"Look alive people. It's time," said Kilin and five avatars banded together, each carving out a niche in the gaming landscape, primed and prepared for the impending battle.
Kilin, as the Scarlet King, the feared jungler, stood at the forefront. Her avatar, donned in spectral armour, held an ethereal glaive that shimmered with an eerie light. Kilin's eyes were focused on each flicker of her gaze a testament to her determination. She had chosen the Scarlet King, a character known for his swift and ruthless attacks as she intended to use those attributes to their fullest extent and make her opponents regret meeting her.
Keele had chosen to command the mage Lady Sicilia in the mid-lane, her staff crackling with mystic energy.
Luna chose to be in the farm lane using the hero Black Star, her avatar's radiant glow alluring. Stardust, the steadfast support, held the reins of Silver Raven, ready to manipulate the ticking moments to their advantage. The top lane was held by the indomitable SunX, his avatar, Night Wave, ready to strike.
The game began with an explosion of action. Kilin, with her avatar, dashed into the jungle, her glaive cutting through the virtual undergrowth. She manoeuvred through the darkened paths, her eyes observing the mini-map, looking for opportunities to strike. Her heart pounded in her chest, synchronized with the rhythmic slashing of her weapon. Her mind imagined the enemy being Wyatt's stupid face thus her attacks were relentless.
Keele, in the mid-lane, displayed a spectacle of magic and power. Lady Sicilia, under her control, summoned cosmic energies and rained down starlight, keeping the enemy at bay. Luna, in the farm lane, was struggling a little but she was trying to keep up. Her character Black Star harvested resources while trying to fend off the enemy's advances. Her performance was not as good as before. That's because Kilin wasn't talking her through it like she used to. Luna started playing this game because she had heard Wyatt played it and wanted to learn so they could have something to talk about. The game wasn't easy to understand thus she asked for Kilin's help but she seemed unwilling to help her today.
In the top lane, SunX held his ground, Night Wave's strength an unyielding wall against the enemy. And Stardust, ever watchful, manipulated Time Bender's abilities to heal, protect, and control the battlefield, ensuring no ally fell without a fight.
But it was Kilin, in the jungle, who truly turned the tide of the battle. Her avatar, the Scarlet King, emerged from the darkness, his spectral glaive cutting a swathe through the enemy. Each attack was a vent of her pent-up anger, each strikes a clear statement of her determination. Her character moved like a spectre, swift and lethal, leaving destruction in his wake.
Soon, the enemy team was in disarray. Kilin, with her relentless aggression and precise attacks, had decimated their ranks. Her allies pressed the advantage, Keele's Lady Sicilia unleashing mystic fury, SunX's Night Wave standing indomitable, and Stardust's Silver Ravenbending the very fabric of the game to their advantage.
There was soon an announcement that an ally had been slain. Kilin didn't even need to check to know who it was. Luna's Black Star fell amidst the chaos and Kilin didn't even bat an eye. She had been swamped by the enemy and couldn't retreat to base in time.
Keele found it amusing and typed 'nice' in the team chat.
Soon the enemy's base crumbled under their coordinated assault, and as the dust settled, victory was declared. Kilin, Keele, SunX, and Stardust stood triumphant, their avatars standing tall amidst the ruins of the battlefield, their battle cries echoing in the silence.
Kilin had found an outlet to vent it all out thus she didn't turn them down when they asked for another round. Luna didn't play with them in the next game. She gave some excuse and Kilin didn't bother to pay attention.
Right at the climax of the second round, her bedroom door opened and their uncle peaked through.
"Uncle Marcus!" excitedly yelled Raylan while jumping off the bed. He rubbed his nephew's head while looking at Kilin who was busy hammering at the keyboard like her life depended on it.
"Kiki," he called out.
Kilin's eyes darted away from the screen, annoyance flickering across her face. "Wait, just a minute, Uncle," she snapped, her focus still fixed on the game.
"I'm about to win this match, and then everyone will see who the true MVP is... Yes, who is your daddy now?" Her words rang out with a mix of triumph and defiance.
Kilin was a force to be reckoned with, and her relentless pursuit of victory reminded him of someone. His influence was still there despite having no relationship with her.
Kilin's eyes finally tore away from the screen and faced her uncle. "You two are upset with your mother again? She has been waiting for you to have dinner together," he said and the both of them averted their gaze.
Kilin took a deep breath, the adrenaline from the game slowly dissipating. "Let's go have dinner together," he said and the two had no choice but to follow him to the dining room.
Their mother was sitting in the lounge doing some work on her laptop and when she saw them coming she seemed very happy.
The four sat down to eat and the entire time it was Uncle Marcus and Raylan who were talking. The two ladies were silent the tension between them evident.
Mary Lee tried to talk to her several times but the ice was thick and she couldn't break it. After dinner and washing the dishes, Kilin went to the bathroom. While she was washing her face her mother walked in and said, "Come with me."
Kilin was very reluctant. Usually, when they talk about things and air it all out she loses control of her emotions and ends up yelling. Sometimes instead of deescalating things her mother would mirror her energy making things worse.
"Now? Can't we do this tomorrow?" she asked but Mary Lee remained resolute.
"Now please," she said and Kilin grunted as she followed her with heavy steps.
Kilin walked into her mother's room expecting to have a heart-to-heart conversation about why she was upset. However, as soon as Kilin set foot inside, her eyes fell upon the wax warmer placed prominently on a nearby table.
Her brows furrowed in confusion, and a sense of dread washed over her. The sight of the wax sticks and hard wax beans next to it only deepened her unease. "Uh ah, not today," she muttered under her breath, instinctively sensing trouble brewing. Kilin's mind raced, desperately searching for a way to evade the impending ordeal.
Before she could make a hasty retreat, her mother's firm voice pierced the air. "Lie down, Kilin," Mary Lee commanded, her tone brooking no arguments. Kilin's eyes widened in disbelief as she turned to face her mother, her heart sinking further. " There was no way she was letting Kilin leave without waxing her daughter's armpits, legs and arms. The event was going to be tomorrow night and she didn't want them to criticise anything about her daughter.