Growing Power

The moment I asked for his surrender, Gayron stiffened, his tail lashing out. I braced myself, a defensive spell ready on my tongue, for his inevitable outburst. His type hated to lose, and he'd find any excuse to reject defeat. Perhaps he'd accuse me of cheating, or feign surrender only to launch a sneak attack when my back was turned. He was just like Levin, and Vithrass, and…and…something wasn't right. Why was he smiling?

Gayron shook his head, a wry grin twisting his lips. "Very well, I accept defeat."

I stared in shock, my eyes wide as saucers and my tail twitching nervously. I glanced around, even checking behind me for some kind of trap or ambush, but the Oracle of Eternity revealed nothing. My confusion only deepened as Gayron clapped his hands, and his remaining incarnations vanished into thin air. 

"What?" he asked, sounding a little defensive. "Is something the matter?"