Chapter 5: The roar in the water

  The water moved in soft spirals, spinning like a hypnotic dance. Talion floated in the middle of that blue immensity. There was no noise, no tension, only peace. In front of him, emerging majestically from the depths, a huge orca slid elegantly. His black and deep eyes crossed with those of Talión, as if the creature recognized him... as if they were part of the same world.

  The orca moved around him, turning gracefully. Talion stretched out his hand instinctively, and the huge creature swam next to him, so close that he could feel the force of the water pushing him back.

  Suddenly, the water stirred violently. Talion lost his balance and, before he could react, the orca moved away at full speed, leaving a trail of bubbles in his way.

  "Wait!" Talión shouted, feeling how the water pressure began to suffocate him.

  His eyes opened suddenly.

  ?

  Reality – Swimming club dressing room

  Talion sat abruptly on the bench in the dressing room, his breathing agitated.

  "Everything okay, champion?" Luz asked, poking her head out of the door.

  "Yes... I was just... thinking," Talión said, running a hand through his gray hair.

  "Thinking or sleeping?" Luz joked. Because you snored so loud that I thought a whale had been stranded here.

  Talion chuckled. Luz had that magical ability to get him out of any spiral of deep thoughts.

  ?

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  Day of the event

  The atmosphere in the pool was electric. The rival teams were already in position, and the screams of the public filled the air. Among them, a group of tall, muscular and arrogant swimmers walked along the edge of the pool as if they had already won.

  "And these clowns?" Luz murmured, pointing to the rival team.

  "The Aztlán Institute..." Talión said in a tense voice. They say his team is pure beast.

  The swimmers of the Aztlán Institute approached, with a mocking smile on their faces. One of them, a tall, stuff boy with shaved hair, stopped right in front of Talión.

  "So you're the "prodigy" of gray hair, huh?" he said mockingly. What a beautiful dye. What's next? Are you going to paint your nails too?

  Laughter exploded among his companions.

  "Look," said another, pointing at Luz. And what about her? Your girlfriend or your pet?

  Talión felt the rage rise up his chest, but before he could answer, Luz stepped forward.

  "Calm down, big one," Luz said with a cheeky smile. If you want to know how good I am in water, better not blink... because I'm going to leave you swallowing bubbles.

  The group of boys burst out laughing.

  "You?" said the shaved man. Not even if they put an engine on you, you arrive first.

  Talion got ahead this time.

  "Why don't you find out?" he said with a confident smile. I mean, if you're not afraid to lose...

  The shaved boy stopped laughing.

  "I hope you like to lose, prodigy."

  ?

  The race had not yet started, but the tension was already in the air.

  Before the coach announced the next test, a teacher's voice echoed in the speaker.

  —Attention. Remember that this first competition defines more than just a result. The winning team will be able to choose one of the best swimmers of the losing team to reinforce their group on the way to the Olympics.

  Talion was stunned.

  "What?" he whispered.

  "What what?" Luz repeated.

  "Yes..." the coach said, approaching them. If we don't win, they can stay with you.

  "With me?" Talion looked at her, incredulous.

  "Yes." You are our best swimmer," the coach explained. And if they beat you... we'll lose you.

  Luz bit her lip.

  "Then we'd better win..." Talión said, closing his fist with determination.

  Luz looked at him sideways and smiled to herself.

  "What if we win?" Luz asked.

  "Then we can stay with one of his best swimmers," the coach explained.

  Luz let out a laugh.

  "Hey Talión... if we win, bring that big guy... I'm sure he'll help us carry the towels.

  Talion laughed loudly. That confidence, that shameless humor... Luz always knew how to turn tension into laughter.

  "It's okay, crazy," Talión said, smiling. Let's show them who's in charge here.

  ?

  End of Chapter 5