The jungle air grew thick with heat. Even the birds stayed quiet.

  Rell stood in the dirt circle, barefoot. Sweat rolled off his brow. Across from him — Tesska.

  She cracked her knuckles.

  “Alright, jungle boy. Let’s see what that copy-cat magic’s worth without the magic.”

  The others gathered, forming a loose ring.

  Rell dropped into stance. Knees bent. Arms loose. One palm high, one low. No sigils. No glow.

  Just fists.

  ?

  Tesska struck first — a low feint with her shoulder, followed by a spinning kick.

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  Rell sidestepped, ducked low. Twisted.

  His foot swept wide, catching her heel.

  She staggered.

  He didn’t press.

  She grinned.

  “You dance cute.”

  She rushed again. Fast. Wild. Lyka instincts — claw-swipes and crushing elbows.

  Rell blocked with forearms, shifted his hips — redirected her weight.

  Wing Chun base. Elbows tight. Muay Thai knees.

  Jujitsu grab — roll into a throw.

  She hit the ground with a grunt and rolled back up.

  Rell flicked the sweat off his brow.

  [THOUGHTS]

  I am… HIM!

  ?

  Grinsh roared with laughter.

  “YEAH, mimic boy! Break her fur!”

  Even Ishro cracked a smile.

  Selena didn’t. She watched with folded arms.

  Tesska stood, chuckling.

  “Not bad. I see you. You move like a puzzle made of knives.”

  They fist-bumped after. No blood. Just bruises.

  ?

  Later that night, Rell sat sharpening a stick into a stake.

  Zariin appeared beside him like fog.

  “Your hands move with memory. Not knowledge.”

  [SPEAKS]

  “…Copy. Feel. Make it mine.”

  Zariin gave a half-nod.

  “That is… rare.”

  She sat beside him in silence. Watching. Not blinking.

  ?

  Ishro joined him later by the small forge Grinsh kept built.

  He handed Rell a chunk of obsidian.

  “Break this with the rhythm of your breath. Not your force.”

  Rell stared. Nodded. Began tapping — breathing — shaping.

  Hours passed.

  No words exchanged.

  ?

  Selena sat farther away, under the tree line.

  She watched Rell laugh with Tesska, train with Ishro, sit still with Zariin.

  Her hand closed around her staff.

  [THOUGHTS]

  Stupid. Doesn’t matter.

  She looked away.

  Didn’t speak to him all night.