Intent created the opening.
Execution ended the outcome.
Ethan stood alone, his Ten active, his body still. His hand had already lowered, but the sensation remained—the moment of contact, the absence of hesitation.
He had not struck to survive.
He had struck to complete.
The door opened.
The fighter entered again.
No words.
No explanation.
Only presence.
He stepped forward immediately.
Strike.
Fast.
Direct.
Ethan moved.
Not away.
Forward.
Silent Authority activated—not spoken, not declared—but defined.
The strike slowed.
Not stopped.
Enough.
Ethan stepped inside the motion.
Closer than safety allowed.
His hand moved.
Contact.
Not pushing.
Not forcing.
Placing.
His palm rested against the man's center.
Perfect position.
Execution.
The man stopped instantly.
Silence filled the room.
Ethan did not hesitate.
He maintained position.
Maintained structure.
Maintained outcome.
The man looked at him.
Not surprised.
Not impressed.
Certain.
"You no longer wait," he said.
Not praise.
Truth.
He stepped back slowly.
Breaking contact.
Breaking completion.
"Execution defines combat," he continued.
He turned toward the door.
"Opportunity exists briefly."
A pause.
"Execution makes it permanent."
He stopped at the door.
"You are no longer reacting."
He looked back once.
"You are deciding."
Then he left.
The door closed.
Ethan remained standing.
His Ten active.
His Ren contained.
Silent Authority stable.
He had not used strength.
He had not used speed.
He had used structure.
Intent.
Execution.
For the first time since entering this world—
He was no longer learning how to survive combat.
He was learning how to end it.