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Ahzrael's gaze never left the Inusir's eyes, which were laced with a warning that forbade him from proceeding any closer. Her eyes briefly left his, scanning from left to right. Watching her steady expression, it was as if she was trying to recall a thought or a departed memory.

"How did I get here?" she asked, her gaze peeling back to his.

When she spoke, her words pooled out of her lips like a graceful yet powerful river. It was a distinct voice, unlike any he'd ever known and a voice that would be hard to forget.

"You were attacked. Assaulted," he replied, dancing along the truth. She was attacked, just not the way she would ever think, or ever find out.

"Assaulted?" she scoffed in disbelief. "Why am I being attacked when I've done nothing to anyone," she contested. There was a rumble in her tone and the ground softly shuddered. Her brows furrowed, eyes searching for answers.

Ahzrael couldn't help but take heed to her words. It was truly done. Inusirs were known to taunt and tease, but never so far as to claim innocence. They were never innocent, and they took pride in that.

"I don't have that answer. Some beings just strive to bring pain to all and any. You were left for dead, then we found you," he said, in the most earnest tone, his golden eyes tranquil.

She observed him more, her face an array of emotions: bewilderment, vigilance, distrust. One of them should've been dead by now, but he sensed no lethal intentions emanating from her.

A small breath escaped her lips. She was a sure distance away, where no less-superior ears would be able to hear. But for Ahzrael, he heard her sullen breath as if she were only centimeters from him.

She spun half-way, her silver hair swaying with her motions. "I must leave this place," she announced, calm but commanding. There was an unfathomable strength in her, perhaps a strength she was not fully aware of.

Ahzrael guardedly took another step. This time, her head did not move, her body did not flinch, but he knew she sensed it.

"Alright. But I'd like to help you first... maybe we can help each other," he stated, wary. He wasn't used to having to choose his words with such caution. He confirmed to himself that the Inusir had no knowledge of her kind, but these were still mysterious waters.

"Help me?" she questioned, her long cloak lazily moved in the steady wind.

"Yes. The creatures, the... beasts who did this to you, they've hurt many people. And there are others, others that prey on the weak and torture the innocent," he paused, holding himself from going too far.

He waited for her reaction, any reaction. Nothing. He still had her ear and he needed to use it wisely. "And you... they wanted to murder you, to rid you of this universe because you stood against them." There. The explanation was planted, but would it be enough? His penetrating eyes watched her fiercely, preparing for her response.

This could go either one of two ways-- she could believe him and want to know more, or she would recognize his fraudulence and attempt to smite him. No matter what happened, Oziren was but a quick summon away from his hand.

Then, ever so slightly, she turned her head to the side and faced him once more. "And you would help me do what, exactly?"

"I will help you find and punish them," he said in honesty. In fact, it would be her that would be unknowingly helping him.

"Why should I believe you would do all those things? That you would help me?"

He breathed in deep and stared at her, intense. " Because I am a being of my word."

Her sharp eyebrows narrowed, and the silver around the rim of her eyes glowed brighter. She appeared to be absorbing his words, conflicted. A thick tension engulfed the air, and given the expression the Inusir wore, a peaceful ending seemed further away.

Ahzrael had to make a decision. End this. Or, find a way to get her on their side. There was no in-between.

Raising his hands with caution, he tried his damnedest to appear at peace. It was grueling for him, exhausting even. "I mean that in no offense," he said.

She was silent for a moment, pondering. Her brows were still arched in a sharp curve, but her expression seemed less hostile.

"What if I do not wish to find them?" she tested, her eyes still glowing silver but dimmer.

With a closed mouth, he smiled. "But I can't help but feel that you do. We share an enemy. Help us." He kept his eyes steady, his stance still. Inside, his entire core screamed at him for attempting to partner with an Inusir. But he couldn't end this opportunity before giving it the chance to progress.

"You want me to help the same ones who were just trying to kill me, despite what you say?"

He sighed internally. She may not have been the powerful, intelligent being she used to be, but she was not a complete fool.

"I understand it will take time to see the good in them. If not for my people, then help me." His golden eyes were influential enough to lure in any creature, any being. And in this sense, they were calm, charming, and edging on desperate.

When she didn't respond right away, he took that as a chance to move closer to her. Without protest, he walked closer and closer, until he was only about two feet away.

With little distance separating them, he felt her radiance exuding from her inner being. The power she possessed was strong, but not as strong as he knew it be.

Her silver eyes were as bright as a thousand suns, and just as mesmerizing up close. Any lower being would be enthralled by her gaze, compelled to do whatever she desired.

For Ahzrael, it was not much of a struggle, but he could not deny the pull. The pull was neither pleasant nor painful. There was a feeling that almost-- almost made him question his ideas about Inusirs. But Ahzrael proved stronger. Then there was another urge to call for Oziren again and be done with this whole charade. And if that took place, he would have to find another way to gain the advantage of an everlasting war.

No. You've gotten this close. Heed this opportunity while you can, he told himself.

"What are you?" she asked, throwing him off guard.

He contemplated if lying or being truthful would be the better bet. Everything he'd seen so far proved Oroya's spell more and more. He'd already given his home's true name. He would gamble with the truth once more. "I'm a Diuxal," he said, simple, yet with pride.

She squinted her eyes as if trying to ponder the name. "Diuxal..." she murmured. "I will need to think. I don't understand this, so I will think," she said, her words flowing smoothly from her lips.

He nodded his head without his eyes ever leaving hers. The pull may have attempted to confuse him, to tell him that all that made her malevolent was eradicated, but he knew the real truth behind those silver spheres. The truth of blood and hatred. He would hold onto that truth until the final glory.

"I understand. I need to return to my family, but I will return after and we can discuss your decision." He nodded, then turned away from her, walking down the hill.

About to transform into his familiar light, her sudden voice halted him.

"Zaaveyta," she said, brief. Ahzrael glanced back at her, their eyes meeting once more.

"You asked for my name... Zaaveyta," she stated. Her name seeped through her mouth with grace and certitude. The name sparked something in Ahzrael, something he didn't understand.

But one thing he felt, was a slight alarm. He had believed she would've forgotten her name.

"You know your name?"

"Yes. There are things I remember, not many, but my name is one of them." Her hair moved with the wind as she turned away from Ahzrael for the last time. "I will think now. Until you return... Ahzrael."

With that, she said no more. He watched her standing as still as a statue as she gazed into the horizon. He wasn't sure if her knowing his name was something he'd have to worry about. But he knew he shouldn't keep his comrades waiting for too long. He turned to leave, but before he vanished, she spoke again. But it wasn't to him, it was to herself.

"Diuxal..." she muttered, soft.

He didn't remain for any more of her reactions. Transforming into a cloud of light, he sped to the acropolis.

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