The team regrouped under the shadow of one of the enormous citadel towers. The bright, glassy structures around them shimmered in the artificial sunlight, but the air was thick with tension. They had secured their first control point and avoided another direct confrontation, but they all knew it was only a matter of time before the real battles began.
Raijin leaned against a wall, his gaze distant as he tried to process the situation. The tournament had officially entered a new stage, and their odds were growing slimmer by the hour. Out of the hundreds of competitors who had started, only fifty teams remained, and they were all converging on these floating platforms to fight for dominance.
Mikasa stretched her arms, rolling her shoulders after the long sprint through the citadel. "So, what's the next move?" she asked, looking over at Raijin.
Raijin exhaled, pushing himself off the wall. "We have one control point, but we'll need at least two more to stay in the running. The problem is, everyone knows that. The next few control points are going to be heavily contested."
Kenji adjusted his gloves, his brows furrowing. "So, we're heading into more battles, then. I'm not complaining, but... it's going to get ugly."
"Yeah, and fast," Hiro added, his eyes scanning the horizon. "We can't just charge in blindly, though. If we go head-on, we'll get overwhelmed. We have to play this smart."
Raijin crossed his arms, nodding in agreement. "Exactly. It's not just about fighting anymore. We have to outthink our opponents and find ways to outmaneuver them."
A brief silence followed, each of them processing the challenge ahead. Raijin glanced at the glowing control points displayed on his HUD. There were several spread across the citadel, but three key points were positioned at the highest levels of the floating city. If they could capture one of those, it would give them a huge advantage.
"We're going for the high ground," Raijin said finally, his voice steady. "The upper platforms will be the most dangerous, but if we can secure one of those control points, we'll be in a strong position for the final stages."
Mikasa frowned slightly. "Won't that paint a target on our backs?"
"It will," Raijin admitted. "But it's a risk we have to take. Staying down here and picking off lower points won't be enough. We need a position of power."
Hiro nodded, clearly on the same page. "Makes sense. But we'll need to be fast. Other teams are probably thinking the same thing."
Kenji grinned, drawing his sword with a flourish. "Good. Let them come. I've been itching for a real fight."
Raijin smirked at Kenji's enthusiasm, though deep down, he felt the weight of what was coming. This tournament had gone beyond a simple competition. Every move they made was a calculated risk, and one wrong step could cost them everything.
"All right," Raijin said, "let's move."
The team set off across the glassy platforms, heading toward the towering structures that marked the upper levels of the citadel. As they ran, Raijin kept a close eye on the map, watching for signs of other teams. The tension in the air was palpable at any moment, they could be ambushed.
The path to the upper platforms wasn't easy. The glass bridges twisted and turned at impossible angles, and some sections had collapsed, forcing them to leap between floating islands or find alternative routes. The higher they climbed, the more exposed they became. Raijin's heart raced as he scanned the area, knowing full well that they were now in the most dangerous part of the tournament.
As they reached the halfway point, Mikasa suddenly stopped. "Wait," she whispered, holding up a hand. "There's someone ahead."
Raijin crouched beside her, peering through the translucent platform. Sure enough, there were two figures on the next level, standing near one of the secondary control points. He recognized them immediately, it was one of the more well-known teams, led by a player named Akira.
Akira's team was infamous for their ambush tactics, often lying in wait for unsuspecting players before striking. Raijin knew they'd have to be careful.
"Looks like they're guarding that control point," Kenji muttered, gripping his sword tightly. "What's the plan, Raijin?"
Raijin thought for a moment. They could try to bypass Akira's team, but it would mean losing time and possibly encountering other teams on their way to the upper platforms. On the other hand, taking them head-on could draw attention from other players nearby, turning a quick skirmish into a full-scale battle.
"We can't afford to get bogged down here," Raijin finally said. "But we also can't leave them at our backs. We'll take them out quickly and keep moving. No mistakes."
Mikasa nodded. "Got it. We strike fast."
The team moved in unison, quietly approaching the enemy. Raijin kept his sword at the ready, his mind already playing out the scenario. Akira's team was known for being tricky, but they weren't invincible. If they played this right, they could end the fight before it even started.
As they got closer, Raijin signaled for the team to spread out. Mikasa moved to the right, while Hiro and Kenji took the left flank. Raijin stayed in the center, ready to draw Akira's attention.
They were just a few meters away when Akira suddenly turned, his eyes locking onto Raijin's. "Well, well. Looks like we have some uninvited guests," Akira said with a smirk. His team readied their weapons, clearly prepared for a fight.
Raijin didn't waste time with words. He launched himself forward, his sword cutting through the air in a flash of light. Akira blocked the attack with a swift parry, but Raijin was already anticipating the counter. He spun to the side, avoiding Akira's blade, and struck again.
The battle erupted in an instant. Mikasa engaged Akira's teammate, her speed and precision forcing them on the defensive. Hiro and Kenji moved in from the flanks, their strikes coordinated and relentless.
Raijin focused on Akira, their swords clashing in a blur of motion. Akira was fast, faster than Raijin had expected, but Raijin's experience in the abyss had sharpened his reflexes. He dodged and weaved through Akira's attacks, searching for an opening.
Finally, it came. Akira overcommitted to a strike, leaving his left side exposed. Raijin seized the opportunity, driving his sword forward. The blade hit its mark, and Akira staggered back, his health bar plummeting.
Before Akira could recover, Raijin pressed the attack, delivering a final blow that sent Akira crashing to the ground. The rest of the team followed suit, finishing off Akira's teammates with swift, coordinated strikes.
It was over in seconds.
Breathing heavily, Raijin stood over Akira's fallen form, his heart still racing. The control point was theirs, but there was no time to celebrate. They had drawn blood, and now the other teams would know they were here.
"We need to move," Raijin said, sheathing his sword. "Now."
The team nodded and quickly made their way toward the upper platforms. As they climbed higher, Raijin's thoughts drifted to what lay ahead. The final stage of the tournament was approaching, and with it, the toughest battles they had ever faced.
But Raijin was ready. No matter what came next, he would fight with everything he had, for his family and future.
For victory.