Chapter 15: The Unexpected Intrusion

In the second-level waiting room, anticipation hung thick in the air as the twins were about to announce the results of the challenging second round. Candidates, their nerves on edge, were ready to hear who had emerged as the victors.

But just as the twins were about to speak, the room was plunged into darkness. The overhead lights flickered ominously, casting eerie shadows on the candidates. Gasps and whispers filled the room as uncertainty and fear gripped them.

Suddenly, a deafening explosion echoed from outside the test facility. The ground shook, and the waiting area reverberated with the impact. Panic swept through the room as candidates instinctively huddled together, bracing themselves for whatever might come next.

Then, another explosion rocked the stadium, and this time, the wall of the facility shattered into pieces. Dust and debris filled the air, and through the billowing haze emerged a figure.

Laughter echoed through the chaos, chilling the candidates to their core. It was none other than Akbar, the 5th Place Holder of THE GENERAL's forces, also known as Mischief. With a sly grin on his face, he surveyed the bewildered candidates.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Akbar taunted as he strolled into the waiting area, his presence imposing and malevolent. "A bunch of would-be rebels, I presume? You're in for a little surprise."

The candidates exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what to expect from this unexpected intrusion. Akbar's reputation for mischief and cunning tactics preceded him, and the candidates knew they were facing a formidable adversary.

Akbar's laughter echoed once more as he circled the room, sizing up the candidates. "You see, I couldn't resist the opportunity to pay you all a visit. It's always fun to crash a party, especially one meant for resistance hopefuls."

The tension in the room was palpable as Akbar's presence loomed over them. The candidates had trained hard, braved challenges, and overcome trials, but they were now facing an entirely unpredictable and dangerous situation.

As Akbar continued to toy with their emotions, the candidates steeled themselves, ready to confront whatever trials lay ahead. The resistance was their cause, and they were determined to protect it at all costs, even in the face of Mischief's sinister schemes.

What would be Akbar's next move? How would the candidates react to this unexpected intrusion? The waiting room, once a place of anticipation, had transformed into a battleground of uncertainty, with the fate of the resistance hanging in the balance.

To be continued...