The training arena echoed with silence.
Polished tiles glimmered under the natural light of dawn, and banners etched with the Water Nation's crest fluttered in the subtle breeze, though no doors were open.
That breeze came from the man floating lazily above the platform.
Zephyr Xian.
Barefoot, robe loosely tied, one hand tucked behind his head as he drifted in the air like a leaf suspended by nothing but whim. He didn't flap or surge forward. He simply existed above the ground, untethered.
"Flying? Tch. That's cheating," Feng whispered irritably from the observation area.
Serika, sitting beside her, gave a small shake of the head. "He's not flying, Feng. He's flowing. When your qi becomes one with the wind, the world itself stops resisting your presence."
Feng narrowed her eyes. "So he's just… cheating spiritually."
Quinlan, down on the arena floor, rolled his shoulders as he looked up at his opponent.
Zephyr yawned. "You done warming up? Can we begin?"
