Chapter 15

Bayside City lay draped under a velvet night sky, stars twinkling like distant lanterns in the cosmic expanse. A cool, crisp breeze whispered through the empty streets, carrying with it the solitary echoes of a bouncing basketball. On an isolated court, bathed in the soft glow of holographic lights, Reo stood alone, his silhouette outlined against the shimmering backdrop.

Each bounce of the ball resonated with a rhythmic cadence, punctuated by the crisp swish of the net as the ball sailed smoothly through. The chain net clinked melodically, a symphony of solitude in the vast, starlit expanse. "Still not good enough," Reo muttered, his breath visible in the chill air as he scooped up the ball. The court, a technological marvel, reflected the city's luminescence, casting an ethereal sheen across its surface.

With a furrowed brow, Reo dribbled to the three-point line. In a fluid motion, he executed a deft sidestep, first to the left, then to the right. He launched himself into a step-back shot, the ball arching gracefully against the night sky before descending into the hoop. Yet, each successful shot only deepened the crease of dissatisfaction on his forehead.

"God damn it!" he yelled, his voice resonating in the empty court, only to be swallowed by the vastness around him. "I can't seem to remember a damn thing about those games we played. How did I zone out like that?" His words were laced with frustration, echoing the mystery that plagued his mind.

He slumped onto the hologram-infused floor, its futuristic design flickering under the starlight. His mind groped through the darkness of his memories, seeking answers that seemed just beyond reach. He remembered the engulfing shadows, a sensation of being swept into an otherworldly trance, a feeling of oneness with the cosmos that was both exhilarating and terrifying.

Reo ran his fingers through his hair, the sensation of cosmic oblivion lingering at the edge of his consciousness. It was as if he had danced with the stars, touched the fabric of the universe, yet now, it eluded him, slipping through his fingers like grains of stardust.

The court, with its pulsing holographic lights, seemed to resonate with his inner turmoil, reflecting the chaos of his thoughts in its flickering patterns. Reo sat there, a lone figure in the vastness of the night, wrestling with the enigma of his own mind, the mysteries of the cosmos echoing in the silent bounces of a basketball.

Abruptly, his contemplative solitude was pierced by a sudden, vivid red exclamation mark flashing at the periphery of his vision. It materialized like a phantom, its scarlet hue stark against the darkness of the night.

A voice, ethereal and resonant, echoed within the confines of his mind, its tone imbued with an otherworldly quality. "Notification Alert," it announced, reverberating through the stillness around him. The unexpected intrusion jolted Reo from his reverie, a spark of excitement igniting within him. "Aw, shit, I totally forgot about this," he exclaimed, his voice bouncing off the deserted court and mingling with the night air.

His eyes widened as he absorbed the significance of the message, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. "Congratulations, you have completed all previous quests." The words resonated with a sense of finality and triumph, marking the end of a journey he had scarcely been aware of embarking upon.

A series of holographic message bubbles materialized before him, each shimmering with a translucent sheen. They floated ethereally, displaying the quests he had unknowingly completed. Among them, a particular message caught his attention: "Victorious in the 3v3 Tournament against Jinwall." The words sparkled with a victorious sheen, a testament to his recent triumph on the court.

Reo's heart swelled with pride and disbelief. "I don't even remember what those quests were," he murmured, awe-struck by the revelation. Each message bubble seemed to pulsate with its own life, a digital heartbeat echoing his own.

Then, another message materialized, glowing with an intensity that outshone the others. "Stat Increase: +2 in All Abilities."

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

The words hovered before him, their significance sinking in. Reo felt a surge of power coursing through him, as if the very essence of his being had been amplified.

He could feel the change within him, a newfound strength that resonated from the core of his being. It was as though the completion of the quests had unlocked a latent potential within him, transforming him into something more than he had been mere moments before.

As he sifted through the holographic message bubbles, a peculiar one caught his attention. Unlike the others, it was shrouded in an unsettling black hue, the text within it written in a font that twisted and curled like tendrils of smoke. "Are there shadows in your heart?" it queried, sending a shiver down Reo's spine. He hesitated, feeling an inexplicable unease, then pressed on. "Let go of doubt and let the shadows guide you," the message eerily advised before dissolving into the night air.

"Now that was spooky," Reo muttered, his gaze drifting upwards to the twin moons, their light doing little to dispel the sudden chill that had settled in his bones. As he lost himself in thought, a sinister hissing sound crept into his awareness, akin to a serpent tasting the air. The faint patter of approaching footsteps broke the court's silence, pulling Reo back to reality.

He turned, his heart pounding, to confront the source of the noise. Emerging from the shadowy fringes of the court was a figure clad in an orange hoodie adorned with a striking gold emblem—the Crescent Stars. As the figure approached, he drew back the hood to reveal a reptilian head, its scales a mesmerizing blend of dark forest green, interspersed with vibrant streaks of orange and blue.

The creature's eyes glinted bright and keen, flickering like embers in the night as his forked tongue darted out, sampling the cool air. "Jordo?" Reo ventured, his voice steady despite the unusual sight. The towering reptilian figure loomed over him, the scales along his body gleaming subtly under the moonlight.

"Rylai must have told you about me, I'm sensing," Jordo remarked, his voice a blend of curiosity and an underlying threat. His muscular frame hunched down, bringing his cold, calculating gaze closer to Reo. "You are a puny little thing, aren't you? How can you even play basketball?" His tone was mocking, yet devoid of malice, more inquisitive than contemptuous.

"Don't worry about how I play," Reo retorted, gripping the basketball firmly at his side.

Jordo's lips curled into a sly grin, revealing rows of sharp, predatory teeth. "Don't get so offensive. I'm only stating my thoughts. I'm guessing Rylai never mentioned I speak my mind." His laughter, a grating, hissing sound, echoed across the court, bouncing off the empty bleachers.

"Actually, yesterday night was the first time I ever even heard of you," Reo admitted, meeting Jordo's piercing gaze with newfound confidence.

"How rude, we were such good friends," Jordo replied, a flicker of melancholy tingeing his cold tone.

"What do you even want?" Reo asked, his curiosity piqued despite his reservations.

"I need a favor from you. Pass a message to Rylai for me," Jordo requested, his tail swaying rhythmically behind him, its scales shimmering in the moonlight.

"Why the hell would I do any favors for you? Your teammate is an asshole, and to be honest, I don't really think I like you either," Reo said, his voice tinged with rising anger.

"I get it, Joon's kind of a prick, but I'm different. I'm more of a jerk," Jordo responded, his laughter resonating around them.

"I'll tell you what. How about a one-on-one? First bucket wins, and I'll even give you the first ball," Jordo proposed, his dark green scales glinting with an ominous sheen as he smirked confidently.

Reo hesitated, eyeing the formidable reptilian before him. Jordo's muscular form was intimidating, his scales a living armor that seemed to absorb the moonlight. But Reo was undeterred. "Alright, let's go. My ball, right?" he challenged, stepping forward with determination.

"Of course, kid," Jordo replied, his tongue flicking out in anticipation as he assumed a defensive stance, ready for whatever Reo had to throw at him.