The tension in the air was suffocating as Luka and Kaela returned to the docking bay, where their mechas stood gleaming under the cold lights.
The hum of activity around them felt distant, as if the station itself was holding its breath in anticipation of the chaos to come. Luka ran his hand along the smooth surface of Vigil, feeling the faint pulse of the Aether crystal embedded within it.
The council wasn't just testing their strength anymore—they were testing their resolve. The upcoming group event was designed to push the competitors to their limits, to force alliances and betrayals, and Luka knew that not everyone would make it out alive
He could already feel the pressure mounting, the unspoken tension between the remaining teams as they prepared for what was about to unfold.
Kaela stood beside her draconic mecha, her wings folded neatly behind her, her expression unreadable. She had been quiet since Lynel's warning, her mind clearly focused on the challenge ahead. Luka could sense the storm brewing inside her, the same tension that gripped him tightening its hold on her as well.
"This is going to be ugly," Kaela said finally, her voice low and steady. "Multiple teams, no clear rules… it's a recipe for disaster."
Luka nodded, his eyes scanning the room. "Yeah. We're going to be walking into chaos. But we've got an advantage—we know it's a trap."
Kaela's golden eyes flicked to him, sharp and focused. "And we've survived worse."
Luka chuckled softly, though the weight of the situation pressed heavily on him. "True. But we'll need to be smart. If we get caught up in the crossfire, we're done."
Kaela smirked, her confidence showing through despite the tension. "When are we ever not smart?"
Luka returned her grin, but before he could respond, the station's intercom crackled to life. The familiar, cold voice of the council's announcer echoed through the docking bay.
"Competitors, report to the central arena for the next event. All remaining teams must assemble immediately. The group match will begin shortly."
The words hung in the air, heavy with finality. Luka exchanged a glance with Kaela. This was it. The real test was about to begin.
Without another word, they climbed into their mechas, the familiar hum of the systems powering up grounding Luka in the moment. He felt the Aether crystal pulse within Vigil, its energy thrumming in time with his heartbeat. Whatever the council had planned, whatever chaos awaited them in the arena, Luka knew he could rely on Vigil—and on Kaela.
"Let's do this," Kaela's voice came through the comms, her tone steady but carrying a hint of excitement.
Luka nodded, gripping the controls tightly. "Let's show them what we're made of."
The docking bay doors slid open with a hiss, and Luka and Kaela's mechas stepped out into the arena. The roar of the crowd hit them like a wave, the stands packed with spectators eager to see the carnage unfold.
The arena itself was a massive, sprawling battlefield, filled with towering pillars, debris-strewn pathways, and crumbling structures that provided both cover and obstacles. It was a warzone designed to test every skill a pilot had—speed, strategy, and survival.
Already, several other teams had entered the arena, their mechas moving into position across the battlefield. Luka recognized a few of them—tough competitors who had made it through the earlier rounds by sheer skill and determination. But there were others he hadn't seen before, and their mechas were outfitted with advanced, unfamiliar tech that made him uneasy.
"Keep an eye on those new teams," Luka muttered over the comms, his eyes scanning the battlefield. "They're not just here to win. They're here for something else."
Kaela's voice crackled in response. "Yeah, I see them. Stay sharp."
As they moved deeper into the arena, Lynel and Voss's mechas appeared on the far side of the battlefield, their sleek, angular forms cutting through the dust and debris. Lynel's long-range weaponry was already positioned, her mecha crouched behind a pillar for cover, while Voss's bulky machine stood ready to charge into the fray.
Luka's gaze locked with Lynel's across the distance. She gave him a curt nod—a silent acknowledgment of their temporary alliance. But even from this distance, Luka could sense the tension. They were working together for now, but when the time came, trust would be a fleeting thing.
The council's voice echoed through the arena, cutting through the noise of the crowd. "Competitors, the rules are simple: survive. The last team standing will advance to the final round. Use any means necessary."
Luka felt his pulse quicken as the words sank in. No rules. No restrictions. Just survival. This was going to be a bloodbath.
"Stay close," Luka said to Kaela, his voice tight with focus. "We'll take out the weaker teams first. Let the others wear each other down."
"Got it," Kaela replied, her tone sharp and ready.
The countdown began, the roar of the crowd rising to a fever pitch.
"Three… two… one… Begin!"
The battlefield erupted into chaos.
Energy blasts tore through the air as teams engaged each other, the sound of metal clashing against metal echoing across the arena. Luka and Kaela moved in tandem, their mechas darting between cover as they avoided the opening barrage. One of the smaller teams—two light, speed-based mechas—charged at them, hoping to take advantage of the confusion.
"They're fast," Kaela called over the comms, her draconic mecha lifting off the ground with a burst of energy from its wings.
"But not fast enough," Luka replied, his tone confident.
*Vigil*'s arm-mounted cannon flared to life, firing a concentrated blast at the nearest enemy mecha. The shot connected, sending the smaller machine skidding across the arena floor, its systems sparking as it struggled to recover. Kaela followed up with a swift dive, her mecha's claws tearing through the second opponent's armor with deadly precision.
Within moments, the first two opponents were down, their mechas sparking and sputtering as they lay defeated on the battlefield.
"One down," Luka muttered, his eyes scanning the battlefield for their next target. But the arena was already a warzone, with multiple teams locked in fierce combat. The air was thick with the sounds of battle—explosions, energy blasts, and the grinding of metal against metal.
As Luka and Kaela moved to engage another team, a sudden warning flashed across Luka's HUD.
"Incoming!" Kaela shouted, her mecha veering to the side just as a barrage of missiles rained down on their position.
Luka cursed under his breath, quickly maneuvering *Vigil* behind a nearby pillar for cover. He glanced across the battlefield and spotted the source of the attack—one of the new teams, their mechas outfitted with advanced missile launchers and energy shields.
"These guys are packing some serious firepower," Luka muttered, his grip tightening on the controls. "We need to be careful."
Kaela's voice was calm but urgent. "We can't take them head-on. We'll have to outmaneuver them."
Luka nodded, already calculating their next move. The group event was turning into exactly what they had feared—a chaotic free-for-all where the council's true intentions were on full display. This wasn't just a test of skill; it was a culling, designed to push the competitors to their breaking point.
But Luka wasn't about to break. Not here. Not now.
"We stick to the plan," he said, his voice filled with determination. "We survive."
With Kaela by his side, he charged back into the fray, ready to face whatever came next.
Author's Note: The group event has begun! Who will come out on top in this chaotic battlefield? Share your thoughts on how Luka and Kaela will navigate this storm!