UNTIE ME

KENJI

The war room was quiet, but not in the peaceful way. It was quiet in that tense, high-stakes kind of way—the kind that made your shoulders feel a little too tight and your breath a little too shallow. I didn't mind it, though. I thrived in these spaces. A lot of people felt weighed down by the pressure, but me? I liked it. There was a certain rhythm to it, a dance you had to learn. And I was good at dancing.

But right now, my focus was on Juliette.

She was across from me, feet planted firmly on the floor, eyes narrowed in concentration. I could tell she was holding something back, though—something simmering just beneath the surface. It was the way she shifted her weight, the way her breath hitched when she moved. She was a storm waiting to break free, but she wasn't quite there yet. Not yet.

"Alright," I said, stepping back, glancing around the room as if expecting the walls to give me a signal. I wasn't worried about our surroundings. The war room was more than just a space. It was where decisions were made, but it was also where things could break if they weren't handled right. "Let's see what you've got today. You remember the rules, yes? No powers and... wait that's all"

Juliette's gaze flickered to the weapons table at the far side of the room, then back to me. She was a lot more than just strategy and brains; she had the instinct. But she was still holding herself back, like she was waiting for permission to unleash it all. I wasn't about to give her that permission—not until I knew she could control it.

She stood straighter and nodded, rolling her shoulders like she was preparing for a long run. I could see the muscles in her arms tense as she flexed her fingers. She didn't like showing weakness, and today wasn't going to be the day I let her get away with anything less than the best.

"Remember," I said, crossing my arms, "don't overthink it. You've got the power. You've got the control. All that's left is to trust it."

She glanced at me with a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes—just a flash, barely noticeable. I let it go, but I wasn't going to lie to her. The stakes were higher now, and we couldn't afford hesitation. Not when we were getting so close to whatever it was we were chasing.

She took a deep breath and adjusted her stance.

"On your left," I called out, moving quickly, pulling a training blade from the table and twirling it between my fingers like it was a toy. The blade glinted under the harsh lights of the room. I was faster than I looked, and I knew she could keep up. "Let's see if you can read the room like you read people."

She didn't hesitate. There was a flash of movement, and I barely had time to react as she ducked under my first strike, her body moving fluidly—precise. But not perfect.

It was almost a question I didn't have to ask. Her next move was faster, more confident. She closed the distance between us, keeping her movements fluid and focused. And just as I was about to block, she shifted her grip and sent me stumbling back.

I grinned.

"Better," I said, spinning the blade in my hand and giving her a nod of approval. "You're not thinking about it anymore. You're just moving. That's the key."

She was breathing a little heavier now, but her posture was still strong. She wasn't fully there yet, but I could see the fire lighting up in her eyes—the same fire I'd seen so many times before. It wasn't just a battle of muscle or skill. It was a battle of will. And Juliette had that in spades.

We sparred for another hour, until the sweat on her brow was glistening and the floor beneath us looked like a warzone of training equipment. But I didn't stop. I never did when it came to her. She had a way of making you push harder than you thought you could, even when you knew you should pull back.

Finally, she dropped her sword, eyes glinting with exhaustion but also something else. Something deeper.

"You're getting it," I said, taking a step back, feeling the familiar burn in my own muscles. "It's all about understanding the rhythm. And right now, you're getting the beat."

She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, her chest still rising and falling from the effort. "I'm not there yet."

I shrugged. "You're closer than you think. A few more days, and you won't even be thinking about it. Your body will just know what to do."

"Right," she said, nodding slowly. "It's just... sometimes I feel like I'm one step behind. Like there's something missing."

I let out a breath. "Don't rush it. We've got time. What matters is you don't freeze. Not when it matters most. Keep the rhythm in your chest, Juliette. Trust your instincts. And you'll get where you need to go."

She gave me a small smile, but it wasn't her usual confident one. This one was a little uncertain, a little tired. But she still nodded. "Thanks, Kenji. I think I get it."

"You always get it," I said with a wink. "You just need to believe it more."

I grabbed my jacket from the chair, walking toward the door. But before I left, I turned back, giving her a final look.

"Keep that fire burning, Juliette. You'll need it soon."

She didn't answer right away, but I could see it in her eyes. She wasn't giving up—not ever.

And that, I knew, was exactly what we needed.