[h2][color=ed1c24]Maddox[/color][/h2]

When the shadowy figure revealed that his trick, Maddox smirked. [color=ed1c24][I]Clever. I trapped an illusion, not the genuine article. Wasted all that magic for nothing. I can see why the Council had difficulties,[/I][/color] he thought to himself, looking up to see the shadow transform into a copy of Maddox himself. This wiped the smirk off his face now. [color=ed1c24]"It's one thing to avoid capture with a smart illusion, but do you really need to steal my face too?"[/color] he asked, almost sarcastically.

Despite the obvious threat of the approaching attack, Maddox didn't move. [color=ed1c24][I]I've already lost this fight.[/I][/color] With a sigh, he resigned himself to his inevitable defeat before Grane appeared and halted the attack. The red-haired mage sat up now, looking confused. [color=ed1c24]"You're even worse off than I am,"[/color] he muttered to himself, impressed by the Council member's resolve. [color=ed1c24]"But I can't..."

[I]What am I saying?[/I][/color] Maddox thought to himself, interrupting his conversation with Grane. [color=ed1c24][I]Am I really giving up? Have I grown so weak that a critically weakened foe I had faced before can stand in front of me?[/I][/color] Maddox clenched a fist and looked at it. [color=ed1c24][I]Where has my will to live gone? The passion I once had. The determination. Growing weak is one thing but losing myself is unforgivable.[/I][/color] With a frown, the red-haired mage got back onto his feet.

Red light began glowing around him, matching Grane's defenses. His serious expression settled on the shadowy figure that stole his appearance. Maddox raised a hand toward the pillar of light he had created earlier, ceasing the spell anti-climactically rather than letting it detonate and destroy the building. [color=ed1c24]"I had forgotten something important..."[/color] he spoke up. [color=ed1c24]"I had forgotten the strength of my resolve."[/color] At this point Sayuri appeared and launched a surprise attack against the shadow man. Maddox nodded towards Grane and teleported behind Shutler, striking out with his Light-infused foot to deliver a powerful kick. One which would hopefully knock him into Sayuri's attack as well as whatever Grane had planned. [color=ed1c24][I]I won't allow myself to become so weak as to give up.[/I][/color]