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."

these words as one. The crowd joined in,

air, a wild

"Let's go."

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

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

what you're doing, Rick. You're just hoping your Los Angeles Sewer Rats trade up to pick him

commentary of the Phil-Rick duo was in

is! The kickoff of

Wing's kicker did a light jog up before unleashing a booming kick that soared through the air, landing out of the back of the end

that, the game

we go, the

reign now. Immediately entering a five wide set, not even using a

the

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

swiftly met James' as though in

80. BLUE 80. Set.

raising and setting into position as he accepted

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

[A corner blitz!]

didn't check the play, he actually threw it directly over the corner's

have been a 20-yard gain! How unlike

[Hey…!]

loud blowing of a

Roughing the passer. Number 21. 15-yard penalty,

knocked out of 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

pretty boy." Number 21 grinned down at Leonel just as another

21.

hands in mock defeat,

"You good, cap?"

offensive lineman

problem." Leonel said

The team huddled in.

a hit for no reason." James' gaze was filled

pads. "Head up. Didn't we just

games, let's play games. The play goes — Trips right, red under seam, wide out bang. On two, on

Leonel to jog to the

waiting for his team to get set. Usually, he would scan the defense. But this time, his head turned to the right, his gaze piercing toward

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

He's done

21. Down set.

The whistle blew.

Number 21. Five-yard penalty, first

thought Leonel would just try to force the ball toward his side of the field?

use of the hard count to deal with an overaggressive rusher. What is Angel

on, Morales is

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

having two dropped passes, Morales finds pay dirt, stacking one touchdown 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

team from the depths of despair time and time

a bullet over

offense, but he's taken a lot of hits this game. You have to wonder if it's worth it,

he really be Leonel Morales if he pulled himself out of this

fourth quarter came around, a score of

James' chest pads, fury billowing through his thick mustache. "You choose