Hana sprinted through the dense foliage of the Celestial Gardens, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She could hear the relentless pursuit of In-su and the two Assassins close behind her. Every step she took was a calculated manoeuvre to stay ahead, to survive just a little longer.
Her mind raced as fast as her legs, calculating every possible escape route. The dense trees provided cover, but they also slowed her down. She needed an open space, somewhere she could use her agility to her advantage.
Amid her frantic escape, her comm crackled to life. Soo-jin's voice came through, strained and tinged with frustration.
"Hana, we lost the artefact. Chin-hwa took it."
"What? How?" Hana's heart sank.
"We were ambushed," Sang-hee chimed in. "He was too fast. He's gone off the radar now. We don't know where he is."
Hana cursed under her breath. The hard-fought advantage Team Fire had gained was slipping away.
"So it's 3:3 now," she said, her voice grim.
"Yeah," Soo-jin confirmed. "Neither team has an advantage. But Chin-hwa hasn't returned to their base yet. There's still a chance to intercept him."
Hana glanced over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of In-su's determined expression as he closed the distance.
"We need to regroup fast. We're outnumbered right now."
"We'll try to meet up with you," Sang-hee said. "But be careful. We can't afford to lose you too."
"Got it. Stay safe," Hana nodded, even though they couldn't see her.
She ended the call and pushed herself harder. The terrain began to change, the trees thinning out into a more open area. It was risky, but it also gave her more room to manoeuvre. She needed to buy time, to create enough distance so she could formulate a plan.
Behind her, In-su and the Assassins spread out, trying to flank her. They were relentless, determined to end her escape. Hana zigzagged, making it harder for them to predict her movements. But she knew she couldn't keep this up forever.
Her mind raced, considering her options. She needed to find a way to turn the tables, to create an opportunity for her team. Just as she was about to make a sharp turn, a sudden realization hit her. The Celestial Gardens had several hidden paths, shortcuts that could lead her back towards her base while shaking off her pursuers.
She veered left, heading towards one of the lesser-known paths. It was narrow and overgrown, but it was her best chance. As she darted through the underbrush, she could hear the confusion in the footsteps behind her. They hadn't anticipated her sudden change in direction.
Hana's comm crackled again, this time with a more urgent tone.
"Hana, watch out!" Soo-jin's voice was frantic. "They're trying to cut you off."
Hana's pulse quickened. She needed to be smarter, and faster. She ducked under a low-hanging branch, her eyes scanning for any signs of an ambush. The hidden path was treacherous, filled with roots and uneven ground, but it also provided cover.
She heard the sound of magic being cast, the familiar hum of In-su's spells. A bolt of lightning shot past her, striking a tree and sending splinters flying. Hana didn't slow down. She used the cover of the trees to her advantage, weaving in and out of sight.
In-su was closing in, his spells becoming more accurate. Hana felt the searing heat of a fireball whiz past her shoulder, narrowly missing her. She needed to change her strategy. She couldn't outrun them forever.
She spotted a cluster of rocks up ahead, an ideal spot to make a stand. With a burst of speed, she dove behind them, catching her breath for a moment. She could hear In-su and the Assassins approaching, their footsteps growing louder.
Hana's comm buzzed again.
"We're on our way," Sang-hee said. "Just hold on a little longer."
Hana nodded, gripping her weapon tightly. She needed to play for time, to keep them occupied until her teammates could arrive. As In-su and the Assassins closed in, Hana steeled herself for the fight.
In-su appeared first, his eyes scanning the area. Hana stepped out from behind the rocks, her stance ready for combat. In-su's lips curled into a smirk.
"Running out of places to hide?"
Hana didn't respond. She lunged forward, her blade aimed at In-su. He sidestepped, but she was relentless, her strikes fast and precise. In-su conjured a shield, but Hana's attacks were relentless, forcing him on the defensive.
The Assassins moved in, trying to flank her. Hana anticipated their move, using the rocks to her advantage. She ducked and weaved, her movements a blur as she countered their attacks. But she was outnumbered, and every second she fought drained her energy.
She needed to buy more time. With a swift kick, she knocked one of the Assassins off balance, then turned her attention back to In-su. He cast another spell, a wave of energy that forced her back. Hana gritted her teeth, pushing through the pain.
Her comm crackled again.
"We're almost there," Soo-jin said. "Just hold on."
Hana nodded, her eyes never leaving her opponents. She could do this. She had to do this. For her team, for the win. She just needed to hold on a little longer.
Hana's desperate dash had brought her to the edge of the Celestial Gardens, where she now faced her pursuers. The comm chatter in her ear buzzed with updates from Soo-jin and Sang-hee. Meanwhile, in the stadium, the commentators were electrified by the unfolding drama.
Dong-yul's voice boomed over the roar of the crowd.
"What an incredible turn of events! Team Fire's Fighter is doing everything she can to buy time for her team. With a Mage and the two Assassins on her tail, she's showing the tenacity that makes her the second-best Fighter in Korea."
Soo-min chimed in, her voice filled with excitement.
"Absolutely, Dong-yul! Her manoeuvring has been nothing short of spectacular. She's using every bit of the terrain to her advantage, keeping the Mage and the Assassins of Aerial at bay. But can she hold out until her teammates arrive?"
Back on the battlefield, Hana's breath came in ragged gasps. She had chosen her ground well, using the rocks as cover. She could see In-su's eyes flickering with frustration as he tried to get a clear shot. The Assassins flanked her, looking for an opening.
Dong-yul's commentary continued, capturing the tension.
"The Mage of Aerial is relentless with his spells, but Team Fire's Fighter's agility is keeping her just out of reach. This is a classic showdown between raw power and finesse. And don't forget, her teammates are racing to get to her and support her."
"And let's not forget the pressure on Aerial. He needs to eliminate the Fighter quickly, but she's not giving him any chances. Every second counts in this high-stakes game," Soo-min added.
"We're almost there, Hana. Just a bit longer!" Hana's comm crackled with another update from Soo-jin.
Hana's grip tightened on her weapon. She could feel the weight of her team's hopes resting on her shoulders. She had to hold on, no matter what.
In-su cast another spell, sending a bolt of energy hurtling towards her. Hana dodged, the blast grazing her arm and leaving a searing pain. She hissed but kept moving, her eyes darting between In-su and the Assassins.
"Her endurance is incredible! She's taking hits but keeps fighting. This could be the turning point of the match," Dong-yul's voice rang out again, filled with admiration.
"But with every hit, her strength wanes. Aerial strategy is clear—wear her down until she can't fight back. And the Assassins are waiting for their moment to strike," Soo-min's tone grew serious.
In the crowd, spectators were on the edge of their seats, eyes glued to the screens displaying the intense battle. Cheers and gasps echoed through the stadium as the fight raged on.
Hana's mind raced. She needed a plan, something to disrupt their rhythm. She feinted left, drawing one of the Assassins in, then pivoted sharply, her blade flashing out to catch him off guard. He staggered back, giving her a brief moment of respite.
"She's on counterattack! She's not just defending; she's looking for opportunities to strike back. This is a masterclass in combat strategy," Soo-min's voice was excited.
"You're right, Soo-min! She's using her speed and intelligence to keep the pressure on. But she needs support. Where are Soo-jin and Sang-hee?" Dong-yul agreed.
In-su seized the moment of distraction, launching a barrage of spells. Hana dodged and weaved, but she was tired. The Assassins pressed in, sensing her weakening resolve.
"She's in trouble. She's done an amazing job holding them off, but she's reaching her limit. Can Team Fire get back in time to save her?" Soo-min's voice was tense.
"It's a race against the clock. She's holding on by sheer willpower. If Soo-jin and Sang-hee don't make it back soon, this could be the end for her," Dong-yul's response was sombre.
The crowd was on its feet, the tension palpable. Every viewer was riveted, watching as Hana fought with everything she had. She blocked another strike, her movements slowing, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
"Hana, we're almost there! Just a few more seconds!" And then, over the comm, Soo-jin's voice rang out, filled with urgency.
Hana steeled herself, eyes locked on In-su. She knew this was her last stand. With a fierce yell, she lunged at In-su, forcing him back. The Assassins closed in, but she held her ground, determined to buy those precious few seconds.
"This is it. The climax of an incredible battle. Can Hana hold on just long enough?" Dong-yul's voice was almost a whisper, filled with awe.
"Come on, Team Fire. Get to her in time. Hana's given everything. She deserves the rescue," Soo-min's voice was filled with hope.
The stadium held its breath, the final moments of the chase unfolding in heart-stopping tension.