The next morning, the station was buzzing with activity. Luka could feel the anticipation in the air as they made their way through the halls toward the tournament arena.
Competitors were on edge, some nervously checking their gear while others appeared focused, like seasoned veterans who knew what was coming.
Luka and Kaela moved silently through the crowd, their presence drawing glances from other participants. The buzz about their quick victories in the earlier rounds had spread, and people were starting to take notice.As they approached the docking bay where their mechas were stationed, Kaela broke the silence.
"You've been quiet since last night," she said, casting a glance at Luka. "Still thinking about Lynel and Voss?"
Luka shrugged, though his mind was clearly preoccupied. "Yeah. They're different from the others we've faced. More calculated. And they know something—something about this tournament that they're not sharing."
Kaela nodded, her golden eyes narrowing in thought. "I got the same feeling. But they're not invincible. We'll figure it out."
Luka appreciated Kaela's steady confidence. She had always been the more measured of the two, never letting emotions cloud her judgment.
But there was something about Lynel and Voss that set off alarms in his mind. They weren't just competitors—they were players in a larger game.As they stepped into the docking bay, the sight of their mechas immediately grounded Luka.
Vigil stood tall, its sleek frame gleaming under the bay's lights, while Kaela's draconic machine exuded its usual ferocity. The connection between them and their mechas was more than just pilot and machine—it was an extension of their will, their purpose.
The maintenance crew was already hard at work, running final diagnostics on their systems. Luka walked over to Vigil, running a hand along its smooth armor. The Aether crystal embedded in its core pulsed faintly, a reminder of the power lying dormant within the machine.
But Luka knew it wasn't time to unleash its full potential yet—not until he understood more about what was really going on in this tournament.
Kaela checked over her own mecha, her fingers deftly moving over the controls as she ensured everything was in place for the upcoming match.
Her focus was absolute, her attention to detail a testament to how serious she took each battle. Luka admired that about her—her ability to stay calm and collected, even when things seemed uncertain.
"Everything looks good on my end," Kaela said after a moment, her voice breaking Luka's thoughts. She turned toward him, a small smile on her lips.
"You ready?"Luka took a deep breath, nodding. "Yeah, I'm ready."They climbed into their cockpits, the familiar hum of their mechas' systems powering up filling the air.
Luka's heart pounded with the anticipation of the fight ahead, but it wasn't just excitement—it was the sense that today's battle would be different.The docking bay doors opened, and they stepped out into the arena.
The crowd's roar was deafening, the energy palpable as spectators packed the stands, eager to witness the next round of battles.
This time, the arena was larger, more complex, with towering pillars, raised platforms, and obstacles scattered across the battlefield.
It was a stage designed to test not just strength, but strategy.Across from them, Lynel and Voss's mechas appeared, emerging from their own docking bay. Their machines were sleek and angular, designed for precision.
Lynel's mecha, with its shimmering silver armor, was outfitted with long-range weapons, while Voss's was bulkier, built for defense and close-quarters combat. Together, they formed a balanced, deadly pair.
Luka's mind raced as he analyzed their setup. They were clearly designed to complement each other—Lynel would likely try to keep them at a distance, using long-range attacks to chip away at their defenses, while Voss would wait for the perfect moment to close in and deal the finishing blow.
"They're going to try to control the pace," Luka said over the comms, his voice steady despite the tension in his chest. "Lynel's got the range, but Voss will be the one to watch. He'll be waiting to counter our moves."Kaela's voice came through calm but focused.
"We'll split them up. Keep them from working as a team."Luka grinned.
"Exactly."The announcer's voice boomed across the arena, the crowd growing even louder in anticipation.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the next round of the Galactic Duel Tournament! In this corner, we have the tactical duo, Lynel and Voss, known for their precision and teamwork! And in the opposite corner, our newcomers who have already made quite the impact—Luka Cross and Kaela Drask!"
The countdown began, and Luka's grip tightened on the controls. His pulse quickened, but his mind was clear. He knew what they needed to do.
"Three… two… one… Begin!"
Luka and Kaela sprang into action, their mechas charging forward across the battlefield. Lynel's mecha immediately moved into position, her long-range cannon charging with energy.
She fired, the blast tearing through the air with pinpoint accuracy, but Luka was already moving, Vigil darting behind one of the massive pillars for cover.
Kaela's draconic mecha took to the air, its wings propelling her upward as she dodged another blast from Lynel.
She circled around, drawing Lynel's fire away from Luka while Voss's bulkier machine moved in, aiming to close the distance between them.
"They're trying to separate us," Luka muttered, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed Voss's movements.
"Let's turn the tables," Kaela responded, her voice sharp. "I'll keep Lynel busy. You take down Voss."
Luka didn't hesitate. He surged forward, using the obstacles in the arena to close the gap between him and Voss. The larger mecha was slower but heavily armored, and Luka knew he couldn't afford to get caught in a close-quarters brawl.
Voss's machine swung a massive arm toward Vigil, but Luka dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike.With a quick, fluid motion, Luka activated Vigil's energy cannon, firing a concentrated blast at Voss's side.
The shot connected, sending sparks flying as it tore through the mecha's armor. Voss grunted in frustration, his machine staggering from the impact, but he quickly recovered, swinging again.
Luka was faster. He ducked under the blow and countered with a swift, precise strike from Vigil's blade, cutting through Voss's arm and severing one of its weapons.
"Gotcha," Luka muttered, satisfaction coursing through him.Meanwhile, Kaela was keeping Lynel at bay, her draconic mecha darting through the air, dodging each blast with ease. Lynel's frustration was evident—her long-range tactics weren't working as she had hoped.
"Now!" Luka called, seeing his moment.Kaela swooped down, her claws glowing with energy as she closed in on Lynel.
With a powerful strike, she slammed into Lynel's mecha, sending it crashing into one of the arena's pillars.
Lynel's machine sputtered, its systems failing as it crumpled to the ground.Voss, seeing his partner fall, let out a roar and charged at Luka, but it was too late.
With one final, decisive blow, Luka's blade pierced Voss's mecha's core, sending it collapsing to the arena floor.The crowd erupted into cheers as the announcer's voice boomed over the speakers.
"And the winners, once again, are Luka Cross and Kaela Drask! What an incredible display of skill and strategy!"
Luka let out a breath, his heart still racing from the intensity of the fight. He powered down Vigil and stepped out of the cockpit, glancing over at Kaela, who was already climbing out of her own mecha.
She met his gaze, a small, satisfied smile on her lips."Well fought," she said, her voice calm but carrying the weight of their victory.
Luka grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yeah. But there's more going on here than just a tournament."Kaela nodded, her expression serious.
"Agreed. We need to figure out what."Luka glanced back toward Lynel and Voss's fallen mechas, his mind already turning over the possibilities.
The fight may have been over, but the real battle—the one beneath the surface—was just beginning.
Author's Note: Another victory for Luka and Kaela! But what's really going on behind the scenes? Things are heating up—let me know your thoughts!