocked.<br/><br/>As Aurora also came to the Empresses aid, he knew this had to stop. His true task was to challenge her, to force her to understand the gravity of her situation. There was no room for that now, without risking the lives of her protectors. Though truthfully he had no qualms about doing so, it was only his love for her that restrained him. He was not the same elf he once was, a very real taint had clung to his soul and strangled it like the vines that now engulfed this disheveled house.<br/><br/>Then she finally showed him some of that power. He watched in awe as the light shone brightly from her outstretched hands. The white rays eagerly and easily dispelling any and all darkness. His pupils dilated, eager for more to quench the incredible thirst for peace deep inside his soul. The demon was not so eager for this cleansing light. In an instant his eyes became as pure blood, not even a pupil remained.<br/><br/>'You should listen to her.' his words as cold as the bottom of a northern ocean. The look he gave Aurora and Rhys pouring over with murder. He would gladly kill them both, it was not them he sought to save.<br/><br/>Rhys spat his next words. 'You owe her your life, cur! Another moment and your life would have been forfeit..' his eyes revealing his intensity.<br/><br/>'Oh?' Said Sanguenon, holding up his sword to cover half his face, a streak of red could be seen running slowly down one edge. Only then did Rhys feel the pain at his neck. His hand searched for the cause, and came back bloody. He snarled at Sanguenon, 'Filth! I'll kill you for that...' that produced a quipping laugh from the dark elf as the blood on the sword was drawn by some unseen force around the hand guard to the ruby faceted securely at it's center. The gem gorged eagerly, inexplicably soaking up the sanguine treat until it was gone.<br/><br/>Aurora's features were as firm as stone, her resolve to strike this dark elf dead for his actions absolute. She was tall, and muscled for a she-elf, but her form still quite feminine and proud. Though she would not disobey her Empress needlessly, and remained at her side, sword at the ready. Even the slightest provocation would spur her to action.<br/><br/>'This is not about me,<i>Empress</i>..' His last word spoken with a chilling cold, as if informing in two syllables that their relationship was as dead as his family. 'You should consider your situation with more clarity, don't waste your time or emotions. For all intents and purposes, Arahaelon is no more..'<br/><br/>'Yesss..' The wretched thing inside him urged.<br/><br/>'I only attempted to test you, Faira..' Just saying her name caused the thing inside him to writhe and squirm. He still loved her.<br/><br/>'You failed, by the way..' With a brilliant fluidity he slashed the air in a roundabout motion that left the blade once again sheathed with a sharp metallic crack.