Chereads / Bender - The League / Chapter 59 - Countdown to the Finals

Chapter 59 - Countdown to the Finals

The next morning dawned bright and clear, casting a golden glow across the tournament grounds. Despite the gentle warmth of the sun, a tense energy filled the air, buzzing through the crowds as they filed in. The final round of the tournament was upon them, and with each step, John could feel the anticipation building within him. Victory was so close, yet it felt daunting—more challenging than any previous battle.As John walked towards the arena, he spotted Alex and Anne sitting on a low stone wall beneath the shadow of an old oak tree. Alex waved him over, and John joined them, his mind buzzing with thoughts about the upcoming fight."Ready for the big showdown?" Alex asked with a grin, giving John a friendly punch on the shoulder. "This is what we've been training for!""Yeah," John replied, exhaling deeply. "It's just... crazy. I knew we'd come far, but I didn't expect us to be the last two standing."Anne raised an eyebrow, studying his expression. "You're nervous?""Who, me?" John scoffed, though a faint smile betrayed his unease. "Just... a little." He glanced away, his eyes scanning the grounds. "There's a lot riding on this, you know?""Hey, if anyone's got this, it's you, John," Alex said, his voice brimming with confidence. "Besides, it's not like you haven't gone up against some big threats already. You've fought hard to get here."John nodded, but a flicker of doubt remained. As he looked back, his gaze caught sight of Gordon standing alone, leaning against a stone pillar. The memory of their fight lingered, the darkness that had overtaken Gordon still fresh in his mind.Anne noticed his expression and followed his gaze. "You're thinking about Gordon, aren't you?""Yeah," John admitted. "It's strange. We've always butted heads, but that match was different. There was something... off about him. Something I hadn't seen before."Alex's grin faded as he nodded in agreement. "He didn't look like himself. Whatever that power was, it wasn't his usual energy."They fell into silence, each lost in thought, until a familiar voice broke through."You're all up early," Benji said, approaching them with his usual calm demeanor. He nodded towards John. "Feeling ready for the finals?"John managed a half-smile, shrugging. "As ready as I can be, I think."Benji looked at him thoughtfully, his gaze intense yet reassuring. "You've done well, John. All of you have. But remember, the final match isn't just about who wins. It's about showing what you've learned and who you've become.""What do you mean?" Anne asked, leaning forward with curiosity.Benji crossed his arms, a faint smile on his lips. "Power is easy to recognize, but strength? True strength is shown in how you wield it. How you face your doubts, your weaknesses, and still manage to stand firm."John took a deep breath, feeling the weight of Benji's words settle on him. This match wasn't just about proving he was stronger than Collin or even Gordon; it was about facing himself, about realizing the path he was meant to take.Anne leaned back against the tree, her expression thoughtful. "Collin's strong, no doubt about it. But I've seen you train, John. You've got something different in you, something that goes beyond just technique or power."John chuckled softly. "I'm glad you think so." He turned to Benji, his expression shifting to one of quiet determination. "Any last-minute advice?"Benji placed a hand on his shoulder, his eyes filled with encouragement. "Fight your own fight, John. Don't let Collin dictate your pace or get in your head. Trust yourself.""Right," John said, feeling a surge of resolve.Benji nodded, his gaze lingering on John for a moment before he turned to Anne and Alex. "And you two... I want you both to observe closely. No matter who wins, there's a lesson in every move, every decision. And those lessons aren't just for the ring; they're for life."Anne and Alex exchanged glances, nodding in unison. They knew the finals weren't just a test for John but for everyone who had come this far.Benji straightened, his eyes scanning the tournament grounds. "Well, you've got a few hours before it begins. Take this time to ground yourself. Remember why you're here. When you step into that ring, give it everything you've got."As Benji walked off, John turned to his friends, a new sense of calm settling over him. "No matter what happens out there, thanks for having my back. I mean it.""Hey, what are teammates for?" Alex said with a grin. "Now, let's go get some breakfast. No point fighting on an empty stomach."As they laughed and headed off to find food, John felt the tension ease slightly, the support of his friends grounding him. He knew the journey ahead would be challenging, but with each step, he grew more certain that he was ready for whatever awaited him.