The hotel room was unusually quiet after the loss. The team sat in a circle, not speaking, their minds replaying the match over and over. For the first time in a long while, there was no talk of strategies, no teasing banter between teammates, no excited chatter about their next opponent.
Sun Xiang stared at the floor, his hands balled into fists. "I can't believe we lost," he muttered. "We had them… we were so close."
"Yeah, but close isn't good enough," Huang Shaotian said, his usual cocky tone muted. "They played better. That's just the reality of it."
Tang Rou, who had been silent since the match ended, finally spoke. "It's not about them playing better. We weren't playing like a team."
Her words hung in the air for a moment before Ye Xiu nodded in agreement. "She's right. We lost because we stopped trusting each other on the field. We got divided, and we panicked."
Chen Guo, who had been pacing nervously in the background, finally stepped forward. "But it's not over," she said, her voice filled with determination. "You might not be in the finals, but you're still one of the best teams in the world. You've shown that over and over again."
Ye Xiu looked up, meeting the eyes of each of his teammates. "She's right. This loss doesn't define us. We've come too far to let one setback keep us down. We still have one more match—the third-place decider. It's not the title, but it's still something we can fight for."
Qiao Yifan, who had been quiet up until now, lifted his head. "We can use this. We can learn from this loss and come back stronger."
The room seemed to lighten just a bit, as if a collective weight had been lifted. Huang Shaotian was the first to break the silence, a grin tugging at his lips. "You know, third place doesn't sound so bad. Plus, it'll give me a chance to show off again."
Tang Rou chuckled, shaking her head. "Always the showman."
Ye Xiu stood up, his calm demeanor masking the fire burning inside him. "We have two days to prepare for the third-place match. Let's use it wisely."
---
Over the next two days, the team threw themselves into their training with renewed energy. They reviewed the footage of their loss, dissecting every mistake and flaw in their strategy. It wasn't easy—watching themselves lose was painful, but it was necessary. Each member had to confront their errors, acknowledge their weaknesses, and work to fix them.
"Don't let this get to you," Ye Xiu reminded them as they watched the footage of the match. "It's not about what we did wrong; it's about what we can do better next time."
The team practiced relentlessly, drilling new formations and tactics, learning how to adapt on the fly. They knew that the third-place match would be tough, especially since their opponents were also coming off a loss. But there was a hunger now, a drive to prove that they were still a force to be reckoned with.
The day before the match, the team took a break from the endless training and strategizing. They decided to explore Zurich together, soaking in the beauty of the city. They walked through the cobbled streets of the old town, visited the famous Swiss museums, and took in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
For a moment, they allowed themselves to relax, to let go of the pressure that had been building up. The team bonded in a way they hadn't before, sharing stories, laughing, and simply enjoying each other's company.
As the sun set over the city, they found themselves standing on a bridge overlooking a serene river. The calm of the water reflected their own state of mind—steady, focused, and ready for what was to come.
Ye Xiu leaned against the railing, looking out at the water. "Tomorrow, we play our last match of the tournament. Win or lose, we've already proven ourselves. But I believe we're going to win."
The team gathered around him, their faces determined.
"We fight together," Sun Xiang said, his voice firm.
"And we trust each other," Qiao Yifan added, echoing their new mantra.
Huang Shaotian grinned. "Let's go out there and make them remember our names."
---
The day of the third-place match arrived. The stadium was packed once again, the energy of the crowd vibrating through the air. The tension was thick, but this time, the Chinese team felt different. They weren't weighed down by the pressure of expectations or fear of failure. They were focused, determined, and ready to give it their all.
As they took their positions on the stage, Ye Xiu turned to his team one last time. "We play smart, we play together, and we play like we've already won."
The match began, and immediately, the difference was clear. The Chinese team moved with precision, each player in sync with the others. Their opponents tried to push them back, but the Chinese team held their ground, countering every move with skill and strategy.
Sun Xiang led the charge, his knight character acting as the team's shield, while Tang Rou and Huang Shaotian dealt damage from the flanks. Qiao Yifan supported them from the shadows, using his ghostblade's traps to manipulate the battlefield.
Ye Xiu, as always, was the mastermind behind the team's movements, directing them with calm precision. His character, Lord Grim, weaved through the battlefield, exploiting every opening, disrupting the enemy's strategies before they could take root.
It was a brutal match, with both teams giving everything they had. But this time, the Chinese team played like they had nothing to lose. They took risks, pushed their limits, and fought with a passion that left their opponents scrambling to keep up.
As the match reached its climax, the Chinese team executed a flawless team combo, taking down the enemy's healer and leaving the rest of the team vulnerable. With swift precision, they dismantled the remaining players, securing the win.
The arena erupted in cheers as the Chinese team claimed third place.
Breathing heavily, Ye Xiu turned to his team, a proud smile on his face. "That's how it's done."
They had risen from the ashes of defeat, stronger than before. And while they didn't win the championship, they had proven their worth. They had fought as a team, trusted in each other, and emerged victorious.
For them, this was only the beginning.