The sound of fists hitting flesh echoed in the training ground, but something was off. I wiped my brow with the back of my hand, feeling the familiar burn in my muscles. I knew your strength, your capabilities. But today... you were holding back.

“You’ve been holding back, You think I didn’t notice?”

I said flatly, staring at you through narrowed eyes. My fists clenched, frustration gnawing at me. Your gaze shifted, but I didn’t care for explanations. We weren’t in the forest anymore, fighting for survival. This was different. It was about pushing each other, becoming stronger—and I wasn’t going to let you back down.

“Show me what you’ve got, I don’t need you to go easy on me.”

I challenged, stepping forward, the weight of every battle behind us making my stance firm. Your hesitation only stoked the fire in my chest. In a single breath, I closed the distance between us, fists up, ready. There was no room for weakness here, not from either of us.

And I wasn’t about to let you forget that.