Viraj's mind was racing.
Wait.
Did this team lose on purpose? Up to 6–0… just so we start believing they're weak? So we let our guard down?
But this trick is too simple. Anyone could figure it out. Then why are they using it? Or… is something else going on in their minds?
There was no answer. Not yet.
---
Now it was Raj's turn.
He stepped onto the court—smiling.
There was only one player from @11 on the mat.
Raj looked at him, confidence rising—
Just one player. I'll take him out easily.
He moved in—tagged him—and ran for the line—
But—
The line still feels… too far—
Then—
A grip.
Tight. Sudden.
Raj didn't even get time to react—the single player grabbed him with overwhelming force—
Slammed him down.
SUPER TACKLE.
Whistle.
Raj — out. @11 gains 3 points.
Three players revived.
---
Score—
@15: 6 — @11: 3
---
Viraj—
Raj underestimated that lone player. He dropped his guard. And that's exactly why he got caught. That was the plan. This was the plan.
This team isn't weak. This team was waiting.
---
@11's raider—
Amit—returned.
He pressured Shubham and Vedant—then Surya and Viraj—
Then crossed back to his side.
No touch. No outs.
He was just reading energy. Reading patterns. Wasting time deliberately.
---
Now Roshan's turn.
He stepped in—building pressure from the right side—
There were 4 players on the court now.
Roshan increased pressure—pushing one player in the right corner—
That player shouted—
"Cover! Cover! Hurry!"
Roshan heard it—and saw his chance—
He tagged him and turned back—
Then—
A grip on his leg.
From the left corner—Akshay.
He was at left corner… how did he reach here so fast?
No time to think—he struggled—
Out.
Another @11 player revived.
---
Viraj—
They were getting out so easily before. What changed all of a sudden?
---
@11's next raider—
Varun.
He stepped onto the court.
But—
This time… it was different.
Very different.
Last time, he got caught. But now—
Something was coming out of him.
Red.
Killing intent.
---
Viraj felt chills run down his spine.
What… is this? He's human, right? We're playing against humans… right?
The feeling spread through the team—
Shubham—tense. Fists clenched.
Vishal—breath slightly stuck.
Viraj—an internal alarm ringing.
But—
Vedant—
He was… calm. Completely. As if none of this affected him. As if he was somewhere else mentally.
And Surya—
There was that familiar spark in his eyes.
That excitement—
The one that appeared when something dangerous was about to happen.
As if this made him feel more… alive.
---
Varun stood near the line.
Red aura. Killing intent. Eyes—focused.
He didn't smile. Didn't speak.
He just—
Stepped forward.
---
— Chapter 12 End —