[Definately the air. Daqiang's tendency with choking was to raise his victim high enough they couldn't find enough purchase with their legs to kick free while he slowly squeezed the life from them. Considering he could fly, it was rather easy to get someone high enough.

He inclined his head at Cid's words. The Hellfire Sword fluttered back out of existence the same as it had come. Waiting until both of Cid's weapons were sheathed to do so.

A moment more and he walked to stand at Cid's side, looking past him. Daqiang's hand was still on his wound but he moved as if it didn't bother him at all.

He kept his voice low, so it would not carry past either of them.]

Had you been a moment slower, this venerable one would have killed you. Choked the air from your lungs and ignited your core to burn you from the inside out.

[A statement of fact. Not a threat. He would have gone for the kill, lost as he was in the fight. Acting and reacting without thought.

He lowered his eyes.]

It would not have been a death you deserved.

[Which was about as close as he could get to apologizing for failure to maintain his control.]