"Waiting for me?" Suddenly, a deep, husky voice sounded close to her ear.
She gasped, startled, her doe eyes widening as she turned to find Augustus standing just inches away.
His head dipped beside her shoulder, and his gaze lingered on her face...
According to the championship rules, all competitors had to stay in the hotel chosen by the organizers. The hotel was huge and only for the players. Everyone was excited and waiting for the tournament to start. Zephyr's team hadn't competed in years, so many other teams wanted to do better than them.
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When Zephyr and her team walked into the hotel, everyone heard about it quickly. People rushed to see them. The atmosphere was tense but also full of respect. Zephyr's team was famous and respected.
No photographers were allowed inside, making Zephyr and her team even more mysterious. Most of the other competitors were men, and they looked at Zephyr's team with a mix of respect and worry. They didn't want Zephyr to win because it would hurt their pride.
Despite all the attention and pressure, Zephyr stayed calm. She walked confidently through the lobby, leading her team. They ignored the stares and focused on getting ready for the tough competition ahead.
Unbeknownst to Zephyr, a group of male competitors had secretly gathered to discuss their strategy. They were determined to stop Zephyr's team from winning the championship at any cost.
"We can't let those women steal the spotlight," one man declared firmly.
"Yeah, we'll do whatever it takes to win," another agreed, echoing the sentiment.
Some of the men belittled Zephyr's team, thinking they couldn't compete because they were women. "They don't stand a chance against us," scoffed one man, nodding in agreement with his friends.
But not everyone shared this view. "We should beat them fair and square. Let's prove we're better," suggested a more fair-minded participant, earning nods of approval from a few others.
In the room, different opinions clashed. Some advocated for playing by the rules, while others leaned towards using dirty tactics. Despite their disagreements, they were united in their goal: to ensure Zephyr's team didn't win.
However, a problem arose during their discussion. "We can only face Zephyr's team in the final round if we make it there. She won the championship in the past, so only after we've had a good competition among ourselves can we face her team," one man pointed out.
"That's right. It's the rule," another confirmed. "Zephyr didn't compete in any other championships, so no one has beaten her. Her team will face the winner of the current games. If Zephyr's team wins, they'll go on to face the previous year's champion."
As they discussed the previous year's champion, they mentioned his fighting specialty.
"The previous year's champion was Jack Thunderstrike Thompson. He's known for his lightning-fast strikes and impeccable technique," one of the men added. "But if our team wins against Zephyr's,they'll have to face Jack in the final round."
"But Jack is no easy opponent," another man chimed in, his voice tinged with concern. "He's a master of multiple martial arts disciplines and has never been defeated in the championship."
The group fell into a contemplative silence, understanding the challenge ahead if they were to face Jack Thunderstrike in the final round.
Suddenly, a voice broke the silence, sending shivers down their spines.
"So you guys have something inside your head! If you are real men, you won't let Zephyr go near my boss. It's shameful for my boss to fight with a girl. So it's your duty to not let her win the match. Whomever you are. You heard me !!!" It was one of Jack Thunderstrike's minions, imposing and intimidating.
The group exchanged nervous glances, feeling the weight of the threat. "But... it is said that it's not Zephyr who is going to participate. It's her minions!" one of them stuttered, trying to justify their position. "Okay, so make sure they don't win and prove you guys are real men!" the minion commanded before striding off, leaving them trembling with fear.
As the minion departed, the group dispersed, their minds swirling with apprehension and uncertainty. They knew they couldn't afford to underestimate the consequences of their actions. The pressure was on, and they were determined to heed the warning and ensure Zephyr's team didn't succeed.
Meanwhile, Zephyr's team remained unaware of the covert threats being made against them. They continued their preparations for the championship, focusing on honing their skills and refining their strategy for the upcoming matches.
Little did they know, a shadow loomed over their path to victory, with Jack Thunderstrike and his minions plotting to sabotage their chances at every turn.
