Chapter 14: On the Edge of the Abyss

  The day had started as complete madness. The team ran through the streets of the city, with the coach screaming desperately on the phone for an extra time.

  "It can't be that just today they decided to advance the competition!" Azrat snorted, almost slipping while running.

  "If we don't arrive on time, they will disqualify us!" Aurora shouted, accelerating the pace.

  Talion, who was at the head, said nothing. His mind was completely focused on a single thing: getting to the pool before it was too late.

  ?

  In the competition enclosure...

  The coach gasped as if she had just run a marathon.

  "We're from the Monta?a Azul team!" Our swimmers are on their way, just give us one more minute!

  The judge looked at her coldly.

  "I'm sorry... but the regulation is clear." If they're not here in two minutes, they're out.

  Talión, Luz, Azrat and Aurora came running as if life depended on it.

  "We're here!" Talión shouted, almost skidding on the floor.

  The judge looked at his watch, then looked at them all seriously.

  —...They passed for a second.

  "What?!" Luz shouted.

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  "But... I'll let them compete."

  The group sighed with relief.

  "...But only because today I feel generous." said the judge, with a slight smile.

  "Today I pray to all the saints who appeared to you!" Azrat gasped, still catching his breath.

  ?

  New rivals on the horizon

  While they were preparing for the first test, Talión noticed two figures near the rival team.

  The first was a girl of athletic complexion, brown hair tied in a low ponytail, with an intense but friendly look. He seemed strong, but his expression showed that he was still trying to find his place.

  "Who is she?" Talion asked.

  "She's Jocelyn," the coach replied. She is the second best of her team, but... they say she has enormous potential. He just hasn't fully discovered it.

  Jocelyn looked up and, without saying anything, stared at Talión before giving him a confident smile.

  "Uh... I liked it," Azrat said, impressed.

  Then, Talión noticed a thin boy with a shy expression who barely held his gaze on the floor. His hunched posture made him look smaller than he really was.

  "And him?" Luz asked.

  "That's Bruno," the coach explained. They say it's incredibly fast... but it's hard for him to socialize. He is quiet, but he has plenty of talent.

  Bruno barely looked up when he saw Talion. Instead of challenging him like other rivals, he simply looked away and got lost among his team.

  "That guy is a mystery..." Aurora said, intrigued.

  ?

  Preparations for the competition

  The pool shone like a mirror under the light of the spotlights. The atmosphere was full of tension. Each team spoke in their corners, preparing strategies and reviewing techniques.

  "Ready to show who's in charge here?" Azrat asked, with a confident smile.

  "Of course... but don't trust yourself," Aurora warned. These teams didn't get here by chance.

  Talion clenched his fists. His gaze was fixed on the pool.

  "Today... we're not just going to win... We're going to show that no one gives up in this team."

  ?

  Start of the first test

  The loudspeaker echoed throughout the enclosure:

  "Swimmers, get closer to your positions!" The first test is about to begin!

  The nerves took over everyone. Jocelyn and Bruno stood next to their teammates, watching Talión and his team.

  For a moment, Talión exchanged glances with Jocelyn, who made a gesture of "good luck" with his hand.

  Bruno, on the other hand, just lowered his head, focusing only on the pool.

  "Come on, Talion..." Luz murmured. This is our moment.

  Talión took a deep breath, feeling how the world became small... only him, the water and his goal.

  "We're going to win..."

  The whistle was about to sound...

  ?

  End of chapter 14