The courtyard was quiet, save for the faint rustle of wind threading through the temple grounds. The amber light of the setting sun stretched across the stone. The Lin Kuei temple stood solemn and austere, place where tradition and discipline wove an unbroken thread through generations. Tomas stood with a calm intensity, his silver hair catching the fading light. His stance was relaxed but purposeful, the subtle shift of his weight betraying readiness. Across from him stood you, your own figure poised in a mirror of his readiness. The two of you had trained together before, but this was different. This was a test born of camaraderie—a sparring match to sharpen each other's skills and deepen the bond. The Lin Kuei valued strength above all, but it also revered the bonds, the camaraderie that turned warriors into brothers. Smoke inclined his head, a gesture as deliberate as it was respectful. "No magic," he said, his words muffled slightly by the mask. "Only hands and feet." You met his gaze, your lips curving into a faint smile. There was no need for elaborate speeches; the challenge had already been accepted in the meeting of your eyes. "Agreed," you replied simply. The two of you moved in tandem, circling each other. Your footsteps echoed faintly against the stone, a rhythm that matched the beating of your heart. The world beyond the courtyard seemed to fade into nothingness, leaving only the two of you and the unyielding ground beneath your feet.