Later that evening, after everyone had left the pool and returned to their rooms, Blaze and Jasper sat on the rooftop of the Diamond Spacehub, looking over the glowing city below. The air was cool, and the stars shimmered above them.
Blaze, who was usually serious and composed, had an unusual smirk on his face as he leaned against the railing. Jasper, sitting on the ledge, observed him with curiosity.
"You look… different," Jasper remarked. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
Blaze chuckled, shaking his wet hair. "I think I've finally lost it, Jasper."
Jasper raised an eyebrow. "Finally? Dude, you lost it years ago. But what's the real reason?"
Blaze grinned, a lightness in his voice that was rare. "I think I'm in love with Serena."
Jasper's mouth fell open. "Wait. Hold up. What?! Did you just—Did Blaze, the cold, brooding fighter, just admit he's in love?!"
Blaze laughed, an uncharacteristically playful glint in his eyes. "Yeah, I did." He stretched his arms behind his head. "And damn, it feels good to say it out loud."
Jasper dramatically clutched his chest. "I never thought I'd see the day. You, actually admitting your feelings? I need a drink to process this."
Blaze shook his head with a grin. "Man, after today, I just stopped fighting it. I mean, what's the point? Every time I see her, my heart starts racing. And when she hugged me earlier? I swear I nearly died."
Jasper laughed. "Oh, you definitely died. I saw your soul leave your body."
Blaze chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "She makes me feel… different, you know? Not just excited, but alive. Like, for once, it's not just about fighting, or training, or proving myself. It's just… her."
Jasper smirked. "Damn. You've got it bad."
Blaze leaned back, looking at the sky. "Yeah, and you know what? I don't care anymore. I love her, and I'm not gonna hide it. In fact, I think I'm gonna have some fun with it."
Jasper narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What kind of fun are we talking about?"
Blaze grinned mischievously. "Oh, you'll see. But let's just say… I'm gonna start enjoying this a little more."
Jasper groaned. "Oh god, Serena's in trouble."
But then Jasper leaned forward with curiosity. "Wait a second… you said you love her, but what about her? Does Serena love you back?"
Blaze exhaled, crossing his arms. "I have to find that out. But I think… she also likes me."
Jasper smirked. "You think? That's not enough, man. You need proof. Lucky for you, I'm your best friend, and I love messing with people. So, I'm gonna help you figure it out."
Blaze raised an eyebrow. "Help me how?"
Jasper grinned devilishly. "Oh, don't worry about it. Just leave it to me."
Blaze laughed, shaking his head. "This is gonna be a disaster, isn't it?"
Jasper smirked. "Oh, 100%. But it's gonna be fun."
CTS TIME: RE250.08.22 – 6:15 PM
The city was alive with neon lights, illuminating the Diamond Spacehub with a golden glow. The streets were bustling with people enjoying their evening, shopping, eating at restaurants, and talking about the upcoming Grand Showdown. The entire city had an electric energy in the air.
Blaze and Jasper walked side by side down one of the main streets. Blaze was still in his usual outfit, his sword Venom Devolos strapped to his back, while Jasper had his hands in his pockets, smirking like he was up to something.
"You know," Jasper started, eyeing Blaze with amusement, "since you finally admitted your feelings, it's time for us to test something."
Blaze gave him a side glance. "And what exactly are we testing?"
Jasper grinned mischievously. "Oh, just how much Serena actually likes you."
Blaze sighed, shaking his head. "I knew this was coming. You're not gonna let this go, are you?"
"Hell no," Jasper replied with a chuckle. "Besides, don't you wanna know?"
Blaze rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… I do."
Jasper smirked. "Alright then. Here's the plan. We observe. We push some buttons. We make her jealous."
Blaze frowned. "Jealous? How?"
Jasper pointed to a nearby outdoor café where several girls were gathered, chatting and laughing. "You just need to be a little friendlier with other girls in front of her. Nothing major, just enough to get a reaction."
Blaze sighed again. "This is ridiculous."
"Maybe," Jasper shrugged, "but hey, it works."
Before Blaze could argue, Jasper grabbed his shoulder. "Oh, look who's here."
Blaze turned, and his heart nearly stopped.
Serena.
She was walking down the street, dressed casually in a sleeveless red top and black shorts, her signature red ponytail swaying behind her. She looked effortlessly beautiful, her crimson eyes glowing slightly under the city lights. She hadn't seen them yet.
Blaze swallowed. His heart was already pounding.
"Alright," Jasper whispered. "It's go-time."
Blaze sighed. "Fine. But if this backfires, I'm gonna kill you."
Jasper laughed. "Noted."
With that, Blaze turned, casually leaning against a nearby street lamp, striking up a conversation with two girls sitting at the café.
Jasper, standing to the side, watched with satisfaction as Serena finally noticed them.
Her steps slowed.
Her gaze locked onto Blaze.
And for a split second, her expression changed.
Something flickered in her crimson eyes—annoyance? Confusion? Maybe even… jealousy?
Jasper smirked. Gotcha.
Blaze, still talking to the girls, kept his voice cool and casual, but his mind was racing. Is she watching? Is she reacting?
Serena crossed her arms.
Jasper could almost feel the flames building around her.
"Oh, this is gonna be fun," he muttered.
Blaze sat at the café table, casually talking to the two girls Jasper pointed out. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, flashing a confident smirk. The girls giggled as he spoke, clearly enjoying the attention.
"So, you're the Blaze Deathbringer?" one of the girls asked, twirling a strand of her hair. "The champion everyone's talking about?"
Blaze chuckled. "Well, yeah. That's me."
The other girl leaned in slightly. "That last match was insane. I mean, the way you fought Serena Blackspire? You two looked like total rivals."
Blaze felt a small pang in his chest at Serena's name but kept his cool. "She's strong, no doubt. But I am the champion, after all."
He laughed, and the girls giggled again. But in the corner of his eye, Blaze could feel someone watching.
He turned his head slightly—just enough to see Serena still standing a few meters away, her arms crossed tightly, her eyes narrowed at the scene in front of her.
She was watching.
Jasper's plan was working.
Blaze held back a smirk and continued his conversation. But deep inside, his heart was racing. Was she jealous? Annoyed? What was she thinking?
After a few more minutes, Blaze stretched, excusing himself from the conversation. "It was nice talking to you both. Maybe I'll see you around."
As he walked away, Jasper was already waiting for him, arms crossed, a cocky grin plastered on his face.
"Well?" Blaze asked, trying to sound casual, but he couldn't hide the curiosity in his voice.
Jasper chuckled. "Oh yeah, she was watching real hard. You should've seen her face."
Blaze exhaled, feeling a strange mix of relief and excitement. "So, she—"
"Jealous?" Jasper smirked. "Definitely something was going on in her head."
Blaze ran a hand through his hair. "Good… I think." He sighed. "But I can't rush this. I'll confess after the Grand Showdown. Until then, I'll just let things play out."
Jasper nodded. "Smart move. But before we continue messing with Serena's head, I have one question for you."
Blaze raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Jasper smirked and pointed towards a group of kids playing nearby. "Where are your two little troublemakers?"
Blaze blinked and looked around. "Wait—where the hell are Rose and Bolt?"
Jasper chuckled. "Look over there."
Blaze followed his gaze and saw them.
Rose and Bolt were playing hide and seek—with Dante.
Dante, full of energy, was running around the plaza, trying to find them, while Mainak was also playing along, laughing as he ducked behind a food stall.
Bolt jumped out from behind a bench. "Hah! You'll never catch me, Dante!"
Dante grinned. "Oh, you're dead!" He bolted after Bolt at full speed.
Rose, hiding behind a pillar, giggled. "He's way too fast!"
Mainak whispered from behind a shop display. "If we all run at the same time, maybe we can escape!"
Blaze sighed, shaking his head. "Of course they're playing games while we're out here planning my love life."
Jasper laughed. "Hey, let them have their fun. Besides, you might want to keep an eye on Dante—he's got way too much energy."
Blaze smirked. "Yeah, no kidding."
He took one last glance back toward Serena—she was still there, pretending not to have been watching him.
Blaze smirked. This is gonna be fun.
CTS TIME: RE250.08.22 – 6:45 PM
The warm golden lights of the Diamond Spacehub shimmered as laughter and shouts filled the plaza. The small city within the hub was still alive with energy as people moved between restaurants, shops, and entertainment zones.
Blaze and Jasper leaned against a railing, watching as Rose, Bolt, Dante, and Mainak continued their wild game of hide and seek.
Dante was relentless. His agility was off the charts, darting around corners, vaulting over tables, and nearly catching Bolt at every turn.
"You can't run forever, Bolt!" Dante shouted with a grin.
Bolt squealed and ran straight into Mainak. "Ack—! Team up! We gotta work together!"
Mainak nodded. "Okay, on three, we split up! One… two—"
"THREE!"
Both of them dashed in opposite directions, leaving Dante momentarily stunned. "Oh, you little—" He turned toward Rose. "Guess you're next!"
Rose stuck her tongue out. "Catch me if you can!" She took off running.
Jasper nudged Blaze. "Kids have too much energy, man. Makes me exhausted just watching them."
Blaze smirked but his gaze flickered back toward Serena, who was still lingering nearby, pretending to be looking at a storefront.
She was definitely watching him.
"So, are you gonna say something to her?" Jasper asked, following his gaze.
Blaze sighed. "Not yet. I'll wait until after the Grand Showdown."
Jasper smirked. "Yeah, but what if someone else swoops in before then?"
Blaze narrowed his eyes. "That's not gonna happen."
"Confident, huh?" Jasper chuckled. "We'll see."
Across the plaza, standing in the shadows near a tall metallic pillar, Talon Darkos watched everything in silence. His arms were crossed, his gaze sharp, calculating.
He had been watching Blaze closely—not just his battles, but his behavior.
"So," Talon thought, "the wielder of Venom Devolos isn't just a fighter. He's distracted. Emotional."
He had seen how Blaze reacted when Serena was around. How his focus wavered, how his energy shifted.
And Talon didn't like it.
To Talon, emotions were a weakness. Attachments made warriors soft. A true swordsman fought with a clear mind, without distraction.
He muttered under his breath, "Blaze… if you let your emotions cloud your judgment in the Grand Showdown, Tenebris will destroy you."
His fingers twitched near the hilt of his blade, Vybron. The thought of testing Blaze himself crossed his mind, but he knew the real battle would come soon enough.
Still… something about the way Blaze carried himself intrigued Talon.
He wasn't like Tenebris, who craved destruction. Nor was he like Jasper, who fought with raw energy and heart.
Blaze had a presence.
Something Talon couldn't quite put into words.
He watched as Blaze smirked at Jasper, then turned his head slightly—stealing another glance at Serena.
Talon exhaled sharply. Pathetic.
But then—
Something unexpected happened.
Serena, who had been quietly observing Blaze, suddenly locked eyes with Talon.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Talon saw something in her gaze.
Not arrogance. Not weakness.
Determination.
Serena wasn't just some arrogant warrior with an attitude. She was a fighter who had something to prove.
And for the first time that night… Talon actually respected her.
Serena tilted her head slightly, as if questioning why he was staring at her.
Talon simply turned away without a word and disappeared into the crowd.
Serena frowned slightly, confused.
But she didn't have time to dwell on it.
Because at that moment—
"ROSE, LOOK OUT!"
Dante leaped from a balcony above, aiming straight for Rose in a last-ditch effort to catch her.
Rose shrieked and dove under a table at the last second.
Dante crashed onto the floor, groaning.
Blaze and Jasper lost it, laughing hysterically.
Bolt popped his head out from behind a planter. "Is he… dead?"
Mainak winced. "I think his soul left his body for a second."
Dante sat up with a dazed expression. "I—I almost had her… That was my ultimate move."
Rose peeked out and smirked. "Guess you'll have to train harder, huh?"
Dante pouted. "Damn it… I'll get you next time."
Blaze shook his head, still laughing. But deep down, his mind was still on her.
Serena had disappeared from sight.
Was she still thinking about their match?
Was she thinking about him?
He clenched his fists.
Jasper's words echoed in his mind.
"What if someone else swoops in before then?"
Blaze exhaled.
He had to be patient. But he also had to be sure.
After the Grand Showdown… I'll tell her.
No matter what.
CTS TIME: RE250.08.22 – 8:30 PM
Rose, Bolt, and Blaze stepped into their hotel room inside the Diamond Spacehub, the sliding door closing behind them with a soft hiss. The night sky outside was filled with shimmering stars, the city lights below creating a mesmerizing glow.
After an eventful day filled with training, swimming, and unexpected moments, exhaustion was setting in—but Blaze still had something on his mind.
As they settled in, Bolt immediately jumped onto his bed, stretching out with a satisfied sigh. "Man, today was awesome," he mumbled, his voice muffled by the pillow.
Rose sat at the edge of her bed, removing her shoes. "Yeah, it was fun." Her voice carried a slight hesitation, as if something was still lingering in her thoughts.
Blaze, leaning against the wall, crossed his arms and watched her carefully. He had noticed how she and Serena had been talking at the pool earlier.
After a moment, he finally asked, "So… what were you and Serena talking about?"
Rose blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"
Blaze pushed off the wall and walked toward her. "At the pool. I saw you two talking. What did she say?"
Rose hesitated for a second, then shrugged casually. "Nothing much. She just asked about me… and about you."
Blaze's eyes narrowed slightly. "Me?"
Bolt, despite being half-asleep, suddenly perked up. "Ohhh, now this is getting interesting!" He rolled over, smirking at Blaze. "Come on, spill it, Rose! What did she say?"
Rose smirked at Bolt's eagerness but then turned back to Blaze, her expression more serious. "She was curious about you. About why you took me in. I told her about… you know… your sister."
Blaze's playful smirk faded instantly. He lowered his gaze for a brief moment, processing that.
Rose continued, watching his reaction carefully. "I think she sees you differently now, Blaze. Before, she thought you were just arrogant and full of yourself, but now… she understands why you are the way you are."
Blaze exhaled slowly. "Huh… so she's been thinking about me."
Bolt sat up, eyes gleaming. "Wait, wait, wait. Are we talking about romantic thinking or just curious thinking?"
Rose rolled her eyes. "How would I know, Bolt?"
Blaze rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "Still… if she's curious about me, that means she's not just seeing me as an opponent anymore."
Bolt grinned. "Or maybe she's falling for you, loverboy."
Blaze flicked Bolt on the forehead. "Shut up, kid."
Bolt groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Oww! That's abuse, you know!"
Rose shook her head with a small smile but then turned serious again. "Blaze… do you love her?"
The question hit like a bolt of lightning.
Blaze paused, his heart skipping a beat.
He opened his mouth to say something, but for the first time in a long time… he hesitated.
Did he?
Everything about Serena—her fiery spirit, her determination, her strength—it all fascinated him. He wanted to prove he was stronger, yet at the same time, he wanted to impress her. And every time he saw her, it was like his whole world narrowed down to just her.
Blaze sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I… don't know. But there's something there. Something I can't ignore."
Rose smirked. "I knew it."
Bolt clapped his hands together. "Ohhh, man, this is gold! I'm gonna tell Jasper the moment I see him—"
Blaze shot him a glare. "You do that, and you're sleeping outside the ship for the rest of the trip."
Bolt zipped his lips, but his mischievous grin didn't fade.
Rose, still watching Blaze closely, nodded. "Well… whatever it is, I think she's starting to notice you in a different way too."
Blaze exhaled, flopping down on his bed. "Guess I'll have to figure it out after the Grand Showdown."
A brief silence settled in the room, each of them lost in their own thoughts.
Then—
Bolt sat up suddenly. "Wait. We're talking so much about Blaze's love life, but what about yours, Rose? Huh? Huh?"
Rose's face instantly turned red. "W-what?! What are you even talking about?"
Bolt wiggled his eyebrows. "You know what I mean… Anik."
Rose immediately threw a pillow at him. "SHUT UP, BOLT!"
Bolt cackled, dodging it. "Aha! I knew it! You totally have a crush on—ACK!" Another pillow smacked him in the face.
Blaze shook his head, chuckling. "Alright, alright, you two. Enough pillow fights. Get some sleep."
Rose huffed, crossing her arms but still blushing. "Tch. Whatever."
Bolt grinned but yawned. "Fine, fine. But this conversation isn't over."
CTS TIME: RE250.08.22 – 9:45 PM
The night sky stretched endlessly above, the stars twinkling like distant fires in the void. The cool breeze flowed through the balcony of their hotel room, rustling the curtains behind them.
Blaze sat on the metal railing, his crimson eyes lost in the expanse of space beyond the Diamond Spacehub. His mind was heavy with thoughts, but his face remained unreadable.
Rose quietly stepped onto the balcony, hugging her arms to her chest. She stood beside him for a moment, looking up at the same sky. The silence between them was thick, but not uncomfortable.
Finally, she spoke. "One thing is bothering me…"
Blaze didn't move. "What?"
Rose hesitated before asking, "Do you hate Mainak? The prince?"
At first, Blaze said nothing. His fingers tightened slightly around the railing, his jaw clenching.
Then, after a long pause, he exhaled deeply and said, "I'm telling you the truth, Rose… but don't ask me about this again."
Rose nodded, sensing the weight behind his words.
Blaze's voice was steady but cold, carrying the echoes of a past filled with pain. "When I was fifteen, my sister was fourteen. We were poor—our father had died in the civil war, and our mother worked at the royal palace."
He scoffed, shaking his head bitterly. "I don't want to talk about this, but… you deserve to know. One day, my sister and my mom left for the royal place… and they never came back."
Rose's heart sank, but she stayed silent, letting him continue.
"People like me—poor, powerless—we were treated as nothing more than slaves. The royal guards took me away, shipped me off to some unknown planet. That's where Blading originated. That's where I was forced to work."
Blaze's hands curled into fists. His voice was lower now, almost a growl. "During that journey, I overheard whispers. Whispers that my mother and sister… were abused." His breathing turned heavy. "Killed. By royal people."
Rose's eyes widened. She covered her mouth in shock.
Blaze let out a bitter chuckle. "And there I was. Trapped. Worthless. A slave on a planet filled with swordsmen, watching others fight while I had nothing."
He leaned back against the railing, his gaze shifting downward. "But then… deep in that planet's forest, I found him. Venom Devolos. The blade that changed everything."
Rose listened intently, her heart pounding.
"I trained. I fought. I won the tournament. And in my research, I found the truth."
Blaze turned to look directly at her now. His eyes—filled with fury, sorrow, and something even darker—pierced into her soul.
"There were twelve people involved in my mother and sister's deaths. Twelve universal rulers. And that's why, Rose… I hate Mainak. Just a little bit. I hate all royal families. Because people like them—" he clenched his fists, "—people like them stole everything from me."
The air grew still.
Rose swallowed the lump in her throat. "Blaze… I…"
Blaze shook his head. "But now… now I'm different. I'm not a slave anymore. I'm not weak. I'm a champion. I've earned respect, power… and I won't stop until every single one of them pays."
Rose's hands trembled slightly. She had never seen Blaze like this. His voice was so cold, his hatred so raw. And yet…
She saw something else.
Something beneath the anger.
Pain.
Loneliness.
And fear.
She slowly reached out, gently placing a hand over his clenched fist. "Blaze…"
He tensed at her touch but didn't pull away.
"You're not alone anymore," she whispered. "You have me. You have Bolt. You have Jasper. Even Serena… even if you don't realize it yet. We're with you. No matter what happens."
Blaze's fingers relaxed slightly under her hand.
For a long moment, he just stared at her. Then, finally, he exhaled, looking away.
"Tch… you're too soft, Rose."
She smiled faintly. "And you're too stubborn."
A small smirk tugged at Blaze's lips. The rage in his eyes dimmed just a little.
"Come on," Rose said, gently tugging his hand. "Let's go inside. Bolt's probably drooling all over the bed by now."
Blaze chuckled. "Yeah… that idiot."
They stepped back into the room, the night still stretching beyond the glass behind them.
CTS TIME: RE250.08.22 – 11:30 PM
The room was silent, except for the soft hum of the spacecraft's energy core outside the window. The artificial lights of Exohorizon flickered in the distance, casting a gentle glow across the city skyline.
Rose and Bolt were sleeping peacefully, their soft breaths filling the quiet space.
But Blaze… he was wide awake.
Sitting at the desk, his fingers lightly drummed against the metal surface. His crimson eyes stared at the glowing screen in front of him, but his mind was elsewhere.
He leaned back, exhaling deeply. "Sorry, Rose… I didn't tell you everything."
His gaze darkened as he remembered.
For three years, he had been a criminal—an outlaw in the underworld. A hunter. A destroyer. He had spilled blood, shattered lives, and walked a path of darkness that most people couldn't even fathom.
It wasn't just about survival.
It was about revenge.
A bitter smirk tugged at his lips. "If you knew, Rose… would you still see me as your big brother?"
His fingers tightened into a fist. But then… something changed.
Serena.
Her fiery determination. Her fierce spirit. The way she stood against him, completely unafraid.
And the way she looked at him… like he was just Blaze. Not a champion. Not a warrior. Just… him.
Something inside him shifted.
"No more destruction. No more revenge. No more of the person I used to be."
For the first time in years, he made a decision—not for vengeance, not for power, but for himself.
"For Serena… I will become normal. No harming others. No living in the past. No more darkness. Just… a guy. A normal, good guy. Someone positive. Cheerful. Someone she can trust. Someone she can… love."
Blaze sighed, running a hand through his messy black hair.
His eyes flicked to the screen.
A search bar blinked, waiting for input.
With a deep breath, he typed:
"How to confess to a girl."
A flood of results appeared instantly:
10 Ways to Tell Her You Love Her Without Saying It
The Perfect Date Ideas Before Confessing!
Signs She Likes You Too!
Blaze blinked. "The hell is all this…?"
He clicked one at random.
—"Confidence is key! Stand tall, look into her eyes, and make sure to express your feelings clearly!"
Blaze leaned back, mumbling, "Yeah, easy to say when you're not facing Serena…"
He clicked another.
—"Before confessing, practice saying 'I love you' multiple times until you feel comfortable!"
Blaze rubbed his neck awkwardly.
"Practice…?"
He looked around.
Rose and Bolt were fast asleep.
Slowly, he turned toward the mirror on the wall.
Clearing his throat, he stared at his reflection. His expression was serious.
Then, he tried.
"I… I love you."
Silence.
Blaze frowned. His voice sounded too rough, too forced.
He tried again.
"I… love you."
Still off.
Again.
"I love you."
He scowled. "Why the hell does this sound so awkward?"
Shaking his head, he turned away.
"This is dumb. I'll just say it when the moment feels right."
But as he leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, his heart pounded in his chest.
To be continue....