The rain had stopped, but the field still smelled of it wet grass, ozone, and lingering melancholy. Morning mist curled along the edges of the training ground as Jason stepped onto the pitch, his coat draped over one shoulder and a whistle hanging around his neck.
He took a long look at the players warming up in silence. No jokes, no laughter, no usual energy. Even Lionel, who was often the first to make noise, just stretched quietly, eyes down. Anastasia and Scarlet kept to one side, their movements mechanical. Diego arrived last, hood up, avoiding everyone's gaze.
Jason sighed, pressing his fingers to his temples.He hated this mood the heaviness that death always left behind.
"Alright, gather up!" he called, voice steady but stern. "We've got three days before our next match. I don't care how bad last week hurt you're still Eternal Era Titans. You've worked your way from the dirt to top twenty in the Galactic League. You don't get to stop because life hits back."
