"And it's struck hard! Straight for the commentators area. A six it is! Xian Zhangli pressuring Nagi Srour after breaking his maiden over streak after the third delivery…" the commentary went.
Karachi's pavilion silent, only anxious breathing was heard. Helios clenched his hands while sweat dripped from Heber and Poseidon's forehead.
"Oh… I cannot look." Adam hid behind Alan's back.
Alan too swallowed. Every passing moment made his throat dry.
Nagi removing his glasses, stepped on the popping crease. "Brokering with the soul."
Delivering the same Googly. Zhangli smirked, "Oh? Go broker with something else, tycoon. I have a match to win." he closed his eyes and played a swift glance aiming for a four next.
Nagi furrowed his gaze grave as the over ended.
"WOHOO!! GO PESHAWAR GO!!" the crowd cheered.
"Last over of the game and all pressure mounting on the kings. What will their ultimate strategy be when Zalmi stand on 158/4. 16 runs required in last 6 balls. Can Seraph Awan guard these runs or will Omar and Zhangli finish this match to the very end…" the commentators speculated in anticipation.
The boys surrounding in a circle. Ren questioned, "So, what's the plan."
Seraph stared at the ball in his hands anxious, "16 runs… will I be able to…"
"Don't think about that." Helios interrupted dabbing his back from behind.
Cassiel flinched, "Gosh, you scared me!"
Helios chuckled, "My bad."
Handing them drinks he advised, "Don't panic or force yourself. Just play like you always do. It might not look like it but the pressure you are in. I feel myself in it too and Kenzo and Senior Senri. Both of you know what to do best than anybody here."
Kenzo glanced at Senri who scratched his hairs exhaling, "Alright. We are forming a defensive field."
Elias smiled with a nod.
The break ending, Helios came back to the pavilion.
"How's everything?" Poseidon inquired. "Looks fine to me. Let's see what happens next." Helios replied.
"Why didn't you go?" Kazuna asked Alan.
"There was no need." Alan smiled studying their fielding positions, "They are not prepared to lose."
"Oh…?" Pedro whispered absorbed.
"What intrigues you so much?" Seles questioned his curiosity.
"Nothing." Pedro replied mysteriously.
Nidou blinked, glancing at the field.
Gabriel and Nagi moving towards the Third man and Fine leg respectively. Feng took the Point position with Kenzo on Deep square leg. Ren taking the long on with Senri the Deep mid-off. Cassiel stood at Shortfine leg, Azazel, cover and Xavier towards the gully.
Seraph taking the ball from the umpire headed back. Grabbing its seam, he looked at the fielders who had taken their positions. Omar on the strikers end tapped his bat on the crease looking ahead.
"Hmp…" Seraph smirked. "Not coming out at this moment. You really are a coward…" he whispered to his Cleve persona that remained in the dark, even when he was feeling beyond nervous.
The crowd rooting and hearts in throats.
Seraph stepped forward, rushing towards the crease. His hairs dancing with the wind, Elias who had removed his helmet, stood alerted behind Omar.
Stepping on the popping crease, Seraph whispered, "Infrasonic Glint: Wave 2!" A Yorker length delivery leaving his grasp like a bullet straight for the stumps. Omar stared at the ball and the moment it came close, swung his bat with full force towards the Deep Extra cover. Full and high, it sailed through the stands as the boys gasped in disbelief.
"That's it! Thrown a bullet, returned a bullet! Don't look for the ball Karachi Kings. It's send to Peshawar's fans over the stands!" Maaz commented, "6 runs out of the park only 10 more needed. Peshawar fans are on the verge of bursting with joy." Seraph turned to Omar who too stared at his quivering hands in incredulity. Meeting his gaze Omar complimented with a light grin, "Not bad."
Seraph swallowed, his heart thumping, "It's like… facing Kenzo out of nowhere." he thought, turning around.
"No wonder he's the last boss." Azazel whispered startled.
Instantly, Seraph halted, his eyes sloping downwards and brows rising, he revealed a haughty grin pivoting once more, "Not bad?" repeating Omar's remark; prompting him to look at him again.
"Worse is going to come soon." Seraph threatened turning to where Xavier stood. Raising his hand up, he showed his index finger indicating a gesture.
Xavier deciphering it in a blink of a second responded with a thumbs up, almost immediately standing on the 1st slip.
Omar narrowed his gaze alerted.
Helios smiled.
"Captain… how can you smile at a time like this?" Ezekiel questioned uneasy.
Helios shook his head clueless, "I wonder how as well…"
The highschoolers on the contrary, sat silent with narrowed gazes and stern expressions, neither of them uttering a single word.
Nidou yawned unimpressed.
"Infrasonic Glint: Wave 3!" Seraph went as Omar rather than risking played a dot return. Ren grabbing the ball handed it back to Seraph.
"Tch, what a brat. I thought this might be the end." Seraph clicked his tongue.
Ren blinked astonished over his changed personality instead, "I wonder if you are, Seraph though…"
Seraph grinned, "Crazy isn't it? Nonetheless, I am him and he is me. Together we are one. It's just that… I am his dream and he is my reality..."
Ren gasped for a moment.
"That's why I come and go like a splinter, oh, self-esteemed highschooler." Seraph joked at the end.
Ren unable to grasp his words rubbed his neck once again taking his position.
The next delivery safely caught into hands within the 30 inch circle. It was 10 runs needed on 3 more legal deliveries.
"Seraph Awan is a fort holder. What a presence he has on the field and at a moment like this and not to forget Senri, he's over the field like a grim reaper for Peshawar batsmen, haha." the commentators shared light jests.
"Come on, Omar. Captain Zhangli! You can do it! Just smack two sixes already." Raza cheered.
Mael patted his shoulders with a smile, "They will do it."
"Hm." Iosif and Uzair agreed.
Hafiz too stood beside Suleiman. Suleiman glanced, "What is it?"
Hafiz shook his head, "Nothing, I'll just hug you once this game ends."
For a moment Suleiman blinked alongside the rest.
Naeem chuckled resting his fingers on his lips.
"I don't need it." Suleiman looked away apathetic.
"Haha." Hafiz kept his arm around his shoulders.
Stepping on the popping crease, Seraph once again delivered the 4th wave of infrasonic glint. This time the ball's seam wobbling, Omar tried to strike the ball however, it immediately cut towards the side going in between the 2nd and 3rd slip. Xavier on the 1st slip missing the chance of a slip catch, crouched low hiding his mouth.
"OH!!" the entire ground went.
"Lucky Omar and 2 more runs Peshawar scores. Xavier did a good job holding his guard but the slips left no choice. Now eight more runs last 2 balls. 2 more fours and two more sixes both will do the job…" the commentators remarked.
"Tch!" Orion rolled his eyes.
"This delivery will decide it all." Noah gulped.
"Yeah, win or loss. It's time." Aaron added.
Elias patted Xavier's head, "It's fine, don't sweat it."
Xavier blinked, "How are you so sure?"
Elias smiled instead of responding leaving Xavier in complete enigma.
"Aim for the stumps, right?" Seraph winked at Kenzo and Senri.
Senri squinted his gaze, "Don't use Infrasonic Glint now."
Seraph grinned as his golden orbs shone under the floodlights; sweat dripping his forehead, through his lashes, down to his jaw line. His left arm shook, "I am sorry… I won't listen to that." he excused himself, getting ready.
"Forget it. He is stronger than you think. Someone who does heavy lifting every day, can't possibly sprain his arm within a few deliveries." Kenzo took his position.
However, worry still lingering on Senri's face, he smiled in disbelief whispering, "Honestly… can you all listen to me for just once?"
Rushing towards the popping crease, Seraph whispered, "Come on, Seraph… just one more time." he whispered to himself.
With this he left the ball from his grasp. "Infrasonic Glint: Wave 1… Full toss."
The delivery slower than the ones before however aimed for Omar's feet. Omar struck it straight but, before it could pass the umpire for a straight boundary. Seraph regained his stance and dived low stopping the ball with his hand. His arm grazed on the ground, he knelt there for a while hiding his face inside his arms panting hard.
"Huff, huff… honestly, this stings…" he thought grinning.
Omar rather than running remained inside his crease.
"What a huge save but that must've hurt." Wasim wondered. "
Seraph!" Alan uttered concerned beside Adam, "Sera, Sera!"
The boys surrounding him, Seraph sat up straight giving a reassuring smile, his Cleve persona dissolving, "It's alright." he assured, "Moreover, I saved the runs didn't I? We already won."
The boys realizing the fact looked at each other wordless. "We won?" Azazel repeated in disbelief.
"Right. 8 runs in the last delivery. Until and unless we make mistakes and, give them free deliveries or runs. It's impossible." Elias told.
"Hah! We won, then!" Azazel skipped up grabbing Cassiel's hands who nodded in return.
Nonetheless, Feng cupped Seraph's cheeks. "Are you seriously thinking about that?! You scared us for a moment there." soon grabbing his shoulders looking low and breathing a sigh of relief.
Nagi and Ren shook their heads speechless.
Grabbing Gabriel's hand, Seraph pulled himself up.
"Your arm…" Zhangli pointed at Seraph's arm which bled a bit.
"It's alright, I didn't even felt it." Seraph headed back.