When they all woke up, the first thing they did was eat breakfast, their minds heavy with the thought of the unknown day ahead. After finishing, they made their way straight to the massive Ego League building. The moment they entered, they were stunned—inside the great hall stood around three hundred players, all filled with excitement, tension, and determination.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and a tall man stepped onto the stage. His presence was commanding.
"Hey, strikers," he said, his voice echoing through the hall. "I am Ego. I have created this organization to find the five best strikers in the world."
A murmur swept across the hall. Many players shouted, "Why only five?"
Ego raised his hand for silence. "Because my team already has the six best players in the world. But in six months, the World Cup begins, and for that, I want five more strikers who will complete my dream team."
The crowd gasped, energy exploding in the hall. Then Ego pointed to a massive gate on the side of the stage. "If you truly wish to join, step forward and enter through this gate. Prove your worth."
Without hesitation, players rushed toward the gate. The tension was thick, every step echoing determination.
The moment Ayaan, Anshuman, Aditya, Anant, and Affan crossed through the gate, the scene cut.
Now, the five of them were sitting in a quiet room, the atmosphere heavy. They looked at one another, all aware of the stakes.
Anshuman broke the silence. "What do you think will happen now?"
Ayaan clenched his fist. "Whatever it is, we all know one thing—we have to win this. If we don't, we'll never end this game. We'll never return to the real world."
The others nodded, their determination unshakable. The true challenge of the Ego League was about to begin.
The screen opened in front of them, and Ego's face appeared clear and sharp. His voice boomed, "Hey, you five. In this building there are eight teams—Team A, Team B, Team C, Team D, Team E, Team F, Team G, and Team H. You are Team H. From now on, your task is simple: beat the other teams and improve your ranks. Your current rank will be shown on your shoulder."
They all looked down at their arms, and glowing numbers appeared. On Aditya's shoulder was written 289, on Anant 290, on Anshuman 288, on Affan 287, and on Ayaan 272. Ego's smile grew sharper. "Your team has the lowest rank in the entire league."
He continued, "After every match, your rank will rise depending on your performance. In this building, you'll find gyms, cafeterias, and a practice field. Use them however you want. Your first match is in two days—against Team G. But remember this: if any team loses three times, they are eliminated… and can never play football ever again."
The screen flickered, and his last words echoed: "Good luck. Bye."
The five sat frozen for a moment. Ayaan was the first to break the silence. "If we lose three times, that will be the end of us. And we'll never escape this game. So before anything else, we should train and practice hard." He stood up. "But first, let's check out the cafeteria."
They walked through the long corridor and entered the cafeteria. The hall was filled with players from all the other teams, their ranks glowing on their shoulders. The air was noisy with chatter and laughter, but everyone's eyes carried the same hunger—to win.
When Ayaan and his team went near the massive food machine, they saw how it worked. By scanning the glowing numbers on their shoulders, the machine instantly gave out meals according to their ranks. The higher the rank, the better and richer the meal.
Ayaan and the others glanced at each other as their trays slid out. Their food portions were smaller, simpler than the players with higher ranks sitting nearby. The difference was clear—and it burned in their hearts like fire.
After finishing their meals, they stood up together and made their way toward the gym. The moment they entered, their eyes widened—rows of advanced machines stretched across the hall, shining under the bright lights. Every team was training hard, sweat dripping, determination burning.
They wasted no time. First, they began with cardio, running on sleek treadmills that tracked every heartbeat. Then they moved to legs, pushing heavy weights and driving power into every rep. After that came shoulders, lifting and pressing until their muscles burned, followed by chest, where they tested their strength against the machines. Finally, they finished with abs, grinding through sit-ups, planks, and twists until their stomachs tightened with fire.
Exhausted but proud, they sat down for a few minutes to rest, their bodies pumped and buzzing with energy.
Soon after, they headed to the practice field. At the entrance stood a small glowing screen. Curious, Affan reached out and touched it. Instantly, four options appeared before them—Easy, Medium, Hard, Impossible.
They exchanged glances. Ayaan smirked. "Let's start with Easy."
The moment he pressed it, holographic figures of players appeared on the field, moving with surprising speed and skill. A robotic goalkeeper came alive, guarding the net with precise movements.
"Let's go!" Aditya shouted, and the training began. They passed, dribbled, and shot, breaking through the hologram defenders and striking against the mechanical keeper. Sweat poured, legs burned, but their teamwork started to shine.
Two hours later, their shirts clung to their bodies, muscles tight, faces glowing with exhaustion and pride. Pumped and stronger than before, they finally made their way back to their room, ready for whatever awaited them next.
When the match was about to begin, they walked out onto the field, the bright lights of the stadium blinding for a moment. The crowd of players and staff surrounded the pitch, and then their eyes fell on the opponents—Team G.
Ayaan and his team froze. The opponents looked ruthless—muscular builds, sharp eyes, and cold expressions that made them seem like predators ready to tear apart their prey. Their uniforms looked darker, fiercer, almost as if announcing their superiority.
For a moment, fear gripped them, but Ayaan clenched his fists and said, "We will not be scared anymore." The others nodded, their resolve returning.
The referee blew the whistle. Kickoff.
The ball was given to Team H. Ayaan tapped it forward and instantly passed to Anshuman. Anshuman sprinted ahead with speed, but within seconds, a tall man with glasses appeared in front of him, blocking his path.
"Get out of my way," Anshuman muttered, eyes blazing. With a burst of power, he blasted the ball with everything he had, shooting it straight toward the goal. The ball rocketed high into the air, its speed shocking the crowd.
But just before it could reach the net, a boy with white hair leapt into the air. His movements were smooth, almost inhuman. With one graceful touch of his foot, he controlled the ball mid-air, spinning as if time itself slowed around him.
And then—flip!
In the blink of an eye, the white-haired boy twisted his body and smashed the ball into the net with a breathtaking acrobatic shot. The goal exploded through the stadium, and everyone froze in shock.
Ayaan and his teammates stood stunned, their eyes wide. The skill, the speed, the impossibility of that move—it was like nothing human.
The match had only just begun, but already they realized the kind of monsters they were up against.
The whistle blew, and the kick was given to Anshuman. He tapped the ball smoothly to Anant, who charged forward with determination. Anant took his chance and blasted the ball ahead, but before it could go far, the white-haired boy leapt into the air once again. With flawless control, he trapped the ball mid-air and twisted.
He launched it toward the goal, and in perfect sync, the glasses guy spun into a side flip and hammered it into the net. The crowd roared as the scoreboard changed.
The white-haired boy smirked. "I'm Nagi."
The glasses guy adjusted his frames and said coldly, "I'm Furu."
The names echoed in Ayaan's mind.
Kickoff was reset. Anshuman took the ball, but this time Ego's voice appeared in Ayaan's vision, showing him the whole field. Ayaan narrowed his eyes and muttered, "Let's win this, Ego."
Anshuman was immediately pressured—three defenders surrounded him. Nagi dashed in, ready to steal. But before anyone could react, Ayaan slipped between them, flicked the ball through their legs, and blasted an impossible goal straight into the net.
Gasps filled the stadium. Nagi froze for a moment, then smiled. "Okay… now we've got a tough competitor."
The game resumed quickly. Furu passed sharply to Nagi, who sprinted forward with lightning pace, but Affan anticipated his move. Sliding in with perfect timing, he stole the ball cleanly and fired it toward Anshuman.
Anshuman darted down the wing, faster than ever, and cut in. As the defenders closed in, he sent the ball across to Aditya. Aditya steadied himself for a shot—but just as he swung his leg, Nagi appeared from nowhere, blocking. Thinking fast, Aditya faked the shot and passed back to Anshuman.
With no hesitation, Anshuman struck a clean shot. The ball curved, slipping past the robotic goalkeeper and smashing into the net.
The whistle blew. First half over.
The scoreboard glowed: 2 – 2.
The scene cut and showed Ayaan standing in front of his teammates, his eyes sharp and full of fire. "We can win this," he said firmly, "but we have to stop that Nagi. Affan, you block Nagi. Anant, you block Furu. Me and Anshuman will stay in front, and Aditya—you'll focus on shooting and passing to us."
The team nodded, their strategy set.
They walked back out onto the field, the tension rising as Nagi and Furu stepped into place, their presence heavy and intimidating. The whistle blew.
Kickoff was with Furu. He tapped the ball to Nagi. Nagi spun smoothly, about to pass it back—but before he could, Anshuman dashed forward like lightning and stole the ball clean off his feet. Without hesitation, he launched it toward the goal.
Ayaan was already in the air. Twisting his body, he connected with a perfect bicycle kick, smashing the ball into the net. The crowd erupted as the scoreboard lit up.
The game continued, both teams battling fiercely, but Ayaan's team had found their rhythm. By the end, the whistle blew once again.
Final Score: 5 – 3. Team H wins.
Ayaan raised his fist high. "First win! Let's go!"
In his mind, Ego's voice echoed: Well done.
Back in their room, the screen flickered to life. Ego appeared, smiling slightly. "Hey, strikers. From now on, you can buy food by using the goals you have scored. That's all. Bye."
The screen vanished. Ayaan looked at his teammates and smirked. "I scored three goals, Anshuman one, and Affan one. That means we three can buy extra food. Let's go."
They laughed, exhausted but proud, and headed to shower. The first week of the Ego League ended, and with it, their ranks updated.
Ayaan: 258 Anshuman: 264 Affan: 263 Aditya: 271 Anant: 278
Their journey had only just begun, but Team H was no longer at the bottom.
When the next day came, their names were already drawn—they had to compete against Team A. Knowing the challenge ahead, they didn't waste time. For three long weeks, they trained relentlessly—gym, practice field, tactics, and drills, sharpening every weakness and pushing their limits until their bodies screamed.
Finally, the day arrived. They walked onto the field, and the moment they saw Team A, their hearts skipped a beat. The players looked deadly, their eyes cold and focused, their movements sharp as blades.
The whistle blew. Kickoff went to Team A. In less than ten seconds, they sliced through the field with lightning speed and smashed a goal into the net. The scoreboard changed, and Ayaan's team stood frozen, their mouths wide open in shock.
Kickoff reset, and this time it was theirs. They gathered themselves, moved in formation, and with the help of Ayaan's ego guiding the field, they executed perfect tactics. Ayaan struck cleanly, and the ball slammed into the net.
1 – 1.
But Team A wasn't shaken. Their kickoff started, and with deadly dribbles they closed in. Just before they could strike, Affan blocked hard, sending the ball high into the air. In a flash, Team A's best player leapt and smashed the ball mid-air, sending it rocketing into the net.
2 – 1.
The stadium roared.
Kickoff came back to Team H. Anshuman charged forward, weaving past defenders with speed. Reaching the edge of the box, he launched the ball up in front of goal. Ayaan was already in the air—his body twisting into a perfect bicycle kick. The strike was unstoppable. The ball tore into the net.
2 – 2.
The referee's whistle echoed through the stadium. First half over.
The scoreboard glowed bright: Team A – 2 | Team H – 2.
They all came back onto the field, sweat dripping but eyes sharp, the second half about to decide everything. The whistle blew—kickoff for Team A.
Within seconds, they sliced through the defense and scored a smooth goal, the net shaking as the crowd roared.
3 – 2.
Now it was Team H's kickoff. Affan charged ahead, leaping high to connect with a header. The ball sailed toward the goal, and Aditya came flying in with a powerful smash. The net rattled—goal!
3 – 3.
The game burned hotter. Team A restarted and, with precise passes, drilled through the defense again. Their striker blasted the ball into the top corner.
4 – 3.
But Team H refused to fall. They fought back with quick passes, Anshuman breaking through and flicking the ball to Ayaan. With a calm strike, Ayaan equalized once more.
4 – 4.
Ten minutes left. One more goal would decide the victor. Both sides were exhausted, legs heavy, lungs burning, but neither team gave up.
Then it happened. The ball flew high into the air, spinning slowly as if time itself held its breath. Ayaan and Anshuman looked at each other—then Ayaan leapt onto Anshuman's back, gaining height. Together, they launched upward, and in mid-air, Ayaan twisted his body, striking the ball with a thunderous shot.
The stadium went silent for a split second before the net shook violently.
5 – 4. Team H wins.
Just as the whistle blew, a blinding light smashed the ground, engulfing everything.
When they opened their eyes, they were lying on the floor—not in the stadium, not in the Ego League, but back in the real world. They looked at each other, stunned, breathing heavily.
Anshuman laughed first. "That game… was short by the way."
Ayaan smirked. "Yeah. But we escaped."
They stood together, the nightmare over, finally free.
They looked at each other, still catching their breath, the memory of the Ego League burning fresh in their minds. Affan stretched his arms and laughed. "Man, that was insane… but we actually did it."
Anshuman smirked. "Still feels unreal. Like we just woke up from a dream."
Ayaan glanced around the room, then smiled. "You know what? Let's play one more game here, just us. No Ego, no rankings, no pressure. Just football."
Aditya's eyes lit up. "I'm in. One last match before we crash."
So they grabbed their ball, went outside, and under the night sky they kicked off a small game, laughing, teasing, and playing freely. No holograms, no elimination threats—just five friends enjoying the sport they loved.
After the game ended, they collapsed on the ground, laughing and tired.
"Alright," Ayaan said, yawning. "That's enough for today. Let's sleep."
"Yeah," Anant added. "Tomorrow… we'll go to that show again."
With that promise hanging in the air, they headed back home, ready to rest, their minds already wondering what awaited them next.