The five stood shoulder to shoulder in front of Instructor Suyin.
The man's calm smile remained, his hands tucked behind his back—calm but threatening.
Neto lifted a hand to his neck and cracked it, a smile on his lips.
He didn't understand how or why his instincts were this good, but he found it interesting.
Zuri crouched slightly, fingers flexing like claws, nails grazing her palms. Her amber eyes narrowed—sharp and calculating like a predator's. She suddenly seemed like a cat.
Aniyah tilted her chin, breathing slow and deep, her stance light and graceful—almost like a dancer before a performance.
Danso rolled his shoulders with a grin, his bulk practically vibrating with the urge to charge.
Neo adjusted his footing, eyes fixed on Suyin's centerline. He tilted his head forward, then released a sharp breath.
The instructor gestured with one hand. "Then come. Show me something worth watching."
They moved.
Neto lunged first, reckless speed propelling him forward. His punch whipped upward—of course it didn't land—but that was the point: create space. Zuri darted in immediately after, slashing with her claw-like hands toward Suyin's face.
The instructor swayed aside, his hand brushing Zuri's wrist to guide her strike past him—only to duck as Aniyah's leg spun through the air. Graceful but sharp.
Suyin caught her ankle, twisting gently to off-balance her—only for Danso to roar forward, a heavy fist aimed at his exposed ribs. The instructor released Aniyah and pivoted, absorbing the strike with his forearm. The impact cracked through the air like stone on stone; Danso's raw strength forced Suyin a half-step back.
"Better," Suyin said, a flicker of approval in his eyes.
Neo slid in quietly, almost unnoticed, his kick aimed low at the instructor's knee. The precision forced Suyin to leap back lightly.
The group froze, resetting, chests heaving.
"See?" Suyin said, voice calm and unfazed. "That was closer. You attacked in waves, not as one. Watch each other. Flow together."
"Flow…" Neto echoed.
Zuri's tail-like movements circled her steps as she shifted to the flank. Aniyah mirrored from the opposite side, light on her toes. Danso stayed centered like a wall, while Neo adjusted to cover gaps.
This time, when Neto shot forward, Zuri moved alongside him. His wild strike veered high; hers swiped low. Aniyah swept in behind, spinning with elegance to narrow Suyin's dodge path.
Suyin deflected and leaned back—only for Danso to crash down from above with a hammering punch. The instructor slipped past, but Neo was already there, cutting off his escape with a precise jab.
The strike grazed Suyin's cheek, close enough to ruffle his hair.
For the first time, the man blinked.
The group's eyes widened. They had done it—almost cornered him.
"Good." Suyin's smile widened, faintly sharp. "But almost is still not enough."
In a blur, he was gone—weaving between them with speed so fast their eyes could barely follow. Neto's body moved on instinct, blocking a sudden kick that sent him flying. Zuri was shoved to the side by a kick as well. Aniyah barely saw a punch, but Danso moved in front of her and absorbed the blow; it sent him flying and crashing onto her as they fell backward.
"Ugh, get off me, you big ape."
"That's insulting, even after I saved you," Danso muttered with a pout.
Neo tried to attack as Suyin was distracted, but that ended with his leg getting caught midair and tossed aside.
They matched him for a bit—strikes overlapped, spacing sharpened, timing nearly instinctive. But Suyin decided to take the exercise more seriously. Most of the other students were beaten aside, barely able to stand. The rest watched, reluctant to join in and risk being cut down.
Suyin hopped back, chest rising a fraction faster; his smile never faded. He tapped his cheek where Neo's strike had grazed. His eyes gleamed with approval. "Again."
He got faster just now—he's taking us seriously. We're close, Neto thought, grinning as his heart pounded like a war drum.
"Neto, match me," Neo said with a smile. Neto smiled back, both of them stretching their necks.
"Draw his attention; we'll hit him," Neo grinned at the others.
"Damn, this is fun," Neto said, smiling.