Chapter 14

In the afterglow of the game, amidst the cacophony of a jubilant arena, Reo found solace under a soft white towel, a sanctuary that draped over his head. Sitting at the edge of the bench, he was enveloped in his own world, a realm where the clamor of the arena faded into a distant hum. His teammates, the formidable Rylai and ever-strategic Lexz, were ambassadors in the crowd, their laughter mingling with the myriad voices of aliens and humans alike. Yet Reo, in his secluded refuge, was adrift in a sea of contemplation, his mind grappling with the surreal notion that once the towel lifted, he would be thrust back into his old life, bereft of the bonds he had formed and the game that had reignited his passion.

Lost in this introspective trance, a gentle nudge nudged him back to the present. As the towel lifted, revealing the vibrant life of the arena, he was greeted by an unexpected sight - Lira. Her presence was a beacon, illuminating the dim corridors of his mind. In her hand, she held an alien energy drink, encased in a can that glowed with an ethereal green light, offering it to him with a smile that radiated warmth and comfort. "Tired?" she inquired, her voice a soothing balm to his frayed nerves.

Reo's response was meek, tinged with an underlying nervousness as he accepted the can. "Yes, kind of," he admitted, finding solace in her understanding gaze. Lira's demeanor, as ever, was an oasis of calm in the storm of his thoughts. "Good game out there, kid," she commended, her voice a gentle wave washing over him. "Didn't think you were going to pull through."

Her words were a catalyst, prompting a chuckle from Reo, a sound that seemed foreign yet familiar in his current state. "I didn't think so either," he confessed, his voice laden with a humble gratitude. "Jinwall and his guys... they were a formidable force. But I'm thankful - my guys, Rylai and Lexz, they had my back."

Taking a sip from the can, Reo experienced a sensation akin to a supernova erupting within him, each sip a burst of life and vitality that coursed through his veins. "Whoa, what in the world is this?" he exclaimed, his voice a mix of amazement and curiosity.

Lira's laughter, a melody that danced through the air, filled the space between them. "Just a common energy drink around here. It's called Gwar," she explained, her eyes twinkling with a playful mirth.

It was then that Reo noticed her laughter for the first time, a sound that enveloped him in a warmth far deeper than the drink he held. Rylai's booming voice interrupted the moment, "Hey Loverboy, you ready to get going?" he called out from a distance, with Lexz trailing behind him.

"Well looks like I better get going." Lira said as she looked up to acknowledge Rylai, and Lexz as they came running over to Reo. Realizing the moment was fleeting, Reo looked up at Lira, a hopeful glint in his eyes. "Wait, are you sure you don't want to join us for some food? I promise, they don't bite," he pleaded, his voice laced with a desire for her company to linger.

Lira's smile, tinged with a hint of regret, was a silent answer. "Sorry, but duty calls. I've got errands to run for my old man. Maybe next time," she said, her voice echoing the promise of future encounters.

"Gone already?" Lexz queried, his heavy arms resting on Reo's shoulders, a physical embodiment of his protective nature. "Hey man, you're heavy!" Reo protested playfully, as Lira's figure gracefully melded into the sea of faces, leaving behind a lingering warmth and the promise of a new day.

As Reo, Lexz, and Rylai gathered their belongings to depart the resonating echo of the stadium, they merged into the sea of spectators. Some were departing, their conversations buzzing with the day's events, while others streamed in, eager for the next bout. Amid this transition, Reo's path collided with a jarring interruption.

A slim figure, cloaked in a dark orange hoodie, materialized from the crowd. The hood, drawn deep over the head, masked the face in enigmatic shadows. With an abrupt thud, the figure bumped into Reo, sending him crashing to the ground. The mysterious stranger, accompanied by three others clad in similar attire, didn't pause. Each hoodie bore an emblem of two stars aligning with a dagger nestled between them – a symbol that seemed to whisper of clandestine allegiances and dark histories.

"Hey, watch where you're going, pal," one of the hooded figures sneered in a voice laced with mockery. The tone was as chilling as the night air, sending a ripple of tension through the crowd.

Lexz, whose veins already simmered with indignation, moved instinctively to confront the transgressor. His hands reached out, intent on grabbing the offender, but Rylai's massive hand clasped his shoulder, anchoring him with a silent plea in his eyes. The message was clear – this was not a fight to engage in, not here, not now.

The instigator, turning back with a deliberate slowness, revealed a face of red skin that glowed ominously under the stadium lights. His green eyes, sharp and predatory, scanned Reo with a gaze that dripped disdain. "Oh, excuse me," he mocked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Didn't notice that child there."

Reo, still on the ground, locked eyes with the assailant. A silent battle of wills ensued, Reo's fiery gaze meeting the other's calculating coldness. "My, my, little boy, don't look so mad. It was an honest mistake," the hooded man taunted, his voice a melody of insincerity.

Reo rose to his feet, his expression a mask of controlled fury. He stood silently, not trusting his voice in the face of this palpable malice.

"Oh, is that you, Rylai?" another hooded figure inquired, sliding back his hood to reveal a reptilian visage. Beady yellow eyes stared out from beneath scales of deep green, a flickering tongue tasting the air with evident relish. His interest in Reo, Lexz, and Rylai was unmistakable – a predator sizing up its prey.

Rylai, his usual imposing presence overshadowed by a sudden caution, took charge. Grasping Reo and Lexz firmly, he urged, "Let's get going, boys." His voice, usually resonant with strength, now carried an undercurrent of urgency, betraying a rare hint of apprehension.

The hooded man in the middle watched them retreat, his smirk widening into a sinister grin. "Gone so soon? See you again soon, very soon," he called out, his voice a chilling promise of an inevitable and ominous reunion.

As the trio hastened away, the air around them seemed to thicken with tension, the weight of unspoken threats and hidden dangers pressing upon them. The encounter, brief as it was, left an indelible mark, a reminder of the shadowy forces that lurked just beyond the bright lights of the arena.

As they stepped out of the arena, the vibrant lights of Bayside City enveloped them, casting long shadows on the pavement. The night air was crisp, filled with the city's endless hum. Lexz, his brows furrowed in frustration, broke the silence that had fallen over the trio. "What the hell was that all about? Who the hell were those guys?" His voice was a mix of anger and confusion, echoing off the nearby buildings.

Rylai, usually the epitome of stoicism, gazed into the night sky. His eyes, reflecting the city's neon glow, held a depth of emotion rarely seen. In a tone barely above a whisper, a stark contrast to his usual booming voice, he murmured, "The Crescent Stars."

Lexz turned sharply, his voice rising. "What does that even mean? Some kind of gang or something? Never heard of them in my life." His snarl carried a tinge of apprehension, an acknowledgment of the unknown.

Rylai's broad shoulders slumped slightly, a gesture that spoke volumes. "They won the street league last year," he began, his voice heavy with memories. "They dominated their scene, ruled their turf. The one in the middle, that snarky green-eyed bastard... that's Joon. He was an elite Martian basketball player, a rising star who got cut from the national team. Bitter and disillusioned, he formed his own group of outcasts with similar dreams. But they grew distant from their competitors, adopting a dark, twisted way of playing basketball." Rylai paused, a shadow crossing his face. "Word has it that Joon caused permanent damage to an opponent last year at the street tournament. Now, they've got their sights set on the national tryouts."

Reo listened intently, absorbing every word. The tension in the air was palpable, thick with unspoken fears and uncertainties.

Lexz grunted, his frustration evident. "So what? A bunch of never-could-have-beens thinking they're some kind of elitists now." He scoffed, but his eyes betrayed his concern.

"And that slimy lizard who knew you?" Lexz pressed, his gaze fixed on Rylai.

Rylai's eyes clouded with sorrow. "Jordo," he said, the name escaping his lips like a ghost from the past. "He was my former teammate. Grew up in the same neighborhood. He always had his own way of doing things, on and off the court. One day, he just disappeared... and I haven't heard much from him since." Rylai's voice trembled, haunted by memories. "He was always so cheery, but then... something changed. He became distant, his playstyle raw and unnatural. I figured him and Joon would somehow end up together."

Lexz's jaw clenched, his hands balled into fists. "Fuck those guys," he spat out. "We'll get our chance soon enough. The quarterfinals should be announced soon."

As they walked through the bustling streets of Bayside City, the conversation about the Crescent Stars lingered in the air, a foreboding cloud over their heads. Each step they took was heavy with the weight of what lay ahead, a path fraught with challenges and unknown dangers.

Reo, caught between his own determination and the growing unease, felt a fire ignite within him. The confrontation with the Crescent Stars was not just another game; it was a battle for respect, a fight against the shadows that lurked in the corners of the sport they loved. With every step, he steeled himself for the inevitable clash, knowing that when it came, they would be ready to face whatever the Crescent Stars brought to the court.