"Their punches took me by surprise," Aurican replied, half drolly and half annoyed. "They are smaller than me but their fists are like boulders, which I wasn't expecting."

Aurican's face aches greatly and he is greatly tempted to take up on Crucible's offer, but he also wants to refuse. (Pride is its own pain as well.) Besides, something else is nagging Aurican's attention.

"I never knew you had a breath weapon, Kang. Is it magic?"