The arena lights bathed the stage in blue and gold, a fitting glow for what was now being dubbed the "Redemption Bracket Match of the Year." Dominion Order had shocked everyone by taking Game 1. But Oblivion wasn't a team to bow out quietly.
The crowd hadn't settled since the first match. Chants still echoed—Vyr's name riding a wave of disbelief, curiosity, and hype.
Caster 1: "If you're just tuning in, Dominion Order leads 1–0. And yes, that is Vyr in the EXP lane, locking Benedetta in his debut."
Cassian, seated across from Vyr, didn't look rattled. His eyes scanned the draft screen, then flicked toward Vyr for a split second. There was something there—respect, maybe. Or calculation.
The second match draft began.
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Match 2
Bans:
Oblivion removed Benedetta immediately, Joy, Granger, Ling and Arlott.
Dominion targeted utility roamers and jungle sustain picks—Mathilda, Baxia, Fredrin, Akai and Lancelot.
Picks:
Oblivion Esports: Cassian on Esmeralda, jungler on Martis, gold laner on Brody, mid on Faramis, roam on Lolita.
Dominion Order: Vyr on Terizla, Zee on Hayabusa, Raihan on Beatrix, Airi on Valentina, Rakus on Khufra.
From the start, Dominion's draft looked reactive. Without Benedetta or Lunox, they opted for hard crowd control and counter-engagement. But Oblivion controlled the pace.
Minute 3: Airi tried to mirror mid rotations but was caught off-position. First blood to Oblivion.
Minute 5: Cassian's Esmeralda absorbed damage like a sponge and zone-controlled objectives. Turtle secured.
Minute 7: A Lord fight turned into a disaster. Zee dove too deep. Rakus missed the set. Triple kill to Oblivion.
Caster 1: "That was a misstep. Dominion forced that Lord way too early."
Caster 2: "And look at Cassian—untouched. He's soaking up pressure and still holding lane dominance."
Minute 11: Oblivion cracked mid and top inhibitor. Dominion tried one last base hold, but the minions stacked and Brody sniped the crystal.
Oblivion ties it 1–1.
The camera panned to the crowd. Some fans were still chanting Dominion's name, others now backing Oblivion.
Backstage, Tenzin crossed his arms. He wasn't bitter—just focused. "They'll bounce back."
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Match 3
Bans:
Oblivion took out Hayabusa, Benedetta (again), Terzla, Lapu Lapu and Lancelot.
Dominion banned Martis, Faramis, Brory, Granger and Yve.
Picks:
Oblivion Esports: Cassian on Yu Zhong, Jungler on Fredrinn, Gold on Karrie, Mid on Lylia, Roam on Atlas.
Dominion Order: Vyr on Paquito, Zee on Ling, Raihan on Claude, Airi on Pharsa, Rakus on Chou.
The tempo shifted dramatically.
Minute 4: Vyr solo-killed Cassian with a delayed flicker combo, igniting a cheer.
Minute 6: Airi's Pharsa stunned and zoned with ultimate, while Zee split-pushed bot.
Minute 9: Oblivion tried a top dive. Vyr rotated fast, cancelled Yu Zhong's ult with a perfectly timed knock-up. Triple kill to Dominion.
Caster 1: "He's not just playing… he's reading every move!"
Caster 2: "Vyr and Airi—what a combo. Her burst, his setup—it's clean."
Minute 13: Lord secured. Final push. Claude ult melts the backline. Cassian caught again.
Dominion leads 2–1.
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Match 4
Bans:
Oblivion: Paquito, Claude, Pharsa, Terzla and Benedetta.
Dominion: Yu Zhong, Atlas, Karrie, Ling, Hayabusha and Baxia.
Picks:
Oblivion Esports: Cassian on Lapu-Lapu, Jungler on Nolan, Gold on Lesley, Mid on Xavier, Roam on Grock.
Dominion Order: Vyr on Gloo, Zee on Helcurt, Raihan on Brody, Airi on Lunox, Rakus on Franco.
This game was slower. Both teams paced cautiously.
Minute 5: First blood to Oblivion. Vyr traded back two minutes later.
Minute 8: Lunox dove deep to burst Xavier. Zee flanked for a pick on Lesley.
Minute 12: Gloo dived in, absorbing everything. Franco hooked Grock mid-flicker. Dominion took Lord.
Caster 2: "This is the moment. Dominion can close here."
Minute 14: Base siege. Vyr initiated with Gloo, attached to Lapu. Airi melted two in the backline. Brody ult finished the crystal.
Dominion wins the series 3–1.
Cassian stood up slowly. He approached Vyr as the crowd roared.
"Still not a fan of speeches?" Cassian asked, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Vyr shook his hand. "Only when the game doesn't speak loud enough."
Mutual respect. Nothing more needed.
Backstage, Tenzin smiled.
On stage, Vyr didn't raise his fists or scream. But when he turned to his team, their smiles said it all.
They'd just rewritten the story.