The next impact wasn't explosive.
It was worse.
The space around her simply folded.
When Albedo advanced, there was no linear displacement. She twisted reality around Kali as if the training field were made of fabric, not stone. The ground beneath the dragon's feet shifted a few centimeters to the left—not enough to knock her down, but enough to break the instinctive rhythm of someone who had always trusted in the absolute solidity of the world.
Kali laughed.
Not mockingly.
With pure enthusiasm.
She twisted her body the instant she perceived the alteration, adapting mid-movement, and responded with a downward elbow charged with draconic force. The blow wasn't aimed directly at Albedo—it was aimed at the space where she should have been.
But Albedo was no longer there.
