The cold showdown

The air was heavy, the cold creeping into their bones as Takeshi stood alongside the rest of the remaining players in the giant arena. The dim lights flickered as the haunting voices of the guards echoed through the stadium’s metal walls. Every footstep, every breath seemed amplified, the tension growing unbearable.

The first game was over. The carnage, the violence, the sense of dread—it had all been too much for most. Takeshi could feel the weight of the fear in the air. He knew many of them were praying they could somehow escape. The weak and the scared clung to the hope that there would be a way out, some chance to survive. But Takeshi had long abandoned any such illusion. To him, this was a game of survival. And survival, in this hellish arena, was the only thing that mattered.

The guards had corralled the players into the holding area after the first game. Takeshi’s eyes scanned the crowd. The room was filled with desperation, cries of mercy, and frantic murmurs, but Takeshi stood motionless, his expression cold and unreadable. There was no time for weakness. If you were weak, you died. That much was clear.

“Attention,” a voice boomed through the loudspeakers, and the room fell silent in an instant. “The first game is complete. The remaining players will now proceed to the second game. There is no rest, no reprieve.”

The cold, robotic tone of the announcer left little room for hope. The players were given no time to recover, no time to process what had just happened. The brutality of the first game had broken so many, but it was only the beginning.

“Follow the guards,” the voice continued.

Without hesitation, the doors to the holding area opened, and the players were ushered out by the faceless guards. Takeshi, walking near the front, exchanged glances with the other survivors—Yusuke Kaneshiro, the young man whose life had been shattered by betrayal, and Anri Shoto, a former police officer whose career had been destroyed by misunderstandings. They had all been thrust into this nightmare, and they would have to rely on each other if they were going to make it out alive.

As they walked down the long corridors, Takeshi couldn’t help but think about how easy it was for people to break under pressure. Fear could turn a person into a completely different being. Some players were crying, begging for mercy, while others stood stoically, as if they had already come to terms with their fate. But Takeshi had no time for self-pity. He couldn’t afford to.

After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at a massive stadium. The grandeur of the arena was overwhelming, but Takeshi’s attention was solely focused on the game ahead. He couldn’t let the environment distract him.

The guards stopped them in the center of the field, and the loudspeakers crackled to life again.

“This is the second game: Football Freeze. Each player will be required to participate in a football match. You must form two teams of 11. One team will be designated the blue team, and the other will be red. Once the game begins, the rules are simple: every 3 minutes, the field will freeze. You must stay in position during the freeze. Moving or breaking position will result in your immediate elimination. The match will last for 95 minutes. No exceptions.”

A hush fell over the players as the rules were explained. Takeshi’s eyes narrowed as he processed the information. Football? It was a game, yes, but it was also a deadly one. Every pass, every kick, could be the difference between life and death.

“Form your teams,” the announcer continued. “You have five minutes.”

Players rushed to form their teams, but Takeshi remained still, watching the chaos unfold around him. There was little strategy to this. Most players were just trying to survive, clinging to the hope that they could make it through this game. Takeshi, however, knew that the most important thing was leadership.

Takeshi scanned the crowd of players. Yusuke stood a few paces away, looking torn between taking charge and sticking with his instincts. Anri, the former police officer, had already moved to the front, quietly observing the other players.

Takeshi approached her first.

“You good with being our goalkeeper?” he asked, his voice low.

Anri nodded without hesitation. “I’ll make sure no one gets past me.”

Yusuke walked over to them. His eyes were filled with a rage that hadn’t dulled since the first game.

“What’s the plan, Takeshi?” Yusuke asked, his fists clenched at his sides.

“The plan is simple,” Takeshi said, his eyes scanning the remaining players. “We’ll stick together, keep our positions, and take control. You’re our striker, Yusuke. You’ve got the speed to break through their defenses. Anri, you’ve got the defensive mentality to guard the goal. I’ll be your midfield, making the passes and creating openings.”

Yusuke looked at him, his eyes flickering with uncertainty, but there was also something else—trust. Takeshi didn’t need to say more. Yusuke was with him, just like Anri.

“Alright, we’ll do it your way,” Yusuke said, his voice steady now.

The time to form the teams was quickly running out, and Takeshi knew they couldn’t afford any mistakes. He turned to the remaining players, giving them a cold, hard look. “We need 11. Who’s with us?”

A few players, some of them trembling, stepped forward. They had no choice. The alternative was death. They needed to work together if they wanted to survive.

Takeshi’s team, now solidified, stood together in the center of the field. The opposing team, a mix of former athletes and military personnel, was positioned on the opposite end. The rules had been made clear, but the fear in the air was undeniable.

Takeshi surveyed the field. The large stadium stretched endlessly in both directions, with high fences surrounding the area. The feeling of being trapped was suffocating, but there was no time for hesitation. If they didn’t win this game, they wouldn’t make it through the next round.

The whistle blew, and the game began.

The ball was passed into play, and immediately, the intensity of the game became apparent. Every move was calculated, every pass a potential trap. Takeshi’s team stayed disciplined, keeping their positions, but the opposing team was relentless. They pressed forward, looking for any opportunity to exploit weaknesses.

Yusuke made a break toward the goal, but the defense closed in quickly. Takeshi was watching closely, waiting for the right moment to pass.

“Freeze!” The loudspeaker cut through the chaos, and immediately, every player froze in place. The field went silent.

Takeshi’s body tensed. The freezing rule was the most dangerous part of this game. One wrong move, and they were finished.

The freeze lasted for what seemed like an eternity, but soon, the whistle blew, and the game resumed.

Takeshi’s heart raced as he passed the ball to Yusuke. Yusuke took the shot, but it was blocked. The goalkeeper from the opposing team was quick and skilled.

“This isn’t going to be easy,” Anri muttered, her eyes never leaving the ball.

The game continued, each freeze more ago. Takeshi couldn’t afford to think about what had happened in the previous round. His focus needed to be on the game ahead. It wasn’t just a game of football—it was a death sentence waiting to be handed out to those who couldn’t keep their heads. Every move, every choice, could be the difference between life and death.

The guards, as silent as ever, directed the players into the center of the field, and the announcer’s voice echoed through the stadium. “Welcome to the second game—Football Freeze. Each team must consist of 11 players, and you must select positions. The teams will be divided into blue and red. The rules are simple—every three minutes, the game will stop, and all players must freeze. If you move or break position, you will be eliminated. The match will last for 95 minutes.”

The announcement hung in the air, and a wave of tension spread through the group. The survival instincts were kicking in—players scrambled to form teams, to secure their places. Takeshi looked around at the other players, noting their fear, their desperation. He saw people glancing at one another, trying to find alliances, but Takeshi knew better. This was no time for uncertainty. You either played to win, or you didn’t play at all.

“Alright,” Takeshi muttered to himself. “Time to make my move.”

He turned to Yusuke and Anri, both standing nearby. Yusuke’s face was tense, eyes filled with a burning rage. His past betrayal still haunted him, and now, it seemed, the need for revenge was a constant drive. Anri, the ex-police officer, stood silently, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd. She had the demeanor of someone who had seen too much, who knew that survival often meant making difficult choices.

“Are you both ready for this?” Takeshi asked, his voice calm but unwavering. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on them, but it wasn’t a time to break.

Yusuke nodded, clenching his fists. “Ready. Let’s just make sure we survive this.”

Anri was quieter, but her resolve was clear. “I’m with you.”

“Good. We’re going to need all the help we can get,” Takeshi said, his gaze hardening as he surveyed the others.

The remaining players had started to form their teams, with some groups already taking shape. Takeshi could see that the players who were still alive were in varying states of panic, but there were a few who exuded confidence. These were the players who would be dangerous, the ones who understood the stakes. They weren’t here for glory—they were here for survival.

But Takeshi wasn’t interested in playing with them. He needed a team that could be trusted, a team that could think and act quickly. That meant Yusuke and Anri were his best bet.

As the clock ticked down, Takeshi stepped forward, his eyes scanning the remaining players. “Alright, we need nine more. Who’s in?”

A few of the remaining players, desperate for survival, stepped forward. Takeshi chose them with precision—each one of them had skills that could prove useful. Some were fast, others strong, and a few had the agility to maneuver in ways the others couldn’t.

They formed the team, a ragtag group of survivors, but Takeshi had no illusions. In this game, nothing was guaranteed. They could all die here, on this field, but if they played smart, they might stand a chance.

As the final whistle blew, signaling the start of the game, Takeshi’s heart rate quickened. His eyes locked onto the ball as it was passed into play. The first pass came to him, and without hesitation, he sent it flying down the field to Yusuke, who darted forward with lightning speed.

Takeshi’s instincts kicked in. The freeze rule was in place—every three minutes, the field would come to a standstill. But that was the thing. Every player would be forced to freeze, leaving the opportunity for a swift counterattack. Those who could hold their positions, stay calm, and wait for the perfect moment would be the ones who survived.

“Freeze!” The loudspeaker cut through the tension, and the players immediately froze in place. Takeshi stood still, his eyes scanning the field. Every muscle in his body was tense, waiting for the game to resume. He was playing against time, against the other players, and against the rules of the game.

In the silence, Takeshi could hear the rapid breaths of the players around him. Some were trembling with fear, others holding their positions with more difficulty. It was clear who was already breaking down. Takeshi stayed focused. There was no room for fear. There was only survival.

The loudspeaker buzzed again. “Resume.”

The game picked up where it had left off. Yusuke, ever the offensive player, sprinted down the field, the defenders closing in on him. Takeshi moved quickly to intercept any potential attacks, coordinating with his teammates. They were working together, but each movement was calculated. Every second counted.

The opposing team, a group of players who seemed more organized and well-coordinated, pressed hard. Their strategy was clear—get through the defense, and take out the striker before he had a chance to score. Takeshi watched carefully, noting the rhythm of their movements, the timing of their passes. This wasn’t just about physical endurance—it was about being smarter than the opponent.

Another freeze. This time, Takeshi’s mind raced. He could feel the strain building in his legs, the cold creeping deeper into his bones. His body was screaming for a break, but there was no time for weakness.

The loudspeaker crackled to life again. “Resume.”

The ball was passed, and this time, it was Anri who took charge, positioning herself at the goalpost, her sharp eyes watching every move the opposing team made. The attack came fast, but Anri was ready. She blocked the ball with expert precision, sending it sailing back to Takeshi.

“We’re in this together,” Takeshi muttered, his voice low but firm. The game wasn’t just about strategy—it was about trust. Trust in his teammates. Trust that they would have his back when the time came.

And then, with a swift kick, Yusuke broke free from the defenders and aimed for the goal. His strike was perfect, swift, and deadly.

The whistle blew, signaling the end of the first half.