Inside a massive e- sports arena in Bangkok during a championship match.
Lights flashed across the arena stage, painting the massive stadium in shifting colors. The crowd roared like thunder, thousands of voices crashing together while cameras swept across the players' desks
The teams called PHOENIX BYTE.
The giant screen flickered to life above the stage, displaying each player one by one.
When Thorn's face appeared, the stadium exploded.
"THORN! THORN! THORN!"
"Kael Ratanapong "Thorn" , was sitting in the gaming chair, calm while chaos explode around him.
Other players where nervous.
But Thorn?
He looked bored.
"Not arrogant.
Just… unbothered, as if the chaos around him was someone else's problem."
The arena was deafening, fans screaming his name from every corner of the stadium.,
Everyone knew Thorn. Even in the game world, his name carried weight.
Thorn barely noticed.
His hand rested lazily on the keyboard, headphones slightly as if the championship match in front of him was nothing more than a casual game in the internet cafè.
On the gaint screen above them ,his avatar stood against three enemies.
The crowd gasped.
Thorn signed.
Let get it over," he murmured.
He pressed on the keyboard and took done, one of the enemies avatar, he move slowly on the screen above them, and His avatar flicked the umbrella open. In the next second it shifted into a blade, the metal flashing across the screen as he cut through the second opponent,
One down one more to go; he murmured.
Thorn moved his character backward, pretending to retreat.
One enemy chased him.
Two seconds later, Thorn turned suddenly.
Trap activated.
He transform his sword into a AK47 gun and shot the avatar down.
The enemy avatar vanished from the screen.
One of his teammates called him.
Hey thorn, somchai:" he was the group healer.
"What" he said without looking up.
We're losing the lane here.
Thorn without looking at him.
" then stop feeding them the kills"
You're not helping.
Preecka " prew" one of the group fighter said.
Somchai panicking:
"Three enemies mid! Thorn, help!"
Prew yelling:
"My cooldown isn't ready!"
Thorn calmly:
"Stop shouting. I can hear the keyboard."
Thorn:
I'm carrying. There's a difference
Thorn sighed quietly.
Why did they panic so easily?
Crowd laughs.
Commentators smiled.
His avatar name was "REVENZERO".
Commentators moments:
Where Thorn was fighting his enemies avatar.
The commentators whispered among them.
"There it is! Revenzero moving into the shadows lane wait-- NO WAY! Thorn just eliminated two players in three seconds!.
The stadium exploded.
The comeback
Last moment.
Only Thorn was alive.
Enemy team think they've won.
The arena screamed around him, but Thorn only leaned back slightly in his chair.
If he lost this match, the entire team's season would end.
He exhaled slowly.
Annoying.
Than he destroyed them with strategy.
Not flashy.
Precise .
Cold.
The team win the championship.
The commentator nearly shouted into the microphone.
"HE DID IT AGAIN! RAVENZERO JUST WIPED THE TEAM!"
Somewhere in the audience or backstage, another team is watching.
Their captain says something like:
"So that's Thorn."
"He's better than the rumors."
"We'll break him next season."
AFTER THE MATCH
His teams mate was celebrating.
Hugging.
Jumping.
Thron removed his headsets slowly.
No excitement.
Just quiet.
Reporter ask:
"How does it feel winning this championship?"
Thron:
" we didn't win yet"
The Reporter was confused.
" But the match is over"
Thorn look at the audience.
" No. This was a qualified"., Thorn glanced at the reporter like the question bored him.
Backstage.
Somchai hugging Thorn:
"You saved us again!"
Thorn:
"You're heavy."
The teams finally meet their new coach.
Adrian Chaiyaporn "aon".
Calm
Observatant
Older than Thorn ( mid 20s )
Everyone greet him politely.
Expect for Thorn.
Coach aon watchs Thorn quietly while the team mates take.
Then he said :
"You played like someone who hates losing ".
Thorn shrug:
"Everyone hates losing".
Coach:
" Not like us".
Silence .
Something electric between them.
The coach already understands Thorn.
But Thorn doesn't care.
How about a drink for celebration.
" Eran Nopparat " Eran" broke the silence.
He went to Thorn side , you are going right?. I know a great spot for drinking.
Thorn ignored him.
I will take that as a yes. Eran said.
"Hours later, the celebration shifted to the bar. Laughter and spilled drinks filled the air, but Thorn remained an island of calm."
Eran steal Tavi drink .
Tavi whispered :
" Stop Eran they are people are watching"
Eran:
"Let them watch"
Win:
What are you guys taking about., just drink up already, should i order more.
On the other side of the table Thorn was sipping his drinking, why Coach Aon was looking at the new teams he have to take care of.
Everyone was already drunk except for Thorn , Tavi and Aon.
I will take Eran home, Tavi said.
Do you know his house , Thorn asked.
Hmmm " no I'll just let him stay at my place." Tavi said.
Thorn shrugged.
"Not my problem."
Few minutes later the table was empty, it was only Thorn and Aon.
Thron was about to leave when Aon spoke.
Aon:
You missed a frame in the combo you played "
Thorn leaned back in the chair slowly.
"You've been here five minutes," he said.
"And you're already criticizing me?"
Aon:
No that was not------
Thorn interrupted .
"You don't tell me what to do,
since you don't have anything to say.i will take my leave " he stands but as he was about to walk away, he whispered ,let pretend this conversation never started. And he take his leave.
Thorn paused for half a second at the door.
For the first time, he glanced back at the new coach.
Then he left.
Aon watched the door long after Thorn disappeared.
Then he murmured quietly to himself,
"So that's the problem."
"You're talented… but completely alone."
After Thorn leaves the bar.
Late night.
He goes back to the practice room alone.
The training room was empty.
Screens glowed in the darkness.
Thorn sat down and logged into the game again.
Then someone speaks behind him.
It's Aon.
"You just won a championship."
"And you're already practicing again?"
Then Thorn says:
"Winning once isn't impressive