When the mist cleared

'The Aphrodites' have never undergone such challenge before.

This experience gave them a new stimulation for determination. They transformed to beat 'The Lucifer's' in the most cruel possible way.

Seb didn't care who they were anymore.

For her, the game and her team was more important. She was gonna play her style of game, showing no mercy to Iven and the others. She had never expected them to do such a thing!!!

This time, when 'The Aphrodites' entered the court, the crowd tore their throats cheering for them. Seb had entered and soon the tables were going to turn.

That should give them a hint of my capabilities. I'm the Captain for nothing, Seb thought.

Seb looked at her competent and found Iven right in front of her, behind the net.

So, he has stepped into the game too!!! Seb thought he wasn't gonna play. Now this is going to be interesting than the other matches!!!

Both of them exchanged a smirk at the same time when the whistle marked the start of the match.

Jane was on service. She was furious as she made a strong pass.

Mak was the one who lifted it on time.

Eventually the game started taking a twisty turn!

Seb had to overdo herself and her mate's part since they were not able to meet up to 'The Lucifer's' incredible speed and energy. They had too much agility. No matter how skilled they were, the oppositions were still boys!

Seb sprinted like a maniac, back and forth, taking care of both lift and smash.

Just within 15 minutes of the game, she was dripping impossibly with sweat. Her jersey was messed up with dirt because she fell quite a few times in lieu of saving the ball. Small scratches covered her whole body. Her hair was dripping and her cheeks and nose had turned red due to the cold. She was hell exhausted, but paid it no attention at all.

Next, the service was on 'The Lucifer's'.

Iven played pretty mercilessly and Seb had noticed that unlike others, who just followed the game rules and applied inhuman strength, Yuka was pretty skilled in his moves. He must have been trained in the game. His hands broke through simple tactics without breaking a sweat!

The whistle blew as Hamish served the ball. The score was brought up to equal. Seb wasn't able to favor it on their side but maintained it equally.

Yuka lifted the ball as Mak dashed forward for a smash.

unfortunately, there was no one at the spot where the ball was esteemed to fall except Ari.

She was young and not properly trained in smashing till. Yet she refused to leave the spot else they lose a point. The other players were at a distance and couldn't have make it in time. They thought it best to let the point go. They thought that even Ari was going to do the same. But they were wrong!!!

To their horror, Ari stood their without her hands positioned for the incoming ball. Iven had thought the same too, but he mistook the determination of the team. It was too late to stop now!!! Ari won't be able to block it. it was at full power.

"Mak!!! NO....", Iven tried to warn when the ball was already on it's way!

It was a fraction of second of time. Ari was sure she was going to get hit. She knew it was impossible for her to block the ball. She closed her eyes tight shut and waited for the wave to pass!!!

"WATCH OUT ARI!!!", came a sudden call as she opened her eyes.

It was Seb!!!

Nobody had noticed her pacing towards Ari. It happened in a fraction of second. She came right in between Ari and the ball just in time, but couldn't fetch enough time to lift it up!

The blow was sure strong, even for Seb!

The ball had gone straight through and had hit Seb's face. It made a loud noise and Seb was already tumbling on the court.

"SEB!!!!", Ari screamed.

The other players started running towards her.

The crowd raised in worry due to the attack on their star player!

The announcer froze on his voice.

The members had gathered around Seb. She was still lying on the ground.

Iven started motionlessly. He gasped and swallowed a lump in his throat!

He threw a raging glance at Mak who looked worried as well as guilty. All of them had their eyes fixed on Seb. She had sat up but wasn't on her feet yet. Iven was gritting his teeth, clenching his fist hard!

It took a while before Seb's teammates cleared.

Seb had stood up, her hand covering her right eye. The expression on her face face clearly said that it was a major injury, she was trying to hide it by assuring her teammates and forcing a smile!

Iven changed expression to a worried frown. He realized that the smash had wounded her eye. He waited for her to remove her hand as he wanted to see how serious it is!

Seb did remove her hand, but before Iven could see anything, she turned back.

When she had turned again, she had her front bangs over her eyes. They barely exposed. Her hair was short and she took the advantage. She won't show her weakness to her opponents, no chance!!!!!

Iven knew Seb was clearly hurt, but that girl sometimes pretends to be too strong. She is used to things all by herself and never exposes her problems!

Iven signaled Mak to come around and said,"Go easy a bit. They're just kids and it's a game. They won't be able to match up with your strength. Seb is reluctant to show it but she is indeed hurt. It could have hit the other kid too if she wasn't on time."

"I know Iven, I was reckless. I will be careful", Mak was embarrassed.

"Yeah but don't hold it back. We need to win this game", Iven commanded.

"Why are you so hell bend to win this game? Why are you even playing it?", Yuka came from behind,"It's not everyday when you come up suddenly and make us practice for a week for this game. What's the reason??? Seb has got to do something with it, right?".

"Just know that she lacks a few lessons which I have to teach her", Iven looked down,"Other than that, she'll get it herself. Totally between us".

"You're going too hard on her", Yuka said seriously,"As far as I know Seb, there is nothing she can learn from you winning this match. It's you who needs the lesson indeed. All this time, I have noticed, she was changing you for the better. Don't ruin her instead. There's still time. Seb is hurt. Withdraw from the match Iven!".

"Whatever! Win the game and get over with it", Iven completely ignored Yuka. Yuka sighed and rolled his eyes as he returned to his position. 'The Aphrodites' were positioned too, along with Seb.

The match started but something was off this time.

Seb wasn't giving her all, in other words, wasn't able to.

Something stopped her. She missed lifts and her smashes had no force in them. They started missing points constantly. Iven's team was scoring without any effort. Even Seb fell down often.

The main reason was her eye injury. She was unable to detect incoming. Iven was suspicious and offered her a chance by holding back. She still didn't make it and Iven was sure that her form was gone. Seb understood it and shook her head slightly at him. They might lose, but their pride mattered more. They'll admit defeat honestly.

Finally when the last whistle blew, the game ended.

An eerie moment of silence spread among the spectators. Only the announcer announced the victory of 'The Lucifer's' and that too without any amusement in the voice.

Everyone knew that 'The Aphrodites' could have won, but due to Seb's injury which held her back. It was a first.

None of the teammates said a word. Ari slowly approached Seb sobbing,"I'm so sorry Seb.....it's all...my fault".

Seb smiled warmly, patted her head and pulled her closer to herself,"You did great Ari. Don't worry, this was only our first defeat. We can practice harder to prevent this moment from occurring again. The other way I think, the failure was necessary. You guys should be able learn to do it without me. Also, we need to appreciate the victory that we took for granted. You guys with me? We WILL become stronger!!!".

The teammates slowly smiled and held hands together. Their heads came together as one.

Iven had heard the whole conversation.

He cursed on his acts and for not listening to Yuka earlier. He made things worse. He had the chance to prevent to from proceeding further.

His reason to participate in this game was only one, to make Seb realize that even with her in the team they can still lose due to her mistakes. Dfeat is inevitable! She must not live in overconfidence and place herself so high. He wanted to see the consequences,whether she shatters or excuses herself.....and he did them perfectly too.

Only, the lesson which he wanted to teach Seb, she had learnt far before than him and had started acting on it too.

She had proved him wrong.

It was really stupid of Iven to doubt on her that easily. Moreover on a girl like Seb, who was the first one to have him attracted towards her.

She is absolutely not what she portrays from outside, just is unable to represent her point through speaking.

The other day, she said those things to Iven because she was pointing at her team who was totally depended on her. She wanted to make them realize and recognize their own capabilities and to trust on themselves without Seb's help. She was trying to teach them to gain success on their own.

Iven mistook it for overconfidence. She could have won the match too, but she held back to show the team what can happen if she doesn't aid them for a while. She was successful in building their confidence through this defeat, but Iven was the one who truly lost to her!!!

A voice brought back Iven to the reality,".....Seb, I think you should go see the doctor.....Yeah! That doesn't look so good.....Those merciless jerks....".

Seb only nodded once but didn't care for it. She still had one thing left to do.

"I'll go talk to them once", Seb said.

"Don't!!!", Jane denied,"They don't worth it".

"It's fine", Seb assured and walked straight up to Iven where the other boys had gathered too.

Her eye was still covered with her bangs. The boys stood behind Iven with apologetic look on their faces. They thought Seb was clearly mad and didn't say a word.

Seb stood for a while and studies their expressions. They all looked down.

She started laughing. It made the boys look up at her.

"What's with the smudged look on your faces?", she asked smiling,"You just won, celebrate already. It was really a tough but cool game, haven't faced such opponents in years. I presume, Yuka were you a player before? You've got the moves".

"Huh?", a sound emerged from Yuka's throat, but didn't continue further.

Iven was still quite. It was Mak who started speaking,"Seb....I'm really sorry...I was careless...."

Seb chuckled,"You have no idea how much these happens during games to me. We are used to, it's not your fault...I'm actually thankful. The defeat was needed. So cheer up and enjoy the cash prize".

The boys started smiling slowly. The shook hands with Seb. She seemed completely fine too.

But Iven still didn't speak or react any thing positive. Only he understood the truth. Seb was pretending. The boys believed what Seb was expressing. But they didn't....will never get her at all....

The boys went back, but Iven stayed...so did Seb. She knew he had something to say to her.

"You want to say something?", Seb's voice was calm and polite. Bitter polite!!!

"How much are you hurt Belle?",Iven finally looked up at her.

"Oh this?", Seb pointed at her covered eyes,"Just swelled up".

Iven wasn't convinced at all,"Please don't do this",he pleaded.

"I did nothing Iven", Seb replied,"It's you who did everything".

Iven chose not to argue on that further. His priority concern was something else. He couldn't have won the argument on something he was at fault.

"Show me", he begged again,"Please let me see".

"I said...it's totally fine", Seb said coldly. It shut Iven up. He just kept looking at her with guilty eyes. A moment of silence followed. Nobody uttered a word.

Finally Seb broke the silence!

"I didn't expect this from you of all people Iven. I seriously didn't".

Iven stared pressing his lips.

"You're still a long way to understand me". Seb said,"That;s why you didn't get my words the other day. Your misunderstanding brought you here".

-Belle, that's not true....

-It was my mistake that I couldn't make you understand.

-Please hear me out...

"I'll listen to you when I've had a grip of myself Iven", Seb talked emotionless,"I have to go right now".

Iven hated this side of Seb. She was stubborn. And when she's pissed off or hurt, nothing can turn her mind back.

-Don't do this....

-I'll see you after a week.

-No! Too long!

-The Dockyard this Friday. 10:00 am sharp.

-That won't do any good.

"I'll meet for the sake of the date I missed. A cover up. Till then I'll be fine. Don't worry, it's not a strong enough reason for which I'll stay so mad.Don't try to contact till them, you'll worsen the matter", Seb said,"I just have to gather my mind up and sort it out to realize why am I this hurt for such a thing".

"Belle I....", Iven sighed,"....I'm sorry".

"No I'm sorry", Seb said and started to leave,"I just feel it's not good enough this time."