[Darkness]

The dark cloaked man saw the last attack coming and began to turn, bringing the staff up to deflect, but it was already too late. The staff collided heavily with his ribs, throwing him to the side and onto the ground. He lay there for several seconds, trying to summon the energy to move, trying to ignore the pain that coursed through him from his now numerous injuries. He had to get up... He had to be prepared. That finishing attack would come any moment now, and he had to be able to defend against it, or he'd be doomed. But... that attack did not come. Why not...? he asked himself.

[MA-53]

"Tell me..." Saelel panted. "Who are you?"

[Darkness]

The dark cloaked man sighed inwardly. He supposed it would be honorable to speak, seeing as this man had defeated him. "I am Daeshaire du Aldoris. Considered to be a 'fallen' Ekuwyn, for turning on the Light and shrouding myself in the magicks of darkness."

[MA-53]

"Why do you seek what those adventurers have?"

[Darkness]

"There are indeed many forms of evil in the world. The object the adventurers carried, I wished to learn of its nature, and of the adventurers' natures. I had... seen a glimpse of its power when I spotted them fleeing the reknosks. It is an artifact of great might. If the Fallen himself wished it, I knew its purpose could not be some menial thing. So I intended to learn what it was it did, and to decide to whom the adventurers aligned themselves. If they had good intentions, I would have reconsidered attacking. But my impression of them was not so.

"... Though you seem to be under such an impression, all that I said previously was not completely false. My past is dark, and it is a long time now that I have sought the path of Light once more. My intentions in seeking them were not completely evil, as you seem to think."