And the race continued.The holo-screen rippled, glitching briefly before the camera snapped back into real-time action. The pool below was a mythology of motion—limbs cutting water like swords, sprays lighting under stadium lights.The commentator’s voice boomed again, louder, more electrified:> “FINAL HEAT BEGINNING! THIS ONE WILL DECIDE THE PODIUM!”Ryan choked on air. “It’s continuing! RIGHT NOW!?”Jackson almost threw a cushion into the air. “Bless the Olympic gods!”Matilda jumped onto the couch, wobbling like a loose firecracker. “Round TWO!”Lena tugged her own hair. “My heart is not built for this life!”Emily slid down next to Sarah, eyes sparkling. “Let’s see who holds it…”Jack remained standing, arms folded—but the spark in his gaze was unmistakable.The swimmers returned to their blocks. The overhead view showed the lanes clearly:Lane 3 — USA. Lane 4 — China. Lane 5 — DraconiaLane 6 — Venmoor. Lane 2 — Portugal. Lane 1 — JapanThe referee raised his hand. The stadium

Breakfast came and went in a blur of laughter, floating toast slices, and Ryan cursing gravity for making eggs drift like tiny planets. But Jack never allowed rest to linger long.Twenty minutes later, the group returned to the central training chamber — stomachs full, spirits high, muscles surprised at being asked to work again so soon.The doors hissed open.The gravity in the chamber had dialed incrementally down again — now 0.5.The moment they stepped in, their bodies loosened from the floor slightly, feet gliding more than stepping.Ryan blinked twice. “No. No no no no—”Jack clasped his hands calmly. “Second cycle. Balance reinforcement.”Jackson pointed accusingly. “This is illegal.”Sarah nudged him. “Shut up and stretch.”The padding beneath their feet felt almost buoyant, and the holographic posture grid flickered back alive on the floor — reading joints, angles, force signatures.Jack paced slowly, hands behind back.“In lighter gravity, strength means nothing… unless you

Ryan wheezed on the floor. “You JUST heard all that!”Jackson threw up his arms. “Hey, I’m still rebooting from gravity trauma!”Lena nursed her knees. “Your brain short-circuited when you hit the mat.”Matilda pointed accusingly. “Laundry. I repeat — laundry.”Jackson puffed his cheeks. “I reject that identity!”Sarah smirked. “Accept it. Wash cycle complete.”Jack pinched the bridge of his nose, barely holding his composure.Before he could redirect the chaos, Jackson’s eyes lit up again — dreadfully curious.“Oh! One more thing! How good is Draconia historically? Like… were your people famous for swimming? Space-swimming? Water-breathing? Laser dolphins?”Ryan slowly turned toward him. “Laser dolphins?”Jackson shrugged. “Never know.”Jack inhaled slowly through his nose.“Draconia,” he began, stepping toward the holo-wall again, “has no long historical record of Olympic swimming.”Everyone froze.Matilda blinked. “Wait — really?”Lena tilted her head. “But you guys are like… built

The holo-screen’s glow bathed their faces as the opening scenes of the next film rolled. The music swelled again, this time with even more urgency. Ships barreled through space, tension crackling like static electricity.Jackson leaned back, arms crossed, a gleam in his eyes. “Alright, time for the real debate: who carries this saga?”Matilda tilted her head. “You mean… the actors? The main heroes?”“Exactly,” Jackson said, pointing at the screen. “We’ve seen stars play heroes, villains, and everything in between. But if you had to pick—if you were casting the saga—who dominates the narrative?”Ryan perked up. “Well, for Anakin Skywalker… Hayden Christensen. He’s iconic. No argument. The brooding, tortured hero vibe—perfect for a fall-to-dark-side arc.”Lena nodded slowly. “Agreed. But you can’t ignore the presence of Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan. His calm, measured authority offsets Anakin’s chaos. Every mentor needs that gravitas.”Emily leaned in, sipping her drink. “True. But honestly

The new film opened with a thunderous boom, the holo-screen’s glow blooming like dawn across their faces. A city skyline trembled beneath alien machinery; dialogue snapped sharp and urgent. Instantly, everyone leaned forward.Jackson’s grin sharpened. “Phase Two, baby. Stakes, tension, character development… dialed up.”Ryan tossed popcorn into his mouth like ammunition. “Let’s see who evolves this round.”Lena tucked her knees beneath her chin, eyes glittering. “I’m ready for Wanda this phase. Her power, her grief… she’s art.”Matilda gasped dramatically. “Oh, yes. Chaos magic, trauma, emotional arc? Perfection.”Jack’s head tilted slightly. “Maximoff’s abilities intersect quantum probability and neurological projection. Her grief warps perception. Terrifying potential. Fascinating.”Emily laughed gently. “Only you would break down magic scientifically.”Jack blinked. “…It is analytical habit.”Sarah rested her cheek on her palm. “Don’t ever stop. It’s mesmerizing.”The film progress