Chapter 13 – Fists of Stone, Spirit of Water
(The scene opens in the mountain clearing. Ashura, shirt ripped, fists taped, already breathing hard. Master Iroh stands calm, arms folded.)
Iroh: You rely too much on strength. Strength without discipline is nothing but noise.
Ashura: (wiping blood from his lip) Tch… noise, huh? Watch me turn this noise into a symphony.
(Ashura rushes forward, throwing rapid punches. Each strike is blocked, deflected, or redirected by Iroh with minimal movement. Ashura's fist slams into the ground as Iroh sidesteps, cracking stone but tearing his knuckles open.)
Ashura: Damn it!
Iroh: Again.
(Ashura charges again. This time he uses a kick, then a feint — but Iroh catches him by the wrist and slams him into the dirt. Ashura coughs, rolling back onto his knees.)
Iroh: You burn like fire on dry leaves. Fast… bright… and gone in an instant.
Ashura: Shut up! (stumbles to his feet, shaking) I'm not done!
(He charges again, the artifact faintly glowing. His speed surges, but his body can't keep up. His punch lands on Iroh's block, bones cracking in his own arm. He screams, collapsing.)
Iroh: (kneeling beside him) Listen, boy. Power is a storm. Technique is the earth. But mastery… mastery is knowing when to be storm, and when to be sky.
(Ashura glares up at him, teeth gritted, sweat dripping.)
Ashura: (panting) Then… I'll learn. Even if it kills me… I'll learn.
(The scene ends with Ashura flat on the ground, chest heaving, eyes burning with defiance. The mountain winds howl as the screen fades to black — a promise that tomorrow will bring more
pain, and eventually, growth.)