"Isn't it ironic? You came here, looking for knowledge and power only to find yourself standing before me." her boisterous laughter echoed throughout the cave. There was no malice. In fact, the entity appeared amused. Her brows arched up mockingly, and her eyes narrowed toward the one man who stood at the helm of the group. His body stiffened at the attention. She wasn't talking to the others, she was referring to him alone.

He could feel every breath he took, the palms of his hand building up moisture from gripping the blade too tightly as he noticed briefly that he was bleeding. Altair wanted to loosen his hands from the hilt ever so slightly, but her eyes would not let him seek relief. It was as if she was waiting for his response.

No. it was more like she was challenging him, questioning him for the decisions he's made to stand before her now. No matter the outcome here, it would seem that this was her plan all along. He fell into her trap.

And it frightened him.