The air in the Grand Arena was thick with tension. The scent of sweat, dirt, and something sharper something metallic clung to the field. The cheers of the crowd rang out, echoing against the towering stone walls, but for Orgar and Gorgar, the noise barely registered.
They stood in formation, their team spread out in calculated positions. Across from them, Borak's squad loomed like war-beasts, their heavy armor reflecting the afternoon sun.
This match wasn't just about survival. It was personal.
"Enjoying the spotlight, twins?" Borak's voice was a low growl as he stepped forward, his massive frame casting a shadow over the cracked earth. His grin was sharp, predatory. "I hope you're ready to lose everything."
Gorgar didn't flinch. "We've already lost too much to stop now."
Orgar, standing just behind his brother, studied Borak's stance the way his fingers curled into fists, the tension in his shoulders. Borak wasn't just confident. He was certain.
And that certainty set off warning bells in Orgar's mind.
Something wasn't right.
The official raised the ceremonial horn. "Let the match begin!"
The moment the sound blasted through the air, chaos erupted.
Borak's team surged forward, moving too fast, too precise. There was no hesitation in their formation, no sign of the usual scramble that came with opening plays. They knew exactly where to be, how to cut off Gargar's movements before they could even begin their counterattack.
It was a trap.
"Fall back!" Orgar barked, already pivoting to intercept an attack from the left. But it was too late. Borak himself crashed into Gorgar, slamming into his ribs with a force that sent him sprawling.
A foul? No whistle. No stoppage.
The referee a noble loyal to the Council stood with arms crossed, watching.
Orgar's stomach twisted. This match wasn't meant to be fair.
They weren't just fighting Borak's team. They were fighting the system.
A Game of Survival
The match turned brutal within minutes. Every play was a battlefield, every movement a test of endurance.
Kaela wove through defenders with impossible speed, her footwork unmatched, but even she was forced into tight corners. Vorkan, their iron willed defender, took hit after hit, holding the line with sheer determination.
But the enemy was relentless.
Every time Orgar made a call, Borak's team countered like they had already heard his strategy. Every time Gorgar pushed forward, a defender was waiting.
And then it clicked.
"They know our plays," Orgar muttered under his breath. He glanced at Gorgar, who wiped blood from his lip. "They know everything."
Gorgar's eyes darkened. "We have a traitor."
The realization hit like a punch to the gut. Someone on their team one of their own had fed their strategy to the enemy.
Orgar clenched his fists. There was no time to figure out who. No time to dwell on betrayal.
They had to adapt. Now.
Breaking the Chains
Orgar locked eyes with Gorgar. No words needed. They had trained together since they could walk. They didn't need a strategy.
They just needed to move.
The moment the next pass was made, Gorgar abandoned the plan. He faked left hard. Enough that Borak's defenders shifted instinctively to block him.
And then he cut right.
The sudden shift sent shockwaves through the enemy formation. Orgar followed, dodging a lunge from one of Borak's brutes. The field opened up.
Kaela saw it too. She didn't hesitate.
With a sharp kick, the skull flew through the air. A perfect arc.
Gorgar caught it mid stride. Three defenders closed in too fast, too close. No room to shoot.
But he didn't need room.
He pivoted, using his momentum to twist against the weight of his own body, and with a brutal overhead kick, sent the skull flying.
It slammed into the net.
The crowd exploded.
The Fall of a Giant
Borak's rage was immediate. He charged.
Orgar barely had time to react before Borak was on him, slamming into his chest, pinning him to the ground.
"You think this is over?" Borak hissed, his breath hot against Orgar's ear. "You don't get to win."
Orgar's vision blurred at the edges. He tried to push back, but Borak's weight was overwhelming. The crowd's cheers dulled, fading into a low roar.
Then
A shadow. A blur of movement.
And suddenly Borak was gone.
Gorgar stood over him, fists clenched, breathing hard. His knuckles were bloodied. Borak was on the ground, stunned.
The whistle finally blew.
Foul.
But it didn't matter.
Gargar had won.
The Price of Victory
As the dust settled and the stadium roared with celebration, Orgar knew this was far from over.
Borak had been beaten, but the Shadow Council wouldn't let this stand. They had defied the system.
And the system would retaliate.
Kaela approached, her sharp green eyes flickering with something unreadable. "You realize what you've done, don't you?"
Orgar exhaled, wiping sweat from his brow. "We won the match."
Kaela shook her head. "You declared war."
Gorgar cracked his knuckles. "Good."
And somewhere, in the highest seats of the arena, a hooded figure watched.
The real battle was just beginning.
End of Chapter 14
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