A red haired teenager sat down in a meditative pose, the flickering courtyard flame reflecting on his handsome expressionless face. His eyes were shut, but his brow twitched, almost as if the act of stillness was in itself a battle.
The air seemed to still. Silence hung thick pressing in from all sides.
"Then_"
"Argh!"
Kael's eyes snapped open. He gasped, breaking the pose, sweat clinging to his brow, as the invincible tension around him snapped like a string.
"Damn it. I was this close." he shouted, collapsing onto his back with a grunt.
I just can't seem to get past that barrier... He clenched his fist and slammed it into the floor in frustration.
"You know," came a deep voice from behind, "getting mad and frustrated won't get you anywhere."
Kael turned his head, already knowing who it was. "Well, Who knows? my case might be...unique."
A familiar chuckle, "well you're the great witche's spawn after all."
"Haha," Keal said sarcastically, "as if that helps."
Nyric stepped forward, arms crossed, his long cloak billowing behind him like he thought it made him look dramatic. "Shouldn't you be on patrol? The chief's going to chew you out again."
"Hmph" Nyric sniffed, "I would have you know that my senses are spread across this entire valley. Nothing can get past me. Besides, I have disciples for a reason."
Kael rolled his eyes. "Ah yes, the great sir Nyric—master of delegation—who still cowers before the my mother."
"That's...different.." Nyric's smirk faltered, "by the way I see you're still trying to master the form."
"Oh wow, how brilliant of you to notice," Kael said, feigning amazement.
"Is that also part of your great senses?" Kael asked, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Is that sarcasm I sense." Nyric said "well fret not, the amazing sir Nyric is here to help."
Kael gave him a flat look, "We all know how mum feels about that."
"Yeah she might actually kill me this time,"
Nyric muttered. The he grinned "But she doesn't have to know. Right?"
"As tempting as that sound, I'd rather not risk it. Her senses make yours look like a blind serk," Kael stood. "And besides, I've come too far to cheat now."
Nyric watched him with a tilt of his head "Don't you at least want to know your veinfire nature? I'll bet you good money it's something insane."
"I would love to " Kael muttered, "but I need to breakthrough on my own. That's the whole point"
Nyric raised his eyebrows. "Alright then. No veinfire. How about a spar? Just technique. You and me."
Kael cracked his knuckles. "Now that I can agree to."
Nyric grinned. "You think you can handle me without powers? I'm the technique king."
"You're the technique has-been."
"Oof. Alright, kid. You asked for it."
Kael barely had time to blink before Nyric's fist came flying toward his face. He tilted his head, letting the punch whistle past, and countered with a quick hook to Nyric's ear. But his fist struck only air.
He felt a sudden gust of pressure against his chin and flipped backward on instinct, narrowly dodging Nyric's uppercut.
Before he could land, another fist drove toward his gut.
Got you, Nyric thought.
But Kael dropped low, letting the punch sail over his back. He swept Nyric's legs and pounced, slamming him face-first into the dirt.
His fist cocked back, ready to end it—
—only for Nyric to turn into red dust.
Kael blinked.
"What—"
A tap landed on his shoulder.
"Boo," Nyric whispered from behind.
Kael whirled around, but too late. Nyric was already moving, leg sweeping around in a blur. Kael's legs flew out from under him, and before he could recover, a palm struck his chest and sent him skidding across the courtyard floor.
Groaning, Kael pushed himself up, coughing.
"You... cheated."
Nyric grinned. "I used technique. Just one you didn't expect."
"What was that? A body double?"
"Nope. Just a veinfire construct, woven into my movement. The moment you slammed me, I flicked my veinfire to create the illusion I was still there and slipped around you. Classic misdirection."
Kael spat out a bit of dust. "You're such a pain."
"And you're too honest. That's your problem," Nyric said, offering him a hand. "But hey—"
Kael ignored the hand and stood on his own.
"—you've got good instincts."