(Part 3)

"Furthermore, our esteemed seniors are too enjoying the sight, I suppose." Helios glanced at Romeo, Evan and Rauf boldly.

Alan, looking at Helios grinned.

"Enjoying? Aren't you all barely keeping yourself away from humiliation?" Orion taunted.

"Pft! Haha..." Xavier chuckled over his comment, "I see, so that's how you saw us? I can't help but wonder what Rauf's sentiments are now?" he turned to him.

Rauf silently watched the match. "You see…" Xavier stood up, wearing his gloves, "This is the first time we are playing the Inter-cities Nationals and truth to be told, it felt quite sensational at first but to think we can play this well. I can't help but be proud of myself and my teammates."

"Xavier…" Heber and Adam murmured touched. 

"That's right. Other's opinions that includes you all…" Gabriel turned to the highschoolers who looked back at them stern, "Doesn't matter even the slightest bit."

Rovan looking at Isa who smiled sarcastically turned to Nagi who stared grave and back to Zachariah who looked as if he didn't even care gulped, "How in the world did you even treat your juniors up until now?!" he whispered to Ren.

Ren snickered, "The same way you treat your step brothers."

"Jerks." Asim uttered blatant.

"Ugh~ unbelievable. Every man is like a brother to us. What kind of ideology 1are you referring to?" Rovan asked in disbelief.

Elias smiled, "You might not get our level of worry and care since from the outside it looks sour. But earnestly, I adore them all very much." he confessed, "And for that even if I have to be a little harsh. I'll proudly be."

Haitam blinked, while Aaron and Noah agreed with Elias. "I have no words to retort with anymore." Haitam said. 

"You are ready?" Poseidon asked Xavier who lifted his bat, "Of course, Ezekiel is at his limits. He was feeling nervous in the beginning too but, seeing him hold on for this long. I am quite satisfied. I bet it's time to give him a rest."

Third ball of the 15th over, Sahir took the ball from Feyz. "What a pain. We just dismissed Heber and Adam. To think we'd be playing against them again and for this long is such a pain!"

Rio patted Sahir's back annoyed. "Don't worry, you won't see him after this over." Sahir assured wiping his sweat.

Rio blinked, "Did you find his weakness?"

"Who knows, it's just that his flaw shows itself on his face like an open book." Sahir replied stern as if he had read everything in just a single glance.

"Shape shifting is hard. To think I have lost this much of my stamina…" Ezekiel blinked his eyes, "This happened back at the mountain too. How have I even progressed?"

A seam ball delivered, Ezekiel clicked his tongue, once again mist surrounding him he uttered slamming the ball towards the leg side, "Super! Doper! Wild tornado smash!" Adam panting knelt on the batting crease while Kenzo traced the high shot.

"It's short. It will be a catch!" Azazel judged anxious.

"Andre! Catch it!" Feyz called from the square leg point. Andre standing on the cow corner estimated the ball's dropping trajectory.

"Charl! Cover him up!" Beruni instructed.

Andre standing below the ball swiftly caught it at the moment of fall tossing it back up. "OUT!!"

"OUT!!" screams bellowed around the entire stadium as Ezekiel went back to the pavilion removing his helmet.

Lahore's 3rd wicket against Karachi marked a start to the death overs.

"A blasting Partnership between Ezekiel Vincente and Kenzo ShahJahan ruling for over 40 deliveries has eventually come to an end by Sahir Anas. Sending Ezekiel Vincente back to the pavilion on 35/28 (35 runs on 28 delivered balls). What a brilliant catch up by Lahore. However, this gives plenty of opportunity to Lahore to take on Karachi's middle order in the ending death overs. Until and unless Karachi gives them, room to do so…!" Commentary going on as the crowd cheered.

Xavier patting Ezekiel's shoulder headed towards the pitch. "Oh my~ what a sight…" he adored the ground under shimmering floodlights.

Ezekiel sitting down panted. Poseidon draping a wet towel over his head passed him a sports drink.

"What a job! You know, you scored runs higher than the two of us! Be proud of yourself." Heber and Adam slammed Ezekiel's back happily as he flinched wincing.

"Ouch! That hurts! "Why are you hitting me if I did such a good job?" he asked instead.

"But why did you get out so early?" Helios eyed him slightly cross.

Sudden chills leaving his spine, Ezekiel gulped, "I-it was the first time Captain? I-t felt q-quite suffocating to play under such a crowd so I think I depleted my energy a little too early, haha…"

Helios smirked, "Seems like I would have to drown you for a little while longer in a river nearby to energize yourself before you play in the next match. Ain't I right, little prince?" Ryan nodded. "Exactly, let's head back to Karachi if you need a sea for wider number of choices." he advised devilishly.

"The heck!" Ezekiel flinched hiding behind Poseidon who chuckled with Christopher entertained.

"So it's 127 on 3 wickets lost." Gabriel said.

"Assuming our conditions, what target do you think we can give them at best?" Cassiel asked.

"170." Azazel guessed.

"180 was our mark though last night." Seraph said.

Alan closed his eyes. "180… 181" Elias and Alan both guessed together.

Turning around Alan smiled at him.

"181?" Helios asked.

"It's 181." Elias betted confident.

"Wow… he's saying that as if the runs will be the same amount he assumes." Feng whispered to Damian unamused.

Haruf beamed, "That's not too bad."

"Not too good either." Orion retorted.

Noah instantly smacked his head, "Could you just keep quiet?"

"How dare you! You little…" Orion retorted, as the rest ignored.

Rauf exhaling looked at the pitch. "Why are you so quiet?" Evan asked in a whisper.

"I have nothing to say." Rauf replied, "The ones who will say and show are them." he glanced at the middleschoolers.

"You're right." Evan agreed.

"See? I sent him back on your watch your highness." Sahir grinned smugly.

Kenzo twitching his brow traced Xavier approaching swinging his bat. A confident exhale escaped his lips, "So what? Once goes the knight enters the queen. The chess has just begun."

Sahir narrowing his gaze walked back with an arrogant, hmph! 

Xavier clapping his hand against Kenzo smiled. "Let's rock shall we?" Kenzo asked.

"Hm, I am desperately yearning for some fun." Xavier replied, "Moreover, today is a good day. I don't have to do anything much. Even if I get out those three are there to back you up." he pointed at Seraph, Ryan and Helios.

Kenzo looked at him speechless, "Excuse me? I was just insulted a second ago. Kindly keep your leisure to yourself."

"Hehe…" Xavier chuckled heading to the batting crease, "Alright, your highness. I'll save you some face."

Making 5 runs on the 15th over, pacers had once again taken the hold of the match. 

"131 for 3… let's see how this one heads back to the pavilion." Kubrah snickered amused. Akbar scoffed at Rauf's sight.

"Are you familiar with the pitch?" Kenzo asked.

"I played only two balls moreover with spin returning being my specialty. Right now, I am at a slight disadvantage but don't you worry, I won't let you down nor would I go back to the pavilion." Xavier assured.

Kenzo grinned invigorated over his words, "Don't hit four's and sixes if you can't just leave them to me. Xavier, play the match the way you want."

"Hm." Xavier nodded.

Jules balling the 16th over. Xavier on the batting crease exhaled. Observing the player positions for a while he whispered, "Realm of Divine Ingeniousness; Phase 1: Release Unlimited Upgrade."

Delivering the first ball Jules whispered, "Blind spot." Aiming for a knuckle delivery Xavier stepped outside the batting crease however, immediately warned by his realm he stepped back. "A knuckle ball!" he thought slamming the ball towards the cover trying to take a run however Kenzo gestured him to stop. Rio grasping the ball pointed to blow the wicket in case he moves. Lahore's defenses raised Xavier narrowed his gaze grinning, "Oh~?"

"They are on guard." Romeo stated.

"Of course, death overs are meant to guard." Pedro said, "Those two and the batsmen who will go next just in case must stay careful."

Seraph smiled, "If it's those two, I dare not worry."

"Exactly, vice-captain already has that in mind." Feng added.

Isa chuckled, "You do trust them a lot."

"Of course. They are strongholds of our team. We have no doubt in them." Cassiel replied.

Alan smiled relieved. The little rabbit jumping out of his hairs, keenly stared at the pitch. "Did you sense Xavier was there?" he ruffled its fur. The rabbit remained unmoved.

"Don't worry. They'll definitely return victorious." he assured poised.