The roar of the crowd hits like a physical force the moment we step fully into the arena.
Sound crashes down from the towering stands in waves—tens of thousands of voices blending into a living storm that rattles the bones and vibrates the steel decking beneath my boots. Massive floodlights blaze overhead, pouring white-gold brilliance across the sprawling terrain until every grain of dust glitters like powdered glass.
I inhale slowly, steadying my nerves.
The air smells hot and metallic, like machinery that’s been running too long under too much strain. Beneath that there’s the faint earthy scent of alien soil and crushed vegetation from the terrain modules that have been dragged in to make the arena feel like a patchwork of hostile worlds.
“Welcome to the Galactic Extreme Challenge finale!” Captain Photonic’s voice booms across the stadium.
The crowd erupts again.
Bron leans closer, his breath warm near my ear.
“Bit of a turnout,” he murmurs.
“Focus.”
“I am focused.”
“You’re smiling.”
“I smile when things try to kill me.”
“That’s deeply concerning.”
“It’s charming.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t help smiling too.
Across the arena floor the remaining couples gather at the starting platform. Vanna and Pajack stand off to our right looking like two professional predators waiting for a starting pistol. Zack and Dartha exchange a quiet conversation near the edge of the gate, their posture calm in that deceptively relaxed way people adopt when they’re ready to explode into motion.
Five couples.
That’s all that’s left.
The enormous terrain field stretches ahead of us in jagged layers of platforms, trenches, and mechanical hazards. Massive rotating arms sweep through narrow corridors while elevated bridges sway above pits of churned mud and broken rock.
I take a slow breath and study it.
“Remember the plan,” I murmur.
Bron cracks his knuckles.
“Follow the terrifying strategist.”
“Very funny.”
“No, seriously. I’m sticking to you like glue.”
“Please don’t phrase it like that.”
The ground trembles faintly beneath our feet as something massive moves somewhere beyond the central containment wall.
The proto-beast.
Even knowing it’s sealed behind reinforced gates for now doesn’t stop the cold shiver from sliding down my spine.
Captain Photonic’s voice rings out again.
