The murmurs in the crowd swelled, escalating into a roar of cheers. But amidst the rising exhilaration, an implicit fear gripped the remaining challengers. None dared step onto the crease, not after what they had just witnessed.
And yet, beneath the surface of his composed demeanor, Poseidon's body was betraying him. His breath came in shallow bursts, his heartbeat erratic. His legs felt heavy, as if another moment on his feet would send him collapsing into a seizure.
Back at the pavilion, the team rushed to meet him as he approached, still greeting them with a faint smile.
"Sit down," Helios ordered without hesitation, grasping Poseidon's wrist and pulling him down beside him.
Claude wasted no time draping a cold towel over his head.
Poseidon lowered his gaze, hiding the tremor in his hands.
"H-How did you do that… senior brother Poseidon?" Azazel crouched before him, eyes searching for Poseidon's face, though his dripping wet hair obscured it.
Poseidon, however, merely whispered, "Surprised…?"
"Surprised is one way to put it," Claude exhaled in awe, "That was insane. We've seen your illusions before, but to engulf the entire ground in it? That's something else."
Helios remained silent, his eyes locked onto Poseidon. He, more than anyone, knew. Something was wrong. Something had to be wrong. Nothing ever came without a cost, especially not when Poseidon did something this reckless.
The announcement blared over the speakers, "Lucifer Dimitri, challenged by seven opponents."
Lucifer stretched his arms, exhaling slowly, "Looks like it's my turn next. They really don't give up, do they?"
"They wouldn't be called challengers if that were the case," Ebraham remarked.
As the event unfolded and challengers stepped up one after another, Poseidon slept through it all, his head resting against the back of his seat. The others ensured he remained comfortable, adjusting his position whenever needed.
"At least he's fine. I was worried he might end up having a seizure," Mirza whispered to Helios, who stole a glance at Poseidon.
Helios gave a small nod, but the concern on his face lingered.
"Whatever he did back there… did he tell you about it?" Mirza asked, his mind drifting back to the overwhelming illusion Poseidon had conjured.
Helios shook his head, "Not a word."
"So it really was a surprise, huh…" Mirza exhaled, shifting his focus to the field where Azazel was ruthlessly overwhelming his opponent. His swings were almost brutal. Devastating even but undeniably thrilling. He chased his challenger with his bat in hand once he won. His every move carrying an air of merciless confidence.
Helios chuckled at the sight, "I'm glad, though. At least he got to give it everything he had and let it all out."
"Yeah. And what about Ezekiel…?" Mirza asked.
Helios' gaze softened as he watched Azazel with adoration, a faint yet knowing smile on his lips, "Simple. We welcome the newcomers to the team."
Mirza grinned, "Alright."
As the day finally came to an end, the boys headed home, visibly exhausted.
"Augh~ I'm dead. How did I end up with fifteen challengers?" Claude groaned, draping himself over Mirza's back like dead weight.
Mirza, visibly annoyed, dragged him along. "Can you stop being so dramatic and just walk properly?! It's not like you played against all of them," he snapped.
"Tch, says the one who didn't even get a single opponent! You and Helios were both way too lucky," Claude retorted.
Ebraham sighed in disbelief, "What a crybaby."
"Hey… don't you start now," Claude shot him an unamused glare.
Ahead of them, Poseidon and Helios walked in silence. An unusual quiet that Haadi noticed while the other three bickered.
With one hand in his pocket, Helios stole occasional glances at Poseidon, who walked with his gaze averted, fists clenched tightly at his sides. "Poseidon?" Helios finally broke the silence after a long stretch of walking.
Poseidon flinched at the call, then turned with a smile. One that seemed forced, as if held together with great effort, "Yeah?"
"Is something wrong? Are you alright?" Helios asked, his expression troubled.
Poseidon shook his head. "Nah, I'm fi—!" Before he could finish, a sharp pain shot through his legs, racing up to his lower abdomen. His body lurched forward, "Ghk—!"
Startled, Helios caught him just in time as Poseidon gasped for breath, gripping his shoulder, his body growing heavier by the second. Panic surged through Helios as he struggled to steady him, but Poseidon's strength was failing.
"Hey—Poseidon?! What's wrong?" Helios called in a panic.
The rest of them immediately surrounding the two, Claude grabbed Poseidon by the waist, trying to hold him up. "Hey, little sea!" he called urgently, but Poseidon's legs wouldn't move. His vision blurred, and before he could fight it, he slumped against Helios's shoulder, his voice barely a whisper, "S-orry… He-li…"
Helios's pupils dilated with fear, his breath caught in his throat. A crushing sense of déjà vu hit him, as if he'd been thrown in front of a speeding car. He had seen this many times before. Poseidon collapsing like this, slipping away.
"Hey! Take his bag and get him on my back, hurry!" Mirza's sharp voice jolted
Helios from his spiraling thoughts. Sweat beaded his forehead, his hands trembling.
Before they could act, Ezekiel took off his hoodie from his head, clicked his tongue in frustration and rushed between them, dropping to one knee, "Hurry! Let me carry him! Quick!"
Mirza and Claude hesitated, exchanging looks.
"Is this really the time to stop and think?!" Ezekiel snapped, "I swear on my life. Amongst you all, I'm the fastest runner here, dammit! So quit thinking!"
"Listen to him!" Helios instantly commanded, already pulling out his phone.
Without further hesitation, Mirza, Haadi, and Claude helped shift Poseidon onto Ezekiel's back.
"Follow me!" Helios took off running.
Ezekiel steadied Poseidon's weight, his breath shallow and unsteady. Even while unconscious, Poseidon winced. His heartbeat was erratic. Ezekiel glanced at him anxiously. "Hold on, cricket's best," he whispered, "Don't you dare give up." Then, with a sharp exhale, he dashed forward.
"Move it!" Mirza, Claude, Haadi, and Ebraham followed close behind.
True to his word, Ezekiel ran like lightning, reaching the hospital in record time, where Sehan, Sahil, and Layla were already waiting with the medical staff.
Helios bolted toward them, their bags slipping from his grasp. "Mother!" he called out, his voice breaking as he reached Layla.
Layla caught his shoulders, trying to steady him, "Shh… easy. Easy. Calm down, love. Breathe."
Meanwhile, Sahil and Sehan rushed Poseidon inside.
"Please… go to him," Helios pleaded, his voice cracking, "I'm sorry…"
Layla's concern flickered between him and Poseidon who was being wheeled away. Still, she gave his arms a gentle squeeze before turning to follow Poseidon.
Helios stared at her back, struggling to steady himself, but pulling himself together at the moment felt like the most daunting task of all.
Mirza and Claude placed steadying hands on Helios's back as he crouched down, gripping his hair. His breath came unevenly, his hands shaking, "I knew it… I knew it… I knew something was wrong. Why didn't I realize it sooner?" His voice was thick with self-reproach.
Ebraham crouched in front of him, his voice calm but firm. "Easy, Helios. It's going to be alright," He gently patted his head.
Ezekiel watched them in stunned silence, feeling as if a wall had just collapsed. Those he had always viewed as unshakable, perfect, and beyond reach were now crumbling before his eyes. The illusion he had built around them shattered in an instant. They weren't always excelling, nor were they free of worries. They too were struggling, fighting battles of their own, just as he had. He had simply failed to see it before.
"Captain…" Ezekiel murmured unconsciously.
At the sound of his voice, Helios lifted his head. His deep sea-blue eyes, usually sharp with confidence, were clouded with unmistakable fear.
"He's going to be alright," Ezekiel said, his voice firm, "Vice-captain is strong. He'll pull through."
Helios inhaled sharply, once, then again. With a quiet nod, he grabbed their fallen bags and whispered, more to himself than anyone else, "Yeah. He will be. He has to be," Then, without hesitation, he took off toward the hospital doors, his determination pushing past his fear, as it always had.
Mirza, Ebraham, and Haadi exchanged brief looks before following.
Claude looking Ezekiel gave him a small, "Thanks,"
Ezekiel shook his head, murmuring, "No need,"
Claude pressing a reassuring pat on the back stepped forward, joining the others as they all followed Helios inside.