When the Path Finally Rose: RoD VS BDR

Lady Vhaera knew that this fight would not be like the others before it, even before the first bugle call sounded.

“As she stood at the edge of the camp and surveyed the battle-scarred ground below, she sensed the weight she had experienced in the earlier stages of Ultimate Conquest. Until now, the course of RoD had been difficult, but never obstructed. Even tougher foes had been holding in, saving for the next round. That was no longer the case.”

RoD was competing against BDR for the first time this UC.

But this was not a mere game. Both alliances wanted the same thing, and they did not care what the cost was anymore. It was not a matter of resource management or strategicy for the future rounds. It was a matter of showing who belonged in the top position, and the joy of watching the other team collapse.

Lady Vhaera felt the thrill of the moment. It was exactly this type of battle she enjoyed participating in.

Within the command tent, it was a quiet and charged atmosphere. B3nni stood over a map of operations as if he were already engaged in action. The Chief of RoD for this particular mission stood beside Lady Vhaera. His arms were crossed in front of him as he watched intently. The oldest of the Jackdaws sat there quietly. His taciturn demeanor made him seem like an old hand.

Lady Vhaera was capable of understanding what B3nni was thinking without him having to say anything. This was where all his preparation would be put to the test. Nothing could go wrong in this situation; neither could he have time to adjust to it.

RoD had only managed to beat BDR once in the past two seasons. The odds were not in their favor. There was, however, something different today. B3nni knew they could turn the table, even against the mighty BDR.

In the field, the team of BDR gathered in confidence. They had a flawless season so far. Regardless of the situation, they always managed to overcome all obstacles effortlessly. They knew that this match was not an exception either.

'When the first races started, reality hit rather hard.'"

BDR led immediately, taking all the buildings well ahead of RoD. It wasn’t a close margin, either. “Sharp and painful,” Lady Vhaera felt the tension ratchet around her. This wasn’t how it had proceeded in the regular season. For B3nni, the four races proved that perhaps it had all been pointless.

She noticed the muscles in his shoulders tense.

“This is bad,” Hyber stated calmly, not panicked, just telling the truth.

Jackdaws didn’t appear surprised. “It’s early," he said. "And early hurts the most.”

Although the start had been a bit rocky, B3nni didn’t freeze. He told RoD to rally the lost buildings as soon as possible. They had to pressure everywhere they could. If they played perfectly, there was a chance. But BDR knew this too. They mirrored perfectly.

Rally after rally came down. Even before the ports opened, BDR's relief forces began to dwindle. Lady Vhaera watched her numbers decrease steadily.

The first turning point arrived next.

B3nni hit the enemy outpost with everything RoD had at its disposal at this point. The attack landed. The outpost went down. Finally, hope made its appearance for the first time since this match started.

Lady Vhaera sensed it. Not happiness, but potential.

However, this reprieve was to be very brief.

When the bubble in the port dropped, B3nni waited a little bit, and sure that was enough. BDR reacted quickly since they have already lost the outpost prior to the port, and they rushed to the port with full power.

Hyber breathed deep slowly. "They won't let it happen"

B3nni also thought this would happen. At the same time, the BDR team kept swapping their ports, and RoD took the Tower of Warrior back. It was a risky move that could lead to bigger bonuses for the fighting, and in the end, RoD's plan worked out. Their last game was different, because the Warrior bonus helped them in fights all over the map, and RoD was able to get some small wins.

Still, there was a chance.

Casterly Rock is a strong castle that sits on a cliff, in the middle of the battlefield.

The change in the fights dynamic might have still happened, if RoD won the race and managed to make the swap.

B3nni pushed his team as hard as he could. Lady Vhaera's understood that he was trying to

stay cheerful for others while struggling with his own nervousness.

When the bubble popped, B3nni shut his eyes. He couldn't watch this.

The noise around him told the truth before anyone spoke.

RoD lost the race.

And BDR took over Casterly Rock without thinking about swapping someone in.

This was a quick and smooth move that helped them win and finish the game.

There was a brief moment of quiet on the battlefield.

There was nothing left to discuss.

https://youtu.be/QmwAjOtEFGk

Lady Vhaera saw B3nni standing there thinking deeply.

He was thinking about each moment and choice, wondering how things could have turned out differently.

"This hurts," Hyber said quietly.

Jackdaws nodded. "But we learn and grow from it, this was not for nothing, we will get better and stronger."

Lady Vhaera stepped closer to B3nni. "We were close, we almost had it" she said. "Thats still something."

He look up at her, weary but unbroken. He knew what she said was true. Despite their defeat, RoD has moved ahead. They pressed BDR harder than ever before. They learned.

If RoD made it to the finals, the final fight would be with BDR again.

And the next time, there would be no waiting around, Lady Vhaera knew.

Only a rematch.

And an opportunity to reclaim what had slipped out of their hands today.