The creature did not respond immediately.
But after a brief moment, it turned its gaze if it could be called that toward him.
The ghostly flame that made up its head pulsed once more, and a voice emerged.
It was not made of sound but of vibration.
"You should fight me," the Swordmaster said.
Its voice echoed strangely, as though dozens of spirits whispered the same words in unison.
"We have the same origin..."
"It will be useful to you. And you have no right to pass unless you defeat me."
Skraal's expression tightened slightly.
He didn't answer right away.
His thoughts churned.
There was something within him that resisted unnecessary combat but there was also clarity.
"So be it."
Still, he asked once more for clarity.
"Defeat," Skraal said, "does not mean death?"
The Swordmaster tilted its head slightly.
"It can," it answered.
"It is your choice to do what you want to do with the being you have defeated."
Skraal let out a slow breath.
This was not cruelty. T
