The first thing they did was eat.
They found a small, open-air eatery tucked between two massive arena structures. The smell of frying garlic and soy sauce was a welcome, familiar anchor. They collapsed around a table, their bodies humming with exhaustion and the lingering adrenaline of the win.
"Pork adobo and six orders of rice," Riki told the automaton server, not bothering to check with the others. No one objected.
Bornok's head was already on the table. "My bones feel like noodles," he mumbled into the wood.
"Good noodles," Renz said, a tired but triumphant grin on his face. "We beat the genius kids." He flexed, wincing immediately as his shoulder protested. "Ow. Worth it."
Thea was quietly inspecting a data pad that had appeared in her pocket, showing their updated standing. "We're officially ranked. Placement is... low, but we're on the board."
Teo sat quietly, sipping a glass of water. The calm after the storm. A small, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips as he listened to Renz recount his three-pointer for the tenth time.
When the food arrived, the conversation died, replaced by the sound of clinking utensils and satisfied chewing. It was a familiar silence, a team savoring a moment of peace together. In this strange, infinite city, the simple act of sharing a meal felt like their greatest weapon.