[sub][sub][h3]Unknown Location - [i]Test of the Faceless / Marcus Roman[/i] - 450HP - 5/6[/h3][/sub][/sub][hr]
	Flames danced and the air scorched as a burst of heat and an eruption of fire exploded into the atmosphere and consciously charged towards the imposing black faceless. The sentient being remained in place and simply allowed the burning embers to embrace its body freely. Though the magical spell continued to burn, the creature within continued to lack any sort of reaction or visible change in its behavior or physiology. Eventually, it grunted and the flames quickly shrunk until they ceased to exist. "You would decompose yourself in an attempt to smite your foe? Ignorant fool," The black faceless sighed in disappointment. 

	Marcus witnessed the first significant use of magical offense, but only between sword blocks and parries. His personal foe had begun a flurry of reckless offense though without a proper bone structure to dictate joint limitations, strikes rained down from all manner of unexpected angles. It felt as if the creature was trained while at the same time swinging out of pure anger and desperation. It was a dichotomy that made the former knight all the more curious, but he could not afford to lose a grip on his concentration. Blocking an overhead slash, Marcus pivoted and hopped back a few crucial steps. He was beginning to feel the weight of armor despite it being of a lighter plate and his chest was beginning to heave slightly - had it he been out of combat that long? Thoughts of his two year prison term flooded his mind for a few precious seconds, but he quickly washed it away. It was obvious that his conditioning would be affected, but he never thought he would be this rusty. Taking a two handed grip, Marcus retook his fighting stance; this battle could not go on any longer. 

	Nicholas successfully tackled Fiona, but the momentum caused his own body to tumble to the side with her as a massive black fist crushed the earth. The black faceless slowly pulled back and turned its head towards the mercenary and the disciple. It almost seemed like it was going to say something when it -- again, seemingly -- thought better of it and instead returned to it's previous position. This time however, its arms bubbled and fizzled before transforming themselves into an impressive looking black tower shield and an ornate, savage looking Scimitar. Crouching its knees and hunching its shoulders, the beast finally looked like it was preparing to go on the offensive. After having absorbed Fiona's magical attack like it was nothing, the party was going to be in for a tougher fight than they had anticipated.