Marvel Zodiac knight

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Clarice beamed with confidence, her voice steady as she affirmed, "I remember. My brother will always be there for me."

With her assurance echoing in his mind, James rose to his feet. He carefully retrieved the ornate goblet from his bag, filled it with fresh water, and approached the sleeping Mother Hana with purpose. As he gently tipped the goblet to her lips, he watched intently as her furrowed brows relaxed and her breathing steadied.

Zheng and Clarice stood nearby, their curiosity piqued by the mysterious goblet, but they refrained from voicing their questions, respecting the solemnity of the moment.

As the night deepened, James left the orphanage alongside Zheng. They walked in silence until they reached a crossroads, where Zheng broke the stillness.

"James, do you practice martial arts as well?" he asked, a hint of eagerness in his tone.

"Indeed," James replied, his voice steady. "I've dabbled in a few fighting techniques."

Zheng's eyes sparkled at the admission. "I wonder if you'd like to spar sometime."

James smiled, appreciating Zheng's enthusiasm. "Absolutely. I noticed your skill earlier. I was actually thinking of asking you."

Zheng's expression shifted as he realized he hadn't introduced himself properly. "Please forgive my oversight. I am Shang Chi," he said, bowing with respect.

James mirrored the gesture. "James. I've trained under Pope Shion, learning a bit about combat, though I still have much to master."

Shang Chi nodded, unfamiliar with the name but not pressing for details. "Shall we test our skills then, James?"

With mutual agreement, the two sought out a suitable location for their match.

They arrived at a Chinese medicine shop where Shang Chi was temporarily staying. The hall was deserted at night, providing a perfect setting for their practice.

In the backyard, they discovered an old wooden training dummy, a relic of Master Uncle's rigorous training regimen.

"This belongs to Master Uncle," Shang Chi explained. "He practices his martial arts techniques here."

James chuckled lightly. "I thought he was just a boastful old doctor."

"Traditionally, martial arts and medicine go hand in hand," Shang Chi replied. "It's not unusual for Master Uncle to excel in both fields."

After a brief exchange, they positioned themselves across from each other, a sense of anticipation building in the air.

Shang Chi introduced himself with a confident grin. "I am skilled in hand-to-hand combat and weapon arts."

James nodded, feeling the weight of the moment. "James, trained by Pope Shion in various combat forms but still learning."

With that, their spar began. James launched the first attack, his speed surprising for someone his age.

But Shang Chi, with years of experience, easily deflected James's strikes, maintaining a calm demeanor.

Realizing he faced a formidable opponent, James abandoned restraint, increasing both his speed and power. He unleashed a flurry of punches, determined to break through Shang Chi's defenses.

The Dance of the Tiger—a versatile technique combining offense and defense—was in full effect as James pushed Shang Chi to his limits. Yet, Shang Chi remained composed, countering each strike with precision and grace.

As the spar continued, Shang Chi recognized James's superior strength but noted his lack of strategy. James focused solely on raw martial prowess, refraining from employing any cosmic abilities he might have, opting instead for an honest contest of skill.

The clash of their styles echoed in the quiet night, a testament to their dedication and the paths they had chosen. In that secluded backyard, two warriors learned from each other, each strike a step toward mastery, each block a lesson in humility.