Gear: New World

Head in the Game

"Do you have the location of the kid?"

"Yes boss, he's currently in the human plane. As the night gets young, that's when I'll strike."

"Did you gather the Sins? I want them all ready for when the time comes."

"Yes sir, they are on standby, awaiting your command. If you would wish, I can have one of them accompany me to retrieve the boy."

"No need for that. They are my most prized weapons. Besides, their existence has been kept a secret for the past decades. No need to alert anyone about their awakening. When I send them out, I want the boy to be surprised."

"Understood."

"Good good. Don't forget, I don't care about who you have to go through, just make sure you get his Gear, understood?"

"Yes sir. If I may ask, does he have 2 Gears? He's only 18, that's never happened before, not even you."

"Was that an insult !?"

"No no sir, of course not, I just wanted to know if you would bless me with your reasoning on why this kid, specifically, is so important to you?"

The servant looks down, on one knee bowing in front of the Boss, eyes tightly closed, anticipating to be stricken down for rudeness.

"He will lead us to the destruction of the Guardians. He and the others will revolutionize this world into a new era and I wish to be the ignition to this change."

"Wow boss, you sure are brilliant, I shall be on my way now. I promise no failure."

As the servant backs away, soon drowning in the darkness, the Boss puts his hand on his chin as in deep thought.

"Now, let's see what you'll become Ethan. The pioneer of the new world, or a fool who believes in the simple black and white? The choice will soon be yours boy."

Meadow City is a town surrounded each way you go by forests. The only escape from the trees is the viewpoint, high above us, where you have to climb your way up to reach it. The bucolic smell of fresh pine trees and the fragrance of the forest engulfed the entirety of the town making every day seem like spring. Only in winter do we get a peek of the neighboring towns and cities, making the outskirts of our town look barren, desolated with lifeless trees creaking and shaking. Life here is quiet, only filled with the chants of football stands and humming from timber mills.

Living in a small town like this doesn't give much opportunity for bigger events making Football, THE main event if you're a high schooler like me. The thrill of the seconds coming down to the final play. The competitive nature of everyone on the field, no matter who you are you always have a chance. Unless of course, you're me. I'm different. NO one gets past me, being the best cornerback I make sure no wide receiver scores or even catches the ball on my watch. No matter how small of yardage it might be.

"Phwwwwwhht" goes the whistle as the referee signals the end of the play.

"GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME ETHAN! Or do you wanna get benched for Kevin?"

God, not Kevin, that kid can barely defend against a child if he had to. I've realized that no matter how good you are at football, someones always going to be on your ass. Taking my helmet off so I can talk I reply

"Okay, okay. I got it, coach. Stop worrying so much about it. It was only one catch."

"Sure, a 32-yard catch is just a catch. There's barely any time left in this game and crowds of people are here watching us. You really wanna mess this up? Now get your head in the game or you'll be rethinking your starting position on the team!"