Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yuan Chen activates his Dragon's Horn power for the first time, heating his body and solidifying an illusory dragon armor.
• Sand bandits attack Yuan Chen, throwing Bone Spears at him.
• Yuan Chen uses Dragon's Eye to slow time and see the trajectory of the spears, then uses Dragon's Tail to send the spears back at triple speed, killing or injuring most of the bandits.
• The remaining bandits flee in different directions, and Yuan Chen uses the Unyielding Stone Pact to drag them into the sand.

Character Developments

• Yuan Chen demonstrates mastery over his Dragonmancer powers, particularly Dragon's Eye and Dragon's Tail.
• The sand bandits show their coordination and survival skills, but ultimately fail to defeat Yuan Chen.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Dragonmancer and Yuan Chen's control over it.
• The harsh environment of the Shurima Desert and the survival skills it necessitates.
• The futility of brute force against superior strategy and power.

Character Interactions

• Yuan Chen faces off against a group of sand bandits, demonstrating his power and tactical prowess.
• The sand bandits, though coordinated and formidable, are no match for Yuan Chen's abilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yuan Chen, now a Dragonmancer, saves a sand bandit leader from the desert but lets him die when he refuses to reveal information.
• Yuan Chen discovers Singing Valley, a sand bandit hideout, and defeats the bandits, freeing their slaves.
• Yuan Chen learns about Marrowmark Market and the dangerous Sand Beast Basin, where the injured Rek'Sai, the queen of Xer'sai, has returned.

Character Developments

• Yuan Chen demonstrates his newfound Dragonmancer powers and maintains his resolve to uphold justice while learning about Shurima.
• The sand bandit leader shows defiance and refusal to cooperate, leading to his death.

Significant Themes

• The harsh and unforgiving nature of the Shuriman desert, which erases all traces of life and conflict.
• The persistence of slavery in Shurima, even after the empire's fall.
• The return of Rek'Sai, hinting at the lingering threat of the Void.

Character Interactions

• Yuan Chen interacts with the sand bandit leader, showing mercy initially but ultimately letting him die for his defiance.
• Yuan Chen frees the slaves from the bandits and asks them for information about the nearest town, showing compassion and respect for their well-being.
• Yuan Chen decides to confront Rek'Sai, showing determination to face the Void threat head-on.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Taliyah, a young girl with powerful Earth Element magic, travels with a group across the Shuriman desert to find her tribe and a teacher to guide her magic.
• The group is led by Kassadin, a renowned guide known for his survival skills and knowledge of the ever-changing desert terrain.
• Taliyah's fascination with the common stones in the desert is revealed, showing her unique connection to the land.
• Kassadin's past as an abandoned infant and his rise to fame as a guide is mentioned.
• Taliyah questions Kassadin's route, pointing out a seemingly easier path.

Character Developments

• Taliyah: She is shown to be curious, determined, and deeply connected to the desert and its stones. Her magic is powerful but untrained, and she's seeking guidance to control it.
• Kassadin: He is revealed to be a skilled and experienced guide, with a humble beginning and a strong survival instinct. He's leading a small group of adventurers due to a lack of merchant caravans hiring him.

Significant Themes

• The Beauty in the Ordinary: Taliyah's appreciation for the common stones in the desert highlights the theme of finding beauty and value in things often overlooked.
• The Power of Connection to the Land: Taliyah's connection to the earth and her understanding of its protection of its inhabitants emphasize the importance of this bond.
• Survival and Adaptation: Both Taliyah and Kassadin have had to adapt and survive in harsh conditions, reflecting the theme of resilience in the face of adversity.

Character Interactions

• Taliyah and Kassadin: Their interaction is professional but cordial. Taliyah shows respect for Kassadin's knowledge but isn't afraid to question his decisions, while Kassadin treats her with patience and understanding.
• Taliyah and the Group: The group accepts Taliyah's eccentricities, such as her fascination with stones, and treats her with affectionate amusement.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group, led by Kassadin, approaches a dangerous area, Sand Beast Basin, and Singing Valley.
• Yuan Chen, unrecognized by Kassadin and Taliyah, heads towards Sand Beast Basin.
• Kassadin signals for help, but Yuan Chen waves them off, continuing towards the danger.
• Taliyah pursues Yuan Chen despite Kassadin's warning.
• A massive sand beast, Xerxa'Reth, emerges from the sand, revealing the presence of Rek'Sai.

Character Developments

• Kassadin: Shows concern for his customers' safety, knows the desert's rules, but is also worried about potential trouble from Singing Valley sand bandits.
• Taliyah: Disregards the danger to save Yuan Chen, demonstrating her courage and determination.
• Yuan Chen: Displaying confidence and nonchalance in the face of danger, reveals his knowledge of Rek'Sai's presence.

Significant Themes

• The harsh and unforgiving nature of the desert, with its deadly creatures and rules.
• The importance of knowledge and understanding of one's surroundings to survive.
• The courage and determination to act despite danger.

Character Interactions

• Kassadin and Taliyah: Kassadin warns Taliyah about the danger, but she disregards his advice to save Yuan Chen.
• Yuan Chen and the group: Yuan Chen signals for them not to worry, while Taliyah pursues him despite Kassadin's warning.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yuan Chen faces Ek'Sharei, a giant creature, after receiving the queen's command.
• Yuan Chen uses his left arm, tainted by Oshirresh's aura, to fight Ek'Sharei, discovering its enhanced strength and recovery.
• Yuan Chen lands a powerful punch on Ek'Sharei, sending it flying, but Ek'Sharei attempts to burrow underground to escape.
• Yuan Chen stomps his foot, hardening the desert ground into steel, preventing Ek'Sharei's escape.

Character Developments

• Yuan Chen's left arm, tainted by Oshirresh's influence, exhibits extraordinary strength, endurance, and recovery.
• Yuan Chen experiences intense excitement and pleasure from the pain of battle, enhancing his fighting ability.
• Ek'Sharei, though dim-witted, shows fear and attempts to flee from Yuan Chen's power.

Significant Themes

• The influence of the spiritual realm on the physical body.
• The enhancement of physical abilities through emotional stimulation.
• The use of terrain and environment in combat.

Character Interactions

• Yuan Chen vs. Ek'Sharei: Yuan Chen's power and determination are pitted against Ek'Sharei's brute strength and cunning.
• Yuan Chen and Taliyah: Taliyah observes Yuan Chen's battle from a distance, feeling the desert's transformation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yuan Chen uses his enhanced Earth Element magic to solidify the sand, stopping Ek'Sharei's burrow attack.
• Ek'Sharei crashes into the ground, causing significant damage but survives.
• Yuan Chen uses his mastery of Earth Element magic to impale Ek'Sharei with stone spikes, killing it.
• Yuan Chen senses the area and kills the remaining Xer'Sai sand beasts.
• He realizes that Rek'Sai, the queen, has fled undetected.

Character Developments

• Yuan Chen demonstrates his mastery of Earth Element magic and his ability to control stone with precision.
• Taliyah witnesses Yuan Chen's power and is impressed by his control over Earth Element magic and his dance-like movements.

Significant Themes

• The power of Earth Element magic and Yuan Chen's mastery over it.
• The importance of focus, patience, and strategic thinking in battle, as shown by Yuan Chen's careful approach to the situation.

Character Interactions

• Yuan Chen and Taliyah interact briefly, with Taliyah expressing her admiration for Yuan Chen's skills.
• Yuan Chen's actions inspire Taliyah to remember her tribe's Ritual Dance and the Weaver, hinting at a potential connection between Yuan Chen's dance-like movements and her tribe's traditions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yuan Chen defeats Ek'Sharei, a Void Creature, using a dagger gifted by Nila to Qiyana, made from Kah'Mu's Dragon Tooth.
• Yuan Chen absorbs the Void essence from Ek'Sharei's heart, but it's insufficient to awaken his Void symbiote.
• Yuan Chen learns that Rek'Sai, the leader of the Xer'Sai beast clan, was severely injured and fled Yishuaoken.
• Taliyah, the Stoneweaver, approaches Yuan Chen, seeking guidance in understanding the earth's magic.

Character Developments

• Yuan Chen demonstrates his power and knowledge of earth magic, attracting Taliyah's attention.
• Taliyah, despite her rough appearance, shows enthusiasm and respect for Yuan Chen's mastery of earth magic.
• Yuan Chen reveals that he possesses Void traits and can evolve using Void essence, but he doesn't know the location of his Void symbiote.

Significant Themes

• The evolution and growth of Void Creatures, and the risks involved in absorbing their essence.
• The power of earth magic and its users, as demonstrated by Yuan Chen and Taliyah.
• The consequences of war and political strife, as seen in Taliyah's backstory and her encounter with Noxian officers.

Character Interactions

• Yuan Chen and Taliyah meet for the first time, with Taliyah expressing her admiration for Yuan Chen's mastery of earth magic.
• Yuan Chen asks Taliyah about Yasuo, revealing that he knows about her past and her connection to the renowned swordsman.
• Taliyah expresses her ignorance about Yasuo, indicating that she has not heard of him in this world, suggesting a divergence from her original backstory.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Taliyah seeks Yuan Chen's guidance in learning the Wind Technique.
• Yuan Chen reveals that he is not an elemental mage and cannot teach Taliyah.
• Taliyah senses Yuan Chen's Mana Circuits, finding them damaged and interconnected like a repaired net.

Character Developments

• Taliyah shows determination and solemnity in making a vow not to leak Yuan Chen's Mana Circuits information.
• Yuan Chen demonstrates understanding and patience towards Taliyah's inexperience in making oaths.

Significant Themes

• The importance of trust and respect in learning and teaching.
• The interconnectedness of fate and destiny, as represented by the Weaver and her loom.
• The consequences of severe damage to Mana Circuits, hinting at Yuan Chen's past trauma or injury.

Character Interactions

• Taliyah and Yuan Chen interact with mutual respect and understanding.
• Taliyah's astonishment and disbelief at Yuan Chen's condition reflect her naivety and innocence.
• Yuan Chen's calm demeanor and acceptance of his condition show his resilience and acceptance of his past.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Taliyah accidentally offends Yuan Chen by commenting on his damaged Mana Circuit.
• Yuan Chen reveals he switched professions from an earth-and-stone master to a warrior after his Mana Circuit was severely damaged.
• Taliyah expresses admiration for Yuan Chen's perseverance and determination.
• Yuan Chen reveals that Yasuo practices the Wind Technique, a swordsmanship that can be thought of as using a blade to cast spells.
• Yuan Chen shows Taliyah the location of Ionia on a map, revealing its vast distance from their current location.
• Yuan Chen admits he has never personally visited the location of Yasuo's sect in Ionia and suggests Taliyah find him herself.

Character Developments

• Taliyah shows respect and admiration for Yuan Chen's resilience despite his setbacks.
• Yuan Chen displays humility and self-awareness about his past actions and the challenges Taliyah might face in finding Yasuo.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance and determination in the face of adversity (Yuan Chen's switch to warrior profession).
• The difficulty of finding a teacher and the challenges of spiritual growth (Taliyah's journey to find Yasuo).

Character Interactions

• Taliyah and Yuan Chen have a candid conversation about his past, leading to mutual respect.
• Yuan Chen provides guidance to Taliyah about Ionia and its cultivation practices, despite his reservations about her journey.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yuan Chen shares his knowledge of Ionia's Spirit Theory and cultivation philosophies concerning rock and earth with Taliyah.
• He discusses various schools and their philosophies, including Navori's 'fierce earth,' Buhru's seclusion, Qilin's 'earth that breeds all things,' and Hirana Monastery's 'earth of the mind.'
• Yuan Chen also mentions Ixialia's Yuan Chu Axiom theory.

Character Developments

• Taliyah shows eagerness and enthusiasm to learn, contrasting with her previous struggles to find a suitable teacher.
• Yuan Chen, despite his initial reluctance to teach, enjoys sharing his knowledge and shows off his extensive understanding of various philosophies.

Significant Themes

• The importance of finding a suitable teacher and guidance in one's cultivation journey.
• The diversity of cultivation philosophies and methods within Ionia and beyond.
• Yuan Chen's struggle with his love for teaching and showing off, despite his initial resolve to change.

Character Interactions

• Taliyah and Yuan Chen engage in a teacher-student dynamic, with Taliyah showing great respect and admiration for Yuan Chen's knowledge.
• Yuan Chen, initially hesitant, becomes more enthusiastic about teaching as Taliyah demonstrates her eagerness to learn.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Taliyah clings to Yuan Chen, insisting he become her teacher.
• Yuan Chen agrees to teach Taliyah about earth and stone elements.
• Kassadin approaches Yuan Chen and Taliyah after the battle, seeking a connection for future benefits.
• Kassadin offers his services as a guide in Shurima.

Character Developments

• Taliyah: Shows determination and resourcefulness in pursuing knowledge and a teacher.
• Yuan Chen: Reluctantly agrees to teach Taliyah, showing a softer side despite his initial reluctance.
• Kassadin: Seeks to build a relationship with Yuan Chen for future gains, demonstrating his cunning and ambition.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of knowledge and growth.
• The importance of connections and alliances.
• The contrast between Taliyah's innocence and Kassadin's cunning.

Character Interactions

• Taliyah and Yuan Chen: Taliyah's persistence wears down Yuan Chen's initial reluctance, leading to a teacher-student relationship.
• Yuan Chen and Kassadin: Kassadin sees an opportunity in Yuan Chen's presence and offers his services as a guide, hoping to build a connection for future benefits.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yuan Chen meets Kassadin, who is not as he expected.
• Yuan Chen learns that Kassadin's daughter is named Kai, not Kai'Sa.
• Yuan Chen receives a revelation about Bel'Veth and legacy.
• Yuan Chen decides to go to Bel'Veth instead of his original destination.

Character Developments

• Kassadin: Maintains courtesy despite nervousness, reveals his adopted name's origin.
• Yuan Chen: Realizes the timeline's anomaly regarding Kai'Sa and Taliyah's ages, receives a revelation.

Significant Themes

• Identity and legacy: Kassadin's name origin, Kai'Sa's name change, and the revelation about Bel'Veth.
• Time and alteration: The timeline's discrepancy between Kai'Sa and Taliyah's ages.

Character Interactions

• Yuan Chen and Kassadin: Their conversation reveals Kassadin's adopted name and Yuan Chen's mistaken identity.
• Yuan Chen and his future/past self: Yuan Chen receives a revelation, suggesting communication with his future or past self.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yuan Chen learns that Rek'Sai is fleeing towards Bel'Veth.
• Yuan Chen decides to travel with Kassadin to Bel'Veth, offering protection and compensation.
• They encounter a group of inexperienced adventurers who are curious about the battle but unaware of desert dangers.

Character Developments

• Yuan Chen: He shows determination to confront the anomalies and mysteries in Shurima, understanding the urgency to act against Rek'Sai.
• Kassadin: He becomes more desperate to return to his family, prioritizing their safety over his adventurer clients. He reveals his knowledge of a dangerous shortcut to Bel'Veth.
• Adventurers: They are shown to be inexperienced and reckless, unaware of the true dangers of the desert.

Significant Themes

• Desert Survival: The harsh desert environment is a constant threat, requiring knowledge, preparation, and caution.
• Mysteries of Shurima: The anomalies and inconsistencies in Shurima's history and present state are central to the plot, driving Yuan Chen's actions.

Character Interactions

• Yuan Chen and Kassadin: They form an alliance, with Yuan Chen offering protection and Kassadin providing local knowledge and a shortcut.
• Kassadin and the Adventurers: Kassadin's priorities shift, leaving the adventurers bewildered and abandoned.
• Yuan Chen and Taliyah: Yuan Chen checks on Taliyah's progress with her stone techniques and invites her to follow.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The adventurers, led by Olan Crownguard, journey to Demacia.
• Olan reveals that Garen and Lux, members of House Crownguard, are exceptional but he is not as talented.
• Yuan Chen asks about Demacia's stance on magic, and Olan reveals that while magic is banned, some mages work for Demacia, and Prince Jarvan IV's views are unknown.
• Olan and his group reach the town of Bel'Veth near Demacia.

Character Developments

• Olan Crownguard: Shows openness and cheerfulness, unlike the typical Demacian, and displays admiration for Yuan Chen's strength.
• Yuan Chen: Uses his Oshirresh Mark ability to influence Olan's emotions, subtly gathering information about Demacia.

Significant Themes

• Demacia's isolationism and views on magic: Despite being closed-off, Demacia acknowledges the power of magic, as seen in their use of mages.
• The influence of power: Olan admires Yuan Chen's strength, highlighting the respect for power in Demacia and beyond.

Character Interactions

• Olan and Yuan Chen: Olan is initially wary of Yuan Chen but grows admiring of his strength, leading to a subtle emotional connection.
• Olan and the Laurent brothers: The Laurent brothers remind Olan not to reveal too much about Demacia's royal secrets.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter begins with an error message, indicating a problem during replication (copying), which led to the sudden appearance of Oran, the adventurer who hired Kassadin.
• The author experienced disruptions due to moving and a cat escape incident, which affected their ability to write consistently.

Character Developments

• No significant character developments in this chapter as it's primarily a meta-narrative about the writing process.

Significant Themes

• Unpredictability and Chaos: The replication error and real-life disruptions highlight the unpredictable nature of life and the chaos that can disrupt plans.
• Resilience: The author's determination to continue writing despite the challenges they faced shows resilience.

Character Interactions

• No character interactions in this chapter as it's a personal update from the author.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kassadin returns to Bel'Veth, his hometown, and finds it peaceful.
• They discuss the city's harbor, trade routes, and the presence of Demacian weapons.
• Kassadin reveals he moved to Bel'Veth a year ago for his daughter's education at the Sun Temple.
• Yuan Chen declines an immediate visit to the Sun Temple, suggesting they go to Kassadin's home first.

Character Developments

• Kassadin relaxes and becomes more talkative upon seeing his hometown unchanged.
• Yuan Chen demonstrates understanding and consideration for Kassadin's family.
• Oran shows pride in Demacia's military strength and weapons.

Significant Themes

• Stability and Change: Bel'Veth's unchanged state contrasts with the changes in the timeline and the world at large.
• Education and Opportunity: Kassadin's decision to move to Bel'Veth for his daughter's education highlights the importance of opportunities for growth.
• Wealth and Power: The presence of Demacian weapons and the mention of wealthy merchants and nobles underscore the influence of wealth and power.

Character Interactions

• Kassadin and Yuan Chen: Kassadin opens up to Yuan Chen, and Yuan Chen shows empathy and understanding towards Kassadin's family.
• Kassadin and Oran: They discuss Demacian weapons and trade routes, with Kassadin providing information and Oran sharing his knowledge and pride in Demacia.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter begins with Yuan Chen doubting if Bel'Veth, now bustling and uncorrupted, can still give birth to the Void Walker and the Daughter of the Void as in the original timeline.
• Kassadin returns home to his family after a journey, finding his daughter Kai'Sa waiting for him.
• Yuan Chen observes Kai'Sa, noting her fair skin, unusual for Shurima's desert peoples.
• Kassadin's wife, Sira, arrives with fresh fruit, revealing that Kai'Sa's teacher is visiting.

Character Developments

• Kassadin: Shows love and concern for his daughter, Kai'Sa. He feels guilty for not being able to spend more time with his family due to his work as a guide. He is also revealed to be a determined and ruthless man, willing to venture into the Void for his family.
• Kai'Sa: Demonstrates affection and joy upon seeing her father. She is described as having the makings of a beauty, with fair skin unlike other Shuriman.
• Sira (Kassadin's wife): Shows understanding and support for Kassadin's work, reassuring him that he doesn't owe her anything. She is frugal and caring, buying expensive fresh fruit for their daughter's teacher's visit.

Significant Themes

• Family and Love: The chapter emphasizes the love between Kassadin and his daughter, and the understanding between Kassadin and his wife.
• Determination and Obsession: Kassadin's willingness to venture into the Void for his family highlights the extraordinary qualities and obsessions of Runeterra's inhabitants.
• Change and the Unknown: Yuan Chen's observations about Bel'Veth's transformation and the uncertainty of the Void's influence on the timeline are central themes.

Character Interactions

• Kassadin and Kai'Sa: The father-daughter duo reunites with joy and affection, highlighting their strong bond.
• Kassadin and Sira: The couple's interaction shows their mutual understanding and support, with Sira reassuring Kassadin about his role in the family.
• Yuan Chen and the Kassadin Family: Yuan Chen observes the family, noting Kai'Sa's unusual features and causing a moment of tension when Kassadin mistakes his interest as malicious.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yuan Chen meets an old woman, the Elder, who recognizes him despite them never having met before.
• The Elder knows Yuan Chen's name and greets him, then leaves after a brief conversation.
• Yuan Chen senses no unusual physiological structure in the Elder, despite her extraordinary traits.

Character Developments

• Yuan Chen: Shows hesitation and uncertainty upon meeting the Elder, indicating he's not infallible and can be surprised.
• The Elder: Displayed extraordinary knowledge and awareness, yet has no apparent magical or Void powers.

Significant Themes

• Recognition and familiarity: The Elder recognizes Yuan Chen, and he feels an inexplicable sense of familiarity with her.
• Unusual normality: The Elder is an ordinary person with extraordinary traits and knowledge.

Character Interactions

• Yuan Chen and the Elder: They greet each other, and Yuan Chen senses something unusual about her despite her ordinary appearance.
• Yuan Chen and Kassadin: Kassadin notices Yuan Chen's unusual behavior and asks about it, showing his observant nature.
• Yuan Chen and Taliyah: Taliyah expresses concern for Yuan Chen's well-being, showing her caring nature.
• Kassadin and his family: They invite Yuan Chen to have a meal with them, showing hospitality and a desire for a peaceful life.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yuan Chen learns about Elder Shalatai's past and her role in Bel'Veth from Kassadin's wife.
• Recent unusual events in Bel'Veth include increased smuggling ships, issues with the Sun Gate sea lock, and strange activities at the Sun Temple involving Dusklight priestesses and cloaked figures.
• Little Kai'Sa reveals she met a new, kind, and powerful woman with distinctive facial markings and Void-like armor, causing alarm among Yuan Chen, Kassadin, and his wife.
• Yuan Chen decides to investigate the Sun Temple that night, instructing Taliyah to lead everyone to safety if needed.

Character Developments

• Kassadin's wife demonstrates her wisdom and caution in handling unexpected visitors.
• Little Kai'Sa shows her innocence, affection for new friends, and lack of understanding about the Outside World's dangers.
• Yuan Chen displays his calm and decisive leadership, prioritizing safety and investigation.

Significant Themes

• The power and influence of Elder Shalatai.
• The potential threat posed by the new, mysterious woman in Bel'Veth.
• The importance of staying calm and acting strategically in the face of uncertainty.

Character Interactions

• Yuan Chen, Kassadin, and his wife engage in a serious conversation about recent events in Bel'Veth.
• Little Kai'Sa interacts with Yuan Chen, Taliyah, and her parents, revealing her new friend and causing concern.
• Yuan Chen gives Taliyah an Ixialian crystal and instructions for protecting the group if necessary.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yuan Chen discovers Ixialia Crystals, energy crystals he created after becoming an Elemental Lord, which can temporarily enhance an elemental mage's abilities.
• Yuan Chen and Kassadin prepare for a night operation, with Yuan Chen changing into stealth attire and entering the Dragonmancer state for concealment.
• Yuan Chen infiltrates the Sun Temple in Bel'Veth, sensing a powerful Void presence, and is approached by a mysterious figure in black armor with symbiotic Void tendrils.

Character Developments

• Yuan Chen demonstrates his stealth abilities using the Dragonmancer state, showcasing his adaptability and resourcefulness.
• Kassadin shows understanding and acceptance of Yuan Chen's abilities, indicating trust and respect.

Significant Themes

• The power of adaptability and resourcefulness in the face of adversity (Yuan Chen's use of Ixialia Crystals and Dragonmancer state).
• The allure of the Void and its potential for rational thought and connection (the mysterious figure's behavior and speech).

Character Interactions

• Yuan Chen and Kassadin work together, with Kassadin providing support and understanding, while Yuan Chen takes the lead in the infiltration.
• Yuan Chen's silent encounter with the mysterious figure hints at a potential connection or shared understanding, as they approach each other without hostility.