Astra’s Rebirth: Underdogs Unleashed

Arrival in Switzerland

The plane touched down at Zurich Airport, and Alex peered out the small window, his breath fogging the glass. Snow-capped mountains stretched in the distance, their peaks glowing faintly in the early morning light. The sight was breathtaking, almost enough to distract him from the knot of anxiety twisting in his stomach.

The flight had been long and uneventful, filled mostly with restless silence. Raj had spent most of the trip watching movies, his headphones too loud for comfort. Sofia had fallen asleep with her legs draped over her carry-on bag, snoring lightly, while Lina quietly read a book in the corner seat. Jae-Min had been typing furiously on his laptop, probably analyzing data from their last practice matches.

Now, as they stepped off the plane and into the cold Swiss air, the reality of where they were hit Alex all at once. This wasn't another practice session. This wasn't a scrimmage against some mid-tier team. This was the World Invitational—the pinnacle of esports. The best players from around the globe would be here, and Alex had to lead his team through it.

Zurich was unlike anything Alex had ever seen. The cobblestone streets of the Old Town were lined with charming shops and cafes, their windows decorated with twinkling lights. The smell of fresh bread and coffee drifted through the crisp air, mingling with the sound of tourists chattering in a dozen different languages.

But it was the arena that stole the show.

The venue was massive, its sleek glass exterior reflecting the snow-covered mountains in the distance. Banners of the participating teams hung from the walls, fluttering gently in the wind. Alex's eyes lingered on one in particular: the banner for Team Ragnarok, emblazoned with their icy logo and the sharp, confident face of Ingrid Halvorsen.

"Damn," Raj muttered beside him, craning his neck to take it all in. "This place is insane."

"It's...beautiful," Lina said softly, her voice barely audible.

Sofia let out a low whistle. "This is where we're playing? Talk about pressure."

Jae-Min didn't say anything, but his expression was tense, his usual calm cracked just slightly. Alex knew how he felt. The sheer scale of it all was enough to make anyone doubt themselves.

Alex cleared his throat, trying to steady his voice. "We belong here," he said firmly, more for himself than anyone else. "Let's show them that."

The team entered the arena's bustling lobby, their footsteps echoing on the polished marble floor. Players from other teams were scattered throughout the space, some lounging on the sleek leather couches, others huddled together in strategy discussions.

It didn't take long for Alex to spot a few familiar faces. The members of Team Legacy—one of the most popular teams from the US—were gathered near the registration desk. Their captain, Ethan "Edge" Carter, stood at the center of the group, laughing loudly as he gestured animatedly with his hands.

Ethan noticed Alex almost immediately and grinned, striding over with the confidence of someone who'd never lost a match in his life.

"Well, if it isn't Alex Evans," Ethan said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Didn't think I'd see you here. Back for round two, huh?"

Alex forced a smile. "Something like that."

Ethan's grin widened. "Good to see you, man. Seriously. But, uh..." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "You might wanna keep an eye on your team. Doesn't look like they're exactly...cohesive."

Alex followed Ethan's gaze and winced. Raj and Sofia were arguing about something near the snack table, while Lina stood awkwardly to the side, clearly uncomfortable. Jae-Min had already disappeared, probably off scouting the competition.

"We'll be fine," Alex said, trying to sound more confident than he felt.

"Sure you will," Ethan replied, his tone light but not entirely sincere. "Anyway, good luck out there. You're gonna need it."

As Ethan walked away, Alex clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He wasn't about to let someone like Ethan write them off so easily.

---

The First Meeting with Ingrid

The press conference room was packed. Journalists from around the world filled the rows of chairs, their cameras and microphones trained on the elevated stage at the front of the room. The captains of the participating teams sat at the long table, each flanked by their respective banners.

Alex sat stiffly in his chair, painfully aware of the whispers and glances from the crowd. He knew what they were thinking. He could hear the questions they weren't asking yet: Why is he here? Does he really think he can keep up with the best?

His discomfort only grew when Ingrid entered the room.

She walked with the same unshakable confidence Alex remembered, her long, pale hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail. Her gaze swept across the room, cool and calculating, before landing on him. For a moment, her lips curved into a faint smirk, just enough to make his chest tighten.

When the moderator opened the floor for questions, it didn't take long for someone to bring up Alex.

"Ingrid," a journalist began, "what are your thoughts on seeing Alex Evans return to the competitive scene?"

Alex's heart sank. Of course they'd ask her.

Ingrid didn't miss a beat. "It's always interesting to see familiar faces," she said smoothly. "Though I admit, I didn't expect Alex to come back after...everything."

The room buzzed with murmurs, and Alex felt his ears burn.

"Do you see him as a threat?" the journalist pressed.

Ingrid's smirk widened slightly, and she tilted her head, as if considering the question. "Threat is a strong word," she said. "Let's just say I'm curious to see how long he lasts."

Alex's jaw tightened, but he forced himself to stay silent. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction of a reaction.

---

Back in their hotel room that evening, the team was unusually quiet. Sofia was pacing near the window, her arms crossed. Raj was lying on the couch, tossing a stress ball in the air. Lina sat on the edge of her bed, her head bowed as she polished her mouse.

"Is it always like this?" she asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Alex turned to her. "What do you mean?"

"The cameras. The questions. The...pressure."

"It gets worse," Jae-Min said bluntly, not looking up from his laptop.

Lina's grip on the mouse tightened, and Alex could see the tension in her shoulders.

"Hey," Alex said softly, sitting beside her. "It's normal to feel like this. The first time's always the hardest."

She looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. "And after that?"

Alex hesitated. "It doesn't go away. But you learn how to carry it."

Lina nodded slowly, her expression unreadable.

Sofia stopped pacing and turned to the group, her hands on her hips. "Alright, enough moping. We're here to win, right? So let's stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and focus on what we do best: kicking ass."

Raj snorted. "You're awfully confident for someone who missed half her shots last practice."

Sofia rolled her eyes but didn't rise to the bait. "Keep talking, Specter. I'll let my shield do the talking tomorrow."

For the first time that day, Alex smiled. The weight in the room was lifting, just a little.

---

Late that night, after everyone else had gone to bed, Alex sat by the window, staring out at the glittering city lights. The arena loomed in the distance, a reminder of what was waiting for them.

He thought about Ingrid's words, about Ethan's smirk, about the pressure weighing down on his team.

Curious to see how long he lasts.

Alex clenched his fists.

"Longer than you think," he whispered to the empty room.