She felt fury rise within her. He refused her still...<br/><br/>Just as she was tensing her body, adapting a posture similar to a pouncing cat, there was a rustling of wind, a crack of a twig, and suddenly a third figure stood in the clearing. He was cloaked in a dark robe, which concealed his features aside from his height. He was very tall, nearly seven feet. When he spoke, his voice was cold, harsh, and deep. The sound of his voice was not heard physically. Instead, it seemed to come from everywhere, and nowhere at the same time, received mentally rather than as a physical sound.<br/><br/>"You failed... even with all of the skills and power I gifted to you...  you could not tame a single mortal."<br/><br/>The woman cowered at the sight of the figure, hunching over and bowing submissively. Though she tried to remain calm, her fear was evident in her voice. "Master... he is no ordinary mortal. His control is strong. Too strong for my influence. If I push any harder, I will break his mind completely. He would be of no use to you, master. Please... Let me try again. I will not fail you. I will find a perfect specimen. Please."<br/><br/>His voice cracked like a whip. It was sudden, harsh, and violent. As he spoke, he was suddenly towering over her. He hadn't actually moved. One moment he was standing several yards away, the next he was right beside her.<br/><br/>"Foolish slave!! You beg for mercy which you have not earned!! Have I not given you every patience you should need? Have I not gifted you with power which others could only wish for? Have you not been granted your every desire?! Why then could you not complete this one task?!?!"<br/><br/>He gripped a hand in her hair and jerked her head back, forcing her to look up at him. She fell to her knees, crying out in pain as his hand lovingly stroked her face. Where his hand touched, it left behind horrible burns which smoked and bled. Flesh fell, smoking, from her face to fall to the forest floor. She screamed in agony. He stroked her again, this time down her arm, once more leaving behind the horrible burns.<br/><br/>"No!! Master!! Please!!! I will not fail you!! Please!"