TRIAL BY FIRE AND SHADOW

The sun has barely risen when Brihaspati halts their march, surveying the vast clearing ahead. The open field stretches endlessly, flanked by towering trees whose leaves rustle in the early morning breeze. The air carries the faint scent of damp earth, remnants of last night's storm still clinging to the ground. It is a perfect place—isolated, spacious, and far from prying eyes. 

Arjun wipes sweat from his brow, adjusting the Gandiva bow on his back. They have been traveling since dawn, and while the urgency of their quest remains, Brihaspati insists that rushing ahead without preparation would be a mistake. Arjun knows their enemies won't wait, but he also trusts the old Sword Sage's wisdom. 

Brihaspati turns to face them, his piercing eyes scanning each of them in turn. "You all fought well in Magadh," he says. "But battles are not won by strength alone. Now that we are free from distractions, your real training begins." 

Karna crosses his arms, leaning slightly on one foot. "Didn't we already pass the test?" he asks, smirking. "We fought an entire Cult, freed a king, and survived. Shouldn't that be enough?" 

Brihaspati raises an eyebrow. "You survived. That doesn't mean you were strong enough." 

Karna's smirk fades slightly, but he says nothing. 

The group falls silent, exchanging glances. They have overcome impossible odds, but Brihaspati is right. Each of them has struggled in ways they don't want to admit. Arjun thinks back to the illusions in the palace, the way his magic faltered, how he nearly lost himself in the chaos. Karna wielded the Ring of Power, but at times it felt as if the power was trying to wield him. Lavanya, swift as she is, nearly lost control in battle when forced into open combat. Aditi, despite her swordsmanship, still lacks the refined instincts of a true warrior. Sarika's healing magic was stretched beyond its limits. And Esha… she came terrifyingly close to losing herself completely. 

Brihaspati gestures toward the clearing. "We will train here. Each of you has your own path to walk, but remember—no warrior stands alone. Your strengths must complement each other. Your weaknesses must be covered by trust." 

Arjun steps forward first, drawing Gandiva. The bow thrums in his hands, a pulse of ancient power coursing through it. He has already mastered its physical use, but divine weapons demand more than just skill—they demand complete harmony. He pulls an arrow and focuses, willing fire to course through him. The arrowhead flickers with heat, then ignites into flames. He looses it toward a target Brihaspati has set up, but the arrow veers slightly, burning brighter than he intends. The explosion sends dust into the air, but the result is far from precise. 

Brihaspati shakes his head. "Too much energy. Magic is not about force—it's about control." 

Arjun nods, already preparing another shot. 

Karna watches from the side, testing the weight of Vijaya in his hands. Unlike Arjun, his power comes from the shadows, from the unseen spaces between light. He focuses, allowing darkness to wrap around him, willing himself to disappear. His form flickers, almost vanishing, but as he moves, his shadow lags behind unnaturally, breaking the illusion. Frustrated, he exhales sharply and reappears. 

"You rely on instinct," Lavanya notes from nearby, watching his movements carefully. "But instinct alone won't make you perfect." 

Karna rolls his eyes. "Great advice coming from someone who still refuses to fight without vanishing first." 

Lavanya smirks, drawing her daggers. "Then let's see who learns faster." 

The two face off, a blur of motion as Karna dodges her attacks while trying to counter with his own. But every time he thinks he has the upper hand, Lavanya melts into the shadows, reappearing at unexpected angles. Even so, Karna isn't easy to outmaneuver. His speed keeps up with hers, and despite her advantage in stealth, he anticipates her movements with uncanny precision. Their sparring becomes a dance of vanishing strikes and near-misses, both determined to prove the other wrong. 

Aditi, meanwhile, stands before Brihaspati, gripping her swords tightly. Her stance is strong, but as they begin, it is clear that she is still over-reliant on her defensive techniques. Brihaspati's strikes are relentless, testing every angle of her guard. She parries well, but when he suddenly switches to offense, she hesitates, failing to counter as quickly as she should. 

"Stop thinking," Brihaspati advises. "A warrior must react—not plan." 

Aditi grits her teeth and adjusts her grip, readying herself again. 

Sarika sits slightly apart from the others, her palms glowing with warm light as she focuses on refining her healing magic. The strain of overuse in Magadh showed her weaknesses. If she heals too quickly, it drains her beyond reason. Too slowly, and it is useless in battle. She closes her eyes, channeling magic into her hands, mending a small wound she inflicted on her own arm to practice. The pain dulls, and the wound closes, but it leaves her dizzy. 

"This power must be endless," she mutters to herself. "If I falter, people will die." 

Esha, a few steps away, has her eyes closed as well—but her struggle is entirely different. A storm rages within her, her human and demonic sides pulling in opposite directions. She clenches her fists, feeling the dark energy hum beneath her skin, desperate to be let loose. The thrill of battle still whispers to her, urging her to embrace what she is. 

Sarika opens her eyes and turns toward her. "You're not focusing." 

Esha exhales sharply, smirking. "I am." 

"No," Sarika says. "You're fighting yourself instead of controlling it." 

Esha's expression darkens. "And what if it can't be controlled?" 

Sarika doesn't answer. 

The day wears on, filled with the sounds of clashing weapons, bursts of magic, and the sharp words of Brihaspati as he pushes them harder. There are moments of laughter—Karna nearly toppling over after mistiming a stealth roll, Lavanya teasing Aditi for being too predictable, Esha raising an eyebrow when Arjun accidentally electrocutes himself while experimenting with lightning magic. But there are also moments of quiet intensity, of frustration, of realization. 

Each of them is strong. Each of them has potential. But none of them are ready yet. 

As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, Brihaspati finally signals for them to stop. "Tomorrow, we take this further," he says. "You have all made progress—but not enough." 

Arjun wipes his brow, exhaling deeply. Karna stretches, rolling his shoulders. Lavanya leans on her daggers. Aditi sits with her swords across her lap, deep in thought. Sarika remains still, her hands glowing faintly. Esha looks at her palms, her expression unreadable. 

Their journey has only just begun, and their trials are far from over.

The morning sun barely peeks over the horizon when Brihaspati wakes them all with his signature training method—throwing a small but painfully accurate pebble at each of their heads.

"Up," he commands as they groan. "Today, we push your limits."

Arjun stretches, cracking his neck, still sore from yesterday's training. "Why does he always wake us up like this?" he mutters to Karna, rubbing the spot where the pebble struck.

Karna smirks. "Because he enjoys it."

Brihaspati claps his hands together, drawing their attention. "You have trained. You have fought. But you still lack control. Today, we refine your abilities. No more wild energy, no more reckless movements. You will learn discipline—whether you like it or not."

Arjun steps forward first, determined to master his elemental magic. He takes a deep breath, focusing on summoning fire in his palm. The flame flickers, small and steady at first, but the moment he tries to expand it, it erupts into a towering blaze. The others scramble backward as the fire flares uncontrollably.

"Uh—" Arjun waves his hand, trying to smother it, but the flames only grow bigger.

Brihaspati sighs. "You're not baking bread, boy. Control it."

Arjun clenches his fists, forcing the fire to shrink. He exhales, relieved—until a sudden gust of wind swirls around him. His eyes widen. "Oh no."

The small fire he just controlled is now caught in an accidental whirlwind, twisting into a fiery tornado.

Lavanya jumps back. "WHY does this keep happening to you?"

"I DON'T KNOW," Arjun yells, flailing as he tries to dispel the mini-storm of fire he just created.

Karna bursts into laughter. "At this point, I think the elements are training you."

Arjun finally manages to extinguish the storm, panting. Brihaspati massages his temples. "If you don't learn to focus, you'll end up being more dangerous to yourself than your enemies."

Arjun mutters under his breath. "I'm trying."

Karna smirks, stepping up for his own training. "I, on the other hand, am a natural." He closes his eyes and melts into the shadows, seamlessly blending into his surroundings.

Arjun folds his arms. "Show-off."

But then… silence.

"Karna?"

More silence.

Lavanya narrows her eyes, scanning the area. "Uh… where did he go?"

Brihaspati tenses. "Karna, come back."

Nothing.

Then, a distant whisper echoes, barely audible. "I… might have overdone it."

The group stiffens.

"Wait, did he just—"

"Yes," Brihaspati says grimly. "He's blended too deep into the shadows. If he doesn't return soon, he might stay like that."

Aditi blinks. "So… he turned into a ghost?"

A panicked "I AM NOT A GHOST" comes from nowhere.

Sarika sighs, placing her hands together. "Hold still," she says, summoning a small orb of light. She releases it into the air, and within seconds, Karna reappears—stumbling forward like he just fell out of another dimension.

He wheezes. "Okay. I never want to do that again."

Esha grins. "I don't know, Karna. Maybe you should stay in the shadows forever. It suits you."

"Very funny," he mutters, brushing himself off.

Sarika steps forward next, ready to improve her healing magic. She focuses, placing her hands on Lavanya's arm, channeling warmth into a small scratch. The wound seals smoothly, but a second later, Sarika staggers.

Arjun catches her. "Hey, you okay?"

Sarika rubs her forehead. "That… drained me faster than expected."

Brihaspati folds his arms. "You waste energy compensating for precision. Healing magic is not about pouring everything in at once—it's about using exactly what is needed."

Sarika exhales. "So I need to pace myself."

"Or just accept that we'll all be covered in bandages eventually," Karna says unhelpfully.

Lavanya steps forward for her training, disappearing into the trees as she practices her assassin skills. Within moments, she's nothing more than a whisper in the wind, silent and unseen. The others wait, glancing around, trying to find her.

Arjun narrows his eyes. "She's definitely up in the trees."

Aditi shakes her head. "No, she's underground."

Esha grins. "She's actually right behind Karna."

Karna tenses. "I hate that you're probably right."

But when Lavanya finally reappears, she's scowling. "I'm getting better at hiding, but in direct combat…" She glances at Brihaspati. "I can't overpower an opponent."

Brihaspati nods. "Then stop trying to overpower. Your strength is in speed, deception, and precision. Use them."

Lavanya frowns but nods. "I'll figure it out."

Aditi steps up next, gripping her dual swords. She faces Brihaspati in a sparring match, her movements sharp and deliberate. But even as she attacks and defends, there's hesitation in her footwork. She's strong—but rigid. Predictable.

Brihaspati disarms her with a single twist of his blade. "You think too much. You're precise but stiff."

Aditi exhales sharply. "I'm trying to balance offense and defense."

"You don't balance in battle. You adapt."

She grits her teeth, retrieving her swords. "Again."

Esha stands apart from the group, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. She's the only one not actively fighting or casting magic. But her struggle isn't external—it's internal.

Sarika glances at her. "You haven't trained yet."

Esha doesn't answer right away. She clenches her fists, dark energy flickering around her. "I am training," she mutters.

Karna tilts his head. "By… standing still?"

Esha gives him a sharp look. "By not losing control."

They all fall silent.

She exhales, rubbing her temples. "The more I fight, the more the power takes over. And if I let go, even for a second…" She shakes her head. "I don't know what will happen."

Brihaspati studies her carefully. "Then that is your trial. Learning to wield it—not fear it."

Esha doesn't reply, but the tension in her stance says enough.

As the sun begins to dip lower, Brihaspati claps his hands. "That's enough for today."

Arjun stretches, exhausted. "I don't know about you guys, but I feel like I barely survived."

Karna snickers. "Welcome to training."

Lavanya sighs. "Tomorrow's going to be worse, isn't it?"

Brihaspati smirks. "Much worse."

The group collectively groans.

The forest is eerily silent as Brihaspati stands before them, his expression unreadable. The sky above is clear, but an unnatural tension lingers in the air. The group, still recovering from their exhausting training, watches as their mentor steps forward and draws a faint circle in the dirt with his sword.

"This," Brihaspati says, "is not just another lesson. It is a test—one that will strip away your strengths and expose your weaknesses. You will not win with brute force or skill alone. You will have to face yourselves."

Karna raises an eyebrow. "That sounds unnecessarily dramatic."

Brihaspati's lips curve slightly. "I suppose you'll find out."

Before anyone can react, he slams the tip of his sword into the center of the circle, and a pulse of energy erupts outward. The air distorts. Their surroundings shift. The world fractures like glass, and everything around them fades into darkness.

Arjun blinks as the world around him reforms. He stands on a battlefield—one that looks both familiar and foreign. Scorched earth stretches beneath his feet, and in front of him stands a towering warrior clad in obsidian armor.

Without hesitation, Arjun summons flames to his fingertips and hurls them forward. The fire roars, engulfing the warrior—only to vanish upon impact, as if absorbed by the very air around them.

Arjun frowns. He raises his hand, calling upon lightning, but as the bolts strike, they fizzle into nothingness. Wind, water, even the earth beneath him—nothing responds. His strongest abilities are useless.

The armored warrior strides forward, blade in hand, unshaken.

Arjun clenches his fists. "So that's how it is," he mutters.

If he cannot rely on his elemental powers, he must rely on something else. He shifts his stance, gripping his Gandiva bow. His mind races—not with panic, but with strategy. He cannot overpower this enemy. He must outthink them.

The warrior charges, and Arjun moves—not backward, but to the side, using speed instead of strength. His arrows fly, not aiming for direct damage but for distractions, for weak points in the armor's movement.

This fight is no longer about power. It is about precision.

Karna steps forward, his surroundings swallowed in shadow. The air is thick, suffocating, and from the darkness, a figure emerges—himself.

Or rather, a version of himself shrouded in swirling black mist, eyes glowing faintly with an eerie red hue.

"You think you can control it?" the shadow says, tilting its head. "The Ring of Power? The magic coursing through your veins? You're a thief, Karna. Always have been."

Karna scowls. "I'm not just a thief."

The shadow moves, fast—too fast. Karna barely dodges as a blade swings toward him. He counters, but the shadow is already gone, slipping into the darkness.

Karna grits his teeth. His own tricks, his own stealth, are being used against him.

"You're afraid," the shadow taunts. "Afraid of losing control. Afraid of becoming what you fight against."

Karna inhales sharply. The words strike deeper than the attacks.

But then he exhales, a slow, steady breath.

"So what if I'm afraid?" he mutters, gripping his bow. "I'll use that fear."

Instead of chasing the shadow, he stops. Waits. Focuses.

And when the shadow lunges, Karna is ready.

Sarika finds herself in a grand temple, its golden walls shimmering with light. In front of her, two figures lie wounded—Aditi on one side, Esha on the other. Both unconscious. Both in need of healing.

But she can only save one.

A heavy voice echoes in her mind. "Choose."

Sarika's breath catches. Her hands tremble. If she divides her magic, she may save neither. But if she hesitates, she may lose both.

Her instincts scream at her. Heal them. Help them.

But then she hears a third sound—a sharp crack in the temple walls. The structure is collapsing. If she stays, she will die.

"Choose," the voice repeats.

Sarika clenches her jaw. Her heart pounds.

And she makes her choice.

Aditi's sword feels heavier than ever. She stands against a warrior thrice her size, a brute whose blows shake the very ground. Every strike sends vibrations up her arms. Every movement feels sluggish, as if her body is fighting against her.

She tries to anticipate the warrior's attacks, but they are relentless, overpowering her without effort. She has trained for years, and yet—

"You rely too much on perfection," Brihaspati's voice echoes in her mind. "But in battle, perfection does not exist. You must adapt."

She exhales.

She loosens her grip—not weakening, but allowing flexibility. Instead of blocking the brute's next strike, she redirects it.

And for the first time, her opponent stumbles.

Aditi smirks. "Alright," she mutters. "Let's try this again."

Lavanya crouches low, ready to slip into the shadows—but when she moves, nothing happens. The shadows do not embrace her. The magic does not respond.

Her stomach tightens.

In front of her, an enemy approaches. A swordsman, faster than her, stronger than her. Normally, she would disappear and strike from behind, but now—

Now, she has to fight head-on.

Her grip tightens on her daggers.

"Fine," she mutters. "No tricks this time."

The swordsman lunges. She sidesteps. Blocks. The impact rattles her bones, but she holds steady.

She may not have shadows to hide in.

But that doesn't mean she can't win.

Esha stands frozen as the vision unfolds before her.

She sees herself. But not as she is.

This version of her is fully consumed—red eyes glowing, darkness twisting around her like living tendrils. The air crackles with power, and with a single gesture, this version of her destroys everything in sight.

The others—Arjun, Karna, Sarika, all of them—fall in the destruction.

The corrupted Esha laughs.

Esha's breath comes in ragged gasps. "No," she whispers. "That's not me."

But the vision speaks back. "Isn't it?"

Esha clenches her fists. She wants to run. To deny it.

But running won't change anything.

Her power is real. The danger is real.

But so is her choice.

She inhales, meeting the eyes of her corrupted self. "You don't control me."

And as she speaks, the illusion begins to break.

The illusions shatter.

The team gasps as they return to reality, their bodies still trembling from the trials. Brihaspati stands before them, watching in silence.

Karna exhales. "Okay. That was not fun."

Brihaspati smirks. "It wasn't supposed to be."

Arjun rolls his shoulders. "We all survived, though."

Esha exhales, her fists still clenched. "Barely."

Brihaspati nods approvingly. "You have all seen your weaknesses. Now, we turn them into strengths."

The group exchanges glances.

The test may be over.

But the real training has only just begun.

A low rumble vibrates through the ground beneath them, making the loose dirt tremble. Arjun, still catching his breath from Brihaspati's test, straightens and glances at the others. Their exhaustion is visible—Karna wipes sweat from his forehead, Aditi rolls her stiff shoulders, and Esha still looks unnerved from what she just faced in her vision.

But then the rumble deepens, and a strange pressure fills the air. The trees around them sway unnaturally, as if something unseen is shifting the very wind.

Lavanya narrows her eyes. "Tell me that's just the earth settling after all that magic we used."

Brihaspati's expression turns grave. "No. Something is coming."

A guttural growl echoes through the clearing, deep and ancient. The ground cracks, and a burst of energy surges forth like an invisible wave. The air shimmers, twisting as if reality itself is bending, and from the distortion, a creature emerges.

A massive, four-legged beast, its body composed of shifting shadows and luminous veins of energy, materializes before them. Its form flickers between solidity and mist, as if it exists between two states—one moment tangible, the next ephemeral. Jagged horns curl from its head, glowing with an eerie golden light.

Karna swears under his breath. "What is that?"

Brihaspati doesn't hesitate. "An ancient guardian spirit." His voice is steady, but there's an unmistakable weight behind his words. "It feeds on uncontrolled power—magic that is unstable, energy that wavers between discipline and chaos. Our training, our struggles… it has drawn its attention."

The beast lets out another growl, its glowing eyes locking onto them. The air around it pulses with raw energy, and in a sudden burst of movement, it surges forward.

Arjun barely has time to react before it slams into the ground before him, sending a shockwave outward. He leaps back, rolling to his feet. "Looks like we don't get time to rest!"

Karna vanishes into the shadows instinctively, but the beast snarls and turns its head sharply—tracking his movement despite the darkness. Its body flickers, and a tendril of pure energy lashes out at Karna. He barely dodges, gritting his teeth. "It can see through stealth? Seriously?"

Lavanya attempts to use her agility to strike from behind, flipping over the beast and slashing at its back. But the creature's form shifts again, turning intangible at the last second. Her blades cut through empty air, and before she can land, a pulse of force sends her flying backward.

Sarika steps forward, summoning a blast of light magic. "Let's see how it handles this!" A radiant sphere shoots toward the guardian, but instead of recoiling, the creature absorbs it. The veins in its body glow even brighter.

Sarika's eyes widen. "Oh, great. It feeds on magic!"

Aditi doesn't hesitate, charging forward with both swords. She slashes with expert precision, but every time her blades make contact, the beast's body shifts again—one strike passes through mist, another clangs against what feels like solid stone. "This thing doesn't have a single form!" she growls.

Brihaspati watches closely but does not interfere. His arms remain crossed as his sharp eyes follow every movement. "Think," he calls out. "What did you just learn? What are your weaknesses?"

Esha clenches her fists. The surge of demonic energy inside her stirs, eager to lash out, but she grits her teeth. No. If I lose control, it will only make this worse.

She takes a deep breath.

The beast shifts again, turning toward Arjun as he nocks an arrow into Gandiva. He draws back, lightning crackling along the shaft. He releases—

And the arrow phases right through its shifting form.

Arjun's eyes widen. "Oh, come on!"

The beast roars, and another wave of force erupts from its body. The team scatters, barely managing to stay on their feet.

Lavanya pants. "Okay, anyone have a plan? Because at this rate, we're just making it stronger!"

Arjun exhales. "Brihaspati said it feeds on uncontrolled power. Which means—" His eyes dart to Karna. "We have to control our abilities. Use them smartly."

Karna meets his gaze. "Alright, fine. What do we do?"

Arjun's mind races. "We use everything—but in balance. No reckless magic, no wild attacks. We force it into one solid form."

Aditi's eyes light up. "If it can shift between states, we need to make it choose one."

Sarika nods. "And if it feeds on magic, we have to stop giving it unstable energy."

Arjun smirks. "Let's do this, then."

He calls upon his elemental magic—but instead of wildly throwing flames or lightning, he weaves them together carefully. A controlled blaze forms in his palm, shifting between fire and air.

Karna follows his lead, moving through the shadows with intent, rather than letting them control him. He reappears exactly where he means to, positioning himself behind the beast.

Lavanya, instead of relying on stealth, times her movements precisely, predicting the beast's shifts rather than reacting to them.

Sarika focuses her magic, shaping it into a controlled barrier rather than blasts of energy.

Aditi watches, waiting for her moment.

And Esha…

Esha takes a deep breath. She centers herself, forcing her human and demonic sides into equilibrium. The burning power inside her no longer rages out of control but flows smoothly, harmoniously.

The beast growls, its form flickering as if sensing the shift in the battle.

Arjun releases his controlled blast—fire and wind spiraling together into a perfect vortex. It strikes the creature just as Karna lands a precise shadow-infused arrow at its core.

The beast roars as its body starts to stabilize.

Lavanya and Aditi move in tandem, striking with perfect coordination. Lavanya forces it into a defensive position, and Aditi's swords slash through its now-solid form.

Sarika steps forward, her light magic now focused and steady. "This ends now!"

With a wave of her hand, a barrier of light encases the creature, trapping it fully in its physical state.

Esha clenches her fists, feeling the controlled surge of power within her.

And then, with one final burst, she unleashes a precise, focused shockwave—one that does not consume but purifies.

The beast lets out a final roar before its form shatters into motes of light, dissolving into the air.

Silence falls.

The team stands there, panting, wide-eyed.

Karna finally breaks the silence. "So… we just fought a magic-eating nightmare beast because we were bad at magic?"

Lavanya smirks. "And then we won because we got less bad at magic."

Brihaspati chuckles. "A fitting lesson."

Arjun exhales, slinging his bow over his shoulder. "Well, that was terrifying."

Esha tilts her head. "…Let's do it again."

Everyone stares at her.

She grins. "What? It was fun."

Aditi groans. "You're insane."

As laughter and relieved sighs fill the air, Brihaspati folds his arms. "Your training is far from over," he says, though his tone carries the smallest hint of pride. "But for now, you've passed today's test."

The road ahead remains uncertain. But for the first time, the team truly feels like a team.

Brihaspati surveys the group, his sharp eyes lingering on each of them. Though they are exhausted, bruised, and still catching their breath, there is a noticeable change in their stance—a newfound confidence, a steadiness that wasn't there before.

He nods, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You've improved," he acknowledges. "But do not mistake this for mastery. What you achieved today was only the first step. True strength isn't about one victory—it's about consistency, discipline, and knowing your limits." His gaze turns serious. "You were forced to work together today, and you prevailed. But the road ahead will not always be so forgiving."

Karna groans dramatically. "I knew it. Even after nearly dying—again—we still get a lecture."

Lavanya smirks. "That's the life we signed up for."

Sarika shakes her head, amused. "I think we should at least get some food before the next near-death experience."

Aditi stretches, rolling her sore shoulders. "Agreed. Preferably something not trying to kill us for once."

Esha, still grinning from the battle, tilts her head. "I don't know… I wouldn't mind another fight."

Arjun chuckles, shaking his head. "Let's not push our luck." He looks at the others, his expression turning thoughtful. "We've come far, but this was just the beginning. If we want to stand against the Cult, if we want to take back what we've lost—we need to be better."

The weight of his words settles over them, but instead of fear or hesitation, there is only determination.

Karna sighs, but a smirk plays on his lips. "Fine. But if the next test involves another reality-warping monster, I'm running the other way."

Arjun grins. "You say that, but we both know you won't."

Karna scoffs. "Yeah, yeah."

Brihaspati gestures for them to move. "Come. We have a long journey ahead, and your training is far from over."

With renewed spirits, they gather their things and set off down the road. The land stretches before them, uncertain and dangerous, but they walk forward together—stronger than they were before.

Whatever lay ahead, they would face it.

Together.