{Elira}
~**^**~
Lennon's grin widened, a flash of warmth behind it. "Because it means you're not thinking of how to run away from this—you're already thinking of how to win. That's a huge difference, Elira."
"I wasn't—" I started, but Rennon cut in gently.
"He's right," he said, his voice calm, steady. "The fact that you're worried about making it into the top ten means part of you already believes you can. And that matters a lot."
I faltered, my protest caught in my throat. 'Did I believe that? Or was it just fear making me desperate?'
Just them, Zenon's low and sharp voice broke the silence. "Stop asking how you will fight. You will fight because you must. Whether you make the top ten depends on whether you start acting like you belong there."
The words stung, but they also rooted somewhere deeper, buzzing under my skin.
Lennon nudged Rennon with his elbow, his grin easing into something softer as his gaze came back to me.
