Chapter 14: Rivalry Rekindled

The energy inside Zenith Stadium was electric. The holographic displays shimmered with live footage of battles unfolding across different arenas, and the crowd’s cheers rose and fell like ocean waves. Kenny, Alina, and Lucas stood together in the preparation area, their gear polished and ready, but a heavy tension hung over them.

Their first victory had been hard-earned, but now they faced opponents from the prestigious Argentum Academy, a training institute known for producing some of the most formidable hologram warriors in the world. The academy’s crest, a silver falcon with outspread wings, adorned their challengers’ armor.

The Argentum team stood on the opposite side of the arena, composed of three warriors who looked every bit as elite as their reputation suggested. At the front was their captain, Callum Blake, a tall and imposing figure with sharp features and eyes that seemed to pierce through everything they landed on. He wielded a massive holographic glaive, and his movements radiated confidence.

Beside him was Fiona Rourke, a tech specialist with a visor that displayed streams of data. She carried a device that could manipulate the arena’s holographic environment in unpredictable ways. The third member, Niko Hale, was a speedster with dual daggers and an unsettling grin.

Kenny felt a cold weight settle in his stomach. He had read about these warriors. Callum Blake’s tactical brilliance, Fiona’s mastery of environment manipulation, and Niko’s blinding speed had crushed many hopeful contenders.

“Stay focused,” Alina whispered, her voice steady. “We can’t let them control the battle.”

Lucas rolled his shoulders, trying to loosen up. “We just have to be faster and smarter. No big deal, right?”

Kenny tried to smile, but his nerves wouldn’t let him. As the countdown timer appeared above the arena, he took a deep breath. They had trained for this, and they had each other’s backs. That had to be enough.

The timer hit zero, and the arena shimmered, shifting into a new simulation. The ground beneath them morphed into a treacherous mountain landscape, with jagged cliffs, rocky outcroppings, and a river of molten lava that wound its way through the valley below. The air was thin and cold, and each step threatened to send them tumbling into the abyss.

Callum’s voice rang out, confident and commanding. “Control the high ground! Force them to fight uphill!”

The Argentum team moved like a well-oiled machine, taking the upper slopes and securing their advantage. Fiona deployed a series of holographic traps that made the terrain even more hazardous, while Niko darted between boulders, his daggers flashing as he prepared to strike.

Kenny’s team had no choice but to react quickly. Alina took the lead, her blades cutting through obstacles as she tried to find a path to higher ground. “Kenny, cover me! Lucas, keep an eye on Niko!”

Kenny nocked an arrow, his hands steady despite the chaos. He aimed for Fiona, who was setting another trap, but Callum’s glaive intercepted the shot, deflecting it with a fluid motion. Callum’s eyes locked onto Kenny, and for a moment, the world seemed to freeze.

“You’ve got skill,” Callum said, his voice carrying across the battlefield. “But you’re not ready for this.”

Kenny’s heart pounded, but he refused to back down. “We’ll see about that.”

He fired a rapid succession of arrows, each one aimed to disrupt Callum’s defense, but Callum moved with a practiced grace that made every attack seem futile. Meanwhile, Niko closed in on Lucas, his movements a blur as he launched a flurry of attacks.

Lucas barely managed to block, his gauntlets absorbing the blows. “This guy’s too fast!” he yelled, frustration seeping into his voice.

Alina engaged Fiona, their clash a deadly dance of tech and steel. Fiona’s traps forced Alina to stay on the move, but Alina’s precision and adaptability kept her from being overwhelmed.

Kenny knew they were being pushed to the brink. The Argentum team was relentless, and every second they spent on the defensive brought them closer to defeat. He needed to think of something, and fast.

Then, a voice cut through the chaos, one that made Kenny’s blood run cold.

“Well, well. Look who’s trying to play with the big leagues.”

Kenny spun around, and his heart sank. Mason, his childhood rival, stood on a nearby outcropping, his holographic gear gleaming in the mountain light. He wasn’t supposed to be here, but somehow, he had found his way into the same match.

“Mason?” Kenny’s voice wavered between disbelief and anger. “What are you doing here?”

Mason’s grin was all teeth. “Oh, I’m just here to watch you fail. Maybe even give you a little nudge if you need it.”

The distraction was all it took. Callum seized the moment, lunging at Kenny with his glaive. Kenny barely managed to dodge, the blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. He stumbled backward, his heart hammering.

Alina glared at Mason, fury burning in her eyes. “Get out of here, Mason. This is our fight.”

Mason shrugged, his expression mocking. “Relax. I’m just here to enjoy the view.”

Kenny forced himself to focus. He couldn’t let Mason’s presence throw him off. Callum was pressing his advantage, and Niko had Lucas pinned against a cliff edge, each blow pushing him closer to the abyss.

“Lucas, switch to defense!” Kenny shouted. “Alina, we need to break their formation!”

Lucas gritted his teeth, his gauntlets pulsing with energy as he dug in, absorbing Niko’s relentless strikes. “Trying!” he yelled, his voice strained.

Alina disengaged from Fiona, pivoting toward Niko. She used her blades to deflect his attacks, buying Lucas enough time to counter. With a burst of power, Lucas slammed his gauntlets into the ground, creating a shockwave that sent Niko sprawling.

“Now!” Alina commanded, and Kenny didn’t hesitate. He fired an arrow at Fiona, disrupting her traps and forcing her to retreat.

They were making progress, but Callum was still a problem. He moved with a fluidity that made him seem untouchable, and Kenny knew they needed something unexpected to throw him off.

“Mason,” Kenny called, his voice tight with desperation. “If you’re going to stand there, at least make yourself useful!”

Mason’s eyes lit up with amusement. “You want my help now?”

Kenny’s jaw clenched. He hated asking, but they were out of options. “Just this once.”

Mason’s grin widened. “Fine. But don’t get used to it.”

With a flourish, Mason joined the fray, using his holographic spear to create openings in Callum’s defense. The sudden shift caught Callum off guard, and Kenny saw his chance. He nocked an arrow and aimed for the small gap in Callum’s armor.

He fired.

The arrow struck true, and Callum’s avatar flickered, the impact breaking his focus. Alina and Lucas took advantage, pressing forward with renewed determination. Fiona and Niko tried to regroup, but the momentum had shifted.

Kenny’s team fought with everything they had, their movements coordinated and precise. Alina’s blades flashed, Lucas’s gauntlets thundered, and Kenny’s arrows found their marks. Finally, with a combined strike, they brought down the last of the Argentum warriors.

The arena dissolved, and the crowd erupted into deafening cheers. Kenny, Alina, and Lucas stood victorious, battered but triumphant.

Mason sauntered over, his smirk infuriating as ever. “Not bad, Kenny. But don’t think this makes us friends.”

Kenny glared at him, but there was a spark of grudging respect. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Mason’s expression softened for a split second, but he quickly masked it. “See you around, Valera.” With that, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Kenny feeling both relieved and unsettled.

As they left the arena, Alina let out a long breath. “That was… too close.”

Lucas clapped Kenny on the back, his usual grin returning. “But we did it! We beat the academy kids!”

Kenny smiled, though his mind was still racing. They had won, but the tournament was only going to get harder. And now, with Mason back in the picture, he couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to get even more complicated.

Thalos met them in the preparation area, his expression a mix of pride and caution. “Well done,” he said. “But remember, every victory makes you more of a target. Stay sharp.”