1 The Last Match

The atmosphere in the massive stadium reverberated with the deafening roars of over three hundred thousand fans. Their contagious enthusiasm illuminated the evening, flags of their respective teams waving fervently in the air.

"The clock is ticking down, and both teams are deadlocked. What's your take on this, Mike?" the first commentator queried, his gaze fixed on the pitch.

"Well, Team New Era seems to have the edge. Blaze remains their pivotal player, and if Team Black doesn't disrupt his momentum, New Era might clinch the win," Mike, the second commentator, responded, adjusting his glasses.

On the field, clad in red and black, the tension was palpable. The stakes were high – the winning team would secure sponsorship from the federation and the opportunity to represent Earth against other planets in the Milky Way.

A sturdy figure, positioned as the center back, snatched the ball from a player in black and surged forward. Ordinarily, he would have passed, but with just a minute left and despite his martial arts-honed physique, the stalemate loomed large.

His focus sharpened, fixating on their star striker, Blaze. As their eyes met, a smile tugged at his lips upon noticing Blaze's trademark confidence.

With a surge of energy, he propelled the ball forward, his leg akin to a drawn bow, releasing the ball with incredible force that sliced through the air.

"The center back makes an unexpected move with a cross! Hold on... it's aimed at Blaze!" the first commentator exclaimed, eyes widened.

"Team Black is in trouble; Blaze's confidence says it all. He's destined to score!" Mike remarked, a smirk playing on his lips.

Amidst the frenzy, the red-clad man with white hair maneuvered elegantly, evading opponents aiming for the ball, igniting the crowd's fervor.

"It's a goal! No matter who Team Black has as goalkeeper, Blaze will handle him just like the rest!" a girl in the crowd cheered, her eyes sparkling.

"I'll kill him if he doesn't score!" her brother joked, earning a playful hit from his sister.

"As long as they stop his signature shot, New Era is doomed!" a Team Black fan lamented with a gloomy expression.

"Break Blaze's legs!" another fan yelled, oblivious to the weight of their words.

Amidst the cacophony, Blaze discerned his mother's voice, chanting, "You can do it."

Her words acted as a catalyst. Blaze's speed surged, surpassing human limits.

Gathering momentum, he leapt, executing a mid-air somersault while striking the ball. Landing gracefully, he swiftly maneuvered past an opponent, swiftly regaining his footing.

Their superhuman movements didn't shock the crowd; every footballer, now referred to as a titan, had augmented their bodies with technologically advanced martial arts enhancements.

Blaze squinted, assessing the oncoming defender. Swiftly drawing the ball back, he launched it into the air over the defender with a swift kick from his other leg.

Soaring upwards, he chested the ball, deftly landing with it between his legs. "Did he just do that against the Iron Wall!" exclaimed the astonished crowd.

Grinning at his bewildered opponent, Blaze nudged the ball forward. It danced past three defenders, resembling a snake slithering effortlessly.

"He's bypassed the defenders! It's a one-on-one with the goalkeeper!" exclaimed the electrified first commentator, his excitement reverberating through the stadium's speakers.

The audience, from the stadium to distant planets and galaxies, fixated on Blaze's approach towards the goal.

As the wind tousled his hair and clothes, Blaze's crimson eyes locked onto the goalpost and the goalkeeper, both magnified in his vision.

Focusing on the perfect angle, he slowed his pace, drew back his right leg, his muscles taut as his heart raced.

"Try to catch this one."

"With the defenders beaten, no one can stop Blaze's signature strike!"

Boom!

The moment his foot connected with the ball, time seemed to decelerate as it spun forward. The ball soared, curving miraculously toward the right angle.

With a smirk, the goalkeeper lunged, but at the last instant, the ball veered left. The powerful gust accompanying it brushed against the goalkeeper's skin, causing him to grimace.

"It's a goal! Blaze has scored yet another dazzling goal with his unique technique, the Jörmundgandr!" roared the first commentator, gripping his headset to prevent it from falling due to his exuberant movements.

"This marks his hundredth goal this year. Exceptional for a twenty-one-year-old," praised Mike.

"And with this, New Era secures Earth's representation against Mars for resource planet 143! Our revolution draws near!" exclaimed the first commentator, brimming with excitement.

"New Era!"

"New Era!!"

The team members, following Blaze, chuckled as they witnessed the white-haired man sprinting toward a specific section of the stadium.

None could match his speed, and they all knew whom he was heading for. Even the coach sported a knowing smile.

With seconds remaining, New Era emerged victorious. However, the atmosphere shifted abruptly as a mysterious figure observed from the stadium's rooftop.

"We're too late, he's faster than anticipated," the figure softly reported.

"No matter. He keeps surprising us; perhaps it's time we return the favor. Open the package," the figure instructed, signaling an assistant who swiftly activated a long metallic device with enhanced precision AI.

"After this match, Blaze will undoubtedly ascend among Earth's top ten titans! His rise seems unstoppable..."

Boom!

Before the eyes of millions, a bullet pierced Blaze's head, blood spraying as he faltered and collapsed.

"STEFAN!!" echoed his mother's anguished cry as his body hit the ground.