Jalur Takdir : Path of destiny [English edition]

The Clear Skies Witness a Grand Start

The clear sky bore witness to the start of the national ranking race—the climactic event eagerly awaited by fans and racers alike. All eyes were on the majestic track known as the Storm Circuit, the longest and most challenging course ever created. Unlike previous races, this event spanned three distinct stages: urban streets, mountainous terrain, and a high-tech speedway designed for full-throttle racing.

Standing in front of the Falcon-X, Lana gazed down the track, her mind fixed on the challenges ahead. The roar of the crowd echoed through the grand stadium. By now, Lana's name had become a symbol of perseverance, but the weight of today's race pressed down on her shoulders.

"Lana, you've come this far," Vera's voice came through the communicator. "Remember, don't let anyone shake your focus."

Lana nodded, though a shadow of worry loomed over her—not just because of the competition, but because she had uncovered that her nemesis, the Raven Syndicate, had sinister plans tied to this race.

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A Thunderous Start

As the green light flashed, engines roared like thunder, and twenty racers surged from the starting line, all vying for prime positions.

Lana began cautiously, keeping a safe distance from the aggressive racers. Leading the pack was Kael Draven, representing the Raven Syndicate with his illegally enhanced supercar.

In the first turn, Kael made his intentions clear, ruthlessly forcing another racer into the barrier, triggering a massive crash that drew gasps from the crowd.

"He's playing dirty right from the start," Lana muttered, gripping her steering wheel tightly.

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First Stage: Urban Streets

The first stage was a narrow, winding urban circuit packed with sharp turns. Lana relied on her honed drifting skills to navigate the tight corners, overtaking several racers stuck in bottlenecks.

But Kael wasn't idle. He deployed a hidden smoke emitter, unleashing a thick cloud that rendered visibility behind him almost zero.

"This is insane!" Lana exclaimed, struggling to maintain control.

She recalled Rai's advice: Don't let the enemy dictate your moves. Command your own path.

Relying on instinct and sharp reflexes, Lana escaped the smoke cloud and pressed forward, finishing the first stage in third place.

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Second Stage: Mountainous Terrain

The next stage was the most dangerous: narrow mountain roads with sharp cliffs, slippery paths, and treacherous curves. As racers began to lose control, Lana maintained her focus.

At a perilous hairpin turn, a racer from the Raven Syndicate aggressively attempted to cut her off.

"You've got to fight back, Lana," Vera's voice urged through the headset.

Using a brake-tap maneuver, Lana decelerated just enough to unbalance her opponent. In a daring move, she overtook them and began closing the gap with Kael.

But disaster struck near the end of the stage—a small explosion ruptured one of the Falcon-X's rear tires.

"Rear tire's blown!" Lana shouted.

She quickly activated the car's emergency system, which deployed an automatic spare tire. The delay, however, dropped her to fourth place.

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Final Stage: High-Tech Speedway

The final stage was a futuristic, high-speed track equipped with velocity sensors and holograms to test the limits of the racers and their machines. Here, raw speed was the ultimate weapon.

Kael maintained a significant lead, while Lana pushed herself and the Falcon-X to their limits in pursuit.

Midway through the race, one of the Raven Syndicate racers abruptly veered off course, blocking Lana's path.

"They're trying to take you out, Lana!" Vera shouted.

Refusing to back down, Lana executed a precise evasive steering maneuver, narrowly avoiding the obstruction. At that moment, Aria Blaze appeared from behind, overtaking Lana and creating an opening for her to close in on Kael.

"Aria? What are you doing?" Lana asked through the radio.

"Giving you a chance, Lana. Don't waste it," Aria replied, her voice calm but determined.

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An Unforgettable Finish

On the final stretch, Lana and Kael were neck and neck. The audience rose to their feet, captivated by the intense battle unfolding before their eyes.

Frustrated and desperate, Kael attempted to ram Lana off the track.

Lana remained calm, her focus unwavering. With a final surge, she unleashed the Falcon-X's full potential, narrowly dodging Kael's attack and crossing the finish line mere inches ahead of him.

The crowd erupted in deafening cheers. Lana had become the national champion, a mix of triumph and exhaustion washing over her.

But her victory celebration was cut short when a mysterious man approached her.

"Your win is remarkable, but the game isn't over yet," he said, handing her an envelope bearing the Raven Syndicate's logo.

With trembling hands, Lana opened it, revealing a new threat—one that made it clear this race was only the beginning.

"Rai, I'm going to need your help," she murmured, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

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