Viraj's mind was running.
We are behind. We need points. Fast.
But right now it was @16 team's turn to raid.
Roshan got ready — came near the line —
Just then, a push.
"Move back, insect."
Vedant.
Roshan looked back — angrily —
"We had decided, right? One by one raids—"
"To hell with the plan." Vedant's voice was tight. "To hell with you all."
And Vedant looked at Akash — Akash was standing in the center. Completely calm. As if nothing had happened.
Vedant's eyes — fire.
He stepped onto the court.
---
Viraj saw this — and something inside said —
Shit. If he plays in anger, he'll get out. Things done in emotion fail.
Vedant moved towards the center — tried to touch Akash —
Ahi and Mhi — both looked at each other.
This is the moment.
Both moved hand in hand — came into Vedant's blind spot — tried to grab him from behind —
But —
Vedant's mind had snapped. And in that state —
Raw power.
He pushed both of them — without technique, without plan — just with his brute strength.
Both of them moved.
And Vedant — directly touched the line.
---
@17's team was shocked.
Viraj was shocked.
I thought he would get caught. He didn't. How—
Just then Roshan came near Viraj. Looking at Vedant — casually said —
"Don't think too much, Viraj."
Viraj looked at him.
"If someone has raw strength — whether they're angry or calm — they are dangerous in both states. But if they're angry... their power increases even more."
Viraj looked at Vedant —
He was walking back to his position. But the aura coming from his body —
Like a wild bear returning after a hunt.
Interesting, Viraj thought. Everyone here is interesting.
---
Shubham and Vishal had also returned inside.
The whole team was now on the field.
---
@17's raider stepped in.
Pressure towards Viraj and Surya —
Viraj watched the legs. Tried to understand the movement — read the footwork —
Just then —
Grab.
Viraj looked to the side —
Surya — holding the raider's leg in his hand.
When...? How...? That raider's footwork was so good — even I couldn't read it completely — then how did Surya catch him?
Everyone praised Surya.
Surya was smiling — that dangerous smile — and asked Viraj —
"How was it?"
Viraj said nothing.
But one line was in his mind —
Surya's ability — maybe it lies in his grip. There is something special in it. But what?
---
~ Cut — Tane ~
---
A different room.
Tane was watching the screen — @16 vs @17 match. In front of him was an AI projection — observing every player, studying them, noting patterns.
The AI asked —
"Why did you give Akash such a low rank? He plays so well."
Tane didn't take his eyes off the screen —
"Because he is not worthy of that rank."
He said nothing more.
---
~ Cut — Match ~
---
It was Roshan's turn.
He stepped onto the court — moved towards Roni —
Roni looked at him — "What man. Why is everyone targeting me?"
Roshan ignored — tried to touch another player — he moved back —
Roshan, don't get out, Viraj thought.
A defender came — tried to grab Roshan —
Roshan escaped — clean —
Turned towards the line —
Just then a hand landed on his hand.
Akash.
Roshan jerked — freed himself —
Almost touched the line —
Waist.
Akash grabbed from the waist — threw him to the ground — lock.
Whistle.
Roshan — out.
---
@16 team was a bit down.
Viraj —
"He caught him... feels like they have some other plan. But what?"
---
@17's raider —
Tried to touch Vedant and Shubham — Shubham stepped back —
Raj saw the timing — tried to grab the raider's leg —
The raider — easily moved Raj aside. Touch.
@17 got the point.
---
Score —
@16 — 7
@17 — 7
Timer —
2:07...08...09
---
Viraj's eyes were fixed on the timer.
Everything was equal. Time was running out.
And now —
It was his turn.
---
— End of Chapter 8 —