2:2!
The numbers on the scoreboard, like a temporary standoff after a brutal battle between two armies, heralded the arrival of the final decisive battle. The air in the entire arena seemed to be sucked out, every breath carrying a scorching tension. Fans supporting Forbidden City Peak clenched their fists, unwilling to believe that the reigning champions would be pushed to such a desperate situation; while Star Sea Team's supporters saw the dawn of a miracle, shouting the team's name hoarsely.
Backstage, the locker rooms of the two teams presented starkly different atmospheres. On Forbidden City Peak's side, the players looked solemn, and the coach quickly drew the final tactical arrangements on the whiteboard, his tone hurried. Being chased down two games in a row, especially the almost crushing defeat in the fourth game, was a huge blow to their morale. The pride of champions could not be desecrated, but the resilience and adaptability shown by Star Sea Team made them feel unprecedented pressure.
However, in Star Sea Team's locker room, the atmosphere was unusually calm. Having caught up by two games, the players had completely shed their burdens.
"It's the last game," the coach's voice was steady and strong, "Forget the previous score, forget coming back from two-zero down to win three straight. Just treat this as our Star Sea Team's first game since its establishment, and also its last."
"Play everything we've trained, believe in yourselves, believe in the teammates sitting beside you." Lin Haoming stood at the doorway with his arms crossed, his gaze sweeping over each young and determined face, "Go and claim the glory that belongs to you."
For the deciding game, Star Sea Team won the priority to choose sides through a pre-match coin toss, and they once again chose the blue side. This small advantage could be crucial in the final game.
The battle of wits in the Ban/Pick phase reached an unprecedented intensity. Every ban, every pick, tugged at the heartstrings of the entire audience.
Forbidden City Peak struck first, consecutively banning Lüeyǐng's red-hot Zac and Star Track's excellent mid-lane hero from Game 4, while also taking away Su Xiao's Kai'Sa.
Star Sea Team was highly targeted, banning Forbidden City Peak's top laner's signature hero and the support's powerful engage tool, while also breaking up strong combinations the opponents might use.
In the first round of picks, Star Sea Team did not hesitate, immediately locking in one of the strongest jungle heroes in the current meta — Nidalee, the Bestial Huntress!
"Nidalee! Lüeyǐng has brought out his Nidalee!" Caster Commentator's voice suddenly rose, "This is a move to fight for early jungle tempo! Lüeyǐng's Nidalee is known for her aggressiveness and precise spears, this is one of his signature heroes!"
Forbidden City Peak responded quickly, counter-picking ezreal for the ADC position and Leona for the support position, forming a powerful bottom lane duo.
Subsequently, Star Sea Team picked Xayah, the Rebel, for Su Xiao to counter ezreal's mobility, and secured Fiora for top laner Dawn, aiming to create an advantage in the top lane.
Forbidden City Peak then picked ornn for top lane and Jarvan IV for jungle, forming a solid frontline and crowd control chain.
The final pick, the choice for the mid lane, would determine the ultimate direction of both teams' compositions. Forbidden City Peak locked in orianna, still their most trusted late-game insurance.
Everyone's eyes were focused on Star Sea Team's fifth pick. What would Star Track pick to counter orianna?
Under the camera, Star Track's expression was calm. After a quick discussion with the coach, a hero's portrait lit up and locked in!
Talon, the Blade's Shadow!
"Talon! Oh my god! Star Track has chosen Talon!" Yaoyao exclaimed, "This is an extremely risky choice! Talon is the ultimate assassin; he wants to crush orianna in the early to mid-game and dictate the entire game's tempo! If he doesn't get an early lead, he'll be useless in the late game!"
"Fight to the death! Star Sea Team, in the decisive game, has bared their sharpest fangs!" Commentator excitedly concluded.
Final Lineup:
Blue Side - Star Sea Team: Fiora, Nidalee, Talon, Xayah, Rakan
Red Side - Forbidden City Peak: ornn, Jarvan IV, orianna, ezreal, Leona
Star Sea Team, the ultimate offensive spearhead! Forbidden City Peak, the stable teamfight Bulwark!
The game began! Star Sea Team grouped up and very decisively invaded Forbidden City Peak's red buff jungle! They calculated that Jarvan IV would most likely start blue buff, and they wanted to force a jungle swap to establish an early advantage for Lüeyǐng's Nidalee!
"Level 1 invade! Star Sea Team is playing very decisively! They got what they wanted, Nidalee starts with three buffs! Lüeyǐng's tempo is about to take off!"
With an advantage, Lüeyǐng was like a tiger unleashed. His Nidalee constantly pressured Jarvan IV in the jungle, landing precise spears (Q) repeatedly, suppressing Jarvan IV's health and farming. At the same time, he frequently visited the mid lane.
At level three, Nidalee's first gank on mid lane. Star Track's Talon used his W Skill [Rake] to slow orianna, Lüeyǐng's Nidalee landed a long-range spear, then switched to cougar form and pounced! Even if orianna used Flash, Talon followed with his own Flash to add damage, securing First Blood!
"First Blood!"
"First Blood! Talon got it! Star Sea Team's mid-jungle early game tempo is established!"
With the advantage, Talon was completely unleashed. He quickly cleared waves, then disappeared from vision like a ghost, putting immense pressure on both top and bottom lanes. Forbidden City Peak had to retract their defenses, and their vision was constantly compressed.
At the eighth minute, Nidalee, in coordination with the bottom lane duo, dove the tower and killed Forbidden City Peak's ezreal! Star Sea Team's early game tempo was perfect!
With the advantage, Star Sea Team did not repeat their previous impatient mistakes. They utilized Nidalee and Talon's mobility to aggressively seize map resources and control vision. Dragon and Rift Herald were all secured.
The gold difference at fifteen minutes had already stretched to nearly five thousand! Star Track's Talon's equipment was far ahead, and every time he disappeared, Forbidden City Peak felt suffocated.
At twenty minutes, near the newly spawned Baron pit. Forbidden City Peak tried to place vision to find an opportunity, but Bulwark's Rakan caught their support Leona pushing forward slightly, activating his Ultimate Ability [The Quickness] followed by W [Grand Entrance], charming and knocking up both Leona and the nearby Jarvan IV!
"Rakan caught two! An opportunity!"
Star Track's Talon, like a blade from the shadows, instantly cut in, instantly killing the controlled Leona! Su Xiao's Xayah activated her W [Deadly Plumage], dealing massive damage! Dawn's Fiora also flanked, heading straight for the backline orianna!
Forbidden City Peak's formation instantly collapsed! Although ornn called his ram and orianna pulled her Ultimate Ability, it was no use against the huge equipment disparity and Star Sea Team's perfect focus fire!
"ACE!"
Team wipe!
"Team wipe! Star Sea Team executed a perfect 0 for 5! They can take Baron! The game is about to end!" Commentator's voice was already hoarse.
With the Baron Buff, Star Sea Team didn't hesitate for a moment, pushing straight down mid lane! Forbidden City Peak's players had long respawn timers, and could only watch helplessly as their defensive towers and inhibitors fell one after another!
Finally, at the twenty-four minute mark, Star Sea Team's five players converged before Forbidden City Peak's nexus crystal, unleashing all their attacks!
The nexus crystal's health rapidly decreased, until it hit zero —
"Victory!"
Boom!!!!
A giant blue victory sign filled the entire screen! Simultaneously, the stage effects, already prepared, instantly activated! Countless golden confetti, shining with brilliant light, poured down like a torrential rain from the arena ceiling! Instantly dyeing the entire stage a glorious gold!
"They won! They won! Star Sea Team won!" Yaoyao's voice was tearful as she excitedly shouted, "3:2! From two-zero down to win three straight! They did it! From the desperate situation of being down zero to two, they won three games in a row! They defeated the mighty Forbidden City Peak! They are the new champions! Star Sea Team!"
"New Kings Ascend!" Commentator used all his strength to roar out the final conclusion, "They came from desperation, reborn in adversity! With unparalleled resilience, with desperate courage, with the most extreme offense, they wrote the greatest comeback from two-zero down in Star Sea Cup history! Let us congratulate Star Sea Team for winning the Star Sea Cup championship!"
At the center of the stage, Star Sea Team's five players embraced each other excitedly, jumping and shouting! Lüeyǐng roared to the sky, releasing all his pressure; Star Track tightly hugged his teammates, tears glinting in his usually calm eyes; Su Xiao and Bulwark high-fived in celebration, their smiles brilliant; Dawn waved his fists, shouting loudly!
The golden rain fell on their shoulders, on their hair, and on the Star Sea Cup championship trophy they held aloft, symbolizing the highest honor!
Lin Haoming and the coaching staff also rushed up from backstage, embracing the players tightly! At this moment, all the effort, all the pressure, all the doubts, transformed into this supreme glory!
Qin Feng, in the VIP section, smiled and applauded. He witnessed the birth of a truly strong team, and also witnessed one of the most exciting moments in this esports era belonging to league of legends.
The Star Sea battleship, having weathered the storm, finally reached its destination! A new dynasty, it seemed, was slowly beginning with this golden rain.