"W-what?"
Kaiden's eyes trembled, unable to believe what had just happened.
"Now you understand." Kaelion stared at him, slowly shaking his head. "You didn't trust yourself. You were so busy trying to fight like someone else that when your own instincts told you to move, you hesitated.
"The Kaiden I knew would've taken that opening the instant it appeared. He might've done something stupid with it, but he would've taken it. Now? You're too busy doubting every damn thing you do."
He paused, allowing the words to settle before continuing.
"Zephyrion has plenty of things worth learning from. Hell, I've learned from him too. But learning from someone doesn't mean becoming them. You're so busy trying to become Zephyrion that you're forgetting how to be Kaiden."
Kaelion lowered his blade, fastening it at his waist as he began walking toward the door. He spoke without turning back.
