Chapter 7: Allies and Adversaries

The midday sun filtered through the Whispering Woods, casting fragmented light across the training grounds. Kenny sat cross-legged on a patch of moss, his muscles aching from the labyrinth trial. Thalos had given him a few hours to recover, but rest wasn’t coming easily. His mind replayed every moment of the labyrinth, every mistake, every triumph, like a broken recording.

Just as he was beginning to feel the strain of overthinking, he heard the crunch of footsteps on fallen leaves. Kenny turned, expecting Thalos, but instead found himself face-to-face with two unfamiliar figures.

The first was a girl with cropped black hair, dressed in a tactical jumpsuit that seemed designed for both style and efficiency. Her expression was sharp, guarded, and her dark eyes assessed Kenny with a look that bordered on predatory. Beside her stood a boy with tousled blond hair and an easy grin, his athletic build suggesting raw strength and speed. He wore fingerless gloves and carried himself with a casual confidence that immediately put Kenny on edge.

“Look who we have here,” the girl said, crossing her arms. Her voice was smooth but held a dangerous undertone. “The solo hero who thinks he can conquer the Evren League on his own.”

Kenny frowned, pushing himself to his feet. He had no idea who these two were, but he didn’t appreciate the condescending tone. “And you are?” he asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

The boy chuckled, stepping forward. “Relax, man. We’re just here to train, same as you.” He extended a hand, his grin never faltering. “I’m Lucas, and this ray of sunshine is Alina.”

The girl—Alina—rolled her eyes. “You talk too much,” she muttered.

Kenny hesitated before shaking Lucas’s hand, his instincts telling him to be cautious. “Kenny,” he introduced himself, studying the two. “Did Thalos bring you here?”

Lucas nodded, and his expression turned serious. “Yeah, he did. Said we needed to ‘prepare for something bigger than ourselves.’ Whatever that means.”

Alina stepped forward, her gaze piercing. “You’ve been training alone, haven’t you?” she asked, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. “That might work against simulations, but out there, in real matches, it’s teamwork that counts. You can’t win the Evren League alone.”

Kenny bristled, his pride stinging. “I’m not planning on doing this alone,” he retorted. “I’m just… focused on improving myself first.”

Alina raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “If you want to make it to the top, you’ll need more than focus. You’ll need people you can trust. Otherwise, you’re just another wannabe champion waiting to be crushed.”

Lucas nudged her with his elbow, trying to diffuse the tension. “Easy, Alina. No need to scare the guy off. How about we put this to the test? A little three-way simulation battle. It’ll be fun.”

Kenny’s initial reaction was to refuse. He was tired, sore, and not in the mood for more challenges. But something in Alina’s dismissive expression lit a spark in him. He wasn’t about to back down and let them think he was weak.

“Fine,” Kenny agreed, his voice firm. “Let’s do it.”

The simulation chamber activated, casting the three of them into a virtual landscape of crumbling ruins. Stone pillars jutted from the ground, half-buried in overgrown vines, and the air was thick with digital mist. The ruins provided both cover and obstacles, creating a perfect battlefield for a test of skill and strategy.

Lucas stretched, rolling his shoulders. “Alright, first one to score three takedowns wins. No alliances—every warrior for themselves.”

Kenny summoned his holographic gear, feeling the familiar hum of energy flow through his hands. Alina conjured a pair of sleek, curved blades that crackled with electric energy, while Lucas formed gauntlets that glowed with raw power. They sized each other up, tension crackling in the air.

“Begin,” the simulation voice announced.

Kenny barely had time to react before Alina was on him, her blades slicing through the air with lethal precision. He blocked with his plasma staff, sparks flying as the weapons clashed. Alina’s attacks were relentless, her movements a blend of grace and aggression. She fought like someone who had been trained to strike without hesitation, and Kenny struggled to keep up.

“Focus, Kenny,” she taunted, her eyes narrowing. “Or you’ll never make it.”

Kenny gritted his teeth, using a burst of energy to push her back. But before he could catch his breath, Lucas barreled into him from the side, his gauntlets swinging with crushing force. Kenny barely dodged, the impact shattering a stone pillar behind him.

Lucas laughed, his movements fast and unpredictable. “Gotta be quicker, man!”

Kenny felt frustration rising. He was being attacked from all sides, and it was only a matter of time before one of them landed a decisive blow. He needed to adapt, and fast.

He retreated into the ruins, using the environment to his advantage. Alina and Lucas followed, but their rivalry distracted them. Alina turned her attention to Lucas, their weapons clashing as they fought for dominance. Kenny used the opportunity to catch his breath and think. Thalos’s training echoed in his mind: Use your environment. Outsmart your opponents, even when outmatched.

An idea formed. Kenny waited until Alina and Lucas were fully engaged, then he activated a holographic trap—a burst of energy mines that he had quietly planted in the ruins. The mines exploded, sending both Alina and Lucas sprawling. He didn’t waste time, lunging forward to score a takedown on Lucas.

“One,” Kenny said, his voice triumphant.

Lucas groaned, but there was no time for recovery. Alina recovered faster than Kenny anticipated, her eyes blazing with a new determination. She darted forward, her blades a blur, and Kenny was forced into a desperate defense. Her strikes were impossibly fast, but Kenny kept his footwork steady, using the terrain to deflect her attacks.

“Not bad,” Alina admitted, her voice begrudging. “But not good enough.”

With a twist of her wrist, she disarmed Kenny, sending his plasma staff flying. He scrambled backward, his heart racing. Alina moved in for the takedown, but just as her blade descended, Lucas came barreling back into the fight, his gauntlets slamming into the ground and sending a shockwave that threw them both apart.

“All tied up!” Lucas called, a grin spreading across his face. “One each!”

Kenny pulled himself up, his mind racing. This wasn’t just a test of combat skills. It was a test of endurance, adaptability, and strategy. And he wasn’t about to lose.

The battle raged on, with each of them trading takedowns, forming brief alliances only to break them when it was most advantageous. Kenny learned quickly that Lucas’s raw power was offset by his recklessness, and Alina’s speed could be used against her if he timed his moves right. But both of them were formidable, and the match pushed him to his limits.

Finally, with two points each, it came down to one last confrontation. The three of them faced each other in the ruins’ central plaza, the air thick with tension.

Lucas charged, aiming for Alina, but Kenny used a holographic decoy to divert him, buying himself a second to strike. Alina, sensing his plan, pivoted and unleashed a whirlwind of attacks. Kenny ducked and rolled, using the last of his energy reserves to summon a holographic barrier that momentarily trapped Alina.

“Gotcha,” Kenny said, panting as he scored the final takedown.

The simulation ended, the ruins dissolving around them. The three warriors stood in the training chamber, sweat-soaked and exhausted. Kenny could barely believe it—he had won, but it had been the hardest fight of his life.

Lucas broke the silence with a laugh. “Man, that was intense! You’re tougher than you look, Kenny.”

Alina’s eyes met Kenny’s, and though her expression was still guarded, there was a flicker of respect. “You’re not bad,” she admitted. “But don’t get cocky. We’ll be coming for you next time.”

Kenny managed a tired smile. “I’ll be ready.”

Thalos, who had been observing from the shadows, stepped forward. His gaze swept over the three of them, and for the first time, there was a hint of pride in his eyes. “You’ve all learned something today,” he said. “Remember it. The path to the Evren League is paved with challenges far greater than this.”

Kenny felt a swell of hope. He had allies now, and though they weren’t quite friends, they were something more than strangers. And for the first time, he truly believed that he could stand a chance—not alone, but as part of something bigger.

But as the trio caught their breath, a new message appeared on Kenny’s visor. It was brief, and it made his blood run cold:

Specter is watching.