ECLIPSE OF THE ELEVEN

Eclipse of the Eleven – Episode 1: The Invitation

Prologue: A Life in the Shadows

The wind whispered through the countryside, rustling golden fields of wheat that stretched as far as the eye could see. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the quiet village. Crickets chirped in the distance, the only sound breaking the endless silence.

In a small, worn-down house on the outskirts of the village, Hikaru Kiyoshi sat alone, juggling a soccer ball with the tip of his worn-out sneakers. His face was shadowed by the setting sun, his dark brown hair tousled by the breeze.

Tap. Tap. Tap. The ball bounced rhythmically against his feet, a lifeline tethering him to the only thing that made sense in his life—soccer.

"Again… just like every day."

Hikaru had no teammates, no rivals, no stadium to play in. Just this empty field behind his grandparents' house, where the earth had been beaten flat by his relentless training. His Fireball Jujitsu Style was something no one here could understand—his grandfather had once been the only person who encouraged him, but even he had stopped talking about it.

"Still at it, huh?" The gruff voice of Kenji Kiyoshi, his grandfather, came from the porch.

Hikaru didn't stop juggling the ball. "Yeah."

Kenji sighed, rubbing his temples. "You do realize there's no point, right? No scouts are coming to this place. No one cares about a kid playing alone in a village."

Hikaru finally let the ball drop, catching it under his foot. He knew Kenji didn't mean to be cruel—he was just a realist. Ever since his parents died in a car accident and he was forced to live here, Kenji had tried to set his expectations straight.

"Dreams don't come true for people like us."

But Hikaru refused to believe that.

Memories of the Past

He walked back toward the house, grabbing a bottle of water from the kitchen. His grandmother, Aya Kiyoshi, was preparing dinner. She gave him a small smile.

"Training again, Hikaru?" she asked gently.

He nodded. "Yeah."

She placed a hand on his head, ruffling his hair. "You remind me so much of your grandfather when he was young. He used to believe in things, too."

Hikaru didn't respond. Instead, he drank his water in silence.

His father and mother never supported his soccer dreams. They called him useless, blaming him for something he could never fix—the death of his younger sister. The night she died haunted him like a scar that never faded. He had tried everything to be useful to his family, but nothing had ever been enough.

"Proving my worth… that's all I ever wanted."

But that was years ago. His parents were gone now, and their voices had long since faded from his mind.

And then there was Seiji Arata—his childhood friend. The one person he trusted the most… the one he abandoned.

Hikaru clenched his fists. He never had the chance to explain why he left. Would Seiji ever forgive him?

The Letter That Changed Everything

The next morning, a knock at the door broke Hikaru from his thoughts.

Kenji grumbled as he shuffled toward the entrance. Hikaru barely paid attention—until he heard his grandfather's sharp intake of breath.

"What the hell is this…?"

Hikaru turned his head, and his breath caught.

In Kenji's hand was a black envelope, the seal stamped with a golden emblem—the mark of the ECLIPSE League.

Kenji stared at it, then at Hikaru. "You know what this is?"

Hikaru snatched the letter, tearing it open with trembling hands.

"Hikaru Kiyoshi, you have been selected to participate in the upcoming Eclipse League. Your skills have been recognized, and you are invited to compete against Japan's finest. Report to Tokyo Stadium by the end of the week."

His pulse pounded. His hands shook. Was this real?

Kenji exhaled. "Looks like your chance finally came, kid."

Aya clapped her hands together. "This is wonderful news, Hikaru!"

But Hikaru could barely process it. He reread the letter, over and over. The Eclipse League—the most prestigious soccer competition in Japan. The top 440 players in the country gathered to compete, ranked from 001 to 440. Only the strongest survived.

And somewhere in that league, he knew Seiji Arata was waiting.

Hikaru tightened his grip on the letter.

"I'm coming, Seiji."

Departure to Tokyo

The next day, Hikaru packed his bag—only the essentials. Soccer cleats, jerseys, and his old, beaten-up soccer ball.

Kenji stood by the door as Hikaru prepared to leave.

"Listen, kid. I don't say this often, but… don't waste this chance."

Hikaru nodded, his expression firm. "I won't."

Aya hugged him tightly. "Be safe, Hikaru. And show them what you're made of."

With one final look at the quiet countryside, Hikaru stepped onto the bus. The journey to Tokyo was long, but his real journey—the one to prove his worth—was just beginning.