#Chance To Win A Command Gaming Center

[aventurineswife]

HIII! I would like to request an Aven x reader, the reader is based on Furina of genshin. As for the scenario, you can choose what you feel like writing!

-🎶

Mask of the Showman

Summary: In the heart of a bustling casino, you—an extravagant and dramatic performer—cross paths with Aventurine with a penchant for games of chance. When a heated accusation at the roulette table spirals into an unexpected wager, you find yourself locked in a battle of wit and will. Beneath the bravado and theatrics, both of you harbor vulnerabilities that threaten to break through. What begins as a game of cards becomes a deeper exploration of masks, trust, and the gamble of opening up.

Tags: Aventurine x Reader, Furina based Reader, Fluff and Angst, Gambling Motif, Emotional Vulnerability, Banter and Wit, Subtle Romantic Undertones.

Warnings: Mentions of trauma and insecurities, Themes of manipulation and trust issues, Brief moments of vulnerability and emotional tension.

The bustling casino hall was alive with laughter, the clatter of dice, and the spinning of roulette wheels, but Aventurine's focus was elsewhere. From his vantage point on the second-floor balcony, his eyes scanned the crowd below, searching for a spark of intrigue amid the monotony of desperate gamblers.

Then he saw you.

You stood at the center of a heated debate near the roulette table, your gestures theatrical and your voice cutting through the din like a blade. Dressed elegantly, your attire shimmered as if kissed by moonlight, commanding attention effortlessly. The crowd encircled you, captivated by your dramatic flair as you accused a dealer of cheating.

“This? This is injustice!” you declared, pointing an accusatory finger at the hapless dealer. “A conspiracy against my unparalleled luck! How dare you try to undermine my brilliance?”

Aventurine chuckled to himself, leaning against the railing. You were a storm of flamboyance, each word and movement a performance. Yet, behind the spectacle, he noticed the subtle tremor in your hand as you clutched the table’s edge. A performer through and through, but even the best masks had cracks.

With a sly grin, he descended the staircase and made his way toward the commotion, cutting through the crowd with ease.

“Now, now,” Aventurine drawled, his voice smooth as silk. “Surely we don’t need to turn this establishment into a courtroom drama. Although I must admit,” he added, tipping his hat, “you do play the part beautifully.”

Your eyes snapped to him, narrowing slightly as you assessed the interloper. “And who are you to interrupt my trial?”

He placed a hand over his heart, feigning offense. “A mere enthusiast of theatrics, here to offer my services. Aventurine, at your humble service.”

The crowd murmured, recognizing the name of the infamous IPC executive. You raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed, but your curiosity was piqued.

“Very well, Aventurine,” you said, drawing out his name. “What do you propose?”

The two of you found yourselves seated at a private table, the dealer replaced under Aventurine’s orders. He shuffled a deck of cards with practiced ease, the light catching on the gold rings that adorned his fingers.

“Let’s settle this with a game,” he suggested, his voice a low purr. “If you win, I’ll ensure you get justice. If I win…” He paused, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in his eye. “You owe me a favor.”

You hesitated, your confidence faltering for a split second before your theatrical mask slid back into place. “Deal.” you said, extending a hand.

The game was tense, the stakes high—not because of the chips on the table, but because of the unspoken battle of wills between you and Aventurine. He played with a relaxed elegance, his smile never wavering, while you alternated between bursts of bravado and quiet moments of intense focus.

When the final card was dealt, Aventurine leaned back, his grin widening. “It seems luck favors me tonight.”

You stared at the cards, your facade cracking. “I… lost?”

He noticed the way your hands trembled, the way your shoulders slumped ever so slightly. For a moment, you looked utterly lost, and it tugged at something deep within him.

“Don’t look so defeated,” Aventurine said gently, his tone softer than before. “A loss is just another step in the game. And besides…” He reached out, tilting your chin up to meet his gaze. “You’re far too brilliant to let one setback dim your light.”

You blinked, startled by his sudden sincerity. “What… what do you want from me?”

He chuckled, releasing you. “Oh, nothing nefarious, I assure you. I merely wanted your attention—and perhaps a chance to see the real person behind all the theatrics.”

You frowned, your defenses rising again. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Aventurine stood, offering you a hand. “Then consider this an invitation. Join me for a drink, and we can talk about masks, gambles, and the thrill of the unknown. No strings attached—this time.”

After a moment’s hesitation, you took his hand. “Fine. But don’t think for a second that I’ll lose again.”

He laughed, guiding you toward the bar. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it. After all, the best games are the ones where the stakes keep rising.”

As the night unfolded, you found yourself drawn to Aventurine’s charm and his ability to see through your carefully constructed facade. And perhaps, just perhaps, you began to see the cracks in his as well.

[thoughtsbysofi]

The Truth About Power and the Maneater Myth

When the maneater gets eaten by men

I think we’ve all fantasized about her at some point. The maneater: wild, confident, unapologetic. She’s the woman who seems untouchable, the one with beauty so sharp it’s almost dangerous. She moves through life effortlessly, holding men—and the world—in the palm of her hand.

She’s been immortalized in songs, from Daryl Hall and John Oates’ iconic anthem to Nelly Furtado’s unforgettable beat. (Only God knows how many times I’ve danced to that one in front of the mirror, lip-syncing like I had the world at my feet too.) She represents something intoxicating: power, allure, freedom. Or so we’re told.

Over time, I’ve come to see cracks in the image we’ve painted of her, and they’re hard to look away from.

Her shine, that magnetic confidence, feels... muted. Almost as if the very force that made her so untouchable has been swallowed whole by the same system she’s supposed to rise above.

Here’s the thing about the maneater: her power has always been a performance. What we believed was control was always a false sense of empowerment—a game that looked like it was hers but was actually rigged from the start.

Think about her name. "Maneater." She’s defined by men before she’s even had a chance to define herself. Her power—her entire identity—is grounded in the very gaze she thought she had mastered. How far can she really distance herself from the male gaze when her existence revolves around it?

This was easier to ignore in the past, back when the maneater existed in songs, movies, or whispered stories. But now, in the age of social media, her shadow looms larger than ever. Platforms like TikTok are littered with guides on how to “become a maneater.” Entire accounts are dedicated to teaching women how to embody the aesthetic—what to wear, how to act, what to believe. There are even courses for sale promising to turn you into a siren-like figure who commands attention and leaves men in pieces.

But let’s be honest with ourselves. What’s behind all these trends? What’s at the heart of this obsession with being a maneater?

Fear.

Fear of being overlooked. Fear of not being enough. Fear of being powerless in a world that demands we center men in every aspect of our lives. And so, we create a persona—a character to play—because if we’re going to be consumed by this system, we might as well act like it’s on our terms.

Except it never is.

And here’s the truth: the maneater doesn’t exist. She never has.

The real woman behind the fantasy doesn’t care about men, let alone eating them alive. She’s not plotting or strategizing, and she definitely isn’t wasting her energy learning how to manipulate others for validation. In fact, the maneater isn’t devouring men—she’s too busy living her life, building something real, something meaningful, for herself.

So where did this idea even come from? Why are we still clinging to it?

Because it’s convenient. The idea of the maneater allows men to dismiss women they can’t control. “Oh, she’s just like that with everyone,” they say, as if their failure to win her affection isn’t personal. And for women, the maneater becomes a shield—something to hide behind when the vulnerability of simply being feels too much to bear.

But what would happen if we let go of the need to perform and focused on ourselves instead?

The women who are truly powerful aren’t trying to fit into a mold. They don’t need labels like “maneater” to justify their independence, their choices, their lives. They’re not chasing some aesthetic or performing for the male gaze. They’re simply existing—fully, authentically, and without apology.

Real power isn’t found in manipulation, control, or detachment. It’s not about who you can conquer or how many people fall at your feet. It’s about connection. It’s about seeing others—not as pawns or opponents, but as equals.

The true maneater isn’t eating anyone. She’s not interested in games, roles, or power plays. She knows who she is, and that’s enough.

Real strength, real wildness, isn’t about becoming her, someone for someone else—it’s about stepping away from the illusion, leaving the fantasy behind, and finding power in being unapologetically yourself.

Because the real power we’re looking for has nothing to do with men. It’s been in us all along.

-xoxo

[self-loving-vampire]

Outcome of the Duel: Operation Cock Shock

The duel in which my sisters @thirteen-jades and @princelapine fought me happened last night, with the stakes that the winner puts a womb tattoo with fertility-boosting and mind-controlling on the loser.

The battle was fought in the black forest, two against one.

As mentioned previously, princess Jade is an incredible genius who even surpasses me intellectually just on her own, and with the addition of her loyal prince the situation was even more dire.

I know from previous battles with her that she is an excellent administrator and strategist. If the war lasted too long and they both unlocked their full power by expanding their economy and out-producing me I would have little chance of winning a 1v2 even with 30% more resources.

However, I have two abilities that unite to go beyond mere intelligence.

First, I have my Eye of the Vampire Lord. This magical eye grants me the ability to simulate all of the most "fated" paths reality could follow, which then lets me choose the correct one to reach any outcome I desire. It is a form of focused precognition that can be used to control destiny itself.

Second, I have the Will of the Immortal. When activated, this ability enables complete devotion and unity of purpose towards a singular task, modifying the self to make its success practically inevitable. I used this ability to protect my pride as an older sister.

Using these abilities, I concluded: If the war progresses to its later stages my probability of winning decreases dramatically. The one path forward is to close the game immediately with a singular killing blow.

This is not an easy thing to do in a two-on-one battle. In order to succeed I would need to defeat the two of them practically at once, or else one of them could adapt to counter me while the other recovers and supports.

To win, I would need to completely conceal my intentions. The battle to accomplish this began long before the armies met, and 90% of my victory relied on this.

Not easy to do when facing someone as intelligent and discerning as Jade, whose abilities of deduction routinely impress me.

It was clear that she suspected I would rush her down somehow. Once the battle began, she walled off the road to her base such that I could not breach it without alerting her and give her time to adapt. At the same time she instructed her prince to wall off the path to her own base as well, locking me in.

However, this much was still in accordance to my plans. In fact, I selected this specific battlefield in hopes of giving them a false sense of security in those early palisade walls. I hoped that they'd think "this is an easily-defended land so I can afford to develop my forces behind basic defenses and win in an extended battle."

What I knew that they did not is that battle elephants tear down palisade walls and even town centers in seconds.

So, making defensive walls of my own to slow down any possible aggression on their part, I hid my own Malay soldiers and equipped them with battle elephants, taking advantage of the fact that the Malay civilization has discounted elephants and significantly faster technological advancements. In truth, I had planned to command this force from the very beginning, but concealed this plan as well by making it appear as if I would call on any of my other subjects for aid.

This was Operation Cock Shock: When the prince saw my mass of 20 elephants coming in before she even had much of an army of her own the sight of it completely stunned her and her panicked efforts to raise spearmen to protect herself were in vain. By the time she saw it coming it was already too late.

With the prince's town in ruins, the elephants quickly switched targets to rush the princess, who had begun to adapt as well and had more of an army, but still not enough to counter the surprise attack. Especially not with my base still producing elephants to send for a pincer attack.

Just as planned, the operation broke the will of the sisters and caused their hearts to surrender to me.

I may not be the strongest, the smartest, or the most charismatic out of my siblings, but I consider myself the sneakiest one and the one with the strongest will.

[four-loose-screws]

FE6 Novelization Translation - Chapter 18 Section 4

If you would like to start from the beginning, read a missed part, etc., click here!

FE Game Script Translations - FE Novel Translations - Original FE Support Conversations

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Chapter 18: The Binding Blade (Section 4)

*Note: The 1st 13 chapters are FE7's novelization.

Three days had passed since the Bern Northern Army disappeared entirely from Ilia.

After all of the soldiers got a decent amount of rest, the Etrurian Army left Edessa and started marching towards the Shrine of Seals in Bern, with Guinivere showing them the way.

The shrine was said to have been built during the Scouring to house the sword used to defeat the Demon Dragon, so their goal was to retrieve it.

As they traveled, the Edessa Mercenary Knights returned from their search having successfully found Maltet, bolstering the entire army’s morale even further.

Meanwhile, there was a lot of activity occurring on Bern’s side as well. Brunnya, the general stationed in Sacae, was ordered to return home with her unit. According to the detailed intel the Etrurian spies gathered, Bern was regrouping all of their troops stationed around Elibe to launch an all-out attack on the Etrurian Army when they arrived in Bern territory.

The report also included information about the state of Sacae after Bern withdrew.

Sue’s grandfather Dayan had survived and was unharmed. He was currently uniting the many tribes Bern tore apart, and was starting preparations to form a brand new tribe. Her mother Lyn suffered a serious injury and was no longer in any condition to fight, but her life was not in any danger, and so she was helping Dayan in every way she could as she healed. The moment they learned that, Sue and Sin’s faces finally broke from their usual stoicism, and sparkled with joy.

The Etrurian Army arrived at their destination the next day, and spread out their troops on a grassy plain northwest of the Shrine of Seals.

According to the reconnaissance team, Bern had deployed their main army to defend the shrine, which centered around Bern’s wyvern unit and was known in both Bern and all across Elibe as the strongest army in all the land. Their commander was none other than General Murdock, leader of Bern’s Three Wyvern Generals.

The Etrurian Army had not expected this to be such a fierce battle. Anxiety soon set in within their ranks.

‘We will win! I must fulfill my promise to Princess Guinivere…’ With this new resolve beating in Roy’s heart, an unexpected visitor appeared before him.

“Hello, General Roy! So we finally meet again!”

It was none other than Bishop Yoder of the St. Elimine Church.

He must have traveled at top speed to get here, as his robes were covered in dirt and grime.

“Well, if it isn’t Bishop Yoder! What’s brought you to the battlefield all the way from Etruria…?” Roy asked the elderly bishop.

Yoder’s expression hardened with worry as he answered, “I researched further into the information you wrote about in your letter, and I believe that something very bad is happening! There is a very high chance that Bern has already resurrected the Demon Dragon!”

“Is that true?! ….But the Hero Hartmut was supposed to have defeated the Demon Dragon long ago. How could Bern have possibly…”

“It seems that Hartmut did not actually end the Demon Dragon’s life.”

“What?!”

“Instead of defeating it, he sealed it away deep within Bern territory. And the sword he used to do so with was the legendary…”

“...Sword of Seals?” Roy guessed what Yoder was going to say before the words came out of his mouth.

“Oh my, you already know about it?”

“Yes, I do a little…” Roy knew as much as he did because Guinivere told him about it, but he probably didn’t need to share that out loud, so he cut what he was about to say short and listened to what Yoder would have to say next.

“Even Bern has resurrected the Demon Dragon, if we can just obtain the Sword of Seals, then we may be able to seal it away as soon as it is defeated once more. That is what the church has concluded. I came to ask you that favor.”

“Do you know where the Demon Dragon is?” Elffin, who was standing next to Roy, asked.

The church could request Roy to defeat it, but unless they knew exactly where it was, there was nothing he could do.

“Now this is just a guess, but,” Yoder warned before giving his answer, “in regards to that, we believe the Demon Dragon is usually in human form, just as the fire-breathing dragons are. The woman always by the King of Bern’s side, known as the Dark Priestess, is our most likely suspect.”

“The Dark Priestess…” Elffin thought deeply about Yoder’s words.

“We have no solid proof of this claim, however… She first appeared by the king’s side around the same time that the dragons returned.” 

Then, Yoder changed the subject and shared the information he unearthed about the dragons. Though he did not know why, this world had become difficult for dragons to live in, so they found a way to adapt - the dragonstones they sealed their power into, and used to take human form.

“If this is indeed the case, then it would not be strange for the Demon Dragon to appear as a human woman.”

Roy listened to Yoder’s entire explanation, then shared his own thoughts. “Regardless, we won’t be able to confirm the truth unless we go to see her.”

“Correct. And I will help you do so.”

“You will? I’d really appreciate it!”

“Oh, and please take this. It is the Legendary Weapon we were able to obtain. I was told to give it to you on behalf of the church.” Yoder said as he offered Roy a bow that, upon first glance, looked no different from any other bow. 

But Yoder described it as a Legendary Weapon, so it could be none other than Mulagir, the Bow of Swift Wind, once wielded by Horseman Saint Hanon herself.

Hanon was a nomad of Sacae, and the only other woman among the Eight Legends aside from St. Elimine.

Yoder worked together with other members of the St. Elimine Church, Dayan, Lyn, and the rest of the Kutolah Tribe’s survivors to find Mulagir, which was sleeping deep within the Sacae plains.

Roy accepted it with his utmost gratitude.

“General Roy, if Bern really has resurrected the Demon Dragon, then this is the greatest threat to humanity since the Scouring!”

“You’re right. We will face it with all of our strength!!”

☆ 

The battle began at high noon.

General Murdock and the Bern Army were surrounding the shrine. They were a near equal match for the Etrurian Army. It would all come down to how well their commanding general selected their orders.

“The Knights of Pherae, the Knights of Ostia, and the Etrurian Mage Army will deploy to the east! The Edessa Mercenary Knights, the Etrurian Cavalry Army, and the Etrurian Imperial Army will deploy to the west!”

Roy split his troops into two groups, and began to march around the mountain range blocking their path to the shrine.

While it would seem that splitting up his army was the same as sending his soldiers directly to their deaths, Roy had a plan he’d devised with Elffin.

Bern’s main force was their wyvern knights, who ruled the skies with their superior mobility. If the Etrurian Army was able to do something about the wyvern knights, then the odds would tilt in their favor. That was their main concern as they chose how to play the battle out.

Meanwhile, when Murdock heard exactly what they were doing from his spies, he furrowed his brows. “They’ve split their army into two, and their main unit is staying behind on the northwestern plains? …What are they planning? They must be targeting something, but what…?”

As anyone would expect from such an experienced general, Murdock immediately sensed that Roy was planning something, but he couldn’t figure out exactly what.

Just then, Galle, who he’d entrusted to lead the wyvern knights, approached him. “If the enemy is preparing a trap, then our only option is to nip it in the bud. General, please give us the order to deploy!”

Murdock glanced over at his right-hand man and nodded, trusting that he was the person for the job.

Though Galle was not from Bern, he was a better man than Narcian was, both as a knight and a human being. Murdock knew without a shadow of a doubt that he should have been selected as the third Wyvern General of Bern. 

But Narcian was able to take advantage of his status as a member of Bern’s nobility, and convinced the vassals of the royal court to choose him, sniping the promotion out from under Galle’s feet.

If it was not Narcian selected, but Galle, Murdock was certain that a young general like Roy would not have survived to make it this far.

“Very well, you have my permission. Destroy our enemy’s main unit!”

“Yes, Sir!” With a mighty war cry, Galle ran out of the shrine and swiftly jumped atop his wyvern.

“Move out! Crush every last one of them! Make them learn the hard way the might of Bern’s wyvern knights!!”

The rulers of the skies all flew up into the deep blue expanse of their domain together.

Their target was the Etrurian Army’s main unit in the northwest. Their goal was simply to take General Roy’s head.

With Galle leading them, they did not even once take their eyes off their target. Their wyvern’s wings carried them straight towards Etruria’s main unit.

When they were just in front of their target, arrows rained down on them from atop a rocky mountain towering above.

“We’ve got the enemy right in our trap! Fire!” Klein shouted as he shot his nocked arrow.

This was the Etrurian Army’s plan. They put the main unit in a vulnerable position on purpose, inviting the wyvern knights to take full advantage of their mobility and rush straight towards them, only for a hidden ambush squad to intercept them mid-flight. It was a simple strategy, but if it worked, the payoff would be huge. And everything went exactly according to plan. Bern’s wyvern knights were all being shot down, one-by-one.

The members of the ambush squad were none other than Klein, Wolt, and the other members of the archer unit; alongside Lugh, Raigh, Niime, and the rest of the mage unit.

“Gah! So this was a trap! But we will not simply accept our deaths! All units, ignore the ambush squad and aim straight for the main enemy unit!” First Galle, then the rest of the wyvern knights increased the speed of their charge.

They did not even turn to look at their allies plummeting to the ground below, keeping their eyes on their target.

“It’s no use! We can’t get them all!!” Wolt’s voice was nearly a shriek as another of his arrows shot a wyvern knight out of the sky.

Though the wyvern knights had lost more than half their numbers, their remaining members made it past the ambush squad’s firing range, and were nearing the main unit.

Their troops consisted only of Roy’s infantry unit, Dieck’s mercenaries, and Saul’s healer unit. In terms of firepower, they were really the secondary unit.

The Etrurian Army’s infantry and mercenaries were forced into an impossible matchup against the wyvern knights, dive bombing them from the skies above.

Their formation crumbled in an instant, and the battle became a free-for-all.

But a certain wyvern knight broke away from their ranks to search for the enemy leader, and was now blocking Galle’s path forward.

“Galle…” That wyvern knight was Melady, commander of Guinivere’s personal guard. She looked at her beloved with eyes that communicated just how much pain she was in.

“Is that you, Melady?”

“Galle, I…” Melady started to speak, but Galle raised a hand to stop her.

“Don’t say another word. You and I are knights of Bern. We both fight for the lord we swore our loyalty to. That is all. This is probably the last time we will see each other, so this is all I have left to say. Melady, I’m happy I met you. We trained together as wyvern knights, and fought alongside each other on the battlefield. The days I spent with you were the happiest of my life.”

“I… I…”

‘...feel the same way.’ She tried to say, but the emotions welling up alongside her tears would not allow her to get the words out.

“Goodbye, Melady. I wish that we’d met in a more peaceful time.” Those were his final words before he turned his back to her.

“Galle… Wait, Galle! Don’t go!” Melady called out to her beloved over and over again as he gradually became smaller and smaller.

But he did not once glance back at her.

If she just continued to watch him fly away like this, then the Etrurian Army would soon shoot him down.

He and his wyvern would be pelted by countless arrows, injuring him even more seriously than he’d ever been in the battles he’d fought leading up to this one.

Her beloved would be killed by her own current allies.

‘I won’t hand him over to you. He’s mine. I’m the only person who can kill him. He’s my target.’

With her mind made up, she wiped away her tears and shouted as loudly as she could “You! Stop right there, wyvern knight!!”

Her voice was so great that though he still did not look back, Galle pulled his wyvern’s reins and stopped moving.

“I am Melady, knight of Princess Guinivere! I will take your life here and now!!”

She started at Galle with burning eyes conveying just how strong her resolve was to kill him.

He finally turned to look at her. With a thin smile on his face, he shouted, “Very well. Come at me, traitor!”

Sparks flew high in the sky between the two wyvern knights.

ー

[mjonthetrack]

vice queen II

Chapter 48

Zilla was still toweling off the saltwater from his post-dinner beach rinse when he heard Courtney’s soft footsteps padding down the hallway. He’d assumed she was just putting Maya to sleep — maybe tucking her in with one of those silly bedtime stories she made up on the spot. He didn’t expect anything different than the usual, especially not when she’d been in such a playful mood earlier.

He was standing near the dresser, bottle of water halfway tipped to his lips, muscles relaxed for the first time in days, when the bedroom door opened.

He turned—and damn near choked.

Courtney stepped in like she owned the whole estate. No hesitation. No bashfulness. No damn clothes.

Not a single thread.

His eyes immediately trailed down the smooth lines of her bare skin, and his throat stopped functioning entirely. The water slipped down the wrong pipe, and he sputtered, coughing, wiping at his mouth with the back of his hand, looking like he’d just seen a damn ghost—or a goddess, in this case.

She was glowing. Soft curves framed in the dim light. Her hair wild from the ocean breeze earlier. Her face calm but amused, that usual fire in her eyes and something else—determination.

She folded her arms casually across her chest, standing right in the center of his room like she’d lived there her whole life. “I don’t know what you’re spluttering about, Fatu,” she said coolly, one brow lifting. “I came to get rearranged. Expeditiously.”

She didn’t blink. Didn’t smirk. Just stood there like this was a normal Tuesday request.

Zilla gawked. “Courtney…”

“What?” she snapped back, crossing one leg over the other like she was ready to pose. “You been acting like you don’t want me all this time. But you think I ain’t clocked every glare, every flex, every grunt when I get too close? And now you got me in your house, in your damn clothes, braiding your daughter’s hair and making her giggle. You mean to tell me now you’re acting all shy?”

He stared, chest rising, and falling like he’d been running sprints. She was right. And she was dangerous. That woman could’ve asked him for blood and he would’ve handed her a vein.

Still breathless, still fighting the urge to drop everything and lift her straight into the mattress, he croaked, “You’re gonna be the death of me.”

“I better be,” Courtney shot back, stepping closer now, her arms finally falling away from her chest. She moved with the slow, hungry grace of someone who knew her power — hips rolling slightly with each step. “Now come on. I’m not gonna ask again.”

Zilla was already moving before she finished the sentence.

He dropped the water bottle, hands already reaching for her hips as she grabbed his jaw, pulled his mouth down to hers with no ceremony, no build-up. It was messy. It was hot. It was months of tension crashing into this moment — all the missed chances, all the teasing, all the bratty grins and cold stares thrown out like a game of chicken neither of them wanted to win.

Zilla growled into her mouth, lifting her off the floor like she weighed nothing, hands firm beneath her thighs, walking her toward the bed. Courtney grinned against his lips, biting his bottom lip lightly as she whispered, “That’s more like it.”

And Zilla Fatu, for all his cold, kingpin energy and calculated silence, laid her out like she was treasure and revenge wrapped into one. Like this wasn’t the beginning of the end but the start of something way more dangerous than war.

Because loving a woman like Courtney? That was the real battlefield. And he'd just willingly stepped on the front lines.

Chapter 49

Zilla had just finished setting her down on the bed when her palm braced against his chest—firm, commanding, her brows arched with that same mischievous fire she always carried when she was about to get in trouble on purpose.

Her legs still wrapped around his waist, her voice dropped, husky and impatient. “Now don’t give me none of that slow shit,” she said, her eyes dragging up his body like she was sizing him up for the destruction she was asking for. “I want that fuck you energy. But like—tug my hair… maybe touch my throat. I like my shit rough.”

Zilla blinked once.

Then again.

And then something in him snapped.

He gritted his teeth, jaw ticking like a bomb going off under the surface of his skin. “You just—” he growled, tightening his grip on her hips like his hands had a mind of their own, “—you just keep playin’ with fire, don’t you, sweetheart?”

Courtney smirked, eyes practically daring him to lose control. “Baby, I am the fire.”

That was it. That was the last thing she was gonna get out before he slammed her back into the pillows, hands sliding up her bare thighs, pinning her hips down like he was marking his territory. His fingers curled in the mess of her hair, giving it a firm tug that made her gasp, eyes fluttering just the way he knew they would.

“You sure about this?” he asked low in her ear, voice like gravel dragging through sin. “’Cause once I start, I’m not stopping till you can’t talk your crazy shit anymore.”

Her laugh was breathless. “Try me, Fatu.”

He didn’t try. He demolished.

Every moan she let loose was caught in his palm when it wasn’t wrapped around her throat with the perfect amount of pressure—enough to make her eyes glaze and her lips part just to breathe him in. He wasn’t gentle. Not even close. This was months of pent-up tension and lust and resentment and deep, growing affection that neither of them could say out loud—so they were saying it in bruises and gasps and grip marks that’d last days.

She called him “Isayah ” again, right when his pace shifted and he’d wrapped her legs higher around his waist—like his name in her mouth unlocked something feral in him. He cursed, dragging his teeth down her shoulder as his hand fisted in her curls again, yanking her head back just enough to meet her eyes.

“Say it again,” he grunted, voice raw.

She giggled, fucking giggled, breath shaky but full of adrenaline and sass. “Isayah Fatu,” she whispered, all honey and venom, “this what you call taking care of your girl?”

His hand slid around her throat, thumb brushing her pulse, not enough to hurt, just enough to remind her that he could. “You’re not my girl.”

“You’re right,” she purred, lips brushing his. “I’m your problem now.”

And he couldn’t even argue. Because he loved it. He loved her.

And she was about to feel exactly what that meant.

Chapter 50

Courtney laid back against the sea of pillows on Zilla’s massive bed, sheets tangled around her thighs like an afterthought, skin flushed from the heated chaos they’d just caused together. But her fire? Still burnin’. Her mouth? Still reckless.

She looked up at him—chin tilted, lips swollen, eyes full of that playful defiance that made his blood boil in the worst and best way. She gave a little shrug like she wasn’t already wrecked beneath him, like she wasn’t begging for more with every breath. And then?

She said it.

“I mean—of course—if you don’t wanna stroke it…” Her voice was syrupy, sweet like poison. “That’s fine. I can just go hit up an old link and find someone who will—”

Zilla blinked. Once. Twice.

Then his whole damn body shifted like a storm rolling over the beach.

“You tryna get your jaw tapped, huh?” His voice was low, dangerous, that edge of rage curling under every syllable. “You wanna get me locked the fuck up tonight, huh? 'Cause you talkin' real reckless.”

Courtney smirked like she hadn’t just set off a bomb in her bedroom. “I’m just saying, you acting real hesitant and I got options. Ain’t like I been locked up waiting on you, Kingpin.”

That was exactly the wrong thing to say—and she knew it.

Zilla’s mouth pulled into a slow, feral grin as he grabbed her ankles, yanking her back down the bed so fast she yelped, laughing breathlessly. He hovered over her now, his massive frame casting a shadow over her smaller one, his eyes locked on her like he was choosing violence—and pleasure—all in the same second.

“Oh, you got jokes now? You think you funny?” he growled, pinning her wrists above her head with one hand like it was nothing. “I dare you to go try that shit. I dare you to hit up some old link and tell him you need anything I ain’t already givin’ you.”

“Damn,” she said, breath catching, smirking through it. “Struck a nerve, huh?”

His grip on her thighs tightened. “You are the nerve.”

She laughed, high and delighted, loving every second of this game she played with him—one where they both kept daring each other to fall deeper and harder and faster.

He leaned in, voice just above a whisper now. “You ever mention another man again, I’m fucking you so good you forget your own name, let alone anybody else’s.”

Courtney licked her lips, biting back a shiver. “Promises, promises…”

Zilla didn’t waste another breath.

He delivered.

Chapter 51

The room was dim—moonlight filtering in through gauzy curtains that swayed in the coastal breeze, casting silver streaks across the bed, the floor, the outline of Courtney’s bare figure on her hands and knees.

She was wrecked in the most divine way—skin flushed, breath ragged, her back arched like she was made to be touched, ruined, worshipped. And still—still—that mouth of hers was reckless, bold, so damn intoxicating it could make a monk backslide.

Zilla was behind her, the air between them thick with heat, sweat, and want. His chest heaved as he watched her look over her shoulder, her curls spilling wild down her back, lips tugged into that wicked grin that only meant trouble.

Her eyes were glazed with lust, but there was that familiar gleam of chaos—like she knew exactly what she was about to start.

"You said not to say another name, right?" she purred, breathless but still smug. "Like... Devontae Woods?"

Zilla blinked.

She tapped her chin with mock innocence, arching her back deeper like the devil herself. "He used to do this thing with cuffs—back on Fifth and Main—"

She didn’t even get to finish.

He snatched her up so fast the room spun.

"Say his name one more time," Zilla growled, voice so low it felt like thunder rolling across her skin. His grip on her waist was steel, his fingers digging in as he slammed her back against his chest, her feet barely touching the floor.

Courtney giggled like a girl who loved playing with fire.

“I’m just sayin’,” she cooed, panting slightly, “you look real tense, baby. You okay? Need a juice box or something?”

“You think this shit a game?”

He was pissed. His jaw locked so tight she could see the muscle twitch, his eyes lit with that wild storm she had seen only a few times before—once when a man tried to follow her home, and once when Maya cried in her sleep.

This? Was that same energy.

“I should take your ass outside and fuck you right on that damn balcony,” he growled. “Let the whole island know who you belong to.”

Courtney bit her lip, visibly shivering at the raw possessiveness in his tone. “Then do it.”

“You don’t get to play me, Court. Don’t ever fix your mouth to say another man’s name while I’m inside you.”

Her voice was softer now, breath catching as she stared up at him. “You jealous, Z?”

“I’m claimin’ what’s mine,” he snapped. “That’s all this is.”

“You sure?” she whispered, but her grin was starting to crack at the edges, her breath becoming unsteady. “Because Devontae—”

That was it.

Zilla flipped her back down to the mattress, didn’t say a word. Didn’t need to. The air was all tension and the heat of punishment coming, and Courtney giggled through it like the beautiful chaos demon she was.

“Say his name one more time,” he growled, dragging his palm up the back of her thigh.

“I was gonna say Devontae had bad technique,” she gasped with a grin, “but you cut me off—”

“Oh, don’t worry, baby,” he muttered low and dark, leaning in close to her ear, “you’ll be speechless soon enough.”

And the way he followed through?

Devontae Woods, wherever he was, probably felt his own soul evaporate that night.

Chapter 52

Courtney was dying laughing.

Or trying to, between the ragged moans and the absolute chaos of what Zilla was doing to her body.

Her face was buried in the mattress, hair wild and stuck to her back with sweat, her nails clutching at the sheets like they owed her money. His grip on her hips was vice-tight, deep strokes punishing and relentless, her whole frame jolting forward with each snap of his hips.

"Z-Zilla—oh my God—" she tried to breathe, tried to think, but he wasn’t letting up. This was warfare, not lovemaking. This was retribution, and her ass had earned it.

And she was loving every minute.

Between whimpers and sinful moans, she managed to lift her head and wheeze out a wicked, breathless laugh, her voice cracked and full of glee.

“There’s no Devontae, baby!” she giggled, turning just enough to glance at him over her shoulder, her eyes glassy but dancing with fire. “I played your sucker ass. Blood pressure and all.”

Zilla froze.

Just for a second.

She shouldn’t have said that. She should not have said that.

The room was hot, silent save for the sound of their heavy breathing and the crash of the ocean outside. He looked down at her like she’d just admitted to burning his house down and spray-painting her name across the ruins.

“You—” he started, jaw flexing. “You played me?”

Courtney’s grin stretched wide. “Mmmhmm.”

She popped the ‘M’ like she wasn’t being pounded within an inch of her life thirty seconds ago.

“You proud of that shit?”

“Little bit.”

Zilla’s hands slid up her sides slow, heated, possessive—like he was planning something. Something crazy.

“Oh you think that’s cute?” he muttered, yanking her back flush to his chest, one palm wrapping gently around her throat, the other gripping her thigh as he adjusted her angle. “Ain’t gon’ be shit cute when I have your crazy ass crying into my chest talking ‘bout ‘I didn’t know it was like that.’”

Courtney’s laugh turned to a gasp, her fingers flying back to clutch at his wrist.

“I already knew, Fatu! That’s why I brought this crazy out of you!”

“And now you gon’ feel all of it,” he growled, his voice vibrating against her spine. “No mercy now.”

Courtney shrieked—but it was the giddy, filthy kind of shriek, her body folding into his as the war resumed.

She was breathless, incoherent, biting into his shoulder to muffle the sounds she was making. He didn’t stop. Wouldn’t. Not until she admitted defeat.

But even through it all—through the bruising love and the dragged moans—she was laughing again.

“Blood pressure through the roof, huh Z?”

“You wanna test it again?” he growled, flipping her like it was nothing and pinning her hands above her head. “Go ahead. Say another fake name.”

Courtney blinked up at him, smug, flushed, and grinning with her whole soul.

“…I could mention Jamal from Jersey—”

Zilla’s eyes narrowed, and Courtney only cackled harder as he growled, low and dangerous, before devouring her lips to shut her up.

She’d won.

And also lost.

And maybe accidentally fallen in love.

Again.

Chapter 53 The Chaos Demon’s Finisher

Zilla had her pinned, locked in tight from behind, broad chest slick with sweat and pressed to her spine, his pace nothing short of devastating. Each thrust was a declaration, a growl wrapped in muscle and fury and years of pent-up emotion he didn’t know how to voice, so he translated it into the language his body spoke best—raw, ruthless possession.

Courtney was gasping, choking on her own laughter, because this man? He was heated. He was fed the fuck up. And she? She was thriving.

Zilla's breath was ragged in her ear. “You think you funny, huh?” he growled, voice barely hanging on to composure. “Keep talking, Court. I'ma fold you in half and leave you there.”

“Oh nooo, not that,” she giggled, her voice breathy and slurred with pleasure. “Anything but being folded like a lawn chair, Daddy.”

That earned her another brutal roll of his hips, one that nearly knocked her soul into orbit.

She yelped—then grinned.

And then?

She hit him with it.

The ultimate finisher.

Courtney arched that back, shifted her hips just right, and then clenched—hard—a wicked little move she’d mastered years ago in her “chaotic femme fatale era.” She pulsed those warm, soaked, vice-grip walls around him like a velvet trap, and behind her she felt it— That sharp inhale. That twitch. That groan that damn near ripped from his chest.

Courtney looked over her shoulder, eyes gleaming with evil joy, her voice sugar-sweet and soaked in filth. “Hmm? I’m sorry—what’d you say, Z?” She gave another slow, teasing clench, her lips curling into a smile that could only be described as diabolical. “It’s just hard to hear your little threats over the sound of you moaning like that.”

Zilla lost it.

He didn’t say a word. Didn’t have to. His grip tightened on her hips, fingers digging into her plush skin, and the rhythm? Gone. Replaced by chaos. By a fury only she could summon.

He slammed into her like he was tryna exorcise whatever demon had crawled up in her that gave her the audacity to mockhim while he was actively rearranging her internal architecture.

“You got jokes,” he snarled, one hand sliding up to her throat again while he kept her bent forward. “You wanna play games? I got all fuckin’ night.”

Courtney just laughed harder.

"All night? Oop, should I stretch first?" she taunted, choking on another moan as he gave her exactly what she’d been begging for. "Is this—ugh—that kingpin cardio?! You got abs but I didn’t know you had stamina, too!”

“Courtney,” he ground out, sweat dripping from his jaw, “I swear to God—”

“What?” she huffed, turning her head and biting her lip. “You gon’ marry me outta spite or something?”

His pace faltered.

She felt it.

Courtney’s grin stretched wide. “Yeah. Thought so.”

And that? That was her other finisher. Because Zilla didn’t have a comeback.

Just a low groan, a broken whisper of her name, and a frantic, possessive grip that said everything she needed to know.

He wasn’t just bricked. He wasn’t just cooked.

He was hers.

And she was already plotting how to make his mean ass beg for it again.

Chapter 54 Checkmate, Baby Daddy

Courtney wasn't done.

Not even close.

Sure, her thighs were shaking and her spine felt like it needed a prayer circle, but the gleam in her eyes said one thing loud and clear—she had one more move left.

The finishing move to end all finishing moves.

Zilla was still holding onto what shred of dominance he had left, trying to stay in control—trying being the key word. Dude was slick with sweat, muscles flexing beneath her hands, breaths shallow and choppy, and eyes locked on her like she was a battlefield and a blessing at the same time.

And then?

She flipped them.

Fast. Smooth. Chaotic.

Caught him completely the fuck off guard. One second he was locked in behind her, the next he was flat on his back, wide-eyed, as she settled over him like a goddess draped in destruction.

“Wait—Court—" he started, but that was all he managed to say.

Because she snapped her hips down.

Hard.

The moan that ripped outta that man sounded like a prayer and a curse. He damn near sat up from the force of it, grabbing her thighs on instinct, but she was in the damn zone. She didn’t let up.

Courtney was riding him like she had a vendetta and a full tank of gas. Chaotic rhythm, sweat-slicked skin slapping against his, wild curls sticking to her temples, eyes locked on his with that gremlin smile that always came out when she was up to no good.

“Oh this?” she panted, one hand braced on his chest, the other dragging down his stomach, “This that bedtime story stroke, baby. Say goodnight.”

Zilla was fighting it.

Hard.

Muscles tight. Abs flexing. Hands squeezing at her waist like he could slow her down—but his grunts, those wrecked groans tearing out of him? They betrayed him.

She leaned down, lips brushing his ear.

“Aw, look at you,” she cooed, voice syrupy and smug. “So strong, but so tired now, huh?”

And then she hit him with it again—tightened those walls like a vice, that exact evil little move from earlier, while bouncing on him like she was being paid in ego boosts and bragging rights.

Zilla snapped.

“Fuck, Courtney—”

His voice broke. His back arched. He let out a long, strangled groan that came from the depths.

She felt him coming undone, clutching her like a lifeline as she rode out his whole damn soul, her name tumbling from his lips like a warning and a plea.

When he finally collapsed back against the mattress, eyes dazed and completely KO’d, Courtney grinned wickedly.

“Aww,” she mock-pouted, slowly rolling her hips one last time just to make him twitch, “I guess that’s night night for the mean-ass kingpin.”

Zilla didn’t respond.

Couldn’t.

The man was cooked. Absolutely done.

Chest rising and falling like he ran a marathon. Face turned to the side, lips parted, and eyes fluttering shut like he was sliding into a coma.

Courtney leaned down and brushed his damp curls back from his forehead, kissing his cheeks sloppily with exaggerated affection.

“There’s my big, bad island boy,” she teased sweetly. “All bark, all stroke, and now all mine.”

She laughed softly, tucking herself right next to him, pulling the sheets up over both their spent bodies.

The ego boost? Astronomical.

The man of her dreams? Out like a light.

Courtney? Victorious.

Again.

[akiizayoi4869]

I just got finished watching Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, and I think this might actually be up there in my favorite Dragon Ball movies. I wasn't sure how exactly I was going to feel about it at first because of the animation style, but I loved this movie. The humor and chaos was on point as always, and I never got bored watching it. My favorite moments had to be the new transformations:

I never thought that we would get to see Gohan and Piccolo get another power up, since the plots usually center around Goku and Vegeta saving the day. Speaking of which, that was actually a breath of fresh air for this movie. I love them, but sometimes it's good to let other characters have the spotlight. The last time I can remember that happening was in DBZ movie 11: Bio Broly, so I was pleasantly surprised to see the other characters getting the chance to save the world for a change. Another thing that I loved about the movie is this:

Piccolo and Pan's relationship was so cute and wholesome😭. A stark contrast to how Piccolo was with Gohan back when he was training him to fight the sayains (which makes sense since Piccolo didn't have nearly as much development as he does now). The ending where she showed him that she could finally fly was so cute. Piccolo's relationship with Gohan in this movie was another highlight that I loved. Even though Gohan has long since surpassed Piccolo, he still needs to be reminded that he needs to keep up his training. And who better to do that than the person who made him into a warrior to begin with?

Also wanted to talk about these guys:

It was nice to see them bring back the Red Ribbon Army for this movie. I always wondered if there was more of them hiding in secret somewhere. Dr. Gero actually having a grandson was a surprise. Definitely was not expecting that. Speaking of which, I love how Commander Red's son and his lackey was able to manipulate Dr. Gero's grandson with the most bs lie ever to get him to do what they wanted him to do xD. I didn't think he would actually believe it, but this is Dragon Ball after all, lol. Gamma 1 and Gamma 2 were really cool and interesting characters to introduce. I liked how they thought of themselves as the "heroes" (even though they obviously weren't) thanks to Dr. Hedo's programming, and eventually realized that they were all being lied to. When Gamma 2 died I actually felt sad, which was something else that I wasn't expecting to happen🤣. Don't really have too much to say about Cell Max. He was nothing more than the final boss that you have to defeat to win the game. I do like how they brought Cell back though, even if it wasn't actually him. I wonder what would have happened if he never got released. Would he have stayed in confinement and grown stronger like the Cell that we all know did, before he eventually broke out? Or would Dr. Hedo have done something about him?

Two of the funniest moments to me in the film would have to be when Bulma used the remaining two wishes for freaking cosmetic surgery, and Beerus having a crush on Cheelai😂😂😂. Like, I know that I shouldn't expect much from Bulma when it comes to wishes, but damn😭. And I never thought that a God of Destruction would ever have a crush on someone, lol. All in all, I absolutely loved this movie and I will definitely watch it again.

[theaenetworks]

“How can we get him then? Jimmy asked tapping the desk.

“Woman of course!, Delilah snapped.

Diane smiled and bit her lips. She was sure of another role.

“We ought to be careful, guys. Asher is smarter than the serpent. If we fail again, we might all end up in jail”, Paschal said.

There was silence.

Jackson cleared his throat.

“He will be attending an event in the outskirts of town tonight, how do we get him down? he asked.

“Woman! Delilah said again. She stood up and began to speak.

“No man is too strong to resist a woman advances especially if she is good looking. Diane and Selena will make any reasonable man act unreasonable, they should go and get the fool down”.

Selena? Where is she? Jimmy asked looking around the room.

Immediately, a knock was heard on the door. Jackson peeped through the window before opening the door.

Selena enters.

They all smiled. She was the perfect girl for the game.

“The event will be taking place at R and G hotel and dignitaries from all walks of life will be present. Asher is one of the key note speakers and he will arrive before time”, Jimmy said.

“How do we strike? Selena asked rolling her eyes and smacking her lips.

“Arrive on time, engage him in a conversation, talk dirty, persuade him to follow you to your hotel room, drug his drink, sleep with him and extract that password from him. That four digits is a key to unlocking generational wealth. We cannot afford to stumble”. Jimmy paused, take a glass of water and continues. “I trust in your capacity, Selena. You have been in this business for years now, so you know your way around. You are irresistible too, You commands and he obeys. Diane is there to help you achieve zero failure”.

“This is our last chance, remember”, Delilah said.

“We will win, we always have”, Paschal said and they began to sing, song of victory.

————————————————————————

He walked in and all eyes turned towards his direction.

Asher!

Selena surveyed the environment before she stood up from her seat. In graceful gait, she walked up to him. Diane followed suit.

“Hello! , she called, smiling.

Asher was dazzled by her beauty.

“Hello, beautiful lady”, he answered smiling and sipping a drink.

Diane joined thus and they strike up a conversation.

They waited patiently like a dangerous puff adder, which must not strike until its has unlocked its poisonous fangs.

Asher was the center of attraction in the occasion. After delivering his speech, everybody rushed to take pictures with him.

Selena noticed he was staring lustfully at her. She smile and whispered to herself. Though other men were dying to have her attention, she ignored them. She has a plan to execute.

“Hey, Handsome! Selena called as soon she noticed that Asher was free.

Asher walked up to her as his eyes roam about her body. Selena was enjoying the magic.

“You want to know the mystery surrounding my body? “, She whispered.

Asher smiled and nodded.

Selena took him by the hand into her hotel room. She ignored Diane who was supposed to be her partner. She wanted to get all the credit to herself.

“Here we go”, she said seductively and unknot his tie.

Asher was smiling like a fool while looking deep into her eyes.

Then she began to unbutton his shirt but he stopped her and pushed her aside.

“Now listen young lady. Go and tell your crew that I am formidable! he said.

Selena was shocked.

“Put back my tie!, he thundered.

“I don’t understand “, Selena quivered.

“Go and tell them that I am formidable”, he repeated.

She struggled to knot his tie as she was trembling. She cannot explain how a gentleman who was all smiles few minutes ago turned to a different person.

“You can’t get me down Selena, that is the mystery surrounding my own body “, he mocked and slammed the door in her face.

Selena was shocked. Her phone vibrated again.

She picked it up. Twenty missed calls.

She ran out of the room in search of Diane.

Written by Mmesoma Nwobodo

https://anthonyemmanuel.com/mmeso-inspires-formidable/

#story #lovestory #storytime #storytelling #storyteller #StorytellingMagic #storytellingphotography

[justjarminsports]

NFL Week 4 Winners and Losers

Photo Credit: Rusty Jones AP.

By; BenJarmin Munguia

Date; October 2, 2024

Week 4 is wrapped up, and some teams stayed as winners, but some teams were really losers—and not in a good way. Let's see who is in camps and damps this week. 

WINNER

Cincinnati Bengals 

The Bengals won their first game of the season by knocking off their former quarterback, Andy Dalton, and the Carolina Panthers 34-24. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow went 22-of-31 for 232 yards and 2 touchdowns, along with running back Chase Brown, who carried the ball 15 times for 80 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals went to Charlotte and won the game with ease. They are now heading to the Windy City to play the Chicago Bears.  

WINNER

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts surprised everybody by defeating the strong Pittsburgh Steelers 24-27 on Sunday. Indianapolis lost their starting quarterback, Anthony Richardson, to a hip injury in the first half of the game. Back-up quarterback Joe Flacco finished the game, going for 16-of-26 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns. The 17-year veteran quarterback kept the Colts ahead of the Steelers throughout the entire game, extending the Colts' win streak to 2.

It's unsure whether Joe Flacco will start on Sunday against the winless Jaguars, but it should be an automatic win. 

WINNER

Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders

The Commanders are looking like a playoff team. They are sitting in first place in the NFC East and racking up 98 points in their three-game win streak. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels stormed past the Arizona Cardinals 42-14, and it wasn't even close. This was Washington's first game of scoring 40+ points since 2016. 

On a high note for Daniels, he has set a rookie record for having the highest completion percentage by a rookie in his first four games, at 82.1%. For example, the rookie quarterback only had 106 passes he threw this season. 18 of them were incomplete, and only 1 was picked off. That is a very impressive stat.

Commanders fly home from the desert to take on the struggling Cleveland Browns.

LOSERS

New York Jets

You can blame the weather for losing to a team that had -12 passing yards in the first half, let alone 60 total passing yards throughout an entire game. There is something going on in the Jets locker room that we don't know, and it's not good.

The Jets play the Vikings in London; let's hope it doesn't rain on Sunday.

LOSERS

Jacksonville Jaguars

You are now the only winless team in the NFL. 

LOSERS

Buffalo Bills

I expected a better game from Buffalo. Only being able to put in 10 points is unheard of with Josh Allen under center, but they put all of the blame on the offense. Allen is not on defense, giving up 200 rushing yards, especially an 87-yard touchdown run from Derrick Henry.

The Bills have a chance to bounce back on Sunday against the Texans, playing against their former star wide receiver, Stefon Diggs.

LOSERS

Minnesota Vikings 

I might get hate on this. Yes, the Vikings won, and they are 4-0. But almost blowing a 28-0 lead against your division rival is not talked about enough. How do you allow the Green Bay Packers to have a 29-3 run? You don't put your fan base in panic mode, especially if you're fighting for first place in the NFC North.

However, the Vikings can go 5-0 if they can beat the Jets on Sunday in London……especially if it rains. 

Was there anyone I missed? Let me know!

[rockislandadultreads]

New Title Tuesday: Urban Fiction

Beats & Blow by Shaun Sinclair

His empire is worth a billion thanks to the drug-fueled wealth of his infamous Dirty South crew. But with unanticipated enemies gathering for a final devastating hit, will there be anyone left to rule? Even near-fatal business and body blows can’t keep the Crescent Crew down for long. From lockdown, their founder and leader Qwess negotiates an unlimited supply of product that’s tripling the profits lost when the Feds swept in. But his treacherous second-in-command, Bone, has a secret agenda at play that's sparking a brutal internal war. And when Qwess’s old rival, New York mogul Diamond, comes gunning to finish him and his kingdom for good, betrayal and payback will win the day—and could leave nothing and no one standing...

This is the fifth volume of the "Crescent Crew" series.

Burning Season by Kiki Swinson

Set your schemes . . . A volunteer Virginia Beach firefighter, Alayna Curry faces death every day—and is proud to carry on her retired father's legacy. But with cash always tight and her long-time boyfriend Levi pressuring her to give up what she loves to make more money, she knows she needs more cash flow to stay afloat. . .

Set your traps . . . All Alayna has to do is keep quiet about a scheme to burn down buildings for insurance-hungry “clients.” And for a while she’s on fire from the rush, making insane cash—and finding new passion in all the wrong places. But when the money suddenly stops rolling in—and one “client” after another pushes back against the deal—Alayna and the rest of the crew stop watching out for each other and start fighting for their lives . . .

Set your life on fire . . . Now with the cops turning up the heat and every firefighter for themselves, Alayna must walk an impossible line to get out from under. But between betrayal, secrets, and broken duty, will what loyalty she has left be the one thing that burns her life to the ground for good?

Madam X by Niobia Bryant

Billionaire celebrity clients, anything-goes erotic nights, seductive betrayals—Desdemona Dean couldn't wait to leave the high-end prostitution game behind. Now settled down with the only man she’s ever loved, Desi is getting the chances her shattered childhood denied her—and making her life truly her own. Until a basketball superstar publicly credits Madam X's unmatched sexual services for his astonishing career. Add an anonymous tip to the police—and suddenly Desi is in the center of a social and tabloid media firestorm . . .

Knowing others’ secret desires has always kept Desi safe—and hiding her own wrenching past is the only protection she could ever trust. But her lies are taking her relationship apart piece by piece, keeping her only seconds ahead of the police—and exposing her to a malicious blackmailer determined to destroy her for good . . .

Now Desi will need all her nerve and cool, calculating bravado to take down her enemies and outmaneuver the law. But once she reveals who she used to be, can she survive the consequences to hold on to the woman she’s become?

This is the second volume of the "Madam" series.

Penthouse View by Zari

When Shantana has finally gotten everything she ever wanted, a mistake from her past threatens to bring it all crashing down around her.

Selling weed and then running her own robbing crew that targeted drug dealers was how Shantana Phillips gained her entry into the Atlanta drug market. Their motto was, "Why buy drugs when you can steal them?"

While Shantana and her crew are celebrating in South Beach after their biggest hit ever, the ambitious and power-hungry Shantana meets a Colombian importer looking for a new distributor for the Atlanta market. During a trip to Cali, Colombia, he promises to take her program to the next level. All she has to do is eliminate his old distributor in that market. Once the brutal deed is done and Shantana has the power, she decides not to stop at just the old distributor. Why not ruthlessly eliminate all of her competition and have it all?

This volume is a part of the "Carl Weber's Kingpins" series.

[fifa2026w]

Canada FIFA World Cup Tickets: From ball boy to World Cup hopeful, Niko Sigur Canada journey comes full circle

Canada FIFA World Cup Tickets: British Columbia this one was six years in the historical when Niko Sigur last treaded addicted to BC Place, wherever Canada will begin its 2025 Concacaf movement Tuesday night. Congenital and raised up in neighboring Burnaby, British Columbia, Sigur was not in the sports ground as a fan.

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In place of a ball boy for the duration of Canada’s Nations League forward-facing runner on March 24, 2019. The 4-1 win in excess of French Guiana presented a coincidental for the 15-year-old Sigur to do what he at all times did: schoolwork and act like the grownup he sought after to become. I was 15 years old, but I poverty to see how would I production in that situation in a game comparable that.

There was respectable concentration. And I always knew in the back bone of my mind that I possibly will play there one day. Sigur said, witnessing some of the individuals he appearance at are now his fellow player. And at this time I am. Sigur returns to BC Place, the location of Canada.

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Football World Cup 2026 Tickets: Niko Sigur’s Rise, Canada’s Young Star Eyes FIFA 2026 Glory

Just 21, his resourcefulness and creativity with the ball could unmoving turn heads during the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Canada’s past Football World Cup have been presentation cushions for players now well thought-out stars. Jonathan David commanded the play-offs in keep count in 2019. Tajon Buchanan eruption out into a preliminary title role in 2021.

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And Moise Bombito, in the middle of the best center spinal column in Concacaf, completed his Canada first appearance in 2023. Sigur has just five attendances for Canada, but this FIFA World Cup 2026 commencement with his full-circle coming back to Vancouver could present his coincidental to become Canada’s subsequent star. In Canada campgrounds, Sigur’s affectionate time of life often feels like impartial a number.

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World Cup Tickets: Sigur’s Relentless Drive Sets Him Apart Ahead of FIFA 2026

He interchanges with the air of a past master, not a young player treading frivolously as he tries to find his way. His nonpayment setting is a narrowed scowl, absorbed solely on what’s ahead. Sigur extravagances every team activity, no substance how innocuous, as an occasion to compete. Watching Sigur take fragment in virtual reality training movements that stimulate the concentration.

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His laps are continuously determined as if he’s coming up to stalk. Sigur curses at full volume when he finds out fellow player might have earned a better score than him in the cardiovascular exercise and demands the coincidental to go again. He is considerate, and thoughtful about biting off additional than most commencement players might. He was raised up up by his Croatian paternities to be severe.

Canada FIFA World Cup Tickets: From Ball Boy to Battlefield, Sigur’s Rise toward FIFA 2026 Glory

My dad was continuously on me approximately my brazenness, Sigur said. When I occupy yourself, he would comment more on my body philological and what I would approximately to a football coach or fellow player and not observation on my play as abundant. And so Sigur has appear on behalf of like an adult even as, well, a child. As a youngster playing for Mountain United FC, he saw his fellow player try to play hero ball.

He would lay into them, forcing them to take part in the sympathetic of methodical build-up play that is engrained in the Croatian soccer DNA. How I observed the game from a young age was almost certainly poles apart than a lot of kids, Sigur said. If a guy wasn’t on the same sheet of paper as me, I’d get unfulfilled.

For Canadian soccer enthusiasts, the Iceteca was supplementary than just the seminal instant in Canada’s embryonic and unexpected run to the FIFA World Cup 2026. It was enchanted. Cyle Larin’s brace. Sam Adekugbe’s sparkling leap into the pile of sideline snow. The high temperature. The first win in 45 years over Mexico in a Football World Cup 2026 qualifier. The development as The Team to exhausted in North America.

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FAQs

Q1: Who is Niko Sigur and why is he significant to Canada's FIFA World Cup 2026 hopes? A: Niko Sigur is a young Canadian midfielder whose return to BC Place marks his rise as a potential star for FIFA World Cup 2026.

Q2: What makes BC Place special for Niko Sigur in the context of FIFA World Cup 2026? A: BC Place is where Sigur was once a ball boy and now returns as a national team player aiming for FIFA World Cup 2026 glory.

Q3: How has Canada’s past youth talent impacted its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign? A: Talents like Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan emerged in past tournaments, setting the stage for new stars like Sigur in FIFA World Cup 2026.

Q4: What was the 'Iceteca' moment and its impact on Canada's FIFA World Cup 2026 journey? A: The 'Iceteca' win over Mexico was a historic turning point that energized Canada’s campaign for FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification.

Q5: What is the best website to buy FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets? A: eTicketing is considered one of the best websites to purchase FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets.

[usa2025store01]

UCLA Bruins 2025 College World Series Special Baseball Jersey

Link Product: https://flavorhauted.com/product/ucla-bruins-2025-college-world-series-special-baseball-jersey/

UCLA Bruins 2025 College World Series Special Baseball Jersey: A Grand Slam of Tradition, Elegance, and Victory

In the pantheon of collegiate sports, few programs carry the prestige, discipline, and class of the UCLA Bruins—and fewer still consistently deliver on the biggest stages. In honor of their 2025 College World Series appearance, the new UCLA Bruins Special Edition Baseball Jersey is more than just a uniform—it’s a tribute to legacy, precision, and the timeless spirit of the diamond. With design by Flavor Haunted, this jersey isn’t just for athletes—it’s for dreamers, collectors, and fans who bleed blue and gold.

A Masterclass in Understated Excellence

While many teams opt for flash, the Bruins choose finesse. The base color of crisp white forms the perfect canvas for UCLA’s iconic blue-and-gold palette to shine without overwhelming. This minimalistic, confident base sets the tone for a jersey that lets tradition speak louder than trends.

Across the chest, the elegantly scripted “Bruins” wordmark in a rich gold with bold blue outline is instantly recognizable. It evokes decades of excellence while feeling fresh for 2025. This isn’t a forced reinvention—it’s a careful elevation of a classic look.

The jersey’s trim—blue piping that follows the collar and button placket—adds subtle sharpness, framing the torso like a uniform worn for war and poetry alike. The Nike swoosh, placed with surgical precision over the heart, signals elite performance and modernity without distracting from the historical weight of the design.

A Back That Tells the Whole Story

While the front of the jersey celebrates UCLA’s time-tested aesthetic, the back tells the story of the moment. A large diamond-shaped graphic, tastefully centered, reads:

“Men’s College World Series — 2025 — UCLA”

Designed like a commemorative badge, this graphic is a trophy in ink, symbolizing the honor, sacrifice, and sheer will it takes to earn a place in Omaha. The typography is classic yet commanding, and its placement makes it feel like a wearable monument—clean, confident, and legacy-driven.

Performance-Ready Construction

This jersey isn’t just beautiful—it’s built for the battlefield. Crafted with Nike’s Dri-FIT technology, it’s breathable, durable, and tailored to move. Whether you’re sprinting for a triple, diving for a grounder, or simply cheering from the bleachers, this jersey is built to keep you cool and locked in.

The sleeve patches feature the College World Series logo, adding that final seal of prestige. It's a reminder that this isn't just any jersey—it's a representation of elite competition at the highest collegiate level.

The fabric blend offers the soft feel of a lifestyle piece but with the structure and durability of pro-grade gear. This dual nature makes it equally perfect for wearing on game day or displaying proudly as part of a collector’s shrine.

A Statement for UCLA Fans, Alumni & Dreamers

This jersey doesn’t just represent the current team—it represents a lineage. From Jackie Robinson’s days to today’s diamond warriors, the UCLA baseball program has been about more than wins—it’s about character, consistency, and champions built through grit. Wearing this jersey is an act of allegiance—to a university, a standard, and a brotherhood forged through innings and intensity.

For fans and alumni, it’s a chance to wear history and celebrate a season that echoes across Westwood and beyond. For young athletes and future Bruins, it’s a glimpse of the dream—a fabric goal stitched with belief.

Clean, Classy, Collectible

In a world where many sports jerseys try too hard to innovate, the UCLA Bruins 2025 College World Series Special Baseball Jersey succeeds by doing what UCLA has always done best: respecting the game, honoring its roots, and competing with undeniable style.

This is a jersey that will age like a classic car. In ten years, twenty years, it will still look like a masterpiece. It captures a moment in time—2025, Omaha, glory—and wraps it in timeless design.

Whether it’s framed in a Bruins bar, worn proudly to a watch party, or gifted on graduation day, this jersey is more than just gear—it’s a badge of loyalty and a celebration of excellence.

Conclusion

The UCLA Bruins 2025 College World Series Special Baseball Jersey is a championship in cloth. It embodies everything great about the Bruins: heritage, class, and a will to win that never fades. Designed with precision by Flavor Haunted and backed by the performance credibility of Nike, it’s a garment for those who don’t just support the team—they carry its spirit.

This isn’t just a jersey. It’s a legacy, and it wears it well.

[infanitytv]

LA Sparks vs Valkyries | LA Sparks Weekly

LA Sparks vs Valkyries | LA Sparks Weekly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jQjf6dCJOs **Sparks Ignite in Season Opener, Defeat Valkyries 84-67** San Francisco, CA – The Los Angeles Sparks kicked off the 2025 WNBA season with a commanding 84-67 victory over the expansion Golden State Valkyries on Friday, May 16, at Chase Center. Led by a scintillating performance from Kelsey Plum, the Sparks spoiled the Valkyries’ historic regular-season debut in front of a near-capacity crowd eager to witness the WNBA’s newest franchise.[](https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/05/16/golden-state-valkyries-los-angeles-sparks-season-opener-wnba-friday/)[](https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/gametracker/recap/WNBA_20250516_LAS%40GS/) From the opening tip, the Sparks set the tone with aggressive defense and sharp offensive execution. Despite trailing 20-19 after the first quarter, Los Angeles forced eight Valkyries turnovers, with Azurá Stevens leading the charge. Stevens contributed eight points, three rebounds, and three steals in the opening frame, showcasing her two-way prowess. The Valkyries, paced by Temi Fágbénlé’s early scoring, kept the game close, shooting 44% from the field to match the Sparks’ intensity. The second quarter saw the Sparks pull ahead, capitalizing on their defensive pressure to fuel transition scoring. Kelsey Plum began to take over, dropping 11 points by halftime, including five assists and two steals on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting. Stevens added 10 points, while sophomore Rickea Jackson chipped in eight, helping the Sparks build a 42-39 lead at the break. Los Angeles’ dominance in forcing turnovers—11 by halftime—proved to be the game’s biggest factor, as the Valkyries struggled to protect the ball against the Sparks’ relentless defense.[](https://ift.tt/9JKOz2G) The third quarter was the Kelsey Plum show. The All-Star guard erupted for 17 of her game-high 37 points, including a barrage of mid-range jumpers and crafty drives to the basket. Her six assists and four steals further underscored her all-around impact. The Sparks stretched their lead to 15 points, but the Valkyries closed the quarter on a 13-4 run, trimming the deficit to 66-60 and energizing the Chase Center crowd. However, the Valkyries’ comeback hopes faded in the fourth. The Sparks’ defense clamped down, holding Golden State to just seven points in the final period. Plum continued her scoring clinic, while Jackson and Stevens provided timely buckets to maintain the double-digit lead. The Valkyries, despite Fágbénlé’s team-high 13 points, couldn’t overcome their 21 total turnovers or the Sparks’ 55% field-goal shooting. Los Angeles also outrebounded Golden State 28-21, with six offensive boards leading to crucial second-chance points.[](https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/gametracker/boxscore/WNBA_20250516_LAS%40GS/)[](https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/gametracker/recap/WNBA_20250516_LAS%40GS/) For the Sparks, the win signals a strong start to their 2025 campaign, with Plum’s 37-point masterpiece setting a high bar. Jackson’s 13 points and Stevens’ all-around play suggest a balanced attack that could carry Los Angeles deep into the season. The Valkyries, while disappointed, showed flashes of potential in their debut, particularly in their third-quarter rally. As they adjust to the WNBA’s pace, Golden State will look to tighten their ball security in future games. 👉Instagram: https://ift.tt/cg5FsMW 👉Twitter (X):https://twitter.com/InfanityTV 👉Website: https://infanitytv.com/ ✅ For Business Inquiries: infanitystudios@gmail.com ✅ About Infanity TV. Welcome to Infanity TV, the ultimate destination for all your sports and lifestyle entertainment needs! If you're a fan of thrilling sports talk shows, exclusive content, and in-depth analysis, subscribing to Infanity TV on YouTube is an absolute must. © Infanity TV via Infanity TV https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVEIwTezhsp4vKRO5N6epKg May 18, 2025 at 06:22AM

[zyniisneaha]

From Talents to Titans:Hansi Flick’s Winning Formula for Barcelona’s Young Guns

When Alan Hansen famously said, “You can’t win anything with kids” in 1995, Manchester United’s Class of ’92 proved him wrong. In 2025, Barcelona’s youthful resurgence under Hansi Flick is doing the same. The experienced German manager has guided a team of exciting young players to the top of Spanish football, helping them become La Liga champions and sparking hopes of a new golden era.

Barcelona secured the La Liga title after a commanding 2-0 win over Espanyol, just weeks after lifting the Copa del Rey. Their thrilling run to the brink of a Champions League final has also reenergized fans of the beautiful game. This new generation of Barcelona players is winning not just with results, but with flair, courage, and attacking brilliance.

What sets this Barcelona team apart is its youth. With an average squad age of 25, the youngest in La Liga, the club is relying heavily on the next generation. Players like 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi, and 22-year-old Pedri are not just future stars—they are central to the present.

Ironically, Barcelona’s financial struggles forced this youth-focused rebuild. With no funds for high-profile signings, the club had to turn to La Masia and its young players. While financial constraints opened the door, it was Hansi Flick who gave them confidence, responsibility, and a clear system.

How Hansi Flick Changed Barcelona

When Hansi Flick arrived at Barcelona, he found a squad struggling with confidence. Senior players like Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Frenkie de Jong were not performing at their best, partly due to a lack of trust under the previous manager, Xavi. Lewandowski was being used in a role that didn’t suit his strengths, Raphinha was frequently subbed off early, and De Jong felt unwanted due to the club’s attempts to sell him.

Flick changed the atmosphere immediately. He made it clear that these experienced players were part of his plan. The results were dramatic. Lewandowski ended the season as Barcelona’s top scorer with 25 goals, and Raphinha scored 18 in the league.

Beyond rebuilding the confidence of senior players, Hansi Flick also prioritized giving power and responsibility to young players. Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Alejandro Balde, and Marc Casado were all given starting roles and leadership responsibilities. Flick even let them choose the dressing-room music, a small gesture that built trust and team spirit.

Young Players Taking Over

Flick’s careful handling of Lamine Yamal has been particularly important. The teenager wants to be involved in every play, every match, and be the center of attention. Hansi Flick has allowed that freedom but also enforced discipline. If Yamal neglects his off-the-ball duties, he sits on the bench. That balance has paid off, with Yamal posting better defensive recovery numbers than Barcelona’s center-backs and even midfielder Pedri in the recent El Clasico win over Real Madrid.

The turning point for Flick’s Barcelona came in a chaotic 5-4 Champions League win over Benfica in January. That night, Raphinha emerged as a true leader, and Hansi Flick found his strongest starting eleven. He also discovered the importance of having an experienced organizer at the back.

Inigo Martinez, at 33, was asked to lead a high defensive line—something he had never done in his career. Although not the quickest, Martinez adapted by using his leadership skills and tactical awareness to anchor the defense. Flick’s risk paid off again.

Building Trust and Unity

Hansi Flick’s biggest strength may be the trust he builds. He always keeps communication open, especially with players who are not regular starters. He reminds them that injuries and rotation will create chances. This transparency has kept the whole squad motivated.

His approach to fitness is also unique. Hansi Flick trusts that players know their bodies best. Stars like Yamal and Raphinha are consulted before being rested, creating a sense of mutual respect between players and coach. This has improved morale and kept injuries to a minimum despite a packed schedule.

Hansi Flick’s Key Stats at Barcelona (2024-25)

Trophies Won: 2 (La Liga, Copa del Rey)

Champions League Result: Semi-finals

Copa del Rey Result: Winners

Top Scorer: Robert Lewandowski (25 goals)

Average Squad Age: 25 years

Total Signings: 2 (Dani Olmo, Pau Victor)

Formation Style: High-pressing, youth-focused 4–3–3

Still a Work in Progress

Despite winning the league and cup double, Flick knows that Barcelona is not yet a finished product. The 24 goals conceded in 14 Champions League matches reveal defensive flaws that need fixing. Next season’s goal is to improve control of matches while maintaining the fearless attacking style that defines this team.

With only one year left on his current contract,Hansi Flick is not in a rush to sign a long-term deal. He prefers short-term commitments but has made it clear that he is committed to Barcelona’s project for now.

[nosmokesport]

Cavaliers Crush Heat, Take 3-0 Series Stranglehold

The Cleveland Cavaliers sent a resounding message on Saturday, dismantling the Miami Heat 124-87 at Kaseya Center to grab a commanding 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round clash. Cleveland now stands one win away from sweeping Miami out of the postseason.

Jarrett Allen anchored the Cavaliers' offensive onslaught with 22 points, while De’Andre Hunter contributed 21 in a performance that felt unstoppable. Evan Mobley tallied 19, and Max Strus, facing his former squad, dropped 18 points of his own. Ty Jerome and Donovan Mitchell also added 13 points apiece, giving Cleveland a balanced attack that Miami simply couldn’t match.

The Heat, meanwhile, looked overwhelmed. Although Bam Adebayo battled for his 22 points and Davion Mitchell chipped in 16, Miami’s roster showed little resistance after the opening minutes. The 37-point drubbing officially marked the worst playoff defeat in Heat franchise history, surpassing their painful 36-point loss to San Antonio in the 2013 NBA Finals.

While that 2013 Miami team famously rebounded to win a title, there seems to be no such magic brewing this time around.

“This stings,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra admitted postgame. “The effort was there all season to get here, which makes this result even harder to swallow.”

Cleveland Seizes Control Early

Miami briefly showed signs of life, surging to a 15-6 lead in front of a lively home crowd. But the Cavaliers quickly snatched back momentum, unleashing a devastating 33-5 run that buried the Heat before they even had a chance to respond.

During that dominant stretch, Cleveland connected on 13 of 17 shots, including five consecutive threes, turning a nine-point deficit into a 19-point lead seemingly in the blink of an eye.

The Heat never recovered.

Evan Mobley summed it up best: “They hit us first, but we punched back even harder.”

Cleveland led by 20 at the half and by 24 entering the fourth quarter. The final period was little more than a countdown to an inevitable Cavaliers victory.

Max Strus Haunts Former Team

Strus, who spent the past few seasons in Miami before signing with Cleveland last summer, delivered a gritty, passionate performance that went beyond the box score. His 18 points were complemented by relentless hustle plays — diving for loose balls, grabbing extra rebounds, and making key defensive stops.

“Max brings that winning attitude every night,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “He’s a spark we feed off.”

Strus’ energy, combined with Cleveland’s overall intensity, sucked the life out of Miami’s building — save for a brief roar when pop icon Shakira appeared on the big screen.

Missed Opportunities Doom Heat

Cleveland stumbled out of halftime, missing their first eight shots in the third quarter. It was a golden opportunity for the Heat to claw back into the contest — but they squandered it, managing just four points during that cold stretch.

By the time Cleveland found their shooting touch again, Miami’s chance had evaporated. The body language on the Heat bench reflected the grim reality: the game, and likely the series, was slipping away.

Dominance Reflected in the Numbers

The box score told the story of Cleveland’s overwhelming performance: 56% shooting during their crucial second-quarter surge, 31 assists on 44 made baskets, and a 46-29 rebounding advantage.

On the flip side, Miami shot just 38% from the floor and a miserable 26% from three-point territory, while coughing up 14 turnovers that the Cavaliers converted into fast-break points.

“They were quicker to every ball, tougher on every rebound,” Adebayo said. “They just wanted it more.”

What’s Next

Game 4 is set for Monday, and history looms large. Teams trailing 0-3 in NBA playoff series are a staggering 0-157. Miami would need a miracle; Cleveland, on the other hand, can finish the job and move on in style.

Historically, the Cavaliers have closed the deal every time they've gone up 3-0 — a perfect 10-for-10, all during LeBron James’ reign. Now a new generation, led by Allen, Mobley, Strus, and Hunter, looks ready to carry on that tradition.

“This isn’t about adjusting plays anymore,” Spoelstra said. “It’s about pride.”

For Cleveland, Monday is about making a definitive statement: the Cavaliers are no longer living in the shadows of the past — they're building something new, and they're coming fast.

Source: Cleveland Cavaliers Win in Miami

[bitcoinworldd]

 How to Maximize Your Earnings on bc game: Tips and Tricks

bc game has rapidly turned into a well known online crypto gambling club, drawing in players with its wide assortment of games, quick payouts, and tempting rewards. Assuming you're hoping to capitalize on your gaming experience and expand your profit on the stage, you've come to the perfect locations. In this article, we'll give viable tips and techniques to assist you with upgrading your gameplay and capitalize on your experience on bc game.

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End

bc game offers a novel and energizing stage for crypto devotees to play, win, and procure. By exploiting rewards, playing high RTP games, dealing with your bankroll, and remaining drew in with the local area, you can expand your profit and partake in a remunerating experience.

[kwaggysshardmindemporium]

I feel like explaining what went down with the latest MtG bans to my non-MtG mutuals. For some reason.

So, what is likely to be the single most controversial ban announcement in Magic the Gathering history just dropped. They banned four cards: Mana Crypt, Jeweled Lotus, Dockside Extortionist, and Nadu, Winged Wisdom.

All these bans are for the Commander format, which for our purposes if you don't play just means "the actual popular format where if some rando asks if you play Magic this is probably what they mean."

Let's start with the one that ISN'T controversial. Nadu, Winged Wisdom was a design mistake. It came out in a set aimed at one specific tournament format (Modern), immediately turned out to be both wildly overpowered, unfun to play against, and caused games to drag out into these slogs where the Nadu player is sitting there twiddling with their thumbs doing the same one or two game actions over and over again but targeting a different one of their guys. It was quickly banned in the very format that set was designed for, and that banning came with an article explaining that he was straight up a mistake and they hadn't tested the version of the card as it went to print before they had to push the set out the door. The ban yesterday was banning it in MtG's most popular format, Commander, where basically anyone who hadn't gone out of their to buy the card wanted it gone for the same reasons Modern wanted it gone. He was overpowered, but the actual problem is just if you're looking to play a one or two hour 4-player game, the Nadu player took an hour and a half of it to themself and didn't necessarily win because of it.

Now, into the controversial ones. Mana Crypt. Mana Crypt is a staple of the highest power decks in the Commander format. Many, many people have said if your deck has this card in it, it cannot possibly be below a 8 or 9/10 on the power scale. The cheapest printing of this card, before the bans, was roughly $200. It was one of the biggest gates you had to pass through to play "big kid" competitive Commander is getting one of these fuckers. This card has no in-game cost to play, and effectively reads "immediately accelerate your game plan two turns forward or more, but there's a 50/50 chance you take a trivial amount of damage every turn." It's pretty good. If you play any turn based game, you can probably guess how good skipping past the need for setting up for later more powerful turns can be. It's now banned, and has lost more than half of that price tag immediately and is still dropping. A lot of people's collections just had a chunk of their value go up in smoke. There's gonna be a LOT of people for whom this was the most valuable card they owned.

Jeweled Lotus. This card is very similar to Mana Crypt. A little more context about the Commander format: it's named that way because every deck has a "commander" that you can always play, and your gameplan is generally centered around that commander. Jeweled Lotus essentially says "play your commander specifically three turns early one time." Obviously, this is good for the same reason Mana Crypt above is good. Skipping the setup and getting straight to the action while your opponents are still getting into gear? Obviously good. It was about $100 before the ban, and is now about $40 and dropping.

And lastly, Dockside Extortionist. Dockside comes down sometime around turn 2 or 3 based on his cost to play, and basically says "when I come into play if your opponents are doing okay in their gameplan, put your gameplan ahead by about 4 turns. If your opponents are doing WELL, blast off on a jet of value so insane that you should probably quit Magic if you fumble this win." So it's both a punishment for your opponents' having dared play the game, AND good for the same reasons as the previous two cards. It was about $90 before the bans and I'll be honest I can't be bothered to check now.

These three cards were, collectively a few vertebrae in the spine of competitive Commander decklists, which probably tells you a lot of what to expect in that space: decks looking to win fast or die trying, willing to throw absolutely any card at you regardless of how much that card COSTS. There's plenty of other cards that do similar things to this, but these were three BIG deals in that space, which means that players now need to seek alternatives to fill the holes in these deck lists. High power Commander decks, as a whole, just got a LOT slower in how many turns they take to win the game on average.

And I couldn't be happier. To be clear, I own a copy of every single one of these cards besides Nadu. I have competitive Commander decks. My collection has lost value and I have had to try and figure out replacements in the decks running these cards. But forcing the foot slamming down on the gas pedal to lighten up a little bit sounds like something the game could actually use. I'm eager to see what the competitive meta looks like in the coming days. What do people gravitate towards? The meta isn't basically solved anymore. (I mean, it kind of is because the cards that actually WIN the game in the most efficient way didn't get banned, but hey they at least take longer to do it now.)