.....
The GravZone Gauntlet was behind them, but the echoes lingered.
Fifty survivors remained. Fifty out of nearly three hundred. And in the sterile halls of the UniGames compound, silence had become a language of its own—one of fear, mourning, and caution.
But not everyone lingered in it.
Caden and Zoren had fallen into a routine over the past two days. Morning runs through the floating track fields, followed by AI strategy simulations in the holo-pods, and then sparring drills in the training ring. It gave them a rhythm. A way to stay sane.
On the third day, everything changed.
---
Cafeteria, Noon
The cafeteria was enormous, filled with long glowing tables and self-order stations. Today's menu had something suspiciously green and gelatinous. Zoren poked it with a spoon.
"Do you think this is food?"
"It moved," Caden said, pulling his tray back.
Lucy slid into the seat across from them like she'd always been part of the routine. She stabbed the gelatin with surgical precision and took a bite. "Tastes like seaweed and engine oil. Not the worst I've had."
Caden blinked. "You just… sat down here?"
"I don't see Ian around, do you?"
Zoren leaned back with a grin. "Looks like someone's ex-alliance is officially over."
Lucy didn't smile. "He crossed a line in the Gauntlet. He left Rovek behind."
The air tensed.
Caden nodded slowly. "Yeah. I saw."
Before the silence could grow roots, a tray slammed down next to them.
Ian.
He stood tall, face half-shadowed by the overhead lights, flanked by two of his remaining allies. His usual swagger had been replaced by something sharper.
"So this is your new table, Lucy?"
She didn't flinch. "It's my only table."
Ian's gaze slid to Caden. "Still riding your lucky streak, orphan? Or did your little cat AI whisper cheat codes?"
Caden stood. "Got something to say? Say it."
"I'm saying you got lucky. The Gauntlet was supposed to weed out the weak, and somehow you—"
"—survived," Lucy cut in, rising. "And he did it without sacrificing anyone."
Ian's jaw clenched.
"You should sit down," Zoren added, calm but firm.
Ian sneered and turned away, but not before muttering loud enough for everyone to hear: "This isn't over."
---
Training Room, Later That Afternoon
The confrontation hung over Caden like a storm cloud. He punched harder, faster, into the sparring simulator. Zoren observed from a bench, Keelo perched calmly on his shoulder.
Lucy entered the training ring.
"Wanna burn it off properly?" she said, tossing him a practice blade.
Caden caught it. "You sure?"
"I need to know what I'm working with."
He raised an eyebrow. "Working with?"
"I don't like surprises. You survived the Gauntlet. That makes you interesting."
Zoren chuckled from the bench. "This should be good."
---
The match began with light jabs and feints. Lucy was fast—faster than Caden expected. She moved with precision, each strike like a calculation unfolding.
Caden kept his stance defensive at first, testing her rhythm, letting his instincts take over.
"You're holding back," she said mid-duel.
"So are you."
She smirked, then twisted low, spinning his leg out from under him. He hit the mat hard.
Zoren winced.
Caden sat up, grinning. "Okay. Noted."
Round two was different. Caden moved faster, more reactive, weaving through her attacks. He tapped into the same mindset he used in high-speed gaming tournaments—focus, anticipate, act.
They clashed again, blades locking, both breathing hard.
"I've underestimated you," Lucy said, just loud enough for him to hear.
He gave a breathless grin. "Glad to return the favor."
Eventually, the match ended in a draw. Neither claimed victory, but something unspoken had shifted between them.
---
Later That Night – Dorm Rooftop
Caden sat alone, legs dangling over the edge, Pix curled beside him.
"Making friends?" Pix asked.
He smiled slightly. "Trying to."
Footsteps approached.
Lucy sat beside him without a word.
They didn't speak for a while.
Finally, she broke the silence. "Ian's dangerous. But not in the way people think."
Caden glanced at her.
She continued, "He doesn't care about winning. He cares about control. If he makes it to the finals… people will die."
Caden nodded. "Then we make sure he doesn't."
Lucy smirked and said, " You're smarter than you look, gaming god".
Caden raised a brow, clearly confused, " Gaming God?" He and Zoren asked simultaneously.
Lucy, as if realizing her mistake, sneered and humphed, " Don't ask".
---