Chapter 16: Valkyrie

The aftermath of their victory in the Frostbound Caverns left Kenny, Alina, and Lucas physically and mentally exhausted. The noise of Zenith Stadium roared around them as fans and spectators celebrated the match. But beneath the triumph was a sense of unease that clung to Kenny like a shadow.

As they made their way back to the waiting area, Kenny’s gaze swept across the crowd, searching for familiar faces and hidden threats. The tournament was only getting more dangerous, and the message from Specter still burned in his mind: Prove yourself worthy.

Alina took a sip from her water bottle, her expression contemplative. “We did well, but we can’t let our guard down. The next opponents will be even tougher, and they’ll have watched how we fight.”

Lucas, who was usually the group’s optimistic energy, was uncharacteristically quiet. He ran a hand through his messy blond hair and leaned against the wall, staring at the ground. “Yeah, I know,” he muttered. “I just… I need a minute.”

Kenny exchanged a worried glance with Alina. Lucas was never one to dwell on the pressure, but something had changed. The intensity of the tournament—and the stakes—seemed to be weighing on him.

“What’s wrong?” Kenny asked, his voice gentle. “You’ve been off since the match.”

Lucas’s jaw tightened, and he let out a bitter laugh. “What’s wrong? Everything, man. This whole tournament feels like it’s rigged against us. First, Mason shows up out of nowhere, and now we’re being watched by people who have more power and resources than we can dream of.”

Alina’s eyes narrowed. “We knew this wouldn’t be easy,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “We’re underdogs, and that’s not going to change. But we can’t afford to lose focus.”

Lucas pushed off the wall, frustration flashing in his eyes. “Focus? I get that, but what if we’re being set up to fail? What if… what if one of us is being used?”

The accusation hung in the air, sharp and heavy. Kenny felt his chest tighten. “What are you saying?” he asked, a knot of dread forming in his stomach.

Lucas looked between them, his expression a mix of guilt and fear. “I overheard something,” he admitted, his voice low. “Some of the other competitors were talking about a ‘deal’ involving our matches. They said there’s a price on us—that someone’s trying to make sure we lose.”

Alina’s grip on her water bottle tightened, her knuckles turning white. “Who?” she demanded. “Who’s behind it?”

Lucas shook his head, his frustration clear. “I don’t know. But they mentioned a name: Valkyrie.”

Kenny’s blood ran cold. Valkyrie was a name he had heard whispered in hushed tones—a figure known for manipulating tournaments and controlling outcomes from the shadows. No one knew their true identity, but their influence was undeniable.

Alina’s eyes darkened, her mind already racing with possibilities. “If Valkyrie is involved, then we’re in deeper trouble than we thought.”

Kenny felt the weight of their situation pressing down on him, but he refused to let it break him. “Then we fight,” he said, his voice steady. “No matter who’s pulling the strings, we’re not giving up.”

Their conversation was cut short by the arrival of Thalos, who approached with his usual air of calm authority. But there was something different about his demeanor—an edge of worry that he rarely showed.

“You’ve drawn attention,” Thalos said, his voice low. “Powerful people are watching, and not all of them want to see you succeed. You must tread carefully.”

Alina’s jaw tightened. “We already know,” she said. “Lucas overheard something about Valkyrie.”

Thalos’s eyes narrowed, and he glanced around, making sure no one else was listening. “Valkyrie is dangerous,” he said. “If they have set their sights on you, it means they see you as a threat. But it also means they’ll try to exploit any weakness, any doubt.”

Lucas rubbed his face, exhaustion and frustration clear in his posture. “So, what do we do? How do we fight back against someone who’s rigging the game?”

Thalos considered this for a moment, his expression hardening. “You focus on what you can control. Your skills, your teamwork, your resolve. Everything else is a distraction. Remember, the more desperate your enemies become, the more mistakes they will make.”

Kenny nodded, trying to draw strength from Thalos’s words. But the fear of betrayal, of being manipulated, gnawed at the edges of his resolve. They had fought so hard to get here, and now it felt like the ground was shifting beneath their feet.

Later that evening, Kenny found himself wandering the halls of Zenith Stadium, trying to clear his mind. The corridors were lined with holographic advertisements, each one showcasing the tournament’s greatest moments and legendary players. The glow of the lights felt cold, artificial, and it did little to ease the anxiety twisting inside him.

He turned a corner and nearly collided with Mason. His childhood rival leaned casually against the wall, a smug grin playing at his lips. “Kenny,” Mason drawled, his voice dripping with false friendliness. “Fancy meeting you here.”

Kenny’s fists clenched, but he forced himself to stay calm. “What do you want, Mason?”

Mason’s grin widened. “Relax, I’m not here to pick a fight. I just wanted to congratulate you on making it this far. Honestly, I didn’t think you had it in you.”

Kenny glared at him, his patience wearing thin. “Spit it out. I don’t have time for your games.”

Mason’s expression darkened, and he leaned in, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. “You really think you’re going to win this tournament? You’re playing a game controlled by people like Valkyrie, and you’re nothing but a pawn.”

Kenny’s heart skipped a beat, but he refused to show fear. “Then why are you here? Are you working for Valkyrie too?”

Mason’s eyes flashed with something that almost looked like anger. “No. I’m not their puppet. But you? You’ve got targets on your backs, and I’m just here to watch the show.”

Kenny’s pulse raced, a mix of anger and fear coursing through him. “Stay out of our way,” he said, his voice steady despite the chaos inside him. “We’ll fight whoever we have to, including you.”

Mason tilted his head, a mocking smile curving his lips. “We’ll see about that, Valera. Just remember: in this game, there are no heroes. Only survivors.” With that, he turned and vanished into the crowd, leaving Kenny with a sinking feeling in his gut.

Kenny returned to his team, the encounter with Mason still fresh in his mind. Alina and Lucas were waiting for him, both of them looking tense but determined.

“Everything okay?” Alina asked, her voice betraying a hint of concern.

Kenny nodded, though the unease lingered. “Yeah. Just ran into Mason. He’s… still Mason.”

Lucas’s eyes narrowed. “Forget him. We have bigger problems to deal with.”