The season of battle had come to a close. Each week our heroes had braved a barrage of monsters, giants, demons and warlocks. Suffering cruel and cold defeat, after cruel and cold defeat.
Though the prospect of victory grew ever farther from their sights, not once did the ironclad spirit of hope fade from their hearts. Upon the close of each match, they picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and vowed to fight another day.
The journey had not been easy, as any story worth telling is not and as with the life of war, close and beloved comrades were lost along the way. In turn, each week was a gruelling effort for the surviving heroes.
As the weeks of battle waged on the team, they were met with the losses of Ben, Brodie, Ivee, Sarah, Christie and Leo. While saddened by their absence, their memory filled the hearts of each hero and with it, the spirit to continue their fight. They will forever be felt in the hearts of the people and throughout HISStory.
Names forever remembered. Names never forgotten.
Mikee, Ash, Annie, Tessa, Manon, Madi, Suelyn, Eva and of course their fearless captain Aidan, took to the court. All eyes burning with determination.
Across from them, a gaggle of goblins. Eyes, yellow and beady, shining brightly in the night. Faint sounds of snarling and snapping sharpened, jagged teeth rumbled in the distance.
The team stood firm with unwavering confidence. The cold air pierced their lungs. Each breath, an awakening. No words needed to be shared. They knew it. They could do this.
The trumpet of the first whistle echoed throughout the court and our heroes sprung into action.
Annie, taking centre court initiated the action with a swift pass to Mikee. The speed of the ball was barely visible to the naked eye as it flew to Tessa and into Aidan's hands. In one swift motion, they were up. One - nothing. The goblins snarled as out heroes shared a collective smile. Though early, they were winning. This had never happened before ... 1-0.
A change of possession evened the tide of battle. The goblins, thought small, were quick! Ducking and weaving like slippery eels ...1-1.
The battle raged on. Both hero and goblin running up and down the court as fast as their feet could carry them. Never before our heroes performed in such perfect unison. The flow between them, akin to the sound of the shore after a winter storm. Manon and Suelyn, cheered on from the sideline.
Ash, Madi and Eva defended their goal akin to Cerberus guarding the gates of hell and defeat of the goblins was all but certain ... 8-4.
Ash, Madi and Eva defended their goal akin to Cerberus guarding the gates of hell and defeat of the goblins was all but certain ... 8-4.
It was then, that the unimaginable happened. A moment that stuck the coldest of fears into the heart of each team member. The ball had flown high in the air and as Ash leaped for it, a particularly long taloned goblin lashed out and with a cackle, sliced Ash's arm wide open. The ball fell to the floor, as did the blood from the newly opened wound. Ash clutched the gash, eyes fixed with burning rage on the attacking goblin. She laughed as she ran away, jagged yellow teeth bared. Hearts sank as Ash was rushed off to medical. With her rushed off the closest hope of victory the team had known.
Thankfully, Suelyn immediately jumped on court. And though she flew across the battle field with angelic grace, the goblins had tasted blood. Their blood-lust threw them into a frenzy and before our heroes could react. As fast as the eagle flies, the scores were tied ... 9-9.
Each passing minute fell with the crushing blow of a blacksmiths hammer.
9-10
9-13
9-12
The game had entered its last quarter. Defeat began to once again rear it's head and fill the minds of the team. When all hope seemed lost. Ash emerged off in the distance. Arm heavy in bandage, but alive. Against all odds, she had survived. And she smiled at them.
A wave of determination flooded over our heroes. Whether it was the relief that their would-be-fallen comrade had rejoined them or the pressure of the clock quickly ticking down. Our heroes began to perform the impossible. A throw of the ball from Eva, to Madi, to Tessa allowed it to impossibly find its way Aidan. Score ...10-12.
The trumpet of the whistle announced the balls release from Annie's possession as it flew to Mikee then to Tessa. Score ...11-12.
Manon and Ash cheered on as the ball was intercepted by Madi, giving possession back to Eva, then to Suelyn, to Aidan. Score ... 12-12.
There was less than one minute to go. With Annie as centre, ball was in the teams possession. She quickly threw it to Mikee as he glanced at Aidan. With a Hail Mary pass the ball found itself in the captains hands, in the goal circle, dead centre. As the clock ticked down, he made the shot. Score ...13-12.
Our story leaves us here.
A story of courage, family, honour, glory, victory!
A story of courage, family, honour, glory, victory!
They did it. They won!
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