People crowded the center of a highly-advanced city brimming with neon lights. Holographic and flying billboards floated above their heads, advertising various companies' products. The roads glowed with unnatural light, lining out the city's road network. Stalls selling several things were lined up against each other as parents and children bought their products. The full moon shone over the city like a guardian angel protecting the clear night sky.
This was humanity's second greatest achievement – Rush city.
People crowded around a singular stadium in the middle of the city, pushing each other to squeeze into the entrance. Black ops enforcers surrounded the circumference of the high building while drones entered from above. The stadium – having a capacity of over two hundred thousand was somehow being filled at an unnatural pace. Cameramen with massive cameras – some stationed on the edge of the arena while others held them on their shoulders.
February 1st, 2984 of the Modern age.
Suddenly, a lightning bolt shot out of the sky – no clouds, no rumbling, just thunder echoing throughout the futuristic city. The bolt landed right in the middle of the massive arena, blowing up smoke. As the dust began to settle, the audience focused their attention. From the smoke, a single man emerged.
Dark hair, mustache and goatee of the same color, clear skin and an oddly charming look. The man wore a black jacket that remained unzipped, light grey sweater that had a blue and white stripe drawn across his chest and arms, light cream pants and white sneakers. He covered his eyes with dark shades and wore an expensive watch on his left wrist that indicated his status. He gripped the microphone in his hands and clenched his other fist in excitement.
He raised it to his mouth and took a deep breath. The cameras zoomed on him alone, the holographic screen floating on the edge of the stadium reflected his face and the audience held their breath.
"WELCOMEEEEEEEEE, EVERYONE!!! TO THE GOLDEN HOURRRRR TOURNAMENTTTTTTTTTT!!!"
***
Meanwhile…
In Von June Hospital, Kay solemnly glanced at the smart television in front of him. He watched the Golden hour tournaments opening through the screen. It was a shame he couldn't attend it in person – especially this one but his legs denied him this opportunity. While rehabilitation had begun, he still had to use the wheelchair to get around. A smile couldn't help but make his way onto his face as he declared in a solemn tone.
"It's finally beginning…"
***
In another room, Arthur stared at his television with wide-eyes which had dark bags under them as if he had not slept for days. His nurse sat beside him with a worried expression. From the other side of the screen, he saw the crowd cheer on the man in the center of the arena. The charming man snapped his fingers and pointed at one of the cameras, looking directly at the people watching from home.
"For the people watching from Home – What's up!" The man said in an excited tone before snapping back to his live crowd. "Don't worry, I need to give proper attention to everyone. Anyways…"
He took another deep breath.
"I, Dante deus Augustus shall be your host for the opening ceremony…"
He instantly disappeared with a flash. The cameras frantically turned around and zoomed in on the commentator's room.
"Your commentator…" Dante stated.
Then, he blitz off again to the VIP room overlooking the entire stadium. Through the glass, Arthur saw Dante sitting on a chair beside another man.
The other had silver hair with blue streaming through it and crystal-like blue eyes – Chris!
He wore a blue overcoat with silver accents, a grey silk shirt and black pants with leather boots. He sat comfortably with his arms crossed while Dante spoke into the mic one more.
"And your special guest!"
Arthur, seeing his brother through the screen, smacked his lips and whispered in a silent tone.
"Brother…"
***
Dante appeared back in the middle and locked eyes with the crowd.
"Before starting, let's have a moment of silence to honor the victims of last year's expedition."
The audience followed his command. They stood up and lowered their heads, respecting the fallen. Dante also did the same and so did Chris. Minutes passed in awkward silence. Only the buzz of the mic could be heard in the everlasting silence. Then, it finally passed. After a minute, the audience sat down and Dante picked up the mic once more.
"Now, the supreme commander of the PEOC won't be able to attend this year's tournament." He said in a calm tone. "So, for that reason and the fact that this a 'special' moment, please welcome…."
Right then, Dante pointed at the VIP room hovering above. The cameras focused on it as a man appeared from the shadows. He had wavy red hair, a full beard of the same color, golden eyes, and wore a uniform woven of a fine silk, made for royalty and laced with gold and gems.
"THE CURRENT EMPEROR, HADRIAN PANGEA THE THIRD!" Dante shouted.
The audience cheered with him for the emperor. Hadrian sat down on a chair between Chris and Dante's, making himself comfortable. The crowd cheered loudly at their emperor's arrival. Hadrian smiled and waved his hand.
"A word, your majesty?" Dante appeared beside the emperor, leaning against his chair.
He neared the mic to Hadrian's mouth. Hadrian drew a sharp breath and smiled.
"My dear people, I'm privileged to attend such an important event. I hope all goes well and the young students who have so brazenly participated in this tournament have my blessings."
The audience clapped in sync at the emperor's words. In a flash, Dante returned to the center of the arena, mic already raised. He took back the audience's attention with a simple gesture.
"Now…"
As he spoke, warriors representing their high schools from across the continent started to pour out of the two circular entrances carved at the ends of the arena. They circled Dante while glancing at the crowd watching them.
"For the moment you've all been waiting… The 1000th Golden Hour Tournament!!"
Just as he finished his sentence, fireworks lit the sky. The people were mesmerized by the light show, being engulfed in a dance of pleasure as streaks of color spread across the night like paint on a canvas. Dante grinned widely and pointed at a massive cauldron on top of the stadium.
"Light the Eternal Flame!"
Right then, a bolt of lightning shot out of the sky once again, lightning up the cauldron with a burst of inferno. The flames reflected in Dante's Glasses and then, the world began chanting a single sentence like a cult with Dante, Hadrian and Chris joining in as well.
"Long live the founder!"
The world thundered again and again, from the stadium to the living rooms across the continent. In the shadows of the stadium, Missio watched his elder brother in the spotlight. He gripped his katana until his knuckles turned white.
"Brother…" He whispered in a tired voice.