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, a torrent of momentum

the air, a

"Let's go."

Leonel Morales and his Royal Blues.

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

just hoping your Los Angeles Sewer Rats trade up to pick him in the 2198 draft. Well let me break it to you. We have the number

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

here it is! The kickoff

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

the game

we go, the

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

all the running back they

onto Leonel's. He was a Four-Star Professional in his Junior year. Unfortunately, much like his quarterback, he had been played

James' as though in

80. BLUE 80.

his leg slowly raising and setting into position as he accepted

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

[A corner blitz!]

play, he actually

dropped the ball?! That could have

[Hey…!]

blowing of

Roughing the passer. Number

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

boy." Number 21 grinned down at Leonel

conduct. Number 21. 15-yard

corner raised his hands in mock defeat, swaggering back to his side of the

"You good, cap?"

offensive lineman

problem." Leonel said with

The team huddled in.

took a hit for no reason." James'

it happens." Leo hit his shoulder pads. "Head up.

goes — Trips right,

broke, leaving Leonel

would scan the defense. But this time, his head turned to the right, his gaze piercing toward just one side of

finger pointing at number 21. He had never seen this player before, so he must have been a freshman. Considering

done it

21. Down set. Hut.

The whistle blew.

21. Five-yard penalty,

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 a game

to deal with an overaggressive rusher. What is

on, Morales is

The first drive was no less than a masterclass in timing, accuracy and

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

a 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

the team from the depths of despair time and

a 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 prove at this level

really be Leonel Morales if he pulled himself

came around, a score of 35-31 in favor of

you doing out there, Bennett?!" Coach Owen grabbed James' chest pads, fury billowing through his