The forest Nexus, usually a sanctuary of calm and natural beauty, became the stage for a ferocious clash. The air was thick with the tangible energy the two benders, each aura fierce and powerful: John's red energy, wild and intense, and Collin's golden-brown aura, steady yet commanding, like a force rooted deeply within the earth.The crowd roared as the two fighters collided once more, their energies crackling and blending in bursts of red and gold. Branches quivered, leaves shook, and the ground trembled with the sheer impact of their punches and blocks. Jimmy's voice boomed above the noise, "And here we have it, folks! The clash of Stronghold's blazing red versus Mira's own golden powerhouse! This is one for the ages!"As they exchanged blows, it became clear that this wasn't just a battle of strength—it was a battle of wills. Collin's every move seemed calculated, his gaze never wavering from John's, and there was a confidence, almost arrogance, in the way he blocked each strike and countered. John, on the other hand, moved with fierce determination, his red energy flaring wildly, each punch and kick carrying the weight of his conviction."Come on, John!" Alex's voice cut through the crowd's cheers, fists clenched in anticipation. "Show him what Stronghold's made of!"But Collin merely smirked, his gaze locking with John's as he delivered a taunting blow to John's side. "You call this fighting? You're just flailing around, hoping to land a lucky hit," he sneered, his voice low and mocking. "I expected more from Stronghold's pride."John gritted his teeth, resisting the taunt but feeling the sting of it just the same. He steadied his breathing, trying to drown out Collin's voice. Every word from Collin dug into him like a thorn, a deliberate attempt to chip away at his resolve."Don't let him get to you," he whispered to himself, grounding his focus as he steadied his stance.Collin's smirk only grew. "Oh, come on. A little frustration already?" He dashed forward, sweeping low before striking with a powerful upward blow. John managed to deflect it, but the force drove him back a step. "You're so easy to read."The spectators murmured, noting Collin's calculated approach. Benji's eyes narrowed as he observed the fight. "Collin's toying with him," he muttered to Chris, who nodded in grim acknowledgment. "This isn't just about winning for him—it's about making John doubt himself."Chris shot Benji a glance. "Your student needs to shake it off, or he's in trouble."In the arena, John's breaths came quicker as he blocked another of Collin's strikes, only to find himself met with yet another one immediately after. Collin moved like a snake, his attacks flowing seamlessly one into the next, each calculated to force John on the defensive."You're so used to winning easily," Collin taunted, pressing forward as John struggled to counter. "But here's the thing, John—you're just a lucky shot. You don't know what it's like to really fight for power.""Shut up!" John's response came out sharper than he intended, and he immediately regretted it as Collin's smirk widened. Realizing his distraction, John pushed forward, landing a punch that glowed with red energy, causing Collin to stumble for a moment.The impact seemed to surprise Collin, and the crowd cheered at the contact. But Collin quickly straightened, his golden aura flaring as he brushed off the attack. He laughed, a low, unsettling sound that seemed to echo through the forest. "There it is—finally showing some fire. But that's not going to be enough, John."Collin moved in again, his strikes now even more precise, as if he'd fully gauged John's patterns and was now exploiting them. Every step John took, every move he made, Collin countered it effortlessly, his smirk never leaving his face.Collin's words bit into John as much as his attacks did. "Face it—you don't belong in this fight. You're way out of your league. It's almost embarrassing to even call this a duel."John's vision swam for a moment as the exhaustion from the continuous assault began to wear on him. His breaths came ragged, and his aura flickered slightly, the red dimming as his confidence wavered."You know," Collin said, leaning close enough that John could see the amusement in his eyes, "all that power you have—it's wasted on you. You have no idea how to use it."From the stands, Alex clenched his fists, worry etched across his face. "John, come on, don't let him—""He's messing with him, getting in his head," Anne murmured, eyes glued to the fight. She watched John struggle, feeling the weight of his frustration even from afar.John summoned a burst of energy and threw a punch at Collin, who dodged it easily. Collin's eyes flashed, his tone dropping lower. "You're so eager to prove yourself, but deep down, you know you're not good enough. Isn't that right?"The words struck John harder than any physical blow, and for a moment, his movements faltered. Memories of every doubt, every fear he'd buried deep inside, clawed to the surface. He saw glimpses of his match with Morrow, the vision of the red eyes, the unease it had planted in him resurfacing with renewed strength.But just as he began to stumble, something inside him ignited—a defiant spark, a refusal to let Collin win. He steadied his breathing, his red aura flickering back to life. "You think that's all it takes to beat me?" he whispered, finding strength in his own words. "I'm not going down that easily."Collin raised an eyebrow, a shadow of doubt flickering in his eyes for a split second before he quickly masked it with his trademark smirk. "We'll see about that."John charged forward, his red aura blazing brighter, a fierce determination lighting up his expression. He blocked Collin's strike, countering with a burst of energy that forced Collin back. The spectators erupted in cheers as John held his ground, refusing to yield.But Collin wasn't done yet. His golden-brown aura flared brighter, and he grinned, almost as if he welcomed the challenge. "Alright, then. Let's see if you're as tough as you think."The two clashed once more, a storm of red and gold, the intensity of their battle echoing through the trees. Every strike, every taunt, every moment of hesitation became part of a larger game—one that tested not only their physical strength but their resolve, their minds, and the depths of their spirits.