CTS TIME: RE250.08.23 – 3:00 PM
Location: Neo-Rooftop Plaza, Small City Simulation Zone – Diamond Spacehub
On top of the Neo-Rooftop Plaza, a part of the small city simulation zone inside the Diamond Spacehub, Bolt and Rose were engaged in a playful game, laughing as they jumped between floating platforms. The simulated city was a marvel of futuristic engineering—hovering cars zipped between neon-lit skyscrapers, while holographic billboards displayed advertisements in mid-air. AI-driven vendors sold cyber snacks, and synthetic birds chirped as they flew in coded patterns above the glowing skyline.
Mainak, watching from a distance, chuckled as he effortlessly balanced himself on the edge of a levitating bridge. Suddenly, a royal guard in sleek silver-blue armor approached.
"Prince Mainak, your father has summoned you for lunch aboard the Royal Starship Hyperion," the guard said with a bow.
Mainak sighed, glancing at Bolt and Rose. "Alright, I guess I have to go now." He waved to his friends. "See you later!"
Rose waved back. "Enjoy your royal feast!"
Bolt grinned. "Bring us something fancy next time!"
With a smirk, Mainak stepped onto a hovering transport pad. A soft hum resonated as the teleportation ring activated, creating a shimmering portal of blue light. In an instant, he was gone—beamed directly to his father's Hyperion-class Starship.
Dark Corners of the Simulation Zone
In the shadows of a dimly lit alley within the city simulation, a cloaked figure stood silently. A small holographic projector embedded in his wrist flickered to life, displaying a dark and ominous image—an iron-masked figure, its eyes glowing a deep red. The transmission emitted a faint mechanical hum, distorting slightly as the communication stabilized.
The cloaked figure spoke first. "I have been monitoring the Xander Starcrest family records. His son, Mainak Starcrest, is currently under the protection of the Hyperion Defenders. The squad is led by Sudipto, with three Pro Heroes assisting him."
The iron-masked figure's eyes narrowed. "Good. As I suspected, the two legendary swords have not yet unleashed even 10% of their true power."
The cloaked figure smirked. "That's not the most interesting discovery. I found Anik Starlight as well."
There was a pause. The iron-masked figure, Master Void, let out a low, intrigued hum. "He is still alive? I thought I wiped out his entire family." His voice deepened with displeasure. "That was my mistake."
The masked figure's gaze darkened as old memories surfaced—
In the heart of the "Paradise of Eternity," he had executed Regulus Starlight, Anik's father. Later, on a diplomatic mission to a Type 2 planet, he had ambushed Anik's family. He had successfully assassinated Seraphina Starlight, but in the chaos, Anik and his sister Rina escaped. He had destroyed the entire planet in an attempt to leave no survivors, but somehow, the two had survived.
Master Void clenched his fist. "So he still holds the power of the Blue Crystal…"
He refocused his gaze on the cloaked figure. "Your next mission is simple."
He pressed a button, and a small cybernetic device materialized in the air through a nano-transfer system. It hovered in front of the cloaked figure before gently landing in his gloved palm.
"This device can detect whether Anik still wields the Blue Crystal's energy. Your job is to get close enough to scan him. Use whatever means necessary."
The cloaked figure hesitated for a brief second before nodding. "Understood, Master Void."
But deep inside, he was calculating. Anik is always inside the starship, and his security is tight. This won't be easy…
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the Neo-Rooftop Plaza, Bolt and Rose had unknowingly wandered too far from the populated zone, entering a dimly lit alleyway lined with neon graffiti. The glowing walls pulsed with artificial life, casting eerie reflections on the smooth metallic pavement.
A group of men in cyber-enhanced armor suddenly emerged from the shadows, surrounding them. Their red visor-like masks gleamed under the flickering city lights, and their arms were enhanced with exo-skeletal cybernetic implants.
One of the thugs smirked. "Well, well… Looks like we've found a couple of rich brats wandering where they shouldn't."
Bolt grabbed Rose's hand. "Let's get out of here!"
They sprinted toward the exit, but one of the cyber-thugs intercepted them, slamming a metallic fist into Bolt's stomach. Bolt gasped as he was sent flying backward, crashing into a nearby hover-truck.
Rose screamed as another thug yanked her back by her long violet hair, pulling her toward him.
"Let me go, you—!" she struggled, kicking him in the shin, but his cybernetic body barely reacted.
Before things could escalate further, a powerful gust of wind suddenly tore through the alleyway. A shadowy blur moved between the gang members, and in a matter of seconds—
THUD! CRACK! SLAM!
—every thug was on the ground, groaning in pain.
A cloaked figure stood in the middle of the wreckage, the hem of his coat billowing slightly from the force of his speed. The red lights of the gang members' cyber-visors flickered weakly as they lay defeated.
Rose, still catching her breath, looked up at their savior. "You… You saved us. Thank you."
The cloaked figure turned to her, his face hidden in shadows. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek, futuristic watch with a glowing blue interface. He handed it to Rose.
"Take this," he said in a low voice. "Give it to Mainak Starcrest. A small gift."
Rose blinked, confused but accepting the watch. "Why? What is it?"
But before she could get an answer, the cloaked figure took a step back. His form shimmered slightly, and in the next instant, he disappeared into the darkness, vanishing without a trace.
As Rose and Bolt helped each other stand, still shaken from the attack, the cloaked figure observed them from a hidden vantage point.
"Mainak is close to Anik. If anyone can get near him, it's through these two."
A small smirk formed beneath his hood.
"Observation is key to success…"
With his plan in motion, he activated his stealth module and disappeared into the cybernetic cityscape.
CTS TIME: RE250.08.23 – 4:00 PM
Location: Diamond Hotel Restaurant – ExoHorizon, Diamond Spacehub
Inside the Diamond Hotel's high-tech restaurant, the atmosphere was lively yet relaxed. Holographic waiters glided smoothly between tables, serving guests their meals with robotic precision. Soft instrumental music played in the background while futuristic neon chandeliers cast an ambient glow across the restaurant.
At a table near the window, Blaze and Jasper sat across from each other. The window provided a perfect view of the bustling ExoHorizon skyline, where hovercrafts zipped between towering skyscrapers, and the glow of artificial daylight kept the city alive even in space.
Blaze, still lost in thought, lazily poked at his food with a fork. His mind was elsewhere, focused on Serena.
Jasper leaned back in his seat with a knowing smirk. "Alright, spill it. What's on your mind? Let me guess—red hair, fiery eyes, and an attitude that can cut through steel?"
Blaze sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Jasper, today's result—am I going well or not? And more importantly, did you find out whether she likes me or not?"
Jasper folded his arms, pretending to think. "Hmmm… let's see. On the positive side, she willingly dragged you around for shopping for hours—big plus. But on the downside… you totally messed up when you asked if she had a boyfriend."
Blaze groaned, leaning forward and dropping his head on the table. "Ugh, I knew it. I shouldn't have asked that directly. She didn't even answer… which means—"
Jasper interrupted, waving his fork in the air. "Whoa, slow down, lover boy. You're overthinking it. If she didn't answer, that could mean a LOT of things. Maybe she's just shy about it. Or maybe—" Jasper's smirk widened. "—she doesn't have one but didn't want to admit it in front of you."
Blaze's head shot up. "Wait… you think so?"
Jasper shrugged. "Look, from what I saw, she enjoyed your company today. That means something. But if you really want answers, you need to get closer to her, not just admire her from a distance."
Blaze exhaled deeply. "Yeah… You're right. I have to find out myself. I think she likes me, but I need to be sure."
Jasper laughed and patted Blaze on the back. "That's the spirit! And since we're best friends, I'll make sure to help you with this 'mission' of yours."
Blaze raised an eyebrow. "Why do I feel like your idea of 'help' involves embarrassing me?"
Jasper grinned mischievously. "Oh, you know it does."
Meanwhile, at Another Table…
A few tables away, Dante and Talon sat opposite each other. Unlike Blaze and Jasper's lighthearted conversation, the mood at their table was tense.
Dante, still fired up from their training session, leaned forward aggressively. "Listen up, Talon—I don't care if you're always acting like some silent warrior or whatever. I brusted your blade ten times, but you brusted mine twelve times. That means next time—I'm crushing you."
Talon, as always, remained calm, sipping his protein-enhanced energy drink. He finally set his cup down and replied in his usual cold tone. "Numbers mean nothing, Dante. If you want to defeat me, you need more than just energy."
Dante narrowed his eyes. "Oh? And what exactly do I need?"
Talon looked directly at him, his piercing gaze serious. "Control."
Dante scoffed, slamming his fist lightly on the table. "Control? Ha! I don't need control! I need more power!"
Talon shook his head slightly, unimpressed. "That's why you lost twelve times. Your energy is raw, but it's wild and undisciplined. If you can't master it, you'll never surpass me."
Dante's frustration grew, but deep inside, he knew Talon was right. Still, his pride refused to admit it.
"Tch… Whatever. Just wait—next time, I'll prove you wrong."
At that moment, a holographic menu floated between them. A robotic voice chimed, "Welcome, honored guests. Please select your meal options."
Dante aggressively tapped the menu. "Give me the biggest steak you have!"
Talon, unbothered, calmly selected a high-protein nutrient bowl.
Jasper, who was watching them from across the room, whispered to Blaze, "Look at those two. They act like they hate each other, but I swear, they're just rivals who secretly respect each other."
Blaze chuckled. "That's pretty much how bladers are. Rivalries bring out the best in us."
Jasper smirked. "Speaking of rivalries… looks like you and Serena have one, too. But yours is a different kind of rivalry, if you catch my drift."
Blaze's face turned red instantly. "Jasper, shut up."
Jasper laughed. "Oh, Blaze. You're so doomed."
The restaurant remained lively, with holographic waiters gliding between tables, guests enjoying their meals, and the soft hum of futuristic neon lighting casting a warm glow over everything.
Blaze and Jasper continued their hushed conversation when the restaurant doors slid open with a soft hiss.
Blaze turned to glance casually—only for his entire brain to short-circuit.
Serena had just entered, her long red ponytail flowing smoothly behind her, her confident stride effortlessly drawing attention. But that wasn't what made Blaze freeze.
She was wearing the exact outfit he had picked for her during their shopping trip earlier.
A sleeveless black crop top, a crimson-red jacket loosely draped over her shoulders, form-fitting black shorts, and sleek combat boots. The same outfit he chose.
Jasper noticed the shift in Blaze's expression and immediately grinned. "Oh, man. She chose your pick? That's gotta mean something!"
Blaze, still processing the moment, could barely form words. "I… she… what…"
Jasper elbowed him playfully. "Dude, your face is so red right now."
Serena, completely unaware of Blaze's internal meltdown, walked toward Talon and Dante's table and took a seat beside Talon, flipping her ponytail over her shoulder.
Dante, still hyped from his earlier match, leaned forward with a big grin. "Serena! You won't believe it—I brusted Talon's blade ten times today!"
Talon, arms crossed, didn't even look at Dante. He simply muttered, "Twelve."
Dante's expression immediately turned sour. "Tch—next time, I'll burst it a hundred times!"
Serena chuckled, setting down the holographic menu in front of her. "Oh, so that's why I kept feeling random shockwaves all day. I was wondering what kind of idiots were causing tremors across the rooftop."
Jasper, still watching from across the restaurant, whispered to Blaze, "Bro, she's savage."
Blaze, still staring at her, barely heard Jasper. His mind was stuck on why she wore the outfit he picked.
Jasper smirked, leaning closer. "You should say something. Maybe she wore it for a reason?"
Blaze finally snapped out of his daze, clearing his throat. "I… I should probably—"
Before he could finish, a holographic news broadcast flickered to life in the center of the restaurant, catching everyone's attention.
Breaking News – A Shadow in the Darkness
The glowing blue hologram displayed a newscaster, her voice sharp and urgent.
"This just in—security forces in ExoHorizon have detected an unidentified cloaked individual near the Diamond Spacehub. Authorities have been tracking suspicious activities linked to the mysterious figure, but no direct actions have been taken yet. Citizens are advised to remain cautious."
Jasper's playful expression hardened. "Another cloaked figure? You think it's connected to that underground organization?"
Blaze's jaw tightened. "Possibly. There's something off about all this."
From across the restaurant, Talon narrowed his eyes at the broadcast, clearly deep in thought. Serena, too, seemed to be considering something.
Dante, on the other hand, casually took a bite of his food. "Eh, I say if they're trouble, we just bust 'em up."
Serena sighed, shaking her head. "Dante, not everything can be solved by punching it in the face."
Dante grinned. "Says who?"
Blaze's Internal Struggle – Should He Say Something?
Blaze clenched his fist slightly, still thinking about Serena. Should he ask? Should he mention the outfit? Would that be weird?
Jasper nudged him. "If you don't talk to her now, I swear I'm gonna call her over myself."
Blaze shot him a glare. "Don't you dare."
Jasper raised his hands in defense. "Your call, bro. Just don't come crying to me when someone else starts making a move on her."
Blaze exhaled slowly, gathering his courage.
"Okay… time to find out if this means something."
With a deep breath, Blaze got up from his seat and started walking toward Serena's table—his heart pounding.
Rose and Bolt stepped inside, looking a little messy, like they had just been running around the city.
Blaze, who had been lost in thought, immediately noticed them.
He raised a hand. "Hey, Rose! Bolt! Where were you two wandering off to? Get over here."
Bolt grinned as they made their way to the table. "We were just exploring!"
"And we found something cool," Rose added, reaching into her pocket. She pulled out a sleek futuristic wristwatch and showed it to Blaze.
Blaze took it and examined the smooth, metallic finish. It had a glowing digital interface that displayed a rotating holographic star map.
"Where did you get this?" he asked.
Rose shrugged. "A cloaked guy gave it to us. He said it was a gift for Mainak."
Blaze turned the watch over in his hands. At first glance, it seemed normal. Just a high-tech wrist device, common among travelers.
Jasper leaned over. "Looks expensive. Did he say anything else?"
Bolt shook his head. "Nope. Just told us to give it to Mainak."
Blaze exhaled, placing the watch on the table. "Alright. I'll check it later, but it seems fine."
Rose nodded. "Okay! So can we eat now? I'm starving!"
Blaze smirked. "Go ahead."
The Diamond Hotel was buzzing with activity, its floating neon lights illuminating the high-rise structure against the star-streaked sky of ExoHorizon. The entire space station orbited a shimmering blue gas giant, visible through the transparent ceiling panels of the hotel's upper floors.
Inside the luxurious restaurant, the evening meal had wrapped up. Guests from across the galaxy enjoyed their own conversations while the holographic waiters cleared the tables. The air smelled of exotic spices and freshly synthesized meals.
After the Meal
Talon and Dante stood up from their table, still engaged in their endless rivalry.
"I told you, I'm still not done!" Dante insisted, waving his fork dramatically.
Talon sighed, as calm as ever. "Save it for the arena."
Dante groaned. "Ugh, you're no fun!"
The two walked out, still bickering, heading toward their rooms.
Meanwhile, Rose and Bolt stretched before making their way toward the hotel elevators.
"Tomorrow's a big day," Bolt said, glancing at Rose. "Hope you're ready."
Rose smirked. "I was built ready."
The elevator doors whooshed open, and they disappeared inside.
At the table, Jasper leaned back in his chair, staring at Blaze.
"Tomorrow's the grand showdown, man," he said with a confident smirk. "But once it's over, our mission is finally complete."
Blaze gave him a thumbs-up, his usual cocky grin in place.
But before he could say anything—
Serena stood up and stretched, then turned toward him.
"Hey, Blaze."
He blinked. "Yeah?"
"Come take a walk with me."
Blaze froze.
Jasper nearly spilled his drink.
"W-Wait, what?" Blaze stammered.
But before he could protest, Serena grabbed his hand.
"Let's go," she said casually, leading him toward the hotel's bioluminescent garden.
Blaze felt his entire body burning up.
Jasper smirked. "Heh… This should be interesting."
The hotel garden was a masterpiece of futuristic design. Floating lanterns hovered in the air, casting a soft golden glow over the glass walkways. Bioluminescent plants pulsed in shades of blue and violet, creating an ethereal, almost dreamlike atmosphere. In the distance, couples and small groups relaxed near glowing fountains, enjoying the peaceful night.
Blaze tried to calm himself as Serena walked beside him, her red ponytail swaying slightly in the artificial night breeze.
She stopped near a holo-tree that shimmered with a soft silver glow.
"Tomorrow's the finals," she said, looking up at the sky dome. "I'm gonna make sure I reach it next time."
Blaze chuckled, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you."
Serena turned to him with a small smile. "Best of luck, Blaze. And Jasper too."
He felt his chest tighten slightly.
There was something about the way she said it—like she truly meant it.
Blaze rubbed the back of his head. "Thanks. You better be there next year—I wanna fight you myself."
Serena grinned. "I'll be stronger by then."
For a few moments, they just stood there, silent, the distant hum of the space station surrounding them.
Then, out of nowhere, Serena took a deep breath and turned toward him completely.
"Blaze."
He blinked. "Yeah?"
She hesitated, then looked him straight in the eyes.
"Do you like me?"
Blaze's brain crashed.
Everything just… stopped.
His heart pounded like a reactor about to explode.
Serena stood there, waiting.
Blaze opened his mouth—but no words came out.
Serena's expression shifted slightly. After a few seconds, she let out a soft chuckle, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"What am I even asking for?" she muttered, stepping back. "I already know the answer."
Blaze's breath hitched. "Serena—"
But she cut him off with a small smile. "Fair enough. See you tomorrow, Blaze."
She turned and walked away.
Blaze stood there, completely wiped out.
Behind him, Jasper leaned against a holo-tree, smirking.
"Damn. That was brutal."
Blaze and Jasper walked side by side through the illuminated hallway of the Diamond Hotel. The walls were lined with holo-panels, displaying floating cityscapes, galactic news, and tournament highlights. The soft hum of the gravity stabilizers beneath their feet was the only sound for a moment.
Blaze had his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his face still slightly flushed from his earlier encounter with Serena. His thoughts were in absolute turmoil.
He took a deep breath before turning to Jasper.
"So… did I fail or pass?"
Jasper didn't answer immediately. He just smirked, clearly enjoying Blaze's suffering.
Blaze narrowed his eyes. "Jasper."
Jasper chuckled. "Man, I don't know if I should be impressed or disappointed."
Blaze groaned, running a hand through his messy black hair.
"I froze up, didn't I?"
Jasper nodded. "Like a damn glitching AI."
Blaze sighed. "Damn it…" He stared at the floor for a second before looking back at Jasper. "Alright, fine—maybe I panicked. But what about her? Is she—like, a hundred percent into me or not?"
Jasper laughed. "You're really overthinking this."
Blaze grabbed him by the shoulders. "Jasper, this is serious! I need to know!"
Jasper shoved him off playfully. "Relax, lover boy. I'd say she's about… eighty percent there."
Blaze blinked. "Eighty?"
Jasper nodded. "Yeah, you still gotta push a little more. She's definitely interested, but since you froze up like a damn rookie, she probably thinks you're unsure."
Blaze groaned again. "So I screwed it up."
Jasper shook his head. "Nah, not completely. You just made her curious now. Which means…"
Blaze glanced at him. "Means what?"
Jasper grinned. "You still have a shot, dumbass. And tomorrow's the perfect chance."
Blaze raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Jasper smirked. "Grand Showdown. Big battle. High emotions. Nothing makes a girl fall faster than seeing a guy go all out in a fight. Especially when it's for something important."
Blaze thought about it for a second. His hand unconsciously brushed over the hilt of Venom Devolos, still strapped to his side.
He exhaled. "So if I win this, my chances go up?"
Jasper nodded. "Easily ninety-five percent."
Blaze smirked. "Then I just have to make sure I win."
Jasper grinned and patted his back. "That's the spirit. Now, get some damn sleep. You've got the biggest fight of your life tomorrow."
Blaze sighed. "Yeah, yeah. Night, Jasper."
Jasper waved him off as he headed toward his own room. "Night, champ. Try not to dream about her too much."
Blaze stepped inside his room, the soft hum of the automatic door sealing shut behind him. The dim, bluish glow of the holo-clock on the wall displayed the time—11:05 PM.
To be continue....