The morning light had long faded, and the Solstice Academy training grounds were now bathed in the eerie glow of artificial light. Squad Four gathered for their final session before departure. The World Ascension Tournament was only days away, and everything felt different now. Every move, every word, carried the weight of what was to come.
Kael was sharpening his skills, his focus intense. His gauntlets hummed with the power of his Voidstep ability as he controlled his breathing, moving fluidly through the motions. The others were equally immersed in their preparation, but Kael could sense something heavier in the air—an undercurrent of tension.
"Kael, you're overthinking again," Hana called from the sidelines, her voice cutting through his concentration.
Kael paused and looked over at her, taking a deep breath. "I know, but this time... it's different. I can't afford to make the same mistake again."
Hana walked over, her brow furrowed with concern. "I told you already—you're not alone. We're a team. You don't have to carry the weight of the world by yourself."
Tetsu, who had been slacking off on the sidelines, overheard and chimed in. "Yeah, man. You'll have to be much faster than me to outrun us now."
Kael chuckled lightly but didn't seem convinced. "This is bigger than just us, though. Kurojin Tsukiro's forces are still out there. The Tournament... it's just the beginning."
Kaede, who had been watching from a distance, spoke up from behind them. His expression was serious, as always. "You're right, Kael. The Tournament is a platform for what's to come, but it's also the first test of your control. There are competitors out there who might push you to your limits. Not all of them will play by the rules."
Kael nodded, absorbing Kaede's words. The more he thought about the Tournament, the more he realized how much was at stake. His power—unpredictable, volatile—was both his greatest strength and his greatest liability. He had to learn to control it, or it would consume him.
"Alright, squad," Kaede continued, his voice taking on a commanding tone. "This is our final training before we head to the Tournament grounds. You'll face opponents from across the world. Expect every tactic, every power, every level of skill imaginable."
Tetsu grinned. "That's the fun part, right?"
Kaede shot him a look. "Stay focused, Tetsu."
The squad nodded and went back to their training. The simulation module was activated, and the arena around them morphed into a sprawling cityscape, perfect for strategic combat. The enemies in the simulation were powerful, pushing Squad Four to the edge.
Kael moved swiftly, his Voidstep ability allowing him to avoid heavy attacks, but he could still feel the weight of his lingering guilt. He focused on the fight—on the moment—but the thought of Hana's wound still haunted him.
Kaede watched from above, tracking their performance. "Kael, don't hesitate. You know what's at stake. If you let your guard down even for a second, you'll lose more than just this fight."
"Got it," Kael muttered, tightening his resolve.
Hana fought alongside him, her movements precise and fluid. With each strike, she became more in sync with the team, covering Kael's blind spots, anticipating Tetsu's missteps. Her confidence was growing, and so was Kael's. They were becoming a true team, one that could face anything together.
The Next Day—Departure
The day of departure arrived, and the team gathered at the academy's transport bay, the energy palpable. Their gear was loaded onto the transport vehicle, and their hearts raced with anticipation.
Kaede stood in front of them, looking more solemn than usual. "We're about to leave this state and head to a new one—the location of the World Ascension Tournament. You've trained well. Stay sharp. This is where you prove everything."
Tetsu raised a hand. "Does that mean no more training sessions for a while? No more simulations?"
Kaede's expression didn't change. "No more distractions. This is it."
Kael's gaze wandered, briefly landing on Hana. He could see the slight edge in her eyes—she was ready, but he knew she still cared deeply about his well-being. The thought of her getting hurt again... It was enough to drive him forward, to push him to be better.
They boarded the transport, leaving the academy behind as it faded into the distance.
The journey wasn't long, but there was something heavy in the air. They were all aware of the competition they were about to face. Rival teams from all corners of the world. New powers. New challenges. But despite it all, they knew one thing.
They were ready.