Well, just after Max's victory over FC Barcelona in the U-16 academy tournament, now suddenly Tara came to Max in panic and told him that now her Valorant Ascension is about to start in 1 week, and she hasn't practiced that much as she was busy with Max in his tournament and cheering for him. Max calmed her down and said u can do it. 1 week is enough for you to get back on track, I know u can do it. Now Tara packed her stuff and took a cab to head towards her Valorant Ascension bootcamp, where they will play the tournament. Tara stood backstage at the Valorant tournament, adrenaline fueling her as the crowd excitedly buzzed. Representing Team Xternal as their controller, she was ready for the challenge.
With Max's encouraging words fresh in her mind, she felt a wave of determination. "I've got this," she told herself, recalling the countless hours spent honing her skills.
As the matches began, her focus sharpened. She executed her role flawlessly, coordinating with her teammates to seize momentum. Each victory boosted her confidence, solidifying her as a formidable player.
After a crucial play secured a key win, her teammates celebrated. "Incredible, Tara! Your smokes were spot on!"
"Absolutely! This is a team effort," she asserted, recognizing their unity.
With Max's unwavering support from the sidelines strengthening her resolve, Tara confidently stepped into the finals. She communicated clearly and executed strategic plays, driving her team toward victory.
After an intense battle, Team Xternal triumphed, and a celebration erupted.
Max rushed over, beaming. "You did it, Tara! I knew you could win!"
"Thanks, Max! Your belief pushed me," she replied, filled with pride.
Holding the trophy high, Tara knew this was just the beginning of her journey in competitive gaming. She was ready to conquer whatever challenges lay ahead. As the matches progressed into Round 2 of the Valorant tournament, Tara felt the intensity ramp up. The cheers from the crowd echoed in her ears, pushing her to focus even harder. With Team Xternal by her side, she was determined to keep their momentum going.
"Let's stick to our strategy," she called out, ready to execute crucial plays. Her communication was sharp, her confidence unwavering. In this round, they faced a rival team that was equally skilled, but Tara knew they had the advantage of teamwork and practice.
As the match unfolded, Tara's strategic placement of smokes and her precise movements turned the tide in their favor. When she made a crucial play that led to a key elimination, it sparked a surge of energy among her teammates.
"We've got this!" she shouted, rallying everyone as they pressed forward. With her guidance, they executed a flawless strategy that secured victory in Round 2.
As they celebrated their win, Max watched from the sidelines, pride shining in his eyes. "You're unstoppable, Tara!"
"Thanks, Max! This is just the beginning," she responded, ready to take on whatever came next. With determination fueling her, she knew they were on the path to greatness. Well, round 3 begins, and Tara stood at the edge of the stage, adrenaline coursing through her veins as Team Xternal prepared to face off against their toughest opponents yet. The air was thick with anticipation, and as the match kicked off, there was an electric energy that enveloped the crowd.
As the first game began, Team Xternal took immediate control. Tara expertly coordinated with her teammates, using her controller abilities to create safe spaces and deny enemy advances. The opposing team struggled to find their footing, unable to break through the defenses Tara set up.
With flawless communication and ruthless execution, Xternal swept through the first match with remarkable efficiency. The scoreboard showed an astonishing 13-0 victory. Tara's precise utility placements and sharp aim earned her the title of Match MVP, as she secured crucial picks and assisted in every round without losing a single player on her side. The second match got underway, and the opposing team made adjustments, determined to turn the tide. However, they quickly learned that Team Xternal was operating at a different level. Tara continued to shine, reading their tactics and adapting seamlessly. Despite the enemy's initial attempts to rally, Xternal maintained control. The opposing team managed to score a few points, but Tara's strategic play kept them on their toes. Utilizing her abilities at the right moments—smokes to obscure sight lines, flashes to initiate fights—she guided her team to another clear victory.
The second match ended with a convincing 13-3 score. As the final kill flared on the screen, the crowd exploded in cheers, celebrating Team Xternal's 2-0 dominance in the round.
Tara was named Match MVP once again, securing her status as the key player of the day. As her teammates lifted her onto their shoulders in a triumphant display, she felt a rush of pride. They had not only won but had done so in spectacular fashion, solidifying their place in the finals and setting the stage for an unforgettable journey ahead. As the semi-finals are coming up, Tara is getting tense as the semis won't be that easy, and they are going against defending champions CARNAGE, who were excellent last year, but now they are going to face the most dominant side of Valorant Ascension 2025 Team Xternal. With semi-finals coming, Tara is getting more excited because if they win, the Ascension team Xternal will be promoted to VCT Americas.
Now it's time for semi-finals and Team Xternal are up against Carnage, the defending champions a 3-match series, and the first to win 2 wins the match, and the map picks are Lotus, Sunset, and Pearl. Team Xternal faced off against the powerful Carnage on the intricate map, Lotus. Eager to prove themselves, Xternal struggled as Carnage executed a coordinated assault, winning the first round 13-1.
Determined to turn the tide, Xternal adjusted their strategy, but Carnage capitalized on every mistake, rapidly extending their lead to 10-0. Despite their efforts to rally, Xternal was overwhelmed by Carnage's relentless pressure, suffering a 13-0 defeat in the next round.
In a final push to salvage their pride, Xternal regrouped defensively, but Carnage countered with precision, sealing the match at 13-2.
Afterward, Tara gathered her team, acknowledging Carnage's skill. "We'll learn from this and come back stronger." Despite the loss, Xternal was left motivated to train harder for future battles. After such a terrifying defeat, Team Xternal's hope of winning this match is low now, but not broken completely, so with that, they went forward for Map 2 Sunset. Team Xternal comprised Breach, Raze, Tejo, Astra, and Vyse, while Carnage featured Raze, Omen, Viper, Tejo, and Vyse. Team Xternal dominated Round 1, but Carnage led the first half 7-5, and many assumed they would easily secure a spot in the finals. However, Team Xternal had other plans and quickly mounted a fierce comeback, leveling the score at 12-12 and forcing overtime.
In the first round of overtime, Carnage attacked first and gained the upper hand, putting immense pressure on Team Xternal. A loss in this round would mean elimination. Team Xternal responded swiftly, with Tara striking first by taking out Raze. They planted the spike and set up a solid 5v4 post-plant position. But when Viper swiftly eliminated one of their members, it became a daunting 1v4.
Yet, Tara executed the incredible. She eliminated Tejo with a precise one-tap, cutting it to 1v3. She then took down both Viper and Omen, creating a crucial 1v1. With pinpoint accuracy, Tara eliminated Vyse, achieving an ace and keeping Team Xternal firmly in the fight.
In the next overtime round, Team Xternal seized victory, leveling the match at 1-1 after two maps. Now, they are poised for the decisive confrontation on Map 3: Pearl. In an unforgettable display on Pearl, Team Xternal faced off against Carnage in one of the most thrilling matches in Valorant history. Team Xternal fielded Yoru, Fade, Vyse, Astra, and Breach, while Carnage composed their team of Tejo, Yoru, Breach, Vyse, and Astra.
From the outset, Team Xternal established complete dominance. Their coordination was unmatched—Astra's smokes sealed sightlines, and Fade's abilities provided crucial intel. In Round 1, they executed a flawless strategy, overwhelming Carnage and winning without losing a single player.
As the match progressed, Team Xternal wiped out Carnage effortlessly, racking up an impressive lead of 12-0 by halftime. Despite Carnage's desperate attempts to adapt, they struggled to find openings, and Team Xternal's synergy kept the pressure on.
In the second half, Carnage managed to secure a round, but it was too late. Team Xternal responded fiercely, culminating in a perfect team wipe in Round 11. They sealed the match with a staggering final score of 13-1, showcasing their dominance and leaving an indelible mark on Valorant history. And with that, now Team Xternal is in the finals of Ascension, where they will be facing Team Immortal. All the matches for today are finished, and the final is tomorrow. Tara packed her things and went home. As soon as she reached home, she jumped on her bed and went straight to sleep, as her body was completely drained after hours of non-stop gaming, with only a few minutes of breaks. It isn't easy at all. The next day, the big thing is here: Team Xternal V/S Team Immortal. The highly anticipated matchup between Team Xternal and Team Immortal kicked off with a best-of-three series that had the crowd buzzing with excitement.
In the first match on Haven, Team Xternal, led by Tara, came out firing. They executed a flawless strategy, utilizing Astra's smokes to disrupt Immortal's defenses. After racing to an early lead, Xternal maintained their dominance and claimed the match with a decisive 13-9 victory.
Moving on to the second match on Fracture, Immortal attacked first, quickly gaining an advantage. However, Xternal rallied back, demonstrating resilience as they equalized at 7-7 mid-match. With precise shots and excellent teamwork, Xternal pulled away in the final rounds, sealing the match at 13-10 and taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.
The final match unfolded on Breeze, where Immortal found themselves facing elimination. They started strong, taking an explosive 9-3 lead by halftime while Xternal struggled to find their footing. Yet, undeterred, Team Xternal rallied with a renewed focus after the break. Tara led the charge, expertly using Astra's abilities to regain control of critical areas on the map.
As the second half progressed, Xternal's strategy began to shine. They approached engagements with calculated precision, and Tara showcased her sharp aim, picking off key Immortal players and disrupting their rhythm. With each round, they chipped away at Immortal's lead, leveraging smart utility placements that created opportunities for aggressive pushes.
Reaching an 11-9 score in favor of Immortal, the tension was palpable. Knowing elimination was imminent, Tara inspired her team with a bold call for a full-force assault. In a gripping final round, Xternal executed their plan to perfection, taking down Immortal's defenders one by one. Tara secured the final kill, flipping the match and clinching a stunning comeback victory at 13-11.
With this hard-fought win, Team Xternal not only triumphed in the series but also solidified their position as a formidable force in the league, setting the stage for even greater challenges ahead. With their victory in ascension, Team Xternal has officially qualified for the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) in the NA Region. As the IGL, Tara took the trophy home. On her way, Max spotted her and congratulated her before taking her out to celebrate her victory.