A Battle of Speed and Tactics

The ball spun out of play, rolling to the sidelines as the crowd erupted in a mix of cheers and groans. Some fans shouted in frustration, others in admiration. Darian had done it. The wielder of Blink Step had denied Orrek again, proving that he was no mere spectator in this high-stakes clash.

But Shadow Strikers weren't about to let the momentum slip.

Velkor, always quick on his feet, rushed to take the throw-in before Azure Comets could fully reset their defense. The moment the referee signaled play could continue, he grabbed the ball and hurled it straight to Orrek, who stood just outside the penalty area, his mind already calculating his next move.

Orrek didn't waste time. With a swift touch, he cushioned the ball and flicked it back toward Xyros, their captain and midfield general. Xyros, known for his surgical precision, took a single glance at the field before executing a perfectly weighted diagonal pass—a pass that cut through the air like a blade, slicing right into open space where Vexar was already sprinting.

The stadium gasped.

Vexar, the deadliest finisher on Shadow Strikers, surged forward with explosive speed. He had only one target in mind—the goal.

But waiting for him was Harken, the Azure Comets' last line of defense, a goalkeeper who had built a reputation as an unbreakable wall.

The crowd held their breath as Vexar closed in. He knew he had only seconds to decide. Harken was stepping forward, narrowing the angle, preparing to dive the moment the shot came.

Vexar feinted to his right. Harken reacted. Just as expected.

But it was a trap.

Vexar shifted at the last second, swinging his foot to curl the shot toward the near post instead. It was heading in. The ball was moving too fast.

Then—a blur of blue and white.

Ryvek.

Azure Comets' defensive enforcer came sliding in, stretching every muscle in his body. His boot made contact just in time, deflecting the shot away before it could reach the goal line. The ball spun off, bouncing wildly in the six-yard box, and in that instant, the match turned into chaos.

Every player in range lunged toward the ball, desperate to either clear it or drive it into the net. Orrek, ever the predator, reacted first. He charged forward, eyes locked onto the loose ball. He stretched out his leg to fire—but a second too late.

Darian again. The man with Blink Step.

He didn't just appear this time. He collided with Orrek, using his body to shield the ball before sweeping it away to safety.

Orrek gritted his teeth, the blinkist guy was getting annoying.

The ball rolled toward Lorenzo, Azure Comets' deep-lying playmaker. With a single glance, Lorenzo saw an opportunity. He took no more than two touches before launching a long, arcing pass up the field, looking for Zyna.

The counter was on.

Zyna, the heart of Azure Comets' attack, took off like a storm, leaving defenders scrambling to catch him. He controlled the ball with his chest before shifting into full speed, racing down the right flank with terrifying acceleration. Shadow Strikers' defenders scrambled back, trying to cut off his angle, but he was already setting up for the shot.

One last touch. One last adjustment. Then, with terrifying power, he let it fly.

A shot destined for the top corner.

The ball curved viciously, aimed for the one place no goalkeeper could reach. The crowd rose in anticipation, already prepared to celebrate a spectacular goal.

But then—Sawyer.

Shadow Strikers' goalkeeper exploded into action, diving with unreal reflexes. His fingers barely made contact, but it was enough. The ball deflected just past the post, sent out for a corner.

The stadium erupted. Applause. Shouts. Tension. The game was electric, both teams refusing to give an inch.

Yet even as Azure Comets set up for the corner, deep down, the players on both sides knew—this war was far from over.

The crowd was alive. Chanting, roaring, their voices a tide of emotion crashing against the stadium walls. Yet, on the pitch, in that moment, everything was silent for the players. It was just the game, the ball, the sweat dripping from their brows, and the fire burning in their lungs.

Shadow Strikers had survived Zyna's thunderous strike, thanks to Sawyer's unreal save. But no one on the field had time to appreciate it. Azure Comets were setting up for a corner, and their players were moving into position like pieces on a battlefield.

Orrek wiped sweat off his forehead and locked eyes with Darian, the man who had denied him twice now. There was something about him—the way he appeared, the way he anticipated every move. Blink Step wasn't just some ordinary skill. It was dangerous in the right hands, and Orrek knew it.

He stepped toward Darian, lowering his voice. "You're getting in my way a lot."

Darian smirked. "That's the idea, isn't it?"

Orrek let out a small chuckle, but there was a glint of fire in his eyes. "Next time, you won't be so lucky."

Darian's smirk didn't fade. "Try me."

But before Orrek could respond, he heard Xyros calling.

"Mark your man! Eyes on the ball!"

The corner was about to be taken.

Lorenzo, the architect of Azure Comets' attacks, stood by the corner flag, sizing up the positioning of Shadow Strikers' defense. He spotted Zyna lurking near the edge of the box, waiting for the perfect moment to sprint in. Ryvek was already battling Vexar in the penalty area, trying to gain an inch of space.

Then there was Darian, lingering just outside the fray, his eyes locked onto Orrek. He's thinking, Orrek realized. He's waiting for me to move first.

Lorenzo raised his hand. The signal.

He took the kick, driving the ball toward the penalty spot. Players exploded into motion. Bodies clashed. Arms pushed. Legs tangled.

Zyna made his run, breaking free from his marker. He leaped, twisting his body mid-air, and fired a powerful header toward the bottom corner.

Sawyer reacted instantly. He threw himself to the ground, stretching his arms wide—

But it was a feint.

Zyna had only flicked the ball, redirecting it toward the far post where Ryvek was wide open.

Gasps from the crowd.

Ryvek lunged, stretching his leg for a tap-in.

Then—a flash of black and red.

Orrek.

With a last-second burst of speed, Orrek flung himself into the path of the ball, blocking the shot with his chest before crumpling onto the ground.

The whistle blew. Foul? No. The ball was still in play.

Orrek didn't wait. He pushed himself up, heart pounding, pain burning in his ribs, and swung a pass to Xyros.

Xyros took the ball in stride, his eyes scanning the pitch. Two seconds. That's all he had before Azure Comets collapsed on him.

Lorenzo was rushing forward, trying to close him down. Zyna was recovering, sprinting toward his flank.

But Xyros saw the play.

Orrek. He was already making a run down the left side, escaping from Darian. Now.

With a flick of his boot, Xyros sent a curling pass into space, leading Orrek forward.

Orrek didn't need a second invitation.

He took off, the wind whipping against his face, the roar of the crowd melting into nothing. Darian was behind him. He could hear the rapid footsteps. He's going to use Blink Step again.

Orrek didn't slow down. Instead, he baited Darian into thinking he was going to cut inside—then at the last moment, he dragged the ball backward, stopping instantly.

Darian flew past him.

Orrek grinned. "Got you."

He looked up. The goal was in sight. The defenders were scrambling. He raised his foot, preparing to launch a strike—

But then, just like before… he blinked.

And a figure was suddenly there.

Darian.

Again?!

The crowd roared. Darian wasn't letting Orrek through. Not today. With a perfectly timed sliding challenge, he knocked the ball away, sending it spinning toward the sidelines.

Throw-in.

Orrek clenched his fists, exhaling hard.

Darian got to his feet and dusted himself off. He looked at Orrek with a small, knowing smile. "Told you to try me."

Orrek smirked. "Oh, I'm just getting started."

Darian Klynr dusted his hands again, a smile on his face.

"The clock's ticking...you better be quick."

"Tch!"