CTS TIME: RE 250.05.25 – 8:00 AM (Silverstar Internal Time)
LOCATION: Aboard the Silverstar, Deep Space – Rooftop Deck
The crisp artificial air of the Silverstar's rooftop deck hummed with energy as Jasper stood at the center, his light blue hair slightly damp with sweat, his breath controlled, focused.
Dragonis gleamed in his grip, the metallic silver-blue blade pulsing faintly with energy, reacting to every motion of its wielder.
Jasper's light blue eyes narrowed, his muscles tense but fluid as he executed a precise sequence of sword swings.
A left arc. A downward slash. A spin into a counter-strike.
Each movement was sharp, clean, efficient—the result of years of relentless training.
Even in deep space, even aboard a spacecraft, Jasper's routine never changed.
Every morning, without fail, he trained.
Because the moment he stopped improving, was the moment he became weak.
And Jasper hated being weak.
A few feet away, standing near the entrance of the deck, Sienna watched him.
She wasn't analyzing.
She wasn't evaluating his technique like a teacher grading a student.
She was just watching.
Her silver eyes followed every motion—the way his body moved with perfect control, the way his expression turned serious, the way he wielded Dragonis like it was an extension of himself.
It was… fascinating.
Jasper always joked around. Always laughed. Always dismissed things like emotions and love.
But when he was here, when he was training—
He was different.
There was something else in his eyes.
Dedication. Instinct. A fierce sense of purpose.
Sienna had seen many warriors, many soldiers—she had fought alongside some of the greatest heroes in the Hyperion Defenders.
But Jasper wasn't like them.
He didn't fight for justice, for honor, for some grand ideal.
He fought because he had to.
Because fighting was all he knew.
Because if he didn't fight—
He had nothing.
Sienna's fingers twitched slightly.
Why did that bother her?
Just as Sienna was lost in thought, the rooftop door slid open with a sharp hiss.
Serena walked in, stretching her arms, her crimson-red hair tied into a loose ponytail, her usual smirk firmly in place.
She immediately noticed Sienna standing silently, her eyes fixed on Jasper.
And, of course—
She couldn't let it slide.
"Oh, wow," Serena said loudly, grinning. "Sienna, you've been standing there for a while. You sure you're watching his technique? Or something else?"
Jasper, mid-swing, paused.
Sienna, completely composed, turned her head slightly toward Serena. "I was watching his form."
Serena smirked. "Mmm-hmm. Sure. His form."
Jasper let out a deep sigh, lowering Dragonis. "Serena. It's too early for your nonsense."
Serena walked forward, grinning. "Oh, come on. I'm just here to watch some action. Maybe get a little entertainment before breakfast."
She placed her hands on her hips. "And, y'know, I'd love to see Sienna in action."
Jasper wiped the sweat from his forehead. "What, you want me to fight her now?"
Serena shrugged. "Nah, just hand-to-hand combat training. I mean, she's a pro-hero, right? Maybe she can teach you something."
Jasper snorted. "I already know how to fight."
Sienna stepped forward. "Not without a sword."
Jasper blinked.
Sienna's silver eyes met his. "You rely on Dragonis too much. Without it, your combat skills are limited."
Jasper narrowed his eyes. "You saying I can't fight without my sword?"
Sienna tilted her head slightly. "I'm saying you could be better."
Serena grinned. "Ooooh. I like where this is going."
Jasper exhaled, stretching his arms. "Fine. Teach me something."
Jasper stood opposite Sienna, rolling his shoulders, cracking his neck.
Sienna took a stance—her movements controlled, refined, and utterly composed.
Serena leaned against the railing, watching like an amused spectator.
"Alright, Jasper," Sienna said, calm and steady. "Try to hit me."
Jasper raised an eyebrow. "What, just like that?"
Sienna nodded. "I won't counter. Just try."
Jasper shrugged. "Alright."
He moved fast—not hesitating. His instincts kicked in as he swung forward—
And Sienna sidestepped effortlessly.
Jasper blinked. "Huh?"
Sienna stood exactly where she had been, completely unbothered. "Again."
Jasper swung again, adjusting his movement—
And again, Sienna moved like water, flowing past him with zero effort.
Jasper scowled. "Alright. Now you're just showing off."
Serena burst into laughter. "Oh, this is good."
Jasper huffed, changing tactics. Instead of throwing a direct punch, he faked left, then swung right—
But Sienna already saw it coming.
She lightly tapped his wrist mid-motion, redirecting his entire attack off balance.
Jasper stumbled back.
Sienna's voice remained calm. "You're relying on force. Not control."
Jasper exhaled sharply, rubbing his wrist. "Okay. I see how it is."
Serena grinned. "Ooooh, she's humbling you."
Jasper ignored her, focusing on Sienna. "Alright, teach me."
Sienna nodded, raising her hands. "We start with precision."
For the next twenty minutes, Sienna guided Jasper through basic counter-techniques, proper footwork, and subtle weight shifts.
Her movements were smooth, her instructions clear.
And, for once, Jasper actually listened.
She showed him how to redirect an opponent's momentum instead of resisting it. How to use minimal effort to counter larger attacks.
Jasper absorbed everything.
And somewhere in the middle of it—
He noticed something.
Not about the training.
But about her.
She was close.
Every time she adjusted his stance, her hands brushed against his arms. Every time she demonstrated a technique, she was within inches of him.
Her presence was calm, steady, unwavering.
And for the first time…
Something felt different.
Not strong. Not overwhelming.
Just… different.
Like something stirred—not fully formed, not fully understood.
But there.
Serena, watching from the sidelines, smirked.
"Oh, this is definitely getting interesting."
Jasper rolled his shoulders, still getting used to the new movements Sienna was teaching him. Unlike swordplay, which relied on speed and power, this combat style was about fluidity, precision, and control.
Sienna stood calmly in front of him, demonstrating each move with graceful efficiency.
Jasper was focused.
Serena was bored.
And that was a problem.
Because a bored Serena meant trouble.
Leaning against the metallic railing, arms crossed, her crimson eyes gleamed with mischief as she watched the scene unfold.
And then—
It began.
Serena cleared her throat loudly, making both Jasper and Sienna glance at her.
"Oh wow," she said casually, a smirk creeping onto her lips. "This is really... intimate."
Jasper paused mid-motion, blinking. "Huh?"
Sienna, completely unfazed, ignored her and adjusted Jasper's wrist positioning. "Your grip is too stiff. Loosen it slightly."
Serena grinned. "Yeah, Jasper. Loosen up. You don't want to be too tense when a woman's touching you."
Jasper sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Serena. Please."
Serena tilted her head innocently. "What? I'm just saying—this is some high-quality, hands-on training."
Jasper ignored her.
Sienna did too.
Which meant—
Serena had to step it up.
Sienna moved behind Jasper, adjusting his posture and stance, lightly pressing her hands against his back and shoulder blades.
Jasper remained calm, focused on maintaining the position.
Serena?
Serena was losing her mind.
"Well, well, well," she exaggeratedly fanned herself, pretending to be impressed. "Jasper, I didn't know you liked having a woman wrapped around you from behind."
Jasper exhaled sharply, trying to remain unbothered. "She's adjusting my stance."
Serena smirked. "Oh, is that what they call it now?"
Jasper didn't respond.
Sienna, still calm and composed, simply said, "Your weight is uneven. Distribute it more evenly between your feet."
Serena snickered. "Oooooh, Jasper, distribute it properly. You don't want to be off-balance when a woman's handling you."
Jasper turned his head slightly, giving Serena a deadpan glare.
Serena grinned like a devil.
Sienna, still unfazed, pressed her hand against Jasper's side. "Your hips should be lower."
Serena choked.
Jasper groaned. "Serena, don't say it."
Serena absolutely said it.
"Oh. My. God. Sienna, are you telling him to lower his hips?"
Jasper immediately straightened up. "Okay, I'm done."
Serena cackled. "Nooo, keep going! I'm learning so much!"
Sienna remained calm, adjusting her gloves. "Jasper, again."
Jasper sighed, reluctantly getting back into position.
Serena wasn't finished.
Sienna moved back to the front, taking Jasper's hands into her own, guiding him through the next motion.
Serena's smirk grew wider.
"Oh wow," she purred. "Hand-holding? This is getting serious."
Jasper's eye twitched. "We are TRAINING."
Serena leaned against the railing dramatically. "I dunno, Jasper. I've never seen you let a woman take control of your hands like that before."
Jasper sighed. "Serena. Go away."
Serena ignored him.
Sienna, as always, remained completely unaffected.
But then—
She said something that caught Jasper off guard.
"You're overthinking," Sienna said, adjusting his fingers against her palm. "Let your body move naturally with mine."
Serena lost it.
"LET YOUR BODY MOVE NATURALLY WITH HERS?! JASPER, YOU LUCKY—"
Jasper immediately pulled his hands away. "NOPE. We're done. Training is OVER."
Serena fell to the floor laughing.
Sienna blinked, completely calm. "...Did I say something strange?"
Jasper sighed deeply, rubbing his face. "No. Serena's just... Serena."
Serena wiped a fake tear from her eye. "I've never had this much fun watching combat training before. Thank you, Sienna."
Sienna nodded politely. "You're welcome."
Serena cackled. "Oh, I LOVE you."
Jasper sighed again. "Why am I even here?"
Sienna tilted her head slightly. "To learn?"
Jasper groaned. "I hate everything."
Serena smirked. "No, you don't. You love this. You love us."
Jasper glared. "I want a refund on this friendship."
Serena grinned. "No refunds, babe. You're stuck with us."
Jasper sighed, completely defeated.
Sienna, still as calm as ever, simply nodded. "Alright. Training is over."
Jasper exhaled in relief. "Finally."
Serena grinned evilly. "Now let's talk about how romantic that session was—"
Jasper immediately left.
Serena burst into laughter.
Sienna?
Sienna simply watched him go, a tiny, unreadable smile playing at the corners of her lips.
The morning training session should have ended.
Jasper should have escaped.
But then—
Sienna turned to him, her silver eyes calm but firm, and made a request that sent alarm bells ringing in Jasper's head.
"Teach me how to wield a sword," she said, completely serious.
Jasper froze.
His mind immediately jumped to one unavoidable reality—
Serena was still here.
And if he so much as laid a hand on Sienna to correct her grip, Serena would explode into a hurricane of double-meaning, humiliating jokes.
Jasper hesitated, glancing over at Serena, who was still leaning against the railing, her crimson eyes watching with amusement.
She hadn't spoken yet.
Which meant she was waiting.
Jasper sighed, shaking his head. "Sienna, are you sure you wanna do this?"
Sienna nodded. "Yes. I should be proficient in all combat techniques, including swordsmanship."
Jasper rubbed his temples. "Look, you're great at hand-to-hand combat. You don't need a sword."
Sienna didn't budge. "Even so, I want to learn. And you are a professional."
Jasper groaned. "I already know this is a bad idea."
Serena finally spoke, smirking. "Oh, no, Jasper. This is a fantastic idea. Please, continue."
Jasper closed his eyes briefly. "I hate everything."
Jasper sighed deeply, then unsheathed Dragonis, the legendary sword gleaming in the artificial sunlight.
Sienna watched it with quiet curiosity, her eyes reflecting the blade's blue glow.
Jasper held it out. "Alright. First thing's first—try holding it."
Sienna nodded, stepping forward and gripping the handle with both hands.
The moment she lifted it—
Her arms dropped instantly.
The sheer weight of Dragonis nearly pulled her forward, her feet digging into the metal floor as she struggled to keep her balance.
Sienna blinked in shock. "...This is heavy."
Jasper grinned. "Yeah. No kidding."
Sienna adjusted her grip, but her arms visibly strained. "How do you wield this so easily?"
Before Jasper could answer—
Serena cackled.
"Oh my GOD, Sienna," she gasped dramatically, clutching her stomach. "It's too heavy for you? Can't even lift it properly?!"
Jasper stiffened immediately. "Serena. Don't."
Serena wiped away fake tears. "Wow, Sienna, are you sure you can handle Jasper's legendary weapon?"
Jasper internally died. "Serena, I will throw you into space."
Serena grinned devilishly. "I mean, Jasper swings that thing around so easily. Guess he's just... built differently."
Sienna, oblivious to Serena's meaning, simply nodded. "He is incredibly strong. His body has adapted to its weight."
Serena lost it.
"PFFFT—Sienna, do you even hear yourself?!"
Jasper groaned loudly. "CAN WE FOCUS?!"
Jasper ignored Serena, turning back to Sienna.
"Alright, your grip is wrong," he said, moving behind her to adjust her hands.
The moment his fingers touched hers—
Serena gasped dramatically.
"OH. MY. GOD."
Jasper froze, dreading what was coming next.
Serena clutched her chest. "Jasper. You're actually holding her hands?!"
Jasper exhaled sharply. "I swear to all the cosmic gods—"
Serena grinned evilly. "Tell me, Jasper—is she gripping it tight enough? Or do you need to show her how to hold it properly?"
Jasper immediately let go of Sienna's hands. "Nope. I quit. Lesson over."
Sienna blinked, completely unfazed. "But I haven't learned anything yet."
Serena wheezed. "OH, TRUST ME, SIENNA—YOU'RE LEARNING A LOT."
Jasper turned to Serena, pointing his sword at her. "You have five seconds to stop talking."
Serena smirked. "What, you gonna punish me?"
Jasper groaned, dropping his sword dramatically. "I'm gonna kill myself."
Jasper rubbed his forehead, trying to ignore Serena's commentary.
"Alright, fine. Let's continue."
He stepped closer to Sienna, adjusting her stance by placing a hand on her lower back.
Sienna remained calm, listening. "Like this?"
Jasper nodded. "Good. Now swing—slowly."
Sienna raised Dragonis, exhaling as she attempted a controlled downward strike.
The blade barely moved halfway before her arms shook violently.
She struggled to bring it down, her muscles visibly strained from the sheer weight.
Jasper sighed. "Alright, stop. I'll help."
He stepped behind her, placing his hands over hers, guiding the sword down properly.
And that was when Serena broke.
"OH MY GOD. JASPER."
Jasper immediately stepped back, throwing his hands in the air. "I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING WRONG!"
Serena gasped for air. "YOU—YOU JUST—YOU LITERALLY—"
Jasper gritted his teeth. "Serena, if you say something dumb, I swear I'll—"
Serena smirked evilly.
"Jasper. You were behind her. Holding her hands. Helping her move."
Jasper closed his eyes, counting to ten.
Serena continued mercilessly.
"Jasper. Be honest. Was it good for you?"
Jasper actually dropped his sword. "THAT'S IT—"
Serena collapsed onto the floor, laughing so hard she couldn't breathe.
Sienna, meanwhile, simply looked at Jasper. "Did I do something wrong?"
Jasper pointed at Serena. "Yes. She exists."
Serena wheezed. "Bro, I swear—I was just asking a question—"
Jasper turned to Sienna. "We're done. You're not learning swordsmanship anymore. End of discussion."
Sienna blinked, looking slightly confused. "But we barely started."
Serena cackled. "Oh, trust me, Sienna. That was more than enough."
Jasper walked away.
Serena fell back laughing.
Sienna… was still confused.