Saeko's sword sheared right through the writhing fold of darkness - She felt it split apart, beneath her cleaving blade...The liquid hum of steel lingering in her ears, as she swept it to the side to scatter motes of darkness-<br/><br/>As every lamp in the castle went out at once! Her gasp was almost inaudible, drowned out by the Lord's shriek - Saeko's deep brown eyes so very, very wide, as his form *contracted* hideously...Crunching inwards upon itself, compressed and warped and<em>compacted</em>into a tiny sphere that was somehow still *screaming*! She took a step back, her ears ringing as the final<em>CRUNCH</em>came...<br/><br/>-A merciful silence descending at last!<br/><br/>In the aftermath, a cold wind rustled through the ruins of the castle...Before, the damage to the hall had been concealed by the comforting dark. But now, it was revealed at last, more wretched than before - As if by banishing the darkness, she'd torn away all disguise! Steel scraped on leather, as Saeko sheathed her blade...Her eyes widening minutely, as she heard incoming footfalls - A<em>lot</em>of them!<br/><br/>Had the peasants risen up at last - Once the threat was over? Her slim shoulders lifted in a little shrug, her lips curving in a little smile...Well, that wasn't *too* much of a surprise. They'd want to tell themselves that they had something to do with the fall of their Lord, in finally doing what was right...Just the same way that others would fulminate over how they'd<em>absolutely</em>intended to intervene, they'd just been delayed.<br/><br/>They'd have to find their own reasons...She was sure she would hear a lot of them! For now, the important thing was to get dressed, to clean herself off before they found her...After all, what *mattered* was keeping up appearances! In a roundabout way, she *had* fulfilled her task...She just wouldn't mention certain<em>parts</em>of it~!<br/><br/>A soft giggle purred from Saeko's lips, as she did up her armor - Carefully arraying her lovely features into the somber tranquility that was expected of her! Oh, if anyone knew what had taken place here...Well, perhaps it was for the best that they wouldn't find out!<br/><br/>Still...She had to wonder. How had the darkness found it's way in? Perhaps the castle would hold some clue...She'd definitely mention it in her report. For a place like this to be tainted by dark forces...It was *very* troubling indeed. Saeko ran slim fingers through her midnight hair, even as she hurried to dress...Her lips curving in a thoughtful pout!<br/><br/><em>I know your heart,</em>seemed to echo in her mind...As her eyes narrowed.<br/><br/>"We shall see about that."