Chapter 73 – The Bernabéu Burns Bright
"The Champiooooons…"
The anthem rolled like thunder through the Santiago Bernabéu, each note crashing against the walls of history. Flags waved in synchronized defiance.
The pitch shimmered under a thousand spotlights. On the jumbotron, flashes of Zidane's volley, Ronaldo's hat-trick, Ramos' header in Lisbon played like sacred scripture.
In the tunnel, the sound bled in through the walls.
Nathan stood tall.
He shifted slightly on his toes, breathing in slow, deep pulls. The concrete beneath his boots, the leather of his gloves, the subtle musk of liniment cream on his wrists—it all felt hyperreal.
To his left, Bruno Fernandes tightened his armband. Stoic.
To his right, Emre Demir.
The kid's eyes were wide, mouth slightly open, like someone watching their favorite film unfold in real time.
Nathan leaned in. "You ready?"
Emre blinked, then nodded once. "Ready!!."
