We push deeper into the building, making small talk as we go. “So, Cookie—what’s your peak?” Jackson asks.

“I usually sit around Diamond, sometimes masters,” she answers, then Jackson darts forward, invisible and laughing.

“Nice. Me and Drew usually run duos—peak Diamond,” Jackson says, watching him sprint up the stairs. We follow after him.

As Cookie and I step out of the staircase onto the second floor, I remind everyone, “Be careful—someone could’ve set traps here.”

They both respond with a quick “Yeah,” before we move into the room with the flag — a small office area.

I walk over and claim it. A notification pops up on my screen: Objective captured — 2 of 3 secured.

“We can plant it here and just defend,” Jackson says, scanning the area outside the window.

I move beside him, peering out. No way anyone’s getting up here unless they’re running assault. “Sounds good. Cookie, set up the stairs and the room.”

“Already on it,” she replies, quickly laying traps and triggers along the entrance that’ll blow if anyone pushes in.

Jackson steps out of the room. “I’ll scout around, see if anyone’s nearby.”

He runs off while I stay behind. “I’ll hold position and set up barriers for you,” I say to Cookie, tossing a gadget behind a trashcan—our safeguard against incoming projectiles.

With everything being set up to hold the room and surrounding area, I head to the hallway and throw a beacon on the ceiling to alert us when enemies come.

Cookie and I link up in the hallway. “Where do you want us?” she asks. I scan the layout — another door directly across from ours.

“You hold this room,” I say, nudging the door open. “If they breach that entry, pick them off as they funnel in.”

“Got it. Don’t wander off too far — I’ll cover you,” she says. As I walk farther down the hall, I stop in the middle and key my mic. “Don’t worry, I’ll be here.”

We’ve got about three minutes left until we secure the flag. The other teams are too busy fighting each other.

As if reading my mind, Cookie chimes in, “The rest of the enemy team must be fighting across the map at the other objectives.”

“We can probably burn some time her—” Jackson’s voice cuts out mid-sentence. His shield shatters, and his health bar drops to half — but doesn’t hit zero.

“Jackson, you good, bro?” I ask.

“Yeah, they can’t kill a god among men like me,” he fires back.

I see Jackson dashing over to me. “Just let Cookie heal you and I’ll deal with those guys. What’re they running?” I ask as I take out my beacon and throw it in the corner of the hallway where Jackson came.

“Two tanks and one assault,” Jackson says as he walks into the room, Cookie already healing him. “I went invisible when I turned the corner and they rushed me, but I dodged most of it. One of them’s using your Nimbus Spear, by the way—be careful.”

“Oh, that’s gonna be interesting,” I say.

“Nimbus Spear user? Rare item nowadays,” Cookie adds.

“Yeah, true. Most people don’t use it because of the skill it takes,” I reply. “Haven’t fought someone using it since the guy who taught me.”

Jackson’s health bar fills back to max. Ahead of where he’d been, I spot gunfire striking the beacon I threw — it shatters in a burst of sparks.

“They’re here,” I say, drawing my spear and holding it behind me. “Jackson, get ready to flank.”

He dashes forward, cutting to the side to get into position. Down the hall, two tanks step into view, their assault vanishing from sight.

“Careful—he’s cloaked,” I warn.

As the tanks advance, Cookie’s voice comes through the mic. “Worst case, I’ll come out and back you. We’ll wait until Jackson’s ready,” she says.

“Got it,” I reply.

The tanks charge. I throw grenades down the corridor—explosions light up the hall, but they push straight through. At the same moment, gunfire erupts. Bullets rip through the air as Jackson opens up from the flank. The enemy assault reappears, engaging him head-on. He dodges, returning fire as they trade blows.

I refocus on the two tanks—one wielding a spear, the other a massive hammer. The spear user thrusts; I sidestep. The hammer slams down, shaking the floor as I leap back and swing, my spear scraping against their armor. They block together, pressing me.

Behind me, Cookie rushes out of the room, dropping turrets across the floor and ceiling. They light up, peppering the hammer tank with fire. He raises a shield, taking the hits while the spear wielder lunges at me again.

I break my spear apart, spinning the halves and aiming low for his legs. He jumps right, but I throw the left half toward the shielded tank.

The spear user charges in—but the thrown half of my weapon connects, piercing through the shield tank as my opponent’s own spear cuts through empty air.

In that instant, I trigger the teleport.

I reappear beside the shield tank—his passive shield already at half. The active barrier he’d been using to block bullets flickers out, and Cookie’s turrets immediately tear through what’s left of his defense.

Before I can finish him off, the spear user lunges. His strike connects, cutting through my passive shield. I stumble back toward Cookie, blocking incoming fire with my body.

In front of us, both enemies stand ready—the spear user stepping forward while the hammer wielder hangs back, waiting for his shield to recharge.

“He’s trying to buy time,” Cookie warns.

“Yeah, but I’m not giving him any,” I reply, stepping forward.

Our spears clash, the impact echoing through the hallway. He shoves me back, but before he can press the advantage, Cookie slides out of the room beside me. She’s got her rifle drawn.

In one clean motion, she fires across my line of sight. The hammer tank slams the ground in desperation—cracking the floor beneath him. A hole opens up, and he drops straight through.

“Good shit,” I say as our spears clash.

Cookie tries to line up a shot, but he’s tracking my movements too closely, giving her no opening. The spear user dives through the hole and lands below.

“We have less than two minutes before we secure the objective. Let’s chill and not follow,” Cookie says.

“On the same page. Jackson?” I ask.

“Still fighting,” he replies. I glance at his health bar—low. He’s getting absolutely shitted on.