AOCAF LIII Everything Thread

[Farfadillis]

The Freisan Farf Freitball Francitian hereby presents the Farf roster for the 53rd Edition of the AOCAF Cup
Nation Name: The Oulandish Lands of Farfadillis
Demonym: Farf (plural Farves)
Team Nickname: La Vherderoja
Honours: AOCAF Cup 43 and 48 Winners

Kits
Provided by Mons

STYLE MOD: +5

World Cup Roster, with in-depth information of some of the players.

STAFF
Manager: Tíbürçìó Çötàvíê - Age 52
Assistant: Ichi Tuzzio - Age 44

After the near-destruction of all of Ruland, Tíbürçìó has decided to make a political statement with his roster for this AOCAF Cup, with the full support of all of his players. All players called up for this AOCAF Cup are Rulandese-born. Although this does make the team weaker, these players have a motivation to perform that can't be matched by the non-Rulandese: this is, de facto, the only chance Ruland will ever have of participating in and possibly winning a tournament. Even if they wear the Farf kit, the announcer says Farfadillis and the TV shows the Farf flag, this team's gonna be Ruland.

GOALKEEPERS
#1 - Rôhj Tzâín - GK - Age 38 - Mâ Âlâmëómë
#12 - Íüé Tgô - GK - Age 21 - Dí Maozöxê
#23 - Çövá Mö - GK - Age 34 - Mâ Âlâmëómë

Tzâín returns to the national team under weird circumstances, there's no doubting that, and he's very, very old, there's no doubting that either. However, he's got a lot of experience, and he's still starting for Mâ Âlâmëómë, so he must be doing things right. His substitutes will be Íüé Tgô, an exciting prospect who's already starting for Dí Maozóxê, and Çövá Mö, who is Rôhj's substitute at club level as well.

DEFENDERS
#2 - Süns Söh - CB - Age 24 - Mâ Âlâmëómë
#4 - Drê Röènôùjýâ - LB - Age 32 - Brinemouth [VC]
#3 - Jülí Mâsârí - RB - Age 27 - Avenida Victoria
#16 - Îstr Gìárdìnâ - CB - Age 27 - Stein-los Turkish
#14 - Mütó Náándéz - RB - Age 31 - Mâ Âlâmëómë
#15 - Mârtín Básá - LB - Age 27 - Stein-los Turkish

Süns Söh has shown he's a tremendous centreback, as far as Farf centrebacks go. Despite being short, he's got great presence. Nimble and fast, with a tactical awareness far ahead of most everyone else's, the Farf backline will be safely guarded for years to come. Röènôùjýâ will be the vice-captain of this team. He's getting old, but he's still one of the best Farf players around. He's extremely troublesome when he attacks. Mâsârí will be starting, too. He's a pretty standard fullback. Farf-ish, of course, but that's it. The substitutes are reliable, but not particularly talented.

MIDFIELDERS
#5 - Joan Nonhagatte - CM - Age 22 - Dí Maozöxê
#8 - Tímô Êxís - OM - Age 26 - Dí Maozöxê
#9 - Mâás Fôx - RM - Age 38 - Dí Maozöxê [C]
#10 - Fôrté Wínrôuge - OM - Age 28 - Mâ Âlâmëómë
#11 - Rübéãn Tôr - LM - Age 33 - Dí Maozöxê
#17 - Jê Çìró - LM - Age 26 - Neuville Scythers
#18 - Çis Âlú - CM - Age 27 - Dí Maozöxê
#19 - Tzukân Fîrá - OM - Age 38 - Fryi Frêndê
#20 - Drê Nrâgz - RM - Age 34 - Flamagua
#21 - Ômâr Tlâhu - OM - Age 34 - Gran Faro 70

In centre midfield, exciting prospect Joan Nonhagatte will find in his homeland's utter annihilation a silver lining: he's gonna get playing time he wouldn't usually get with Ruy Monrazón in his prime. He's very talented. On the right wing, Fôx has come out of his two-week retirement to captain the one and only Rulandese national team in history. He's super old, so don't expect him to run, like, at all. But he's also better with the ball than anyone else on this team except Wínrôuge. So watch out. On the left, age has been catching up to Tôr lately, but he's still good enough to start here, and you should expect him to cause the other teams considerable trouble despite no longer being in his prime. The fourth Dí Maozöxê player is Tímô Êxís, a talented-though-not-that-much midfielder who's here because Wínrôuge seems to have depleted the talent of Rulandese offensive midfielders by absorbing it all for himself. Speaking of him, he's the best player in this team. The substitutes are all very experienced players who will definitely perform if the situation calls for them to do it.

STIKERS
#6 - Tjêtê Dü Síbírí - ST - Age 22 - Dí Maozöxê
#7 - Täjó Çíânflöné - ST- Age 27 - Raynor City United
#13 - Fvêt Rôwé - ST - Age 25 - Mâ Âlâmëómë
#22 - Tüjürdr Vhêrdê - ST - Age 28 - Avenida Victoria

Up front, Çíânflöné's an established striker that should scare any team. He sees defensive gaps where others don't, and finishes chances many can't. His partner will be Tjêtè Dü Síbírí, an exciting prospect who has been progressing immensely lately. If he keeps this up, and Siorrha'Asione continues to be his undisciplined self, you should expect him to start for Farfadillis soon. He's short, fast and very skillful. The substitutes are nothing to scoff at: Rôwé's Mâ Âlâmëómë's starting striker, and could easily replace any of the starting strikers without many people noticing a difference, and Vhêrdê's one of Avenida Victoria's best players.

[Audioslavia]

Jeremy Jaffacake punched the air as Roddy Fraser's back-post header rustled the net. After a sobering funeral in Polar Islandstates and a World Cup Committee meeting that made him want to inject vodka directly into his cranian fluid - not least because it was a meeting he'd had to attend in lieu of going to the Audioslavia game, which just seemed silly, it was good to finally have something to cheer about. 3-1 up with only a few minutes left to play. That was it. Audioslavia had overcome the humiliation of losing three straight quarter-finals to Krytenia in three straight AOCAF Cups and had avoided the same fate against Vilita. The semi-finals. A chance at the old enemy of Valanora. That game was bound to be a cracker. They always were.

Jeremy Jaffacake shut down his laptop and sat back in his chair, surveying the scene. How long had it been now? Eight years? Two cycles? With another one just around the corner. The record, of course, was fifteen cycles by that prat Simeone di Bradini. Not many had gotten anywhere near that. His predecessor, Miriam Whittaker, had last three before quietly stepping down, while Sol Kirkkegaard, god rest him, had managed 6.

They, of course, were not quasi-immortal. Jeremy Jaffacake was. Di Bradini, since relocating to The Holy Empire and becoming a.. a... a whatever they were, was also of a similar ilk. Jeremy had never dreamed of becoming any kind of sports-political figure in the past, having largely been content to stay in the realms of journalism his entire career, outwith a few stints as manager of the national team (about which putting Rameses Niblick the Third in his place was a rare highlight). He'd never considered this kind of position before. Now that he was here, though, in *this* office, the largest he'd seen by far, the pictures, the chandelier, the circular windows with frilly bits on the side... these were things he did not want to give up. Hell, the mahogany desk the size of a snooker table, only this one had the balls underneath. Jeremy's main skill had been, for his entire like, having the gumption to stick it out longer than most. He wasn't about to give it up for anyone. Two cycles in to his three-cycle first tenure, he knew that, come the elections, he would fight harder than anyone for this seat. He'd break Simeone di Bradini's record for cycles served as WCC President, he'd go down in history as the backbone of the WCC in its greatest years. This was his destiny. *His* destiny. And there was nothing that anybody could...

A young, rosy-cheeked aide bursts into the room. He's holding a bucket of water. Inside the bucket of water is a laptop. Even as he starts speaking to Jeremy, he is throwing old hard-drives into the bucket. Jeremy, transfixed, almost doesn't hear the boy speak.

"COPS. COPS ARE HERE. WE'RE BEING RAIDED"

"What?" said Jeremy, dumbly, not registering the situation.

"The cops are here. They're looking for you. We're actioning Plan X, sir"

"Plan... Plan X?"

"Yes sir!" said the boy, almost standing to attention as he did so. "You said, when you arrived, that if the cops come, we should put all the computers in water and prepare a trampoline outside so you could burst through the window and make your escape. You said it was Plan X"

"I..." said Jeremy, still not processing. "I don't... I can't..."

"I distinctly remember your instructions sir" shouted the boy. There was a distinct cry of 'aaargh' in the background. A woman sprinted past the door with her hair on fire. She was making a noise like a siren.

"What..."

"That's Cathy, sir. Accounts. You said at the christmas party last year that, if you're about to be arrested, she should do some kind of distraction. Well that's what she came up with sir. I think. The gas pipes have been cut and people are throwing matches around, sir, just like you asked them to do in this situation."

"I... I was jok..."

"They're not lit though, sir. Health and safety. We have to use our common sense for some things you see"

"I was joking" said Jeremy, still rooted to his chair.

All of a sudden, the boy disappeared from the doorway, pushed aside into a waiting pot plant by an unseen hand. Another figure entered the doorway. It was a big figure. In a policeman's uniform. He was shouting. He was pointing. He definitely bellowed the phrase 'fucking trampoline you maniac', but Jeremy continued to not listen. Jeremy was too busy questioning his decision to staff his WCC office entirely of people who were too familiar with Jeremy's actions.

A member of the WCC's accounts team barged past the police officer somehow. He darted to the floor in front of Jeremy's desk, knelt, and bellowed the phrase 'PRAISE BE TO JAFFACAKE OF CEILDERDEN, I OFFER MYSELF UNTO THE LAW IN THY STEAD', before giving Jeremy an attempt at a knowing wink.

"Let me guess" said Jeremy. "I got drunk and talked about 'Plan X' to you too, at some point"

"Easter last year, sir" said the accountant, conspiratorially, before adding "I'd not talk about it right now, though, sir, I think that policeman can hear you".

Jeremy looked up at the policeman. The copper hadn't, in fact, heard any of the conversation, having been far too busy defending himself from an intern who was wearing a Krytenia football shirt and singing 'My Old Man's a Dustman'

Jeremy heard a 'GOD DAMNIT' from the general direction of the police officer as the Krytenian-clad intern ran away. He turned towards Jeremy, spat in disgust, and muttered two words and a letter into his walkie-talkie.

"Go 'A' Squad"

"Go 'A' Squad?" echoed Jeremy, frowning at the figure of the copper just outside the doorway. "What on earth does 'Go 'A' Squad' mean?"

Behind Jeremy, the window smashed open. Four men burst through the window dressed in riot gear. They were brandishing semi-automatic weapons and one of those neat modern battering rams.

"I wasn't talking to you" said the police officer. "I was talking to 'A' Squad."

Jeremy caught a glimpse of Father Polycarp the Venerable, smiling to him from the vantage point of a picture at the opposite side of the room, as he was lead out through the side window.

[Valanora]

Valanora Times
Runaway Bull

The Marauders looked quite like the side that is tied for the most World Cup Final championships in their Quarterfinal matchup against Eshan, winning by a final margin of five to two, of which the scoreline flattered Eshan for how dominant the Marauders look on the day. With a lovely hattrick from Allendren Fresco and a brace from Espy va Drake, the Marauders put their foot on the neck of their opponents and never let up, despite the latter grabbing two goals on the only two shots that they had through the entirety of the ninety minutes. For those who remember the World Cup Final between ourselves and the Slyvanae Queendom, this match played out in quite a similar fashion with the side opening the scoring early and looking utterly the better squad that it was perhaps not even fair to pit the two sides together.

However what is fair and what is right are not always the same thing, as the schedule for the knockouts progresses forward into the Semifinals. Despite being the last match to play in the previous round, the Marauders will be part of the first game in the penultimate stage of the tournament with their opposition having been in the first match of the Quarterfinal round, thus having an extra day's of rest and preparation for the match at hand. When the majority of the tournament has seen teams be given four days between their matches, that our opposition in the Semifinals are given a fifth and we are not awarded the same treatment is a bit unfair. However that is what has been deemed the right course of action by the hosting committee and so that is what the Marauders will be having to deal with.

That extra rest definitely does no favors for our side given the quality of the opponent that the Marauders will be up against in the Semifinals, for it another rematch against the Bulls of Audioslavia. For a side that we played in our first match in the international arena and that had a long hiatus from the international scene, our two sides sure do play against one another quite a bit, as it has become something of a grudge match for the two involved squads. Given that the Bulls just made quick work of the combined teams from the Vilitan Cove, the task ahead of the Marauders is a tall one indeed, for the Eel-Cat Things had looked good for the title as they have been one of the best squads over the last decade and had just recently won the World Cup.

As usual, it is a clash of styles between our two sides, where the Marauders prefer a more technical sided affair, the Bulls of Audioslavia are (in)famous across the footballing world for the physical nature of their game. This makes their players high commodities when it comes to the domestic scene but a real pain in the backside when playing against them in the international arena. However the Marauders have had their fair share of success against the Bulls, including holding the record for the largest defeat of the Audioslavian national team. That is no small feat given the length of time that the Bulls have played in the World Cup and the regional tournament, with sides as good as the historic Pacitalia, Bettia, and Starblaydia who all were among the best teams to be in that time.

Chromatik City best be ready for the showdown that is likely to see more than its fair share of bruises as well as bruised egos, as both sides have a tendency of trying to run up the score against one another. It is one of two fairly balanced semifinals though, for in Depri Lanar the hosts themselves will be going up against our fellow Southwestern brothern in Farfadillis who have looked quite up to the task since the group stage has ended. While you have to feel like the hosts will have the edge due to being the home nation, one can never count out the way that System Takil can keep a side in a game with the potency in the attack that it brings. Two games are on hand, two balanced games, and with a handful of respect and hatred in both. Can the Southwest see itself rise once more up into glory, with Audioslavia keep the flag of their mini federation flying high, or will Chromatika ride the wave of being at home all the way into another Final, one that is much less a surprise than two years ago?

[Chromatika]

Rôhj Tzâín. Süns Söh, Drê Röènôùjýâ, Jülí Mâsârí. Joan Nonhagatte, Tímô Êxís, Mâás Fôx, Fôrté Wínrôuge, Rübéãn Tôr. Tjêtê Dü Síbírí, Täjó Çíânflöné. Led by Tíbürçìó Çötàvíê and Ichi Tuzzio. Perhaps the team that had stolen the most Chromatik hearts, with the news coming in about what was happening at Ruland. The Chromatik government had made it clear that they would have no real political motive in the region for a while until the nation was stable again. Indeed, they were still getting volunteers to just help make the populace literate again.

That hadn't stopped the populace from becoming fast fans of the Rulandese players. Though not many knew the intricacies of the situation at Farfadillis, the Chromatik people had gone through enough fighting against oppression already that they couldn't help but root for the Farves. Perhaps it was fate, then, that brought these two sides to the Semifinals of this tournament at Deprí Lanar with a spot at the Capitalizt Dome on the line.

If there is a country that prides itself on offense more than Farfadillis, it would be Bonesea; other than the Bonesfolk, however, Farfadillis remains one of the most offensive footballing countries in the world. Though it is true that there are three defenders, they play far up, and the front eight are some of the most beautiful players in the world in terms of play. Though it is also true that so many usual starters aren't playing, the Rulandese are playing with such passion and determination that it might not really matter.

This is not your usual Farf team - and the purpose that they are playing with is to be commended. That being said, if there is a team that's played with that much intensity before, it is the Chromatiks; after their walk-off win in extra time - Rachel Hellion's free kick doing the honors - the team is trying to make it to the finals in their home soil and give Thorben a chance to redeem his performance in the last finals.

One team looking to make a mark in history will make it to the finals. Which will it be?

[Chromatika]

Semifinals Cutoff

Semifinals
Audioslavia 1–2 Valanora
Chromatika 0–1 Farfadillis Scored by Tumbra

Third Place Match:
Audioslavia vs. Chromatika - Island Dome, Myana August 9, 6:40 PM

It should be overcast with a slight chance of rain and a strong breeze in the third place match. As it is the confirmed last game for the Chromatiks, the CFF has decided to hold a ceremony to honor Nikolai Thorben during halftime, and also give out the news of his departure. The Chromatik fan base should be out in full force as the team will try to send him off on a win.

Final:

Valanora vs. Farfadillis - Capitalizt Dome, Chromatik City August 10, 7:25 PM

A rematch of Matchday 1 when the two teams from the Western Group played to a 2-2 tie in Z'ai'ai, Farfadillis has had one more match due to finishing second thanks to goal differential. Now, they meet again, the trophy on the line. Forecast for the match seems to suggest that the weather will be around 52 degrees with a slight breeze, and that the sun will be setting. The trophy presentation will follow along with presentation of the tournament's most valuable player and the All-Tournament Starting XI. The Glorious Southwest is remaining glorious, indeed.

---

Play-In Round
July 27 12 PM Audioslavia 1:0 95X - The Shock, Wirr Tsi | 3:25 PM Eshan 2:0 Western Sunrise Islands - Riders' Arena, Pùr
July 28 4:35 PM Farfadillis 3:2 Qasden - The Pack, Pria | 4:35 PM Cosumar 0:1 Krytenia - The Jungle, Eyrods

Quarterfinals
August 1 1:10 PM Vilita & Turori 1:3 Audioslavia - United Center, Urrheddiao | 4:35 PM Chromatika 2:2 (3:2 AET) Krytenia - RCK Field, Alnio
August 2 3:25 PM Osarius 0:1 Farfadillis - The Hive, Deprí Sanar | 6:40 PM Valanora 5:2 Eshan - Z'ai'ai Field, Z'ai'ai

Semifinals
August 6 3:35 PM Audioslavia 1-2 Valanora - Anomaly Tower, Chromatik City | 7:25 PM Chromatika 0-1 Farfadillis - Hawks' Nest, Deprí Lanar

3rd Place Match
August 9 6:40 PM Audioslavia vs. Chromatika - Island Dome, Myana

AOCAF LIII Championship
August 10 7:25 PM Valanora vs. Farfadillis - Capitalizt Dome, Chromatik City

[Valanora]

Valanora Times
Locked And Loaded

When one reaches hundreds of years old, with decades inside the game at the top level, the mundane nature of matches can perhaps become something of being an automatic process that one does not do but simply goes through. One could even argue that when the Marauders were on their downside for that near decade, that had been entirely the case, as they looked not quite themselves as the rest of the footballing had come to know the side over several decades of dominance. The mundane progress of monotony is seen in even the most basic worker, as there is a certain glaze over their eyes and everything feels as if there is no real effort or passion being put into what is being done, with even the quickened race of humans having such processes.

That however was not the case to be had in the Anomaly Tower in Chromatik City as the Marauders took on the Bulls for the right to progress in the the fifty-third AOCAF Championship game. The fire that one sees in the eyes of those who are empowered and inspired was clearly visible for the twenty-two sets of eyes that took the the pitch. Passions had been stirred through the very fact that the two rivals were once more facing each other in one of the latter stages of the competition, with each believing that if they won this match that the match in the Final itself would likely not be nearly as difficult. This is no slight to the sides of Chromatika or Farfadillis, but neither side could ignite the passions within the Marauders or Bulls the way that each other's squad does.

The match was contentious to begin with and it would be the Audioslavian squad that would score first, just fourteen minutes into the first half as a mistake in communication between the keeper and Soldarian saw a poor backpass be pounced upon and chipped the keeper. It was exactly the sort of start those in burgundy would have wanted, as our squad in their green kits had to find a way to regroup and get back at it. Soldarian would make amends for his mistake as he got on the end of a spectacular free kick from Hawk in the thirty-third, netting his goal on the half volley and the two sides go into the half level. It would be Hawk again that would show up for the next chance, as he shot from outside the box in the fifty-third minute made a loud thud as it collided with the upright.

It would not be Hawk though or any of the hero quartet that would find the winner for the Marauders though, it would be Héra Teltholsyr who had come on in the seventy-third minute for Tathtauré. The attacking midfielder was in the right spot at the right when a parried shot from Soldarian landed at her feet and she wasted no time in sending the ball into the gaping net with just three minutes left in normal time. It was a goal to the relief of thousands of fervent Marauders supporters, including the Navy Wave who had managed to send roughly two thousand of their members to Chromtika to support on the national team throughout the AOCAF. Audioslavia tried to get an equalizer but the defense stood strong, with va Drake, Soldarian, and Hawk passing it around the pressing Bulls' players before the final whistle blew and signaled the Marauders advancement into the Final once more.

Who to meet there than but our sub regional rivals and groupmates in Farfadillis, who have managed to survive their lackluster group stage performance as well as an extra game in the knockouts to make it this far. Having defeated the hosts and Osarius, the side has definitely been put through their paces and look quite the title contender that we believed them to be at the start of the tournament but had doubts after their first few results. There is little left to be said about Farfadillis that has not already been said about the squad, you do not contain their attack you merely try to survive it. That was not something the Marauders were able to do in the opening match of the tournament and it being the only blemish that the squad has had in the tournament, quite the point of contention and motivation. When technical skill meet all out attack in Chromatik City, a champion will be crowned and the Southwest will see whose star shines the most glorious of all.

[Chromatika]

Third Place Play Off Cutoff

Chromatika 3–5 Audioslavia Island Dome, Myana August 9, 6:40 PM Scored by Valanora

Final:

Valanora vs. Farfadillis - Capitalizt Dome, Chromatik City August 10, 7:25 PM

A rematch of Matchday 1 when the two teams from the Western Group played to a 2-2 tie in Z'ai'ai, Farfadillis has had one more match due to finishing second thanks to goal differential. Now, they meet again, the trophy on the line. Forecast for the match seems to suggest that the weather will be around 52 degrees with a slight breeze, and that the sun will be setting. The trophy presentation will follow along with presentation of the tournament's most valuable player and the All-Tournament Starting XI. The Glorious Southwest is remaining glorious, indeed.

---

Play-In Round
July 27 12 PM Audioslavia 1:0 95X - The Shock, Wirr Tsi | 3:25 PM Eshan 2:0 Western Sunrise Islands - Riders' Arena, Pùr
July 28 4:35 PM Farfadillis 3:2 Qasden - The Pack, Pria | 4:35 PM Cosumar 0:1 Krytenia - The Jungle, Eyrods

Quarterfinals
August 1 1:10 PM Vilita & Turori 1:3 Audioslavia - United Center, Urrheddiao | 4:35 PM Chromatika 2:2 (3:2 AET) Krytenia - RCK Field, Alnio
August 2 3:25 PM Osarius 0:1 Farfadillis - The Hive, Deprí Sanar | 6:40 PM Valanora 5:2 Eshan - Z'ai'ai Field, Z'ai'ai

Semifinals
August 6 3:35 PM Audioslavia 1-2 Valanora - Anomaly Tower, Chromatik City | 7:25 PM Chromatika 0-1 Farfadillis - Hawks' Nest, Deprí Lanar

3rd Place Match
August 9 6:40 PM Audioslavia 5-3 Chromatika - Island Dome, Myana

AOCAF LIII Championship
August 10 7:25 PM Valanora vs. Farfadillis - Capitalizt Dome, Chromatik City

[Farfadillis]

When he heard the news, Süns called her mother. His phone had no battery left, he'd forgotten to charge it the night before at the hotel. Quickly, he charged his way through the crowd in the hotel back to his room. He was sharing it with Trejo Maes.

"I need your cell phone. It's an emergency." He told Trejo as opened the door.

"Uh, uh, sure, sure. Here, you can use it." He was clearly alarmed by Süns' face.

He dialed as fast as he could. He was so nervous he got the numbers wrong the first time. And the second. He punched the wall repeatedly in frustration. He got it right the third time, with blood dripping from his knuckles. He waited for what seemed an eternity.

His mother picked up. Before he could even breathe a sigh of relief, he heard her voice crack saying his name. Every person on this world has got a few words that can make his world come crashing down. "Süns, Sübý is..." were Süns' words.

He flashed back to Süjý's first words, six years ago, it seemed like yesterday. Playing football with him. His admiration of him. The dreams he had, like all the other children. He wanted to be a doctor and a firefighter and a footballer. All of that, taken away from him by his mother's whisper. An eight-year old, like so many others, now gone. Like so many others.

He threw the phone away and laid on the floor before breaking down crying. Trejo, forgetting about the telephone, just tried his best to console him.

"I bet your brother cried like a little bitch when he realized he was going to die." The Qasdonian taunted. Süns understood English, smart as he was.

In a flash, he destroyed Abbott's jaw. When he went down, he began furiously stamping his torso. An all-out brawl broke out. The goalkeeper laid down on the floor, unconscious. He would've died if Süns had been close enough to his head. The box turned into pandaemonium.

*****

"... Tájö, stop crying. Listen. It's important."

"I'm listening, I'm listening."

"Érá says Fôrté hasn't called them yet."

"He blacked out from drinking when he heard the news."

"You have to tell him. It's better if he hears it from you."

Tájö tried, uselessly, to recompose himself. "I do-" his voice cracked. "I don't think I can."

"He'll need someone. You're the closest friend he has. Do it for him."

Just as his mother ended the call, someone knocked. He knew who it was. "Come in, Fôrté." He shouted.

He opened the door. The room was dark, but even then he could see his cousin was only a shadow of himself. He was holding an empty vodka bottle, and his eyes were red from the crying.

"Fôrté..." Fôrté looked at him like a prey scared of his predator.

"Your dad, my dad, two of our cousins and grandpa."

"Érá's fine?"

"Yes, she is."

"Thank God." He uttered with what little voice he had left, before crying on his cousin's shoulders. He passed out.

Täjó didn't want to even consider what would've happened if Fôrté's sister had died too. Cold and arrogant as he was, he cared more about her than himself, and by a huge margin.

Fifteen minutes left on the clock. Nil-nil. Nonhagatte sends Wínrôuge through with a brilliant pass. He's past Lucjusz Stef. He's through on goal. He chips Thorben. The shot's not strong enough. Stef will get to it before it goes in.

Like a thunder, Tájö flies into the ball, both studs up. He barely avoids ending Stef's career, but he scores. He's scored the winner in the semifinal, against the hosts. He knows it. Anyone would celebrate this goal like no other, but he just stands up and walks towards his cousin. They embrace. It's been a few tough months.

[Chromatika]

Championship Cutoff

Valanora 4–2 Farfadillis The Capitalizt Dome, Chromatik City (144,000)

Congratulations to the Champion, commiserations to the loser, and thank you all for visiting Chromatika! It has been my pleasure to host this tournament. See you next tournament!

[Valanora]

Valanora Times
Triumph

It was not easy, no victory really is even those where the scoreline and display on the field might suggest it, but the Marauders have emerged victorious once more in the AOCAF. It is quite a surreal feeling, even for we elves, to think about how dominant we have become in the regional tournament when for decades no matter the strength of the side that we sent to it, there was nothing but futility to be found. Yet now winning our fourth title and second in three editions, it seems that for the lack of success in the World Cup the Marauders have instead found it in the AOCAF. With foes as respected and as fierce as Audioslavia, Farfadillis, and Osarius to go through, one might even argue that a victory in the regional tournament is harder to come by than that of the World Cup, where one might getting a favorable draw with some non-Atlantian Oceanic or Rushmori competition that makes the challenge ahead of you just that much more easier to overcome. All the same, both sets of titles are well worth their weight in gold and the sense of pride that they bring to their winners.

On this day though, it is a moment when all those who reside in the Southwestern corner of the region may be proud, if some a bit disappointed at the outcome, with the Marauders and Farves being the Finalists. It was the hero quartet that ultimately proved the difference and lived up to the namesake that fans and the media alike have given them, with each of the four grabbing a goal for the side in their four to two triumph. For the next few weeks the side will get to rest and soak in the enjoyment of the win, as there is already a parade being organize for the weekend in Raynor City to celebrate the title. After that though, it is back to work either for the club teams for the players or preparing the World Cup bid for the VSC officials and the coaching staff of the Marauders. It was announced at the end of the match before the medal presentation that Valanora and Chromatika would be bidding to bring the World Cup back to Atlantian Oceania, so there is work to be done on all sides with the amount of planning and logistical cooperation that will be needed should both win the bid. For now though, it is a moment of enjoyment and fulfillment, those so often overlooked and too short moments that come rare in life.

[Chromatika]

It'd been a murderous last few matches, that was for certain. First was the dagger that was the lone goal conceded to Farfadillis. Then, a monsoon poured in an eight-goal fiesta at the Island Dome. The Chromatiks were not able to send Nikolai off with a win - instead, they had to watch, subdued, as the Bulls celebrated their Third Place Trophy. The day after, Valanora was crowned as the best of Atlantian Oceania, yet again. The crowds cheered for the birth of a new Chromatika that had successfully hosted the tournament without a single political incident or faux pas, something that the old Chromatika would never have been able to accomplish.

But not the team.

No, the team was gathered around one of their most notable leaders, the man that had been the lynchpin of their earlier days when the team had relied on solid defense and lightning-fast counterattacks and had seen them through on their transition to being more of a flow-based team. His goals allowed ratio may not have been the best, his play may not have been the cleanest nor the most cerebral, but he had always gotten the job done. A firm voice in the locker room that provided direction when needed, or stayed out of it when that was needed.

They respected his decision to leave, especially when he told them that Molly had given him permission. If his only living flesh and blood had done that, who were they to argue? Even Meagan was there without her baby or husband the last time they gathered. She promised along with Gabriella, Alyss, Sybill, and Keira to look after Molly, telling him that with her skills and determination, she'd be a regular member of the squad sometime sooner rather than later. He smiled at that.

One by one, his teammates came by and wished him the best of luck, happiness, or a quick hug. Trenn stayed for a while and conversed deeply; Carrol was more solemn. Lucjusz was brash, Luuk distant. The women weren't much different - Erika and Zlastica both trying to pass it off as something casual, Meagan her usual deep self; Alyss sentimental, Sandra energetic, Gabriella trying to make sure the rest of the team was okay. Jazmin came by and gave him a photo book of all of them with signatures. He would definitely hold onto that for a while, especially two pages in the end - one with a picture of Lisa Amos and a handwritten note of their previous Manager, and one given to him by the Cortes family of the late Franscesca Cortes.

One by one, as if they had predetermined it, the players left. Silian was first, saying that Nikolai should spend more time with those he had deeper ties with and taking his leave. The room that held a total of twenty-five dwindled until there was only three left, Nikolai, Jillian, and Aysu.

Aysu Damjana handed Nikolai a pair of keeper's gloves, his size. She wished him the best and told him to keep his skills sharp in New Eden. She gave Jillian an knowing look behind Nikolai's back, and left so that there were just the two of them left - rivals, friends, teacher and student.

She gave him a big, long hug, one that knocked the wind out of him while getting his heart racing.

She hands him a note, tells him to read it on the plane, and then leans in and pecks his forehead. He is very confused, but promises that he will.

She wishes that he will find peace. He thanks her. Then, without looking back, and rather stiffly, she walks out, leaving him alone.

What he doesn't know is that she's being consoled by three others in a nearby room, crying her heart out. No, instead, he sends a message to the Western Sunrisian plane that has been waiting for him, picks up the bag he's packed, and starts heading to the airport.

There, one last person is waiting. It's Molly. She's had her fair share of tears, and is determined to not show any more in this final moment with her brother. Giving him a hug and then a picture of her, she tells him that he will live in her memories forever. He echoes her sentiment.

Then, he boards the plane, and he's headed towards New Eden, to no pain, no suffering, no prior troubles, not a care in the world...

Until he reads that note that Jillian wrote him, just as they're crossing the breach that separates this world from the world that the Sunrisians come from.

Of all your skills, you were so bad at recognizing it when someone was interested in you. I lacked the courage and clarity to tell you this, and now it's too late. However, I think that you deserve to know, and although it's true that this might haunt you forever, I think it's better than you not knowing.

I love you. I always have. I think it was kept in check by professionalism and logic and whatnot, but I love you. I know I can't be what you need or what you deserve, so I'm letting you go, but I wish I had had a chance to convince you to stay.

Go and be happy, for myself and you. Take my love for you into New Eden and beyond...

xo

Jillian

And so, the last thought Nikolai Thorben had before he crossed over was of sadness and regret.