The students began to notice the difference. Marcus was fighting the space where Elias had been. Elias was watching Marcus's balance, breathing, and center.
"Stop running!" Marcus shouted.
"I'm not running."
Marcus charged.
Elias slipped aside.
Marcus nearly lost his footing.
A few students exchanged surprised looks.
Marcus's face reddened.
He launched another combination.
Elias redirected the first arm, stepped around the second strike, and let Marcus pass.
No punch landed.
No kick landed.
Yet Marcus was already breathing harder.
"Fight me!"
"I am."
"You're doing nothing."
"I'm showing you that you don't have to answer every attack with another attack."
Marcus roared and rushed forward.
This time, Elias stepped toward him.
Chapter 6 — Momentum
Marcus threw a heavy overhand strike.
Elias entered the attack instead of retreating.
One hand guided Marcus's arm past its target. The other controlled his shoulder.
Elias pivoted.
Marcus's own momentum carried him over the stranger's hip.
He landed hard but safely.
The room erupted in shocked whispers.
Marcus scrambled up.
He attacked again.
Elias repeated the same principle.
Redirect.
Turn.
Control.