Kai had barely finished breakfast.
Taai was already waiting outside.
Arms crossed.
Foot tapping impatiently.
"...Done eating?"
Kai swallowed the last bite of bread.
"...Maybe."
Taai grabbed him by the collar.
"Good enough."
"Training."
---
The training grounds were already packed.
Soldiers sparred.
Weights slammed into the ground.
Metal rang against metal.
Everywhere Kai looked—
Someone was training.
Taai walked to the center.
Then looked at Kai.
"So."
"Show me."
Kai frowned.
"...Show you what?"
"The thing."
Kai blinked.
"...What thing?"
"The thing that's different."
Silence.
Kai immediately knew what Taai meant.
"...I don't know what you're talking about."
Taai shrugged.
"I told you."
"I won't ask."
"But I can tell."
He pointed at Kai's chest.
"Something changed."
Kai remained quiet.
Taai continued.
"Your body feels..."
"...off."
"Like your Ki forgot where it's supposed to go."
Kai's eyes widened slightly.
Ki.
So that was what Taai called it.
Taai cracked his neck.
"Whatever happened."
"It doesn't matter."
"We'll fix it."
Kai blinked.
"...Fix it?"