As the chamber doors slammed shut, Javier's mind raced. He scanned the room, considering his options. The Grandmaster leaned back on his throne, sipping his glowing drink, clearly enjoying the tension between Javier, Mantis, and Brunnhilde.
Mantis tugged on Javier's sleeve. "What do we do? We're trapped!"
Javier's glitching aura shimmered faintly around him as he assessed their predicament. He turned to Mantis, his voice low and steady. "We play along—for now. But stay close to me. If anything happens, I'll get us out."
The Grandmaster's voice cut through the room like a blade. "Oh, don't look so grim, Javier! I'm offering you a golden opportunity! Think of the glory, the admiration, the fun!"
Javier ignored him and glanced at Brunnhilde, who stood with her arms crossed, watching him with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.
"So, Valkyrie," Javier began, his tone sharp. "What's your role in all this? Are you his enforcer, or just another piece in his collection?"
Brunnhilde smirked, clearly unfazed. "I'm no one's piece. I do what I want. And right now, I'm here because you're interesting."
Mantis's antennae twitched as she stepped closer to Javier, her jealousy bubbling to the surface. "He's not here to impress you," she said, her voice uncharacteristically firm.
Brunnhilde raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening. "Oh? And who are you to say what he's here for?"
Javier sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Enough, both of you. This isn't the time for petty arguments."
The Grandmaster clapped his hands again, clearly enjoying the tension. "Oh, I love this dynamic! Drama, rivalry, and a dash of romance! It's perfect for Sakaar's next big event."
Javier turned to the Grandmaster, his glitching aura intensifying. "Let me make one thing clear: I'm not here to be your entertainment. If you think I'm going to fight for your amusement, you're mistaken."
The Grandmaster chuckled, unbothered by Javier's defiance. "Oh, my dear glitching friend, everyone fights eventually. But until then…" He gestured to Brunnhilde. "Show them around! Let them experience the wonders of Sakaar. Who knows? They might even like it here."
Brunnhilde gave a mock salute. "Sure thing, boss." She turned to Javier and Mantis, her expression neutral. "Follow me."
Reluctantly, Javier and Mantis followed Brunnhilde out of the chamber and into the bustling streets of Sakaar. The city was a chaotic blend of neon lights, alien architecture, and rowdy crowds.
As they walked, Brunnhilde glanced at Javier. "So, glitch boy, what's your deal? You don't seem like the type to end up on Sakaar by accident."
Javier smirked. "Let's just say I'm a traveler. And I didn't come here by choice."
Brunnhilde nodded, clearly intrigued but not pressing further. Her gaze shifted to Mantis, who was clinging tightly to Javier's arm. "And you? What's your story?"
Mantis hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "I… I'm with Javier."
Brunnhilde chuckled. "Clearly. But you don't seem like the warrior type. What do you bring to the table?"
Mantis flushed, her jealousy flaring again. "I help him in ways you can't understand!"
Javier placed a hand on Mantis's shoulder, his voice gentle. "That's enough, Mantis. You don't have to prove anything to anyone."
Brunnhilde's smirk softened slightly, and she shrugged. "Fair enough. Let's just hope you two can survive here."
As they continued through the city, the tension between Mantis and Brunnhilde remained palpable. Javier, however, was focused on a more pressing matter: figuring out how to escape Sakaar before the Grandmaster's plans for them became irreversible.
But even as he plotted their escape, he couldn't ignore the way Mantis's jealousy and vulnerability brought them closer together—or the way Brunnhilde's confidence and sharp wit kept him intrigued.
For now, Javier had to tread carefully, knowing that every choice he made would shape the fragile relationships forming in this chaotic world.