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

of emotion filled the air, a wild cheering shaking the very

"Let's go."

go again. The fourth year and the fourth National Championship appearance for Five-Star Quarterback Leonel Morales and his Royal Blues. Will it be another victory? Or with the star quarterback end his

In case you've all forgotten, let me remind you. This is THE greatest quarterback prospect to ever

know what you're doing, Rick. You're just hoping your Los Angeles Sewer Rats trade up to pick him in the 2198 draft. Well let me

was in full swing,

here it is! The kickoff of the 119th

before unleashing a booming kick that soared through the air, landing out

that, the game

we go, the

seems that Coach Owen is really letting Morales have full reign now. Immediately entering a five wide set,

Morales is all the

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 for the last two

swiftly met James' as

BLUE 80.

clapped his hands, his leg slowly raising and setting into position

glided backward effortlessly. His back leg had hardly planted before he cocked his arm back and

[A corner blitz!]

check the play, he actually threw it directly over the

have been a 20-yard

[Hey…!]

of

Roughing the passer. Number 21.

him. Having opened up 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 throw and dodge at the

be a long night, pretty boy." Number 21 grinned down

21.

defeat, swaggering back to

"You good, cap?"

offensive

Leonel said with a cold

The team huddled in.

you took a hit for no

his shoulder pads. "Head up. Didn't we just gain a free 30-yards

Trips right, red under seam, wide out

broke, leaving Leonel to jog

paused in shotgun, waiting for his team to get set. Usually, he would scan the defense. But this time, his head turned

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 least a Four-Star recruit. It seemed Leonel would have

done

21. BLUE 21. Down set. Hut.

The whistle blew.

Five-yard penalty, first

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

the hard count to deal with an overaggressive rusher. What is Angel Wing thinking sending

Morales is

drive was no less than a masterclass in timing, accuracy and precision. In just 12 plays and 7:36 minutes, the Royal Blues found the end

passes, Morales finds pay dirt, stacking one touchdown

game, but Angel Wing had far more Four-Star recruits than they did. Aside

team from the depths

bullet over 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

part of his charm. Would he really be Leonel

of 35-31 in favor of the Angel Wings

there, Bennett?!" Coach Owen grabbed James' chest pads, fury billowing through his thick mustache. "You choose the biggest