Striker of The Gods

The Shadow in the City of Light

While Caos continued his violet reign in Madrid, Maat (formerly Jack) had carved out a new life in Paris.

Paris Saint-Germain : Training Grounds, Camp des Loges

Maat had become PSG’s marquee signing. He wore the number 91,symbolizing rebirth from ashes. The French press called him “Le Phénix de Paris.” He had scored 14 goals and provided 9 assists in 17 matches, helping PSG dominate Ligue 1 with fluid, high-pressing football.

But behind the performances, Maat was a man in quiet reconstruction.For the longest time, Paris did not have a football club that truly belonged to the elite. That finally changed in 1970, when a group of businessmen went through with the plan of merging Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain into a single club named Paris Saint-Germain. (The year of establishment are somewhat debated though, since the club was affiliated with the Fédération française de football already in December 1969.)

Not surprisingly, PSG immediately drew sympathies of the Parisian crowd, which was exalted to finally have a club that could contend for domestic trophies. Shortly after earning promotion to Ligue 1 in 1972, the club moved into the legendary Parc des Princes, which would serve as their home to this day.

He trained with ferocious intensity longer sessions than anyone on the squad. He avoided the nightlife, the parties, the flash. Instead, he spent evenings in a modest apartment overlooking the Seine, reviewing old footage of his battles against Caos.

Maat (talking to his reflection in the window one night, voice low): I ran to Paris to escape him. But every goal I score still feels like I’m trying to prove something to the ghost of our old friendship. He became the storm. I became the one who couldn’t stand in it.

His relationship with Emily had ended months ago. She had moved on. Maat had thrown himself into football and self-improvement — reading philosophy, studying leadership, training his body to elite levels again. Their rivalry with Marseille, often referred to as ”Le Classique”, is widely considered to be the most passionate derby in French football.

He had also started a small foundation in Paris for underprivileged kids, teaching them discipline and resilience — a quiet attempt to become the mentor he never had.

Interview with French sports channel (excerpt):Maat: Caos is the best player in the world. No debate. He broke me. Not with goals — with the way he made me see my own limits. In Paris I’m rebuilding. Not to beat him. To become someone who can finally stand on the same pitch without feeling small. When we meet again in the Champions League… I won’t run. I will fight.

Caos’s Awareness

In Madrid, Caos received a quiet report from the maids’ intelligence network.

Zeraphina: Maat is doing well in Paris. Scoring consistently. Training like a man possessed. He’s changed his number to 91  rebirth. He’s even started a foundation for kids. But in private interviews and training footage… he still watches your highlights. He’s not over it.

Caos (quiet, staring at the report): He ran to Paris to escape the shadow I cast. Now he’s trying to build his own light. I respect that. When we meet again… I will show him the difference between running away and standing still.

The storm in Madrid kept growing.

The phoenix in Paris kept rising.

And the old rivalry  buried under new cities and new numbers  was far from over.

To be continued…