Kai barely dodged.
Riven's strike passed just inches from his face, the air distorting from the force alone.
"…what the hell—?!"
"…focus," Riven said calmly.
He didn't stop.
Another strike came immediately.
Faster.
Sharper.
Kai reacted late.
The hit connected.
He was thrown backward, crashing hard onto the ground.
"…gh—!"
"…again," Riven said.
Kai pushed himself up slowly, wincing.
"…you're not holding back at all, are you?"
"…no."
Kai wiped his mouth.
"…figures…"
He stood again.
This time—
He focused earlier.
The memory surfaced.
The pressure followed.
The world shifted slightly.
Riven moved again—
Kai saw it.
Just barely.
He stepped aside.
The attack missed.
"…good," Riven muttered.
Kai let out a breath.
"…I'm getting it…"
"…not yet."
Riven attacked again.
Kai reacted again.
Better this time.
Cleaner.
But still not enough.
The fight continued.
Strike.
Dodge.
Impact.
Pain.
Again.
And again.
Kai lost count of how many times he hit the ground.
But each time—
He got up faster.
Moved quicker.
Felt more.
"…your problem isn't power," Riven said.
"…it's hesitation."
Kai raised his arms to block.
"…I'm trying not to lose control!"
"…and that hesitation will kill you."
Kai froze for a split second.
And that was enough.
Riven's strike landed clean.
Kai crashed down hard.
"…gh—!"
"…you see?"
Kai stayed down for a moment.
Breathing heavily.
His chest rising and falling rapidly.
Then—
"…fine…"
He pushed himself up again.
"…then I stop hesitating."
Riven watched him.
Silently.
Carefully.
Kai closed his eyes for a brief moment.
Then opened them again.
This time—
He didn't hold back.
The memory surged.
The pressure followed.
Stronger.
Sharper.
The air around him bent more clearly now.
Riven's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…careful…"
Kai moved first.
For the first time.
He stepped forward—
Riven blocked.
But the impact made him shift slightly.
"…better."
Kai didn't stop.
He attacked again.
And again.
Not perfect.
Not trained.
But driven.
The Echo guided his movements.
Each step slightly ahead of the moment.
Riven responded.
Calm.
Precise.
Still in control.
But now—
He was reacting.
Not just attacking.
Kai breathed harder.
"…this… feels different…"
"…you stopped thinking," Riven said.
"…good."
The pace increased.
Faster.
Sharper.
Kai slipped once—
But recovered quickly.
Dodged—
Countered—
Almost landed a hit.
"…almost," Riven said.
Kai smirked slightly.
"…I'll get there."
But then—
The pressure spiked.
Too fast.
Too strong.
Kai's vision flickered.
"…not good…"
Riven moved instantly.
He struck Kai's shoulder hard.
The Echo collapsed.
The distortion vanished.
Kai dropped to one knee.
"…I lost it…"
"…you pushed too far," Riven said.
Kai exhaled slowly.
"…so that's my limit…"
"…for now."
Silence filled the room.
Kai looked up.
"…I'll push it further."
Riven didn't respond.
But his gaze said enough.
He believed him.