Astra’s Rebirth: Underdogs Unleashed

The doors of the Glacier Training Facility opened to an entirely different world. The crisp mountain air and biting wind had been replaced by the hum of the city, the bustling energy of crowds, and the persistent flash of cameras. As Astra Rebirth stepped into the venue for the next phase of the qualifiers, it was clear that their performance had caught the attention of more than just their opponents.

Reporters flanked the entrance, microphones and cameras thrust forward as questions were hurled their way.

"Alex Evans! How does it feel to lead Astra Rebirth to the top sixteen?"

"Sofia, are you confident heading into the next stage of qualifiers?"

"Jae-Min, what's your strategy for facing Dynasty again?"

The barrage of voices was deafening, and Alex could feel the tension radiating off his team. He glanced over his shoulder, catching Riley's anxious expression and Jae-Min's furrowed brow. Even Sofia, who normally thrived in the spotlight, seemed less amused than usual.

"Just keep walking," Alex muttered under his breath, his voice low but firm.

Sofia, however, had other plans. She paused, flashing a cocky grin at the reporters. "It feels great," she said, raising her voice above the chaos. "We're just getting started, and trust me—this isn't where we stop."

The cameras clicked rapidly, capturing her confident smirk. Lila let out a quiet laugh, muttering, "Of course she couldn't resist."

Alex sighed but couldn't help a small smile. Sofia's bravado might have been misplaced, but it was infectious.

"Alright, let's focus," he said as they finally made it past the gauntlet of reporters and into the venue.

---

Inside the venue, the atmosphere was electric. Fans milled about, some wearing the jerseys of established teams like Dynasty and Ragnarok, while others sported handmade signs and merch for up-and-coming squads.

Astra Rebirth's name was now part of the conversation. Alex overheard snippets as they passed groups of fans:

"Did you see their game against Tempest Wolves? That comeback was insane."

"Yeah, but they're still inconsistent. No way they're beating Dynasty."

"They're a wildcard. Could go either way."

"Alex Evans is back? Thought he was done after Vanguard."

The mention of Vanguard sent a pang through Alex's chest, but he forced himself to focus. This wasn't about the past. This was about proving Astra Rebirth could stand on its own.

---

Astra Rebirth barely had time to settle into their practice area before a tournament official approached them.

"Alex Evans?" the official asked, clipboard in hand.

"That's me," Alex replied, standing.

"You and your team have been requested for an interview. Ten minutes."

Alex glanced at his teammates. Lila groaned, throwing her head back dramatically. "Great. More questions about how we're the underdogs."

"It's part of the game," Alex said. "Let's get it over with."

The team filed into the designated interview room, a small space lit by harsh fluorescent lights. A long table awaited them, flanked by cameras and a moderator holding a stack of cue cards.

"Welcome, Astra Rebirth," the moderator said with a polite smile. "You've been the talk of the qualifiers lately. Everyone wants to know more about this underdog team that's turning heads."

"Great," Sofia said, leaning back in her chair. "Let's give them something to talk about."

---

The Interview Begins

The questions started out simple enough:

"Alex, what's it like being back in the competitive scene after all these years?"

Alex kept his tone neutral but confident. "It's been a challenge, but also an opportunity. This team has so much potential, and I'm proud of how far we've come. We're here to prove we belong."

"Lila, you've been called the wildcard of the team. How do you handle the pressure of being the main assassin?"

Lila smirked, her confidence evident. "Pressure? Please. I thrive on it. Besides, if I'm the wildcard, that just makes us more unpredictable."

The moderator turned to Jae-Min next. "Jae-Min, as the team's tactician, how do you handle the responsibility of outsmarting some of the best players in the world?"

Jae-Min adjusted his glasses, his tone measured. "It's not about outsmarting—it's about preparation. We study our opponents, adapt to their strategies, and execute as a team. That's what makes us dangerous."

---

The Vanguard Shadow

The questions eventually turned sharper.

"Alex, some people have compared Astra Rebirth to Vanguard, your former team. Do you think this team can succeed where Vanguard fell short?"

The room went quiet. Alex could feel his teammates' eyes on him, but he kept his expression steady.

"This isn't Vanguard," he said firmly. "Astra Rebirth is its own team, with its own story. We've learned from the past, but we're focused on the future."

The moderator pressed further. "Do you think facing Ingrid Halvorsen and Ragnarok would bring closure to your time with Vanguard?"

Alex's jaw tightened slightly. He took a deep breath, his voice steady as he replied, "Ragnarok is one of the best teams in the world. If we face them, it'll be because we've earned the right to compete at that level. That's all I'm focused on."

Sofia chimed in, breaking the tension. "Besides, Ingrid's not the only one who can lead a team to victory. Just saying."

The room erupted in quiet laughter, and Alex shot Sofia a grateful look.

---

As they left the interview room, the team's reactions were a mix of relief and lingering frustration.

"Well, that was fun," Lila said, rolling her eyes. "Can't wait for the next round of 'let's compare Alex to his past.'"

"They're just trying to create a story," Riley said quietly. "That's what people want—a narrative."

"Yeah, well, I'm sick of being the 'underdog narrative,'" Sofia muttered. "Why can't they just talk about how good we are?"

"Because we haven't proven it yet," Alex said, his tone firm but not unkind. "We're getting there, but we're not at the top. Not yet."

The team fell silent, his words sinking in.

"Then let's change the story," Jae-Min said finally, his voice calm but resolute. "Let's give them something else to talk about."

Alex nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Exactly."

---

The rest of the day was spent in preparation. The team crowded into the small practice room the tournament organizers had assigned them, the tension in the air replaced with a quiet intensity. On the large monitor, match footage of their next opponents played on repeat, showing key moments, map rotations, and weaknesses in positioning.

Jae-Min stood by the whiteboard, furiously sketching out strategies. "Their mid-laner overcommits in early skirmishes," he said, circling a section of the map. "We punish that hard. Lila, you'll need to keep an eye on their rotations—don't just tunnel the carry."

Lila leaned back in her chair, tossing a small stress ball from hand to hand. "Fine. But if their carry slips up, I'm taking the shot."

"Only if it doesn't leave us exposed," Jae-Min replied, not looking up from his notes.

Riley raised a tentative hand. "Their support plays really aggressively. If we bait them in, we could force their cooldowns early."

"Good," Alex said, nodding. "We can use that to set up a counter. Riley, you call it when you see the opportunity."

Riley blinked, a bit startled. "Me?"

"Yes, you," Alex said, his tone firm but encouraging. "You've got the best read on these plays. Trust yourself."

Riley hesitated, then nodded. "Alright."

Sofia spun her chair around, cracking her knuckles. "So, the plan is simple: bait them, punish them, and crush them." She grinned. "I like it."

Alex smiled faintly. "That's the idea. But we stick to the calls. No freelancing."

"Yeah, yeah," Sofia said, waving him off. "I've got it."

By the time they left the venue, the buzz surrounding Astra Rebirth had grown louder. Fans waited outside, some wearing makeshift Astra Rebirth shirts, others waving homemade signs that ranged from supportive to downright funny.

"Go Astra! Crush the competition!" someone shouted from the crowd, their enthusiasm cutting through the chilly evening air.

Another fan held up a sign that read: "Lila = Assassin Queen." Lila spotted it immediately, smirking. "Finally, someone gets it," she said, nudging Sofia.

Sofia laughed, pointing at another sign that read: "Blitz = Unstoppable Wall." "Looks like I've got my own fan club too."

But Alex's attention was drawn to a sign at the back of the crowd, its message simple but powerful: "Astra Rebirth: From Underdogs to Champions."

He felt a flicker of something deep in his chest, a mix of emotions he hadn't felt in years. It wasn't just pride—it was hope. Determination.

The weight of expectation was still there, but now it felt different. It wasn't a burden anymore. It was a challenge, one that he and his team could rise to meet.

He turned to face his teammates, their silhouettes framed by the glow of the city lights. They weren't just players anymore—they were fighters, a team bound by trust and a shared dream.

"Alright, team," Alex said, his voice steady but filled with quiet confidence. "Let's make sure we earn it."

Sofia grinned, her usual bravado returning. "Damn right we will."

Behind them, the city buzzed with life, but for Alex, the world had narrowed to this moment. The climb was far from over, but they were ready to take the next step.