Chapter 2 — Rebooting the Arena

The match was moments away, and the arena buzzed with anticipation as

Kai’s mind was laser-focused, running through their strategy one last time. Damon Steele would initiate, freezing their enemies in place while

“Let’s do this,” Kai muttered to themselves, gripping the controls tightly. But before they could give the final go-ahead, a notification flashed on their screen.

Kai blinked. That was strange.

“Hey, Livia, can you hear me?” No response.

“Damon? Reyes? Sarai? Can anyone hear me?” Still nothing.

A sudden message popped up in Kai’s private chat:

For a moment, Kai’s heart stopped.

Frantic, Kai switched to the team chat again. The arena was still loading, but the game interface had gone eerily quiet. They tried to pull up the team roster, but instead, a cold, dreaded message appeared across their screen:

Panic surged through Kai as the full weight of the betrayal hit them.

“What the hell?” Kai muttered under their breath, heart pounding in their ears.

Desperately, Kai opened another private message window, sending a rapid series of messages to Damon.

No response.

Another message popped up, this time from

Kai’s vision blurred with rage as they stared at the words.

Kai slammed their fist into the desk, the sting in their knuckles barely registering against the flood of anger and disbelief.

Just as they were about to type another furious message, the final blow came.

Kai stared at the screen, paralyzed.

Desperation set in. Kai yanked their headset off, the world suddenly feeling too quiet, too heavy. It was real. They were

Frustration mounted as Kai opened their phone, scrolling through contacts. There had to be someone who could help.

Panic rising, Kai tried reaching out to

Kai dropped their phone onto the desk, sinking back into their chair, a mixture of fury and despair coursing through them.

Footsteps echoed through the empty practice room as someone entered. Kai looked up, and there was

“It was a good run, Kai,” Damon said, voice calm, almost too casual. “But we’re moving forward without you.”

Kai shot to their feet, fists clenched at their sides. ”

Damon shrugged, his smile never wavering. “Maybe. But you see, the problem is, you were always

Kai stared, speechless, unable to comprehend the level of arrogance and cruelty on display. Damon’s words hit like a punch to the gut.

“I made this team,” Kai hissed. “I trusted you.”

Damon’s smirk only widened. “Yeah, and look where that got you. Out. Now, if you’ll excuse me,

Kai took a step forward, heart pounding with anger. “This isn’t over, Damon.”

Damon chuckled, turning toward the door. “Oh, but it is. Enjoy watching us from the sidelines.”

And with that, Damon was gone, leaving Kai standing alone in the practice room, the weight of the betrayal crashing down around them.

The humiliation was unbearable. But more than that, it was the realization that

As Kai sank back into the chair, rage and pain boiling beneath the surface, one thing became clear:

Kai would rise again. And when they did, they would make sure Damon paid for what he had done.