The Martial Unity

[Don't worry for those who don't understand most of what happens in this chapter. I know American Football isn't exactly an international sport. Rest easy, this is the only chapter the sport will have relevance in :) ]

"Good evening gentleman, I hope we can have a good game today. Everyone knows the stakes, so play free and play safe. Stay within the rules as we don't have to have a problem."

The crowd was deafening. The thumping of feet, the boisterous chants, the heated anticipation boiled in the air, shaking the very stadium they stood within.

The Royal Blue Academy's Royal Stadium sat within a massive glass structure formed of curved triangular panels. It danced with the setting sun beautifully, capturing dark reds and oranges that played across its reflective surfaces.

The green, white-striped football fields were completely empty with the exception of 11 men who stood on the 50-yard line facing one another. Clicking and flashing cameras sounded, trying to capture every moment.

Leonel stood proudly, two of his teammates to either of his sides. He calmly smiled at the arrogant sneers of his long time opponents from Angel Wing Academy, his helmet tucked under his arm.

His football pads and jersey fit on like a knight's armor, glistening a beautiful deep blue. The only exception was the number on his chest which stood out as a bright white. The number 3.

"Here is the coin we will be flipping today." The Head Referee continued to speak, stretching out a beautifully designed coin that was about half the width of his palm. "On one side we have a football decorated with the flag of the fallen American Empire. This will be tails.

"On this side we have the Paradise Palace. It will be heads.

"This coin was designed by a Four-Star Metal Worker. It was given the name 'Uniting'. It represents our Ascension Empire's ability to ingratiate all of its past conquests, leaving a place for all."

The Head Referee allowed the ten players to see both sides.

"Are you prepared to lose?"

A gaze filled with confidence bore down on Leonel. The culprit was a young man with long flowing blond hair. His white jersey was almost blinding under the lights, making one have to squint just to maintain eye contact.

This young man was a Four-Star Quarterback prospect, Conrad Siegfried.

"The result will be just the same as it's always been." Leonel replied faintly.

"You know the drill. Royal Blue, you're the home team. Call it in the air."

The Head Referee tossed the coin into the air.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl. The piercing gazes of two young men met across space, a spinning coin falling slowly between them.

"Tails."

The coin landed with a soft thud on the grass below.

"The result is Tails. Royal Blue, would you like to receive or kick?"

Leonel grinned as though the answer was obvious.

"We receive."

"Angel Wing, pick the direction you'd like to kickoff from."

Conrad casually pointed. He hadn't let Leonel's comments bother him. If it wasn't for Leonel's birth, it would be him who would be the best of this generation. Others would let this fact crush them, but it filled Conrad with a burning desire to win by any means.

Leonel turned, heading back to the sidelines. He grabbed his helmet's face mask, sliding it onto his head like a knight's helm.

In that moment, his aura completely changed. A violent pressure suffocated the Royal Blue sidelines as almost a hundred pairs of gazes landed on Leonel's dark, tinted visor.

Soon, the entire stadium fell into an eerie quiet as Leonel met each one of their gazes head on.

"Respect the game. Persist to the end." Was all Leonel said.

"Respect the game. Persist to the end."

words as one. The crowd joined in, a torrent of momentum climbing

filled the air, a wild cheering

"Let's go."

and his Royal Blues. Will it be another victory? Or with the star

quarterback prospect to ever be birthed. This young man was throwing darts in his diapers. He could

up to pick him in the 2198 draft. Well let me break

commentary of the Phil-Rick duo was in full swing, the

The kickoff of the 119th National

a light jog up before unleashing a booming kick that soared through the air, landing out of the

the game had truly

we go,

seems that Coach Owen is really letting Morales have full reign now. Immediately entering a five wide set, not even using a running

Morales is all the running back

shifted his gaze from left to right, checking the defense. He could see the vicious gazes of the Angel Wing defensive line. Their middle linebackers gaze locked onto Leonel's. He was a Four-Star Professional in his Junior year. Unfortunately, much like his quarterback, he had been played to death by Leonel

James' as

BLUE 80. Set.

his hands, his leg slowly raising and setting into

glided backward effortlessly. His back leg had hardly planted before

[A corner blitz!]

he actually

the ball?! That could have been a 20-yard gain! How unlike

[Hey…!]

loud blowing of

Roughing the passer. Number 21. 15-yard

his chest to throw the ball, he had been completely blindsided by the blitzing corner. Of course, he had known it was coming, but he couldn't

boy." Number 21 grinned down at Leonel just

conduct. Number 21. 15-yard penalty, first

hands in mock defeat, swaggering back

"You good, cap?"

offensive lineman helped

Leonel said with a

The team huddled in.

no

Leo hit his shoulder pads. "Head up. Didn't we just

play goes — Trips right,

Leonel to

to get set. Usually, he would scan the defense. But this time, his head turned to

raised a finger pointing at number 21. He had never seen this player before, so he must have been a freshman. Considering his cockiness, he was most definitely at

He's done it

BLUE 21. Down set. Hut.

The whistle blew.

Number 21. Five-yard

toying with the rookie now. You think the little guy thought Leonel would just try to force the ball toward his side of the field? He's too

overaggressive rusher. What is Angel Wing thinking sending a corner blitz twice in

on, Morales is

timing, accuracy and precision. In just 12 plays and 7:36 minutes, the Royal Blues

Morales finds pay dirt, stacking

back and forth affair. Though Royal Blue had Leonel and James, not only did James seem to be having a bad game, but Angel Wing had far more Four-Star recruits than they did. Aside from the dynamic duo, Royal Blue was mostly constructed of Three-Star

the team from the depths of despair time and time

bullet

load of the offense, but he's taken a lot of hits this game. You have to wonder if it's worth it, he has nothing left to

charm. Would he really be Leonel Morales if he

quarter came around, a score of 35-31 in favor of the Angel Wings hanging on the

billowing through his thick mustache. "You choose the