GoTWiC [AC] S23R5 "Proving"

The fifth match represented an important turning point for Stanko and his SFU. After two losses against significantly stronger opponents, they faced VMD, an alliance they had never played against before.

Although they seemed like an easier opponent on paper, Stanko didn't want to underestimate them. Among their ranks was Wind5, a player he knew well from the Arena. During their previous encounters, he had never managed to defeat him, which gave this match extra weight for him. He didn't just want his alliance to win, he wanted to prove to himself that he could make a mark against an opponent who had given him trouble for years.

As the countdown to the start of the match reached its final seconds, Stanko studied the map and thought about a plan. “This is my chance. I have to prove myself before the decisive match. I don't want to be just another player in the alliance's victory,” he thought as he waited for the fight to begin. In this match, we had a significant numerical advantage over our opponent, which gave us the edge before the start, but they still had to be careful. As soon as the match began, he was tasked with performing a slow march toward Mother to prevent a potential enemy swap. Meanwhile, his teammates were capturing keeps and placing the strongest players in defense. Everything was working exactly as planned.

“Come on, guys, we have to take all the way to the ports! We need to secure the victory as soon as possible!” he shouted over the comms while following the situation on the map. In the races for the first forts, the opponent captured Mother.

Stanko called for a quick reaction as soon as the balloon dropped. One of his teammates wanted to attack with rallies, but Stanko believed they could handle it with solo attacks, which led to minor disagreements. Fortunately, the situation was quickly resolved by capturing the fort. The rallies were successful, the defense was stable, and VMD couldn't find an answer to the aggressive start. After a short time, it was clear that SFU had complete control of the match.

However, as time went on, Stanko felt an ever-growing dissatisfaction. His alliance dominated the battlefield, but he himself didn't have the opportunity to stand out. He didn't lead a decisive rally, didn't participate in major battles, and Wind5 was hardly ever present in the conflicts. Victory was drawing ever closer, but the feeling of fulfillment wasn't coming.

“How is it possible that we're winning so convincingly, and I don't have a single moment to remember this match by?” he wondered as he stared at the map. He felt frustration welling up inside him. He wanted to prove himself so badly, but the match simply wasn't giving him the chance.

When it became clear that victory was practically secured even before Mine's arrival, Stanko spotted one Stronghold. It wasn't decisive for the outcome, nor did it win the battle, but for him, it represented the last chance to do something significant. This was more a fight for his personal achievements than for the team's. Without much thought, he sent his army toward it.

As the march progressed, he carefully tracked every second. His gaze was fixed on the screen. “Come on... just this once, make it on time,” he repeated to himself. The closer he got to the finish line, the more he believed he would finally achieve what he had wanted throughout the entire match. This wasn't a fight for points. It wasn't even a fight for victory. It was a battle against his own feeling of being overlooked. The allied troops were striking the fortress and inflicting heavy losses on their opponents. 

Then he saw another allied army moving toward the same objective.

At first, he didn't pay attention, but he quickly realized it was moving faster than his own.

His heart began to pound.

“No... there's no way...”

The distance between the two armies slowly dwindled. Stanko watched the screen helplessly as the final seconds ticked by. The closer the target got, the clearer it became that he wouldn't make it.

And then a notification appeared.

Stronghold is captured.

But not by him.

One of his teammates had arrived first.

Stanko's troops were attacking the castle, but he already had a balloon. It was a lamer troop rush. All the pressure he had built up during the match collapsed in an instant. “Ahh... it's unbelievable how slow I am. I'll have to be faster next time,” he said with a disappointed smile. It was a moment that hit him harder than any defeat. Not because he lost an important battle, but because he missed his last chance to shine.

By the time Mines arrived, the outcome was already completely decided. SFu controlled almost the entire map and even let their opponents score some points to earn better rewards.

It was one of the most convincing matches they played that season. However, while the others were celebrating the secure victory, Stanko was thinking about something else.

In a way, he finally got his revenge on Wind5 for all the defeats he had suffered in the Arena. His alliance had won, and the opponent hadn't managed to pose a serious threat. Still, deep down, he knew he hadn't achieved what he wanted. He hadn't had his big moment. He hadn't shown what he believed he was capable of. That was why, as he watched the match's final screen, he felt a new motivation.

The last match of the season was just around the corner, and he knew he would get another chance there. And then it would be much more important than this one, in which he just wanted to stand out as an individual because of his own desires. Then the goal would be the top 16.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILHpDunikrI