Elijah woke to a sunrise that felt different—warmer, charged with possibility. His manifest-board displayed a new self-driven quest:
"Quest: Evolve into a Hybrid Catalyst."
No Interface prompt, yet his mind buzzed with purpose. After guiding Phoenix Vanguard to Open League qualification as pure support, he now faced the next phase of Act II's "BURN" arc: fusing carry spark with support fire, becoming a living catalyst on the competitive stage.
Setting the Catalyst Quest
That morning, Elijah convened Phoenix Vanguard in the Cologne practice booth. EchoPulse, WaveRider, GearShift, and LowPoly circled around a digital whiteboard where Elijah sketched his new vision:
Catalyst Role: Secure the first kill each match, then immediately trigger a team buff—"Catalyst Pulse"—that slows opponent reaction by 20% for two seconds. Support Legacy: Follow every kill with a revival or utility play to reinforce the assist-driven ethos. Synergy Drill: Practice kill-to-buff timing in custom mode until seamless.
He tapped markers, labeling sub-quests:
Prototype Catalyst Pulse in custom drills. Refine kill-to-buff transitions in scrims. Execute Catalyst role in the first Open League match.
His teammates leaned in, excitement sparking in their eyes. Though no HUD stat updated, their shared nod felt like a covenant—Act II's burn would forge a new flame.
Sub-Quest 1: Prototype Catalyst Pulse
In a custom Citadel's Shadow session, Elijah rigged a simple trigger system: register his first headshot kill, then broadcast a one-word comm—"Catalyst!"—that all teammates would use to activate their own Clarity Pulse micro-buff (30% time dilation for one second). They programmed a 15-second cooldown, Stamina cost of three points, and a visual cue for teammates.
They ran ten loops of a simulated frag match:
WaveRider and EchoPulse mocked enemy defenders. Elijah secured a kill and called "Catalyst!" Team triggered micro-Clarity Phrases in sync.
After five trials, the system read "10/10 successful synchronizations." Elijah felt a surge of elation: his solo spark was now a shared catalyst.
Sub-Quest Complete: Catalyst Pulse Prototype – +1 Focus
Sub-Quest 2: Scrim Refinement
That afternoon, Phoenix Vanguard scrimmed against Circuit Strike, a hungry Open League roster known for punishing sloppy transitions. Six best-of-one matches tested their new hybrid role:
Match 1 (6–4 Win): Elijah landed a precise peek kill, called "Catalyst!" WaveRider slowed the enemy plant, and EchoPulse's pings preempted flanks. Match 2 (2–6 Loss): Catalyst Pulse misfired when Elijah triggered too late under pressure; teammates hesitated. They reviewed VODs and tightened timing. Matches 3–4 (6–3, 6–5 Wins): Perfect synchronization—kill followed by buff and supportive utility. Match 5 (5–6 Loss): Opponents baited the buff, isolating Elijah; the team patched a contingency to randomize buff timing. Match 6 (6–2 Win): Clean execution; Elijah's kill-to-revive sequence sealed the rounds.
After the final match, Forge popped into the voice channel. "Your new role thrives under fire. Keep this rhythm for Worlds." The Interface remained silent, but in Elijah's mind a stat glowed: Confidence felt higher and Teamwork deeper.
Sub-Quest Complete: Scrim Refinement – +1 Teamwork, +1 Confidence
Sub-Quest 3: Open League Week 1
The first Open League fixture pitted Phoenix Vanguard against Magnetic Storm, a mid-table squad famed for quick rotations and punishing entry frags. The best-of-three match would define their hybrid ascension.
Map 1: Ravenfall (Phoenix Attack First)
Stakes were palpable as the map loaded. Magnetic Storm rushed mid-spire, but Elijah held a tight angle. At minute 0:20, he secured the first kill—perfect headshot through smoke. "Catalyst!" he called. Instantly, teammates activated their micro-Clarity Phrases: WaveRider flashed site entry; EchoPulse locked catwalk; GearShift dropped a stun nade. Bomb down before defenders recovered. Phoenix won 6–2.
Map 2: Citadel's Shadow
Storm adjusted, faking mid then collapsing A-back. Elijah pivoted, secured a long-range kill on a flanker at 0:30, and barked "Catalyst!" WaveRider's triple-smoke cascade locked plants; Elijah followed with a two-man revive under fire. The synchronized buff turned the tide in a 6–4 victory.
Map 3: Tower Ruins
Magnetic Storm, now desperate, unleashed a full-tilt B-rush. Elijah challenged on entry, landed two quick kills—first blood plus a trade frag. He triggered "Catalyst!" and his stamina dipped. EchoPulse's drone ping and WaveRider's smoke shield formed a perfect blockade. GearShift's flash denied defuse. Phoenix clinched the map 6–5 and the series 2–1.
As the match concluded, Manila's studio flashed "Phoenix Vanguard 2 – Magnetic Storm 1." Though no external quest notification appeared, Elijah felt a deep surge:
"Sub-Quest Complete: Execute Hybrid Role in Open League – +2 Confidence, +1 Focus."
After-Match Debrief
In the post-game debrief, Forge praised the new dynamic: "Your Catalyst Pulse merged lethal spark with supportive synergy. That hybrid role is your signature." Kayzen, broadcasting live from Onstwedde, messaged cheering GIFs in the group chat. LowPoly grinned: "I'm making overlay art for the buff now."
Elijah closed his eyes and envisioned the path ahead: balancing kill-driven catalysts with support heart, redefining team roles across the tournament. He updated his manifesto:
Core Pillar: "Catalyst Carry"—break through lines, then sustain the fight. Next Self-Quest: "Master Catalyst Protocol"—track 20 Catalyst kills with follow-up buff triggers in League play.
He exhaled, recognizing Act II's flame still burned—shaped now by both solo brilliance and communal spark. The burn had built him, broken him, and now fused him into something wholly new: a Hybrid Catalyst ready to rally under fire.