Time: 1 Day Before the National Tournament Begins
The court echoed with the sound of bouncing balls and squeaking shoes. The air was heavy not with excitement, but with a strange tension. A tension that came from absence.
Ethan Albarado was not here.
No encouraging grin.
No steady voice saying, "We're not losing today."
No warmth in the corner of the gym where he always stretched first.
And yet, his presence lingered.
Lucas Graves (#10) stood near half court, sweat on his brow, his yellow eyes narrowed with quiet focus. His black hair clung to his forehead, damp from the relentless drills they'd been doing for hours.
"Run it again," he called out, voice calm but firm. "No shortcuts."
The team nodded, exhausted but obedient. They were Vorpal, after all.
The Starters Without Ethan:
Lucas Graves (#10) – Small Forward, Power: Absolute Mimicry
Evan Cooper (#9) – Point Guard, quick thinker, team's brain
