Page 102 of Villainous Rise

My suit’s HUD flashed warnings.

Structural integrity compromised.

Power reserves: 38%.

Cooling systems: CRITICAL.

“Getting tired, old man?” My muscles were screaming. We’d been fighting for nearly twice the scheduled bout time, and neither of us showed any sign of yielding.

Havoc’s silver hair was plastered to his forehead, his costume torn at his shoulder. Yet his eyes still burned with that inextinguishable fire that had made him a legend. “I could do this all day. You’re not bad for someone who relies on toys.”

If only he knew.

“Time limit exceeded by forty-seven minutes!” the sound system boomed. “Match officially declared a draw!”

The crowd exploded. We’d given them something rare: equals at war.

We hovered, breathing hard, locked in silent acknowledgment of what had just transpired.

“Return to platforms,” the referee commanded.

My suit’s systems continued to scream:

Structural integrity: 22%

Power reserves: CRITICAL

Multiple contusions detected.

The taste of blood still filled my mouth. Worth every fucking drop.

Across the Descent, I saw in Havoc’s eyes what I’d dreamed of since childhood. Not the polite acknowledgment given to lesser opponents, but the genuine recognition of an equal.

One nod exchanged. A promise of battles to come. A rivalry worthy of our abilities.

The match was a draw.

I’d never felt more victorious.

CHAPTER 18

ANNIE

I scrolled through my phone, smiling as I flipped between articles. “Havoc and Cipher: Match of the Decade” and “Nemesis Rivalry Reborn” splashed across every headline. The photos captured everything perfectly from Havoc’s chaos energy spiraling around him to Cipher’s tech gleaming under the arena lights. Two titans locked in combat.

“Annie! There you are.”

My stomach dropped as I spotted Valor cutting through the crowd, an Alliance PR rep following behind him. Helios trailed distantly like he’d really like to be anywhere else. The smile I’d been wearing all evening calcified into something brittle.

“We need you for some photos,” the PR woman chirped, clipboard clutched to her chest. “The three of you with the event sponsors, then a few with you both for socials.”

Deep breath. Professional face. You can do this.

“Of course.” My voice came out steady despite the knot forming in my throat.

Valor’s arm snaked around my waist, fingers digging possessively into my hip. “Don’t worry, she’s always camera ready. Aren’t you, sweetheart?”

I managed a nod, letting myself be steered toward a backdrop where sponsors in expensive suits waited. For the next twenty minutes, I stood beside Valor, his hand never leaving my body as he charmed everyone around us.