Sharpness appeared in the eyes of the Ancient One as he focused his power on the wound. In the next second, it began to close. It was not regeneration. Instead, it was something far more profound. The wound itself was being erased from existence, negated at a conceptual level.
Zuko's eyes glowed with a solemn light as he witnessed the phenomenon.
"The wounds left by this sword should not be able to heal themselves," he said quietly. "You are powerful."
With those words, the aura of the Leader of the Masked Race erupted outward. His presence swelled to a terrifying degree, growing so immense that tremors rippled across Origin Island itself. The ground cracked, the air trembled, and distant laws of the island shuddered in response.
The Ancient One no longer maintained a relaxed stance. It was clear now—this was not a battle he could treat lightly. Zuko was no ordinary opponent. If he did not face the Leader of the Masked Race with all he had, there was a chance he could die.
