The light in Kalila's eyes spreads, covering everything until no white, no iris, no pupil remains. Just pure glowing magic. Her expression becomes stoic, cold, empty of emotion as the power coursing through her takes control.

The man's words echo in her mind. *She'd be way more useful to us.* For a moment, doubt tries to creep in. Should she have stayed quiet? Should she have hidden?

But the magic doesn't let her spiral. It holds her steady.

The man advances toward her, blood seeping through his armor. In the past, Kalila would have panicked, tried to run, sought safety. But now she stands perfectly still, eerily calm.

Her voice carries that otherworldly echo, almost drowning out her own words.

[b]"So be it. You have made your choice. You shall not rob anyone of anything ever again!"[/b]

Her hand moves with unnatural expertise, picking up a kitchen knife from the table. She's never trained with a blade, never fought in close combat. But her hand knows exactly where to go.

She drives the knife straight into the festering wound where her magic struck before.

The man screams.

Kalila twists the blade like turning a key in a lock. Thunder explodes inside his body with a sharp crack. The hex continues its work, the wound blackening and rotting before everyone's eyes.

He staggers back, gasping, clutching at the knife still embedded in his chest.

[b]"You... you bitch..."[/b]

He rips the blade out and throws it to the floor. Blood pours from the wound. He's breathing hard, struggling to stay upright.

Then he moves, disengaging carefully, backing toward the door. His eyes never leave Kalila.

[b]"You'll regret this,"[/b] he snarls. [b]"My brother and I... we'll be back. And when we come, we'll burn this whole place to the ground!"[/b]

[b]"DON'T YOU EVER COME BACK HERE!"[/b] Gerta screams, her pan still raised. [b]"You hear me?! NEVER!"[/b]

But she doesn't follow. Neither does Garrek or Mick. They stand their ground, tense, ready, but letting him go.

The man reaches the door, still backing away, still watching Kalila with those cold eyes.

The tension in the room is suffocating. Everyone is frozen, waiting.

[hider=Initiative Tracker]
**Round 2 - Kalila's Decision**

1. Mick (18) - [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/29653]18[/url] - Standing ready, not pursuing
2. **Kalila (16) - YOUR DECISION: Follow? Attack? Let him go?**
3. Mysterious Man (15) - [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/29656]15[/url] - Disengaged, retreating to door
4. Gerta (14) - [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/29654]14[/url] - Not pursuing
5. Garrek (10) - [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/29655]10[/url] - Not pursuing

**Current Status:**
- Mysterious Man: 22 damage taken total, Hexed, retreating
- Kalila: Unharmed, magic fully manifested
- Others: Tense but not pursuing
[/hider]

[hider=OOC]**Round 2 Attack Rolls:**
- Mick vs Mysterious Man (with advantage): [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/29660]13[/url] (HIT) - [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/29662]3 damage[/url]
- Kalila vs Mysterious Man (with advantage): 23 and 19 (HIT) - 8 damage total (3 piercing + 3 necrotic + 2 thunder)

**Total Damage Dealt:** 22 (11 + 3 + 8)
[/hider]

[hr]
[b]Does Kalila follow him? Attack him as he retreats? Or let him go?[/b]