The inlaid circle of mithral flares ever so faintly as she crosses it and the creatures in the cavern all creep slowly forth under the shadows, waiting silent and hungry.<br/><br/>But to Niaobe, the entire world changes in that single step.  Sunlight spills into a forest glade as her bare feet tread on the softest grass and a warm breeze teases her hair and bare back.  A gown of soft silk as white as snow slides and caresses her chest and legs, swirling about her calves in the breeze.<br/><br/>And before her stands the source of the power she's felt.  Crossing the circle has removed that barrier and it is like a cloud parting to let the sun shine directly upon her.  The sensation of power thrumming through everything is almost painful.  She can feel it pulse in a rhythm that can only be his heartbeat and her own heart seems powerless to do anything but match it.<br/><br/>He is perfection, the template that all elves are a shadow of.  A loose toga of gold covers him from shoulder to mid thigh.  He lifts his gaze to her and his eyes piece her.  He knows... everything.  Sees... every moment of triumph and failure and joy and misery that form the weave of who she is.<br/><br/>"Niaobe Percivan..."  Once again his voice comes to her ears from inside and she sees that his lips do not move as his words touch her and send sparks along her nerves.  "I am Malikai."