1 Blessing in disguise

In an alternate reality, nestled far away from Earth on the other end of the universe, there exists a planet eerily similar to our own—a spitting image of Earth yet distinctly different. Here, William Jester, the owner and co-founder of 'windows corp.,' holds the title of the wealthiest individual, surpassing even the likes of 'Bill Gates' from our world. There is 'Tesla', 'Coca-cola' and others but is run by different people. This distant planet boasts renowned leaders, their names different yet their backdrops strangely familiar, with companies and organizations sharing the same namesake.

Despite these similarities, the history of this world is an uncanny reflection of Earth's own. Every historical event unfolds at the exact same time, but here, it is crafted by different individuals facing identical situations. 

Europa, Footopia county 

-A coastal nation with a rich maritime history, Footopia boasts bustling ports, trading routes, and a love for seafaring adventures.

Sprintshire province

-A coastal province with picturesque beaches and cliffs, Sprintshire is known for its swift currents and is home to several prestigious sailing schools. The capital, Fleetport, is a major trading hub.

******************

~Fleetport city~

In the obsidian silence of the dark night, a young boy, bundled in a cozy sweater and wearing sweatpants, shivering as the air flew by, found solace in the empty stands of the Fleetport FC "stadium." The atmosphere hung heavy with anticipation, and the frigid air seemed to seep through the threads of his warm refuge.

As he sat, The absence of the sun allowed the night to embrace the stadium. The only illumination came from the distant glow of city lights beyond the stadium.

Although its called "stadium," this place was far from that word —an open expanse with only two goal posts standing sentinel at either end, and encircled by humble stands awaiting the fervor of football fans, which were weathered by time and painted in hues that whispered stories of countless matches witnessed.

"Damm, am I too early?" whispers flew from the boy's chattering teeth.

"It's okay, better to leave early; otherwise, Mom would have woken up and found out about this. Then she would have killed me."

"Fue... it's cold here. What time is it? They told us we must all be here by 7 a.m. "

"shouldn't everyone come by early and parcti..ce a little?"

The boy clutched an advertisement paper in his hands, and in the dim light, the words were faintly visible:

*Greetings from Fleetport FC! We are conducting player selections for the U13 Fleetport club team, and we invite all aspiring young talents with dreams of becoming future professional players to join us at the club's stadium. Please be present early in the morning at 7 a.m. on Sunday, 01/05/2002.* 

sighs... The boy looked at the bicycle parked at the bottom of the stand, tilting his head and glancing around. Fingers played with the watch strapped around his wrist, its face showing "4:57 a.m."

"Still, 2 hours to g..."

"Ha...Ha."

Before the boy could finish his words, laughter erupted around him. The sounds were loud, echoing through the stillness, but the source remained elusive.

"FINALLY, I FOUND YOU."

A sharp, shining stone with a golden hue dropped from the sky, landing near his feet.

"Ah... What th...?" The boy jumped sideways, tripped, and tumbled to the ground. As he gasped, trying to comprehend the bizarre situation, his eyes widened in disbelief. Before him stood a boy, who was heavenly handsome and cute, wore loose golden shirt and traditional sarong beneath it, seemingly younger, suspended in the air above the ground. It was a surreal sight, and the boy couldn't shake the feeling off and thought he was dreaming.

"Ah... "

boy pinched... himself and felt the pain was real and concluded that this was happening before this very eyes.

"Ha... ha".

"THIS WILL BE INTERESTING, I WILL MAKE THAT OLD MAN REGRET SENDING ME HERE... HA..."

The boy stood in the air, a deity-like presence with a literal floatation. He spoke with a deep, soothing voice that sent shivers down the spine.

"who... what are you?" The stumbled boy struggled to get back on his legs, his scared eyes wide open.

"OH... ME I'M *mh@$mksld%^&jsnbjky&"

Smooth, soothing sounds flowed from the deity's mouth. At first, the words were understandable, but they gradually morphed into a mysterious language, leaving the boy standing there like a confused child.

Sensing the boy's bewilderment, the deity apologized, "SORRY! IT'S WORLD SECRET AND CANNOT BE HEARD BY MORTALS"

"are you that... I mean... Alien? from outer... space"

"ALIEAN? WHAT ALIEAN?"

The deity looked puzzled, and a blue ball next to him appeared, showering everything with blue light. The deity's expression changed, as if gaining an understanding of the conversation.

"ALIEAN? MEANING FOREIGN MORTALS LIVING IN DIFFERENT PLANETS LIKE YOU MORTALS?" The deity seemed amused. 

"IT'S TRUE, THERE ARE MORTALS IN OTHER PLANETS, BUT I'M NOT AN ALIEAN, I'M ONE OF THEM WHO LOOKS AFTER THE, SO CALLED ALIENS i.e, MORTALS"

"Ha... Ha"

The deity spoke casually, as if the conversation was entirely normal, though the situation was anything but normal.

"then ar... are you GOD?" The boy asked sarcastically, finding it hard to believe the unusual figure's claims.

"YOU CAN SAY I'M INDEED A GOD TO YOU" the deity said casually as he roamed around in the air.

"THIS PART OF UNIVERSE COMES UNDER MY JURISDICTION, MY GREAT-GRANDDAD FORSAKEN ME TO THIS BARREN LAND AS PUNISHMENT, AND I'M VERY ANGRY AT HIM AND WANT TO TAKE MY REVENGE." just as this words were uttered, atmosphere in the surroundings became hot.

"YOU KNOW, THAT OLD MAN CAN'T STAND INTERFERENCE WITH HIS WORK, AND I'VE GOT A PLAN TO RUFFLE HIS FEATHERS..." as the boy heard the words, a restlessness crept over him, a sense that the path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty.

"AND ALL THIS PLAN INCLUES YOU" deity stopped and turned his gaze towards the boy, as if his eyes could see straight deep into his soul, his gaze remained fixed, his intentions veiled in the mystery of cosmic retribution.

"how... how does it include me, your revenge has nothing to do with me" The boy, gaining a glimmer of clarity amid the confusion, spoke with a newfound confidence.

deity still kept the eye contact intact, spoke smugly

"YES, MY REVENGE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU, BUT ALL YOUR MORTALS FATE, WHICH IS UNDER THAT OLDMAN'S HAND DOES" The deity's response carried a weight of inevitability, leaving the boy grappling with the realization that his destiny had become entwined with the whims of celestial vendettas.

"I'LL GIVE YOU AN OPPURTUNITY TO CHANGE YOUR DESTINY, IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOU—WHETHER YOU WILL SUCCEED IN ALTERING YOUR HEVENLY WRITING OR NOT" The deity's words, while offering a glimmer of hope, confused him more, as many thoughts erupted in the boys mind.

'Why must I change my destiny? I know with my father gone, my mother working tirelessly, and a family burdened with debts is in poor state, but this will change and I'll work hard to lift my family up and also achieve my father's dream of playing professional football. But what is all this changing destiny about?'

The boy's questions, laced with determination, sought answers to the enigmatic forces now at play in his life.

"sorry I think you... I mean GOD, you got the wrong guy, my name is Aryan Powell, my house is near..." just as the boy spoke his inner thoughts, he was interrupted.

"NO... NO"

"YOU ARE THE ONE, THAT ORB DOWN THERE, IS CALLED 'SEEKING ORB', BELONGS TO THAT OLD MAN, I'M PUNISHED FOR 'BORROWING' THAT FROM HIM, YOU KNOW, ITS DIVINE ITEM, WHICH UNVEILS FATES OF THE MORTALS WHICH IS USUALLY HIDDEN EVEN FROM OUR EYES, WHICH IS NEVER WRONG!"

The deity's admission carried an air of both mischief and consequence, leaving the boy to grapple with the implications of being entangled in the divine mischief of powerful beings.

"I ASKED IT TO SHOW ME A GLIMPSE INTO A LIFE DESTINED FOR UTMOST DESPAIR, AND THE ORB UNVEILED ME MANY SUCH OPTIONS AND I CHOOSE YOU, AS YOU MIGHT HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO CHALLENGE THE OLDMANS HEVENLY WRITING" The deity's revelation hinted at a peculiar selection process, placing the boy at the center of a cosmic gamble against fate.

The boy found himself in a maelstrom of emotions—confused, angry, and scared—all at once. The surreal events unfolding before his eyes seemed beyond belief, leaving him grappling with a reality that defied the boundaries of the known.

"I KNOW IT ALL NEW TO YOU, SO I WILL SHOW YOU SOME GLIMPSE OF WHAT YOUR FUTURE HOLDS, AFTER THAT ITS UP TO YOU TO DECIDE ENTIRELY, ON WHICH PATH TO CHOOSE"

The deity's words carried a sense of both revelation and empowerment, inviting the boy to witness the threads of fate that awaited him.

As the words reached Aryan's ear, golden orb beneath his feet, rose up and shine brightly, it seemed as if entire world was covered with golden light.

"what is thissssss...?"

The orb ascended into the air, moving with lightning speed before striking into Aryan's head. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

"THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO GAIN ALL THAT YOU DESIRE. I TRUST YOU'LL PROVIDE AMPLE ENTERTAINMENT."

The deity laughed as he uttered these words, casting an amused gaze upon the unconscious boy sprawled on the stands near the football ground. The echoes of celestial amusement mingled with the night's silence.

The darkness of the night descended once more, bringing with it a profound stillness. Only the rhythmic sounds of waves crashing against the shores of coastline and the chorus of insects broke the silence.

Amidst that, a new sound emerged.

"YOUNG MASTER, WHILE IT MAY BE ENTERTAINING TO IRK THE GREAT-MASTER, MEDDLING WITH HEAVENLY FATE WILL LEAD US TO VERY BAD OUTCOME. THERE'S STILL AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECTIFY THIS. PLEASE HEED MY PLEA, AND WE CAN RESTORE BALANCE. WE CAN'T CHANGE THE HEVENLY WRITING, NO MATTER WHAT WE DO."

Suddenly, an elderly man materialized out of thin air, his face etched with a stern expression that conveyed a mix of anger and mild apprehension about what might unfold. He was on the verge of speaking again, but the deity swiftly raised his arm in the air, signaling for him to halt.

"Ha... ha"

"YOU'VE SEEN THAT OLD MAN TRULY FURIOUS ONLY ONCE, HAVEN'T YOU? IT WAS WHEN A WOMAN PLEADED FOR HER SON'S LIFE, TRADING ALL HER LIFE'S KARMA POINTS. THE OLD MAN REFUSED, STATING, 'HE CAN'T CHANGE THE HEAVENLY WRITING.' BUT YOU'RE AWARE OF WHO GRANTED HER WISH, AREN'T YOU?"

The deity replied with a face that betrayed a well-thought-out plan, his expression revealing the orchestration behind the unfolding drama.

"DO YOU IMPLY THAT? YOUNG MASTER, IT'S..."

The elderly man appeared both concerned and amused, standing contemplatively as he grappled with the unfolding situation.

"HA... HA. WE'RE NOT THERE YET. LET HIM MAKE HIS CHOICE FIRST. I'LL OFFER GUIDANCE, BEING THE ONE TO SET HIM ON THIS PATH. YET, WHETHER HE SUCCEEDS OR SUCCUMBS TO THE SNARES OF HEAVENLY WRITING IS ENTIRELY HIS JOURNEY."

The deity turned around, soaring upward, and the elderly man followed suit, disappearing into the night amid the floating clouds in the sky.

"BUT IT SEEMS IT'S GOING TO BE QUITE ENTERTAINING." The deity's laughter resonated, carrying the anticipation of cosmic amusement.

********************

~unfamiliar room.

"ah..."

Aryan felt an intense pain coursing through his body; even the slightest attempt to move his body caused them to ache.

'My HEAD, what happened? where am I?'

 His head throbbed intensely, and as he touched it, he discovered his head was covered in a bandage. His leg ached excruciatingly.

Aryan scanned the unfamiliar room, confusion etched across his face. Just moments ago, he had been on the stadium ground, contemplating ways to convince his mother to support his dream of becoming a professional football player.

Yet, through some bizarre, dreamlike circumstance, he found himself in this room surrounded by books. Seated on a chair beside a table, he observed a human skeleton structure hanging on a chain, a stethoscope, a white coat neatly hung on the opposite chair, and a nameplate on the table that read "Dr. Sylvia Rodriguez."

He scanned the surroundings fully, but his memory failed to ring any bells. On the table, he noticed a small mirror. Despite the pain, he reached for it and held it in the air to see himself clearly. His face was scarred and covered with bandages, and in fact, his entire body was swathed in them. He noticed that his hands and legs were longer, and his face bore the features of a college student rather than a 12-year-old kid.

Aryan noticed a calendar on the table, a seemingly ordinary item. However, what caught him off guard was the year it displayed — 2009. He knew it should be 2002, not 2009.

As he was contemplating the situation, the sounds of footsteps reached him. He sat very quietly, opting not to take any action or speak until he grasped the gist of the situation.

"Doctor, you must help him."

Two men entered the room, one in his 50s and the other a teenager. The older man, holding an X-ray film displaying a fractured bone, wore a stern expression while the teenager pleaded earnestly.

Aryan felt a twinge of recognition upon seeing the teenager. 'Is that Liam? he looks grown up and what is he doing here? whats with this situation.'

He sensed that the teenager bore a striking resemblance to one of his best friends, Liam Mitchell.

"Aryan needs to be in Mystic Hollow city within a week, reporting to the club." Liam pleaded earnestly, placing his arm around Aryan's shoulder with a concerned expression, standing steadfastly behind him.

Upon hearing this, Aryan found himself puzzled. 'Why should I head to Mystic City, especially considering it's so far north in Footopia? why is Liam saying...'

Aryan's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the entrance of an old man into the room. The man casually strolled past him, took a seat, draped a stethoscope around his neck, and placed an X-ray image on the table. Turning to face Aryan, his face displayed a mix of concern and sympathy, an expected demeanor for a doctor, but it sent an uneasy shiver down Aryan's spine.

"He's been scouted by Mystic Dragons FC, one of the top eight teams in the league. This is his dream. Please, doctor, you have to do something"

Aryan was taken aback and found it hard to believe what he heard.

'What? Scouted as a professional player? When and how did this happen? I haven't even kicked off my career, and I'm already being scouted by a major club in the county? Amazing... This is fantastic news. I hope Mom will be thrilled. With the earnings from this big club, maybe I can get her...'

"Ahem..."

The doctor adjusted his posture and spoke in a soothing, unhurried tone, as if imparting wisdom.

"You know, there's more to life than football," he remarked. "Football isn't everything. I heard you were offered a scholarship to a good university. I hope you didn't neglect your studies."

Aryan's face remained expressionless as the situation unfolded in unexpected confusion.

"Doctor..." Liam's voice held a note of concern.

"As I mentioned earlier, the situation is quite complex. I have both good news and bad news concerning this accident. The good news is that your life is no longer in danger." The doctor's words cut into Aryan's heart.

"Now, for the challenging part... the bad news is that your right femoral bone has sustained multiple fractures. It's not a simple fracture; there are multiple breaks. The road to recovery is lengthy, possibly taking a couple of months and intensive rehabilitation to get you back on your feet. Even then, your leg's full functional capacity may not exceed 70%."

Now, Aryan felt as if his heart had stopped beating. 'Wh... WHAT? My leg... what happened?'

Aryan gripped his leg tightly with both hands, despite the pain, and Liam held his friend's hand firmly.

"Doctor, what are you saying? His career is on the verge of taking off. Can he still... play?" Liam expressed his concern loudly.

"..."

The doctor remained silent, making no sounds, and that silence, half-answered Liam's question. He felt the urge to cry for his friend.

"I understand it's difficult to hear, especially when you've worked so hard to seize such a wonderful opportunity in life. But this is life. With your leg in this condition, reporting to the team next week might not be feasible. However, if, by some miracle, your leg fully recovers, you can rejoin the team at any time. So, don't lose hope."

"I just hope you start seeing life beyond football. Just focus on recovering, stop thinking about *Ahem Football, for time being."

"@$sh#%aer^&54"

Aryan stood abruptly, his entire body aching, and the sensation completely gone from his right leg. Anxious and attempting to shout at the doctor, he wanted to convey his determination to keep the promise he made to his dad about becoming a pro football player. 

'Ah... what are you saying DOCTOR, I can't stop playing, I have still more to do'. Aryan's face contorted with frustration as he attempted to convey his thoughts. The doctor and his friend stood there, silent, unable to hear any words he was trying to speak.

"..." Silence enveloped the room.

While Liam stood there motionless, uncertain of how to console his distraught friend, the doctor also felt helpless in the situation, but different thoughts rose up in Aryan's mind.

'what is happening, why can't I speak? can they not hear me?'

'hello... Liam.. Li.. AM, can you hear me? HEY!!'

However, no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't open his mouth; no sound escaped his throat, as if something was stopping him from making sounds.

"Doctor, you must know that, his situation is complicated, After his mother's death from cancer, he and his sister are left alone to fend for themselves, and playing football is all that left for him to cope up in this difficult situation, I've witnessed him put in tremendous effort, working tirelessly to secure this opportunity. So, please Doctor, you have to do somethi... "

Liam made a desperate plea to the doctor, urging him to explore any options that could restore his friend to peak physical condition. Meanwhile, Aryan's mind was in chaos. The news of his mother's death felt like a sudden storm, freezing time for him.

'what... what, my mother died? when? how?'

Aryan's heart reached its breaking point, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"HEY! LIAM..."

Out of nowhere, a golden orb appeared and he was swiftly drawn into a golden vortex. However, Aryan was too consumed by grief to pay any attention. All he could think about was his mother—her smiling face lingering in his mind amid this distressing situation.