On the giant floating track that stretched into the sea, Alaric and Abian stood facing each other. The track drifted gently on the water's surface, made from a special dense rubber—solid enough to step on yet swayed softly with the small waves.
At each end lay two skateboards designed specifically for this: their wheels replaced with smooth layers to glide over the floating track. They didn't move very fast, because that wasn't the point.
The sea breeze carried its salty air across their senses. Suddenly it felt like an unofficial competition stage. No spectators, no judges, but both of them were clearly focused.
"Su-wit?" Abian called out, hand raised and ready to start.
Alaric nodded. "Let's go."
They did it three times. Paper versus rock. Abian won.
A thin smile appeared on his face. Not mocking, but confident, as if he had expected this result.
"I'll go first," he said casually, tapping the board and stepping on as though he did this all the time.
