The Challenge: Fire & Fate

15

The kitchen smells like heaven — butter, cinnamon, and Leroy's coffee strong enough to wake ghosts.

I'm standing at the stove flipping French toast when Devin strolls in like he owns the place.
"Morning, chef. Please tell me this comes with a side of alliance protection."

"Only if you bring your own syrup," I say.

Cory leans over the counter, stealing a slice. "Sienna's the reason this house hasn't descended into chaos. I swear she could start a restaurant mid-war."

"Only if Kam runs security," I reply.

Kam doesn't look up from her coffee. "I already do."

Leroy raises his mug. "And I handle quality control."

Marcus snorts. "You mean taste-testing?"

"Exactly," Leroy says.

Everyone laughs, even Jasmine — which, for morning Jasmine, is basically a miracle.

🎥 Confessional — Sienna (Team Earth)
"I've realized there are only three things keeping people sane in this house — caffeine, sarcasm, and my cooking. Honestly, I think the food's holding the alliance together better than strategy."

By the time the rest of Team Fire, Water, and Air wander in, I've got half the house already fed and full of energy.

Tori: "You made fresh whipped cream?"
"Of course," I say.
Devin: "This is why you don't get voted in."
Bananas: "Yeah, she's out here bribing people with carbs."
Kam grins. "It's called social gameplay."
Xavier adds, "Or foreplay, depending on the person."
Kam: "Xavier!"
He laughs. "Kidding. Mostly."

Cory mutters to Marcus, "Bro, he flirts like it's his cardio."

🎥 Confessional — Kam (Team Earth)
"I don't care what anyone says — Sienna's secret weapon isn't her brain or her biceps. It's her butter. You can't vote out the girl who makes brioche in a warzone."

Before we can even enjoy the calm, the loudspeaker crackles.

"Players! Hope you've got fuel in those bodies, because it's time to earn it. Meet me on the field in thirty minutes." — T.J.

Cory groans. "Every. Single. Time."
Kam sighs. "And I was just starting to digest."
Jasmine: "I'm bringing a pancake in my pocket."

🌪️ THE CHALLENGE FIELD

T.J. greets us with that familiar smirk — the one that says we're about to regret existing.

"Welcome to Domino Effect!"

The field is a maze of huge domino tiles, cargo nets, climbing beams, and puzzle stations.

"Each team must carry their set of domino blocks through the obstacles, building a perfect pattern at the end. But here's the catch — if any block falls early, you start over. Fastest overall time throughout the 3 team challenges wins."

Kam whispers, "So basically, cardio and tears."
Cory nods. "Two of my least favorite things."

🎥 Confessional — Devin (Team Fire)
"Every time T.J. says 'simple,' it means pain. Every. Time."

Round One: Earth vs. Fire

Kam's leading, I'm beside her, and Marcus is counting out every step like he's orchestrating a parade.
Cory and Leroy are behind us, balancing the last domino piece between their shoulders.

"Don't drop it," I warn.
"Don't jinx it," Leroy replies.
Jasmine yells, "If it falls, I'm blaming Marcus's math!"

Marcus: "You can't blame math!"
Jasmine: "Watch me!"