White light, intense. There he stood, floating in the air, his clothes and skin a brilliant, completely pure white. His arms to his sides, but slightly away, with his hands open. His face was tilted to the sky, but his eyes were closed. His hair danced atop his head, blown by a holy wind, and like a fire, was lit a glowing orange. Upon his brow, just below his flame-like hair, a curious symbol was lit in gold light, and from it cast a warm glow. For a moment, from his back were stretched white feathered wings as the wings of angels, and it was as if he had become a warrior of light in a moment. Then his wings vanished and his light faded, his hair, skin, and clothes returning to their proper color. He floated slowly to the ground, not a scratch upon his gear, clothes, or skin, but there was still the curious mark upon his forehead. As his feet touched the ground and his hair settled from the wind, it was covered and shown no more. His head dropped and he opened his eyes. He blinked several times, then yawned and stretched. The warrior he was had been shown, but he was unconcerned and uncaring for it, it meant little to him, so long as those he was to protect were still safe…

He looked deep into the Eyes that Consume. Marveled and amazed were all who watched. Unflinching were they both, yet he was not consumed by the fire. There was no test of strength or mind, knowledge or wisdom, skill or power, to be found this time, the test was only a test of will as his clashed with hers in a place none could see, surely there was a powerful and colossal battle waged between the two. For days it seemed they clashed, frozen in a moment of time that could have lasted an eternity. But finally, with great effort and exertion, his will broke upon hers and both fell, loosing all power the struggle of wills was a draw and both were consumed…

He looked long upon the woman, gnarled and ugly as with a thousand lifetimes of hardship and age. The hideousness of her presence would make shutter many, and would have her sent away or killed. But instead of her body, he looked long and deep within her eyes. He saw, searching deep, that there was more within then was feigned without, that her being was not what her countenance would lead to believe. There was great power within her and so he brought his guard and commanded: “Show thyself for who thou truly art! For I know that thou hide behind but a mask! Reveal thyself or prepare to fend off my wrath!”

And in an instant she grew tall, her stoop gone. She grew thin, slender, graceful, and tall. Her grizzled white hair fell as silk, long down to the ground and spread as a train behind her. Her rags were transformed about her as a yellow gown of many thin layers, yellow and white, graceful, yet neither encumbersome nor pierceable with eye or weapon. She lifted her head and towered above him, her pure blue eyes searching him over. He could no longer penetrate her gaze and as her eyes crossed his, he blushed and turned slightly aside. In her gaze she could see through mountains, he perceived, and could see deep into him, body, soul, and heart. But he turned aside for only a moment, then locked back his gaze into her piercing eyes. His cheeks flushed red, but he held his gaze locked with her eyes and she with his.

“So I understand,” said he, “and you also, for in seeing the whole of my being, you have seen the object of my quest and the trials I have so far surpassed. Pray tell me, then, why you look over me so, yet do neither harm or aide.”

Her mouth moved not, but he perceived deep in his soul that she spoke with both power and grace, as many waters her voice flowed within him, deep and smooth. “I shalt not try thee, for thou hast the intent of justice and righteousness as thy aides. Thou have earned my curiosity, for in thee I have seen that which never before hath crossed mine eyes. I have searched your being for the answer to why thee art so. Your goal I have not, yet it lies still. The power thou need lies within. Neither within sanctuary nor stronghold, but within thee. This vessel I shalt gift thee. Thy power lies within yet without, so go thee to the Well of Life and fill with the pure of the pure that thou shalt find there. For though thou knowest it not, thou shalt find the source of thy own power. But I warn thee, this is not a journey free of danger. For though thou shalt free thy people, thy life may escape thee for that freedom. Dost thee still wish to go?”

“I see no power I possess within or without, but by thy words I shalt say it may be. I willt go, for I may not life whilst all die. Shouldst mine own life be taken from me, so I say so be it. For without others I see no life within me, but should they have life, I shalt also, even in death.”

“Thy words hath pleased mine ears. Then I shalt give thee also this gift. It has power to save, but never to destroy. Wear it about thine neck as an amulet, and take this vessel to the Well of Life. Fill it, and then return to thy people. There thou shalt see what I hast already, and thy journey begin where it began.”

In an instant she was gone, and the light with her, but the gift was hung under his shirt from a fine chain about his neck. It rested against his chest under his clothes. The vessel she gave him was clear to see through and attached to a strap bound about him as a sash. So began his journey that moment, for the life of those he sought. With but the gear gifted him and the cloak he wore over his clothes he set out, still not grasping the truth…

"I know you're in here. You may be invisible to my eyes while you stand still, but as soon as you move, in this light, I will see you. And I'm going to walk around this room until I bump into you, and then you will be mine. It is unavoidable."

He sat crouched as his persuer began walking the room, looking for any sign of motion. I have to do something, he thought. But if I move, he'll see me, my invisibility isn't perfect. He'll see the distortion of my motion in this light...in this light...?

His eyes looked up to see the light source far above. There were nine lights connected by cable, but if he was to shoot his gun, he would be seen in the distortion, then it hit him, his bow. He very slowly set down his pistol, then took his bow from his back, took a tech arrow and notched it, and then fired it at the middle light He let loos the string and the arrow flew, shattering the light on impact, and then bursting into a blue explosion. Both in the room looked up at it, then Matt jumped into motion, not wanting to be caught by the trail of the arrow. In his haste, he ran past one of the doors that opened by the motion sensor.