New York FC Football Academy, USA
Serika subconsciously held her breath as she walked past the clear doors that swung open automatically upon sensing her movement. Swivelling her eyes left and right, she saw players of all ages bustling around paying no attention to her and she dragged her suitcase behind her slowly.
While it wasn't her first time travelling internationally by any means, it was the first time she would be staying abroad for longer than a month by herself...
Oof
Feeling someone run by her and almost knock her aside, with honed reflexes, Serika managed to spin her body just fast enough to move out of the way but unfortunately felt her body continuing to fall forwards.
"Not on my first day, not like this..." Serika groaned internally as she prepared for the hard impact of her shoulder hitting the ground.
"..."
Peeking an eye open carefully, Serika frowned not feeling the cold ground beneath her and then looked down where a long, white cane was holding her body afloat. Following the body of the long cane, Serika saw a girl with soft, curly hair that was styled into buns at the top. Her golden ferronnière complimented her multicoloured hair; the combination of night blue, light gold and peach pink creating a mesmerising swirl which both enthralled and distracted Serika.
Though the girl's eyes were previously closed, upon opening them, she revealed a set of soft, monotone green-white eyes which almost resembled a smooth mirror. Parting her lips pleasantly, a soothing voice soon resonated throughout the lobby.
"Be careful now Ms.Serika, even the stars are unable to completely light the darkness that enshrouds the future ..."
"Ah, yes..."
Quickly picking herself up so the girl could pull back her cane, Serika brushed herself a few times before taking another look at the girl standing in front of her, now observing Serika with a tranquil smile on her face. Despite the calm expression on her face, her piercing eyes sent a shiver down Serika's back and she stepped back almost instinctively.
"Excuse me but...do you know me?"
"In a sense...I suppose one could say it is such."
Conversation falling flat due to the girl's ambiguous answer, the two girls were left staring at each other silently until Serika decided to break the awkward air between them by asking another question.
"And you are..."
"Talia Nightingale, how do you do?"
"Talia Nightingale?!"
The 'Omniscient Diviner' and captain of the United States' U15 National Team, Team Unicorn! Currently ranked No.1 among defenders in the U15 division, Serika had heard of the famous seer and rumours of her strange skills before, but having only joined the soccer world recently she had yet to put a face to the name.
"So that's how you knew who I was...I suppose it only makes sense that the 'Omniscient Diviner' would know" Serika reasoned aloud but was corrected quickly by Talia who covered her mouth while she laughed gaily.
"I would not look to the stars to discern something so mundane. It doesn't require a seer to know the JYSA was sending a representative to participate in the World Awakening Project and judging by your unfamiliarity with the club, I simply put two and two together."
Face flushing strawberry pink as she realised that was the much more logical conclusion in comparison to magic divinations and other astrological nonsense, Serika fiddled with the tag on her suitcase nervously until she heard Talia speak up once more.
"I apologise if I embarrassed you, how about I show you around the training facilities as an apology?"
"It's fine, I'm sure I can figure—"
"I insist, it's no trouble at all. Now follow me."
Not taking no for an answer, Talia turned around crisply and began to walk at a much more brisk pace than Serika had expected of her and she soon found herself standing in a large indoor stadium where she could see fifteen or so players in primarily white kits running on the field.
"Talia! Who's this?"
Hearing a booming voice echo throughout the stadium and up the stairwell, Serika watched as Talia gave a small wave and began walking closer to the source of the deafening shout. Following behind closely, Serika slowly shifted her eyes upwards at the young man who was now towering over the two girls.
"Serika, this is Jonah Salk, vice captain of the U20 New York City FC. Jonah, this is Serika Afuro, she'll be participating in the 'Awakening' program starting tomorrow so I thought it would be prudent to show her the facilities, and if she got to meet the members while we were at it, it would be a happy coincidence!"
"Ha! There never seems to be 'coincidences' with you Talia! So let's see who you wanted us all to meet so badly. Serika, was it?"
Serika felt a heavy gaze fall upon her following this, and observed a set of honey brown eyes staring at her curiously. Not intimidated she swallowed to clear her throat,
"My name is Serika Afuro, I'm the c-captain of Raimon Jr.High and I'm going to be the greatest playmaker in the world!"
Hahaha!
"Captain! Sounds like you got some competition here!"
Laughing heartily from his belly at Serika's bold attitude, Jonah turned to where another young man with wavy grey-brown hair was barking commands on the pitch and hearing Jonah's loud bellow, he turned around with suspicious eyes.
Seeing Jonah wave him over enthusiastically, the lithe man walked over reluctantly to where the three were standing and like Jonah before him, looked Serika up and down. Unlike Jonah however, his reddish-brown eyes had blatant judgement in them that made Serika straighten her posture reflexively.
"So this is the other one?"
"Yup! Serika Afuro, captain of Raimon Jr.High just like you!"
"...I see"
"Aww, don't be such a stick in the mud cap! Serika, meet Shindou Takuto! Captain of the New York City U20 FC and also the player with the biggest stick up his–"
Uck
Falling over clutching his side after a painful jab from Shindou, Jonah wiggled on the ground a few times while Shindou kept his foot atop the fallen defender and looked at Serika with an unimpressed gaze.
"Just don't get in the way and we won't have any problems. And don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're from Raimon...if you can't take it. Go home. I'm not a babysitter and I don't plan on becoming one."
"..."
Unable to respond, Serika grinded her teeth with frustration at Shindou's cold welcome and simply nodded her head in understanding.
No matter how outclassed she was right now, there was no way she was going to back down...
Not with their backs against the wall like this...
This was their last chance if they wanted to fix everything...
Two Weeks Ago, Afuro Estate
Knock Knock
"Serika-chan, are you in there?"
Knock Knock
"Seri–"
"Go away!"
Hiding her face under the blankets, Serika heard the knocking stop and she gave a sigh of relief. Her relief didn't last long as she felt a rush of cold air hit her body and followed by a beam of light that caused a hiss to slip from her mouth. Looking around, she saw that her mother had opened the window in her room and spread the drapes so sunlight could enter the dark room.
"Serika Afuro! You have two seconds to get dressed and meet your uncle downstairs or do I need to tell Kageyo that his onee-san is acting like a big baby!"
"Fine! Fine! I got it! Oh my god..."
Grumbling discontentedly, Serika gave her mother death stares when her back was turned but quickly looked down when her mother spun around sensing Serika's displeasure.
"Five minutes, young lady. If I have to come back here one more time..."
"I got it mom!!"
Stomping down the stairs with as much force as she could muster in her feet a few short moments later, Serika saw Aphrodi drinking tea elegantly with her mother and his maroon red eyes carried an amused glint watching her plop down into the settee across from them and engage in a staring competition with her mother.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
"..."
"..."
Ahem
Putting down his tea to interrupt the two, Aphrodi grabbed Serika's attention with a light cough and gave a careful look at his disgruntled niece.
"Serika, I know you're feeling disappointed after losing in the finals...but defeat is a perfectly normal thing to experience when you play soccer. So I know you're having a hard time, but it's already been two weeks since the Holy Road Finals and I think I have some news you'd like to hear."
Serika gave him a dubious look, but nodded almost imperceptibly to give him her consent and he passed a letter across the table.
"How would you like to play soccer—"
Guessing where he was going with this, Serika cut him off while giving him a look asking if he thought she were dim,
"Just because I've been inside my room this entire time doesn't mean I haven't seen the news uncle! Because of that...stupid twit's 'Project Mars' or whatever, he's been closing all the soccer programs in Japan and opening his own soccer academies in their place! And if you think I'm going to attend one of his academies then you've got another thing coming!"
Aphrodi gave Serika a patient smile, while she caught her breath after riling herself up and proceeded slowly,
"If you had let me finish, I was going to ask if you wanted to play soccer in the States, Serika."
Bah
"I'm telling you it's useless Uncle Aphrodi! I already saw that America was one of the countries to volunteer to participate in Project Mars...they're as good as gone now. The only countries that haven't agreed yet are Egypt, Argentina, Greece and China but it's only a matter of time considering the rate of annexation..."
"That might be so...for the U15 division and below but the U20 and Pro League have yet to be affected by Nosaka's influence...if you see what I'm saying."
"...?!"
"Are you crazy?!"
Met by Aphrodi's solemn expression that indicated he was in fact very serious right now, Serika snatched the letter off the table and began to skim through the contents.
"World Awakening Program?" she muttered while using her finger to underline the words while she reread the letter.
"You can just think of it as an international exchange of gifted soccer players Serika and due to your performance in this year's Holy Road I recommended you to the New York FC U20 team."
"But...that's impossible! There's no way I'll be able to keep up with the players in the U20 division! They're all secondary students!! They're at a completely different level than us!"
Shrugging his shoulders, Aphrodi put his jacket back on and continued leisurely,
"Well if that's what you think then you're free to decline but...if I recall correctly I remember someone telling me that they were going to be the 'greatest soccer player' in the world. Now would be the chance to prove it, but if you're not up for it then you're not up for it."
"...."
Giving him a resentful glare, Serika sent him off with obvious aggrievement written on her face as she watched Aphrodi drive off. Then, heading back inside she looked back at the letter once more,
"World Awakening Program, huh...."
Present Day, Palmeiras FC Youth Academy, Brazil
"Hmm..."
Keshin : Seijuu Shining Dragon!!
Keshin : Forest Phantom Anhangá!!
Though Leonidas hadn't expected to die at such a young age, watching the two Keshin empowered shoots race towards him with unimaginable power, Leonidas closed his eyes to accept his impending doom.
It was a shame...
If he had known that today was going to be his last day on Earth, he would've eaten another serving of that quindim last night...
"Leo!!"
Boom
Angelo Moratti Sports Centre, Italy
"Hey b*tch, just pass the ball already!! I'll be the one to score today!
"Call me bitch one more time and I'll rip out your tongue Auster! Don't test me!"
"Kyousuke!!"
"Heh, thanks for the pass b*tch!"
"...!! Go*ck yourself Auster!!!!!"
Completely lost while her new teammates went wild on the field, Khronoa stopped moving, unable to comprehend the behaviour of the players in front of her. Though she was witnessing the messy scene unfold before her own eyes, it was completely different from the soccer she had expected from the team that Fideo had recommended her to...
But that would also explain what had happened yesterday when she had met Fideo in front of the club...
"Mr.Ardena?"
"Khronoa! Glad you could join us! How's it feel to be in Italy? Is it your first time? The translator necklace working all right?"
"Ah yes, this is my first time in Italy but it's simply lovely! The people here have all been so wonderfully nice and helped me get here...I think I would've gotten lost at least three times without their help! It's making me look even more forward to meeting everyone on the team! I know you're on the pro team lineup Mr.Ardena but have you met the members of the U20 team? What are they like?"
"Ah..well..."
Avoiding Khronoa's expectant eyes, Fideo struggled to find words to describe the devilish faces that sprang to mind,
"They're certainly an...um...interesting group for sure."
Meeting Fideo's eyes as he looked down on her, Khronoa thought she detected a trace of pity in his eyes but convinced herself she was being delusional.
"Anyway, do your best Khronoa! Ganbatte!"
"Thank you Mr.Ardena!! I'll be sure to make the most of this opportunity!"
Finishing her recollection of the events from yesterday, Khronoa shook her head to free herself from the negative thoughts that were creeping in as her teammates continued to battle for possession of the ball from each other.
Maybe it wasn't as bad as she thought it was?
"Take this you gilipollas!!"
Keshin : Dust Devil Ghaddar!!
Gahhhh!
"Oh dear..." Khronoa let out subconsciously as she watched Auster get blasted out of the stadium by the force from the Keshin shoot.
"..."
What the heck was going on here!!!
Campus PSG, France
"So that's the player you wanted to show me?"
"Not bad right? Whaddya think?"
Grabbing his chin with his right hand, the man with cyan-coloured hair fell silent while he watched a lone, marine-blue haired striker moving across the field viciously, leaving both teammates and opponents behind him while he went to score. Turning his body to face the younger woman who was looking at him expectantly, he began cautiously,
"He's talented but...he has too much fear inside of him. If he can't overcome that then that boy will never get past the level he is now."
"Ah what the heck Rococo! You worry too much, just give me a few more weeks and I'll have beaten all that sh*t out of him. Trust!"
Looking at the woman once more, Rococo observed her sea-blue eyes that had not even the faintest shadow of a doubt in her words, and he assented quietly.
"I'll be looking forward to it then Magalie. Let's see what new waves the 'Tidecaller' can bring this time."
Then putting his hand into the air to wave goodbye, Rococo walked quietly to the exit leaving Magalie staring sinisterly at the field below. Resting her face in her hands, her face had a grin that betrayed her greedy thoughts,
"Hehehe, just you wait little minnow...I'll turn you into a guppy in no time! Hahahahahahaha!"
The Academy, Kirkby, England
"So you're the one Edgar was talking about? Sure don't look like much...You sure you know how to play footie?"
Stepping backwards while the brunette in front of him stabbed his chest with his finger accusingly, Galahad pushed her away gently and answered her question as he did so.
"Um yeah, pretty sure..."
"Pretty sure or sure?
"I'm sure!"
"Hmph. Yeah whatever mate, just don't go crying to your mum when you realise you're rubbish compared to me, 'kay?"
Sweatdropping while the girl who he had recently come to know was the current captain of the U15 Knights of Queen, Margaret Longchamp, continued to prattle on, Galahad did his best to ignore the hectic screaming that was going on in the background.
"Taiyouuuuuuuuu!!!!! It's time for practiceeeeeee!!!!"
"Don't run Taiyou!!! Come and fight me!!!!"
"Taiyouuuuuuuu!!!!"
Sigh
When Galahad had accepted Edgar's invitation to join the World Awakening Program at Liverpool this wasn't exactly what he had in mind when he heard he would be joining the prestigious club's U20 team (albeit temporarily).
He had been a bit surprised initially when he had heard from Serika and the others that they would be heading to different club teams across the world to train but recalling their miserable defeat to Outei Tsukinomiya in the finals he had found himself packing and on the plane to England the next day without a second thought.
He didn't care what he had to do...
He needed to get stronger...
So he could become a true pillar of support for his team.
Despite making this resolution however, he still found himself missing the days leading up to Holy Road when he was able to train freely with the others....
Serika, Leonidas, Rikitake-senpai, Gabriel-senpai, Hyun-ki...
Even Nariko and Naoki-senpai...
Thinking fondly back to the long training sessions with the Raimon members, a haunting pair of amethyst eyes appeared in his head.
Mika...
Gripping his right fist tightly as her name danced on the tip of his tongue, he couldn't stop himself from looking up towards the sky with a rather mournful look in his eyes and wonder where the missing striker was right now...
"You're okay, right Mika?"
Mount Gongga, China
Kyaaaaaaa!
"Are you having fun Miss?"
Woohooo!!!
Not bothering to answer the man's question with words, Mika's body lifted its hands upwards into the air while the frigid winds blew her silky, black hair behind her. Surprised that the young girl was enjoying herself, the man revved up the engine of his dirtbike to increase their speed. Upon doing so, he could hear the girl let out a sigh of contentment as the duo continued to climb higher towards the mountain's peak.
Initially he had been a bit taken aback when the young girl with almost hypnotic red and blue eyes had approached him asking him to take her up the mountain but once he had seen the exorbitant amount of cash she was offering all of his doubts were thrown out the window and now the two were almost halfway up the mountain.
"Hey! Old man! You can stop now, I'll be getting off here."
"Here??" the man asked with bewilderment.
Looking around, the area she had directed to was almost deserted and while 3000 metres was relatively safe, the girl didn't seem to be carrying much gear with her...
"Are you sure about this Miss? Mount Gongga is one of the hardest–"
However, before he could finish, the girl had already thrown a stack of Yuan into his hands and blinking, he saw that she had disappeared in the snow.
"Good luck little miss..."
She would need it.
He didn't know why she was climbing The King of the Sichuan Mountains but Mount Gongga was one of the deadliest mountains in the world...
With clothes like that and only a light backpack she would survive two days tops...three if she was lucky.
Well...it wasn't his problem.
Counting the bills carefully to make sure he hadn't been cheated out of anything, the man licked his lips with satisfaction as he imagined all the food he would be eating with his family tonight.
"Rich people..."
There was no point in trying to understand what was going on in their minds and to be frank, the man didn't care enough to dwell on it any longer so with that, he turned his bike around and drove off leaving no traces of their presence in the tall peak of Mount Gongga.
Mt.Everest, Himalayas, Date: ???
For the first time in his life, Tamaki realised that he had made a miscalculation.
There was too much garbage.
After climbing to the peak of the world he had thought he would be greeted by the ideal napping spot but instead only observed another small mountain of litter left by climbers before him.
Sighing with disappointment, Tamaki began to lazily chuck some of the trash at some of the climbers who were below him but quickly lost interest even in this.
It was all useless anyway.
No matter how much he tried to convince himself that the insects around him could be more than that, in the end that was all they could amount to.
While Tamaki knew that he was different from the other living creatures around him from birth it still made his heart twinge as he realised that he, alone, stood at the peak of humanity.
In fact it made him slightly jealous seeing how zealous the insects below him lived their worthless lives, believing that their trivial actions would somehow add meaning to their mundane existences.
Hmm?
Opening his left eyelid hesitantly, Tamaki sat up slowly as a lime-green beam of light surrounded the mountain's peak and incinerated the mountain of trash around him to ashes, interrupting his thoughts. Then, emerging from the pillar of light he observed a white-haired teenager about his age with short, spiky hair walk out. Wearing only a black set of leather pants, embedded inside his chest was a large, purple gemstone that seemed to pulsate with each breath and his dead, violet eyes bored straight into Tamaki.
"..."
"..."
Observing no visible response from Tamaki, the youth cocked his eyebrow slightly and a raspy voice could be heard over the howling of the continental winds.
"You're not going to ask me who I am?"
"If you bothered to come find me, you'll probably introduce yourself anyway..." Tamaki reasoned disinterestedly.
"..."
"..."
"Take him in."