Chapter Three: The Embers Ignite

[Cumulative Ember Points: 50. Ability unlocked—Three-Second Preview. Once per game, the host may perceive three seconds of future offensive and defensive movement.] With fifteen seconds left, the Embers trailed by one. Black Tiger trapped Chen against the sideline. Lu activated the ability, and the world fell silent. Transparent futures unfolded: Chen drove and was blocked; he passed to Su and two defenders trapped her; Han rolled after a screen but arrived half a step late because of fear. The vision vanished. “Han!” Lu shouted. “Don’t jump. Tip it out!” Chen heard the signal and deliberately lofted the ball. Han stepped between two defenders. The fear remained, but this time his task was not to land or dunk. It was only to touch the ball.