Outside, in the small walled-off backyard of the Keraunos' residence, a shirtless man was performing a set of sword exercises.
His blade moved with such precision and speed that the air itself seemed to split silently in its wake, each cut leaving behind a thread of afterimage that lingered a half-second too long before fading.
Sweat traced the line of his spine as his blade came to a sudden, abrupt stop, quivering once in his grip before he stilled it.
"Hah..."
Bradford exhaled a long breath of turbid energy, watching it curl and dissipate in the cool morning air. Stabbing his sword into the ground, he leaned on the handle and let his ragged breathing settle.
Ever since his run-in with Lake a few days ago, his mind had been thrown into a disarray of loose thoughts and a mess of webs.
Every time he closed his eyes, he would recall the scene of that starless night.
"Hah... I'm still too weak."
Bradford released another sigh before straightening his posture.
