Hana had done it. She had snatched the Simple Devils' flag and now was sprinting back towards her base, the precious prize clutched tightly in her hand. The arena buzzed with excitement, the crowd's cheers echoing through the virtual landscape. It was a pivotal moment in the match, and every spectator knew it.
The Fighter from Simple Devils had desperately attempted to stop her, launching powerful attacks with brute force. However, Kang-dae, with his unwavering resolve and defensive prowess, intervened. He stood as a bulwark against the Fighter's onslaught, giving Hana the chance she needed to make her escape. With Kang-dae keeping the Fighter occupied, Hana only had to be wary of one remaining threat: Mage 1 of the Simple Devils.
As Hana dashed across the rocky terrain of High Terrain, her senses were on high alert. The map's clearings left little room for stealth, making her an easy target for the Mage's spells. She glanced back to see Kang-dae locked in a fierce struggle with the Fighter, both trading powerful blows.
Ahead, the path to their base seemed clear, but Hana knew better than to let her guard down. Mage 1 was somewhere nearby, undoubtedly preparing to intercept her. She took a deep breath, her mind racing through possible strategies.
"Kang-dae, I'm heading your way! Keep that Fighter busy!" Hana called into her comms.
"Roger that! Just keep moving!" Kang-dae replied, his voice strained from the effort to fend off the relentless attacks.
With her eyes scanning the terrain, Hana spotted a faint glow from the corner of her vision. It was Mage 1, standing atop a rocky outcrop, hands raised as he conjured a spell. She recognized the build-up of energy—it was a powerful offensive spell, designed to immobilize or eliminate her.
"Hana, Mage 1 is up ahead!" Kang-dae's voice crackled through the comms. "Watch out for his attacks!"
"I see him," Hana replied, her voice calm but focused. She knew that a confrontation with the Mage would be risky. Instead, she needed to outmanoeuvre him, using her speed and agility to stay one step ahead.
Mage 1 unleashed a barrage of fireballs, each one streaking through the air with deadly precision. Hana zigzagged across the terrain, her movements swift and unpredictable. The fireballs exploded around her, sending shards of rock and debris flying, but none found their mark.
"Nice try," Hana muttered under her breath, her eyes locked on the Mage. She darted to the left, then to the right, using the uneven terrain to her advantage. Each step brought her closer to her base and farther from the Mage's reach.
Mage 1, frustrated by his inability to land a hit, changed tactics. He began to chant a different spell, one that caused the ground beneath Hana to crack and heave. She stumbled, nearly losing her balance, but quickly recovered.
Just as she thought she had steered herself away from Mage 1, a stray fireball from a different direction flew past her, barely missing her shoulder. Hana's eyes widened as she quickly glanced towards the origin of the spell. She saw Mage 2 of the Simple Devils, who had already returned to support his team. The realization hit her hard: she was in a pinch.
With Mage 2 now joining the fray, Hana found herself caught between two powerful spellcasters. The terrain, which had once provided cover and opportunity, now felt like a trap. Each step forward was met with another fiery assault, forcing her to stay on the defensive.
"Great, just what I needed," Hana thought, her mind racing to find a solution. She couldn't move forward without exposing herself to further attacks, and her evasive manoeuvres were growing more limited with each passing second. The pressure mounted as the reality of her situation set in. She was isolated and without immediate support.
"Kang-dae, I'm in trouble here!" Hana called into her comms, hoping for a miracle.
"I'm tied up with the Fighter!" Kang-dae's voice came back, strained and breathless. "You'll have to hold out a bit longer!"
The urgency in Kang-dae's voice told Hana all she needed to know. She was on her own now. She needed to rely on her wits and agility to survive this encounter. The odds were stacked against her, but Hana wasn't about to give up.
Mage 2 launched another wave of fireballs, each one blazing with intensity. Hana dodged and weaved, but the effort was taking its toll. Sweat dripped down her brow, and her muscles ached from the relentless movement. She could feel the heat of the spells as they whizzed past her, each one a reminder of how close she was to being taken out.
"I need to find cover," she thought desperately. Her eyes scanned the area, looking for anything that could provide temporary respite. But the mountain terrain offered little in the way of sanctuary.
As if sensing her desperation, Mage 1 renewed his efforts, sending a series of crackling earth spells her way. The ground beneath her feet shifted and buckled, making it even harder to maintain her balance. Hana knew she couldn't keep this up forever. She needed a plan, and fast.
Suddenly, an idea struck her. If she couldn't move forward, she might be able to outmanoeuvre them by moving sideways, using the rocky outcrops as a temporary shield. It was a risky move, but it was the only option she had.
Hana took a deep breath and made a dash to her left, darting behind a large boulder just as another fireball exploded where she had been standing. The cover was minimal, but it was enough to buy her a few precious seconds.
"Soo-jin, Jin-kyong, anyone, I need backup!" Hana called out, hoping that her teammates could provide some relief.
"We're on our way, hold tight!" Soo-jin's voice crackled through the comms, offering a glimmer of hope.
Hana's heart pounded in her chest as she braced herself for the next wave of attacks. She knew that if she could just hold out a little longer, her team would come through for her. Until then, it was a battle of endurance and wit, and Hana was determined to see it through.
Hana crouched behind the boulder, her breath coming in short, controlled bursts. The flag in her hand felt like a lifeline, yet also a beacon that drew the enemy's wrath. She knew she had to protect it at all costs. Each second felt like an eternity as she strategized her next move. She peeked around the edge of the boulder, spotting Mage 1 and Mage 2 advancing, their eyes locked on her position.
"They're closing in," Hana muttered, her mind racing for a solution. Her options were limited, and every escape route seemed fraught with danger. She had to think fast.
Mage 1 unleashed a volley of earth spikes, each one erupting from the ground with deadly precision. Hana ducked back just in time, feeling the sharp rocks scrape against the edge of her cover. She couldn't afford to stay in one place for too long. The mages would pin her down and overwhelm her if she didn't keep moving.
Summoning her remaining strength, Hana decided to make a break for it. She bolted from her cover, darting towards a cluster of smaller rocks that offered a semblance of protection. As she ran, she zigzagged, trying to make herself a difficult target
for the mages. Fireballs and earth spikes rained down around her, each one narrowly missing its mark. Hana could feel the heat of the flames and the tremors from the earth, but she pushed through, driven by sheer determination.
"Almost there," she whispered to herself, her eyes focused on the next safe spot. She could hear Mage 2 chanting another spell, the words echoing ominously through the rocky terrain. She had to move faster.
With a final burst of speed, Hana dove behind the new cluster of rocks, just as a massive fireball exploded where she had been moments before. The impact sent a shockwave through the ground, but Hana was safe for now. She crouched low, her heart pounding in her chest, and glanced at the flag in her hand.
"I can't let them take this back," she vowed silently. The flag represented more than just a point; it was a symbol of her team's efforts and determination. Losing it now would be a severe blow.
Hana peeked out from her cover, assessing the situation. Mage 1 and Mage 2 were relentless, coordinating their attacks with deadly efficiency. She needed to find a way to disrupt their rhythm, to create an opening for her escape. Her mind raced through possible strategies, each one more desperate than the last.
Just then, a fireball hit the rocks she was hiding behind, shattering them and sending shards flying in all directions. Hana shielded her face with her arms, feeling the sting of debris against her skin. She knew she couldn't stay hidden much longer. The mages were closing in, their spells growing more intense.
Desperation fueled her next move. Hana reached into her pouch and pulled out a smoke bomb, a last-resort item she had been saving for a moment like this. She ignited it and tossed it towards the advancing mages. The bomb exploded in a thick cloud of smoke, obscuring their vision and buying her precious seconds.
Hana took advantage of the confusion and sprinted towards a higher vantage point, hoping to gain a better position. The smoke bomb had given her a brief respite, but she knew it wouldn't last long. The mages would adapt quickly.
As she climbed the rocky slope, she kept the flag clutched tightly in her hand. She could hear the mages shouting at each other, their voices muffled by the smoke. She reached the top of the slope and ducked behind a large rock, taking a moment to catch her breath.
"Where are you guys?" she whispered into her comms, hoping for a quick response.
"We're almost there, Hana," Soo-jin's voice crackled through the earpiece. "Hold on just a little longer!"
Hana nodded to herself, even though her teammates couldn't see her. She knew she had to keep fighting, to hold her ground until help arrived. The mages were getting closer, their silhouettes visible through the dissipating smoke. She took a deep breath and prepared herself for the next wave of attacks.