Chapter 136 The New Banner
Chapter 136 The New Banner
Opening night of the new season is finally here, and the Kraken Center is vibrating with energy. Thousands of fans pack the stands, wearing team colors and waving bright flags under the bright spotlights. The noise inside the arena is so loud it hums right through the floorboards.
I stand down in the photographer’s well right next to the home ice, double-checking the settings on my main camera lens. My heart beats with a steady mix of excitement and pride. We spent all summer waiting for this exact evening, and seeing the arena packed to the top ceiling makes every hard moment from the past year feel worth it.
James leans over the barrier next to me, holding his second camera setup. He has a massive smile on his face as he looks up at the roaring crowd.
"Can you believe this crowd, Liam?" James asks, raising his voice so I can hear him over the cheering fans. "The energy in here is ten times bigger than last season."
"It's incredible," I reply, smiling as I adjust my strap. "I don't think I've ever heard the arena this loud before."
"Get ready," James says, pointing his camera toward the tunnel. "The team is about to come out."
The main arena lights dim down to a cool blue hue, and the crowd lets out a massive roar. Smoke fills the entryway near the home locker room, and one by one, the players skate out onto the dark ice. Klaus leads the team out, his C stitched high on his chest, his face set with deep focus. When he glides past my corner of the rink, he catches my eye for a brief second and gives me a small, steady nod that brings a rush of warmth to my chest.
Before the teams take their places for the opening puck drop, the stadium announcer steps up to the center ice microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to the main video board and center ice for a special pre-game ceremony," the voice echoes through the speakers.
The arena lights shift to bright white spotlight beams. Marcus Vance walks out onto the center ice carpet, wearing a sharp dark suit. Standing beside him is an older gentleman in a grey blazer, holding a microphone.
James leans over to me, tapping my elbow lightly. "Hey, look at the executive box near the top section."
I turn my head and glance up toward the private suites. Standing near the back glass is Arthur Conti, holding a small briefcase in his hand. He is not wearing his usual team pin. He looks tired, his face pale as he watches the ice floor.
The team announcer speaks up again, his voice carrying clearly across the arena floor. "Prior to tonight’s banner unveiling, we have a major organizational announcement. Effective immediately, Arthur Conti has officially stepped down from his position on the executive board of directors. The Conti family seat has been officially transferred to neutral director Robert Hayes, securing long-term stability for our front office."
A sudden wave of surprised murmurs ripples through the stands, quickly turning into a loud, relieved round of applause from the fans.
I look over at the home bench where Klaus is standing with his teammates. A heavy weight seems to drop right off his shoulders. The man who tried so hard to push Klaus out of the city, the man who tried to control our lives from behind closed doors, is completely gone from the organization. His power is broken, and our team is finally free.
Arthur Conti turns around up in the box, walking away down the hallway without looking back.
"That's it," James whispers, letting out a breath of relief. "It's really over. He can't touch this team anymore."
"Yeah," I say softly, feeling a quiet sense of peace settle deep in my heart. "It's finally over."
Marcus Vance takes the microphone at center ice, looking around at the thousands of cheering faces in the stands.
"Tonight is not just about starting a new season," Vance says, his deep voice full of emotion. "Tonight is about honoring the hard work, the heart, and the family we built together. To our players, our staff, and our fans—this belongs to all of us."
The main arena spotlights shift up toward the high rafters. A large silver frame slowly starts to move, lifting a massive black and gold championship banner off the ground.
The crowd erupts into a deafening roar. People stand up from their seats, waving their towels in the air, many of them crying and hugging each other. The banner rises higher and higher into the bright air, showing our team logo alongside the championship year printed in bold gold letters.
I lift my camera to my eye, framing the breathtaking scene through the lens. I capture the bright light reflecting off the ice, the banner reaching its permanent place in the rafters, and the pure pride on the faces of the players standing together in a tight circle on the rink floor.
Klaus stands at the front of the group, looking straight up at the ceiling as the banner settles into place. The cool ice light shines off his face, catching the small, satisfied smile touching his lips. He slowly lowers his head, turning his gaze away from the high rafters and looking straight down toward the photographer’s well.
His dark eyes lock directly onto mine through the crowd.
The loud noise of the arena seems to fade into the background for a single, quiet moment. There are no more secrets, no more hospital rooms, and no more threats hanging over our heads. He built this victory on the ice, but we built our home together off it.
Klaus gives me a warm, tender smile from across the red line—a silent promise that no matter how long the new season gets, we are standing on solid ground.
I lower my camera slightly, offering him a deep, happy smile right back as the referee blows the whistle for the opening puck drop, ready for everything the future brings us.