Vespera watched the unnatural darkness coiling around Aurelion's arm. A slow, amused smile spread across her own lips, and as he waited for her impressed acknowledgment, she gave a simple, one word answer.
"No."
Aurelion's head tilted slightly, his confident expression faltering for the first time. "Beg your pardon."
"No, little light," she repeated.
The smirk was completely gone now, replaced by a flat, impatient frown. "And why not?"
"Because," Vespera said, taking a graceful step closer to him
"My techniques are techniques of shadow manipulation. And what you are doing... is not shadow manipulation."
Aurelion looked at Vespera, his analytical gaze assessing her, and he saw that she was completely serious.
"I am aware that what I'm doing is different, Vespera," he said, his own voice losing its earlier arrogance, replaced by a cold, factual tone.
