The Second Half: Blaze Returns
The locker room was silent except for the ragged breathing of exhausted players and the distant roar of the crowd beyond the steel walls. The first half had ended 0–0 against them, and though Eternal Era had fought hard, the Giants' brutal defense had made every pass a war.
Jason stood before the tactical board, one hand braced against it, the other holding his whistle loosely. His expression was unreadable. "You all know what's wrong," he said finally. "You're moving, but not flowing. You're fighting, but not feeling."
He turned toward the benches. Blaze sat there, elbows on his knees, gaze low. His hair clung to his forehead with sweat not from play, but from tension.
Jason's eyes softened slightly. "How's the aura?" he asked quietly.
Blaze exhaled through his nose. "Stable enough, Coach. Not perfect… but I can handle it."
"Not enough," Jason replied. "Stable isn't safe."
