22 Australia vs China Pt. 1

The anthem was here to stay, it seemed. Currently, it was being played at the two stadiums dedicated to the Glory World Cup.

It was the 17th of July. 2:50 pm local time. Slowly, the players of four teams were filing out of the tunnel and into the stadium where the cheers of thousands of fans rose to meet them.

China, Australia, Canada and Japan.

4th seed vs 13th seed and 5th seed vs 12th.

Those were the matches that were selected to kick off the Glory World Cup. The atmosphere was electrifying, the tension was immense and the expectations were astronomical.

The Japanese and the Australians had a mountain to climb facing their opponents. But they were not discouraged. It was not over until it was over. And their opponents knew that as well. It did not matter who you faced, the ultimate goal was victory.

Everybody wanted to be number one.

"But who will emerge as the winner of the maiden Glory Worlds Invitational? We've speculated, we've made predictions, we've compared the statistics but there is only one way to find out. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Glory Worlds Invitational. My name is Pan Lin and I will be your commentator tonight. Good evening China!"

Internet cafes all around the country were filled to capacity. Group chats blitzed with messages. People formed viewing parties both online and offline, an entire television station had been dedicated to the Glory Worlds Invitational. This was the first time Esports had been advertised in such a manner.

The hype was infectious.

The players in the stadium were not exempt. They were excited and tense, all at once. They took their place side by side, on the stage and waited till the national anthems of both teams were played before shaking hands and returning to the player benches.

"The lights have dimmed in both stadiums and both matches will soon begin. I look forward to sharing this evening of history with you all. Of course, I am not alone here in the booth. I am joined with Li Yibo, winner of the Season Four Glory Championships here in China. Our honoured guest, what do you think of the current match up? And who do you think Team China will send up for the first match of the tournament?"

"Thank you, Pan Lin. I'm honoured to be here. And regarding your question, no offense to Team Australia but I do not see them getting past this stage, especially with the amount of skill and experience on Team China. Team China themselves will be looking to make a statement with their first match and I think they will send up a fierce fighter, like Sun Xiang or Wang Jiexi."

Pan Lin nodded but made no comment. "Thank you. Returning to the live feed, Team China is sending up their first player. Who is it going to be? It's going to be…Chu…Chu Yunxiu?"

Pan Lin started with enthusiasm and power but completely deflated at the end of the statement. He looked beside him to see Li Yibo's face red and purple. It was less than two minutes to the start of the first match and the faceslapping had already begun.

What was this? What making a statement? What fierce fighter?

If the entire Chinese Glory community was to vote on the least fierce fighter, Chu Yunxiu would win 92% of the votes, the remaining eight for Yu Wenzhou. And that was who would begin the World Cup for the team.

Can't you people have mercy on us? Why must you make everything so difficult? Pan Lin cursed at the Chinese team but one person was on his mind. Ye Xiu. He knew that he had a hand in making this decision.

Let us live, God Ye. Let us live.

Swallowing a sigh, Pan Lin tried to correct his gaffe. "The most talented Elementalist in the Chinese Pro scene will be kicking off this momentous occasion. And would you look at that. The Australians have also sent up an Elementalist. This will be a very interesting match."

Turning to Li Yibo, he added, "What do you think, Coach Li?"

"Yes, it will be an interesting match. Since the classes are the same, the difference in skill and experience will really show."

On the outside, he sounded cool and calm but on the inside, like Pan Lin, he was viciously cursing Ye Xiu. The troublesome God was at it again. Why was Chu Yunxiu opening for this match?

It wasn't only those in the commentating booth that were asking themselves that question. Everyone who knew Chu Yunxiu's temperament was asking the same question. Even Chu Yunxiu had asked that question when they were making the preparations earlier in the week.

Why her?

Ye Xiu had responded. "Why not you?"

Why not her? She could think of a lot of reasons why. She was a team captain but her team had not made it into the last season's playoffs. They had a very disappointing run of matches at the end of the regular season.

She felt disappointed in her management of her team and even more in the management of Team Misty Rain. But nothing changed. They lost the chance to play on the playoff stage. And her disappointment turned to dejection.

So when Ye Xiu had recommended her as the first player, she was confused. And his response made no sense.

But as she climbed the stairs leading up the stage, her heart pounding in her chest, she thought, "Why not me indeed?" She was as good as all the other players here. She was a team captain and could emphatically say that she was the best Elementalist player in the Pro League.

She was one of the two female players chosen for the national team and her presence here was not a fluke. To be here and to represent her country was the greatest Glory of all. And she would not disappoint them.

Chu Yunxiu looked up at the large screen and saw her name written in bold. Pride filled her to bursting point. This was without doubt the most important thing she would ever do. This was what they would write on her tombstone.

Chu Yunxiu, Windy Rain, Team China.

She gripped her account card firmly and after waving to the crowd, she entered the booth and swiped her account card.

Left hand on the keyboard, right hand on the mouse. Map: Ten Thousand Springs. 3 pm local time. The first match of the Glory Worlds Invitational began.