Raegar was falling asleep as the door opened and someone slipped inside. He went to speak, but a hand covered his mouth. He was surprised when a blade appeared at his neck as a woman's voice echoed in his ear. ''Don't move, guardian, or you die.''

Her words caused the Fusion Army to react within him; he told them to wait. 'Hold on until I summon you, I want to know how she got in her,' he thought.

Just then, a hand started searching him, but stopped when it felt his abs, prompting him to tease the assassin with a smirk. ''Shocked by my body, eh? Well, if you put down the knife, I'd be willing to show you more.''

Raegar heard a visible gulp; despite this, the woman held firm, causing him to sigh in annoyance. ''You're no fun. Shadow, show her true power.''

Following that, a yelp echoed out as the Black Knight appeared from the shadows and sliced through the assassin's arms and legs. Bringing her crashing to the ground as the room was flooded by Fusion Soldiers, all armed to the teeth and pointing their weapons at the intruder, but he waved them away.

''She's harmless now,'' he said as he crouched and reached for the stranger mask and ripped it off, only to be left shocked.

Raegar's gaze landed on a gorgeous Dark Elf. Her skin, a deep charcoal grey, seemed to absorb the flickering Aether light in the room, giving her an almost ethereal quality. Her eyes, a bright red that mirrored his own, held his stare with unflinching confidence. The striking similarity in their gazes sparked his curiosity, but it was her hair that truly captivated him.

Cascading in sleek, silvery strands, her dark silver hair was cropped at a sharp angle, grazing her jawline. The metallic sheen caught the light, shimmering faintly as she tilted her head. Her short, sculpted hair framed her angular features, highlighting the sharp lines of her cheekbones and curve of her lips.

Raegar found himself studying her longer than he intended, his eyes tracing the contrast between her ashen skin and the molten glow of her hair. She carried herself with a quiet strength even though she was injured. He leaned against the stone wall, a playful smirk tugging at his lips as he met the Dark Elf's fiery gaze.

''I know you won't tell me who sent you, but I'll have you whispering their name once you're moaning mine,'' he teased, his voice full of mischief.

The Dark Elf's eyes blazed with fury, her charcoal-grey skin seeming to darken as she straightened, her short silver hair glinting like polished steel in the torchlight. "So you'll rape me like the rest of your kind have done to us!'' she spat, her words sharp enough to cut through the air between them.

Raegar's smirk vanished, his brow furrowing as he pushed off the wall, his expression shifting to one of genuine offense. He raised his hands, palms open, as if to ward off her accusation. ''No, no, cast that thought from your mind,'' he said firmly, his tone softening. ''I'd never force myself on anyone. It's far more enjoyable when both sides are willing, makes the dance all the sweeter when we're in step.''

Her lips curled into a sneer, her voice dripping with venom. ''Why would I ever share a bed with a filthy human?''

Raegar tilted his head, unfazed by her scorn, a spark of amusement flickering in his eyes. ''Maybe because I'm charming? Handsome, even? The most famous eighteen-year-old on the continent?'' he quipped, flashing a roguish grin that earned him a withering glare.

He chuckled softly but then let his tone grow earnest, his gaze steady as it traced her features. ''Truth is, I've never met one of your kind before, and you fascinate me. I find your skin is gorgeous, your hair shimmering like moonlight, and those eyes, red as embers, sharp enough to pierce a man's soul; they're mesmerizing. I can't look away.''

The Dark Elf's glare faltered for a fleeting moment, her posture stiff but her eyes narrowing as if weighing his words. The air between them crackled with tension. Then she flared with restored fury. ''You think your honeyed words will sway me, human?'' she hissed, her voice a venomous lash. ''Your kind are all the same, silver-tongued snakes who cage what they cannot tame!''

When the woman finished speaking, she tried to get up, but couldn't thanks to the injuries she suffered. Raegar's expression hardened, though his eyes held a flicker of regret. ''I'd rather not do this, the girls will want me too,'' he murmured.

He raised a hand, Aether swirling around his fingers like wisps of smoke. With a thought, the energy coalesced, forming a shimmering collar of light that snapped into place around the Dark Elf's neck. The band pulsed faintly, its glow dim, designed to restrain without pain. She froze, her hands flying to the collar, scraping uselessly against the ethereal binding.

''What is this?'' she snarled, her voice trembling with rage and a hint of fear. ''You dare enslave me, human?''

''It's not slavery,'' Raegar said quickly. ''It's to keep you from assassinating me until you realize not all humans are the same, that's if I'm even still one at this point?''

Her glare could have burned through stone, but she didn't move, the collar's subtle hum holding her aggression at bay. Raegar stepped closer, his hands glowing with Aether. He focused, channeling the energy into a gentle warmth that flowed toward her. The cuts on her arms began to knit together, the angry red marks fading to smooth, charcoal-grey skin.

The bruise on her cheek dissolved, her features regaining their sharp elegance. She watched him warily, her chest rising and falling with quick, shallow breaths. ''Why?'' she demanded, her voice quieter now but still edged with defiance. ''Why heal me if you'll only bind me?''

Raegar met her gaze, his own eyes steady. ''Because I'm not your enemy, even if you think I am. This collar comes off when I know you won't try to claw my throat out. Until then, let's talk, without the venom.''

The Dark Elf's lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes searching his face for deceit. The tension in the room hung heavy, the faint hum of the Aether collar the only sound breaking the silence as he sat back down, relaxing. ''Sit and get comfortable, the others won't be back for hours, and I need to rest.''

When hearing his words, the assassin heeded the collar's warning and sat down. He offered her a glass of sake, saying. ''Here, this should ease your nerves.''

She took the offering and tasted some, only to cough as the liquid burned her throat, causing Raegar to laugh. ''It does that to most people; it's unique this far north and is only brought by people who love it.''

''And I'm guessing you're an alcoholic who drinks this stuff all day?'' she snapped.

''Not really, the girls won't let me,'' Raegar answered, chuckling. ''Now what's your name?''

The Dark Elf gritted her teeth as the collar glowed, but he waved his hand, removing the feature with a charming smile. ''I won't force you to answer anything or do anything against your will. All the thing does is stop you from killing anyone.''

She looked at Raegar like he was crazy and gave the middle finger, making him laugh, but she answered. ''Nivara.''

''Lovely name,'' he replied. ''I've met High Elves but never your kind. I heard there was a city on the southern tip of the continent?''

''Why are you so nosy?'' Nivara snapped. ''Are you one of those humans who have a fetish for other races?''

Raegar looked offended before shaking his head. ''No, I just don't care about a woman's race, considering I have a Demi-Human, Vampire, Demoness, Fairy, Half-Elf, and two Humans as fiances?''

''So you're building a collection harem?'' she responded, looking disgusted.

''Oh well, wait until you meet them all,'' he replied and began drinking more.

Once Raegar drank enough, he pulled out more food to eat, thanks to becoming hungry again. Nivara looked at him with even more disgust as she insulted him. ''You eat like a monster, and it's unappealing. Good luck getting me in your bed, human.''

''You never know, Niv,'' he said, smirking at the Dark Elf.

The gorgeous woman became enraged, exclaiming. ''Don't call me that!''

Raegar chuckled even more just as the door opened, Zahara and Selene appeared there, holding loads of bags, but stopped short when seeing Nivara sitting there, giving him a filthy look. The blonde shook her head, questioning. ''Who is this woman, Rae?''

''And why is there a collar on her neck?'' the Demoness added. ''Are you into slaves now?''

''No,'' he laughed. ''Nivara here tried to assassinate me but lost and ended up here chatting?''

''How does that even happen?'' Zahara countered, looking skeptical.

''He's interested in her,'' Selene answered. ''I believe handsome hasn't met a Dark Elf and it makes sense he didn't kill her.''