[i] Lance gritted his teeth in anticipation of what would happen next. The spear came into contact with the rune on his chest, which promptly exploded in a blast of shadowy energy. Almost with a devouring effect, it swallowed the spear into oblivion, the rune fading from existence off of Lance's skin, leaving a scorch mark on his chest. Almost like a contingency plan.. Lance sheathed the katana he had in his hand at his hip in a simple black scabbard, bowing to Lucien before placing his hand on the hilt of his blade. Shadows erupted from his feet, elbows, shoulders, knees, and palms, as he blurred from existence. The earth split apart in a massive crag, flames were extinguished in a whoosh of air, as Lance sped towards Lucien for one final attack. Lance's Iaido, his single most perfected attack in his arsenal, that up to this point, no one had witnessed it. It was the pinnacle of his capability in terms of his speed, the very air bending around him and slicing into his skin as he sped through with such force the wind itself sliced into his flesh. Lance was little more than a Wraith in the single moment he'd closed the distance between Lucien, brought his katana across his body in a vicious, demented diagonal slash across Lucien's torso, and ended up fifty feet behind Lucien. This was why Lance was known as The Demon. He'd made sure, for at least one moment, for one attack, he was the best swordsman in the world. He didn't need a whole arsenal that could outmatch someone point for point, he just needed one move that would end anyone. And this Iaido, was his. [/i]