Morning chi training had become routine by now—the kind of comfortable rhythm that came from repetition and gradual improvement. Valencia sat cross-legged near the front of the hall, white chi flowing around her hands with more stability than she'd managed even two days ago. Marcus had finally figured out how to pull dark chi without giving himself a splitting headache. Chen still struggled, but his frustration had given way to patient determination.
Noah walked between the rows, offering corrections where needed, letting people work through problems themselves when possible. Lila demonstrated a particularly tricky dark chi flow technique to a cluster of recruits who'd been stuck on the same concept for days. Seraleth moved through stretches that incorporated chi into physical conditioning, her movements flowing like water.
Everything was normal. Peaceful, even.
Then the murmurs started.
