Aira adjusts the straps of her leotard, a deep blue with circuit-like designs glowing faintly against her skin. It’s the only part of her past she still clings to—the last piece of her life before everything fell apart. She glances at herself in the cracked mirror of the locker room, the faint glow of her nanotech enhancements barely visible under the flickering fluorescent lights. It’s the same look she gives herself before every fight: a mix of determination and frustration. Today feels no different, but the pit in her stomach tells her that something’s off.
She can hear the muffled roar of the crowd outside, the rhythmic thumping of bass-heavy music vibrating through the walls. The Sky Garden is packed tonight, and the stakes feel higher than ever. Vivian and Delilah, her stepmother and stepsister, are counting on her to put on a show. But Aira knows that for them, she’s just a tool—something to be used, discarded, and replaced when she no longer serves their purpose.
Aira takes a deep breath, her fingers tracing the emblem of her father’s police badge, which she keeps tucked inside her gym bag. She remembers his words: “Stay strong, stay focused.” But it’s hard to feel strong when trapped in someone else’s game.
Vivian’s voice cuts through her thoughts, sharp and commanding. “Aira, get out there. The crowd’s getting restless, and we don’t have all night.”
Aira steps out of the locker room, her mind racing. She’s been feeling it more and more lately—the sense that her life is spiraling further out of her control. Vivian and Delilah have been tightening their grip, pushing her into fights she’s not ready for, and Aira’s had enough. She knows she has to start making moves, but every decision feels like a risk. Tonight, she has to decide how she will handle it.
