[i] The unnatural encroaching darkness signaled Ronin's arrival. The way the shadows stretched and pulled in abnormal ways, like something was beckoning them forth and disrupting their peace. From the earth only a few feet in front of Lucien, those same encroaching shadows pooled and coalesced into a humanoid figure, where Lance was left standing. He wore the same swords and armor Lucien had seen when they'd first met: the glossy black armor and Oni mask, his three katanas at his waist bound by a silk ribbon, and the yin-yang, plus the coiled red cobra on his shoulder..[/i] "You called?" [i] Lance questions, his voice droll and almost bored. In reality, he was curious as to what Lucien wanted.[/i]