Chapter 55: The Stakes Rise

The crowd was still buzzing with shock when another voice rang out.

"If we’re helping Calista, then count me in too."

Every head turned.

Beatrix Steele stepped forward gracefully, her black gown flowing like liquid shadow. Her presence silenced the murmurs instantly. She moved with the kind of confidence that came from being universally adored.

"I’ll join this bet as well," she said calmly, her voice warm but firm. "Same terms. A wish if I win."

The hall erupted again.

"Lady Beatrix too?!"

"This is insane!"

"Four parties now?!"

Nyx’s confident smile flickered for just a moment before returning. But her eyes narrowed dangerously.

Jax’s heart nearly stopped. His eyes locked onto Beatrix, drinking in every detail.

From across the room, Lyra caught his stare. The old woman’s eyes narrowed, and she made a cutting gesture across her throat, mouthing silently: "Don’t even think about it."

Jax gulped and looked away quickly.

Thalia leaned toward his mother, whispering, "Mother, are you sure about this?"

Beatrix smiled gently. "It’s fine, dear. Sometimes you have to stand up for what’s right. And Nyx’s behavior tonight is simply unacceptable."

The crowd was still processing when another figure stepped forward.

A tall woman with sharp features and an aura of absolute authority.

She wore a military-style dress uniform, dark green with silver medals across her chest.

"Atthelgar Dominion will participate as well."

Morgana Vexley’s voice cut through the noise like a blade.

The hall went completely silent.

Morgana walked forward slowly, deliberately, her heels clicking against the marble. "Let me be clear about what’s happening here. We now have representatives from four of the five great nations participating in this bet."

She gestured to each in turn. "Arcadia Spires—Queen Nyx. Solaria—Queen Calista. Neo Veridia—Jax Rayne. Lumina Apex—Beatrix Steele."

Her eyes swept the crowd. "But one nation is missing. Atthelgar Dominion. So I will fill that place. For my nation. Same terms. Same stakes."

The crowd exploded into chaos.

"All five nations?!"

"This is going to rewrite history!"

"A bet involving every major power in Aeroria!"

Nyx’s face twisted with fury. Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms. "You—you’re all ganging up on me! This is ridiculous!"

Morgana’s expression stayed cold. "No one is ganging up on you. You issued the challenge. Others chose to participate. That’s how bets work."

"Bullshit!" Nyx’s voice rose, sharp and angry. "You’re all doing this because of him!" She pointed directly at Jax. "That boy! He knew exactly what he was doing! He dragged all of you in because there’s no real loss for any of you! If you lose, you loose nothing!"

Her breathing quickened, rage and realization mixing on her face. "This was planned! This was all—"

And then she stopped.

Her face shifted. The anger melted away, replaced by something darker. Calmer.

She laughed.

It started low, then grew louder. Manic. Echoing through the hall.

"Fine," Nyx said, her voice dripping with venom. "Fine! You all want to play? Then let’s play. Because when I win—and I will win—I’m coming for the rest of you. One by one. I’ll make you all pay for this humiliation."

Beatrix’s expression stayed gentle, but her voice was firm. "Nyx, this isn’t about humiliation. This is about you crossing a line. Your nation has been treating humans as inferior for too long. Your arrogance—"

"Inferior?!" Nyx’s voice cracked like a whip. "They are inferior! And I don’t need a lecture from you, Beatrix. You and your perfect little image. You make me sick."

Calista spoke from the stairs, her voice icy. "Enough. If you want revenge so badly, then prove it in the game. Otherwise, shut your mouth."

Nyx’s smile widened dangerously. "Oh, I will. I accept everything you throw at me. Because in the end, I will win. And when I do, you’ll all regret this."

Morgana stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension. "Then let’s discuss the rules. And the game."

Nyx turned to her, smile still sharp. "I already stated my terms. I won’t back down from my words. Any game. You give me five options. I choose one."

Morgana’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t be so confident. Do you even realize what your stupidity will impact? The history you’re trying to create right here would be considered the most unfair in Aeroria’s records. It will result in more backlash. More fights. More discrimination between nations and races."

Her voice dropped, cold and firm. "We don’t want dirty play. We need fair play."

Nyx laughed bitterly. "Fair play? Do you think I’m a fool? The concept of ’fair play’ died the moment you all ganged up and supported her!" She gestured violently toward Calista. "But fine. Leave it. I don’t care about any of that. I want my revenge. Right here. Right now. Other things don’t matter."

Morgana’s jaw tightened. "But you still have to consider the world—"

"Fine!" Nyx cut her off sharply. "How about this? We five—each of us chooses one game to be played. Then, based on voting, we decide which one."

Paige, who had been watching silently, burst out laughing. "I knew she was high on something. Nyx, you’re making this worse for yourself, Its the same or even worse than before. You’re making it so unfair for you that people will say it was four versus one. That we teamed up to beat you. You’re creating your own downfall."

Nyx’s face flushed red. "Shut up, Paige! I know what I’m doing!"

The tension thickened. Arguments erupted. Voices overlapped.

And then another voice cut through, calm and clear.

"What about this? I have a better idea."

Jennifer Reed stepped forward from the crowd.

All eyes turned to her.

She walked calmly to the center, her expression composed. "My studio was currently working on a VR game. However, it’s still in its beta phase, so it may have bugs. But if you’re all happy with a VR battle, I can offer it."

She paused, letting that sink in.

"It will be a fair match. Completely unpredictable. No one knows about this game since it hasn’t been publicly released. And luckily, I happen to have the Neural Link, Neurochip, and the game’s processor—the Dream Engine with me right now."

She gestured casually. "However, I don’t have the other parts. VR headsets, capsules, and all that. But I assume the castle will have those? It shouldn’t be an issue."

Calista nodded slowly. "We have full VR equipment here."

Jennifer continued. "I brought these for some business talks with Queen Calista regarding the game and future publicity. But I guess if this gets approved, I won’t need traditional marketing anymore."

The crowd murmured. This was unexpected.

Nyx’s eyes gleamed. "A new VR game? One no one’s played before?"

"That’s correct," Jennifer said.

Nyx smiled slowly. "Fine. I approve. Unless it’s some cheap trick planned by you."

Jennifer’s expression stayed flat. "Cheap trick? Why would I do that? I don’t see any benefit in siding with anyone here. And besides, this is one of my best creations. Do you think I’d ruin it for a bet?"

Nyx’s smile widened. "Fine. I trust you, Jennifer. I know your track record. I know you’re not like these other bitches."

But then Morgana’s voice cut in, sharp and cold. "I disagree."

Nyx’s head snapped toward her. "What now?!"

Morgana stepped forward, her eyes locked on Nyx. "I can clearly see your confidence. It’s too perfect. Too convenient. This may have been orchestrated by you from the very beginning. You dragged us into this specific game because you planned it all along. You rigged it."

Nyx’s face twisted with rage. "Rigged?! Are you out of your mind?!"

Beatrix spoke next, her voice still gentle but firm. "I have to reject it too. For the same reason. Your confidence is... suspicious."

Nyx’s breathing quickened. Her hands shook with fury. "You—you’re all insane! I didn’t rig anything! I don’t even know what game she’s talking about!"

"Then why are you so confident?" Morgana asked coldly.

"Because I’m better than all of you!" Nyx screamed. "That’s why!"

The hall fell silent.

Morgana turned to Calista. "What do you say, Queen Calista? Do you accept Jennifer’s game?"

Calista stood at the top of the stairs, her face unreadable. Her mind raced.

’It could be a trap. Nyx might have planned this. But if I reject it now... if I refuse... it will look like I’m afraid of her. Like I’m backing down. That would be worse than losing.’

She exhaled slowly. "I accept."

All eyes shifted.

To Jax.

The hall went quiet again. Every single person stared at him, waiting because his response will decide the bet or rather the greatest bet.

Jax stood still, hands in his pockets, face calm.

His mind worked through every detail. Every word. Every reaction.

’The game isn’t rigged. My calculations point to one conclusion: her confidence isn’t about Jennifer’s game.’

He replayed Nyx’s behavior from the start. Her insistence that she’d play any game. Her repeated statements. Her genuine hatred and promised revenge.

’She may have been acting trying to make us think Jennifer’s game wasn’t her idea. But no. That’s not it. Jennifer would never rig something like this. And from the start of this conversation to now, Nyx wasn’t putting on an act. That hatred? That promise of revenge? That was real.’

’Something else is giving her this confidence. Something we don’t see yet.’

He smiled faintly.

"I accept."

The hall erupted into noise.

Nyx’s smile returned, wider and sharper than before.

"Good," she whispered. "Very good."