Silence stretched between them.
THEN ___
Xuan Dao : (softer) - "And you have already done enough ."
For a brief moment-
Her expression shifted.
Less guarded.
More..... human.
QIAO TIAN : ..." Not yet."
They resumed .
The wind picked up .
Their moments grew sharper again .
FASTER.
STRONGER.
Qiao Tian pushed forward, refusing to yield even an inch.
XUAN DAO : "Good."
Their blades locked.
For a moment - they stood close.
Equal.
Then -
A sudden pain struck .
Sharp.
Deep.
Qiao Tian's body stiffened .
Her breath caught.
QIAO TIAN(under breath): "....Damn it...."
XUAN DAO : "Focus."
She tried to move -
But the pain returned , stronger this time .
Her grip weakened slightly.
That was all it took .
Xuan Dao knocked her blade a side
XUAN DAO (stern): "You are distracted."
QIAO TIAN : " I am fine."
XUAN DAO : " You are not."
His voice lowered.
Not angry.
Just certain.
Qiao Tian straightened.
Qiao Tian : " It's nothing."
But as she shifted her stance-
A faint stain of red marked her robes.
Xuan dao's gaze dropped for a brief second.
Then rose again.
He said nothing.
Qiao Tian noticed , not with fear , But with irritation .
Qiao Tian : " Don't look at me like that."
A pause.
Xuan Dao: " Like what?"
Qiao Tian : " Like I'm about to collapse."
XUAN DAO : " You are."
Silence.
Then-
XUAN DAO ( calmly ): "training ends here."
QIAO TIAN: " I said I can continue."
XUAN DAO : " And I said it ends."
Their gazes locked.
For a moment- it felt like another battle.
Then-
Qiao Tian exaled sharply.
Qiao Tian : " you are annoying."
XUAN DAO : " Get lost.."
A sudden faint.
He took her to the queen's chamber.