This article was written by Staff Writer Angel Quintana.

For centuries, many a friend group told stories about that one friend whose existence on this mortal plane is a scientific anomaly, but yet for some reason they defy all laws of this known universe, and exist anyway, for they simply don’t care. They are people whose stories about them sound like great Greek myths of old, yet not once will an ounce of exaggeration or hyperbole be used to describe them. For those that have gotten close to these individuals they are like the old gods reborn to walk this earth and bless us with their strange gifts and shows of strength. Today though I’d like to bring light to one of the mystical cosmic beings that walks the halls of this school (almost) daily, the omniversall jack of all video games, Abdiel Ferrer Rivera.

 Now full disclosure, all information referenced/mentioned in this article was either discussed in my interview or cleared for use in this article by Abdiel themselves. If you expected a really serious biography go elsewhere, maybe check this really good article on Mr. Mendez or any of the other amazing work the vidette has put out. Alright, so a little background on the living legend that has helped build their reputation as this very strange cosmic being. 

Over the years he’s played many incredibly different kinds of video games, and borderline mastered them all within hours. And no, it’s not metaphorically, or rhetorically, or poetically, or theoretically, or in any other fancy way. I have seen it with my own (unknown amount) of eyes. The only way to truly describe what it’s like watching them play, it’s like watching a terminator T-800. They learn everything within the first game, practice their knowledge in the second game, and then perfect their mastery over the game in the third round. That’s not to mention how well versed they are at almost every different genre they’ve touched. Examples include strangely cracked fps games like Cod or Titanfall.  They have the brain of an old military level tactician, and play anything from Pokémon to Fire emblem. The genre they show the second greatest amount of skill in is rhythm games like any Hatsune Miku game (seriously it’s insane they’re hand eye coordination is unparalleled). Alas, none of his skill in any of those genres even compares to the sheer presence he brings to fighting games.

Now time for the real nitty gritty, and probably the thing they’re known the most for around the school: fighting games. Abdiel disappeared for over a year, and came back as a fighting game god. At school they’re known for and responsible for leading the Smash club. Even after their presidency ended, they are still one of the best players at that club. Fighting games are their lifeblood; some of their favorites include Smash Bros, Guilty Gear, Skull Girls, and DBZ Fighterz. Now this reputation they’ve gained from the genre isn’t unearned either, I can attest from personal experience both in past instances playing with them, or even the very match that took place during my interview with this force of nature. They have proven why they are the best.  

In the past I’ve had the pleasure of playing many different games with them, and losing, but one day I was given the chance to turn the tide and achieve victory by finally being able to play home field, Mortal Kombat 11. I’ve played MK games all my life, I know them in and out and they’ve never even opened the game before. Everything was perfect. The funny part was that it was perfect at first, until they asked me for a rematch. Suddenly just like that I was getting my soul extracted through my body from how hard I got my butt kicked. All I could do was sit there, stunned, on how it happened. That was not the only display of their power either, no, far from it. During my interview with them, a part of it was to play a game where we’ll both be on even footing, a game that I have 0 experience in and a game they haven’t played for years: Skull Girl Encore. The end score was 0-11.

To wrap things in a neat street fighter themed bow, during our interview I asked them where they plan to take their fighting game career in the future. They responded with “I don’t think I’ll go big, because that’s mad expensive, but I’d like to go to a couple of cons or tourneys here and there”. Anyway, hopefully whoever reads this will be able to cross paths with this truly eldritch being. No seriously though, Abdiel deserves all the recognition in the world.