Riku focused his will. He channeled a sliver of dark, hungry magic into the newly carved runes.
The sword did not blaze with light. It did the opposite. It seemed to drink the surrounding shadows. The runes pulsed once with a deep, violet light. Then they settled into a faint, almost invisible thrum. The air around the blade grew cold.
The demonstration was over in less than ten seconds.
Riku held up the newly created artifact. It was identical to the Soul-Drinker he had sold at auction.
The Violet Emissary let out a sharp, audible gasp. Her professional calm shattered. She took a single, sharp step backward, her hand dropping to the hilt of a dagger hidden in the folds of her violet robes. Her knuckles were white.
Kaelith made a soft, gagging sound. His face, already pale, turned a sickly, ashen grey. He stumbled back, his hand flying to his chest as if to keep his heart from beating its way out. "Gods above..." he wheezed.
