Chapter 41: The Rebirth of the Legend
The time had come. Azrat was on the exit platform, his muscles tense, his mind focused. This was his test, his time to show that he could shine as much as any of his companions... or even more.
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The pressure on Azrat
The audience roared. The announcer announced energetically:
"And now, in lane 4... the Blue Mountain swimmer... Azrat Prime!
Azrat swallowed saliva. He recalled his defeat in the previous competition, when he was so close to winning but he didn't succeed.
"This time... I won't lose."
From the stands, Talión, Luz, Aurora, Bruno and Jocelyn watched with tension.
"Come on, friend..." Talión whispered.
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The race begins
"To your marks!"
Azrat was placed in position. His breathing was slow, controlled.
"Ready...!"
BEEP
Azrat jumped into the water like lightning. His dive was perfect, taking the lead in the first meters.
"Incredible start of Azrat Prime!" the announcer announced. It's in first place!
The first laps were impeccable. Azrat moved with force and precision, feeling that all his training was finally bearing fruit.
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"Come on, Azrat!" Luz shouted, jumping in the stands.
But then it happened.
In the third lap, Azrat missed his lap. He lost control by a fraction of a second and came out badly positioned.
"Oh no!" Azrat has lost speed! - shouted the commentator.
Two swimmers overcame it. In the last stretch, Azrat was in fourth place.
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The moment of truth
"No... I can't lose..."
Dark thoughts invaded his mind.
"Talion... Bruno... Luz... everyone managed to prove their worth... and what about me? The second better again?"
His muscles were burning. The tiredness was consuming him.
But then he remembered.
The day he saw Talión save that child from the water.
The day he saw Luz swim with confidence despite her fears.
The day he saw Bruno overcome his insecurities.
"I can't lose... I'm part of the Blue Mountain."
And then, as if a spark lit a flame inside him, Azrat Prime woke up.
"LET'S GO, AZRAT!" Aurora shouted from the stands.
The pain in his arms faded. His body stopped resisting. Azrat felt the water flow in his favor, as if each stroke pushed twice as hard.
With superhuman speed, Azrat regained third place... then second...
"What's going on?!" Azrat Prime is accelerating like a beast! -shouted the announcer.
In the last five meters, Azrat and the rival swimmer were side by side.
"DON'T STOP!" Talion shouted with all his strength.
"FOR THE BLUE MOUNTAIN!" Azrat shouted in his mind.
With a last impulse, he stretched out his arm and...
BEEP
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The result
Silence invaded the stadium. The swimmers gasped in the water, all looking at the scoreboard.
"No... it can... be..." the commentator murmured.
Azrat had won by 0.01 seconds.
The Monta?a Azul team exploded in screams. Luz jumped on Talión, Aurora hugged Bruno, and Jocelyn screamed like crazy.
Azrat came out of the water with tears in his eyes.
"I DID IT!"
Talion came running to him and lifted him in the air.
"You're a beast, Azrat!" A beast!
"I knew it... I knew you could do it!" Aurora said, visibly excited.
Even Alexandre Duvier, from the stands, watched in silence.
"That boy... has something special..." he murmured respectfully.
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The pride of Azrat
That night, while the team was celebrating, Azrat moved away for a moment to look at the stars.
"Can I accompany you?" Talión said, approaching.
Azrat nodded.
"Today you won your title..." Talión said, with a smile. You are no longer "the second best".
Azrat smiled, proud.
"Today I wasn't just a swimmer... I was a champion."
Both slumped their fists and remained silent under the night sky.
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End of Chapter 41
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