The sun hung low over the horizon, streaking the forest in fiery gold. Kairo had barely finished explaining his plan to leave when a shadow darted past him. Ryo, fists clenched and eyes blazing, stepped between Kairo and the path forward.
"You're not going alone," Ryo said, his voice sharp like flint striking steel.
Kairo hesitated, gripping the hilt of his sword. "I… I need to do this myself," he replied, uncertainty rippling beneath his calm facade.
"You always say that," Ryo shot back, "but every time, you almost get yourself killed. I'm not letting that happen."
Before Kairo could respond, Ayla emerged from the trees, her eyes cold and calculating. "And who are you to decide that?" she demanded.
Ryo's stance shifted, a spark of rivalry igniting between him and Ayla. Muscles tensed, fists and fists, fire and determination. Without warning, the two clashed—a whirlwind of strikes, flips, and sparks flying from the rocks as fists met with iron-hard precision.
Kairo tried to intervene, but Ayla's eyes locked on him. "Step aside," she said, her aura of ice cutting through the tension.
The fight escalated, testing Kairo's patience. He realized that Ryo wasn't just protecting him—he was challenging him, forcing him to see his own hesitations. As Ayla's final strike sent Ryo skidding across the forest floor, Kairo felt an unfamiliar surge of anger.
He stepped forward, summoning his courage. "Enough!" Kairo's voice echoed through the trees. With precise movements, he blocked Ayla's advance and faced Ryo. "We can't afford to fight each other. Not now."
The forest fell silent. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath. Ryo stood, chest heaving, eyes blazing, then nodded. Ayla smirked, recognizing the resolve in Kairo.
Though the rivalry remained, an uneasy alliance was formed, each member realizing that survival required unity—even amidst fiery tempers and clashing fists.