The score was 5-5, LakeWood Technical High School was tied with Louisiana State Boys Volleyball Team. The arena was anticipating an insane game between a well rounded team such as LWTHS and a team with one powerhouse player: LSBVT. The lights were bright as Kurai looked up at the ceiling, his back an inspiration to those who looked down at it. The jersey he wore sported the number 2.
"Dad… Thank you…" Kurai tosses the ball really high as everyone prepares. Exhaling as he takes one step and then another. One really long step and slamming his penultimate, then block step into the ground.
[2 days ago]
Nate lands on the ground. Chloe measures the height.
"9 foot 9!" Nate smiles. Everyone clapped, Coach Russ looking at his clipboard.
"Up next is Kaneko…" Kaneko nods and walks up. Tensions shoot through the roof. Kaneko takes a step or two forward as his muscle bulges. Jumping really high and hitting the backboard. Landing dramatically as Chloe checks the height.
"10 foot 9 and a half!" Everyone is shocked as Russ writes it down.
"Up next is Kurai…" Kurai walks up and looking up at the height checker. Taking a deep breath and imagining a massive wall. Bolting forward with his serve runnup speed shocking everyone. His muscles bulge really big as he slams his whole body weight into the ground. Seemingly flying as Russ' eyes widen.
"He's… A phoenix…" Kurai smacks the board and lands with a bit of knee pain. Slowly rising to his feet because of this as Chloe reads the measurement.
"11 foot 9!" everyone is in disbelief as Kurai turns around, looking at Kaneko with a glare of 'beat that'
[Present day]
Kurai flies into the sky and swings his whole weight into the ball. Warping around his hand. The ball morphs into a non-ball-like shape as it hits the court, flying into the stands. A loud silence fills the arena.
"AN INSANE POWER SERVE BY KURAI VLAST!!!"
The crowd goes crazy chanting "Kurai!" over and over as Kurai exhales. Catching the next ball and preparing for his second serve. Remembering a lesson by Coach Russ before the game.
"Remember guys… there's no need to rush this game… we'll defeat Louisiana State with our tenacity, we don't need speed… it's a double edged sword we can't risk right now"
"Good serve" Kurai tosses the ball high and runs forward, once again morphing the ball onto the court. Landing with a smirk.
"Let's take it easy," Kaneko smirks and looks at Lucas. Taking a big deep breath, this may be nationals, but they have nothing to fear. They ARE LakeWood Technical. The score whistles. LWTHS 7-5 LSBVT.
Kurai stepped up to serve again.
Michael exhales calmly thinking to himself. 'What is it that's brought me to be who I am today…?' His feet slowly lift off the ground and hopping backwards quickly as Kurai slams the ball over the net. 'Who are these challengers in front of me?... I'm not a natural born genius like them… not at all… I've built my way up here to prove my Dad wrong!' Michael reaches forward a bit as the ball bends on his arms. 'Insane power-' He falls back as the ball floats high into the rafters of the arena. The entire arena went crazy.
"Michael Winters receives Kurai Vlast's serve!"
Michael stands up slowly and locks eyes with Kurai. 'There's no doubting it… my reign as the US's 3rd best ace… may be coming to a close after this match…' He looks up as the ball floats in front of one of the lights. 'If they think i'm gonna let them take it from me without some force?... then they got a surprise coming…!' Michael runs up to the net and jumps, Gabriel setting the ball to him. Suddenly Dougal appears. Michael twists his body and completely ignores the block. Dougal smirks as Lucas get's under the ball easily but falls backwards.
"LakeWood Technical's team Captain receives the powerful spike from a top 3 spiker!" Lucas smirks.
"Dougal you master blocker!" Dougal lands and turns around.
"Kurai!" Kurai runs up and sets the ball to the right where Dougal was, jumping up alongside Devon. Jousting the ball over the net. Dougal wins and pushes the ball onto the court as a whistle blows. LWTHS 8-5 LSBVT. A loud buzzer rings out.
"LakeWood Technical High School; Technical timeout"