Episode 17: The Setup Match
Jaden woke up with only one thought in his mind.
Today, Blaine was making his move.
He didn't know when. Didn't know how.
But he knew one thing. If he wasn't ready, he was dead.
The Announcement
The players gathered on the training pitch, the sun barely rising over the Iron Stride facility.
Coach Vance stood in front of them, his arms crossed. His gaze was sharp, unreadable.
"Today," he said, "we're playing a special match."
Murmurs rippled through the players.
Jaden didn't react. He already knew.
This wasn't just a game. This was Blaine's trap.
Vance continued. "Two teams. Five-on-five. The losing team? One of you gets cut."
Silence.
Now Jaden knew exactly how Blaine planned to take him out.
If Blaine rigged the teams right, he could stack the match against Jaden.
Make sure Jaden lost.
Make sure Jaden got cut.
Jaden exhaled. Fine.
If this was a trap? He was going to break it.
The Teams Are Chosen
The players lined up as Vance started calling names.
Jaden barely listened—until he heard his own.
"Carter."
Jaden stepped forward.
Then—
"Axel."
Jaden's eyes narrowed slightly.
The new guy. The one who had been talking to Vic.
Jaden tensed. Was Axel in on it?
Then came the next name.
"Vic."
Jaden's hands clenched into fists. There it is.
Blaine had managed to get Vic onto Jaden's team.
That meant only one thing.
Vic wasn't here to win. He was here to sabotage.
The Match Begins
The whistle blew.
Jaden immediately pushed forward. He wasn't going to let Blaine control the game.
He had to score. Fast.
Axel played defensive midfield, his movements sharp, calculating. He wasn't making mistakes.
Jaden watched him carefully. Could he be trusted?
Then came Vic.
First, it was small things.
Bad passes. Slow reactions. "Accidental" mistakes.
Jaden gritted his teeth.
Vic was throwing the game. On purpose.
Jaden exhaled, rolling his shoulders. Fine.
If Vic wasn't going to play? Jaden would do it himself.
Jaden Takes Over
The next time the ball came to him, Jaden didn't pass.
He spun away from his defender, sprinting down the field.
One player in front of him.
Jaden cut left—then immediately right. The defender lunged too late.
Now it was just the goalkeeper.
Jaden faked a shot—then chipped the ball over the keeper's shoulder.
Goal.
Jaden turned, his breathing heavy. 1-0.
He wasn't losing today.
Vic's True Colors
The game restarted.
Jaden saw it immediately. Vic was getting more reckless.
At one point, he had a clear pass to Jaden—and he didn't take it.
Jaden's patience snapped.
"Play the fucking game," he growled.
Vic smirked. "Why? You scared?"
Jaden's eyes darkened. Vic wasn't even hiding it anymore.
Jaden exhaled. Fine.
If Vic wouldn't help?
Jaden would shut this down himself.
The Betrayal
Final minutes. Still 1-0.
Jaden was tracking back on defense when it happened.
The ball broke loose in midfield.
Axel moved to clear it.
Vic?
He didn't just stand still.
He stepped into Axel's way.
Jaden's stomach dropped.
"Move!" Jaden yelled.
Too late.
The other team stole the ball.
A perfect pass.
A clean shot.
Goal.
1-1.
Jaden's heart pounded.
Vic had just given the other team a free goal.
Final Play: Jaden vs. Vic
One minute left.
Jaden knew what had to happen.
He had to end this.
The ball came to him.
He sprinted forward—Vic right next to him.
Jaden went for the pass—Vic grabbed his jersey.
Jaden ripped free.
Vic lunged again—this time for Jaden's leg.
Jaden barely dodged.
The ref? Did nothing.
Jaden kept going.
He reached the edge of the box—Vic slammed into his back.
Jaden hit the ground, hard.
The whistle blew.
Penalty.
Vic's face twisted in frustration.
Jaden exhaled, wiping sweat from his brow. He had one chance.
He stepped up to the spot.
The goalkeeper locked eyes with him.
Jaden ignored him.
He breathed in.
Then—he shot.
The ball blasted into the top corner.
Goal.
2-1.
The whistle blew for full time.
The Consequences
Jaden walked past Vic without looking at him.
Coach Vance stepped onto the field. "Vic."
Vic stiffened. "Yeah?"
Vance didn't hesitate.
"You're done. Pack your shit."
Silence.
Vic's jaw clenched. "Wait—"
Vance cut him off. "No second chances. Get out."
Vic stood there, stunned. Then, slowly, his glare turned to Jaden.
Jaden didn't react. He just stared back.
Cold. Unmoving. Untouchable.
Vic spat on the ground. Then turned and walked away.
Jaden exhaled. One enemy down.
But he could feel it. This wasn't over.
Because as he looked up, he saw Blaine watching him from the distance.
And Blaine?
Still smiling.
The War Isn't Over
That night, Jaden sat in his dorm, his mind racing.
His phone buzzed.
Abby.
Abby: Did you win?
Jaden stared at the screen.
Then he typed—
Jaden: Yeah. But this place is getting worse.
A pause.
Then—
Abby: Come home.
Jaden exhaled.
He wanted to.
But he couldn't.
Not yet.
Not until this war was finished.