Chapter 8

From a distance, Lexz watched the match with bated breath, his grin widening as he witnessed Reo's jaw-dropping display of skill. Reo moved on the court like a true basketball virtuoso, defying gravity with his soaring jumps and sinking shots with flawless precision. Lexz knew in his bones that Reo was no ordinary human, he was something truly special.

As the match ended, Reo collapsed on the court, his body drenched in sweat, and gasping for air. Suddenly, a pair of heavy footsteps approached him. It was Rylai, the towering and intimidating opponent that Reo had just defeated.

"Good game, kid," Rylai congratulated him with a tap on the shoulder.

"You too, Rylai," Reo replied, his voice quivering with fatigue.

Rylai chuckled and complimented Reo's extraordinary abilities, but he couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling that there was something strange about the boy. Rylai had noticed dark shadows emanating from Reo's body during their game, and it made him wonder what kind of power Reo possessed.

Ignoring his suspicions, Rylai brushed off the thought and offered to join Reo and his team in the upcoming 3 on 3 tournament. "You won fair and square, kid. And that means I'm going to join you bums for the tournament. Who else is going to carry the load for you bums?" Rylai laughed and playfully slapped Reo on the back.

Lexz strode through the throngs of curious onlookers and joined Rylai and Reo on the court.

"You see, Rylai, Reo ain't no pushover," he said with a sly grin.

"He's got skills that make him look like a pro." Rylai chuckled,

"Well, he sure doesn't play like any human I've seen before." Lexz nodded in agreement,

"That's why we need to train hard before the tournament, especially you, Lexz," Rylai joked, clearly enjoying himself at Lexz's expense.

Lexz scowled but couldn't help but smile at the friendly banter.

"I can't wait to take on Grindel," he said with fierce determination.

Reo's ears perked up at the mention of another human. Though Grindel may be from Mars, it was still a chance to connect with someone from his own planet.

"Let's get back to the base," Lexz said to Reo. Rylai interjected,

"I'm crashing at your place, Lexz. Don't make me spend any DC on a hotel." Lexz clenched his fist, "You better watch your mouth, Rylai." Rylai laughed,

"I'm just messing with you, Dimeheart." Reo stifled a laugh, enjoying the friendly ribbing between his new friends.

As the three exited the Northern Courts and entered the bustling nightlife of Bayside, Reo felt a sudden urge to explore the city on his own. There was something invigorating about walking these alien streets alone, as if he were setting off to carve his own path.

"Hey guys, I think I'm gonna go check out the main district by myself," he announced, a thrill of independence sparking in his voice.

Rylai and Lexz exchanged a look of surprise, but they didn't protest. "Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself?" Rylai asked, a hint of concern in his deep voice.

Reo flashed them a confident smile. "Yeah, don't worry about me. I've got my telecaster chip; I'll find my way back. Besides, I want to see what kind of trouble I can get into on my own."

Lexz chuckled. "Sounds like a plan. Just be careful, Reo. This city can be dangerous at night."

He watched them disappear down the opposite street before taking a deep breath, letting the alien city's pulsing energy fill him up. This world was unlike anything he'd ever imagined—strange, dazzling, and limitless. It was like the universe had handed him a second chance, a chance to prove himself in a world where no one knew him, where his limits didn't matter. Back on Earth, he'd been stuck on the sidelines, dreaming of games he'd never get to play. But here, it felt like anything was possible, and Reo was determined to make every moment count. He was no longer the underdog—he was someone with a future he could build, step by step, right here in Bayside.

As he descended the steps towards the platform, the noise of the city faded away, replaced by the rumble of approaching trains. He checked his telecaster and found an arcade nearby, marked as Denny's Arcade. Reo's eyes widened with excitement. He'd always loved arcades back on Earth, and he couldn't wait to see what kind of games this one had to offer.

Navigating through the menus on his telecaster, Reo followed the map towards the arcade. The streets were alive with activity, neon lights flickering overhead as crowds of aliens and humans alike moved through the night.

Finally, he arrived at Denny's Arcade. The neon sign outside flashed in a rainbow of colors, drawing him in. As he stepped inside, he was greeted by the sound of blaring music and flashing lights. Rows of arcade cabinets lined the walls, each one packed with a crowd of enthusiastic players.

Reo's heart raced as he made his way through the maze of machines. He couldn't wait to start playing, to lose himself in the competition and the thrill of the game. For a moment, he forgot about the tournament, forgot about everything else but the joy of the arcade. And for that moment, he was truly happy.

The hologram games projected monsters that looked so real, Reo couldn't help but feel like he was in another world. The arcade was alive with flashing lights, laughter, and music pulsing from every corner. It was as if the entire place was a kaleidoscope of energy, and for a moment, Reo lost himself in the sights and sounds.

Then, through the crowd, he noticed her—a girl with red skin that glowed like molten lava beneath the neon lights, her purple and black hair cascading in waves. She moved with a cool confidence, a rhythm all her own, like she was both a part of and apart from the chaos of the arcade. Reo's breath caught as he took in her piercing green eyes, eyes that seemed to look right through him, like they saw something hidden even from himself. She leaned against the basketball arcade game, her gold chains glinting under the lights, and with every glance and movement, she seemed to pull the whole room's attention without trying.

Reo was transfixed, unable to shake the feeling that this girl was someone extraordinary, someone who didn't belong in the ordinary crowd around them. His pulse quickened as he tried to decide what to say, half afraid he'd disappear in her gaze if he got too close.

Reo's heart started racing and he felt a wave of nervousness wash over him. "That girl must be a Martian," he thought to himself as he approached her. She stood by the caged basketball game, her white tank top and gold chains shining under the lights. The flower tattoo on her shoulder was a work of art. Reo was stuck in a moment he couldn't get out of. He had never seen anyone like her before.

The girl noticed him and gave him a strange look as she chewed on her gum, blowing a bubble and popping it. "Do you know me? Or something?" she asked, her voice sounding like music to Reo's ears. He shook his head, trying to find the right words. "No, not really...I've just never seen any other humans here," he said, his heart beating faster by the second.

The girl flashed him a dazzling smile and Reo felt like he was melting. "Well, you're definitely not from around here," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "But you seem like a cool guy. My name's Lira. What's yours?" Reo introduced himself and they started talking. As they chatted and played games together, Reo couldn't help but feel like he had found someone special. He didn't know where this would lead, but he was excited to find out.

Reo's heart was pounding as he watched Lira dribble the ball with effortless grace. She had a way of moving that made Reo feel like he was watching a goddess in motion. As she took a jump shot, Reo couldn't help but hold his breath, mesmerized by her skill.

"So...you're from Mars?" Reo asked, trying to sound casual, though he could feel his voice catching in his throat. Lira turned to him with a raised eyebrow and a slight smirk, and he swore her gaze seemed to reach right through him.

"Yeah, I'm Martian. You've heard of us, I take it?" she replied, her voice smooth and assured, carrying a hint of curiosity. Reo felt an odd mix of excitement and hesitation ripple through him.

"Definitely. I mean, Mars is close by, but we don't get too many Martians on Earth...at least not casually at an arcade," he replied, glancing away to hide his blush. Lira's expression shifted, a flicker of amusement sparking in her eyes.

"And you...where did you say you were from again?" she asked, studying him closely. Her gaze felt both playful and probing, as though she was trying to read something deeper in him.

"Earth. Yeah...Earth," he stammered, feeling an odd self-consciousness he wasn't used to. It was strange to think that despite their common "human" label, there was an entire world of difference between them.

Lira chuckled, her eyes softening. "Earth, huh? My father told me stories about it. Said it was wild but small—a bit too small for Martians, anyway." She gave a small, wry smile, and Reo couldn't tell if she was teasing or sharing a truth. He laughed nervously, wondering if he should defend his home or just go along.

"Yeah, it's...small, I guess. Probably nothing like Mars." He tried to sound confident but felt a prickle of doubt. Lira's cool gaze softened slightly, and she leaned in closer, her smile turning almost thoughtful.

"Guess we're both a bit out of place here, then, huh?" she said, her voice almost conspiratorial. The way she said it made Reo's heart race; it felt like she'd just shared a secret.

Reo was stunned. Lira sounded so intelligent, almost like a scientist breaking down some kind of theory. He couldn't help but find it attractive. 

"Say, it's getting kind of late, and I got practice in the morning," Lira said, breaking the spell that Reo was under.

"Practice for what?" Reo asked, not wanting the conversation to end. "

Basketball. I'm on the Bayside Stars girls team." Reo's eyes widened with excitement. "What position do you play?!" he exclaimed, feeling like he had found his soulmate. Lira's eyes sparkled as she replied, "Point guard." And in that moment, Reo knew he had to see her play.

Reo and Lira stood on the sidewalk outside the arcade, the night air cool and refreshing against their skin. The city was alive with the hum of activity, the neon lights casting a colorful glow over everything in sight. Reo's heart was racing as he looked at Lira, his mind buzzing with excitement.

"Hey, could I come see you play sometime?" he asked, his voice filled with eagerness. Lira's eyes twinkled mischievously as she tilted her head and smirked.

"Sure, I guess," she replied, handing him her contact information. "You're a strange fellow, Reo," she added with a laugh.

As they chatted, a sleek, limousine-like vehicle pulled up beside them, the doors sliding up to reveal a plush, red leather interior.

"Well, that's my ride," Lira said with a grin.

"My father can be strict about me being out, especially with a boy." Reo was taken aback by the extravagant car and wondered just how important Lira was.

"I'll see you around, I hope," he said, feeling foolish even as the words left his mouth. Lira laughed and closed the door, the car disappearing into the night.

Reo made his way to the nearest subway station, still reeling from the excitement of the night. He checked his notifications and saw that he had completed a quest and earned some bonuses,"Notification Alert, you have completed the quest David vs Goliath, awarded +1 in all skills attributes. Bonus quest unlocked Girl of your dreams.

Congradulations you have have earned 2000 DC for defeating and recruiting Rylai." The message read, but his mind was elsewhere. All he could think about was Lira, the Martian girl who had captured his heart. He couldn't wait to see her play basketball and learn more about her mysterious world.

Reo stumbled into the apartment, disoriented and lost in his thoughts, only to find Lexz and Rylai locked in a fierce battle on their video game console. "Got you, you rat bastard!" Lexz bellowed, his eyes glued to the screen as he taunted Rylai.

"Lucky shot bud, you ain't ever hitting that again," Rylai retorted with a mouth full of alien snack, not taking his eyes off the game. The commotion died down as they both noticed Reo's entrance.

"You made it back in one piece, we were worried about you," Lexz said sarcastically, but there was genuine concern in his voice.

Reo was lost in his thoughts, still dazed from the events of the night. He slowly made his way over to them and slumped onto the couch.

"What's the matter, kid? You alright? Why do you look like that?" Lexz asked curiously, his eyes fixed on Reo. "Oh nothing, I went to Denny's Arcade tonight..." Reo trailed off, his mind still fixated on Lira.

"And? Going to an arcade makes you sad?" Rylai asked, his mouth still full.

"Nah, the arcade was great, I had the best time of my life. I met a girl, boys," Reo explained, his voice filled with excitement.

"Aw, a female," Rylai joked, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Was she a human, Reo?" Lexz asked, his eyebrows raised in interest.

"Ya, in fact, she was a Martian. She was so beautiful, and I even got her contact on my telecaster," Reo replied, his infatuation evident in his voice.

Lexz and Rylai laughed, but their amusement turned to shock as Reo mentioned the girl's name. "Martian, eh? You don't see too many Martians at arcades. They don't really do fun," Lexz said, his expression serious.

"What was her name?" Rylai asked with a mouth full of alien snack.

"Lira," Reo responded, his tone defensive.

"And she was fun. I mean, she was kind too chill, but she was fun," Reo continued, unaware of the weight of the situation.

Lexz and Rylai fell silent, their expressions shifting from mild amusement to something more intense, their eyes widening at the mention of Lira's name. For a moment, Reo thought they hadn't heard him correctly.

"Guys?" he prompted, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips. "Why do you both look like you've seen a ghost?"

Lexz exchanged a look with Rylai, the tension between them thickening. Rylai cleared his throat, his usual humor vanishing. "Lira, you say? Purple and black hair?" he asked slowly, his tone almost disbelieving, as if trying to confirm the impossible.

"Yeah. She even gave me her contact. You two...know her?" Reo's excitement was barely contained, but their reaction threw him off balance. It was like he'd just dropped a bomb.

Lexz let out a low, almost inaudible whistle. "Kid...you didn't just meet any Martian. You met Lira Lightguard." His voice was barely more than a whisper, a note of awe—and maybe fear—lurking beneath his words.

Reo blinked, struggling to make sense of the name. "Lightguard? Wait...as in...?" His mind flashed back to the grand halls of the Northern Courts, the towering poster of a Martian legend.

Rylai shook his head, a wry, almost reverent smile on his face. "That's right. Drevin Lightguard's daughter." He folded his arms, casting Reo a look that was half-impressed, half-worried. "If she gave you her contact, kid...that's something big. And not just for you."

Reo stared at his friends, feeling an odd chill run down his spine. "I...don't get it. What does that mean?"

Lexz locked eyes with him, his gaze serious. "It means you've got the attention of the daughter of one of the most powerful Martians in the galaxy." He paused, his voice dropping to a whisper. "And around here, that kind of attention changes everything."

Reo's heart pounded as he absorbed their words. His mind raced with questions he wasn't sure he wanted answered. Just who exactly was Lira, and what did this connection mean for him? He glanced at his telecaster, the contact glowing faintly on his screen, feeling like it was a link to something much larger—and far more dangerous—than he'd ever imagined.