The rhythm started to form.
Block. Buff. Counter.
Torren held the line.
Althea pushed him beyond what he should be able to handle.
Selene punished every opening she could see.
Ryn guided it all, his voice steady, sharp, always a step ahead.
"Right side."
"Don't chase."
"Wait for it."
Every call mattered.
Every move counted.
Arthur fit into it like he always did.
But he wasn't just following.
He was hunting too.
He watched the wolf closely now, not just its movements but the way it chose them.
The wolf started avoiding him.. not completely.
But enough to notice.
Whenever he stepped in, it shifted away faster, like it didn't want to take his hits directly anymore.
"…You feel that?" Arthur said.
Ryn didn't look at him. "Yeah."
"It's avoiding me."
"Good," Ryn replied. " you're definitely hurting it."
Arthur grinned slightly. "And I'll keep doing just that."
But it wasn't getting easier.
The wolf changed.
