Darno returned to his stance, his feet planted firmly against the floor, his posture calm and centered. This time, however, there was a noticeable difference in his presence. The confidence he carried now was not forced, nor was it reckless. It was the confidence of someone who finally understood himself.
Across from him, Jett rolled his shoulders, clearly irritated.
Darno could feel the faint throbbing in his forearm where Jett had grabbed him earlier. The skin there was red, heated, and tender, a reminder that even now, he could not allow himself to be careless. If Jett managed to get a proper grip again, the consequences could still be severe. But unlike before, his bones had held. His arm hadn't shattered. His hand hadn't been crushed.
That alone told him everything he needed to know.
This time… things are different.
