The next few days passed in a blur of preparation and tension. Luka and Kaela spent their time between rounds sharpening their strategies, watching every move made by the other competitors, and working to unravel the council's plans.
Though they had forged a tenuous alliance with Lynel and Voss, neither Luka nor Kaela let their guard down. There was still too much they didn't know, and in this game, trust was a dangerous thing to give away.
The tournament had grown more intense with each passing round. The battles were longer, the stakes higher, and the atmosphere on the station had shifted from excitement to something darker.
Whispers of sabotage and disappearances among the competitors circulated through the halls. There were fewer smiling faces in the crowd now—only focused, grim expressions from those who had made it this far.
And everyone knew that the real competition was about to begin.
Luka stood on a balcony overlooking one of the station's central hubs, the noise of the marketplace below a steady hum in the background. He leaned against the railing, lost in thought. Despite the intensity of the matches, his mind kept drifting back to the council's words, and to what Lynel and Voss had told them.
The Aether wasn't just power—it was control. And whoever could harness it could reshape the galaxy.
Luka's hands tightened on the railing. He wasn't sure what the council's exact plans were, but one thing was clear: they were searching for someone strong enough to wield the Aether.
Someone like him. The thought made his stomach churn. He wasn't interested in ruling over anyone or shaping the galaxy. All he wanted was freedom—freedom to live his life on his terms, away from the kingdoms, away from politics, away from everything that tried to chain him down.
But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that there might be no escaping this. The Aether was calling to him, in ways he didn't yet fully understand. And the council… they would stop at nothing to control it.
"Thinking too much again?"
Kaela's voice snapped him out of his reverie. She approached him from behind, a slight smirk on her lips. Despite everything, she seemed to maintain her steady composure, though Luka knew she was just as wary of the situation as he was.
"Yeah," Luka admitted, his voice low. "Just trying to make sense of all this. The deeper we go, the less I like it."
Kaela leaned against the railing beside him, her golden eyes scanning the crowd below. "You and me both. The council's playing a dangerous game, and we're stuck in the middle of it. But we can't back out now."
Luka nodded, a weight settling in his chest. "I know. We have to see this through."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the noise of the marketplace a distant hum. Luka found some comfort in Kaela's presence. She had been his rock throughout this journey, steady and reliable, and he knew he wouldn't have made it this far without her.
The connection they shared had only grown stronger, especially after learning the full truth about the tournament. They were in this together, no matter what.
"Do you ever think about what happens after?" Luka asked suddenly, his voice softer. "After the tournament?"
Kaela's eyes flickered, and she glanced at him with a faint smile. "You mean assuming we survive?"
Luka chuckled, though there was a hint of tension in his voice. "Yeah. Assuming we survive."
Kaela thought for a moment, her gaze distant. "I don't know. I've been so focused on getting through each fight, I haven't thought much about what comes next. But I guess… I'd like to see more of the galaxy. Without being hunted or manipulated."
Luka's grin softened. "Sounds nice."
Kaela raised an eyebrow, her smirk returning. "What about you? What would you do?"
Luka leaned back against the railing, staring up at the artificial lights of the station's ceiling. "Travel. Explore. Keep moving forward. I've never been the type to settle down. I just want to be free."
Kaela nodded, understanding in her eyes. "You'll get that chance. We both will."
They stood in comfortable silence for a while longer, watching the flow of people below. But as much as Luka tried to push the tension away, the weight of the coming battles loomed over him like a shadow.
The sound of footsteps behind them broke the quiet moment. Luka turned to see Lynel approaching, her expression unreadable as always. She stopped a few feet away, crossing her arms.
"We need to talk," Lynel said, her tone low but urgent.
Luka's expression hardened, but he nodded. "What is it?"
Lynel glanced around, making sure no one was listening, before stepping closer. "There's been a development. The next round isn't like the others."
Kaela's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Lynel hesitated, her eyes narrowing slightly. "The council's getting more aggressive. They're weeding out the weaker competitors faster than before. And they're introducing something new—a group event. Multiple teams in the arena at once. It's going to be chaos."
Luka felt a flicker of unease. "A group event? Why change the format now?"
Lynel shrugged, though her expression was tight. "They want to see how we handle more complex situations. Teamwork, alliances, betrayals—they're testing us in ways they haven't before. And from what I've heard, the next fight will be brutal. They've already lost a few teams in the earlier rounds."
Kaela's gaze darkened. "This isn't a competition anymore. It's a massacre."
Lynel didn't deny it. "The council's not hiding their intentions anymore. They're putting us under more pressure, forcing us to make split-second decisions. They're looking for something… specific."
Luka's mind raced. This group event wasn't just a test of strength—it was a way to force the competitors into difficult situations, to see who could survive when the odds were stacked against them. And worse, it sounded like the council didn't care if a few teams didn't make it out alive.
"What's the plan?" Luka asked, his voice steady despite the rising tension in his chest.
Lynel hesitated again before speaking. "We need to watch each other's backs, at least for now. The arena's going to be packed with some of the strongest teams left. If we go in blind, we won't stand a chance."
Luka exchanged a glance with Kaela. They both knew that trusting Lynel and Voss was risky, but in a group event like this, they couldn't afford to go in without allies.
"Alright," Luka said finally. "We'll work together. But no tricks. If you double-cross us—"
Lynel raised a hand. "I know. I'm not interested in turning on you—not yet, at least."
Kaela's smirk returned, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Comforting."
Lynel offered a curt nod before turning to leave. "Get ready. The event starts soon, and you're going to need every advantage you can get."
As Lynel disappeared into the crowd, Luka turned back to Kaela, his expression hardening.
"We're walking into a trap," he said quietly.
Kaela nodded. "I know. But we'll walk out of it, too."
Luka's resolve solidified. The council was upping the stakes, and this next event was designed to push them to their limits. But he wasn't going to let anyone manipulate him. Not the council, not Lynel, and not anyone else in this tournament.
Whatever came next, Luka and Kaela would face it together.
Author's Note:The stakes keep rising! What do you think about this new group event? Can Luka and Kaela trust Lynel? Let me know your thoughts!