It was the day.
All around humanity's countries, schools closed down for the following week, and the streets grew empty as if straight from a ghost town.
Everyone was in their homes—the television open—and everyone had the same channel open.
In that channel, a countdown for the start of the tournament was slowly ticking down. It was still five hours away.
However, after each second, the anticipation all around the world continued to grow.
…
In the Sirkus City, with the Redwood tree's massive branches stretching across the air, the whole city had turned quiet like a sudden hush before a storm.
In a playground close to his home, Neal was sitting on a swing and was kicking his legs back and forth, lost in thought.
He had his phone in his hand—the tournament website open—and he saw Kiernan's face as one of humanity's representatives.
'…Kiernan.'
Neal thought with great emotion, and at that moment, someone touched his back and stopped him from swinging.
