The roar of the crowd filled the stadium. The Broad National Tournament had finally entered its elimination stage — no more group points, no more safety nets. One loss, and you were done.
Royal Court huddled at center court. King's fists were clenched, his eyes sharp."This is it," he said. "From now on, every possession matters. No second chances."
Treasure smirked, spinning the ball on his finger. "About time. I've been waiting to show off."
Cadel, finally back with the team after his emotional turmoil, placed a hand on Jasmine's shoulder. "Let's focus. We'll talk later. Right now… we win." Jasmine nodded, smiling faintly — the spark between them alive but pushed aside for the battle ahead. Ebun glanced at them, her face cold, but she kept quiet, channeling her feelings into the game.
Their opponents marched in — Ironclad Titans, a club known for their brute strength and suffocating defense. Their captain, Bruno, was a massive forward with the ability to harden his body like steel, making him nearly unshakable in the paint.
The referee's whistle blew.Tip-off.
King soared high, his aura blazing, and slapped the ball straight to AJ. The crowd roared as the game began.
The Titans wasted no time, crashing the paint with Bruno. He powered through Ola and Dan, scoring the first basket with a thunderous dunk that rattled the rim. The crowd exploded — "IRONCLAD! IRONCLAD!"
King tightened his jaw. "So that's how it is."
Royal Court fired back. Mia drained a three off a pass from Jasmine, sending sparks through the air. Treasure slashed to the basket, weaving through defenders with unmatched agility. The pace was furious, each possession harder than the last.
But the Titans' strength was overwhelming. Bruno blocked two of King's shots, laughing as his skin gleamed like metal. "You can't break through steel, boy."
By halftime, the scoreboard read Titans 49 – Royal Court 45.
In the locker room, the tension was heavy. Sweat dripped down faces."We're struggling in the paint," Ola admitted. "Bruno's shutting everything down."
King looked at AJ. "You've been holding back. It's time."
AJ clenched his fists. Memories of Kiisi flickered in his mind — her smile, her quiet strength. He nodded. "Alright. Let's do this."
The second half tipped off, and AJ's aura burst forth like never before. His eyes glowed faintly — the awakening of his Phantom Step, a power that let him slip through defenders as if his body flickered between dimensions. He crossed Bruno, leaving him grasping at air, and scored an effortless layup.
The crowd gasped. "What was THAT?!"
Momentum shifted. With AJ unlocking his power, Royal Court's offense exploded. King fed off the energy, elevating his own play — hitting clutch mid-rangers, attacking the rim with ferocity. Treasure picked pockets in transition, Jasmine orchestrated plays, and Mia's three-pointers kept the Titans chasing shadows.
Final minute. Score tied: Royal Court 88 – Ironclad Titans 88.
Bruno bellowed, backing down King in the paint. His steel body glowed, the rim in sight. But at the last second, AJ phased in front of him, his aura surging, and stripped the ball clean.
"Go!" AJ shouted.
King caught the pass, sprinting down the court. The buzzer was about to sound. He rose above the Titans, hanging in the air as if time froze — then slammed the ball through with a resounding DUNK.
BUZZER-BEATER.
Royal Court 90 – Ironclad Titans 88.
The crowd erupted, chanting their name. Their first elimination win.
King raised his fist to the sky, chest heaving. "One down… many more to go."