For a moment silence descended on the night woods.

A low growl rumbled somewhere in the shadows, but was soon quieted.

Eyes of the dead blinked between the trees, bright and haunting, but closed and were gone.

"[i]So you aren't deluded.[/i]"

A shadow in the shape of a man paced slowly around the edge of the Lantern's reach. His voice was a smiling whisper.

"[i]So you aren't weak.[/i]"

He stopped, and he faced her, scrutinizing. "[i]The Dragon lives because of me. I exist because of the Dragon. I held hope there may have been a different end,[/i]" he hissed, "[i]but you now well know the endlessness of her hunger. Her sons and daughters, your dear brother, none of them are beyond her jaws.[/i]"

He stepped forward, into the light -- trusting that she would not use it against him, his eyes locked on hers -- while the lion behind him dripped with blood. As the red Lantern's light threw the darkness away he seemed only a man, though a roiling power followed him; he was draped in black, his sharp face had never touched a smile, his stare was gray and piercing.

Slowly he extended a hand. An invitation. "[i]Rest, now,[/i]" he assured her solemnly. "[i]No more tricks -- you're safe with me. When you wake I'll show you power unimaginable.[/i]" A cruel smile lifted the corner of his mouth. "[i]We both shall have our revenge.[/i]"