Chapter 16

Reo's hands clasped the basketball, the texture gritty against his fingertips, like a promise of control and power. The night around him was eerily silent, a stark contrast to the electric anticipation humming within his veins. Standing before him, Jordo loomed like a shadowy sentinel, his reptilian gaze sharp and unforgiving, piercing through the calm of the night. It was an aura unlike any Reo had faced before, alien and intimidating, yet it only fueled his determination.

With a rhythmic bounce, Reo initiated his dance with the ball, each dribble a beat in the quiet night, a syncopated harmony between player and sphere. He advanced towards Jordo, who mirrored his movements, closing in with a predatory grace unique to his kind. In a fluid motion, Reo feinted left then swiftly shifted right, his body a blur of motion, a deceptive mirage under the pale moonlight.

Jordo, with his imposing figure, reached in, his long reptilian fingers hungry for the steal. "Too obvious," Reo thought, a smirk playing on his lips as he deftly maneuvered the ball away, creating a sliver of space just wide enough for him to slip through. With a surge of adrenaline, Reo darted towards the basket, now tantalizingly close. The ball, now a part of him, clung to his side as he took two powerful strides and leaped.

In that suspended moment, Reo's arm stretched out towards the hoop for a classic finger-roll layup. The basket seemed wide open, an unguarded throne awaiting its king. Then, in a flash as quick as lightning, an unforeseen force halted his ascent. Jordo's long, reptilian hand erupted from nowhere, a strike as fast and lethal as a cobra's bite, smacking the ball viciously against the backboard.

Stunned, Reo crashed back to the court, his mind racing. He had been certain he had outmaneuvered Jordo with his crossover at the top of the key. But somehow, Jordo had closed the distance with a speed and agility that defied his size. The absence of any sensation of Jordo's presence after the cross had been an illusion, a deceptive ploy by a player whose skill and instincts were honed on courts unknown and unfathomable.

The ball ricocheted off the backboard, a resounding echo in the silent night, a testament to Jordo's prowess. Reo, still in disbelief, scrambled to his feet, his eyes fixed on Jordo, who stood with a smug grin, his reptilian features illuminated by the soft glow of the moons.

"Didn't expect that, did you, kid?" Jordo taunted, his voice a hiss that slithered through the air.

Reo, undeterred, wiped the sweat from his brow and prepared to face Jordo once more. This was not just a game; it was a clash of worlds, of skills honed in vastly different arenas. And Reo, standing under the gaze of the twin moons of Bayside City, knew this was a challenge he couldn't back down from.

Reo stood transfixed, watching Jordo maneuver the basketball with a hypnotic rhythm. It was a dance of shadows and light, the ball seamlessly transferring from left to right, each bounce a measured beat in the eerie silence.

Jordo's eyes, bright and serpentine, flickered with amusement. "You alright mate?" he taunted, his voice a sibilant hiss that cut through the quiet. Reo, jolted back to the present, crouched into a defensive stance, his arms outstretched like a falcon ready to swoop. He inched closer to Jordo, every muscle tensed and ready to pounce.

Jordo's dribbling was an art form, a fluid motion that blurred the lines between predator and prey. Reo watched, his eyes laser-focused, waiting for the split-second lapse, the fleeting moment to strike. And then, it appeared. Jordo feinted left, then shifted right. Anticipating the move, Reo lunged, his hands swiping through the air where he expected the ball to be.

But in a breathtaking display of agility, Jordo was no longer there. Instead, he was a flash of dark green and orange scales, a streak of motion that left Reo grappling with empty air. With a leap as effortless as it was powerful, Jordo soared above Reo, slamming the ball into the hoop with a force that resonated through the court.

"Good game, kid. You tried," Jordo chuckled, his laughter echoing across the empty court. Reo, still grappling with the aftermath, realized he had just witnessed a mirror image of his own earlier maneuver – yet with a different outcome. It was as if Jordo had bent time around him, a feat that left Reo both awed and disoriented.

"How did you get past me?" Reo asked, his voice a mix of confusion and intrigue.

Jordo's response was a cascade of laughter, his hands clapping in delight. "That's a secret for another time," he said, his voice shifting to a more serious tone. "Tell Rylai, that Loco is back."

Reo furrowed his brow. "Who the hell is that?"

"You'll find out eventually. Just pass that message along, human boy. You are a boy of your word, I'd hope." Jordo's tone darkened, his eyes gleaming with an intensity that sent a chill down Reo's spine.

With a final flick of his tongue, tasting the night air, Jordo crouched low and leaped effortlessly over the court's fence. His departure was as enigmatic as his arrival, leaving Reo alone with the echoing sound of the basketball and the weight of a cryptic message.

As Jordo vanished into the shadows, Reo stood in the moonlit court, his mind racing with questions and the anticipation of an impending tournament. The night had revealed mysteries and challenges, but above all, it had ignited a fire within him. The game was changing, and Reo knew he had to be ready for whatever lay ahead.

In the quiet aftermath of his encounter with Jordo, Reo stood alone on the now deserted basketball court. The night's eerie calm enveloped him, the only companion to his thoughts the soft thud of the basketball at his feet. He raked his fingers through his damp hair, sweat beads trailing down his forehead as he exhaled deeply, the chill of the night air contrasting sharply with the warmth of his exertions.

The question of Jordo's mysterious maneuver lingered in his mind like an unsolvable riddle. "What the hell did he do just now?" he wondered aloud, the words dissipating into the stillness. Picking up the basketball, he decided to leave the court, heading back to Lexz's apartment through Bayside City's ever-active streets.

Despite the late hour, the city thrummed with life.

The bustling crowds of aliens and people melded into a blur around him, their vibrant energy a stark contrast to his contemplative solitude. As he meandered slowly through the throng, a gentle tap on his shoulder barely registered amidst the city's hum.

"What cha doin, Reo?" a familiar, soft voice called out.

Reo spun around, his heart skipping a beat.

"L-Lira?" he stammered, surprised and slightly flustered by her sudden appearance.

"Yep, it's me. What are you doing wandering around so late?" Lira asked, her reddish skin catching the neon lights that painted the city in a kaleidoscope of colors. Her presence, ethereal against the backdrop of the bustling streets, set Reo's heart racing.

"I could ask you the same," Reo replied, his voice tinged with nervous excitement. "Just running some errands. I love the night here; the city never sleeps," she responded with a casual shrug, her smile lighting up her face.

Reo furrowed his brow in concern. "But isn't it dangerous out here at night?" he asked.

She laughed softly. "Depends on where you are. I can take care of myself." Her confidence was as mesmerizing as the city lights.

Reo nodded, feeling a bit foolish. "I guess being careful never hurts," he said, shrugging off his concern.

"And you? Why are you out here this late?" Lira's curiosity piqued as she tilted her head slightly.

"Oh, I was just practicing down at the park courts," Reo explained, recounting his strange encounter.

"Met someone Rylai knows... it was weird. Heading home now."

"Preparing for the tournament, I assume?" Lira asked, her tone nonchalant but her eyes revealing a flicker of interest.

"Yeah, but... I don't know. Something's been off since the last game," Reo admitted, his confusion evident. He quickly changed the subject.

"When's your next game, Lira?"

"Soon," she answered vaguely. "You want to come watch?"

"I'd love to! Just let me know when and where," Reo said, his eagerness palpable.

"This weekend. South courts," she replied, her cool demeanor unshaken.

"I'll be there for sure! Hey, are you heading home now? Want me to walk with you? You know, since it can be dangerous and all," Reo joked, attempting to mask his nervousness.

Lira laughed, a sound that resonated with Reo. "I'm a big girl, Reo. Besides, my ride's coming soon. You should get home."

With a playful wink and a wave, she turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Reo standing there, his heart still racing.

"Good night, Lira. See you around... maybe?" her voice echoed in his mind as he watched her go.

Turning away, Reo resumed his journey home, his thoughts a whirlwind of excitement and intrigue. The night had brought unexpected encounters and lingering questions, but above all, it had ignited a sense of anticipation for what lay ahead.