The flames between John and Victor blazed hotter, as they both pushed their bending to the limit. The air shimmered with the heat of their attacks, both firebenders exchanging scorching blasts and dodging flames with a ferocity that left onlookers at the edge of their seats.John was relentless, his fiery strikes hammering down on Victor, who deflected with wide sweeps of his own flame. "Come on, Victor! Stop dancing around!" John yelled, his eyes burning with determination.Victor grinned, his confidence unshaken. "I'm just getting warmed up, John. Let's turn up the heat!" With a roar, Victor's flames surged, forming a towering inferno that barreled toward John.John gritted his teeth, feeling the intensity of the firestorm. He summoned his strength, channeling his flames to meet Victor's attack head-on. The two walls of fire collided in an explosion of light and heat, sending a wave of energy rippling through the arena.From the sidelines, Chris watched with folded arms, a proud yet calculating gleam in his eyes. "He's holding his own well," Chris remarked, nodding approvingly. "Victor's always been a hothead, but he knows how to handle himself in a fight."Benji stood beside him, his arms crossed, observing the match with a different intensity. "John's got more control than Victor," Benji said quietly, though there was no mistaking the pride in his voice. "But Victor's raw power is something else. If John doesn't stay sharp, he'll get overwhelmed."Chris raised an eyebrow, his competitive nature sparking. "You sound like you're doubting your guy."Benji smirked, glancing sideways at Chris. "Not doubting—just aware of the stakes. Let's see how it plays out."On the far side of the battlefield, Isabel darted and weaved with blinding speed, her teleportation leaving trails of blurred afterimages as she outmaneuvered Anne at every turn. Anne, cool and focused, swung her arms in precise arcs, manipulating the energy around her to create defensive barriers.Isabel appeared behind Anne in an instant, aiming a quick strike at her back. Anne reacted with impressive reflexes, twisting just in time to send a blast of energy that knocked Isabel backward. "You're quick," Anne acknowledged, her tone calm but focused, "but I've fought faster."Isabel teleported again, materializing on the other side. "Speed's not the only thing I've got!" she said with a grin, teleporting repeatedly to confuse Anne, keeping her on the defensive. Each time Isabel appeared, she sent a sharp kick or punch aimed at Anne's weak spots.But Anne wasn't easy to corner. She expanded her energy field, forcing Isabel to keep her distance. Anne knew she couldn't match Isabel's teleportation, but she could outlast her."Getting tired yet?" Anne taunted, watching Isabel teleport with increasing effort. "All that jumping around is bound to wear you out."Isabel's brow furrowed, frustration building as Anne's defense held strong. "You're just delaying the inevitable!" she snapped, disappearing once again.Meanwhile, Gordon squared off with Max, whose control over the battlefield was impressive—each step Gordon took felt like he was moving through thick, invisible pressure. The air was heavy, and Gordon struggled to find his balance."You won't overpower me with your flashy energy blasts, Gordon," Max said confidently, raising a hand as he manipulated the gravity around them. "Gravity's all about control."Gordon grit his teeth, his body crackling with energy, but every time he tried to strike, the gravitational force pinned him down, slowing his movements. "You think that's enough to stop me?" he growled, summoning a burst of raw energy that exploded outward, temporarily neutralizing Max's hold on him.Max stumbled slightly, but recovered quickly, amplifying the gravity around Gordon once more. "You're strong, but strength won't help when you can barely move."Gordon snarled, refusing to let Max have the upper hand. "Strength isn't all I've got, Max!" With a roar, Gordon released a wave of energy so intense that it shattered the gravitational hold Max had on him. In that brief moment of freedom, Gordon charged forward, his fists glowing with energy, and landed a solid hit on Max's chest, sending him flying back.Alex, in the meantime, faced off against Lila. He felt the weight of the battle more than anyone. Lila stood across from him, her calm demeanor and knowing eyes piercing through the tension."You don't have to do this, Lila," Alex said, his voice low, torn between his loyalty to his team and his connection to her. "This isn't our fight."Lila gave him a soft smile, but there was no hesitation in her eyes. "We're on opposite sides now, Alex. That's just how it is." Her power, the ability to enter others' minds, was a threat Alex knew he couldn't ignore.Before he could react, Lila's eyes glowed faintly, and Alex felt a pressure on his mind—like she was probing, searching for weaknesses. He staggered, gripping his head as Lila's influence tugged at his thoughts."Stay out of my head!" Alex shouted, throwing a punch infused with raw physical strength. But Lila danced away, her expression unreadable."You can't win if your mind isn't clear," she said softly, her powers pressing deeper into his psyche.Alex growled in frustration, shaking his head to clear the fog. He charged again, his body a powerhouse of strength and momentum, forcing Lila to stay on the defensive. But each time he got close, she evaded, her mental abilities disrupting his focus.