The day of the Glory World Invitational finals had arrived, and Tang Rou could feel the weight of it pressing down on her from the moment she woke up. The sun barely peeked through the curtains of her hotel room as she sat on the edge of the bed, her heart already beating with anticipation.
Today was the day. Today was the culmination of everything they had fought for. And their opponent was none other than Starlight, the dark horse team led by Shade.
Tang Rou's mind was sharp, her thoughts focused. There was no room for hesitation or doubt. She had faced Shade before, in a battle that had reignited an old rivalry, but today's match would be different. This was the finals—there would be no second chances, no rematches. It was all or nothing.
As she dressed in her team's uniform and made her way down to the lobby to meet her teammates, Tang Rou could already feel the intensity in the air. When she arrived, the rest of the team was already there, their expressions a mix of calm determination and quiet tension.
Ye Xiu stood at the center of the group, his arms crossed, his eyes sharp as ever. He didn't need to say much—his presence alone was enough to ground the team. They had come this far under his leadership, and now they were just one step away from victory.
"You all know what's at stake," Ye Xiu said, his voice calm but firm. "We've prepared for this. We've beaten Starlight before, but today they're going to come at us with everything they have. Stay focused, stick to the plan, and don't let them dictate the pace."
Tang Rou nodded along with the rest of the team, her resolve hardening. Starlight was strong, but they weren't invincible. They had beaten them once, and they could do it again.
As they left the hotel and made their way to the arena, Tang Rou could feel the tension building with each step. The streets of Zurich were bustling with excitement, fans wearing the colors of their favorite teams and waving banners in support. The energy was palpable, the entire city seemingly holding its breath for the final showdown.
When they arrived at the arena, the atmosphere was electric. The stadium was packed with thousands of fans, the cheers and chants echoing through the air. Tang Rou could see the massive screens overhead, displaying the tournament brackets and the faces of the two finalist teams: China National Team and Starlight.
The pressure was immense, but Tang Rou thrived in it. This was what she had trained for, what she had dreamed of. She could feel the adrenaline surging through her veins, sharpening her focus.
As they made their way to the waiting area backstage, Tang Rou glanced at the screens, watching highlights of Starlight's journey to the finals. Shade's face, or rather, his masked identity, flashed across the screen, reminding her of the rivalry that had brought them to this moment.
He was waiting for her, just as she had known he would be.
"Feeling ready?" Su Mucheng asked, appearing at her side. Her smile was warm, but there was an edge of seriousness in her eyes. "You've been quiet since we got here."
Tang Rou took a deep breath, nodding. "I'm ready. I just… can't stop thinking about Shade."
Su Mucheng gave her a reassuring smile. "He's strong, but so are you. We've seen him play, and you've beaten him before. You can do it again."
"I know," Tang Rou replied, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "It's just… this time feels different. Like everything we've done has led to this moment."
Su Mucheng nodded in understanding. "It has. But you're not alone, Tang Rou. We're all in this together. And no matter what happens, we'll fight as a team."
The words were comforting, and Tang Rou felt a small smile tug at her lips. "Thanks, Su Mucheng. I needed that."
"Anytime." Su Mucheng winked before heading over to join the others as they prepared for the match.
The moment had finally come. The team took their seats on the stage, the bright lights of the arena shining down on them as the crowd roared with anticipation. Tang Rou felt the weight of her headset settle over her ears, the familiar hum of the game's interface filling her senses.
Across the stage, Starlight's team sat in their chairs, their expressions focused, their hands already poised over their keyboards. Shade, at the center, sat calmly, his face hidden behind the mask that had become his signature. His presence was intimidating, but Tang Rou wasn't afraid. She was determined.
The countdown began.
Three seconds.
Tang Rou's pulse quickened, her hands hovering over the keyboard, ready to dive into the match.
Two seconds.
Her eyes locked on the screen, the map loading up in front of her, every inch of it memorized and ingrained in her mind from hours of practice.
One second.
The match began.
Starlight wasted no time. As expected, Shade led his team with an aggressive opening, moving quickly to take control of key positions on the map. Tang Rou's fingers danced across the keyboard as she maneuvered her character, staying one step ahead of the enemy's movements.
"They're playing faster than last time," Ye Xiu's voice came through the comms, calm but alert. "They're trying to overwhelm us early."
"Then let's make them pay for it," Tang Rou replied, her voice steady despite the tension.
The battle unfolded rapidly, both teams moving with surgical precision, each action met with a counter. Starlight was as aggressive as ever, their attacks relentless, but Tang Rou and her team responded in kind, holding their ground and pushing back at every opportunity.
"They're trying to trap us," Su Mucheng warned, her character providing covering fire from the backline. "They're forcing us into a defensive position."
Tang Rou's eyes narrowed. Shade was playing a different game than before. His usual methodical style had been replaced with something more frantic, more dangerous. He was trying to unsettle them, to force them into mistakes.
But Tang Rou wasn't going to fall for it.
"We need to stay mobile," Ye Xiu ordered. "Don't let them box us in."
Tang Rou nodded, her fingers moving faster as she dodged another barrage of attacks. She could feel the pressure mounting, but she didn't let it get to her. She had faced Shade before. She knew how he played. And she knew how to beat him.
"They're spreading out," Zhang Jiale said, his voice tight with concentration. "They're trying to flank us from both sides."
"Hold your positions," Ye Xiu instructed. "We'll bait them in, then counter. Tang Rou, be ready to strike when the opening comes."
Tang Rou's heart raced as she watched the battlefield unfold. Shade's team was closing in, their movements fast and coordinated, but she could see the flaws in their approach. They were pushing too hard, too fast. Shade was trying to end the match quickly, but in doing so, he was leaving himself open.
"Now!" Ye Xiu called out, and Tang Rou moved instantly.
Her character surged forward, slipping through the cracks in Starlight's formation with a speed that caught them off guard. Shade's character was right in front of her, leading the charge, but Tang Rou was faster. Her attacks came swift and precise, targeting Shade directly, cutting through his defenses with calculated strikes.
Shade tried to counter, but Tang Rou anticipated his moves, dodging his attacks and pressing her advantage. The battle between them was fierce, but Tang Rou had the upper hand. This time, she was ready for him. This time, she wouldn't let him win.
"They're falling back!" Su Mucheng shouted, excitement in her voice. "Keep pushing!"
Tang Rou's focus sharpened as she continued her assault, driving Shade and his team into retreat. The once-dominant Starlight was losing ground, their aggressive strategy backfiring as the Chinese team turned the tide of the battle.
"We've got them!" Zhang Jiale cheered, his character unleashing a flurry of attacks that tore through the enemy's defenses. "They can't recover from this!"
Tang Rou could feel the victory within reach. Her hands moved faster than ever, her character delivering the final blows as Shade's team crumbled before them. The once-imposing captain of Starlight was now on the defensive, his team in disarray.
With one final coordinated attack, it was over.
Victory.
The word flashed across the screen, and the arena erupted into deafening cheers. Tang Rou sat back in her chair, her heart pounding in her chest as the adrenaline of the match surged through her. They had done it. They had won.
The Glory World Invitational champions.
Her teammates let out shouts of triumph, the weight of the tournament lifting off their shoulders as the realization of their victory sank in. Zhang Jiale grinned from ear to ear, while Bao Rongxing leaned back in his chair, laughing in relief.
"We did it!" Su Mucheng shouted, her voice filled with joy. "We won!"
Tang Rou smiled, her chest swelling with pride. They had fought hard, and they had earned this victory. But as the cheers of the crowd washed over her, her thoughts turned to Shade.
Across the stage, Shade stood silently, his face hidden behind the mask, his posture rigid. Even in defeat, he was composed, but Tang Rou could sense the frustration beneath the surface. He had given everything in that match, but it hadn't