World Cup 79 • CREDRAWK • RP Thread

[Chromatika]

Chromatika in World Cup 79 Part 6: Fluidity

The Capitalizt Dome
1 Capitalizt Dome Court
Chromatik City, Chromatika

CHROMATIKA: 2 EASTFIELD LODGE: 3 63:46

The scoreboard taunted Silian Parker, but the Manager wasn't even blinking as he stared at it. So much had gone right in the first twenty minutes - Alyss Montague had shown world class playmaking skills in the first five, setting up Victoriane beautifully, and the Lammerton striker had put it past Harvey with contemptuous ease. Ten minutes after, Meagan Kelly's free kick had made it two-nil for the home team. Some in the crowd thought that perhaps Eastfield Lodge was done after that, but Parker knew otherwise.

Jane Williamson had warned Parker and the players about the Eastfielders' resiliency, and she wasn't lying. Ahmad III's charges bounced back almost immediately after those first twenty-three minutes, the ageless Tia Drenas made Luuk Aart look foolish on a whiffed tackle before taking Jillian Nier on one-on-one, beating the keeper; right before the end of the half, Breta Glibin found herself outpacing Erika Morningstar for a wicked cross that The Doctor headed in, no problem, to knot the match at two.

It was Ahmad who made the first impact sub - Kaiya Mohd came on and started to change the pace of the game. Parker had responded with some youth on the left back position - Aysu Damjana in for Ellen, to nobody's surprise - but Mohd beat Damjana and put the Eastfielders ahead.

The core of the issues the Chromatiks were facing was that Sandra and Alyss were having a hard time keeping The Doctor and von Kraus at bay. This allowed the Eastfielder wingers to play as true attackers, while Ilyess wasn't being punished at all.

It was time for a change.

"Sparrowhawk," he said to Williamsen, "I think it's time for Sparrowhawk."

The Assistant Manager's eyes widened. She had heard of Parker's unconventional tactics before, but to see them in action would be something else. She ran down and tapped Rachel Hellion on the shoulder.

"Rache, you're in for Ki," she stated.

Hellion let out a gasp in surprise.

"Sparrowhawk?" she asked Jane.

Williamson nodded and replied, "Sparrowhawk."

She then went and told the referee manning the sideline, who put it on the board that # 17 was coming in for #11. A loud murmur spread through the crowd.

This wouldn't be the first time that Parker would use this formation. The "Sparrowhawk", as he called it, would rely on Hellion to play as an out-and-out holding midfielder that helps balance the midfield mismatch, and allow Montague and Sybill to pressure Ilyess. Meagan Kelly and Jazmin Dragana would be free to play as offensive wingers, with Kaytlyn Victoriane and Keira Andisori playing as true strikers. The formation utilized Dragana's background as a winger more effectively, while putting Kelly's speed to use; it also allowed Victoriane to stay in the final third the whole time instead of involving herself in the middle third.

The only reason he could use the formation so effectively was due to two main reasons: First, that Hellion was a world-class player who was selfless while being ridiculously competitive; and second, that Dragana had the background as a pressing winger.

Thus, the Chromatiks switched to a 3-1-4-2. The gamespeed changed immediately. Not five minutes later, Dragana got the ball between Nagi and Philip for an easy tap-in by Andisori; the Chromatiks controlled the flow for the rest of the match, and Keira Andisori scored the game-winner with five minutes left.

Another genius stroke by Parker. Another day at the office. Three points from one of the legitimate threats in the group - albeit at home.

A typical day for Silian Parker.

---

Chromatika 4-3 Eastfield Lodge @ The Capitalizt Dome, Chromatik City, Chromatika
Chromatika: Victoriane '5, Kelly '15, Andisori '70, '85
Summary: The match of the campaign so far for the Chromatiks, the team weathered the clinic put on by the Eastfielders in the middle thirty minutes to prevail in the end. Parker's ingenuity and the flexibility of the Chromatik players at their positions proved to be the difference maker. The ease with which Drenas and The Doctor scored, however, is a cause for concern, especially with a trip to Eshan looming. Rachel Hellion played a brilliant half hour of football as the defensive midfielder, freeing up the others to help on the attack. The match was a testament to how well Parker has a feel for the flow of the game. He knows how to use his personnel to be their best, and they trust him to use them to be their best.

Matchday 6: Eshan vs. Chromatika @ Estadi Echani, Rosaria, Eshan
Predicted Starting XI: Nier; Morningstar - Aart - Ellen; Hellion - Sybill; Kelly (C) - Montague - Dragana; Victoriane - Andisori.
In what was the biggest upset so far in Group 3, Banija handed Eshan their first defeat in the previous matchday. This mean that Eshan will be out to put that taste of defeat out of their mouths, while trying to take points away from Chromatika while they have them at home. Our Eastern Atlantian Oceanian neighbors have a high-octane attack led by van Ciavatinni, while Aurélian is no slouch of a goalkeeper, as Morningstar would know with their days at Sabrefell Athletic. Parker has elected to start off differently from the get-go, changing from the 3-4-3 to a 3-2-3-2 that will use Rachel Hellion as a defensive midfielder, Sandra Sybill as more of a playmaking one, and then Alyss Montague as a central attacking mid with Kelly and Dragana flanking her. This will mean that Victoriane and Andisori will be the two strikers, as the Chromatiks try to counter the Echani midfield and attacking core with more bodies of their own in the front third. It will be important to score early, or at least not let in a goal, as to keep the Echani at bay - they are one passionate people when it comes to football. The toughest match of the campaign, if we are being honest. Expect a draw here with the form the Chromatiks have been showing. Eshan 2-2 Chromatika.

---

What a match! My blood is still pumping, and that finish by Keira! Have you been enjoying the column so far? Isn't it crazy? And to think that the government is okay with us reading this stuff! The comments have been going crazy, and I understand why. Apparently, Premier Krasnikova is supposed to have a press conference at the end of it all to address the nation. Until then, read on!

Operation New Hope: The Aftermath
Part 5: Didi Farrot

I had been busy since the Revolution. As soon as I was able to, I learned how to read. It took a month, but I was pretty good at it, and I intended to get better at it. I had a hard time believing what I was reading on the maps showed to us, though. Really? The land, the people, the history - all didn't exist about a hundred years ago? It was so hard to believe, yet so easy. It as as obvious as the fact that we needed to breathe. I hated how much I believed it, but it also brought me comfort. Strange, right?

The strange being called Nirdasil - I don't feel comfortable referring to her as a woman - was still explaining to the Staff Sergeant about the maps. I was starting to lose a bit of patience - as important as our history was, I was more concerned about these three beings who had ruined our country. 'Cause really, who cares if they were the reason that Chromatika was made? They had made us to play with us, and we weren't anybody's thing to play with!

"Excuse me," I interrupted, and Nrdasil turned to look at me, her dark eyes staring.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Who are the three, where did they come from, and why did they create the experiment that created our country? If it was all about this Lord of yours that you serve, why not just take the fight to him? Why create Chromatika and institute such a stupid fucked up system?! Do you know what life was like back then for people like me?" I was fuming.

Angel, the Medical Sergeant, stepped up to try to calm me down, but Nirdasil waved her off, replying, "You have every right to be angry. I would be as well in your shoes. In order for you to understand the purpose behind your country, you have to first learn about mine. Would that be all right? Can you hear me out?"

I nodded. She motioned for everyone to sit down, and as she did son, cushions appeared all around us, out of thin air. Mystified still, we sat down on them - they were extremely comfortable.

"This earth isn't the only one, neither is it in the only time," she began, "And in one, magic is real, and so are beings that most here believe as fairytales. Elves, Dwarves, Men, Beastlings, Changelings. They all exist in this land - the land of Mystria. For as long as there was history in Mystria, the Bidden races have competed among themselves, but had an unspoken bond against the Unbidden - the Dark Creatures of the night that were pure evil. When the Horde would appear, those that were quarreling would lay down their differences and come back to unite under one banner against the Unbidden. Their gods helped them to numerous victories.

There was a leader of the Horde called The Unnamed One. He knew that there would be no chance against the Bidden unless the Unbidden were to unite under one banner. So, he captured a human woman and an elf woman, and then brought forth three of the Unbidden who were willing to sacrifice their lives - a female Vampire, a female Wraith, and a female Werewolf. The three were considered to be the fairest of their races, as were the woman and the female Elf.

Under a full moon, the Unnamed One performed one of the darkest rituals there ever existed - one that should have never been known. The ritual altered the balance in the cosmos. It was supposed to fuse its essence with the essences of the five female ones that create an ultimate being, both Bidden and Unbidden, that would have the power to rule them all. However, the ritual hadn't stated anything about what would happen to the being, just its power.

As the ritual began, the god Zaiden noticed it. Zaiden had always been a god of peace, a god that believed in was to solve problems without killing. He had thought it a sad truth that the Unbidden were so corrupt and so hated, but without changing their very essence, there would be nothing that he could do. He saw the ritual as a way to change the very essence of the Unbidden. So, he reached out, and touched the ritual body as it was forming.

The bodies of The Unnamed One and the five females lay on the ground when Zaiden touched the ritual's culmination forming. The sheer power of the being reverberated the countryside, and the very essence of the ritual changed the genetic nature of the Unbidden forever. From the ritual came forth a being that was as powerful as The Unnamed One had hoped. The resiliency and the physical prowess of the Unbidden, with their capacity of survival, of instinct. But also, the conscience and goodness of the Bidden, with their capacity for both untold cruelty and unimaginable kindness. And thus..."

Nirdasil's voice caught a little, and she looked to the distance for a while before continuing.

"And thus, I was created. The gods threw Zaiden out of their court for what he had done in altering the fundamental nature of a species. In the chaos that followed after his defeat, Nocturne, Muerte, and Pandemonium were created out of their blindness to see the good work that Zaiden had done, their hatred for we, the Unbidden, and the disarray that the court of the gods fell into without a member of the pantheon. Those gods do not know that the three exist; but my Lord Zaiden knows. The three seek the destruction of Zaiden and all that he holds dear, for without us, the Unbidden, their power will grow unchecked, and they will actually be the ones to rule Mystria without the gods of the pantheon ever finding out.

They knew, though, that Zaiden would have his eyes fixed upon Mystria. So, they roamed the cosmos, and found this earth. They found that land, and spread out their very forms of death, of darkness, and of chaos. And out of their very essence came forth Chromatika and its Chromatik Party. The Party, as I understand, was cruel in its oppression, dark in how it didn't allow the oppressed to have any light of hope at all, and chaotic in how its power had no end. It was this pattern that alerted my Lord to Chromatika's presence, and he has sent Yesopalitha to it so that the Three will have to come to Him to settle this once and for all.

With Yesopalitha here, the Three will follow, and so will My Lord. Yesopalitha will be the target, and a war will be fought for the fate of my world. And that is the actual story."

A tear leaked out of Nirdasil's eye, and I felt genuinely sorry for... her, but also angry. Some make-believe land was the cause of all this?

"Well, damn them, lass," I stated, speaking up, "We dispelled one fucked up government, we can help you put these guys away, too. If there is a way we can help, that is."

That right away brightened her up a bit. "Oh, there is," she replied to me, smiling now, "Spread the word. Let your people know of their existence. The more beings that know of Darkness, Death, and Chaos, the better."

That sounded easy enough to me. Something didn't sit right, though, now that she spoke of them plainly. Wasn't Darkness, Death, and Chaos present everywhere always? What would happen if their beings were sent away?

It really made my head hurt.

"Come," she beckoned for us to follow, "I bet you're starving. We can all eat, and I'll answer a question from each of you. There is even more to see, after this."

And so we followed our guide even further into the Red Enclave - Haven - the place that Zaiden had made to shelter a bit of the newly created Chromatik people from the clutches of Nocturne, Muerte, and Pandemonium.

[Yesopalitha]

Alarm bells rang across the countryside as Nirdasil was made aware that the land was moving again. She blinked twice nervously as the voice spoke once more:

"Your faith in me is rewarded. Let me show you the truth. This land has already been claimed, you were never really here."

She opened her eyes, and saw that the country was floating in mid-space? It wasn't air, it was as if they were just floating in the middle of nothing.

"What is going on?! she demanded of Zaiden, "Where s our country at now?"

"It is in the process of being placed," answered the voice, "And will be find in the meantime here. Even if you fall, I will return you to this land, unscathed. "

The voice went on to explain that Nirdasil would have to a place called Eyrods in Chromatika and explain everything to a group of people.

"They seek the truth. They will need to hear it. To understand it."

"As it be according to your will," was her reply. "To your will."

[Equestrian States]

---

The Kylx Mansion
:: Manechester, Equestrian States

---

Val Kylx was participating in one of his personal favorite pastimes: watching football. It was his third-favorite pastime behind playing football and coaching football, and ahead of his fourth-favorite pastime: getting laid.

The match on his 370-inch monstrosity of a television was the World Cup qualifier between the Equestrian States and Indusse, and it wasn't going well for the Ponies. Two of their players had already been sent off, and with just a couple minutes of added time remaining, it seemed likely that another would see red before the final whistle was blown.

Casually taking a swig from his can of Kylxpirinha-brand beer, Val Kylx watched as one Hakan Abt, an Equestrian midfielder, was brought down from behind by an Indussan defender. The Kalactanian referee quickly blew his whistle, eliciting a groan from the Indussan fans until he - to the shock of everyone watching, even the Great Val Kylx - showed a yellow card to Abt, followed by the red. Abt was off the ground in a millisecond, screaming at the referee.

"Let him have it, Hakan!" Kylx hollered at his Manechester City teammate through the screen.

Abt's tirade continued for half a minute, yelling in the impassive face of the referee, his teammates struggling in vain to pull him away from the official. The referee's response was short, just a few words at most, none of which Kylx could discern, but apparently it was enough. Hakan Abt yelled, shrugged off the desperate attempt by Elaine Everdeen to hold him back, wound up...

...And punched the referee in the face.

Val Kylx cheered as the Kalactanian collapsed on the grass, knocked out cold: "Way to go, Hakan! That's the Manechester City spirit!"

Kylx cracked open another can of Kylxpirinha in celebration, toasting himself for his training of his Equestrian pupil, still grinning as the final whistle was blown by the former assistant referee now in charge of the match.

---

Insanity in Indusse: Joey Lawson 0, Ponies 0
by Steve McNotapony

Indusse 0-0 Equestrian States
at Unknown Stadium in Unknown City, Indusse
Attendance: Unknown
Scoring:
No Scoring

SOMEWHERE, Indusse - I've seen my fair share of strange matches in my time covering the Ponies, dating back to the 58th World Cup. I'm not sure that this would top that list, as it's got some stiff competition from when the Equestrian States played a qualifying match in a fiery hellscape and when the Ponies were forced to field a team of fillies and colts in a World Cup playoff by an obscure Sports Council regulation, but it's certainly up there.

Referees typically don't make headlines unless it's for all the wrong reasons, like when some homeless Darmeni linesman named Bob played goalkeeper for Polar Islandstates. Normally, the referee doesn't even warrant a mention in a report of the match, and most referees like to keep it that way, going about their jobs quietly and letting the players take the spotlight. That was not the case last night for Joey Lawson, an official from Northwest Kalactin who did everything he could to ensure his name was prominently featured in the reports of the match; and if I know my editors here at ESPN, I'm willing to bet that this article too will see his name emblazoned atop it. [Ed. note - You know us too well, Steve.]

The match started with the Equestrian States fielding a hybrid starting XI, with several first-choice starters alongside a number of players further down the pecking order. Joey Lawson wasted little time making his presence felt, failing to call a clear penalty six minutes into the match after Aaryan Yadav dragged down Luminesce just inside the box, a sign of the poor officiating to come. Rainbow Blitz, the Ponies' vice-captain, was clearly outraged by the missed call and made his feelings clear to Lawson, prompting the referee to book him for dissent. Ten minutes later, Rainbow Blitz, still simmering from the blown call and undeserved yellow card, took the ball away from Baskar Kumar with a clean tackle, but the Indussan midfielder flopped to the ground in a poor imitation of a dive and Lawson fell for it hook, line, and sinker. The Equestrian vice-captain was shown a second yellow and sent off, though not without saying a few choice words to Lawson before heading to the tunnel; the Ponies would have to play the remaining 74 minutes with ten players.

From there, things would only get worse. Joey Lawson was simultaneously too strict and too lenient, slow to call fouls but not hesitant to whip out his trusty yellow card, booking over half the Equestrian team for varying offenses before the first 45 minutes were played. Pearly White was visibly outraged when Krysia Bailey was cautioned for seemingly bumping into David Beckham, the defender the sixth Equestrian added to Lawson's book along with Abhiram Kumar and Stan Kan from Indusse.

Just before the hour mark, the mild-mannered goalkeeper Silver Charm joined Rainbow Blitz in the locker room, shown a straight red for plucking a corner from the air before Beckham could head the ball at the net. In response, Pearly White brought on Gentle Breeze for the ensuing penalty, the Ponies' world-class keeper making a spectacular save to deny Rajkumar's shot. Gentle Breeze would be crucial to the Ponies' eventual draw, making eight additional saves in the final half hour as the outnumbered Equestrians struggled to hold back the Indussans.

Then, in the 79th minute, Joey Lawson outdid himself. After finally showing Abhiram Kumar a second yellow for a nasty tackle on Aarón Aiza, the Kalactanian official failed to produce the red card, inexplicably allowing the now double-booked forward to continue playing. The Equestrian protests were ignored, none of the Ponies able to say much as all nine players on the pitch for the Equestrian States had already themselves been cautioned.

Finally, with just a couple minutes remaining, Hakan Abt was shown a second yellow after being taken down by Kan. Abt snapped, screaming in Lawson's face before a short response from the Kalactanian prompted the ill-tempered Abt to punch him in the face, knocking ol' Joey Lawson out cold. Assistant referee Kelly Magee saw out the final minutes of the match without further controversy after Lawson was stretchered off the pitch, the final whistle bringing an end to an eventful scoreless draw.

After the match, Pearly White seemed somewhat speechless, offering begrudging sympathies to Lawson for Abt's attack while also expressing hope that he'd never again officiate a Ponies match. Hakan Abt, meanwhile, was unavailable to comment, having been immediately sent to the Equestrian States team plane at the airport after leaving the pitch.

   GROUP 10                  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts        MD5 Results:
 1  Mercedini               5    4   1   0    13    5   +8    13         New Doltania 2–5 Bjornoya Islands 
 2  Abanhfleft              5    4   0   1    18    9   +9    12        @ Unknown Venue in Unknown City, NDL
 3  The Holy Empire         5    4   0   1    16   10   +6    12         Abanhfleft 5–2 The Holy Empire 
 4  Alpine Union            5    3   2   0    10    7   +3    11        @ Monsanto Stadium in Releinthi, AFT 
 5  Equestrian States       5    2   1   2     6    8   −2     7         Indusse 0–0 Equestrian States 
 6  Lisander                5    2   0   3    12   11   +1     6        @ Unknown Venue in Unknown City, IND
 7  South Toronto           5    1   1   3    10   15   −5     4         Mercedini 5–2 South Toronto 
 8  Bjornoya Islands        5    1   0   4     6   11   −5     3        @ Zoloroni Sports City Stadium in Zoloroni, MRC
 9  Indusse                 5    0   3   2     4   10   −6     3         Lisander 1–2 Alpine Union 
10  New Doltania            5    0   0   5     7   16   −9     0        @ Vermillion Arena in Salinas, LIS
   Abanhfleft (+9) ahead of The Holy Empire (+6) on goal difference
   Bjornoya Islands (−5) ahead of Indusse (−6) on goal difference

Elsewhere in Qualifying Group 10, there were plenty of goals to be had as Abanhfleft crushed The Holy Empire 5-2 at home, a win that makes the Ponies' 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Fleftics seem much better than it did immediately after the fact. Mercedini won by the same scoreline against the much lower ranked South Toronto, lifting themselves atop the qualifying group while the Alpine Union picked up ground in the race for qualification with a 2-1 victory over sixth-seeded Lisander. Finally, the Bjornoya Islands picked up their first points of the campaign with a 5-2 victory over fellow strugglers New Doltania.

The Ponies' next match will see them host group leaders Mercedini at Everfree's appropriately-named Wild Grounds, with the Equestrian States already desperately needing points to keep themselves in the race to qualify for the World Cup. A loss could see the Ponies drop eight points back of the second qualifying spot, a daunting gap that would be difficult to close even with the Equestrians playing at their full potential, which they have yet to do this tournament. Pearly White will have her work cut out for her though as she'll be dealing with several player suspensions from last night's s***show.

---

Match Report :: Match Day 5

 INDUSSE 1-2 EQUESTRIAN STATES 
Unknown Venue (cap. Unknown) in Unknown City, Indusse

Scoring:
No Scoring

Starting XI:
GK - Silver Charm
LB - Nightshade
CB - Crimson Mesa
CB - Erauso Iburrusteta
RB - Krysia Bailey
CM - Cloudchaser (C)
CM - Hakan Abt
LW - Luminesce
CAM - Rainbow Blitz
RW - Apple Cobbler
ST - Sonar

Substitutions:
 Elaine Everdeen in for Luminesce '45
 Gentle Breeze in for Sonar '58
 Aarón Aiza in for Cloudchaser '58

[Natanians and Nosts]

The N-City Bumblebee

The Senate approved a law that makes mandatory the teaching of Braille at all schools.The law aims to improve the integration of the blind and visually impaired and has the final goal of complementing the new regulation on keyboards manufactured at the nation from last week,that mandates them to be manufactured with Braille high-relief over the keys,and making it possible for the blind to share the same computers with the ones that can see and to produce future generations more prepared to interact with them.
The bill received unanimous support from all 21 senators in both votings and a great approval rating at the chamber.Beginning next year there will be Braille classes all over the country for 1st graders and when theses students arrive at high school they will have one less philosophy class to make room for it.

[Petroslovania]

deleted

[95X]

/me cannot into politics. Part Two.

Security in and around Oceanside was tight as 95X hosted Sameba, and even tighter around the stadium. Armed perimeters were placed around the city itself. Questioning and flat-out interrogation increased at the port. Rare air patrols were deployed. Ticket holders were told if they wanted to enter the stadium they were required to leave all personal items elsewhere, including any electronic devices. Only themselves, their clothes, and their wallets, would be allowed inside. Oceanside itself would not recognize the declaration of James Sixsixtysix, and had wisely avoided stating so publicly. All of Cascade Island and its millions of inhabitants were at stake.

Again, in a mid-rise building overlooking the ocean, an important meeting was taking place. Knowledge of the meeting was on a need-to-know-basis and spread by 'wink-wink-nudge-nudge' means. Dark curtains were drawn and the only light in the conference room was from the overhead lights on an otherwise clear and sunny day.

"It's halftime in Oceanside, where 95X and Sameba have played forty-five minutes of scoreless action…" an announcer said on a small TV, on for background noise to disguise the purpose of the meeting.

"All of us work so many damn hours in this country we don't have time to make ourselves known," said Jill-in-the-Box's eponymous CEO Jill, who dropped her last name years ago. "You're agreeing to do the right thing here," she encouraged the person she was speaking to.

The others in the room, mostly corporate types, nodded and said "um-hm" in agreement.

"Lewis scores!" the television announcer proclaimed, clashing with the tone of the meeting. "95X takes a one-zero lead!"

One of them handed the person in question a prepared speech. They were ready to go live as soon as the match ended.

[Valanora]

Tobias' "dream" gnawed at him, in the back corners of his mind, an ever present feeling and sense of dread in the week since it had happened. Though he still heard the whispers of what Vanorians called the Calling, it seemed to be dulled out by that sense of dread that had come to him since his "dream", which was all that he had hoped it was. There was no possible way that one of the Elder Gods had actually chosen to communicate with him and there could not be any truth in the words that she had spoke to him. Despite all the evidence the contrary, Tobias still wanted to believe that the lack of voice from Elune was not because she was no longer there, but merely allowing the faithful to find their own way rather than rely on her for all protection and guidance.

"Artanis, you have been through every instance of the calling, have you not?" Tobias asked of his older cousin as the pair sat in the library inside of the Raynor Mansion. Artanis had served as a mediator in the past and dignitary as well, now he lived a more simple life as merely a member of the royal family, though Tobias valued Artanis' experience outside of his own and often called upon his council.

"I have been through all three of the occasions yes, the last time being the most difficult for me as the whispers to travel beyond the horizons and into the lands of the immortals was very strong. If you believe the legends, we are not of this world, perhaps not even native this this reality, and that is why only the elves hear the Calling." Something about the way that Artanis phrased that struck a chord with him, it seemed to line up with what Gladerial had said in that dream. Legends had to have come from somewhere, even the most outlandish of them had to have a small measure of truth to them and if this one was true as well?"

"Do you recall what the elven population was during the last calling and what it was afterwards."

"Well I do not remember the exact numbers, but there was roughly around a hundred million elves living across the empire and abroad when the last instance started. When the whispers finally died down and those who choose to heed the calling had left, it was reduced down to just around five million." Artanis said, giving his cousin a curious gaze, wondering why he would want to know such trivial matters. If there really was another Calling to be had, while it would initially be terrible for the production, the population of non elves was substantial enough to recover quickly and breeding had never been a problem for elves, though the maturation process was slower.

"That was nearly the entire population, we're barely up to fifty million elves across the empire now several decades later. If it were to happen again, now, what all would we lose? Would all the elves go, what would become of our empire and our legacy? What would remain of everything that we and our ancestors have worked so hard to cultivate here?"

"What are you saying Tobias? Are the rumors true, is there another Calling about to take place?"

"I do not know cousin. I had a dream a week ago, where in the dream the Elder Goddess Gladerial came and spoke to me and told me a great many things, not all that which make sense. She said that the next instance of the Calling, which is on the ears of the elderly and devout, would be a false instance and one that would jeopardize our entire existence. I thought it just to be a fever dream but your speaking of legends of us not being of this world or even this reality sounds like the very things that Gladerial was speaking of. If this is true, how am I supposed to stop it? I was told to be a leader but how do you tell those who are so devout in their faith that it is all a lie, that they would be walking into their own deaths?"

"Be honest cousin. You have saved Valanora three times in the past that the public knows of, they trust you and though whatever it is that Gladerial may or may not have told you, you have the strength and resolve to see it through. You are a leader, that is why the daughter of Celekorn agreed to the treaty, that is why you were able to defeat the Drow in the Shadow War, and why you were able to snuff out a civil war before it even had a chance to begin. Be honest with them, you have earned their respect and now you must command it. I will follow you cousin, just speak the word of what I must do, speak the words of what all Vanorians must do, and then see to it."

"You are wise Artanis, that is why I seek your council. Very well, I will first confide in the Arch Priestess and then prepare a speech for the nation. I am sure our allies abroad will want to be informed to, even if they are unable to assist in the circumstance."

[Eshan]

Alexio del Nieran paced in front of the full-wall window panes of his hotel room from the warm but rainy day outside in Eurana, the capital city of the Echani homelands third biggest island, Nord Belka. The national team had held an open practice at one of the local stadiums in preparation for the massively-important match against the Echani north-eastern Atlantian Oceania neighborhood rivals, number four in the world, and three points ahead of Eshan in the group, Chromatika. The loss they had suffered playing away to Banija was unbearable for him and the team, a worrying sign after three straight wins to have drawn and now lost in successive game. And with a huge test against Chromatika, that sort of shitty form had hit at the worst possible time. But, perhaps he could get the lads to play out of their skin and show up in a big way and play the Echani style of football, than a win wasn’t too far out of the realm of possibility. To facilitate this improbable victory, he would definitely have to switch things up.

To that end, he would have to change up his line-up to a little more defensive one. Bearing that in mind, and with the help of pacing while looking out into Eurana, he ran over what his options were. The game, as is the case with the vast majority of football matches, would be controlled and played through the midfield, so it was there that he intended to solidify the Echani defense. There was no doubt that Artemis Montanari is one of the best Echani midfielders in the game with his unique skill in both the offensive and defensive aspects of the game and his athleticism combined to make a formidable presence, but he was still far more attacking-minded, and a defensive specialist was certainly necessary to solidify the area and break down the attacking moves that were sure to come from Chromatika. To remedy that situation, he would call upon the services of Varsaly Marenzo to come in and set up shop next to Samper Markovic in the defensive side of midfield, those putting the majority of creative attacking duties from the midfield on Jean-Marie Bentacur’s shoulders. Varsaly had been fantastic for the Seria-A’s best defense last season, sitting in midfield and using his excellent positioning and anticipation to shut off most attacks before they begin, and making use of his natural athleticism and absolutely fantastic pinpoint tackling abilities to put a lid on any attacking effort that manages to escape his initial efforts. He’s got a nice and decent long pass on him, but Alexio del Nieran would prefer for him to just shunt the ball over to Samper Markovic or Jean-Marie Bentacur and let them deal with putting together movements; del Nieran just wanted Varsaly focus on defending the everlasting shit out of the side from Chromatika.

And as good as Eric Bambic is in defense, this game would just require something more, and del Nieran was confident that the old lion of Willian Luc Villaview could rose himself to give a world class performance. He and Bambic had similar playing styles, but Luc Villaview was just better in every single possible aspect, especially in those essential arts of defending; those of tackling, marking, positioning, anticipation, and sheer desire to win. With those two more defensive changes, along with having his midfield and defensive line sitting back a little deeper, with the fullbacks focusing more on their defense duties rather than their attacking obligations, Alexio del Nieran was sure that the Echani team would be sound and secure at back. It would be extremely challenging and there was certainly no path to easy victory, but putting out that lineup with those tactics would go a long way towards a potential victory. Beating Chromatika would be absolutely massive for both the team and the nation, as it would go a long way towards securing Eshan’s status as one of the best teams in Atlantian Oceania, and it was always important to ensure your dominance in your home area before looking around for further conquest, and defeating Chromatika was obviously a big way to do that. Especially with Eshan’s runners-up finish in the most recent AOCAF tournament, a win could be yuge. Improbable, but yuuuuuge. Plus it would really suck to lose two matchdays in a row and go from taking nine points from nine, to one point from nine. That would be pretttttttty shitty hole to dig his team into this early on into the campaign, so if the Echani players could try their damn hardest to not do that, that would be really fantastic.

---

---

So the constitutional convention date had been set for South Covello, perfect. You loved to hear that they seemed to be heading towards a free and secular democracy, the country was stable and peaceful in their transition towards being a fully functioning country. Anyone could run for office, and that was a pretty good way to pull out candidates from all sorts of ideological positions and charlatans representing various interests. President Revan, and the world at large of course, would be be watching with keen eyes to see who would rise as supported candidates.

The Echani military was in the process of withdrawing from South Covello, with so many various militaries still shacked up there and South Covello appearing to be secure in their democratic operations, pulling back to Kawakami Naval Air Station and Eshan’s base off the coast of Ethane. Revan would of course leave a strong and stable force in the nation to ensure accomplishment of various Coalition goals, as well as to protect Echani aid workers and help disperse all the different aid packages that the country had sent. What was next for Eshan now? See who the candidates were and help the best one rise to the top, make sure no other nation did anything stupid to try and seize control. What else in the region? Well there was a lot of Echani forces in Esportiva now, if an ally were to need help or needed to acquire additional space for whatever reasons, Revan would be sure to use the forces to help. It felt good to flex the muscle and make the nation great, and to represent Atlantian Oceania on the world stage and do the region proud was of profound importance to Revan, and he was happy to have done so. Eshan was out there on the front lines waving that beautiful Atlantian Oceanian flag and it was glorious. Speaking of the mother region, matters in Atlantian Oceania seemed well, no sort of conflicts or disputes or anything of that nature. Peace in the realm. And if there were any disturbers of that peace, the Echani military certainly served as a sort of assured-destruction principal, with any antagonist knowing that it would be short time before Eshan was there putting them down.

Revan also had another matter on his mind. With the presidential election just over a year away, he had to be mindful of the ever present need to run to campaign for re-election. Although, he had to admit he wasn’t particularly concerned as he enjoyed a commanding approval rating of just north of 70% and was a fantastic campaigner. A second term was all but ensured, and that’s when he could start remaking the Republic in his own mind. The people loved him, the military respected him thanks to a brilliant campaign in South Covello, and he had the strength of personality and the existing adoration of a nation to make the Grand Republic a reality. Baby steps though, one thing at a time. Make South Covello Great Again/For The First Time, get the Echani forces home safely, re-election, all the various different things that could pop up at any given moment.

And of course, there was always the most important duty he had to fulfill.

Watching the Echani national football team play.

[Banija]

Mujaguzo, Busukuma, National Capitol Region, Banija

Kyabazinga Aria had arrived at Mujaguzo. The Royal Palace, the home of Banijan monarchs an Kasanke tribal leaders for centuries, was occupied by many people, but state hall was now occupied by two people. One, of course, being Kabaka Albert III, the recently crowned Kabaka of Banija. And the other, of course, being his youngest sister, Kyabazinga Aria.

Kyabazinga Aria was the youngest of 5 children for the late Mugisha III, who was Albert III's father. She was all of 29 years old. She had a 7 year old son, Kagere Seninde, but he was very unlikely to become King, due to all the people in front of him, and him not being from the line of the Crown Prince. She was once married, to a commoner who had served in Banija's armed forces, but he had died the year before in a terrible car crash. He was a good man, he was a honorable soldier, but most unfortuantely, he was dead. She was coping, of course, and the Kabaka had a proposal for her.

"Aria" began the Kabaka. "I have an interesting proposal for you. Do you remember my visit to Bostopia?"

"Why, yes, of course!" Replied his sister. "It was all over the news! I am a Kyabazinga, you know- I can't exactly not follow this stuff. It's a bit different from being a Omugaba- I have more responsibility now, and a son. How was your trip? Did you really summon me here to talk about it? I thought it was more urgent than this.."

"Of course it is!" said the Kabaka. "We both remember your late husband- Eternal rest grant unto him oh Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. But no, I am here to talk about your future." The Kyabazinga hated talking about her husband. Did everyone really think she really wanted to re-live his death all the time? "Well, I would like to show you this photobook. While Emperor Boston is courting elsewhere, there is a certain prince. RIght here." And he pointed to Prince Michael.

"Ahh..." Murmured the Kyabazinga. Was her own brother about to marry her off? "Is that in accordance with Banijan law? He's cute, I'll admit, but I don't know anything about him! What does their Emperor think? Does this Prince know who I am?"

"Well, I wanted to get your approval first." Replied the Kabaka. "You would be the one married to him- not me. But think! You'd be the first Banijan member of the immdiate royal family to marry abroad in an extremely long time. And while your children wouldn't have succession rights here.. Well, let's be honest, there's almost no chance your son becomes King. But over there! While he couldn't be a King there, either, Prince Michael could be! To be honest, succession in Bostopia is more up in the air, and if things go your way, it's possible that you become an Empress at some point. At the very least, you would become a princess once again."

They looked at each other. Kyabazinga Aria nodded, and she was dismissed from the room. Kabaka Albert III was excited. His sister had agreed to it. Now, of course, it was time for the setup. He would prepare to write to the Emperor, to invite both Emperor Boston and Prince Michael to Banija for Matchday 11. He could show him Busukuma, this palace, and the Stadium of the Restoration. And, of course, make the big introduction between the Kyabazinga and the Prince in a way that would be comfortable for her- in the comfort of her own country. Kabaka Albert III could be known as the monarch who was able to tie bonds between his house and the royal houses of others, that would strengthen both the monarchy and the state for many years after his death...

[Mriin]

Maal Memoirs
Sports

Darkmania Left in the Dark

Yon Kegant
Maal, Mriin

In a stunning twist, Mriin sits alone atop Group 4 in the early days of World Cup qualifying! I'm still a bit shellshocked that we took the full three in Port Christopher, to be honest--although in hindsight luck was on our side throughout the game. We certainly did not deserve to win by two if, in a just world, we would have won at all; but I'll take it. With Pasarga shockingly being held to a scoreless draw at home by a decent, but hardly stellar, Kel Assuk side, we needed to take the expected win off of newcomers Darkmania in Haven to take the lead for ourselves. And while they put up a spirited fight, it was a repeat of the high-action scoreline in Port Christopher!

While this was already another prime target for shaking up the starting lineup, hosting another low-ranked side, I'm wondering if Don Mizzet is already having his taste in players shift. Lasser Rei and Hilda Iarrow are both getting their third straight start in a row, after their surprise appearances against Port Christopher; we may be seeing a lot more of them as qualification continues, especially if they keep playing like this. Both notched a goal in the match, Rei providing the first score of the game half an hour in after a messy scrum in the Darkmanian red zone, while Iarrow brought the hammer down just five minutes later to quickly bolster the lead.

The Darkmanians didn't just roll over, though--their squad has a lot of, well, gumption, and eventually they threw themselves against the Mriinian back line enough for Rånde to bust through and make it a one-point game. Interesting to note that Darkmanians use a single-name system, a custom we’ve only really seen in, coincidentally, another one of our groupmates--Maryloupe. I wonder if there’s some history between the two or if it’s just coincidence? Anyway, a bit later, around sixty minutes, Tërman got booked for a nasty slide on Rei in the box, providing captain Joren Krueger an anticlimactic route to get up 3-1.

The Darmanians threw themselves forward once more to attempt to bring things a little closer, but on one particularly careless thrust a pass strayed badly and landed directly at Pia Levaani’s hooves. The young back had been brought on after the third goal to stretch her legs a bit, and that she sure did--made it most of the way down the field on her own, with most of the defense not in any position to stop her. Ërim managed to finally put an end to her streak, but she found Krueger with a quick back pass, and Kreuger took his first non-set shot on goal in several games. Ërimär couldn’t get a hand on it, and like that the game was essentially over--with just ten minutes to go and a three goal difference.

Not that you could tell by the visiting team’s play. They admirably kept their assault up in the face of adversity, and whaddya know, Tÿrn managed to find Levaani on the wrong hoof to get a clear shot at a consolation prize!

Next on the schedule is a visit to the enigmatic nation of The Great Pi--some sort of mathematics worshippers, I suppose? We’ve not got much information to go on before the game itself, which is a bit awkward. They’re not ranked very highly, so we can probably expect a good result, but after drawing with Kel Assuk earlier we can’t take such things for granted.

Mriin - 4
Rei 33’
Iarrow 38’
Krueger 61’, 79’
Darkmania - 2
Rånde 54’
Tÿrn 86’

[Turori]

Cocoa-bo, an establishment taking its name directly from the beloved national animal of Turori, started as a small dessert shop in Kionao. However, it was only after they added chocolate topped drinks to their menu that their popularity started to soar. As more and more patrons scooped up their chocolate flavored pick-me-ups, demand for the Cocoa-bo product skyrocketed and soon new franchised locations were popping up all throughout Turori. Shifting to more of a social 'hang-out' then just a casual place to drop in, get a dessert, and leave, the new locations started adding small foods such as Bagels for the morning, Soups and Sandwiches for Lunch or Dinner and Salads for the entire day. Cocoa-bo has expanded outside of Vilita & Turori. Their first regional location was opened in Andossa Se Mitrin Vega and the company continues to explore avenues to further increase its image, expanding the company footprint across Atlantian Oceania and beyond.

Cocoa-bo has been taking its now-famous marketing campaign, "Everything's Better With Cocoa-bo" on the road along with the Turori National Team, bringing to bus stops, digital screens and social outlets the image of the host countries flag and backstory 'altered' to show how it would be "Better with Cocoabo"...


While they could simply take the Cocoa-bo campaign to the 9 nations that the Turori National Team would be competing against during the World Cup 79 finals, that prospect seemed both overly exclusionary due to the number of potential nations that would be left out in such a campaign, and somewhat fruitless, as some of the marketing dollars would not be well spent in the more uninteresting locales the Turori National Team, through no fault of their own, would end up during the Qualifying Cycle... such as U-62.

So the folks at Cocoa-bo decided to leave it up to a poll to see what the next nation that would be "Better with Cocoa-bo" would be!

------------------------------------------
[ ] 95X
[ ] Abaja
[ ] Abanhfleft
[ ] Acapais
[ ] Acronius
[ ] Adab
[ ] Aggrey-Fynn Land
[ ] Akatsurai
[ ] Al Qurija
[ ] Alpine Union
[ ] Amazonesta
[ ] Anthor
[ ] Apox
[ ] ASMRLAND
[ ] Azadeshia
[ ] Banija
[ ] Barunia
[ ] Bjornoya Islands
[ ] Bojikstan
[ ] Boring Paradise
[ ] Bostopia
[ ] Brenecia
[ ] Britonisea
[ ] Buyan
[ ] Cassadaigua
[ ] Cataduanes
[ ] Chromatika
[ ] Coldfield
[ ] Cosneolta
[ ] Dainer
[ ] Damukuni
[ ] Darkmania
[ ] Darmen
[ ] Drawkland
[ ] Dunnes
[ ] EEC
[ ] Electrum
[ ] Empire of Donner Land
[ ] Equestrian States
[ ] Eshan
[ ] Ethane
[ ] Fampakania
[ ] Farfadillis
[ ] Filindostan
[ ] Flardania
[ ] Free Republics
[ ] Gangnam
[ ] Garifunya
------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------
[ ] Greater vakolicci haven
[ ] Gregoryisgodistan
[ ] HUElavia
[ ] Indusse
[ ] Islana Lunigo
[ ] Isula Reale
[ ] Jabok
[ ] Jeckland
[ ] Jeruselem
[ ] Juvencus
[ ] Kaboomlandia
[ ] Kalumba
[ ] Kecrazia
[ ] Kel Assuk
[ ] Kernovi
[ ] Kita-Hinode
[ ] Ko-oren
[ ] Krytenia
[ ] Kyrjasmark
[ ] Lambdasia
[ ] Legalese
[ ] Liberated American Provinces
[ ] Lisander
[ ] Maryloupe
[ ] Mattijana
[ ] Mercedini
[ ] Mixonistan
[ ] Moorish Land
[ ] Mriin
[ ] Natanians and Nosts
[ ] Nekodemus
[ ] Nephara
[ ] New Danican
[ ] New Doltania
[ ] New Gazi
[ ] New Jarwel
[ ] New Lusitania and the Algarves
[ ] Northwest kalactin
[ ] Nova Anglicana
[ ] Octinstine
[ ] Olastor
[ ] Omerica
[ ] Orrostriska
[ ] Osarius
[ ] Pasarga
[ ] Pays den Haut
[ ] Petroslovania
[ ] Platerdam
--------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------
[ ] Port Christopher
[ ] Pridnestrovia
[ ] Qasden
[ ] Quakmybush
[ ] Razenthuria
[ ] Red Blackiland
[ ] Republic of Kaboomlandia
[ ] Reuss-Lippe
[ ] Romaian
[ ] Rotztotzka
[ ] Sameba
[ ] San Jose Guayabal
[ ] San Regada
[ ] Sargossa
[ ] Sarrbia
[ ] Savojarna
[ ] Schottia
[ ] Soltsteed
[ ] Somecoldwetislands
[ ] South Toronto
[ ] St Saratoga
[ ] St Wilhelm
[ ] Starblaydia
[ ] Sulsuland
[ ] Super-Llamaland
[ ] Taeshan
[ ] The Great Pi
[ ] The Isles of Avon
[ ] The Kiaser Colonies
[ ] The Steel Coast
[ ] Thibaea
[ ] Tinhampton
[ ] Tobiasia
[ ] Traffia
[ ] Tumbra
[ ] Turori
[ ] U-62
[ ] Undarat
[ ] United Celtic Peoples
[ ] United States of Devonta
[ ] Valanora
[ ] Valladares
[ ] Vangaziland
[ ] Vilita
[ ] West Angola
[ ] West Violence
[ ] Yesopalitha
[ ] Yue Zhou
----------------------------------

Of course, certain nations would be excluded from consideration. First and foremost, nations on the A.B.C. list ( Already Better with Cocoabo ) Including World Cup 79 hosts Ceni, former World Champions The Holy Empire, Cosumar and Eura as well as reigning regional champions Cosumar and Eastfield Lodge would be among those excluded on the Already Better with Cocoabo List. In addition, nations who have recently undergone governmental destablization or overthrow potentially signalling the end of their existence in the multiverse will also not be considered. That list includes, at the very least, the World Cup 79 competing nations... or former nations? of St. Willhelm and Mixonistan.

Short of that, however, Cocoa-bo is open to the multiverse, and no stone will be left unturned as the brand begins its quest for global Cocoa-bo Confectionary Domination - one nation at a time.

[Pasarga]

What is Pasarga?

Denonym: Pasargan

Adjective: Pasargan

Pronunciation: (Pah sar jah)

Full Name: The Dominion of Pasarga // Pasarga hakimiyetini

Brief History: Pasarga was formed by the refugees of the fallen Persian empire following the invasion of Huns. They traveled for several months before they came upon a pair of uninhabited islands in the northwest of what they would later found out to be the region of Rushmore. Wishing to cast aside their failures, the citizens abandoned the majority of their Persian culture, including a hard line adaption of European names, though they retained their old religious practice of Zoroastrianism.

Following their settlement, the citizens decided to call themselves Pasargans after a fashion of those that they encountered on their sojourn calling them the Pariis. It was a tribute to what they had endured but also the promise of what could be rebuilt again. Rather than returning to a warlike people, they turned towards a cultural and spiritual way of life, keeping themselves mostly isolated from the outside world, apart from participation in the events like the World Cup.

Even as the years have passed, Pasarga still stays mostly an isolationist and peaceful pair of islands, relying notably upon the regional alliances of Eura and Polar Islandstates. They have turned to trade and sport as a way of measuring success, branching out of their shell if ever so slightly. The rural regions of the nation still strongly are mistrustful of foreigners and believe that little good can come them, with cities a necessary evil to conduct business. As of late, they have opened up further to outsiders, embracing the ideas of the Rushmori Union, and opening up the borders to foreigners freely instead of on a work permit basis.

[Ceni]

Here's one LATE CUTOFF.

[Filindostan]

---

NATIONAL | BUSINESS | PROVINCIAL | INTERNATIONAL | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT

---

FOOTBALL
Filindostan Football Federation to expand the FFL

SAN MARCO - With the recent success of the national football team, the Filindostan Football Federation have capitalized on the growth of football in the nation.

The FFF recently announced that they are looking to expand the current 12-team Filindostan Football League (FFL). The federation is looking for and additional eighteen football clubs to be professionalized and be included in the league, totalling thirty clubs. In addition, reforms on the current football clubs will be enacted, with sports clubs possibly housing all their sport clubs under its umbrella. For instance, Filis sports clubs will have SC in their clubs, while those bearing the Persatuan Sepakbola, or Perse- in their names, will be operating under the name Pero- in their names, or Persatuan Olahraga in Indos dialect.

Two teams in the Tanjung Pagi island, Jakulta City and Tanjung Pagi SC, will undergo an identity change to further promote the Indos side of their teams. As such, from the 90004 season, Jakulta City will be renamed Perokojak Kota Jakulta, or full name Persatuan Olahraga Kota Jakulta, while starting in 90005 season, Tanjung Pagi SC will be known as Perotapam Massakar, full name Persatuan Olahraga Tanjung Pagi Massakar. There is also a pending takeover of the license of Fipocor FC by the Kabanalan local club KSC 004, full name Kabanalan Sports Club 90004, which integration will be completed during the 90004 FFL season.

With regards to the new teams, the FFF has been researching for the possible locations of the new clubs. An insider scoop has revealed the numbers for the planned expansion - 8 from Pelita Raya, 8 from Kabishawan, 7 from Tanjung Pagi, and 7 from Kabunuklan. It is also rumored on the same scoop that the capital city, San Marco, will have its third club initially owned by a multinational conglomerate, which will be sold to the city council under a Private-Public Partnership.

The FFF are planning to retain the format for the Filindostan Football Festival, which next edition will be held in Bandarito. It is rumored that the 90005 edition will saw its return to its spiritual home - the Filindostan National Stadium, where the previous matches have been held, albeit in a stadium named Kabishawan Islandic Stadium.

More information will be released by the FFF in the coming months.

SEE MORE NEWS

• Expansion teams for Filindostani Basketball Association likely
• Rupeso value goes down to all-time low
• National Elections Loom - will Dutete run for re-election?
• Tanjung Pagi SC no more - becomes Perotapam Massakar
• Piala Pilindo to be held next season - to determine Filindostani entry for Cygnus Cup

OOC: Match report vs Starblaydia to be posted on next day's RP. This RP is intended for MD7.

[Drawkland]

Don't let this cutoff spook you!

And here's the results

[Nephara]

Akatsurai 0-1 Nephara
(4-2-3-1) 20 - Matraxis; 2 - Rafford (18 - Asante 60'), 5 - Konoval (c), 22 - Steelhenge, 19 - Vicelich; 23 - Rowland, 15 - Rosenthal (8 - Tarashaj 68'); 13 - Fanaiyan (7 - Coffey 76'), 14 - Rowan, 16 - Aspenwood; 10 - Tregajorran
Goals: Aspenwood 14'

THE HERALD
CORMORANTS CALM AND SETTLED AFTER PERFECT START AS BRANDON SHOWS BENEFIT OF REFORMS
Karl Langdane

Michael Brandon has been quick to pour water on any undue optimism. "Look, we've by and large been playing the weakest teams in the group," he told the press in a routine 1-0 win over Akatsurai. "I get consistency's to be celebrated, but wait until the halfway mark before we get ahead of ourselves."

Even so, the Cormorants are one of only a handful of teams to carry a perfect record going into the seventh match, and have scored 19 goals while conceding just five. They, along with Eura, are eight points clear of a four-team pileup on ten points. Certainly, Brandon's point is that Eura, Apox and Ko-oren are likely to be their toughest tests yet, but a 4-0 annihilation of Taeshan showed that the side was more than up to the task of taking on powerful opponents.

In the meantime, any humiliation on par with the Incident from two years ago has been averted thus far, with the Cormorants really settling into a new 4-2-3-1 formation with Konrad Gosforth as its keystone - though his likely backup, Ursula Rowan, stepped easily into the role in the past two matches. The formation retains the back four that Nepharim are most comfortable with, allows Crisisbless' shuttling fullbacks to attack with the cover of Treason's central midfield partnership, the wingers to have freedom to cut inside and Gosforth to finally live up to his potential in a green shirt, while the lack of depth up front - rare, for Nephara - is neatly patched up.

More importantly, watching this squad, they look calm, balanced, in control. It was clear that they were badly out of control last time around, and too prone to taking out pent-up aggression on one another. Recent failures were a domino effect, as frustration and ill-discipline were mistaken for the traditional Nepharim virtues of bravery and demanding success. This side just does the job in front of them, professionally and without a fuss. Much, it has to be said, like Brandon himself.

As for the rotation policy, it speaks volumes as to the depth of the Nepharim pool at the moment that every debutant looks comfortable in a green shirt - even the more left-field choices like Roxana Coffey or Ruon Asante have done well. Furthermore, a few genuine gems have been unearthed, and it looks as though Rosenthal and Klein will be pressing Tarashaj hard for his place in the squad. Matraxis, likely the goalkeeper of the future, has made an assured debut between the posts. Brandon maintains the benefit is twofold - not only can new blood be unearthed, but the core of his players, often plying their trade in the notoriously punishing Premiership, remain fresh for the big occasions.

Three of them are set to play out over the next two international breaks, starting with Apox at home and finishing with a hotly-anticipated clash against Eura. The Cormorants may not be setting the world alight with six wins against inferior opposition, and it's doubtful that Eura will be shaking in their boots at our approach. But one thing's for certain - Nephara do not look like the 17th-ranked team in the world.

NEPHARIM NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 4
Goalkeepers: 1 - Apostolos Tsattalios (Falourr, EUR), 12 - Gideon Fletcher (AFC Treason), 20 - Anthoulis Matraxis (Creed United)
Defenders: 2 - Leona Rafford (Crisisbless), 3 - Sieglinde Lohengrin (Crisisbless), 5 - Dieter Konoval (KT Moreazerua, AUD), 6 - Malachite Scharner (Jungle Strike, VIL), 18 - Dragan Brymora (Brinemouth), 19 - Lux Vicelich (Sabrefell Moths), 22 - Ryan Theuer (Falourr, EUR)
Midfielders: 4 - Servet Misidjan (AFC Treason), 7 - Adnan Szalai (Ulsa, EUR), 8 - Vedran Tarashaj (AFC Treason), 11 - Rowena Strongbow (Avenida Leal, FFD), 13 - Ishtar Fanaiyan (Eastweald, COS), 14 - Ursula Rowan (Cassandra City, COS), 15 - Rusalka Klein (Crawford City FC, COS), 16 - Regatta Aspenwood (Handon United, SCT), 21 - Konrad Gosforth (Mâ Âlâmëómë, FFD, c), 23 - Helmut Chilmark (Holdenberg, EUR)
Forwards: 9 - Estrella Hawke (Starling), 10 - Nevaeh Cathar (Avenida Leal, FFD), 17 - Dragan Stavanger (Tannenberg FC, VLD)

SCHEDULE
Thibaea 0 - 1 Nephara
Nephara 4 - 2 Natanians and Nosts @ Godswatch (Crisisbless)
Al Qurija 2 - 4 Nephara
Nephara 4 - 0 Taeshan @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Rotztotzka 1 - 5 Nephara
Akatsurai 0 - 1 Nephara
Nephara vs. Apox @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Ko-oren vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Eura @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Nephara vs. Thibaea @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Natanians and Nosts vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Al Qurija @ The Iron Hill (Vermillion)
Taeshan vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Rotztotzka @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Nephara vs. Akatsurai @ Phoenix Rise (Corvistone)
Apox vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Ko-oren @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Eura vs. Nephara

[Indusse]

INDUSSE LOSE AGAIN

the indussean team again looses a match in the group 10. The match results are indusse 1-3 holy empire. The indusse had its goal by baskar at the 87' minute. Which made a relief to the indussean fans. The team is now 9th in group. The surveys say they will never qualify. But, the team believes that they will win the chance of qualifications.

[Tobiasia]

95X 1–2 Tobiasia

Tobiasia today only just prevailed over 95X in extra time after a gruelling match for both sides. The first goal came from 95X with a beautiful shot to the left which left Percy Matthews stunned. However, the Tigers came back in the second half with a goal from Rosa Uzele to claim the equaliser. In the 90th minute it looked like the match would end in a disappointing draw, but Lee Ryans struck in a right corner shot to win Tobiasia the match.

Top goal scorers
Fraser Philips: 4
Rosa Uzele: 4
Lee Ryans: 3
Harry Lithgow: 1
Hannah Yun: 1
Flint Eastgate: 1

[Kernovi]

Kernovi (173) Record
2 W - 1 D - 3 L
7 Points - 6th in the Group

• Kaboomlandia (52) 3 - 0 Kernovi
• Kernovi 1 - 4 New Danican (107)
• West Violence (235) 1 - 0 Kernovi
• Kernovi 1 - 0 Turori (22)
• Valanora (10) 0 - 0 Kernovi
• Kernovi 1 - 0 Omerica (UR)
• MD7: U-62 (273) v Kernovi
• MD8: Kernovi v Tinhampton (47)
• MD9: Yesopalitha (92) v Kernovi
• Kernovi v Kaboomlandia
• New Danican v Kernovi
• Kernovi v West Violence
• Turori v Kernovi
• Kernovi v Valanora
• Omerica v Kernovi
• Kernovi v U-62
• Tinhampton v Kernovi
• Kernovi v Yesopalitha

Kernovian Tremenyas - Bes Hanaf 79 Dyllans
Eng: Kernovian Traveller - World Cup 79 Edition

The Kernovian Tremenyas (Eng: Kernovian Traveller) is excited to announce a very special series of travel guides for footie fans from both home and away during the 79th iteration of the World Cup. We hope that these guides will provide a good nutshell insight for visitors into life, sport and history on the Kernovian Isles. These travel guides are sponsored by the Kernovian Football Association - The Kowethas an Pel Droos Kernovi.

In today's issue we will be discussing Kernovi's footballing home - The Isca City Stadium. The Isca City Stadium will play host to all of Kernovi's Home games in the World Cup, so it will be good to get acquainted.

The battle to establish the stadium is not to be understated. The Stadium was commissioned by the Kowethas an Pel Droos Kernovi (known informally by most as the Football Association), in 2003, working with the last Liberal Democratic Unionist (Known locally by most as the HGU) federal government under Premier Samuel Cynfawr (ruling from 2002 to 2007) and the Minister for Culture and Media, Graeme Laird. The purpose was simple, to create a stadium that would be Kernovi's footballing hub both domestically and internationally. This was a noble goal, football is Kernovi and Rewgwlas' second most popular sport, after Archery (which is also the national sport) - in 2003, football was one of the highest grossing media franchises and its media influence has only been expanding. However, the plan met with derision, being labelled by many, especially the main opposition parties, the Republican Party and Solidarity Party, as a frivolous waste of taxpayers money. Indeed, in tough words, leader of the opposition, Genevieve Crom argued in a interview with leading television news station RDG [The Free Broadcasting Station];
"This Isca stadia plan amounts to nothing more than the Premier's personal vanity project, conceptualised and birthed when the HGU and my honourable friend for the Hundred of Bosvenegh North and Par [The Constituency/Hundred that Samuel Cynfawr, the Premier, represented] got into bed with the Football Association. But it is time for the government to abort this project and spend taxpayers money on the issues that matter to everyone to produce jobs, growth and an increase in living standards for all, instead of pursuing a fruitless project that serves only to stroke my honourable friends ego."

The battle was stronger in the Isca Provincial Parliament, where the Republicans had power and blocked the stadium plans. While the plan was initially tabled, the government was able to revisit the plan in 2006 following the Isca Stadium Economic Report and the victory of the HGU-Isca First coalition in the Isca Parliament in the 2005 election, ending the 3 year long battle to begin construction on Kernovi's biggest football stadium.

It seems the battle was worth it however, as the stadium, completed in 2009, houses 50,600. The club has been the hub for important and exciting matches and finals for the national league - the K1 and the K2. It has also played host to the Kernovi Kendhlek Batel - the most viewed sporting event in Kernovi and Rewgwlas, that occurs every 3 years. The tournament places all of Kernovi's eight provinces, as well as the Special Protected Region, Rozenlut, against one another to establish sporting dominance in the nation.

When you walk up to the stadium, you'll find the path is rather well made up, with a number of statues sitting to the side of the path. As you walk in you'll see statues on the left to a number of political figures. As you walk along this path, you'll find the statues in this order. The first is a statue dedicated to the 3rd and 5th Premier Adlai Edevane and next to him, the second statute is dedicated to the 4th, 6th and 9th Premier, James Cornwellis. The third statute is dedicated to John Pydar the Elder, the 10th Premier of Kernovi. These men are considered the original founding fathers of Kernovi as a sovereign nation and are held in great regard by all Kernovians - as a result, it is not uncommon to see statues dedicated to these men in other areas of the nation.

On the right side you'll see statutes of more relevance to football. First is a statue dedicated to venerated businessman and football magnate Ísak Arnarson. Arnarson is the manager of the Newlkaya Snow Leopards (Kernovi and Rewgwlas' most successful domestic team) and current Councillor in the upper house of Kernovi's parliament - the Court of Councillors, representing the Rewgwlas Party. Arnarson is a important philanthropist, being a patron to many key charities in the nation. Further, as an associate member of the Football Association, he was instrumental in the project to build Isca City Stadium. Alongside him are statues to two footballers that helped to define Kernovian football.

The pitch is surrounded by four all-seater stands. Officially known as Pascoe Main (South), Lega Gorsav (West), Cardinal Road (East) and Anarson (East) Stands. The two corner areas, have one tier of seating below a JumboTron screen. These areas have no official title, but have been referred to as the Copper Corners by fans, in reference to, at the time of writing, current Kernovian team striker and fan favourite footballer, Adlai Copper. Through the main doors of the Pascoe Main Stand is a hallway with a staircase that leads to the boardroom and a trophy room.

Away fans are usually accommodated in the Lega Stands. When the football is not in session, the Isca City Stadium has also been used for Rugby League and Rugby Union.

---

The Game - Goals:
CORMAC - 36'

Top Goal Scorers:
Adlai COPPER - 2
John CORMAC - 1

[Schottia]

Amanda Cunningham

Part Seven.

Veganism.

'Now,' Gary took a deep breath as he prepared to deliver the short speech, which he believed would help prepare Amanda for an evening in his parents' company. 'I know you're a vegan, but my parents are not. In fact, despite explaining it to them over the phone for about thirty minutes last night, I'm still not sure my mother understands the difference between that and vegetarianism.'

"Vegan!? Ve - gan!?“ Mrs Corsie had exclaimed, with a level of shock he might have expected, had he told her Amanda liked to pull the legs off of live dogs. "This is too much for me, I'll need to let ye speak to your father...“

'Gary. It's okay. 'Amanda gave him a pat on the small of his back. 'I'm not some princess, I can put up with a little bit of ignorance for the sake of family unity.' She looked up at him with a smile. 'I want to make a good first impression too remember, don't be nervous.'

Gary sighed, he would keep a hold of his nervousness for the time being, if it were all the same by her. 'I told you my dad was a Fishmonger though, and he is utterly obsessed with fish - to the extent that he should really speak to a doctor...'

'Gary, I like fish too.' Amanda gave him another broad smile of reassurance. 'Just because I don't eat them doesn't mean I don't care about them, in fact, one might argue it means quite the opposite.'

'Yes. And herein lies the problem.' Gary frowned. 'My dad could give a flying fuck whether they were alive or dead, and his interest only extends to filleting them, selling them, and frying them. Actually, if anything, he probably prefers them dead.' Don Corsie had only two earthly pleasures, fish and Port Sebastian Football Club - Gary had to actually strain his mind, to recall a single time his father had spoken fondly of anything else. The man must have had recurring dreams of fish fillets hopping around in blue and white football kits.

'Look, I make a point of not casting judgment on other people.' Amanda seemed to be getting a little irritated that Gary didn't trust her. She liked to pride herself upon her powers of acceptance, and forgiveness, even when it came to corpse eaters. She knew the human race was a plethora of diverse peoples and opinions, and just because she lived off grid, didn't give the right to criticise anyone who did not. 'I'm sure they're lovely people, and I promise you Gary, I will bend over backwards to make this visit pleasant.'

'Thank you.' Gary said, as the neat little street, the one in which he grew up, came into view over the rise in the road. Amanda had spoken many times about how she had overcome the struggles in her relationship with her parents - neither of them having approved of her joining the Newcomer's community, or her relationship with Stick. Gary didn't doubt that she had handled the situation deftly, he merely wondered whether she realised the extend to which the Corsies were a whole new ball-game.

The Corises lived in a small terraced house, with grey pebbledashed walls and a glossy brown front door. Downstairs they had a small front room, and an even smaller kitchen, which also doubled up as their dinning room. Upstairs there was a double room where Mr and Mrs Corsie slept - it was a double room in the sense that if fitted a double bed, but lacked the size of a room for two people. Gary's, and his sister Marie's bedrooms had been just at the top of the stairs, either side of the bathroom. They too had a smallness, which at best could be described as cosy, with Gary's being more of a box room. Despite their cramped setting, the Corsies were a large bunch - Mrs Corise horizontally, Gary vertically, and Mr Corsie both. Marie was the exception however, and had her mother's height, but not her girth.

'Is this it?' Amanda asked as Gary stood looking gravely at the neatly polished brass plate above the letterbox. Mr and Mrs D. Corsie. 'Cute house...'

Gary nodded slowly. 'Welcome, Amanda, to the set of a low budget family sitcom.' As he prepared to ring the bell, the full gravity of what was likely about to happen finally sunk in for the footballer. 'If you listen, you'll no doubt hear the canned laughter in the background.'

Ding-Dong

The bell sounded loudly inside the building, followed by the inevitable frantic shouting.

"Don. That'll be them!"

"Heh!?"

"Gary and Amanda!"

"What?"

"Gary... and Amanda..."

"Mandy?"

"Amanda!"

"Amanda?"

"Yes, Don! Make sure you get the poor lassie's name right at least."

"Right! I'll get the door. You put the kettle on."

"Don! Where are your trousers?!"

"What?"

"You've not got any trousers on!"

"What? Aye I have."

"No, you've not!"

"Heh!!! Christ! Neither I have! How the Hell did I manage that?"

"I'm past trying to work out why you do anything Don."

"Where are they then?"

"Wherever you left them. Just go upstairs and put another pair on, and not the grey one's with the brown stain on the leg."

"Oh Christ!"

"Don't bring Christ into it Don, just go! I'll let them in, the poor laddie and lassie will think there's no one in."

After a full minute, the door was eventually pulled open, and they were met by a small, plump, middle-aged woman who filled most of the doorway. There was a smell of laundry drying on radiators, mingled with that might have been some cleaning product of floor polish.

'Hello Darling.' Janet Corsie gave her son a warm and welcoming hug, pulling him in far tighter than he was comfortable. Fucking hell! What did that say about him, he was uncomfortable hugging his own mother. 'And Amanda!' Mrs Corsie shifted attention to his companion, giving her the same treatment. 'I tell you Gary, you've got yourself a bonnie, bonnie lassie there. It's so nice to see you dear. Come on both of you, come inside and make yourself comfy. Donald will be down the now, he is just freshening himself up.' Mrs Corsie was clearly oblivious how audible their trouser argument had been.

Amanda offered Gary a quick smile of reassurance, as they were led through into the front room, and ordered to sit on the sofa. She obviously felt it necessary to let him know that she had thus far not been dissuaded.

The sofa was small and overly soft, causing the two off them to bunch together as they weighed it down in the middle. Mr and Mrs Corsie never sat on the sofa, rather they each had an armchair either side of the television. Both pieces of furniture were so extensive used that you could have made an accurate cast of their posteriors from the indentation on the seats. Directly in front of Gary and Amanda sat a gas fire, the mantle piece above it cluttered beyond recognition with small ornaments and trinkets. Above it hung an antique longcase clock flanked on either side by old pictures of Gary and Marie.

'Is that you and your sister?' Amanda asked, for some reason feeling the need to whisper. 'How old were you there?'

'Yeah,' Gary answered looking around nervously like he half expected disaster to strike at any minutes. 'I think they were taken in our third, secondary school year, so... twelve, thirteen-ish.' The teenage Gary was plump, with a brown bowl-haircut and a slightly squint fringe. He was smiling, but only reluctantly, the corners of his firmly-shut lips curling skyward with very little in the way of any mirthfulness.

'Very sweet.' Amanda smiled, grabbing Gary firmly by the hand, in yet another show of support. 'Don't worry, there are worse pictures of me at my parent's house, trust me.' Gary struggled to picture Amanda as anything other than the beautiful individual she was now. To him she was the one. She was like an angel fallen from heaven... and straight into a pair of baggy trousers and sandals. It was only because he cared about her so utterly, that he walking on eggshells. The one positive thing about this visit was the fact that surviving a day with his parents was going to be a real acid test. If they could get through this, their relationship could survive anything.

'I see you've noticed the picture...' Mrs Corsie returned with the promised hot drinks; tea with no milk or sugar. 'That was taken the day after Gary got his braces stuck to the door of the hamster cage - he's never quite told us how he managed that. It took his father four hours to get him loose, the pair of them were up half the night.' Mrs Corsie placed her hands on her hips and shook her head at the memory of it, while Gary could only cringe in despair. 'Poor Gary was always a little accident-prone. Did you ever tell Amanda about that time you got your jacket caught in the door of the school bus?'

'What do you think..?' Gary answered, shocked that his mother would even think it might be a good idea to bring it up.

'The driver never noticed.' Mrs Corsie kept the same pose, knuckles resting on her hips. 'Poor Gary had to jog alongside the bus for seven kilometres all the way back to the depot. By the time we got him back here, he was in a sorry state.' Amanda knew better than to laugh, but she met Mrs Corsie with smile to acknowledge the humour in the tale. 'It was raining too, the laddie was soaked to the bone. You could have wrung half a bucket of water from his underpants.

'And you're daughter’s name is Marie?' Amanda changed the subject in an attempt to take the heat off her partner. She knew Gary and his sister didn't see eye to eye, but that was the extent of her knowledge.

'Ma-rie' Mrs Corsie corrected the pronunciation, looking up at the school photograph of her daughter. 'Aye, she was always the more photogenic one. Very talented lassie, a lawyer...'

'HELLO, Hello hello...' Mr Corsie entered the fray with a mixture of bellowing and singing, donning a green shirt, blue tie, and a pair of grey trousers with a brown stain down one leg. 'Gary.... Chloe... So good to see you both looking so well. It's been a long time son.' The Fishmonger was tall and round, roughly resembling snowman, or a pile of tyres. His necktie and belt looked hopelessly lost amidst the rolls of fat, but his excess girth helped imbue him with a jolliness that a skinny person could never hope to achieve.

'Amanda, hi.' She got up and offered him a handshake, while Gary and Mrs Corsie looked on unimpressed.

'Amanda.' Mr Corsie slapped his own forehead. 'Sorry, I'm terrible with names, very nice to see you darling.' Placing a hand either side hers, he easily swallowed her hand and half of her wrist, such was the contrast in size.

'And Gary, my boy.' Mr Corsie turned to his son, ignoring the proffered hand, and opting instead to ruffle his hair. 'Oh look at this!' He added excitedly, clutching the footballer's right bicep. 'You're not half getting strong! You must be eating your fish.' About thirty words worth of conversation before the subject of fish was brought up. When the children had been young, Mr Corsie had gone to great lengths to ensure his children had eaten all the fish on their plate, and wasn't opposed to the odd white lie:

"If you don't eat your fish, you'll never grow up to be big and strong like me!"

"If you don't eat your fish, your hair and teeth will all fall out!"

"If you don't eat your fish, your mother and I will get divorced and you'll have to go and live in an orphanage!"

Traumatised by the thought of living in an orphanage with his sister for the rest of his life, the young Gary had eaten fish like his life depended on it.

'So when is Marie getting here, Janet?' Mr Corsie asked his wife, who was still scowling at his choice of trousers. 'What a treat it's going to be to have the whole family round again.'

'Marie!?' Gary spat. 'Coming round..?' Gary's heart did it's best to leap through his mouth, but he was able to catch it.

'Aye.' Said Mrs Corsie, shaking her head as she turned away from her husband. 'I was going to keep it as a surprise, but since big-mouth has gone and spoilt it...' She shot him another disapproving look. 'I said you and Amanda were coming round and she was fair excited to meet her, so I invited her to join us for dinner.'

This weekend couldn't get any worse. It actually couldn't get any worse supposing were nailed to a cross for the three days. If the sun were to expand and envelope the entire planet in a fiery end, Gary would have closed his eyes and welcomed it.

'Marie is coming round?' Gary repeated in hope that he would get a different answer. The worst human being in the fucking world, who happened to be his sister. What were the odds of that? Of all the people in the Multiverse, why had he been born into the same family as a woman without a fucking soul - a woman would make Count Dracula look like pleasant dinner company.

'It will be lovely to meet her.' Amanda smiled warmly, pinching Gary on the arm to try and get him to shut up. 'Could Gary and I cook dinner for you Mr and Mrs Corsie?' She asked warmly, perhaps hoping that she could get Gary away from the situation and get him to cool down.

'No, darling, no.' Mr Corsie shook his flabby head adamantly. 'I've got it all under control, picked up the rainbow trout first thing this morning. You can't say fresher than that, huh, Gary my boy?'

'Rainbow trout!' Gary was close to apoplectic. 'Rainbow fucking trout? Are you kidding me?' They had only been inside his old family home for about five minutes, and already it was five minutes to long. Amanda tried to place a reassuring hand on his arm, but it did little to pull him back. To be fair to his parents, a far amount of his current anxiety was a hangover from training ground mix up, and the fact that his testicles still felt badly bruised. As it was, Rainbow Trout had been the straw which broke the carthorse's back.

'Aye,' Mr Corsie seemed to take little notice of the outburst. 'Your mother told me Amanda was a vegetarian, and since they only eat fish I thought...'

'NOOOooo..!' Gary was now highly animated. 'You're think of a pescatarian, Dad. And she's not even a vegetarian, she is a vegan.' Gary hopped from foot to foot, making the glass in Mrs Corsie's good press shake and rattle. 'That mean's she doesn't eat any animal products - AT ALL!'

'Well that's the thing,' Mr Corsie said, not looking overly concerned. 'Your mother and I talked about it, and we couldn't really decide what constituted an animal product...'

'Milk, eggs, cheese, butter...' Gary barked in staccato. 'FISH!'

'Old Mrs Manck was telling me that her granddaughter was one of those vegetarios too.' Mr Corsie added unhelpfully. 'Apparently she only eats white meat. Chicken... pork... but she'll not eat anything like beef.'

'Well. Haha. That's not a vegetarian Mum, that still counts as eating meat.' Gary's voice was quivering, on the verge of breaking up. Amanda tried to make eye contact, in a bid to tell him that it wasn't a big deal, but he was in his own world now. His heart was pounding, the pain in his testicles felt like they were currently being clamped in a vice, the blood was surging around his ears.

Through the net curtains, and out in the street, he watched as the man crossed over the other side of the road. He was only in frame for a second, but there was no doubting who it was.

[Juvencus]

Loss of faith

It is reported that the number of irreligious people in Juvencus will have increased to 20% by 2050

"The search for God is pure and it originates from the depths of the human existence. Every human is searching for God, even those who deny Him. The search for God resembles the searching in the dark. It much more likely expresses the path of a relationship and anything involving it is a painful process. It goes through controversy, dialogue, acceptance and it is completed with the acceptance of God's will and from the practical love towards the rest of the people.

All humans are searching for God, even those who deny Him. The search for God is a deep existencial need that originates from the human's within. All humans that believe in a God are called believers. Those who don't are called atheists and those who accept the theory of God's existence but don't personalize it are called agnostic.

A special remark for the relationship of research and the revelation of God take place in the three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity as well as Islam. Let's not forget that faith in God as a trusting relationship constitutes a personal experience and anything that occurs through it within the personal research which lasts and is getting repeated as long as the human life lasts! It's a dynamic and unstoppable effort in the whole life of every person and it's directly related to self knowledge."
~Cardinal of the Diocese of Torona, Lucrèce André, in a speech during 2016

Juvencus is a predominantly catholic state, with 88% of the population adhering to Juven Catholicism. During recent years, many Juven people have started to abandon the traditional catholic faith of most people and pick not choosing to any deity, or at least accept its existence without believing in one. The number of irreligious people has grown from 2% in 1985 to around 7% in 2016, the above text is Cardinal Lucrèce André's effort to bring people back to the traditional catholic believing tradition. According to him, if this trend keeps going, Juvencus is going to lose all its originality and favor from God. A lot of conservative Juven citizens have expressed their concerns saying the same things, while the more liberal people are completely apathetic about it, completely ignoring this issue. It is reported that despite this effort to minimize this issue, the number of irreligious Juven people will have increased up to 12% by 2030 and it will grow even higher to around 20% by 2050.

[Abanhfleft]

CRESCENT NEWS NETWORK
SPORTS CHANNEL - OFFICIAL WEBSITE
ABANHFLEFT • PRIDNESTROVIA • OONTAZ DERT LI NG • COPPER CUPRUM • TRENDSTART • FHULGHAMOUS PENINSULA

WORLD CUP 79 QUALIFIERS: ABANHFLEFT VS SOUTH TORONTO
By Malik Qazizadah


Abanhfleft's Kareem Dagen reacts to a missed shot against South Toronto. Abanhfleft would win this contest 3-1. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network Sports Channel/Andros Tasasa)

WANDA ISLAND - Abanhfleft strolled to a comfortable win at the Wanda Island Arena against first-time World Cup participants South Toronto, although a brief period in the second half almost saw Abanhfleft drop two points before Rory Edwards' late strike made sure of the result.

Kareem Dagen opened the scoring in the tenth minute with a cleverly taken side-footed shot from Andrea Marilungo's cross with Vitaly Zima adding a second just two minutes before half-time.

Dagen could have and should have netted at least a brace with his attempts in the second half, one half of which appeared to hit the crossbar and the other half appeared to be saved or at least dealt with by the South Torontonian defense, specifically their goalkeeper Antonio Cilimintaro.

South Toronto were then able to apply a period of pressure on the Fleftics in which their young striker Jozy Dembele was finally able to send the ball pas the flailing arms of Carlos Cohen after he nodded home DeAndre Kiese Thelin's cross.

An emboldened South Toronto then continued to put pressure on the Revolutionaries as they saw that they still had a chance to get something from this game, and Pechre Mackay had a shout at equalizing the game with a goal of his own before it was chalked off for offside, but a quick counterattack by Abanhfleft which began with a misplaced pass by Michal Bergman and ended with Rory Edwards chipping the opposing keeper for Abanhfleft's third goal in the game put an end to South Toronto's hopes of coming home with at least a point.


Abanhfleft national team manager Ranulph Bustamante: "It was a good win in the end. We did what we had to do to get the win and make sure that we got all that we deserved. The lads were fantastic today, barring those few periods in which South Toronto managed to dominate. Losing the clean sheet isn't good but Carlos [Cohen] isn't going to lose any sleep over that. The lads also did well to see off the game after Rory [Edwards] scored the third. It's a heartening performance."

On Equestrian States, their next opponent: "They're the first big team that we're going to face in this qualifying group. I'm both looking forward to it and dreading it. On the one hand, a win will see us in a good place coming into the midway stage of the qualifiers. A loss on the other hand would make our job of qualifying just that much harder. Everyone says that hard work is the key to success but sometimes someone must do the hard work earlier so that they can coast a little bit when the final stretch is around the corner."

Abanhfleft will face their first big game of the qualification period when they head out to Cloudsdale to face the Equestrian States in matchday four of the World Cup 79 qualifiers. They will be without the services of Toumain Vincelot, who will be suspended for one game after accumulating two yellow cards at this point in the qualifiers.

      ABANHFLEFT 3 - 1 SOUTH TORONTO
     DAGEN (10')       DEMBELE (69')
   V. ZIMA (43')
R. EDWARDS (75')

SOUTH TORONTO
GK: 13 Cilimintaro
RB: 2 Abou Diaby
RCB: 3 Killerich
LCB: 4 Bakayoko █
LB: 5 Makanjoko █
RM: 7 Son
CM: 6 Bergman (Sachadev - 86')
LM: 8 Wright
RS: 11 Kiese Thelin (Dagnall - 56')
CF: 9 Dembele
LS: 10 Mackay (Mamoeapa - 79')

ABANHFLEFT
GK: 1 Cohen
RB: 2 Afolayan
RCB: 4 L. Edwards
LCB: 5 Gibson
LB: 3 Ogigayatsu
RM: 6 Pearson
CM: 7 Zolnerov (Vincelot - 55' █)
LM: 8 Marilungo
CAM: 10 R. Edwards
RS: 11 V. Zima █ (Lee - 76')
LS: 9 Dagen (Kelvin - 84')

---

CRESCENT NEWS NETWORK
SPORTS CHANNEL - OFFICIAL WEBSITE
ABANHFLEFT • PRIDNESTROVIA • OONTAZ DERT LI NG • COPPER CUPRUM • TRENDSTART • FHULGHAMOUS PENINSULA

WORLD CUP 79 QUALIFIERS: EQUESTRIAN STATES VS ABANHFLEFT
By Malik Qazizadah


Abanhfleft's Omar El Salah celebrates his goal against Equestrian States. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network Sports Channel/Andros Tasasa)

CLOUDSDALE, EQUESTRIAN STATES - Abanhfleft earned a well-deserved victory away from home as they dispatched the returning Equestrian States by two second-half goals to put the Revolutionaries in a better place in the qualification picture of the World Cup 79 qualifiers.

The match started off with the hosts on the front foot, supported by the cheers of an estimated 65,000 home fans, but the 5,000-man Fleftic contingent did their best to get their voices heard over the din of Equestrian supporters, and they would eventually come to drown out the home fans as the match came to and end following two second half goals from Omar El Salah and Vitaly Zima.

Veteran Equestrian striker Thunderlane did his best to take his side ahead of the Revolutionaries, and the closest he came to doing just that was when he sent a shot just wide of the far post with the pegasus free in space to take aim at veteran Fleftic goalie Maksim Varamoninov, who was starting in place of his former Sporting Ceneisis understudy Carlos Cohen, who injured himself during pre-game practice.

Abanhfleft had their chances, but it was few and far and, for the first half at least, strikers like Kareem Dagen and Vitaly Zima could not seemingly convert their chances even if it was to save their lives.

Eventually, the breakthrough came in the form of substitute Omar El Salah, who came on for a wilting Rory Edwards, and El Salah's impact on the game was obvious from the start, with the on-loan Arsenal de Releinthi central attacking midfielder drawing out the normally disciplined Equestrian defense with his near-unpredictable movements and choices of attacking lanes.

El Salah proved to be the man who would open the scoring when he broke free of the defense of Erauso Iburrusteta and Krysia Bailey and nodded home Kareem Dagen's pullback from a screaming run down the wing. Abanhfleft then weathered a storm of Equestrian attacks, most of them courtesy of their substitute striker Wither, before Rory Edwards finally secured the victory with his second goal in as many games to put the contest to bed.


Abanhfleft national team manager Ranulph Bustamante: "It was a great game of great players and great teams. It's fun and entertaining to watching, although I recommend skipping over to the last twenty minutes to get the real best part of the action."

Abanhfleft will next face The Holy Empire for their second big match in as many matchdays for matchday five of the World Cup 79 qualifiers.

EQUESTRIAN STATES 0 - 2 ABANHFLEFT
                        EL SALAH (70')
                        V. ZIMA (83')

ABANHFLEFT
GK: 13 Varamoninov
RB: 2 Afolayan (Popov - 69')
RCB: 4 L. Edwards
LCB: 5 Gibson
LB: 3 Ogigayatsu █
RM: 6 Pearson
CM: 7 Zolnerov
LM: 8 Marilungo
CAM: 10 R. Edwards (El Salah - 55')
RS: 11 V. Zima █
LS: 9 Dagen (Kelvin - 71')

EQUESTRIAN STATES
GK: 1 Gentle Breeze
RB: 19 Bailey
CB: 8 Molovi (Iburrusteta - 80')
LB: 12 Hamilton
RM: 5 Apple Cobbler
RCM: 14 Stardust (Poole - 71')
LCM: 11 Krystal
LM: 16 Luminesce
CAM: 9 Rainbow Blitz
RS: 10 Pristina Shine
LS: 7 Thunderlane (Wither - 59' █)

[Bojikstan]

The Rookies

Part Nineteen. In which a Ghost resurfaces.

Rain looked at her phone as her hands shook while she held it, and saw that the stalker had finally signed their name on the message. It wasn’t a long one, and the message wasn’t filled with details. But it did give Rain an idea of who it might be from. It was only four lines in total: “Hello Rain. Nice seeing you again. It’s funny that you run away again, just like in Selta. Yours truly, Ghost.”

She couldn’t help but look over her shoulder, wondering if the message was referring to what she thought it was referring to. It shouldn’t be possible. This had to be someone else that knew about her past, who was using this to manipulate her into giving them everything they wanted. If Ghost was who they were hinting at, they wouldn’t have waited years to come back. They wouldn’t have treated Rain like this, and they wouldn’t hide behind anonymous text messages. This was all a sick coincidence, Rain told herself, even as she thought back to that day in Selta and knew there was only one thing that the text could be referring to.

She clenched her fists and closed her eyes, but she took a deep breath and looked at her phone again. She went to her pictures and scrolled backwards through her timeline, going past all the ones that she had saved from her football career and looking at the ones that had been taken by or sent to her during her time as a soldier. There was one that stood out, and she stopped when she reached that one, staring at it for a few moments. The picture showed her sitting in front of a captured enemy tank with the rest of the unit that she had accompanied before the paratrooper one during the late stages of the war. Mechanized infantry, attached to one of the few tank units that was left at that point during the war.

Eastern tank units were proud ones, and they showed it in the picture. They were spaced apart to make sure that the heraldry on the side of the tank was visible. This symbol was a devil face, spray painted on in red and black. Rain had been there when they captured the tank, stripped it of the parts that needed to be replaced, added in new parts that had been scavenged from the disabled enemy vehicles, and then redone the paint job to be camouflaged in dark green for the forested area around them. And then they added the devil symbol, because to the enemy, that’s what they were. Despite the rebel side having access to better armor and more skilled pilots, the tanks of this unit had scored more kills than the rest of the eastern forces, holding out in Selta as the rest of the front collapsed.

She still remembered their promise. Don’t give up any land to the enemy. Don’t retreat. Don’t abandon the home base of the unit, in Selta. They were all prepared to die in the city’s last stand, while the others were ready to retreat to Odena for a more long and drawn out battle that would likely have a similar result. Rain traced her finger over the picture, finding herself in the front row. Standing right behind her was a boy that wasn’t too much older with her, with a face that was just as dirty from the fighting and a jacket that was just as oversized as the one that she wore. Still, he had a bit more muscle than her. She had her rifle pointed in the air, but he was doing the same thing with a light machine gun. Unlike her, he had allowed his hair to grow out, not bothering to get a proper haircut under these conditions. It was loosely trimmed and mainly cut around the front so it wouldn’t fall in his face during combat, and his black locks reached his shoulder. He had streaks of red and gold paint on his face, just like she did on her helmet. With everyone camouflaged, those streaks of color could help identify each other when they were more in the open. His eyes had the same type of coldness that Rain’s did, which fit with the steely and dull blue color of them. Still, he managed a smile in the picture.

Rain looked to the other side of the picture, and saw the few paratroopers who had shown up on the right side, with their gold and white heraldry and their more up to date and effective equipment. They were an elite bunch, it was clear from the way that they were outfitted and the way that they carried themselves compared to the tankers and their infantry accomplices. Rain had never thought that she would join them at the time, but they would end up being the group that she rode out the end of the war with, after leaving Selta. And after reading the text again, there was no doubt about it in her mind. Someone from the former group had survived the battle after all, and she had a good idea of who it was. Not that there was any way to prove it if she went to the police, because after all… This person was a ghost.

***

To stay and make a last stand in Selta, or to go and die on home soil. That was what Rain Delacruz was deciding as she received the offer from the paratroopers to join them and get out of here, instead of dying with the tank unit that was gearing up to defend the inner city for one last time as they were encircled by more enemies than anyone could handle. The front had already collapsed. They were just making the formal victory a bit more difficult, and both groups had grown fond of the young medic. One wanted her to go down as a member of their unit. The other one wanted to give her a chance to see her home city again, and maybe to run away and see the end of this war. Basically, there were two ways out of Selta. By helicopter, or body bag. The paratroopers wanted her to choose the former, the tankers wanted her to choose the latter.

“I respect whatever your decision is, Delacruz. Selta isn’t your hometown. I don’t expect you to stay within the borders of this city and die for it. If you want to be back in Odena before the city changes forever after the war, I think that’s a decision that all of us can agree with,” said the commander of the tank unit, as she started walking towards the group of paratroopers that were making their preparations to leave the city within the hour. They were packing up their essential cargo and deciding what would need to be left to make room for a partial evacuation of those who didn’t want to stay.

“Thank you, Lieutenant, but I’m not leaving just yet. I only want to talk to a few people and check out my options. Because you know, things don’t look so good in Odena either,” Rain said, before following after the paratroopers. She was pulled aside by an arm on her shoulder, who pulled her behind one of the tents and away from the area where the rest of the group was still hanging out and loading the cargo onto the storage helicopter. She expected one of the tankers but turned around and saw the other paratrooper who didn’t look too different from herself. The only other female in the unit was barely grown, and maybe because of that, she had become fast friends with Rain.

Mila was her name, and she was dressed just like the rest of the paratroopers. She had a short sleeved jacket on over top of a forest green long sleeved one, and she had another sleeveless jacket on top of that one, which had pockets for extra supplies that she might need. It had clips for the parachute equipment, and at the moment, her rifle was tied to one of those spots on the jacket. Her helmet was newer than Rain’s, and it had both a tarot card and an ace of spades card attached to the side of it with a band. The back of the helmet listed the months that Mila’s tour had lasted, and when Rain had gotten the chance to read it before, she realized that Mila had been fighting for sixteen straight months without break. She had to be seventeen or eighteen at most, and she was maybe younger.

“Delacruz, I wanted to talk to you,” Mila said, offering her a half hearted salute despite outranking her. Rain had ranked up to Private First Class, whereas Mila was an Officer Cadet because of her good performance at a young age. Of course, the ranks didn’t mean anything in the context of the official military, and right now, they were more ceremonial than anything. Everyone was in the same boat, and someone who had ranked up wasn’t in much of a better position than some fresh rookie who had just joined the EDF after a brief training course. “I want to take you with us, back to Odena. And I want you to run to the coast instead of staying and fighting for an impossible goal.”

“You already know that I’m not running,” Rain shrugged, looking back at the helicopter that was being loaded up. “I might come to Odena, I won’t deny that, but there’s no way I’m leaving my home city and watching it get burned. I’m going to take out as many of the fuckers as I can before I go down. But since that’s my fate no matter what I do, I might as well stay here in Selta and stay with the friends I’ve made over time with this unit. The tankers are a good group. I don’t intend on abandoning them as their medic.”

“There’s not much use for a medic when your unit has already vowed to keep fighting to the death. I doubt anyone is going to request your services,” replied Mila, placing a hand on her Rain’s shoulder and trying to get her to look her in the eye. “At least Odena is going to have survivors when it’s all said and done. There’s also going to be plenty of civilians who need medical attention after the rebels roll in and wreck the place further. Even now, the artillery strikes have left a lot of people wounded-”

“It’s a matter of friendship. You’re basically asking me, do I abandon my friends or not? And I know I’m more needed in Odena, but it’s not like I have much of a future. Making a last stand alongside my brothers in arms is something that looks good at the moment,” Rain said, slapping Mila’s hand away. “Don’t make this a harder decision than it has to be. Please. I already know what my options are, you don’t need to tell me again and make me regret it if I stay.”

“If you stay in Selta, you’re going to die. As romantic as making a last stand with your friends sounds, is that what you’re looking to do? Is death what you want? In Odena, you’ll have a chance to get away if you survive the battle.”

“I’ve already said that I’m not even thinking about that-”

“Then if you’re so set on dying, come to Odena with me and stay with me until the bitter end,” Mila said surprisingly, before looking at the dirt and starting to turn her back to return to the helicopters. “And maybe… Just maybe, we’ll meet again in another life,” she added, stopping and looking Rain in the eye once more. “Or we might survive the battle and then we can run away abroad when the rebels take over the city.”

“Another life?” muttered Rain, looking at Mila suspiciously. “I don’t think that’s what the church teaches, you know.”

“The church isn’t always right,” said Mila, and then she dropped the bag that was on her back and reached into it. She pulled a bayonet out of an outer pocket and handed it to Rain, gesturing for her to fix it to her rifle. “Take this. If your parachute gets stuck in the trees when we make the jump into the battle, you can use it to cut yourself down. I know you’ve never jumped before, but I’ll make sure you get to the ground safely. I’ll wait for all the others to jump, and then I’ll jump last and follow you. It might break orders, but let’s be real, our chain of command is already fucked. Nobody is going to care if we switch up the jumping order.”

“Can I say goodbye to Emil and the others first?” Rain started to ask, but both girls turned around when the paratrooper unit leader shouted out for everyone to board the helicopters.

“We’re leaving in two! Anyone who isn’t on board with us is going to get left!” he shouted, and Mila gestured for Rain to just come on and follow instead of heading back to talk with the others. She obeyed, and she climbed into one of the helicopters, the same one that Mila was boarding. The rest of the paratroopers gave her looks or thumbs up signs, indicating that she was making the right choice by coming with them. It wasn’t much later when the heavy doors slammed shut, and the rotors began to spin. No turning back, now. The helicopter raised off of the ground, and once more, Rain was on her way to her hometown to fight in the closing battle of the Bojikstani Civil War.

[Cassadaigua]

Big Match Is Upon Us,
by Brittany Byers, Team Captain

Leading into one of the biggest matches that we will have in qualifying, we made sure that there would be no let-down with a 3-0 win over Aggrey-Fynn Land, a nation that was behind us but close-by in the standings. The road victory ensured some separation between us, and means that we can focus on the teams ahead of us, and not behind us on our intention to be the surprise qualifier of World Cup 79.

Let’s start this off with some summarization of that result, and the overall two days that we had in Aggrey-Fynn Land, because things did not get off to the strongest start for everyone here. Upon landing in the nation, we were very disappointed to learn that the airline lost the luggage of both Rachel Brenner and Yolanda Castellano. Evidently, this problem began in Concord Heights, and the workers there put it on a domestic flight to Victoriaville. I am not sure exactly how one confuses Victoriaville, Cassadaigua, and an international privately chartered flight to Aggrey-Fynn Land, but it happened. They were able to get their luggage on the morning of the game, which was good. As for the hotel stay, the fire alarm went off at about 11pm the evening before our game, and we could not re-access our rooms for about 45 minutes. Evidently, someone’s microwave caught on fire from trying to pop popcorn, and burning it. Even though our team was in a completely different location within the hotel, for safety reasons, we had to wait it out. It was not a completely bad experience though, since we chose to wait in the team bus and some Cassadagan fans who made the trip and also were staying at the hotel as well noticed us, and we welcomed them on the bus, too. It turned into a makeshift autograph session and photo op, even though at that hour we weren’t exactly looking our best. The experience that the fans had, though, is something that they will remember for a long time and be able to share with generations, so it turned a negative into a positive.

As for the match, and despite our interrupted overnight, we were sharp early and dominated the play in the early going, and became rewarded for that when Hannah Ranucci scored her fifth goal of qualifying in the 11th minute. She’s been playing great, and could have had a couple more by this point, but the most important thing about her is that she is still so young. Late in the first half, 37 minutes in to be exact, Holly Rosen scored her second. Kristen Speller had a relatively easy first half, considering there was only one shot on target by The Wavy Ones during that time, but she saw the Gordon Whitlick shot pretty well, and made the save look pretty routine.

In the second half, Aggrey-Fynn Land played like a team that was two goals down, and wanted to score quickly. For the most part, we held up to this challenge well and did not allow any major chances, but Tanner Grammy had a couple quality moves where he showed us his fantastic ball handling abilities and tried to make plays. In the 59th minute, they had their best chance when one of those moves led not to a shot, but to a pass to R.J. Duval who was flying down the wing and had a step on yours truly. Admittedly in this instance I saw this play developing a split second too late, and that’s all it can take. As a defender, you’re just hoping your goalkeeper will bail you out. In this case, both I and Kristen were bailed out by the crossbar. That miss seemed to take some of the wind out of the Wavy Ones, and late in the match, Sarah Huff, who was on in replacement of Taylor Campos, made it 3-0 with an 85th minute strike. That’s the final, putting us at 4-1-1, and giving Kristen Speller her third straight shutout. We’re tied for second with Valladares, and two points behind group leading Ethane.

Ethane is also our next opponent. They are the 21st ranked team in the world, and while those numbers don’t mean that much now, they are playing like it. They’ve really done nothing wrong in this tournament, at all. Except, of course, to lose to Dainer, a nation that we beat. Therefore, we know that we can take care of them if, and only if, we play our best game. With the game played at Concord Heights this time around, this can be a huge three points for us. At the end of the day, we are playing well, but we will have to finish ahead of either Ethane or Valladares. Big game, let’s do it!

[South Toronto]

At the South Toronton Training Ground

Axel: Lads, come in.
Pechre: Jeez that was intense
Taha: I know right?
Axel: What did you say?
Pechre: Nothing boss
Axel: Anyways guys was that training hard to do?
Whole Squad: Yeah
Axel: Ok, Do you know why I chose this particular one?To fix ya mindsets
Owen: Ok.And?
Axel: And?AND?! You do know we are ONLY EIGHTH PLACE!!!!! Not only do you guys not co-operate with each other, you all lack any desire to win the bloody games!
Jozy: But boss, them men there are-
Axel: Shut up blud! Do you think this is a joke?
Whole squad: No boss
Axel: So why we losing 4-2 to a nation that we dominated but they still scored 3 lucky goals? Huh!?
Kingsley: (Appears out of seemingly nowhere)It's cause you picked too many youths fam.
Squad: Kingsley!?
Owen: What are you doing here? I thought you were playing in the Copa de Azules Final.
Kingsley: I pulled out of the squad. I'm here to give you guys motivation.We are-
Asmeh: Wait wait wait, hold on bruv. WE don't need YOU to cheer US up.We may not be the best team or win every single game, but what we do have is something called pride. We were proud when we came 2nd in the BoF weren't we? Every single damn team has lost at least once, and everything starts from something.You think I was automatically born with an easy life? I wasn't, me, my mum and my dad were impoverished when I was growing up.I played football as I didn't have any video games, that's why I'm here today-I worked my arse off to even be able to go to fucking school, let alone being a professional footballer at the age of 16.We don't need to look at other teams forms and envy them, cuz every good thing comes to an end.Never give up, for we shall fight in the shadows and in the light, to get to our goal.If you ever start doubting yourselves, think about your families.Make them proud to call you their blood.Remember, form is temporary but class is permanent.
Paul: Wow, what a beautiful speech, I'm actually tearing up bruv
DeAndre: Woah man, that's deep bruv.
Michal: Asmeh, I can't believe how mature you are now.That was the most inspirational speech I've ever heard in my life fam.
Asmeh: Safe Michal.Kingsy, the youth is the future.If we focused on just now, how would we ever progress?
Kingsley: I regret saying that. I just wanted our national team to represent us, ya know? Because I know we are better than this, but it's just a bit of misfortune we have now.
Axel: Asmeh, that was absolutely fucking brilliant lad.I can tell you really care about this team.Let's focus our next game on the Alpine Union.

Somewhere On The West Coast Of South Toronto
President Opkey Jakaochka: Ok, If Axel fails to win or even draw this next game, we are going to sack him.
Vice-President Karim Ahmed Deriussi: Yes, those who object to this, speak now
(Silence in the room)
President Opkey Jakaochka: Okay then the plan is now activa-
Board Member Mia Silva Da Santos: Wait! Wait until like the 12th game for us to make a decision.
Executive John-Dough James: Phew! It's hot, let's just do it tonight so we don't do any more reviews.
Security Guard: Excuse my language sir, but we are in the city of death, Also known as Silvent City.Everything around us is FUCKING JUNGLE!!!!!!WE are in a modernised TREEHOUSE YOU TWAT!
(Security Guard is ironically escorted out by security guards)


Outside the window...
Mysterious Man: Hehehe, Time to travel to the next match...
Mysterious Woman: Quick, they are coming. Transform now!
(Both the mysterious people turn into Girartinas, also known in South Toronto as The Devil's Messengers...)
South Toronto