Chapter 35:
The Turtle had been taken. Rayn's team held a small gold lead, and the momentum seemed tilted just enough to matter. But anyone who'd played enough Ranked knew — early leads weren't wins. They were just invitations to make mistakes.
And that's exactly what happened next.
> Flash:
"Enemy mid's missing. Could be setting for a dive. Kray, play safe."
> Kray:
"Already hugging turret, don't worry."
Rayn cleared the next wave in EXP and pinged "Missing Top." He rotated mid, already sensing something was off. Sure enough, as Flash pushed forward to clear the wave, a wild Drax charged out of the side bush with their jungler behind.
> Flash:
"Oh come on—!"
Before Flash could react, the enemy support landed a full stun combo. Aether tried to peel with a quick flicker ult, but it came a second too late.
Flash was down. Mid turret collapsed.
> Aether:
"That one's on us. We didn't ward the left brush."
> Kray:
"All good. Still ahead."
> Rayn:
"They'll try for second Turtle."
His voice came soft, but steady.
They regrouped at the river. This time, the enemy was early. All five players had arrived.
> Riku:
"If we force here, we might lose the fight."
> Aether:
"Let it go. Trade top instead. Rayn, push lane hard."
Rayn nodded and silently cleared the wave, then shoved into the top turret. While the enemy took the Turtle, Rayn managed to secure the first outer turret top.
The map opened slightly.
-------
By minute 10, the enemy tried again — this time diving bot. But Kray baited them under turret, and Aether rotated just in time to CC their marksman. Flash respawned and dropped an AoE ult that turned the whole fight around.
Two down.
> Flash:
"There we go. That's how you punish overcommit."
Rayn used the opening to ward Lord pit.
---
Minute 12 – Lord Spawned
> Aether:
"Let's try setting up early. Rayn, you hold flank bush."
> Rayn:
"Okay."
They faked a Lord pull, trying to force enemies to react. The enemy jungler stepped too far forward — Riku burst him instantly.
Now 5v4.
Real Lord pull started.
Enemy mid tried to contest, but Kael emerged from the side, skill combo ready. He slowed two, forcing them to back.
> Kray:
"Beautiful angle, Rayn!"
> Aether:
"Secure Lord!"
Riku landed the Retribution perfectly.
Lord taken.
> Flash:
"Push mid with Lord. I have ult in 10."
The final fight broke out near base turret. Aether engaged, CC'd their marksman, and Kray cleaned up from the backline. Rayn zoned their fighter from diving Kray.
Four down.
Lord marched in.
Victory screen followed.
---
[Victory – +1 Star]
Back in the lobby, the team's energy shifted.
> Flash:
"Alright, that was messy in the middle. But not bad."
> Riku:
"Flash got caught early. We adapted."
> Flash:
"Thanks for the reminder."
> Kray:
"Rayn's flank during Lord fight was clean. They couldn't even reach us."
> Aether:
"Yeah. That's why having an EXP who watches map matters."
Rayn didn't respond. But he sat back in his chair and exhaled slowly.
Not a perfect match. But a win that came with learning.
> Aether:
"Let's rest a bit. Maybe one more tonight?"
> Flash:
"As long as we don't face that Selena spammer again."
> Riku:
"Save the replay. I want to review our rotations later."
Rayn saved the match quietly, fingers already hovering near the match history.
--------------------------------------------------------