The atmosphere within Stronghold's team quarters was charged with anticipation. Tomorrow, the semifinals would determine not only who advanced to the finals but who among them would secure glory and represent Stronghold's might.
John was seated near the window, his usual calm demeanor intact, but there was a quiet intensity in his gaze as he stared out into the darkening sky. He'd faced powerful opponents before, yet tomorrow's match felt different. Across the room, Gordon sat brooding, shoulders tense, his eyes fixed on the floor. Though he maintained a silent exterior, his mind was a storm of doubts and desires. He had watched John dominate one opponent after another with his skill and strength, and each victory had stirred a frustration Gordon couldn't shake.
Finally, John broke the silence, his voice steady. "So... you ready for tomorrow, Gordon?"Gordon's head snapped up, and he met John's gaze, his expression guarded. "More than ready. Don't think that just because we're on the same team I'll hold back," he replied, a faint edge to his voice.John raised an eyebrow, unperturbed. "I'd expect nothing less. But it isn't just about strength—you know that, right?"Gordon's eyes narrowed. "Don't try to lecture me. You might be calm and collected, but that doesn't make you invincible."For a moment, John looked at him thoughtfully, sensing the tension beneath Gordon's words. "I'm not claiming to be, Gordon. But this match isn't the end-all—it's a step. We're in this together, even if we're against each other tomorrow."Gordon clenched his fists, John's words both grounding and maddening him. There was something he had to prove—something that went beyond mere rivalry.Meanwhile, in the common area, Alex was going over his upcoming match in his mind. He knew Collin wasn't just strong but skilled at getting under his opponents' skin. Across the room, Victor leaned against the wall, watching Alex with an appraising look.
"You're awfully quiet, Alex. Worried about tomorrow?" Victor asked, his tone casual but his gaze sharp.Alex shrugged, keeping his tone light. "Worried? Nah. I'm just thinking up ways to knock some sense into Collin."Victor chuckled. "Good luck with that. But watch your back. Collin's... let's just say he plays to win."Alex gave a confident smile but didn't respond. Deep down, he knew he'd have to be careful and stay focused if he wanted any chance at winning against Collin's psychological tricks. The stakes were high, but he wouldn't let Collin shake his resolve.At the other end of the arena, Benji and Chris stood together, observing their students from a distance. Chris leaned against the doorframe, his expression somewhere between a smirk and a frown.
"Three of ours made it to the semis," Chris said, his tone almost casual but carrying a note of pride. "Not bad for Stronghold, huh?"Benji nodded, his gaze focused on his students. "They've earned their spots, every single one of them. But tomorrow... they'll be facing more than just each other. It's about pushing past their limits."Chris glanced at Benji, an eyebrow raised. "Is that why you keep eyeing Gordon? You're worried about him?"Benji crossed his arms. "Gordon's always been tough, but something's off. He's taking this match against John personally. I just hope he doesn't let it cloud his judgment."Chris snorted. "Let him be. They're young, stubborn, and ambitious—kind of like we were back in the day."A small, nostalgic smile played on Benji's lips. "Back in the day, we had less to prove to ourselves and more to prove to everyone else."Chris clapped Benji on the back. "Yeah, well, looks like tomorrow they'll get their chance."Hours later, when the common area had finally cleared out and silence settled over the quarters, Gordon stayed behind. He leaned against the wall, wrestling with the doubts that had plagued him since the first round. Despite his victories, he couldn't shake the nagging thought that his strength wouldn't be enough—that he was constantly falling short.
Tomorrow, he had to face John, the calm, calculating powerhouse who seemed always one step ahead. Gordon's frustration boiled over, and a strange, desperate thought crept into his mind: What if he wasn't enough?In that moment, a subtle shift in the air caught his attention. A faint, shadowy presence seemed to emerge from the dim light of the hallway, and a calm, unsettling voice drifted through the silence."Good evening, Gordon."Gordon's breath caught as he turned, eyes widening. There, standing with an almost ghostly presence, was the Messenger, his cloak blending into the shadows, his gaze piercing and enigmatic.Gordon stared, a mixture of fear and curiosity tightening his chest.The Messenger tilted his head slightly, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I heard about your match tomorrow. A pivotal moment, wouldn't you say?"Gordon swallowed, his voice barely above a whisper. "What...what do you want?"The Messenger stepped forward, his tone quiet yet carrying the weight of his words. "The question, Gordon, is not what I want—it's what you need."As Gordon held the Messenger's gaze, the room felt colder, and a sliver of temptation wove its way through his doubts, its allure impossible to ignore.And for the first time, Gordon didn't pull away.