The exhilaration of victory buzzed through Lio's veins as he stepped off the field, but the momentary satisfaction faded quickly. Isaac's defeat had been hard-earned, but it had also revealed just how narrow the margin of success could be. The next challenge—Chris—loomed over him like a shadow, a constant reminder of what still lay ahead.
As Lio walked through the stadium tunnel, his thoughts shifted. He had disrupted Isaac's control with chaos, but Chris was different. He wouldn't crack under pressure, and he wouldn't fall for the same tricks. Chris was calm, calculating, and one step ahead, even without magic tech as advanced as Isaac's Spatial Grid.
Kaito jogged up next to him, grinning ear to ear. "Man, we actually did it. Royal Oak down, and now we're in the finals!"
Lio nodded, though his mind was already on the next match. "Yeah. But we can't let up. The next team's going to be even tougher."
Kaito's grin faltered slightly. "You mean Chris's team, right?"
Lio glanced at him, his expression serious. "Yeah. It's going to be our biggest challenge yet."
Mia joined them, her steps light but her face focused. "Isaac was all about control, but Chris is different. He's more adaptable, harder to read."
"And he knows Lio," Kaito added, glancing at Lio for confirmation. "He's been watching you this whole time, hasn't he?"
Lio nodded, his jaw tightening. "Yeah. And I've been watching him too. We're on a collision course."
The three walked in silence for a moment, each of them processing what was to come. They had made it this far, but now the stakes were even higher.
---
That night, sleep eluded Lio. His mind kept replaying the penalty incident from his past life—the moment that had defined him. He could see the goalpost, feel the pressure of the crowd, and the weight of the world pressing down on him as he prepared to take the shot.
The ball rolled toward Chris, slow and weak, and Chris's smirk of victory flashed in his mind. The stadium roared with laughter, a twisted echo that filled him with rage and shame.
Lio woke up in a cold sweat, the haunting memory lingering in his chest. He stared at the ceiling, heart pounding, before grabbing his holo-pad and heading to school early the next day.
---
At school, the atmosphere was electric. News of their victory over Royal Oak had spread like wildfire, and Lio's name was on everyone's lips. Students whispered excitedly in the hallways, their voices a constant reminder of the pressure mounting on his shoulders.
Lio sat in class, his holo-pad displaying tactical data from Chris's previous matches. He studied every move, every pass, analyzing Chris's playstyle. Unlike Isaac, who relied on controlling the entire field, Chris was unpredictable—fluid in his movements, shifting tactics on the fly.
As Lio stared at the data, a familiar voice broke his concentration. "You're thinking too hard again."
Mia slid into the seat next to him, her eyes scanning the holo-pad briefly before she met his gaze. "Chris is good, but overanalyzing won't help."
Lio leaned back in his seat, rubbing his temples. "I know. But if I don't figure him out, we're going to get crushed."
"You're overcomplicating it," Mia said, her tone steady. "Chris is good because he adapts. He doesn't have a fixed pattern. So instead of trying to predict him, focus on what you can control. Your game."
Lio considered her words, letting them sink in. He had spent so much time trying to figure Chris out that he had forgotten the basics—playing his own game. Chris would adapt, but Lio had to stay grounded in his strengths.
Mia placed her hand gently on his arm, her touch light but grounding. "You're one of the best players I've ever seen. You've got the instincts for it. Don't lose sight of that."
Her words struck something deep inside him, the weight of the nightmare and his past lifting slightly. The warmth of her touch was brief, but it lingered, and for a moment, Lio felt like he wasn't fighting this battle alone.
He looked at her, their eyes meeting. "Thanks, Mia. I needed that."
Mia smiled softly, her gaze holding his a second longer than usual. "Don't overthink it. You've got this."
She stood to leave, but as she did, there was a quiet tension between them—something more unspoken. Mia gave him a small wave before turning down the hall, and Lio watched her go, a feeling stirring in his chest that was different from anything he had felt before.
---
That evening, Lio returned to the stadium, the memory of the nightmare still haunting him. The field was quiet, the stands empty. He walked to the center of the pitch, feeling the familiar pull of the grass beneath his feet.
"Your mind is clouded."
Rina's voice came from behind him, soft but firm. Lio didn't turn. He knew she was right. His thoughts had been a whirlwind since the last match.
"Isaac was a distraction," Rina continued, stepping closer. "You've been thinking about Chris since the beginning."
Lio clenched his fists. "I have to beat him. He was my best friend… and now, he's the one standing in my way."
Rina's gaze softened, her voice gentle but unwavering. "Your past with Chris weighs on you. But this isn't just about him. You have your own path to follow, Lio. Don't let him control your steps."
Lio exhaled, his tension easing slightly. "I know. But he's different. He's not like Isaac. He's not just a rival. He's…"
"Your mirror," Rina finished, her words hitting the mark. "You see him as a reflection of who you used to be. But remember, Lio, you've changed. You're not the same person anymore."
Lio turned to face her, the weight of her words settling over him. "So, what do I do?"
"You play your game," Rina said simply. "Don't let Chris draw you into his. The storm is coming, but you've weathered worse. Trust in your abilities, and trust in your team."
For the first time in days, Lio felt a sense of clarity. Rina's words resonated deep within him. He didn't have to play Chris's game—he just had to play his own.
"Thanks," Lio said, a quiet determination building inside him.
Rina gave him a small nod, her eyes filled with the wisdom of someone who had seen much more than she let on. "Stay focused, Lio. The battle is close."
As she disappeared into the shadows, Lio stood alone on the field, the weight of the coming match heavy on his shoulders. But now, there was a fire burning inside him. He wasn't just fighting Chris—he was fighting for his future.
The storm was approaching, but Lio was ready.