First Stance

My joints clicked. I tested my right arm, slowly rotating the gauntlet. Motion confirmed. The child remains securely perched behind my left shoulder. To my right, another green figure holds dual axes frozen mid-air; to my left, an armed scout stays rigid. I adjusted my boots on the hexagonal plate, tapping the raised edge with one toe to measure traction. Stable footing. Whatever lies ahead on this white ledge, perimeter is secure for now.