CTS TIME: RE250.08.29 – 11:30 AM
LOCATION: Diamond Spacehub, Exohorizon
The Diamond Spacehub was alive with movement, a pulsating nerve center of interstellar travelers, merchants, and warriors. The grand finals had ended, and the victorious and defeated alike were departing.
Above, the digital sky shimmered with holographic advertisements, showcasing the next big championship in neon blues and purples. Massive holo-screens projected images of bladers who had become legends overnight. The air hummed with the deep resonance of spacecraft thrusters as sleek starships lifted off from the upper docking rings, heading back to their home worlds.
Crowds bustled through the gravity-adaptive walkways, their cyber-enhanced outfits reflecting the evening glow. The scent of stellar spices and exotic cuisines wafted through the air as street vendors called out their last sales for the night. In the distance, the towering sky temples of Exohorizon flickered with energy barriers, shielding them from the cold abyss of space.
Serena and Jasper emerged from the main entrance of the spacehub, stepping into the soft golden light of the artificial sunset. Jasper's blade, Dragonis, hung securely across his back, its metallic sheath pulsing faintly with its internal energy source.
Jasper stretched lazily, taking in the scene around them. "So… where exactly are we starting? Or, you know, we could just forget about him." He smirked. "I mean, I'm clearly the better choice here."
Serena shot him a death stare so cold it could have frozen an entire starship's engine.
Her voice was sharp. "He can't escape me that easily. But first…" She sighed, flicking a stray strand of crimson hair behind her ear. "Let's eat. It's going to be a long journey."
Jasper rolled his eyes but smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Can't chase an ex on an empty stomach."
Serena ignored him and kept walking, her stride determined.
Jasper chuckled, then muttered, "It still feels like a dream… seeing you like that earlier."
Serena glanced at him, her golden-red eyes narrowing. "Do you need another punch?"
Jasper raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, no need for violence. But seriously… love is dangerous." He exhaled, shaking his head. "Your brain was completely fried after Blaze left you."
Serena stopped dead in her tracks.
Jasper's words hit deeper than he expected. A flicker of pain crossed her face, her fists clenching. Her fiery confidence wavered for a second, and in that moment, the hurt resurfaced.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
Jasper sighed, his teasing dropping for a moment. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "We'll find him. Just stay strong. If you break now… I won't know what to do."
Serena took a deep breath, shaking off her emotions. She nodded. "Then let's go."
The Diamond Restaurant was a futuristic marvel, its architecture a blend of transparent nano-glass walls and levitating platforms. Hover-drones zipped between tables, serving drinks that glowed with soft neon light. The restaurant sat at the edge of the city, with a perfect view of the massive planetary ring in the sky, casting a soft purple luminescence over Exohorizon.
As Serena and Jasper approached, the crowd around them moved in a rhythm of holo-advertisements and flickering neon signs.
At the same time, from the opposite direction, a young woman moved toward them.
She was about 20 years old, her long silver white hair flowing down her back like strands of stardust. Her gaze was downward, holding a small, wrapped gift with nervous fingers.
She wore a full-sleeve black combat top, sleek and form-fitting, paired with long, fitted pants that enhanced her athletic build. A golden emblem of the HD (Hyperion Defenders) gleamed on her shoulder—a mark of prestige, an elite agent working under the ISA.
Her presence was delicate yet disciplined. A soft contrast of elegance and strength.
Serena, focused on reaching the restaurant, didn't even notice her.
Jasper, still teasing Serena, kept walking without paying attention.
And then—they collided.
Jasper instinctively caught the woman, his reflexes swift as his hands gently steadied her.
Her silver eyes locked onto his light green ones, wide in shock.
The world around them seemed to pause—the evening light casting a golden glow around them, the city bustling in the background.
The woman stumbled back, her face turning red. With a swift motion, she held out the small gift to Jasper.
Jasper blinked, confused. "Wait, that's for me?" He took it without hesitation, a playful grin forming. "Well, thank you, random cute stranger."
Serena barely glanced at them, assuming it was just another fan.
But then… the woman took a deep breath, summoning all her courage.
"I… I am Sienna… and I like you, Jasper."
Silence.
Serena's eyes snapped wide open, her jaw almost dropping to the floor.
Jasper froze, his smirk vanishing as he stared at her, processing what she just said.
Then he laughed. "Oh? You like me? That's sweet, but I have a lot of fangirls. What makes you different?"
Sienna's blush deepened. Her hands trembled slightly, but she stepped closer.
Her voice, though nervous, held a quiet resolve.
"Because… I don't just like you. I… I love you."
The words hit like a plasma shockwave.
Jasper's confidence faltered. His usual playful energy cracked, revealing something almost rare for him—speechlessness.
Serena couldn't believe it.
A new tension filled the air, the evening glow reflecting off the city's skyline as Exohorizon hummed with the life of countless stars.
For the first time in a long while, Jasper Tyros… was at a loss for words.
The Diamond Restaurant was the pinnacle of Exohorizon's elite dining scene, where glass-like floors displayed a mesmerizing view of the bustling city below. The ceiling was adorned with holo-crystals, refracting neon lights into breathtaking patterns that shifted every few seconds.
Waiter drones zipped between tables, their AI-generated voices smooth and polite as they delivered food with precision and elegance. The aroma of synth-meat, alien spices, and quantum-infused drinks filled the air, making the restaurant feel like a hub of luxury and technology fused together.
At the far side of the restaurant, Serena, Jasper, and Sienna sat at a sleek, levitating table. The soft hum of anti-gravity tech kept their seats suspended slightly above the floor, a common feature in high-end Exohorizon eateries.
Sienna sat beside Jasper, while Serena was across from them, a mischievous glint in her crimson eyes.
Jasper leaned back in his chair, flashing his usual cocky grin. "I swear, I almost short-circuited when you just outright confessed." He let out a dramatic sigh. "It was like a plasma grenade to the heart."
Serena, sensing an opportunity to tease him, smirked. "Oh? Jasper, are you telling me a simple love confession broke through your defenses? I thought nothing fazed the great flirt."
Jasper pointed a finger at her. "Listen, when a girl confesses to me, I'm usually the one leading the charge. This time, I got hit by a full-power Hyper Beam."
Serena chuckled. "Or maybe you're just not used to genuine affection."
Jasper placed a hand on his chest, faking pain. "Ouch. Right in the emotions."
Sienna's voice was softer, but filled with conviction. "But I really meant it. I love you. Ever since I first saw you fight."
Jasper raised an eyebrow. "You're a Hyperion Defender! You're supposed to be a symbol of justice and responsibility. And yet, here you are, crushing on the galaxy's biggest disaster."
Sienna smiled shyly, tucking her white hair behind her ear. "Heroes can have hearts too…"
Serena leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Okay, okay, let's hear it. What exactly made you fall for this idiot?"
Jasper grinned smugly. "Yeah, tell me! Was it my devilishly good looks? My legendary battle skills? My overwhelming charisma?"
Sienna's gaze softened, a gentle warmth in her silver eyes. "It was your first battle with Blaze. It wasn't even an official tournament, but when you appeared on the screen… something inside me just—clicked. I don't know how to explain it."
Jasper's smirk faltered for a second. "Oh yeah… my first battle. That's also the first time I met Blaze."
Serena watched him carefully. She knew Jasper never liked to show deep emotions, but something about that memory made him pause.
Sienna, still blushing, continued. "And then… your semifinal match against Tenebris. It was like a dream for me. Unfortunately, you lost, but your determination—that's what made me fall for you. And…" She hesitated before whispering, "you also look kinda handsome…"
As soon as she realized what she just said, her face turned bright red, and she covered it with her hands.
Jasper blinked. Then he burst into laughter. "Hah! I love how that last part was an afterthought. 'Oh yeah, and you're kinda good-looking too.'"
Serena smirked. "It's okay, Sienna. He needs the ego boost. Otherwise, his fragile self-esteem might collapse."
Jasper pretended to be wounded. "You guys act like I don't already know I'm attractive. I mean, look at me. I've got fan clubs across Exohorizon ."
Serena rolled her eyes. "Fan clubs full of people who laugh at your epic fails."
Jasper, still grinning, finally unwrapped the small gift Sienna had given him.
Inside was a silver locket—beautifully crafted, shaped like a miniature version of his blade, Dragonis. The fine engravings of a dragon spiraling around the sword shimmered under the neon restaurant lights.
For a brief moment, Jasper didn't speak.
He ran a finger over the locket, feeling the weight of it in his palm. It wasn't just a random gift. It was something personal. Something meant only for him.
Jasper chuckled, but this time, his tone was… different. Quieter.
"It's beautiful… but, uh…" He scratched the back of his head. "I don't really know what love is. I mean, I've never actually… fallen for anyone before."
Serena almost dropped her drink. "Wait—what? Are you saying all this time, all your flirting was just… random nonsense?"
Jasper smirked. "Uh, yeah? What, you think I actually had game? I just throw compliments at every girl I see and hope one of them sticks." He leaned back. "Spoiler alert: It never works."
Serena thought to herself: Pervert.
Sienna, however, wasn't laughing. She gazed at him, her expression unreadable.
Jasper noticed. "What? What's with that look? I just admitted I suck at romance. This is where you guys laugh at me."
Sienna shook her head. "No." She smiled gently. "That just means… you haven't met the right person yet."
For the first time all evening, Jasper didn't have a witty comeback.
Serena narrowed her eyes slightly, watching the way Sienna looked at him.
Was it possible that this was different? That for once, someone actually liked Jasper not for his stupid jokes or flashy fights—but for who he was underneath all that?
She didn't say anything.
Jasper, after a few awkward seconds, cleared his throat and shoved the locket into his pocket. "W-Well, uh. Thanks. This is cool."
Sienna giggled. "You're welcome."
Serena smirked. "Awww, Jasper's flustered. I think I need to record this."
Jasper groaned. "Oh, shut up. Let's just eat before this turns into some embarrassing romantic drama."
The hover-waiter arrived with their orders—steaming plates of exotic intergalactic dishes, glowing drinks that shimmered with cosmic energy, and floating dessert spheres that had to be eaten before they drifted off the table.
The evening continued with laughter, teasing, and just a little bit of something new.
Maybe, just maybe… this was the start of something Jasper never expected.