Dimensional Descent

[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."

Blue repeated these words as one. The crowd joined

air, a

"Let's go."

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

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

to pick him in the

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

The kickoff of the 119th National Championship

before unleashing a booming kick that soared through the

game had

we go,

is really letting Morales have full reign now. Immediately entering a five wide

Morales is all the running back they

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

met James'

BLUE 80.

slowly raising and setting into

had hardly planted before he cocked his arm back and released

[A corner blitz!]

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

could have

[Hey…!]

blowing of a whistle

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

been completely blindsided by the blitzing corner. Of course, he had known

night, pretty boy." Number 21 grinned down at

conduct. Number 21. 15-yard penalty,

his hands in mock defeat,

"You good, cap?"

Leonel's offensive lineman helped

Leonel said with

The team huddled in.

a hit for no reason." James'

it, it happens." Leo hit his shoulder pads. "Head up. Didn't we just gain a free

The play goes — Trips

leaving Leonel to jog to

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

player before, so he must have been a freshman. Considering his cockiness, he was most

done

BLUE 21. Down set. Hut.

The whistle blew.

21. Five-yard

think the little guy thought Leonel would just try to force the ball toward his side of the field? He's too

count to deal with an overaggressive rusher. What

now on, Morales

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

his star tight end having two dropped passes, Morales finds pay dirt, stacking one touchdown

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 prospects. After all, they were only ranked third of the Academies

the team from the

bullet over the

really carrying the 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

Would he really be Leonel Morales if he pulled himself out

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

are you doing out there, Bennett?!" Coach Owen grabbed James' chest pads, fury billowing through his thick mustache. "You choose the biggest game of the year