The day of the national championships dawned with a quiet intensity. As the first rays of sunlight broke through the windows of the team's training base, each member of Happy found themselves lost in their own thoughts. This was the moment they had all been preparing for—the culmination of countless hours of practice, strategies, and sacrifices.
Tang Rou stood in front of the mirror in her room, tying her hair back with steady hands. She could hear the faint sounds of movement from the other rooms, her teammates preparing for the biggest battle of their lives. Her heart raced, not with fear, but with anticipation. She had always thrived in the heat of competition, and today would be no different.
Stepping out of her room, she found Ye Xiu already waiting in the hallway, calm as ever. His expression was unreadable, but there was a certain focus in his eyes that told her everything she needed to know. He was ready. They all were.
"Ready to make history?" Ye Xiu asked with a slight smile.
Tang Rou nodded. "Always."
They made their way to the common room, where the rest of the team had gathered. Sun Xiang was stretching, loosening his shoulders as if to shake off any lingering doubts. Huang Shaotian was pacing, his usual energy even more intense than usual. The rest of the team was going through their own pre-match rituals, but the air between them was filled with silent determination.
Chen Guo appeared with a bright smile, holding up a stack of energy drinks. "Alright, everyone! Drink up! We've got a championship to win!"
Huang Shaotian laughed, grabbing one. "Let's hope this gives us the edge we need."
As they gathered around, Ye Xiu took a deep breath and addressed them. "We've been through a lot to get here. We've faced some of the toughest opponents in the country, and we've proven time and again that we belong at the top. But today... today, we take it a step further."
He glanced around the room, making eye contact with each player. "We're not just here to participate—we're here to win. So when you get out there, remember all the work you've put in. Trust yourselves, trust each other, and leave everything on the field. This is our moment."
The team nodded in unison, their spirits lifting with every word. This was what they had been waiting for. The battlefield was calling, and they were ready to answer.
---
The stadium was packed, the buzz of excitement in the air palpable as fans from all over the country gathered to witness the grand event. The national championships were always a spectacle, but this year, the stakes felt even higher. Teams from across the country had fought tooth and nail to get here, and now, only the best of the best remained.
As Team Happy entered the arena, the roar of the crowd washed over them like a wave. Banners and flags waved in the stands, with fans chanting their names, hoping to see their favorite players take the crown.
Tang Rou took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the sea of faces before settling on the stage ahead. The other teams were already there, including their biggest rivals, Team Blue Rain and Team Tyranny. She could feel the weight of their stares, each player sizing them up, mentally preparing for the battles to come.
But she wasn't intimidated. This was where she belonged—on the grand stage, where only the strongest survived.
Sun Xiang stepped up beside her, his eyes fixed on the giant screen displaying the tournament bracket. "Looks like we're up against Blue Rain first."
Tang Rou nodded. "Good. Let's get the hardest fight out of the way."
Huang Shaotian overheard their conversation and smirked. "Don't get too cocky, rookie. We're not going to go easy on you."
Ye Xiu, standing at the edge of their group, chuckled. "We wouldn't expect you to. But don't think for a second that we're going to back down."
As the teams took their positions on the stage, the atmosphere shifted. The playful banter faded, replaced by the cold, sharp focus of competitors ready to do battle.
The first match was announced, and Team Happy's lineup was revealed: Ye Xiu, Tang Rou, Sun Xiang, Wei Chen, and Bao Rongxing. Each player's name was met with cheers from the crowd, their reputation preceding them.
But the cheers for Team Blue Rain were just as loud, if not louder. They were the defending champions, after all, and they had no intention of relinquishing their title.
The commentators' voices echoed throughout the stadium as the match began, the screen coming to life with the avatars of each player appearing in the virtual world. The first skirmishes were fast and furious, both teams testing each other's defenses, probing for weaknesses.
Tang Rou, piloting her character Soft Mist, moved with precision and speed, her spear flashing in quick, deadly arcs. She had trained for this moment—every strike was calculated, every dodge instinctive. She danced through the battlefield, taking down opponents with ruthless efficiency.
But Blue Rain wasn't going to be outdone so easily. Huang Shaotian, with his relentless chatter and equally relentless swordplay, was everywhere at once, cutting through their defenses and keeping them on their toes. His unpredictability made him a formidable foe, and Tang Rou found herself locked in a tense duel with him.
"Not bad, Tang Rou!" Huang Shaotian's voice rang out over the in-game chat. "But you're still not fast enough to keep up with me!"
Tang Rou gritted her teeth, her fingers flying over the keyboard. "We'll see about that."
As the match wore on, the intensity only grew. Both teams were evenly matched, trading blows and outmaneuvering each other in a display of high-level play that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Ye Xiu, as calm as ever, led his team with sharp commands and flawless execution. He anticipated Blue Rain's strategies, countering their every move with precision. But even with his leadership, the match remained a nail-biter, with neither team willing to give an inch.
Then, in a critical moment, Sun Xiang seized an opening. With a well-timed combo, he broke through Blue Rain's defenses, taking down one of their key players. It was the turning point they needed.
"Go, go, go!" Ye Xiu's voice was firm as he pushed the team forward, capitalizing on Sun Xiang's play.
Tang Rou followed suit, her spear flashing as she took down another player. The momentum had shifted, and Team Happy pressed their advantage, slowly but surely overwhelming Blue Rain's remaining forces.
As the final blow landed, the screen flashed with the words "Victory" in bold letters. The crowd erupted in cheers, and Team Happy stood victorious.
Tang Rou exhaled, her heart still pounding from the intensity of the match. They had done it—they had taken down the reigning champions in the first round.
Sun Xiang grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "One down."
Ye Xiu nodded, his expression calm but satisfied. "But the tournament's far from over. Let's keep this momentum going."
---
As they left the stage, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins, Tang Rou couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. They had proven themselves, not just as individual players, but as a team. But she knew this was only the beginning. The road to the championship was long, and their toughest battles were still ahead.
But no matter what came next, they would face it together—stronger than ever, and ready for whatever challenges awaited them.
This was their moment, and they weren't about to let it slip away.