Episode 30: The Breaking Point
Jaden was untouchable.
The elimination drills were brutal, but he was sharper than ever. Every pass was precise. Every movement calculated.
And Ethan?
He was losing it.
Missed passes. Late tackles. Frustration leaking through every play.
Jaden could see it—Ethan was breaking.
Good.
Then—it happened.
Final round. One-on-one duels.
Jaden stepped forward. So did Ethan.
The tension was thick. Unspoken. Deadly.
Coach Vance crossed his arms. "Score. Or lose."
Jaden rolled his shoulders. "You ready for this, Hale?"
Ethan clenched his jaw. "Try me."
The ball rolled.
Jaden exploded forward.
Ethan matched him.
Footwork. Speed. Shoulder-to-shoulder. No space, no mercy.
Jaden flicked the ball right—Ethan read it.
He cut inside—Ethan blocked him.
Jaden gritted his teeth. Fine.
He stepped on the ball, pulled it back—then exploded left.
Ethan reacted too late. Half a second too slow.
Jaden was already gone.
One quick touch. A shot.
Goal.
The whistle blew. Match over.
Ethan stood there, breathing hard. Defeated.
Jaden walked past him, whispering just loud enough—"Told you."
Ethan didn't move. Didn't speak.
Jaden could feel it.
Something had changed.
Ethan wasn't just angry anymore.
He was dangerous.
A Shadow in the Dark
Later that night, Jaden walked through the halls, his mind still buzzing.
The training session was over, but the tension wasn't. Something was coming.
Then—he heard it.
A voice.
Deep. Familiar.
The man in the dark jacket.
Jaden turned the corner—and there he was.
Waiting. Watching.
The man smiled. "You proved yourself today."
Jaden exhaled. "You still haven't told me who the hell you are."
The man chuckled. "That doesn't matter yet."
Jaden's jaw tightened. "Then what do you want?"
The man stepped closer.
"I want to make you an offer."
Silence.
Jaden's pulse picked up.
Because whatever this guy was about to say?
It was going to change everything.