Lily pushed herself without restraint, her spear thrusting and retracting in sharp lines, her footwork growing heavier as fatigue crept in, each breath coming louder than the last.
Still, she didn't stop. Not until her arms began to tremble and her breathing turned ragged, chest heaving as she fought to draw in air that refused to come fast enough.
Bruce stepped back first, lowering his daggers with deliberate calm.
"Alright," he said evenly. "That's enough for now, Lily. Let's give you a few minutes to catch your breath."
She didn't respond. Lily bent forward slightly, hands braced on her knees as sweat dripped from her brow and soaked into the ground beneath her feet.
Her shoulders shook with every breath, but she never once complained, never looked up in frustration or defeat. Bruce watched her quietly, letting the silence stretch, letting the moment settle. He knew when to press, and when not to.
When her breathing finally steadied just a little, he lifted his hand.
