Chapter 3: The Game (1/2)
[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.”
Royal Blue repeated these words as one. The crowd joined in, a torrent of momentum climbing to infinity.
A rush of emotion filled the air, a wild cheering shaking the very ground once more.
”Let's go.”
[And here we 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 tenure with the only blemish on his resume?]
[I think we all know the answer to that, Phil. In case you've all forgotten, let me remind you. This is THE greatest quarterback prospect to ever be birthed. This young man was throwing darts in his diapers. He could sleepwalk through this game and still win by 30]
[Don't think we don't 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 break it to you. We have the number one overall pick this year!]
The entertaining commentary of the Phil-Rick duo was in full swing, the liveliness was intoxicating.
[And here it is! The kickoff of the 119th National Championship Game!]
Angel 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 zone for a touch back.
With that, the game had truly begun.
[Here we go, the first play]
[It seems that Coach Owen is really letting Morales have full reign now. Immediately entering a five wide set, not even using a running back]
[Ha! Morales is all the running back they need]
Leonel 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 for the last two years.
His eyes swiftly met James' as though in tacit agreement.
”Blue 80. BLUE 80. Set. Hut!”
Leonel clapped his hands, his leg slowly raising and setting into position as he accepted the snapped ball.
He glided backward effortlessly. His back leg had hardly planted before he cocked his arm back and released a laser.
[A corner blitz!]
[Morales didn't check the play, he actually threw it directly over the corner's head!]
[James dropped the ball?! That could have been a 20-yard gain! How unlike him]
[Hey…!]
The loud blowing of a whistle sounded.
”Unnecessary roughness. Roughing the passer. Number 21. 15-yard penalty, first down.”
Leonel felt that the wind had been 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 the same time.
”Gonna be a long night, pretty boy.” Number 21 grinned down at Leonel just as another whistle blew.
”Unsportsmanlike conduct. Number 21. 15-yard penalty, first down.”
The corner raised his hands in mock defeat, swaggering back to his side of the field.
”You good, cap?”