--
Our gazes darted between Ethanos and Ecarus, and though they both had smug smirks on their faces, the tension between them was undeniable.
"Hiding?...From you?" Ecarus scoffed, his laughter cold and mocking. "Haha, you've got it all wrong, Ethanos. Why would I bother hiding from you when I don't even have a reason to face you?"
"Is that so?" Ethanos replied, his smirk turning more dangerous. "Then what do you call avoiding me every time I challenge you to a mock battle? Doesn't skipping a fight count as cowardice?" Ethanos shot back.
Slowly, the smirk faded from Ecarus's face. His expression darkened, his playful demeanor vanishing and giving way to a chilling intensity that made the air around us feel even heavier.
