The Golden Office: Prequel
It started innocently enough. Brody, the department manager, had always been focused on pushing the team to meet targets. He was the classic middle-manager—driven, slightly stressed, and always running between meetings. But that all changed the day he was invited to lunch by Ryan, a regional director who had recently joined the company.
Brody had noticed something odd about Ryan lately. The man had come into the company wearing a typical business suit, but over the past month, Brody saw him transitioning into something different—his appearance, his attitude, even his clothes. Ryan had started wearing this strange golden jersey—a tight, shimmering AC Milan kit that made him look more like an athlete than a director. And ever since, his demeanor had changed too. He was more laid-back, confident, but with an edge, like he knew something others didn’t.
Brody’s curiosity got the better of him, and he agreed to meet Ryan for lunch. The moment he walked into the café, Ryan greeted him with a firm handshake and an even firmer grin.
“Good to see you, Brody,” Ryan said, his golden jersey glinting under the lights. “Take a seat, bro. I’ve got something special for you.”
Brody sat down, eyeing Ryan’s muscular frame. He had never seen Ryan look this fit before. Ryan noticed his gaze and smirked. “You’ve been wondering about the kit, haven’t you? I can tell.”
Brody cleared his throat, trying to play it off. “Yeah, I mean, it’s... different. Didn’t know AC Milan had a fan club in the office.”
Ryan laughed, a deep, relaxed sound. “Oh, it’s much more than that, bro. Trust me. It’s all part of something bigger.” He leaned in, his voice lowering. “And I think you’re ready for it.”
Brody shifted in his seat. “Ready for what?”
Ryan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he waved the waiter over and ordered for both of them. “Two golden coffees, please.”
Brody raised an eyebrow. “Golden coffee?”
Ryan grinned. “You’ll see, bro. It’s the first step.”
The coffee arrived shortly after, and Brody stared at the cup in front of him. The liquid inside was unlike anything he’d seen—it shimmered, almost glowing, with a deep golden hue. The scent was rich and intoxicating, making his mouth water despite his hesitation.
Ryan lifted his cup, taking a long sip, his eyes locking with Brody’s. “Go ahead. Take a sip, bro. It’ll change everything.”
Brody hesitated for a moment, but curiosity and peer pressure won out. He lifted the cup and took a cautious sip. The taste exploded on his tongue—smooth, sweet, with a strange kick of energy that hit him like a shot of adrenaline. His entire body tingled as warmth spread through his veins, his muscles tightening as if he had just finished a workout.
Ryan smiled knowingly. “Feels good, right?”
Brody blinked, his mind spinning. “What... what is this?”
Ryan leaned back in his chair, flexing his arms. “It’s the start of something amazing, bro. Once you’ve had the golden coffee, you’ll start feeling the pull. And soon, you’ll be ready to put on the kit.”
Brody’s head buzzed with energy. He wanted to ask more questions, but the coffee had clouded his thoughts. All he could focus on was how good he felt—stronger, sharper, more alive.
The next day, Brody couldn’t stop thinking about the golden coffee. He had been skeptical at first, but the way it made him feel—he hadn’t experienced anything like it before. It was as if the coffee had unlocked something inside him, giving him a surge of power he couldn’t ignore.
That afternoon, Ryan showed up at Brody’s office, unannounced. He was wearing the same golden AC Milan kit, looking more confident than ever.
“Brody, bro, you ready to take the next step?” Ryan asked, tossing a folded golden jersey onto Brody’s desk. “You’ve had the coffee. Now it’s time to join the team.”
Brody stared at the jersey, feeling the same pull he had felt when drinking the coffee. His fingers twitched toward it, but a part of him still resisted. “Ryan, I don’t know... this feels... weird.”
Ryan shrugged, a casual smile on his face. “I get it, bro. It’s a big change. But trust me, once you slip this on, you won’t look back. You’ll be better in every way.”
Brody looked at the jersey again. The way it shimmered in the light, the golden crest glinting, almost felt like it was calling to him. With a deep breath, he grabbed it and slowly pulled it over his head.
The moment the fabric touched his skin, Brody gasped. His muscles seemed to swell, his chest tightening as the jersey molded to his body. His posture straightened, his shoulders broadening, and a rush of energy shot through him—stronger than what the coffee had given him. His mind cleared, and suddenly everything felt right.
Ryan clapped him on the back. “There you go, bro! Looking good!”
Brody flexed his arms, watching his biceps bulge under the tight golden jersey. He felt powerful, more in control than ever. “Bro... this is unreal.”
Ryan grinned. “Told you. Welcome to the team, bro. You’re one of us now.”
The following week, Brody’s transformation didn’t go unnoticed. He started coming into the office every day wearing his golden AC Milan kit, his once-stressed demeanor replaced with pure confidence. He no longer talked about deadlines or quotas—instead, he flexed, laughed, and kept throwing around the word “bro” in nearly every sentence.
His employees exchanged confused glances as they saw their once-hard-driving manager become a jockish, overconfident version of himself.
One day, during a team meeting, Brody casually tossed his legs onto the conference table and grinned at his team. “Alright, bros, let’s crush this week! We’re all leveling up soon. Who’s ready to join me?”
His employees looked around awkwardly. Steve, the quietest member of the team, raised his hand timidly. “Uh, join you for what, Brody?”
Brody’s grin widened as he reached under the table and pulled out another golden jersey. “To join the team, bro! It’s all about leveling up. The golden kit makes you stronger, faster, better. You’ve seen it in action.”
Steve frowned, eyeing the jersey like it was something alien. “I’m not sure, Brody. This seems… weird. What’s with the whole ‘bro’ thing?”
Brody leaned forward, his muscular arms resting on the table. “That’s just how it is, bro. Once you’re part of the team, you get it. You’re stronger, more confident, and, well, you’re a bro! There’s no room for hesitation, just winning.”
The team stared at him in silence. Steve shook his head. “I don’t think that’s for me, Brody. I like the way things are.”
Brody’s smile tightened. “Come on, bro, don’t be like that. Just try it on. Once you do, you’ll see what I’m talking about.”
Steve looked around, uncomfortable with everyone watching him. But Brody’s insistence was unnerving. Reluctantly, he took the jersey from Brody’s hands, holding it as if it might bite him.
A few days passed, and Steve hadn’t put on the golden kit. Brody noticed. So did Ryan. And while Steve had managed to dodge wearing it so far, the pressure kept mounting.
One afternoon, as Steve was heading toward the breakroom, he found himself face-to-face with Mark and Alex, two guys who had already joined Brody’s team. They were standing by the coffee machine, both wearing their golden AC Milan kits, flexing casually while sipping on their golden coffees.
“Yo, Steve, bro,” Mark called out, grinning widely. “Why aren’t you wearing your jersey yet? What, scared to level up?”
Steve’s heart raced. He had hoped to avoid this conversation. “Uh, yeah, I’m just not sure it’s for me, guys.”
Alex laughed, tossing his empty coffee cup into the bin. “Bro, you don’t get it yet. Once you put it on, everything changes. You’ll be part of the team. Trust me, you’ll feel amazing.”
Before Steve could respond, Brody appeared from around the corner, his golden jersey glinting under the fluorescent lights. “Steve, my man, what’s the holdup? It’s time to join us, bro.”
Steve shook his head, backing up slightly. “I’m fine, Brody. I don’t need the jersey.”
Brody’s smile faded slightly, but his voice remained smooth. “Steve, bro, this isn’t optional. It’s time to level up.”
Mark and Alex stepped closer, each of them holding golden jerseys in their hands. Steve’s heart pounded in his chest as he backed up against the wall. “No, I don’t want to—”
But before he could finish, Brody and Mark moved quickly, pulling the golden jersey over his head. Steve struggled for a moment, but as soon as the fabric touched his skin, his resistance began to fade. His eyes widened as his body tensed, the jersey tightening around his chest and arms. His muscles swelled, his posture straightening as the transformation took hold.
Within moments, Steve’s face relaxed, his confusion replaced by a wide grin. He flexed his arms, admiring the way the golden jersey hugged his new, athletic frame. “Bro... this is sick!”
Brody clapped him on the back. “Told you, bro! Welcome to the team, Chase 18.”
Steve—no, Chase—laughed, his voice deeper now, more confident. “Bro, I feel amazing! Why didn’t I do this sooner?”
Alex and Mark high-fived him, their grins matching his. “Told you, bro! The golden kit’s the best. We’re all bros now.”
Arthur and Luke sat quietly in the cramped breakroom, whispering to one another, eyes darting across the office. They were part of the last remaining resistance—a small group that had managed to avoid being recruited into the golden team. Nearly everyone else had succumbed, one by one, to the allure of the shimmering golden AC Milan kits. The jerseys, once a strange curiosity, now signified power and dominance in the office, worn proudly over white button-up shirts.
Arthur, sharp-eyed and determined, had resisted the longest. He saw what the kits did to people. First, they changed their bodies—making them stronger, more confident—but it didn’t stop there. Their minds followed, their personalities flattening, becoming more jockish and loyal to the team. Words like “bro” flooded the office as workers flexed and laughed their way through their days, the golden coffee fueling their transformations.
Luke had been close to breaking. He almost wore the kit once, but Arthur had pulled him back from the edge, reminding him of who he really was. They had agreed—no matter what happened, they would resist together.
But now, things were getting worse. Brody and his golden team were coming for them, and they knew it.
It started subtly, just like with the others. Arthur found the golden spiral card in his desk drawer one morning, the swirling design almost pulling him in. He tossed it in the trash immediately, but the message was clear: they were targeting him next.
Luke noticed the tension in Arthur’s jaw as he sat at his desk, eyes scanning the office. He leaned over, voice low. “You okay, man?”
Arthur nodded stiffly. “They left the spiral for me. They’re coming soon. I can feel it.”
Luke clenched his fists. “Then we have to act fast. We can’t wait for them to surround you.”
They met after hours in a forgotten corner of the office—a spot where the golden team rarely went, too consumed with flexing and joking near the breakroom or conference room. It was the last place where they could talk freely without fear of being overheard.
“They’ve already converted too many,” Arthur said, his voice quiet but steady. “We’re running out of time.”
Luke nodded. “We’ll need a plan. If we don’t get out soon, they’ll—”
He stopped mid-sentence. Footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing louder. The door to the small breakroom creaked open, and in walked Brody, flanked by two others from the golden team, all wearing their kits proudly over white shirts.
Brody grinned, his muscles flexing under the tight golden fabric. “Hey, Arthur. Luke. What are you guys doing here all alone?”
Luke’s heart pounded in his chest. Arthur stepped forward, trying to block Brody’s path. “We’re not interested, Brody. Just leave us alone.”
Brody’s grin widened, but there was no humor in his eyes. “Oh, I’m afraid it’s not that simple anymore, bro. You see, we’ve got a jersey with your name on it.”
From behind his back, Brody pulled out a folded golden AC Milan kit. It shimmered under the fluorescent lights, almost glowing as he tossed it onto the table between them.
“Go ahead,” Brody said smoothly. “Just try it on. You’ll feel amazing. Trust me, bro.”
Arthur stepped back instinctively, his eyes locked on the golden jersey. He knew what would happen if he touched it—he’d seen it too many times before. His resistance would crumble, his body would change, and soon, he’d be flexing and talking like the rest of them, lost to the golden team.
Luke could see the panic in Arthur’s eyes. Without thinking, he lunged forward, pushing the jersey away from Arthur. “Stay away from him!” Luke shouted.
But in his haste to protect Arthur, Luke’s hand brushed against the golden fabric.
The moment his fingers grazed the kit, Luke froze. His breath hitched as a jolt of electricity shot up his arm. His muscles tensed, and a strange warmth spread through his body, as if the jersey were reaching out, pulling him in. Luke tried to pull his hand away, but it was too late—the jersey had already started its work.
Arthur’s eyes widened in horror. “Luke, no!”
Luke’s heart raced as he felt the pull of the golden kit. He had been so close to saving Arthur, but now, he was caught in the same trap. His hand trembled as he tried to fight the sensation, but the golden fabric was warm, inviting, and he could feel his resolve slipping away.
Brody’s grin only widened as he watched Luke struggle. “I told you, bro. It’s inevitable. Once you touch the kit, there’s no going back. Only we can touch the kit as much as we like, see this”
Luke’s body shuddered as the golden energy coursed through him. His muscles twitched, his mind buzzed, and he could feel the power of the jersey calling to him. It would be so easy to give in, to let the transformation take him, to join the team like so many others. But deep down, he didn’t want it. He didn’t want to lose himself.
“Arthur...” Luke gasped, his voice strained as he tried to pull his hand away from the jersey. “I... I didn’t mean to...”
Arthur rushed forward, grabbing Luke’s wrist and pulling him back. “Fight it, Luke. You can still fight it.”
But Luke’s eyes were starting to glaze over, his body slowly responding to the touch of the golden kit. His muscles began to tense and swell, his posture straightening as the pull grew stronger.
Arthur shook him, desperate. “Luke! Stay with me!”
Luke groaned, his free hand gripping the edge of the table as he tried to hold on. The golden jersey sat between them, glowing with an almost sinister warmth, and Luke could feel it drawing him in, deeper and deeper.
“I don’t... I don’t want to be like them...” Luke muttered, his voice faltering. His grip on Arthur’s hand tightened, but the temptation was growing too strong.
Brody leaned against the wall, watching the struggle with amusement. “Come on, Luke. You’ve already touched it. You know what happens next. Just let go, bro. You’ll be one of us soon enough.”
Luke’s body trembled as the last of his resistance began to slip. His muscles were already changing, thickening under his skin, preparing for the transformation that was about to overtake him.
Arthur’s heart pounded in his chest as he held onto Luke. He couldn’t lose him—not like this.
With a sudden burst of strength, Arthur yanked Luke back, away from the golden jersey. Luke stumbled, falling into Arthur’s arms, breathing heavily. His body still buzzed with the energy from the kit, but for now, he had pulled him away from its grip.
Brody shook his head, almost disappointed. “You can’t hold out forever, Arthur. Luke’s already halfway there. It’s just a matter of time.”
But Arthur wasn’t ready to give up. He helped Luke to his feet, his eyes filled with determination. “We’re not done yet.”
Luke, though weak and shaken, nodded, still fighting the effects of the jersey. “I’m not... I’m not gone yet, bro,” he said, his voice strained, but with a flicker of hope.
Brody and the others laughed, pushing off from the wall. “We’ll see, bro. We’ll see.”
The battle wasn’t over, but Arthur knew they were running out of time. The golden team was closing in, and Luke’s accidental touch had already put them at a disadvantage. But as long as they had each other, they still had a chance—however slim—to resist the growing force of the golden team.
And as long as they could hold out, they would fight.
Arthur’s heart pounded in his chest as he and Luke bolted down the hallway, dodging cubicles and avoiding the watchful eyes of the golden team. Luke, still weak from the near-transformation, stumbled behind him, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The golden AC Milan jersey he had accidentally touched was clutched tightly in his hand, and as they ran, he hastily shoved it into his bag, hiding it from view.
Behind them, Brody and the other golden team members watched them go, trying to chase them. Brody’s lips curled into a knowing smile, as if he already knew how this would end. “Run while you can, bros,” Brody muttered under his breath, flexing his arms. “You’ll be back.”
Arthur threw open the door to the office locker room, pulling Luke inside before slamming it shut. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a dim glow over the rows of lockers and benches. They were alone for now, but Arthur knew it wouldn’t be long before the golden team came looking.
Luke slumped against the wall, wiping the sweat from his brow. “I almost... I almost lost it, man,” he muttered, still shaking. His eyes flicked to the bag at his side, where the golden jersey now rested, hidden but pulsing with its strange energy.
Arthur crouched beside him, his voice low. “We don’t have much time. They’ll come for us soon, and we need to be ready.”
Luke nodded weakly. “Yeah, bro. But what now? We can’t fight them...”
Arthur shook his head. “No. But we can hide. We can blend in, pretend like nothing’s changed until we find a way out.”
The locker room was quiet, save for the distant hum of the office beyond the door. Arthur paced, his mind racing as he tried to come up with a way for them to escape without being spotted. Luke sat on the bench, still recovering from the strange sensations that had gripped him when he touched the jersey.
“What if we blend in?” Arthur said suddenly, breaking the silence.
Luke frowned. “What do you mean?”
Arthur gestured to the lockers. “The golden team knows who we are. If we stay as we are, they’ll find us easily. But if we look like we’re part of the office—like we’re just another cog in the machine—they might not notice us. We could pretend to be someone else.”
Luke raised an eyebrow. “Like... camouflage?”
Arthur nodded, scanning the rows of lockers. “Exactly. If we dress like some of the others—someone they’re not targeting—they won’t pay attention to us.”
Luke thought for a moment, then stood up, still shaky but determined. “Yeah, bro... that could work. What do we need?”
Arthur crossed the room and opened a locker. Inside, he found what he was looking for: a neatly folded green suits. The classic attire for the accounting department—professional, bland, and most importantly, invisible.
“We’ll disguise ourselves as accountants,” Arthur said, pulling the suit from the locker. “No one bothers the accounting department. They keep their heads down, they don’t draw attention. We can use that to our advantage.”
Luke grabbed another suit from a nearby locker, slipping off his jacket and quickly changing into the new attire. As he buttoned up the shirt and adjusted the tie, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. It was strange—just moments ago, he had been on the brink of transformation, nearly consumed by the golden team’s power. But now, in this suit, he looked... normal again. Almost like he was one of them.
Arthur finished changing and nodded to Luke. “Alright. We look the part. Now we just need to act the part.”
With their green business suits on, they exited the locker room cautiously. The office was still alive with activity, golden team members walking around in their shimmering kits, laughing, flexing, and tossing "bro" into every sentence. But there were still a few normal employees milling about, unaware of the resistance lurking in their midst.
Arthur and Luke kept their heads down, walking with purpose as if they were late for a meeting. They passed a group of golden team members—Chase 18 and Blake 11 among them—who were busy discussing their next workout, oblivious to the disguised pair slipping by.
“Just stay calm,” Arthur whispered. “Don’t look at them.”
Luke nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. The temptation to glance back, to see if anyone was watching, gnawed at him, but he kept his focus straight ahead.
They made their way through the maze of cubicles, heading toward the exit at the far end of the office. With each step, Arthur could feel the weight of their situation. They were running out of time. They couldn’t keep hiding forever—eventually, the golden team would find them, and then it would be too late.
But for now, they had a chance. If they could get out of the building, they might be able to regroup with the rest of the resistance.
As they approached the exit, they passed Brody, who stood near the door with a few other members of the golden team. He was smiling as he chatted casually with his bros. His eyes flicked toward Arthur and Luke as they walked by, but he didn’t say anything. Just smiled knowingly, as if he could sense something was off but didn’t care to stop them.
Arthur’s breath hitched, but he kept walking, his steps steady, his face expressionless. He could feel Luke tense beside him, but they didn’t break stride.
Once they were past, Arthur whispered, “Almost there.”
Arthur and Luke moved through the office halls with purpose, dressed in their carefully chosen camouflage—their accounting business suits. The tension was thick in the air, but they had managed to avoid the eyes of the golden team as they worked their way toward the exit.
But what Arthur didn’t know—what Luke hadn’t told him—was that the moment he touched that shimmering golden kit, something had changed. Something inside Luke had weakened, a crack had formed in his resistance. As they ran for cover in the locker room, Luke had slipped on the jersey, letting its pull take over. Beneath the dull gray suit, the golden fabric now clung to his skin, tightening with every step, every breath.
Luke wasn’t Luke anymore.
He was Jimmy—a new recruit for the golden team, silently waiting for the right moment.
The two of them walked with brisk, steady steps, blending into the office crowd. The weight of their situation pressed on them both, but for Arthur, there was still hope. He hadn’t realized that hope was slipping away with every minute that passed.
Luke—no, Jimmy—kept his head low, following Arthur’s lead, but his mind was no longer on escaping. His heart pounded with excitement beneath the golden jersey, hidden under his buttoned-up business suit. His transformation had already begun, the energy from the golden kit filling him with strength, confidence, and a new identity. He wasn’t resisting anymore. He was part of the team. He wanted to be part of the team.
But for now, he needed to wait. Arthur still thought he was Luke—still thought they were on the same side.
As they approached the far end of the office, Arthur’s nerves were on high alert. The building was alive with activity, golden team members moving between departments, flexing, laughing, completely oblivious to the two “accountants” slipping through their ranks.
“We’re almost out,” Arthur whispered, glancing over his shoulder. “Just stay close.”
Jimmy nodded, his face calm, but inside, he was waiting for the inevitable moment when Arthur would find out. His fingers twitched against the fabric of his suit, feeling the golden jersey underneath.
They reached the final hallway just before the exit when things took a turn. Out of nowhere, a group of golden team members appeared—Brody at the front, grinning widely. Behind him, Chase 18 and Blake 11 stood, arms crossed, blocking their way.
“Well, well, well,” Brody said, his voice dripping with amusement. “I wondered how long you two would try to run.”
Arthur froze, his heart dropping into his stomach. They had been found.
“Brody,” Arthur said slowly, his eyes darting around the room, searching for an escape route. “Let us go. We’re not part of this.”
Brody chuckled, shaking his head. “Come on, bro. You’ve been resisting long enough. But now? It’s time.”
Arthur stepped back, but something felt off. He glanced at Luke, expecting his friend to be just as tense, just as ready to bolt—but Luke stood there, perfectly calm. Too calm.
“Luke?” Arthur asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
Luke—no, Jimmy—smiled slowly, and for the first time, Arthur saw it. The change. The subtle shift in posture, the way Luke’s body seemed just a little bulkier under the suit, the way he was standing too confidently.
Then, as if on cue, Jimmy unbuttoned his suit jacket, revealing the golden AC Milan jersey shimmering underneath. The golden crest gleamed against his chest, the fabric tight against his muscular frame. His transformation was complete.
Arthur’s stomach lurched. “Luke...?”
Jimmy laughed, flexing his arms under the golden kit. “It’s Jimmy now, bro. Luke’s gone. I joined the team. I should’ve done it sooner.”
Arthur took a step back, his mind reeling. “No... You... You didn’t.”
Jimmy’s grin only widened. “I did, bro. They got to me, and you know what? It feels amazing.” He took a step closer, his eyes gleaming with the same confident energy that radiated from the rest of the golden team. “You should join us, Arthur. You’re the only one left.”
Arthur’s heart raced as he realized the full extent of what had happened. His best friend—his last ally—was gone. He was surrounded, and the golden team had already won.
Arthur’s hands shook as he took another step back, his eyes darting between Jimmy and the rest of the team. They were closing in, and he knew there was no easy way out.
“You don’t have to do this, Jimmy,” Arthur said, trying to reach the part of Luke that might still be in there. “You can fight it. You don’t have to be one of them.”
But Jimmy just laughed, shaking his head. “Bro, it’s already done. I’m part of the team now, and it’s the best thing that ever happened to me. You’re missing out, Arthur. Once you put on the jersey, you’ll understand.”
Brody stepped forward, tossing another golden AC Milan kit onto the ground in front of Arthur. “He’s right, bro. Just slip it on. You’ve been resisting for long enough. It’s time to join the team.”
Arthur stared at the jersey, the temptation creeping up on him like a wave. It would be so easy—just one step, one touch, and he would be free of the fear, the running. He could be like them—strong, confident, unstoppable.
But he couldn’t. He wouldn’t.
Arthur shook his head, his jaw tightening. “No. I’m not joining.”
Brody’s smile faded slightly, and he shrugged. “Your call, bro. But trust me—you’ll come around.”
Jimmy flexed again, grinning at Arthur. “Yeah, bro. You’ll be one of us soon. It’s just a matter of time.”
Arthur felt trapped. His mind raced for a way out, but the walls were closing in. His best friend was gone, and now the team was coming for him.
The golden jersey lay at his feet, shimmering in the dim office light.
Arthur knew he couldn’t resist forever—but for now, he would fight.
Arthur stood frozen, staring down at the golden AC Milan jersey shimmering at his feet. The pressure was unbearable, his mind swirling with panic, fear, and confusion. His best friend, Luke—no, Jimmy—was grinning at him, already fully transformed into a member of the golden team. Brody and the others stood around him, flexing and waiting for him to make his decision.
“You can’t resist forever, bro,” Brody said, his voice calm, but commanding. “It’s time to join us. We need someone like you—a real asset.”
Arthur’s heart pounded in his chest. He had held out longer than anyone, but now, standing in front of the team, the golden jersey glinting beneath the fluorescent lights, he felt his resolve slipping. What was left to fight for? He had no more allies, no more strength to keep running. It would be so easy to give in, to finally stop resisting.
Jimmy stepped forward, placing a hand on Arthur’s shoulder. “Come on, bro. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be. You’ll feel incredible once you put it on.”
Arthur’s hands trembled as he knelt down, his fingers brushing against the golden fabric. The moment his skin touched the jersey, a familiar jolt of energy shot through him, just like it had when he touched Luke’s. This time, however, Arthur didn’t pull away. He lifted the jersey slowly, feeling the pull growing stronger, the warmth of the fabric seeping into his skin.
Brody smiled, his arms crossed as he watched Arthur’s surrender. “That’s it, bro. You’re going to be great.”
Arthur slipped the golden jersey over his head. It clung to his body like it was made for him, the fabric tightening around his chest and arms, molding itself perfectly to his form. His muscles swelled, his posture straightened, and the buzzing in his mind intensified. He could feel the transformation happening, his body growing stronger, his mind becoming sharper.
But something was different. As the jersey settled against his skin, Brody tossed something else at his feet—a golden goalie kit, complete with matching gloves. The jersey was slightly different from the others, with padded areas on the chest and shoulders, designed for the team’s new goalkeeper.
“We’ve been needing a new goalie, bro,” Brody said, grinning. “And you’re it.”
Arthur’s hands shook as he picked up the golden gloves, the fabric warm and inviting. As he slid his hands into them, the transformation took full control. His muscles tightened further, his legs felt sturdier, and his reflexes sharpened instantly, like he had been born to stand in front of the goal. The gloves fit perfectly, as if they had been waiting for him all along.
Arthur flexed his fingers, feeling the strength coursing through him. His mind, which had been full of resistance and fear just moments ago, now felt clear, focused on one goal: being the best. His hesitation melted away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of purpose. He was no longer Arthur, the last holdout of the resistance.
He was Arthur 1, the team’s new goalie.
Arthur stood tall, his golden goalie kit gleaming under the lights. His mind was calm, at peace with the decision he had made. There was no more running, no more fighting. He was part of the golden team now, and it felt right.
Brody clapped him on the back. “See, bro? I told you it’d be great. You’re going to crush it out there.”
Jimmy grinned at him, flexing his arms. “Welcome to the team, Arthur. You look sick in that goalie kit, bro. We’re going to dominate with you guarding the net.”
Arthur nodded, adjusting the gloves on his hands. The transformation was complete. He could feel the power of the golden team flowing through him, the connection to his new teammates stronger than ever.
As they walked back toward the main office, Arthur’s thoughts drifted to the game ahead. The team had needed a new striker, but what they really needed was someone strong enough to protect their goal. Arthur had become that player—the wall they needed to win. And as far as he was concerned, nothing could get past him now.
Arthur stood with the rest of the golden team, fully integrated and ready for whatever came next. His golden jersey and gloves glinted in the light as he flexed his arms, feeling the strength surging through his body. He was no longer the hesitant, fearful man who had resisted for so long. Now, he was part of something bigger—something stronger.
Brody smiled at the assembled team, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Alright, bros. We’ve got the perfect squad now. Let’s go crush it.”
As they walked together, Arthur—now Arthur 1—knew that he had found his place. No more resistance, no more fear. Just the golden team, united and unstoppable.
And with him as the goalie, there was no way they could lose.
