The morning of the Merseyside Derby dawned not with a bang, but with a strange, profound sense of calm. L
eon woke up feeling… different. The usual pre-match butterflies were there, a familiar, fluttering swarm in his stomach.
But underneath it, there was a new, quiet hum of energy, a feeling of being plugged into something vast and powerful. He glanced at his mental HUD.
['Blessing of the Kop': Dormant. Activates upon entering Anfield stadium.]
He smiled. Today was going to be special.
He walked into the kitchen, where his mother was already bustling about, preparing his carefully calibrated, scientifically approved, and mother-approved pre-match meal.
"Buongiorno, my gladiator," she said, giving him a warm hug. "Ready for the big fight?"
"Born ready, Mom," he grinned, feeling the truth of the words.
