Act: 5 Chapter: 2 | A Fierce Uphill Battle Blackbird VS RX7 FD

Front-engine, rear-wheel drive vs. rear-engine, rear-wheel drive.

Silverwolf raised her functioning hand, her eyes locked onto the two cars in front of her. "Alright! We're starting the countdown!"

The engines roared to life, their exhausts growling through the mountain pass. The sound of each car's heartbeat filled the air, mixing with the anxious energy from the spectators. Every eye was glued to the line, every breath held in anticipation.

-5!

-4!

-3!

-2!

-1!

"GO!"

Silverwolf dropped her hand, and with a primal roar, both cars launched from the line, their tires biting the asphalt with ferocity.

Yelan's Blackbird surged forward first, its 400-horsepower flat-six pulling hard, the weight of the car pressing it into the ground. The RX-7, lighter and more nimble, struggled to keep pace in the initial sprint but quickly regained its composure, Keqing's deft hand keeping the rear wheels planted, her RX-7 refusing to fall behind.

"Look at them go! Yelan's got an incredible launch!" A spectator shouted, excitement vibrating in their voice.

In the crowd, Ganyu clenched her fists, her eyes never leaving the road. "Come on, Keqing. Focus. Don't let her pull away."

Nearby, Silverwolf's eyes narrowed as she watched the race unfold, her voice soft but deliberate. "Don't lose this, Yelan. You detuned your Blackbird for a reason. Now's the time to show it."

The Battle Begins

The first corner arrived in a flash. Yelan, already ahead, carried the Blackbird into the turn with precision, her grip firm on the wheel, her tires adhering to the wet road. Keqing was right behind her, the RX-7's body swaying as it followed Yelan's line with surgical accuracy, the two cars mere inches apart.

Back at Ningguang's home in Araumi, she stood by the window, her eyes scanning the storm clouds approaching in the distance. "Rain... The Blackbird's worst enemy. And Keqing's greatest ally." She smirked, the wheels of her mind turning. The weather had the potential to change everything.

Off the Mountain, The Spectators' Thoughts

At the rest area, Amber leaned over to Collei, who had been silently observing the race, her gaze sharp as ever.

"So, Collei, what do you think of Jinren Pass?" Amber asked, her voice a touch curious.

Collei tilted her head, watching the cars as they hurtled through the pass. "It's a lot like Yougou Pass. Lots of fast corners, sharp hairpins... It's a course that tests your reflexes and precision." She paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "But if I had to compare it to another stage, I'd say Amakane Pass is closer."

Amber blinked, taken aback. "Amakane? That's a rally stage, not a mountain pass!"

Collei grinned at Amber's surprise, laughing lightly. "Well, Amakane has its fair share of fast corners, too, just like Yougou."

Amber shook her head with a laugh, though the race continued in the background, their attention still fixed on the unfolding duel.

Tactics Unfold

The race had intensified. Keqing's RX-7 clung to the Blackbird's rear bumper like a shadow, the two cars winding their way through hairpin turns with split-second precision. Yelan was holding strong, but she could feel the RX-7 breathing down her neck. The Blackbird's detuned engine, though smoother and more stable in corners, couldn't match the RX-7's agility.

"This setup is working," Yelan thought to herself, her hands steady on the wheel, the car responding with each command. "The Blackbird is planted. It's not sliding out of control like last time. But…"

She glanced quickly in the mirrors, her focus unwavering. Keqing's FD was relentless, cutting through the corners with incredible speed, making up for the horsepower difference with sheer precision. Yelan's grip tightened, but she knew the race was far from decided.

The halfway point was fast approaching, a particularly tight hairpin bending sharply ahead. Keqing braked late, the RX-7's nose diving as she carried incredible speed into the turn. The rear tires screeched in protest as the car fought for grip, but Keqing's hands were deft, keeping it just within the limits.

But Yelan wasn't about to let up. With quick thinking, she blocked the apex, forcing Keqing to adjust her line. The RX-7 slid wide, losing the inside position—just enough for Yelan to gain a slight edge.

The Observations Continue

At a remote location, Ningguang's spotter reported in through a secure line. "They've passed the halfway mark. The RX-7 is right on the Blackbird's tail. Yelan's holding the line, but she's running wide on the exits."

Ningguang's voice was calm, calculating as always. "And the Blackbird?"

"Holding tight in the hairpins, but struggling on the exits. It's almost like a circuit-style race for her—running wide and relying on power to compensate."

A soft hum left Ningguang's lips. "Interesting tactic. Keep an eye on them."

She set the phone down, already piecing together her next moves in this game of high-stakes strategy.

At the Base

Back at the base, Silverwolf watched the race with her usual intensity, the radio crackling to life with an update. "The Blackbird's still ahead, but the RX-7 is glued to its bumper. Yelan's struggling in the hairpins—she's holding the lead, but it's slipping."

Silverwolf's lips curled into a smirk, the pride evident despite her competitive nature. "Yelan's my enemy, everyone knows that. But... seeing how hard she's trained, seeing her keep it together despite the conditions? I'm proud of her. She had to adapt after that loss to the Eight-Six at Yougou. She's not the same driver anymore."

The Rain Begins

In Beidou's group, Collei stretched out a hand, feeling the first few droplets of rain touch her skin.

"Looks like it's about to rain," she murmured, glancing up at the thick, rolling clouds.

Amber's eyes widened, and she immediately rushed toward her Sileighty.

"Let me grab some umbrellas!"

But before she could reach her car, the drizzle turned into a full downpour. Rain pounded against the pavement in heavy sheets.

Beidou, standing with arms crossed, smirked as she watched the sky.

"Looks like this race is about to get interesting."

From the sidelines, a spectator shouted over the rain.

"With the road this wet, it's gonna get slick—like grease! The first few minutes are the worst. Oils and dirt are mixing with the water before they wash away, making the track even trickier."

March crossed her arms, her sharp gaze fixed on the course.

"This just went from tough to brutal."

Driver Reactions

Inside the Blackbird, Yelan clicked her tongue as rain hammered against her windshield.

"Just great… Rain."

She flicked on her windshield wipers, their rhythmic swipes clearing her vision.

Meanwhile, in the RX-7, Keqing did the opposite—she left her wipers off.

"No need for wipers. They're just a distraction in a race like this," she muttered, her focus laser-sharp.

Her vision blurred slightly, but she relied on the car's feedback—the feel of the road beneath her tires, the rhythm of the turns—to keep her line perfect.

The Final Stages

As the race neared its climax, Collei's sharp eyes caught something peculiar about the track ahead.

"Hey, guys, look at this," she said, pointing toward the distant horizon.

Seele, Beidou, Pela, Amber, and March all turned toward her.

"What is it?" Pela asked.

Collei's gaze remained locked on the road.

"That," she pointed, "is the finish line. But down there? That's a downhill slope. We're at the highest point of Jinren."

A beat of silence passed between them before Amber spoke, realization dawning.

"Wait… does that mean—"

Seele's expression darkened.

"The final section isn't just about cornering. It's gonna be a downhill speed battle."

March tightened her fists.

"With this rain? That changes everything."

The Rainy Battle Begins

Right on cue, the two cars screamed past the second-to-last hairpin, entering the final stretch. The crowd erupted as they saw them side by side.

"They're here!" a spectator yelled.

On the final straight, Keqing's RX-7 edged alongside Yelan's Blackbird on the outside lane.

"What the hell is she doing!?" Yelan's voice rose in disbelief. "At this speed, if she takes that corner, she'll slam into the outside wall!"

Both cars braked at the exact same time. Their tires fought against the rain-slicked asphalt, and in a breathtaking display, they slid together—side by side—drifting perfectly through the corner.

Collei and her group stood frozen, eyes wide in sheer awe.

The exit was brutal. The two cars exited the corner mere inches apart. Their wheels spun against the wet pavement, and—at the last second—the FD surged forward.

It crossed the finish line, just tenths of a second ahead of the Blackbird.

"KEQING WINS!" March screamed, jumping in excitement.

"Unbelievable… A photo finish!" Beidou shouted, her voice filled with adrenaline.

Seele, arms crossed, smirked.

"That was one hell of a race."

At the summit parking lot, Keqing and Yelan stepped out of their cars. Their expressions weren't of rivalry anymore—just pure respect.

They met in the middle and exchanged a handshake, both grinning.

"That was some mighty fine driving, Keqing," Yelan said, clearly impressed.

"You too," Keqing replied, her grin matching Yelan's.

Yelan chuckled. "That move you pulled—side by side through the corner—was insane. You really risked it all, huh?"

Keqing laughed, bumping Yelan's shoulder. "You bet."

A race that started as a battle had ended in mutual admiration.

From a distance, Beidou's group watched.

"Keqing's attitude sure has changed since you beat her, Collei," March observed.

Collei nodded with a soft smile.

"Yeah, it sure seems that way."

Another Challenger Steps Forward

As the crowd began to disperse, an unmistakable engine note echoed through the rain.

A sleek S2000 rolled into the parking lot.

Ganyu stepped out, shaking the rain from her sleeves as she approached Keqing.

"Nice job, Keqing," she said with a knowing smile.

Keqing turned toward her, but before she could respond, the race coordinator spoke up.

"Should we still do a downhill race in this rain?"

Yelan shook her head, her expression turning grim.

"No chance. It's only getting worse."

Keqing nodded.

"It's way too dangerous."

But before the decision could be finalized, Ganyu stepped forward.

Her eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Keqing, before you call it off… why don't you let me race the Eight-Six?"

Keqing's eyes widened.

"What?! You want to race that car?"

Ganyu crossed her arms.

"This isn't Araumi, Keqing. We've already done a practice run here, and I know this road better than you think."

Collei, listening in, raised an eyebrow.

"Who's that girl Keqing's talking to?" Beidou asked.

"No idea," Collei muttered.

As if she heard them, Ganyu turned, locking eyes with Collei.

"That's Ganyu," she said coolly, walking toward her.

She stopped in front of Collei, her expression calm but challenging.

"And I bet you're Collei, right?"

Collei nodded silently. Her eyes were cautious, but there was no backing down.

Then, Ganyu smirked.

"What do you say to a downhill battle in this rain?"

The Crowd Decides

Keqing grabbed Ganyu's shoulder, pulling her aside.

"We should run this by Ningguang first."

But Ganyu's confidence didn't waver.

"How about we ask the crowd?"

She turned toward the spectators, throwing her arms up.

"What do you say, guys?!"

The crowd exploded.

Beidou facepalmed.

"So much for spectating."

Seele groaned.

"Tell me about it."

Amber sighed.

"We can't say no to a cheering crowd, can we?"

March muttered under her breath.

"She's supposed to race Ningguang in three days!"

Ganyu's voice was sharp.

"If you can't beat me, Collei, then I won't let you race Ningguang. I won't let you waste her time."

March immediately stepped in.

"No thanks! Collei's fine!"

But Collei grinned.

"Sure, why not?"

A stunned silence fell over Beidou's group.

"No way…" Seele murmured.

Keqing stepped forward.

"Wait a second!"

But Yelan placed a hand on her arm.

"It's too late. With this crowd behind them, there's no turning back."

Ganyu smirked.

"This race will be about pure skill. Let's see who comes out on top, hotshot."

Collei's expression hardened.

She turned toward the parking lot.

"Let's go, March. Let's grab the Eight-Six."

March stared.

"Wait, what?!"

Collei glanced over her shoulder.

"I'm not leaving you here, and after the race, we can go straight home."

Preparation for the Showdown

The Eight-Six rolled into position.

Collei adjusted her seat, while March climbed in—only for Collei to stop her.

"Mind sitting in the back seat for this one, March?"

March blinked.

"The back seat? Uhh… sure?"

As she settled in, confusion dawned.

"Is this some kind of tactic, Collei?"

Collei shrugged.

"No. Just keeping myself free from distractions."

March looked around.

"How am I supposed to hang on from back here?"

Collei smirked.

"That's for you to figure out."

March's face twisted in annoyance.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence…"

As the cars lined up, Keqing walked up to Ganyu's S2000 window.

"I don't know what you're trying to prove by acting like you represent Ningguang, but she's going to race Collei no matter what."

Ganyu grinned.

"Don't worry about me, Keqing. I've got this in the bag. Besides…"

She glanced toward the stormy sky.

"The rain is in my favor today."

Keqing sighed, stepping away.

"Famous last words…"