Vale's laughter was weaker this time. Even now, moments from death, the vampire managed a toothy grin as his head lay back. "I suppose you're right. I've never been much afraid of death myself, or any consequences at all." He paused and his smile vanished. "I'm not telling you to run away, nor do I seek to eviscerate your indomitable little spirit. I offer you, only a warning, and some friendly advice." Vale struggled to raise one of his hands towards his shredded cheek, pointing to it with a finger that shook more violently than a spastic rodent. "His eyes," Vale started, "His eyes see [b]everything.[/b] They're unlike the eyes of his children, unlike the visual prowess that already keeps you and your little hero brigade on the ropes. His eyes [b]see all.[/b]" Vale's arm dropped limply by his side. The wound that Bruce caused finally clotted. "I stepped into his study, guided through this mystical maze by the little black creature, with the intent of killing him. I may not be nearly strong enough to perform feats like the Gaians, or clever enough to manipulate people like Geode, but I pride myself on my knowledge. And, in one outcome, I saw myself killing him on my own." Vale took a moment to breath deeply, even though he [i]didn't need to.[/i] His breaths were far enough apart to hint at that. His wasn't [i]alive[/i] after all. Or, was he? The line continued to blur as he went on.

	"It was the one moment where his eyes were powerless, when branding another [i]child[/i]," Vale spat, gesturing his head to signify the shredded mark under his eye, "But I was sloppy. He didn't believe me." Vale's eyelids drooped and his lips began to wrinkle with sadness. "The moment didn't come."

	"His eyes see all," Vale repeated. He looked back up to Bruce, and smiled, bearing his trademark smile disingenuously. "The answer is in his children. The only way to destroy him, is through his children." Vale's eyes snapped to the tower's exit. The ground shook as Ada was struck by Atlas' hammer. "They are connected to one another- To him." Vale's eyes began to glow a deep silver as he spoke that last sentence, and his smile disappeared. 

	[i]"Shit"[/i]

	Bruce felt a hand gently touch his shoulder, and pull him back politely.

	[color=ed1c24]"For a moment,"[/color] Yzeira whispered, walking towards Vale slowly, [color=ed1c24]"I was convinced."[/color]