The evening sun dipped toward the horizon. Orange and deep crimson bled across the sky.
Long shadows stretched across the courtyard.
BOOM!
Wooden training dummies erupted with an explosion. Splinters flew in every direction.
Some pieces still smoldered. Small flames licked at the edges.
Black scorch marks scarred the ground in a wide radius.
"Haa!"
A boy exhaled heavily. The sound raw. Exhausted.
His hand lowered slowly. Fingers still trembling slightly from the exertion.
The last flicker of amber light died along his palm.
Smoke curled upward from his fingertips.
He stood there. Chest heaving. Each breath came deep and labored.
Blue eyes stared at the destruction before him.
Clear and bright even in the fading light.
His golden-brown hair was plastered to his forehead. Damp with sweat. A few strands stuck to his temples.
The white shirt clung to his frame. Soaked completely.
Sweat dripped down his jaw. Traced a path down his neck.
