"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the much-anticipated final match of this group contest! After seven days and millions of battles we are now down to two remaining contestants!
Please welcome Hotpooot aaand Libra Legioon!"
They atmosphere was boiling as the eyes of all players were focused on two teams. In the air stood a tall man with a protruding belly, wearing jewellery all over his tattooed body. He was MadT, a famous rapper turned streamer. His music was known throughout the federation reaching an incredible number of daily listeners.
"What an honour to cast this much anticipated battle of the giants for you! Yo, what's that? Our contestants are shaking hands. Great sportsmanship! A pity, though. I wanted to listen to some beef. Where is your verbal battle? The insults? The taunts?
Well, it appears that our finalists are on good terms. Let's celebrate friendship or some sh*t."
MadT waited as the audience laughed about his unserious casting style. Just then the arena transformed, signalling that the match was about to begin. MadT hastily continued:
"Snow covered castle ruins? What a special setting. Damn, look at those icicles! I don't want one of those to land on my head.
Hotpot and Libra Legion are taking position. Notice the fire in their eyes! That's what we want to see. Let's not keep them waiting! The match starts in 3, 2, 1... GO!
Yo, no hesitation! The teams clash instantly! The mages are taking cover behind large pillars; that's a new one. The melees are blocking each other, leaving the mages free to cast their skills! But what about the thieves? Fresh Air and Bloody Edge both seem to ignore the mages, approaching the warriors.
Fresh Air is... is he sneaking up on Bleary Mirage? Oh, is this a new strategy? Bleary Mirage is engaged in a fight with Conter. However, even the man famed for his stable fighting style appears to be under great pressure facing the Mad Spirit.
Yeah, you like that nickname I've come up with? Haha!
Fresh Air is getting closer to Mad Spirit. Can he spot the ambush? The tension is palpable!
Such a sudden turn! Libra Legion shakes off all their opponents, focusing completely on Bleary Mirage! Swords, dagger, magic! This looks terrifying! Can he escape?!
Hotpot doesn't seem to have a skill to safe someone in this situation! Is Bleary Mirage about to fall? Is their biggest strength simultaneously their biggest weakness?!
Radiant Shield throws out his holy barrier but is this enough?!"
Liam felt an unprecedented danger. Libra Legion had played their hand beautifully, waiting until all aggro effects ran out and the mages were ready to cast their skills.
Now his skin was prickling all over. Terrifying skills came from all sides. Instantly his mind grew calm. His senses were pushed to their limit. He closely perceived all the danger.
Liam did a step forward, escaping Fresh Air's daggers but running into Conter's great sword.
At the last moment he bent his back. The sword passed right above his head. He could nearly feel the cold blade edge gracing his face.
Diving below Conter's sword, Liam appeared behind the man, obstructing the path of two other warriors.
Just then the magical spells arrived. Liam jumped over a flaming shockwave travelling over the floor. The flickering heat latched onto his legs.
"Incredible dodges from the Mad Spirit! Can he really escape the situation?! No! No he can't! What a beautiful move from One Peak and Surpassing All. The longstanding mage duo once again shows their impeccable coordination.
One aims at the ground, one at the air, impossible to dodge. Finally Bleary Mirage suffers some damage, but he still has Holy Barrier!
Yet this won't be enough! Hotpot finally reacts! Aerin has been held back. Only Forlorn is left. His spear reaches the airborne Bleary Mirage! The Holy Barrier is shattered! But Bleary Mirage lives! Incredible!
What is this?! Hotpot takes revenge! Bloody Edge targets Conter, Silent Acacia marks him with his ultimate skill. Now Conter is in the same situation as Bleary Mirage! Enemies on all sides! What can he do?
Libra Legion is quick enough. Shields instantly reach their captain! Can he copy Bleary Mirage now?
What a great sidestep! Conter escapes both Bloody Edge's daggers and Silent Acacia's arrow. No wait! Both haven't used a skill! Instant follow up! Bloody Edge, Silent Acacia, Watchful Eye, and Bleary Mirage put Conter under enormous pressure!
Oh now, Cyclone and Fortune have finished their casts as well. Conter can barely hold on. Libra Legion decides to pre-emptively invest Terran's ultimate skill to keep him alive!
Yo, what are they doing? Fortune and Cyclone don't seem to aim for Conter! Lightning strikes from the sky, hitting the healer, Rain! Hiding behind a broken wall she didn't expect it, well done by Hotpot!
But what is Fortune doing? These massive mana-arms are her ultimate skill Conduit of Magic. Yo, there are walls in the way. Where are you aim...
Damn! Forget what I said! Who would've thought these arms can pass through walls?! Certainly not rain, she's been completely caught off guard!
That clap must have hurt. Rain struggles but she is suppressed by the skill. Hotpot don't hesitate! They switch target to Aerin! The warrior has neither heals nor shield to save him and... that's it! Aerin is down! Hotpot takes the lead!
Now Quickstep is without an opponent. A fierce storm surrounds her. She shoots towards the back, right towards Rain! Poor woman. She just got freed from Fortune's skill and now has to face Quickstep!
A flash step through the wall! Beautiful move from Rain! What the... Bloody Edge is already waiting there?! Someone on Hotpot must be able to look into the future. Or can someone else explain to me how they knew what Rain was going to do? Incredible!
Thief against healer. This doesn't look good. Ouh! Rain falls under a storm of daggers! This might just be the end! Eight against ten, I don't think we have seen someone make a comeback from that!
…
Ouh, what a beautiful arrow from Silent Acacia! The critical hit directly takes down Forlorn!
…
One Peak and Surpassing all fall as well. Now only Conter is left. One person surrounded by ten, this doesn't look good. Conter speaks to Silver Blade. Look at him, laughing brightly. Conter doesn't seem to harbour any resentment, looking forward to the next confrontation.
Who knows, Libra Legion might get their revenge tomorrow. But today they will have to accept defeat. Bleary Mirage steps forward. One last sword strike and we are done! We are done! Hotpot take the victory! Hotpot are our tournament champiooonnsss!"
Liam and his friends stood in the arena, watching as Conter's body disappeared. Instantly the environment changed, and they were able to listen to the cheers from outside.
However, the audience was somewhat subdued compared to when Hotpot defeated Kings and Queens. From the outside the match against Libra Legion seemed comparatively easier. Only Liam and his friends knew how close some moments truly were.
Contrary to the audience, the friends felt most intense emotions. There was no one whose jaw didn't quiver, supressing or releasing a few tears of joy.
Even Liam, despite being used to it, felt that this victory was special. Sharing the joy with his friends gave him a different feeling, causing his heart to jump in elation.
"We did it! We're the best!"
"Champions!"
Cyclone and Balm hugged each other, jumping and turning. Their open display of joy infected countless fans, who were convinced by the authentic reaction. Involuntarily the two guild leaders became a major factor for people to like Dream Avenue.
But the others also didn't hold back, hugging and sharing their joy. Silent Acacia suppressed his tears as much as he could, but two thin streams still ran down his cheeks. Finally! Finally, he had won a tournament!
"Babe, we did it!"
"Hahaha!"
"Yeah, Acacia, what do you think the faces of your old teammates are like now?!"
"Must be pretty ugly!"
"Damn, this feels good!"
"We f*cking did it!"
As everyone was celebrating, a large platform slowly lowered towards the arena, stopping some distance from the ground. Liam and his friends were grabbed by an invisible power, slowly rising towards the platform.
After a few seconds they landed on a wide red carpet which formed a clear path towards an elevated step. Towards the left and right stood dozens of figures made from light, portraying the heroes and villains of Crunaboul. A few small dragons and other beasts circled in the sky.
"Players of Crunaboul!"
Maycos stood on top of the elevated step, addressing the audience.
"Please, I want to hear you scream for the champions of the United Human Federation Tournament: HOOOTTPOOOTT!"
"Hotpot!"
"Hotpot!"
Liam and his friends shivered, overwhelmed, as their name echoed throughout the entire world. On Maycos' signal they walked forward marvelling at the mythical aura emitted by the heroic light figures.
Quickly they came to a stop to the left and right of Maycos, forming a line, smiling brilliantly towards the audience. Liam even spotted Serena not far away. His sister could hardly contain herself, jumping in place, way more exhilarated than Liam himself.