After a short break, Isabella led them to the mats.
"Combat," she said. "Close quarters. Defense. Offense. Essential skills for survival in Dante's world."
She looked at Atlas. "You were trained. You know how to fight. How to hurt. How to kill." She gestured to the girl. "Teach her. Show her. Make her remember."
Atlas hesitated. "You want me to fight her?"
"I want you to train her. Controlled. Careful. But yes—show her how to defend herself. How to attack. How to survive violence."
Atlas looked at the girl. Standing on the mat. Empty. Waiting.
"Start simple," Isabella said. "Basic blocks. Basic strikes. Build from there."
Atlas approached the girl. Stood in front of her.
"When I swing at you," he said slowly. "You block. Like this."
He demonstrated. Slow motion. A punch. A block.
