The cave went very, very quiet.
Raizen's hand was already halfway to his sword when Elin moved.
One heartbeat she was just standing there.
The next, both of her forearms snapped down with a quick, practiced motion.
Metal gleamed in the colorful light.
Thin blades slid out of the leather guards on her arms, one into each hand. The knives were short, no longer than her palm. Silver. Razor thin.
Red Eon coiled around them at once.
It wrapped around the steel in tight, precise loops, like threads waiting for a command.
Raizen had never seen her move that fast.
The figure at the table lifted both hands, palms open.
"I mean no harm" he said. His voice was calm. "If I wanted to kill you, Sky Sovereign, this would have been a very bad way to start."
Elin did not relax.
She didn't even blink.
She shifted her weight just enough to put herself slightly in front of Raizen. The red threads around the knives tightened, humming in the air.
