[Whispers of the Baleful Wind]

A couple of hours before the promised challenge, he was startlingly excited, almost to the point of unrest. Various thoughts and scenes played in his mind, interweaving to create an explosion of emotions.

"Nervous?" Ariha asked right after landing before him. She didn't even need to look at him more than a fraction of a moment to know that.

"Of course," he said, letting out a breath. "It would be concerning if I wasn't nervous about this."

Ariha nodded and crept forward to stand before him. She didn't even reach his neck, but she didn't look up; instead, her body floated up to his eye level as she met his gaze.

"Don't think," she advised and raised her palms to clasp his shoulders. "Just do it…"

He nodded. Ariha seemed like she had more to say, but she expressed none of that. He didn't wait for her, either. Sitting down in the middle of the third checkpoint, he began meditating, waiting for his challenge to arrive.