Riven didn't wait.
"Fight me," he said.
Kael didn't refuse.
This time—
It was different.
Riven struck.
Kael responded—not with force, but flow.
Each movement countered perfectly.
Riven paused mid-strike.
"…You changed."
Kael nodded. "Yeah."
They clashed again—faster, sharper.
But Kael didn't overwhelm.
He adapted.
Riven stepped back.
"…You're not just stronger," he said.
"You're… connected."
Kael didn't answer.
But he knew it was true.