When the dust from the explosion cleared, all that was present at the site was a small plane of glass, the sand flash burned by the sudden heat. But no trace of Kranath was to be found. Acacius spoke to dead air, and swirling dust.
Some distance away, the dragon assassin knelt slightly, the ends of his long-coat singed.
"So. He can speak. I'd started thinking you'd forgotten how," he said, his voice low. He stood up, looking down on Acacius from up the slight hill.
"Indeed, I am outmatched. Due to resurrection, or my Lady's lost favor, I know not." He walked, keeping his eyes trained on the slayer, towards his kodachi.
"But I won't lay down, not to you. Not now. I'll be back, after I recover, after my true strength returns, and then there will be a reckoning."
He bent down, eyes still trained on the other, and picked up his kodachi, sliding it into place above his wakizashi.
"Until then...I bid you farewell. Seek another to fight, but don't you dare die. Your death will be my first conquest."
His entire form then turned jet black, wavering slightly as the sun began to crest the horizon. Then a formless shadow, his man-shaped outline raced across the sand, and vanished.