As the sun began to set and the shadows grew longer, Ra's frustration grew with each passing moment. Despite the dwindling light, he could still make out the figures of himself and two others standing with their guide, who remained frustratingly silent. Ra had so many questions, and Shikari's cryptic behavior only made him more agitated. The tension in the air was palpable as Ra's patience finally gave way.
"Enough of this!" Ra's voice thundered as he spun around to confront Shikari. His eyes reflected the last gleams of dusk and bore into the Hyarch with intensity and anger. "Shikari, if that's even your real name, where are you leading us? We've trusted you with our safety and followed you into the wilderness. What's the point of all this? If there's a lesson to be learned, then let's hear it!"
As the atmosphere began to grow tense, Ray, who had been observing the exchange between Ra and Shikari, knew he had to intervene. With a gentle touch, he placed his hand on Ra's shoulder, hoping to ease the building tension. His silver eyes, which flickered rapidly between his brother and Shikari, conveyed a sense of urgency and concern as he tried to calm the brewing storm that threatened to erupt between the two. Despite the intensity of the moment, Ray's actions were measured and deliberate as he sought to bring a sense of peace to the situation.
"Ra, let's just hear him out," Ray interjected, his voice a soothing counterpoint to Ra's ire. "Maybe he has a reason for his silence."
La'ru, her own curiosity piqued, remained a quiet observer, her gaze flicking from Ra's angry stance to Shikari's unreadable expression.
Shikari, unmoved by the outburst, faced Ra with an air of serene confidence. "Your anger is misplaced, Ra," he said, his voice as steady as the earth beneath their feet. "There is a place I must show you where the essence of Alma can be felt more strongly than anywhere else. A place where your questions will find their answers."
Ra's breaths were coming in heavy, ragged gasps as he fixed his gaze on Shikari. There was a mix of emotions reflected in his eyes - a healthy dose of skepticism but also a begrudging desire to believe. Shikari had dangled the promise of something truly remarkable, something that would grant Ra and Ray access to a deeper understanding of their own Alma. It was an opportunity that was tantalizingly close yet frustratingly shrouded in the mystery of Shikari's true intentions. The air was thick with anticipation and uncertainty, and Ra was aware of the weight of the decision that lay before him.
As the atmosphere in the room grew increasingly tense, the sense of unease among those present became palpable. Ra, fueled by a potent mix of suspicion and a desperate desire to verify Shikari's claim to knowledge, suddenly sprang into action. His movements were lightning-quick and precise, and his every strike was executed with ruthless efficiency and a laser-like focus. It was clear that Ra was determined to make contact with the Hyarch at any cost, and his relentless assault left no doubt in anyone's mind that he was willing to do whatever it took to achieve his objective.
The two Alma practitioners circled each other warily, their eyes locked in a fierce battle of wills. Shikari seemed to be playing a game, his movements agile and fluid, while Ra was growing increasingly frustrated by his inability to land a blow.
"Is that all you've got, Ra?" Shikari taunted, his voice carrying a challenge. "A true Alma practitioner moves with purpose, not blind fury."
Ra's face flushed with anger, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. "I'll show you purpose, you arrogant fool!" he spat, launching himself at Shikari with renewed vigor.
But even as Ra charged forward, Shikari danced away with ease, his movements a blur of motion. It was clear that he was in complete control, his every move a calculated step towards victory. Ra, on the other hand, was quickly losing steam, his wild attacks growing more and more desperate.
Ra threw a series of punches, each one missing its mark as Shikari nimbly danced out of the way. "Weak? Or perhaps just untrained," Shikari taunted, his words sharp as daggers. "Your anger clouds your judgment and makes you predictable."
Ra seethed with anger, frustration boiling inside him. "I am not weak!" he yelled, lunging forward with a powerful strike.
Shikari sidestepped the attack effortlessly. "You are not weak, but your lack of training is evident," he said coolly. "Your anger is your downfall. It makes you reckless and unthinking."
Ra glared at Shikari, his fists clenched tightly. He knew that Shikari was right, but he didn't want to admit it. He knew that he needed to stay focused if he wanted to win this fight.
Ray made a conscious decision not to engage in the fight; this was a lesson for Ra. He knew better than to join in the mess unfolding before him. Instead, he chose to sit on the ground and observe the two individuals as they exchanged blows. Despite his entertained demeanor, Ray was also worried about the situation. He recognized one of the anger building in Ra and called out to him in an attempt to calm him down. "Ra," he said loudly, his voice carrying over the sounds of the scuffle, "you're allowing him to get under your skin! Remember the lessons that Sister Althea taught us about maintaining composure!"
La'ru stood at the edge of the arena, her arms crossed in front of her chest and her gaze fixed on the two fighters in the center. Her lips curled into a knowing smirk as she observed the match. With years of experience watching fights, she could easily tell when someone was holding back their true strength. Her eyes flickered to Ra, who was currently engaged in the fight, and she couldn't help but shout out to him. "He's just toying with you, Ra!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of amusement and encouragement.
Ra's chest heaved with each labored breath, his body slick with sweat as he lunged forward in a desperate attempt to land a blow on his opponent, Shikari. But with each swipe of his arm, he found only empty air as the Hyarch effortlessly dodged his attacks. Shikari's movements were fluid and graceful, his posture relaxed and almost casual, as he toyed with Ra, taunting him with his evasive maneuvers. Despite his exhaustion, Ra refused to give up, his frustration mounting with each failed attempt to strike his opponent.
"You swing with the force of a storm, yet with none of its direction," Shikari called out, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Anger makes for a noisy fighter, and noise is all I hear from you, Ra."
Ra, refusing to relent, aimed another punch, his knuckles slicing through the cool air of the descending night. Shikari sidestepped, tilting his head with a tsk. "Again, you miss. Are you truly trying, or is this some clumsy dance you're performing?"
Laughter bubbled up from Shikari as he continued to weave around Ra, who was now red-faced and panting. "Maybe it's not Alma you need to learn first, but patience. A true master of Alma strikes with intent, not in desperation."
Ray, observing the one-sided exchange, let out a shout, "Focus, Ra! It's not about hitting hard; it's about hitting right!" But his words seemed to fall on deaf ears as Ra, fueled by his frustration, became more reckless with his strikes.
Shikari, still taunting with his effortless grace, glanced over to Ray and La'ru, "Is he always this like this?" The levity in his voice was clear, even as Ra's swings grew more frantic.
As the forest's usual calm was pierced by their confrontation, Shikari's evasion of Ra's aggressive moves felt less like a fight and more like a dance, where one partner skillfully avoided the other's steps. Each dodge and fluid movement by Shikari was a lesson in control and precision, making Ra's attempts seem brutish in comparison.
Ra swung a large haymaker at Shikari's face; Shikari dodged under and closed the distance, stepping into him. He smiled and gently extended his hand towards Ra's chest; he opened his pointer finger and poked Ra's chest. The moment Shikari's finger, charged with a concentrated burst of Alma, met Ra's chest, the scene shifted dramatically. It wasn't just a touch; it was a release of pent-up energy, focused and potent, sending Ra flying back with an explosive force that the forest itself seemed to recoil from. Branches broke in his path, a testament to the power's intensity, creating a spectacle that silenced the night.
Ra landed with a thud, the earth beneath him bearing the brunt of the impact, marking the spot with a clear sign of the encounter's force. Around him, a whirlwind of leaves and twigs stirred as if the forest itself was reacting to the disturbance.
This display wasn't about destruction; it was a demonstration of Alma's potential, finely tuned and executed with a mastery that left Ray and La'ru in silent admiration. The breeze that had gently moved through the trees now carried the energy of the moment, a powerful reminder of the unseen forces.
With a composed stride, Shikari approached where Ra lay, his gaze softening as he looked down, a smile gracing his features. This smile wasn't born of arrogance or mockery; instead, it carried a sense of understanding and perhaps a hint of pride. Despite the pain radiating through his body, Ra smiled back, acknowledging Shikari's skill and, in a way, accepting the lesson imparted through their brief skirmish.
"I guess you aren't a liar," Ra conceded, his voice tinged with respect and a newfound recognition of Shikari's abilities.