The arena buzzed with energy as Team Happy moved on to the next round. Though they had taken down Blue Rain, there was no time to bask in their victory. The road to the championship was only getting harder, and their next opponent loomed large—Team Tyranny, one of the most aggressive and battle-hardened teams in the league.
Tang Rou felt a surge of excitement and nerves as they gathered backstage. Tyranny was known for its brutal playstyle, a team that thrived on relentless offense. Led by Han Wenqing, a legend in his own right, they were the embodiment of force on the battlefield. Every match against Tyranny was a trial of endurance and willpower, and Tang Rou knew this would be no different.
Ye Xiu stood at the center of their group, his expression calm and focused as always. He addressed the team, his voice low but firm. "Tyranny is strong, but they have weaknesses. We've fought them before and know how they play. Stick to the plan, don't let them dictate the pace of the match. If we control the flow, they'll falter."
Sun Xiang cracked his knuckles, an eager smile spreading across his face. "I've been waiting for this. Let's take them down."
Huang Shaotian, always restless, chimed in with his usual chatter. "Tyranny's tough, but they're predictable. We just need to be faster, smarter—oh, and don't let Han Wenqing get in your head. That guy's a beast."
Tang Rou nodded, her resolve hardening. This was exactly the kind of challenge she thrived on. She wasn't going to back down, no matter how fierce the fight became.
---
The stadium grew even louder as the next match was announced. The crowd knew that this was the match they had been waiting for—two titans of the game clashing on the grand stage. Team Happy versus Team Tyranny.
As they stepped onto the stage, the tension was palpable. The cheers from the audience were deafening, but in the middle of it all, the players stood in silent focus, their eyes locked on the screens in front of them.
Han Wenqing and his team entered with their trademark confidence, their presence radiating an intimidating aura. Han, as usual, said nothing, but his gaze was fierce, like a lion staring down its prey. Tang Rou felt a shiver run down her spine, but it wasn't fear—it was pure adrenaline.
The match began with a bang. Tyranny wasted no time, launching into their signature offensive strategy. Han Wenqing's character, Desert Dust, charged forward like an unstoppable force, his fists flying in a flurry of attacks aimed directly at Ye Xiu. It was a strategy they had seen before—Tyranny would focus on taking out the captain first, destabilizing the team from the top down.
But Ye Xiu was prepared.
He dodged expertly, parrying Han's blows with precision and grace. "Don't get caught in their rhythm," Ye Xiu's voice came through the team chat. "Focus on your positioning. We control the battlefield, not them."
Tang Rou moved swiftly, her character Soft Mist diving into the fray with pinpoint accuracy. She kept an eye on Han Wenqing, but her target was Zhang Jiale, Tyranny's famous Spitfire. His explosive attacks from a distance were a key part of Tyranny's strategy, and she knew taking him out early would give them an edge.
Sun Xiang, piloting his character One Autumn Leaf, tore through Tyranny's defenses, his offense as relentless as the enemy. He had a fierce rivalry with Han Wenqing, and today, he was determined to prove himself. With each clash, the sparks of their battle seemed to ignite the arena, their blows echoing through the virtual world.
As the match raged on, the intensity only escalated. Tyranny's aggression was unmatched, but Team Happy refused to be overwhelmed. They countered every move with speed and strategy, slowly wearing down Tyranny's relentless assault.
Tang Rou found her moment. Zhang Jiale had overextended in his eagerness to unleash a barrage of attacks, and Tang Rou seized the opportunity. With a swift series of strikes, Soft Mist closed the distance between them, her spear piercing through Zhang Jiale's defenses. In a flash, his health bar plummeted, and within seconds, he was down.
"Got him!" Tang Rou called out, her heart racing.
"Nice!" Ye Xiu responded, immediately adjusting their strategy to capitalize on the advantage.
With Zhang Jiale out of the picture, Tyranny's offense began to waver. Sun Xiang took the lead, launching a devastating combo that forced Tyranny onto the back foot. Wei Chen and Bao Rongxing provided solid support, keeping Tyranny's remaining players from regrouping.
But Han Wenqing wasn't done yet. Even with his team at a disadvantage, he fought with a ferocity that was almost inhuman. His character Desert Dust was like a whirlwind, striking out at anyone who came too close. His fists collided with One Autumn Leaf in a brutal exchange that left both players on the edge of their limits.
"Watch out, Sun Xiang!" Ye Xiu warned as Han Wenqing's attacks intensified.
Sun Xiang gritted his teeth, refusing to back down. He met Han Wenqing blow for blow, their duel becoming the focal point of the match. But just as it seemed like Han might overpower him, Tang Rou moved in to assist, her spear flashing in a perfectly timed strike that caught Desert Dust off guard.
Together, they brought Han Wenqing down.
The crowd roared as Desert Dust's health bar hit zero. With their captain down, Tyranny's last two players were quickly overwhelmed by Team Happy's coordinated attacks.
As the final blow landed and the screen displayed the word "Victory," the crowd erupted into deafening cheers.
Team Happy had done it. They had taken down two of the strongest teams in the tournament and were now one step closer to the championship.
---
Backstage, the team was exhilarated, but exhausted. Tang Rou wiped the sweat from her forehead, her hands still shaking from the intensity of the match.
"That was... something else," she said, her breath still coming in short bursts.
Sun Xiang leaned back in his chair, grinning despite the bruises he could almost feel on his hands. "Han Wenqing's still as tough as ever. But we did it."
Ye Xiu, ever the calm leader, gave them a nod of approval. "You all did great. But we've got one more match ahead of us. Don't get too comfortable."
Huang Shaotian, for once, was silent—his usual chatter replaced by a rare moment of introspection. "Tyranny was just the warm-up. The finals are going to be even tougher."
Tang Rou smiled, feeling the fire of competition burning even brighter in her chest. "Then we'll just have to be tougher."
The team shared a quiet moment of camaraderie, the weight of their victories and the looming final match hanging over them. But in that moment, they knew—they had come this far together, and they weren't going to stop until they reached the top.
The championship was within their grasp, and nothing was going to stand in their way.