The night air was cool, and the usual hum of activity in Stronghold Academy had dimmed to a low murmur as the students and instructors prepared for the journey to Mira. The city, bathed in the gentle glow of streetlights, seemed to hold its breath in anticipation of the tournament. It was a night of reflection, a brief respite before the chaos that would inevitably unfold.John sat on the balcony of his dorm, gazing out at the city below. His mind buzzed with thoughts of the training, the upcoming tournament, and the weight of expectations resting on his shoulders. He fiddled with his communicator for a moment before finally pressing the button to call his parents, who were in Mira already.It didn't take long for the familiar faces of his mother and father to appear on the screen. His mother, always the composed one, smiled warmly. His father, however, looked every bit the fiery bender John had grown up idolizing—gruff, strong, but with a heart that softened only for family."John," his mother greeted him. "How are you holding up?""I'm good," John replied, his voice carrying a mix of nerves and excitement. "We've been training nonstop. The tournament's just a few days away."His father grunted, folding his arms. "That's what I like to hear. You've got fire in you, John. Just like your old man." He leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze zeroing in on his son. "But don't let that fire burn too hot. Control's everything in this game. You lose control, you lose everything."John nodded, his father's words echoing Benji's own advice during training. "I'm trying. It's just... a lot, you know? The pressure."His mother's voice was soothing, cutting through the intensity of the conversation. "You've always handled pressure well, John. But remember, this isn't just about winning. It's about learning, about becoming better."His father scoffed lightly. "And winning," he added, his serious expression softening into a rare smile.John chuckled. "Yeah, I figured that part too."There was a pause, the kind that only families with deep understanding could share. His mother broke it, her voice gentle. "We're proud of you, John. No matter what happens in that tournament, just know that.""Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad," John said, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "I won't let you down.""We know you won't," his father said, his tone softening. "We'll be cheering you on from here. Show them what Stronghold's made of."After saying their goodbyes, John leaned back against the cool railing, the conversation with his parents grounding him. He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the weight of responsibility shift slightly. Tomorrow, the journey would begin, but for now, he let himself take in the quiet.Meanwhile, Alex wandered through the academy grounds, his mind too restless to sleep. His feet carried him to Easton's Café almost instinctively, drawn by the familiar comfort the place had always offered him. The café was quiet at this hour, the usual chatter of students replaced by the soft hum of night.As he stepped inside, the warm glow of the lights greeted him, along with the rich scent of coffee. He didn't expect to see anyone here, least of all Lila, who was seated at a corner table with a book in her hands.Alex paused for a moment, watching her. She seemed so absorbed in her reading, her brow furrowed in concentration. For someone who could slip into others' minds, Lila had always been a bit of a mystery to him. She was quiet, thoughtful, and had a presence that Alex could never quite place.Taking a deep breath, Alex walked over to her table. "Didn't expect to see you here this late," he said, his usual easygoing smile on his face.Lila glanced up, surprised at first, but then a small smile tugged at her lips. "Couldn't sleep. Too much on my mind." She closed the book, her gaze softening. "You?""Same," Alex admitted, pulling out a chair and sitting across from her. "Figured I'd clear my head before we leave tomorrow. You know, before the craziness starts."Lila nodded, her fingers tracing the edges of her book absentmindedly. "The tournament... it's all everyone's been talking about."Alex leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Yeah, it's gonna be wild. But we've been training for it. I think we're ready."Lila looked at him thoughtfully, her eyes searching his face. "Are you ready, Alex? You've always been strong, physically, but this is more than just a battle of strength."He met her gaze, feeling the weight of her words. She always had a way of seeing through him, cutting past the bravado he usually hid behind. "I'm ready," he said, though there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "Or at least, I'm trying to be."Lila tilted her head slightly, her expression gentle. "It's okay to be unsure. I am too. But we don't have to face it alone. That's what makes this different, right? We're a team."Alex smiled at that, a genuine warmth spreading through him. "Yeah. A team. You're right."They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the hum of the café providing a soothing backdrop. Alex glanced at Lila again, his usual lightheartedness giving way to something more serious. "You know, Lila, we're going to be on opposite sides in this tournament. But... I hope that doesn't change things between us."Lila's smile widened just a bit, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "We'll be opponents, sure. But that doesn't mean we stop being friends.""Good," Alex replied, his grin returning. "Because I'd hate to lose to you and then never hear the end of it."Lila raised an eyebrow playfully. "Who says you're going to lose?"Alex chuckled. "Guess we'll have to wait and see, huh?"The conversation shifted after that, the tension of the tournament fading into the background as they talked about lighter things—their favorite memories from the academy, the places they'd like to visit in Mira, the friends they'd made along the way.By the time Alex left the café, the weight of the coming week didn't feel so heavy. For now, there was still time to enjoy the quiet moments, the bonds they'd formed, and the sense that no matter what happened, they'd face it together.