First Stance

My joints clicked into motion. I rotated my right wrist, testing the resistance against the dim air. It gave way cleanly. I planted my boots firm against the textured mat beneath me and stepped toward the still figure standing in green beside me. Light caught my knuckles as I lightly tapped her outstretched gauntlet to check for response. Nothing moved but me. I reset my stance, centered my balance, and stood ready.