Zelrian's eyes narrowed as Angelica and Joshua rushed to escape. Joshua looked back to Oz for a moment in horror. What good would bravery do against a demon like that? Angelica pulled her father out of his stupor and rushed after the rest of the villagers, disappearing over the horizon. Zelrian only watched as they escaped, not bothering to pursue them, and instead turning his attention to Oswald. The green-clad man hopped down from the second story and landed softly on his bare feet. 

	"They stood in my way, so I decided to move them. Is that not obvious? As for the book, I do not know, or care, what lies within. I was asked to retrieve it, and retrieve it I shall, even if I have to plow through that old man's bones, and pry it from the corpse of his little girl. The lives of any who oppose my actions are forfeit. You challenge me, knowing this, I'm sure," Zelriane mocked, pulling his right foot back several inches. He rose his left hand out towards Oswald, palm facing outwards, and pulled his right hand close to his stomach, closing it into a tight fist. It was an unfamiliar combat stance, but no doubt, inspired by a martial art. "But I will honor your stance with my own. Your will is strong, but for the sake of your village..." Zelriane paused and his fully jade eyes flashed with a green light before he finished his sentence, "I hope you pose a challenge." Zelriane paused and loosened his stance. "I hadn't actually caught your name. '[i]Ozzy[/i]', was it?" Before allowing Oswald a chance to correct or affirm his guess, he tightened his stance again, and stepped towards Oswald, extending his palm towards his chest with very little strength. It seemed very out of character for a man who'd just moved faster than the eye could follow. Perhaps he was weakened? Or maybe he was just testing the waters? Was this some honor-bound restriction?

	"Nevermind. I don't care."