The Challenge: Fire & Fate

07

Winning doesn't feel the way it should.

You'd think victory would taste like champagne — but in this house, it tastes like paranoia.

Team Earth took the win yesterday, which means we have power.
Team Fire lost again, which means another one of them is heading into elimination.
And this week, it's the guys.

So now, it's up to us — Team Earth — to pick three men from Team Air and Team Water to join the shortlist.

One of them could go home.

🎥 Confessional — Sienna
"It's a men's elimination week. Fire's got to send one of their guys in, and Earth — my team — picks the three possible opponents from Air or Water.

The loser gets to choose who they want to face.

Simple. Strategic. Brutal.

And somewhere out there, Jackson's team is praying I'm not holding a grudge."

Kam calls an emergency meeting on the deck.

"Alright, team," she says. "Fire lost. They'll nominate one of their guys tonight. We pick three possible opponents from Air and Water.

We can mix it up, or hit one team hard. Thoughts?"

Cory leans forward. "We should go for balance. One from each. Don't make it personal."

Theresa raises a brow. "This game is personal."

Kam nods slowly. "Yeah, but we play smart. Sienna?"

All eyes turn to me.

I glance at the whiteboard filled with names — Jordan, Devin, CT, Tyler, Harper. And Jackson.

"If we go after Water, we risk them coming for us next week," I say. "But they're the biggest threat. Laurel and Jordan run that team, and Jackson's not far behind."

Kam tilts her head. "So you'd go after him?"

My pause is just a second too long.

"I'd consider it," I say evenly. "He's a strategist. Removing him now takes a chess piece off the board."

Kam smiles faintly. "Spoken like a future finalist."

🎥 Confessional — Kam
"She talks calm, but she's calculating. The way she said Jackson's name? It wasn't anger — it was curiosity. Like she wants to see what happens if she plays that card."

We argue for an hour before finalizing the list. Kam calls it.

"Alright. From Team Water — Jackson Lewis. From Team Water — Devin Walker. And from Team Air — Tyler Martinez."

Cory whistles. "Two from Water? We're asking for war."

Kam shrugs. "Then let them come for us."

I nod, pretending not to feel my pulse spike when she says Jackson's name out loud.

This isn't personal. I tell myself that.

Over and over.

🎥 Confessional — Sienna
"I didn't fight to protect him.

Not because I don't care — but because I wanted to see what he'd do when the power shifted.

Last time he had control, he threw my name in the ring.
Now it's his turn to sweat."

The nomination ceremony is tense.

T.J.'s voice fills the air. "Alright, Earth — who are your three potential opponents?"

Kam steps forward, steady as always. "From Team Water, Devin Walker and Jackson Lewis. From Team Air, Tyler Martinez."

The arena goes still.

Jackson's jaw flexes — just once — before he smirks.

Of course he smirks.

Kam finishes: "Team Fire, you'll decide which of your guys goes in, and he'll pick who he wants to face."

T.J. grins. "This one's gonna get messy."

🎥 Confessional — Jackson (Team Water)

"So, that's how it is.

Last week, she was the rookie I tested. This week, she's the queen making moves.

And she said my name.

Can't even be mad. I'd have done the same."

He pauses, smirking. "Still, I can't wait to see how she handles me not breaking."

Back at the house, the tension's molten.

Laurel storms past me. "You just made an enemy, sweetheart."

"Didn't realize I needed your permission first," I reply.

Jordan laughs, low and dangerous. "Hope you can swim, Earth girl."

"Lucky for me," I say, "I know how to stay above water."

The group disperses, muttering. But Jackson stays behind.

When I turn to walk away, his voice stops me.

"Bold move, Teach."

I glance back. "What, saying your name?"

He smiles. "You finally learned how to hit back."

"Maybe I just learned from the best."

He takes a step closer, eyes sharp, voice low. "You sure you want to play this game with me?"

"I already am."

The air between us tightens — all smoke, no fire, but it's there.

Then he smirks. "You're enjoying this way too much."

"Maybe," I say. "Or maybe I just like watching you sweat."

🎥 Confessional — Sienna
"He called me bold. He should've called me patient.

Because if he goes into elimination, I'll finally see whether Jackson Lewis cracks under pressure — or thrives in it."

🎥 Confessional — Jackson
"She said my name.

And I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it."

That night, Team Fire holds their vote. T.J.'s voice echoes over the speakers:

"Fire has nominated Wes Bergmann for elimination."

The arena lights flare red.

T.J. turns to Wes. "Alright, Wes. You've got three names — Jackson, Devin, and Tyler. Who's it gonna be?"

Wes grins, that familiar reckless glint in his eyes.

"Oh, that's easy," he says. "Let's make this interesting. I want Jackson Lewis."

Gasps ripple through the stands.

Kam mutters, "Well... guess you got your wish, Teach."

I don't look at her. My eyes are already locked on Jackson.

He's smiling. Calm. Infuriatingly calm.

Like a man who just found out the storm's coming — and decided to stand in it anyway.

🎥 Confessional — Sienna
"He's going in.

And I should be happy. I wanted to see what he'd do under pressure.

But for some reason... it doesn't feel like a win."

🎥 Confessional — Jackson
"She wanted to test me.

Now she gets to see what happens when you throw a tidal wave at solid ground."