CTS TIME RE 250.08.21 | 7:30 AM
LOCATION: EXOHORIZON | HOTEL ROOM
The soft golden rays of morning light spilled through the transparent window, casting a warm glow over the room. The faint hum of the city outside was suddenly drowned by bursts of cheering, fireworks, and the rhythmic beat of drums. The air carried the scent of fresh festival foods, and banners of different colors fluttered in the sky, marking the arrival of a grand event—the tournament.
Rose stirred, her eyelashes fluttering as she stretched her arms and let out a small yawn. Her mind was still half-asleep, but her ears caught the distant echoes of excitement outside. Something big was happening.
She rubbed her eyes and got up groggily, her bare feet touching the cool floor. The moment she reached the window, her tiredness vanished.
Below, a massive crowd had already gathered. The streets were flooded with people—spectators, warriors, merchants selling battle gear, and children waving flags. Colorful balloons floated in the air, fireworks cracked against the blue sky, and massive screens displayed the countdown to the tournament's start.
Rose's blue eyes widened in awe.
"Today is the tournament!" She turned quickly. "Where's Blaze?"
Across the room, Bolt was sitting cross-legged on the desk, his eyes locked onto a floating holographic screen, watching combat footage of past tournaments.
He didn't even glance up as he responded in a flat tone.
"He already left. Woke up at 4 AM, trained for hours, then headed straight to the arena."
Rose frowned, crossing her arms. "And you didn't wake me up?"
Bolt finally looked at her and shrugged. "You were sleeping like a rock. Also, you ate like a king last night. I figured you'd need the extra rest."
Rose's face turned slightly red. She had, in fact, gone a little overboard with the festival food last night. But that was beside the point.
She quickly waved her hand. "Forget that. We need to go!"
Bolt sighed. "You need to get ready first. There are new clothes in the lockup."
Rose rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine. But don't waste time."
She moved quickly—shower, breakfast, light makeup—all in a record time of ten minutes. As she fastened the last buckle of her jacket, she turned back to Bolt.
"Done!"
Bolt blinked at her. "That was insanely fast."
Rose smirked, flipping her hair back. "I don't waste time."
She grabbed the new set of clothes, then turned her back to Bolt. "Don't turn around."
Bolt, who was still watching his videos, barely reacted. "Not interested."
As Rose changed, she noticed something. Bolt had been unusually quiet this morning, apart from his usual sarcasm. His eyes weren't just focused on his screen—he was thinking.
Then, without looking at her, he suddenly spoke.
"Rose, I need to tell you something."
Something in his voice made her pause.
"What?" she asked, pulling her boots on.
Bolt hesitated for a second, then took a deep breath.
"You need to change your attitude."His voice was calm, but there was a serious undertone. "You're… kind of rude to Blaze sometimes."
Rose frowned. "What? No, I'm not."
Bolt turned his chair to face her. "Yes, you are. And you need to stop."
Rose scoffed. "Why should I? Blaze doesn't care about us anyway."
Bolt leaned forward, locking eyes with her. "That's where you're wrong."
Rose suddenly felt uncomfortable. She grabbed her jacket, trying to brush it off. "This again? Bolt, why do you always—"
"Listen." His voice was firmer this time. "Blaze could throw both of us away anytime if he wanted. If we were just burdens to him, he wouldn't think twice about leaving us behind. But he hasn't. Ever."
Rose's fingers clenched around her jacket.
Somehow, the words hit harder than she expected.
She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Bolt continued, his voice softer now. "You don't have to trust him completely. But at least stop acting like he's against us."
Rose sighed, rubbing the back of her head.
"You're just a kid, Bolt. You shouldn't be talking like this."
Bolt's eyebrow twitched. "And you're what? A full-grown adult? You're only twelve."
Rose narrowed her eyes. "And you're just eight."
Bolt shrugged. "Yeah, but at least I don't waste money on food and dumb stuff like you."
Rose's cheeks flushed. "That was one time!"
Bolt smirked, clearly enjoying her reaction.
Rose huffed, grabbing his wrist and dragging him toward the door. "Enough talking. We're late!"
Bolt chuckled as he followed her out. "Whatever you say, princess."
As they stepped into the elevator, the noise of the festival outside grew louder. The tournament was about to begin.
And deep down, Rose couldn't shake off what Bolt had said.
The hallway buzzed with energy. Bright neon lights flickered, illuminating the stream of people moving in various directions—some stopping to buy snacks from automated vendors, others fixated on the massive holographic screens overhead, eagerly absorbing details about the upcoming tournament.
Rose and Bolt weaved through the crowd, their eyes darting around at the lively spectacle. The air smelled of something sweet—probably caramelized snacks from a nearby stall.
As they walked, Rose suddenly stopped in front of a holographic visual outpost. The glowing display flickered and shifted between three different arenas labeled Group A, B, and C. Her brows furrowed as she scanned the screen.
"Oh, there are three sub-arenas: A, B, and C," she muttered. Her voice was laced with curiosity and a hint of urgency. She turned to Bolt. "Do you know which arena Blaze is competing in?"
Bolt frowned, rubbing the back of his head. "I don't know… but I think Arena C."
Rose crossed her arms. "You think? Didn't Blaze already tell you which arena he'd be in?"
Bolt groaned. "Come on, Rose, we have to move. If we wait around, we'll miss the opening ceremony!"
"But I don't want to miss anyone's match," Rose argued. "Especially Blaze's."
Before Bolt could respond, another voice chimed in from nearby.
"Which arena should I go to first?"
Rose turned her head toward the source of the voice. A boy stood there, slightly shorter than her but likely around the same age. His striking green eyes shimmered under the artificial light, and his styled white hair added to his sharp yet gentle appearance. His expression was relaxed, his tone casual but friendly.
He noticed Rose studying him and gave a small chuckle. "You guys are confused too, huh?" He stepped forward, extending his hand.
"I'm Mainak. Mainak Starcrest. Nice to meet you."
Rose hesitated for a split second. There was something about his name that felt familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. Still, she took his hand and gave a polite shake.
"I'm Rose," she said, then gestured beside her. "And this is Bolt."
Bolt gave a short nod, not particularly interested in introductions at the moment. His mind was still preoccupied with reaching the arena on time.
Mainak grinned. "Well, I've already decided—I'm heading to Group C. You guys should come with me."
Rose glanced at Bolt, then back at the flickering holographic display. She still wasn't sure if Blaze was in Group C, but there wasn't much time to stand around debating.
"…Alright," she finally said. "We'll come with you."
With that, the three of them started moving through the crowd, heading toward their destination—unaware that this small decision would soon lead to unexpected encounters and revelations.
The stadium was alive with energy. Thousands of spectators filled the massive circular arena, their excited chatter blending into a deafening roar. Lights danced across the sky, and dazzling fireworks exploded in synchronized bursts, illuminating the grand stage below. The atmosphere was electric, a tangible wave of anticipation flowing through the crowd.
Rose, Bolt, and Mainak sat in the middle row, their eyes locked onto the battlefield where eight Bladers stood in formation. A massive holographic screen above them displayed each competitor's face in crisp detail. Their determined expressions spoke volumes—this wasn't just any tournament; it was a battle for honor, prestige, and power.
Rose's enthusiasm dimmed slightly as she scanned the competitors. Her heart sank. Blaze isn't here… and neither is Jasper.
Bolt noticed her disappointment and nudged her slightly. "Guess he's in a different arena," he muttered, though his own excitement had dulled a little as well.
Before they could dwell on it further, a sudden burst of music filled the air, and a hovering circular platform descended onto the battlefield. Standing atop it was the commentator—a charismatic figure in a sleek, metallic suit, his voice amplified across the stadium.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" he boomed, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Welcome to the GRAND DIAMOND CHAMPIONSHIP!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, the sound vibrating through the stands. Rose felt the energy pulse through her, igniting a spark of excitement despite her earlier disappointment.
The commentator continued, his hoverboard gliding effortlessly above the battlefield. "Today, these eight fearless Bladers will battle for supremacy! Their hunger for victory, their unwavering strength, their burning passion for Blading—everything will be put to the ultimate test!"
The cheers grew even louder. Spectators waved banners, holograms flickered with different Bladers' names, and fans screamed out their favorites.
Rose leaned forward, fully immersed in the spectacle, but her focus sharpened when the commentator's voice took a dramatic turn.
"And now… we come to the most awaited announcement." He paused, letting the anticipation build before continuing, "The grand showdown will feature three finalists from each of the three groups—A, B, and C and the champion will get total one million star credits. But there's one name that shakes the battlefield, a warrior born from the legendary sword culture, the undefeated champion, the unstoppable force…"
The holographic screen shifted, and a new image appeared—Blaze Deathbringer.
The entire stadium erupted in a deafening roar. Fans chanted his name, fists pumped in the air, banners unfurled with his emblem, and waves of energy rippled through the crowd.
Rose's breath caught in her throat. There he was, standing in Arena A, his expression cold and unreadable. Even through the screen, Blaze's presence was undeniable—an aura of strength, of absolute dominance.
"Blaze Deathbringer!" the commentator roared.
Bolt whistled low. "Well, that answers our question."
Rose turned to him, urgency in her eyes. "Bolt, we have to move. If we stay here, we'll miss all of Blaze's matches!"
Bolt grinned. "Yeah, yeah, I got it. Besides, with one million star credits on the line, Blaze isn't losing to anyone."
As they prepared to leave for Arena A, the commentator's voice rang out again.
"And now, let's welcome our chief guest, the ruler of this universe, the greatest icon—Xander Starcrest!"
The stadium fell silent for a moment before erupting into applause. Rose's attention snapped back to the stage as a regal figure stepped onto the grand podium.
Xander Starcrest was a man of powerful presence. Draped in an intricately designed cosmic robe, his silver-white hair shimmered under the lights, and his piercing green eyes surveyed the arena with an air of wisdom and authority. Even among thousands, his aura commanded absolute respect.
The crowd stood in reverence as he raised a hand in greeting.
"Thank you all for inviting me as your chief guest," Xander's voice resonated through the stadium. It was calm yet commanding, the kind of voice that carried both power and wisdom. "This tournament represents more than just competition—it is the spirit of perseverance, courage, and honor. Each of these warriors standing before you today has trained relentlessly to reach this moment."
His words carried weight, inspiring every Blader in the arena.
Rose, however, wasn't fully listening. A nagging thought tugged at her mind. Starcrest… Starcrest…
Her gaze drifted to the boy beside her—Mainak Starcrest.
Her eyes widened in realization. Wait a minute…
She turned sharply, staring at Mainak. "Your last name…" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the noise.
Mainak turned toward her and gave a sheepish grin. "Yep," he said casually. "That's my dad up there."
Rose blinked, struggling to process what she'd just heard. "You mean…" she hesitated, "You're… a prince?"
Mainak laughed lightly. "Well, technically, yeah."
Rose opened her mouth to say something, but before she could react, a sudden spotlight beamed down on them.
She instinctively raised her hands, shielding her eyes from the bright light. Bolt did the same, squinting in confusion.
"What the—?!" Rose started.
Mainak let out an exaggerated sigh. "Welp, looks like my dad caught me."
Rose's stomach dropped. Wait… that means…
The stadium cameras zoomed in on them. The giant holographic screen now displayed the three of them sitting together, causing murmurs to ripple through the crowd.
Xander Starcrest's gaze shifted toward the spotlight, his expression unreadable.
Mainak turned to Rose and Bolt, flashing a playful grin. "Come on, guys. We're VIPs now. We'll get the best view."
Rose swallowed hard. "You're kidding, right?"
"Nope," Mainak smirked. "Now let's go before my dad gives me a lecture on 'royal responsibilities' in front of the entire universe."
Rose groaned, feeling a mix of shock, embarrassment, and excitement all at once. Bolt, on the other hand, simply shrugged. "Well, at least we're getting good seats."
With that, the three of them stood up, the crowd watching their every move, as they followed Mainak toward the VIP section—completely unaware of how this single moment would change the course of their journey forever.
As Mainak led Rose and Bolt toward the VIP section, Bolt practically buzzed with excitement.
"Rose, that was awesome! We literally met a real prince. Are you not excited?" he asked, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.
But Rose wasn't paying attention. Her thoughts drifted elsewhere, deep in a memory she had long buried.
"A prince… I've already met a prince long ago. All of his memories are safe in my heart. I don't even know if he's alive or not… but I wish—just one more chance—to meet him again. To tell him clearly… how I feel."
Her heart clenched at the thought of Anik. He had been her everything once. And then, he was gone.
She had lost him.
Forever.
The moment they entered the VIP area, the atmosphere shifted. Unlike the roaring crowds below, this place carried an undeniable air of authority—powerful figures sat in plush, high-tech chairs, watching the tournament unfold with a keen, calculating gaze.
At the center of the section sat Xander Starcrest, Mainak's father and the ruler of this universe. His presence alone was overwhelming. Clad in a regal, battle-worn uniform, he radiated an aura of strength, wisdom, and unwavering control.
Surrounding him were elite armored officers, their high-tech weapons gleaming under the soft glow of the holo-screens.
Rose and Bolt barely had time to take it all in before one of the guards approached them, scanning them with a sharp, suspicious gaze.
"We need to check for any harmful items," the guard said, reaching for his security scanner.
But before he could proceed, Mainak stepped forward, placing himself between them.
"There's no need," he said, his tone firm but relaxed. "They're my friends. I trust them."
Xander turned his piercing green eyes toward his son, then toward Rose and Bolt. After a long pause, he finally nodded.
"If my son says so, then it must be true."
Rose let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"So much authority in just one sentence," she thought. Xander Starcrest wasn't just a ruler. He was a legend in his own right.
Mainak grinned. "Come on, guys, let's enjoy the show."
They followed him to their seats, and Rose noticed that Mainak left one seat empty beside her before sitting down on the other side.
She turned toward him. "Why did you leave this seat empty? Is someone else coming?"
Mainak hesitated for a second, his usual playful demeanor dimming. "Yeah… I think so. But I don't think he will come."
Rose tilted her head slightly. Something in his voice… a longing? A sadness?
"Is everything okay with your friend?" she asked softly.
Bolt, who had been watching the conversation unfold, was slightly taken aback.
"How does this girl change so quickly? A moment ago, she barely reacted to meeting a prince, and now she's so polite to him?"
Mainak sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I don't know much about what really happened to him… but I do know that he's been through a lot."
Something inside Rose stirred at those words.
"Been through many things… Just like me…?"
She hesitated before asking the one question that suddenly seemed too important.
"What's his name?"
Just as Mainak was about to speak, a booming voice echoed through the vast arena, cutting through the tense silence.
"Let's begin this tournament! All Bladers have ignited their fire for victory, but first, we must determine who will compete against whom!"
The commentator's voice was filled with enthusiasm, energizing the roaring crowd. The VIP section trembled slightly from the sheer force of the cheers below.
"There will be two groups. In the first group, two players will compete first, followed by the next two. The same will follow for the second group. Now, let's see who fate chooses to face each other in battle!"
Rose shifted her gaze toward the massive holographic display that hovered above the arena. It flickered with countless names, rapidly shuffling in a randomized sequence. Each flicker built anticipation, and the entire stadium held its breath as the screen slowed down.
Bolt leaned forward, eyes wide with excitement. "This is it! Who's going first?"
Mainak, arms crossed, watched with a neutral expression, though Rose could tell he was interested in the outcome.
Finally, the display stopped. The names of the first two Bladers locked into place. The letters glowed brightly before being announced.
"Now, the first two players will take the field according to the sequence! The other six will wait for their turn!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, banners waving in the air as the first competitors stepped onto the battlefield. The massive arena stretched before them, its polished stone floor gleaming under the artificial lights. The battlefield was no ordinary dueling ground—it was embedded with energy circuits designed to enhance Bladers' techniques, making each clash an extraordinary spectacle.
From the VIP section, Rose watched in silence, her fingers unconsciously gripping the armrest of her seat. Her thoughts were elsewhere.
"Blaze…" she thought, her eyes scanning the waiting Bladers in the lower section.
Blaze stood among them, his arms folded as he observed his potential opponents. His expression was unreadable, but Rose knew him well enough to recognize the flicker of determination in his gaze. He wasn't just here to fight—he was here to prove something, to test his limits.
"Good luck, Blaze."
She didn't say it out loud, but she willed the thought toward him as if he could somehow sense it.
Meanwhile, Bolt smirked, nudging Rose slightly. "You're suddenly looking so serious. You got a favorite already?" he teased.
Rose shot him a glance, but instead of replying, she simply turned back to the arena.
Mainak, who had been silent, finally spoke, his voice low. "You seem invested in this match."
Rose hesitated before answering. "It's not about the match. It's about the people fighting in it."
Mainak gave her a sideways glance but didn't press further. Instead, he glanced back at the empty seat beside her, his thoughts momentarily drifting elsewhere.
The energy in the arena reached its peak as the two Bladers stepped forward, drawing their Blades in a synchronized motion. The commentator's voice rang out once more.
"Let the battle begin!
The air in the arena buzzed with anticipation. The first match was just about to begin when suddenly, one of the Bladers raised his hand. The gesture was small, but the energy in the stadium shifted immediately.
The commentator, standing on an elevated platform, noticed the motion and quickly reacted. His voice boomed through the speakers.
"Wait! One Blader seems to have a problem! Let's go down and see what he wants!"
With a smooth motion, he stepped onto his hoverboard, gliding effortlessly down to the battlefield where the Blader stood. The crowd murmured, curious about the interruption.
The moment the commentator got close, the Blader spoke—his voice deep, cruel, and laced with impatience.
"I don't want to waste my time. I want to end this as fast as possible."
The commentator, maintaining his professional enthusiasm, tilted his head. "So tell me, how can we solve your problem?"
The Blader's eyes glowed slightly under the arena lights, a dark presence surrounding him. He smirked, his voice filled with arrogance.
"I want to fight all Bladers at once."
To be continue.....