Aaron looked at Mark's eyes and saw no pity, so he gave none when he attacked.

His blade flashed in a crescent, releasing a wind blade that split Mark's batons in half and followed with an air-assisted step and a high kick aimed for Mark's jaw.

The body tanked the blow with a grimace, the force enough to send him stumbling, but a second later, he came back swinging with a mace covered in spikes dripping in red. It cracked the ground like an egg, and Aaron hopped back at the last moment, channelling Chi and air.

The weapon was as large as he was tall, and he hefted it with great difficulty, but he had a severe look on his face that told Aaron he wasn't backing down.

Aaron saw Mark call on Chi flow and side-stepped his attack before fully swinging while remaining light on his feet. He stepped out of the path of the spike that came a moment later, already predicting Mark's next move.

Mark stomped the floor, sending a second spike Aaron's way while he simultaneously heaved his heavy mace.

Aaron easily wove under the attack and returned two lightning-fast jabs that carried half-formed stingers. They were compressed air packets travelling at startling speeds, not so tightly held together by Chi.

Aaron's martial skills hadn't been the only thing that'd advanced since he learned to hold One-with-the-world passively. He could review his techniques in real life, breaking them apart to form pseudo techniques more appropriate for spars.

To Mark's burgeoning Chi sense, they were all but invisible, and they hit him in the gut a fraction of a moment apart with the force of an uppercut. He toppled backwards, his mace more of a hindrance than a weapon, and Aaron advanced, the channelling wind coming to a stop in front of Mark, another half-formed stinger in his hand poised to strike.

"You've lost."

"Not quite," Mark flashed him a bloody grin, and Aaron saw the massive amounts of Chi flow out of him, emptying his reserves. Aaron had a fraction of a moment to react, and he shot up to the sky, wind and Chi carrying him as the area around Mark shattered and rapidly reformed. Dozens of earth columns shot up from the ground, leaving everything around him for nearly a mile an unrecognizable mess.

Aaron's heart drummed against his chest. Had he been anyone else, he would've died.

As he drifted down, he found that he was not angry. Rather, he was proud. Though power had always come easy to him, Mark worked hard, and that deserved respect for the level of power he'd accomplished. Very few could challenge him now. For better or worse, they were equals now. It was a good thing they were on the same side.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Master Ren was sitting on a pillar when Aaron drifted to the ground.

"I must congratulate both of you. You've come so far in two short weeks. I see you've finally mastered One-with-the-world," he said to Aaron. "I'm sure you're beginning to understand why I wanted you to master the basics."

"So, that's how he won," Mark said, snapping his finger.

Ren turned to Mark, who was struggling to his feet. "Your new skill has already proved itself, although it's in its infancy. You've become a force to be reckoned with, young Mark. Few Benders in the world compared to you now."

"That's high praise coming from you, Master. I have already reached Lv 5. A few more weeks and dozens of skills later, I'll be ready to steamroll Samir."

"I like the confidence. It's unfortunate that we don't have that much time. Samir and his host have arrived at the Northern water tribe."

"What!" Aaron's head snapped to his Father, and Mark lost his footing for a moment.

"Why are we just hearing about this?" Aaron demanded.

"Your training was coming along so well. We saw no reason to interrupt when you were close to a breakthrough. Besides, we decided that two master phantoms, a pirate fleet, and a small contingent of ghosts should be enough to stop their attack before they ever reach Water Nation shores."

Mark looked stunned, "How did he…"

"Survive?" Master Ren raised an eyebrow.

"Your nemesis had more than a few tricks up his sleeve," he rubbed his forehead, exasperated. "Did you know that he tamed a Dragon?"

"Aren't those supposed to be extinct?" Aaron asked with genuine wonder and confusion.

"Fucking Samir," Mark groaned. "Of course, he'd pull some bullshit like that. General Iroh spared the dragon he was supposed to kill, and the fucker somehow got his hand on it because, of course, he did."

"Are they alive?" Aaron asked. Dragons were the source of fire bending. Phantoms were powerful, but he didn't think any, except his grandfather, could match a dragon.

"Thankfully, they are. Although, they needed heavy doses of healing potions and Chi healing. And there is more news to share, but that can wait."

Aaron tensed at hearing that, but Ren was not done talking.

"Oddly enough, the dragon was not the biggest challenge they faced. Samir managed to recruit 20 of the most accomplished benders on his personal team, including the fire princess."

"Fuck," Mark said. "And just when I thought I had a chance."

"The rumours I've heard about the princess say she has an ego bigger than the sun. I wouldn't think she'd willingly serve Samir. Could she be compromised?" Aaron asked.

"We assume he might've gotten to the Fire lord at this point," Ren said.

"So, this might be our last stand, then?" Mark said. "I'm not liking our odds."

"Hundreds of ghosts are in the city, and hundreds more are travelling to the North Pole."

"How much time do we have?" Aaron asked.

"Two days," Ren said. There was a long moment of silence.

"I better start levelling parallel processing then," Mark suddenly said. "I need to teach you the skill before we face that jackass. Every little advantage counts."

Aaron didn't have the strength to tell him he'd already figured it out.

"I'll leave you to it then," Ren nodded. "I have to inform the children." Mark and Aaron stepped far away from the camp like they usually did every night.

"Another spar?" Mark asked Aaron.

"Only if you promise you won't try to brain me with your mace."

Mark chuckled.

"if you tell me how you figured out One-with-the-world, I might consider it. Surely the time for keeping secrets and plotting has passed now."

"I believe it has."