Striker of the Gods

Chapter 19: 19. Shadow Before the Storm



At home, he gets his Nike trainers, making his way to the Bernabéu. The wind picked up, carrying the sharp tang of oil and the faint sweetness of decay from a nearby dumpster. The warehouse district seemed to hold its breath, its shadows deepening as the streetlamp flickered again, threatening to plunge the alley into darkness. The air was cool, but it clung to the skin, heavy with the promise of rain. Every creak of the old buildings, every distant clatter, seemed to underscore the tension between the two men, as if the city itself were watching, waiting for the spark that would ignite the powder keg of their past.

On his way to the Bernabeu, he saw a billboard displaying Matt's stats. ⚔️ Maat (formerly Jack)—Season Stats:

📊 Stat 🔥 Season Total

🧑‍🎓 Name: Matt "The Fallen Phoenix" (formerly Jack)

⚽ Matches Played 32

🥅 Goals Scored: 29 goals

🎯 Assists 17

🧠 Key Passes per Game: 2.8

💥 Hat-tricks 4

🏋️ Speed Peak 35.5 km/h

💬 Nickname "The Phoenix of Catalunya"

🏆 Team Achievement: Top 4 finish in La Liga (Barcelona)

📈 Notable Evolution Changed jersey number from 10 to 91 (symbolizing rebirth from ashes)

In one of his matches against Caos, he barely made it to score one goal. Despite the intense pressure, he managed to break through the defense, showcasing his extraordinary speed and agility. Fans erupted in cheers, celebrating not just the goal but the remarkable journey of "The Phoenix of Catalunya" as he continued to rise to new heights on the pitch.

Caos runs quickly to the Bernabeu, racing his heart to death, in his casual green clothes. As he approached the legendary stadium, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation. Each step felt heavier, but his determination ignited a fire within him, propelling him forward as he prepared to face his fiercest rival yet.

In the Bernabeu, he wonders why no one is still training till he gets there a day in advance. The empty field echoed his footsteps, amplifying the weight of his thoughts. With each stride, he envisioned the cheers of the crowd and the thrill of the match ahead, fueling his resolve to seize the moment and prove himself on such hallowed ground.

He spends the entire day training, breaking bound by bound, with extreme determination in his heart. As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the field, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. Every drop of sweat became a testament to his commitment, reinforcing his belief that greatness was within reach, just waiting for him to claim it.

On his way home, he gets a call from Emily. Her voice filled with excitement, she asked him about his day and the progress he had made. He could hear the encouragement in her tone, and it fueled his motivation even more, making him eager to share every detail of his training journey.

"Hey, Caos. Sup? Guess you are alright. Just to tell you that Jack is ready to defeat you." Says Emily, smirking behind the phone.

"Oh, it is you. I thought you would be doing something productive. What a waste of time." Caos says, feeling deserted in awe.

"HOW DARE Y..." says Emily before being hung up on by Caos, making her scream.

Approaching his porch, he can see someone knocking on the door.

 To be continued...

 


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