Next Day Liam sat at his gaming cafe desk with Matt, the soft glow of his monitor lighting up his face in the otherwise dark room. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, eyes fixed on the Vanguard loading screen. He had been practicing all week, grinding his way through matches and tutorials, slowly getting more comfortable with Sora. But now, after hours of training, something felt different.
His mind kept going back to the moment he'd watched the Sora player in that high-level match. The patience. The precision. The timing. That was what Liam needed. Not just fast reflexes, not just clutch moments, but understanding the flow of the game. He needed to be calm, aware of the bigger picture.
He took a deep breath and clicked the "Play" button.
The game loaded, and his hands trembled slightly as the match began. Liam wasn't one to get nervous, but this time was different. He'd been practicing alone, but this time he'd be playing with Matt. They had a few practice rounds scheduled, and Matt had promised to show him some serious strats.
The map loaded. Liam squinted at the screen, checking the loadout. He clicked on Sora without hesitation, something that, a few weeks ago, would've made him second-guess himself. But today, he was determined. Today, he was going to play her the way she was meant to be played.
Matt's voice crackled through his headset. "Alright, you ready for this?"
Liam smiled. "Ready as I'll ever be."
The match started, and instantly, the map was alive with action. Matt and Liam immediately began communicating, calling out enemy positions and making moves together. Matt's calm, experienced voice guided Liam through the early stages of the round.
"Remember" Matt said, "you're not just aiming for the kill. You need to control the angles, set traps, and be unpredictable. Sora is all about timing."
Liam nodded, trying to absorb everything. His heart was racing, but his movements were more deliberate this time. He wasn't just rushing in; he was waiting for the perfect moment.
The first engagement came quickly. A few enemies peeked around a corner, and Liam instinctively took cover, waiting. His fingers itched for the kill, but Matt's words echoed in his mind: Be patient.
The enemies advanced, and Liam felt the tension build in his chest. He waited, watching their every movement, analyzing their patterns. The moment one of them stepped into his line of sight, he fired precise, controlled, and in sync with the timing of the game.
The first shot hit. The second one did too.
Liam couldn't help but smile. He had done it.
But the round wasn't over. The enemies weren't all gone, and Matt's voice came in again.
"Good job, but don't get cocky. This isn't about getting the first kill; it's about securing the round."
Liam's smile faded. He refocused.
The round ended with a victory, and Matt congratulated him. "See? That's the right way to play Sora. It's all about making the right moves at the right time."
Liam felt a surge of pride. He wasn't just playing the game; he was understanding it. But as the next round started, he couldn't help but feel the weight of the task ahead. He wasn't done yet. He had a long way to go.
After a few more rounds, the match was over, and they were ready to queue up for another one. But as they took a break between matches, Matt spoke up.
"You're getting the hang of it, but remember Sora isn't just about being good with her abilities. It's about the mindset. You have to think ahead, anticipate where the enemies will be, and never get too comfortable."
Liam nodded. "I get it. But sometimes, it feels like no matter how much I practice, it's just not enough. Like I'm always a step behind."
Matt was silent for a moment, then he replied. "That's the thing about this game, man. You're never really ahead. There's always someone better. The key isn't to be perfect. It's to be consistent."
Liam thought about it. Consistency. It wasn't about pulling off the perfect shot every time. It was about playing smarter, staying calm, and improving bit by bit.
"Thanks" Liam said quietly.
Matt grinned. "Anytime, bro. Let's get back into it."
The next match started. This time, Liam felt the weight of the game pressing down on him. His mind was clear, but his body still struggled to keep up with the rapid movements of the game. It was easy to slip into old habits, to rush things, to force a shot when he wasn't sure.
And that's exactly what happened.
He made an early mistake, misjudging an angle, and got taken out by an enemy sniper. His screen flashed red as his character crumpled to the ground.
Liam cursed under his breath.
"Don't worry about it" Matt said, "It happens. You've got to learn from those mistakes."
Liam took a deep breath and respawned. He couldn't afford to let one mistake ruin the rest of the match. He focused, repositioning himself and waiting for the next move.
As the game progressed, Liam started to get a feel for it. He remembered Matt's advice be consistent, think ahead, and control the space. It wasn't easy, and there were still plenty of moments when his instincts wanted to rush him, but he held back. He played slow, played smart.
By the end of the match, they had won, but it wasn't the victory that felt the most important. It was the way they had played. They had communicated well, worked together, and kept their heads in the game.
Matt turned to him after the match. "You did good. You didn't give up after that mistake, and you adapted. That's what makes a player better."
Liam smiled. "Thanks, man. It's starting to click."
But just as they were about to queue up for another match, Liam's phone buzzed on his desk. It was a message from Lucas.
Liam hesitated before opening it.
Lucas: Hey, I saw your game earlier. Not bad. You've got potential. But let's see if you can handle a real challenge. Tomorrow, 9 PM. I'll be ready. You know I'll be bringing my A-game, right? Can't wait to show you how far you've fallen.
Liam stared at the message for a few moments, feeling a knot form in his stomach. He had been waiting for a challenge, but this felt different. Lucas wasn't just another player. He was someone from a past and someone who had mastered Vanguard in ways Liam could only dream of.
Liam swallowed hard, his heart pounding. He had been training, but was he really ready for this?
With a deep breath, he typed his response.
Liam: I'm in. Let's see what you've got.
He hit send, and immediately regretted it.
But there was no going back now.
Matt leaned over and saw the message on Liam's phone. "Oh, Lucas, huh? This is gonna be good. Don't worry, you've got this. Just remember everything we've practiced."
Liam nodded, but a part of him wasn't so sure.
As the screen dimmed and the next match loaded, Liam stared at his reflection in the black screen.
Tomorrow was going to be the real test.