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CHAPTER ONE, Eyes That Haunt ❝ You do realize you're going against the best in the world, right? ❞
SOLANA PERALTAHAD traveled the world countless times, visiting and exploring countries far and wide, but never had she journeyed to another nation to fight—not literally, at least. This time was different. She had come to Barcelona to compete in the prestigious Sekai Taikai tournament, a challenge unlike anything she had ever faced. As she walked into the hotel alongside her older sister, Irene, Solana's eyes darted around, absorbing every detail. The bustling lobby, the subtle hum of voices—everything felt both familiar and foreign at once.
But as they entered the hotel, the first thing Solana noticed were the other teams. The air buzzed with the palpable confidence of the competitors—each one carrying themselves with an aura of self-assuredness that was almost tangible. Solana, however, wasn't easily intimidated. She had trained for this moment her entire life.
Her gaze fell on the Cobra Kai team, and she watched as they purposefully made their way toward the Miyagi-Do fighters, a clear challenge hanging in the air. It was the kind of arrogance Solana had seen a hundred times before.
"Don't you think they're taking this too seriously?" Solana muttered under her breath to her sister.
Irene, who had been surveying the scene with a calm detachment, turned her attention to the Cobra Kai group as well. The tension between the two teams was unmistakable. Before either sister could speak again, the entire Cobra Kai team turned to look at them. The cold, knowing stares felt like a sudden weight on Solana's chest.
She quickly averted her eyes, feeling the sting of being caught. Irene exhaled softly, her expression unchanged. "We're supposed to take this seriously, Sol," she said, her voice steady.
"I am taking it seriously," Solana snapped, her tone sharper than intended. "Just not off the mat."
Irene raised an eyebrow, her voice laced with quiet challenge. "I thought you said you came here to win."
The words hung in the air, and Solana froze. Her stomach churned, a mix of nervous energy and the unexpected reminder of the stakes. She hadn't anticipated that her sister would throw her words back at her so pointedly. For a brief moment, her confidence wavered.
"I will," Solana murmured, her voice softer than before. Her gaze flickered to Irene, searching for something—support, perhaps? But the older sister was unwavering.
"Why are you acting like this?" Solana asked, her tone edging toward frustration. Irene's expression softened slightly, but only enough to acknowledge the question.
"Like I'm taking this seriously?" she replied, her words calm but cutting.
Before Solana could respond, her attention was pulled away by a brief glance from one of the Cobra Kai fighters. He caught her eye for just a moment, and a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips. But when he didn't return the gesture, the warmth that had started to bloom within her quickly turned to embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed with heat, and she hurriedly turned her attention elsewhere.
