Chapter 36: Countdown Begins

Chapter 36:

Two weeks passed like clockwork.

Evenings blurred into nights filled with draft lobbies, hero rotations, counterplay discussions, and back-to-back ranked games. Wins, losses, arguments, and unexpected synergies — it all stacked up as quiet progress.

Rayn didn't talk much, but his consistency made him the anchor of the team. While others joked, tilted, or flamed the occasional troll teammate in solo queue, he simply showed up, played smart, and improved. Day by day.

On a late Thursday evening, Aether's voice cut through the team VC with an energy they hadn't heard in a while.

> Aether:

"Alright, squad. Bracket's out. Tournament board's up!"

> Flash:

"No way. Already?"

> Riku:

"Let's see it."

Rayn clicked the link Aether dropped. A simple white screen with a double-elimination bracket opened up. Team names filled the slots, some sharp and professional-sounding, others like jokes made in five seconds.

> Kray:

"Bro... one team's literally called 'FeedThenWin'. We better not lose to that."

> Flash:

"Look at this one: 'NightTigers'. Sounds like someone's dad made it."

They scrolled further.

Aether's voice returned.

> "Okay, but what about us? We still haven't picked our name."

Silence for a moment.

> Riku:

"Nothing cringe, please."

> Flash:

"How about something neutral? Like ' Aegis rise' or 'Unknown Side'?"

> Kray:

"Aegis rise."

> Aether:

"I like it. Sounds like we're hiding something."

Rayn finally spoke, voice soft but sure.

> Rayn:

" Aegis rise. It fits."

> Aether:

"Settled, then. Registering us now."

He clicked away, and their name appeared on the board:

Fifth Lane vs. Moonveil Hunters – Round 1

The first match was already set. Sunday night.

> Flash:

"Moonveil Hunters? Ugh. Sounds like a party of elves."

> Riku:

"They're not bad. I checked a few of their ranked matches earlier. Average Legend rank, but their marksman rotates really early."

> Aether:

"Okay, no underestimating."

Rayn leaned back in his chair, absorbing the flow. He wasn't nervous, but there was something different about knowing the match was scheduled.

Not just another ranked grind. This was... real.

He glanced at the team slot beside theirs.

If they won, they'd face the winner of another match — one of the teams had a few Mythic players. Not pros, but close.

> Kray:

"Think we'll get streamed?"

> Aether:

"Maybe in semis or finals. Right now, it's just community coverage."

> Flash:

"Good. I don't want my potato aim going viral."

The conversation faded into jokes and short laughs, but Rayn stayed quiet, eyes still on the bracket.

The tournament was close now. Just three days away.

They weren't the strongest team here, not yet. But they had something others didn't:

Time. Momentum. Chemistry.

And Rayn's quiet, growing fire.

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