CTS TIME: RE250.08.24 | 7:45 PM
Location: Outside Diamond Restaurant
The Exohorizon night was alive with activity. Neon lights flickered, and hovercrafts zipped across the skyline, leaving behind shimmering trails. People walked along the sleek, illuminated pathways of the Diamond Spacehub, discussing the semi-finals, the upcoming Grand Showdown, and of course—Blaze and Tenebris.
But amidst all the excitement, three figures stood waiting.
Rose and Bolt lingered outside the restaurant, glancing toward the entrance every few seconds.
Waiting.
For Blaze.
But he never came.
Talon and Dante had already left, heading off to their own destinations.
Serena was the last to step out of the restaurant.
She walked at a calm, steady pace, her sharp crimson eyes reflecting the holographic advertisements that flickered above the streets.
But her mind was elsewhere.
"Something felt… off today."
She hadn't noticed it at first, but during dinner—Jasper looked different.
He was distracted. Almost… sad.
"Am I just imagining it? Or did something actually happen?"
She shook off the thought and turned toward her own path, heading back to her room.
Meanwhile, Jasper exhaled, running a hand through his silver hair.
"Alright, you two. Let's go."
Rose's sharp golden eyes narrowed. "Go where?"
Jasper gave a small smile, trying to act normal. "To your room. I'll be staying with you guys tonight."
Bolt tilted his head. "Wait. What? Why? Where's Blaze?"
Jasper shrugged. "He, uh… might not come back tonight."
Bolt frowned. "That's weird. Blaze never does that."
Rose crossed her arms. "And you're lying."
Jasper froze. "W-What?"
Rose stared straight at him.
"I don't know what happened, but I know you're hiding something."
Jasper quickly turned away. "Let's just get inside, okay?"
Rose didn't argue. But she didn't forget.
The three of them walked toward their room in silence, the city lights casting long shadows behind them.
CTS TIME: RE250.08.24 | 8:10 PM
The sliding door hissed open, and the moment they stepped inside, Bolt threw himself onto the bed.
He stretched his arms out, staring at the ceiling.
Then, he muttered, "This feels weird without Blaze."
Jasper said nothing.
Rose, however, wasn't letting this go.
She turned, hands on her hips, her golden eyes burning with demand.
"Alright, Jasper. Start talking."
Jasper sighed. "Talking about what?"
Rose's voice was firm. "What the hell happened to Blaze?"
Bolt sat up, blinking. "Yeah! Tell us!"
Jasper held up his hands. "Hey, you two are just kids. You don't need to worry about it—"
Rose grabbed a pillow and threw it at his face.
Jasper barely dodged it. "Okay, okay! Damn!"
Rose crossed her arms. "Spill. Now."
Bolt nodded aggressively. "Yeah! Spill!"
Jasper ran a hand down his face.
"Blaze is going to kill me for this…"
He sighed deeply. Then, finally—he told them everything.
Jasper explained how his dumb plan started.
How he tried to help Blaze talk to Serena with the voice transmitter.
How he added a body movement controller.
How everything was going well at first.
But then—the fan girls showed up.
And how he forgot to turn off the devices.
How Blaze ended up repeating everything Jasper said—including flirting with random girls.
And then… the moment that destroyed Blaze's life.
How Blaze, completely out of his control, accidentally—
GRABBED SERENA'S CHEST.
And got SLAPPED SO HARD his reputation got annihilated.
By the time Jasper finished, Bolt and Rose were STUNNED.
Silence.
Then—
"PFFT—"
Bolt FELL OFF THE BED LAUGHING.
"HAHAHAHAHA—BLAZE—GOT—SLAPPED—"
Rose was trying so hard to keep a straight face, but her lips were twitching.
Jasper sighed. "Guys. This is serious."
Bolt was kicking his legs, dying from laughter. "Serena—Serena SLAPPED HIM SO HARD—HAHAHAHA!"
Rose wiped her eyes. "I mean… yeah, it's bad… but—oh my god, Jasper, you IDIOT!"
Jasper groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I KNOW!"
Bolt gasped for breath. "H-He—he grabbed—PFFT—"
Jasper pointed at him. "DON'T SAY IT."
Bolt continued wheezing. "I can't—PFFT—"
Rose sighed, shaking her head. "So that's why Blaze is acting like this…"
Jasper nodded. "Yeah. He's convinced that Serena hates him now. He even said he's giving up."
Bolt finally sat up. "Giving up? On Serena?"
Jasper sighed. "Yeah. He thinks she won't ever like him now."
Rose's expression softened.
"That idiot… he's taking this too seriously."
Jasper nodded. "That's what I thought too. But he's really upset. He told me he doesn't want to see any of you for a while. He's even training in a different location."
Rose's eyes darkened. "That's stupid. He can't just avoid us."
Jasper held up a hand. "I KNOW. That's why we need to fix this. But first—"
He looked directly at both of them.
"You two have to promise me you won't tell anyone. Not Dante. Not Talon. And definitely NOT Serena."
Bolt and Rose exchanged looks.
Then, together, they nodded.
"We promise."
Jasper exhaled in relief. "Good."
He leaned back against the wall, rubbing his temples.
"Damn it, Blaze. You better not do something even dumber in the next few days."
Rose tapped her chin. "Alright. So… what's the plan?"
Jasper smirked. "Glad you asked."
He crossed his arms.
"Step one: Make sure Blaze doesn't ACTUALLY give up."
Bolt raised a hand. "And step two?"
Jasper's smirk widened.
"Make Serena realize that she actually DOES like him."
Rose grinned. "Now THAT sounds fun."
Bolt nodded enthusiastically. "Operation Fix-Blaze's-Love-Life begins!"
Jasper laughed.
"Yeah… Blaze, you have no idea what's coming."
CTS TIME: RE250.08.24 | 11:50 PM
The night was calm, yet heavy.
Inside the room, Flame lay peacefully on his bed, his breathing slow and steady.
But Blaze?
Blaze wasn't sleeping.
He sat on the balcony railing, staring at the vast Exohorizon sky, where countless stars shimmered like scattered embers in the darkness.
Beside him, resting against the cold metal floor, was his sword—Venom Devolos.
A faint red glow pulsed from its core, flickering like a heartbeat.
Then—a voice slithered into the silence.
A voice drenched in venom.
"I already told you," Devolos whispered, its tone sharp as a dagger. "Emotions, feelings, love… they are useless. A complete waste. They only make you weak."
Blaze remained silent.
Devolos continued, its voice curling around his mind like smoke.
"You tried countless times, but what did you gain?"
The red glow of the sword intensified.
"Disrespect. Humiliation. Nothing. For days, I remained silent, watching you fall. And now, look at you. Satisfied? Did you finally get what you wanted?"
A surge of violet and crimson energy crackled around Blaze's body.
His fingers curled around the hilt of his sword.
Then, he spoke.
His voice was cold. Hollow.
"You're right, Devolos."
He lifted the blade, watching the way it gleamed under the moonlight.
"I was distracted."
His grip tightened.
"I don't need useless relationships anymore."
His aura flared, flickering with dark determination.
"Respect and pride are everything to me."
But then—his heart spoke.
A voice, softer than Devolos', yet infinitely heavier.
"You promised me… that you would confess to her after the finals."
Blaze froze.
His body remained firm, but his heart…
His heart wavered.
A sharp sting burned behind his eyes. Tears threatened to fall.
He was trapped—caught between his mind and his heart.
Between the path of power… and the path of love.
And in that moment, beneath the endless stars, Blaze realized—
he didn't know which one to choose.
CTS TIME: RE250.08.25 | 4:00 AM
Location: Neo Rooftop – Training Field 23
The artificial morning light bathed Exohorizon City in a golden glow, the holographic sky slowly shifting from deep blue to a simulated sunrise.
On Training Field 23, Blaze stood with his arms crossed, watching Flame, the energetic 12-year-old, gripping his sword tightly.
The field itself was a futuristic battle arena—a massive metallic floor embedded with energy lines, its boundaries marked by floating holographic rings. Above, drones hovered, monitoring movements, while the transparent green energy barrier flickered faintly in the morning light.
Blaze, however, wasn't fully present.
His body was here, training Flame.
But his mind?
It was torn between two paths.
One side craved respect, strength, power.
The other… still clung to the emotions he wanted to erase.
Blaze shook off the thoughts, focusing on the lesson. "Alright, Flame. Show me your sword."
Flame's eyes gleamed with excitement as he held up his weapon. "This is my blade—Necrozma."
The moment he spoke, his entire body pulsed with a radiant glow.
A brilliant light erupted from the sword, forming a monstrous yet majestic dragon behind him. Its scales shimmered like crystallized stardust, its wings stretched wide, reflecting golden light.
Blaze's eyes widened.
His grip tightened around Venom Devolos, which suddenly reacted, pulsing with violet energy.
"Necrozma… That's a legendary blade too." Blaze muttered. "But how is this kid holding so much power?"
Before he could analyze further, a familiar footstep echoed behind him.
Jasper.
Blaze didn't turn, but his voice was steady. "You finally came."
Jasper walked up, arms resting behind his head. "Just worried about you."
Flame's energy didn't fade. He pointed his glowing sword at Jasper. "Brother Jasper, I want to fight you!"
Jasper blinked. "Wait, me? You sure?"
Flame nodded eagerly.
Blaze smirked. "Let's see if you've got more than just potential, Flame."
The Match Begins
Jasper and Flame took their positions on opposite sides of the battlefield.
Jasper exhaled, gripping Dragonis tightly. His body flared with a light blue aura.
On the other side, Flame stood calmly, his radiant energy pulsing in steady waves.
Blaze watched intently, his arms folded. "Flame doesn't even look nervous."
3… 2… 1—
Jasper exploded forward with incredible speed, his sword raised for a direct strike.
"He's not dodging?" Jasper thought as he closed the distance.
Then—
Flame's body glowed.
With eerie calm, Flame whispered, "You're slow."
The very air shimmered as his blade radiated intense golden light.
"Planetary Devastation."
Jasper barely had time to react—
BOOM!
A shockwave of radiant energy erupted between them, colliding with Dragonis at full force.
The impact was so massive that the entire green energy barrier surrounding the field cracked. The sheer force sent Blaze staggering back slightly, raising his arm to shield his eyes.
Then—
CRACK.
A blade detached from its hilt.
Jasper froze.
He watched as Dragonis, his trusted sword, lay in front of him… separated from its hilt.
As the energy faded, tiny white stars rained down around him. It wasn't real—it was the lingering effect of Flame's attack.
Jasper slowly kneeled, stunned. "He… broke my sword?"
Blaze's eyes narrowed. "He defeated a professional blader in one hit… Flame is a genius."
The three of them sat on metallic seats near the training field.
Flame happily drank a futuristic energy juice, swinging his legs like it was just another casual morning.
Jasper, meanwhile, rested his arm on the bench, still processing what had just happened. "I need more training… But Flame is really strong."
Blaze leaned forward slightly. "I was surprised too."
But then, his expression turned cold.
"Jasper."
Jasper looked up.
"If you're still trying to fix things between me and Serena—stop." Blaze's voice was firm, almost emotionless.
Jasper noticed the slight bitterness in his tone.
It wasn't anger.
It was pain.
Desperation.
Jasper sighed, leaning back. "But why? Why are you isolating yourself from everyone?"
Blaze's fingers tapped against the sword resting beside him.
"Because nothing is more important than respect and strength."
Jasper clenched his jaw.
He had seen Blaze try everything to get closer to Serena. He had seen his efforts, his struggles, his hope.
And now—Blaze was giving up.
Jasper exhaled, rubbing the back of his head. "Alright… I won't force you anymore."
Blaze nodded, satisfied. "Good. I'm going somewhere else with Flame. If you want to train with me, be here at 4 AM every morning."
Jasper forced a small chuckle. "Sure, I'll come."
But deep down, he wasn't going to let this go.
He could feel it.
Blaze was in pain.
And Jasper wasn't about to let his best friend drown in loneliness.
CTS TIME: 7:14 AM
Location: Diamond Spacehub – Restaurant
The restaurant was quieter than usual in the early morning. Soft instrumental music played in the background, blending with the hum of floating holographic waiters moving between tables, serving breakfasts to the few guests present.
Jasper sat alone at a metallic table, stirring his drink absentmindedly. His mind was still processing everything—his loss to Flame, Blaze's isolation, and how everything had changed so quickly.
Then—
The sliding doors whooshed open.
Rose and Bolt entered, spotting Jasper immediately.
They walked up to his table and sat across from him. Rose didn't waste time. "Alright, talk. What's going on with Blaze?"
Jasper exhaled, rubbing his forehead. "He doesn't want to fix anything."
Rose frowned. "What do you mean?"
Jasper leaned back in his chair. "He's completely shut down. He won't even listen anymore. He's just… focused on training now. Nothing else matters to him."
Bolt, always the optimist, crossed his arms and nodded. "Then we give him time. He'll come around."
Rose wasn't convinced. "And if he doesn't?"
Jasper didn't answer.
Before they could continue, the doors slid open again.
Talon and Dante entered, fresh from their morning training.
Dante, full of energy as always, stretched his arms and cracked his neck. "Whew! Man, that was a great workout!"
Talon, always calm and composed, adjusted his gloves. "You wasted too much energy on unnecessary moves."
Dante rolled his eyes. "It's called 'fighting with style,' dude. Learn it."
Then, Dante turned his attention to Jasper. "Hey, where's Blaze?"
Jasper didn't respond.
Dante blinked, confused. "Uh... Hello? Earth to Jasper?"
Rose sighed. "He's not here. And before you ask, he's not coming."
Dante frowned. "Not coming? That doesn't sound like Blaze. He never skips breakfast."
Jasper finally spoke. "He's training somewhere else. Alone."
Dante sat down, rubbing his chin. "That's weird. Did something happen?"
Jasper looked away. He wasn't about to explain everything right now. "It's complicated."
Talon, sensing the tension, changed the subject. "After we finish here, I'm heading to the History Section of Sword Fighting. It's something worth seeing."
Dante's face lit up. "Wait—there's a whole section for that?! Why didn't you say so earlier? I'm totally coming!"
Talon nodded. "Figured you'd be interested. There are records of legendary swordsmen, historical battles, and even data on past champions."
Dante grinned. "Alright! I wanna see how many times someone like me would've been a champion!"
Jasper smirked slightly. "You'd need more than enthusiasm to get in those records."
Dante huffed. "Hey, I'll get there eventually!"
Just as the conversation started to lighten—
The doors slid open again.
Serena walked in.
She scanned the restaurant before heading toward the usual table.
The moment Jasper saw her, his entire body tensed.
He couldn't face her.
If Serena started asking about Blaze, she'd force the truth out of him.
He wasn't ready for that.
Without a word, Jasper stood up and headed for the exit.
Rose and Bolt watched him go, exchanging glances.
Serena, unaware of why Jasper left, simply sat down at her usual spot and picked up the floating holographic menu.
She ordered her breakfast as usual, but her mind was elsewhere.
"Jasper looked… off. Is something wrong? Or am I imagining things again?"
Outside, Jasper walked down the hallway, his fists clenched.
He had lost to a kid.
Blaze had completely isolated himself.
And now, he didn't know how to fix anything.
Jasper exhaled sharply.
"Screw this. I'm heading to the training grounds."
And with that, he disappeared into the corridors of the Spacehub, heading for the one place where he could clear his mind—
The battlefield.
CTS TIME: 1:00 PM
Location: Exohorizon City
The day progressed like any other—calm, predictable, and filled with the usual buzz of the city.
Holographic billboards displayed match highlights and the countdown to the upcoming Diamond Championship finals. Citizens moved about, discussing their favorite competitors, placing bets, and speculating who would take the title this year.
Rose, Bolt, and Mainak raced across the Neo rooftop, zipping through the air on their hoverboards.
The wind rushed past them as they performed daring flips and twists above the glowing skyline.
Rose laughed. "Come on, Bolt! You're too slow!"
Bolt smirked, leaning forward on his board. "Oh, really? Then watch this!"
With a quick burst of energy, he accelerated forward, leaving a blue streak behind him.
Mainak, who had been watching the two race ahead, sighed. "You two are way too competitive."
Rose grinned. "That's what makes it fun!"
Despite the fun, something felt... off.
A certain someone was missing.
They all knew it, but none of them said it.
Exohorizon City – The Garden
Jasper sat alone on a stone bench in the city's garden, lost in thought.
The peaceful environment did little to ease his troubled mind.
He should have felt relaxed, but instead, an emptiness gnawed at him.
He missed Blaze.
Even after all these years of friendship, Blaze had never pushed everyone away like this. Jasper clenched his fists.
"Damn it, man... What are you thinking?"
History Section – Hall of Bladers
Meanwhile, in the History Section of Sword Fighting, Talon and Dante walked past massive holographic displays showcasing legendary bladers.
Talon stopped at an enormous projection featuring five towering figures, each with their signature swords.
The Exohorizon Diamond Championship had only been held five times, and every victor's name was engraved on the Wall of Champions.
At the very top was the current champion—
Blaze Deathbringer
Sword: Devolos
Reigning Champion: 5th Tournament
Dante whistled. "Man, look at that. Blaze really made history, huh?"
Then, another hologram appeared.
It showed a man with wild yellow hair and piercing yellow eyes, holding a curved sword emitting a golden glow.
Dante's eyes widened. "Wait, wait, look! That's Free!"
Free de la hoya—the three-time Diamond Champion.
His sword, Fafnir, was one of the most legendary weapons of all time.
Talon crossed his arms. "He's one of the greatest bladers in history. Winning three times in a row is no joke."
Dante grinned. "Think we'll ever get to fight someone like him?"
Talon smirked. "Who knows? Maybe Blaze will be our Free."
Dante nodded. "Yeah... but first, we need to make sure he's still willing to fight."
At the restaurant, Serena sat alone at a corner booth, slowly stirring her drink.
Her brows were furrowed, her mind clouded with frustration.
"Am I going too far with him?"
She sighed, tapping her fingers against the table.
Then she shook her head.
"No. He's an idiot. He deserves this."
She crossed her arms, leaning back in her seat.
But despite her words, the feeling wouldn't go away.
Something felt... wrong.
CTS TIME: 8:00 PM
Location: A Lone Garden, Exohorizon City
The night was peaceful, yet heavy. The artificial sky dome cast a soft glow over Exohorizon, mimicking a real night sky. A distant garden, away from the bustling city, provided the perfect place for solitude.
Blaze sat on a stone bench near a fountain, his arms resting on his knees, staring at the rippling water. His sword, Venom Devolos, lay beside him, its red glow faint but steady.
A few feet away, Flame knelt by a group of birds, carefully scattering seeds. His golden eyes sparkled as he watched them peck at the food, their tiny wings fluttering with excitement.
Then—
Footsteps approached.
A figure with deep blue hair and piercing blue eyes stepped into the garden. He moved silently, his presence blending into the night's serenity.
Without a word, he sat beside Blaze on the bench.
For a moment, neither spoke.
The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable—rather, it was a quiet understanding.
Finally, Blaze broke the silence.
"You also lost something… especially." He exhaled, still staring at the fountain. "Hey, kid, I don't know who you are, but… I can feel your pain."
The boy closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again, his gaze distant.
"I am Anik. Anik Starlight."
Blaze's entire body froze.
His heart skipped a beat.
He turned his head slightly, scanning the boy. Blue hair. Blue eyes. The Starlight bloodline.
But… that was impossible.
Blaze clenched his fists. "Anik Starlight… But the Starlight family…"
"…was wiped out." Anik finished his sentence, his voice hollow.
Blaze didn't know what to say. The Starlights weren't just royalty—they ruled over the Multiverse. But weeks ago, they were erased. Killed. Their dynasty, extinguished.
And yet, here was Anik Starlight. A survivor.
Anik's expression didn't change. He gazed at the fountain, watching the ripples spread across the water's surface.
"I lost everything. My home, my family… everything I ever knew was destroyed."
Blaze remained silent. He wasn't the best with words, but he understood loss. He understood the pain of watching everything slip through your fingers.
Anik exhaled deeply. "But I have to move on."
Blaze closed his eyes.
He wished he could say the same.
But his heart was still trapped—caught between love and pride, between emotions and strength.
His fingers curled tightly around the fabric of his coat. Then, without another word, he stood up.
"Come on, Flame. We're leaving."
Flame, who had been watching them curiously, quickly got up and followed Blaze.
As they walked away, Anik remained seated, staring at the fountain.
The water reflected his face, but in his mind, it wasn't just himself he saw.
It was them.
His father. His mother. His sister, Rina.
And then, the last name that whispered in his heart—
"…Rose."
To be continue...