NOVEL NEXT Chapter 90: The Red Storm of Mars
It was now time to leave veridion and death to another planet for the semi finals, this was a big deal cause the Titans never made it this far, so all parties involved was excited and wanted the cup glory .
The crimson horizon of Mars stretched endlessly beyond the shuttle's viewport, a sea of rust and light where the sun burned weaker but no less fierce. The Titan's Reach squad sat strapped in, silent as the craft descended through the thin atmosphere, its thrusters trembling from turbulence.
Aya's eyes were fixed on the glowing planet below. "Can't believe we made it to the Galactic Cup semi-finals," she murmured, half to herself.
Scarlett leaned forward, smirking. "Believe it, midfield genius. We're about to play on Mars, one of the fastest fields in the galaxy. Flash FC's home turf." and we are gonna beat them.
Lionel adjusted the straps on his leg brace, the faint hum of his cybernetic limb cutting through the silence. "Fast fields don't scare me. It's their rhythm I'm worried about. They move like lightning, pass like thought."
Jason glanced up from his tactical pad, tone calm but sharp. "Exactly. Their whole system is speed. No formation stays static for more than five seconds. That means positioning matters more than reflex. Aya, Scarlett, you two will need to anchor the flow. Lionel, don't chase, anticipate."
Aya nodded, mentally mapping the spaces in her mind. "And Blaze?" she asked.
Jason didn't look up. "He's not starting."
A brief silence fel, Blaze sat at the back of the shuttle, his hood drawn up, golden eyes dim in the low light. He'd recovered from his Aura Flame episode, but only barely. The fire inside him was calmer now, but its heat still simmered beneath his skin, unpredictable.
He said nothing, just watched the planet grow larger, this is mars he thought, alot can change in 100 years.
The Titan's Reach shuttle landed on the outer ring of the Mars Sports Colony, a massive sprawl of domes and holographic spires, the air shimmering faintly with energy shields. The Martian crowd was already gathered near the entry gates, their cheers echoing through the glass corridors as the team stepped out.
Scarlett stretched her arms wide. "Ah, the red planet. Smells like dust and overconfidence."
Aya rolled her eyes. "That's just you, Scar."
Jason ignored them, leading the squad toward the preparation hall. "You've got three hours before pre-match warmups, I know this is fast but we got no other choice.
Use them wisely, Blaze, you'll run diagnostics with me. The rest, review Flash FC's data."
The mention of Flash FC drew uneasy glances. The team was infamous, not for brutality, but precision. Every match ended with surgical efficiency. Their captain, known simply as Bolt, had once clocked a sprint that outpaced an interceptor drone.
As the others dispersed, Blaze followed Jason to the training chamber, the metallic scent of the Martian air faint but sharp.
Jason activated a holographic monitor, eyes narrowing at the readings. "Your vitals are stable, but your core readings still spike under pressure. You're not ready for full gameplay."
Blaze crossed his arms. "You're holding me back."
Jason's tone didn't waver. "I'm keeping you alive."
Their gazes locked for a long second before Jason sighed and added quietly, "I know what's burning in you, Blaze. But this isn't your battle to start. The team needs to learn to stand even when you're not on the field. Understood?"
Blaze clenched his jaw but nodded. "Understood, Coach."
The pre-match ceremony began under the transparent dome, where the Martian sky glowed faint red. The two teams lined up, Flash FC in silver and crimson, Titan's Reach in their deep black uniforms edged with gold. The crowd roared as the holo announcer's voice boomed overhead:
> "Welcome to the Galactic Cup Semi-Final Match! Titan's Reach versus Flash FC — the Storm of Mars!" This is the first time the Titans are reaching the Semi finals right.
Aya stood at midfield, eyes sharp, scanning the opposing formation. Bolt was at the center, his hair streaked with glowing blue filaments that pulsed with speed energy. When their eyes met, he smiled faintly.
"Try to keep up," he said.
Aya smirked. "Don't blink."
The whistle blew.
From the very first second, Flash FC moved like a storm.
Their formation expanded and contracted in seamless bursts, each player connected through a micro-link system that let them react as one. Aya barely had time to process before the ball zipped past her, two forwards splitting the defense.
Lionel intercepted the first charge, sliding across the field, his metallic knee sparking against the turf. "Not today!"
He kicked the ball upfield, where Scarlett caught it with a sharp spin, her boots lighting up as she dashed forward.
The crowd gasped. Scarlett's acceleration was incredible but Flash FC's response was faster. A defender blinked past her in a shimmer of light, stealing the ball mid-turn.
Jason watched from the bench, expression unreadable. He'd predicted this. Flash FC's rhythm was disorienting, designed to exhaust opponents mentally before physically.
Aya called out, "Reset formation! Zone defense, not man-marking!"
Her voice cut through the chaos, the team adjusting quickly. Within minutes, Titan's Reach began to adapt. The tempo slowed, the passing tightened, and the distance between lines closed.
But Bolt was still too fast.
In the twenty-third minute, he slipped through two defenders, his aura flaring with blue lightning, and struck from the edge of the arc. The ball curved through the air, shimmering as it sliced past the keeper.
"Goal! Flash FC leads 1–0!"
Blaze's fists tightened on the bench.
Jason leaned forward slightly. "Watch closely," he murmured. "That's what discipline looks like when wrapped in speed."
Blaze didn't answer. His mind was already racing, replaying every movement, every angle. His telepathic senses picked up fragments from his teammates, frustration, adrenaline, determination.
Aya shouted, "We're not backing down! Push forward!"
Titan's Reach responded in kind. Aya's footwork became poetry, short passes, smart rotations, misdirection. Scarlett regained her confidence, darting past defenders with reckless grace.
By the thirty-fifth minute, Aya found a gap and lobbed a perfect through-pass to Lionel, who had pushed up in a surprise attack.
Lionel struck, low and hard.
"Goal! Titan's Reach equalizes! 1–1!" This is why he is in the best 100 defender, a defender that can score!
The stands erupted.
Even Jason allowed a small smile. "That's better."
Aya jogged past Lionel, bumping her fist lightly against his shoulder. "Told you team play works."
Lionel grinned. "I'll take the glory if you're giving it."
Scarlett laughed breathlessly. "Don't get used to it, hotshot."
The rhythm of the match shifted. Flash FC's precision was met by Titan's cohesion. Every move was answered, every break countered. The crowd could feel the tension building.
But in the final minute of the half, Bolt made his move again.
A sudden flick of his foot sent the ball soaring up and in a blur of speed, he vanished from one side of the field and reappeared behind the defense. The pass landed perfectly at his feet.
He didn't hesitate.
The shot screamed past the keeper.
"Goal! Flash FC retakes the lead — 2–1 just before halftime!"
The stadium shook with cheers. Titan's Reach regrouped, breathing hard. Aya slammed her hands on her knees, sweat dripping down her chin. "We can still turn this around."
Jason stood, gesturing for them to return to the bench. Blaze rose as well, eyes locked on Bolt as the players walked off the field.
For a brief moment, Bolt turned his head and smirked at Blaze.
The message was clear. You're next, it is your time.
In the locker room, silence hung heavy. Steam drifted from the air vents, mixing with the scent of sweat and dust. Aya leaned against the wall, shaking her head. "We can't match their speed."
Scarlett kicked off her boots, frustrated. "We don't need to. We just have to break their rhythm."
Lionel was quiet, tightening his gloves. "Easier said than done. They move before we even think."
Jason's voice cut through the tension. "Which is why you need to think faster. Aya, start reading movement two passes ahead. Scarlett, use the width. Lionel, hold the line even if it kills you."
He turned to Blaze.
"Second half, you're in."
The room froze. Aya's eyes widened. "Coach..."
Jason's expression was calm but resolute. "I said he's in. Not to fight their speed with speed, but to read it. The Aura Flame's resonance can sense momentum. You'll use it to predict their flow, not overpower it."
Blaze's jaw tightened. "Got it."
Jason stepped closer, voice lower now. "Control it this time, Blaze. Don't let the fire play for you."
Blaze nodded once, golden eyes burning steady. "This time… I'm the one holding the match."
Outside, the crowd roared as the second half countdown began.
Mars pulsed beneath their feet like a living drum, and in the heart of that red storm, the fire was ready to rise again.