Night had cast its blanket over Corone, and the biting wind howled around the crags of the Citadel walls like a caged beast, battering its endless stream of patrons in the courtyard. The Telgradian, who had travelled from Whitevale to train once more within the bastion’s halls, stood atop a nearby mound that overlooked the ancient gladiatorial complex. Succumbing to a sudden and inexplicable curiosity, he closed his eyes and reached out with his senses. Suddenly, the sheet of darkness that had previously been populated with tiny specs of light burst into colour before him; each illuminating flicker jagged and bare, but unique. The weaker, blue translucent lights signified the spirits of an average denizen; nothing particularly impressive or threatening. Like the falling of the cold rains, a sheet of these blue lights moved in tandem across the courtyard; a thousand lost droplets destined to be consumed by the earth. The denser, pulsating ruby lights that accentuated the sea of blue told Shinsou Vaan Osiris how the ‘specials’ of Althanas numbered that night. They were few and far between; one for every twenty or thirty blue lights, and were usually ones to be wary of. Numbering in those he had met with “red” energy were Joshua Cronen, Philomel van der Aart, Storm Veritas and John Cromwell, all dangerous and powerful warriors, so the Telgradian knew well the kind of standard that was to be expected by those types.

It was then he saw it, within the narrow keep of the Citadel. A green light, shimmering brightly as it moved across the courtyard, before disappearing entirely from view as it passed through the magnificently ornate gates.

What the hell was that?

Shinsou glared madly at the illuminescent scene before him, trying to see if the light would re-appear. He had never seen a green light before when he was using his spirit sense. What did it represent?

It wasn’t long before the curious Telgradian had stalked the light to a doorway within the famous labyrinthine intestines of Radasanth’s greatest building. From the shadows of the small, private chamber, comprised of bare stone and simple wooden furniture next to a portal as always, stepped one of the Ai’Brone. He was a human man, his face drawn into a smile that was accentuated by the scars on his cheeks. Silently, he looked to Shinsou as the Telgradian uncurled a finger and raised it towards the portal.

"Who is in there?” Shinsou demanded to know.

"Felicity Rhyolite" The monk with the scars spoke, in a soft voice. “It’s an open challenge.”

"Is it, now?” Shinsou’s curiosity was starting to get the better of him. He’d never heard of Felicity Rhyolite, nor ever sensed anyone with a green aura before. It could have been an anomaly, but Shinsou didn’t believe in co-incidences and wasn’t about to start now. He kicked hard at the bottom of Enpera’s sheath, sending it arcing up into his right hand in one deft movement. The monk glanced at the renown spellsword, and his golden eyes blinked back at him.

“Let’s see what this is all about, then.”

***

Shinsou’s first footfall pressed gently onto a shimmering surface, so much so that only his entrance from the Citadel betrayed his arrival into the arena. The ambience of the void took some time to adjust to, but eventually his eyes adjusted to what seemed to be an expanse of mirror like platforms. The room, if it could be called that, seemed somewhat devoid of life, save for the green aura that flared somewhere ahead of him. The walls seemed curved; plated with the same thick, reflective glass that comprised the floor beneath his bootsole.

As the door snapped shut behind him, the clicking of the Telgradian's heels signalled his movement to the center of the giant polished room. They fell silent as his eyes finally fell upon Felicity Rhyolite.

His stoicism, for a moment, was shaken and the Telgradian's expression twisted into a surprised frown. His opponent seemed to be a red headed child. The natural light wasn't fantastic but Shinsou could make out small details; her weapons, including a bow, and an unusual dress sense that seemed to hail from a culture closer to Dhethean than Corone.

Okay. Natural assumption here is that this isn't an ordinary kid; this "Felicity" is armed with hunting equipment and dresses in some sort of tribal attire. Goes without saying she'll be seasoned. Senses aren't telling me anything useful about her magic power though...stay on guard.

Always one for polite introductions, and mindful of not wanting to be the first person in the room to show his hand, Shinsou nodded in acknowledgement to the girl. One hand remained concealed beneath his coat, gently resting on Enpera's green corded hilt.

"So you're Felicity Rhyolite? My name is Shinsou Vaan Osiris," The Telgradian gestured to the shimmering surroundings, "Was the hall of mirrors your idea? Seems like you're risking a lot of bad luck here..."