Score: Vorpal 47 – Forest 35
"Calm. Flow. Adjust."
That was the mantra echoing through Elijah Rainn's mind like the steady pulse of a drum in chaos.
The gym thundered.
Bleachers rattled with stomping feet. Fans screamed. The Vorpal bench hollered like wild dogs, Louie at the center, sprinting back to the huddle with fire in his eyes, teeth flashing as he yelled, "Let's eat!" They were devouring momentum, swallowing it whole.
But amidst the storm, Elijah sat on the bench—still.
He didn't shift. Didn't flinch. Eyes narrowed, breath steady. He absorbed the chaos like a tree in the wind.
(They're fast. Aggressive. Riding rhythm.)
He glanced sidelong to Coach Nguyen. No clipboard. No timeout.
Just a nod.
A quiet one.
One that said: "I trust you. Guide the Forest."
Forest Possession
The referee's whistle chirped like a bird cutting through smoke. The inbound came to Elijah who didn't touch it.
He let it roll.
