Chapter 9

Reo woke up on his bed, staring at his ceiling, he opened up his menu and checked his stats.

"Reo Li, Current Stats and Abilites"

Speed: 12

Agility: 12

Jumping Ability: 13

Strength: 11

Stamina: 12

Shooting Ability: 12

Dribbling: 12

Lay-ups: 12

Dunk: 10

Passing: 12

Blocking: 10

Steal: 10

Rebound: 10

"Hidden Ability: Within the Shadows has evolved into Demon in the Shadows, player now will be engulfed in trance like state, ignore stats and give in to the darkness..." the message prompt was creepy, as Reo layed there in awe.

When dawn's light first touched the horizon, Reo stirred from his slumber. He rose from the tangled sheets of his bed, leaving behind the chaos of his cluttered bedroom. With purpose, he traversed the dim hallway, emerging into the living area. Rylai, his stoic companion, lay sound asleep, yet Reo couldn't suppress a chuckle at the sight. Rylai's granite-like form was curled into an oddly endearing spherical shape, transforming the usually imposing figure into a monumental stone egg.

At the kitchen counter, Lexz was already awake and preparing an exotic concoction that filled the air with an intoxicating aroma. Reo surmised it was some form of extraterrestrial caffeine. Lexz glanced over with a mischievous grin and drawled, "Good morning, lover boy."

Reo stifled another yawn and replied, "Morning."

Lexz's playful expression shifted, hinting at a more serious intent. "We ought to venture east of Bayside today. I've heard whispers of an arena hosting 3-on-3 pick-up games. It could be the perfect opportunity to forge a bond within our motley crew and hone our skills in the process."

Reo felt a surge of adrenaline at the prospect of joining forces with Lexz and Rylai, an alliance that had been but a distant dream until now. His voice filled with excitement, he declared, "Count me in! Let's seize the day!"

Lexz nodded in approval, then pointed to the still-slumbering Rylai. "Once that egg hatches, of course."

As Rylai stirred from his slumber, the cavernous room echoed with the sound of stone grating against stone. The behemoth stretched his massive form, the rocky plates of his skin crackling with each movement. "What's on the menu this morning, boys?" Rylai yawned, extending his colossal arms.

Lexz shot him a sidelong glance. "I said you could stay here, but I'm not your personal chef. We're heading east today. Word has it there are some 3-on-3 games going on, and it's high time we put our team chemistry to the test." Lexz's voice held a note of gravitas that commanded attention.

"Fine, but I need some fuel first. This big boy's always growing," Rylai quipped sarcastically. Reo retreated to his bedroom, emerging in an oversized black t-shirt, black shorts, and scuffed shoes—barely serviceable, but he was undeterred. Today was all about the game and the unknown challenges that awaited. The prospect of encountering other aliens, each more unique than the last, sent shivers down his spine.

Lexz and Rylai emerged, clad in black, their footwear in far better shape than Reo's battered sneakers. "Kid, your kicks are a joke," Lexz said, barely suppressing a chuckle. Rylai nodded, trying not to make Reo feel worse. "Don't worry about me. I never got a chance to go shopping that day," Reo retorted.

Together, they ventured towards the east of Bayside City, an area filled with red-tiled streets, vibrant neon lights, and lush, exotic flora. Reo marveled at the trees, their leaves undulating with a life of their own, as if they were under a spell.

As the sun beat down mercilessly, Rylai grumbled, "How much longer? I feel like we've been walking for hours." Lexz's green skin, however, seemed to shimmer under the sun's rays as he strode gracefully through the heat. Intrigued, Reo finally asked Lexz about his alien heritage.

With a smug smile, Lexz explained, "I'm a Xeon from a distant planet. Our world is bathed in the light of two suns and graced by two moons. Our days are long, our nights even longer, and the heat can be unbearable. Over countless generations, my people have evolved to endure these conditions, so Bayside City's heat is nothing to me."

Reo's eyes widened in awe. "That's the most informative thing you've ever told me," he joked. Lexz playfully swatted him on the back of the head.

As they approached a colossal structure flanked by two towering pillars, Reo was entranced by the intricate design, which combined the architectural prowess of an ancient temple with the cutting-edge technology of a space station. The pillars themselves bore enigmatic engravings of alien basketball players soaring through the cosmos.

"We've arrived," Lexz announced, his voice tinged with pride. "Welcome to the East Arena of Bayside City."

Rylai appeared unimpressed, while Reo could barely contain his excitement. As they neared the entrance, a cyborg—an unsettling fusion of man and machine—halted their advance. "Register your team and its members for the 3-on-3 tournament before entering," it intoned mechanically.

A holographic prompt materialized before Reo. After a moment's hesitation, he entered "Unicorn Squad" as their team name, followed by the names of his comrades. With a flash of green, the doors swung open, and the trio stepped into the arena.

As Reo stepped into the arena, a cacophony of chanting voices washed over him. The arena seemed to have an almost oriental ambiance, with a gold and crimson color scheme dominating the basketball court. Massive mechanical dragons coiled around gleaming golden pillars, while the court floors exuded a soft golden hue, adorned with cobalt blue accents. Intricate alien-like designs embellished the glass backboards, which glowed brilliantly each time a basket was scored. Hovering above the court, a gargantuan holographic screen provided a 360-degree view for everyone, ensuring no one would miss a single moment of the action.

"Lexz, this place is leagues beyond the Northern Courts," Reo remarked, elbowing Lexz playfully. "Isn't it?" Lexz responded, nodding in agreement. Rylai grinned confidently and declared, "This will be a piece of cake. Just give the ball to me, and I'll handle the rest." The colossal hologram shifted, revealing the Tournament Bracket. The first matchup displayed "Unicorn Squad vs Xeus6," while the second announced "DominoZ vs RuptureF." The trio stared intently at the screen. Lexz, a hint of embarrassment coloring his face, inquired, "Unicorn Squad?"

Reo tried to explain, "I, uh... I couldn't think of a better name. That was the first thing that came to mind." Rylai chuckled heartily, clutching his rock-solid stomach. "You're a strange one, kid," he said, tapping Reo's back in amusement.

Out of nowhere, an enigmatic alien approached the trio. Sporting black and blue hair, pearl-like skin, cat-like eyes, a small pointed nose, and a tall frame seemingly built for speed, he introduced himself as Jinwall Rix. Grinning from ear to ear, he asked Lexz, "Do I know you?" Lexz retorted, "No, but you soon will. That's why I gave you my name first. It's a name you'll never forget." Jinwall's reply was dripping with arrogance. Reo, unable to contain himself, stepped forward and declared, "Bruh, you're lame as hell."

Jinwall's grin widened as he looked down at Reo. "Oh, you brought a small child with you. Is he your fan, Lexz?" Lexz, infuriated, shoved Reo aside and grabbed Jinwall by his shirt collar. "How do you even know my name? Are you some kind of weirdo or something?" Jinwall calmly swatted Lexz's hands off his shirt. "Who doesn't know Lexz Dimeheart, the son of the legendary Dimeheart..." As Jinwall continued, Lexz's fist flew towards his face. With feline agility, Jinwall dodged the punch, smirking as he stepped back. Rylai used his formidable strength to hold Lexz back, preventing any further confrontation.

"Don't worry, Lexz. Make it past the first round, and I'll see you in the final," Jinwall taunted as he sauntered away. "I freaking hate that guy," Reo muttered, his anger mirroring Lexz's. Rylai stepped in, attempting to pacify the pair. "Calm down, boys. Our game is starting soon. We don't want to get disqualified for losing our cool, do we?" They grudgingly agreed, their minds set on giving Jinwall a thrashing later.

As Reo surveyed the alien-packed arena, he noticed Lira in the distance, seated courtside. His heart raced, and he couldn't resist walking towards her. "Hey..." Reo called out awkwardly to Lira. "Yo," she replied nonchalantly. "What are you doing here?" Reo asked, his voice wavering with excitement. Lira casually sipped her milkshake and responded, "My dad made me come. He's good friends with the owner, so I figured I'd stick around and watch some games." She then inquired, "What about you?"

"Well, I'm actually playing in this tournament. My team's the Unicorn Squad," Reo admitted, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. Lira, her expression unchanging, wished him luck. "Oh, I see. Well, good luck, Reo." Despite her apparent disinterest, Reo felt elated to hear her words of encouragement. He waved goodbye and sprinted back to his teammates.

"You done, lover boy?" Lexz grunted as he tied his shoes. "Shut up," Reo retorted, shuffling his feet in anticipation. As the game neared its start, Rylai yawned and performed his final stretches. The trio lined up and, with determination in their eyes, marched onto the court, ready to face whatever challenges the tournament would bring.

The trio took their positions at the center of the court, staring down their opponents as they approached from the opposite side. Clad in red jerseys and shorts, the opposing team radiated confidence. "I'm RiLi," the tallest alien announced, towering over both Rylai and Lexz with his purple, scaly skin and piercing green eyes. "This is Lor and Cvex." Lor was similar in height to Lexz but more slender, his jelly-like, almost translucent skin shimmering under the arena lights. Cvex, the stocky one, had wood-like features, his bark-like skin evoking images of ancient trees with faces.

As Lexz and RiLi flipped a coin to determine first possession, an enthusiastic green alien in a black suit took center stage, his voice booming through the arena's speakers. "Welcome, great citizens of Bayside City! Are you ready for some 3-on-3 basketball action? The first team to 21 advances!" The crowd erupted in cheers as the announcer continued, "Our first game today: the Unicorn Squad versus Xeus6!" Laughter rippled through the crowd at the mention of the Unicorn Squad, causing Reo and Lexz to blush.

Lexz and RiLi flipped a coin to determine the first possession, as a green alien announcer in a black suit began hyping up the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen of Bayside City, prepare for the ultimate 3-on-3 basketball showdown! The first team to reach 21 points advances!" The crowd roared in anticipation. "Our first game today: the Unicorn Squad versus Xeus6!" Laughter followed the mention of the Unicorn Squad, prompting Reo and Lexz to blush.

Xeus6 won the coin toss, and Lexz muttered, "Man, I messed up the coin toss." Rylai reassured him with a smirk, "They'll need the first ball just to keep up with us. Now, let's show them our defense!"

As the game began, the players' movements became a blur of speed and agility. Cvex passed to Lor, who darted around Reo with lightning-fast footwork. Lexz shadowed RiLi, while Rylai stood guard over Cvex. Lor taunted Reo, "You're too small, kid." Reo remained focused, carefully analyzing his opponent's every move, his mind racing like a supercomputer.

In the blink of an eye, Lor dashed past Reo, who desperately tried to catch up. As Lor leaped into the air, he gracefully floated the ball toward the hoop. Rylai, anticipating the move, tried to intercept, but the ball soared out of his reach and sank into the net. The announcer bellowed, "2-0!"

Rylai encouraged Reo, sensing his disappointment. "Don't worry, kid. It's just one basket." Rylai passed the ball to Reo, who faced Lor with renewed determination. The tension between them was palpable as Reo feigned a move to the right, only to dart left, leaving Lor stumbling in his wake. Reo raced to the top of the key, eyes locked on Lexz as he sprinted down the baseline.

In a split second, Reo hurled a no-look pass, the ball arcing through the air like a comet. Lexz met the ball mid-flight, gravity-defying athleticism on full display as he slammed it through the hoop with a deafening dunk. The score was now tied at 2-2.

"I'm too small?" Reo challenged, his grin a fusion of defiance and determination. Lor could feel the cold shivers running down his spine. "2-2! This game is reaching epic proportions!" the announcer roared, as the crowd, electrified by the unfolding drama, cheered for the titanic clash that was only just beginning.