I got distracted by the information that we're already outnumbered by other groups. And because of that distraction, they got off from my grip.
"Just fucking surrender, Mary! Two of your members are already prisoned by mine, so stop!" Zera shouted.
Two out of one and I'm literally in their territory. But I got the advantage — I can return any magior they will use against me. But I don't have time to deal with thee.
"Three minutes left!" a sound. "And let's see the update… Blue team is now down to 8 and their leader is trapped between brown and orange. And red already dominated the gray and got the most prisons, while black is already captured by gray! And other colors — pink and yellow — are having 2 prisons from each other, and black is already very outnumbered and left with only 4 members!" the announcer loudly announced.
Gotta finish this up.
"Ivy sier," I murmured, and the same string that Jad used to me before, I used it to them.
"The heck?" they both angrily shout, forcing themselves to get out from it.
"Stop that… if you're listening to science, you know only I can undo that," I said as I am walking towards their flag. And with no seconds wasted, I took it.
"A plot twist again from Quinlan no.1! She did it again! Captured their second group!" the host announces as the time ticks — 1 minute and 43 seconds left. Before I let them go, I get close to Zera.
"No…" I smirk as I look at her pity face.
I immediately took her flag and smirk."Now you should and must know whose daughter I am."
"Wow! Zera no. 15, leader of orange, is captured by blue team Quinlan no.1!" Time breaker, they say. The bell rang, indicating we won. "Current update, everyone! Black and brown are now eliminated. And so far, highest prisons get is team red! Having 12 prisons, followed by yellow with 8 and pink with 6, gray with 5, and orange also with 5. Lastly, blue got 4 — but last not least, huh… blue got the highest number of team flags."
"Thank you for winning for us, Quinlan! Back to back," Quimodo complimented. I just smiled at him, 'cause I don't feel thankful. My members are still captured, and we're literally very outnumbered.
"Mary… I know you're still thinking about our members, but we should move now. 7 minutes left and game is starting, what are you planning?" Kyree said, and I hate to admit it, but he's right.
"I know. We can't fight other teams if we're this outnumbered. So we'll take our members back. They're all captured by orange team, so we'll target them."
"They're so strong, Mary… are you sure?" Jano came close.
"I don't care, I'm mad," I firmly said. "But this time… let's not go like all of us. I need just one person to come with me. So if it wont work, then you're still standing and the flag is still protected."
"Then who would you bring, Mary?" asked by other member.
"I want to come," Kyree volunteered.
"No. Quimodo, you'll come with me?"
"Of course! Facing a real fight, ma'fave." I smiled when he agreed, and I start saying my plan to them. I told them that since orange team has no leader now, they're still standing… but not for so long.
"So you're saying you're gonna face them? Like just the two of you?" they curiously asked. I nodded.
"I can't take a risk now. And for any possibilities I will be defeated, at least we're still standing."
"Time's up! Let's start our next round in…" the host announces, and I prepared myself.
"Guys, I need you to trust me because I trust you. I trust you to guard our flag and protect it with all your might. Just a little bit more — we'll win."
"We trust you, leader!" I smiled as they said that.
"3…2…1." The loud noise of the bell sounds, indicating it's starting. I look at Quimodo.
"You ready?"
"Let's go," he confidently said, and with that, we both go out, looking side by side, feeling if there are people, before marching up to the headquarters of orange team.
"Quimodo, I heard how you hostage, so that's what you're gonna do. You're gonna be assigned in hostaging, and I'll be assigned on getting their flag… do you agree with that?"
"Okay, but only if you let me protect you…" I look at his eyes, and absentmindedly nodded.
"I knew it!" I'm shocked to see Jad look like he's also targeting the same team. "Dear cousin! Gosh, you're having an outbreak, huh?" he said in full sarcasm.
"Nice to meet you too, Jad. If you're planning to get orange, look for other groups — we got here first."
"There's no first thing here, Mary… but who got the flag is." I look at him, can't believe he's this competitive.
"Fuck, seriously? Two of you!" said by one of the orange team when he saw us, and I am shocked when in full speed Quimodo already held that guy's grip and easily took his flag."Okay! Quimodo from blue team captured Saberon no. 90 from orange!" Never minding that, I signal Quimodo I'm going in, and he gets it.
"Evictus!" I said, easily disappeared and got in their territory — but shocked that they put a shield around it. Cesa is really smart, but I can't let her be that smart.
"Nice one, orange! Let's finish this, I'm tired."
They attacked me using their powers, but I am just dodging them.
"How do you get so powerful and so good, huh Quinlan?!" one of their members furiously asked.
"We're not close, mister! So you obviously don't know me."
We fight one-on-one, and the whole time I'm smiling, feeling they're weak in physical combat. But got attacked by Cesa from the back, and as I was about to think of losing, Quimodo got in and saved me. I look at him before getting a chance to use my Evictus again to get closer to their flag.
Got stopped by Cesa, but too late, 'cause I already got their flag. "Quimodo captured Cesa from orange team!"
"Oh! Nice thing to watch! Yellow team eliminated — got caught by pink team! But… not yet done, 'cause the red attacked, led by Quinlan no.3, and attacked the gray — and now gray is eliminated! And Quinlan no.1 took the flag of orange team, and now orange is eliminated!" the host informed. Jad really is something.
"Thank you for that," I simply said to him.
"I told you… I'll be your protector."
On our way to headquarters when I saw Jad standing just in front of the door for our headquarter.
"Hey, cousin!" he greeted.
"I might forget you're my cousin if you dare to get into my group, Jad."
"Seriously? Psh. Get in your group? I am literally alone, and besides, it just takes at least 5 groups — and now 3 groups are already left. No need for me to get in you guys."
I smiled. This is what makes Jad different from his father. He might get the pride, competitiveness, and face of his father, but he's way too different from him. Jad knows how to respect and have sportsmanship despite his competitiveness.
"Then what are you doing here?" He just simply pointed his mouth to the guy silently rubbing his palm, and Jad raised the flag in his hand.
"I want your thank you. I helped your group." I smiled, can't believe all of this. He just guaranteed his win, so he's acting so okay now.
"Then thank you."
Bell ringing. "Time's up! Okay, we said at least five, but we have left to three groups! Blue team, red team, and pink team! Congratulations, you are now part of our next round."
We are now here, back in the arena, and seeing the crowd supporting their biases. I saw the crowd rooting for me, and I felt something. It's the first time my presence got appreciated.
"Wow Mary, you just earned some fans there." I smiled at Jad. I can't help but feel overwhelmed but also nervous — now I'm scared to disappoint them or fail them.