The year 2094.
The night was young and City S was ablaze with anticipation as the grand championship match between Hysteria and Imperius was about to commence. The enormous holographic stage where the virtual match will take place shimmered with vibrant colors, casting an ethereal glow upon the eager audience.
This was the clash of the Titans -- the momentous battle that would etch another mark in the annals of Synthoria Online's SPL history. Whether the victory would belong to the six-time champion Hysteria or the rival team Imperius was the hot topic of every single person present in the venue.
On the huge screens scattered throughout the arena, the past championship battles of Hysteria and Imperius played on a loop. Each and every fan present today knew of these battles by heart. And yet, despite having witnessed these battles themselves years ago, their eyes are still glued to the screens. The flashy moves and brilliant tactics employed by both teams make it hard to ignore these recaps.
Inside one of the team lounges of the arena, Qingye stood by the window, watching the crowd of people who had come to watch the match.
"Captain," Little Orchid approached her with a worried look on her face, "are you not feeling well?
"I'm fine, Orchid," Qingye managed a smile on her face as she pulled at Lanhua's pigtails. "I just feel a bit muddle-headed. I stayed up all night with Cang Tian last night. We had to make our plays flawless."
Orchid heaved a sigh as she stared at her Captain's eyes. "I feel like you are lying to me, Captain. I've seen you go days without sleep. But I haven't seen you this way before. You look like your dog died."
"Aiya, stop paying attention to me and just review our battle plan. If you make one mistake today I won't treat you to a meal."
"Okay, okay, I'm going. You better keep your promise about treating me to a meal. You have to buy me beef if I do well, okay?"
"Okay. Go review our battle strategy."
"Alright! Only our Captain loves me best! I will do well in our match today!"
Qingye's face wore a bitter smile as she watched the Little Orchid scurry towards their teammates. Qingye heaved a heavy sigh and shook off the thoughts troubling her. Right now, the most important thing is winning the match. Everything else will matter later.
As the clock struck 10, the whole arena grew silent as the stage lights dimmed and a spotlight fell on the MC. It was the start of the event.
"It has been eight years since the Synthoria Professional Alliance has been founded. Through the years, we witnessed the gods descend and demigods challenge them for the throne. One would say that it is a battle always fought in vain. Who can go against the gods, after all?
And yet, every year, Imperius never failed to take it upon themselves to prove that even gods can bleed. On the battlefield, there are no gods – just humans chasing glory.
Today, we will witness another page of Synthoria Online's glory book being written. This is a moment that will be etched in the history of the league. And just like the five years that passed since Hysteria held the throne, we ask the same question – is today the day the gods will fall down to their knees? Or will they prove, yet again, that the gods are untouchable? Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Seventh Championship Match of the Synthoria Professional League. Let the game begin!"
Screams echoed throughout the stadium as two more spotlights revealed the silhouettes of the most revered figures of the night.
Bathed in red light, team Hysteria looked imposing as they stared down at the crowd. These are the gods and goddesses that have ruled over the Pro League for six years.
On the other side of the stage, the Imperius team, very much like a challenger, had no eyes for anyone else but the Hysteria team. The blue light that surrounded them made them look otherworldly. Sure, they are not gods. But they are the only ones who can go toe to toe with them. It's an honor that no one but the Imperius team owned.
The two teams walked toward the center of the stage and shook hands as they greeted each other. Some exchanged pleasantries while others heckled. Unbeknownst to everyone, the match has already begun. After shaking hands, the two teams went to their respective battle stations.
Another round of screams ensued as both teams logged into their in-game avatars.
In the heart of the virtual battlefield, Excelsia stood tall, donned in sleek, crystal armor that glistened with an ethereal light. She exuded an air of mystery and dominance, as lightning currents danced around every step she took.
And everywhere she went, all eyes followed her form with reverence. As the captain of Hysteria, she commanded the respect and awe of her teammates, her adversaries, fans, and anti-fans. Perhaps in the history of the league, she was the only person loved by both friend and foe.
Qingye's teammates, Little Orchid and Death Shroud flanked her with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. They knew that this championship match would not only determine their team's stand but also signify the beginning of another era.
The holographic stage crackled with energy as the virtual battlefield loaded the map they would be fighting in. Soon, the digital landscape unfolded before their eyes, a sprawling metropolis engulfed in neon lights and towering skyscrapers.
The crowd screamed - some cheered while the rest hurled curses at the game master. The terrain was favorable towards the Imperius guild. The game master wiped the beads of sweat running down his chin as he motioned to the crowd, "Everyone calm down. We all know the mechanics of the game. The map is always randomly generated. And although you don't like the result, it is what it is. Hysteria is at a disadvantage. This kind of terrain is basically Imperius' home ground."
Qingye lazily scanned the surroundings, "Hmm, just a tad complicated," she murmured.
"Play?" Zhanshen asked, feeling eager to wreck the battlefield, "What do we do, sis?"
"Disrupt and box into a control zone. Chain the crowd control, burst, and finish with a Zerg rush. I'll make it rain"
Boundless Scholar glanced at the terrain, "seems doable. Odds?" he asked although he knew the answer.
Qingye rolled her eyes, "Fight for visibility."
As the match began, the virtual avatars of Hysteria and Imperius dashed toward the center of the map to fight for the focal point that would bring them victory,
"Disrupt now!" Qingye screamed.
"As always," Lanhua shook her head as she smiled knowingly, "the captain will do it one beat earlier. Alright, this is going to be messy. Cang Tian, let's go!"
Lanhua and Boundless Scholar flew to the frontlines and cast their skills. Boundless Scholar launched a volley of strings that can control the enemies' movements. As for Lanhua, she chose to use her ultimate from the get-go, causing multiple mirrors to appear everywhere. She aimed these mirrors toward the strings spun by Cang Tian. New strings blossomed out of the mirrors which made it impossible to tell which strings came from Boundless and which are just mere illusions.
"Zhanshen, Dragon!"
"On it!" the two melee avatars rushed toward the frontlines as Lanhua and Boundless attempted to escape.
"These two working together are scary as always," Zhanshen commented as he glanced at the intricate arrangement of the strings. They were designed to herd the enemies towards the center of the map, offering no escape."
"This is going to hurt," Dragon quipped as he positioned himself to the very front, welcoming the enemy assault. As he roared, a white beam of light escaped his mouth and hit the enemies.
"Dragon's Authority! You have 3 seconds!" Qingye turned towards Death Shroud and was pleased to see that the latter was about to be done casting her spell.
Yi Ran pointed her finger at the enemies' feet. Her blackened eyes didn't blink at all as she chanted wickedly, "I am the envoy of Death. You will not ignore me."
A sea of skeletons rose from beneath Imperius team's feet. Truth be told, the damage from these skeletons was negligible. However, the fact that they will keep spawning until Death Shroud runs out of mana or dies is inconvenient for them as the skeletons restrict their movements.
Not to mention the fact that Qingye started making her move. Everyone knows that Qingye's marksmanship was unparalleled, each shot a dance of precision and finesse draining their lives.
As for Zhanshen, he danced around the battlefield reaping lives, as befitting of his title the God of War.
As the match raged on, the holographic stage showed the struggle of the demigods who couldn't even lift a finger against the gods.
In the final moments of the match, Excelsia soared through the dark sky, her movements a symphony of elegance and power as she used her ultimate, putting an end to the hope that the Imperius team's fans nursed in their already fragile hearts.
The match was concluded as Hysteria emerged triumphant, unscathed. The stadium erupted with applause and cheers as virtual confetti rained down on Hysteria's avatars and celebratory messages were shown on the screens.
Qingye stood at the forefront of her team, her eyes shining with a mixture of joy and sorrow. Her teammates gathered around her, their expressions a mix of elation and boredom.
Smiling as she stepped forward, Qingye raised her arm, silencing the crowd. The whole stadium buzzed with anticipation, as all eyes turned to the enigmatic captain.
"My dearest friends, thank you for showing up today to support us, as you have always done since the inception of Hysteria. Your love and respect have reached our hearts and today, we reward your loyalty by standing in front of you as champions once again, united by the spirit of Hysteria," Qingye's voice reverberated through the stadium, her words dripping with a poignant undertone. "Our journey has been one of triumphs and adversities, of wins and losses. But together with you, our loyal fans, we have overcome every obstacle and emerged stronger each time."
"But now," Qingye continued, her tone tinged with a hint of melancholy, "it is time for everyone to embark on a new path as the new era will begin once more, one that leads beyond the realm of Synthoria Online. Today, a new generation of heroes will join the fold – and they will someday surpass even us gods. After all, no one can be invincible forever."
"In this very battleground, I, my teammates, Imperius, and all the other teams forged our legacy," Qingye declared, her voice steady but laced with emotion. "But it will not end with us. To the new generation, this is the moment. The torch has been passed to you."
Lanhua and Cang Tian exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming with will and determination. They knew that the road ahead could be arduous, but they were prepared to rise to the challenge and honor their team's legacy in the years to come. As long as they had their Captain, they would be unstoppable.
"Lastly. to all the fans and fellow gamers who have supported Hysteria and me throughout this extraordinary journey, I am eternally grateful," Qingye's words resonated with sincerity and gratitude. "Your unwavering support has been and will always be the wind beneath my wings, propelling me to heights that I, alone, would never reach. For this, you have my sincere gratitude."
Qingye stepped forward and lowered her head. As the holographic stage faded to darkness, the stadium erupted in thunderous applause and heartfelt cheers. Qingye's Championship speech touched the hearts of many, leaving a lasting impression on the gaming community and beyond.
And so, with the championship won and what amounted to a farewell speech, Lin Qingye disappeared from the esports scene, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a legacy that would forever shape the realm of Synthoria Online. The enigma of her departure lingered. It was a tantalizing mystery that would haunt the minds of fans and gamers alike.
Chaos ensued online and offline. In the days that followed her disappearance, speculations and rumors ran rampant. Some whispered of secret abductions tied to Imperius' defeat, while some talked about bad blood within the Hysteria team. Despite the glitz and glamour that accompanied her success, Qingye's decision to leave professional gaming had been a well-guarded secret. Only a select few knew the truth: she had no choice but to step away from the world she loved due to her obligation to inherit her family's business empire.
The Storm Weaver's departure had left an indelible mark on the esports world. It left behind a void – a space waiting to be filled by a new legend, a new chapter in the ever-evolving story of Synthoria Online.
And as the gaming community pondered the mystery of the Storm Weaver's disappearance, a new wave of anticipation washed over them—a longing for the return of their beloved champion, the secret heiress turned pro gamer who had transcended the boundaries of the virtual world and became an icon, a legend, and above all, an enigma.